Hokage's Office.
After listening to Hayate Gekko's excited words, the Third Hokage fell silent.
He sighed inwardly, then said helplessly, "You mean you want me to explicitly forbid Yugao from being near Naruto?"
"Yes, Third Hokage!" Hayate Gekko knelt on one knee, head bowed. "I'm sorry, as Yugao's lover, I haven't been able to change her mind."
"But Third Hokage, I can guarantee with my life that Yugao only pities Naruto, there are no other feelings involved."
The Third Hokage was speechless after hearing this. Was there something wrong with Hayate Gekko's head?
It was undeniable that because of Naruto's special circumstances, ordinary people couldn't casually interact with him.
It was mainly to prevent those with ulterior motives from misleading Naruto or exploiting the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
But beyond that, the Third Hokage also hoped someone could set aside their prejudices and genuinely care for Naruto.
The more people in the village Naruto felt connected to, the more he would feel a sense of belonging to Konoha, which was what the Third Hokage wanted to see.
However, it was truly difficult to find someone who would genuinely care for a Jinchūriki, especially someone who was completely selfless and whom the Third Hokage could fully trust.
Now that Uzuki Yugao, a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage, was willing to be the first, there was no need to worry about loyalty. What reason did the Third Hokage have to stop her?
Hayate Gekko came from the Third Hokage's direct Anbu, how could he not see this?
He thought as much, but he couldn't say it out loud.
The Third Hokage couldn't openly support it, otherwise, a whole bunch of suspicious characters would definitely appear around Naruto in the future.
The waters of Konoha were too deep; even as the Hokage, he couldn't completely grasp them.
Fortunately, just as the Third Hokage hesitated, unsure how to respond to Hayate Gekko, an Anbu member suddenly knocked on the office door and entered.
"Report, Third Hokage-sama, Naruto Uzumaki is severely injured and has been sent to the Intensive Care Unit by Uzuki Yugao."
"What?!" The Third Hokage stood up in shock, and even Hayate Gekko was slightly taken aback, raising his head.
Intensive Care Unit? That meant the injuries were quite serious!
Hayate Gekko had only just parted ways with him a short while ago. In such a short period, had he encountered a terrifyingly powerful enemy?
But this was Konoha! How could that be possible?!
And, was Yugao alright?
Hayate Gekko was anxious, but he didn't dare to interrupt in front of the Third Hokage.
He didn't connect this matter to himself at all.
"What exactly happened?" The Third Hokage demanded in a stern voice.
"Reportedly..." The Anbu glanced at Hayate Gekko beside him, then replied, "Hayate Gekko injured him."
"That's impossible!" Hayate Gekko shot to his feet, his face filled with shock.
The Third Hokage looked at Hayate Gekko.
Hayate Gekko quickly explained, "I was just trying to scare him. Who knew he'd run into my blade? But I already pulled back my strength. It only broke the skin. There's no way it could be this serious!"
The Third Hokage's face darkened. "Why didn't you say anything about this before?"
"This..." Hayate Gekko immediately found himself in a difficult situation.
He wanted to say something, but would anyone believe him?
To say that Naruto provoked him, tried to steal his woman, tried to cuck him, and then angered him?
"Let's go to the hospital first!" Third Hokage waved his hand and walked out with a stern expression.
From Hayate Gekko's expression, Third Hokage could tell that he was hiding something, but he didn't think he knew Naruto would be hurt so badly.
However, now was not the time to investigate responsibility; they needed to confirm Naruto's condition.
Because he was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Jinchuriki, and also of the Uzumaki Clan, Naruto's physique was extraordinary since childhood, and he would recover quickly even if he was injured.
But now, he was sent to the Intensive Care Unit, so how serious were his injuries?
Hayate Gekko opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't know what to say, just muttered a 'damn it', and followed Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage and his entourage quickly arrived at the hospital and found Uzuki Yugao waiting anxiously for the surgery.
"Yugao, how is it going?" the Third Hokage asked immediately.
Yugao then realized the Third Hokage was accompanied by an Anbu member and Hayate Gekko.
She glared at Hayate Gekko with a hateful expression, then said to the Third Hokage, "Third Hokage-sama, the doctors are still treating Naruto. Although his life isn't in danger, his injuries are severe, and he's lost a lot of blood. It will take some time."
"What exactly happened?" The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that Naruto's life wasn't in danger.
Yugao knelt on one knee and said, "Because of Naruto's identity, Hayate Gekko forced me to keep my distance from him, and at the same time, he sent Shadow Clones to attack Naruto."
"Perhaps Naruto lacks experience in combat and couldn't react in time. Moreover, Hayate Gekko acted too harshly, ultimately leading to this situation. If it weren't for Naruto's extraordinary constitution, anyone else would have already lost half their life. I ask the Third Hokage-sama to make a decision."
"Yugao!!" Hayate Gekko widened his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.
Naruto's situation was beyond what he had anticipated, but what was even more unacceptable was the implication in Yugao's words: was she asking the Third Hokage to punish him?
"Yugao, please get up first." The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "I'll wait here and see what the doctors say."
Since Yugao, Hayate Gekko's lover, had said as much, the matter was essentially decided.
Now, they needed to assess the specifics of Naruto's injuries before considering how to deal with Hayate Gekko.
Hayate Gekko also understood the Third Hokage's meaning, and he was struck dumb, staring blankly at Yugao.
However, apart from that initial, furious glance, Yugao didn't look at him again.
This attitude chilled Hayate Gekko to the core.
He still hadn't figured out what was going on, but one thing was certain: a nearly irreparable rift had formed between him and Yugao.
Half an hour later, Naruto was pushed out of the operating room.
"His condition has stabilized. We've treated the external wounds with the Mystical Palm Technique, but Naruto has lost a lot of blood. He'll need to rest in the hospital for a few days," the attending physician explained to the Third Hokage.
Naruto's injury was a knife wound, over half a meter long. The flesh was torn open, and in some places, the bone was exposed. It was close to damaging his internal organs, and it was also infused with corrosive Chakra.
Fortunately, Naruto's constitution was extraordinary, and he had a strong self-healing ability.
So, even with such severe injuries, he recovered quickly under the Mystical Palm Technique's treatment.
However, if it weren't Naruto, the person might have been in mortal danger during the journey to the hospital.
Even if they received timely treatment, they would have to spend months in bed and would likely suffer lasting health problems.
These words made Uzuki Yugao's heart ache, while the Third Hokage's expression grew increasingly grim.
And Hayate Gekko was directly questioning the meaning of his life.
....
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