đ¨Insert Some Funny Memes or GIFđ¨
Bonus Chapter
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The warm spring sun shone from above. Lush green trees lined both sides of the brown dirt road, and a high, dark brown wooden wall surrounded all of Konoha.
The word "Konoha" was painted in crimson on the dark green gate, and above it, a gray-white plaque bore the words "Hidden Leaf Village."
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stood watch at the gate, their expressions showing visible unease.
Rumors had been swirling recently in the Konoha ninja circles about the three figures currently standing at the village entrance. Because of this, they didn't dare act rashly.
One was Lord Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin. The other, Uzumaki Naruto, the son of the Fourth Hokage â whose identity had only recently become known to the public. And lastly, standing beside them, was none other than Uchiha Hikaru, the current deputy head of the Uchiha Clan â someone they absolutely couldn't afford to offend.
Though the fact that the Third Hokage had been forced to abdicate hadn't been publicly announced yet, it was clearly a matter that affected the village's honor. Everything had to be handled delicately.
Still, all high-ranking shinobi â special jonin and above â already knew the truth. And the source of it all stood right before them: the seemingly harmless, warm-faced young man â Uchiha Hikaru.
Jiraiya and Naruto arrived a bit late, jogging over to join Hikaru.
Jiraiya wore an apologetic smile, though his eyes gleamed with joy.
"Haha, I took Naruto to the hospital to get some medicine. Took a bit longer than expected. Hikaru, let's go find Tsunade quickly."
"The village is still waiting for her return to take over as the Fifth Hokage."
Hikaru's gaze fell on Naruto, who was still wrapped in bandages. His expression turned heavy, brows furrowed.
"Naruto... what happened?"
Jiraiya quickly pulled Hikaru aside, clearly not wanting Naruto to overhear.
He slung an arm around Hikaru's shoulder, lowered his voice, and spoke gravely.
"Danzo tampered with Naruto's seal, but I've already fixed that."
"I used the key Minato left behind and reinforced the seal myself."
"But after a full examination, the jonin in the medical corps told me that Danzo had pumped Naruto full of drugs â overdrawing his life force and nearly destroying all his chakra pathways."
"This kind of damage is far beyond what our village med-nin can treat. That's why we're bringing Naruto along â we're hoping Tsunade can personally treat him. Whether Naruto can remain a ninja depends on it."
Jiraiya's earlier cheer was gone, his face now solemn.
Hikaru let out a quiet sigh and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. We'll find Tsunade. She'll heal him."
Jiraiya's expression softened.
The two of them returned to Naruto, who was still gazing wide-eyed at the world beyond the village gates.
This was his first time leaving the village since growing up. He was so awestruck by the sights that he completely forgot about the bandages on his body. His face radiated youthful wonder and excitement for the unknown.
Everything he saw was etched into his memory.
He ran up to Jiraiya, grabbing his arm excitedly.
"Pervy Sage! Pervy Sage! Look at all the trees! The roads are so wide, hahaha!"
He ran out into the center of the path and stood on his tiptoes, straining to see the road's distant end.
Jiraiya laughed, walked over, and lifted Naruto onto his back.
"Yup, that's the world outside the village. Lie down and hold on tight. I'm taking you somewhere fun â with hot springs!"
"Yes! Hot springs!"
Naruto threw his arms in the air, cheering joyfully.
Seeing that, Hikaru followed with a small smile. The trio set out on their journey to find Princess Tsunade.
The sun slowly rose and then fell. As twilight faded, the sky darkened.
Naruto, still clinging to Jiraiya's back, had started the journey full of enthusiasm, watching the scenery fly by and sharing his dreams of becoming a ninja.
But travel could be dull, and eventually, sleep claimed him. He rested quietly on Jiraiya's back.
By the time night fully took over, the final traces of daylight had vanished. The sky became an inky black canvas, stars shining like scattered gemstones.
Jiraiya and Hikaru found shelter in a nearby cave and decided to camp for the night.
Jiraiya used Fire Style to light a campfire, and Hikaru pulled grilled meat and vegetables from a scroll he'd brought along.
They weren't on a dangerous mission â just searching for Tsunade. Other than the possibility of running into a rogue shinobi, there wasn't much threat. And with Naruto injured, nutrition was a priority.
Hikaru placed a grill rack over the fire. Naruto ran over, eyes lighting up as he pointed excitedly.
"Pervy Sage! That's the grill from the barbecue restaurant! We're having barbecue?! Awesome!"
Jiraiya laughed and squatted beside him, ruffling Naruto's spiky blond hair with a broad hand.
"Yeah, after a full day on the road, Hikaru and I are wiped. We need a good meal if we're gonna keep moving tomorrow."
But as soon as Jiraiya said that, Naruto lowered his head, trying to hide the flicker of disappointment on his face.
"Brother Hikaru and Pervy Sage have been carrying me the whole time⌠I really am useless..."
Self-doubt and guilt clouded Naruto's expression.
Though still young, years of rejection from the villagers had toughened him â made him more mature than others his age. But it had also left him sensitive and easily hurt.
Jiraiya's smile faded. His intention behind the barbecue had been to lift spirits and recover stamina â not to remind Naruto of his injuries.
The cave fell into silence. Only the fire's crackling broke the stillness.
Hikaru slowly walked over to Naruto, crouching so they were eye-level. He met the boy's gaze with quiet warmth.
"Naruto, let me tell you a story."
"The main character⌠is just like you."
Naruto's interest sparked, and he looked up at Hikaru.
"A story? Like me?
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
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