Shinigami in the Ninja World

Iruka stammered as he announced the result: "Uzumaki Naruto, wins!"

The time was too short, and the end came too quickly.

The result was also quite unexpected.

The whole fight couldn't be described as "evenly matched."

It was simply Uchiha Sasuke being beaten unilaterally.

From beginning to end, did Uchiha Sasuke even make a move?

He only launched one sneak attack with a combination of substitution jutsu and clone jutsu, coming from behind, but Naruto predicted and blocked it.

When did Naruto become so strong...

Just a few days of training, and he achieved such results?

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on the terrace and asked the ninja beside him, who had most of his face covered, silver hair, and only one eye visible.

"Kakashi, what do you think?"

Hatake Kakashi spoke softly: "Their physical abilities are about the same, Uchiha Sasuke might even be a bit stronger in terms of strength."

"But Uzumaki Naruto has more combat experience."

"He also uses chakra to increase his speed, a technique similar to the Body Flicker Technique."

"His instincts are very sharp, worthy of the Uzumaki clan's bloodline, likely awakened a 'sensing ability.'"

"That's why Naruto won so decisively."

"If he had been disturbed by the clone jutsu, or if Sasuke had activated his Sharingan, the outcome would have been uncertain."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled: "It just reminded me of the Fourth Hokage, what about you?"

Hatake Kakashi didn't respond.

"One is the last of the Uchiha clan's bloodline, the other is the child of your teacher, the Fourth Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued. "I intend to make you their team leader."

"If anyone in Konoha can teach them, it would be you."

Hatake Kakashi agreed: "Yes."

"One more thing," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, staring at Naruto who had returned to sit in the corner of the crowd, "Naruto wasn't like this before."

"He suddenly changed his personality and showed his talent."

"Anbu found no results from their investigation; he had no contact with suspicious people, and the seal on the Nine-Tails wasn't broken."

"Find out the reason, we can't afford to lose the jinchūriki."

Hatake Kakashi agreed again.

Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, but didn't say the words "be kind to him."

He felt there was no need to say it.

Uzumaki Naruto was the child of Namikaze Minato, Hatake Kakashi's teacher, the Fourth Hokage. By reason, they were like brothers; what brother wouldn't take care of his younger brother?

Sarutobi Hiruzen left.

The Hokage's work was very busy.

Hatake Kakashi stayed on the terrace, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Naruto, but mostly lingering on Uchiha Sasuke, who wore a sullen, resentful expression.

The life of the "genius" Uzumaki Naruto did not improve.

He thought that after showing his talent, he would start a life similar to that at the "Shin'ō Academy."

But...

It seemed nothing had changed.

Classmates still didn't want to be his friends.

Teachers still disliked him.

Even some girls' attitudes towards him became worse—how dare he beat up their handsome Uchiha!

Naruto didn't feel disappointed; since that time when the Third Hokage came to "hold him accountable," he had lowered his expectations.

He was just puzzled.

The days at the "Soul Society" and "Shin'ō Academy" had taught him a lesson.

"Hate" requires a reason—most people treat strangers with a peaceful attitude.

"Love" is the same.

He had already become excellent, given the reason for "love," yet they still treated him this way.

This could only mean that their reason for "hating" him was far heavier than the reason for "loving" him he had given.

Not because he was an orphan, not because he used to be mischievous...

What could it be?

Looking at the Hokage Rock in the distance.

Four giant faces.

Naruto had long memorized the achievements and deeds of these four.

The First Hokage unified the ninja world, the Second founded the ninja academy, the Third was still alive and kicking.

The Fourth sacrificed himself young, saving the village from the Nine-Tails.

Wait...

The Nine-Tails?

His "inner power" was also a fox, unfamiliar with the Soul Society and Seireitei, but aware of Konoha.

Naruto had not connected these two events before.

But now he had to consider it.

He entered his inner world.

"Kid, don't bother me!" The Nine-Tails became somewhat irritable as soon as it saw him.

Naruto raised his head and looked up at those golden eyes. "I heard a rumor when I was young that the Fourth Hokage saved the village from a demon fox."

"Are you... that demon fox?"

The Nine-Tails grinned, unashamed. "Yes, it's me. Have you finally figured it out?"

"I am not some companion in your so-called friendship game."

"Kid, I wish I could eat you."

Naruto said nothing and took another step forward.

He didn't feel particularly special about "the fox inside him being the demon fox."

Even if "it" was the reason he was ostracized by the village.

Hatred?

Maybe a little.

But now, Naruto didn't care about the village's opinion of him. He had another place to belong, and the Soul Society was much better than Konoha.

He only looked straight ahead.

The red barred gate, the seal pasted at the door's crevice, formed a fact named "Forbidden."

"So the reason you hate me is because the Fourth Hokage sealed you inside me?" he asked softly, gripping the source of the Nine-Tails' "hatred."

The Nine-Tails said nothing, just grunted.

That blond man...

Naruto asked again, "Why me?"

"Did the Fourth Hokage randomly pick a child and it happened to be me, an orphan?"

Someone who could threaten the village's very existence shouldn't be inside a child like him—when fighting for food in the Soul Society, the older kids would stand in front of the younger ones.

The Nine-Tails' expression suddenly became strange. It leaned closer and scrutinized Naruto. "Didn't the people of Konoha tell you about this?"

Naruto shook his head in confusion. "I guessed that you were the demon fox on my own."

If he hadn't gone to the Soul Society, he might never have known there was a fox inside him.

"Kid, let me tell you." The Nine-Tails extended its paw, pointing at Naruto's forehead, laughing fiercely, speaking arrogantly. "Of course the Fourth Hokage sealed me inside you; he had no other choice."

"After all, you are the Fourth Hokage's son!"

"Before he died, you were the only one around who could be a Jinchuriki vessel."

Naruto froze.

His facial features began to twist in disbelief.

His eyes were vacant yet viciously glaring at the Nine-Tails.

His father, whom he had never met, without even a photo or known name, turned out to be the Fourth Hokage?

"How... is that possible?" Naruto couldn't believe it.

His experiences didn't allow him to believe it.

If he were the Fourth Hokage's son, he would be the son of a hero.

Would a hero's child be hated by the entire village?

Would a hero's child have no friends?

"I did not deceive you." The Nine-Tails grinned, emotions excited, as if finding an incredible toy. "On the contrary, Konoha has been deceiving you, never telling you the truth. They only want to use you as a weapon of war."

"What's the point of a village like this existing?"

"Come on... remove the seal. Don't you want to use my power?"

"Remove the seal, and you can."

"Together, let's destroy this village."

Naruto took a deep breath, even though he didn't need to in the inner world.

He wanted to find "Third Hokage Grandpa" to ask if it was true.

But another memory emerged.

That was when he was very young.

He had asked Third Hokage Grandpa for photos of his parents, only to be told there were none.

Asked for their names, only to be brushed off.

Then, a few days ago.

The Third Hokage was no longer trustworthy.

He didn't want Naruto to know his parents' identities.

The Nine-Tails was still noisy.

"Shut up!" Naruto glared hatefully. "I won't listen to you!"

The Nine-Tails squinted. "I like that look in your eyes."

"But even now, you still want to protect Konoha?"

Naruto clenched his fist. "Konoha..."

"I'm not protecting it."

"Since you were sealed in me by my father..."

"I will find him and get answers."

"Not listen to you!"

"You... the murderer!"

~~~

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