Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Six years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting several bright, warm-colored patches of light on the dining table.

Kushina Uzumaki came out carrying a plate of perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs, filling the bright kitchen with the aroma of food and the little tune she was humming.

"Naruto, don't daydream while eating! You'll drip sauce all over your clothes!"

She put the plate down, grabbed a tissue, and quickly wiped the ketchup from her son's mouth.

Upon hearing this, the blond boy sitting across the table immediately sat up straight, his clear blue eyes shining brightly. He quietly replied, "Okay~"

Minato Namikaze put down the thin, light-colored panel in his hand, which still displayed the latest patrol schedule.

Looking at his son's well-behaved and sensible appearance, and then at his wife's still fiery personality, his eyes were full of smiles.

Six years have passed, and Naruto has grown into a young man.

Unlike the aloofness and mischievousness of the original work, he grew up in the love of his parents and the harmonious atmosphere of the village. He is gentle and polite, and even has a bit of innate shyness.

Only his brilliant blond hair and the occasional bursts of boundless energy belonging to the Whirlpool Clan reminded others of the power hidden within him.

Minato gently patted Naruto's head. "It's important to have confidence. The Ninja Academy is where you learn how to protect your comrades and the village; it's where you begin to become a true man."

"Um!"

Naruto nodded vigorously, his eyes finally shining with anticipation.

After breakfast, Minato and Kushina led Naruto along the road to the Ninja Academy.

The streets are lined with buildings of varying heights, and several parallel metal cables run overhead. Occasionally, a tram with a clanging sound passes by, and the familiar smiling faces of the villagers are reflected in the windows.

All of this stems from an era that man ushered in decades ago.

"Hey, Minato, taking your son to school?"

On the roadside, Choza Akimichi was with his son Choji Akimichi, holding a huge string of three-colored dumplings and waving enthusiastically. Little Choji was happily munching on a bag of potato chips.

"Yes, Ding-zai. You guys are up so early too."

Minato responded with a smile.

Naruto and Choji looked at each other, and Naruto politely bowed, saying, "Hello."

Choji then handed him some potato chips and mumbled, "...Eat."

On the other side, Yamanaka Inoichi was holding his little girl Ino's hand, looking utterly helpless.

The Uchiha clan today is completely different from what it used to be.

In the spacious courtyard, Fugaku Uchiha sat upright, with a printed report on the table in front of him: "Analysis of the Optimal Social Strategies for Sasuke Uchiha on His First Day of School".

"Sasuke, remember, according to the data model, when you enter the classroom, choose the third row from the middle by the window. This will maximize your initial favorability with the other students. For your first self-introduction, maintain a speaking speed of 120 words per minute, and your facial expression..."

"Alright, alright, Fugaku!"

Mikoto Uchiha walked out of the house, both amused and exasperated, and snatched the report from her husband's hand. "It's just going to school, does it have to be this exaggerated?"

Sasuke was wearing a well-fitting small dark blue shirt with a small fan-shaped clan emblem embroidered on the back.

He stood there coolly, his small face tense, trying hard to maintain the pride that belonged to the Uchiha, but the slightly reddened tips of his ears still betrayed him.

Itachi Uchiha, now a fine young ninja, stood quietly behind his younger brother, placed his hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "Don't be nervous, Sasuke. There are many interesting people at school."

"I'm not nervous at all!"

Sasuke immediately retorted, but his voice lacked confidence.

Fugaku looked at his two sons, his gaze sweeping over the clansmen chatting and laughing not far away, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He stood up, walked over to Sasuke, squatted down, and straightened his collar.

His movements were no longer filled with data and formulas, but rather carried the purest tenderness of a father.

"Go, Sasuke. Let everyone see just how outstanding the Uchiha children are."

"Um."

Sasuke nodded emphatically.

A large crowd gathered at the entrance of the ninja academy.

Accompanied by his parents, Naruto curiously looked around at everything. He saw Choji holding potato chips, and he also saw the blonde little girl, Ino.

Then, his gaze met that of a dark-haired boy.

It's Sasuke.

The two children, whose fathers were both chosen ones on different paths.

At this moment, they were just two six-year-old boys who were about to become classmates.

Naruto smiled shyly at Sasuke and nodded slightly.

Sasuke paused for a moment, then awkwardly turned his head to one side, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.

Not far away, Nara Shikaku yawned, looking at his son Shikamaru, who also had a troublesome expression on his face, and felt that life was bleak.

The Hyuga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, stayed with Hinata and Neji, gently encouraging them.

The school bell rang, and parents waved goodbye at the school gate.

Children flocked to this hall that had nurtured generations of Konoha ninjas.

……

Warm sunlight filled the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in a large chair, quietly gazing out the window.

Looking into the distance, one sees the Tongtian Woodcraft Farm, which was created by the First Hokage's Wood Release and has now become an agricultural miracle in the ninja world.

Looking at the airships belonging to Konoha Airport slowly gliding across the sky, and further away, the magnificent dam that provides a continuous source of electricity for the entire village.

"Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Kagami gently placed a cup of hot tea on his table. Time had left its mark on his face, but his eyes remained warm and clear.

"Thank you for your hard work, Kagami."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was slightly hoarse.

"Looking at these children makes me feel that everything we've done has been worthwhile."

A relieved smile appeared on Jing's face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his teacup and blew away the rising steam.

He recalled the last and largest simulation he had conducted a few years ago for this village and for the world.

The theme of the simulation is—a threat from the stars.

It was a simulation that lasted for several months, consuming almost all of his mental energy.

He saw the arrival of the Otsutsuki clan, and the power that could destroy the world.

Then, he began to make arrangements.

Education, science and technology, military, economy, diplomacy...

He squeezed all his knowledge as a modern-day corporate slave to the limit, preparing for the world an answer that spans several eras.

The simulation result can be summed up in two words—perfect.

Since then, the emulator has never been started again.

Its mission is complete.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his teacup, a genuine and incredibly relaxed smile spreading across his face.

He fulfilled his promise to his teacher.

He survived, carrying Konoha and the world with him.

His gaze returned to the window, towards the direction of the ninja academy.

It was as if I had passed through layers of walls and finally saw the bright classroom filled with new students.

On the platform, a young Iruka Umino, whose face was still unmarked, was smiling at all the children.

"From today onwards, we are all classmates. First, let's introduce ourselves."

The sunlight was just right, streaming through the window and illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air.

The two boys sat side by side.

The blond boy turned his head and gave his deskmate a smile as bright as the sun.

To all my dear readers, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! (*￣︶￣) Time flies, and before we know it, this book has been serialized for over a year. Thank you for reading this far. Life has no draft; every stroke of the pen is a live performance. The story in this book has ended, but your life is unfolding in real time. There's no need to look back, no need to linger, because the most beautiful scenery is always ahead. May you have a heart full of grandeur, and eyes that radiate beauty, living a rich and free life throughout the long years.

(End of the book)