Naruto, in the original timeline, might have wondered why everyone treated him this way.
You probably remember words like "fox demon," "demon fox," and "Nine-Tailed Fox."
But right now, Naruto wasn't thinking about any of that.
He just wanted to curl up smaller, endure less pain, and never let his body transform into elements.
Before long, his body was covered in wounds.
Scarlet blood dripped from them.
His clothes were stained with rotten eggs, his feet covered in spoiled vegetable leaves and scattered stones.
At that moment, a loud shout stopped the villagers' attack.
"Enough!"
It was an Anbu, assigned to monitor him.
So they're stepping in this quickly?
That first rock's angle really was a bit tricky.
Then, Naruto felt himself being lifted.
The grip was rough, as if he were just a stone clogging a sewer instead of a child.
A gust of wind howled past, and Naruto, his bloodshot eyes open, glared coldly at the villagers below.
At Konoha Hospital, not a single medical-nin was willing to treat him.
In the end, only when the Anbu mentioned the Sandaime Hokage did someone reluctantly step in.
But their treatment? Ha.
Naruto lay there silently, not making a sound, even when a large area of his wounds was disinfected at once.
Before things escalated, the Hokage issued a command:
[No one is allowed to mention the Nine-Tailed Fox in front of Naruto. No one is allowed to attack him without reason.]
I have to admit, medical ninjutsu is incredible.
Even with the Nine-Tails' chakra, his recovery would have taken time.
But with the Mystical Palm Technique, it only took half an hour.
Every wound, large and small, vanished.
Under the indifferent gazes of the medics, he put on his filthy clothes and walked out of Konoha Hospital alone.
On the streets, no one attacked him.
But news of his presence spread like wildfire.
Wherever he walked, people's eyes turned cold, filled with pure hatred.
That look followed him everywhere.
Even though he had prepared himself, the walk was still difficult.
"This is just the beginning."
Naruto gave a self-deprecating smile.
"The power of this ability… it feels like Admiral Green Bull's Mori Mori no Mi."
"At least I don't have to worry about starving."
"Heh."
Naruto suddenly began to admire the Naruto from the original timeline.
Growing up in such an environment, yet still thriving like a weed.
"The Ninja Bear hasn't appeared yet… In the original timeline, he showed up when Naruto was at his lowest, a guiding light in the darkness."
"That means… as long as I can slip past the Anbu's surveillance, I can grow stronger in secret."
"The Mori Mori no Mi... It can absorb nutrients from plants, but shouldn't it also be able to absorb... people?"
As Naruto pondered this, a figure surfaced in his mind.
Uchiha Shisui!
"Recycling the dead, an idealist even in death, still serving the world... Of course, I don't want your eyes, and I don't have the ability to act on this plan just yet."
With that thought, Naruto changed direction.
If this power could absorb living things, he needed to verify it.
Ichiraku Ramen.
It was the only place Naruto knew that served real food.
Rather than calling it a delicacy, it was simply the only place where he could eat in peace without glares of disgust.
Ichiraku Otsutsuki: Don't forget, I was one of Naruto's true companions in the original story, you bastard!
"If I can absorb even ramen directly... then in two and a half years, I must do my best to absorb Uchiha Shisui's remains."
"If I'm lucky, I might even inherit the Sharingan."
With the plan set, Naruto imitated his younger self's first visit to Ichiraku.
Small, pitiful, vulnerable.
The old man waved him in.
But Naruto glanced at his dirty clothes, hesitated, and simply stood there in silence, looking a bit lost.
Teuchi sighed, feeling sorry for the boy, and quickly called out to Ayame.
A gentle, pretty girl, who didn't mind Naruto's unkempt state.
And so, Naruto got a free bowl of ramen at Ichiraku.
During the meal, he verified his theory—his Mori Mori no Mi could indeed absorb non-plant-based food.
In other words, in two and a half years, his plan to assimilate Shisui could become reality!
On his way home, Naruto reviewed the original timeline in his mind.
And remembered an interesting figure—Yakushi Kabuto.
That man was either digging up corpses or scavenging for Orochimaru's research.
Unfortunately, Naruto's circumstances were different.
Otherwise, with the power of the Mori Mori no Mi...
His efficiency in grave-robbing would surpass even Kabuto's, and the results would be far better.
Shaking his head, Naruto dismissed the thought.
"Uchiha Shisui... not Kotoamatsukami Shisui, but Shunshin Shisui."
A glint of anticipation flickered in his eyes. If he could master genjutsu alongside high-speed movement techniques... combined with his innate talent for creating shadow clones...
His potential could instantly rise to Kage level.
Back at home, Naruto washed off the grime and picked up the meager coins on his table.
He had found a store selling products nearing expiration.
Now, he just needed to follow the original timeline, buy a fishing hook, or steal one if necessary.
Whatever it took.
Fishing wasn't a necessity, but at his age, living off expired instant noodles daily would eventually lead to malnutrition.
And even though Naruto had the Nine-Tails and the Uzumaki clan's vitality, his original self had still earned the nickname—the shorty.
He had just eaten a large bowl of ramen and used the Mori Mori no Mi's absorption ability.
His bloated stomach quickly flattened.
Yet he didn't feel hungry.
"Fishing won't just let me secretly absorb nutrients from plants; it will also help me observe the terrain."
"But I have to control the rate of absorption, so those Anbu watching me don't notice anything strange."
"Let's go."
Muttering to himself, Naruto put on his old clothes and headed out.
As expected, no store would sell him anything.
The only shop that would take his money sold nearly expired goods.
But they only carried packaged food—no fishing hooks or lines.
Finding one at random wasn't a long-term solution.
For a child, failure to catch anything would quickly lead to frustration. Naruto was still young, and this method wouldn't last.
Plus, if he caught nothing, he'd have to return and scavenge for food again.
Reaching the village entrance, he spotted a ninja tool shop.
"One plus one equals one, two plus two equals four~"
"Huh? A kid?"
A girl with twin buns skipped out of the shop.
Her bright eyes locked onto the thin boy before her.
She was only a year older than Naruto, yet noticeably bigger despite being a girl.
"I want to buy a fishing hook. Do you sell them?"
Xiao Tiantian—no, wait—Tenten rolled her eyes.
"We sell ninja tools, not fishing hooks."
Naruto's head drooped in disappointment.
She raised a finger, tilting her chin up slightly.
"But~"
Naruto looked up, his blue eyes filled with hope.
"I have my own fishing gear."
Naruto's gaze brightened.
"Not for sale."
"You can't afford it—it's expensive~"
Naruto's head dropped again, looking dejected.
"Hmm... I could lend it to you."
Tenten pursed her lips, thinking for a moment.
"But if you catch anything, I want a third!"
Wow.
She really was a little merchant at heart.
…
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