Chapter 3: Parallel Time And Space
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Has Naruto grasped the philosophy of life?
At least, that's what it seemed like.
Haruno Sakura:
"No wonder Naruto always insists he wants to become Hokage."
Yamanaka Ino:
"It feels like the Third Hokage has been teaching him this since he was young."
"The world is so vast, no matter what I do, I am still me."
This sentiment overlaps with what Naruto has often said.
"Say what you need to say, and do what you say—that is my way of tolerance."
Uchiha Sasuke:
"No wonder this guy never thinks about the consequences. Turns out it's pointless for him to overthink."
Uzumaki Naruto:
"Sasuke, what are you talking about?"
Uchiha Sasuke:
"As you can see, you've been influenced by the Third Hokage since childhood."
Senju Tobirama:
"In any case, there's nothing wrong with Sarutobi's behavior. Teaching Naruto from a young age was the right thing to do."
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Ahem, I was simply following the teacher's instructions."
-Wonderfull!
Hiruzen's tense nerves eased considerably.
At least Naruto now embodies the Will of Fire completely and is doing very well.
This was his accomplishment.
At least, no one could criticize him for it.
Uchiha Madara:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... how admirable."
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Uncle Madara, I'm afraid revealing my identity might scare Naruto."
Senju Hashirama:
"Madara, there's nothing wrong with Sarutobi's approach."
Uchiha Madara:
"So, Konoha Village's secret weapon—its Jinchūriki—couldn't even afford ramen?"
Onoki:
"Hahaha, I recall the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to seal the Nine Tails. Surely that was to prevent Konoha Village from losing the tailed beast."
Fourth Raikage:
"So the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine Tails into his own son's body, ensuring not only that the Jinchūriki would be excluded but that he couldn't even afford ramen."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"Everyone's commenting... Naruto knew from a young age to share the fish he caught with the Third Hokage, yet the Third Hokage couldn't ensure he could even eat ramen."
Faced with the remarks from other forces, Hiruzen suddenly felt overwhelmed.
Root Organization:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hiruzen!"
"Didn't expect you'd have to face this day."
Shimura Danzō, typically stern-faced, allowed himself a rare, wicked smile.
Shimura Danzō:
"Hiruzen, I told you long ago that Naruto should be handed over to my care. But you insisted you could take care of him just fine. I never imagined that under your care, Naruto couldn't even afford ramen. Poor Naruto-kun..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Shut up, Danzo. What does this have to do with you? It's clear that other forces are trying to sow discord within Konoha Village, and you're playing right into their hands. Have you truly forgotten the teachings of the Second Hokage?"
- Boom!
A loud noise echoed from the Root Organization's base.
Shimura Danzo:
"Well, Hiruzen, you certainly have a bold mouth."
However, reflecting on the treatment of Naruto, Danzo reluctantly admitted it was indeed excessive.
While the exclusion of Jinchūriki was common in every ninja village, denying a Jinchūriki the basic dignity of a meal—let alone a bowl of ramen—was too much.
Onoki:
"As expected of a monkey. Are you planning to starve your own Jinchūriki to death to weaken Konoha Village's combat power?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Old man, your remarks are absurd. This was merely a mistake. How could Naruto have no food? Didn't he also grow up strong and healthy?"
At that moment, the screen in the sky shifted.
The once white frame suddenly turned pitch black.
A new picture began to emerge, eerily similar to the earlier scenes.
---
[Naruto sat alone on Hokage Rock, staring blankly at the sky.]
[On his way back, whispers echoed from both sides of the street.]
["Fox..."]
["Disgusting..."]
["Terrifying, why doesn't this guy just die..."]
[Naruto frowned slightly, ignoring the remarks as he walked alone down the street.]
[A ball appeared again, rolling to a stop in front of him.]
[Naruto paused, startled, then looked up ahead.]
["Hey, don't play with him..."]
[Hearing this, a flash of indifference crossed Naruto's eyes. He immediately chose to avoid the ball and continued walking alone in the opposite direction.]
Senju Hashirama:
"Didn't this scene already play earlier?"
Senju Tobirama:
"Yes, but there are slight differences between the two."
In the earlier scene, Naruto had eagerly picked up the ball. However, upon hearing the villagers' remarks, his expression dimmed, and he put the ball down in disappointment.
In this version, however, Naruto seemed to understand from the start that he was unwelcome in their games.
After a brief pause, he chose to take a detour.
The fact that this shift occurred suggested Naruto in the latter scene had endured the same experiences as in the former, if not worse.
But this version of Naruto seemed wiser, more aware of what to expect.
Anticipating rejection, he didn't even attempt to join the others. Instead, he chose solitude.
Most of the audience present were seasoned veterans who had experienced countless battles.
Thoughtful analysis was second nature to them, and they could clearly sense that Naruto on the black-framed screen was entirely different from the Naruto they had seen earlier.
[Naruto still had no money, so he resorted to fishing by the lake.]
[As expected.]
[As night fell, Hiruzen approached Naruto, drawn by the smell of grilled fish.]
[His sudden appearance startled Naruto, who immediately became cautious and asked about the stranger's identity.]
["I'm just a passing grandfather."]
[Hiruzen chuckled, then turned to look at Naruto's grill.]
[Even this small movement caused Naruto's eyes to narrow sharply.]
[He took note of the word "fire" on the back of Hiruzen's clothing.]
[Naruto had always felt something was off about his life.]
[He didn't know who his parents were or why the villagers treated him with such cold indifference.]
[Occasionally, someone wearing a mask would give him food or money, but it was never enough to sustain him.]
[To make matters worse, merchants outright refused to sell him anything.]
[These unexplained mysteries caused Naruto to think deeply from a young age.]
[He carefully remembered everything he heard, tucking the information away in his heart.]
[For instance, he knew the most powerful person in the village was called "Hokage."]
["Could it be this old man?" Naruto thought, his expression growing strange.]
["This old man, who looks like he's about to die, is the most powerful person in the village?"]
["No, no, no, that's definitely not possible."]
[Naruto shook his head vigorously, chastising himself for jumping to conclusions. He assumed he was wrong to think the man with "fire" on his back was the Hokage.]
- Clap Clap!
On the high platform, Orochimaru lightly patted his thigh a few times.
"This Naruto-kun seems quite different from our Naruto-kun here," Orochimaru remarked.
"This kid's thinking is very sharp.
"He saw through Sensei Sarutobi's disguise immediately and even spoke the truth."
['What a big truth!'] Hiruzen thought, clearly less amused than Orochimaru. He, too, had noticed the difference in this version of Naruto.
["You're an old man who looks like he's about to die."]
Onoki:
"Hahaha! This black-framed Naruto is hilarious. The kid actually thinks the old monkey is on his deathbed."
Terumi Mei:
"With that adorable appearance and such sharp wit, this version of Naruto is truly interesting."
Fourth Raikage:
"But this black-framed Naruto seems too clever. He doesn't look like someone who'd be easily fooled."
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Hmph! What are you implying? Do you think I was trying to fool Naruto when I talked to him?"
Namikaze Minato:
"I think this Naruto simply has more internal thoughts. His words are childish and lack malice."
[Hiruzen snapped back to reality as his stomach growled.]
[Unlike before, Naruto didn't smile at the sound. Instead, he quietly handed Sarutobi Hiruzen a piece of grilled fish.]
Namikaze Minato:
"See? I told you Naruto has no bad intentions. I believe in him."
[The stars filled the sky.]
[Hiruzen once again elaborated on the vastness of the world.]
["The world is so vast."]
[Naruto felt much better and looked up at the stars: "Old man, how can we, who are so small, not be small?"]
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but feel like laughing out loud.
On the screen with the white border, Hiruzen's philosophy clearly had a profound impact on Naruto, making him reflect deeply on life.
It seemed to have a lasting influence on his future.
It became evident that the former Naruto had taken Hiruzen's teachings to heart.
But the black-framed Naruto posed a question that reflected his own sharp thinking, turning Hiruzen's logic back on him.
[However, when Naruto asked Hiruzen the question, Hiruzen showed no embarrassment.]
[Instead, his old face lit up with a kind smile.]
["In the world of ninjas, only by becoming strong can you become important."]
["You're a child of Konoha Village. Have you ever heard this saying?"]
["What?" Naruto asked, suspicious.]
["Where the leaves dance, the fire will always burn. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and help new leaves sprout."]
["What does that mean?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.]
["It's a will—a will unique to Konoha Village."]
["The Will of Fire."]
["Will of Fire?" Naruto clearly didn't understand.]
[Hiruzen, however, seemed very pleased.]
[After all, Naruto was still young, so it was normal that he didn't fully understand.]
["You'll understand when you grow up."]
["This is the will passed down by Konoha Village."]
["After all, every villager in Konoha Village is like family."]
["Everyone carries the Will of Fire to protect the village, and the belief in protecting their companions is very strong."]
["If you become strong, you won't feel small anymore, and I believe you will be a worthy successor to the Will of Fire in the future."]
When Hiruzen on the screen spoke of the Will of Fire, the ninjas of Konoha Village felt a renewed sense of pride.
Sure enough, no matter which world he was in, the Third Hokage remained kind and wise.
No matter which version of Konoha Village existed, its villagers shared a familial bond.
[Ding!]
Unfortunately, the sound of the system interrupted everyone's thoughts.
[The time for the prize quiz has arrived.]
[Question: Please select from the options below—what was Naruto's mental response to Hiruzen's explanation of the Will of Fire?]
[A: He is really a grandfather who knows a lot of knowledge.]
[B: A successor of the Will of Fire? That's so cool!]
[C: This is so profound—I don't understand it at all.]
[D: Where did this crazy old man come from? He actually thinks I'm a worthy successor to the Will of Fire. What about the indifference and curses I've endured? They don't seem to have the Will of Fire. Why should I inherit it?]