"Naruto, doesn't this exhaust you?"
"I don't feel tired at all," Uzumaki Naruto replied calmly.
"In fact, I'd say it's fun. Anything worth doing is always hard to achieve."
Hearing that, Namikaze Minato showed a trace of melancholy.
Because of Naruto's young age, Minato had always tried to approach him as a father would—careful, gentle, protective.
Yet it was becoming increasingly clear that Naruto's worldview had already surpassed that of most adults.
Minato understood exactly why Naruto had come to see the Sarutobi Hiruzen today.
For the past two months, while Hiruzen was away from the village, Gekkō Hayate had been monitoring only one of Naruto's shadow clones.
Every single day, that clone deliberately struggled—painfully and slowly—to learn the Shadow Clone Technique, right in front of Hayate.
Now that the Third Hokage had returned, that information had surely already been reported in full.
Naruto's visit today was nothing more than reassurance.
A performance meant to show that he was growing exactly the way the Hokage hoped.
"Hmm? Uchiha Shisui is here too."
As Naruto deliberately slowed his pace near the Hokage Tower, he sensed a familiar chakra rapidly approaching.
Without hesitation, he sank inward and entered the sealed space.
"Father," Naruto asked evenly,
"what do you think of the Uchiha clan?"
Minato was momentarily surprised by the sudden question. After a brief pause, he answered truthfully.
"I don't know the Uchiha very well. When I was a Hokage candidate, I interacted with their clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, a few times. After becoming Hokage, I only met with high-ranking officers of the Konoha Police Force."
He paused.
"But your mother was close friends with Fugaku's wife."
As Uchiha Shisui drew closer, Naruto's eyes flickered subtly.
"Father," Naruto continued,
"have you ever fought a member of the Uchiha clan?"
"And how much do you really know about their kekkei genkai, the Sharingan?"
Minato's expression turned serious.
"Those who awaken the Sharingan can grasp techniques that take others years to master. Even the weakest among them are at least chūnin-level."
"I never fought an Uchiha inside the village, but…"
His voice grew heavier.
"You already know. Years ago, I fought the masked man who released the Nine-Tails. He possessed the Uchiha's strongest dōjutsu—the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"That Mangekyō not only allowed him to control Tailed Beasts with ease, but also granted mastery over space–time ninjutsu."
"I know all of that," Naruto interrupted, his gaze oddly sharp.
"But didn't you ever ask Hatake Kakashi about the deeper abilities of the Sharingan… after he successfully received an eye transplant?"
Minato's eyes widened in shock.
"Naruto… what are you planning?"
He was genuinely alarmed.
With Naruto's current strength, taking a Sharingan from an Uchiha would not be difficult.
"Relax," Naruto waved his hand casually, bright eyes calm and clear.
"I'm just curious. That's all."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"By the way, Father—the Third Hokage should be waiting for me now."
"Kurama, from now on, you don't need to suppress your chakra."
The Nine-Tails twitched its tail.
A torrent of crimson chakra surged toward the sealed gate.
Minato wanted to say more—but Naruto had already exited the sealed space.
At that moment, Naruto saw Uchiha Shisui entering the Hokage Tower.
Naruto remembered something from the original storyline.
Later, when Kabuto Yakushi attempted to pressure Uchiha Obito with an Edo Tensei army, he mentioned that Shisui's body was never found.
After all, Shisui was the wielder of the most powerful genjutsu—
Kotoamatsukami, born from his Mangekyō Sharingan.
This year was Konoha Year 53.
According to the timeline, Shisui would die next year.
His right eye would be taken by Shimura Danzo.
His left eye entrusted to Uchiha Itachi.
Naruto's gaze lingered briefly on the Hokage Tower.
He recalled the rumor that the Scroll of Seals, containing Konoha's forbidden jutsu, was kept inside the Hokage's office.
He didn't need Shisui's eyes.
All he needed—
…was Shisui's body.
With that, he could obtain a complete pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.
But where exactly had Shisui died?
The records suggested a cliff by a waterfall along the Naka River—near the forest Itachi had once shown Naruto.
Finding the river would be easy.
Finding the correct waterfall would not.
Should I take the risk and mark Shisui with a Flying Thunder God seal now?
After cycling through several possibilities, Naruto's eyes brightened.
Decision made, he stepped through the doors of the Hokage Tower.
Inside the Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage sat imposingly behind his desk.
Kneeling before him was Uchiha Shisui.
"Shisui," Hiruzen said calmly,
"even though I've received reports from the advisors, I'd like to hear your opinion personally."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Shisui replied respectfully.
"There are indeed some within the clan whose resentment toward the village is growing."
"But our captain is working hard to calm them. If we can improve relations between the Uchiha and the village, I believe peace is still possible."
"I've already begun discussions with the advisors," Hiruzen nodded.
"I'll still need to rely on you to keep a close eye on matters inside the clan."
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
An ANBU opened the door.
When Hiruzen saw who it was, his expression softened immediately.
"Haha—Naruto!"
"Good morning, Lord Hokage," Naruto said politely.
"I saw the village-wide notice saying you'd returned, so I came to ask for guidance on my training."
Naruto stepped inside and moved to stand beside Shisui.
Their gazes briefly met.
Naruto immediately looked away.
Shisui frowned slightly.
He wasn't suspicious of Naruto's identity—but for some reason, he felt as though he had seen this boy somewhere before.
"Lord Hokage," Naruto asked earnestly,
"I wanted to ask about the Shadow Clone Technique."
Hiruzen chuckled and stood, crouching beside him.
"Haha, you still haven't mastered it, have you?"
"There's no need to rush. You've never received proper training, so your foundation is weak. Without a professional teacher, your chakra control is naturally lacking."
"Do you remember the Ninja Academy from last year?"
"Yes!" Naruto nodded eagerly.
"You took me there. It looked really fun."
Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"Well, you'll be six next year. Would you like to enroll?"
Naruto's brows lifted in surprise.
"I can? I thought the villagers didn't like me…"
"Of course you can," Hiruzen said solemnly.
"Never forget who you are."
"You're part of Konoha. You belong here."
"You'll make many friends—like Shikamaru."
Naruto nodded, eyes bright and hopeful—almost dazed.
Hiruzen was clearly satisfied.
"Go sit over there for a moment," he said gently.
"I'll step out briefly, then bring you a scroll on chakra control exercises."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Okay!"
He walked to a bench against the wall and sat down.
Casually—while his sensory perception remained fully active—Naruto placed one hand against the blind side of the armrest.
And tapped it lightly.
"Naruto," Minato's voice echoed in the seal,
"are you placing a Flying Thunder God seal here?"
"Just giving myself a backup option," Naruto replied silently.
"Didn't the Hokage just remind me?"
His eyes followed Shisui and the Third Hokage as they walked toward the door.
"He's right," Naruto thought.
Never forget who you are.
Because the world never will.
(End of Chapter)
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