Afterword

First of all, I would like to thank the readers who have stuck with this book until now. Even though there are many flaws and issues in the story, you have patiently supported the author all the way here!!! (ˊωˋ*)

The first volume has concluded; this volume was merely a beginning and a setup, without any major waves. The next volume will be the one that clearly defines the protagonist's position and sets the tone for the entire book. I hope I won't let the readers down! ╰(︶`)╯

Regarding the first volume, many readers felt that the biggest point of contention was the issue of Naruto's placement. Many readers might have stopped at that chapter, but the author chose not to modify it.

Actually, Naruto's placement has no impact on the plot of this book. Originally, the author didn't want to explain it specifically, but considering that some readers persisted in reading this far even if they didn't agree with the author's handling of it, I felt it was necessary to explain the reason for this approach.

When writing the part about Naruto's placement, the author considered whether to have the Third Hokage or someone else adopt him temporarily, but I abandoned that idea based on the following two points and instead followed the approach of the original work:

The first point is subjectively whether the Third Hokage would choose to adopt Naruto. This has nothing to do with whether the Fourth Hokage is in a coma or dead. As long as the Third Hokage agreed, he could have adopted Naruto himself, or had Kakashi or someone else do it, but the Third Hokage did not choose to do so.

The second point is objectively whether the Third Hokage needed to be wary of the Fourth Hokage still being alive. In fact, it can be seen from the original work that the Third Hokage did not have that many reservations. Naruto is the orphan of the hero, the Fourth Hokage, and people with status in Konoha all knew this. Moreover, Kakashi and Jiraiya, the student and teacher of the Fourth Hokage, were both still alive, yet the Third Hokage did not show any concern for Jiraiya, Kakashi, or those in the know. Naruto was still not adopted and was subjected to all kinds of discrimination.

Therefore, with both subjective and objective factors aligned, the author chose to have the Third Hokage send Naruto to the orphanage as before.

Of course, this part is inherently ambiguous. If the Third Hokage had chosen to adopt Naruto out of concern for the Fourth Hokage, it would also have been reasonable. It is just that the author inferred the Third Hokage's handling method based on the mindset of the original work.

Additionally, regarding the Third Hokage changing how he treats Naruto because the Fourth Hokage is still alive, the author did consider this. It means that Naruto in this book will be looked after and will no longer face various forms of discrimination. However, Naruto was still an infant in the first volume, so the author could not write that part out.

The above is just the author's personal analysis. It is normal if readers do not agree; after all, to put it simply, it is just a manga, and Kishimoto himself did not think that much about it.

Without further ado, I would like to thank all the readers who have read this book once again!!

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A Short Rest on the Cliffside

2020-08-27