Naruto had become the sunny Naruto largely because of Iruka's positive guidance in his early years, as well as his own personality. But birds of a feather flock together—what if Naruto had instead been influenced by negativity from every direction?
What if he had known his identity from the very beginning?
What if someone had been influencing him every moment of every day?
A person's values and worldview were inseparable from the environment they lived in and the upbringing they received.
Naruto's living conditions were already terrible by Konoha's standards. Coupled with the villagers' constant discrimination and abuse, the fact that Naruto in the original story had developed such a sunny personality could only be explained as a miracle—or because he was the protagonist.
But what if someone had constantly stayed by Naruto's side, teaching and influencing him? What if they instilled the world's malice into him rather than its kindness?
Meruem had never believed that anyone was born sunny. Inherited traits and the environment one encountered were far more capable of changing a person's character and values.
For example: Shirou Emiya and Shirou Kotomine.
"I'm back." With the sound of the door opening, young Naruto walked in from outside.
Wait, didn't something seem off?
Naruto had always lived alone, so why was he using a greeting that only people living together would use?
"You're back, Naruto." A plump, fat bug resembling a silkworm wriggled out from beneath Naruto's blanket.
This was Meruem's Golden Silkworm Gu. As time passed, Meruem's strength recovered faster and faster, so manifesting another Golden Silkworm Gu was no great feat.
Ever since he had met Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of this world, Meruem had left this Golden Silkworm Gu in Naruto's residence.
Its purpose was to take care of—or rather, influence—Naruto.
What? Hadn't Meruem already