Another year passed in the blink of an eye.
Time had advanced to Konoha Year 54, the year Naruto turned six.
Throughout this year, Naruto had consistently maintained his refined and gentle demeanor.
Since he had never done anything truly harmful, and even went out of his way to help villagers find lost pets or deliver food to the elderly, his reputation had finally begun to change, albeit slowly.
Ordinary villagers still regarded him with hostility, but they no longer subjected him to malicious verbal abuse as before; most now resorted to simply ignoring him.
After all, it was hard to truly dislike Naruto with his handsome and courteous appearance.
Naruto had even garnered a few little fangirls.
And on this particular day, Naruto received some rather good news.
One evening, the Third Hokage paid him an unannounced visit. He placed a letter on the table, smiling warmly. "Naruto, would you like to attend the Ninja Academy? This is your admission letter."
"Have I really turned six already?" Naruto picked up the envelope, a complex look in his eyes as if a realization had just dawned.
From the knowledge he'd gained from the Shinigami's human world, he understood that people celebrated birthdays every year. A birthday was supposed to be the happiest day of the year, with friends and family gathering to spend an unforgettable day together.
But his own birthdays had always been spent alone.
Moreover, he didn't even know when his birthday was.
He didn't know when he was born, or who his parents were.
Who in Konoha could he truly trust?
"I'll go. I will definitely become an outstanding ninja! No, I want to become Hokage!" Naruto clenched the envelope tightly, appearing very excited.
"I believe Naruto can definitely do it," the Third Hokage said cheerfully, taking a puff from his pipe.
"I'll be able to make lots of new friends at the Ninja Academy, won't I?" Naruto's eyes shone with anticipation for the future.
Seeing the usually composed Naruto display such childlike excitement, the Third Hokage smiled faintly.
This is how it should be.
Growing up happily like the other children in Konoha's cradle, studying diligently, then inheriting the Will of Fire and fighting to protect Konoha—this is the correct way to raise the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
This is the Naruto that Minato and Kushina would have wanted to see.
At this thought, the guilt in the Third Hokage's heart lessened considerably once more.
Under his guidance, Naruto was already on the right path. He hadn't failed the expectations of his grand-disciple, Minato Namikaze.
He truly was Konoha's most outstanding Hokage.
"Naruto, you will forge bonds with your classmates at the Ninja Academy, and you will all become excellent ninja. Registration is the day after tomorrow. Don't get too excited and lose sleep these next few days, alright? Go to bed early and wake up early, and definitely don't be late. You need to make a good first impression on your teachers on the first day," the Third Hokage said kindly, patting Naruto's head and rambling on like a doting grandfather.
Naruto nodded excitedly, tears even glistening in his eyes.
"Grandpa Hokage, I won't disappoint your expectations!" He hugged the Third Hokage tightly, very tightly.
The Third Hokage gently patted Naruto's back, murmuring, "Naruto, Grandpa Hokage has high hopes for you. You can definitely become a future Hokage."
Little did he know, the Naruto in his embrace, for a fleeting moment, revealed an exceedingly cold and indifferent gaze.
Hokage? He wasn't interested.
Inside the Sealed Space.
Drip, drop. The familiar sound of dripping water echoed. Naruto opened his eyes to a dazzling, sci-fi-themed space, brimming with vibrant lights.
The sky above was a canvas of shimmering, multicolored starlight, interspersed with patterns of Pokemon and mecha.
Streams of light flowed across the walls, outlining a futuristic ambiance.
Seeing this, Naruto sighed and walked towards the iron gate.
Even from a distance, he could see a Charizard figure, as tall as an adult, standing beside the gate. The Charizard figure was posed with its head thrown back, roaring fiercely, exuding an impressive aura.
And to the left of the Charizard was a delicate, alluring fox spirit figurine, scantily clad, its eyes bewitching.
"Arceus… Hiss, the Creator God of Pokemon… I wonder how it compares to this old fox. If you want this old fox's acknowledgment, then use all your strength to defeat me!" The Nine-Tails' muttering voice drifted from behind the iron gate.
Naruto looked closer. The space within the gate was brightly lit and simply furnished with a bed, a desk, and a chair.
The Nine-Tails was currently perched on the chair, its legs tucked under it like a stereotypical shut-in, engrossed in operating the computer.
The bedspread behind it was adorned with Pokemon patterns.
The walls of its "room" were plastered with various game posters.
And the originally plain black computer tower had been transformed into a dazzling spectacle of flowing, multicolored lights that flashed incessantly, almost blinding Naruto.
In just one short year, the sealed space had undergone a drastic transformation.
During this year of interaction, Naruto and the Nine-Tails' relationship had also progressed significantly.
"Yo, Nine-Tails, how's it going lately?" Naruto sat down in front of the iron gate and greeted it.
"Hm? Oh, it's alright," the Nine-Tails replied distractedly, its eyes glued to the computer screen, hands flying across the keyboard and mouse.
This game-addicted demon fox really has no manners.
Watching the Nine-Tails' expressions fluctuate with the game, Naruto pondered how to initiate a conversation.
"How are the games treating you lately? Interested in any new titles?" After a moment's thought, he asked.
The Nine-Tails briefly tore its gaze away from the computer and glanced at Naruto.
"Spit it out. What's the trade?"
The Nine-Tails understood clearly that Naruto was a boy who appeared refined and polite on the surface but was, in reality, rational and pragmatic to a terrifying degree.
He wouldn't just offer pleasantries for no reason unless there was something he wanted from it.
"Talking to you really saves time." Sure enough, a smile spread across Naruto's face.
"I want to learn ninjutsu."
"Ninjutsu? I don't know any," the Nine-Tails refused him outright.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. I've consulted historical records and found that you first appeared about forty years ago and were suppressed by the First Hokage. Since then, you've been confined within this cage," Naruto said unhurriedly, his tone even.
At the mention of its past, a murderous glint flashed in the Nine-Tails' eyes.
The First Hokage was the shame of its entire existence.
Because of a single sentence—"You are too dangerous, so I must seal you"—the Nine-Tails had begun decades of lightless imprisonment.
"During these past few decades, you must have had several hosts. They, like me, would have had to learn ninjutsu from scratch. This means you likely remember the hand seals for certain ninjutsu, and I need those. As payment, I can download two new games for you." Naruto held up two fingers, his expression confident.
"Hmph, so what if I remember some ninjutsu hand seals?" The Nine-Tails snorted. "What jutsu do you want to learn?"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto said without hesitation.
He had learned about this kinjutsu through his conversations with Sasuke.
It allowed the user to create solid clones using chakra. The clones possessed consciousness independent of the original caster and a certain degree of durability. When dispersed, their memories and experiences would return to the original.
It was a ninjutsu perfectly tailored for training.
"That jutsu isn't simple. It'll cost you at least three new games…"
"Deal."
"Hiss… Why do I get the feeling I've been tricked?! Three seems way too few!" The Nine-Tails suddenly sensed something was off, its face contorting in anger.