Hiruzen Sarutobi directly followed Chinya's earlier statement about himself not being suited for the Hokage position, and refused Chinya's future contact with Naruto Uzumaki, citing the reason of raising him as the next Hokage.
Chinya kept staring at Hiruzen Sarutobi without speaking immediately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also stared back at Chinya in silence, waiting for his response.
For a moment, the Hokage's office fell into an eerie silence.
After a while, Chinya suddenly chuckled, "Honestly, Third, you really are pathetic."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, his expression darkening, but remained silent.
Chinya continued on his own, "Your wife passed away, your apprentice Orochimaru left, Tsunade abandoned Konoha and hasn't returned even once. Jiraiya claims he's traveling to seek inspiration for writing, but deep down, you know he isn't exactly thrilled with how you've treated Naruto.
Even Sakumo, who was more famous than the Sannin, had his beliefs shattered because of your actions and eventually chose to take his own life.
You forcefully pushed Minato Namikaze into power, yet he remains unconscious to this day after sacrificing himself to protect Konoha. Minato's wife Miyuki has lost faith in both you and all of Konoha, which led her to defect.
Despite winning the Third Great Ninja War as the Land of Fire representative, you've relinquished rightful war reparations and acted like a defeated nation constantly backing down from conflict.
Recently, you sacrificed Hizashi just to appease Kumo, who clearly stole our Kekkei Genkai (advanced bloodline limit abilities unique to certain shinobi clans) first.
Hmph, you stubbornly protect Danzo despite knowing full well that the filth Danzo has committed goes beyond even what Orochimaru has done. You were determined to eliminate Orochimaru yet protected Danzo, but Danzo never acknowledges your efforts.
Third, aside from those foolish people blindly supporting your false image, it seems like you've become quite the loner, haven't you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his fists tightly, slightly trembling, glaring furiously at Chinya.
Chinya lightly laughed again, "Why get angry, Third? Aren't all these things self-inflicted? Konoha is so peaceful now, all thanks to your leadership. Under your guidance, Konoha is truly thriving."
Chinya stood up from his chair and looked down at the furious Hiruzen Sarutobi with sarcasm dripping from his gaze: "I'll agree not to approach Naruto anymore. After all, who am I to argue when you're the Hokage? Since I live in Konoha, I should follow your orders, right?
Oh, one last thing — since you're so fond of the Hokage position, you'd better handle Minato Namikaze before it's too late. If Minato wakes up and finds out you once planned to hand Naruto over to Danzo, wanting him raised as an emotionless Tailed Beast weapon (a ninja engineered to contain a Tailed Beast), he might turn against Konoha as well.
Though personally, I don't think that's very likely — that guy Minato Namikaze clearly doesn't have all his marbles. For Jiraiya's words and these people in Konoha, he was willing to sacrifice his own child. But if there's even a slight chance, you still need to take it seriously. Otherwise, it could come out later and damage your reputation as Hokage."
However, I suppose you might already be thinking about that. When it comes to removing rivals, aside from Danzo, you've done quite well with everyone else.
Oh, and by the way, since you're already this old, you should consider what will happen after your death. What if you die? Since you're so obsessed with being Hokage, I have a great suggestion: Didn't the Second have a ninja technique called Impure World Reincarnation [Impure World Reincarnation (a forbidden resurrection jutsu)]? You could find someone to bring you back from Yomi [Yomi (the underworld)] after your death, and then you could become Hokage again.
In this way, Konoha would forever have only one Hokage—you—and Konoha would definitely continue flourishing under your leadership.
This is my advice as a member of Konoha, a loyal counsel for the Third. Honest advice often sounds unpleasant, but these are truly effective methods for helping the Third maintain his position as Hokage.
Well then, our conversation ends here, right? After all, the Third has already achieved his goal—I've agreed not to approach Naruto anymore. I think you probably don't want to see me now, so I'll take my leave and stop bothering the Third."
After saying this, Chinya smiled at Hiruzen Sarutobi and left Hokage Tower.
After leaving Hokage Tower, Chinya slightly narrowed his eyes, maintaining a cold smirk on his lips.
Chinya hadn't expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would directly ask him to avoid meeting Naruto Uzumaki—apparently, he was really desperate.
But it was already too late anyway.
Naruto Uzumaki now possessed self-awareness and could think independently.
Although his thoughts weren't yet mature, over time, Naruto Uzumaki would gradually become more and more mature.
In other words, Chinya had nothing left to do.
Chinya was certain that even if he opposed Sarutobi, there would be little the Hokage could do about it. Instead, it was more likely that Tenten would go after Naruto to mess with his head.
The very thought made Chinya feel uneasy for Naruto's sake.
Anyway, if he wanted to meet Naruto Uzumaki, no one in Konoha could detect him.
Since that was the case, agreeing didn't matter much—it could even relieve Naruto Uzumaki from facing Hiruzen Sarutobi every day, making things easier for him.
Moreover, Chinya seized the opportunity to openly confront and berate Hiruzen Sarutobi right in front of him, and Sarutobi could only endure it silently.
The expression on Hiruzen's face when faced with Chinya's provocation—how much he wished to kill him but was helpless—was genuinely satisfying to Chinya.
Inside the Hokage's office at this moment, the table in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi had already shattered into pieces.
Yet, Hiruzen's expression remained calm now.
His goal had already been met—so long as Chinya stayed away from Naruto, he didn't care how harshly Chinya insulted him. At most, he'd waste a few more tables.
As for the next steps, Hiruzen Sarutobi already had plans.
First, thoroughly resolve the hidden threat posed by the Uchiha Clan, and then fully focus on dealing with Chinya.
At night.
Naruto Uzumaki was fast asleep when he seemed to hear someone calling his name.
Drowsily opening his eyes, Naruto instantly shivered in fright.
Beside his pillow lay a snake, its tongue flickering toward him.
As Naruto Uzumaki was about to jump up, the snake spoke, "It's me, Chinya. Don't be afraid, Naruto. Don't speak. Keep lying in bed pretending to sleep, and don't let the Anbu ninjas watching you outside sense anything unusual."
Recognizing Chinya's voice, Naruto obediently nodded.
Chinya told Naruto softly, "Starting today, we can't meet anymore."
Wanting desperately to ask why, Naruto began to stir, but Chinya stopped him. "Don't speak. Just listen. Hiruzen Sarutobi came to see me today. He suspected me because of what you said yesterday—he thinks I was the one who taught you. So he forbade me from contacting you again. I've already told you everything I needed to. From now on, you're on your own.
I won't forget the promise I made to you. Once you can control your emotions, I'll tell you everything—the entire truth.
Naruto, I look forward to watching you grow. Someone has been waiting for you all along. Keep pushing forward."
After saying this, Chinya's snake slithered away immediately, not giving Naruto a chance to speak.
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