Kushina's breakdown is quickly muted.
But everyone heard that mother's heart-rending scream.
Naruto looks around blankly.
Everyone is staring at him.
Before, this would have made him ecstatic.
But now—
he suddenly feels… unhappy.
Suddenly—
An inexplicable force appears.
In an instant—
Naruto clutches the back of his head and grins foolishly again.
"So I really have a mom… and she loves me a lot~"
At close range,
Hyūga Neji clearly senses the change.
He frowns.
Something feels wrong.
Naruto had just looked lost—
so why did he suddenly become stupidly cheerful again?
Instinctively, Neji wants to activate his Byakugan.
To see whether this "big landlord" Naruto has been affected by genjutsu.
But he quickly falls silent.
Because of the comparison system, he can't actively use chakra.
The Byakugan won't activate.
He keeps his guard up and continues watching Naruto.
The golden screen reveals more and more information.
Ōnoki, the old fox, doesn't miss this opportunity.
Ōnoki: Heh, so that's how it is. Uzumaki Naruto is Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, isn't he?
Ōnoki: Third Hokage, you really are something. That's the son of a hero. Tsk, tsk—though I'm not surprised you'd do something like this.
Ōnoki: From the looks of it, even the ANBU are like this. When the top beam is crooked, the lower ones follow.
Many ANBU lower their heads in shame.
Fourth Raikage: I hate that old fossil from Iwagakure, but he's right. Under the Third Hokage, nothing Konoha does surprises me.
Terumī Mei: Hmm… I have a question. It's normal for Uzumaki to be Jinchūriki. But from what we know, it seems Naruto's mother—Uzumaki Kushina—was aware of his status.
Terumī Mei: But Kushina was the previous Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. When a tailed beast is extracted, the host dies shortly after. Given her personality, she doesn't seem like the kind of mother who would allow her child to become a Jinchūriki.
She wants to continue—
But her words once again provoke Gaara.
Gaara: These people… should all die!!!
Mother.
Jinchūriki.
A parent allowing their child to become one.
These are the words Gaara cares about most.
And more than that—
He sees himself in Naruto.
Though, admittedly, he had it slightly better.
At least the sand protected him.
"Gaara…" Temari and Kankurō look at him with complicated expressions.
Because attacks are forbidden,
this feels like a brief moment of rest.
They no longer have to stay on edge.
Hashirama: Uh… um… hahaha~
Hashirama speaks awkwardly in the chat.
Uchiha Madara: Hmph. Disgraceful.
Tobirama: Big brother, stop talking.
Tobirama: Uzumaki Naruto, you should be able to hear or see my messages.
Tobirama: Tell me first—are the scenes on the screen real?
Tobirama doesn't comment on his student's decision yet.
As a seasoned politician, he can already see Hiruzen's intent.
Even with limited information—
He can tell someone will soon step in to "save" Naruto.
As a dead man, Tobirama wouldn't normally interfere.
But his sister-in-law's attitude—
and the silence of his beloved granddaughter—
Give him a bad feeling.
And from the discussion just now, he's already concluded—
Naruto is the product of Senju and Uzumaki blood.
If the Senju hadn't merged into Konoha—
The Fourth Hokage wouldn't be Namikaze Minato.
He would most likely have been known as Senju Minato.
Outside the Senju, only a handful of bloodlines could rival the Uzumaki.
So even as a dead man—
He has to step in.
"Huh?"
"The Second Hokage uncle is talking to me?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to graffiti your Hokage Rock! I definitely won't do it again next time!"
Naruto scratches his head and laughs.
Tobirama: That's not what I'm asking! Do you remember what's on the screen?
Uzumaki Naruto: "A little bit… but I've forgotten most of it, hehehe~"
Bad!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils shrink.
Cold sweat beads on his forehead.
Teacher Tobirama has personally stepped in.
This is getting troublesome.
Kushina suddenly goes quiet for some unknown reason.
But Hiruzen doesn't forget her last words.
He's certain—
If Kushina were revived now, she'd kill him on the spot.
Wait.
The comparison system mentioned rewards—
including resurrection.
And Minato's attitude…
This is bad.
Hiruzen feels a chill down his spine.
He doesn't dare meet his subordinates' gazes.
Orochimaru sticks out his long tongue and licks his dry lips excitedly.
"Sensei."
"I suddenly feel… that letting things continue like this might be even more interesting."
"Orochimaru, shut up!" Hiruzen snaps, trying to sound fierce.
But that only excites Orochimaru further.
"Hehehe~"
"I've decided. I'll take my people and leave."
"This rotten old windmill called Konoha can keep turning for now."
"Someone will personally destroy it—and rebuild it anew."
"I want to witness that with my own eyes."
With that, Orochimaru looks down at Naruto.
His interest surges—
Soon reaching the same level as his obsession with the Uchiha.
Under Tobirama's guidance, Naruto begins talking about his memories and feelings.
"I don't really know how to say it… I just remember that everyone seemed to hate me. No one wanted to play with me. No one wanted to sell me anything. Every time I walked down the street, I could feel their malice."
In the stands, Hinata clenches her hands, palms soaked with sweat.
She remembers the night she first met Naruto.
So that's how he lived back then…
"Sister…" Hanabi senses Hinata's emotions and quickly grabs her hand.
Hinata forces a weak smile so her sister won't worry.
The rookies' moods also grow heavy.
In the waiting room, Sasuke slowly sits up.
No wonder that idiot is like that…
With his personality—and that strange feeling about him…
It's hard for him to truly empathize.
It's not that Naruto lacks empathy—
It's just as future Sasuke once said:
Naruto can never truly understand his pain.
In Naruto's mind—
If he endured it, then others should too.
Simply put:
You suffered? I suffered too! I got through it, so you must as well.
There's no concept of individual difference in his worldview.
That's why—
When Pain arrived, he finally understood… just a little.
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