Konoha:Live Comparison: Naruto

Chapter 12: Greatness of instant noodles

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[The arrival of Danzo left Hiruzen feeling deeply unsettled.]

[How could he not be aware of Danzo's intentions?]

[He would undoubtedly use illusions to brainwash Naruto in various ways, eventually turning him into a war machine that only obeyed his orders.]

[Once that happened, Danzo would surely start a war.]

[However, Naruto in his current state was unable to control the Nine-Tails' chakra.]

[The road ahead was long and arduous.]

[Nevertheless, keeping the Jinchūriki under his own watchful eye was the only way Hiruzen felt he could ensure Konoha's safety.]

["Danzo..."]

["Your methods are still far from perfect."]

[Hiruzen used the Telescope Technique, focusing on Naruto in the crystal ball, who, as expected, had gone to the back mountain to "hunt."]

Uzumaki Naruto: "Why do I feel like something is off here?"

It was indeed strange.

Naruto himself hadn't realized that his counterpart in the other world had been under the constant surveillance of the Third Hokage.

Uzumaki Naruto: "And did that one-eyed old man with the cane also send someone to spy on me?"

Shimura Danzo: "..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

Danzo: Ahem. "Naruto, you are Konoha Village's secret weapon. This was all for your safety."

Uzumaki Kushina: "Tch! Surveillance is surveillance. Don't try to dress it up. Even though I'm gone, don't think I wouldn't know what you're up to."

Uzumaki Naruto: "So, when I was young, I was just like him—constantly being watched?"

Gaara: "Naruto, you're still better off than me. At least you got to attend school. I… my father even tried to assassinate me."

Uzumaki Naruto: "Wait, so your father tried to assassinate you just because you're a Jinchūriki? But we didn't do anything wrong."

While Naruto had done nothing to warrant such treatment, Gaara's case was different. He often lost control and went berserk.

The reasons for this were simple.

First, Sunagakure's sealing techniques were flawed.

Second, in an attempt to test Gaara's control as a Jinchūriki, Rasa frequently provoked him, causing Gaara's mental state to deteriorate and leading to his outbursts.

But who would ever want to be a Jinchūriki?

Moreover, every Jinchūriki was supposed to be a hero—a guardian of the village's Tailed Beast balance.

[The Back Mountain of Konoha Village]

[Naruto had just finished practicing his shuriken throwing.]

[He was preparing to cook himself a delicious dinner.]

["Hehehe…"]

["You're here, boy."]

[A familiar, benevolent voice rang in Naruto's ears.]

[Startled, Naruto immediately turned toward the source of the voice.]

[Standing there was none other than the Third Hokage of Konoha Village.]

["Lord Third Hokage?"]

[Naruto quickly adjusted his tone, switching to a more respectful honorific.]

[However, in his heart, he couldn't help but despise the old man standing before him.]

[As the Third Hokage of Konoha Village, how could he shamelessly think about stealing someone else's food every day? Truly, it was disgraceful.]

Pfft!

Naruto's inner thoughts were dripping with sarcasm.

When he had learned that the man who had swiped some of his grilled fish last time was the Third Hokage, he had immediately labeled him as "untrustworthy."

Now, encountering him again, Naruto felt the man was even more brazen.

Senju Tobirama: "Seriously? Are monkeys so shameless that they just go around begging for food? Isn't this kind of behavior downright disgusting?"

Senju Hashirama: Laughing loudly. "Hahaha!"

Uchiha Madara: "Hashi, what's so funny? Look at the state of Konoha Village under your leadership. All this fuss over the Nine Tails—it's just a tailed beast, isn't it?"

Senju Tobirama: "Are you implying Konoha Village became weak and isolated under my elder brother's leadership?"

Uchiha Madara: "Hah! You said it, not me."

Senju Tobirama: "Madara! You—"

Uchiha Madara: "Forget it. At your level, if you didn't have a tailed beast, you'd have been crushed by the other villages. Let's not even talk about your apprentice."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: Sighs "I'm sorry, teacher. I've brought shame upon you."

Shimura Danzo: "..."

Danzo internally cursed Hiruzen: How sinister and cunning. Now you think of us because you're Hokage? Don't try to sound noble.

["Smells good."]

[Hiruzen wrinkled his nose, taking in the aroma.]

[Naruto, who had no idea why he was there, rolled his eyes helplessly.]

[But soon, his expression changed, doing a complete 180: "Grandpa Third Hokage, are you hungry? Would you like to try my grilled fish again?"]

["Naruto, we can't keep eating grilled fish all the time."]

["It's fine, sometimes I add vegetables and make stewed fish instead."]

["Hey, not bad, kid. Your cooking skills are impressive."]

The conversation between Naruto and Hiruzen left everyone watching wide-eyed.

Was this really Naruto?

Was he really just a five- or six-year-old child?

His maturity and resourcefulness were more impressive than many adults.

Onoki: "Is this a habit he developed after being excluded from society as a child?"

Fourth Raikage: "It seems so. But this kid is too smart. He reminds me of B—at his age, he was just a fool."

Killer B: "Yo! Brother, don't diss me, that's not funny. Naruto's smart, adults can't compete, let alone the younger me, yeah!"

Audience: "..."

That must be the Eight Tails' Jinchūriki from Cloud Village.

The "A-B Combination" had been a renowned force in the Third Great Ninja War.

Yamanaka Ino: "It's unbelievable. Compared to the Naruto over there, our Naruto seems…"

Uzumaki Naruto: "Hey! What are you trying to say? Are you saying I'm dumber than him?"

Hatake Kakashi: "Well, at least in terms of nutrition, he's definitely doing better than you, Naruto."

Uzumaki Naruto: "Hmph! He's just some food snob who doesn't understand the greatness of instant noodles. What a poor guy."

Uzumaki Kushina: "Naruto! Stop bragging. Instant noodles have no nutritional value. If you keep eating them, it'll break your poor mother's heart. You'd better eat properly from now on!"

["Ho Ho Ho Ho..."]

["Naruto, I didn't come here to eat grilled fish today."]

Huh?!

Did the sun rise in the west today?

The old man isn't here for grilled fish? Could it be he's just wandering around the mountains with nothing better to do?

Looking at how thin he is, he doesn't need to lose weight.

[Naruto blinked his big eyes innocently, his expression harmless: "Grandpa Third Hokage, then why are you here...?"]

["I heard you did well at school today."]

["I'm here..."]

["Well, I have a scroll I want to give you."]

["It's a super powerful ninjutsu. If you learn it, you'll definitely become even stronger."]

What?! A ninjutsu scroll?!

[Though Naruto had never "eaten pork," he'd definitely seen pigs running.]

Ninjutsu!

[The very thing every ninja dreams of.]

[It's so cool to release ninjutsu.]

[Suddenly, Naruto's big eyes sparkled even more: "What kind of scroll?"]

["It's this..."]

["The Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."]