Naruto stood beside Kitahara Hitoshi's full-length mirror.
He turned his head side to side, examining his reflection closely, then stepped back a little to get a better look.
"Whoa!"
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Kitahara-kun!"
"I think I've become more handsome!"
Kitahara Hitoshi remained silent, watching Naruto through the mirror.
Hmm…
Indeed, Naruto had inherited the sunny features of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Without his usual whisker marks standing out so sharply and without the slight dishevelment he usually carried, Naruto really did look like a charming young boy. And he was still growing—there was more to look forward to as he matured.
But—
"Naruto," Kitahara Hitoshi said calmly, "you should never assume any kind of official position in the future."
"Eh?!"
Naruto's eyes widened in confusion.
Of course, he didn't understand the reference. In the original timeline, many people hoped he'd one day grow up, remove his forehead protector, and become Hokage.
But in reality… he had unknowingly set his future in stone with that desire. It was almost frightening.
"Repeat after me," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "From now on, I will never fixate on any position of power."
"Um… I will definitely avoid aiming for any position," Naruto repeated awkwardly.
"And another thing—Konoha people don't lie to Konoha people," Hitoshi said firmly.
"Ah, this…"
"Say it."
"…Konoha people don't lie to Konoha people," Naruto muttered under Hitoshi's gaze.
"Good. Now feel for yourself. Try to access your chakra," Hitoshi instructed. "Do you still feel overwhelmed when you try?"
"Well…"
Naruto formed a hand seal and concentrated.
"Whoa…"
His expression lit up.
"Chakra… I feel like I'm overflowing with it! I've never felt a sea of chakra like this before!"
He was astonished.
"Good," Kitahara Hitoshi nodded. "You can go find Iruka-sensei now. Today's practical assessment is the Three Body Technique. With how hard you've been working, this shouldn't be a problem for you."
"Ah… you noticed!" Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Of course."
"I always thought those basic jutsu were simple, but I couldn't pull them off properly. But now… I feel like…"
"…like I can really do it!"
"Clone Technique!"
Naruto formed seals right on the spot.
The graduation exam consisted of two components—a written test and a demonstration of the Three Body Technique, the core of a ninja's basics.
But despite his efforts, Naruto had never managed to use even these basic techniques.
The requirement was to perform the Clone Technique, and sometimes Iruka would demand that students overlay it with a Transformation Technique—making it even harder.
But—
"Clone Technique!"
Boom!
In an instant, six identical Iruka-senseis popped into existence inside Kitahara Hitoshi's room.
Senju Hashirama: That's interesting.
Senju Hashirama: If the interference of the Nine Tails is removed, then this must be his true strength.
Senju Tobirama: Yes. Even if it's only the Clone Technique, it's impressive to produce six clones like this.
Namikaze Minato: Eh…
Minato let out a deep sigh.
Namikaze Minato: My head hurts.
Namikaze Minato: I sealed the Nine Tails inside Naruto for the sake of the village.
Namikaze Minato: Without a Jinchuriki, the Nine Tails would have run rampant again.
Namikaze Minato: But Naruto… not only is he not being treated well… I wasn't asking them to pamper him, but this is too much!
Namikaze Minato: In the entire village, I can't name five people who are kind to him.
Namikaze Minato: I died for this village.
Namikaze Minato: And this… this is how they treat my son?
Namikaze Minato: I can't accept it.
Kakashi: …
Kakashi remained silent.
Namikaze Minato: Kakashi, there's something I need from you.
Kakashi: Minato-sensei, say the word. If it's within my power, I'll carry it out—even if it costs me my life.
Namikaze Minato: Don't be so dramatic.
Namikaze Minato: Kakashi… I need you to find the Third Hokage.
Namikaze Minato: And ask him—why was my son treated this way?
Namikaze Minato: Why did my Naruto have to go through this?
Namikaze Minato: I want answers.
Kakashi: …
Kakashi didn't respond immediately.
He could feel the shift.
Minato-sensei, who once respectfully called Hiruzen "Third Hokage," now simply referred to him as "the Third."
The change in tone was telling.
And if the Third couldn't provide an answer… Minato-sensei might act. He had once floated the idea of persuading Naruto to leave the village—when he didn't even know Naruto was his son.
But now… now that he knew…
If the Third failed to answer, then Minato-sensei might seriously push Naruto to defect.
Kakashi: Understood.
Senju Tobirama: …
Senju Tobirama: And once again, we return to this issue.
Senju Tobirama: Kakashi, ask him. You have my authorization.
Senju Tobirama: If Sarutobi can't give an answer… then he should step down.
Kakashi: …
Kakashi drew a sharp breath.
That meant the Second Hokage himself was stepping in—prepared to reclaim the office of Hokage from Hiruzen.
Tick!
At that moment, a system prompt popped up.
Today's session of Kitahara Hitoshi's live feed—3 hours—has ended.
Chat will be closing shortly.
Please return at the same time tomorrow.
Tick!
Everyone's vision began to fade.
Namikaze Minato: Kakashi… I'll be waiting for your report tomorrow.
Kakashi: Understood!
With Kakashi's final word, everyone's surroundings were consumed by darkness once more.