The entire room fell silent as the fourth option appeared on the screen:
D: Where did this crazy old man come from? He actually believed I was a qualified successor to the Will of Fire. What is the indifference and cursing I have suffered? They don't have the Will of Fire. Why should I inherit it?
For a moment, the audience stared at the words, processing the implications of such a rebellious thought from the Uzumaki Naruto in the black frame.
The Audience Reacts
Onoki chuckled, shaking his head. "This kid is sharp. I choose option D."
Gaara nodded, crossing his arms. "Same here. That's a reasonable reaction."
The Fourth Raikage smirked. "I was too slow to click, but D is the only logical answer."
The tension among the Konoha ninja was palpable. Naruto's mental activity in this alternate timeline revealed a sharp intellect and an unwavering sense of self-awareness.
Uchiha Madara laughed openly. "Hashirama, I approve of this Naruto! Imagine, a child so clever that he sees through the old monkey's words. If the correct answer is D, it'll brighten my day."
Senju Hashirama sighed. "Madara, you're already dead. Let it go."
Madara shot back, "Dead or alive, I'd have enjoyed watching this Naruto disrupt your precious peace!"
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato frowned. "I don't think Naruto would think this way. After all, he gave the Third Hokage grilled fish out of kindness."
Uzumaki Kushina shook her head. "Being kind doesn't mean he accepts the way the village treats him, Minato. If anything, it makes him more aware of their hypocrisy."
On the Screen
Under the starry sky, Uzumaki Naruto gazed upward, lost in thought. His eyes shifted back to Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose face wore a kind smile.
"This old man seems kind, but something about him feels… off."
Naruto's thoughts continued, a mix of suspicion and budding understanding.
"From what he says, he's from Konoha Village too. Could it be he doesn't know how the villagers treat me? No… that's impossible. He must know."
Naruto frowned slightly, his young mind working through the logic.
"Either he's pretending not to know, or he's one of those crazy adults who think they can manipulate kids with kind words."
After a moment of silence, Naruto smiled faintly, masking his inner thoughts. "Understood, Grandpa. Maybe when I'm older, I'll understand these things better."
This subtle response concealed his true feelings:
"The people in Konoha don't see me as family, so why should I treat them as such? They curse me, avoid me, and make me feel like I don't belong. If they think I'll blindly inherit this so-called 'Will of Fire,' they're wrong."
His inner resolve solidified:
"I don't retaliate because I'm too kind, not because I'm foolish. One day, they'll see the truth."
The Fallout
The correct answer to the quiz was revealed: D.
The room erupted.
"That's it!" Onoki exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the hall. "This kid is sharp as a blade. He doesn't trust the village blindly, and I respect that!"
Gaara's lips curled into a faint smile. "Naruto's thinking aligns with reality. A child who suffers as he has every right to question everything."
The Fourth Raikage nodded. "It's refreshing to see a Jinchūriki with such clarity of thought. He's no one's pawn."
In Konoha, however, the atmosphere was tense.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was pale. "This… this isn't how Naruto should think! He's just a child. He doesn't understand the Will of Fire yet."
Namikaze Minato sighed heavily. "But what can we expect? His experiences have shaped his views. Kindness alone can't erase years of neglect."
Kushina's hands clenched into fists. "This Naruto is too perceptive for his age. If he doesn't receive genuine care soon, he might completely lose faith in the village."
Reactions from Akatsuki
Even the Akatsuki organization couldn't ignore the implications.
Payne's eyes narrowed. "The Uzumaki Naruto in that timeline is a potential force to be reckoned with. Such intelligence, paired with the Nine Tails' power, makes him dangerous."
Konan agreed. "He's already strategizing at a young age. His ability to hide his true feelings is concerning."
Deidara chuckled nervously. "Honestly, with that kind of brain, he might take over the world before we do."
Hidan rolled his eyes. "You're giving the brat too much credit. He's just a kid. Strong words don't mean strong actions."
Uchiha Itachi remained silent, his eyes thoughtful.
The Future of Black-Frame Naruto
As the screen faded to black, the audience was left in stunned silence. The alternate Uzumaki Naruto's inner thoughts revealed a level of depth and intelligence far beyond his years.
For Konoha, it was a wake-up call.
For others, it was a glimpse into what could happen when a child learns to question the lies and hypocrisies of the world.
As the quiz ended, one question lingered in everyone's minds:
"What kind of future awaits a child who refuses to be shaped by the system?"
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