Year 52 of Konoha.
The bustling and prosperous streets of Konoha teemed with people.
The Nine-Tails Rebellion four years ago had dealt Konoha a devastating blow.
Countless ninja had died, and many families had lost parents and children as a result.
Even the Fourth Hokage, a top-tier powerhouse who had performed outstanding feats on the battlefield, had died sealing the Nine-Tails.
To the Konoha Villagers, that night had been a night of disaster.
Four years had passed, and the village had regained its vitality and vigor.
But the pain of the past had not been forgotten. Instead, it lay hidden in everyone's hearts, like a ticking bomb that could explode at any moment.
They hated the Nine-Tails Fox Demon and wished they could devour it alive.
Just then, Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Fox Demon in their eyes, walked onto the street.
He wore a neat white robe and carried himself with elegance and confidence. A gentle smile rested on his face, making him seem like a refined little adult.
Such bearing and looks would have earned praise anywhere, yet he was unwelcome among the villagers.
Most villagers stiffened, a flash of disgust passing through their eyes before they turned away and refused to look at him.
A small number muttered curses under their breath. "Damn Nine-Tails Fox Demon."
"Why isn't that monster dead yet?"
"That's the monster. My son died because of him. I don't understand why Lord Hokage didn't execute him."
"This needless mercy is revolting."
"Shh, you still dare question the Hokage's decision? He must have had his reasons for making it."
Aside from them, a very small number of people would give the tiny figure a slight nod. There was not much kindness on their faces, but at least there was no malice.
Naruto Uzumaki came to a familiar vegetable stall and asked softly,
"Sorry to disturb you, Aunt Tanaka. I'd like to buy some greens."
Unlike those villagers whose families had been broken by the Nine-Tails Rebellion, Aunt Tanaka had only moved to Konoha a year ago, so she could not truly empathize with their pain.
Naruto Uzumaki had left a deep impression on her. He was a polite child.
Though he was only four years old, he possessed the maturity of an adult.
Aunt Tanaka vaguely remembered the first time she had seen Naruto.
At the time, villagers had thrown rotten eggs and all kinds of spoiled vegetable leaves at Naruto Uzumaki. The thin little boy neither dodged nor evaded, letting egg yolk burst across his body while keeping a gentle smile on his face. He repeatedly bowed to the people around him and apologized:
"I'm sorry. The Nine-Tails caused you so much pain in the past. I'm sorry, but I am Naruto Uzumaki now. I am not the Nine-Tails Fox Demon."
He repeated those words over and over. Beneath endless malice, his tiny figure had seemed so helpless, yet he had remained polite.
Life's malice had thrust a child who should have had a childhood into cruel reality.
Vicious words had tempered his will.
They had turned him into a "little adult."
Aunt Tanaka had once heard that Konoha was the wealthiest and most humane of all ninja villages.
But everything she saw was far removed from what she had believed.
A three-year-old child had kept bowing and apologizing.
His humility had been heartbreaking.
The surrounding villagers had all revealed their ugly faces.
They had viciously attacked the child with cruel words they themselves might never have imagined.
That scene had remained etched in Aunt Tanaka's mind, impossible to forget.
From then on, she had always secretly looked after Naruto Uzumaki.
"Take it and go." She stuffed a bag of vegetables into Naruto Uzumaki's arms.
"Thank you. Sorry to disturb you." Naruto Uzumaki put away the bag, thanked Aunt Tanaka, then crossed the street at an unhurried pace and vanished from everyone's sight.
With Naruto Uzumaki gone, laughter returned to the street.
He crossed the street and returned to his humble dwelling.
When he was three, Naruto could no longer endure the nanny's little schemes. After discussing it with the Third Hokage, he had moved into a new home and begun living alone.
The new home was small, containing only a bed, a table, and a crude stove.
But it was enough to satisfy all of Naruto's needs in life.
He opened the bag. Aside from fresh greens, there were also a few eggs inside.
Aunt Tanaka must have prepared the bag beforehand and waited for him to come.
In this cold village, such kindness was especially precious.
A gentle curve formed on Naruto's lips. He got up and walked to the stove, gracefully flicking his kitchen knife through a beautiful flourish.
Chopping vegetables, heating oil in the wok, stir-frying—the entire sequence flowed in one smooth motion.
The greatest difference between a wise man and a barbarian was graceful, confident conduct. Barbarians only knew how to bark wildly.
The simple stir-fried greens and fried eggs were soon ready.
Naruto sat at the table and quietly enjoyed his dinner.
The villagers' disgust and rejection would not affect his mood.
He would maintain the persona of a polite gentleman until every villager accepted him.
While Naruto enjoyed his dinner, his thoughts drifted further and further away.
He vaguely remembered the past.
Whenever he went out, those villagers would attack him with the most vicious words.
Back then, he had helplessly fled from them in fear.
His heart had been full of confusion.
He had clearly done nothing. Why did everyone hate him?
So he began pulling foolish pranks.
He had tried to draw everyone's attention by making a spectacle of himself.
But he had never expected that such methods would make the villagers hate him even more.
Even those who had once merely looked at him coldly had begun hurling insults at him.
During that time, he had fallen into despair, with each day feeling like a year.
Until
he met Mr. Aizen.
That gentle, refined man who always maintained his composure.
He was the one who told him
to become a wise man who controlled the bigger picture and took charge of his own fate.
The strong would never humbly beg for others' attention.
From then on, he began to imitate Aizen, trying to become gentle and elegant.
He had spent all his living expenses on a custom-made white robe of the same style, surviving on instant noodles for several months because of it.
He greeted everyone with impeccable courtesy. Even when they answered with curses, he continued to smile.
He learned to hide his emotions.
By now, although the villagers' attitudes were still unfriendly, at least some of them had changed their views of him greatly.
Life had made him mature, and malice had shown him reality.
Konoha, and its so-called Will of Fire, were never open to him.
He was merely a Nine-Tails Fox Demon.
At that thought, a mocking curve immediately appeared on Naruto's lips.
Konoha's vision was too narrow.
Like Mr. Aizen, he should reach a higher level.
Naruto finished the last bite of greens, stood up, and a sharp, unfriendly look appeared in his eyes.
But that look vanished in an instant, and the next moment, he returned to his usual gentleness.
He gave the mirror a flawless smile.
Then he murmured,
"My smile is perfect now. I must maintain it well."
Before you continue