Nara Shikaku really couldn't understand. Minato Namikaze had always been clearly pro-Konoha and loyal to Konoha—this was true in the past, and still true now.
Naruto Uzumaki also showed no signs of any issues.
But why did Hiruzen Sarutobi seem to be on guard against both Minato Namikaze and Naruto Uzumaki?
Initially, Shikaku thought maybe Hiruzen worried that Minato would resent them once he discovered what they'd done in the past.
But now that everything had been successfully hidden, why did Hiruzen still look cautious? This puzzled Shikaku.
Hiruzen indeed was being cautious, just as Shikaku suspected.
However, the person he was truly wary of wasn't Minato, but rather Naruto.
Back when Naruto was only about three years old, he was bullied in the snow. The first person he went to wasn't Hiruzen, but Chinya.
Then when Hiruzen later went looking for Naruto himself, he found that Naruto's attitude had undergone a drastic change.
Before that incident, Naruto had felt sad about being disliked by people from Konoha and had shown impatience toward the "Will of Fire" (Konoha's core philosophy of dedication and sacrifice) that Hiruzen talked about.
Yet when Hiruzen met with Naruto afterward, the boy suddenly spoke at length about the Will of Fire, seeming to have fully accepted it.
This made Hiruzen immediately realize that Chinya must have said something to Naruto, causing such a dramatic shift in his attitude.
At the time, Hiruzen immediately forbade any further contact between Chinya and Naruto, but this incident remained like a thorn stuck in his heart ever since.
No matter how obedient and well-behaved Naruto became, Hiruzen could never shake his lingering doubts.
He couldn't help but wonder whether Naruto might actually be pretending.
However, whether Hiruzen used [Telescope Technique] to observe Naruto or met with him directly, Naruto's behavior always appeared impeccable.
Especially after the Uchiha Clan incident, Naruto's performance could only be described as flawless.
His behavior being too flawless actually deepened Hiruzen's suspicions. If Naruto occasionally expressed some resentment, Hiruzen wouldn't have doubted so much.
But could a six- or seven-year-old Naruto really be that calculating?
It was almost like someone had scripted every word for Naruto.
In fact, Hiruzen had already taken action.
After discovering Chinya had defected from Konoha and noticing that Naruto behaved suspiciously perfect, Hiruzen assigned Anbu ninja to watch Naruto twenty-four hours a day.
Hiruzen suspected Chinya might still be influencing Naruto in some undetectable way.
But nothing unusual was ever detected.
Logically, his suspicions about Naruto should have ended there. At that time, Hiruzen truly wanted to believe that Naruto might genuinely have accepted the Will of Fire and started thinking in accordance with its principles.
However, after Minato's revival, perhaps out of fear that his past actions might be exposed, Hiruzen's anxiety returned once again.
After serving as Hokage for so many years, Hiruzen Sarutobi had come to distrust everyone completely.
That's why he'd arranged for Shikaku Nara to follow Minato Namikaze constantly—even during the reunion between father and son, Minato and Naruto Uzumaki—having Shikaku stay close by to monitor the conversation.
Hiruzen confirmed with Shikaku, "Shikaku, did Naruto say he knows Wind-Style Sword Techniques?"
Shikaku nodded and reported, "Yes. According to Naruto himself, before Chinya defected, he secretly watched Chinya teach Uzumaki Sōnagi Wind-Style techniques and tried imitating them, but he hadn't truly mastered it back then. Later, after seeing Kakashi use Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques, he learned Wind-Style Sword Techniques by learning from Kakashi."
Hiruzen pondered in silence for a moment before saying, "I see... I understand now. Shikaku, you'll still need to keep at this for some time longer. The news that Minato has returned to full strength is already spreading through the shinobi world, and Konoha will soon host the Joint Chunin Examinations, drawing ninja from all the villages.
With so many different people gathering together, there may be some shady individuals looking to take advantage of Minato's weakened state. Please stay alert and make absolutely certain Minato stays safe."
Shikaku nodded respectfully, "Understood."
After Shikaku left, Hiruzen immediately summoned Kakashi.
Once Kakashi entered the Hokage's office, Hiruzen questioned him, "Kakashi, did you teach Naruto Wind-Style Sword Techniques? Are Wind-Style and your Thunder Breathing considered the same type?"
Kakashi had anticipated this question would come once word reached Hiruzen that Naruto had mastered Wind-Style Sword Techniques.
He responded according to his prepared explanation, "Wind-Style Sword Techniques and Thunder Breathing are indeed related styles; however, I wouldn't exactly say that I taught it directly to Naruto."
Hiruzen expressed surprise, "Oh? What do you mean?"
Kakashi explained, "Apparently, as a child, Naruto secretly watched Chinya use Wind-Style Sword Techniques while teaching others and memorized some key execution details. Therefore, when he saw me using Thunder Breathing in battle and noticed similarities, he approached me asking about it.
Since both breathing techniques share similar styles, and I have also personally witnessed Chinya performing Wind-Style Sword Techniques before, although I myself can't perform Wind-Style Sword Techniques, I was able to give him some guidance. With those early memories from his childhood, Naruto quickly grasped Wind-Style Sword Techniques on his own."
Understanding that Naruto had previously spied on Chinya instructing Sōnagi and Neji Hyuga while they trained, Hiruzen gave a slight frown as he nodded, "So that's how it happened. Your Thunder Breathing technique, Neji's Water Breathing, and now Naruto's mastery of Wind-Style Sword Techniques—it suggests that Flame Breathing and Stone Breathing Sword Techniques tailored to specific chakra natures might also exist."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, "Indeed. There are two other forms known as Flame Breathing and Stone Breathing Sword Techniques, though I've never personally witnessed either one. I only heard about them from Chinya before."
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Kakashi, as the perfect inheritor of his Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques, do you know why other ninja who use Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques can't match your level of power?"
"This actually comes down to natural talent. It's something you're born with — a naturally strong heart and lungs. Just like other ninja who practice Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques — some perform stronger while others weaker — this is because the strength of people's hearts and lungs differs, resulting in varying levels of ability.
People like myself, Neji, and Naruto are those born with naturally extraordinary hearts and lungs, which is why we're able to master these breathing techniques."
Kakashi was clearly making it all up. In reality, cardiopulmonary function could be trained, and required skillful breathing methods.
Kakashi knew this wasn't true — he was just trying to discourage Hiruzen from pushing the issue. Even someone born with strong heart and lungs wouldn't get far without the right breathing techniques.
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