Why is there a young Naruto on the screen?
Everyone in the ninja world doesn't understand its significance.
Moreover, they don't quite understand what happened with the black screen that disappeared earlier.
Hashirama: "The son of the Fourth Hokage, isn't he from our Konoha? Hahaha..."
Raikage: "Does this mean that the content being shown is about the son of the Fourth Hokage?"
Onoki: "Hehe, this must make that old monkey feel overjoyed. The screen is showing people from their Konoha."
Tobirama: "I don't agree with your statement. It's just the beginning—who knows what will happen next, and no one can be sure of this picture's authenticity."
At least, judging from the scene of the discussion group's earlier family reunion.
Naruto is now twelve or thirteen years old.
But the child in the picture is clearly only three or four years old.
Only Hiruzen frowned.
This scene seemed familiar to him.
When Naruto was three or four years old, he would occasionally lie on Hokage Rock, looking lonely and lost in thought.
[Several eagle cries are heard from the sky.]
[Several eagles soaring in the sky instantly caught Naruto's young eyes.]
[His lonely expression turned into a smile at the sight of the eagles flying.]
[After the eagles flew away, Naruto pursed his lips and carefully returned to the Konoha market from the trail behind the mountain.]
[On the street, Naruto put his hands in his pockets, walking forward aimlessly.]
["Hey, it's him..."]
["Yes."]
["..."]
[Whispers from the villagers could be heard from both sides of the street.]
[Naruto seemed to ignore them—perhaps their voices were too quiet, or he simply didn't hear them.]
[At that moment, a ball slowly rolled towards him.]
[Seeing this, Naruto quickly bent down, smiling, and picked up the ball to return it to its owner.]
["Hey, that's scary."]
["The way you look at him is terrifying."]
["Hey, don't play with him."]
["Who knows what he might do to you."]
[The harsh voices grew louder.]
[Naruto's smile faded, and the ball fell from his hands.]
[Without a word, he continued walking.]
["It smells good..."]
[A pleasant voice reached his ears, followed by a delightful aroma.]
[Naruto looked up in the direction of the smell.]
[Ichiraku Ramen Shop.]
[This is Konoha's most popular ramen shop, a favorite among many ninjas.]
[Naruto stood alone at the entrance of the ramen shop, looking inside with a longing expression.]
[His solitary figure appeared even lonelier than a man in black crouching in a corner of the shop, smoking a cigarette.]
["Gurgle..."]
[The enticing aroma made Naruto feel hungry.]
[He reached into his pocket.]
[A few coins appeared in his hand.]
[Looking at the few coins, Naruto silently put them back and hurried home.]
["Hey, it's him, the one who killed the Fourth Hokage."]
["That damn fox—why is he in the village?"]
["I don't understand what the Third Hokage is thinking—why keep him around?"]
["Hush, lower your voice. It's forbidden to talk about the demon fox."]
["..."]
Indifference, exclusion, rejection, demon fox.
The scenes of Naruto's isolation and loneliness said it all.
Especially the ninjas who had experienced this kind of situation themselves—they understood exactly what was happening.
Naruto is not only the biological son of Konoha's Fourth Hokage but also its secret weapon, a Jinchūriki.
Onoki: "So that's it, this boy is Konoha's Jinchūriki."
Terumi Mei: "A Jinchūriki—no wonder the villagers look at him with such cold eyes."
Gaara: "Damn people, all of them..."
Temari: "Gaara..."
The ball scene on the screen seemed to pierce Gaara's heart.
He understood what Naruto's initial smile meant.
He was just trying to fit in with the other children, just as he once did.
He too had smiled and tried to make friends, only to be met with cold indifference.
Gaara: "These people..."
Kushina: "Wait! Can someone explain to me if this scene is real? How did my son's identity as a Jinchūriki get exposed?"
Tobirama: "Are you from the Uzumaki family? You should be from Mito's clan. Please be patient—we need to determine if this scene is real."
Kushina: "Also, why doesn't Naruto even have enough money for a bowl of ramen? Naruto, do you remember experiencing this?"
Naruto: "Me? Hmm... I honestly don't remember."