Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

During that investigation, Xia Zuo discovered that Konoha Village was just a makeshift operation.

The Third Hokage issued a mission, and the Anbu casually sent two ninjas to carry it out, not even bothering to send a complete squad.

The task level was too low, so there was no review process and no one checked it.

In the civilian settlements of Konoha Village, basic safety is guaranteed, spies do not operate in this intelligence desert, and there is no danger throughout the year.

The so-called impeccable protection and surveillance simply meant that nothing major happened.

Even ANBU ninjas are human; their energy is limited, and they can lose focus.

If they are carrying out a dangerous A-rank mission, the ANBU ninja can maintain focus and complete the mission carefully.

But the task the Hokage assigned them was simply to monitor and protect a little kid.

The ANBU ninjas only ensured that Naruto wouldn't be directly beaten, poisoned, or attacked; they turned a blind eye to everything else.

That's why the nanny fed Naruto expired milk and rotten food, and the problem wasn't discovered until Naruto suffered food poisoning.

That's why a commoner child broke Naruto's head with a stone, while the Anbu ninja just watched.

The laxity of the ANBU ninjas is extremely exaggerated. Xia Zuo was only a genin, and not only did his investigation go undetected by the ANBU, but he also discovered several huge loopholes in the surveillance.

The allure of the protagonist was simply too great, and Xia Zuo couldn't resist. On a dark and windy night, he secretly sneaked into Naruto's room.

He reached out and grasped the thread that could affect the situation in the ninja world.

But right now, before Xia Zuo can even influence the situation in the ninja world, he's already going to be driven crazy by Uzumaki Naruto.

The kid was surprised by Xia Zuo's height change for two minutes, then completely forgot about it and focused on eating.

Naruto's eating manners were extremely vicious.

He covered the two large bumps on his forehead with one hand, while using the other hand to stuff food into his mouth.

They can swallow large chunks of roasted meat in one bite, grilled fish in one bite, and fried chicken in a maximum of four bites.

They chewed up all the chicken and fish bones along with the meat and then swallowed them.

Apples, pears, and oranges were eaten one bite at a time, without even spitting out the cores.

Even so, Naruto Uzumaki still managed to spare half a mouth to complain.

"Brother, you know me well."

"I am under constant surveillance, and the food I get is both poor and scarce; I go hungry every day."

"The weather has been too cold lately, and the rivers in the village have all frozen over. I can't fish at all, and I don't even have a last chance to get some protein."

"I can only eat instant noodles to tide me over each day, and then I have to drink water to trick my stomach."

"Only when I come to your house, brother, can I eat my fill."

"Brother Xia Zuo, you know that when people are extremely hungry, they simply can't control themselves."

"When I think about the food here, my mind goes blank, so it's normal for me to eat faster and more voraciously."

"And while the Third Hokage was the main culprit in making me go hungry, you, Brother Xia Zuo, also bear some responsibility!"

"Before I met Brother Xia Zuo, before you taught me the basics of physical training, I was hungry every day, but I was never this hungry."

"Please don't lecture me while I'm eating."

A shameless person is invincible.

Faced with Naruto Uzumaki, who was both innocent and cunning, Xia Zuo could only helplessly accept defeat.

The attempt to cultivate a handsome young man has completely failed; what I see before me is cunning, patient, clever, and mischievous.

Not only does Naruto Uzumaki fail to provide emotional support, he also constantly acts like a scoundrel in front of him, deliberately trying to provoke him.

The kid knew that Xia Zuo would forgive him and continue to spoil him.

What could Xia Zuo do? He could only forgive Naruto Uzumaki.

Because Naruto is not only the protagonist who influences the situation in the ninja world, but also an invaluable and unique experimental subject.

none of them.

The chakra of the Uzumaki lineage, the Nine-Tails Kurama, the consciousness chakra of Minato Namikaze, the consciousness chakra of Kushina Uzumaki, and the most mysterious consciousness chakra of Ashura, who is in eternal reincarnation.

There is no other ninja in the entire ninja world who possesses so many valuable research projects.

As a time traveler, Xia Zuo naturally has ambitions.

He also wanted to punch the Five Kage, kick Madara Uchiha, arm wrestle with the Sage of Six Paths, and play cards with Kaguya Otsutsuki.

And the hope of realizing these dreams probably rests on Naruto Uzumaki.

I can't bear to part with it, I really can't bear to part with it.

Now that he can rely on the Heavenly Demon Xia Zuo to study the power of chakra, Xia Zuo cherishes Uzumaki Naruto even more.

In fact, Xia Zuo knew that Naruto Uzumaki was an innocent and kind child, and he didn't like such underhanded tricks.

However, Naruto Uzumaki lacks a sense of security, and he instinctively clings to anyone or any opportunity that can provide him with that security.

Just like before entering the Ninja Academy, Naruto would occasionally use cheap paint to paint over the Third Hokage's portrait, all in an attempt to attract Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention.

Now, Naruto Uzumaki is using a similarly childish method to attract Sasuke's attention.

He was vying for favor with Uchiha Izumi, and he was afraid of losing Xia Zuo's attention.

What a poor little guy.

Xia Zuo decided that as long as the conditions were right, he would completely resolve Naruto's insecurity.

The method is actually very simple: just take Naruto Uzumaki into his own heart and let him see his parents inside the seal.

Let him know that he was not abandoned, that he is his father and mother's beloved treasure, a child they would give their lives to protect.

Naruto's greatest anxiety will be eliminated, and his insecurity will be greatly reduced.

Of course, Xia Zuo doesn't know such mental techniques now, but once Xia Zuo becomes a true Shinigami in the Shinigami world, he will be able to master the Shinigami's abilities on his own.

That's true divine power; even putting it into Naruto's mind would be a waste of its potential.

Maybe we can even make a call to the Grim Reaper of the ninja world and exchange the Fourth Hokage's soul for something else.

Xia Zuo chuckled.

He wondered what the Fourth Hokage's reaction would be after Minato Namikaze was activated and learned that his son was living a life worse than a dog's, receiving no care from Jiraiya or Kakashi Hatake, and having no hope for his future.

I'm really curious.

If the Fourth Hokage is angry and resentful enough, Xia Zuo will have to seriously consider reviving him.

The Fourth Hokage, who hates the ruling class of Konoha, could definitely disrupt the situation in Konoha.

As a transmigrator, a commoner ninja without any connections, and a descendant of the fallen Senju clan, Xia Zuo is willing to disrupt the ninja world.

Chaos is what gives him a chance to improve. Being a member of the Senju clan doesn't guarantee his success; after all, Nagato was soon labeled an enemy of the ninja world.

Xia Zuo and Naruto Uzumaki ate all the food.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Xia Zuo personally helped Naruto put on his mental "mask," restoring him to the simple, foolish, and impulsive Naruto Uzumaki.

Before putting on the mask, Naruto asked, "Brother Xia Zuo, how much longer do I have to pretend to be a fool?"

Xia Zuo shook his head, not answering the question.