"Hinata Hyūga's affection for you has reached 'Recognition.' You have obtained a pair of 'Winter Warm Gloves.' The girl you helped hopes her friend's hands will no longer be cold."
Hearing this voice, Naruto was momentarily stunned.
He reached into his pocket and found an extra pair of gloves inside. They were made of wool, very thick. As soon as he put them on, Naruto immediately felt his hands grow much warmer.
So this is my cheat?
Picking up the fish basket from the ground, Naruto studied his newly acquired cheat ability, feeling puzzled.
He had obtained a system called the "Recognition System." As long as someone's favorability towards him reached the "Recognition" level, he could randomly obtain an ability from that person. The higher the favorability, the better the ability he could extract.
And this was just the "Recognition" level. Higher levels included "Trust" and "Unswerving Loyalty."
Reaching a higher favorability level could even grant him the opponent's combat experience, ninjutsu, and even Kekkei Genkai.
His act of helping Hinata earlier had clearly won her favor, hence he received this pair of 'Winter Warm Gloves.'
"Asura's Chakra plus the Nine-Tails plug-in wasn't enough, so they sent me a new cheat?"
Even after activating his cheat ability, Naruto's expression didn't change much; he even found it somewhat amusing.
The method to activate the cheat was obviously very simple—he just needed to be recognized by others.
But until he met Hinata, no one else had truly recognized him. Not the old folks who were his parents' colleagues, nor the Third Hokage who visited him once a month.
None of them had ever acknowledged his existence.
What a bad joke.
...
Continuing his walk through the snow.
After returning home, Naruto closed the door securely, blocking out the wind and snow. He sat on the sofa and began to reflect on the day's experiences.
Today, he had successfully bought groceries, caught a large, arm-length fish from the river, and, while helping Hinata, unlocked a very useful golden finger.
Next, he only needed to follow the path of the "Child of Prophecy" to easily grow stronger and become the village's Seventh Hokage.
Thinking about it this way, everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
But why should he wear a hypocritical mask to become the Child of Prophecy, save the world, please those who were full of malice towards him, and earn their recognition?
Even without the golden finger, what he currently possessed was more than enough.
The Nine-Tails and the Uzumaki clan's physique—which of these wasn't a top-tier cheat? Once fully mastered, he would at least be at Kage-level, more than capable of living comfortably in this world.
After some thought, Naruto rubbed his growling stomach, got up, and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
Tonight's main course was naturally the big fish he had just caught. Since the villagers were unwilling to sell him good quality food, this was the best source of protein available to him.
After pan-frying the fish until golden on both sides, Naruto added boiling water and threw in some mushrooms and vegetables.
For the staple, Naruto chose the most convenient option: rice.
He wasn't the original Naruto. As a transmigrator, he couldn't rely on instant noodles to fill his stomach every day, or he'd suffer from severe malnutrition.
The 12-year-old Naruto in the original story, despite having Uzumaki blood, was always the shortest among his peers.
Half an hour later, Naruto climbed down from the stool, carefully brought the fish soup to the table, clasped his hands together, and prepared to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Naruto subconsciously frowned and slowly got up to answer it.
There was no one else outside—it was the Third Hokage, wearing his official robes, who also happened to be Naruto's legal guardian in the village.
The powerful Third Hokage put on no airs in front of Naruto, appearing as kind as an ordinary old man.
Unlike the other villagers, the Third Hokage was, after all, the Hokage, and he also controlled the purse strings for Naruto's living expenses.
Therefore, facing this "strongest Hokage in history," Naruto rarely showed a childish smile and said happily, "Grandpa Third Hokage, you finally have time to come see me."
"It's only been a few days since I last saw you. I managed to find some time to visit."
The Third Hokage smiled, then walked into the house, observing the room where Naruto lived.
He had come this time not only to bring Naruto his living expenses but also to assess his mental state.
After all, aside from being Minato and Kushina's posthumous child, Naruto was also the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, one of its most important future combat assets.
Therefore, for the sake of the Minato couple and the village, nothing must go wrong with Naruto.
After looking around, the Third Hokage smelled the fish soup and said with a smile, "It smells wonderful. Naruto, are you making fish soup? When did you learn this skill?"
"I just figured it out when I was bored. You'll learn if you try. Grandpa Third Hokage, would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Then I'd be happy to oblige."
The Third Hokage couldn't resist the temptation of the fish soup and also agreed in order to continue observing Naruto.
Sitting down, he continued to survey Naruto's room.
Naruto's room was very clean, the bedding was freshly washed without any stains or yellowing, and the kitchenware and daily necessities were neatly arranged.
This was already quite remarkable for an orphan with no one to discipline him.
The Third Hokage mentally noted that he was quite satisfied so far, but the villagers' complaints about Naruto gave him a bit of a headache.
Naruto seemed harmless in front of him, but he showed a different side to the villagers.
Soon, Naruto prepared a meal for the Third Hokage, and the two sat together at the dining table to eat.
The Third Hokage picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. The fish was tender and flavorful, with a rich mushroom aroma. He scooped up some milky-white fish soup, took a sip, and squinted his eyes contentedly.
A few minutes later, the Third Hokage was about seventy percent full. The only thing that slightly disappointed him was the lack of sake with the meal, and he had forgotten to bring his pipe.
The Third Hokage sighed sincerely, "Naruto, your cooking skills are comparable to those of an izakaya chef."
That's just being polite. You're actually freeloading a meal at an orphan's place... Naruto complained inwardly but said happily:
"Really? If you like it, eat more! It's not like anyone else ever comes to my house as a guest."
The Third Hokage nearly choked. Although Naruto was stating the truth, it felt like a slap in the face. However, since Naruto could eat such delicious fish soup, he must be living quite well.
It was just his personality that needed correcting.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage said earnestly, "Naruto, the villagers often complain to me, saying you're always playing pranks and disturbing their lives. That's not good."
Naruto sneered inwardly but said nonchalantly, "Grandpa Hokage, I'm just a child with no parents. They can treat me however they want. They're not like you, Grandpa Hokage."
The Third Hokage fell silent, unsure how to persuade Naruto.
Noticing the Third Hokage's expression, Naruto continued with more emphasis, "Besides, they're always calling me a 'demon fox' behind my back, wishing I'd die soon. It's not like I can actually kill myself."
"Demon fox?!"
A dangerous glint flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes. Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki was supposed to be a secret in the village. How could rumors about a demon fox be spreading?
What if Naruto, still so young, were to lose control?
Realizing Naruto was still beside him, the Third Hokage suppressed his killing intent and asked softly, "Naruto, who said you were a demon fox?"
Naruto seemed frightened, his tone weakening considerably: "Everyone says that. I'm used to it. Maybe I really am a demon fox. Otherwise, why was I born without parents? Why does everyone bully me? Why can't I find anyone to play with? Even now, I have no friends."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage frowned repeatedly and assured him, "Naruto, don't worry. No one will call you a demon fox from now on!"
"Then thank you, Grandpa Third Hokage." Naruto didn't seem to hold much hope.
At this point, the Third Hokage added, "Naruto, don't go out for now. I'll send you food and some children's books. You should stay home for the time being."
...
After eating and drinking, the Third Hokage left without delay.
As the village leader, the Third Hokage had many important matters to handle. If not for Naruto's status as a Jinchuriki, he wouldn't have taken time out of his busy schedule to visit.
Naruto stood by the window, watching the Third Hokage's retreating figure, and sneered inwardly.
He had read the original story and knew that the Third Hokage possessed the Telescope Technique and could monitor his life at any time.
He could express his dissatisfaction with the village and the villagers, but he could not show dissatisfaction with the Hokage because, from his current perspective, the Hokage had "never" wronged him.
He could trust Sarutobi Hiruzen as a father and a teacher, but he could not trust the Third Hokage.
Because to become a qualified politician, one must first lose oneself—and the same was true for the Hokage.