"Alright, Naruto."
Kakashi Hatake grabbed Naruto and took the initiative to extend his hand, introducing, "Let me introduce you first, this is the Fourth Hokage of the village..."
"The Fourth Hokage!"
Naruto Uzumaki looked in shock at Namikaze Minato, observing the man who looked somewhat similar to him, "Isn't the Fourth Hokage already..."
"It's a village secret..."
Kakashi Hatake patted his shoulder, explaining in a deep voice, "It's said that to prevent Orochimaru from using Reanimation Jutsu to revive former Hokages, the village revived the past Hokages in advance as the last line of defense..."
"..."
Naruto Uzumaki was unable to comprehend.
This matter clearly exceeded his understanding.
Naruto Uzumaki remembered his favorite saying from childhood, his greatest desire was to become the hero of the village, just like the former Fourth Hokage, or even surpass him!
"By the way..."
"He has another identity..."
At this point, Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but fall silent. He looked towards the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, unsure if he should say it.
Because...
After all, this identity was significant for Naruto.
"Long time no see, Naruto."
Namikaze Minato took over the conversation from Kakashi Hatake, extending his hand to Naruto Uzumaki with a smile, saying, "I am Namikaze Minato, and also your father."
This world is always so strange.
Such an important matter could appear in such a calm scenario.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, introduced his identity so gently, to the extent that it felt like he didn't have much hope for this father and son meeting.
Even...
The Root Ninja beside him watched with some surprise.
"..."
Naruto Uzumaki stared at Namikaze Minato with a face full of shock.
A child who had been an orphan since childhood, used to living on his own, Naruto Uzumaki never thought he would ever meet his parents.
Naruto Uzumaki always considered himself an orphan, never having any expectations from his parents, never having them, hence naturally not fearing losing them.
Now...
As he became an adult...
Suddenly someone told him, he's my father?
"Don't joke around..."
Naruto Uzumaki laughed awkwardly.
"It's true."
Namikaze Minato interrupted Naruto, reaching out to pat his son's shoulder and wanted to reveal the proof that he was Naruto Uzumaki's biological father, "Back when the village faced the Nine-Tails chaos, it was I who sealed the Nine-Tails inside you..."
"I don't believe it!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto Uzumaki directly slapped away Namikaze Minato's hand, turning and leaving angrily, disregarding the others' attempts to stop him, running directly towards the forest!
This whole...
Everything in his life...
Was because of the monster Nine-Tails sealed within him!
Because he was the Nine-Tails Fox, he was always rejected by everyone in the village, no one wanted to approach him, he would even get chased away when trying to buy things...
Because he was the Nine-Tails Fox, everyone didn't want to interact with him or acknowledge him, no matter what he did, it would be met with the villagers' curses...
This whole...
Was because of the Nine-Tails within him!
The man who sealed the Nine-Tails inside him dared to claim that he was his father; he absolutely would not acknowledge that as his father!
"Naruto!"
Namikaze Minato looked anxiously wanting to chase after him.
"Fourth Hokage-sama."
Akihara Kagura stopped Namikaze Minato's actions, suddenly gesturing to the nearby Root Ninja, "Sasuke, go and have a good talk with Naruto, don't let him do anything foolish, you are allowed to reveal your identity..."
"Yes..."
Uchiha Sasuke swiftly leaped towards the direction Naruto Uzumaki had gone.
Back when he was deeply consumed by his clan's vengeance, determined to gain power to avenge Uchiha Itachi, Naruto Uzumaki, that idiot, wanted to pull him out of the quagmire of revenge, even risking his life to save him...
Now...
Was it his turn?
Inside Konoha Village.
On a bench in a park.
Naruto Uzumaki sat there silently shedding tears, feeling mixed emotions in his heart, unsure what he should say or what to do.
Once, Naruto Uzumaki was as much in awe of the Fourth Hokage as he now despised him!
That guy...
How dare he implant the Nine-Tails inside him!
All those hardships he had suffered from childhood because of the Nine-Tails inside him, now the man claiming to be his father told him, it was all his doing!
That guy...
How dare he do this!
Is this something a father should do?
The man claiming to be his father, did he know that doing this would cause his child to suffer such a fate?
Sixteen years!
A whole sixteen years!
Naruto Uzumaki had almost forgotten the misfortunes he faced because of his Nine-Tails Fox identity, no matter how hard he tried to live, he couldn't get recognition from others because of this identity!
"That idiot..."
A Root Ninja wearing a cat-face mask cursed, walking step by step towards Naruto Uzumaki, handing him a cup of sweet pear juice he bought.
"What are you here for..."
Naruto Uzumaki still looked somewhat dejected.
"I'm here to tell you about the Fourth Hokage..."
The Root Ninja handed the pear juice to him, speaking softly, "Many people know the hidden truth behind this, perhaps you have heard some..."
"I don't want to hear it!"
Naruto Uzumaki waved to knock away the pear juice in front of him.
Originally having a good impression of the Root Ninja who used to protect them, Naruto Uzumaki was already displeased hearing him try to speak for the man claiming to be his father!
"Idiot!"
The Root Ninja directly grabbed Naruto Uzumaki's wrist!
"You!"
Naruto Uzumaki counter-gripped the opponent's wrist, still wanting to resist!
However, this Root Ninja was extremely formidable in combat, seeing Naruto still wanting to resist, he directly pressed Naruto Uzumaki's wrist, kicking both the lounge chair and Naruto to the ground!
"Bastard!"
Naruto Uzumaki angrily fell backward onto the ground!
This Root Ninja showed a hint of disappointment in his eyes, coldly saying, "Naruto Uzumaki, when did you learn to vent your anger on innocent bystanders..."
"Who are you really?"
Naruto Uzumaki lay on the ground, looking angrily at the Root Ninja in front of him, remembering the words his former comrade Uchiha Sasuke said, "You guy really have no idea what I've been through, what gives you the right to question me?"
"..."
The Root Ninja froze for a moment.
Because he too had spoken those words to Naruto Uzumaki countless times, he didn't expect Naruto to one day use them to retort against him...
"You idiot..."
The Root Ninja helplessly shook his head, slowly extended his hand and removed his mask, revealing a face that seemed familiar to Naruto Uzumaki, "I should know what you've truly gone through, right?"