Chapter 369: Chapter 367 : Naruto, Evil??
Shouldn’t I have been able to grow up carefree too?
Shouldn’t I have had milk that wasn’t expired?
Shouldn’t I have lived on instant noodles only by choice—and even treated myself to Ichiraku Ramen now and then?
But instead...
He grew up alone, gratefully accepting the scraps of kindness tossed his way by the Hokage—expired milk, soon-to-expire cup noodles, and bouts of stomachaches that became a normal part of his life.
But now, it all feels like a lie.
The Hokage... it feels like he’s been deceiving him all along. Even making him feel thankful for the bare minimum he received.
Yet in truth, his reality was cold, lonely, and devoid of care.
Was this really the treatment a child of a Hokage deserved?
If becoming Hokage meant sacrificing everything for the village, only for your child to end up like this—he would rather never chase after that title.
He was too disappointed.
Despite the anger bubbling in his heart, Naruto—always one to see the good in people—tried to think better of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Now that he thought about it, the Hokage did pay him special attention. He visited from time to time, talked with him... Naruto never saw the Hokage treating anyone else that way.
Maybe... the Hokage really did care about him differently.
He even took the time to personally watch over him.
"Because you’re a Jinchūriki," Mizuki said, watching the changing emotions flash across Genyu Naruto’s face. "Even though others pushed you away, the Hokage took responsibility for guiding you."
Seeing Naruto’s face gradually soften, Mizuki decided to throw in another spark to stoke the fire.
"Guide me?" Naruto asked, confused. He looked at Mizuki curiously, wondering what he meant by that.
Guide himself?
"Forget it... since you’ve said so much, I might as well tell you clearly. I hope the Third Hokage won’t blame me!" Mizuki said, watching Naruto fall for his words. His tone grew heavier.
He spoke hesitantly, even stammering a little— a conflicted expression on his face.
"Don’t worry, Mizuki-sensei. I won’t tell anyone about this!" Naruto quickly promised, his face full of hope and seriousness.
Naruto had already made up his mind. Mizuki was telling him the truth to help him understand, and Naruto would never betray him.
"Rest assured, since I’m ready to tell you everything, I’m prepared to accept whatever punishment the Hokage gives me!" Mizuki sighed deeply, then began to explain.
"Because as a Jinchuriki, the host of a tailed beast, you must keep a good mindset. If the Jinchuriki’s mind weakens, the tailed beast could take over their consciousness—that would be a disaster!"
"Of course, there’s one more thing."
Mizuki’s eyes flickered with hesitation.
But seeing the eager look in Naruto’s eyes, he closed them and said firmly, "One more thing—the Jinchuriki is Konoha’s war machine. And this war machine must always be under the Hokage’s control. That way, in times of crisis, Konoha won’t fall into chaos."
War machine?
Naruto’s pupils shrank as he listened.
The Hokage only got close to him to keep this war machine stable?
He pushed others away but helped and guided him instead?
Everything suddenly made sense.
Heh, so I’m a war machine after all.
War Machine!
This was all the Hokage’s plan.
Naruto Uzumaki’s head was buzzing, and his eyes grew serious.
But on his face was a bitter smile mixed with resentment.
With Naruto’s usually cheerful personality, if the truth had been revealed slowly and gently, maybe he wouldn’t have been so upset.
But now, suddenly receiving so much information, his mind was struggling to keep up.
The crimson chakra on his body began to spread wildly, surging.
A voice echoed inside his mind:
"Accept my power, accept my power. Once you accept my power, no one in Konoha can stop you. You can leave or take revenge."
"Accept my power!"
"Unlock my seal..."
"Those hypocrites, let’s take revenge together!"
The Nine-Tails stirred inside Naruto’s mind, filling him with fiery passion.
"Unlock the seal."
"The seal..."
"I was deceived."
Naruto murmured softly, and his deep blue eyes started to turn slightly bloodshot.
He was beginning to lose his reason.
"Naruto, wake up..." Mizuki hurriedly called out, worried as Naruto seemed to be losing control.
He still needed Naruto and didn’t want him to lose it now.
With Mizuki’s voice, Naruto gradually regained clarity.
"Mizuki-sensei, sorry. I was distracted just now!" Naruto quickly apologized.
But even as he spoke, the eager light in his eyes had faded to coldness.
It seemed like he had accepted the fact, but at the same time, he hadn’t fully accepted it.
Perhaps it was resignation.
"It’s fine as long as you’re okay. But you should think carefully. The Third Hokage might have his own reasons, which is why he didn’t tell you everything," Mizuki pretended to explain for the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"I understand. The Hokage might have his own difficulties," Naruto Uzumaki nodded, but the way he addressed him had completely changed.
Naruto understood very well.
He was just a child, a Genin. He wanted to question Sarutobi Hiruzen, but he also knew that at this moment, lacking strength, if he asked him this question, Sarutobi might control him.
Some things were better kept hidden in his heart.
"I’m just glad you’re safe. I was afraid you’d go to the Third Hokage. If the Hokage found out I told you the truth, I might not be able to remain your teacher," Mizuki said with some emotion.
"Teacher, how can the Tailed Beast be controlled?" Naruto asked the question weighing on his mind.
He feared that he might lose control and break the seal.
"How to control it?" Mizuki’s eyes lit up when he heard Naruto’s question. After a brief flicker, he continued, "Of course, by getting stronger—so strong that even the Tailed Beast can’t defeat you. That way, the Tailed Beast can’t affect your mind, and others won’t fear you anymore!"
"Get stronger so the Tailed Beast can’t defeat me?" Naruto repeated Mizuki’s words, his eyes filled with disappointment.
"But didn’t you say the Tailed Beast is very powerful?"
"Since the Tailed Beast is so strong, how could I possibly beat it?" Naruto shook his head.
Whenever he thought about the crimson giant sealed inside him, doubt crept into his heart.
The overwhelming chakra of the Nine-Tails made him feel powerless.
Even fearful.
Could he really defeat the Tailed Beast?
"No one said it was impossible. Even Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, managed to do it. So why are you giving up on yourself like this?" Mizuki continued to encourage him.
But Uzumaki Naruto still hesitated. "But those two are legendary figures!"
"The First Hokage only passed away a few decades ago. Besides, I know a way that could give you a chance to reach the power of the First Hokage!" Mizuki smiled faintly and said slowly.
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