Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 310: Understanding doesn't mean accepting.
At the end of Konoha 61.

Wow.

The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gently drawn curtains, landing on the small flower bed extending out from the windowsill.

The few small potted flowers were in full bloom, with glistening dewdrops hanging on the petals and leaf edges. Under the morning light, they presented a full golden color, so bright that they seemed to be dripping with water.

Just watching quietly makes one feel that the gloom in their heart has been dispelled, and their mood has become brighter.

"call……"

Naruto Uzumaki stood by the window, holding a steaming cup of water. He took a sip of the hot milk in the cup, let out a sigh of relief, and turned his gaze to the wider view outside the window.

After a period of reconstruction, Konoha gradually regained its vitality and was no longer the desolate scene of tents and ruins after the disaster.

Looking around, rows of brand-new residential areas stand in neat order; however, many houses are traditional wooden structures with tiled roofs, sliding doors, and latticed windows…

These complex, sturdy, and durable wooden houses were directly created by Tenzo's daily consumption of a large amount of chakra and frequent use of the "Wood Release: Linked Pillars Technique".

Although these wooden houses are somewhat new and similar, for the people of Konoha these days, having a stable place to live is already a blessing.

On the streets in the early morning, housewives dressed in their home clothes, carrying bamboo baskets, greeted each other as they headed toward the gradually bustling market.

Some shops along the street have reopened, and the sweet aroma wafts from the dumpling shop with its noren curtains hanging up. The hardworking shop owner is wiping the tables and chairs at the entrance.

Occasionally, you can see elderly people sitting on their porches, leisurely sipping tea, watching children chasing sparrows on the street, their laughter carrying far.

Further away, you can see some taller buildings under construction, including Yingyan, all covered with scaffolding and the sound of hammering can be heard.

The trees ravaged by war have sprouted new buds, and birds are chirping on the branches.

As Naruto watched all this, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

But the smile didn't last long; soon, the upward curve slowly drooped.

He recalled the sudden visit from his third-generation grandfather yesterday evening.

At this time of month, Hiruzen Sarutobi would come to deliver living allowance to him.

Previously, they gave money directly, but later, on the teacher's advice, Naruto asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to change part of the subsidy into meat, eggs, and milk.

Naruto assumed that yesterday would be the same, with Hiruzen Sarutobi coming to deliver aid and inquire about the situation, just like usual.

However, after Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down and chatted for a while, the topic gradually shifted to the devastating attack that had occurred not long ago.

The old man, in a seemingly casual tone, carefully inquired about Naruto's experiences in the shelter.

From the moment the enemy named Miyajo En broke in, to the moment when Hinata Kumokawa stepped forward to protect everyone.

Naruto's sensitivity and intelligence allowed him to instantly perceive a subtle scrutiny and suspicion in the Third Hokage's question.

He was suspicious of Brother Yun Chuan.

Not only that, Hiruzen Sarutobi then changed the subject, seemingly casually probing him about the chakra burst forth in his moment of panic.

And where did they learn to create those golden chains and the resulting barriers?

Naruto answered all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's questions without showing any dissatisfaction.

He said he didn't know what chakra and chains were, he just felt his mind go blank and then he felt a surge of power.

After unleashing that power, he fell into a coma, and even the changes he experienced at that time were learned from other people.

Yes, Naruto lied, for the sake of his teacher and the big fox.

Because the questions Hiruzen Sarutobi asked were like cold needles, piercing the peaceful life that Naruto had gradually come to enjoy.

So much time had passed that he had almost forgotten that, in the eyes of many villagers and ninjas, he was still an "outcast" who needed to be treated with caution.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's cautious, deliberate, and tentative approach, his meticulousness as if assessing an unstable and dangerous substance, reminded Naruto of this fact once again.

He, Naruto Uzumaki, is a "special existence" that even the Hokage needs to be wary of.

The sunlight outside the window was still bright, and the children's laughter was still clear, but Naruto felt as if a cold pane of glass separated him from this thriving scene. "..."

Naruto lowered his head, lifted the milk in his cup, and drank it all in one gulp, as if he wanted to swallow his low spirits along with it.

Gudong!Gudong!
The warm liquid slid down my throat, but it seemed unable to dispel the chill that was spreading from the bottom of my heart.

Without thinking further, Naruto changed his clothes, carefully packed his backpack, took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and headed towards the school.

The closer you get to the school, the more bustling the streets become.

With schools closed for such a long time, many parents gathered at the school gate to drop off their children.

A mother bent down to straighten the misaligned buttons on her child's clothes, gently reminding him, "Pay attention in class, and remember to finish your lunch."

"Okay," the boy replied, tilting his head back.

Naruto silently brushed past the small groups of people, his solitary figure standing out against the backdrop of couples and families around him.

However, wherever he went, a subtle change in atmosphere quietly occurred.

The parents, who were chatting and laughing together, would pause involuntarily and their eyes would flicker when they saw Naruto approaching.

Subconsciously, she pulled her child behind her or led the child slightly away from his path.

The children's reactions were more direct. Some of the younger ones showed obvious fear on their faces, tightly gripping their parents' clothes and hiding behind them.

Even some of his classmates, who used to greet him whenever they saw him, now stood there hesitant.

no way.

Many students were present at the shelter and witnessed Naruto unleash the Nine-Tails' chakra.

That terrifying aura was too powerful for these children who had not yet become ninjas and ordinary villagers, leaving an indelible shadow.

In particular, the powerful intruder later specifically named Naruto and even threatened him with the lives of others.

Many parents believe that their children were "dragged down" by Naruto and almost met with real misfortune.

"..."

Naruto took in everything, silently lowered his head, and quickened his pace.

He can actually understand.

He knew what kind of monster the great fox sealed within him was, and he knew the terrible disasters the great fox had brought to Konoha, even if it wasn't its intention.

Just like the ultimate weapon I once read about in a book, known as the "nuclear bomb," it possesses the terrifying power to destroy everything in an instant.

Moreover, this "nuclear bomb" also possesses human qualities, generating emotions including dissatisfaction and anger, which are completely uncontrollable.

Put yourself in their shoes, if you were an ordinary villager or a ninja.

Faced with a walking, humanoid nuclear bomb that could explode at any moment, even if someone repeatedly assures that it is unlikely to go out of control, one cannot help but feel fear and vigilance.

Rationally, he could understand this fear and the necessary precautions.

However, being able to understand does not mean that he can accept it readily.

He might be able to force himself to ignore the stares and comments of insignificant strangers.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was different.

He was one of the few elders who had given him warmth and care over the years, and in Naruto's heart, he was indeed almost like a grandfather.

And this very elder, whom he regarded as family, is now scrutinizing him with the same eyes one would use to look at a "dangerous item"...

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Naruto!"

(End of this chapter)