Among the Leaf's leadership, Danzo Shimura constantly opposed Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even as powerful as the Hokage, how could Hiruzen not feel burdened by such conflicts?
...
At the Ninja Academy, it was exam day, with the afternoon off, effectively a half-holiday.
After a morning of written tests, the bell rang, and the class swarmed out.
Naruto Uzumaki packed his things and approached Hinata Hyuga.
"Naruto…"
Hinata, organizing her bag, flushed crimson upon seeing Naruto.
"Hey, Hinata, come to my place for dinner tonight."
"You brought me a bento at the hospital last time, and I haven't repaid you."
Naruto smiled at Hinata, unaware of why she blushed around him.
"Um… uh…"
Hinata's fingers twisted together, wanting to agree eagerly.
But her shyness held her back, leaving the words stuck in her throat.
"Got plans tonight, Hinata?"
"We can do another day if you're busy."
Naruto found her hesitation odd, wondering why she wasn't more decisive.
"I'm free!"
Panicking at the thought of rescheduling, Hinata blurted out.
"Great, then come over tonight."
"Sis Izumi and I will be waiting."
Naruto nodded with a grin, not waiting for her response.
He dashed out of the classroom, leaving Hinata with a shy, sweet smile.
Leaving the academy, Naruto headed to the market, splurging on quality ingredients.
Normally frugal, he made an exception since Hinata, from a wealthy clan, was visiting.
He bought items he usually wouldn't, ensuring a special meal.
Back home, Uchiha Izumi sat quietly on her bed, facing the window.
Though blind, she savored the breeze drifting in.
"Sis Izumi, Hinata's coming for dinner tonight."
"I'll start prepping."
Naruto knocked on her door, announcing cheerfully.
Izumi smiled faintly, responding softly.
Naruto headed to the kitchen to prepare ingredients.
In the subconscious, Chu Ran mused.
[Naruto Uzumaki's growth is too slow.]
[His blackening progress hasn't budged in three years. I need a way to boost his strength.]
Lounging on a lavish bed from the Blackening Shop, Chu Ran frowned thoughtfully.
Despite Naruto's superior talent and physique compared to the original Naruto story, his strength lagged behind Sasuke Uchiha's.
He lacked motivation and a mentor.
Sasuke could study Uchiha Fire Release techniques from clan scrolls and later train under Kakashi Hatake.
Naruto, however, had to wait for Jiraiya's return during the Chunin Exams to learn advanced techniques like Summoning or Rasengan.
Even the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, his staple in the original story, remained unlearned.
Instead of the Shadow Clone Technique, Naruto had chosen the Flying Thunder God Technique from the Scroll of Seals.
The Shadow Clone Technique wasn't a dangerous forbidden jutsu, so stealing it in the original story brought no severe consequences.
But if it were known he'd taken the Flying Thunder God Technique, even Hiruzen might not protect him.
The technique's complexity stalled Naruto's progress despite years of practice.
[I need the right opportunity for Naruto to master advanced ninjutsu.]
[His chakra is Wind-natured. Wind Release would be ideal.]
Muttering, Chu Ran opened the Blackening Shop.
[Dream Contact: The host can enter Naruto Uzumaki's dreams, taking any form, for one hour!]
[Mental Chain: The host can lend Naruto one of their abilities, retractable at any time, for one day!]
The Blackening Shop offered not only rare ninja tools, secret techniques, and forbidden jutsu but also abilities shared between Chu Ran and Naruto.
These two options could address Chu Ran's immediate needs.
Without the Shadow Clone Technique, Naruto's strength would falter in Kakashi's team.
The original storyline wouldn't unfold smoothly, delaying Naruto's blackening per Chu Ran's script.
Checking the costs, Chu Ran opened his Blackening Profile.
[Host: Chu Ran]
[Host Vessel: Naruto Uzumaki]
[Physique: 1.9]
[Soul: 5.3]
[Blackening Progress: 20.58%]
[Blackening Points: 1590]
[Blackening Shop: Unlocked]
[Dream Contact and Mental Chain both cost 1000 Blackening Points. I can only choose one.]
[I'll go with Dream Contact. With Nine-Tails chakra and Hashirama cells for recovery, Naruto won't die anyway.]
After weighing options, Chu Ran chose Dream Contact.
He had a solid plan to enhance Naruto's strength and deepen his discontent, even hatred, toward the Leaf.
[Ding! Successfully spent 1000 Blackening Points to unlock Dream Contact ability!]
The system chimed, deducting 1000 points.
A new skill appeared in Chu Ran's mind, a host-exclusive ability to influence Naruto directly.
With a mere three-day cooldown, Dream Contact was highly practical.
[Tonight, Naruto Uzumaki's in for a surprise.]
[I wonder what his face will look like.]
Watching Naruto from the subconscious, Chu Ran's lips curled into a slight smirk.