"I understand how important the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is to Konohagakure, but this treatment is definitely not acceptable."
Shihouin Naraku knew Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't appreciate his comments, but he spoke his mind anyway.
Shihouin Naraku had always found it strange. It was somewhat understandable that Jiraiya was away year-round and didn't know about Naruto's living conditions.
But Hatake Kakashi was right here in Konohagakure. Why didn't he care about the son of his sensei and his wife?
After arriving in this world, Shihouin Naraku realized that Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally ordered everyone to hide Uzumaki Naruto's true identity and forbidden anyone from getting close to the boy.
Kakashi, already suffering physically and mentally from successive tragedies, coupled with the Hokage's direct orders, was naturally unable to care for Naruto.
Only this could explain why the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato's companions and friends hadn't shown up, let alone taken care of Naruto or occasionally lent a helping hand.
But Shihouin Naraku could never understand why Sarutobi Hiruzen had concealed the news of Uzumaki Naruto being the Fourth Hokage's son yet allowed rumours that he was the demon fox to spread freely.
Sarutobi Hiruzen offered little explanation for Shihouin Naraku's confusion. He looked at him deeply and said, "I am the Hokage. These are my decisions."
Hatake Kakashi opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen left, Hatake Kakashi sighed with a troubled expression. "What you just said..."
"I don't think it's anything special—it's just the truth!"
Shihouin Naraku pointed at Hatake Kakashi and gave him a critical look. "Just wait until Naruto grows up. These things can't be kept secret forever. I'd like to see how you face him when that time comes."
If the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero hadn't passed away, do you think Kushina would have beaten you to death with her Adamantine Sealing Chains?
Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina were so good to you and Obito, and this is how you two repay them by neglecting their son.
"Face him?" Hatake Kakashi laughed bitterly. "My own life is already a mess."
Shihouin Naraku glanced at Hatake Kakashi with disdain.
The two took one last look at Uzumaki Naruto's room and left.
Soon, they found Uzumaki Naruto in the hills behind Konohagakure.
"I just went fishing."
"Yeah, I'm all wet, and my clothes are hanging on a tree nearby."
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto shirtless, already gathering a pile of firewood and preparing to start a fire, Shihouin Naraku thought for a moment and stepped out from his hiding place.
"It seems he doesn't really like instant noodles. He just eats them because they're convenient and cheap. Naraku, what do you think..."
While Hatake Kakashi was speaking, he looked to his side and was surprised to find that Shihouin Naraku, who had been beside him moments ago, was gone.
Looking around, Hatake Kakashi was shocked to discover that Shihouin Naraku was actually walking openly toward Uzumaki Naruto.
At this moment, not only him but even Tenzō and the shinobi team, who were secretly keeping watch, were confused and didn't know how to react.
Should they stop him?
But Shihouin Naraku and Hatake Kakashi had their own mission.
But still...
"Really..."
Hatake Kakashi scratched his head in annoyance, thought for a while, then sighed and also emerged from his hiding place.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just returned, watched the scene displayed in his crystal ball while silently smoking his pipe.
"Huh? Why won't it light?"
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his short golden hair, feeling a little discouraged, but immediately continued blowing air toward the woodpile.
In his effort to start a fire, Uzumaki Naruto had made himself look a bit silly, his whole face smudged like a tabby cat.
Perhaps because he was so focused on making the fire, he didn't even notice Shihouin Naraku standing in front of him.
"You need to leave some space under the woodpile for it to catch fire."
"Who's there?"
The little blond-haired boy was startled by the sudden voice. He immediately jumped up and looked around frantically.
Then Uzumaki Naruto spotted a dark-haired young man sitting on a nearby rock, holding a branch in his hand—and on that branch was the fish he had just caught with great effort!
"Hey! That's my fish!"
"This?"
Shihouin Naraku waved the branch in his hand, gesturing toward Uzumaki Naruto.
"Yeah, I just caught it."
Uzumaki Naruto stretched out his blackened hands to show that he had indeed caught the fish himself.
As he spoke, Uzumaki Naruto cautiously approached Shihouin Naraku. He was quick to notice that the man before him was different from others—there was no hatred or disgust in his eyes, which made Naruto very happy.
Apart from a few people like Iruka-sensei and Grandpa Hokage, this person actually didn't hate him!
"You... do you want to eat it? If you want, I can give it to you. I can catch more."
"I'm really good at it. I often catch big fish."
Uzumaki Naruto tried to sound casual, but the expression on his dirty face betrayed his thoughts. Naruto was worried that this person would reject his offer.
Shihouin Naraku smirked as he watched Uzumaki Naruto strike a pose to show how impressive he was. "I wasn't planning to pay you back anyway. I'm hungry, too."
After saying this, Shihouin Naraku placed the branch with the fish on a nearby rock, making it clear that the fish was now his and no one else could take it.
"Ah, ~ So adults really are cunning!"
Uzumaki Naruto pretended to be angry but couldn't hide the happiness on his face at all.
"Oh? Who told you that adults are cunning?"
Shihouin Naraku snapped his fingers, and a flame fell into the woodpile. The flames immediately rose and began to burn brightly.
"Shikamaru told me that adults are very cunning and troublesome..."
Uzumaki Naruto explained casually, his eyes sparkling as he watched Shihouin Naraku put the skewered fish over the fire and begin grilling it.
He had just witnessed Shihouin Naraku's fire-starting technique—something only a ninja could do. It must be ninjutsu!
"That sounds exactly like something someone from the Nara clan would say..."
"Does uncle know Shikamaru too?"
"No, I know Shikamaru's father. Wait, what did you call me?"
Shihouin Naraku suddenly raised his head and glared at Uzumaki Naruto. He pointed at his face and emphasized, "Look at my face carefully. Do I look like an uncle to you?"
"Heh-heh..."
Uzumaki Naruto wasn't intimidated at all and moved even closer. He was excellent at reading other people's emotions. Although Shihouin Naraku's tone was harsh, there was no real malice behind it—it was more like he was trying to scare a child.
"Why are you getting so close..."
Shihouin Naraku curled his lips and then returned his attention to the grilling fish.
"Hey, big... big brother, were you using ninjutsu just now? Are you a shinobi from the village?"
Uzumaki Naruto blinked and stared at Shihouin Naraku expectantly. His dirty face at this moment made his expression look somewhat comical.
"Big brother? Fine. I'll accept that reluctantly."
"You mean this jutsu..."
Shihouin Naraku opened his palm toward Uzumaki Naruto, and with a soft sound, flames appeared in his hand. The dancing fire illuminated Uzumaki Naruto's dirty face.
"Wow!!!"
Uzumaki Naruto shouted in surprise. He stared excitedly at the red flame in Shihouin Naraku's palm, his expression full of wonder and longing.
The firelight wasn't dazzling, but it was warm and comforting.
At that moment, the sadness in Uzumaki Naruto's eyes seemed to fade away...
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