"You... you actually listened to what I said! You really got a dog! Haha! It's so tasteful!" Ya said excitedly, his voice filled with the joy of discovering someone who has the same hobby.
Naruto smiled and obediently took little Zacian out of the backpack and placed it on the ground. He was also a little curious and wanted to see how Inuzuka Clan, who was born to deal with dogs, would get along with this special little guy.
Ya skillfully squatted down and first slowly stretched the back of his hand in front of little Zacian's nose. This was a standard friendly signal to familiarize the dog with the smell.
However, little Zacian only tilted his head slightly, glanced at Ya's hand with his yellow eyes with some confusion, and did not come forward to sniff it like an ordinary puppy.
"Oh, he's quite a proud little guy." When Ya saw this, he was not angry. Instead, he nodded understandingly, stood up, and did not touch the top of his head rashly.
He knows the principle of getting along with dogs - first let the other person remember his scent, which is a basic "self-introduction". Little Zacian's reaction has clearly expressed its attitude. It does not like to have too casual contact with strangers.
"Come, try this, this is Akamaru's favorite snack, it tastes great!" Ya didn't give up, and took out a well-made food from the ninja bag that looked like high-end dog food, and handed it to little Zacian with a seductive tone.
Unfortunately, little Zacian remained unmoved, not even looking at the snack for one more second. It just took a step forward and returned to Naruto's feet gracefully and unhurriedly.
"Oh, Naruto, you are such a cold kid," Ya scratched his head, with a bit of frustration in his tone, but more of a surprise, "Even colder than my sister's partner. But, that's just how dogs are, they just need to be loyal and dependent on their masters!" He soon felt relieved and smiled heartily.
"Sorry, sorry," Naruto quickly tried to smooth things over, bending down and gently touching little Zacian's head, "Maybe it's because this child is a girl and has a more cautious and careful personality."
"Girl... No wonder..." Ya's eyes fell on the two carefully braided "braids" naturally formed by hair under little Zacian's ears.
Did Naruto make it up? He muttered in his heart, but he couldn't tell, this guy is quite girlish...
However... the color of the coat is so beautiful, and the proportions of the well-proportioned and muscular body are perfect. As an expert who grew up with dogs, Ya keenly felt that Naruto, this puppy, is definitely outstanding and even stunning in the canine aesthetic system.
"By the way, Akamaru, don't just look at it, come and meet new friends!" Ya said to his partner who had been staying above his head, "This is Naruto's dog, you can play together in the future...?"
However, when Akamaru obeyed the instructions and jumped off Ya's head lightly, Ya found that something was wrong with Akamaru. Under the cover of its white cheek hair, its skin seemed to have an abnormal blush.
Moreover, Akamaru's pair of round, black eyes were staring straight ahead without blinking - staring at the little blue Zacian, which was slightly larger than it and had a unique temperament.
In the end, this first meeting came to an end with Akamaru feeling a little aggrieved. Just now, when Akamaru plucked up the courage to walk up to Zacian, Zacian didn't just walk away like he was avoiding teeth, but just stood there quietly, which was considered as a basic courtesy.
However, every time Akamaru tries to get closer, for example, if he wants to nuzzle each other gently with his nose, or get closer with his body, little Zacian will always turn sideways or move half a step without any trace, extremely naturally, and just avoid all too close contact.
This is not out of dislike or hostility - after all, it is a creature that is respected as a "hero", and its nature has a pride and reserve that cannot be blasphemed.
Ya realized that his Akamaru was completely fascinated by the other party's unique and cold temperament and appearance, but emotional matters, even between dogs, could not be forced. He looked at Akamaru who was becoming more and more disappointed, almost drooping his ears. Finally, he couldn't bear it, and reached out to stop his partner who wanted to try again.
Because he discovered that his good friend had also become a "dog lover", Ya almost completely forgot the complicated emotions in his heart when he first faced Naruto. Those emotions were closely related to the dream that he buried deep in his heart and almost never spoke to others - to become Hokage.
Except for the moment he first joined Ninja Academy and when Yazen introduced himself for the first time, Yazen energetically shouted "I want to become Hokage" in front of the whole class, this dream was quietly hidden by him and never mentioned in public again.
All this is because in his class, there are two geniuses who are as dazzling as monsters. Their light is so bright that it can dim the dreams of many people around them.
But now, having witnessed the power of Naruto on the battlefield, which was like the coming of a god, the gap was no longer a ravine, but like a chasm. The weak flame deep in Ya's heart that "as long as he works hard, there may be a chance to surpass" was completely extinguished by reality at this moment.
But... what makes Ya feel the most complicated, and even a little bit resentful is that Naruto, who has such powerful and almost invincible power, seems to have never publicly stated that he wants to become Hokage.
This guy... possesses such amazing power, has he never thought about taking on the name Hokage? This thought swirled in Ya's heart, with a trace of unwillingness, a trace of confusion, and a trace of expectation for the responsibility carried by that powerful power that even he himself was not completely aware of.
Finally, Naruto arrived in front of Hokage Building's office. Next, what he needed to face was a showdown about his life experience.
What should I say? Should I tell them that I have noticed it a long time ago?
Naruto was thinking in his mind. With the amazing talent he showed and the powerful being Kurama sealed in his body, using common sense, how could his parents be ordinary people with no name?
He can also roughly guess what Old man Third and Jiraiya are worried and afraid of at the moment.
As the son of Fourth Hokage, the worst way to expose this truth that has been hidden for many years is for Orochimaru, the enemy of Konoha, to roar out in front of everyone.
Over the years, because of the rumors of "Demon Fox", Naruto has been ostracized and ignored for real. And his true identity is Child of Heroes, who sacrificed his life to protect the village. There is such a huge contrast, how can there be no resentment in his heart? The truth has been concealed by his own people for many years, but it was exposed by the enemy. No matter how you look at it, it seems like there is some kind of disturbing conspiracy hidden.
No... maybe the one who really needs to explain is not himself, but Old man Third and the others.
Indeed, Third Hokage must have been sincerely afraid that Naruto would be disappointed with Konoha after knowing the truth. Even at that time, Third Hokage regretted not risking his life to die with Orochimaru to prevent this from happening.
However, if there were no variables and confidence brought by the system... imagine if the young Naruto was burdened with the notoriety of "Demon Fox" and the title of "son of Hokage". The kidnapped by Hidden Cloud Village at that time might not be Hinata Hyuga, but this "special existence" with great potential.
"Squeak--"
Naruto opened the heavy door of the office.
Indoors, Third Hokage is sitting behind the desk, and Jiraiya is standing aside. Both of their faces are extremely solemn, with caution, and... incomprehensible grief?
This expression is somewhat different from what Naruto expected.
"Naruto..." Third Hokage spoke slowly, with a low voice. There was a hint of caution in his tone that shouldn't belong to Hokage?
Naruto was puzzled in his heart and waited silently for the next chapter.
Third Hokage's eyes stayed on his face complicatedly for a moment, and finally, he said in a tone of sigh and understanding.
"It seems...Kushina, I have told you everything."
"...?"
This sentence made Naruto unable to react for a moment. But the next moment, the causes and consequences were connected in his mind! His fists suddenly clenched tightly unconsciously.
If the caster of Impure World Reincarnation does not take the initiative to release the spell, and Orochimaru is currently only sealed and not really dead...
Then, Kushina Uzumaki is still imprisoned in that body made of dust, unable to find true rest, and still exists in this world!