In the morning, Naruto woke up as sunlight touched his face and birds chirped outside.
He got up, opened the windows of his house, and went to the bathroom.
After five minutes of torture, Naruto came out of the bathroom, got dressed, and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.
After eating, he sat on a chair, placing his hands on the table.
"Now, what should I do?"
"I have two options: either I go to the Hokage, or he comes to me."
"And based on what I think, the second option is better, since yesterday's report must have reached him. So he'll know about my condition. I guess I'll wait."
"And to not waste time, I'll secretly practice chakra control — a training I saw before in my past life, where I use chakra to stick a piece of paper to any part of my body without letting it fall."
"I'll put the paper on my forehead, and since the ANBU can only see my back because I'm facing the wall, this should work."
Naruto picked up the notebook with those childish drawings — he had taken it earlier while grabbing clothes from the drawer. He tore a page from it, placed it on his forehead, and simultaneously started channeling chakra to that area.
But after only a few seconds, the paper fell.
"This is going to be hard. Having a large chakra reserve is useful, but it makes control difficult."
About five hours passed, during which Naruto kept trying to increase his record time. In the end, he managed to hold the paper for ten minutes. He was determined to continue, but it was time for lunch.
"So... time to carry out the plan."
"Let's double-check: there's no food in the fridge, none in the drawers. I can feel the ANBU's gaze piercing the back of my head — they're here. Good."
Naruto stood from the couch, went to the fridge, and opened it. Finding nothing, he returned, pretending to be sad, then walked to the door — seeing Konoha for the first time since his reincarnation.
"Now, based on Naruto's memories, the road should be this way."
He tried mimicking his previous childish movements to avoid suspicion and walked along the path he remembered.
After about five minutes of brisk walking, Naruto reached a market bustling with vendors and customers.
Every one of them had the same look when they saw Naruto — anger, disgust, and fear, all at once.
Then, shortly after, whispers and remarks filled the air — it was obvious they were talking about him, and they didn't even try to lower their voices.
"Ignore them, just ignore them."
"Now, based on Naruto's memories, that vendor is the most aggressive. He treats his customers harshly — let alone me. Good."
Naruto approached the vendor, ignoring the piercing stares.
The vendor noticed Naruto coming and looked at him with clear anger.
"Uncle, I want that," Naruto said in a slightly childish voice.
But the vendor responded violently, "Who are you calling uncle? Get away, you demon!"
"But uncle, I just want that — look, I even have money."
"Didn't you hear me? I said get away! And don't call me uncle. I'm not your uncle!"
"Great — just one more push and I'll succeed."
"Please, uncle."
Naruto reached out and touched the fruit he wanted.
The vendor's rage exploded upon seeing Naruto touch his goods.
"Damn you, demon!"
He lunged at Naruto and punched him, sending Naruto flying a few meters away from the stand.
"Ouch, that hurts... but I have to endure it. This won't last long."
Many vendors and customers gathered around the scene, gossiping and commenting more loudly.
"Now it's time to retreat."
Naruto stood up, turned around, and began walking home while deliberately crying, leaving people to judge.
"Wasn't that too harsh? He's just a child."
"No, he's not a child — he's a demon. Compared to what he did, this is nothing."
"Yes, you're right."
...
After walking away from the area, Naruto entered his home.
"Good — eighth-grade drama skills still intact."
"Now, time to test them. I'll fake fainting — though I know this won't fool the ANBU, so I'll do it in a place they can't see."
He quickly went to the kitchen, grabbed a glass, filled it with water, then returned to the hallway.
He deliberately dropped the glass and collapsed to the floor.
"So now, I've reached the final and hardest part of my plan — waiting."
Naruto glanced at the clock — it was 6 PM.
---
Inside the Hokage's Office
Hiruzen sighed, a puff of smoke escaping his lips as he smoked. He looked at the clock — it was 9 PM.
"I think it's time. I've finished most important tasks, only minor ones remain. I'll go now."
He stood from his chair, put on his hat, and left his office.
He walked slowly through the empty, dark streets of Konoha. After about 15 minutes, he arrived at Naruto's home and knocked on the door.
He waited for a while but got no response.
---
Inside the house
Naruto was sitting, leaning against the wall — tired of pretending to be unconscious.
But the moment he heard the knock, he returned to his "unconscious" state.
Then Hiruzen opened the door and rushed inside, seeing Naruto lying on the floor.
He ran to him and began checking on him.
"Naruto, Naruto, can you hear me?"
He got no response, so he carried Naruto and laid him on the bed.
Then, ANBU captain — Kakashi — appeared before the Hokage.
"Kakashi, what happened?"
"Unfortunately, I didn't witness what happened, but I think I can explain."
"Go on."
"Today, Naruto went to the market to buy food, but the vendor didn't like it and attacked him. Naruto returned home, crying the entire way. Even after entering, we kept hearing him cry. Then suddenly, it stopped. We assumed he had fallen asleep due to the late hour, so we didn't intervene."
"Yes, I also instructed you not to intervene unless Naruto's life was in—"
"What happened?"
Naruto's voice interrupted the Hokage.
Kakashi vanished instantly, and Hiruzen turned toward Naruto.
"Naruto, are you okay now?"
"Grandpa Hokage, why are you here?"
"I came to visit you. So Naruto, do you remember what happened?"
"Yes, but I don't know how I ended up in bed."
"I brought you here. So, what happened?"
"First, I went to buy some food because I had none and was very hungry. But the vendor refused to sell, calling me a demon. Then he hit me when I touched one of the fruits I wanted. I returned home crying from the pain, the villagers' treatment, and hunger. I went to the kitchen to get water, then passed out.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a strange place, and in front of me was a giant fox with many tails — I couldn't count them due to the darkness — trapped in a huge cage.
The fox could talk. He asked if I wanted to kill the villagers and told me to remove the paper on the cage. I got scared and didn't answer him. Then a dark red substance came out and surrounded me — I didn't know what to do and blacked out.
Then I opened my eyes again and saw a man with blonde hair wearing the Hokage's cloak. I recognized him as the Fourth Hokage.
He told me that the fox's name was the Nine-Tails. Then he called me by my name, which surprised me. I asked him how he knew it. He said—"
Naruto paused and glanced quickly at Hiruzen, who looked deeply tense and concerned. Naruto then decided to continue.
"He told me that he was my father. I was shocked.
When he saw my reaction, he asked if the Third Hokage hadn't told me the truth.
I told him that every time I asked, you would say it didn't matter who my parents were — only that they gave their lives for the village and I should be like them.
Then my dad sighed and looked clearly upset, especially after I told him how I lived these past five years. He got angry — even though he tried to hide it, I could sense it.
So, I changed the subject and asked about my mom.
He said he'd take me to meet her. Then his body started to fade.
Suddenly, I was in another strange place — in front of me stood a woman with red hair and eyes like mine.
She was crying. She approached me, hugged me, and said she missed me.
Then I learned that this woman was my mother.
I spent more time with her, so we talked about many things.
When it was time for her to leave, she said goodbye."
Naruto finished his story — using his acting skills effectively, showing a mix of anger, sadness, and longing.
Hiruzen noticed this and felt even more regret.
"So... you met them both?"
"Yes. Honestly, my love for you has lessened and my resentment has grown — and I think you know why.
How could you hide something so important from me?!
Every day I suffer from the villagers' hatred and sometimes sleep without food.
They should've treated me like a hero, not called me a demon fox!"
Naruto's voice grew louder with every word until he shouted at the Hokage.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Naruto."
"..."
"You're right. You weren't supposed to suffer. This is all my fault.
I understand why you're angry, and I'll make it up to you in every way I can."
"I didn't say I hate you — I just said I don't love you anymore.
Also, I felt humiliated when my father saw my condition. He said I looked so thin I was practically dead.
When I told him I couldn't afford food, he said that when I wake up, I should tell the Third Hokage to give me my father's inheritance."
"Yes, of course — that's the least I can do for you.
But forgive me, I can't tell the villagers who your parents are.
However, you can tell whoever you want."
"Thank you. I'm excited to see what my dad left me.
Oh, by the way, are there people who already know about my identity?"
"Yes — me, the village elders, and the clan leaders."
"So... only adults."
"Yes.
By the way, I noticed you're really smart for your age — that's good.
If you keep training, you'll reach the level of clan children before you even enter the academy."
"I'll be entering the academy?" Naruto said with feigned surprise — though he already knew.
"Yes, next year."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now, pack your things — you'll be moving out of this house."
"To where?"
"To Minato's house — your father's."
"Wow, awesome! Okay, I'll hurry. I don't have much anyway."
Naruto added that last part to deepen Hiruzen's guilt and ensure more cooperation.
He got out of bed, went to the closet, and started packing.
He also took advantage of Hiruzen's distracted state to go to the hallway and retrieve the hidden notebook.
Shortly after, Naruto and the Hokage left the house, walking hand in hand.