Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

After the test with the bandits and Bai, he became very interested in these unknowns.

I also look forward to meeting people in Konoha who share my interest in research.

In his view, fighting and killing should not be the whole of his life.

Just like the Second Hokage, he was not only an excellent Hokage, but also an outstanding researcher who created various forbidden techniques through his research.

Aizen was also an outstanding researcher, constantly exploring the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollows.

Every researcher faces scrutiny from the public eye, and their research process may be horrific and unethical.

But the results may very well open up a new system.

Naruto had heard Minato say that Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, seemed to be very interested in research and had provided Konoha with some good experimental results.

Naruto once considered visiting Orochimaru, but discovered that Orochimaru had defected a few years after Minato's death.

The legendary Sannin of Konoha, who were once renowned and even survived battles against demigods.

Now, some have defected, and others have left.

It's truly heartbreaking.

The shady dealings involved are too numerous to mention; even Naruto could guess without using his brain that it was inextricably linked to the higher-ups in Konoha.

......

After several days of arduous travel, Team 7, led by Kakashi, returned to Konoha.

Kakashi also promptly reported every detail of the execution of the commission to the Third Hokage.

After listening, the third generation took a deep drag on his pipe, smoke billowing around him, his face deep in thought, his brows furrowed.

After a long pause, he slowly said, "Naruto is too arrogant."

"Kakashi, you've done very well. You may step down now."

After Kakashi left, the Third Hokage slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and muttered to himself:

“The growth of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is crucial. Naruto’s strength has improved too quickly. There is still a lot of room for development in his bloodline limit, but Kakashi can no longer teach him.”

"This mission also exposed Naruto's biggest weakness: arrogance."

"How can Naruto, who doesn't understand teamwork, understand the importance of his comrades? Perhaps it's time to bring Jiraiya back."

"With Jiraiya's guidance, I feel at ease."

The three generations muttered to themselves.

......

Back in Konoha, Naruto was taking a walk in the streets, deliberately avoiding the busy areas in order to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.

"Clang, clang, clang." Suddenly, the sound of a cane tapping the ground came from the end of the street.

Soon, an old man appeared in sight, his entire body wrapped in bandages and with a long scar under his single eye.

Even though he was just an old man who looked strange, for some reason, Naruto felt goosebumps all over his body.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, maintaining his perfect, gentle smile as he walked leisurely forward.

Meanwhile, the old man opposite him continued to walk at a steady pace.

I thought it would just be a simple passing by.

Unexpectedly, just as the two figures were about to meet, the old man stopped and his cloudy eyes suddenly met Naruto's.

In those cloudy eyes, Naruto saw a darkness-like despair.

"Naruto, be careful, it's Danzo," Minato warned from within the sealed space.

Danzo Shimura?

One of Konoha's high-ranking officials, he went into hiding after failing to compete with the Third Hokage for the position, establishing the corrupt and decadent Root organization and controlling Konoha's ecosystem.

He was a man who reeked of stench, and was repulsive and terrifying.

Why is Danzo here? What does he want?

Is it permitted by the third generation?

Countless thoughts raced through Naruto's mind in an instant, finally settling into a perfect smile:

Hello, do you know me?

Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, son of Minato Namikaze.

Upon meeting face to face, she was indeed as elegant and confident as the intelligence had described.

Danzo's eyes flickered, his hands gripping the top of his cane, a smile spreading across his face, the wrinkles on his face crinkling together:

“I am Elder Shimura Danzo. Naruto Uzumaki, I am very interested in your bloodline limit.”

"Why would Danzo bypass the Third Hokage to contact Naruto?" Minato exclaimed from inside the sealed space, "Has Danzo become so arrogant now?"

Naruto scrutinized Danzo closely, his smile gradually fading.

Danzo didn't give Naruto a chance to think further, and continued, "Naruto Uzumaki, you demonstrated an extremely powerful bloodline limit during the Land of Waves' mission. Kyoka Suigetsu was able to completely control Sasuke Uchiha with his two-tomoe Sharingan, and the derived Kido also had considerable destructive power. However, your development of bloodline limits is still far from sufficient."

Danzo's eyes were calm as he spoke unhurriedly:

"Moreover, your bloodline limit has a major drawback."

Upon hearing this, Naruto's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Ignoring the warnings, Danzo continued, "If you don't believe me, you can use your bloodline limit on me."

"this......"

Naruto was struggling with how to make the Konoha higher-ups see his Shikai and become a servant of Kyoka Suigetsu when, unexpectedly, the troublesome Root leader, Danzo, delivered himself right to his doorstep.

Naruto then began his Shikai: "Shatter, Mirror Flower, Water Moon."

The world was in ripples, but Danzo maintained his smile.

However, Danzo paused slightly, and the next moment, the world in his vision shattered like a mirror, revealing Naruto's genuine look of surprise behind the mirror.

Danzo secretly gloated, a gentle smile similar to Naruto's on his face, and said softly, "See? In front of a strong person like me, your bloodline limit is not strong enough."

"Become my disciple, Naruto."

"Think it over carefully, and I can give you everything you want."

After saying this, Danzo turned around and slowly walked back the way he came.

Naruto silently put away his illusion and revealed his gentle and refined smile again.

......

The Hokage's office shortly afterward.

"You've crossed the line, Danzo. I've already said it; I've already devised a growth plan for Naruto." The Third Hokage's eyes blazed with anger.

If it weren't for his old partner holding considerable power, he would definitely have acted without hesitation.

"Hiruzen, Naruto's performance in the Land of Waves this time was outstanding. His talent has surpassed Minato's. As long as his bloodline limit is properly developed, Konoha may very well have another powerful family comparable to the Hyuga!" Danzo's eyes burned with excitement as he gripped his cane.

Do you think Kakashi is qualified to teach Naruto?

"Hiruzen, ever since the Uchiha clan was wiped out, our relations with the other ninja villages have become extremely tense. We don't have time to wait for Naruto to grow up slowly," Danzo said earnestly.

"We don't have time."

After he finished speaking, the Hokage's office fell silent again.

The Third Hokage naturally understood that Danzo's actions stemmed from his appreciation of talent.

After all, Naruto's performance on this mission truly exceeded everyone's expectations.

“Naruto’s progress has indeed exceeded my expectations, but that’s no reason for you to interfere.” The Third Hokage said, frowning as he puffed on his pipe, “I will have Jiraiya teach Naruto from now on.”

"You." Danzo's expression froze, a deep sense of apprehension appearing in his eyes. He snorted coldly and said, "Why don't you let Naruto choose for himself?"

"If he is unwilling to become my disciple, I will no longer interfere with Naruto's growth!"

Chapter 82 Jiraiya Arrives

“If I become Danzo’s disciple, I believe everything will be completely under my control. Besides, Danzo isn’t even the Hokage!” Inside the sealed space, Naruto sat cross-legged on the ground, deep in thought. “For now, it’s best to maintain the status quo.”

“That’s good to think that way. Remember, Naruto, stay as far away from Danzo as possible.” Minato breathed a sigh of relief, then reminded him with a serious expression, “In these past few decades, Danzo’s roots have become deeply entrenched in Konoha. Compared to the Third Hokage, Danzo is a man who has truly abandoned mercy.”

As the Fourth Hokage, Minato, who had come into contact with many secrets, naturally understood how dangerous Danzo was.

During his tenure, various decisions were obstructed by the Third Dai and Danzo.

Rather than calling him the Fourth Hokage, it would be more accurate to say that he was a Hokage whose authority was effectively sidelined.

It was extremely frustrating.

It can be said that the Third Hokage and Danzo, one inside and one outside, almost completely controlled Konoha.

Even if he wanted to change the status quo, it would be extremely difficult for him.

It was precisely because they saw this that the three ninjas gradually left.

Being caught between one's teacher and the beloved Konoha is indeed a difficult situation.

“I suspect that Danzo colluded with Orochimaru before, and perhaps Orochimaru’s defection is also related to Danzo,” Minato said, offering a guess.

"Anyway, anything involving that old guy is bound to end badly." Nine-Tails snorted and joined the conversation.

"Anyway, Naruto, you should just play it safe and develop your strength. When the time is right, I'll lend you all my power, and you can defect to Konoha. They'll be shocked. How could the gentle and refined Naruto defect? ​​That Uchiha brat will go crazy as if he's been betrayed, and his eyes might even evolve again." Kurama became more and more excited as he spoke, and the fur on his body began to tremble.

"Then you stab him in the back and tell him that you can't trust your eyes." Just thinking about the possible future scenarios made Nine-Tails roll around excitedly.

As the mastermind behind Naruto's betrayal, isn't that more exciting than a game?

Minato, who was standing to the side, wanted to speak up, but was afraid of upsetting Naruto, so he could only sigh helplessly.

"Actually, Konoha's problems are mainly concentrated in its upper echelons. If the younger generation is willing to change things, then definitely..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kurama ruthlessly interrupted him: "The younger generation is going to be completely devoured by them, Fourth Hokage. This is your fault. Why are you pushing Naruto into the fire?"

"Alright, no need to say more. I know what I'm doing." Naruto interrupted the argument, a hint of coldness in his smile.

"The future of Konoha is none of my concern; I just want to do what I need to do."