After returning home, Naruto boiled some water while sitting on the sofa chatting with the Nine-Tails to pass the time.
"Big Fox, how did you like the taste of the grilled fish? Not bad for my cooking, right? If you like it, I can share this delicious chakra flavor with you every day."
The Nine-Tails didn't reply, but the previous system notification had already revealed his thoughts.
After a long silence, the Nine-Tails snorted coldly, "So-so. I've eaten much better before. Trying to bribe me with this won't work."
"You've been sealed for decades already…" Naruto didn't call him out, just quietly thinking about how to change the situation.
Having just gained a weakened version of "Malice Perception," he could now clearly sense the chakra of nearby ninjas. It was his first step toward countering surveillance.
Next, he needed to strengthen his abilities to a level where even the Anbu or the Third Hokage couldn't easily monitor him.
To improve quickly, he had to keep learning ninjutsu. But so far, he only knew the "Substitution Technique" and "Gentle Fist," and the latter was still a secret.
To get new ninjutsu, besides developing his own, he had to wait until he officially entered the Ninja Academy.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Standing outside was the familiar old man—the Third Hokage, who had nearly ruined his reputation last time.
"Grandpa Hokage, I've already eaten," Naruto said.
The Third Hokage was about to greet him, but Naruto's words hit him like a critical blow.
"So, in your mind, I'm just an old man who comes to mooch meals? I'm the Hokage and I have to come to your house just to take care of you."
Though upset, the Third Hokage said, "I've eaten too. I came by to check on your studies—to see if you'll become a worthy ninja in the future."
Naruto nodded and said, "Grandpa Hokage, I've already learned the Substitution Technique and Transformation Technique, but the Clone Technique just won't work—I think something's interfering."
"Interfering?"
The Third Hokage frowned slightly, suspecting the seal on the Nine-Tails might be loosening.
But standing before Naruto, he couldn't sense the Nine-Tails' chakra at all, so the seal was probably intact. Maybe Naruto just lacked the natural talent for clones, like his father Minato.
After pondering, the Third Hokage smiled, "Naruto, you're already a little genius. You can practice the Clone Technique gradually—there's still plenty of time."
"Then, who was stronger as a kid—me or Grandpa Hokage?"
The Third Hokage thought back and, against his better judgment, said, "Of course I was stronger when I was your age. But you still have a chance to surpass me—you just have to work hard."
Naruto nodded, "I understand. I'll become an excellent ninja."
"Is that all?" the Third Hokage asked gently. "After becoming excellent, do you have other dreams? Like becoming Hokage, or earning everyone's recognition?"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't have such lofty ideals. Being an excellent ninja and protecting the people I care about is enough. I don't need to be Hokage or be recognized by everyone."
The Third Hokage was a bit troubled. To him, Naruto understood the Will of Fire, but only superficially.
If the Third Hokage really knew Naruto's true thoughts, he'd probably think Naruto was all talk, but actually rebellious at heart.
He asked, "Little Naruto, who in the village do you care about?"
Without hesitation, Naruto answered, "Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, and you, Grandpa Hokage. Everyone else doesn't matter—they're just cold strangers."
The Third Hokage smiled, "Looks like you've made three friends recently. I believe you'll make more in the future. Then you'll understand the importance of acceptance."
Not wanting to dwell on that, Naruto deliberately changed the subject.
"Grandpa Hokage, besides the Substitution Technique, I want to learn more ninjutsu so I can become an excellent ninja. Can you teach me more?"
"Of course, but first I need to test your chakra nature."
The Third Hokage pulled out a chakra testing paper. Naruto took it, infused his chakra, and the paper immediately split down the middle.
"Grandpa Hokage, what's my chakra nature?"
The Third Hokage stroked his beard, "Looks like your chakra nature is Wind. That's a rare attribute—you're lucky."
"Rare? Is it strong?" Naruto asked with the casual tone of a child.
The Third Hokage nodded slightly, smiling awkwardly, "Wind is a very good nature, but I don't have many Wind Release techniques for you to practice. I'll have to go look for some."
This time, the Third Hokage didn't lie.
The village had very few Wind Release jutsus, and the most advanced ones were all controlled by his old friend Danzo—hard to get ahold of.
Hearing this, Naruto felt a little disappointed and asked, "Grandpa Hokage, since my chakra nature is only Wind, can I learn other ninjutsu?"
"Of course, but that's not something you should worry about now. To learn those, you need to enroll in the Ninja Academy and become a student."
At that, the Third Hokage took out the admission notice for the Ninja Academy—the real reason he had come.
Though Naruto was a genius, even geniuses needed systematic learning, and the academy was the best place. Only there could he form true bonds and understand the Will of Fire and love.
After the Third Hokage left, the golden-embossed admission letter lay on the table beside the Scroll of the Advanced Clone Technique.
Looking at the admission notice, Naruto suddenly wondered if he had been admitted directly—no need for entrance exams.
"Nine-Tails, I'm going to school now."
Naruto told the Nine-Tails the news, but the fox was indifferent, sounding half-asleep.
"Hmm, you're going to school. Congratulations, you're about to become a little student."
Picking up the admission notice, Naruto glanced at the principal's signature and seal, and the exact start date, then began imagining his future life at the academy.
Setting down the letter, he looked at the Scroll of the Advanced Clone Technique, deciding to master it before school began.
Now, only a few months remained until the academy opened.
For most people, that wouldn't be enough time—but for him, it was plenty.
(End of chapter)
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