I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Powerless

Naruto's performance during the final assessment was nothing short of spectacular. He dominated every opponent, leaving no doubt about his position as the number one student in the exam.

Neither his classmates nor the upperclassmen, including those nearing graduation, could put up much of a fight. This came as no surprise to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who observed the results through his crystal ball. Naruto's strength, comparable to the young Kakashi Hatake and even his father, Minato Namikaze, proved he was far beyond his peers. Even some seasoned chunin specializing in combat would find themselves struggling against the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. As a jinchūriki, Naruto was destined to be a powerful weapon for the village. Yet, the boy's raw strength wasn't what concerned him most—it was his heart. Would Naruto continue to care about the village and the bonds he was forging with his peers, or would he succumb to the isolation that once consumed him?

From his observations, Hiruzen was cautiously optimistic. Naruto had built meaningful friendships, even with the Uchiha heir, Sasuke. Though the inclusion of an Uchiha could be dangerous, these bonds served as a tether, ensuring Naruto remained grounded. This was why Hiruzen hadn't yet revealed Naruto's lineage as the Fourth Hokage's son or the tragic circumstances of his parents' deaths. The truth could overwhelm him or, worse, ignite resentment.

By allowing Naruto to experience the villagers' rejection firsthand, Hiruzen hoped he would treasure the connections he made at the academy even more. Watching Naruto claim the top spot in the assessment, Hiruzen extinguished his pipe and leaned back. Now, he had to consider what excuse to use during his next visit to Naruto's apartment, especially if the boy pressed for details about his parents again.

But such worries could wait. More pressing was the looming threat of a Uchiha coup. The clan's preparations had become blatant, their rebellion no longer a secret. Should they act, the resulting conflict would devastate the village, and Hiruzen's position as Hokage would likely fall to pieces.

He sighed heavily, thinking of Danzo Shimura, who would surely seize any opportunity to ascend to the Hokage's seat. That, more than his own potential loss of power, was what concerned Hiruzen. Danzo's extremist policies and disregard for human life could lead Konoha down a dark path.

As if on cue, the office door creaked open, and Danzo entered, leaning heavily on his cane. His expression soured at the lingering smell of tobacco. Danzo despised Hiruzen's smoking habit, viewing it as a sign of weakness and indulgence unfit for a leader.

Hiruzen stubbed out his pipe and addressed his old comrade. "You've come about the Uchiha again, haven't you?"

Danzo nodded, lowering himself into a chair. "Hiruzen, every spy I placed within the Uchiha ranks has been eliminated. We've lost all eyes on their internal operations. Their control over the police force logistics is absolute. They could launch a coup at any moment."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "You planted spies in the Uchiha clan without consulting me?"

Danzo ignored the rebuke. "What matters is that they've moved beyond subtlety. Fugaku and his followers openly advocate rebellion in clan meetings. They've stockpiled supplies in preparation for war. We can no longer wait. We must strike first to prevent disaster."

Hiruzen remained silent, watching Danzo intently.

"I'll deploy the Root," Danzo continued. "We'll wipe out the insurgents before they act. It'll be easy to frame this as a necessary response to a Uchiha rebellion. No one outside the clan will mourn them."

Hiruzen leaned back, his face weary. "I still believe Itachi can mediate. Fugaku listens to him, and there may yet be a peaceful resolution. War with the Uchiha will harm the village far more than you think."

Danzo's plan had merit. A preemptive strike could end the threat quickly. But the political and social fallout would be catastrophic. Konoha's other clans might view the Hokage's office as tyrannical, and foreign nations could exploit the village's internal strife.

Danzo, reading Hiruzen's hesitation, pressed further. "Itachi will choose the village over his clan. He's loyal to Konoha."

Hiruzen sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "We'll revisit this. I need time alone."

Danzo rose and left without another word. Outside the Hokage's office, he glanced back, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. Hiruzen, you've grown weak. In your prime, you'd never hesitate like this. You cling to power you no longer deserve.

He clenched his fist, thinking of his own plans. With the power of both Senju and Uchiha, I'll secure Konoha's future. The position of Hokage will be mine.

---

Inside the Academy

Naruto, having secured first place in the physical assessment, was the center of attention among the students. Discussions buzzed around him—admiration from some, jealousy from others. Among the envious whispers, a few students muttered resentfully, blaming Naruto's success on the power of the Nine-Tails sealed within him. To them, his participation felt unfair.

No amount of murmuring, however, could change the fact that Naruto had triumphed.

Iruka Umino, grading the written tests in the teacher's lounge, felt a swell of pride. Other instructors teased him, demanding he treat them to dinner to celebrate his student's success. Though pleased, Iruka couldn't shake a feeling of unease. Naruto's transformation over the past six months was remarkable, almost unsettling. The once-isolated boy had become confident and cheerful—a dramatic shift Iruka hadn't anticipated.

Mizuki, another instructor, approached with a sly grin. "Iruka, why the long face? You should be thrilled! Turning a troublemaker like Naruto into the top student? That's an achievement worth celebrating. Maybe the academy's thinking of promoting you."

Iruka shook his head. "It's not my doing. Naruto's talent speaks for itself. He applied for early graduation months ago, but the Hokage denied his request."

Mizuki's smile widened. "You're too modest. By the way, I've got a mission coming up—a simple delivery to the Land of Sound. Care to join me?"

"What kind of mission?" Iruka asked, his tone cautious.

"Just escorting goods," Mizuki replied casually. "It's quick, and the pay's decent."

Visit Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters