Chapter 4
Hiruzen never expected that Danzō—his longtime rival—would actually speak up for him in this moment. After all these years, there was still some lingering bond between them. Orochimaru, though… that guy was just vile. Hiruzen had clearly meant "interrupt" in the normal sense, but Orochimaru had to twist it into something filthy just to get under his skin!
Hiruzen's hands trembled slightly. After hesitating again and again, he chose to endure. A shinobi must first learn to endure. As the leader of all shinobi—the Hokage—he had to endure even more. Besides, endurance had always been one of Hiruzen's greatest strengths.
Danzō let out a helpless sigh. Even in death, that old monkey Hiruzen was still so skilled at holding back…
The black-bordered screen kept playing.
[The Third clearly hadn't expected such a sharp comeback. His expression froze for a second.]["How am I supposed to continue my 'Will of Fire' lecture—I mean, guidance—now?"][After a brief pause, he spoke up.]"Alright, Naruto. How about a trade: I teach you ninjutsu, and you let me have one of those fish?"
[Naruto's face changed in an instant—like flipping a page.]"I've always respected my elders! Everyone in Konoha knows that. Grandpa, it's just one fish—how could I possibly be stingy?""Eat up quick, Grandpa! The sooner you finish, the sooner we get to ninjutsu!"
The chat room was left speechless by how smoothly this Naruto spoke and how effortlessly he switched attitudes. Even Naruto himself was stunned.
Uzumaki Naruto: "Wait… I had that kind of smooth talk?"
Uchiha Sasuke (mocking from across the way): "Idiot. That's not you—it's just some alternate-world version."
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head, squinting thoughtfully: "But if it's another world's me… isn't it still basically me?"
Sasuke was thrown off by the logic. He simply snorted and turned away, refusing to argue further.
[The Third accepted the skewer. He wasn't really there for the food—sharing a meal was the perfect way to build trust and closeness.][In the shinobi world, many important matters were settled over food. He knew this better than anyone.][The Third took a cautious first bite, expecting little. A child's grilling couldn't be anything special.][He planned to offer some casual praise, then dive straight into the Will of Fire philosophy.][But the instant the fish hit his tongue—]"This is… amazing!"
[He took another bite.][Then another.][And another. He couldn't stop himself.]
Orochimaru: Sensei, I told you to eat the fish—and you actually did?
Senju Tobirama: I have to call you out on this one, Monkey. Was the fish really that addictive?
Senju Hashirama: Come on, Tobirama—don't be so harsh. Madara's grilled fish was incredible too! Back in the day, whenever we skipped stones and he lost, he'd have to catch fish for me to eat!
Uchiha Madara: Shut it, Hashirama!
Senju Hashirama: ,,???,,
Namikaze Minato: Lord First… where are you getting those emotes from?
Senju Hashirama: No clue! They just show up on my panel. Don't you all have them?
Fourth Raikage: No…
Terumi Mei: No…
Ōnoki: No…
Uchiha Madara: ...
Madara glanced at his own chat interface. Sure enough, emotes appeared next to his name too. What was this supposed to mean? Why did only he and that fool Hashirama have them? Was it some kind of taunt? Damn it—Uchiha Madara will never bend!
["Hey! Don't forget to teach me ninjutsu once you're done!"] The voice from the screen drew attention back.
[The Third stared at the now-bare skewer. A faint "吳" character was carved into the stick—apparently the secret to the flavor.]["Ahem… got carried away. Forgot the real reason I came in the excitement."]
[He looked at Naruto, who was already on his feet, barely containing his eagerness.]"Naruto… I can't teach you ninjutsu right now."
[Naruto's face fell with visible disappointment.]"You're an adult and you're breaking your promise?"
[The Third shook his head slowly.]"It's not unwillingness on my part. You haven't even learned to refine chakra yet.""Ninjutsu requires chakra to execute."
[That made sense. Naruto nodded.]
[The Third carefully explained the fundamentals of chakra extraction.][This Naruto picked it up incredibly fast—he understood everything after one explanation!][As the Third spoke, he could already see chakra beginning to flow through the boy's body.][What terrifying aptitude… Was this child a true genius?][If so… new possibilities opened up in the Third's mind.]
[He produced the Academy enrollment form he had prepared long ago.]"Naruto, attend the Academy and study diligently. Once you've mastered chakra extraction, I'll arrange special ninjutsu instruction for you."
[Naruto grinned brightly, thanking the Third over and over and vowing to train hard.][He even promised that if the chance ever arose, he would repay the Third properly in the future.]
[The Third nodded in satisfaction, wished him luck with the start of school, and departed.][Knowing Naruto's exceptional talent now, he decided not to reveal his true identity just yet.]
[Alone once more, Naruto practiced chakra extraction in the mountains until deep into the night before finally returning home.][He took out his prized instant ramen, boiled water with practiced ease, and prepared it.][Once finished, he lay on his bed, hands behind his head.]
Ding!
Just as everyone anticipated the next scene, the system's voice cut in.
[Reward Quiz Activated!][Question: Once Uzumaki Naruto masters chakra extraction, enters the Ninja Academy, and learns ninjutsu… what will he want to do most?][A: Serve Konoha faithfully and become a proper shinobi!][B: Keep his promise—serve the Third Hokage and promote the Will of Fire!][C: Nothing specific… is the ramen almost done?][D: Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—those in Konoha who bullied me will pay back a hundredfold one day!]