Uchiha Madara: Izuna!
Uchiha Izuna: Onii-chan~!
The mood shifts abruptly.
At that moment, a sudden message appears.
Shimura Danzō: "Heh. Hiruzen, I told you long ago—if you'd handed Naruto over to me, none of this would have happened. Who would've thought you'd still use such filthy methods against a child who understands nothing?"
Oh?
Trying to show off in front of the teacher now?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen is so furious his beard practically twists out of shape.
Ōnoki: "Shimura Danzō? How do you even have the nerve to say something like that?"
Fourth Raikage: "Tsk tsk tsk. Snakes and rats in the same nest. No wonder Konoha's fallen this far—even your own disciple can't help but try to kill you."
Orochimaru's attack on Konoha is already obvious—
after all, the "Fourth Kazekage" keeps popping up to remind everyone.
Mei Terumī: "It's normal for a Jinchūriki to be ostracized—human nature is like that. But for those in power to not only fail to stop it, and even deliberately incite conflict between villagers and the Jinchūriki… no wonder Konoha became what it is today."
Mei doesn't say more.
After all, Kirigakure only recently emerged from the Bloody Mist era.
In truth, among the Five Great Villages, none are truly innocent.
The difference is—
everyone else had their reasons.
Only Konoha didn't.
So much talent.
If it were in any other village, the result would be unimaginable.
After being wrecked like this for so long, Konoha still occupies the best strategic position in the shinobi world.
No wonder the other four villages envy it.
Senju Tobirama falls completely silent.
For the first time, he seriously doubts whether his past decisions were correct.
Especially after hearing, from Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage, about the ridiculous operations Konoha pulled after his death—
For a moment, Tobirama feels like crawling out of his grave.
Senju Hashirama: "Look—seems like the other big screen has something playing now."
Senju Tobirama: "Big brother, just… watch properly."
Tobirama thinks his brother is about to say something brainless again and instinctively tries to shut him up.
Unexpectedly—he's right.
So Tobirama quickly shifts everyone's attention.
Buzz—
High above.
After the gold-framed screen goes black,
the black-framed screen lights up and begins to play.
[An old apartment, top floor.]
[A Sarutobi-clan shinobi pushes open the door. A musty smell rushes out.]
["From today on, this is your home." He turns back, eyes filled with disgust.]
[At his feet stands a thin child, expressionless.]
[The thin child is Uzumaki Naruto.]
["This is your living allowance for the month. Use it up, then figure things out yourself."]
[He tosses down an envelope containing three thousand ryō and leaves immediately, clearly unwilling to stay a second longer.]
[Little Naruto silently picks up the envelope, then opens all the windows to air out the room.]
[Looking at the sparsely furnished apartment, he frowns slightly, sits on a chair, and seems to be thinking.]
Sakura Haruno: "Eh? Didn't we just see this scene?"
Ino Yamanaka: "Yeah, I remember. This was when Naruto was first sent out."
Shikamaru Nara: "No. This Naruto is different."
Right.
With Shikamaru's reminder, everyone notices—
This Naruto doesn't stand outside in a daze like before.
And he looks… thoughtful. Confused. Thinking.
As everyone wonders—
Black-frame Naruto moves.
[He opens the envelope and takes out the three thousand ryō.]
Seeing this again, Ōnoki mocks Hiruzen using Kushina's earlier words.
Hiruzen's eye twitches.
Is this comparison deliberately hammering the point home?
Orochimaru, however, is intrigued.
"Same Naruto… a comparison. Interesting. I wonder how this one will perform."
The new generation watches with intense curiosity.
What kind of Naruto is this world's version?
[Little Naruto spreads the money out.]
["Thirty days in a month… that's one hundred ryō a day."]
["That's not much… I remember things being expensive when I went out with them before."]
["I saw people fishing not long ago—behind the mountain. Fish can fill your stomach, and extras can be traded for other food… and cooking needs seasonings too."]
["..."]
The murmuring voice from the black-framed screen stuns everyone.
Sasuke Uchiha: "Hmph. This Naruto is different. Ours is basically an idiot."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Sasuke! You're the idiot!"
Still lying on the ground, Hyūga Neji subconsciously nods in agreement with Sasuke.
Not just him—
the other rookies silently agree as well.
"Even Sakura… damn it!" Naruto feels a surge of frustration.
Just because he talked a bit less—
why does everyone instantly decide he's worse than the other him?
"Naruto… my Naruto… sob…"
In the Pure Land, after venting her rage, Kushina regains some clarity.
Seeing this different Naruto, tears pour down uncontrollably.
"The reward quiz must be related to this world's Naruto!"
"And among the rewards… there's resurrection!"
"I have to get it!"
Kushina takes a deep breath and makes up her mind.
At this moment, this once-airheaded woman learns to think.
Her mindset changes.
The husband she trusted most suddenly feels… unfamiliar.
From beginning to end, he speaks only once—
and only after she forces him using Naruto.
Is he regretting it now?
No.
None of that matters anymore.
All Kushina can think about is how to return to the shinobi world—
and make things right for her child.
Seeing Naruto like that, she knows—
he's definitely not eating enough.
If this continues…
Even with Uzumaki vitality, he'll remain small and frail.
In other words—
malnourished.
And above all—
What Kushina wants most right now
is to rip Sarutobi Hiruzen's head off and kick it like a ball.
To hell with Konoha.
To hell with "the greater good."
To hell with the Will of Fire.
I am Uzumaki Kushina!
Then—something completely unexpected happens.
While black-frame Naruto is planning his future—
The scene abruptly changes.
A scene never shown on the gold-framed screen appears.
[Hokage Building — Hokage's Office.]
["Cl— Lord Hokage, I have delivered Uzumaki Naruto to the designated location."]
["I also warned him not to return to the clan compound, and reminded him of certain matters, as instructed."]
[Standing before the Hokage's desk is the same Sarutobi-clan shinobi from earlier.]
["Understood. You may leave." Sarutobi Hiruzen nods lightly and dismisses him.]
[The camera pulls back.]
[Inside the office, aside from Hiruzen, there are three others.]
[Hokage Aide Shimura Danzō, and the two advisors—Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.]
Konoha F4:We're screwed!!
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