Chakra

"I need to build up my chakra now."

This was the supernatural energy in this world which allowed the ninja world to become ninja.

Essentially, all ninjutsu is operated with chakra, except for taijutsu, which basically consumes stamina.

"Chakra is created when two more primal energies, known collectively as one's 'stamina,' are moulded together."

Naruto sat on a ragged cushion in a cross-legged position, deeply contemplating.

"The two primal energies are physical energy and spiritual energy. To increase my physical energy, I need to extract it from my body's cells and increase it by basically hitting the gym. As for spiritual energy, it's increased by reading books or meditating."

His eyes shone brightly as he slowly stood up from his cushion and began to exercise.

First, he lay straight on the ground with his chest and stomach flat on the floor. His palms were at chest level, with his arms bent out at a 45-degree angle.

Naruto slowly exhaled as he pushed from his hands and heels, bringing his torso, chest, and thighs off the ground.

The weak body of Naruto, suffering from malnourishment, could only manage three push-ups before he fell to the floor, panting.

"Huff... huff... damn it. I didn't expect my body to be so weak. That bitch never even allowed me to eat meat, just noodles for my small body. It's a wonder how I didn't die from malnutrition. I promise I will kill you after I get stronger."

He sighed.

These three push-ups were his body's current limit, and every fibre of his muscles was twitching just from doing them.

"I already have enough spiritual energy because I had an adult man's soul before, and after merging with the unconscious soul of the baby Naruto, my soul has become even stronger and the soul energy produced is even more potent." Naruto looked around the place at the empty shelves.

"I need meat and other vegetables if I want to recover quickly."

With that said, he dragged his exhausted body out of his small, dilapidated house.

"Hey, is that the monster?"

"That monster is the container…"

"He is a disgusting freak. Why is he even allowed to live?"

"Sigh, the Third Hokage is too kind."

Countless pairs of disgusted, self-righteous eyes immediately converged on the exhausted Naruto the moment he stepped outside.

They didn't see a malnourished three-year-old child barely dragging his body. Instead, all they saw was that terrifying nine-tails, a demi-god that killed villagers which caused destruction, burning and massacring the entire place.

Their undisguised gazes were naturally sensed by Naruto. Even if they were disguised, with his strong soul, he could still sense them. Their looks were filled with disgust and fear.

"Sigh, Naruto in the original work really suffered a lot because of that Third Hokage. He not only took away all the wealth of the Uzumaki clan, but their famous sealing Jutsu as well."

As for protecting Naruto by keeping his identity as the Kyubi's container a secret, he only sneered.

With the reputation of being the Fourth Hokage's son, he would definitely be highly protected by the village.

Coupled with the resources of the Uzumaki clan, his strength would quickly increase enough for self-protection at the least.

It wasn't like all the Jinchuriki were hidden away by their villages; they were out in the open but still alive.

Konoha was actually the strongest force compared to the other villages. If they could protect their Jinchuuriki, why couldn't they protect Naruto?

This was better than being malnourished and despised by the entire village.

All this was done for a simple reason: the power-hungry old bastard needed to appease the villagers while consolidating his own power.

By using Naruto to appease the village, he could also gain power from all the resources left by the Uzumaki clan.

"Still, I have to admire Sarutobi Hiruzen for his cunningness. He was able to brainwash Naruto with the bullshit 'Will of Fire.'"

He muttered while walking down the street.

The subsidies provided by the village were barely enough for him to gain some muscle. If he could get nutritional food, his body would grow quickly, and he could extract chakra from his cells.

"And now I have become that Naruto who is despised by everyone."

Naruto looked around and finally arrived at the butcher's shop.

"Boss, I want meat, lots of meat!" Naruto shouted as he entered, a smile on his face.

The butcher was a bearded, bald man with an apron, his muscles bulging and a strong killing intent radiating from his body.

"Little man, how much meat do you want?" the butcher asked, smiling at the little child.

"Well, for starters, ten kilograms of pork will do."

"Can you even carry ten kilograms on your body?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Don't worry about it," Naruto nodded with determined eyes.

"Alright, little guy, here it is." The butcher took out a pig's carcass and started butchering it.

"By the way, which part of the pig would you like?"

"I want the tenderloin and loin chops," Naruto said with a smile.

"Are you sure, kid?" The butcher looked at the spiky yellow-haired boy and suddenly thought of something.

"Yes," Naruto nodded with a smile. The most nutritional parts of the pig were these, and he would need them for his training.

"Then it will cost you extra because I need to cut these meats from various pigs."

"How much would it be?" Naruto asked with a tentative expression.

He was already at a loss with his current food consumption, and new clothes were already out of the question. If it cost extra, it would be even more budget-draining.

"That will be 17,020 shill."

"How much would it be if I bought the entire pig weighing around 10 kg then?"

"Then it would be around 7,040 shill."

"Alright, I will buy the entire pig then," Naruto said decisively.

He neither had the money to spend on such luxurious meat, nor could he imagine paying more than twice the price.

"Rip off," he muttered coldly, although he still had a smile on his face. In his deep blue eyes, there was a deep indifference.

He swaggered out of the butcher's shop, lost in thought.

Just then, he felt a searing pain that caused him to fall to the ground.

"Huh?"