“Wow.”
Naruto stood at the gates of Konoha Village—now more accurately called Konoha City—and let out an exclamation of genuine amazement.
The modern Konoha, filled with towering buildings, resembled nothing to the village he remembered from his childhood.
Naruto almost thought he had taken the wrong path.
For the past eight years, he had hidden in an unknown corner of the ninja world, training intensely and living in near isolation.
Seeing this modern metropolis now, he felt a profound sense of dislocation.
Walking down the bustling streets of Konoha, Naruto felt a bit lost.
He was, in fact, lost.
Konoha was so large that walking through it would take an entire day and night. Using transportation was a necessity.
Luckily, Naruto noticed a tram station not far away, following the flow of people.
He walked over and checked the route map, discovering a tourist line.
This line would take him through famous Konoha landmarks and attractions, such as the Ninja Academy, Central Plaza, Hokage Mansion, Uchiha District, and Food Street. The team also had a guide providing commentary throughout the trip.
The ticket prices were a bit steep, with regular seats costing 200 ryo and business seats going up to 1,000 ryo.
However, as the leader of the Akatsuki, Naruto had considerable funds. He carried a card with 50 million ryo, which was hard-earned by their finance manager, Kakuzu.
Beep.
Naruto swiped his card and bought the most expensive ticket, entering the business class.
The business class was luxuriously decorated.
It featured genuine leather massage seats, complimentary drinks and snacks, soothing background music, and floor-to-ceiling windows for an unobstructed view of Konoha’s scenery.
Impressive.
Naruto thought, sitting back in the leather seat and looking out at the bustling street scene.
Next to him sat a well-dressed mother and daughter. Their conversation reached Naruto’s ears clearly.
“Mom, look! Konoha is so big and beautiful. It’s nothing like our Sunagakure, with all the deserts and sandstorms… I don’t want to go back.”
The little girl pouted, clearly disliking her hometown.
Her mother replied earnestly,
“That’s why Mom spent so much money to send you to Konoha’s Ninja Academy. You must study hard, understand?
As long as you can become a Chunin and stay here to work, getting permanent Konoha citizenship, our family can buy a house here.”
“That’s great!”
The girl cheered, her face lighting up, “Once I become a Konoha citizen, I’ll bring you and Dad here so we can all live together.”
“Good girl.” The mother smiled warmly, patting her daughter’s head.
Naruto frowned slightly, glancing at the mother and daughter.
He could sense chakra flowing through the mother, indicating she was a ninja from Sunagakure, likely a Jonin.
Sending her child to another ninja village and planning to immigrate there with her was considered treason in the ninja world, deserving severe condemnation or even punishment.
Yet, the other passengers seemed unperturbed by the conversation, smiling approvingly.
It seemed this was a common sentiment.
Hmph, a bunch of Konoha sycophants.
Naruto scoffed internally, shaking his head, his thoughts drifting to Karin.
A few years ago, under Konan-sensei’s orders, Karin infiltrated Konoha’s Ninja Academy under a false identity, undertaking a long-term spy mission to gather intelligence on Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
Karin had not disappointed, quickly standing out, especially in medical ninjutsu, catching the attention of Tsunade, the head of the Medical Department and an advisor to Konoha.
Her Uzumaki heritage gave Karin exceptional healing abilities, even without formal training.
She graduated early from the Ninja Academy and began studying under Tsunade, who saw her as a successor.
Naruto had always thought Karin’s role was crucial, allowing Akatsuki to stay informed of Konoha’s inner workings.
But now, he suddenly felt a twinge of worry—
Would Karin also be seduced by Konoha’s allure and betray the organization?
It seemed necessary to visit her, have a talk, and remind her of her true mission.
While Naruto was deep in thought,
“Dear tourists, welcome. I’m your guide, Miss Yoshi, and I’m delighted to serve you.”
A melodious voice filled the business class.
Oh?
Naruto looked up to see a girl of about fifteen or sixteen in a tour guide uniform, her face adorned with a sweet smile.
Yoshi had recently graduated from Konoha’s Ninja Academy. Her youthful appearance and eloquence had secured her a position in the Tourism Department, starting from the grassroots as a tour guide.
As the tram moved, passing landmark after landmark, Yoshi narrated Konoha’s history and culture to the passengers.
During this,
Naruto saw the giant statue of Uchiha Dan, the fluttering fan flags, and the various Mangekyo Sharingan graffiti on the street walls.
Elements of the Uchiha clan were everywhere in Konoha, their presence felt in every corner.
In the business class, Miss Yoshi continued to talk about the great contributions of the Uchiha clan to Konoha.
“Legend has it that over a thousand years ago, the Sage of Six Paths, the ancestor of the Uchiha and Senju clans, founded the Ninshu, turning chakra into a bond connecting people.
The Sage intended to teach people the correct use of chakra to create a peaceful world.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
After his death, some individuals instigated wars for personal gain, leading to the decline of Ninshu, which advocated peace, and the rise of ninjutsu, used for killing.
From that era, the ninja began carrying the burden of sin, heading down a path of no return.
Selling their strength for survival, and accepting jobs from daimyo and countries, they became ruthless war machines, living in endless slaughter until death.
This was the tragic life of a ninja.
Until the Uchiha clan told us this was wrong. The great Sixth Hokage Uchiha Dan decided to carry on the Sage of Six Paths’ legacy, helping people understand the true power of chakra!
Thus,
The Uchiha clan renounced violence, leading Konoha toward peace.
In recent years, Konoha has achieved great success under the leadership of the Sage’s descendants, the Uchiha clan.
We use Yang Release to strengthen and heal, Yin Release to develop the mind and treat mental illness, Wood Release for construction and greening, Earth Release for building roads and bridges, and Water Release for irrigating fields…”
Yoshi spoke passionately, successfully captivating the passengers, who listened intently, moved by her words.
“Praise the Uchiha clan! Praise Konoha!”
“I deeply regret not coming to Konoha sooner. My descendants must be born in Konoha and grow up as proud Konoha villagers.”
“Miss Yoshi’s speech is excellent. No wonder she graduated top of her class from the Ninja Academy.”
The tourists applauded enthusiastically, some even shedding tears of excitement.
Only Naruto watched everything with a cold, detached gaze.
Using the entire ninja world’s resources to develop Konoha, then training people like Yoshi to brainwash tourists and beautify the Uchiha and Konoha’s image.
What a cunning strategy.
Naruto noticed each passenger had a beautifully crafted booklet about Konoha’s culture.
No doubt, it was filled with biased praise for the Uchiha clan.
Naruto smirked, picking up a booklet with a critical eye.
Just as he expected,
Almost every page mentioned the Uchiha, the Sixth Hokage, and similar themes. It was nauseating.
However, just as Naruto was about to close the booklet and toss it aside,
Hmm.
He paused, a slight look of surprise crossing his face.
He saw a photo of a couple: a handsome blond man and a beautiful woman with long red hair.
It was the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki.
The Konoha brochure devoted many pages to the couple, highlighting their significant contributions to Konoha and portraying them as hero spouses.
And friends of the Uchiha clan.
It also condemned the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi as a villain, accusing him of hindering the Uchiha from aiding the Fourth Hokage during the Nine-Tails attack.
After the Fourth’s death, Hiruzen covered up the truth, mistreated Minato’s orphan, Naruto Uzumaki, and made him a pariah.
He portrayed himself as Naruto’s only benefactor, manipulating him emotionally and physically.
Later,
Naruto was abducted by the Akatsuki, his whereabouts unknown.
The section ended with a missing person’s notice from the Uchiha clan, hoping the hero’s son would return to Konoha and find the happiness he deserved.
It even included a photo of young Naruto,
A four- or five-year-old with messy blond hair and big green eyes, grinning at the camera, wearing a T-shirt with the Uzumaki clan symbol.
Naruto stared at the photo of his younger self, feeling…strangely detached.
Was that grinning kid really him?
His childhood memories were mostly unpleasant, filled with loneliness and isolation.
“Do you…know Naruto Uzumaki?”
Suddenly, a fragrant scent wafted by, and Yoshi’s curious voice sounded in Naruto’s ear.
Naruto looked at Yoshi calmly and asked,
“Why do you think I know him?”
“Uh, because you’ve been staring at his photo…”
Yoshi looked embarrassed, quickly offering a polite smile,
“Sorry, that was a silly question. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
Naruto didn’t hold it against her. He looked back at the booklet, then said with a hint of irony,
“This kid looks like a pathetic loser who was bullied and unloved.”
Yoshi nodded sympathetically, feeling pity for young Naruto,
“Yes, little Naruto was really pitiful. Losing his parents right after birth and being mistreated by the old Konoha leadership…I wonder if he’s still alive, and if so, how he’s living now.
If he’s been taken by a terrifying organization like Akatsuki, he must be enduring a miserable, painful life in some dark, underground world…”
“Hey, you know, you look a bit like Naruto.”
She suddenly said, looking at Naruto seriously.
Indeed,
The young man in front of her, with his blond hair and green eyes, did resemble the young Naruto in the booklet.
Moreover, if Naruto were still alive, he would be about fifteen or sixteen, matching the boy’s age.
Naruto replied with a meaningful tone,
“Could you tell me where I can report myself? I heard Naruto Uzumaki has the Nine-Tails inside him. If I turn myself in, can I claim a big reward?”
“Hehe, you’re funny.”
Yoshi laughed, shaking her head,
“I’m sure you’re not Naruto because, see, he has those whisker marks on his face, and you don’t.”
That’s because I hide them.
Naruto thought.
Over eight years, he had changed significantly from his childhood, not just in appearance but also in demeanor.
Naruto no longer exuded the lively, optimistic aura of his youth. Now, he was more like Nagato, brooding and intense.
He could walk through Konoha without being recognized by concealing the whisker marks.
After this little exchange,
Naruto and Yoshi grew more familiar, their relationship naturally becoming friendlier.
Yoshi, curious, asked,
“By the way, you haven’t told me your name yet! Where are you from, and are you visiting Konoha?”
The young man, clearly new to Konoha, sitting in the most expensive seat and possessing a unique aura, intrigued her.
“I’m… Yahiko, a Chunin from a small village. I’m here to take the Konoha Ninja Academy entrance exam and pursue advanced studies.”
Naruto smoothly fabricated an identity.
“Oh?”
Yoshi, hearing this, encouraged him,
“Good luck! I hope you succeed! I recently took the Jonin exam but didn’t pass. But I gained a lot of experience… Don’t laugh, even failure is experience.”
“I’m not laughing.”
Naruto’s lips curled slightly.
At first, he found her annoying, but as they talked, he found her quite interesting.
Perhaps, his nature had been suppressed for too long.
In his childhood, he was outgoing and yearned for friends, but was always shunned and disliked, living in loneliness.
This warm-hearted girl, initiating conversation, felt like a spark melting the ice within him.
Unfortunately, happy moments are always fleeting.
“Next stop, Hokage Mansion.”
Naruto’s eyes focused as the announcement played, and he stood up slowly.
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