Chapter 007: Naruto: "I'm Defecting! Wanna Come Along?" (Please Support with Data!)
Thud!
Naruto planted the Sealed Scroll firmly on the ground, his declaration resounding.
Though his handling of the scroll was rough, the weight of his words was undeniable.
"Are you sure this is the Sealed Scroll?" Kitahara Kaede asked.
"Yeah!"
Naruto answered casually.
"And you stole it?"
"Yep!" Naruto said. "I thought it'd be dangerous, but there was no one guarding it!"
"..." Kaede.
[Descendants and Juniors (^_-) Chat Group]
[Minato Namikaze]: That doesn't sound right.
[Minato Namikaze]: The Sealed Scroll is an important resource safeguarded by every Hokage.
[Minato Namikaze]: It shouldn't be so easily stolen.
[Minato Namikaze]: And that blond kid... judging by how he climbed through the window and landed, his skills aren't great.
[Minato Namikaze]: Stealing the Sealed Scroll should be nearly impossible for him.
[Tobirama Senju]: So after all these years, has Hiruzen stopped valuing the Sealed Scroll?
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Hey, like I said, just destroy the Sealed Scroll.
[Tobirama Senju]: Destroy it? Brother, these are all the forbidden jutsu I carefully developed!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: But they're either too dangerous or too difficult to use. Only you can master them.
[Minato Namikaze]: Well, if that's the case, I can vouch for the Second Hokage.
[Minato Namikaze]: I learned the Second's Flying Thunder God Technique.
[Tobirama Senju]: Oh! Flying Thunder God! That's a good one.
[Tobirama Senju]: I'm quite skilled with that forbidden jutsu. I'd love to spar with you.
[Minato Namikaze]: That's... a little embarrassing.
[Tobirama Senju]: No need. It's just practice.
[Minato Namikaze]: But from what I know, the Third Hokage still respects the Second greatly, so he wouldn't let the Sealed Scroll fall into just anyone's hands.
[Minato Namikaze]: The forbidden jutsu in it are hard to master, but if they were leaked... it'd be a huge threat.
[Minato Namikaze]: So the Third Hokage wouldn't let the Sealed Scroll be taken so easily.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Hmm... So I still think it's better to destroy it early.
[Tobirama Senju]: Aniki!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Alright, alright. Back then, I let you write down these forbidden jutsu without saying to destroy them, hoping future generations wouldn't need to use them.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Sigh... Is this really the Konoha of decades later? Has my ideal... truly been destroyed?
Hashirama suddenly became very downcast.
[Minato Namikaze]: Um... Second Hokage.
[Tobirama Senju]: Don't mind him. He's too naive, and it's caused a lot of trouble for later generations.
At that moment, Tobirama and Minato heard Kaede's voice from the live feed.
"Naruto, you might have been tricked," Kaede said.
"The Sealed Scroll is the Second Hokage's research work."
"It's filled with all kinds of uniquely powerful forbidden jutsu."
"If any of them were leaked to other villages, it'd be disastrous."
"So right now, it's probably the Third Hokage letting you steal it on purpose."
"Of course I know that!" Naruto said. "Because I'm just a kid, and I failed today's practical exam."
"Then Mizuki-sensei came to comfort me, telling me there's still hope—if I steal the Sealed Scroll, I can retake the exam."
"But... my first thought was that Mizuki-sensei was up to something."
"Because..." Naruto said. "No one except you, Ichiraku's owner, the Third Grandpa, and Iruka-sensei has ever paid attention to me."
"Everyone else hates me, despises me."
"So when Mizuki-sensei told me stealing the Sealed Scroll would let me pass, I knew he was lying."
"But I tested it out, and somehow I actually stole it."
"So, this is the Sealed Scroll..."
"Before the Third Grandpa catches up and that idiot Mizuki realizes, why don't we defect to another village together?" Naruto loudly conspired.
"..."
[Descendants and Juniors (^_-) Chat Group]
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: This blond kid seems kind of pitiful.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: From what he's saying, his life has been really tough.
[Minato Namikaze]: Yeah, so when someone shows him kindness, he immediately suspects them.
[Minato Namikaze]: That's definitely something he learned later.
[Minato Namikaze]: Hmm... And his name is Naruto too.
[Tobirama Senju]: What? Does that name mean something to you?
[Minato Namikaze]: Well, how do I put this... I died sealing the Nine-Tails, but at the time, I had a newborn son, and I named him Naruto.
[Tobirama Senju]: You're sure it's Naruto?
[Minato Namikaze]: Uh... Second Hokage, you're not suspecting this kid is my son, are you?
[Minato Namikaze]: Well, I did name my son Naruto, but it was inspired by the protagonist of Jiraiya-sensei's bestselling book.
[Tobirama Senju]: Oh. Then never mind.
Tobirama's tone sounded very relaxed.
[Tobirama Senju]: Since you're the Fourth Hokage, your son would definitely be well-trained by Hiruzen.
[Tobirama Senju]: I'm very confident about that.
[Minato Namikaze]: Yeah... I entrusted him to the Third Hokage back then.
[Minato Namikaze]: I don't know how Naruto is doing now, but seeing this Naruto, I feel for the kid.
[Tobirama Senju]: Fourth, you're projecting.
[Tobirama Senju]: Hiruzen made the right choice with you. You're a kind person too.
[Minato Namikaze]: Thank you for the praise, Second Hokage.
[Tobirama Senju]: But having a rough life and then trying to defect with the Sealed Scroll? This Naruto really isn't cut out for it.
[Tobirama Senju]: I think Hiruzen let him steal it so easily because it's part of a plan.
[Tobirama Senju]: One part is to catch that Mizuki guy, and the other is probably to teach this Naruto a lesson.
[Tobirama Senju]: As I thought, I wasn't wrong about Hiruzen. He's really taken his duty of guiding the next generation seriously.
[Minato Namikaze]: Yeah.
[Beep!]
[Kakashi Hatake has come online]
After much hesitation, Kakashi, who had regained consciousness in the hospital and thanked Iruka, decided he had to tell them the truth.
But as soon as he logged in... he saw the Second Hokage and Minato-sensei's conversation.
"..."
Kakashi suddenly found it hard to speak.
The system unexpectedly notified the group that Kakashi had come back online.
But no one noticed, because everyone was stunned by Kaede's next words.
"Naruto, you're smart enough to see through it."
"But the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
"That idiot Mizuki is already here."
As he spoke, Kaede pushed Naruto behind him and stepped forward.
A dozen kunai shattered the window and shot toward them.
"Shinra Tensei!" Kaede raised his left hand.
At the same time, his ninja rabbit lifted its head.
Chapter 008: Kakashi Shocked! The Fourth Hokage Encourages Naruto to Defect Online!
"Shinra Tensei!"
A black sphere of condensed chakra seemed to envelop Kitahara Kaede.
But in the next second, when he raised his hand, both the kunai thrown by Mizuki-sensei and Mizuki himself charging forward were all sent flying away.
From Mizuki's perspective, Naruto was the Nine-Tails jinchuriki but had no combat ability.
As for Kaede... he was just a genin.
While Mizuki was a proper chunin who had passed the chunin exams.
So... this shouldn't be a problem—
"AHHH—!"
Mizuki had charged in holding a kunai, but when sent flying, he could no longer hold onto it.
The kunai left his grasp instantly.
His body and the kunai were sent flying toward the distant Hokage Rock.
It was like being instantly repelled.
The speed was so fast that no one could react.
*Thud thud—*
Mizuki's body was embedded into the rock, completely immobilized.
Since Kaede stood by the window, the people in the small chat group could see Mizuki's situation in the distance through his perspective.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: This skill is really good. Shinra Tensei? So cool!
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Is this the Rinnegan?
[Tobirama Senju]: It should be the Rinnegan's power. Just now, Kaede's eyes turned purple.
[Minato Namikaze]: The Rinnegan huh...
[Tobirama Senju]: Yeah...
[Tobirama Senju]: But even the rabbit that bit Kaede earlier showed a shocked expression.
[Tobirama Senju]: Did it not expect the Rinnegan to have this kind of manifestation?
Following Tobirama's words, everyone turned their attention to the rabbit.
The rabbit still sat on the table, but its movements were very human-like.
Its left paw propping up its cheek, its pure white eyes seeming confused.
...
"So strong!" Naruto's eyes widened. "Kaede, can you teach me?"
"I want to get stronger too!" Naruto said.
"You can do it too," Kaede said. "Normally you just need to get along well with Sasuke."
The formation of Rinnegan requires Mangekyo - Asura's chakra.
Sasuke and Naruto perfectly matched this condition.
So together, they could actually create the Rinnegan.
"What... I don't want to deal with that guy," Naruto shook his head like a rattle drum.
At this stage, Naruto still couldn't stand Sasuke.
He looked indignant.
"But he's one of the few who doesn't care about your identity, right?" Kaede pointed out.
"..." Naruto. "Yeah."
"That guy is arrogant, but he's different from ordinary students."
"He never chased me away."
[Descendants and Juniors (^_-) Group]
[Minato Namikaze]: Ah... this Naruto seems really pitiful.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: What exactly did he do to make the whole village dislike him?
[Tobirama Senju]: But didn't Hiruzen set up this test for him?
[Tobirama Senju]: Hiruzen was willing to use the Sealed Scroll as part of the test, showing he still cares about this Naruto kid.
...
"So Naruto, are you sure you've thought this through?" Kaede said. "Are you sure you want to defect?"
"Being a missing-nin isn't as simple as you think."
"Once you leave this village, everyone from here will attack you on sight."
"Your name will be listed in the black market, then some strange people will come after you."
"If you defect to the Rain Village, it might be even worse."
"They specifically want to capture you."
"Eh..." Naruto dragged out his tone.
"So defecting from the village is dangerous?"
"Even possibly die!?"
So he hadn't thought this through at all...
"..." Kaede was speechless.
He thought Naruto had suddenly awakened.
Kaede wanted a peaceful life, but regarding Naruto, he actually hoped Naruto would defect.
But now it seemed Naruto didn't even understand what defecting meant.
Moreover.
Naruto had Asura's chakra inside him. What was Asura?
A saintly character.
So Naruto couldn't escape that saintly mindset.
Like this.
"Then have you forgotten your own motto?" Kaede said.
"Of course not!" Naruto said. "Perseverance, moving forward bravely!"
"I must become a Hokage that surpasses all previous Hokages, and gain the recognition of everyone who looked down on me!"
"The more they look down on me, the more I'll become a ninja, then Hokage! Stand at their summit!"
Naruto's actions seemed very inspiring.
[Minato Namikaze]: This Naruto is such a good kid.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Yeah, from his words we can tell his treatment in the village isn't good.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: But his inner thoughts are to make those who treated him badly recognize him.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: This kind of motivation...
[Tobirama Senju]: It should be the Will of Fire I had Hiruzen nurture.
[Tobirama Senju]: It seems Hiruzen truly passed down the Will of Fire.
"Then go return the Sealed Scroll to the Third Hokage," Kaede said.
"It was all Mizuki's deception."
"And then..."
"Come back after returning it."
"Just now when observing you, I noticed your chakra system has some issues, I'll fix them for you." Kaede said.
After hastily using the Rinnegan's Shinra Tensei to repel Mizuki, his 360-degree vision noticed the abnormalities in Naruto's chakra system.
"So I can use ninjutsu normally?" Naruto was overjoyed.
His failure in the ninja exam was precisely because... he couldn't use ninjutsu properly. No matter how much he trained.
"Pretty much," Kaede said.
"Got it!" Naruto immediately carried the Sealed Scroll and jumped out the window.
"..." Kaede.
Watching Naruto's retreating figure, Kaede shook his head.
Muttering,
"As expected of Naruto, still so saintly."
"Infuriating how he won't change."
Then he opened his notebook and wrote a line:
[No hope]
[Descendants and Juniors (^_-) Chat Group]
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Eh... why does Kaede think this Naruto kid is hopeless?
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Didn't Naruto perform well?
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Despite being mistreated, he still maintains a positive attitude.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Isn't that good?
[Tobirama Senju]: Brother, you and this Naruto are somewhat similar.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Eh??
[Tobirama Senju]: That's the feeling I get.
[Tobirama Senju]: Let me think why Kaede would give Naruto this evaluation.
[Tobirama Senju]: It's probably because Naruto, like you, are the type to treat others like first loves no matter how they treat you.
[Tobirama Senju]: Although Naruto is from Konoha, this behavior is actually kind of stupid.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Eh...
[Tobirama Senju]: If it were me, I'd just leave, screw you guys. You look down on me and I still have to fawn over you???
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Eh!??
[Minato Namikaze]: Indeed, although Naruto's actions seem very uplifting.
[Minato Namikaze]: But putting myself in his shoes, if I was constantly looked down on, even mistreated, and driven away...
[Minato Namikaze]: I think this is unreasonable.
[Minato Namikaze]: I sympathize with this kid's situation. So if the Second Hokage says leaving the village is the right choice, I think Naruto should leave too.
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...
[Minato Namikaze]: Ah, Kakashi you're here.
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...
Kakashi's spirit form wiped sweat from his brow.
Because... Minato-sensei was currently persuading his own son to defect online.
Chapter 009: Wait, Naruto Is My Son? Minato Is Shocked! (Please Support with Data!)
Meanwhile...
Thud thud thud...
A human-shaped object came crashing toward the Hokage Rock.
Some ANBU noticed this situation.
The Hokage office building was right below the Hokage Rock, so for a moment they thought it was an enemy attack.
But then they saw Mizuki plastered onto the Third Hokage's face on the rock.
As for Minato himself... his condition was unknown.
"Lord Third!"
"Mizuki was sent flying onto the Hokage Rock!"
The ANBU quickly reported.
"What?"
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up.
"Confirm it's Mizuki? Mizuki was sent flying!"
Hiruzen immediately rushed to the large floor-to-ceiling window.
"Could Naruto have learned a forbidden jutsu... no, the Sealed Scroll doesn't have any jutsu that can send someone flying that far."
"Or did something happen?"
"What happened?" At this time, the two Konoha elders Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sitting on the sofa stood up.
The three of them were doing something very important today.
That was setting up a test for Naruto.
Hiruzen learned that Mizuki wanted to betray the village, and also discovered Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the Sealed Scroll.
Finally Hiruzen decided to use this to test Naruto.
Naruto was the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, extremely important to the village.
So they had to ensure Naruto's loyalty, that he would never harm the village.
Naruto had been taught the Will of Fire by the Third since childhood, so Hiruzen estimated Naruto was reliable.
But he also had to convince others.
So his plan was to use Mizuki's scheme, let Naruto steal the Sealed Scroll, then have Iruka step in.
Iruka was a child who lost his parents during the Nine-Tails attack, but he was strong.
And Hiruzen noticed Iruka treated Naruto well.
So...
Perhaps Iruka could influence Naruto, helping him officially become a proper ninja.
Naruto's treatment in the village was poor, the villagers ostracized him, but if Naruto knew someone still believed in him...
Then...
Naruto's years of pent-up frustration could all turn into motivation.
And then...
Uzumaki Naruto could officially debut.
But...
Something went wrong halfway.
Iruka had to take Kakashi to the hospital, so he couldn't meet Naruto as planned.
But Naruto... directly went to steal the Sealed Scroll.
So this threw Hiruzen into confusion.
As for Mizuki, they just needed people to intercept him at the village gates.
Konoha only had one entrance and exit - the village gates.
So guarding that would suffice.
"Mizuki was beaten up..."
"But Naruto isn't here..."
"Then..." Koharu said. "Will Naruto defect?"
"...He shouldn't," Hiruzen said firmly.
"Even if Iruka isn't there, he wouldn't, after all you know his identity."
"Yes..." Koharu nodded.
Naruto was the child of the Fourth Hokage.
His blood carried Konoha's goodwill.
Clearly they didn't know Minato was currently persuading Naruto to defect online.
And at this moment.
"Bam!"
"Lord Third, Uzumaki Naruto... is approaching the Hokage building carrying the Sealed Scroll!" an ANBU reported.
"Phew..."
Hiruzen sighed in relief at this report.
Koharu and Homura also relaxed.
This proved Hiruzen's strategy was correct.
Naruto truly was a good child with Konoha's goodwill in his blood.
...
Kaede's small house.
Watching Naruto leave, Kaede turned to his little white rabbit.
Equipping the Rinnegan didn't just give him the pinnacle of ocular jutsu.
And... even his body's control abilities had become abnormally powerful.
Was this a transmigrator's benefit?
Or was it from being bitten by his rabbit?
The ninja rabbit was also looking at him.
But it seemed deep in thought.
Kaede's rabbit didn't speak or make sounds, like it was mute.
But was it really unable to speak?
"It seems we really need to have a good talk," Kaede said.
This time he reached out, and the rabbit's figure shifted.
But unlike before, its speed now left traces in his vision.
He could catch it.
His right hand extended.
His fingertips felt the rabbit's soft fur.
But.
*Poof!*
The rabbit appeared behind him.
"..."
The rabbit was even faster now.
It appeared behind Kaede, then gently smoothed the fur where he had touched it.
"I get stronger and you get stronger too?"
"Interesting."
Kaede said.
Though he said that, he knew - the rabbit was fast, but within the Rinnegan's vision, he could still catch it.
But he didn't.
"Forget it," Kaede said. "I won't interrogate you further."
"Let's leave it at this for now."
As he said this, the rabbit's highly focused mind seemed to relax slightly.
[Descendants and Juniors (^_-) Group]
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Why didn't Kaede keep questioning?
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: His Sharingan and Rinnegan changes are too closely related to that rabbit.
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: Also, the rabbit's eyes... are Byakugan. This rabbit is clearly abnormal.
[Minato Namikaze]: First Hokage, I actually disagree.
[Minato Namikaze]: Since the rabbit doesn't want to be touched or communicate, but it can grant abilities.
[Minato Namikaze]: Then why force it?
[Tobirama Senju]: So take it slow, don't kill the goose that lays golden eggs.
[Minato Namikaze]: That's right, Second Hokage.
[Minato Namikaze]: Hmm... both our little group and this rabbit are quite mysterious.
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...
[Minato Namikaze]: Kakashi, say something.
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...
[Tobirama Senju]: What's with this guy? Minato, Kakashi is your student right?
[Minato Namikaze]: Yeah.
[Minato Namikaze]: So Kakashi, what do you mean? Say something.
[Kakashi Hatake]: ...Can't say it.
[Minato Namikaze]: ...
Minato knew Kakashi well. So... his guess might be correct?
Was Kakashi silent out of... guilt?
*Bam!*
At this moment, another figure crashed through Kaede's window.
It was the blond Uzumaki Naruto.
"Kaede, I'm back!"
"Hurry hurry!"
"I want to use ninjutsu!"
As he spoke, Naruto started pulling off his clothes.
"..." Kaede.
Naruto returned surprisingly fast.
But it made sense.
After all... Naruto's mind only had a few things: work hard to become a ninja, then Hokage, and gain everyone's recognition.
So.
Even though he kept working hard, he never got any feedback, it was driving him crazy.
Now that he finally saw hope, of course he was impatient.
"Wait a second."
"You're not a girl, no need to take off clothes," Kaede stopped him. "We're not doing anything weird."
At this moment.
[Kakashi Hatake]: I really can't hide it anymore.
[Kakashi Hatake]: I'm very sorry, Minato-sensei.
[Kakashi Hatake]: Actually this Naruto... is your son. Uzumaki Naruto.
[Kakashi Hatake]: I only found out today.
[Kakashi Hatake]: And the Third Hokage assigned me as Naruto's jonin instructor.
[Everyone]: ...
[Minato Namikaze]: Huh?
[Tobirama Senju]: Eh!?
[Big Dumb Hashirama]: ????