Chapter 31: Comparing Gato to Rat Droppings? Naruto's God-Tier Metaphor Completely Bamboozles Haku"Yes, it's like ramen," Naruto said, his words flowing more smoothly. "The Land of Waves is this bowl of noodles. Gato is a piece of rat dropping that fell into the soup. Now this bowl of noodles stinks and can't be eaten.""What are those villagers doing? They are crying, begging that piece of rat dropping not to be so foul, or trying to fish out the noodles to wash and eat."Naruto sneered."They've clearly got holes in their heads.""If it were me," Naruto made a gesture of flipping a table in the air, "I'd smash the bowl, crush the rat dropping, change the chef, and cook a brand new bowl."Haku looked at Naruto's excited appearance and couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.Although the metaphor was crude, even a bit funny.But the logic was surprisingly clear."Pfft."Haku couldn't hold it in.That face, usually hidden behind a frozen mask, finally cracked a smile.He clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he could barely stand straight.Comparing a tycoon who controlled the lifeblood of the Land of Waves to a piece of rat dropping, and the country's suffering to a bowl of spoiled ramen.This crude yet precise metaphor was like a dimensional strike against the so-called 'cruel truth of the Ninja World.'"Is it that funny?"Naruto put his hands behind his head, a piece of foxtail grass in his mouth, bobbing it up and down."I think it's quite serious."Haku wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes.He sat down beside Naruto again.This time, the previous restraint and defensiveness were gone, replaced by a relaxed feeling like old friends chatting."Sorry."Haku straightened his skirt—though it was men's clothing, there was always an indescribable grace when he wore it."I just think... your perspective is very unique.""No one has ever spoken to me like this before.""Mr. Zabuza only tells me that this world is hell, and we are the demons in hell."Naruto curled his lip."That eyebrowless guy knows jack squat.""He spends all day acting deep with that giant sword, but he's really just a middle-aged failure who's lost his spirit after being beaten down by society.""His so-called hell is just because he isn't strong enough and lacks the ability to turn hell into a playground."Haku was stunned.Turn hell into a playground?What an arrogant statement.But looking at the blond youth bathed in sunlight beside him, Haku actually felt that if it were this person, maybe he could really do it.The wind blew through the treetops.A few fallen leaves drifted between the two.Naruto suddenly reached out and caught a withered yellow leaf."Actually, the most pitiful ones aren't uncles like Zabuza."Naruto pinched the leaf stem and twirled it gently."It's the kids with Bloodline Limits."Haku's body suddenly stiffened."Clearly they did nothing wrong, but just because they were born with a little extra special ability, they are treated as monsters, hunted, and rejected by their parents."Naruto held the leaf up to his eyes, blocking the stinging sunlight."They are like this leaf.""Clearly a part of the tree, but because they look a bit different from the other leaves, they are rejected by the tree, blown off by the wind, and finally rot in the mud.""This world specifically picks on the weak."Haku lowered his head.His hands tightly gripped the fabric on his knees.His knuckles didn't turn white because he controlled himself well.But his slightly trembling shoulders betrayed him.That snowy night.His father's terrified face.His mother's desperate screams.And that warm blood splashing on his face.That was the nightmare of his life.It was also the root of his willingness to become a tool.Because only by becoming a tool would he not be treated as a monster.Only by being needed would he have a reason to live."I'm sorry."Haku suddenly spoke.He turned around and bowed deeply to Naruto.His bangs hung down, covering most of his face."I... misunderstood you just now.""I thought you were just an ignorant Konoha young master who only knew how to say pretty words.""But you see through things.""More clearly than anyone."[Ding! Target character 'Haku's' mental defense collapse progress +30%.][Obtained Recognition Reward: Rare Confidant.][System Evaluation: Congratulations, Host, you have successfully used a bowl of ramen and a leaf to sway the loyalty of an S-rank Rogue Ninja candidate.]Naruto casually flicked the leaf away."No need for apologies.""If you really feel guilty, remember to wear that women's outfit I requested next time we meet.""I'm more interested in that."Haku: "..."The heavy and sad atmosphere from a moment ago shattered instantly.How can this person switch so smoothly between a saint and a scoundrel?Haku took a deep breath and adjusted his emotions."Naruto-kun.""Since you see things so clearly, I would like to ask a question."Haku looked up, his clear eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge."In this Ninja World full of sin, killing, and prejudice.""How should people like us survive?""Continue being tools? Or as you said, resist?""But resistance... is it really useful?""Gato has money.""Zabuza has a sword.""The Five Great Nations have armies.""And we only have one life."Naruto sat up straight from the grass.He patted off the grass clippings on him.The playful smile on his face faded a bit.Replaced by a calmness that made people afraid to look directly at him."Resist?"Naruto wagged his finger."That kind of behavior, like throwing stones at a tank, is called seeking death.""What I want to do is not resist this world.""I am going to reshape it."Haku was stunned."Reshape?""Exactly."Naruto pointed to the distant village in the Land of Waves.It was lifeless.Not even a dog's bark could be heard."Look at this world.""Ninjas, missions, hatred, war... these things are like an unsolvable knot.""Great nations fight, small nations suffer.""War creates orphans, and orphans grow up to start new wars for revenge.""Everyone lives in this cycle, like donkeys pulling a millstone, blindfolded and walking in circles, thinking they are moving forward."Naruto stood up.Looking down at this land."I'm thinking, is it possible... to just smash the millstone.""Cut it off at the root."Haku's breath hitched for a moment."Sever hatred?""That sounds... like a dream from a fairy tale.""Past Hokage, even the legendary strongest First Hokage, couldn't do it.""It's not about severing people, nor severing memories."Naruto turned around, his back to the sun.His shadow stretched long, exactly covering Haku."It is to sever the breeding ground for hatred—despair."Naruto reached out and pointed at the dilapidated village."Look at the Land of Waves.""The shops are empty, the docks are derelict.""Kids are fighting wild dogs for bones, and adults sit at their doors waiting to die.""In this environment, you talk to them about the will of fire? About peace?""That's total crap.""When people are hungry enough, they'll do anything.""At this time, if someone gives them a knife and tells them they'll have food if they kill their neighbor, they won't hesitate.""That is the source of hatred.""Poverty, hunger, powerlessness."Haku looked at Naruto.The boy's figure became a bit blurred in the halo of light, yet appeared exceptionally tall."So...""You want to give them food?"
