Second Chance | COTE x Naruto

Chapter 3

Hiruzen always assumed that Minato wouldn't just simply seal the Kyuubi inside his son without ensuring he would be safe from the Kyuubi's influence. The way to do that was simple: to seal his chakra within the seal, and perhaps Kushina's chakra as well.

My assumption is spot on, thought Hiruzen, observing Naruto as the blond ate his ramen elegantly.

Turning 180° in personality overnight was impossible. No matter how deep his heart was broken, it's impossible to change overnight. However, Hiruzen knew Minato and Kushina. Both of them were fuinjutsu masters.

And so, it wouldn't be a surprise for them to arrange some training for their son within Naruto's mindscape. With fuinjutsu, even more so since it was in mindscape, the flow of time could be altered.  It was proven by the significant improvement in his taijutsu.

Therefore, the change that happened to Naruto could be understood. Kakashi didn't consider that because he was not there to witness the sealing process.

It's natural he thought Naruto might be manipulated by someone and that someone wanted to blame Nara Clan for that. There's something Kakashi didn't confess to Hiruzen, though. Kakashi hid something. However, Hiruzen didn't worry.

Perhaps, even though he didn't realize it yet, Kakashi had begun to doubt. And eventually, since he was planning to change the way for Naruto, he would reach the same conclusion as him. Or, he would just give Kakashi a little hint to help.

"So, Naruto-kun, do you hate them for doing that to you?" asked Hiruzen after Naruto finished his first bowl---and just like Minato, he didn't go for the second bowl.

"Hate? Well, it is sad to be abandoned. But they left me with a gift. So, there's nothing to hate. People do things they believe to be right. Be it you, me, or anyone else. We always do what we believe to be right. Hating someone is pointless, Old Man."

Hiruzen smiled. The Naruto right now really reminded him of Minato.

"What about me?" asked the old hokage. "Your mother asked me to take care of you, but as a hokage I can't simply play favoritsm to the extreme. Even my own son didn't receive any privilege from me."

"I know you're always trying your best to make me live better, but you can't simply do everything. Besides, I am sure you have planned to give my parents' belonging to me once I am a jounin."

Hiruzen nodded. "I have tried my best," he said with a deep sigh. "Back then, I have ordered the council to keep your status a secret. But things became a mess when my advisor went behind my back and leaked the news about Kyuubi Jinchuriki.

"As for your inheritance, I plan to give you your parents' apartment once you become a chuunin, then I will prepare the rest as a gift for when you become a jounin. I plan that way because I deem that your parents don't want you to be a spoiled child."

The truth was...Hiruzen didn't plan any of that. He didn't even plan on telling him everything beside his status as Kyuubi Jinchuriki.

However, having seen rokugan---the First Eye---manifested in his eye sockets changed things. Naruto had to be molded to be his succesor. He had to be re-educated. And, it had to be started by telling him about his origin.

But the part "re-educated" was no longer necessary. Minato and Kushina had done that for him. Naruto had become a mature boy. He was so mature that Hiruzen thought perhaps he had spent ten years in his mindscape.

"Even now, I'll not change my mind just because you have matured, Naruto-kun." Hiruzen said seriously. "You have to become a chuunin, and then jounin. And once you become a jounin, I'll announce you as my successor."