Konoha:Live Comparison: Naruto

Chapter 6: Hokage For Decades

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[The news that Naruto had stolen the Sealed Book spread quickly.]

[At this time, Naruto's teacher, Iruka, lay awake, unable to sleep because of Hiruzen's words earlier in the day.]

["Iruka, the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine Tails into Naruto because he wanted everyone to see him as a hero."]

["I think you should understand the reason behind his pranks."]

[The reason for Naruto's pranks?]

[Iruka's childhood memories began to resurface.]

[His parents had been killed by the Nine Tails, and he had directed his grief and anger toward Naruto.]

[He had hoped Naruto would grow into a positive and well-behaved child, but Naruto's mischievous antics only deepened Iruka's resentment.]

[However, Hiruzen's words forced Iruka to think deeply.]

[Naruto's behavior mirrored his own as a child.]

[Both sought attention and acknowledgment, yearning for someone to affirm their existence.]

[No one can truly overcome loneliness.]

[As Iruka wrestled with these thoughts, the news of Naruto stealing the Sealed Book reached him.]

[A group of ninjas quickly gathered at the Hokage's office, their anger palpable.]

[They were filled with righteous indignation and demanded immediate action to capture Naruto. Considering his identity as a Jinchūriki and the importance of the Sealed Book, any mishap could spell disaster for Konoha Village.]

[Despite the uproar, only Iruka managed to locate Naruto in the woods, practicing ninjutsu he had just learned from the scroll.]

For anyone paying attention, the situation was glaringly transparent.

If someone couldn't see through this obvious ploy, they would appear truly oblivious.

Hiruzen had clearly orchestrated this situation to provide Naruto with a trial, an opportunity to prove himself and succeed as a ninja.

The gathering of Konoha ninjas in front of the Hokage's office appeared to be mere theatrics.

With the Anbu operating in the shadows, finding Naruto should have been an effortless task.

Yet, only Iruka found him.

This was no coincidence.

Iruka's shared experiences and understanding of loneliness uniquely positioned him to connect with Naruto and comprehend his emotions.

From the video of Naruto's school life, it was evident that while Iruka harbored some resentment, it was never malicious like that of others.

Unlike the villagers, Iruka adhered to his principle of never giving up or abandoning his students, taking responsibility for Naruto despite his antics.

His presence was more effective than anyone else in forming a meaningful bond with Naruto.

[Naruto was visibly overjoyed when he saw Iruka approaching.]

["Iruka Sensei! I've learned the ninjutsu from the scroll. Can I graduate now?"]

[Iruka appeared confused, trying to make sense of the situation.]

[After questioning Naruto carefully, he discovered the truth.]

[Mizuki had deceived Naruto, convincing him that learning a technique from the Sealed Book would guarantee his graduation.]

[Realizing Naruto had been tricked, Iruka attempted to take him away. However, Mizuki ambushed them.]

[At the critical moment, Iruka pushed Naruto aside, taking all of Mizuki's attacks himself.]

["Hahaha..."]

["Naruto, you don't know, but everyone else knows the secret that's been kept from you."]

[Seeing that Mizuki was about to speak, Iruka repeatedly shouted, "No, Mizuki…"]

["You are a demon fox!"]

["You're the demon fox that killed Iruka's family twelve years ago."]

["Naruto, Iruka hates you! He despises you! Don't trust him. Just hand over the Sealed Book to me."]

[Naruto felt as if he had been struck by lightning, standing there in shock.]

[A demon fox!]

[No wonder everyone called him that. No wonder they avoided him, whispered behind his back, and called him a monster.]

[It turned out that he was the demon fox who killed Iruka's family.]

[However, Naruto didn't believe Mizuki's words. The emotional blow left him unsure of who to trust, and he ran away with the Sealed Book.]

[Iruka, injured and weakened, was no match for Mizuki.]

[Cornered, Mizuki sneered at him.]

["Iruka, you're such a fool, risking your life for the demon fox."]

["Well then, it's time for you to die."]

[Faced with death, Iruka smiled faintly.]

["Naruto is not a demon fox."]

["He understands the pain of the human heart—how could a demon fox understand that?"]

["He's clumsy and occasionally slow, but he's determined and strong."]

["Now, he's Uzumaki Naruto."]

["And he's my student, someone I recognize and believe in."]

[Unbeknownst to Iruka, Naruto was hiding nearby and overheard his words.]

[For the first time, Naruto felt recognized by someone.]

[Tears streamed down his face. It was the first time someone acknowledged him.]

[He realized that his efforts weren't in vain. If one person could accept him, then surely more people would in the future.]

["Have you finished talking? If so, it's time for you to die!"]

[Just as Mizuki moved to strike Iruka, a figure suddenly burst out of the woods.]

[Naruto kicked Mizuki ten meters away in one blow.]

["If you dare harm Iruka Sensei, I'll kill you!"]

[Iruka froze as he looked at Naruto, now standing before him.]

[He couldn't believe it—Naruto, who had always struggled with ninjutsu, had kicked Mizuki so far away with a single attack.]

[Naruto's eyes burned with determination, and the whisker-like marks on his face became sharper and more feral due to his anger.]

["Let me show you the ninjutsu I just learned."]

["Multiple Shadow Clone technique!"]

When the smoke in the woods cleared, everyone watching couldn't help but gasp.

Naruto, who had struggled to even use the Clone Technique, had now mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

But what was even more shocking was the sheer number of clones he had created—more than a thousand clones filled the forest.

Leaving aside whether Iruka genuinely meant those words or not, it's undeniable that Iruka was one of the very few people willing to invite Naruto for ramen before this incident.

But isn't the number of Naruto's Multi-Shadow Clones a bit outrageous?

There were over a thousand clones densely packed in one place!

Sarutobi Hiruzen:

"Look, teacher, no matter what, the result is perfect, isn't it? Naruto has learned the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique from the Sealed Book."

Thinking anyone could criticize him? Not a chance.

Hiruzen sat confidently, as if on a throne.

He could admit that all of this was orchestrated by him—even if his intentions weren't entirely pure.

So what?

For Naruto, who had been unable to graduate, the current outcome was exactly what everyone wanted.

At the very least, Naruto was thrilled to have become a ninja.

Senju Tobirama:

"As expected of the Uzumaki clan, their chakra reserves are truly remarkable."

Senju Hashirama:

"He's twelve years old and can create over a thousand Shadow Clones. This kid's chakra is almost on par with mine."

Onoki:

"Tsk tsk, the old monkey really pulled off a show this time."

Terumi Mei:

"This is unbelievable. Naruto, who couldn't even perform the Clone Technique during the day, managed to summon thousands of Shadow Clones by night?"

Truly outrageous!

Naruto's classmates were stunned.

- So this was how Naruto had managed to graduate.

The graduation exam was based on the Clone Technique, and Naruto completely outshone everyone.

Forget about just graduating—many ninjas wouldn't have a moment of brilliance like Naruto's in their entire lives.

Orochimaru:

"Hehehe, as expected of you, Sarutobi-sensei."

"You truly are wily."

The much-touted Will of Fire turned out to be just another calculated move.

Orochimaru (mockingly):

"No matter how you look at it, the outcome was perfectly planned."

"If Iruka had died saving Naruto, the Anbu you arranged would have intervened just in time."

"If the Jinchūriki or the Sealed Book had been harmed by a mere Chūnin, even apologizing with your life wouldn't have been enough to save your reputation as Hokage."

"Oh, and if Iruka had died, it would have simply been seen as a noble sacrifice to demonstrate the Will of Fire."

Hiruzen remained unbothered.

In a calm tone, he looked at Orochimaru and replied:

"Orochimaru, accusations need evidence."

"As you can see, everything turned out perfectly."

- Damn it!

Orochimaru clenched his back molars so hard in frustration that they nearly cracked.

The purpose of his visit was to send Hiruzen off one last time.

Not only did the plan fail, but he also failed to gain any advantage in their exchange of words.

Afterward, his snake-like eyes fixed on the large screen in the sky.

The display began to change, and the white border turned pitch black.

"It seems that if I want to make the old man feel truly embarrassed, I'll have to rely on that sharp-minded Naruto-kun."

"Don't let me down."

[Time passes bit by bit.]

[Naruto has absolutely no interest in playing pranks.]

[Instead, he seems interested in watching others practice.]

[Most of his time is spent throwing shuriken.]

[Becoming stronger appears to be his only goal.]

[Even though he still hears harsh words every day, he seems entirely indifferent to them.]

[As time passes, Naruto finally reaches school age.]

[Once he starts school, he notices something different.]

[His classmates don't seem to deliberately exclude him.]

[In fact, some even take the initiative to greet him.]

[A boy with pineapple-shaped hair. A chubby boy.]

[And then…]

["Sasuke! Sasuke!"]

["Uchiha Sasuke!"]

["He's so handsome!"]

[A group of noisy girls surrounds Sasuke.]

Yamanaka Ino:

"..."

Haruno Sakura:

"..."

Nara Shikamaru:

"..."

"Damn it, that Naruto isn't as cute as the Naruto here."

"Exactly, who is he talking about?"

"It's just the beginning; we haven't even become obsessed with Sasuke yet."

"Right? How quiet we were, and yet he immediately lumps all the girls into the noisy crowd."

"I disagree. Even if we all ended up liking Sasuke, at least Hinata has always been quiet, hasn't she?"

Yamanaka Ino:

"Hey, why are you dragging Hinata into this?"

Haruno Sakura:

"Mind your business, Ino. Focus on yourself before pointing fingers."

Akimichi Chōji:

"Shikamaru, don't stop me. I'm about to lose my temper."

Uzumaki Naruto:

"Why are you all staring at me? If you're mad, go yell at him, not me!"

At the same time, the Genin watching the screen were stunned by the Naruto in the other world.

It took them a while to process the stark difference between the Naruto they knew and the Naruto on the black-framed screen.

Unlike the Naruto in their world, the Naruto in the black frame didn't seem to have any desire to fit in with others.

He was Uzumaki Naruto—completely his own person.