Chapter 130: Purpose
As news of Naruto's return to Konoha Village circulated discreetly, only a select few were privy to it.
The village's Jonin, in particular, understood the gravity of the situation, and the Third Hokage received the news firsthand on his desk.
The Third Hokage appeared visibly older than he did four years ago, with a weariness that hinted at his mortality.
Originally not a young man, the Third Hokage seemed even older now, perhaps due to Danzo's demise or Naruto's defection. Or maybe it was the combination of both, weighing heavily on him over the past few years.
Such is the nature of people; when their spirits falter, it impacts their entire being.
Never underestimate the power of emotions on the body.
On the Third Hokage's desk lay a list brought back by Kakashi from Village of Rain, with Naruto's name prominently displayed.
Since laying eyes on the list yesterday, the Third Hokage couldn't shake the weight of it. Even amidst other official duties, he found himself glancing at it repeatedly.
"Naruto, how do I face you?" he sighed deeply.
At that moment, a figure darted in through the window. It was an Anbu operative, who knelt before the Third Hokage and delivered a report.
"Third Hokage, Village of Rain and a group of individuals have entered the village, including Naruto. They're currently seeking accommodations. Should I arrange a resting place for them, specifically designated for the Chunin exam?"
In this joint Chunin exam hosted by Konoha Village, nearly all allies had been invited.
Among the five major Shinobi Villages, only Sunagakure extended courtesy, as the others—Cloud Shinobi Village, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure—opted out. They preferred to hold their own Chūnin exams within their respective villages.
The joint Chūnin exam hosted by Konoha Village was a grand affair. Alongside the Konoha Genin, teams from Sunagakure and a group led by Naruto from Village of Rain (originally supposed to be 21 individuals) participated. Teams from Caoyin Village, Takiyin Village, and Yinyin Village also joined in, bringing the total number of participants to an impressive one hundred.
Given the sudden influx of outsiders into the village, Konoha made sure to stay vigilant, ensuring that visiting ninjas didn't roam freely. They couldn't afford to suffer any setbacks, especially considering the recent incident involving Cloud Shinobi Village attempting to abduct the Hyuga clan heiress, nearly triggering the Third Ninja War.
To accommodate the large-scale event, a designated area within the village served as the venue for the joint exams and also provided a resting place for visiting ninjas.
The Third Hokage instructed the Anbu to escort Naruto and his group from Village of Rain to the designated area. Additionally, he emphasized the need for Anbu surveillance to prevent any unauthorized movements by Naruto's group.
Before departing, an Anbu member inquired, "Should Senior Kakashi be notified? And should we keep an eye out for any activity from the Root organization? When they caught wind of Naruto's return for the Chūnin exam, they seemed to be stirring again."
The Root organization, once fervently loyal to Danzo, still posed a potential threat.
With Danzo's demise, the Root organization seemed to have straightened out over the years, with many returning to the Anbu ranks. However, some still harbored a desire for revenge against Danzo, leaving them restless upon learning of Naruto's return.
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "No, if they seek their own demise, let them find it."
Anbu, hidden behind their masks, concealed their astonishment at the typically kind Third Hokage's unexpected response.
Silently, Smoke took a drag of his cigarette, offering no comment.
In truth, it was simple reasoning. With Danzo gone, the Third Hokage's project lacked the same protection, but Danzo's absence also revealed the wavering loyalty of those formerly under his sway.
They had turned their backs on the Hokage.
With Danzo no longer a threat, if these dissenters stirred up trouble, Naruto could easily handle them.
A leader who could become Hokage must possess political acumen. Even someone as seemingly straightforward as the Third Hokage would have been assassinated by Danzo without some level of political savvy.
"Ah, I know you once served in Root under Danzo," the Third Hokage addressed Anbu as he was about to depart. "But remember, you are now Anbu's Tenzo."
Tenzo, formerly associated with Root, understood the Third Hokage's implicit warning—reaffirming his allegiance to Anbu and the Hokage.
This Tenzo was none other than Yamato, also known as A, who was once part of the seventh class of Jōnin. Secretly experimented upon with Hashirama's cells under Danzo's orders, Yamato possessed Wood Style ninjutsu, capable of suppressing tailed beasts. His assignment was to monitor Naruto's actions.
After Yamato left, the Third Hokage contemplated Naruto's return.
"? Naruto, I'm at a loss on how to approach you and your parents."
The Third Hokage lamented inwardly, deeply troubled by Naruto's departure and subsequent return to the Village of Rain.
Naruto's decision signaled irreversible changes.
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