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"Tch, it's just switching to different people to train combat skills and awareness. What's so special about that? Calling it 'special training'? It's just two prisoners, a little more vicious, a little more…"
At the start of the fight, Naruto couldn't help but complain. He felt that Sasuke's so-called "special training" was nothing impressive.
It was just replacing the usual training partners with two extremely violent criminals.
Were these prisoners really more experienced than the academy instructors?
So Naruto couldn't resist mocking it.
But as he kept talking, his stream of complaints gradually died down.
Because he realized that these two prisoners weren't just aggressive and ruthless—their attacks weren't like the controlled, restrained strikes used in training.
Every move was lethal, aimed at crippling or outright killing Sasuke.
What happened next was something Kakashi had already anticipated, but for Naruto, the scene was far more shocking than he expected.
The two prisoners died. Sasuke was badly injured.
And he had killed people.
What the hell kind of "special training" was this?
This was straight-up murder!
Naruto, who had been dismissive just moments ago, now felt his head buzzing.
He couldn't fathom how Sasuke had faced two vicious criminals under such disadvantageous conditions and still killed them.
When Sasuke sacrificed one of his arms just to take down one of the prisoners, Naruto was deeply shaken.
"This is outright killing! Why would the village allow something like this?"
After a long silence, Naruto nearly jumped up, pointing at the screen and shouting.
Kakashi, standing beside him, replied calmly:
"This is part of being a shinobi. Growth as a ninja doesn't come smoothly—it's built on the corpses and blood of enemies. Those who died were criminals who committed grave offenses and were sentenced to execution by the village."
"But… still, this is too much!"
Naruto clutched his head, his emotions tangled in conflict.
"This is what Sasuke needs to go through right now. He'll gain invaluable experience from it. Compared to you, he's just facing the realities of being a shinobi earlier than most. Now tell me—do you still want to undergo the same 'special training' as Sasuke?"
Naruto didn't seem to hear Kakashi's words. He stood frozen, staring blankly at the paused screen like a wooden puppet, completely motionless.
Seeing this, Kakashi didn't push further and simply waited in silence.
After a long while, Naruto still hadn't snapped out of it. Kakashi decided he should take him to the Kazuki's office.
If this left any psychological scars on Naruto, it could become a serious problem.
Quickly shutting off the monitor, Kakashi grabbed Naruto and hurried toward the Kazuki's office.
---
Kazuki's office.
"What's wrong with him? Did he get scared stupid?"
As Kakashi brought Naruto inside, Kazuki studied the dazed boy and chuckled:
"So the guy who's always boasting about becoming Hokage has such weak mental resilience? Maybe you should stop obsessing over Sasuke and focus on catching up with your basic studies instead. It's embarrassing for a shinobi to have so many gaps in their knowledge. And unfortunately, Naruto, you're lacking in every aspect."
"Shut up! I wasn't scared at all!!"
Being insulted so thoroughly, Naruto finally snapped.
Clenching his fists, he bared his teeth at Kazuki like an enraged animal.
"If you weren't scared, then what's with that expression? What do you think shinobi do? Watching Sasuke execute two criminals and get injured in battle was enough to shock you this much?"
Kazuki leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk with an air of indifference. He waved a hand dismissively, his face full of disdain.
"Just go home and rest. Maybe the shinobi path isn't for you. Honestly, aside from being a troublemaker, you're completely worthless in my eyes. No redeeming qualities at all."
Was that too harsh?
Kakashi's expression tightened. He wanted to defend Naruto, but he couldn't bring himself to speak up—not when doing so would only make things worse.
"Aside from being a troublemaker, I'm completely worthless?"
Kazuki's words hit Naruto like a hammer to the chest, leaving his mind blank. He stood frozen in the office, completely stunned.
"A shinobi's life is filled with bloodshed, schemes, and darkness. These are unavoidable parts of growth. This profession is far from the glorious, noble ideal you imagine. Kakashi, take him back. And when you get to the academy, inform the teachers that from today onward, they no longer need to discipline Naruto. Whether he studies or not, whether his grades improve or stay abysmal—just let him coast along with the other students for the next two years until graduation. After all, that's the outcome the Third Hokage always wanted."
You like playing around?
Then play all you want.
You like causing trouble?
No one will stop you anymore!
Do whatever you want. Act out however you please.
After all, your father was the Fourth Hokage. You're the village's Jinchūriki. No one dares to truly punish you.
So go wild.
Again and again, Kazuki had grown tired of trying to guide and educate this stubborn brat.
If he refused to change after so many chances, then fine—let him return to his "happy education."
Plenty of people in the village wanted him to stay carefree forever anyway.
Can't learn ninjutsu?
Must be the Nine-Tails' chakra interfering—no big deal.
Like causing trouble?
Kids go through phases, but there's a limit.
In the past, Naruto acted out because he craved attention and love. But ever since Jiraiya returned, those needs had been met.
So where was his growth?
Years later, he still couldn't even read half the words in his textbooks.
Was that a lack of talent—or sheer laziness?
And constantly barging into the Hokage's office to throw tantrums—did he think this place belonged to him?
Just because his father was a Hokage who served the village with honor, did that mean no one else's contributions mattered?
As the Jinchūriki, was he really so privileged that he could do whatever he pleased?
"Take him away."
Kazuki gave Kakashi a look, signaling him to remove Naruto.
"Yes."
Kakashi sighed, picking up the still-unresponsive Naruto and quickly leaving.
He could tell—Kazuki's patience had run out.
After Kakashi left, Tsunade and Shizune entered the office.
Tsunade hesitated before speaking: "Won't this crush the boy's spirit?"
"That's Jiraiya's problem now. Send word for him to return immediately—no more tracking Akatsuki or gathering intel. He needs to take care of Naruto. That kid's been pushing his luck more and more."
Kazuki rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"I'm starting to think his real issue is just a terrible attitude toward learning."