Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Sora and Uzumaki Kushina followed Jiraiya and Tsunade to the Hokage Building. 

Without bothering to knock, Jiraiya pushed the door open and called out loudly, "Old man, Tsunade and I are back!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated at his desk, smiled kindly and took a puff from his pipe. "It's good to have you back." 

Noticing Sora and Uzumaki Kushina behind them, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked surprised. "Sora, Kushina, why are you here as well?" 

Sora's eyes briefly fell on the crystal ball on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk. 

The last time he'd been in this office, the crystal ball hadn't been present. Its appearance now meant that Sarutobi Hiruzen had likely been observing Konoha earlier. 

Clearly, the Hokage already knew about the incident. 

Sora set the thought aside for the moment and spoke up. "Lord Hokage, Master Jiraiya and Master Tsunade brought me here to answer for my actions." 

As soon as Sora said, "answer for my actions," Uzumaki Kushina became anxious. "Lord Hokage, Sora isn't at fault! He was only trying to help me!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand to calm her. "Slow down. Explain what happened." 

Sora, Jiraiya, and Tsunade took turns recounting the incident. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen set his pipe down. The kind expression on his face disappeared as he looked at Sora seriously. 

Uzumaki Kushina opened her mouth to defend Sora, but he gently tugged her hand, shaking his head to stop her. 

Her expression twisted with frustration, but she ultimately remained silent. 

Just as Sora was about to speak, Tsunade unexpectedly intervened. "Old man, Sora knows what he did was wrong, but the two brats provoked him first. It didn't escalate into anything irreversible, so let's just put an end to this." 

Sarutobi Hiruzen's sharp gaze remained fixed on Sora. "Sora, do you understand that what you did was wrong?" 

Sora took a step forward and answered firmly, "Lord Hokage, I don't believe I was wrong." 

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade stared at Sora in shock. 

Sora had the chance to defuse the situation, yet he refused. His resolve startled them. 

Uzumaki Kushina grew even more anxious. If Sora had admitted fault, the matter could have been resolved easily. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen's aura intensified, and his voice deepened. "You don't think you're at fault?" 

Under the pressure of Sarutobi Hiruzen's authority, Sora stood his ground. "No, I don't. I told Lord Hokage from the start—I want to protect Konoha." 

Before Sora could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted. "But your actions go against the very idea of protecting Konoha!" 

Sora countered with conviction. "I protect Konoha because I want to protect the people and things worth protecting, not those who harm my companions! 

Konoha has strict rules forbidding attacks on comrades. Genin broke those rules by using a real kunai against Kushina, a new student. I don't think I was wrong to act against someone like that. 

A Genin who bullies the weak has no place in Konoha. If he's willing to attack Kushina today, he could attack others tomorrow. No one would want to entrust their safety to someone like that. 

People call me a b*****d, and no matter how much they insult or bully me, I've never lashed out at them because I consider them my comrades. I believe in earning their trust through my actions. 

But someone who betrays trust and harms their own comrades is far worse. That's the kind of person who truly endangers Konoha." 

Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged glances, astonished by Sora's words. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat back in his chair, deep in thought, as Sora's defiant voice echoed in the room. 

A 9-year-old child possessing such awareness caused Sarutobi Hiruzen's stern demeanour to soften.

Sora's explanation carried weight.

In his years at Konoha, Sora had endured abuse and bullying but had never retaliated aggressively.

What also played a role in Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision was what he had observed through his crystal ball—Sora activating the Sharingan.

A child mastering A-rank ninjutsu, awakening the Sharingan at age nine, and possessing a half-Uchiha bloodline was nothing short of monstrous talent.

In Sarutobi Hiruzen's memory, no one in the Uchiha clan had ever activated Sharingan at such a young age.

Such potential meant that Sora could very well become one of Konoha's top shinobi in the future, a pillar of the village.

Moreover, Sora's current actions reflected loyalty and conviction, qualities that could not be ignored.

After deliberating, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said, "Even if they were at fault, Konoha has a police force to handle such matters. You have no right to enforce justice on your own.

However, given that they provoked the situation and your intent was to protect Kushina, I will resolve this matter. Reflect on your actions at home for three days, and this will be the end of it."

Uzumaki Kushina's face lit up with relief, and she immediately bowed. "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Sora also bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."

For Sora, admitting fault and letting the issue slide was never an option. His goal was to use this incident to demonstrate loyalty to Konoha and further solidify his value.

Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen understood Sora's ulterior motives, it didn't matter. Self-interest was natural as long as it didn't violate the Hokage's principles.

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved them off. "You're dismissed."

Sora and Uzumaki Kushina left the Hokage's office hand in hand.

Watching them leave, Jiraiya sighed. "Kids these days are something else. Mastering nin-taijutsu at such a young age and awakening Sharingan—he's a monster."

Tsunade nodded. "From what I've heard, the Uchiha clan needs intense emotional stimulation to awaken Sharingan. Sora activated him because Kushina was in danger. It seems Kushina is very important to him."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, feeling somewhat troubled.

He had hoped Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya's future disciple, would serve as Uzumaki Kushina's bond to Konoha.

But seeing the strong relationship between Sora and Uzumaki Kushina now, it seemed Minato might not have a chance.

Sora and Uzumaki Kushina returned to Sora's home after leaving the Hokage Building.

Uzumaki Kushina sighed with relief. "This is great, Sora. You only have to stay at home for three days, and then everything will be fine."

Sora gestured for Uzumaki Kushina to sit on the sofa. His expression turned serious. "Kushina, I don't want to lie to you."

Kushina tilted her head in confusion. "Lie to me? What do you mean?"

Knowing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was likely occupied catching up with Jiraiya and Tsunade and wouldn't be using his crystal ball, Sora decided it was safe to speak candidly.

He looked at her intently. "Kushina, everything I said in the Hokage's office was a lie."

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