Naruto, Be My Son

Even though the Rasengan didn't touch him, the wrinkles on his old face still rippled from the whirlwind of the Rasengan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly rolled backward, flipping and landing steadily on the windowsill.

Although he almost hurt his back, his expression didn't change.

Watching Naruto, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes were very serious: "Naruto, the speed of your progress has caught me off guard..."

Just now, it was a close call.

If Naruto's Rasengan had hit his head, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his life would have been over.

This kid... was clearly after his life!

"Third Hokage, your reaction time seems a bit slow!" Naruto, whose attack had missed, showed no sign of disappointment and immediately went on the offensive again.

Naruto's speed was so fast that Sarutobi Hiruzen could barely react. In an instant, Naruto's foot had already struck Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Puwa!" Sarutobi Hiruzen spat out a mouthful of acid, flying backward and landing on the street outside.

With one hand on his chest, he looked up: "Such fast speed..."

Naruto was already standing by the window, his body enveloped in the Nine-Tails' chakra, his eyes wild like those of a beast.

"Tailed Beast Chakra Mode... To be able to instantly activate such a special state, has his bond with the Nine-Tails become this deep?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart sank.

At that moment, Konohagakure ninjas attracted by the noise gathered around Sarutobi Hiruzen, each looking up at the expressionless Naruto above.

"Are you... Uzumaki Naruto? You brat, even though you joined the Whitebeard Pirates, you're still the Fourth's son, half of Konohagakure's own! Why are you attacking the Third Hokage?"

An Anbu ninja with a mask gritted his teeth and questioned Naruto.

If it had been before, anyone who suddenly attacked the Hokage would have been restrained by now.

But now, the situation has changed.

Above the village of Konohagakure, there stands a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, and to say that Naruto and the Whitebeard Pirates are as close as wearing the same pants would be an understatement.

Under such a relationship, they really dare not move against Naruto.

Even if Naruto attacked the Third Hokage himself.

Looking down at the Konohagakure ninjas below, some familiar and some strangers, Naruto grinned and said, "The position of Hokage should be held by the capable. If the great Third Hokage can't even defeat a kid like me, then why not give me the position of Hokage?"

Everyone was taken aback, as they seemed to understand why Naruto had moved against the Third Hokage—he actually wanted to become the new Hokage of Konohagakure.

Hiss! This...

The Konohagakure ninjas couldn't help but exchange glances, as they could all see the hesitation in each other's eyes.

In fact, the reputation of the Third had been ruined long ago, and his prestige in the village was declining day by day.

The hearts of the villagers were also dwindling.

To have such an old man, who had been the Hokage of Konohagakure for so long without stepping down, was indeed causing some dissatisfaction among the ninjas in private.

Many of them hoped that a ninja with extraordinary talent would emerge to take over the position of the Third Hokage.

This way, the scandal-ridden Third Hokage could step down.

The problem was, there really wasn't much talent left in the village.

But today, the appearance of Uzumaki Naruto, and his open declaration of his goals and ambitions, raised a glimmer of hope in the hearts of some.

To be fair, Uzumaki Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage, naturally carrying the bloodline of the Konohagakure Hokage.

Plus, being the adopted son of Whitebeard, his identity and background far surpass anyone in the ninja world.

If he possesses power beyond the Third, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to let him be the new Hokage of Konohagakure? As for Uzumaki Naruto's age, is he a bit too young?

There are even nobles in the ninja world who become Daimyo at the age of five, so what's wrong with someone in their teens becoming Hokage? Besides, he has an incredibly strong adoptive father behind him!

When such thoughts emerged in the minds of these ninjas, the hostility in their eyes towards Naruto faded.

Not even one person stopped Naruto, and the bolder ninjas had already retreated, distancing themselves from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third.

Sarutobi Hiruzen saw this scene very clearly.

It also brought a sense of sorrow and disbelief to his heart.

Hasn't he, as the Hokage, dedicated enough to the village?

Yet now, there are people who choose not to stand with him! "Continue, Third! If I win, I will be the Hokage of Konohagakure; if I lose, I'll come back to be the Hokage of Konohagakure in a year."

After Naruto finished this sentence, he was ready to get serious.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened immediately, as he felt a threat from Naruto.

And the kick Naruto had just given him made him realize that Naruto's strength should not be underestimated.

If Naruto could fully transform into the Nine-Tails with its power...

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he didn't stand a chance!

Darn it...

Everything had been calm for the past five years, so why did this have to happen all of a sudden?

...

The news of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, being publicly challenged by the returning Uzumaki Naruto spread through Konohagakure like a hurricane.

Moreover, the commotion from their fight wasn't small, attracting many confident ninjas to come and watch.

"The Hokage-sama has aged, to the point where he's been forced to summon Enma against a teenager."

Hyuga Hiashi stood atop a distant building, watching the battle unfold with his Byakugan.

In his observation, Uzumaki Naruto had partially transformed into a tailed beast, his terrifying speed almost too fast for even Hiashi's Byakugan to follow.

"And..."

 Hiashi muttered to himself, "Even with his Summoned Beast, the Hokage-sama can't seem to overpower that kid, Uzumaki Naruto. Is this the power of the Nine-Tails?"

"I remember..." A flicker of emotion crossed his usually stoic face, "Hinata seems to have taken an interest in him."

How could the thoughts of a young girl escape the notice of an adult?

Hyuga Hiashi had seen through it all.

Elsewhere.

Kakashi had returned from the sea to the ninja world, and to Konohagakure Village.

With his hands in his pockets, he said to the man beside him, "Jiraiya-sama, you really shouldn't get involved in this. Naruto truly wants to become the Hokage of Konohagakure. It's been his dream and goal since he was little. Don't you want Naruto to carry on his father's legacy?"

Clearly, the person beside Kakashi was Jiraiya.

"..." Jiraiya fell silent.

His steps forward halted, and he sighed, "Minato's child is truly outstanding! even more than Minato himself."

...

...

(End of Chapter)