Decide the path of your future in your mind.
Naruto suddenly felt hungry. He had just gotten up and hadn't eaten all morning.
He checked the refrigerator, searching for something to fill his stomach. But, like the original Naruto, there was nothing—only a carton of milk.
He picked it up, ready to drink it in one gulp, but then noticed the date.
Expired.
Naruto exhaled. Luckily, he remembered that the original Naruto often ate expired food; otherwise, drinking it in one go could have left him in serious trouble.
There was nothing else to eat in the room.Naruto grabbed his toad wallet, ready to go out and buy food. He put on his classic ninja outfit and stepped outside.
Walking through the streets of Konoha, he witnessed the prosperity of the strongest ninja village. It was early morning. Shops lined the streets: dumpling stands, barbecue restaurants, supermarkets, ninja tool shops… everywhere. Villagers walked proudly, showing their allegiance to Konoha.
But as soon as Naruto appeared, the atmosphere shifted.Smiles vanished. Light left their faces, replaced by suspicion and fear.
"The Demon Fox is out!""Stay away from that demon fox!""He killed my parents! Why doesn't he die?!""Demon Fox, murderer!"
Even children repeated warnings taught by their parents:"Don't play with that demon fox! It can eat people!"
Naruto felt the discrimination and insults as he walked. Every word, every glance reminded him of his childhood. He clenched his fists. How could anyone tolerate such injustice? His parents had sacrificed themselves for the village, yet their son was hated and abused.
And the worst part: the high-ranking officials of Konoha, led by the Third Hokage, knew exactly what was happening… and did nothing.
Yesterday, after being hit in the head with a stone, the Third Generation had decided to "show mercy" and not attack him.Naruto couldn't imagine someone protecting the very villagers who had tormented him for years.
Perhaps, he thought quietly, the original Naruto was manipulated by techniques like Kotoamatsukami, or simply subjected to long-term brainwashing. But now, he was different.
For the villagers who had bullied him, Naruto had become a threat they could not understand. He recalled a phrase he had seen online before crossing over: "I just like the way you're angry at me but can't do anything."
His arms were small, his power still limited… but his mind was awake. This time, he would not be a victim.
Finally, he arrived at the supermarket he remembered. He checked his wallet: eighty taels. In the original story, a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen cost sixty taels. That was barely enough to survive a month if he bought expired instant noodles at normal prices.
But today, as he entered, the shop owner recognized him immediately.
"Hey, demon fox. No expired noodles for you today. Get out!"
The owner tried to push him, but Naruto calmly said two words:
"Stupid."
And he walked away. He wouldn't give money to someone who intimidated him, even if he went hungry.
Pedestrians automatically stepped aside as he moved, and Naruto walked with his head down, surrounded by the crowd, like a lonely puppy.
But inside himself…
He was a beast trapped in the cage of Konoha.