The World Won’t Forget Who You Are

"Naruto, aren't you tired of doing this?"

"I don't feel tired at all. In fact, I'd say it's quite interesting—because anything worthwhile is always difficult to achieve."

Hearing this, Minato Namikaze's expression turned somewhat melancholic. Because of Naruto's age, he had always tried to communicate with him from the perspective of a father.

However, it was clear that Naruto had already developed a worldview far beyond his years.

Minato understood exactly why Naruto had come to see the Third Hokage.

For the past two months, since the Third Hokage left the village, Hayate Gekkō had been tracking and monitoring Naruto—but only his shadow clones. Every day, Naruto deliberately had his clone act as if he was struggling to master the Shadow Clone Jutsu under Hayate's watchful eye.

The moment the Third Hokage returned that day, Hayate Gekkō had immediately gone to report.

Naruto had come to see the Third Hokage simply to make him believe that he was growing into the kind of person the Hokage had hoped for…

"Hm? Uchiha Shisui is here too?"

In order to ensure Hayate Gekkō would report to the Hokage in advance, Naruto had intentionally slowed his steps when he was close to the Hokage's office. As soon as he saw the front entrance, he halted—because he sensed Uchiha Shisui's chakra approaching.

Naruto immediately shifted his consciousness into the sealed space.

"Father, what do you think of the Uchiha clan?"

Minato was surprised by the sudden question. After a moment of thought, he replied:

"I don't know much about the Uchiha clan. I only had dealings with their leader, Uchiha Fugaku, back when I was a candidate for Hokage."

"After becoming Hokage, I only had a few brief meetings with the high-ranking members of the Uchiha Police Force. However, your mother was good friends with Fugaku's wife."

As Shisui's chakra approached, a sharp glint flickered in Naruto's eyes. "Father, have you ever fought against any Uchiha from the village? How much do you know about their Sharingan?"

Minato's gaze hardened. "The Uchiha can easily acquire skills that take others years of training to master, simply by awakening their Sharingan. Even at the lowest level, an Uchiha who unlocks their eyes is at least at the level of a Chūnin."

"I haven't personally fought any Uchiha from the village, but you know that years ago, I battled the masked man who unleashed the Nine-Tails. He wielded the Uchiha's strongest dōjutsu—the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The power of his Mangekyō Sharingan not only allowed him to control tailed beasts with ease but also granted him mastery over space-time ninjutsu…"

"I already know all of that." Naruto cut Minato off, then asked with an unusual expression, "Your former subordinate, Kakashi, successfully transplanted a Sharingan. Didn't you ever ask him about the deeper secrets of the Sharingan?"

Minato's expression shifted in shock. "Naruto, what are you planning?"

Could it be that Naruto intended to steal a Sharingan?!

With his current abilities, he could easily take a Sharingan from any Uchiha he targeted.

"Don't be so tense," Naruto waved a hand dismissively, his bright eyes gleaming. "I just suddenly became curious." Then, turning his focus back to reality, he said, "Kurama, from now on, you don't have to suppress your chakra."

The Nine-Tails, lying to the side, twitched its tail. Immediately, Naruto saw waves of red chakra surging toward the sealed gate like a rising tide.

Minato still wanted to say something, but Naruto had already left the sealed space.

As he returned to reality, he saw that Uchiha Shisui had already entered the Hokage's office.

Naruto recalled a moment from the original storyline: when Kabuto used Edo Tensei's reanimated army to threaten Obito, he mentioned that Shisui's body had never been found.

Shisui was the wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan that housed Kotoamatsukami—the strongest mind-controlling genjutsu.

The current year was Konoha Year 53. According to the original timeline, Shisui would die next year—losing his right eye to Danzō before entrusting his left eye to Itachi.

Naruto glanced at the Hokage's office once more, the corners of his lips curving slightly.

The legendary Scroll of Seals, which contained numerous forbidden jutsu of Konoha, was said to be stored right inside the Hokage's office.

He didn't need to fight for Shisui's eyes. He only needed to obtain Shisui's corpse. That way, he could acquire a pair of fully intact Mangekyō Sharingan.

But the real problem was figuring out where exactly Shisui would die. According to the story, it seemed to be near a waterfall by the Naka River.

The Naka River wasn't far from the forest where Naruto had trained with Itachi. But while the river itself was easy to find, pinpointing the correct waterfall would be tricky.

Should he just take the risk and mark Shisui with the Flying Thunder God seal?

With that thought flashing through his mind, Naruto's eyes gleamed as he stepped into the Hokage's office.

Inside the Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage sat sternly in his chair, while Uchiha Shisui knelt on one knee before him.

"Shisui, while the advisors have already given me their reports, I'd still like to hear your perspective."

"Hokage-sama, there are indeed some among my clan who are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the village. However, the captain is doing his best to mediate. To resolve this issue, we need to improve relations between the Uchiha and the village. If we can do that, I believe the Uchiha can coexist peacefully with Konoha."

"I have already begun discussions with the other advisors. In the meantime, I must ask you to continue monitoring the situation within the Uchiha clan…"

Knock, knock.

Just as the Third Hokage was speaking, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

As soon as permission was granted, an ANBU member opened the door. The Third Hokage's expression immediately softened.

"Hehe, Naruto!"

"Hokage-sama, I saw the village's public announcement this morning and realized you had returned. I came to ask you about my training."

As Naruto spoke, he casually moved forward, stopping right beside Uchiha Shisui. Tilting his head slightly, he glanced at the silent, kneeling Shisui—only to find that Shisui was also studying him.

Naruto quickly shifted his gaze back to the Hokage.

Shisui was perplexed. It wasn't that he didn't recognize Naruto—he did—but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Naruto somewhere else before.

"Hokage-sama, I'd like to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Naruto's sincere eyes locked onto the Third Hokage, his expression filled with longing.

The Third Hokage chuckled. "You haven't mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu yet, have you? Don't worry, Naruto. That's because you've never received systematic training. You lack experience with jutsu practice and proper chakra control."

With a warm smile, the Third Hokage stood from his chair and squatted down beside Naruto.

"Naruto, do you remember the Ninja Academy from last year?"

"Yes. You took me there once—it seemed interesting."

Hearing this, the Third Hokage's smile deepened.

"You'll be six next year. Would you like to enroll in the Academy?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I can go to the Academy? But the villagers don't seem to like me."

"Of course! Never forget who you are." The Third Hokage's expression turned serious. "You are a part of Konoha. You have every right to attend school. And there, you'll make friends—like Shikamaru."

Naruto's gaze turned slightly dazed, as if he were truly looking forward to that future.

Seeing Naruto's reaction, the Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction. "Naruto, wait here for a moment. I'll step out briefly, but when I return, I'll bring you some materials on chakra control."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Okay!"

As he sat down on a long bench, he subtly placed a hand in a blind spot beneath the armrest and lightly pressed down.

"Why are you leaving a Flying Thunder God mark here?" Minato asked within the sealed space.

"I'm just giving myself an opportunity."

Naruto's eyes gleamed as he watched Shisui and the Hokage walk toward the office door.

"After all, Hokage-sama gave me a reminder—never forget who I am.

Because this world never will."

______________________________________________

If you want 15 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon: 

patreon.com/PureParadox