I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

"Everything is for my own good," he said.

After Naruto's back disappeared from sight, Hyūga Tokuma glanced at his young lady and couldn't help but sigh.

As a seasoned ninja, he knew that Lady Hinata had long harbored feelings for the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto Uzumaki. However, Naruto's status was complicated. As the container of the Kyūbi, he was both a vital asset to the village and a subject of scrutiny among Konoha's various factions.

Lady Hinata was the Hyūga clan's heiress, and given the clan's rigid traditions, her future had likely already been decided. A union with a jinchūriki—someone ostracized by many—would not be easily accepted.

Still, if the clan head, Hiashi Hyūga, had not intervened by now, then perhaps he had silently acknowledged his daughter's feelings. As a mere branch family member and a Tokubetsu Jōnin, Tokuma knew better than to concern himself with the internal affairs of the main family. His duty was to serve and protect, nothing more.

Yet, watching Hinata's determined expression, he couldn't help but ponder the obstacles that lay ahead.

She had always been a fragile child, yet there was a quiet strength in her now.

At that moment, Hinata turned to him and spoke with newfound resolve.

"Uncle Tokuma, you should return. Today's training hasn't started yet. I need to master the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms as soon as possible so I can defeat my cousin, Neji."

Tokuma studied her for a moment but said nothing. He simply gave a small bow and silently complied.

---

On the way back…

Naruto strolled carefreely through Konoha's bustling streets. He could feel the all-too-familiar malice in the air, and a smirk formed on his lips.

The villagers' gazes were less overtly hostile these days, but the resentment remained. They no longer dared to sneer at him openly, though he could still hear the whispers behind his back. His heightened senses—sharpened through training and instinct—picked up the murmurs:

A demon fox shouldn't be allowed in the academy.

He probably cheated to get top marks…

Naruto rolled his eyes. He had heard it all before. But as he continued walking, the presence of the Konoha Police Force caught his attention.

With the Uchiha clan's growing tensions, their law enforcement had become increasingly strict. Many villagers resented them, but in moments like these, their patrols kept people from openly antagonizing him.

One particular officer in the distance caught Naruto's eye. The moment their gazes met, the officer frowned and whispered something to his companion. There was hesitation, a flicker of recognition.

Then, with a subtle hand gesture, the squad leader dismissed them, signaling them to move on.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. That movement—it was far too familiar.

Even with the disguise, he knew.

It was Shisui Uchiha.

So, he had reinfiltrated the Uchiha ranks under an assumed identity.

As Naruto left the area, Shisui's subordinates spoke in hushed tones.

"Why not use genjutsu to control the jinchūriki in advance? If he sided with us, our escape plan would go much smoother."

Shisui shook his head. "That would only raise suspicion. Do you think a jinchūriki is that easy to manipulate? He's under constant surveillance by ANBU. For all we know, the Hokage could be watching him at this very moment."

After a brief pause, he changed the subject. "What about the funding? If we leave the village, we'll be abandoning most of our clan's assets."

The other Uchiha scratched his head. "You're under watch by the coup faction, so there's little we can withdraw without notice. When exactly do you plan to act?"

Shisui sighed. "We wait until Fugaku makes his move. In the meantime, we focus on ensuring the children's safety. Whether the coup succeeds or fails, the Uchiha must not be wiped out."

His comrade frowned. "If only you were the clan head instead of Fugaku. He isn't suited for leadership."

Shisui gave a bitter smile. "I've already failed once. I don't have the right to decide the clan's fate. But when the time comes… I won't stand by and do nothing."

---

Meanwhile, Naruto had already returned home.

Standing at his doorstep was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. He held a bundle of scrolls in one hand and smiled warmly.

"Naruto, I heard you placed first in your class. These scrolls contain new ninjutsu techniques, and here's some extra allowance as a reward."

Naruto accepted the scrolls and the money, but his expression remained indifferent.

"It's not that hard to be first," he replied flatly. "The others are just too lazy. If they trained more than 14 hours a day, they'd catch up to me."

Hiruzen chuckled knowingly. "Not everyone has your discipline, Naruto. Bonds are just as important as training. Strength alone isn't everything."

His gaze drifted toward the kitchen. "No home-cooked meal today? That's a shame. Your cooking is much better than my son's."

Naruto glanced at him. "Grandpa Hokage, your son gives you trouble?"

Hiruzen sighed. "It's not that. Asuma's ideals differ from mine. He left to serve the daimyo's guard and hasn't returned in years."

Naruto hesitated. "What about your eldest son?"

A shadow crossed Hiruzen's face. "He died on a mission… leaving behind only one grandson. Few remember them now, except as names on a memorial stone."

Naruto studied him for a long moment before asking the question that always haunted him.

"Then why won't you tell me about my parents? Do you think the dead are meaningless?"

Hiruzen's expression softened. "It's not that, Naruto. I only want you to cherish the people in your life right now. I've always treated you like my own grandson. When the time is right, I promise to tell you everything."

A pause.

"For now, all I can say is this: your parents were heroes who protected the village. They are buried in the Hero's Monument."

Naruto stared at him. "And you still won't tell me who they were?"

"I will, when the time comes." Hiruzen placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "For now, you should focus on growing stronger. In time, you could even join ANBU. Once you're ready, I'll allow you to skip the Chūnin Exams and work directly under me."

Naruto remained silent.

Hiruzen smiled and reassured him. "Everything I do is for your own good."

Naruto froze for a moment. Then, in a hesitant voice, he asked,

"You're not lying to me this time, right?"

Hiruzen simply nodded.

After the Hokage left, Naruto stepped onto his balcony, letting the night breeze wash over him.

With a quiet chuckle, he muttered,

"Kyuubi… he said everything was for my own good."

A deep, rumbling voice echoed in his mind.

"I heard you, brat."

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