Kazuki quietly returned to Konoha and immediately reported to the Hokage Office.
Looking at Kazuki, who had grown into a teenager and was now taller than him, Hiruzen's eyes flashed with a hint of complexity, and his heart was a mix of emotions.
How long had it been since Kazuki had grown to such an extent? The current Kazuki had probably surpassed him.
"This time, I have you to thank. Otherwise, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru would have faced unimaginable consequences."
Whether from the perspective of a teacher or a Hokage, Hiruzen was filled with gratitude towards Kazuki.
If it weren't for Kazuki, he would have likely lost his three most cherished disciples.
If there hadn't been the matter of the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen would have absolutely welcomed Kazuki's growth.
"This is what I should do. Tsunade is my teacher, and my relationship with Orochimaru and Jiraiya is also good."
"There's nothing to be grateful for when they're in danger." Kazuki spread his hands.
He finally had the qualifications to face Hiruzen directly now.
"Before, I didn't let you go to the battlefield, wanting to protect your growth, because, after all, you were still just a ten-year-old child."
"When First Hokage-sama created the village, he didn't want children to go to the battlefield."
"But now that your strength has grown to this point, it makes things a bit difficult for me." Hiruzen smiled helplessly.
No matter what Hiruzen would become in the future, the current him was indeed a good inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Kazuki had not seen any child under ten on the battlefield, which showed that he had kept his promise well.
However, in the future Third Great Ninja War, Hiruzen might have to break his promise.
By that time, Konoha's combat power would be stretched thin, and even children who had just graduated from Ninja Academy would need to go to the battlefield.
"I will follow uncle Sarutobi's arrangements."
Kazuki did not directly address Hiruzen as Hokage, but rather as 'uncle,' indicating closeness.
Even though he was strong, he was still his nephew, wasn't he?
Kazuki indeed possessed great strength, but he couldn't directly confront Konoha's overall power.
At this time, Konoha was still quite powerful, not yet severely weakened by the consecutive Second Great Ninja War and Third Great Ninja War, nor had the Nine-Tails Incident caused Konoha heavy losses and its fall from the strongest Ninja Village.
Many people said this was the result of infighting within the Hokage faction, but in reality, it was related to Hiruzen's lack of sufficient strength to suppress everything.
Hiruzen was not as powerful as Hashirama and Madara, which made other villages feel hope of catching up to Konoha.
They successively weakened Konoha's strength through the Second and the Third Great Ninja War.
The Nine-Tails Incident and the Uchiha clan massacre further exacerbated Konoha's difficulties.
Hiruzen felt a warmth in his heart when Kazuki called him that.
This brat, it seemed he still respected him quite a bit. It was somewhat unfair to deliberately target him.
"I plan to have you join the Anbu as a squad leader, specifically responsible for looking after Mito-sama and protecting Kushina."
"I think you should already know Kushina's identity, right?"
Suddenly, Hiruzen looked at Kazuki with a serious expression.
"Yes, the backup Nine-Tails Jinchuriki." Kazuki did not hide it.
"After all, Grandma Mito is already old, and her previous actions have coincidentally proven that Kushina can use the Nine-Tails's power."
"She is indeed the most suitable choice to become a Jinchuriki."
Regarding whether Kushina would become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kazuki was not particularly concerned.
On the surface, becoming a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would put Kushina's life in danger, as the Nine-Tails, for ordinary people, had immense deterrent power.
But for true strong individuals, it was no different from a pet.
Having the Nine-Tails enter a Jinchuriki's body was not about imprisoning the Nine-Tails, but protecting it.
(Nine-Tails: Bullshit!)
"Hmm, actually, if possible, I don't want Kushina to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Once she becomes a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she will lose her freedom and live a life different from an ordinary ninja."
Hiruzen paused and then continued, "Have Mito-sama and Tsunade mentioned the Wood Release experiment plan to you?"
"I've heard a little about it. I heard that First Hokage-sama's Wood Release has a strong suppressive effect on Tailed Beast Chakra." Kazuki nodded slightly.
"Is this for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Yes, there's that idea." Hiruzen did not hide it.
"If possible, I hope Kushina can continue to live as a Konoha ninja, not a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and at the same time, ensure the Uzumaki clan is passed down in Konoha."
"From the Hokage's perspective, it's truly a pity for the Uzumaki Clan to be extinct ."
"Besides that, there are too many hidden dangers in the Ninja World, and there are strong individuals lurking in the shadows."
"Konoha urgently needs a strong individual who can protect Konoha to emerge."
"When I learned that you had learned Sage Mode, I was very relieved."
"I know that, if nothing unexpected happens, Konoha will be safe for the next few decades."
Kazuki could feel Hiruzen's sincerity, and he sighed softly in his heart.
The current Hiruzen still prioritized Konoha. He wondered what their relationship would become in the future.
"Also, regarding the Uchiha clan, I hope you can interact with them more."
"For various reasons, the Uchiha clan has always been somewhat independent of Konoha."
"I don't deny the contributions the Uchiha made during the early establishment of the village."
"Even the land we currently live on, the land where Konoha was built, was contributed by Madara back then."
"As Hokage, I sincerely hope that Konoha and the Uchiha clan can continue to coexist harmoniously. The Uchiha are also Konoha ninjas."
Following that, Hiruzen continued, "For this, I can provide you with some convenience in certain aspects."
"I hope there are Uchiha members in my squad." Kazuki pondered for a moment before speaking.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "The Uchiha are actually very eager to join the Anbu, at least for most people, joining the Anbu is a very honorable thing."
"Yes, that will help you gain renown within the Uchiha, but I hope you understand who can join and who cannot."
"I don't want what happens in the Anbu to be known by the entire Uchiha on the same day."
40 Advanced Chapters on