"Good day, Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto~"
"What brings you here today, Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto?"
"We just got some fresh fruit—please have a taste!"
As soon as Sarutobi Hakuto entered the commercial street, the shop owners immediately greeted him warmly.
After all—
Half of Konoha's commercial properties were owned by the Sarutobi and Shimura families.
As for how they acquired them…
Those who understood, understood.
And nearly all newly built properties also belonged to those two families—
Thanks to Root's "construction genius," Yamato.
So now, most shopkeepers were renting from the Sarutobi clan.
Being polite wasn't optional.
Faced with their enthusiasm, Sarutobi Hakuto simply ignored them.
At this moment, the shopkeepers also noticed Naruto following behind him.
Each of them began thinking quietly—
But not a single one dared show any disgust toward Naruto in front of Sarutobi Hakuto.
Naruto, who had been somewhat nervous, looked around at the flattering smiles.
That kind of expression…
Was something he had never seen before.
Confused and unsure how to react, he simply followed behind Sarutobi Hakuto in silence.
But deep inside, a strange feeling began to grow.
Soon, the two arrived at a barbecue restaurant.
A graceful figure was already waiting there.
"Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto, everything has been arranged~"
It was Uchiha Izumi, who had just become Sarutobi Hakuto's personal maid.
Seeing how respectfully Izumi treated Sarutobi Hakuto, Naruto felt another wave of envy.
But very quickly—
His attention was completely captured by the sizzling, oil-dripping barbecue.
Gulp…
Having never eaten barbecue before, Naruto couldn't stop swallowing his saliva.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hakuto found it both amusing and a little painful.
"Go ahead. Eat."
"Huh? You're really treating me?!"
Naruto lit up instantly, but still looked at Sarutobi Hakuto cautiously—
As if wondering what he had done to deserve this.
It was like—
Someone who had lived too long in darkness.
When suddenly exposed to light,
Instead of embracing it, they instinctively tested it first.
Sarutobi Hakuto noticed Naruto's wariness and said:
"Go on. Didn't you say you wanted to be my friend?"
"What? Getting cold feet now?"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly—
Then immediately began devouring the food.
For the first time, he was eating delicious barbecue.
And with his first friend.
As he ate, a faint glimmer of tears appeared in Naruto's eyes—
Before quickly disappearing.
After all—
It hadn't been easy for Naruto to survive this long.
Aside from Ichiraku Ramen, no other restaurant would serve him.
Even in shops, he could only buy nearly expired food.
He often went hungry—
Sometimes even fishing just to survive.
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hakuto became even more determined to take Naruto under his wing.
Someone who should've become a cunning schemer—
Had instead turned into the "sun" that saved the world.
Honestly… not very scientific.
Soon, after eating and drinking their fill,
Sarutobi Hakuto signaled to Izumi.
Understanding immediately, she closed the private room door.
"Naruto… do you want to know why the villagers hate you?"
Naruto's eyes widened eagerly.
"Why?!"
Years of suffering had made him desperate for an answer.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hakuto nodded toward Izumi.
In an instant—
Her three-tomoe Sharingan activated.
The next moment,
Sarutobi Hakuto and Naruto were pulled into Naruto's inner world.
They appeared in a dark sewer.
"This place…"
Naruto looked around, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
It was as if a voice had always been calling him here.
Following his instincts,
They soon arrived before a massive iron gate.
Behind it—
A gigantic crimson fox stared at them.
"Kid…"
"Come. Tear off the seal."
"Remove it—and I will grant you the power to destroy everything!"
"Kill everyone who mocked and bullied you!"
The seductive whispers echoed endlessly in Naruto's mind.
His eyes turned red—
And he began walking forward unconsciously.
But it had no effect on Sarutobi Hakuto.
Seeing Naruto like this, Sarutobi Hakuto sighed—
Then punched him.
Bam!
"Ow!! Why'd you hit me, Big Brother Sarutobi Hakuto?!"
Holding the lump on his head, Naruto looked aggrieved.
But Sarutobi Hakuto didn't even glance at him.
He walked straight toward the iron gate.
The Nine-Tails, who had been annoyed at Sarutobi Hakuto interrupting things, suddenly brightened—
Thinking Sarutobi Hakuto was about to remove the seal.
"Kid! Hurry!"
"Remove the seal! I'll give you power!"
"Unmatched power!"
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hakuto burst out laughing.
"Pfft—"
"You were sealed by mere ninjas."
"What kind of power can you possibly give me?"
That instantly enraged the Nine-Tails.
It slammed its claws against the gate repeatedly.
"You brat!!!"
"Let me out and I'll tear you to pieces!!!"
"Oh? Then I'll come inside—let's see if you can."
Before the Nine-Tails could finish—
Sarutobi Hakuto's figure suddenly appeared inside the cage.
The Nine-Tails froze.
Then—
Delight surged through it.
"You're asking to die!"
It swiped its massive claw toward Sarutobi Hakuto.
BOOM!!!
The entire sealed space shook violently.
Water surged like a tidal wave.
"Tsk… as expected of the Nine-Tails.