“Hokage-sama, Naruto has had a tough time these years.”
Seeing the Third Hokage lost in thought, Kakashi couldn't help but speak.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and asked, “Kakashi, are you blaming this old man for not taking good care of Naruto?”
“Uh...”
Even though the Third Hokage's tone was calm.
Kakashi still lowered his head and apologized, “No, Third Hokage-sama, you must have had your reasons.”
The Third Hokage nodded. Kakashi's emotions needed to be calmed.
He explained to Kakashi in a heartfelt manner, “Kakashi, you don't know, after the Fourth Hokage died, there was much to be done.”
“There were ambitious people in the village who had different ideas about the Jinchūriki problem. Some even suggested imprisoning Naruto.”
“I fought hard to ensure that Naruto wouldn't be constantly locked up.”
“However, once someone leaked the secret that Naruto was a Jinchūriki, I had to spread rumors that he was the son of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, to confuse people.”
“Many villagers lost loved ones during the Nine-Tailed attack, so he was always ostracized.”
“As for his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son, it couldn't be revealed. If the Hokage's child was also a Jinchūriki, it would easily make him a target.”
“All these years, I've visited him often, as a way of making up for some of the wrongs.”
As he spoke, the Third Hokage's voice took on a somber tone.
Understanding the Third Hokage's predicament, Kakashi couldn't help but feel apologetic, “I'm very sorry, Third Hokage-sama, I didn't understand the situation and questioned you.”
The Third Hokage waved his hand, feigning indifference, “Since Naruto became your Master's son, it's understandable that you care about him.”
“Here's what. Naruto has had a really hard time in the past...”
“Now, the intentions of the Uchiha approaching him are unclear, so you'll be responsible for looking after him long-term.”
“Apart from school, just accompany him. That way you can prevent Kawasaki Uchiha from doing anything suspicious. With you there, I feel at ease.”
Kakashi was surprised and delighted. He'd been uneasy after hearing Kawasaki's words.
Now he could personally protect Naruto. Naruto shouldn't be bullied anymore, “So, Third Hokage-sama, will I protect him in secret?”
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, “You can try to get close to him. It would be best if you could become his teacher.”
“Thank you, Third Hokage-sama.”
Kakashi had assumed it was the Third Hokage who was taking care of him, so he was assigned this job.
“Go.”
After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage sighed. Assigning Kakashi to look after Naruto was a necessary evil.
After all, the Uchiha had already used this method to approach Naruto.
If he didn't send someone to keep an eye on him, Naruto might actually be taken away.
Kakashi was a loyal supporter of the Hokage's faction, with outstanding abilities and a suitable position, making him the most suitable candidate.
...
On the way, although Naruto was talking incessantly, Kenichi remained silent, only occasionally nodding.
It wasn't that he was cold. Most of the hot-tempered Uchiha had left Konoha with Itachi.
Kenichi actually belonged to the moderate faction of the Uchiha.
He was silent because the ANBU were watching, and he didn't want to cause trouble for the Uchiha clan.
After all, Naruto was the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki.
After confirming that Naruto had arrived home safely, Uchiha Kenichi left under the watchful eye of the ANBU.
“See you, Uncle Kenichi!”
Naruto waved to Kenichi from behind, even though Kenichi hadn't said much on the way.
But he hadn't shown any signs of discrimination.
For Naruto, who was lonely and sensitive, this was enough to make him happy.
Uchiha Kenichi didn't turn around. Naruto waited until Kenichi was far away before entering the house.
But at the entrance, Naruto turned on the lights.
Dirty clothes were scattered everywhere in the house, the sink was piled high with unwashed dishes.
The floor was also messy, with trash everywhere.
Naruto looked around the messy house.
He looked at the new clothes and shoes in their packaging, and a strange feeling welled up inside him.
The environment that he used to think was normal, now seemed exceptionally dirty and chaotic.
He carefully hung the newly bought things, along with their packaging, on the hooks.
Then he rolled up his sleeves, got some water, and started to clean the house.
Night had fallen, but the lights in the house were still bright. Naruto was energetic and full of vitality.
The ANBU members outside the house looked at each other, puzzled as to why Naruto had suddenly decided to do housework in the middle of the night.
However, as long as Naruto didn't run around, they weren't too worried about what he was doing.
After all, they could just report it to their superiors.
...
Children's emotions change quickly. Sasuke, who was in a good mood before.
As Kawasaki walked towards the ruins of his original clan, the smile on his face gradually disappeared.
The new settlement was even further away, requiring them to pass through this area and walk several miles to reach it.
Sasuke's small brain was full of questions, eager to ask his father one by one, and unconsciously quickened his pace.
Kawasaki was thinking about Kakashi. Kakashi was undoubtedly intelligent.
But he was also bound by the so-called “Will of Fire.”
Born into a prestigious family, he was devastated after the Battle of the Kannabi Bridge, wasting his talent.
Although transplanting the Sharingan greatly enhanced his fighting ability in the short term, it also limited his potential.
Not only was it a long-term drain on his energy, it also easily bred laziness because he could copy everything.
He often played the role of a supporting character, only experiencing Obito's double Kamui power at the end.
Most of the time, he seemed dispensable, and his personality was also too indecisive.
Obito committed countless crimes, killing his master and mistress, attempting to destroy the world, and leaving countless families shattered.
When Kakashi first fought him in the Kamui dimension, he actually showed mercy, only symbolically punching him twice in the abdomen.
Because it was Obito, he couldn't bring himself to strike hard.
If he had been ruthless at the time, the course of the story might have been completely different.
Being kind to Naruto was a strategic investment for Kawasaki.
But he also genuinely believed that Naruto's childhood was the most tragic.
Much of the suffering was unnecessary, and much of the hardship could have been avoided.
The dark political struggles between the Third Hokage and Danzo, however, dragged an innocent child into the mix.
Extolling suffering is more cruel than suffering itself. If Naruto was surrounded by love, where would there be the worry of the Nine-Tails going berserk.
The child next door who was obsessed with playing in the sand had already gone mad, which was telling.
Naruto's childhood was no easier than Gaara's. Although he was spared assassination.
But each indifferent face in the village was like an invisible blade.
Fortunately, Naruto was the reincarnation of Asura. Otherwise, he would have turned dark in an instant, and Konoha would have been the first to suffer.
“Father, I'm back.”
Kawasaki returned to the newly built clan territory with Sasuke.
There were unfinished buildings everywhere, but Kawasaki didn't mistreat the workers and always let them get off work on time.
After all, overtime meant extra expenses, and the Uchiha clan could only afford to live at the moment.
Fugaku had already received news of Sasuke's return. He was currently sipping tea inside the house.
Seeing Sasuke enter, he also rarely showed a smile, “You're back. How are you getting along with Teacher Kawasaki?”