Chinya and Naruto Uzumaki were walking toward Konoha Street.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi was secretly watching them through the Telescope Technique.
Originally, Hiruzen hadn't known that Naruto had gone looking for Chinya. After all, he didn't have the time to monitor Naruto 24 hours a day.
It was the Anbu who noticed Naruto leaving his home abruptly and heading straight toward the training grounds where Chinya taught Neji Hyuga and Uzumaki Sōnagi. That's when Hiruzen quickly used the Telescope Technique to watch Naruto.
The Anbu also reported to him that Naruto had just been bullied by three children.
Hiruzen assumed that Naruto had gone to seek out Chinya because he'd been picked on, wanting Chinya to teach him how to train.
As for whether Chinya would actually teach Naruto, Hiruzen wasn't particularly worried.
Because if Chinya had been willing to train Naruto in the first place, he would have done so when Naruto first requested training from him. Chinya wouldn't have allowed Naruto to go seek Hiruzen's opinion in the first place.
Seeing Chinya now walking Naruto back toward his house, Hiruzen exhaled in relief.
Still, every time Chinya approached Naruto, a quiet tension crept into Hiruzen's heart.
He also felt a bit annoyed because when Naruto had been bullied, his first instinct wasn't to come to him, but to go straight to Chinya.
Come to think of it, he hadn't visited Naruto in a few days already. Once Chinya dropped Naruto off at home, Hiruzen decided he would go check on the boy himself.
...
Walking beside Naruto, Chinya glanced at the scarf around the boy's neck and asked, "What happened? Got into a fight?"
Naruto lowered his head slightly, looking sad.
Chinya smiled and asked again, "Did you fight back?"
Naruto looked up in surprise. He had expected Chinya to scold him, not ask whether he had fought at all.
But he soon lowered his head again, muttering unhappily, "No… there were three of them."
"I see. Do you know why you lost?"
With a frown, Naruto replied, "Because nobody teaches me how to train…"
Shaking his head, Chinya chuckled, "Actually, it's because you don't eat properly. You're picky. The meals I gave you were all nutritionally balanced. If you keep being picky, your nutrition won't keep up. You'll be weaker than other kids your age, and you won't grow tall either. Every strong ninja eats balanced meals. So from now on, eat properly—got it?"
Naruto nodded and replied, "Okay, Uncle Chinya. I'll eat properly from now on."
"Good. Now listen carefully. Not a word until I tell you to speak."
Naruto slightly nodded and listened attentively.
After a brief pause, Chinya continued speaking, "Every time he comes to you, it's usually after I've spoken with you first, right? Since you've already started doubting the Will of Fire and suspecting he has an agenda, you should've realized this too."
Naruto looked slightly awkward—he hadn't really thought about it like that.
But now hearing Chinya say it aloud, it truly made sense.
Every time Chinya Uncle came to visit you, not long afterwards Hiruzen Sarutobi would show up as well.
Chinya Uncle continued, "He's able to come find you right after I leave because he's watching you. To be precise, he's using your presence to monitor me. Right now, it's no different—he's not physically watching us nearby, but instead using a distant ninjutsu technique, which is why you can't detect him."
Naruto Uzumaki's pupils narrowed slightly.
He never expected that Hiruzen was spying on them.
"The reason he's doing this is because he fears me. He's afraid I might tell you the truth and make you hate Konoha.
Naruto, you yourself haven't done anything wrong—in fact, you're indebted to everyone in Konoha. As for why—I can't tell you yet, because you're not ready to carry the full truth and still act like you know nothing.
Right now, you're still too weak. Forget about resisting—you couldn't even beat three little kids. Knowing the truth won't enable you to do anything meaningful.
You're still living in Konoha. As long as you lack power, you must suppress yourself, endure whatever injustice comes your way, and follow Konoha's rules—or your life here will become unbearable.
Just now, for example—you suspected him and ran over here recklessly to ask what was going on. What if he found out?
He is the Hokage. If he wanted to get rid of you, he could crush you under his thumb without lifting a finger.
Your thinking is still too immature, impulsive, and reckless. Therefore, there's no way I can tell you the truth you seek right now."
After hearing Chinya Uncle's words, Naruto Uzumaki lowered his head further and looked deeply disheartened.
Changing tone, Chinya Uncle praised him, saying, "Still, the fact you figured this out by yourself is impressive for someone your age. When I was your age, I wasn't as good as you. You've grown remarkably fast, Naruto.
So, Naruto, keep growing. Once you reach the point where you can control your emotions, I'll reveal everything to you. Otherwise, telling you the truth would only bring harm.
And I promise you, once you're ready to know the truth, I'll pass on to you an incredible [Nin-Taijutsu] technique."
Naruto Uzumaki stared at Chinya Uncle with bright, sparkling eyes: "Really? Uncle Chinya?"
Chinya Uncle chuckled, "When have I ever lied to you?"
Naruto Uzumaki burst into excitement: "Thank you, Uncle Chinya!"
Chinya Uncle ruffled Naruto's hair affectionately before asking, "Okay then, after I send you back, he'll probably come looking for you soon. Now tell me, when you see him, what should you do?"
Naruto fell silent in thought.
After pondering for quite some time, Naruto replied, "Uncle Chinya, I definitely shouldn't show anything. I need to pretend like I know absolutely nothing, right?"
Chinya Uncle nodded approvingly, "Looks like you were listening carefully. That's exactly right. Also, while you lack power, you must learn how to please others."
Naruto Uzumaki tilted his head. "Accommodating others?"
Chinya nodded. "Exactly. Accommodating others means doing what they ask of you. Take the Will of Fire, for example—if they want you to accept it, then accept it. There are things you should understand in your heart but pretend to accept on the surface."
"That way, they'll think you're obedient and lower their guard around you. At the same time, they'll also be more likely to fulfill your requests."
"What you need to focus on now is becoming stronger. Use everything you can. If accommodating them brings you help and helps you grow stronger, then why not do it?"
"Accommodating others isn't about being fake—it's a survival strategy. It might not seem noble, but it allows us to survive better."
"If survival itself becomes impossible, what good is nobility?"
"Alright, we've reached your doorstep, so I won't walk you inside. Naruto Uzumaki, think carefully. Don't act impulsively or let emotions control you. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing your growth."
After bringing Naruto Uzumaki to his door, Chinya waved goodbye to him and left.
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