Maya, listening to all of this, became more and more amused that a child 10 months old was starting to worry about her. She tousled his hair and kissed him on the lips. And Naruto, rubbing the whiskers on his cheeks in response, blushed a little. Maya, seeing this, started to whisper to Naruto. After laughing, they both calmed down. But then she had a question.
"Naruto, are you feeling anything right now?"
"No, just a slight tingling sensation."
"Okay. But you need to get tested."
"Again?"
"Not again, again. I know you don't like all this. But I'm worried about you."
"Okay."
They went for tests, and when they were sure everything was normal, after consulting with Satoshi, she calmed down. However, she remembered the Third's request and sent a letter to the Third.
The next day she was playing with Naruto's toys, but then Naruto looked through the door and said, "Maya-chan, are we going to have guests over?"
Maya, surprised, nodded. And Naruto ran to the door and began to wait for the guest.
Hiruzen, walking down the hallway, was wondering what had happened to the child. But when he saw a boy with wheat-colored hair and sky-blue eyes downstairs, he smiled good-naturedly.
"Hello, Naruto, how are you?"
"Hello, Grandpa."
"Hello, Grandpa, do you know me?"
"Who are you? Are you strong? Although I think you're wiser than strong! Maya-chan said old people are like that!"
"Ohoho, I think she's right about something! My name is Hiruzen Sarutobi, though you can call me Grandpa!"
Laughing off the tirade, he marveled at Naruto's development, and his hopes for Maya were realized. Maya, on the other hand, sputtered and ran up to Naruto, pecking him on the forehead.
"Naruto, where are your manners, is that any way to greet a guest?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head with his hand and gave an embarrassed apology. And Maya, taking a deep breath, continued, "Okay, I'll leave you two alone. Naruto, don't be a bully! I have to go get some tests and take them to the lab. Also, Hokage-sama, can I talk to you later?"
"Of course, Maya-chan!"
And so the old man and the child were left alone. Then Naruto grabbed his robe and dragged him to a small table.
There was a board with Sega pieces on it. Maya was teaching him to develop his intelligence.
"Grandpa, shall we play? It's boring here, and we don't go out much."
"Of course, Naru!"
So they started playing. Hiruzen wanted to see how much Naruto's intellectual capacity had increased. During the game, the old man was surprised that Naruto could move the pieces correctly and knew the rules of the game. Sometimes Naruto made unpredictable moves. But still, Hiruzen gave in and decided to please the tomboy. But in response, instead of the joy of victory, he saw a reproach in his eyes.
"Grandpa, why did you give in?"
"Did you see that? Well done!"
"It's just that Maya-chan sometimes gives in when I'm angry about losing and makes the same moves."
"You know, Naruto, sometimes it's okay to lose, and I've seen that you're a worthy opponent, so don't worry about it. I'll play you again, but I'll play you harder, okay?"
In response, Grandpa saw a charming smile and two thumbs up. In response, the old man smiled good-naturedly and ruffled his hair. Naruto hugged the old man and sat down on the floor.
"Grandpa, do you have parents?"
Hiruzen, lowering his eyes and pondering the fact that the child had already started questioning, replied, "No, they've already left."
"That means you don't have parents either. Excuse me!"
Hiruzen, a little embarrassed, said, "Naruto, why do you ask?"
"Just, Maya-chan was reading a book about different stories and fairy tales. She said that everyone has parents, and some have siblings. If a child was left without parents, they were either adopted or given to an orphanage and raised there."
Naruto, slightly cheerful, continued, "But I have Maya-chan! So I'm not in danger of that. She may not be my family, but she's the closest person to me, dattebayo!" And he raised his fist in the air.
Hiruzen, listening to this rant, felt regret inside, but outwardly said, "Of course, Naru, take care of each other."
Hiruzen felt depressed at having to deceive a child who wasn't even a year old. But there was nothing left for him to do.
"Naru, I hear you have a stomachache. Would you let me see it?"
"Sure, Grandpa!"
Hiruzen checked the seal and was satisfied that it was intact.
"Why does Maya-chan call you the Third Hokage and bow to you all the time? Are you a big shot in this hospital?"
"You're right about the big shot, but it's not the hospital, it's the whole village. I was the ruler of this village."
"You were? So now there's another person who holds that position?"
"Yes, he's called the Fourth Hokage."
"Is he as tough as you?"
"Yes, he is."
Naruto was happy to hear that word. And Hiruzen bit his tongue to keep from saying what he thought of the Fourth Hokage.