Ideals

In the early morning of Konoha, a chaotic farce unfolded on the main street. A seven-year-old boy, wearing a yellow Hokage Cloak and sporting a handsome head of long yellow hair, held a basket of tomatoes and pelted every window he passed. The windows were instantly stained red, immediately drawing a chorus of curses from the villagers.

By the time the villagers tried to give chase, the boy had already vanished. Moments later, they spotted the same detestable youth who had just pelted their windows now busy graffitiing the Hokage Rock with paint, which only served to intensify their shouting.

Yet, beyond the cursing, the villagers were utterly helpless. This same scene had played out countless times, and having run out of ways to deal with the boy, they could only sigh in resignation.

This boy was Naruto. Two years ago, after returning from the borders of the Land of Fire, Naruto had spent some time training with Jiraiya, during which Jiraiya asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.

After much deliberation, Naruto decided he wanted to be the Hokage, just like the original Naruto, because only by becoming the Hokage could he change this cold, indifferent world.

Without the power to decide everything, nothing could be accomplished. Thus, Naruto told Jiraiya that he wanted to become stronger than anyone else; he wanted to become the Hokage.

Jiraiya told him that to become the Hokage, one must earn the recognition of everyone. While strength was important, power alone was not enough to make one a Hokage. Not long after, Jiraiya left the village to continue his "research" for his novels.

Naruto thought about it and realized it was true: strength could force submission, but it could not win hearts. So, Naruto began reaching out to the villagers, trying to help them. To his surprise, he was met only with cold stares; the villagers refused to accept him.

They even ostracized him, not even deigning to speak to him. Helpless, Naruto resorted to the original Naruto's method: pranks.

Because of his frequent pranks, Naruto was often scolded by Iruka, but Naruto knew that after every incident, Iruka would apologize to the villagers on his behalf and clean up the mess.

Just like the Iruka in Naruto's past-life memories, he treated Naruto like a younger brother. This touched Naruto deeply, so whenever Iruka scolded him, Naruto would always put on the face of a well-behaved child.

Whenever Naruto wore that expression, Iruka couldn't bring himself to continue the lecture and would only sigh, saying, "Don't do this next time," before letting it slide.

Just like now, Naruto had skipped class to pull a prank and was caught by Iruka at the Hokage Rock. As Iruka pointed at him and lectured, Naruto listened with a humble, obedient expression.

Iruka sighed helplessly, "Naruto, you're like this every time. As soon as I scold you, you put on this face. Can't you just break your bad habit of pulling pranks?"

Naruto replied obediently, "Iruka-sensei, I will change."

Iruka said with a sigh, "You say that every time, but have you actually changed?"

Naruto said weakly, "I really want to change, but I just can't help myself. Since it's a bad habit, it's not that easy to fix, is it?"

Iruka said angrily, "So you're not planning on changing at all?"

"No, no, I will definitely change!" Seeing Iruka get angry, Naruto immediately turned serious.

But looking into those eyes, Iruka knew it would be very difficult to get him to change. In the end, Iruka could only sigh and lead Naruto back to the academy to continue class.

As soon as Naruto sat down, Sasuke behind him asked, "Where did you run off to?"

Before Naruto could answer, Shikamaru beside him said lazily, "What else would he be doing? Pulling pranks again, right? Was it throwing tomatoes at windows this time, or graffitiing the Hokage Rock?"

Naruto said proudly, "I did both this time. I pelted the windows first, then used the Flying Thunder God technique to get to the Hokage Rock and painted the faces of the First, Second, and Third in all sorts of colors. It was quite artistic."

At this, Sasuke asked, "What about the Fourth's?"

Naruto pretended to think for a moment and said, "The Fourth is too cool, too perfect. I didn't know how to go about it."

Sasuke said, "Stop making things up."

Shikamaru added, "Don't lie to us. It's because the Fourth is your father, isn't it?"

Naruto was shocked. "Shikamaru, how did you know the Fourth is my father? I don't remember telling you."

Shikamaru said calmly, "My old man told me. Actually, all the older clan heirs in class know. It's just that everyone was given orders, so they didn't say anything." Naruto turned his head in surprise to look at Sasuke, hoping for an answer, and Sasuke nodded at him.

At this point, Shikamaru said, "Actually, Naruto, you don't have to pull pranks every day. I know you don't really like them."

Sasuke was also curious to hear Naruto's explanation. When he first met Naruto, Naruto had been even colder than him, but at some point, Naruto had started enjoying pranks. It had always seemed strange to him, but he wasn't the type to pry, so he had never asked.

Naruto didn't hide it and said, "Because I've decided: I want to become the Hokage."

Shikamaru asked curiously, "You want to become the Hokage, but what does that have to do with pranks?"

Naruto said, "Of course it does. My master told me that to be the Hokage, you need not only overwhelming strength but also the recognition of everyone in the village. I have the strength, but getting everyone in the village to recognize me is very hard. You both know I'm a Jinchuriki; the villagers treat me like a monster and ostracize me at every turn.

I can only use pranks to make people notice me, to make them think I'm just a kid who loves mischief rather than a monster. Honestly, I'm exhausted too."

Only then did Shikamaru and Sasuke understand why Naruto had suddenly taken to pranks; it was for this reason.

Shikamaru said with understanding, "Then you've truly had it rough."

Sasuke then asked, "Naruto, can you tell me why you want to become the Hokage? Is it because your father was the Hokage, so you want to be one too?"

Naruto said seriously, "Of course not. I don't want to be the Hokage because my father was. On the contrary, I hate that he was. Because he was the Hokage, he died for the village the moment I was born. Do you know?

I've only seen him twice since I was born: once when I was born, and once two years ago when I broke the seal. But he was truly kind to me, so I want to inherit his will and bring peace to this world. So that people don't have to suffer the same pain I have."

Naruto looked at Sasuke and Shikamaru and said, "Will you help me?"

After exchanging a glance, Sasuke and Shikamaru said to Naruto in unison, "Of course."

Naruto smiled. "Thank you. I believe the future of this world will change because of the three of us. Shikamaru, you will be our strategist because you have the best mind. Sasuke, you will be the best commander, responsible for all of Konoha's military affairs. And I will be responsible for governance. The three of us will bring peace to this world. No matter how much pain and hardship lies ahead, we will shoulder it and overcome it together."

Sasuke was also moved by Naruto and said with a touch of tsundere pride, "Of course. Without me, a fool like you wouldn't be able to get anything done."

Shikamaru also laughed, "I wouldn't be at ease letting you two go on adventures with your intelligence. I'd better stick with you both."

The three seven-year-old brats spoke with such grand, unashamed ambition about changing the world.

After school, Sasuke and Naruto prepared to go train as usual. Passing by the Uchiha Clan compound, Sasuke said, "Naruto, my brother happens to be home today. He said he'd teach me shurikenjutsu when he returned, so let's go find him."

Naruto said happily, "Itachi is back? I haven't seen him in a long time. Let's go, let's go together."

With that, the two of them happily went to find Itachi. But when they arrived at Sasuke's front door, they saw Itachi appearing to be in an argument with several members of the Uchiha Clan.

By the time Sasuke and Naruto arrived, the argument had already ended. Those few individuals left after throwing out a few harsh words, but in that fleeting moment, Naruto saw Itachi's eyes shift into the pinwheel-shaped Mangekyō Sharingan, only for them to revert to normal just as quickly.

Seeing Itachi's eyes transform into the Mangekyō Sharingan, Naruto knew in his heart that Shisui Uchiha was dead. He was instantly overcome with grief, thinking of how much effort he had poured into preventing the tragedy of the Uchiha clan—not only exposing everything about himself but also making so many prior arrangements—yet he still hadn't been able to change the outcome.

Is it truly impossible for me to change all of this? he thought. No, that can't be. I can change it. I am Naruto Uzumaki, and I know the beginning and end of everything. Since history has unfolded this way, I will just have to add some variables to it. Besides, I believe the things I did before have already caused changes; they were just minor. With this thought, Naruto turned to look at Sasuke.

"Brother, teach us how to use shuriken just like you do!" Sasuke ran happily up to Itachi and said. Seeing Sasuke and Naruto, Itachi smiled and replied, "Alright, Brother will teach you both now. Let's go to the woods."

Upon arriving in the woods, Itachi began teaching Sasuke and Naruto the techniques of using shuriken. They practiced until it was quite late.

Itachi said, "Alright, Sasuke and Naruto, let's stop here for today."

Sasuke, still wanting more, put away his shuriken and said, "Fine, but you have to teach us again next time, Brother. I'm going to become a ninja even more outstanding than you."

Itachi walked over to Sasuke's side, crouched down, poked Sasuke's forehead with two fingers, and said with a smile, "Of course, Sasuke. And you have always been more outstanding than me." Sasuke was overjoyed to hear Itachi's praise.

At this moment, however, Naruto spoke up: "Brother Itachi, are you really planning to carry out the mission Danzo gave you?"

Hearing Naruto's words, Itachi looked astonished, while Sasuke wore a confused expression, wondering to himself, A mission? Has Brother gone to execute a mission again? But he's always executing missions; what's so strange about that?

Itachi looked at Naruto in confusion and asked, "Naruto, how do you know about the mission I am to execute?"

Naruto replied earnestly, "Yes, Brother Itachi, I know about the mission you are to execute, but I think you should ask for Sasuke's opinion instead of treating him like a child to be protected. I know you are doing this for Sasuke's sake. But when Sasuke learns the truth, do you think he will be happy? He won't. He will only live in darkness. And don't think you can use that eye given to you by Brother Shisui to complete the plan you have in mind. Because that is a deception; he will wake up to it sooner or later. When that happens, he will only sink into deeper darkness. Besides, Sasuke is no longer a child; he is a super genius who has awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. In truth, there are many ways to solve this; why can't you listen to what Sasuke has to say? Please, try to believe in Sasuke's abilities."

At this point, Sasuke also sensed from Naruto's words that Itachi's mission this time might not be simple.

After regaining his composure, he asked calmly, "Brother, what exactly has happened? Tell me. I am not some weakling you need to protect, but a brother who stands by your side in battle." Having said this, Sasuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and looked at Itachi, waiting quietly for his response.