A Hokage hat, a Hokage cloak, a pipe in hand—his face aged and wrinkled, yet radiating a gentle warmth.
This was none other than the Third Hokage of Konoha: Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He stood at the door, smiling down at the blond boy clinging to his leg.
"Naruto, have you missed Grandpa Hokage?" he asked with a gentle chuckle.
Naruto looked up at Hiruzen's kindly expression and nodded eagerly, smiling brightly.
"I love Grandpa Hokage the most! You're the Hokage—Konoha's hero! You're the person I admire most!"
"Hahaha…" Hiruzen laughed heartily and rubbed Naruto's head affectionately.
"Naruto, you really are a good child. Grandpa Hokage loves you too. Here—I brought you a gift."
He handed Naruto a bag full of food.
Naruto glanced inside. It was filled with rice balls, milk, bread, and other basics—enough for maybe three to five days.
Though he felt disgusted deep down, he kept his smiling facade, accepting the bag and politely inviting Hiruzen inside.
"So, Naruto—how have things been in the village? Have you made any friends?" Hiruzen asked, taking a seat and smiling kindly.
Naruto shook his head slightly, a bit downcast. "No… I really want to make friends, but everyone hates me."
"Don't be discouraged, Naruto." Hiruzen patted his head, speaking gently.
"You're a good kid. If you try to connect with others your age, I believe they'll come to accept you."
Hearing this, Naruto's expression lit up with false optimism. He nodded firmly.
"I understand, Grandpa Hokage. I won't give up! I want to make friends and play games with everyone!"
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.
Then his gaze shifted to Naruto's forehead—where he saw signs of healing on the injury he received just today. The wound had already begun to scab over.
As expected of the Kyūbi Jinchūriki… Hiruzen inwardly praised. Casually, he asked:
"Naruto, I heard you got hurt on the street today. Someone hit you, right? Is that true?"
Naruto touched his wound, then smiled as brightly as the sun.
"Yeah, but I don't think they meant to. Everyone in the village is really nice—it's probably just a misunderstanding."
Hiruzen feigned surprise.
"You're not angry, Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head. "You said it yourself, Grandpa—everyone here is nice. They just don't understand me."
"That's why I'm not mad. I know they're good people. It must've been something bad I did."
"If I work hard and prove myself, they won't bully me anymore."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly, eyes full of gentle praise.
"You're absolutely right, Naruto. As long as you work hard and help others, the villagers will come to understand you."
"That's the Will of Fire I've taught you. Only by gaining the recognition of others can you become a hero…"
"Just like Grandpa Hokage—recognized by all, and that's how I became the Third Hokage of Konoha…"
…
What a twisted victim-blaming philosophy… Naruto sneered inwardly, utterly unmoved by Hiruzen's words.
Everything I've suffered—it all traces back to you.
You're the Third Hokage. You're the one in charge of Konoha. If you gave a single damn, none of this would've happened…
When Hiruzen finished his little speech, Naruto feigned excitement and raised both hands.
"Grandpa Hokage! I understand now! I'll work even harder to earn everyone's recognition! I want to be a hero, just like you!"
Hiruzen laughed joyfully and ruffled Naruto's hair again.
"Naruto, it's not an easy path. To become Hokage, you must understand Konoha's Will of Fire…"
"The Will of Fire means mutual understanding, mutual trust, and protecting everyone in the village…"
"You'll be a ninja someday, so you must love and accept the people of Konoha—and be willing to risk your life to protect them…"
…
Hiruzen droned on and on, lecturing about the Will of Fire.
Naruto listened with a face full of fake enthusiasm, just as he had done countless times before.
Over the years, he'd heard this speech over a hundred times.
Every time Hiruzen visited, he'd first pretend to care, then launch into a monologue about the Will of Fire.
What a joke.
He wasn't going to be brainwashed.
Hiruzen finally stopped talking after nearly an hour.
"Grandpa Hokage, I'll definitely make everyone accept me! I'll become a hero—no, I'll become Hokage!"
Naruto shouted excitedly, pretending to be overwhelmed with emotion.
Hiruzen smiled, deeply satisfied.
This child… is completely under my control.
No hatred. No resentment. He even treats me like family.
Even if he learns the truth someday—even if he discovers his origins—he'll never betray me. He'll never betray Konoha.
…
After sending Hiruzen off, Naruto leaned back against the door, a frosty smile creeping across his face.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen… I'm going to kill you."
Every time—it was the same routine. He'd get bullied, and Hiruzen would show up with food and comforting words.
No way that's just coincidence.
It was obvious—Hiruzen had assigned ninja to monitor him 24/7.
Then, whenever Naruto was at his lowest, Hiruzen would swoop in like a savior—to win his trust as the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki.
That combo—constant suffering followed by false salvation—was enough to brainwash any normal kid.
And the original Naruto? He clearly had been brainwashed. That's why his thinking ended up so warped.
After all—
What normal kid wouldn't hate the ones who hurt them?
…
Time passed again.
Another six months had gone by.
In just seven days, the Ninja Academy would begin its new term.
But Naruto wasn't thinking about that at all.
Right now, he sat cross-legged in the middle of his room, eyes closed, immersed deep in his mental world.
And there it was before him—the towering World Gate.
Under the push of his chakra and stamina, the door—seemingly formed from infinite seawater—finally began to stir.
The two massive doors…
Slowly pushed open by a single centimeter.
(End of Chapter)
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