Chapter 36: The World Forgets Me

No sooner had Natsume said goodbye to Naruto than his whereabouts were reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi by the ANBU.

As the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, Naruto was always under surveillance.

If Naruto knew, he'd be even more conflicted.

They saw him get beaten up, but didn't help.

"Natsume is a good kid," Hiruzen muttered as he read the report.

It contained two things:

First, Natsume had saved Naruto from bullies.

Second, he'd arranged for the Gunma Casino boss to look after Naruto.

To open a shop in Konoha, you needed approval—

Otherwise, spies could sneak in.

Natsume listed Tsunade as the casino boss.

Since she loved to gamble, no one would suspect a thing.

Hiruzen praised Natsume because he didn't just give things to Naruto—he sold them, showing respect for the boy's self-esteem.

It also reflected Natsume's good character.

But Natsume getting close to Naruto was unexpected.

Hiruzen's original plan was for Naruto to rely only on him until school started.

After that, Naruto would get some good teachers and friends.

That was the best arrangement for him.

If the Nine-Tails ever broke free, Naruto could use the bonds he'd formed to regain control and avoid disaster.

The only flaw was that Danzo interfered by spreading the rumor that Naruto was the Nine-Tails incarnate.

Hiruzen wanted to stop it, but let it continue because it helped his plan.

The villagers' coldness would make Naruto love him more, so he could control the powerful weapon.

Hiruzen knew Naruto's life was hard.

But it was a necessary sacrifice.

If Naruto could endure these years, he'd never be lonely again.

"I'm getting old…"

Hiruzen stood and looked out at Konoha.

With age, his energy was failing.

If Naruto were a normal child, he'd let him grow up as a hero's son.

But as the Nine-Tails jinchuriki—Konoha's greatest weapon—he had to bear this fate.

As for Natsume, it was fine if he got close to Naruto.

Hiruzen expected the Fifth Hokage would be either Jiraiya or Tsunade.

Orochimaru was strong, but his personality was unsuitable for Hokage.

Danzo was even less suitable—he was too old.

Jiraiya was always traveling because of that Child of Prophecy stuff.

Tsunade had a blood phobia, making her unfit for regular ninja duties.

Fortunately, she'd recovered.

Hiruzen preferred Jiraiya as Hokage, but realistically, Tsunade had a better chance.

Natsume, as her student, would eventually meet Naruto.

And at the academy, he was an excellent inheritor of the Will of Fire.

"Just in case, I'll go check on Naruto."

Hiruzen changed clothes and left the office, heading for Naruto's home.

"Naruto, are you home?"

Soon, Naruto opened the door.

"Grandpa!"

He grinned happily.

"Why are you so happy today? Did something interesting happen? Tell Grandpa."

Hiruzen smiled, playing the kindly old man.

"Yes."

Naruto took out his ramen, "I met a really nice big brother today—he sold me stuff!"

Hiruzen smiled. That matched the report.

Natsume hadn't said anything odd.

"Oh! Grandpa, I realized today that the third face on Hokage Rock looks just like you. Are you the Hokage?"

Naruto looked at him hopefully.

He hadn't doubted Hiruzen because of Natsume's words—

Instead, he was excited to discover his identity.

Hiruzen lifted his chin with authority, "I am the Hokage."

He often told Naruto stories about Konoha's founding and the Will of Fire.

Under his influence, Naruto dreamed of being Hokage.

He hadn't revealed his identity before, just for this moment.

To transfer Naruto's longing for the Hokage to himself.

"Wow!"

Naruto rushed over to examine him, eyes full of admiration.

"Grandpa Hokage, do you think I can become Hokage?"

He remembered the three bullies from earlier.

"You can."

Hiruzen smiled, "As long as you have the resolve and courage to protect Konoha, I believe you'll be Hokage someday."

"Yay!"

Naruto was thrilled by the Hokage's approval.

But soon, he looked a little down.

"I want to protect everyone, but they always call me the Nine-Tails and say nasty things. Grandpa Hokage, am I really the Nine-Tails?"

"You're not."

Hiruzen felt a twinge of guilt looking at Naruto's sad face, and decided it was time to stop the rumors. "Don't worry. Starting tomorrow, no one will call you the Nine-Tails again."

"Really? Thanks, Grandpa!"

Naruto beamed.

Turns out Grandpa Hokage was just too busy before.

Tomorrow he could go out in the village like normal!

…

But the next day, when he eagerly went to the street, no one called him the Nine-Tails anymore—but no one spoke to him, either.

Whenever people saw him, their eyes flashed with disgust as if he were something dirty, and they hurried away.

If before, the world "rejected" him, now the world "forgot" him.

His situation hadn't improved as he'd hoped. People didn't accept him—they just avoided him.

The loneliness only grew.

Naruto was at a loss.

He wanted to be Hokage, to protect everyone.

But was it worth it?

…

[Due to your actions, Naruto Uzumaki's fate has changed. You have gained 18 Fate Points.]

Natsume, practicing Wood Style ninjutsu, released his chakra.

Eighteen points—pretty low.

He guessed it was because their last conversation made Naruto doubt Hiruzen a little.

But it wasn't much. He'd have to push harder.

He'd settle this before going to the front lines.

Natsume wiped sweat from his brow.

Tsunade had already picked out a mission, but hadn't left yet—she needed to prepare antidotes and soldier pills.

Natsume didn't go to Naruto directly—too suspicious.

He asked Masahiro, the casino manager, to notify him when Naruto came to buy something.

He didn't have to wait long—just three days.

…

Naruto arrived at the Gunma Casino.

Actually, he wasn't there to shop—he just wanted to see Natsume.

He'd been having a hard time these days, and thought of the big brother who was kind to him.