Staring at the spot where Izumi Uchiha had vanished, a trace of disappointment flickered across Naruto Uzumaki's face.
In that moment, he wished she could have stayed just a little longer.
The loneliness in his heart made him yearn for someone to stay by his side.
Naruto let out a soft sigh, picking up the sticky rice dumplings Izumi had left behind and starting to eat.
The sweet, chewy texture eased the solitude in his heart, if only slightly.
…
The entire afternoon passed.
Beside Naruto was a makeshift fish basket woven from branches.
After four or five hours, he had caught a few fish, including one he considered a "big" one.
It was about the size of an adult's hand, but to Naruto, it was a prize.
Grinning, he carried the basket to a nearby clearing.
With practiced ease, he started a fire. With a flint, even a five-year-old could spark a flame without much trouble.
As the setting sun cast its glow, the aroma of grilled fish filled the air.
"If only Big Sis Izumi were here."
"Then we could eat grilled fish together."
Naruto looked at the four fish roasting before him, letting out a quiet sigh.
But as he reminisced about his time with Izumi, a figure appeared nearby.
Naruto's head snapped up, and a wide smile spread across his face.
"Grandpa Third!"
"How'd you know I was here?"
"I was gonna come find you after eating the fish."
Naruto's face lit up with joy as he tugged the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to sit beside him.
The firewood crackled and popped in the fire.
Hiruzen, looking at the grilled fish, softened his gaze with a hint of warmth.
"Naruto, this is your living stipend for the month."
"Spend it carefully."
Hiruzen pulled an envelope from his robe and handed it to Naruto.
As the orphan of the Fourth Hokage, Naruto received a modest monthly stipend from Hiruzen, funded by the Hidden Leaf Village.
As for the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, all he had left Naruto was a small apartment.
If Minato, now in the afterlife, knew that his son, who he sacrificed himself for the village to protect, often went hungry, he might resent Hiruzen.
"Grandpa, this money's never enough."
"Can't you give me just a little more?"
This wasn't the first time Naruto had complained to Hiruzen about this.
His hands moved quickly, taking the envelope and peeking inside.
He had told Hiruzen before about how the villagers shunned him.
But Hiruzen never responded directly, only offering vague words Naruto couldn't fully grasp.
"That's all there is. Spend it wisely, and it'll be enough."
Hiruzen sighed softly. The Hidden Leaf Village wasn't exactly flush with funds.
This stipend was given to Naruto out of respect for Minato's legacy.
[What a stingy old man.]
[The only son of a hero who died for the village, and this is how he's treated?]
In Naruto's subconscious, Chu Ran observed Hiruzen's sanctimonious demeanor and couldn't help but scoff.
To Chu Ran, the one most responsible for Naruto's plight was Hiruzen.
If Hiruzen hadn't allowed it, how could so many villagers know Naruto's true identity?
How could they know he was the Jinchuriki, leading to their hatred and disdain?
Since nearly everyone in the village knew who Naruto was, Hiruzen, aware that a five-year-old couldn't properly care for himself, had failed to act as a guardian.
Instead, he used bonds and a sense of belonging to the village to tether Naruto emotionally.
This hypocrisy—doing harmful things while pretending it's for Naruto's own good—made Chu Ran find Hiruzen more repulsive than Danzo Shimura.
At least Danzo's darkness was overt.
He dirtied his hands for the sake of the Hidden Leaf, unapologetically.
But Hiruzen cloaked his actions in the guise of kindness, manipulating Naruto.
Meanwhile, Naruto handed Hiruzen the largest grilled fish.
Despite his own day-long hunger, he gave the best he had to offer.
Hiruzen paused, taken aback, then accepted the fish with a warm smile.
"Naruto, your grilled fish just keeps getting better."
Hiruzen took a small bite. Though unsalted, the fish's tender flesh, kissed by the smoky charcoal, was delightfully sweet.
Naruto beamed at Hiruzen's praise.
Being praised felt like being acknowledged.
That feeling of recognition warmed Naruto's heart.
"Grandpa Third, I want to be like you."
"I want to be acknowledged and loved by everyone, just like you."
"I'm gonna become Hokage!"
For the first time, Naruto shared his dream aloud in front of someone.
It was a promise born from his desperate need for acceptance.
"Is that so?"
"That's a tough path."
"Not many can achieve that."
Hiruzen looked at Naruto's confident smile and those striking blue eyes.
A familiar face flashed in his mind.
The face of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, so similar to the boy before him.
Minato, a grassroots ninja, had climbed to the rank of Hokage through sheer talent, earning everyone's respect.
When the village needed him, he sacrificed himself without hesitation.
Minato, your son is just as exceptional as you were.
Hiruzen gazed at Naruto, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.
It reinforced his resolve to reject Danzo's suggestions.
"I won't give up."
"I'll definitely become Hokage—the greatest Hokage ever!"
Naruto wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his confidence growing stronger.
This was the first time he had a clear goal, one he was determined to achieve.
At this moment, Naruto's only desire was to earn everyone's acceptance.
[If I become Hokage, I'll have tons of friends.]
[No one will call me a monster or a demon fox anymore.]
[Everyone will stop hating me—they'll all like me!]
This was Naruto's inner monologue, a thought shaped by Chu Ran's subtle guidance.
Chu Ran had orchestrated this deliberately, knowing full well the nature of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.