Chapter 83 - 13

Chapter 13: Many Wives, Much Happiness! Why Are You Alive!Sasuke was also surrounded on his side.Some unknown female classmates were chattering around the handsome Sasuke, until a more handsome figure appeared and rescued Sasukefrom the crowd."As expected of my younger brother, you're popular wherever you go.""I don't like them, big brother. I want to learn Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. Will you teach me?""Alright."...However, the relaxed and happy school life was torn apart by reality the moment they stepped out of the school gates.Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, and Matsuri were walking home together, while Ino and the others separated halfway because they were not going the same way.When they reached the commercial street, Narutoremembered that Kushina had asked him to buy some seasonings."I'm going to the grocery store, you guys go ahead," Naruto said."I'll go with you," Matsuri said immediately."I'll go too!" Hinata and Sakura said simultaneously.Naruto smiled and said: "No need, it's just up ahead, it'll be quick."He walked into the "Yamanaka Grocery Store" alone. It was a shop opened by the Yamanaka clan, a business belonging to Ino's family.Inside the shop, Ino's mother, Rino Yamanaka, was organizing the shelves."Hello, Auntie. I'd like to buy some mirin and soy sauce," Naruto said.Rino turned around, and when she saw Naruto, her smile stiffened for a moment. Although she recovered quickly, Naruto caught that momentary unnaturalness."Oh, it's Uzumaki Naruto. The mirin is on the third row on the left, and the soy sauce is on the right," Rino's voice was gentle, but it carried a sense of aloofness.While Naruto went to get the seasonings, he heard two other customers in the shop whispering:"...That's him, right?""Keep your voice down, I heard the Fourth Hokageis very protective of him...""So what if he is? He's no longer the Hokage! Besides, if it weren't for him, my husband wouldn't have...""Stop talking, let's go."The two hurriedly paid and left. When they passed by Naruto, they deliberately kept their distance.Naruto lowered his head and took the seasonings to pay.Rino quickly calculated the cost, and when she handed over the bag, her fingers did not touch Naruto's hand."Thanks for your patronage."Walking out of the shop, Naruto took a deep breath. He had long been used to it. For six years, every time he went out alone, this kind of situation would occur. But today... it was particularly noticeable.Because today's date was the date of the Nine-Tailed night back then, and it was also the day when so many people lost their loved ones."Hey! Kid!"A drunken middle-aged man blocked his way. His clothes were worn out, his eyes were cloudy, and he was holding a liquor bottle in his hand."Move aside," Naruto said calmly."Move aside?" The man laughed, his smile twisted. "Do you know who I am? Six years ago, when the Nine-Tailed attacked, my wife and my son... both died! Both died!"His voice attracted passersby to watch. People pointed and whispered."It's him again...""Sigh, it's like this every year at this time...""We can't blame the child entirely, can we...""You say that easily, it wasn't your family who died!"The man pointed at Naruto: "And you... you monster! Why are you living so well! Why do you have parents who love you! Why!""Shut up!"Matsuri's figure suddenly appeared, blocking in front of Naruto. Her Sharingan was already activated, the single tomoe spinning slowly: "If you dare to say another word, I will make you shut up forever."Hinata and Sakura also ran over, protecting Narutoon the left and right.Although Hinata was trembling with fear, she still struck a starting pose for the Gentle Fist.Sakura clenched her fists and glared at the drunkard."Ha! Bodyguards too!" The man laughed wildly. "Look! The Fourth Hokage's son has people from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans protecting him whenever he goes out! Are the lives of us commoners not lives!"Among the onlookers, some showed indignant expressions.Naruto pulled Matsuri's hand: "Big Sister Matsuri, forget it.""But he!""Forget it." Naruto shook his head and looked at the drunkard, "Sir, I'm sorry."The man was stunned."I know an apology is useless. I cannot understand or compensate for the pain of losing family members," Naruto's voice was very calm. "But I can tell you this. The Nine-Tailed attack on Konohawas not my fault. I was just a child born on that day. If you hate someone, you should hate the person who released the Nine-Tailed, hate those who failed to stop the disaster, and not hate me, who was just an infant at the time."He paused: "Also, my father, the Fourth Hokage. That night, he almost died to protect Konoha. My mother too. They never shirked their responsibility. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can go to the Hokage Building to complain, or go to the Sandaime to report it. But here, venting your hatred on a six-year-old child!"Naruto raised his head, his blue eyes staring directly at the other person:"This will only bring shame to your deceased loved ones."After saying this, he pulled the three girls and walked through the silent crowd, leaving.Once they were far away, Matsuri gritted her teeth and said: "Why did you stop me! That kind of person, he should be taught a lesson to make him wake up!"Hinata sobbed softly: "Naruto-kun... those people... are too much..."Sakura's eyes were red: "Naruto, are you okay?"Naruto smiled: "I'm fine. I'm used to it."But the three girls all saw that his knuckles were slightly white as he gripped the bag.When they got home, Kushina was in the kitchen preparing dinner."I'm home," Naruto said, trying to make his voice sound relaxed."Welcome home, Naruto." Kushina turned around, keenly sensing her son's emotions, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?""No," Naruto said, putting the seasonings on the table, "I'm going to do my homework."Not long after he went upstairs, the doorbell rang.Kushina opened the door and saw Matsuri, Hinata, and Sakura standing at the door, all three girls' eyes red."Kushina-sensei..." Matsuri took a deep breath and recounted what had just happened.After listening, Kushina was silent for a long time. Her long red hair fluttered without wind, and the surrounding air became oppressive."I see," she finally said, her voice terrifyingly calm, "Thank you for telling me. And thank you for protecting Naruto.""We didn't protect him well..." Hinata lowered her head, "Naruto-kun... he must be very sad...""That child has learned to hide his emotions since he was young," Kushina said with a bitter smile, "Alright, you girls go home first. I will handle this matter."After seeing the girls off, Kushina stood in the kitchen for a long time, until Minato came home from work."I'm home. Hmm? Kushina, what's wrong?" Minatokeenly sensed his wife's abnormality.Kushina recounted the incident.After Minato listened, the smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a deep weariness."It's like this again..." He rubbed his temples, "I have tried my best. The 'Aoi' department has been pacifying so many radicals in the shadows, and we have also guided public opinion, but...""Hatred won't disappear so easily," Kushinacontinued, "Especially when people need a target for their venting."