Chapter 4: Real and fake Naruto ?
____
As soon as the fourth option appeared, everyone couldn't help but frown.
Looking at the follow-up content, the ninjas of Konoha Village collectively drew in sharp breaths.
The Naruto from the black-framed screen was clearly heading toward rebellion.
Not only did he secretly mock the Third Hokage, calling him a crazy old man, but his subsequent thoughts seemed to trample all over the Will of Fire.
---
Onoki:
"Pfft! I support Naruto. I choose option D."
Gaara:
"Hmph! This is the reaction of a normal person. I also choose option D."
Fourth Raikage:
"I was slow, but I also choose option D."
---
From a rational perspective, Naruto's approach was entirely reasonable.
He was just a child who endured constant scorn, neglect, and exclusion from the villagers every single day.
The fact that he hadn't lost his mind yet was already remarkable.
Besides, when Hiruzen spoke of the Will of Fire, had he considered Naruto's feelings at all?
As Naruto had thought, the people of Konoha Village didn't treat him as one of their own, much less protect him like family.
Believing in such hollow ideals would require an extraordinary level of naivety.
Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"You all… are you trying to destroy our internal unity?"
Uchiha Madara:
"Hashirama, if the correct answer is D, I might wake up from my eternal slumber laughing."
Senju Hashirama:
"Madara, we're both dead, so stop meddling!"
Uchiha Madara:
"I'm just saying… if I choose D, maybe I'll be resurrected."
Namikaze Minato:
"I don't think Naruto would choose that answer. After all, he just shared the grilled fish with the Third Hokage."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"Seeing Naruto hand over grilled fish on an empty stomach proves he's kind-hearted. But that doesn't mean he can endure all the pain he's been through."
[The starry sky.]
[Naruto looked up for a long time before shifting his gaze to Hiruzen, whose face radiated kindness.]
["So, Konoha Village has this unique will, huh?"]
["Yes," Hiruzen replied with a kind smile. "Maybe you'll understand it better when you're a few years older."]
[Hiruzen's kind smile caused Naruto's heart to tremble slightly.]
[He stared at the old man in front of him, his brows furrowing slightly.]
[He thought to himself: This old man seems kind, but there's something odd about him.]
[From what he said, he's definitely from Konoha Village.]
[Could it be that he doesn't know what's been happening to me?]
[Naruto pondered this for a few seconds before nodding slightly: Well, there are so many people in Konoha Village. Maybe he really doesn't know.]
[Or… this old man is just crazy. Why should I treat the villagers of Konoha as family when they don't treat me that way?]
[They exclude me, curse me, and wish for my death. And I'm supposed to protect them when I get stronger?]
[Do you think I'm a fool? I don't retaliate, and they all think I'm too kind.]
[With his mind made up, Naruto smiled slightly at Hiruzen and said, "Understood. Maybe when I grow up a little, I'll understand these principles."]
It was clear—the correct answer was option D.
At that moment, all of Konoha Village felt as if it had been thrown into chaos.
The Naruto from another world had not only trampled on the Will of Fire in front of Hiruzen but also revealed thoughts that left everyone in Konoha Village in a cold sweat.
"I don't retaliate, and they all think I'm too kind."
It was over!
The Nine Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha Village harbored resentment against the villagers and appeared to be plotting revenge once he grew up.
Even more unsettling was Naruto's approach—his outward behavior was nothing but a façade.
Though he was dissatisfied with the Will of Fire Hiruzen preached, Naruto masked his true thoughts with the innocent demeanor of a child.
He didn't trust the white-haired old man in front of him and had no intention of forming a genuine bond with him.
Instead, he hid his deepest thoughts behind a harmless smile.
- This kid has such cunning at such a young age?
Not only the ninjas of Konoha Village but also those from other major nations and even the members of the Akatsuki Organization frowned at the revelation.
Akatsuki Organization:
Pain:
"Huh? The Naruto shown in the black frame must be the Nine Tails Jinchūriki from another world."
Konan:
"Yes, and judging from the reactions of both Naruto and everyone in the discussion group, it seems clear that the Naruto in the white frame is the one from our world."
Sasori:
"The Nine Tails Jinchūriki in our world is clearly an innocent fool, unlike the one from the other world, who knows how to conceal his true self at such a young age."
Kakuzu:
"I wonder what we're doing in that other world, though it doesn't seem like much has changed for us."
Kisame:
"Haha, such ups and downs for someone so young. And he's the Nine Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha Village. Looks like our counterparts in that world have their work cut out for them."
Pain:
"Hmph. In the face of God, in the face of absolute strength, all cunning and deceit pale into insignificance."
Deidara:
"I don't think we'll need to take any action. Naruto will probably dominate the world on our behalf."
Hidan:
"Deidara, are you trying to undermine our efforts here? If he dominates the world, what's left for us to do? Are you suggesting that in the other world, the leader and Naruto have swapped roles, and now we're serving the ninja world as volunteers?"
Pain:
"Shut up, you two idiots! He only tricked Hiruzen—a three- or four-year-old child. How can you predict his future achievements from that?"
Uchiha Itachi:
"..."
[Ding!]
[This prize quiz is complete. Congratulations to Onoki, Gaara, and the Fourth Raikage for their correct answers.]
[Onoki: Rewarded with ten years of restored youth.]
[Gaara: Rewarded with freedom from Shukaku's rampages while sleeping.]
[Fourth Raikage: Rewarded with enhanced physical abilities.]
-Nani?!
Iwagakure's Onoki has become ten years younger?
Hiruzen, sitting on the high platform, suddenly trembled.
This was the result he had always dreamed of. Who wouldn't want an extra ten years in their final years of life?
Orochimaru:
"Tch! Look at you, getting all excited like some hopeless old man."
Orochimaru saw through Hiruzen's thoughts at a glance, his tone full of disdain.
"It's just extending your life by ten years. Is that really worth losing your composure over?"
Senju Hashirama:
"Oh! So answering questions really does lead to rewards."
Senju Tobirama:
"Brother, we should still approach this cautiously. After all—"
Onoki:
"Second Hokage, don't doubt it! I really have become younger. My back doesn't ache, my legs don't feel sore, and I feel rejuvenated!"
Fourth Raikage:
"Hahaha! I haven't tested it yet, but I definitely felt a surge of energy rush into my body just now. After the broadcast, I'll try out my physical skills."
Gaara:
"...."
Shukaku:
"Damn it! If Gaara falls asleep and I can't come out, won't that mean I'm completely sealed away?!"
Rasa:
"Unforgivable! Gaara is Sunagakure's most important weapon. Without the power of Shukaku, this could severely weaken our forces!"
Gaara's fake sleep technique allowed him to release Shukaku during his sleep.
It wasn't that Gaara willingly let Shukaku out, but rather that Shukaku would seize the opportunity to break free when Gaara entered a deep sleep.
Of course, the tailed beast wasn't thrilled about staying trapped in Gaara's body day after day.
Preventing Gaara from using his fake sleep technique seemed to weaken him in battle, but it actually gave him the ability to rest peacefully for once.
Poor Gaara hadn't had a proper night's sleep since he was born.
However, now wasn't the time to dwell on rewards.
At the Chūnin exam site in Konoha Village, all eyes were on Naruto.
Even though it was clear that the black-framed Naruto wasn't him, people couldn't help but ask:
"Naruto, did you ever think of taking revenge on the villagers?"
Naruto touched his chin, thinking carefully.
"At first, I was just really disappointed. So, I tried my best to fit in with everyone and played pranks to get their attention."
His answer carried a trace of bitterness, and everyone around him fell silent.
They could hear the pain in his words, and for the first time, they understood just how much Naruto had endured.
Perhaps...
The crowd couldn't help but turn their eyes back to the screen.
Perhaps the Naruto in the black frame was the real Naruto.
And the cheerful, silly Naruto in front of them was simply hiding his true feelings.
"Don't worry!"
Naruto suddenly grinned, breaking the heavy atmosphere.
"After all, it's me being broadcast, so I naturally know myself best."
"Don't worry, everyone. I think Naruto in the black-framed screen will definitely not retaliate against the villagers."
"I believe in him."
"It's just because he's young right now."
"As expected of my apprentice," a hearty laugh suddenly echoed.
An arm suddenly rested on Naruto's shoulder.
"Pervy Sage, you're here too," Naruto said with a grin.
"I was chasing Orochimaru, but I didn't expect that guy to plot something to destroy Konoha Village."
"But with the appearance of the viewing system, a large number of ninjas from Otogakure and Sunagakure are now stationed outside Konoha Village."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, seated beside Hiruzen on the high platform, before turning his gaze to the sky.
Jiraiya smiled outwardly but thought differently in his heart.
In his opinion, after meeting Hiruzen, the paths taken by the two Narutos were bound to diverge.
A white-framed screen appeared:
[Time passed day by day.]
[Naruto became a student at Konoha Village's Ninja Academy.]
[In just a few short years, Naruto transformed from a naive child into a "disaster" for Konoha Village.]
[He was mischievous, driving the villagers to frustration and anger.]
["Ah! My shop!"]
["I just bought those flowers yesterday!"]
["Damn it, this entire street has been vandalized by that brat!"]
["Hey! Look at Hokage Rock..."]
["Hokage Rock has been defaced by Naruto!"]
[The streets of Konoha Village, both big and small, had become Naruto's personal playground.]
[Many villagers submitted complaints to the Third Hokage, demanding that he punish Naruto.]
[Unfortunately, Hiruzen brushed it off, dismissing Naruto's actions as nothing more than a naughty child's antics.]
[Naruto's behavior not only angered the villagers but also gave the ninja community headaches.]
["That's Hokage Rock! And he really dared to..."]
Senju Hashirama:
"Well, Naruto's a good kid with lots of energy."
Senju Tobirama:
"...."
Uzumaki Kushina:
"My poor Naruto, is this how you tried to fit into everyone's world?"
Namikaze Minato:
"Kushina, even if you're sad, you should still feel proud. Our Naruto is at least lively and cheerful."
Onoki:
"Really, Fourth Hokage?"
Namikaze Minato:
"It should be... right."
Minato couldn't ignore the pain in Naruto's heart.
When he sealed the Nine Tails inside Naruto, making his son a Jinchūriki, he had anticipated that Naruto might face struggles like this.
But he chose to trust Hiruzen.
After all, Kushina's status as a Jinchūriki had been carefully concealed—even the Sannin didn't know.
Yet, it was beyond Minato's imagination that Naruto's Jinchūriki identity had been leaked from the very beginning.
In the Shinigami's domain...
Minato was deep in thought.
"When I sealed the Nine Tails inside Naruto, only Lord Hiruzen and two Anbu were present."
"The Eight Trigrams Seal was performed by me personally, and it should've been flawless, with no chance for a rampage in these early years."
"Only a handful of Konoha's top officials should know about Naruto's identity as a Jinchūriki."
"Who on earth...?"
"Who leaked the secret?"
"Could it have been the masked man who attacked Konoha that night?"