Even if the Third Hokage have not eat breakfast, he wouldn't have taken the bread with a bite marks on it.
"Hehe—Little Naruto, I've already eaten. You can have it yourself. The main reason I came here today is to discuss something with you. I'm planning to have you train under Kakashi. Once you've made sufficient progress, you'll directly join the Anbu. What do you think about that?"
"Pfft!"
Naruto spat out the milk in his mouth all over the smiling Third Hokage's face. Naruto quickly closed his mouth and swallowed the remaining milk with effort.
"You mean... the Anbu?"
The Third Hokage calmly took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the milk off his face. Although he didn't seem angry, his previously amiable smile had disappeared, replaced by a very calm expression.
"That's right. You met Kakashi yesterday, didn't you? Don't let his carefree demeanor fool you. He's actually the captain of the Anbu, a true Jonin. From now on, you'll train under him, and once you're ready, you'll directly join the Anbu and become his subordinate. How does that sound?"
Naruto was completely stunned, his mind blank. He looked back and forth between the Third Hokage and Kakashi, utterly confused about what was happening.
[What's going on? Why am I suddenly being asked to join the Anbu? If I join the Anbu, how am I supposed to continue to slack off? And just when I was about to enjoy a carefree life at school, joining the Anbu would ruin everything! I still have six years of freedom ahead of me. Why would I want to join some stupid Anbu?]
In Naruto's eyes, the Anbu was nothing but nonsense. Only going to school was the right path. So, he put on a puzzled expression.
"Grandpa Hokage, I heard that all kids can go to the ninja school when they turn six. I'm almost six, and I want to go to school to become a ninja. I don't want to join any Anbu!"
Naruto acted as if he had lofty ideals, clenching his fist and tilting his head up at a 45-degree angle.
The Third Hokage regained his smile, took a puff from his pipe, and exhaled the smoke with a chuckle.
"Hehe—Little Naruto, only the most excellent ninjas can join the Anbu. In other words, if you can join the Anbu, it means you're already an outstanding ninja. If you can successfully join the Anbu, you'll be several steps ahead of many of your peers. This is an opportunity Kakashi specifically fought for you."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage glanced at Kakashi standing behind him. Kakashi nodded subtly, acknowledging it.
[Damn it! So it was Kakashi! No wonder he suddenly showed up yesterday. He was setting me up for this! Damn it, I should have seen this coming. Forget it! I'm about to start living a happy life. There's no way I'm joining some stupid Anbu!]
Naruto cursed Kakashi in his heart and dismissed the Anbu as worthless. Kakashi's mouth twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but glance at the Third Hokage's face, only to find that the Third showed no reaction, clearly unaware of Naruto's inner thoughts.
"Naruto, I'll train with you. Didn't you say yesterday that you wanted to become Hokage and gain everyone's recognition? Since you have such lofty ambitions, you should start from the basics."
Upon hearing this, Naruto felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his head buzzing with shock.
[Damn it! So that's why. I really shot myself in the mouth by saying I wanted to become Hokage. Kakashi is so serious about this! I just casually mentioned it, and he actually believed me! Besides, are you even cut out to be a teacher? What ninjutsu can you teach? To make me suffer and give up the comfort of going to school? Dream on!]
Naruto was now filled with regret, deep regret. But he still had to keep up the act. So, he resorted to his usual trick: he lowered his head, vigorously rubbed his eyes with his arms, his shoulders trembling slightly, and his voice turning into a sob.
"Grandpa Hokage... I... I've been alone since i were young. No one wanted to play with me. I thought that as long as i went to school, i could make friends there. Even if i didn't join the Anbu, i could still become an excellent ninja. But if i don't go to school, i might never make friends in my entire life. Are you really so heartless? i don't want to join the Anbu! i want to go to school! Waaahh..."
Naruto suddenly looked up, his reddened eyes fixed on the Third Hokage. The moment their eyes met, the Third immediately looked away, unable to meet Naruto's gaze, his heart filled with immense guilt.
The Third had always felt guilty towards Naruto, and now seeing him in such a tearful state, he was almost completely defenseless.
"This... Little Naruto, I..."
Seeing the guilt written all over the Third's face, Naruto felt a surge of triumph inside. If it weren't for the fact that he still had to keep up the act, he would have burst out laughing right then and there.
[Hehe! I knew you'd fall for this, old man. This should seal the deal! Maybe I can even squeeze something extra out of this. Haha! The good life at school, here I come! Hinata, here I come! Days of sleeping in class, here I come! Wahahaha!]
Naruto was beyond pleased with himself. The Third was on the verge of giving in, even opening his mouth to say something. But just then, Kakashi suddenly stepped forward, standing beside the Third, and looked down at Naruto with a cold gaze.
"Hokage-sama, since Naruto wants to go to school, let him go. I don't see any conflict between attending school and training with me. Naruto, I'll pick you up after school every day, and we'll train until evening. I'll even provide you with dinner."
The Third stuffed his pipe into his open mouth, smoke billowing from his nostrils as he nodded.
"Hmm... That's not a bad idea. This way, Naruto can go to school, make friends, and still train. Plus, Kakashi will take care of his meals, reducing the burden on his life. A win-win situation!"
Naruto, who had thought victory was within his grasp, was now wide-eyed, completely unprepared for how things had turned out.
[What's going on? What's happening? How did it come to this? Does this mean I have to attend school all day and then drag my exhausted body to follow Kakashi for special training after school? A day or two might be manageable, but six years! A full six years—how is that possible? Even if I'm a Jinchuriki, I can't endure this kind of torment. What I want is a good life, and these are supposed to be the happiest six years of my life. How can they be ruined like this? Absolutely not!]
Naruto screamed in his heart, glaring fiercely at Kakashi. For a brief moment, Naruto even had the illusion that Kakashi's mask bore a mocking smile.
In fact, it wasn't an illusion. Seeing Naruto's stunned expression, Kakashi couldn't be more pleased.
'Hmph! How could i just stand by and watch my sensei child waste away at school? The Hokage might have been fooled by you, but me? You Just have to accept your fate!'