Third, Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had requested Shihouin Naraku and Hatake Kakashi to give their assessment of Uzumaki Naruto.
Kakashi had been fair, expressing his thoughts based on his genuine impression of Naruto.
Just as he said, Kakashi truly hadn't thought much of Naruto at first. It was only when he witnessed Naruto's determination during the tree-climbing practice that his opinion changed.
All ninjas face countless dangers and difficulties as they grow. Perseverance is the only beacon that can guide them through this thorny path.
Before reaching the wide road that leads to one's destination, a ninja must walk a muddy path, cross a river with hidden currents, and navigate through a forest filled with dangers.
Naruto's unwavering spirit—his refusal to give up—was his greatest strength.
That's why Kakashi was moved. Though his words were direct, in his heart, he had already accepted Naruto.
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened carefully to Kakashi's assessment. These observations aligned with his own understanding of Naruto and were consistent with what he knew of Kakashi's character.
Then, both the Third Hokage and Kakashi turned toward Shihouin Naraku, waiting for his evaluation.
"Let me think... How should I put this? Uzumaki Naruto will definitely become the strongest ninja in all of Konohagakure. No, in the entire shinobi world!" Shihouin Naraku declared, then quickly added, "Oh, except for me, of course!"
"Naraku..." Kakashi called out, thinking he was joking and asking him to be serious.
"Why have you changed so much lately?" Sarutobi Hiruzen angrily tapped his pipe against the desk, then coughed several times before glaring at Shihouin Naraku. "Be serious! This is no time for jokes!"
Shihouin Naraku spread his hands helplessly. Why did no one believe him when he told the truth?
Naruto possessed so many advantages that it was inevitable for him to reach the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
Now Naraku's own abilities were even more formidable, so it wouldn't be difficult for him to surpass everyone in the shinobi world.
I almost forgot about Uchiha Sasuke, he thought to himself.
Never mind—Naraku would claim first place for himself and let Naruto and Sasuke fight for second.
Since no one believed him now, Shihouin Naraku could only adjust his approach:
"Let me think, let me reconsider..."
"People in Konohagakure grew up hearing legends of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama—and I was no exception. As a child, I often heard stories from my Academy teachers, and my friends and I played games about the First Hokage unifying the warring states."
"When I grew older, I read many village records about the First Hokage's achievements, so I have a good understanding of who he was."
Of course, this also includes the anime I watched in my previous life, Shihouin Naraku added silently to himself.
At this point, both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi were confused about what Naraku was trying to say.
I clearly asked you to evaluate Naruto, the Third Hokage thought. Why are you bringing up the First Hokage?
Ignoring their confusion, Shihouin Naraku continued:
"Although I haven't spent much time with Naruto yet, for some reason, I see in him the same qualities that made the First Hokage great."
"I can't fully explain what this trait is, but it's something described in texts about the First Hokage, and I see it in Naruto as well."
"So if this era is destined for significant change, then in my opinion, Uzumaki Naruto is the ultimate child of destiny!"
Shihouin Naraku concluded his assessment of Naruto, thinking to himself that no one would understand the meaning of his words now, but later, they would comprehend what he meant.
Hmph, dropping hints about the future feels so cool!
"Naraku, you..." Kakashi shook his head, at a loss for words.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was equally dissatisfied. He looked at Shihouin Naraku with annoyance.
"When Tsunade was away, Jiraiya taught you for a while. He was the one who filled your head with this 'child of destiny' nonsense, wasn't he?"
The Third Hokage was very displeased by this thought.
From the beginning, he had never been impressed by Jiraiya's talk about a child of destiny.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's opinion, this was merely an excuse Jiraiya had invented to avoid responsibility and wander the world freely.
When the war with Amegakure ended, Tsunade and Orochimaru returned to the village, but Jiraiya stayed behind to help train ninjas from other countries.
Later, he left the village entirely to search the world for this supposed child of destiny.
Sarutobi Hiruzen became furious just thinking about it. If Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru had all remained safely in Konohagakure from the beginning, many later tragedies might have been prevented!
Three students, and not one of them gave him peace of mind.
And now it was even worse. Among the senior ninja leaders trained by the village, another one was being influenced by Jiraiya's ideas. If Shihouin Naraku truly intended to wander the world like Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen might suffer a stroke from anger.
"Alright, alright. I understand your opinions. You're dismissed," Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, telling Shihouin Naraku and Kakashi to leave.
He hadn't slept well the previous night, and after being up all day, his head was pounding.
Standing up, Sarutobi Hiruzen paced back and forth in his office, puffing on his pipe more frequently until smoke filled the room.
Looking at the portraits hanging on the wall—the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, and the young Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato—Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh.
"In this life, the only person who ever gave me peace of mind was Minato!"
With his impressive presence, exceptional abilities, and gentle yet resolute character, Namikaze Minato was truly the junior who had caused him the least worry.
In fact, as Minato matured, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been inclined to make him Hokage, giving little consideration to Orochimaru. From the start, it was Shimura Danzō who had recommended Orochimaru for the position.
Minato had performed admirably as the Fourth Hokage, but then the unexpected tragedy occurred.
Thinking of Shihouin Naraku and Kakashi, Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow remained furrowed.
"Alas, these two each have their own issues."
...
Shihouin Naraku and Kakashi walked unhurriedly through the streets of Konohagakure. Unless the Academy had dismissed for the day, Naruto would definitely be in class, so there was no need to keep watch over him yet.
Both knew that their mission wasn't simply to monitor Naruto.
As they walked, Kakashi didn't take out his book to read this time. Instead, he said:
"Naraku, what you said earlier went too far. You shouldn't drag the First Hokage into this. It's not good for Naruto!"
Kakashi's reaction was understandable. Who was Senju Hashirama? He was revered as a god among shinobi—the one who had ended the warring states era and founded Konohagakure!
Since Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara established Konohagakure, the shinobi world had begun to follow their example by establishing other hidden villages, gradually bringing stability to the chaotic times.
To put it simply, if there were a book recording the history of the shinobi world, the space devoted to Senju Hashirama might equal the space devoted to all other ninjas combined.
Not just in Konohagakure but throughout the shinobi world, even forces hostile to Konoha sincerely acknowledged Senju Hashirama's power!
With such historical significance, to suggest that an Academy student with poor grades who might not even graduate could ever catch up...
Even when joking, one should be realistic!
"You guys really..." Shihouin Naraku found it somewhat amusing. He patted Kakashi on the shoulder and said seriously:
"History was created by our predecessors like the First Hokage, but the future is determined by us. Young people like Naruto who have unlimited potential—who can say for certain they won't surpass those who came before?"
"Our predecessors have been leading the way for decades, but we'll see who becomes the hero of this era."
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