Chapter 259: Naruto Visits Konoha

"Wow."

Naruto stood in front of the gates of Konoha Village—or more accurately, Konoha City—and let out a genuine gasp of admiration.

The forest of skyscrapers before him bore no resemblance to the village of his childhood memories.

It was so changed that Naruto almost thought he had taken a wrong turn.

For the past eight years, he had hidden himself away in an unknown corner of the shinobi world, devoting himself to rigorous training, almost completely cut off from society.

Now, faced with this modern metropolis, he felt as though he had stepped into another world.

Wandering the streets of Konoha, Naruto felt a bit lost.

He was actually lost.

Konoha was too vast; one could walk for a day and a night and still not see everything. Transportation was a necessity.

Fortunately, following the flow of the crowd, Naruto's eyes caught sight of a tram station not far away.

He approached and checked the route map, finding a tourist line.

This line passed through landmarks like the Ninja Academy, Central Plaza, the Hokage's Tower, the Uchiha district, and Food Street, complete with a tour guide offering commentary throughout the journey.

The only catch was the price—a steep two hundred ryō for standard seating, and for business class, an extravagant thousand ryō.

But Naruto, after all, was the leader of the Akatsuki, and not without means. The card he carried contained a hefty sum of fifty million ryō.

This fortune was amassed by the Akatsuki's financial director, Mr. Kakuzu, through tireless efforts for the organization.

With a beep, Naruto swiped his card, purchasing the priciest ticket and entering the business cabin.

True to its name, the business cabin was luxurious.

It boasted leather massage seats, complimentary beverages, and light snacks, with soothing music playing and floor-to-ceiling windows that didn't obstruct the view, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the Konoha scenery.

Quite the indulgence.

Naruto mused to himself, settling into a leather seat to take in the bustling street view.

In the seat next to him, a well-dressed mother and daughter conversed, their words reaching Naruto's ears without missing a beat.

"Mom, look how big and pretty Konoha is. It's nothing like our Sand Village, with its endless desert and constant sandstorms... I don't want to go back."

The little girl pouted as she spoke, clearly disdaining her homeland.

Her mother replied earnestly:

"That's why Mom spent so much money to enroll you in the Ninja Academy here. You have to study hard, you know?

If you can become a chūnin and manage to stay and work here, getting Konoha's permanent residency, we can buy you a house in the village."

"That would be great."

The girl danced with joy, adding seriously, "Once I'm a Konoha resident, I'll bring you and Dad over, and we'll all be together."

"That's my good girl," the mother said, patting her daughter's head with a smile.

Naruto's brows furrowed as he glanced at the mother and daughter.

He could tell the mother had chakra flowing within her, clearly a shinobi from the Sand and most likely a jōnin.

Sending one's child to another village and even planning to immigrate there oneself was considered desertion in the shinobi world, an act that would be severely condemned and punished.

Yet the other passengers in the cabin, overhearing the conversation, showed no signs of disapproval; instead, they smiled in agreement.

It seemed this was the general sentiment.

Hmph, a bunch of people with the 'Spirit of Konoha'.

Naruto scoffed inwardly, shaking his head, his thoughts inadvertently turning to Karin.

Years ago, under the orders of Teacher Konan, Karin infiltrated Konoha's Ninja Academy with a false identity to spy for the Akatsuki, gathering intelligence on Konoha and the Uchiha clan.

Karin did not disappoint, quickly distinguishing herself, particularly with her innate talent for medical ninjutsu, which even caught the attention of the head of the medical department and senior advisor to Konoha, Tsunade.

After all, she was of the Uzumaki lineage. Even without any formal training in medical jutsu, her unique constitution alone could heal most ailments.

Later, Karin graduated from the academy early to study under Tsunade, who saw her as a successor.

Naruto had always thought Karin played a clever game, keeping the Akatsuki informed about Konoha's upper echelons.

But now, Naruto began to worry—

Would Karin, too, be swayed by Konoha's honeyed words, betraying the Akatsuki?

It seemed.

A meeting with her was in order, a serious talk, a preventive measure.

As Naruto was lost in thought.

"Dear visitors, good day to you. I am your tour guide—Miss Fāngzi, and I'm delighted to serve you."

A bell-like voice rang out in the business cabin.

Oh?

Naruto looked up to see a girl about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a tour guide uniform, with a sweet smile on her face.

Fāngzi had graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago. Youthful and eloquent, she had passed the exams to join Konoha's Tourism Department, starting at the bottom to hone her skills as a guide.

As the tram moved from landmark to landmark, Fāngzi shared Konoha's history and culture with the passengers.

During this time.

Naruto saw the colossal statue of Uchiha Dan, the fluttering fan banners, and the unique Mangekyō Sharingan graffiti on the street walls.

Everywhere in Konoha, there were traces of the Uchiha clan, remnants of their legacy.

And inside the business cabin, Miss Fāngzi was telling the passengers about the great contributions of the Uchiha to Konoha.

"A thousand years ago, the Uchiha and the Senju, descendants of the Sage of the Six Paths, founded the shinobi sect, transforming chakra into bonds connecting people.

The Sage's original intention was to teach people to use chakra correctly to create a world of peace.

Unfortunately, his ideals were betrayed.

After his death, the pursuit of personal gain sparked wars, leading to the decline of the peaceful shinobi sect, while the lethal art of ninjutsu rose rapidly.

From that era, ninjas began to carry the sin of war, becoming ruthless war machines for hire, living in endless slaughter until death.

This is the tragic life of a ninja.

Until the Uchiha clan showed us another way, until the great Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan, proclaimed that we must carry on the Sage's will, to let people understand the true power of chakra anew!

And so.

The Uchiha renounced violence, leading Konoha towards peace.

Over the years, under the leadership of the Sage's descendants—the Uchiha—Konoha has achieved tremendous success.

We use Yang Release to strengthen the body, heal the sick, Yin Release to develop the mind, heal mental illness, Wood Release to build and greenify, Earth Release to construct bridges and roads, Water Release to irrigate fields…"

Fāngzi spoke with passion, her voice resonating with emotion, captivating the passengers, who listened intently, moved by her words.

"Praise the Uchiha, praise Konoha!"

"I truly regret not coming to Konoha sooner; my descendants must be born here, to grow up as proud citizens of the Leaf Village."

"Miss Fangzi speaks so wonderfully, truly a top graduate from the Ninja Academy."

The tourists discussed animatedly, applauding enthusiastically, with some even moved to tears.

Only Naruto, with a detached air, observed all this.

To develop by draining the blood of the entire ninja world, then to train people like Fangzi to brainwash tourists, glorifying the Uchiha and Konoha in the eyes of the world.

What a strategy.

Naruto also noticed that next to each tourist's seat lay a beautifully crafted booklet, an introduction to the culture of Konoha.

Without a doubt, its contents were probably filled with mindless praise for the Uchiha clan.

With an inward sneer, Naruto picked up the booklet with a critical eye and began to flip through it.

As expected.

Random pages he turned, nearly all mentioned the Uchiha and the Sixth Hokage—truly nauseating.

However, just as Naruto was about to snap the booklet shut and toss it aside.

Huh.

His expression subtly shifted to one of slight surprise.

For there, in the booklet, Naruto saw a photograph of a man and woman together—the man with blond hair and a dashing sunny disposition, the woman with long red hair, beautiful and elegant.

It was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki.

The promotional booklet for Konoha dedicated a significant section to the Fourth Hokage couple, affirming their immense contributions to Konoha during their lives and proclaiming them as the heroic couple of the Leaf.

And friends of the Uchiha clan.

Simultaneously, it severely criticized the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying that in his quest for power, on the night of the Kyuubi's attack, he intentionally had the Anbu block the Uchiha clan from assisting the Fourth Hokage.

After the Fourth's death, Hiruzen Sarutobi further obscured the truth, mistreating the orphan of the Fourth, Naruto Uzumaki, making him an outcast in the village, chased and scorned as the demon fox.

While he himself played the role of the sole benevolent figure, bestowing small kindnesses on Naruto, attempting a dual control over the latter, both mentally and physically.

Later.

Naruto was kidnapped by the Akatsuki organization and remains missing to this day.

The content concluded with a missing persons notice from the Uchiha clan, hoping that the hero's son would return to Konoha soon to have the happy life he deserved.

And there was even a photo of a young Naruto attached.

It showed a four or five-year-old boy, his blond hair a mess, eyes a bright green, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the Uzumaki clan's emblem, smiling carefree at the camera.

Looking at the photo of his younger self, Naruto was stunned for a moment, feeling... very unfamiliar.

Was that grinning kid really him?

He could hardly remember himself as a child, as those memories were mostly unpleasant ones.

"Do you... know Uzumaki Naruto?"

Suddenly, with a waft of a young girl's fragrance, Fangzi's curious voice rang out beside Naruto.

With a placid face, Naruto looked at Fangzi and countered with a question:

"Why do you think I would know him?"

"Uh, because you've been staring at Naruto's picture..."

Fangzi became a bit embarrassed, quickly flashing an apologetic smile and saying, "Sorry, I asked a silly question. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Naruto didn't take issue with Fangzi but instead looked back at his promotional self, with a self-deprecating tone, remarked:

"This guy, you can tell at a glance, is a poor wretch—bullied, unloved, and uncherished."

Fangzi nodded in agreement, feeling a wave of sympathy for the young Naruto, adding:

"Yeah, little Naruto is really pitiful, isn't he? Orphaned at birth and treated that way by the higher-ups of Konoha back then. I wonder if he's still alive and how he's doing now.

Being taken away by a terrifying organization like Akatsuki, he must be living a miserable and painful life somewhere in a dark underworld, sigh.

Hey, I feel like you look a bit like Naruto."

As she spoke, she stared intently at Naruto.

Indeed.

The young man before her and the little Naruto in the booklet both had blond hair and bright green eyes; at first glance, they did indeed seem to be the same person.

Moreover, if Naruto were still alive, he would be about fifteen or sixteen years old now, matching the age of the young man before her.

Upon hearing this, Naruto spoke with profound meaning:

"Do me a favor and tell me where I can turn myself in. I heard that Uzumaki Naruto has the Nine-Tails fox inside him. If I hand it over, I should be able to collect a hefty bounty, right?"

"Giggle, you're really funny."

Fangzi burst into laughter, then, pointing at the picture of young Naruto in the booklet, shook her head and said, "I'm quite certain you're not Uzumaki Naruto, because look, he has the whisker marks of the Six Paths of the Nine-Tails, and you don't."

That's because I deliberately hid them.

Naruto thought to himself.

Over eight years had passed, and he had indeed changed quite a bit compared to his younger self, not just in appearance but also in temperament.

The current Naruto rarely displayed the lively and optimistic temperament of his younger years; he was more like Nagato, brooding and profound.

As long as he concealed the most prominent whisker marks on his face, even if he strutted around Konoha, he would not be recognized.

After this bit of banter.

Naruto and Fangzi became more familiar with each other, their relationship invisibly growing closer.

Then, Fangzi curiously inquired:

"By the way, you haven't told me your name yet! Where are you from? Are you visiting Konoha?"

This young man before her, clearly a newcomer to Konoha, sitting in the most expensive business seat, had a demeanor that stood out from his peers, inexplicably drawing Fangzi's interest.

"I'm called... Yahiko, a chūnin from a small ninja village. I've come to Konoha this time to participate in the selection exam for the Ninja Academy, to pursue further studies."

Naruto unassumingly fabricated an identity.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that Naruto was participating in the Ninja Academy selection exam, Fangzi enthusiastically said, "Good luck, I hope you succeed! Speaking of which, I recently participated in the Jōnin exam, but didn't pass. However, I did gain a lot of experience... don't laugh, even failure is a form of experience."

"I'm not laughing."

Naruto's lips curled slightly.

At first, he found the girl somewhat annoying, but as they talked, he found her quite interesting.

Perhaps it was because his nature had been suppressed for too long.

As a child, he was extroverted, yearning for friends more than anything, yet he was shunned and disliked by everyone, living in solitude.

This enthusiastic young girl, who took the initiative to talk to him, was like a flame, melting the long-sealed, icy depths of Naruto's heart.

Unfortunately, happy times are always fleeting.

"The next stop, Tenma Tower, is upon us."

As the voice announcement echoed in the cabin, Naruto's gaze sharpened, and he slowly stood up.