In the world of the living—
"N-Naruto-kun…"
Even though Hinata knew everything on the screen had already happened, and that Naruto was safe now, she still clutched the hem of her clothes tightly. Her fingers trembled faintly.
The vision continued.
[A giant shuriken tore through the air, only moments away from killing Naruto.]
[Then—]
[A figure rushed forward and used his own body to block the fatal strike.]
[It was Iruka.]
[Without the slightest hesitation, he threw himself in front of Naruto and took the attack head-on.]
[Blood poured from his wounds and splashed across Naruto's face, drop by drop.]
Naruto stared up at him, eyes wide with confusion and shock.
Then Iruka gently rested a hand on Naruto's head and spoke in a quiet voice.
"Naruto… I'm just like you. My parents died during the Nine-Tails' attack too…"
"When I was your age, I acted like an idiot just so people would notice me. After my parents died, no one praised me anymore… no one acknowledged me. I was lonely."
"Even being called a fool felt better than being ignored, so I kept acting out."
"I didn't know any other way to make people see me. It was stupid… but it hurt."
"Naruto… you're the same, aren't you? You've been hurting too… you've suffered just as much…"
"I'm sorry, Naruto. If I'd done better… maybe you wouldn't have had to carry so much pain."
Tears streamed down Iruka's face and fell onto Naruto one by one.
Then his eyes hardened with conviction.
"Maybe the Nine-Tails would do something like that… but Naruto is different."
"He's a student I acknowledge."
"He's an excellent student."
The moment those words left his mouth, Naruto completely broke down. Tears poured down his face.
And he was not the only one moved.
Everyone watching felt it.
"Iruka… he truly deserves to be a teacher at the Ninja Academy."
"A teacher like that is hard to find."
The Konoha genin who had once studied under him murmured in amazement.
"Iruka-sensei… he's incredible…"
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated high above the arena, could not help murmuring softly,
"Iruka… truly is a fine teacher."
In the Pure Land—
[Hashirama Senju: See that, Madara? Konoha has people like this too!]
[Tobirama Senju: That's right! Konoha still has shinobi who understand sacrifice and duty!]
[Madara Uchiha: Hmph. At least this Iruka isn't bad.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Naruto… my son… you've suffered so much…]
[Minato Namikaze: Iruka… he truly is a teacher worthy of respect.]
The scene shifted again.
[Mizuki looked at Iruka with a sneer, mocking him without restraint.]
"He's just a brat. Today, both of you are dying here!"
[Hearing that, Naruto's anger exploded.]
[He formed hand seals and unleashed the Shadow Clone Technique.]
[A huge wave of shadow clones appeared all at once.]
Mizuki's expression changed instantly. His face turned pale with disbelief.
Then—
[Naruto charged.]
[Mizuki was overwhelmed.]
[What followed was a brutal beating.]
[In the end, Mizuki was defeated and thrown into prison.]
The crowd immediately erupted.
"Nicely done, kid!"
"Well done, Naruto! I acknowledge you now!"
Naruto blinked in surprise, then scratched his head and broke into a wide grin.
"Haha! Of course! I'm gonna be Hokage someday!"
Around him, the other Konoha genin looked at him with complicated expressions—admiration, envy, and a new kind of respect.
Hinata looked at him with open admiration and said softly,
"Naruto-kun… you're amazing."
"Hehe… thanks!"
Naruto scratched his head again, laughing awkwardly.
Hinata's face instantly turned bright red, and she hurriedly ran off.
Meanwhile, inside a classroom at the Ninja Academy, Iruka watched the scene in silence as old memories rose one after another.
A warm smile slowly spread across his face.
"Naruto… you really have grown up…"
"As expected of my student."
In the Pure Land—
[Kushina Uzumaki: That's my son! Naruto, you did so well! But… I wasn't there for you… I'm sorry…]
[Minato Namikaze: Don't be too sad… Naruto is doing just fine now.]
[Hashirama Senju: That kid Naruto did well! And as for that Mizuki… even I want to beat him up myself!]
[Tobirama Senju: Hmm? That technique Naruto just used… isn't that the Shadow Clone Technique I created?]
[Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, you made that technique?]
[Tobirama Senju: Yes… but that shouldn't be possible. How does that child have so much chakra?]
[Madara Uchiha: Hah. You two really are hopeless. Didn't you hear them call him the Nine-Tails? He's the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. With that kind of chakra, what's there to be surprised about?]
[Izuna Uchiha: Big brother's right! You two are unbelievably dense!]
[Hashirama Senju: Ohhh, I get it now! Madara actually has a point!]
[Tobirama Senju: Big brother! Whose side are you on?!]
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