Naruto, however, didn't really care.
The reason he valued Ikari Shinji was simple. Aside from him, all the other membership candidates before Naruto were adults who would be difficult to change.
Getting adults to believe in heroes, let alone become heroes themselves, was incredibly difficult.
But this boy—
Although there was unwillingness, pain, and even a trace of anger in his eyes, Naruto saw it at a glance.
This was actually a boy who longed for attention.
Just like Naruto once had.
No, it would be more accurate to say he was more like Sasuke in the past.
Naruto thought to himself.
"Shinji." Ikari Gendo spoke at this moment. "Since this hero believes you have the potential to become a hero, you should work hard."
Ikari Shinji raised his head blankly and looked at his father.
This was the first time his father had addressed him directly by his name instead of his full name. Ikari Shinji even saw an unprecedented color in his father's gaze.
Was it anticipation?
It probably was.
A wave of emotion and excitement suddenly rose in Ikari Shinji's heart.
He didn't like his father, but that dislike stemmed from the fact that his father had abandoned him in one place and never visited him, not even sending him a letter.
But now, it seemed that a tiny seed had been planted in Ikari Shinji's heart.
If he became a hero, he would receive recognition and attention.
And so—
Ikari Shinji's training began that very day.
Naruto showed this boy twelve parts enthusiasm, and he wasn't the only one. The other two girls felt the same way, because Naruto already knew that if he hadn't come, these boys and girls would have been the ones bearing the fate of saving this world.
They were heroes chosen