8Section 8AI Model: gemini-2.5-flashChapter 8
In this world, to survive, one needs not only Ninjaskills but also literacy. Otherwise, one wouldn't even understand the lessons at the Ninja Academylevel.
"Let's study together~."
Hope flickered in the Byakugan girl's eyes.
"Hmph…"
The Nine-Tailed lay sprawled behind the iron gate, bored, taking in the entire scene.
This little girl named Hyuga Hinata was very gentle and thoughtful of Naruto.
It was clear she had learned to read long ago, but she used the excuse of "studying together" to accommodate Naruto's ignorance.
So, how would the brat Uzumaki Naruto respond?
"Okay."
Naruto agreed readily and decisively.
Then, the two of them bent over the table and began their preschool lessons.
But the Nine-Tailed felt that with Uzumaki Naruto's inhuman personality, things probably wouldn't end so simply…The shadows of dusk completely enveloped the Hokage Office.
Yūgao Uzuki knelt on one knee, reporting the specific details of the mission to the Third Hokagewith a deeply ashamed heart.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard that the Nine-Tailed Chakra might have leaked, his eyebrows couldn't help but furrow slightly.
The Fourth Hokage had dealt with the Nine-Tailedusing the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style back then.
Theoretically, this Sealing Technique was very strong.
It was almost impossible for it to be easily broken.
So… based on his judgment, this should be a trace of the Nine-Tailed's Chakra escaping from a crack in the seal, which should be considered the initial loosening of the seal.
"I apologize, Hokage-sama, I failed to complete the 'Assessment Mission' in time…" Yūgao Uzukiimmediately lowered her head, her tone filled with shame.
"…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, moving away from the window.
According to Yūgao's description, Naruto stopped in time, and the Nine-Tailed informed him of the Anbu's existence.
It was a common occurrence for a Jinchuriki to communicate with its Tailed Beast.
So… had that child Naruto already discovered his identity?
Rumors of the demon fox had begun to spread throughout the Village at some unknown time.
Over the past few years, Naruto had suffered the villagers' Byakugan and hostility.
Even most of the uninformed low-level Ninjabelieved Naruto was the incarnation of the demon fox, thus despising him greatly.
If this continued… coupled with the Nine-Tailedconstantly instigating Naruto, it was inevitable that the tragedy that occurred back then would repeat itself.
Thoughts whirled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had decided to personally visit Naruto.
"Hokage-sama, I hope you can give me another chance!"
Seeing the Sandaime's prolonged silence, Yūgaothought she had completely disappointed Hokage-sama, and immediately spoke up to request.
"Yūgao, this is not your fault, don't take it to heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had originally intended to say this, stopped the words at his mouth, thought for a moment, and then gave a completely different answer.
"Then… Yūgao, from now on, the task of giving Naruto-kun his living expenses each month will be entrusted to you…"
Since Kakashi wasn't ready to face Naruto yet.
Yūgao, who had already interacted with Naruto, became the best candidate.
With her sense of shame leading to courage, she would surely complete the mission well.
The unspoken meaning was that Yūgao would also bear the responsibility of regularly reporting on Naruto's situation.
Back then, Kushina was constantly followed by two Anbu for surveillance. Facts proved that this was not foolproof.
So, after careful consideration, the higher-ups chose a completely different approach to raising Naruto's generation… free-range.
However, it was also time to give Naruto more bonds. With people close to him, his love and sense of belonging to the Village would deepen.
When the people standing by his side gradually increased.
Naruto… would fully acknowledge the Village and become a part of it, right?
"Yes! Hokage-sama, I will definitely do my utmost to complete it!"
Yūgao's heart immediately brightened, overjoyed.
Then, she bid farewell and left the Hokage Building.
"It's time for this old man to get off work."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took off his Hokage hat and solemn robe, quickly transforming into a kind old man.
Next, it was time to go see Naruto… At Naruto's house… Hinata: "Cha~kra~."
Naruto: "Cha~do~ra~."
Hinata: "Cha~kra~."
Naruto: "Cha~do~ra~."
Hinata: "…"
Nine-Tailed: "…"
A somewhat confused Hinata, teaching up to this point, was completely thrown off by Naruto.
After teaching it many times, Naruto consistently read "Chakra" as "Chadora."
Hinata couldn't help but begin to doubt if she had learned it incorrectly.
She planned to go back and ask her maid A Xia for clarification.
"Let's stop here for today, Naruto. It's getting late, and I should go back too…"
Hinata didn't pick up the books on the table, clearly intending to use this as an excuse to return again.
It was already dark outside.
If she didn't hurry back, it would be bad if her father and the others found out.
"Oh."
Naruto and Hinata stood up, watching the latter walk away.
As she reached the door, Hinata suddenly turned her head: "Um… Naruto-kun~."
Naruto: "Hmm?"
"The 27th of this month… is my birthday… will you be able to come then?"
Hinata, her face slightly flushed, fidgeted, and her gaze began to dart around.
Clearly, she very much hoped Naruto would come.
And this was not without the intention of getting a head start.
Hinata, of course, hoped to immediately bind such an excellent Naruto-kun.
This was also her little scheme.
"No problem."
Naruto nodded, his attitude ordinary, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
On Hinata's side, upon hearing Naruto's affirmative reply, she immediately became incredibly happy.
"That's great…" Hinata, unable to help but laugh out loud, even her steps became much lighter.
"Is it fun to deceive a little girl?"
The bored Nine-Tailed asked glumly.
You clearly know Chakra should be read Chakra, yet you deceive this Byakugan human female cub.
"Hinata's birthday…"
Naruto, lost in thought, completely ignored the Nine-Tailed's question.
If nothing unexpected happened, that event was about to occur.
In the original work.
On Hinata's birthday, a Cloud Ninja Mission from the Hidden Cloud Village arrived in Konoha, bringing the possibility of signing an 'Alliance Treaty.'
That day, everyone attended the celebration, except for the Hyuga Clan.
Because that day was Hinata's birthday, and also the day when branch family children of age were branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
On the same day, Neji was imprisoned by fate, witnessing his uncle, Hyuga Hiashi, activate the Caged Bird Seal to punish his brother… that is, Neji's father, Hyuga Hizashi, thereby planting the seeds of hatred for the main family.
That night.
The leader of the Cloud Ninja Mission, a Ninja, infiltrated the Hyuga Clan Residence and abducted Hinata.
Hyuga Hiashi pursued the culprit, killed him, and successfully rescued his eldest daughter.
But this also caused the Hidden Cloud Village to turn the tables, leading the Hyuga Clan to face a life-or-death decision.
Ultimately, Hyuga Hizashi sacrificed himself, taking his brother's place, and offered his body to the Hidden Cloud Village.
"Hey, brat…"
The Nine-Tailed, not receiving a reply, had just opened its mouth when it sensed a change in its host.
And this time, it was a reverse infusion.
"Hmm?!"
The sealing space changed color.
The somewhat dark sewer became even darker, even rusty.
On the sewer floor, the transparent flowing water sped up, then began to turn black.
All of this was like a SAN-draining scene from a horror movie.
"This situation…"
The Nine-Tailed was stunned, then ecstatic.
Although the Sealing Technique was completely different, and the scene was also different, it still keenly judged the changes in the Jinchuriki's heart.
The last time a similar situation occurred was when Kushina's inner darkness gradually infiltrated her sanity.
And this would also become its chance to break free.
If Minato Namikaze hadn't been there then, it would have succeeded.
"This brat has developed immense malice in his heart… after Hyuga Hinata invited him to her birthday…"
The Nine-Tailed didn't know the exact reason, but the beginning of the incident was like this.
Naruto: "Stupid fox, it's time to pay the rent. Hand over some more Chakra!"
Power.
Only with power could one control everything!
The next moment.
The sealing formula loosened again.