Chapter 2: Naruto doesn't have Money
--
- Why is a childhood Naruto being shown on the screen?
Everyone in the ninja world was puzzled, unable to understand the significance of the scene.
Moreover, they were equally baffled by the disappearance of the black screen earlier and couldn't quite comprehend what had happened.
---
Senju Hashirama:
"The son of the Fourth Hokage? Isn't he one of Konoha's own? Hahaha..."
Fourth Raikage:
"Are you saying the content being shown is all about the Fourth Hokage's son?"
Onoki:
"Heh, this must be making that old monkey from Konoha burst with pride. The screen is showing people from their village!"
Senju Tobirama:
"I don't agree with your assumption. This is just the beginning. Who knows what will be revealed next, or whether this footage is even authentic?"
---
From the earlier scene of the discussion group reconnecting loved ones, it was clear that Naruto was currently around twelve or thirteen years old.
However, the child on the screen was clearly much younger—only three or four years old.
Hiruzen frowned deeply.
This scene seemed oddly familiar to him.
He recalled that, at the age of three or four, Naruto would sometimes lie alone on Hokage Rock, staring into the distance, lost in thought.
---
[Several eagle cries echoed in the sky.]
[Naruto's young, curious eyes lit up as he watched the eagles soaring high above.]
[The lonely expression on his face softened into a smile as he observed the eagles flying freely.]
[Once the eagles disappeared into the horizon, Naruto pursed his lips and carefully descended from the trail behind Hokage Rock, heading toward the Konoha Village market.]
[On the bustling streets, Naruto walked aimlessly with his hands stuffed into his pockets.]
["Hey, it's him…"]
["Yes, that kid."]
["..."]
[The murmurs of villagers whispering to one another echoed from both sides of the street.]
[Naruto, either ignoring the whispers or simply unable to hear them, continued walking.]
[A ball suddenly rolled toward him on the street.]
[Naruto, noticing it, hurriedly bent down with a cheerful smile and picked up the ball, intending to return it to its owner.]
["Hey, that's scary!"]
["The way you're looking at him is terrifying."]
["Don't play with him."]
["No one knows what he might do to you."]
[The whispers grew louder, their harsh and cutting tone filling the air.]
[The smile on Naruto's face gradually faded. He let the ball slip from his hands, allowing it to fall back to the ground.]
[He didn't say anything and continued walking forward.]
["Smells good..."]
[A pleasant voice reached his ears, followed by a tantalizing aroma.]
[Naruto looked up in the direction of the scent.]
[Ichiraku Ramen Restaurant.]
[This was the most popular ramen shop in Konoha Village, frequented by many ninjas who loved its delicious offerings.]
[Naruto stood alone at the entrance of the ramen shop, staring inside with a look of longing.]
[That lonely figure seemed even more desolate and helpless than the man dressed in black, squatting in the corner of the shop, smoking a cigarette.]
["Growl..."]
[The tantalizing aroma made Naruto's stomach growl with hunger.]
[He reached into his pocket, fumbling around.]
[A few coins appeared in the palm of his hand.]
[Staring at the meager coins, Naruto silently returned them to his pocket, then turned and hurried toward home.]
["Hey, it's him. He's the one who killed the Fourth Hokage."]
["That damn fox, why is he even in the village?"]
["I don't understand what the Third Hokage was thinking, letting him stay here."]
["Hush, keep your voice down. You know it's forbidden to discuss the demon fox."]
["..."]
Indifference, exclusion, abuse—demon fox.
The scenes on screen, portraying Naruto's loneliness and ostracization, told a painful story.
For those ninjas who had lived through similar experiences, the reality was clear.
Naruto wasn't just the biological son of Konoha Village's Fourth Hokage—he was also its hidden weapon, the Jinchūriki.
---
Onoki:
"So that's it. This boy is Konoha Village's Jinchūriki."
Terumi Mei:
"A Jinchūriki. No wonder the villagers' eyes are so cold and indifferent."
Gaara:
"Those damn people, all of them… damn it."
Temari:
"Gaara…"
The sight of the ball on the screen struck a nerve with Gaara.
He understood exactly what Naruto's initial smile meant.
It was the simple desire to connect, to belong—to mingle with the children nearby. Just like Gaara had once wanted.
He, too, had smiled and tried to make friends, only to be met with rejection and indifference.
Gaara:
"These people..."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"Wait a second! Can someone explain to me if this viewing is real? How was my son's identity as a Jinchūriki exposed?!"
Senju Tobirama:
"Are you from the Uzumaki clan? Likely from Mito's family. Please be patient—we need to determine the authenticity of this viewing."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"Also, why doesn't Naruto even have money for a bowl of ramen? Naruto, do you remember this happening to you?"
Uzumaki Naruto:
"Me? Hmm… I honestly don't remember."
Who could understand this feeling of anxiety, like your heart was caught in your throat?
Hiruzen was on edge, as if sitting on pins and needles.
Especially now, facing Kushina, who seemed on the verge of a complete meltdown.
He truly didn't know how to respond to her palpable anger.
"Hehe, it's rare to see you so nervous, Sarutobi-sensei."
"Fortunately for you, Naruto-kun doesn't seem to remember much about his childhood. That saved you," Orochimaru's mocking voice broke the tension.
Naruto's voice chimed again in the discussion group.
Uzumaki Naruto:
"Back then, I was always excluded. At first, I didn't understand why, but later, I found out it was because of the big fox living inside me. But things are much better now."
"Iruka- Sensei invites me to eat ramen every day, and Kakashi Sensei sometimes brings me fruits and vegetables. Although I still love instant noodles, my current friends and I are really happy together."
Senju Hashirama:
"You understand the value of friendship? What an amazing boy."
Senju Tobirama:
"Indeed. Fourth Hokage, you seem to have raised a remarkable son."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"..."
Having watched only a brief segment of the movie, Kushina, as a mother, was already brimming with rage.
As a former Jinchūriki herself, she was fully aware of the painful fate that came with it.
She dreaded the possibility that even more unbearable content might appear later.
But seeing her own son, Naruto, slowly emerge from that shadow, she decided she couldn't let her anger cloud her emotions and hurt him further.
"That damn Third Hokage! This has to be his fault!"
"Naruto couldn't even afford a bowl of ramen when he wanted it… woo, woo…"
Kushina's teeth clenched as her frustration built, her emotions overwhelming her.
The pain she felt as a mother was indescribable.
On the high platform, Hiruzen, who had just taken a relieved breath, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He couldn't stop himself from shivering.
"Oho, Sarutobi-sensei, you must be getting old. A little breeze is enough to make you tremble."
"My advice? Find a spot where the wind doesn't blow."
"Orochimaru..."
"Shut your mouth. You've been running it too much today," Hiruzen snapped.
---
[Returning to his narrow home.]
[Naruto lay on his bed, alone.]
[A few seconds later, tears filled his eyes, wetting his cheeks.]
[But the hunger gnawing at his stomach was unbearable. Left with no choice, he got up and ventured out once again.]
[The back mountain of Konoha Village...]
[The young Naruto had already learned to fish.]
[Looking at the three grass carp he caught, Naruto nodded in satisfaction.]
[When he went into the forest to gather firewood, the mushrooms growing there made his eyes light up.]
[Soon, a sumptuous dinner was prepared in front of him.]
[Naruto lit the firewood, stewed the mushrooms in the small pot he had prepared, skewered the fish he caught onto wooden sticks, and placed them on a rack to start grilling.]
[Gradually, the sky grew dark.]
[ Naruto ate the grilled fish.]
["Hmm?"]
[Sudden voices startled Naruto.]
[Turning around, he saw a white-haired old man approaching him.]
["Ah! Who are you?" Naruto cried out, frightened, and leaned against the rocks by the shore.]
[The visitor smiled kindly. "Don't panic, I'm just a passing grandfather."]
[The "grandfather" was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had "accidentally" passed by.]
[He wrinkled his nose and looked at Naruto's grilled fish.]
[His stomach then made a "gurgling" sound.]
[Hearing the sound, Naruto's suspicious expression suddenly turned into a smile.]
["Hahaha..."]
["Hahaha..."]
[The sudden change made the old man and the young boy look at each other and laugh.]
[The next moment, Naruto picked up a grilled fish and held it out to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Old man, you can have this one."]
["Really? Thank you so much. This fish looks delicious."]
["Of course! I caught it myself. It must be delicious," Naruto said proudly.]
[The night gradually deepened.]
[The night sky in Konoha Village was filled with stars.]
["Look at the stars in the sky," Hiruzen said.]
["Each of those stars is like the sun in our world."]
["Wow, there are so many of them."]
["The sun? That's the big thing that comes out during the day, right?" Naruto thought of the big thing in the sky he once tried to grab—it must have been the sun.]
["Yes, this world is vast and boundless."]
[After hearing Hiruzen's words, Naruto became interested and looked at him with admiration. "Old man, you know so much."]
[Hearing this, Hiruzen's expression became smug. He spread his arms and said excitedly, "In front of the vast world..."]
[Then, he sighed and looked disappointed. "We humans are very small."]
["And the small troubles in our hearts are insignificant."]
["Yeah..."]
["Are we humans really that small?"]
["Boundless, boundless..."]
[Naruto raised his head, gazing at the stars in the sky.]
[He thought for a moment.]
["Yeah, compared to this world, I am so small..."]
["But no matter what, I am still me."]