'As expected, he came to ask about this.'
Naruto's facial expression showed a slight embarrassment, as if some secret of his had been exposed.
He looked up at Hiruzen with a gaze that held a mix of youthful innocence and earnest determination.
"Thank you, Grandpa Hokage. During this time, I've been thinking about why I was so weak when fighting Zabuza and Haku, so weak that I almost couldn't even protect Sasuke and Sakura."
"I found that I have a major flaw in my offensive capabilities. I only know Shadow Clone and basic taijutsu, and my shurikenjutsu isn't accurate either. Once my Shadow Clones are gone, I can only engage in close-quarters combat."
"So I thought, what if I gather Chakra onto the Kunai, utilizing the high conductivity of chakra metal to boost the Kunai's attack power and range by a whole level?"
"Ordinary Kunai have terrible Chakra conductivity. Even after gathering Chakra for a long time, it won't stick, and even if I manage to attach it, it dissipates as soon as I throw it."
"That's why I went to Tenten's family's shop to customize these two. But they're too expensive, the mission rewards I saved up for so long were only enough to customize two."
Hiruzen looked down at the two Kunai, then at Naruto.
This child was thinking about his own shortcomings and actively seeking solutions. From discovering the problem to formulating a plan to executing it, every step was a decision made through his own independent thinking.
This way of thinking and capacity for action made him seem like a completely different person from the Naruto of before, who could only shout, "I'm going to be the Hokage!"
The idea Naruto had just described of gathering Chakra on a Kunai was, in principle, identical to how his father, Minato, utilized the Flying Thunder God Kunai. It was just missing the core element, the Flying Thunder God Formula.
Hiruzen was not sure if this was an innate talent in his bloodline or if there was another reason, but in any case, this explanation was logically flawless.
"Naruto, have you had contact with anyone else during this time besides Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked in a casual tone.
Naruto pondered for a moment, then nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen's eyes became extremely sharp, but in the next second, he masked it back into his kind appearance.
Naruto knew Hiruzen was waiting for him to say a certain name. He needed to give an answer that would put him at ease without implicating himself.
"That person was in my dream. His hair and eyes were yellow and blue like mine, and he wore a white cloak."
"He taught me many things: how to precisely condense Chakra on the soles of my feet to increase my speed, how to control my Chakra so it doesn't go to waste, and how to stay calm in battle and not just fight blindly when I get worked up."
"He taught me many times, and then a while ago, he said his mission was complete and disappeared."
"I couldn't find him no matter how hard I looked afterward. I can only vaguely remember some of the things he taught me, and I even modified my outfit based on how I remembered him looking."
"Grandpa Hokage, do you know that person?"
Hiruzen lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before speaking, "I don't know him, but the person you described is very similar to Konoha's Fourth Hokage."
Naruto's eyes widened. "The Fourth Hokage? But why was he in my dream?"
Hiruzen pressed Naruto's shoulder. "Perhaps even though the Fourth Hokage is gone, he still watches over every ninja in Konoha."
"By the way, Naruto, what do you think of the people in the village?"
"You suffered a lot when you were little, I know about these things. Have you ever felt resentment for not being given a fair childhood?"
Naruto averted his gaze from Hiruzen, looking down at Konoha as it was gradually enveloped by the night.
More and more lights appeared, spreading from the center of the village in all directions, looking like countless stars lighting up on the ground at the same time.
He had originally wanted to ask about Minato's deeds and act curious, but Hiruzen surprisingly didn't prompt him to ask. This was fine too, as it saved some pointless talk.
Naruto thought for a moment, then spoke with a serious look on his face, "Although I don't know why everyone hates me, I've never wanted to hate them. My dream is to become the Hokage and gain everyone's acknowledgment."
"I want to make those who once looked at me with cold eyes admit with their own mouths that I, Uzumaki Naruto, am the protector of Konoha. I'll never go back on my word—that is my ninja way."
"As for the past..."
"The past isn't meant for harboring hatred, it's meant to be surpassed."
Hiruzen looked at Naruto's determined profile, and his lips curved into a gratified smile.
He saw both Minato's shadow and his own will of fire in Naruto. The words "no hatred" in that statement completely dispelled the last shred of doubt in his heart.
"Grandpa Hokage."
Naruto's tone suddenly changed, switching from his previous determination to a half-serious, half-expecting one.
"Kakashi-sensei is going to take Sasuke for special training for the next month, so there's no one to teach me. Could you teach me some Ninjutsu?"
Hiruzen was taken aback, then shook his head with a chuckle. "As the Hokage, the various affairs of the Chunin Exams during this period have already nearly broken my old bones. I can't spare the time to train you personally."