Naruto, though in a coma, had not completely lost consciousness.
A powerful spiritual energy connected to him allowed him to think, pushing aside the pain.
There was no doubt — he had become the protagonist of the anime "Hokage Ninja" in his previous life, Uzumaki Naruto.
But he did not rejoice at becoming the main character.Everything was because Naruto's life had been somewhat tragic.
Both of his parents had died early, his jinchūriki identity had been revealed, and the identity of the Fourth Hokage's son remained unknown.
When his identity as the Hokage's son was finally revealed, the villagers, though wary, did not fully reject him.
Even young allies, deserters, and minor characters had criticized him online.It had been difficult for him to survive, and everyone had been waiting for the outcome.
In his previous life, he had been exhausted by writing and drained by constant demands, his energy consumed by expectations.Now, in this life, he wanted to avoid that path — he would not be the reckless person who sacrifices friends and family for others.
"Other reincarnators either cheat, have powerful guides, or are granted extraordinary abilities… I need something too, right?"
Naruto's consciousness whispered:
"System?"
"Grandpa?"
"Yao Lao?"
"Xiaodu Xiaodu?"
"Xiao Ai-san?"
"Open panel?"
He called on potential aids in his mind, but reality gave him a strong push.It seemed there were no cheats available.
"Am I really going to rely only on my protagonist status and memories?"
A shadow passed over his face; he did not want to repeat the sad, tragic path of his old life.
"Calm down… calm down," he told himself.Even without cheats, knowing the general plot of Hokage's story would make his life far more comfortable.
He began planning how to use his past-life memories to live as conveniently as possible.
While Naruto was thinking, the darkness of consciousness suddenly lifted in rows of light.His mind transformed into an 18-year-old standing in a corridor.
"Huh?"
Naruto was stunned. "Isn't this my consciousness space?"
Suddenly, his eyes blazed, and he instantly realized.A canal? This is the sealed space of the Nine-Tails!
The spiritual power of his two lives had brought him here ahead of time.
At this moment, a clear path appeared in Naruto's mind.The memories from his previous life aligned with his current self — this was the ultimate advantage in the world of Hokage!
Bloodlines mixed with Asura, who had fought Indra for a thousand years.If this was the case, who could possibly stop him?
Naruto, thinking this, instinctively licked his dry lips.With an excited expression, he headed straight into the darkness — the place where the Nine-Tails was sealed.
The first thing he must do: become the perfect jinchūriki.
Outside the forest, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Minato Namikaze, who had lost his voice.Such a loyal puppet, difficult to raise, had died for the sake of a woman.
To suppress the Konoha clans, he had "retreated quickly" during the three wars.When the fruits of the Shinobi wars were about to be harvested, he signed an unconditional peace treaty.
This had angered the people of Konoha, and the leading families had forced the removal of the Hokage.But all of this had been calculated in advance.
At that time, he already had Minato, the successor of the Will of Fire — a strong, famous, and obedient student. Far better than Orochimaru.Through this, he not only weakened the power of Konoha's main families but also continued controlling Konoha's affairs for the benefit of the Sarutobi family.
When Asuma grew up, she could immediately take Minato's class and transform Konoha into private property of the Sarutobi family — a perfect plan.
But because of one woman, this man had died!
Had it been enough to seal the Nine-Tails with the Eight Trigrams Seal, where would the key to the Shinigami be?
Hiruzen's heart burned with anger, but he could not speak.Behind him stood supporting ANBU and Jonin.
"Fourth Hokage? — Lady Kushina?"
Several Jonin hurried to check their injuries, and Hiruzen first lifted Naruto, the next jinchūriki.He knew that a jinchūriki without a Tailed Beast, and a shinobi who used the Shinigami Seal, had no chance of survival.
Yet he still gave a symbolic greeting:"Take him urgently to Konoha Hospital. Treat the ninja immediately."
He still underestimated the vitality of the Uzumaki family.
At that moment, Kushina, who was supposed to be dying, opened her eyes:
"Third Hokage!"
A startled Hiruzen crouched next to her.
"Kushina? You're alive?"
"This child… please take care of him!"
A dark expression crossed Hiruzen's face, realizing that Naruto, the son of the Fourth Hokage, could no longer be hidden.
He nodded solemnly."Don't worry. There is nothing to fear."
Kushina struggled to speak:"His name… is Uzumaki Naruto…"
The moment the words were spoken, Kushina finally gave her life.