Chapter 375: Chapter 373 : Scroll of Seals??
Asuma Sarutobi took a deep drag from the cigarette in his mouth. His brows furrowed in thought, and there was still a trace of anger on his face.
When he heard Sarutobi Hiruzen’s question, he finally replied, "Kakashi made it very clear. He said he just wants to teach Naruto some ninjutsu. It was something Minato Namikaze entrusted him with back then. Hmph. If you ask me, that’s just an excuse. Kakashi just doesn’t want Naruto to learn from me."
Asuma recounted what had happened earlier today, but his tone carried more than just frustration—there was also a hint of helplessness.
Kakashi was the kind of person who wouldn’t budge once he made up his mind.
No matter what others said, it was nearly impossible to change his decision.
And this time was no different.
"Did you tell him it was my order?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned in thought, but his tone clearly carried some dissatisfaction with Kakashi.
"That I personally wanted you to be the one guiding Uzumaki Naruto?"
"I told him. But Kakashi didn’t care. He brushed it off again, using Minato’s wish as a shield." Asuma’s voice showed a trace of regret.
If it had been any other regular ANBU member, he would’ve scolded them outright and forced the issue.
But Kakashi was different. He was a genius of Konoha, and the son of Sakumo Hatake—White Fang.
That alone made things complicated.
Not to mention... Kakashi was strong. Very strong.
"Hmph. Ever since that incident with the Wood Release-user, the one called Wood Ox, Kakashi’s attitude has been off."
Hiruzen took a long drag of his own cigarette and said coldly, "It’s clear Kakashi has started to drift away from me. From now on, he’s no longer one of us. He’s become an enemy."
As those words left his mouth, a sharp glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes—filled with killing intent and cold determination.
Kakashi Hatake. What strength do you really have?
Back then, Sakumo Hatake stood at the peak of glory... but look what became of him in the end.
Seems like Kakashi is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps.
"I understand!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded as well.
He didn’t like what Kakashi had done—he really didn’t.
But after thinking for a moment, he continued, "About Uzumaki Naruto... should we have someone arrange to transfer him directly to my team?"
Sarutobi Asuma still didn’t feel truly angry at Naruto.
"Uzumaki Naruto..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into deep thought.
If he didn’t handle this properly, it could lead to a chain reaction.
Tap, tap, tap.
Just as the two were discussing in secret, a careful knock came from outside.
Both of them tensed at once and turned toward the door.
"Lord Hokage!"
A voice came from the hallway.
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately recognized it as one of the ANBU assigned to monitor Naruto.
He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
It must be that Naruto had caused trouble again.
Over the years, he had come to understand Naruto’s personality quite well.
Naruto was the type who couldn’t sit still.
Despite all the restrictions Hiruzen had placed on him—hoping to raise him as someone quiet and humble—he still couldn’t suppress the boy’s restless nature.
Naruto would do anything just to get attention.
"Come in..."
After confirming the identity of the visitor, Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"Tell me, what kind of mess has that kid gotten into this time?"
As he asked, he leisurely took a puff of his pipe.
"Lord Hokage, something’s wrong!"
The ANBU ninja sounded flustered.
"Naruto sneaked into the Hokage Residence—the building where we store scrolls and important items!"
Click.
"Oh... he went to the Hokage Residence?"
Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe and repeated the words flatly.
But in the next instant, his eyes widened.
"What did you say? Uzumaki Naruto broke into the Hokage Residence?"
It finally hit Hiruzen.
His expression tightened with concern.
"Yes! I’m not sure how it happened, but today Naruto snuck out of his house and headed straight there!"
The ANBU gave a detailed account of Naruto’s movements.
In short—
From the moment Naruto left home, his destination had already been clear.
He was going for the Hokage Residence.
"I shouldn’t have... I never mentioned the Scroll of Seals to Uzumaki Naruto. How does he even know about it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply in thought, setting his smoking pipe down on the table.
The office fell into silence.
A long while passed before he finally opened his eyes and spoke slowly, "Has anyone been in contact with Uzumaki Naruto in the past few days? Or did someone secretly tell him something?"
"Or... could it be that brat from the Uchiha clan said something he shouldn’t have?"
There was no way Naruto could’ve learned about the Scroll of Seals on his own.
Someone must have told him.
"Who has been near Naruto recently?"
An ANBU ninja paused to think carefully, then finally said, "I remember now. Earlier today, we were out handling a situation. When we returned... we saw Mizuki talking to Naruto."
"Yes, it was definitely Mizuki!"
Recalling the scene, the ANBU continued, "Mizuki left after we scolded him. But Naruto seemed... off. When he got home, he locked himself in his room all day and didn’t come out until evening—then he went straight to the Scroll of Seals."
Mizuki?
Sarutobi’s brows furrowed even deeper. But then, as if something clicked in his mind, he muttered, "This must’ve been Mizuki’s plan all along. He manipulated Naruto into stealing the jutsu from the Scroll."
"Send out my order—have the ANBU track down Mizuki immediately. I suspect he’s already abandoned his residence."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave his first direct order without hesitation.
"Yes!" The ANBU nodded, but then raised a crucial issue. "What about Naruto? He’s still inside the Scroll Chamber. Should we go in and arrest him?"
"No. Let him take it. Don’t stop him."
Hiruzen shook his head, his eyes gleaming with a trace of bitter amusement.
"Naruto has grown up independent and lonely, but he’s never truly experienced the cruelty of the world. This time... let him feel what it’s like to be betrayed by someone he trusts—his own teacher."
"And also..."
"You go find Iruka. Have him reach Naruto at a critical moment, guide him, and make him feel warmth again."
"This time, I’ll make sure Uzumaki Naruto can never leave Konoha. Never leave me..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s final words were whispered so softly that only he could hear them. Calmly, he was planning out Naruto’s entire life.
"I understand!" The ANBU ninja nodded, then disappeared to carry out Hiruzen’s orders.
However...
Hiruzen Sarutobi leisurely sat back down and opened his crystal ball.
Inside it, the scene showed Naruto rummaging through a room inside the Hokage Residence. Finally... Naruto’s gaze stopped on a massive scroll.
A faint smile appeared on Hiruzen’s face. "Mizuki... so your goal is the Scroll of Seals? Ridiculous..."
Did he really think just anyone could learn the techniques inside that scroll?
Most of the jutsu within were either insanely difficult or required the sacrifice of one’s life force to perform.
He himself had gone through immense hardship just to master the Reaper Death Seal. What could Mizuki possibly learn?
Asuma Sarutobi walked over and looked into the crystal ball at Naruto. He couldn’t help but speak.
"Father, are you really going to just let Naruto search through everything and walk away?"
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