Ideals

Konoha's morning streets were the scene of a chaotic spectacle. A seven-year-old boy with a head of handsome blond hair and a yellow Hokage Cloak was carrying a basket of tomatoes, hurling one through every window he passed. In an instant, the windows turned red, and a chorus of curses erupted from the villagers.

By the time the villagers tried to chase him, the boy had vanished. Then they spotted the same hateful little rascal who had just pelted their windows with tomatoes, now using paint to graffiti Kage Rock. The curses grew even louder.

But all the villagers could do was curse him and look helpless. The same thing had happened countless times already, and they had no way to deal with the boy. All they could do was sigh in resignation.

The boy was Naruto. Two years earlier, after returning from the border of the Land of Fire, Naruto had trained with Jiraiya for a while. During that time, Jiraiya had asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up.

After thinking about it for a long time, Naruto had decided to become Hokage, just like the original Naruto. Only by becoming Hokage could he change this cold world.

He needed the power to make decisions. That was why Naruto had told Jiraiya he wanted to become stronger than everyone else and become Hokage.

Jiraiya had told him that to become Hokage, he had to earn everyone's recognition. Strength was important, but strength alone wouldn't make someone Hokage. Not long afterward, Jiraiya had left the village to continue his research.

Naruto had thought it over and agreed. Strength alone could make people submit, but it couldn't earn their trust. So Naruto had begun reaching out to the villagers and trying to help them. What he hadn't expected was to be met with nothing but cold stares. The villagers wouldn't accept him.

They even shunned him. They wouldn't so much as talk to him. Helpless, Naruto could only resort to the method the original Naruto had used: playing pranks.

Naruto had often been scolded by Iruka-sensei for his pranks. But he knew that afterward, Iruka always apologized to the villagers on Naruto's behalf and cleaned up after him.

Just like the Iruka in Naruto's memories from his previous life, Iruka treated Naruto like his own little brother. Naruto was deeply moved, so whenever Iruka scolded him, he always put on the sweetest, most obedient face.

Whenever Naruto made that face, Iruka couldn't bring himself to keep scolding him. He could only sigh and say, "Don't do it again." And then he let the matter drop.

Just like now: Naruto had skipped class to play a prank, and Iruka had caught him at Kage Rock. Iruka was lecturing him while Naruto stood there with his obedient face on, listening humbly.

Iruka sighed helplessly. "Naruto, you do this every time. The moment I start scolding you, you put on that face. Can't you break yourself of this nasty habit of playing pranks?"

Naruto answered obediently, "Iruka-sensei, I'll change."

Iruka said helplessly, "You say that every time, but have you changed?"

Naruto replied meekly, "I really want to change, but I just can't help myself. It's a bad habit, so of course it's hard to break."

Iruka snapped, "So you're not planning to change?"

"No, no! I'll definitely change!" Seeing Iruka get angry, Naruto immediately straightened up and answered seriously.

But one look into Naruto's eyes told Iruka that getting him to change would be difficult. In the end, Iruka could only sigh again and take Naruto back to school for class.

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

Before Naruto could answer, Shikamaru beside him drawled lazily, "What else could he be doing? Playing another prank, I bet. Did you throw tomatoes at someone's windows this time, or graffiti Kage Rock?"

Naruto said proudly, "I did both this time. First I pelted the windows, then I used the Flying Thunder God Technique to get to Kage Rock and paint the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and the Third's portraits in all sorts of colors. It was quite artistic."

Sasuke asked, "What about the Fourth?"

Naruto pretended to think it over before saying, "The Fourth was too handsome, too perfect. I didn't know where to start."

Sasuke said, "Yeah, right."

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

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

"My dad told me," Shikamaru replied evenly. "Actually, all the kids from the bigger clans in our class know. Everyone was ordered to keep quiet, so no one said anything." Naruto turned in surprise to look at Sasuke, hoping he could confirm it. Sasuke nodded.

Then Shikamaru said, "Actually, Naruto, you don't have to play pranks every day. I know you don't even like doing it."

Sasuke was curious to hear Naruto's explanation, too. When he and Naruto had first met, Naruto had been even colder than Sasuke. But at some point, Naruto had started enjoying pranks. Sasuke had found it strange, but he didn't like asking questions, so he'd never brought it up.

Naruto didn't hide the truth. "Because I've decided I'm going to become Hokage."

Shikamaru asked curiously, "You want to become Hokage. What does that have to do with you playing pranks?"

"Of course it has something to do with it," Naruto said. "To become Hokage, you need more than overwhelming strength. You also need the recognition of everyone in the village. That's what my teacher told me. I have the strength, but getting everyone in the village to accept me is really hard. You both know I'm a Jinchuriki. The villagers treat me like a monster and exclude me at every turn.

"The only way I can get people to notice me is by playing pranks, so they'll think I'm just a mischievous kid and not a monster. Honestly, it wears me out, too."

Only then did Shikamaru and Sasuke understand why Naruto had suddenly started playing pranks. That was the reason.

Shikamaru said sympathetically, "You really do have it rough."

Sasuke asked, "Naruto, can you tell me why you want to become Hokage? Is it because your father was Hokage?"

Naruto said seriously, "Of course not. I don't want to become Hokage just because my father was one. If anything, I hate that he was Hokage. Because he was Hokage, he died protecting the village when I was born. Do you know?

"I've only seen him twice in my entire life: once when I was born, and once two years ago, when I undid the seal. But he was really good to me, so I want to carry on his will and bring peace to this world. I don't want people to suffer the way I did."

As he said this, Naruto looked at Sasuke and Shikamaru. "Will you help me?"

Sasuke and Shikamaru glanced at each other, then answered Naruto together. "Of course."

Naruto smiled. "Thank you. I believe the world of the future will change because of the three of us. Shikamaru will be our strategist, since you're the smartest. Sasuke, you'll be the best commander and handle all of Konoha's military affairs, while I'll take care of governing. The three of us will bring peace to this world. No matter how much pain or hardship lies ahead, we'll bear it and overcome it all."

Naruto's words had inspired Sasuke, too. He said with his usual pride, "Of course. Without me, how could an idiot like you get anything done?"

Shikamaru smiled, too. "With your brains, I wouldn't trust either of you to go off on an adventure alone. I'd better stick with you two."

And so three seven-year-old brats made grand claims about changing the world.

After school, Sasuke and Naruto were heading off to train, as usual, when they passed the Uchiha Clan's compound.

Sasuke said, "Naruto, my brother's home today. He said he'd teach me to use shuriken once he got back. Let's go find him."

Naruto brightened, too. "Big Brother Itachi is back? I haven't seen him in ages. Come on, let's go together."

The two of them happily headed off to find Itachi. But when they reached Sasuke's house, they saw Itachi apparently arguing with several members of the Uchiha Clan.

By the time Sasuke and Naruto arrived, the argument was over. The others muttered a few threats and left. But in that instant, Naruto saw Itachi's eyes turn into the pinwheel-shaped Mangekyō Sharingan before quickly returning to normal.

Seeing the Mangekyō Sharingan in Itachi's eyes, Naruto knew that Shisui Uchiha had died. His heart sank. He thought of how hard he had worked to prevent the tragedy that would befall the Uchiha Clan from happening again. He had exposed everything about himself and made so many arrangements in advance, yet he still hadn't managed to change what happened.

Does this mean I really can't change anything? No, that can't be right. I can change it. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I know everything that happened. Since history still unfolded this way, I'll add a few twists to it. Besides, I'm sure what I did before changed things, even if the changes weren't great. With that thought, Naruto turned to look at Sasuke.

"Brother, teach us how to use shuriken like you do!" Sasuke ran happily up to Itachi.

Seeing Sasuke and Naruto, Itachi smiled. "All right. I'll teach you both now. Come on, let's go to the woods."

Once they reached the woods, Itachi began teaching Sasuke and Naruto how to use shuriken. They practiced until late in the evening.

"All right, Sasuke, Naruto. That's enough for today," Itachi said.

Sasuke reluctantly put away his shuriken. "Okay. You have to teach us again next time, too. I'm going to become an even better ninja than you."

Itachi walked over and crouched beside Sasuke. He raised two fingers and tapped Sasuke on the forehead with a smile. "Of course, Sasuke. And you've always been better than me." Sasuke was delighted by Itachi's praise.

Then Naruto said, "Big Brother Itachi, are you really planning to carry out the mission Danzo gave you?"

Itachi looked astonished, while Sasuke was confused. A mission? Is my brother going on another mission? But he's always going on missions. What's so strange about that?

Itachi looked at Naruto in confusion. "Naruto, do you know what mission I'm supposed to carry out?"

"Yes, Big Brother Itachi. I know what mission you're supposed to carry out. But I think you should ask Sasuke what he thinks instead of deciding on behalf of the child you're trying to protect. I know you're doing this for Sasuke. But once he learns the truth, do you think he'll be happy? He won't. He'll only live in darkness. And don't think you can use the eye Shisui gave you to carry out the plan you have in mind. That would be a deception. Sooner or later, he'll come to his senses, and then he'll only sink deeper into darkness. Besides, Sasuke isn't a child anymore. He's a super-genius who's awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. There are plenty of ways to resolve this. Why not listen to Sasuke? Please, trust in his abilities."

Now Sasuke could tell from Naruto's words that the mission Itachi had been given might be serious.

After collecting himself, Sasuke asked calmly, "Brother, what's going on? Tell me. I'm not some weakling you need to protect. I'm your little brother, and I'll fight by your side." As he spoke, Sasuke looked at Itachi with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, waiting silently for his answer.