Child, You Are...

Uzumaki Naruto stepped out of the Hyuga gates and gazed at the boundless sky, no longer framed or segmented by square grids, and let out a long, involuntary breath.

Although he had just spoken boldly inside, acting as if he feared nothing, anyone would have felt the subtle, cold, and oppressive atmosphere that stifled one's freedom. Uzumaki Naruto had naturally felt it too, but he had always been skilled at putting on a brave front, so he hadn't let it show in the slightest.

"Naruto-kun." Hyuga Hiashi called out to him from within the gates behind him. "May I call you Naruto?"

"Of course."

Uzumaki Naruto turned around and suddenly bowed deeply to him.

"I apologize for causing such a huge disturbance at your estate during my very first visit. I hope you can be magnanimous, Hyuga Hiashi. I am willing to accept any punishment, but I only hope you do not implicate Neji. He only agreed to guide me because I pestered him relentlessly, so everything stems from me and should naturally be borne by me."

Hearing this speech, which was completely different in style and temperament from his previous behavior, Hyuga Hiashi, the Great Elder, and even Neji were surprised—in truth, Uzumaki Naruto had been drafting this in his head throughout the journey, and it was indeed inspired by Hyuga Hiashi's own words in the courtyard.

Since he realized his own linguistic system was flawed, he had to change; he had to learn from those who were superior.

Although Hyuga Hiashi hadn't mentioned the day's events to them, it didn't mean Uzumaki Naruto could rejoice at being let off the hook or rest easy as if it had never happened. Regardless, his actions had objectively caused damage to the Hyuga clan as a whole, and furthermore, he hoped to hear a verdict from Hyuga Hiashi himself.

Just as he had thought before, he could walk away after causing a scene, but what about Neji?

He didn't like the idea of acting arrogant and leaving, only for someone else to be left behind to take the blame and punishment for him.

"Neji, wait a moment." After Uzumaki Naruto finished speaking, Hyuga Hiashi raised a hand to stop Neji, who was about to say something, and said to Uzumaki Naruto, "Naruto, you are wrong about one thing."

"Actually, this is not our first time meeting. During this period... I have actually observed you at the training grounds several times."

Hearing this, Uzumaki Naruto looked up in surprise, his expression quickly turning cold. He simply stared at Hyuga Hiashi, waiting for him to continue.

This kid is truly like a dog...

Hyuga Hiashi found it somewhat amusing internally. "You misunderstand. I was not spying on you, but because of this."

He pulled a piece of white paper from his robe and handed it to Uzumaki Naruto.

"After Hinata fell into a coma, I went into her room and searched through her things... I was desperate and clutching at straws, knowing the chances were slim but unable to stop myself from trying. What if there was something related to her condition? In the end, I didn't find any connection, but this alone caught my attention."

Uzumaki Naruto took the paper, and his pupils dilated slightly as he stared at the name written on it.

"Because the paper was found in Hinata's school bag, I went to ask her ninja academy teacher... He said this should have been the answer to a fun classroom question, but that was a lesson from a long time ago, so Hinata must have kept it until now."

"The teacher said the question he asked back then was: if the world were to end tomorrow, for example, if the moon fell, who would you want to spend it with? To be honest, I was actually a bit angry when I heard this. I was angry that Hinata didn't write my name. I am her father, after all."

Hyuga Hiashi's tone carried a hint of complexity.

"But these days, watching her sleep without waking, growing thinner and thinner, and thinking about what she said to me in the past and what I did to her, I began to slowly understand why she wrote this answer..."

Cracks seemed to appear on Hyuga Hiashi's stern face for the first time, and a touch of desolation leaked into his eyes.

"Parents and children are always difficult to understand each other... I think that in the parts of Hinata's pain that I failed to understand, it must have been this person who gave her strength, which is why she wrote this name."

"So, what I mean is, adults make mistakes. We understand this, and we dare to admit it. So you don't need to pretend to be an adult here, Naruto. Sometimes, you can trust us a little more." Hyuga Hiashi said. "Rest assured, nothing will happen to Neji."

"...Thank you." Uzumaki Naruto said softly, looking at the [Uzumaki Naruto-kun] on the paper, his heart feeling indescribable.

He remembered that he had been in that class too, but he hadn't thought of anyone's name, so he had simply thrown his own paper away.

"Keep that paper."

Hyuga Hiashi turned and walked back into the clan grounds.

"Although I don't know how far your relationship has progressed, you are still qualified to know this sentiment from my daughter."

Finally, his figure disappeared into the corridor, with only a faint sentence drifting back.

"Cherish this sentiment; I will be watching you."

—That sentence, coming from someone who possessed the Byakugan, was truly overly persuasive.

Uzumaki Naruto chuckled. He had never looked down on the feelings others held for him. His fingers silently traced the corner of the paper, and finally, he carefully folded and tucked it away.

Then, a pair of large Byakugan eyes leaned in right before his face, veins bulging.

"Damn it!" Uzumaki Naruto was startled. "Neji, what are you doing!"

Neji, having seen what was written on the paper, retracted his Byakugan and asked in a serious tone:

"Who is Ino?"

"Uh... a good friend of mine?" Uzumaki Naruto's tone weakened inexplicably, feeling a bit guilty under the gaze of Neji's two Byakugan eyes.

"A man or a woman?"

"A woman."

"...What is your relationship?"

"...That is truly a serious question..."

Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head, finally admitting honestly: "I haven't fully figured it out myself, but I do have feelings for her."

"Hmph..."

For some reason, Neji, hearing Uzumaki Naruto's answer, instead revealed a faint smile.

"At least you told the truth." He waved his hand and walked toward the other end of the street. "Then I won't ask what your relationship with Hinata is... but you must think clearly before you act... don't forget—"

Neji turned slightly and cast a glance at Uzumaki Naruto.

"The Byakugan is watching you."

"I kno-o-ow!" Naruto made a face at him.

Neji smiled, turned, and headed toward where Team 10 was training; his own training for the day was not yet complete.

Neither of them mentioned what had just happened within the clan.

As for the words Naruto had spoken on his behalf and the bow he had made, Neji did not offer any further thanks. To him, verbal expressions were far too mushy. If he were to say anything, it would only be after they had charged into battle together in the future, perhaps while spitting blood. That was the essence of a man's loyalty, just as Grandma Xiaoyuntian had taught him.

Naruto wandered off in a random direction. Too much had happened today, and he needed to clear his head.

"Kurama, have your Shadow Clones returned?"

[No.]

"Then why didn't the Hyuga Great Elder notice our Shadow Clones earlier?"

[I don't know either, but since we haven't received any memories back, it means they must still 'exist' somewhere, right?]

"You mean the Shadow Clones went into that [hole]?"

[I'm not sure. I just sensed their 'emotions' suddenly vanish. If they still exist, the only possibility is that they were instantly transported a vast distance away.]

For once, the boy and the fox discussed matters calmly.

"Is it possible that the hole in Hinata's head connects to somewhere very far away?" Naruto mused. "I wanted to say that's too illogical, but it seems like so many illogical things have already happened. Maybe we just need to get used to these things appearing."

[Alright, alright, enough with the big talk, brat.] Kurama twitched his mouth. [What if I told you that right now, by your side, an 'illogical' thing is happening?]

"What is it?" Naruto's gaze sharpened.

[Actually, I've noticed it for a while now... I was just too lazy to tell you. But since you brought it up, if you beg this lord, I might consider telling you...]

"I beg you, Lord Kurama." Naruto didn't hesitate for a second. What was pride worth anyway? Of course, if Kurama was just messing with him, he wouldn't hesitate to unleash his foul-mouthed combat mode.

[You...?] Kurama was stunned by Naruto's shamelessness. After a long while, he let out a "tsk." Naruto had conceded so easily that it robbed the fox of much of his satisfaction.

Forget it. He was actually quite curious himself.

[Fine... I'll tell you. Starting two months ago, I sensed that several people filled with 'malice' have been appearing around you.]

[At first, I thought they were just spies from other nations, or that their identities didn't matter. It would be strange if Konoha didn't have any of those, especially since you're a Jinchuriki; being watched with malice is normal.]

[But gradually, as I sensed them over time, I discovered their malice seemed exceptionally great—beyond the norm. It wasn't specifically targeted at you, nor was it limited to Konoha. It was as if they held a malice that wanted to destroy everything in this world... By the way, when you stole the Scroll of Seals, one of them was watching from afar, though their malice was primarily focused on the scroll.]

Naruto was shocked. He hadn't expected someone to be watching him from the shadows, someone not affiliated with Konoha... and it couldn't be Root; Danzo wasn't insane enough to want to destroy the world.

"Could that malice be because they wanted to steal the Scroll of Seals?"

[No.] Kurama's tone was exceptionally firm. [It was the malice of destruction. When Hashirama Senju used the Gate of the Great God to pin me down, the feeling was exactly the same as this malice.]

Naruto believed him.

He immediately realized that these unidentified individuals were likely the factors he had previously considered—those outside of himself who were influencing the world and causing the plot to deviate.

"So you mean they are near me right now?"

[Yes, one of them is.] Kurama said. [The one wearing the straw hat at the corner up ahead. I've sensed him many times; he appears in a different guise every time.]

Naruto looked up and caught a glimpse of a hem of clothing disappearing around the corner.

There was no time to hesitate. Naruto immediately formed hand seals and created ten Shadow Clones.

"Five of you go follow him openly. Flush the snake out of the grass—no, startle the tiger." Naruto, who had never learned tracking or stealth, had enough self-awareness not to give clumsy instructions. Besides, Kurama had just said the opponent was watching from afar, which meant they likely possessed some form of sensory ability.

"The remaining five follow the first group. If the first five get wiped out, replace them immediately," Naruto commanded. "I'll hang back at the end and replenish the Shadow Clones as needed."

With that, he waved his hand, and the ten Shadow Clones moved according to his instructions. He kept a distance that was neither too close nor too far and followed.

[Hmph, coward.] Kurama mocked.

"What do you know?" Naruto curled his lip. "A person has to be afraid of dying, okay? Now isn't the time to throw my life away."

"Damn it, I'm just a Shadow Clone anyway. If the worst happens, I'll just die."

Soul Society.

Sticking to the philosophy that he would get slashed whether he poked his head out or pulled it back, Naruto didn't resist as Ishikawa took his hand and led him to the 5th Division's examination site.

The site was an open field. At the edge of the clearing, dozens of Rukon District residents in simple clothing and of various ages stood in line, their faces a mix of nervousness, hope, and a hint of terror.

Standing in front of them were several Soul Reapers wearing Shihakusho. Most of the Soul Reapers looked indifferent, their gazes sweeping over the queue. An invisible pressure hung over the crowd, as if a heavy stone were pressing down on their chests.

—No, perhaps it wasn't an illusion.

Naruto mused, did this pressure come from spiritual pressure?

Everything in the Soul Society was composed of [Reishi], corresponding to the [atoms] that made up the living world.

And so-called spiritual pressure was simply the density difference of Reishi. The stronger the spiritual pressure, the higher the density of Reishi, and only souls with high Reishi density could become Soul Reapers.

It was no wonder the people present could feel an invisible pressure; after all, the gap in spiritual pressure between a Soul Reaper and a resident of the Rukon District was simply too vast. Even without them actively releasing it, just standing there was enough to make people feel the weight.

In a sense, in this world, the gap in spiritual pressure was also a gap in the hierarchy of species.

However... Naruto raised an eyebrow. Although he could feel this pressure, he didn't seem to feel any burden from it himself... So, what kind of state was he in right now? Could he use Reishi if he wasn't a soul?

"That over there is the assessment device."

Kenta Ishikawa's words interrupted Naruto's train of thought. He cast his gaze toward the center of the field. Behind the Soul Reapers stood a device about the height of a person, shaped like a translucent pillar seemingly made of some kind of crystal, with its base connected to a complex Reishi-engraved disc.

Just then, a resident of the Rukon District stepped forward and stood before the crystal pillar. Following instructions, he placed his hand upon it, and the Soul Reaper in charge of the operation tapped the disc lightly, injecting a faint amount of spiritual pressure.

The next second, the base of the crystal pillar glowed with a dim, hazy white light. The light was dull and only managed to creep up a small fraction, not even reaching a tenth of the pillar's height. The recording Soul Reaper showed a trace of imperceptible disdain on his face and said in a calm tone:

"Failed. Next."

"I heard the principle of this device is to judge whether a soul has talent based on the gap between spiritual pressures," Kenta Ishikawa said. "The closer your innate spiritual pressure is to that of the operating Soul Reaper, the brighter the pillar will shine. Generally, if you can reach half the height and the white light is strong and stable, you pass."

Naruto looked at Kenta Ishikawa with some curiosity; this guy knew far too much. Still, he asked from the perspective of a child:

"Then what if you make the whole pillar light up?"

"Then you, kid, could become a Soul Reaper. We could all retire."

Suddenly, a mocking voice came from behind them. A tall, thin Soul Reaper approached the two and looked down at them:

"What, kid? Do you think your spiritual pressure is already as strong as ours? Or is it that the Gotei 13 is no longer respected by you people in the Rukon District?"

"Lord Soul Reaper!"

Kenta Ishikawa hurriedly pressed Naruto's head down, bowing along with him:

"A thousand apologies! This child only just arrived in the Soul Society today and doesn't understand many things. That was just an unintentional mistake; there was no intent to offend. Please, Lord Soul Reaper, be magnanimous!"

"Just arrived today, huh..."

The tall, thin Soul Reaper scanned Naruto twice, focusing on his face, and suddenly pulled at the corners of his mouth, squeezing out an ugly smile.

"Of course I'll be magnanimous... I'm a very kind person." He squatted down and pinched Naruto's cheek. "Kid, do you want to live in the Seireitei?"

Naruto resisted the urge to punch him, putting on a confused and helpless expression as if he didn't know how to respond.

"My name is Hanama Natsu, you can call me Brother Natsu." The more Hanama Natsu looked at Naruto, the more satisfied he became. "Do you know about the three great noble families of the Seireitei?"

Seeing that Naruto still looked blank, the smile on Natsu's face grew even brighter, like a blooming chrysanthemum: "It doesn't matter if you don't know. You just need to know that the nobles of the Seireitei live in environments ten thousand times better than the Rukon District. There is plenty of delicious food, beautiful and comfortable clothes, and clean, spacious houses. Unlike here, where everyone lives in wooden shacks... How about it? Want to go?"

"Your Brother Natsu is kind-hearted. I liked you the moment I saw you. It just so happens I know some nobles, so I can help introduce you..."

"Um... Lord Soul Reaper?"

Kenta Ishikawa, who had been hesitant and wavering, finally gathered his courage. He took Naruto's hand and spoke in a stuttering manner:

"This child, he has to go participate in that, the assessment. Could we talk about this after it's over?"

"Hmm?"

Hanama Natsu looked at Kenta Ishikawa with displeasure. Just that one glance made Kenta feel as if a weight of Thousand Jun had been added to his shoulders, and he almost couldn't stand steady.

"I want to take the assessment," Naruto suddenly spoke up.

"..."

Hanama Natsu's attention shifted back, his tone turning colder: "Don't waste time. Originally, the chance of someone from the Rukon District passing the assessment was less than one in a thousand, and now the passing standard has been raised tenfold. Only one in ten thousand can pass. You won't make it."

"I want to take the assessment," Naruto repeated, like a stubborn child.

Hanama Natsu felt a faint sense of impatience, but having his own concerns, he couldn't lash out. He could only snort coldly, stand up, and say: "Stupid kid... I'll come back after you fail."

Immediately after, he looked at Kenta Ishikawa: "I've remembered you, too."

Kenta Ishikawa's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat broke out on his back. Hanama Natsu took a few more looks at the two before turning and leaving with a look of displeasure.

He didn't notice that the moment he turned away, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of the "stupid kid" he had just spoken of.

"We're done for, we're done for..." Kenta Ishikawa muttered. Naruto felt a bit apologetic seeing this, but he couldn't say anything; after all, his persona right now was just a newly reincarnated "child"... and he knew that comfort without the backing of power was no different from empty talk.

He was led by the hand by Kenta for a full ten minutes before Kenta finally managed to calm down and patted Naruto's head:

"It's okay, I don't blame you."

Naruto's heart stirred. Looking at this ordinary-looking little old man, he felt something he had never experienced before.

"Come, follow Grandpa."

Kenta led Naruto to the registration desk to get a number for the assessment.

"What's your name?" the registering Soul Reaper asked.

"He just arrived in the Soul Society today and doesn't remember anything," Kenta quickly explained.

"Oh, then just make one up," the Soul Reaper said dismissively.

"Menma." Naruto didn't care about the name, and of course, he wasn't careless enough to use his real name, so he casually gave a pseudonym.

"Hmm, number 638. Wait there, there are over two hundred people ahead of you."

After registering, Kenta led Naruto to an inconspicuous spot on the side of the line. He didn't let go of Naruto's hand the entire time, as if afraid he would get lost.

Suddenly, he squeezed Naruto's hand hard, his lowered voice filled with excitement: "Look! That's Captain Aizen!"

Naruto's heart jolted as he looked in the direction of Kenta's gaze.

He saw that at the edge of the clearing, a figure was gently conversing with several Rukon District youths who had failed the assessment, looking both disappointed and excited. He was also wearing a black Shihakusho, but over it, he wore a white haori symbolizing his status as a captain, with the prominent character "Five" on the back marking his identity.

He was tall and upright, his brown hair groomed meticulously, and he wore rimless glasses on his face. The gaze behind the lenses was calm and gentle, and a faint, refreshing smile played at the corners of his mouth. He leaned forward slightly, patiently listening to the boys' stuttering self-introductions, nodding gently from time to time with eyes full of encouragement and tolerance, as if he could easily soothe all unease.

"This is Aizen Sosuke..."

Naruto looked at that refined and elegant face; had he not read the original work, he would surely have felt an instinctive fondness for him.

"Captain Aizen is truly such a good person..." Ishikawa couldn't help but whisper another praise from the side, his tone filled with reverence. "He is always so kind to the residents of the Rukon District; he has no airs at all."

"Mm-hmm."

Naruto nodded indifferently, pretending to agree.

However, seeing that Aizen was merely inspecting the outskirts and not confronting him directly as he had initially feared, his mood lightened considerably...

--Hm?

An indescribable chill, originating from the depths of his soul, suddenly exploded along Naruto's spine. The expression on his face froze instantly, and in his consciousness, Kurama's roar sounded like a thunderclap: [Hey, brat! Something's wrong! Why does it feel like someone is watching me?!]

As if sensing something, Naruto slowly looked up, and Aizen Sosuke, who had been conversing with the boys, turned his head with extreme naturalness. That gentle, smiling gaze passed through his lenses, precisely and inadvertently sweeping over.

That look seemed like nothing more than a casual glance, carrying the concern of an elder, as it landed on the blonde little boy Naruto, who was being led by Ishikawa and appeared somewhat "nervous and dazed."

Time seemed to stretch at this moment.

Naruto desperately suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, trying to adopt the role of an ignorant child, keeping his eyes as clear as possible. Yet, in the next instant, Aizen actually took a step, ended his conversation, and walked toward them!

His pace was steady and composed, without a hint of urgency. Along the way, he greeted the various residents of the Rukon District very cordially, but his speed remained constant, matching Naruto's increasingly rapid heartbeat until he stood right before him.

"Captain Aizen..." Ishikawa was incredibly excited.

Aizen smiled gently and chatted with Ishikawa for a few moments, and then, those calm eyes behind the lenses landed on Naruto.

The gaze remained gentle, carrying inquiry and a touch of perfectly measured pity, as if he were examining a lost, pitiable young beast.

"Child." Aizen wore a refreshing smile, his tone as gentle as if he were soothing a frightened kitten. "Is there something you are afraid of?"