After hearing Uzumaki Chito's words, Naruto nodded and performed the hand signs for the clone technique.
The chakra flowed smoothly.
With no interference from the Nine-Tails' chakra, a perfect clone appeared beside Naruto.
It was flawless—nothing like before, when the clone had been limp and lifeless, like a puddle of mud on the ground.
Naruto stood stunned for a moment, then a surge of excitement hit him. He wasn't stupid—he had talent.
Uzumaki Chito smiled.
Then, he began teaching Naruto.
Naruto was indeed a boy with immense potential. The first ninjutsu Uzumaki Chito taught him was the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, a jutsu that would later become Naruto's signature move.
At this point, it was clear the Third Hokage had been very perceptive.
With the Nine-Tails sealed inside Naruto and the powerful chakra of the Uzumaki clan, the Multi Shadow Clone Technique was indeed the most suitable jutsu for him.
...
The other people who had been unconscious in the room began to stir and wake up.
After Uzumaki Chito taught Naruto the jutsu, he flashed back into the house.
Might Guy's body was still immobile—Uzumaki Chito had not yet repaired his injuries—and Rock Lee was standing guard at his teacher's side, looking nervous.
The sudden appearance of Uzumaki Chito in the room startled Rock Lee, who quickly stood up and demanded, "Who are you?!"
Guy could only move his eyes. When he saw Uzumaki Chito, his body trembled violently, as if he wanted to raise his hand and continue the fight.
But, dragging his broken body, he couldn't do it.
Uzumaki Chito looked at him and laughed. "You're a bit interesting."
"It would be a shame for you to be so crippled."
Uzumaki Chito extended his hand, pointing at Guy. A massive Yang chakra gathered at his fingertip, and the huge vitality transformed into a small green orb that fell into Guy's body.
Guy could feel it clearly.
The broken bones in his body began to heal—fractured bones that had pierced into the flesh returned to their original places, or simply melted back into the flesh.
The damaged spleen began to repair itself quickly.
Even the hidden injuries from his previous training were mended under this overwhelming vitality.
In less than five minutes, all his injuries had healed.
There was only a lingering sense of weakness from the overuse of chakra and mental exhaustion.
Guy sat up on the floor and looked at Uzumaki Chito, puzzled. "Why did you save me? We're obviously enemies."
"Are you sure we're enemies?" Uzumaki Chito replied with a playful smile.
Might Guy didn't speak.
Seeing his silence, Uzumaki Chito continued, "I can see that you are a pure ninja... It's a pity you live in a place like Konoha, with people who can't even save you. So, I decided to help."
"As for whether you choose to leave Konoha or return, the choice is yours."
Uzumaki Chito paused and added, accentuating his tone, "Judge for yourself whether that place is still right for you."
Might Guy remained silent, sitting deep in thought.
Uzumaki Chito didn't say anything more and slowly walked out of the house.
Over the next few days, he acted like a parent, taking time to train Naruto. Rock Lee would occasionally come by to watch.
As for Guy, he remained in the room like a statue, with no one speaking to him—not even his beloved disciple, Rock Lee.
One day, as the four of them were eating, Guy suddenly asked, "Naruto, do you hate Konoha?"
Naruto's chopsticks paused midair.
Guy sighed. "I can't quite put it into words, but I can feel that Konoha has really changed. It's not the same as it was before."
When had Konoha started to change?
Might Guy began to think back.
When he was young, it seemed the village had been just like it was supposed to be—a harmonious place.
But that changed during the Second Ninja War, after the Third Hokage came into power...
His father, Might Duy, had never been recognized by the village. He had been abused and given the humiliating title of "Eternal Genin," yet he still sacrificed for Konoha—repelling the sneak attack from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
But that was all.
Might Duy had never been acknowledged for his deeds. His name was on a tombstone, but no one expressed gratitude for his sacrifices, and those who had mistreated him never apologized.
Then came the suicide of Kakashi's father...
The Sannin's departure...
Might Guy had also been ridiculed, but when he became a ninja, those voices had almost disappeared. He thought he had been recognized, but now, thinking back, he realized it was only because he had become stronger.
Just as Might Guy was lost in thought, Naruto finished his reflection.
"I shouldn't hold a grudge against Konoha," he said. "After all, that's the village where my parents grew up... I just want the village to return to the beautiful place Grandpa Chito once described."
"Even if I have to destroy the current Konoha and build a new Konoha from its ruins..."
"My ultimate goal is still to become Hokage."
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