Whether it was from deducing based on the original manga's content or through his current personal interactions after being forcibly pushed into leadership of this newly formed organization—born from the ashes of Root—Naruto considered himself to have a decent understanding of Tenzo, also known as Yamato, the future wood-style user who would one day join Team Seven as their teacher.
Naruto knew very well in his heart: after years of enduring Root's cruel and dehumanizing training to create emotionless human tools, Tenzo had grown into a seemingly composed and mature young man. Especially with some light adjustment using the Transformation Jutsu—altering his facial structure and physique—he now looked, to the unaware eye, like a seasoned and capable mentor ready to lead.
In fact, everyone present who wasn't in the know was utterly taken in by the confident, decisive image Tenzo projected—his sharp words and swift strikes from atop the platform only reinforcing that impression.
But from Naruto's perspective, that outburst was nothing more than a moment of panic—a reflexive swing from someone who had just crawled out of utter darkness and now found himself unable to grasp the simplicity of peace. Deep down, Tenzo was just a child, still learning to walk, trying to adjust to a calm and ordinary life.
It reminded Naruto of Zhang Fei from his previous life's Romance of the Three Kingdoms—a warrior who excelled on the battlefield but would probably just stare blankly if asked to embroider a flower.
Because of that, while it might seem like Tenzo had subdued the room with his iron-fisted display of strength, the calm was only surface-level. Anyone with half a brain knew that putting certain petty gossipers in their place through brute force alone wouldn't last. Sure, they'd behave for now—but they'd be quietly waiting for their chance at revenge.
After all, even Naruto—the hero's son—had once been reduced to a demonized scapegoat due to baseless rumors spread by Danzo and passed along by those very same tongues. Instead of being revered, he was treated like a rat in the streets—a so-called reincarnation of the Nine-Tails.
And now there was Tenzo: socially inexperienced, isolated, and poor with words. Worse yet, he'd just lashed out in public and handed his enemies a perfect weapon to use against him. No way these people would let him off so easily.
Three people make a tiger. Words can kill. Especially during this sensitive period when Tenzo was just starting to reintegrate into village life. If left unchecked, who knew how much damage these snakes in the grass could do? Even with a hundred tongues, Tenzo wouldn't be able to talk his way out once the tide turned against him.
Of course, if Tenzo were like Naruto and simply didn't care, he could've chosen to return to the Anbu and just carry out missions in the shadows, free from reputation or scrutiny. But unless it became truly necessary, Naruto wasn't about to let Tenzo—who had finally gathered the courage to face the light—go back into the dark.
Naruto never minded his own treatment because the original him had grown up amid constant scorn. Staying within the timeline and avoiding drastic changes helped maintain the accuracy of his memories, and more importantly, it ensured his safety. As long as he stayed low-profile—living as the shunned "Nine-Tails brat" rather than some prodigious genius—he could train in peace without drawing attention from hidden enemies.
Tenzo, on the other hand, was a completely different case.
As someone kidnapped in childhood to be a lab subject for Orochimaru's human experiments, Tenzo's fate was already twisted the moment Hashirama Senju's cells were forcibly implanted in him. Taken in by Danzo and raised within Root, he had undergone unspeakable blood-soaked training—far beyond what normal people could imagine.
Yet despite all that, he held onto the last shred of human decency. When the Third Hokage was nearly assassinated by Danzo's men in a desperate coup, Tenzo had turned against Root and joined forces with Kakashi to save the Hokage's life.
In Naruto's eyes, Tenzo's story mirrored his own in many ways. Both had been forced down unwanted paths from a young age. Both had suffered deeply, yet somehow held onto their humanity—refusing to become bloodthirsty monsters. Through sheer will, they made it this far.
In that sense, to Naruto, Tenzo was almost like another version of himself.
And now, Tenzo didn't need to worry about the Fourth Great Ninja War, or hide from the Akatsuki, or train obsessively to rewrite the fates of his comrades. He didn't have to carry the weight of that bloodstained future. He could return to the village and live peacefully.
That, to Naruto, was both the reward Tenzo deserved for saving the Third Hokage… and the wish of someone who saw Tenzo as his other self: to let him enjoy the peace Naruto had willingly sacrificed.
'Feels like I passed the exam for no reason… I didn't even do anything… Don't tell me the Examiner just picked people he liked?'
Of course not. In truth, the first exam was simple—basic, even. Because…
When Naruto asked the question with a grin and squint, Tenzo, the Examiner, was visibly puzzled. But having spent so many years in Root, where following orders was second nature, Tenzo still took the question seriously. After thinking for a bit, he shook his head and responded earnestly—completely ignoring the weird looks thrown his way for being so accommodating. Staring straight into Naruto's eyes, he answered in a calm, steady tone, guided along by Naruto's lead.
And this—this was exactly the outcome Naruto wanted.
By publicly explaining the reason behind the exam results, it gave the petty schemers a clean exit. A way to admit defeat without losing face.
Of course, just because the ladder was there didn't mean they'd take it. That would depend on whether they had any common sense left.
But if they still tried to sabotage Tenzo's future?
Naruto wouldn't mind taking some time to "play" with them.
After all, if even Danzo—an old fox who excelled at manipulation—had been sent to the afterlife a decade early by Naruto himself, how hard could it be to shut up a few cowardly backstabbers?
His parents had given their lives to protect the Hidden Leaf Village. And anything that brought harm to it—even indirectly—Naruto would never show mercy.