The sky was black, and the world was black.
"Naruto, the orphanage has closed down, and you'll be living on your own from now on."
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't wearing the Hokage hat, but just a white robe, and gently touched Naruto's golden hair.
Three-year-old Naruto didn't quite understand what this meant. He only knew that his friends at the orphanage had recently disappeared, and now his grandpa director was also leaving him.
"No, no, I don't want to leave Grandpa Dean."
A thin mist welled up in Naruto's blue eyes, as if tears were about to fall.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young Naruto in front of him, it was as if he could see the figure of that man through him.
"Watergate..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured softly, but quickly came to his senses and picked up little Naruto.
"Little Naruto, you need to learn to live independently, that's what makes a real man."
"Just like the Will of Fire, every new leaf must leave the protection of the mature leaves and face the wind and rain alone in order to grow up."
Familiar words came out of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth; these were the words he often used to fool Naruto.
This will help Naruto become obedient and also help him establish correct values.
Naruto stopped himself from crying, turned his head away, and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve.
"But... I can't bear to part with Grandpa Dean."
The sincere and pure reluctance and attachment in those blue eyes stirred something within the Third Generation.
However, he hardened his heart. As someone who came from the war years, he believed that children must have the ability to survive on their own and be resilient enough.
This is especially true for Jinchūriki (human spirits).
"It's okay, Naruto. Grandpa Dean will come to see you regularly from now on and will bring you a monthly allowance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked, his wrinkles crinkling together as he smiled like a chrysanthemum.
Naruto could only grunt in response, then hugged the Third Hokage's leg.
Wow, how come Naruto is so strong?
The Third Hokage's legs were a little sore from Naruto's hug, but after all, he was the strongest Hokage in history. How could he possibly cry out because a three-year-old child was hugging his legs?
But this is probably inherited from Kushina.
A figure with fiery red hair flashed through the Third Generation's mind.
However, if Kushina knew about the choice I've made, she might just break my back.
The Third Hokage chuckled self-deprecatingly, then picked up little Naruto.
"Little Naruto, you'd better live a good life from now on."
After putting Naruto down, the Third Hokage clapped his hands, and an Anbu member with long purple hair, wearing a white mask with a red mark on it jumped out.
"Sandaime-sama."
She straightened up, bowed her head, and awaited the decree of the third generation.
"Mao, you can take Naruto to that apartment."
The Third Hokage pushed Naruto in front of the Anbu member, indicating that she should take little Naruto to the apartment the village had arranged for him.
"yes!"
The ANBU nodded, then led the timid Naruto away from the orphanage.
As the Third Hokage watched Naruto's departing figure, he seemed to see the golden flash of the past in his silhouette, and the slight pain in his calf reminded him of that figure with long red hair.
Oh, Naruto, grow up quickly! Konoha needs you new leaves.
It is now Konoha Year 51, three years have passed since the Nine-Tails' attack, but in fact only about three years have passed since the end of the Third Shinobi World War.
With the departure of Eternal Sister and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki going out of control, other villages outside were eyeing Konoha with great hostility.
Moreover, his most prized disciples were in dire straits: Orochimaru defected after his human experiments, Tsunade left Konoha despondent after the deaths of her brother and lover, and Jiraiya was away searching for the Child of Prophecy and gathering materials.
Konoha no longer has many high-end combatants; it mainly relies on the combat power of the various ninja clans to keep going.
The Third Hokage sighed and turned to walk towards the Hokage Building.
Naruto, led by the Anbu, arrived at the apartment where he would live in the future.
After bringing Naruto here, Mao briefly explained how to use the things in the apartment and where to buy food before disappearing.
"Why did the Third Hokage make the young Jinchuriki live alone so early?"
Mao stood on a tree outside the apartment, watching Naruto open the refrigerator by himself, rummage through the food, and then just sit there, at a loss.
"Let's just focus on completing the mission."
Another member of the secret service said coldly.
Uzuki Yugao looked helplessly at Naruto, who was crying again, and felt terrible inside.
Looking at the empty room, Naruto felt a surge of sadness, but his chakra inexplicably began to appear within him.
However, he was in no mood to care about it at the moment and just stared blankly at the ceiling.
Why don't I have a mother?
Why don't I have a father?
Why doesn't Grandpa Dean want me anymore?
Strands of crimson chakra slowly flowed out from the sealed gate in a place unknown to anyone.
However, it was minimal and had little impact on Naruto.
"Hehehe, Yongdaimei, look at your child."
"I have already envisioned the wonderful future after I break the seal."
"Hehehe!"
Inside Naruto's sealed space, Kurama laughed arrogantly and freely.
It laughed at the foolish Yongdaimei for cutting herself in two and sealing herself inside her son's body.
Kushina never imagined that her child would have to live independently at the age of three.
How absurd! No wonder we're human.
Old man of the Six Paths, is this the human you said we should get along with?
Seeing that Naruto had recovered and that the path for its slowly seeping chakra out had been cut off, Kurama simply closed its eyes and waited for the next opportunity.
However, a figure sleeping in the Pure Land sensed a summons and slowly flew from the Pure Land toward Naruto's direction.