Chapter 293: Forbidden Jutsu
"You... you actually listened to what I said! You really got a dog! Haha! That's such great taste!" Kiba said excitedly, his voice filled with the joy of discovering a kindred spirit.
Naruto smiled, compliantly lifting little Zacian gently from his backpack and placing it on the ground. He was somewhat curious too, wanting to see how the Inuzuka Clan, who naturally dealt with canines, would interact with this special little one.
Kiba skillfully crouched down, first slowly extending the back of his hand toward little Zacian's nose—this was a standard, friendly signal to let dogs familiarize themselves with one's scent.
However, little Zacian merely tilted its head slightly, yellow eyes glancing at Kiba's hand with some puzzlement, not moving forward to sniff like an ordinary puppy would.
"Oh-ho, quite a proud little one, aren't you." Seeing this, Kiba wasn't annoyed but rather nodded knowingly as he stood up, not rashly trying to pet its head.
He knew the principles of interacting with canines—first let the other party remember your scent, the basic "self-introduction." Little Zacian's reaction had very clearly expressed its attitude—it didn't like overly casual contact with strangers.
"Here, try this—it's Akamaru's favorite snack, tastes amazing!" Kiba didn't give up, pulling from his ninja pouch what looked like a high-quality, well-made dog treat, holding it before little Zacian with an enticing tone.
Unfortunately, little Zacian remained unmoved, not even letting its gaze linger on that snack for an extra second. It merely stepped forward, elegantly and unhurriedly returning to Naruto's feet.
"Whoa, Naruto, your little one is really aloof," Kiba scratched his head, tone carrying some defeat but more amazement. "Even colder than my sister's partner. But well, dogs are like that—as long as they're loyal and dependent on their master, it's fine!" He quickly came to terms with it, laughing heartily.
"Sorry, sorry," Naruto hurriedly smoothed things over, bending down to gently stroke little Zacian's head. "Maybe because this one's a girl, her personality's more cautious and careful."
"A girl, huh... no wonder..." Kiba's gaze fell on those two "braids" naturally formed by fur and carefully arranged beneath little Zacian's ears.
Naruto must have braided them, right? He muttered inwardly. Who'd have thought this guy had such a girly side...
However... this fur color is unbelievably beautiful, and this well-proportioned, agile build—the proportions are practically perfect. As an expert who'd grown up with dogs, Kiba keenly sensed that Naruto's little dog, within the canine aesthetic system, absolutely belonged to the extremely outstanding, even stunningly beautiful category.
"Oh right, Akamaru, don't just watch—come meet a new friend!" Kiba said to his partner who'd been staying on his head. "This is Naruto's dog, you two can play together in the future...?"
However, when Akamaru obediently jumped lightly down from Kiba's head, Kiba discovered something seemed a bit off about Akamaru's condition. Beneath the white fur covering its cheeks, its skin seemed to show an abnormal flush.
Moreover, Akamaru's round black eyes were currently staring unblinkingly, fixedly at the front—staring at that blue little Zacian slightly larger in size with unique temperament.
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Ultimately, this first meeting concluded with Akamaru in a somewhat dejected state. Just now, when Akamaru had mustered courage to walk before Zacian, Zacian hadn't walked away directly like avoiding Kiba, merely standing quietly in place, at least giving basic courtesy.
However, whenever Akamaru tried getting closer—like wanting to gently nuzzle with its nose, or press its body nearer—little Zacian would always imperceptibly, extremely naturally turn sideways or shift half a step, perfectly avoiding all overly intimate contact.
This wasn't from disdain or hostility—after all, as a being revered as a "hero," its nature carried an inviolable pride and reserve.
Kiba perceived that his Akamaru had been completely captivated by the other's unique yet aloof temperament and appearance, but matters of affection, even between dogs, ultimately couldn't be forced. Watching Akamaru grow increasingly dejected, ears almost drooping, he finally couldn't bear it and extended his hand to stop his partner from attempting again.
Because of discovering his good friend had also become a "fellow dog enthusiast," Kiba almost completely forgot that complex emotion initially in his heart when facing Naruto. That emotion was intimately related to the dream he'd buried deep inside, almost no longer mentioning to others—becoming Hokage.
Aside from when first entering the Ninja Academy, during that first self-introduction when Kiba had shouted before the entire class full of vigor "I'm going to become Hokage," this dream had been quietly hidden away, never publicly mentioned again.
All this was because his class contained two geniuses as dazzling as monsters. Their radiance was so blazing it could make many people's dreams around them seem dim and lightless.
And now, having personally witnessed Naruto's god-descending-like power on the battlefield, that gap was no longer a chasm but rather an insurmountable heavenly moat. That faint ember in Kiba's heart of "maybe with desperate effort, there's still a chance to surpass"—even that was completely extinguished by reality in this moment.
But... what made Kiba feel most conflicted, even frustrated—Naruto, who already possessed such powerful, nearly invincible strength, had seemingly never publicly expressed wanting to become Hokage.
This guy... possessing such incredible power, has he never thought about bearing the title of Hokage? This thought circled in Kiba's mind, carrying a trace of unwillingness, a trace of confusion, and a trace even he hadn't fully perceived—expectation for the responsibility that powerful strength should bear.
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Finally, Naruto arrived before the Hokage Building's office door. Next, what he needed to face was the showdown regarding his lineage.
How should I phrase this? Tell them I'd already noticed long ago?
Naruto contemplated inwardly. Just say that with the astounding talent he'd displayed, plus having the Nine-Tails sealed within—using common reasoning, how could his parents possibly be obscure ordinary people?
He could also roughly guess what the Third Hokage and Jiraiya were currently worrying about and fearing.
As the Fourth Hokage's son, the worst way to reveal this truth hidden for years was having Orochimaru—Konoha's enemy—shriek it out before everyone's eyes.
These years, because of the "demon fox" rumors, the ostracism and cold looks Naruto suffered were very real. Yet his true identity was as the heroic son who'd sacrificed to protect the village. This enormous contrast—how could there not be even a trace of resentment in his heart? The truth concealed by their own people for years, yet exposed precisely by an enemy—no matter how you looked at it, it seemed to hide some unsettling conspiracy.
No... perhaps those who truly needed to explain weren't himself, but rather the Third Hokage and them.
Indeed, the Third must have genuinely feared Naruto would feel disappointed in Konoha after learning the truth, and even at that time, the Third Hokage regretted not staking his old life on mutual destruction with Orochimaru to prevent all this from happening.
However, without the system's variables and confidence... Imagine if young Naruto had simultaneously borne both the "demon fox" infamy and "Hokage's son" title—back then, the Hidden Cloud Village might have kidnapped not Hinata Hyuga, but this "special existence" with tremendous potential.
Creak—
Naruto pushed open the office's heavy door.
Inside, the Third Hokage sat formally behind his desk while Jiraiya stood to the side. Both their expressions were abnormally grave, carrying caution, and... grief too thick to dissolve?
This kind of expression differed somewhat from what Naruto had anticipated.
"Naruto..." The Third slowly spoke, voice low, that tone actually carrying a trace of cautiousness unbefitting a Hokage?
Naruto's heart filled with doubt as he silently waited for what would follow.
The Third's gaze lingered complexly on his face for a moment. Ultimately, he spoke in a tone carrying sighs and understanding.
"It seems... Kushina has already told you everything."
"...?"
This statement left Naruto momentarily unable to react. But the next moment, cause and effect instantly connected in his mind! His fists unconsciously clenched suddenly.
If the Impure World Reincarnation caster didn't actively release the jutsu, and Orochimaru was currently only sealed, not truly dead...
Then Kushina Uzumaki remained imprisoned in that body constructed of dust, unable to attain true rest, still existing in this present world!
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