Chapter 47: Naruto Enrolls in School
Mangekyō Sharingan...
That was the eye possessed by the Asura of the Ninja World, Uchiha Madara – a powerful eye containing the might of gods and demons.
It was a level of power completely different from the three-tomoe Sharingan.
And according to Uchiha Shisui, he had likely awakened the Mangekyō some time ago, even developing its pupil techniques.
And the ability of this pupil technique...
"Kotoamatsukami... is that your Mangekyō pupil technique?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen still faced Konoha, his back to Shisui.
Shisui couldn't see his expression. Although feeling somewhat apprehensive, he still had no intention of concealing anything.
"Yes, Lord Third. I hope you can give the Uchiha clan one last chance. I will use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Fugaku to make him stop the Uchiha clan's coup."
Finished speaking, Shisui slightly raised his head, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's somewhat stooped back.
"...Mm. I have seen your firm belief in the Will of Fire. Go ahead and do it. I will send people to assist your actions."
Hearing Lord Third's gentle words, joy bloomed on Shisui's face, his highly suspended heart finally settling back into his chest.
Indeed, Lord Third also doesn't wish for a complete break with the Uchiha clan.
But little did he know, in a place he couldn't see, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face had already turned grim, a deep apprehension flashing in his eyes.
Kotoamatsukami... can directly invade the target's brain without being detected, permanently and completely altering their will.
Doesn't that mean Uchiha Shisui could instantly turn a target into his puppet?!
This Mangekyō pupil technique with unknown limits is simply too terrifying! And according to ancient records, Uchiha Madara once controlled the Nine-Tails using his Mangekyō...
The more Sarutobi Hiruzen thought, the more afraid he became, even suspecting he might have already had his will unknowingly altered.
Clearly, Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami had far exceeded his scope of control.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was very confident in Shisui's "Will of Fire" and believed the possibility of Shisui betraying him was small,
But one must prepare for the worst, just in case.
Entrusting one's fate to the goodwill of others – such thinking was simply too foolish.
Though coldness filled Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart, his expression remained unchanged.
"Shisui, you, like Kagami, are a ninja who has inherited the Will of Fire."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to face Shisui, then walked to his side, patting his shoulder: "With young people like you taking over the Will of Fire in Konoha, we can rest easy even if we sacrifice ourselves."
"Lord Third..."
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's gratified tone, feeling the slightly warm hand on his shoulder, Shisui's resolve grew even firmer.
"Lord Hokage, then I shall take my leave."
"Mm, go on, rest assured."
Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique, his figure vanishing on the spot.
He completely failed to notice that Sarutobi Hiruzen's lowered eyes never once met his own from beginning to end.
Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his office.
After writing a few short sentences on a scroll, he ordered expressionlessly: "Deliver this secret letter into Shimura Danzō's hands."
As his voice fell, an ANBU silently appeared before him.
After taking the scroll from his hand, their figure instantly vanished again.
"Shisui... your ability is truly too terrifying..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat regretful.
He had expended quite some effort cultivating this pawn, Uchiha Shisui.
But "Kotoamatsukami" was simply too horrifying.
He didn't want to constantly guard against Uchiha Shisui, spending the rest of his life on tenterhooks.
However, he was the Hokage bathed in sunlight.
He absolutely could not, and absolutely would not, lay hands on the villagers under his command.
So, this was where the "Root" buried deep underground was needed.
He only wrote about Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and the effects of its pupil technique on the scroll, saying nothing else.
But based on his understanding of his old comrade, once Danzō learned of the capabilities of Shisui's Mangekyō, even guessing he was being used as a blade, he would still make a move to seize it.
That was Danzō, a man who craved power constantly.
"Danzō, I hope you can do it cleanly this time. Don't make me clean up your mess again."
...
The next morning, inside Uzumaki Naruto's residence.
Ring ring... Snap!
Naruto, already fully dressed, casually turned off the noisy alarm clock.
Today was his first day enrolling in school; he had woken up half an hour earlier than usual.
"Hehe, Fox Teacher, don't you think I look cool!"
Naruto stood before the mirror, asking excitedly in his mind.
Kurama in the seal space curled his lip but didn't say much, replying perfunctorily without sincerity: "Yeah yeah yeah, brat, you're the coolest."
Although he didn't want to admit it, Naruto, once dressed up, did bear some resemblance to his late father.
In the mirror, the boy stood tall, possessing a somewhat refined air.
He wore a black high-collared coat, a white sweater, and black casual pants, with slightly long blond hair.
His tender young face bore six whisker-like markings.
But this actually added a touch of approachability to his somewhat distant, refined temperament.
Besides teaching him academic knowledge, Menma would also teach him things that could shape his aesthetic sense in his spare time.
After all, Menma simply couldn't stand Naruto's utterly style-less X-yellow jacket; every time he saw it, he thought it was ugly beyond belief.
After eating breakfast, Naruto packed his lunchbox and ran towards the Ninja Academy.
Although Naruto hadn't appeared before the public eye for many years, the six iconic whisker marks on his face undoubtedly drew strange looks and secret discussions from the villagers once again.
When he arrived at the school, the parents bringing their children stared even more strangely, their eyes holding only coldness.
Many pointed towards Naruto, telling their children:
"Don't go near that one. He'll hurt you."
No matter how unique Naruto's aura was, in their eyes, he was just a wolf in sheep's clothing.
But regarding these gazes and criticisms, Naruto didn't care one bit.
To borrow Menma-nii's words:
"People are superstitious only because of fear; people fear only because of ignorance. And ignorance cannot rid them of laziness; it only throws them into laziness, causing them to degenerate, making them timid."
Naruto had etched these words deep into his heart.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing a kindly smile amidst voices of adulation, arrived at the school playground.
He then stood on the high platform, facing the new students below, passionately recounting the Will of Fire passed down through generations in Konoha.
"Children! Where leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will continue to illuminate the village, and allow new leaves to sprout."
Little Naruto also sat below the stage, his face showing the same look of admiration as the children around him.
But in reality, he felt utterly bored.
This kind of meaningless, platitude-filled ("chicken soup") theory...
No, the Will of Fire doesn't even count as a theory.
Naruto, having undergone Menma's systematic teaching, completely disdained the so-called Will of Fire.
Especially Sarutobi Hiruzen's twisted, misinterpreted "Will of Fire".
Naruto focused his mind inwardly, saying helplessly: "Fox Teacher, I'm so bored. Where did Menma-nii go again?"
"That guy Menma..."
Kurama inside the seal space scratched his bulging belly and said: "He probably went to get your birthday present."
Birthday present?
A trace of anticipation flashed in Naruto's eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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