Naruto is Rejected
After today's training, Chi Yu instructed Hyuga Neji and Whirlpool Cangna to return home first.
Once they left, Chi Yu turned to the boy hiding in the bushes.
"Come out, Naruto. It must be exhausting for you to stay so calm all these days, sneaking here every day to watch Neji and Cangna train."
Little Uzumaki Naruto stepped out, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Uncle Chi Yu…"
Chi Yu smiled warmly. "Come on, I'll walk you home."
As they walked along the street, Naruto hung his head, glancing up at Chi Yu only occasionally. He opened his mouth, then hesitated, lowering his gaze again.
Seeing this, Chi Yu said firmly, "Just say what's on your mind. No matter how long you look at me silently, I won't know what you're thinking."
Naruto took a deep breath and looked up. "Uncle Chi Yu… can you teach me how to train?"
Chi Yu's eyes softened, though the question had been expected. "Training? Why are you in such a hurry to train?"
Pouting, Naruto replied plaintively, "A lot of people bully me, and I can't beat them. Maybe if I get stronger, they'll become my friends."
Chi Yu's gaze deepened. "And you told the Third Hokage about this, right? What did he say?"
Naruto's expression fell further. "Hokage Grandpa said that everyone in Konoha is family and I shouldn't fight with them. He said if I get along with them, they'll be my friends. But they just keep bullying me. I want to be friends with them, but they don't want it—they just make fun of me."
Chi Yu asked quietly, "So… do you think they are family?"
"No," Naruto said firmly. "Even though I have no family, I can see what family should be like. They aren't like that, so they're definitely not my family."
Then Naruto hesitated for a moment before asking, "Uncle Chi Yu… Cangna and Sister Kushina have the same last name as me… Uzumaki. Are we… related?"
Chi Yu's eye twitched at the mention of Uzumaki Kushina. She rarely saw Naruto because her emotions ran high whenever she faced the pitiful child, and speaking too freely could bring him trouble. Instead, she relied on Chi Yu to visit him.
"I don't know," Chi Yu said simply.
Naruto's eyes widened in confusion. "Huh? You don't know?"
Chi Yu shifted the conversation. "Whether I can teach you doesn't depend on me. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. You need to ask the Third Hokage. If he agrees, then I will teach you."
Naruto's eyes lit up with hope. "So… if Hokage Grandpa agrees, you'll teach me? I know he'll agree!"
Chi Yu smiled meaningfully. It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be monitoring them closely for now.
"By the way, Naruto, do you have enough food at home?"
"Yes! There's still plenty. Enough for many days," Naruto replied.
"Good. Then we part ways here. I won't walk you home."
Chi Yu's expression grew serious as he looked Naruto in the eyes. "Listen carefully, Naruto. You must have your own will. Stick to your ideas. Don't let others sway you. Just now, you said that family shouldn't behave that way. That's your will, your thinking. You must learn to think for yourself. Never believe everything people tell you. No one helps for nothing. Even those who help have a purpose—including me. Understand?"
Naruto nodded, only half-comprehending.
"Good. I've walked you this far. Go home, Naruto."
Chi Yu turned and walked away.
---
Back at home, Naruto opened the refrigerator to get something to eat when there was a knock at the door.
"Hokage Grandpa!" Naruto exclaimed happily, opening it to find Hiruzen Sarutobi standing there.
Hiruzen had come because he knew Naruto had encountered Chi Yu today.
"How was your day, Naruto?" he asked kindly.
Naruto's face fell. "It's the same as always… but today, Hokage Grandpa, I saw Uncle Chi Yu teaching his disciples and Cangna train. He found out I was watching…"
Naruto looked up hopefully. "Hokage Grandpa… Uncle Chi Yu said if you agree, I can train with him. Will you let me?"
A flicker of unease crossed Hiruzen's eyes, but he maintained his gentle expression. "Naruto, why do you want to train?"
Naruto frowned. Chi Yu had asked the same thing—why did Hiruzen need to ask too? He just wanted to train, wasn't that enough?
"I want to get stronger! I want to stop being bullied! I want to walk the streets without people staring at me like that!" Naruto said earnestly.
Hiruzen sighed. He still felt indebted to Naruto, but this matter involved Chi Yu, so he had to remain objective.
"Naruto… that's not the right reason to train. I cannot approve training with Chi Yu until you understand why you truly want to train. Once you know, then you may begin."
Naruto's heart sank instantly. Hiruzen was denying him, preferring he have less contact with Chi Yu. Why would he ever agree?
"What… then what should I train for, Hokage Grandpa?" Naruto asked quietly.
Hiruzen patted Naruto's head. "That is for you to figure out yourself. But here's a hint: think about the Will of Fire I taught you. Once you find your answer there, you will be ready."
Naruto recalled Hiruzen's words about the Will of Fire, but for now, the meaning eluded him.
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