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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Unfilial Son

Chapter 4: Unfilial Son

Creak—the apartment door opened from the outside.

The dim yellow light from the corridor sliced into the entryway like a blade. Naruto's shadow stretched long, cast across the shoe cabinet, twisted and grotesque like some kind of monster.

He lowered his head to change shoes and switched on the light.

Naruto stood on the balcony, letting the wind blow across his face. Behind him, a cup of instant noodles on the small table released a trail of steam. He had originally planned to buy some vegetables, but it was too late, and he had been kicked out with disgust.

Maybe if there had been more people, or if he'd gone earlier, that shopkeeper wouldn't have looked so sour.

He wasn't sure if Anbu were still watching him now, or whether what he had said earlier that day had already reached the Third Hokage's ears.

After all, a Jinchūriki was the village's strongest weapon. If his attitude toward the village shifted, terrifying consequences might follow.

But Naruto didn't care. He wasn't thinking of revenge. He didn't even harbor any particularly dark thoughts—he just wanted to lie flat.

Lying flat was cool, wasn't it? He had a system backing him, he was the reincarnation of Asura. If the system's power surpassed even the Nine Tails, maybe even eclipsed everything in this world, then why not take the easy road?

To gain everyone's acknowledgment, to strive desperately to become Hokage just to protect those who had discriminated against and bullied him—all for their approval?

How ridiculous. People live to show their own worth, not to derive value from others.

To walk down the street under hostile stares, to be sensitive and self-conscious, to feel guilty and dejected—this was the behavior of a people-pleaser, someone desperate for acceptance.

But Naruto was no longer the old Naruto. He knew now that being endlessly "nice" only earned contempt. There was no need for others' recognition. He had to learn to make peace with himself.

He wasn't wrong. His father and mother had been kind people, protecting the entire village.

His birth was not a mistake. He was born so the village would not fall to enemy invasion. In a sense, he was the reincarnation of a god, the heir to a hero's bloodline.

So Naruto compromised—not with them, but with himself. He no longer chased after the Hokage's footsteps. When the villagers isolated him, he no longer searched for fault in himself.

The ones in the wrong were them—those who wanted to benefit from the Nine Tails without paying the price. They called it "protection," but it was really just manipulation.

Hokage was never Naruto's dream. It was Sarutobi Hiruzen's dream, the ambition of the upper echelons. They wanted Naruto to be like the Fourth Hokage, to dedicate himself to the village.

The summer night's moonlight was gentle, blanketing Konoha. The night breeze brushed past the balcony, lifting Naruto's bangs. His gaze gradually cleared.

He didn't want to be Hokage. He didn't want acknowledgment. He just wanted to live happily, grow stronger, live freely, and enjoy his fleeting hundred years of life.

No more chasing fame or profit—he had made peace with himself.

The noodles had gone a little cold, but Naruto ate them without expression. After washing up, he lay on the bed and slowly closed his eyes.

The next day.

At the Ninja Academy, Naruto sat pale-faced in the back row, yawning. The instant noodles from last night had been expired, and he'd made eight trips to the bathroom during the night.

No one caused him trouble today, but when he entered the classroom, he still felt the sweep of disgusted gazes.

On the podium, Instructor Iruka put away his lesson plan, cleared his throat, and said:

"Tomorrow is the graduation exam. The morning will be a transformation technique review test. In the afternoon, outdoor lessons—a review of practical combat."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the classroom erupted in chatter. The boys and girls whispered to one another—some excited, some anxious.

"Transformation technique, huh? I'm good at that. Do you think we'll draw transformation for the graduation exam tomorrow?"

"Not sure. The exam picks one of the three basic techniques at random. Probability-wise… hehe, about one-third."

"First place will definitely be Sasuke again. He's top in every subject."

"And dead last will definitely be that guy! Hahaha!"

"Totally. He just seems so dumb. Always doing annoying stuff! I heard he's already been held back two years. Probably won't graduate this year either."

"Even if he did, someone like him could never become a ninja."

"Someone like that—a failure wherever he goes. Honestly, such a pathetic, miserable life. If I were him, I'd rather just die. No way I'd have the face to keep living."

Iruka heard some of the whispers too, his face darkening. But there was little he could do. He just rapped the desk to quiet the class.

"Everyone, outside! Line up—one at a time!"

In the dull monotony of lining up, Naruto yawned again. Shikamaru noticed and asked curiously:

"Where'd you go last night?"

"Expired instant noodles. Got food poisoning," Naruto replied.

"You, seriously… can't you just cook something yourself?" Shikamaru gave him a look. "At our age, we should at least be able to make simple meals."

"Don't act like what's easy for you is easy for everyone, you bastard!" Naruto bumped Shikamaru's shoulder. "At least the instant noodle guy doesn't give me dirty looks."

"Shopping for groceries all the time? Way too much hassle when everyone's staring at you."

At those words, Shikamaru paused. Suddenly, he realized just how many cold stares Naruto faced in his daily life. What seemed trivial to him might not be so simple for Naruto.

"Sorry, Naruto."

"What the hell… apologizing for no reason?" Naruto gave him a sidelong glance, then shifted his gaze to the pink-haired girl currently being tested.

Sakura Haruno—she was even cuter in real life than in the manga. No wonder Naruto liked her so much.

Crunch crunch. The sound of potato chips breaking echoed. Chōji, standing behind Shikamaru, glanced between him and Naruto, taking in the little scene that had just played out.

Ino, the blonde standing one spot ahead of Naruto, turned to look for Sasuke. Just then, she caught sight of Naruto's glance at Sakura Haruno. A mischievous grin curled at her lips.

"Naruto, what are you looking at?"

Naruto turned his head to find Ino wearing an impish, gossipy smile.

"Sasuke doesn't like women."

"What?" Ino's face froze. Her eyes widened—her heart took a critical hit!

"Damn it! What did you just say?"

"Hey! Ino, calm down!"

"Let go of me, Ino! You'll kill him!" Chōji abandoned his chips to rush forward and stop her.

"Let me go! I'm gonna bite that bastard to death! Damn it!" Ino raged, thrashing as Chōji held her back, determined to pound the loudmouthed Naruto.

Shikamaru hurried to separate them, and just then, Iruka's furious voice rang out from inside the classroom:

"Quiet out there!"

"Next! Uchiha Sasuke!"

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