Chapter 68: A Heart-to-Heart Talk

  White, Kunai Uzu, and Jūgon'ya all looked at me with puzzlement as the third Hokage's conversation partner - myself.

  Naruto? I've never heard an adult call themselves Naruto, but somehow it seems like there have been a few times when the name was mentioned from a third person's perspective.

  "Dattebayo? I thought we'd already come to an understanding, I'm not called that name, never have been since the beginning." I didn't expect the calm and gentle Third Hokage to show such a tearful expression.

  "Uzumaki... You still can't forget how those Konoha villagers treated you?"

  "If I really couldn't forget, I wouldn't have come back. I don't mind those things, so be at ease! Third Hokage-sama, I won't be dissatisfied with Konoha just because of this small matter." You're thinking too much, Third Hokage. Towards those people, I won't go as far as to hate them.

  After finishing speaking, I also revealed a big smile like a whirlpool.

  I've arrived in Konoha, I'm now Uzumaki Naruto, at least that's what I keep telling myself for the past six years.

  "You... you... I... you..." The Third Hokage opened his mouth several times, but couldn't say it out loud.

  Honestly, by looking at your mouth shape, I already know what you're saying. Lip language is something I've been good at for a long time. You can't say it out loud, so let me say it instead: "Don't worry, I don't hate them, nor do I hate Konoha, and I don't even hate being treated as a monster. I don't hate any of these things. Are you at ease now, Third Hokage?"

  I was clearly comforting the Third Hokage, so why did he still look like he wanted to cry? I threw my question at my psychological counselor.

  You... were comforting him? My psychologist asked me in an utterly incredulous tone.

  "Ah, Third Hokage, isn't it just that you want to ask if I hate you? If I hate Konoha? And then I clearly dispelled his doubts and gave him the answer he wanted. What more does he want? Haven't I already done as he wished? Why is he still frowning with a sullen face? People who don't know the situation would think I'm bullying him."

  With that attitude of yours, how can he possibly believe you? And are you really not angry?

  What I said has always been true. If I had to hate every person who hurt me, it would be too exhausting. To hate, just find one target is enough. Hating so many people is tiring, really tiring. My words finally carried a hint of inexplicable fatigue.

  Only regret... is it just one person? He didn't dare ask the next sentence "Who is that person?" because he didn't dare to know the answer, or rather, he didn't dare to hear the answer.

  Hating one person is enough, why drag others into it? I replied nonchalantly.

  Alas...... Jiū disappeared with a long sigh again.

  "Ah, well... you..." The Third Hokage seemed reluctant to continue the conversation. "These people, are they your friends? What are their names? How did you meet them? And how have you spent these three years?" Also, why did several of the Anbu who were originally observing you suddenly disappear without a trace? Later, there was no news of you at all. The Third Hokage wanted to ask the last two questions out loud, but wouldn't that mean he had sent people to follow this child?

  "Them?" I took a deep look at the Third Hokage, and somehow felt that this wasn't really what he wanted to ask. Never mind, no need to think too much about it. "They're people I met during my three years of traveling, they're all orphans, so we banded together and came back to Konoha." I turned around to face them, gesturing for Haku, Zabuza, and Shikamaru to briefly introduce themselves.

  "Hello, Third Hokage-sama, I'm Haku, nine years old." Haku said, and slightly bowed.

  "Hello, Third Hokage. I'm eight years old." Kumaaru could tell that I still had some respect for the elderly man in front of me, so he didn't show his usual disdainful expression.

  "Sixteen Nights, Heaven's Hunt Sixteen Nights, six years old, nice to meet you, Lord Fire Shadow." Sixteen Nights obediently reported her name and title, only she had the privilege of saying her surname because it was given by the lord himself, and she hoped everyone would know her surname.

  "It's been three years since I last saw you, Third Hokage-sama. I am... the Uzumaki of Konoha." I can temporarily accept "Uzumaki" as my surname, but my given name absolutely cannot be "Naruto", not only do I dislike it, I also cannot bear this name.

  In Konoha, I am "Naruto Uzumaki", not just "Uzumaki" anymore.

  "...Is it left over? Did you take it yourself?"

  "...If I'm being completely honest, it's because of a person who is very important to me. That's all there is to it. I am Uzumaki Naruto." I believe the determination in my voice has already reached the ears of the Third Hokage.

  Moreover, this is the only name that he allows himself to be called by Konoha people, and he doesn't want to hear any other.

  "Is that so?" The Third Hokage's expression seemed somewhat desolate. "Then... if I'm not mistaken, you're all returning to Konoha to settle down, right?"

  I nodded, although it might just be for a few years, but there's no point in being too particular about this kind of thing.

  "Then, if I recall correctly, you also promised me that when you left, you would return to the Konoha Elementary School?"

  "Yes, that's my promise. I won't betray the trust placed in me." My life and death are not yet worthy of making me abandon my credibility, let alone "Konoha".

  "Is it just a promise?" The Third Hokage pondered over the profound meaning contained in these words.

  Oh, and one more thing!

  "Can they go to school together?" I pointed at Bai, Junmaru and Izayoi. Bai barely counted as having attended school for a year in the Water Country, but Junmaru and Izayoi had never received any basic education... that foundation, it's really hard to say.

  The basic education of the Konoha ninja is renowned for being one of the Five Great Nations' most excellent, and studying here is better for them, also it's a place I know well, where they can have a happy childhood.

  There aren't many precious things in life, but "happy childhood memories" definitely count as one. At the very least, it's better than following Orochimaru, Itachi, or coming from Kirigakure.

  Konoha is very peaceful and stable, most villagers have a respectful and friendly attitude towards ninjas, and most importantly, there is no discrimination, fear or persecution against the owners of the Blood Limit, but rather a feeling close to worship with a hint of fear, like the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan.

  Perhaps this is the influence of the "Will of Fire" that has been passed down from the beginning. I really don't know how, in those turbulent years, the great names of various countries regarded ninjas as tools and blood successors as weapons; ordinary people regarded ninjas as disasters and blood successors as roots of evil. How did the first generation have this idea? It's really intriguing!

  The Third Hokage didn't notice my distraction and replied: "Of course you can, Konoha is very open-minded."

  "Thank you very much, Third Hokage-sama." I bowed slightly in gratitude.

  You're very tolerant of humans, aren't you! I silently mocked in my heart, but thinking about it, people are naturally only tolerant of other people, isn't that just a normal fact?

  "I'll take care of everything for all of you, so don't worry about living expenses and whatnot." The Third Hokage revealed a kind smile.

  You will arrange everything for us, right? You said so, which means you can see how much I care about them!

  "Thank you very much, Third Hokage-sama." I also put on a cheerful smile, a seemingly cheerful smile.

  "Hehehe, just call me Fire Shadow Grandpa from now on."

  "Of course, Fire Shadow Grandpa." If Jūrō saw my current expression, he would definitely say that my skills have regressed and are too stiff. I just don't know if the Third Hokage can see through it or not.

  It's okay, I still have a long time and can learn well how to be a "Whirlpool Roarer".

  "White, Kureno, Jūrokuya, you three go out of the office building first and wait for me outside. I'll have a word with the Third Hokage... privately."