The Third Hokage's smile froze instantly.
The house where the Fourth once lived had been confiscated after his death. Vacating it again wasn't a big deal—but in the eyes of others, this carried quite a special meaning.
After all, the fact that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage had always been a closely guarded secret. Very few people in Konoha knew about it...
Of course, the Nine Tails, as one of the main participants back then, definitely knew.
Things were starting to get troublesome...
Wrinkles creased across the Third Hokage's aged face, his expression scrunching like a chrysanthemum.
Asuma looked utterly puzzled. He couldn't understand why the "Nine Tails" would make such a strange request.
Clearly, he also didn't know about Naruto's parentage. That showed just how tightly this matter was being kept under wraps.
On the other side, Naruto leaned toward Carl and whispered,
"Carl, this isn't really a good idea... How could I live in the Fourth Hokage's house...?"
Carl glanced at him and said calmly,
"Why couldn't you? Out of everyone in Konoha, you're the one who should live there the most, idiot."
"Uh..."
Naruto froze, scratching his head before turning toward the Third Hokage, whose face looked like he was suffering from constipation.
By now, everyone's gaze was focused squarely on the Third Hokage. His mouth twitched a few times before he finally spoke.
"This matter... is a bit complicated..."
After saying that, he turned to Carl, a rare hint of unease flickering across his face.
Carl gave a short, mocking laugh. For a moment, he considered pulling a certain raven's stunt—flipping the table and shouting,
"Complicated? Then forget it!"
But looking at the boy sitting in front of him, he decided against it. It hadn't been easy for Naruto to even have a decent meal tonight.
Clack, clack, clack...
Carl's dark fingers lightly tapped against the table. He didn't lose his temper as the Third expected; he just let out a calm "Oh," and said evenly,
"I see..."
The Third Hokage, who had held power for many years, knew better than anyone that such a calm tone only meant more trouble ahead. He hurried to add,
"But I can arrange a much bigger house for you instead!"
Asuma's eyes widened in surprise. Since when had his father, who always kept a tight hold on the village's finances, become so generous?
Konoha's housing market wasn't cheap, and space was limited. Finding a house larger than the Hokage's residence would be no easy feat. Honestly, he thought it'd be simpler to just vacate the Fourth's old home.
Yet, even with such a generous offer, Carl didn't seem to hear a word. He simply ignored the Third Hokage and said to Naruto,
"Eat more. Tonight's barbecue is on me."
Still in a daze, Naruto didn't think too hard about it. He immediately started devouring the mountain of grilled meat piled on the table.
The Third Hokage, Asuma, and Kurenai could only watch as Carl and Naruto polished off every last piece.
Only when Naruto's belly was round as a ball did he finally stop. Carl stopped too—if he wanted, his stomach could probably bankrupt all of Konoha.
Carl glanced at Asuma and said, "Don't forget to pay the bill," then walked out with Naruto.
As Carl passed by the Third Hokage, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on the old man's forehead.
"Tonight, there'll be a magnificent meteor shower over Konoha, Hokage-sama. You'd better be prepared."
The Third's eyes widened, but Carl and Naruto's figures had already vanished into the night.
The barbecue shop owner let out a huge sigh of relief. Those two walking disasters were finally gone—what an unlucky night.
Only the Third Hokage knew that the real trouble was just beginning.
He glared sharply at Asuma and barked,
"Don't just stand there—come with me!"
Asuma hadn't seen his father this angry in years. He didn't dare hesitate. After a quick word with Kurenai, he hurried after him.
The Third turned to Kurenai and said,
"Kurenai, you come too. Tonight, all Jonin are to be on patrol!"
Without waiting for their response, he vanished in a blur.
...
That night, as most villagers slept, countless shadows flickered swiftly across the rooftops.
Inside the Hokage's office, Danzo looked at the Third Hokage with mocking eyes.
"How laughable. You told me not to provoke the Nine Tails, and now it's your own son who's angered him? He even vowed to take revenge on Konoha?"
The Third Hokage's face darkened.
"Asuma isn't like you. What happened tonight was a complete accident!"
"An accident? Hiruzen, don't you think you're being a bit hypocritical?"
"There's no point arguing now! I called you here to order Root to assist in defending Konoha! If you refuse again, I'll disband Root entirely!"
Danzo didn't flinch at the threat.
"Even if you're Hokage, you can't just disband Root on a whim. Root is Konoha's foundation!"
Bang!
The Third slammed his fist on the desk, veins bulging on his forehead.
Danzo glared right back. The tension between them made the air in the office feel frozen solid.
Just then, an Anbu operative burst in, shouting urgently,
"Hokage-sama! A massive meteor is falling toward the village!"
"What!?"
Both the Third and Danzo sprang to their feet. They exchanged a quick look and disappeared from the office in a flash.
...
When they reappeared outside, the streets of Konoha were already in chaos.
People were fleeing with their families, while the shinobi stationed to maintain order—whether regular or Root operatives—stood frozen, staring up at the sky.
The Third and Danzo followed their gaze, and when they saw what hung above, their scalps tingled in sheer terror.
High above the night sky hovered an enormous meteor, as vast as a mountain.
Yet it wasn't falling—it hung suspended midair, unmoving.
What kind of unimaginable power could do this!?
No one doubted that if the meteor were to fall, all of Konoha would be obliterated.
Even Danzo, usually as calm as a stone, stammered uncontrollably,
"W–what... what the hell is going on!?"
For such fear to appear on his face was a rare sight indeed—but Hiruzen wasn't in the mood to notice.
Because echoing in his mind were Carl's words from the barbecue shop:
"Tonight, there'll be a magnificent meteor shower over Konoha..."
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg