Sarutobi Hiruzen felt somewhat melancholic.
Akihara Kagura's way of thinking actually aligns with the practices of the Root.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen still felt a bit uncomfortable. Why should a Mizuki, who wanted to betray Konoha, become an honorable sacrifice?
"Shouldn't the Third Hokage do it this way?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked earnestly, "Ultimately, Mizuki will be dealt with for stealing the Sealing Book, Naruto will learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu from the book, understand the truth from twelve years ago, and won't be discouraged by it."
"My thoughts..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment, then voluntarily spoke, "I hope Iruka can take on the responsibility of guiding Naruto. Iruka is an excellent teacher, possessing a strong Will of Fire, and can guide Naruto better in the future..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Akihara Kagura and pointed out a flaw in Akihara Kagura's plan, "Mizuki is a person with ill intentions. If Naruto knows Mizuki's true colors in the future..."
"Then just kill Mizuki."
Akihara Kagura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with the same sincerity, "As long as Mizuki is killed, no one will ever know. Just like Lord Danzo taught me before, if you don't want people to know some truths, just deal with those who might reveal the truth..."
"You shouldn't always follow Danzo's path."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a harsh drag of his cigarette, recalling that old friend who defected, feeling a stuffy sensation in his chest, "Danzo chose a wrong path. What you should do isn't just to eliminate the darkness in the village, but you should also bring out the shining points of the ninja within the village, learn to let others accomplish tasks, instead of relying on power to solve everything..."
"There are always things in this world that power cannot solve."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a thick ring of smoke and continued to educate, "When walking a path, you can't just care about the end of the road. You should also see the beautiful scenery along the way... In doing anything, don't neglect the process and directly advance to the result."
The wisdom of knowing people and the way of employing people.
This is what a future Hokage should do.
Akihara Kagura has grown up, increasingly only focusing on results, which is not good, because the process of doing something is also important. Otherwise, one becomes like Danzo, using any means.
"Then I'll add more scenes for Teacher Iruka."
Akihara Kagura, seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's dissatisfaction, slightly adjusted the story they were crafting, "Later, I'll review Mizuki, help him settle reasonably, whether in process or outcome, ensure it aligns with the Third Hokage's guidance as much as possible, letting Teacher Iruka become Naruto's life mentor, as this teacher indeed cares a lot about Naruto."
"Alright."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally nodded in satisfaction, even voluntarily sharing a bit of information, "Actually, Iruka's parents died in the Nine-Tails incident..."
"Then he should hate Uchiha Obito."
Mentioning another supervisor, Akihara Kagura naturally added, "When we talk about it, it's reasonable for Teacher Iruka to care for Naruto, since Naruto's parents, the Fourth Hokage couple, sacrificed to save the village, allowing everyone in the village to survive..."
The identity of Naruto Uzumaki's parents was not a secret to Akihara Kagura in Konoha's higher-ups.
To this day, the village's civilians secretly cursed Naruto Uzumaki as a Nine-Tails demon fox but did not stop admiring the Fourth Hokage as the hero who saved the village.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen started smoking heavily again.
Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to praise Umino Iruka, unlike others who lost family in the Nine-Tails' chaos and coldly rejected Naruto Uzumaki, instead treating Naruto as an equal, like a true teacher, even caring more for the young boy.
However...
From Akihara Kagura's mouth...
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that Akihara Kagura made a valid point.
But following Akihara Kagura's reasoning, not only Umino Iruka should care for Naruto, but it seems the whole Konoha should indeed care for Naruto, instead of his current situation of facing rejection from all villagers.
"Forget it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to discuss this issue anymore and finally instructed, "Since you want to take the Root to do this, then go and do it well."
[System prompt]: [New mission (Sarutobi Hiruzen): Let Naruto Uzumaki know the truth from back then, help Naruto learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to graduate smoothly, stop Mizuki from obtaining the Sealing Book, and let Umino Iruka fulfill his duty as a teacher.]
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed a seasoned politician.
This kind of task, while with other superiors, Akihara Kagura could extract many tasks. Here, so many tasks were turned into one by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Then I won't go to the Task Gathering Place this afternoon."
Akihara Kagura took the opportunity to cancel their schedule for the afternoon.
Akihara Kagura also didn't want to stay at the Task Gathering Place all the time dealing with those clients issuing hiring tasks, such tasks should be the Hokage's business.
Ninja Academy.
Mizuki stood in the teacher's office, looking down at Naruto Uzumaki, who was scorned by a group of kids, a sinister smile flickering across his face.
Mizuki wanted to obtain the village's Sealing Book but didn't dare take risks himself, fearing drawing attention from the village's Dark Department, was long considering how to use Naruto Uzumaki properly.
Knock knock knock...
The sound of knocking on the door came in.
A red-haired girl wearing glasses walked in, followed by a group of red-eyed ninjas dressed in the Dark Department's gray uniforms, looking like a bunch not to be trifled with.