Of Course, You’re Not an Orphan

Yamaki glanced around, noting the ever-watchful ANBU following Naruto from a distance. Speaking too loudly would get them overheard.

Feigning nonchalance, Yamaki shoved a strawberry-flavored candy into Naruto's mouth. "Got a problem? Let's solve it then. Come, let's sit over there, and you can tell me all about it."

With that, Yamaki led Naruto and Sasuke to a nearby bench.

Naruto detailed how his Transformation Jutsu would fail during exams or practice battles with classmates, though it worked perfectly when he practised alone or with Sasuke.

Sasuke listened intently, curious to know why Naruto's jutsu failed at critical moments despite being flawless during their practice sessions.

After hearing Naruto out, Yamaki had his suspicions. Naruto was nearly seven, and it seemed Kurama had started interfering when the academy began teaching chakra extraction techniques.

Though the seal on Kurama was intact, the sheer volume of the Nine-Tails' chakra meant even a small leak could wreak havoc on Naruto's chakra control.

Considering his improvements, Yamaki wondered if it was time to attempt to recruit a non-Uchiha elite.

Naruto spoke ramblingly, filled with his trust in Yamaki, who he saw as a mentor figure.

Yamaki ruffled Naruto's hair. "Think about it a bit more, Naruto."

Naruto looked puzzled. "Think about what?"

At that moment, Yamaki used his ocular power, pulling his and Naruto's consciousness into Naruto's inner world.

Naruto, initially tense, relaxed upon seeing Yamaki beside him. They stood in a hallway with a colossal barred gate in the distance.

Since Naruto's mental state had improved, his inner world was no longer damp and dark.

"Yamaki-senpai, where are we?"

Yamaki sensed the presence of two distinct chakras nearby, likely Minato and Kushina, though they did not reveal themselves. They might be waiting for Naruto to grow up.

Yamaki had no intention of waiting; he wanted to address the issue of Naruto and Kurama's coexistence sooner.

He smiled calmly. "Naruto, this is your inner world."

"My... inner world?" Naruto was confused. He understood the words separately but not together.

Yamaki continued, "Naruto, do you want to know why you were bullied when you were little?"

Naruto's body stiffened. Despite his life's bright turn in the past year, memories of being shunned and hated by the villagers haunted him.

He felt a void in his heart whenever he recalled those times.

But Naruto was Naruto; he quickly raised his head, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Yamaki didn't mince words. "You should have learned about Jinchūriki in school by now."

"Your identity is that of Konoha's Jinchūriki."

"You have the Nine-Tails sealed within you."

Naruto was stunned. "I... I'm the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki!?"

In this life, Naruto was no longer the lazy troublemaker. He diligently studied everything taught in the academy, including the basics.

Yamaki continued, "The villagers hate and discriminate against you because of the Nine-Tails within you, which nearly destroyed Konoha."

"Many villagers died because of the Nine-Tails, so they directed their hatred towards you, blaming you for their lost homes and loved ones."

Naruto, overwhelmed, fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He had waited so long for this answer, finally understanding the reason behind everything.

Naruto cried out, releasing years of pent-up frustration.

As Naruto wept, the two hidden chakras fluctuated but did not emerge.

"Why? Why did they make me a Jinchūriki? Why...?"

Naruto cried bitterly, anger in his voice.

Yamaki spoke softly, "Because it was your parents' decision."

"Parents!?" Naruto's eyes widened.

"Yamaki-senpai! I have parents!? I'm not an orphan?"

Yamaki nodded. "Of course, you're not an orphan. Who told you that?"

Naruto wiped his tears. "The Third Hokage-grandpa told me."

Yamaki shrugged. "Well, the Third Hokage lied to you. He promised your parents he would take good care of you, but he broke that promise."

"He promised to take good care of me!?" Naruto thought about this. The Third Hokage had been kind to him, giving him money and visiting often.

Yamaki smirked. "You thought the money the Third Hokage gave you was his? That was your parents' money."

"What!?" Naruto was shocked. He had always been grateful to the Third Hokage for providing for him.

He had grown up thinking it was the Third Hokage's generosity, but it was his parents' money all along!?

"The Third Hokage didn't take good care of you because he kept most of your parents' wealth for himself. The money you received was less than one-thousandth of what you were supposed to get."

"That's outrageous!"

Naruto's anger flared. He had suspected his parents were dead, as they never appeared in his life.

But to learn that his hardships were due to the Third Hokage hoarding his inheritance!? He could have avoided so much suffering if he had known.

Naruto no longer hated the villagers who had been cruel to him. After all, they had lost loved ones to the Nine-Tails inside him, so their resentment was understandable.

His anger was now directed at realising that his life could have been much more manageable. Money might not solve all problems, but it would have covered his basic needs.

"Yamaki-senpai, who are my parents? Why did they make me a Jinchūriki?"

Yamaki shook his head. "You're still too young. If I tell you now, you might accidentally let it slip and put yourself in danger."

Naruto bit his lip. "Yamaki-senpai, please tell me. I promise to keep it a secret."

Yamaki still shook his head. He could tell Naruto about being a Jinchūriki because it was common knowledge in Konoha, known even to many civilians.

However, revealing his parents' identities involved more complex issues.

Seeing Naruto's desperate plea, Yamaki offered a compromise. "Alright, Naruto. If you can keep today's revelation a secret until you graduate from the academy, I'll tell you about your parents and everything you want to know."

Relieved, Naruto felt a surge of hope. Though it meant waiting until graduation, at least he had a path forward.

"Okay, Yamaki-senpai! I promise to keep it a secret until I graduate."

Yamaki nodded. "Since you understand what being a Jinchūriki means, can you tell me why your chakra becomes uncontrollable?"

Having thought about this earlier, Naruto quickly answered, "Yamaki-senpai, is it because of the Nine-Tails?"

Seeing Naruto's quick response, shedding the "clueless ninja" label, Yamaki was pleased.