Chapter 02: One Year

"At the beginning of humanity, nature was good, nature was similar, and habits were far away..."

Naruto sang softly. Although he didn't fully understand the meaning, it felt catchy and he sang it before realizing.

After the main text, there is a detailed commentary on these three-character sutras.

Children at this age are the most curious.

The simple and easy-to-understand principles of life, the allusions to the three migrations of Mother Meng, these stories that took place in another world were very interesting in the eyes of young Naruto, and he soon became immersed in the books.

Before he knew it, Naruto reached the last page of the book.

Then, a soft word sounded in Naruto's ear.

["Class is over and the in-class test begins. This time there are a total of 20 small questions, each worth 5 points, listen to the questions."]

["For the first question, briefly describe the story of Mother Meng's third migration."]

Upon hearing this, Naruto smiled confidently, "It's so simple. I just finished reading it. This sentence refers to the Sengoku era. 

Mother Mencius moved three times to provide Mencius with a good learning environment. She broke the weaving machine to educate Mencius..."

["For the second question, please explain the meaning of 'children do not learn'."]

"It is very undesirable for a child to refuse to study diligently. If a person does not study well when they are young, and does not understand the principles of being human and lacks knowledge when they are older, it will be difficult for a person to make a difference when they are older."

...

The in-class test soon ended and Naruto finally answered all the questions correctly.

["Congratulations, Uzumaki Naruto, you're such a smart boy. You are specially rewarded with two hours of entertainment. Combine work and rest. Please continue to work hard."]

After speaking, Naruto noticed that the blank space in front of him had changed and there was an additional television.

"Hahaha, I, Uzumaki Naruto, am still very smart." Naruto, who was praised, couldn't help but start feeling proud.

Then, proud Naruto noticed that the television was turned on and started playing the cartoon "Black Cat Sheriff."

Naruto quickly shifted his attention.

Although it was his first time watching television, Naruto quickly immersed himself in it and started watching it with excitement, and in the end even started singing along to the television's melody, "Ah, Black Cat Sheriff..."

...

The next day, early in the morning.

Naruto opened his eyes dazedly and found that there were no interesting books or television in the room.

"It was a dream." Naruto whispered disappointedly.

Then, he remembered what his grandfather told him yesterday that he can now go out normally.

"Since he explained it, maybe I can find friends starting from today." Naruto thought excitedly, rushed to the bathroom to wash up, dressed up, and ran out of the room.

However, reality poured cold water on Naruto.

Those adults didn't actually come to attack Naruto, nor did they say he was a demon in front of him.

They just adopted a form that made Naruto feel even more chilling.

They directly ignored his existence.

No matter what he said, no one responded, they just looked at him with indifferent eyes and even directly treated him like air.

If Naruto wants to do something, people's indifference will go beyond and become defensive.

After being directly warned by ANBU, and the small group that tried to assassinate Naruto suddenly disappeared, no one really dared to shout at Naruto again.

In this suffocating atmosphere, the young and innocent Naruto also felt a kind of chill rising from the depths of his heart.

After this day, Naruto rarely goes out anymore.

He discovered that even if he wasn't sleeping, he could go to that magical place whenever he relaxed his mind.

No one there would be cold to him. He could learn interesting knowledge from the book.

After correctly answering the questions on the classroom exam, he would be praised and could watch more interesting cartoons than the book.

If that's the case, why bother going out to bother?

It's better to stay at home.

....

Time flies and a year has passed in an instant.

In a year, Naruto's life has changed a lot.

He doesn't stay at home all day. Although he still won't go out during the day, he will take advantage of there being fewer people to go out when it's dark.

While completing the physical education class arranged according to the schedule, he will also exercise his body.

Naruto knew that when he was still in his childhood, he had to be more active in order to grow.

After finishing the physical education class, it was already late at night.

At this time, Naruto would go to the commercial street and sneak into closed stores to get some daily necessities, food or clothes, and the daily necessities he needs.

For him, who was born with excellent physical fitness, this is not difficult.

And of course, he will pay.

Although no one knows that he took them, people must learn to respect and love themselves.

It's not that he doesn't have money to buy these things, but no one sells them to him, so he can only do it himself.

Then, Naruto, who forcefully

buys what he needs, will go home and cook for himself.

After learning from the book "Dietary Balance and Nutrition," Naruto learned that it's not healthy to eat instant noodles all day and drink milk that may have expired.

Imbalanced nutritional development will lead to slow physical development and, just like not loving exercise, become a factor that will make people grow less.

Through the cooking methods learned in the "Chinese Recipe Collection," the ingredients bought by Naruto will turn into convenient but nutritious and delicious delicacies.

At first, Naruto ruined the food due to lack of experience, but after a period of mastery, this situation would no longer happen.

After eating, Naruto will lie down on the bed to sleep.

At this time, he will enter that magical space.

His body is inactive to restore the energy spent during the day, but his spirit still moves freely in the mysterious space.

Here he can continue studying, entertaining himself, watching TV or some novels that he will be rewarded with after completing the study, or play with a game console loaded with various games for a while.

Now, one year later, Naruto still doesn't have friends, but he doesn't feel lonely.

Every day of his life is very satisfying.

For Naruto, each day is filled with mysteries and novelties.

It's just that Naruto believes in himself, but some people don't.

....

Today was the time to send the maintenance expenses routinely once again.

The Third Hokage left the envelope containing Naruto's maintenance expenses, looked at it, and sat silently not far away, staring out the window in a daze. He didn't even find Naruto when

he came in through the door.