Naruto had left the village and walked all the way to the quiet, grassy hill behind Konoha. He lay down on the soft green grass, staring at the sky above.
With both hands behind his head, he looked up at the fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across the blue sky. Stretching out his small, tender hands, he tried to grab one of them—only to catch nothing but air. Looking at his empty palm, Naruto fell into silent contemplation.
However, the gentle breeze and the melodic chirping of birds quickly lulled the little boy to sleep.
At that moment, an elderly man with white hair and a wrinkled face approached.
"Hello, Uzumaki Naruto," the old man greeted him with a smile.
Naruto rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked up, confused.
"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" he asked.
The old man chuckled and replied warmly, "I'm the Third Hokage."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. This man was the Hokage?
Then the Third Hokage pulled out a piece of paper from his robes—a report card.
"Naruto, you're already seven years old now. It's time for you to attend the ninja academy. I've already registered you," he said.
Naruto took the paper and stared at it. His name was clearly written on it, but the confusion on his face only deepened.
The Third Hokage knelt beside him and continued, "When I was young, I too was misunderstood by the villagers. But if you become an excellent ninja, they'll come to accept and respect you."
Then, he said something that Naruto didn't quite understand at the time, but the words stuck with him.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire lives on. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
Young Naruto was puzzled, but since it was the Hokage who said it, it had to be meaningful.
So, he made up his mind—why settle for being just an excellent ninja?
He would become Hokage!
That way, the whole village would acknowledge him.
---
[Live Broadcast Chat Room]
Orochimaru: Poor Naruto-kun. He was brainwashed by Sarutobi-sensei at such a young age. Luckily, this pyramid scheme never worked on me.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Orochimaru, you traitor! How dare you speak like that? Konoha raised you, and yet you conspired with the Sand Village to invade it!
Yamanaka Ino: So Naruto wanted to become Hokage from back then!
Nara Shikamaru: Being Hokage sounds like a huge hassle. Only an idiot would want that job.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"
Senju Tobirama: "..."
Shimura Danzō: "..."
Uchiha Madara: "..."
Senju Hashirama: laughs "Hahaha…"
Uchiha Obito: "..."
Realizing he had offended a lineup of Kage-level and legendary figures, Shikamaru quickly corrected himself.
Nara Shikamaru: I mean—I was wrong! Only a fool wouldn't want to be Hokage!
Hatake Kakashi: Obito, you're here too?
Uchiha Obito: How could I miss such a lively gathering?
Nohara Rin: Obito, Kakashi! It's so good to see you both!
Meanwhile, within the Akatsuki hideout…
Obito, now wearing his mask, stared blankly at Rin's name glowing on the screen.
He was silent and visibly distracted.
White Zetsu: sighs internally "After all that training… who would've thought Obito would turn out to be such a softie?"
---
Ohnoki: Why is everyone in this video from Konoha? And what does this video even mean? I don't get it.
Kurotsuchi: +1.
Akatsuchi: +1.
Deidara: +11111.
Ohnoki: Deidara, you traitor! You dare show your face?
Deidara: What's got you so riled up, old man? Careful—don't throw out your back!
Akagi: Wow, I didn't think Deidara cared about the Tsuchikage. What a nice guy!
Ohnoki: You idiot! He's being sarcastic!
---
Uzumaki Kushina: What happened next? Didn't Naruto go to school? Where's the sequel? Hurry and show it already!
As if in response to Kushina's impatience, the screen in the sky flickered again.
The previous white-bordered screen suddenly changed—replaced by one with a black border.
The new picture emerged slowly from the dark frame… but this wasn't a scene of Naruto starting school.
Strangely, it felt very familiar.
---
[Black Frame - Alternate Naruto Scene]
Location: Konoha Village
The streets were busy and full of chatter. People went about their day like any other.
Naruto walked through the village again—but something was different.
His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his eyes were cold and distant.
The villagers around him still whispered, calling him "demon fox" and other cruel things.
But this time, Naruto didn't run away. Instead, he looked at them with icy, expressionless eyes.
The moment they saw his silent, piercing gaze, the whispers stopped.
None of them dared say another word.
As he passed by the mask stall, Naruto didn't even glance at it. He walked past without hesitation.
Clearly, he had no interest in such childish toys anymore.
---
Senju Hashirama: Why does this Naruto feel… different?
Uzumaki Kushina: Is that my sweet little Naruto?
Uzumaki Naruto: Is that really me? I don't remember this either!
Haruno Sakura: He looks just like Naruto… but his personality is completely different.
Akimichi Choji: Yeah, this version feels really cold.
Hinata: It doesn't matter which Naruto it is. He's still… handsome.
Sakura & Ino: Hinata!?
Hinata: Oh no! That was supposed to be a private message! Hanabi was messing with my phone!
Tenten: I get it, Hinata. It happens.
---
Namikaze Minato: I didn't expect anyone to have feelings for our Naruto!
Naruto: Eh? Someone likes me?! Sakura, are you finally going to confess?
Sakura: Dream on, you idiot!
---
Back to the screen...
This version of Naruto had also arrived at the back hill. But unlike before, he didn't lie down and sleep.
Instead, he pulled out fishing gear and started catching fish—swiftly and with great skill.
In no time, he had already caught three or four large fish.
Ohnoki: How does he know how to fish like that? Come to think of it, I caught a ten-pounder just yesterday!
Deidara: Who asked you, old man?
Ohnoki: Shut it, Deidara! Come to the Land of Earth if you dare—I'll Dust Release you out of existence!
Deidara: Whoa! Someone's angry!
Ohnoki: I'm not angry! You're the one who's provoking me!
Kurotsuchi: Stop arguing! Look—Third Hokage's back on screen!
---
As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared again, stepping into the black-framed world.
He walked toward the boy, drawn by the aroma of grilled fish in the air.
"Can I have one of your fish?" the old man asked politely.
But this Naruto didn't panic or act shy. Instead, he gave a polite yet cheeky grin, showing his white teeth.
"You want to eat?" Naruto said. "Then go catch it yourself!"
---
The chat room exploded.
Everyone was shocked by this bold and confident version of Naruto.
Senju Hashirama: laughing "If you want it, catch it yourself—no problem!"
Senju Tobirama: This kid's a bit too blunt. Hiruzen is still the Hokage, after all.
Terumi Mei: But Naruto doesn't know that! And even if he is Hokage, should he get to eat a kid's food for free?
Uzumaki Kushina: Exactly! My Naruto caught those fish himself! @Sarutobi Hiruzen — what do you say to that?
Sarutobi Hiruzen: awkward silence
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Kushina… I have no memory of anything in this black-framed world! Besides, would I really get angry over grilled fish?
Orochimaru: So what do you get angry about, Hiruzen-sensei?
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Of course, I get angry when—shut up, Orochimaru! It's not your turn to talk!
Orochimaru: Then when will it be my turn? (asking sincerely)
Sarutobi Hiruzen: ...…
Namikaze Minato: ...…
Senju Tobirama: ...…
Tsunade: ...…
Shimura Danzō: You're out of line, Orochimaru!
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