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"Karenatia, I'm giving this to you. Do you like it?"

Shlain smiled as he looked at Karenatia.

Karenatia frowned. She couldn't understand why Shlain always did things like this.

A popping sound came as Karenatia brushed the flowers aside and said sharply,

"Don't do this again."

Shlain was momentarily stunned, but anger flared within him. If you weren't a saint and I didn't need to rely on you to gain others' support, I'd make you suffer as much as that wretched Naruto.

Feigning indifference, he shrugged with a smile, acting as if Karenatia's rejection didn't bother him.

The other kids glanced over and laughed.

"Haha, are these two flirting? How amusing!"

Naruto, standing nearby, laughed along with them.

But inside, he thought, Brother Shlain always orders me around. Sometimes he goes too far, but he's my older brother.

At that moment, Naruto jokingly said to Shlain,

"Brother Shlain, you got rejected again!"

"Haha."

Shlain's cold gaze immediately fixed on Naruto.

This bastard who stole the hero's identity from me dares to laugh at me? It seems I've been too lenient!

Then Shlain said to Naruto,

"Naruto, since you brought the flowers, you can be my sparring partner for sword training."

Naruto didn't like being Shlain's sparring partner because every time he agreed, Shlain would attack him with full strength, leaving his body covered in bruises.

In a weak voice, Naruto said,

"Brother Shlain, can't I not be your sparring partner?"

Shlain just smiled, then walked closer to Naruto and whispered in his ear,

"If you don't want to fight me, then stop coming to me. I think no one else will want to be your friend either. Besides, fighting me is for your own good. Why refuse?"

Shlain knew Naruto's weakness well—friends.

Because of Karenatia and Shlain's connection, Shlain was the center of attention. As long as Naruto dared to defy him, Shlain could ensure that everyone would leave Naruto behind.

Additionally, Shlain would use the excuse that it was for Naruto's benefit, leaving him no way to refuse.

Really...

Naruto hesitated for a moment.

He remembered his experiences in the village of Konoha, but now he didn't want to lose his friends here.

So...

Naruto gritted his teeth and decided to agree.

At that moment, Michael, who had been observing, saw his opportunity. He couldn't bear to watch Naruto continue to be deceived.

"Naruto?"

"Do you remember me?"

Naruto hadn't yet agreed to Shlain when he heard Michael's voice, and his expression lit up with excitement.

It's God!

"He said excitedly:

"Lord? Is that you? Thank you so much for letting me reincarnate in this world. I have friends and parents who love me. Thank you so much!"

Naruto was very satisfied with his life in this new world. Compared to his life in the village of Konoha, life here was much better.

Especially Brother Shlain, who seemed so popular and kind.

Michael also understood Naruto's mindset. It was clear that Shlain was manipulative in his treatment of Naruto.

To help Naruto realize this, Michael said seriously,

"Naruto, do you know you might be dealing with a manipulator right now?"

Naruto was stunned.

He asked,

"Lord, what is a manipulator? I don't understand."

Michael explained,

"Simply put, a manipulator is someone who seems nice to you but doesn't actually care about you. They only use you as a tool!"

"And the person I'm talking about is none other than Shlain!"

"Shlain has always believed that the hero's identity should belong to him. He thinks you took that identity from him, so he continues to torment you! And he uses the excuse that it's for your own good to force you to accept his treatment."

The truth was revealed.

It could be said that Naruto's mind was completely blank.

Brother Shlain?

How could Brother Shlain do such a thing?

But there was no reason for God to deceive him.

Naruto said hesitantly,

"Lord, are you sure? Brother Shlain definitely isn't like that!"

Michael replied calmly,

"The sword training is next, isn't it? Just do what I tell you..."