Konoha.
Ninja Academy.
Observation Deck.
Everyone watched Light Screen Naruto's emotions take a sudden downturn, and they couldn't help but feel sorry for the teenager.
For the younger generation, Light Screen Naruto wasn't much older than them.
As for Jiraiya and others, they might not have been as capable as Naruto at that age.
Yet, Naruto was unexpectedly very responsible.
For his Hokage dream, for everyone's recognition.
He had the determination to keep striving!
How did Naruto endure all the Pain he experienced during this time, all by himself?!
Looking at the screen, this period should be after the 'Hidden Leaf Destruction Arc'.
Naruto bared his teeth.
He felt indignant for Light Screen Naruto.
"'Idiot, bastard'?! How could Killer Bee say that?! How would he know that Light Screen Naruto is a hero of Konoha Village?!"
Naruto had no intention of boasting; at this moment, he no longer really saw Light Screen Naruto as himself.
He was still far from worthy!
Jiraiya's eyes gazed deeply at Light Screen Naruto's complex expression.
A myriad of emotions intertwined.
Efforts met with constant setbacks.
This feeling probably reminded him of unpleasant scenes from his own childhood.
This was also the fate of a Jinchuriki.
"Naruto, you must understand that Hidden Cloud Village is not an ally of Konoha; in the past, conflicts between Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha were not uncommon, so they have no reason to offer help."
Naruto turned to look at his kind Teacher Jiraiya beside him, still a little unconvinced: "But—"
"Don't you believe in Light Screen Naruto? He is the protagonist in there, destined to become a hero! You've seen how he overwhelmed and conquered the Nine-Tailed before; you must always carry the power of belief!"
Upon hearing such encouraging words.
Not only Naruto gained something.
The younger generation present, and even the Jonin, couldn't help but feel a surge of positive energy within them.
Tsunade had remained silent, not speaking proactively.
In front of Jiraiya, who could be better at saying these things than him?
She herself was also in need of similar spiritual healing.
Watching the screen was for healing, and getting to know Naruto was also for healing.
Sasuke leaned against the wooden beam behind a chair on the Observation Deck.
He quietly watched the clearly visible screen in the distance.
A gentle breeze ruffled his hair.
He recalled the most important purpose of his life.
To kill his brother, to avenge his clan!
Itachi was probably also watching this screen.
He wondered what a person like him could discern from it.
Sasuke was able to patiently watch the screen.
The content of the screen seemed unrelated to him.
But it still made him anticipate future revelations.
Eventually, the future scenes of Light Screen Sasuke and Light screen Itachi would be revealed.
To uncover the truth of that year.
He was willing to wait patiently.
And there was one more thing.
Naruto's story was gradually piquing his interest... Hidden Cloud Village.
Surrounded by high mountains.
Raikage Building.
Killer Bee stared blankly at his fleeting image.
He couldn't help but rap out his feelings.
"♫ The screen is slandering me again, you damn screen, randomly cutting scenes ♫"
"♫ It seems to want to portray me as a villain, but it doesn't even give me any personality ♫"
"♫ As long as it's about facing enemies together, I'm absolutely happy to help ♫"
"♫ Besides, as a Jinchuriki, I have a pretty good impression of Naruto ♫"
Fourth Raikage A nodded, agreeing with Killer Bee's statement.
This screen might not directly show the full truth.
One had to analyze it based on the specific situation.
And Killer Bee wasn't such a cold person!
His optimistic nature was quite famous in Hidden Cloud Village!
Hearing Killer Bee's words.
An unusual expression appeared on Samui's cool, pale face.
That island had once been used as a detention facility by Hidden Cloud Village.
Killer Bee had successfully controlled the Eight-Tails there, becoming a perfect Jinchuriki.
According to the screen's projection pattern.
Light screen Killer Bee would eventually teach Light Screen Naruto... [Waterfall of Truth]
A waterfall that seemed to flow endlessly.
Directly in front of it, a circular patch of grass stood abruptly on the water.
Sitting in front of the waterfall, concentrating intently.
One could enter their own spiritual world.
Then this waterfall would become a mirror reflecting one's true self.
This was the prelude to training to control a Tailed Beast.
[Naruto jumped onto the small circular patch of grass, slowly closed his eyes and sat in a meditative posture.]
[Listening to the gurgling sound of the waterfall.]
[Naruto felt a sense of tranquility.]
[Immediately after.]
[A familiar voice came from the waterfall.]
It was exactly like Naruto's own voice.
["Why, why was there no autograph at Ichiraku Ramen?"]
["Those people suddenly changed their attitude!"]
["They were very affectionate towards you!"]
[Naruto opened his eyes.]
[He saw a dark Naruto, carved out exactly like him, emerge from the waterfall.]
The only way to distinguish them.
Was Dark Naruto's sinister expression.
And his pair of crimson eyes.
["Do you feel they are very hypocritical?"]
["Do you feel an aversion from within?"]
["That's why you didn't sign, right!"]
[Dark Naruto sneered: "They are truly annoying!"]
[Cold sweat involuntarily trickled down Naruto's forehead.]
It was his first time seeing such a situation.
Someone who felt familiar, yet completely different.
Appearing right before him!
[Dark Naruto continued to provoke with words: "Those people in the village..."]
["...They were clearly very prejudiced against us before..."]
[This sentence made Naruto recall memories in his mind.]
After all, they were both Naruto, their memories were shared.
What Naruto knew, Dark Naruto also knew.
It was what happened after Naruto defeated Pain.
As expected.
Naruto, who became a hero of Konoha, was enthusiastically adored by the villagers.
Ninja children asked for his autograph, saying they were his fans.
Saying he was the boy who created miracles.
Naruto's first reaction at the time was awkwardness.
He had never seen such a scene.
When did he also get fans, even needing to sign autographs?
["Who are you?"]
["Isn't it obvious? I am you."]
[Naruto refused to believe.]
["I am you, the deepest part of your inner self!"]
[Naruto couldn't believe it.]
["Didn't they say this is the Waterfall of Truth? I didn't expect it could make me appear in the open, what a good place. That means, I am the real you, I am the true you."]
["I am that very important part of your hatred and darkness."]
["The only difference is..."]
["That Nine-Tailed guy prefers me."]
["That's right, I am you, but I can't be driven away, imposter."]
[Naruto finally couldn't help but retort: "You're the imposter!"]
[Immediately after.]
[Dark Naruto directly rushed over with a right hook, trying to attack Naruto.]
[Naruto decisively counterattacked.]
[What followed was a long taijutsu duel.]
[Naruto and Dark Naruto fought to a standstill, unable to determine a victor.]
It seemed whatever Naruto tried to do, Dark Naruto immediately knew how to respond.
[After a long time.]
[Both Narutos fell onto the water, panting from exhaustion.]
[Naruto propped himself up and stood.]
['Damn it, with the same abilities as me, no matter how we fight, we can't determine a winner.']
[Dark Naruto mocked: "You can't possibly defeat me."]
["Shadow Clone Technique!"]
["Shadow Clone Technique!"]
[Both used it almost simultaneously, with the exact same number of clones.]
[The next moment.]
[Countless Shadow Clones, as their strength ran out, dissipated into smoke with a 'Bang' sound.]
["Rasengan!"]
["Rasengan!"]
This was Naruto's final attack!