A month passed swiftly. Today was the day the Third Hokage would leave the village.
According to Shikamaru's report, the Hokage was heading to the Fire Daimyo to request funding for a new phase of Konoha's development.
That morning, the village gate was crowded with people sending him off, their faces lit with smiles.
"Naruto, are you here just to see Lord Hokage off too?"
Chōji leaned lazily against the wall, his hand busy stuffing snacks into his mouth as he spoke.
"Yes. I came here to see him off," Naruto answered calmly, his eyes fixed on the Hokage as he departed with his escort of ANBU, vanishing beyond the gates.
"Are we heading to the training grounds today?"
Shikamaru's voice came from behind.
"No." Naruto turned, his gaze as still as a deep lake, a faint smile curling his lips. "I have things to do at home."
Shikamaru froze. The depth of Naruto's eyes made his breath catch. He wanted to say something, but the words died in his throat. At last, he nodded stiffly.
Naruto glanced once more at the joyful crowd near the gate, then walked away in the opposite direction.
What was that look just now? Shikamaru's mind churned. He had seen that expression once before, in the photograph Hokage-sama had given him.
His curiosity was burning. Months of interaction had told him one thing: Naruto was always wrapped in mystery. From the very first day they met, both he and his father had agreed. They would report only the surface of their friendship, and at most include some cautious analysis of Naruto's personality.
But as Naruto's figure vanished from sight, Shikamaru felt a faint unease, like a whisper of danger brushing against his heart.
"Naruto, that shadow trailing you again… what are you going to do about him?"
Kurama's voice rumbled from the seal, its tone laced with irritation. Moonlight Hayate still followed, ever watchful.
"He is tasked with observing Uzumaki Naruto. It is his duty. His mission," Naruto replied, his tone composed. "Later, I will give him the Uzumaki Naruto he is looking for."
He walked on at an unhurried pace, utterly unmoved by his stalker. His calm eyes were locked on the path ahead, yet his sharpened senses traced every detail of the street around him.
The snow had stopped falling. Families strolled through the bustling avenues, parents guiding children, laughter filling the air.
Naruto's gaze shifted, then turned toward a quieter street.
"Heh, you cannot catch me!"
"Impossible! How did you jump up there?"
"Hah! Of course I can. Someday I will be the strongest shinobi, as great as Lord Hokage!"
Naruto followed the voices into a lonely street. In front of a small, nearly deserted shop, two children played at being ninja, their game loud and clumsy.
"I… I can climb too! I will be the greatest ninja!"
"Idiot, don't come up with me"
The shopkeeper stormed out, his face twisted in anger. "Brats! Get off my roof, wait! Watch out!"
Naruto's head snapped upward. The two children, no older than four, clung to each other on a narrow stone pillar jutting from the roof. Their legs shook. The shopkeeper's shout startled them.
One slipped, tumbling backward. The other lunged to catch him, but his hands grasped only air, and both plummeted. Their screams tore the air.
From that height, survival was unlikely.
Naruto vanished in a blur. In an instant, his hands seized their collars, halting their fall. He landed gently, lowering them to the ground as the shopkeeper gaped in disbelief.
The children burst into sobs, their faces wet with tears and snot.
"You did it, Naruto! They are safe!"
Minato's voice rang from the seal, overflowing with relief. He had not even spoken before Naruto acted. His son had moved without hesitation.
But Naruto's eyes darkened. He had noticed something. Hayate, trailing just behind, had not moved to help. He would have let them fall.
Parents came rushing. The children flung themselves into their arms, but still wailed louder, pointing at Naruto with trembling fingers.
The growing cries drew a crowd. The street clogged with villagers and onlookers.
"How could you let your children climb there?" the shopkeeper barked at the parents, then spun, pointing at Naruto. "If it weren't for him… him… the fox!"
His words faltered. His eyes widened as recognition dawned. He had seen Naruto's face.
And so did everyone else.
"It was the fox! He scared the children!"
"That's right, look how they point at him!"
"Disaster child! Look at those eyes, so terrifying!"
The mob erupted in curses. The parents held their children tighter. Even the shopkeeper, who had nearly spoken in Naruto's defense, remained silent.
"Father, are you still alright?" Naruto's voice drifted inward.
Minato closed his eyes, heavy with sorrow.
"You monster! What are you doing? Stop right there!"
"Stop, you're frightening us!"
The villagers blocked the street, glaring, voices sharp.
"Move aside." Naruto's voice cut cleanly through the noise, calm as steel.
The crowd froze. Then, as if compelled, they parted, leaving a wide path.
Naruto strode forward without hesitation. Hayate followed in silence.
"Naruto, you saved those children. They should not have turned on you like that," Minato said quietly. "Why didn't you explain yourself? It was only a misunderstanding. The people have suffered too. Their wounds are still raw."
Naruto appeared in the seal space, his eyes cold. "Are you saying their wounded hearts have no hope?"
"No, that is not what I mean. I only think that if the truth came out, they could see your kindness…"
"Impossible." Naruto's gaze cut like a blade. "Because if they saw it, they would expect me to always be kind."
He turned, his tone sharpened. "I saved those children because it was instinct. But more than that, I wanted to see if Moonlight Hayate would abandon his mission and break cover to save them. He did not."
Minato bowed his head. "I understand now."
Naruto stepped closer, raising a fist before his father. "The time has come. Show me again the secrets of the Flying Thunder God."
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