Chinya overheard the entire conversation between Naruto Uzumaki and Hiruzen Sarutobi and thought it was a shame.
It would've been better if Naruto had just hinted without going too far.
Still, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't expect a three-year-old to hide all weaknesses in front of an old fox like Hiruzen.
Truthfully speaking, for Naruto to start playing along with Hiruzen so quickly according to his instructions, his comprehension skills were already good enough.
This Naruto was extremely smart, unlike the Naruto from the original timeline who had always been single-minded and not very clever.
Suddenly, Chinya's body shivered slightly as he turned his gaze toward Uzumaki Sōnagi.
Chinya softly called out to Sōnagi, "Sōnagi…"
Sōnagi was currently focused on eating his meal.
When Sōnagi heard Chinya call him, he looked up confusedly. His mouth remained full of food, making his words muffled and unclear, giving him a rather silly look.
"What's wrong, Dad?"
Chinya sighed. "Nothing. Keep eating."
What could he do? It was his own son.
...
The next day.
After breakfast made by Kushina Uzumaki, Chinya and Sōnagi left home intending to meet Neji Hyuga and begin their training for the new day when an Anbu ninja appeared before Chinya.
"Lord Chinya, the Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage Tower."
Chinya immediately guessed why Hiruzen wanted him at the Hokage Tower.
After all, yesterday he had directly asked young Naruto whether those lines had been fed to him by Chinya himself.
Although Naruto denied it, Hiruzen must've already concluded in his mind that it was indeed Chinya who had fed him those lines.
Hiruzen's invitation likely came from his concern that Chinya might mislead Naruto—something he could no longer tolerate.
Otherwise, Hiruzen wouldn't have taken the initiative to invite him.
Chinya told Sōnagi, "Sōnagi, I'll bring you to find Neji first. Then you two can head to the training ground to start today's practice by yourselves while I go to the Hokage Tower and come later."
The Anbu ninja looked somewhat troubled. He had expected Chinya to follow him immediately to see Hiruzen.
He hadn't anticipated that Chinya would still want to accompany Sōnagi until they found Neji before heading to the Hokage Tower.
Right now, Hiruzen was waiting for him.
But Chinya didn't care what the Anbu ninja or Hiruzen thought. After dropping Sōnagi off with Neji Hyuga, he took his time heading to the Hokage Tower, watching the two walk away first.
When Chinya arrived at the Hokage's office, he met Hiruzen again, whom he hadn't seen for quite some time.
Currently, Hiruzen clearly appeared much older. His beard had turned white, wrinkles covered his face, and age spots typically seen on elderly people had appeared.
"Third."
Seeing Chinya, Hiruzen displayed a fake smile as he said happily, "You're here, Chinya. Please, have a seat quickly."
Chinya sat down on a chair while Hiruzen sat across from him.
Hiruzen sighed, "Back then, no one could have possibly imagined that the Crimson-Eyed Asura, who once dominated battlefields and filled enemies with terror, would now step back into a secondary role and live almost a retired life."
Chinya also smiled and said, "That's right. No one would have imagined that the current Hokage is still The Third, who should have long since stepped down. The Third remains strong and full of energy, managing Konoha so effectively and maintaining such peace. It's all thanks to The Third's efforts."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled loudly, "Ah, I'm old now, truly old. I can't compare to my younger days anymore. In the future, Konoha will still rely on you young people."
Chinya laughed along with Hiruzen for a moment before asking, "Does that mean The Third has already chosen The Fifth Hokage? Could it be me?"
Chinya's deliberately exaggerated question nearly caused Hiruzen to lose his composure.
Even if the position of Fifth Hokage were up for selection, he might choose Danzo—but there was no way he'd choose Chinya.
Just as Hiruzen planned to brush off the topic with a joke, Chinya continued, "If The Third really plans on giving me the position of The Fifth Hokage, then forget it. That's just not where I want to be.
I don't want to spend my days dealing with endless meaningless troubles. Power changes people. A lot of folks get so hooked on it that they turn into someone totally different—always plotting and stabbing each other in the back. I'm straightforward by nature—I simply can't do things like that."
Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly.
From the moment Chinya walked in, both had been speaking with hidden meanings, carefully maneuvering around each other, yet subtly implied.
Now, Chinya was practically outright accusing him—implying he'd been corrupted by power, unwilling to relinquish authority, caught in intrigue.
Seeing Hiruzen's somewhat unpleasant expression, Chinya smiled and said, "Sorry, Third, I wasn't talking about you. You are indeed the greatest Hokage in history. I just mean I'm not suited for being Hokage, that's all."
Hiruzen's smile returned as he replied, "Of course I know. Since your heart lies elsewhere, I won't force you. After all, the Hokage position must go to someone with the spirit of sacrifice. If someone with ill intentions or selfish motives were to take the role, it would be a disaster for Konoha."
Hiruzen shot back at Chinya.
But Chinya didn't bat an eye, still wearing that same smirk as he spoke, "You're absolutely right, Third. That's exactly how it is. So, did The Third call me here today just for a casual chat?"
Hiruzen became serious and told Chinya, "The reason I called you here today concerns Naruto."
Chinya expressed surprise and asked, "About Naruto? Does The Third already know about what happened yesterday when he was bullied? Third, I think you should severely punish those three brats bullying Naruto. Naruto is Konoha's living hero!
For Naruto, the hero, to live like a criminal every single day—it's truly pitiful. If the Fourth Hokage were to wake up and see how his son's been treated all these years in Konoha, I can only imagine how he'd feel.
It's beyond ironic that the very people the Fourth saw as family are now picking on his own son."
"Yesterday, Naruto came to me in tears, and I didn't even know how to console him. In the end, all I could do was repeat The Fourth's old saying — that everyone in Konoha is family, and we must protect them. I don't even know if Naruto heard a word of it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened.
Chinya had already said everything that needed to be said — what more could he add?
Hiruzen decided not to waste any more words on Chinya and got straight to the point. "Chinya, I hope you'll stay away from Naruto before he starts at the Jonin academy."
Chinya asked in surprise, "Why? Wasn't it you yourself, the Third, who originally said I could interact with Naruto?"
Hiruzen replied solemnly, "Since Naruto's father is the Hokage, naturally I want to raise him as a Hokage too. You know full well, Chinya, your personality simply isn't suited to becoming Hokage. Right now is when Naruto is most easily influenced, and I'm afraid he might pick up your traits. So for this period, just avoid meeting Naruto altogether."
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