Changing Fate As Naruto

Phew, he still lost in the end, huh... That kid named Uchiha Itachi is seriously strong. If memory serves, he's not even nine years old yet, and he already possesses the two-tomoe Sharingan. No wonder Naruto believes he's one of the key figures who will determine the fate of the Uchiha Clan.

The moment Sasuke declared the outcome, the Third Hokage, who had been staring intently at the Crystal Ball, finally let out a breath of relief. He picked up his pipe from the desk, took a few puffs, and after calming down a little, let out a helpless chuckle.

"But that little rascal Naruto really went overboard. Even I didn't expect him to actually harden his heart and use his real body as bait, enduring the scorching flames of the Fireball Jutsu while waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

Putting aside the outcome, just judging from the ambush's effectiveness, the plan was undoubtedly a success… If Uchiha Itachi hadn't prepared a Substitution Jutsu in advance, and had taken the full brunt of that Combination ninjutsu head-on, the result might've been entirely different.

Standing beside him, Kakashi gave a slight nod in agreement, his gaze still fixed on Naruto. A faint smile slowly appeared in the only visible eye under his forehead protector. And that jutsu Naruto used earlier... Kakashi wasn't sure where Naruto learned it from, but there was no mistake—that was the unranked ninjutsu his teacher had developed: the Rasengan!

'Now you should understand why I believe Naruto's "nonsense", Kakashi…'

Not only do many of Naruto's deductions match the intel I've gathered, but simply looking at the ability this kid has displayed—it's clear he's not just some mischievous brat spouting nonsense.

After confirming through the Crystal Ball that Naruto had only collapsed from exhaustion and wasn't in any real danger, the Third Hokage slowly looked up and fixed his gaze on Kakashi, whose expression still held a trace of youthful innocence.

'Exceptional combat talent, a will strong enough to endure humiliation, and a shinobi gift as dazzling as his father, Minato Namikaze… With the right guidance, this kid's future will definitely shine just as bright as his father's. No—he might even surpass him, becoming a Hokage worthy of being etched into history!'

He exposed Danzo Shimura's ambitions, eased the Hyuga Clan's anger toward the Hokage faction, and fiercely battled Uchiha Itachi to win the trust of both future successors of the Uchiha Clan… Naruto's outstanding performance made the Third Hokage certain he had found someone worthy of inheriting the mantle of Hokage. In high spirits, his resolve to crush Danzo's ambitions only grew stronger.

'It's about time I begin laying out the plans… Naruto's trying so hard; this old man should step up too.'

The Third Hokage gently stroked the smooth surface of the Crystal Ball with his wrinkled, calloused palm. As he refocused his gaze on Naruto, he muttered with a fond, teasing smile,

"If you end up solving all our problems for us, this old man won't have any face left to show."

Of course, if Naruto ever found out just how highly the Third Hokage evaluated him... he'd probably laugh so hard he'd clutch his belly and roll all over the floor.

His bond with Sasuke began with simple curiosity over that little fan emblem and Naruto's own selfish desire to use him to obtain the Shadow Clone Technique.

Smoothing over the conflict between the Hokage faction and the Hyuga Clan? Naruto was completely unaware of it—after all, from his point of view, that night he was just in a good mood and had nothing better to do, so he walked a lost little girl—Hyuga Hinata, a total stranger whose name he didn't even know—back home.

As for deliberately challenging Uchiha Itachi to earn his trust? That's just nonsense.

In reality, it was just Naruto, who hadn't sparred in three years, getting too excited when he saw the real Itachi in person and couldn't help wanting to test the difference in their strength.

All those praises about how calculating and brilliant he is? Just beautiful misunderstandings born from the assumptions of people like the Third Hokage.

To use a popular phrase from Naruto's original world: "Fate works in mysterious ways."

Besides, if the Third Hokage ever discovered Naruto's true self behind the scenes…

He wouldn't just abandon the idea of grooming Naruto as the next Hokage—he'd probably have his entire worldview shattered into dust.

Meanwhile, as the Hokage faction, buoyed by Naruto's steady progress, felt a surge of morale, the person in question—Naruto—was currently walking home in a battered, scorched, and utterly miserable state. He was using Kurama's Tailed Beast Chakra to accelerate his recovery from the damage, while simultaneously discussing the earlier fight with Kurama, who had been spectating from inside him…

Or rather, trying to pacify his extremely pissed-off partner, who had been driven into a rage by Naruto's outrageous behavior.

"You're a damn idiot, Naruto! With your tiny arms and legs, you really went and took a direct hit from Fireball Jutsu!? If I hadn't instantly formed the Tailed Beast Cloak to shield you, you'd be ash by now! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

"Come on now, don't be mad, Kurama~ It's because I knew a big shot like you had my back that I had the guts to take the hit."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Naruto's tone softened as he faced the rampaging Kurama. He scratched his head with a sheepish grin and tried to butter him up.

"Think about it, Kurama. You're the strongest of the Nine-Tails! As your Jinchūriki, there's no way you'd let me get killed by some weak little C-rank jutsu!"

"Oh? So now it's my fault for interfering too much?"

Kurama bared his fangs in a twisted grin. Despite the crisis being over, seeing Naruto act like a carefree goof only made his anger surge even more.

"Since you like being roasted so much… why don't I let you feel something way hotter than Fireball Jutsu?"

"No no no, I never said that!!"

Seeing the ominous, "kind" smile on Kurama's face, Naruto gulped hard. In an instant, all signs of mischief vanished as he dropped to all fours in front of Kurama with a loud thump, shouting:

"I was wrong!!"

"...This again, you damn brat! Do you even have a shred of dignity as my Jinchūriki!? Where's all that pride you show off to everyone else!?"

"Huh? Dignity? What's that worth? Can I eat it?"

Naruto looked up with exaggerated innocence, blinking as he tried to hold in his laughter.

"Besides... Kurama, you're not 'everyone else.' You're my most important partner! That stubborn pride I show outsiders? It doesn't exist in front of you."

"You... I…!"

"Ahem. Alright, alright, Kurama~ I know I'm incredibly handsome, but you don't have to get so emotional that you start stuttering~"

Seeing that shameless, punchable grin on Naruto's face, Kurama was overwhelmed by a strange mix of defeat and amusement. He couldn't help but question whether he had been too hasty in choosing to trust this infuriating brat as his Jinchūriki.

If not for that damn seal keeping them apart, Kurama would've—