I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

Unable to experience the hustle and bustle, he could only enjoy the solitude alone.

Just then, a voice rang in Naruto's ears:

"Hinata Hyuga's affection for you has reached the approval level, and you have received a pair of 'winter gloves'. The girl you helped hopes that her friend's hands will no longer be cold."

Chapter 2 The Boring Naruto

"Hinata Hyuga's affection for you has reached the approval level, and you have received a pair of 'winter gloves'. The girl you helped hopes that her friend's hands will no longer be cold."

Naruto was slightly taken aback upon hearing the voice.

He reached into his pocket and found a pair of gloves inside. The gloves were made of thick knitted wool, and after putting them on, Naruto immediately felt his hands warmer.

Is this my cheat code?

Picking up the fish basket from the ground, Naruto studied the cheat code that had just arrived, while still puzzled.

He acquired a cheat system called the Recognition System. As long as others' favorability towards him reaches the recognition level, he can randomly obtain an ability from them. The higher the favorability, the better the ability he can obtain.

This is just the level of approval; higher levels include trust and unwavering loyalty.

Reaching higher levels of favorability can even grant access to the other party's battle memories, ninjutsu, or even bloodline limits.

His act of helping Hinata had undoubtedly won her favor, which was why he received these 'winter gloves'.

"Is Ashura's chakra plus the Nine-Tails' cheat not enough? Have they sent me another cheat?"

After the cheat system was activated, Naruto's expression didn't change much; he even found it somewhat amusing.

The way to activate the cheat code is obviously very simple; all you need to do is have others' approval of you.

But until he met Hinata, no one had ever truly recognized him, not even his parents' old subordinates or the Third Hokage who met with him once a month.

They have never acknowledged their own existence.

That's really a lame joke.

……

We continued forward across the snow.

After returning home, Naruto closed the door behind him, keeping the wind and snow out. He then sat on the sofa and began to recall the day's events.

I successfully bought food today and caught a fish as long as my arm by the river. While helping Hinata, I also unlocked a very useful cheat code.

All I need to do now is follow the path of the prophesied child, and I can easily become stronger and become the Seventh Hokage of the village.

Thinking about it this way, everything seems to be moving in a positive direction.

But why should I wear a hypocritical mask to become the child of prophecy, to save the world, to please those who are hostile to me, and to gain their approval?

Even without any cheat codes, what he has now is enough.

Nine-Tails, the physique of the Uzumaki clan, isn't that a high-level cheat code? After fully digesting it, one would at least be at the Kage level, enough to thrive in Shippuden.

After thinking it over, Naruto rubbed his rumbling stomach, got up and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

Tonight's main dish is naturally the big fish we just caught. Given that the villagers are unwilling to sell us their best stuff, this is already the best source of protein.

After the fish was cooked in the pot until golden brown on both sides, Naruto poured in boiling water and added some mushrooms and vegetables.

As for his staple food, Naruto chose the most convenient option: rice.

He wasn't a native Naruto. As a transmigrator, he couldn't possibly fill his stomach with instant noodles every day; that would lead to severe malnutrition.

In the original work, Naruto, who was twelve years old at the time, was the shortest among his peers, despite having the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan.

Half an hour later, Naruto got off the stool, carefully carried the cooked fish soup to the table, put his hands together, and prepared to enjoy the delicious dinner.

Just then, there was a knocking sound at the door. Naruto frowned instinctively and slowly got up to open the door.

The person standing outside the door was none other than the Third Hokage, dressed in a divine robe, who was also Naruto's de facto guardian in the village.

The Third Hokage, despite his high position and great power, was approachable and kind to Naruto, just like an ordinary old man.

Unlike the other villagers, the Third Hokage, being the Hokage, also possessed the powerful tool of providing for their livelihood.

Therefore, when facing the 'strongest Hokage of all time', Naruto rarely showed a childlike smile and happily said, "Grandpa Third Hokage, you finally have time to come and see me."

"It's been a while since we last met, so I made a special trip to see you."

The Third Hokage spoke with a smile, then walked into the house, his gaze sweeping over Naruto's room.

Besides bringing Naruto living expenses, the purpose of this visit was also to observe Naruto's mental state.

After all, besides being the posthumous son of Minato and Kushina, Naruto is also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the village and one of its important future fighting forces.

Therefore, for the sake of Minato and his wife, and for the sake of the village, Naruto absolutely cannot be allowed to have any problems.

After turning his gaze away, the Third Hokage smelled the aroma of fish soup and said with a smile, "It smells so good. Is Naruto making fish soup? When will you learn this skill?"

"I learned it by just thinking about it when I was bored. Grandpa, would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

The Third Hokage couldn't resist the temptation of the fish soup, and also wanted to continue observing Naruto, so he nodded.

He sat down and continued to look around Naruto's room.

Naruto's room was very clean, the bedding was washed very clean, and there were no stains or yellow spots. The kitchen utensils and daily necessities were also neatly arranged.

This is truly remarkable for an orphan who has no one to care for him.

The Third Hokage was quite satisfied with everything so far, but the complaints from the villagers about Naruto were giving him a headache.

Naruto acted harmless in front of him, but he was a completely different person in front of the villagers.

Soon, Naruto served the Third Hokage his meal, and the two sat down at the table together to eat dinner.

The Third Hokage picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. The fish was fresh, tender, and smooth, with a rich mushroom aroma. He then scooped up some milky white fish soup, took a sip, and comfortably closed his eyes.

A few minutes later, the Third Hokage had eaten about 70% of his fill. The only two things that bothered him were that there was no sake served with the meal and that he had forgotten to bring his pipe.

The Third Hokage exclaimed sincerely, "Naruto, your cooking skills are on par with those of a head chef at an izakaya (Japanese pub)."

Yeah, I was just being polite. You actually ate at an orphan's house... Naruto was speechless, but he seemed quite pleased.

"Really? If you like it, please eat more! Anyway, no one else is coming to my house."

The Third Hokage almost choked. Although Naruto was telling the truth, it seemed like he was being contradicted. However, since Naruto could eat such delicious fish soup, his life must not be too bad.

However, this personality trait needs to be corrected.

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage said earnestly, "Naruto, the villagers always complain to me that you're always playing pranks, and it's affecting their lives. This isn't good."

Naruto sneered inwardly and said nonchalantly, "Grandpa Hokage, I'm just a child without parents. I'll treat them the way they treat me. They're not you, Grandpa Hokage."

The Third Hokage fell silent, unsure how to persuade Naruto.

Naruto noticed the Third Hokage's gaze and pressed on, saying, "Besides, they call me the Demon Fox behind my back every day, hoping I'll die soon. I can't really commit suicide, can I?"

"A fox spirit?!"

A dangerous glint flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes. Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki was a secret in the village, so how could rumors of a demon fox have spread?

Naruto is still so young, what if he goes berserk?

Realizing Naruto was still beside him, the Third Hokage suppressed his killing intent and asked softly, "Naruto, who said you were a demon fox?"

Naruto seemed frightened, and his tone became much weaker: "Everyone says that, and I'm used to it. Maybe I really am a demon fox. Otherwise, why would I be born without parents, and why would everyone bully me? I can't even find someone to play with, and I still don't have any friends."

Hearing this, the Third Hokage frowned repeatedly and assured him, "Naruto, don't worry, no one will call you the Demon Fox anymore!"

"Then thank you, Third Hokage." Naruto didn't seem to have much hope.

At this moment, the Third Hokage said again, "Naruto, don't go out for the time being. I will have someone bring you food and some books for young readers. Just stay at home for now."

……

After getting a free meal and drinks, the Third Hokage left without stopping.

As the head of the village, the Third Hokage had many important matters to attend to. If Naruto hadn't been a Jinchuriki, he wouldn't have taken the time out of his busy schedule to visit him.

Naruto stood by the window, watching the Third Hokage's back as he sneered inwardly.

Having read the original work, he knew that the Third Hokage possessed the ability to use a telescope, allowing him to monitor his life at any time.

He could express his dissatisfaction with the village and its inhabitants, but he couldn't show any dissatisfaction with the Hokage, because, as far as he could see, the Hokage had never wronged him.

He could trust Hiruzen Sarutobi, his father's advisor, but he couldn't trust the Third Hokage.

To become a qualified politician, one must first lose oneself, and the same applies to the Hokage.

Chapter 3 The Boring Will of Fire

The next morning.

After a quick wash, Naruto was about to go for a stroll when he remembered that the Third Hokage had placed him under house arrest the day before. Disappointed, he returned to his room and, gazing at the snow-covered streets, began his morning exercise to pass the time.

Due to his age, Naruto's morning exercise consisted of simple stretching exercises and did not involve high-intensity training.

Firstly, he is too young, and secondly, he doesn't have any effective physical training methods. Randomly practicing will only delay his future physical development.

After some time, Naruto heard the sound of stones hitting the door. He pushed the door open and saw several boxes in the hallway.

Recalling what the old man from the third generation said yesterday, these should be the 'reading materials' and survival supplies he had the secret service send him during his confinement.

Naruto moved all the cardboard boxes inside for storage and opened the boxes full of books with great anticipation.

There were about ten books inside. Naruto glanced at the covers, which read titles such as "Geography of the Ninja World," "History of Konoha," and "The Will of Fire."

Naruto ignored "The Will of Fire" and "The History of Konoha" and picked up "Geography of the Ninja World" next to him.

He had a good understanding of the Naruto storyline, but he knew nothing about the human geography, customs and culture of the ninja world. These books were just the right thing to make up for his lack of knowledge in this area.

The book "Geography of the Ninja World" is very short, and Naruto finished reading it in an hour, gaining a general understanding of the geography of the ninja world.

The geography of the ninja world felt very strange to him, completely contrary to the geographical knowledge he had learned in his previous life.

The Land of Rain, where it rains all year round, and the Land of Wind, which is arid, are at the same latitude, yet their rainfall is vastly different. This may be related to chakra, after all, they are worlds with extraordinary powers.

After his rant, Naruto picked up "The History of Konoha" with a mysterious smile on his face. He was confident that he knew more about the history of Konoha than the Third Hokage.

After reading a few pages, Naruto was slightly stunned. The history of Konoha had been cut too much.