SWDnovel Chapter 281 As expected of the Hokage's child, he possesses extraordinary bearing.
Chapter 281 As expected of the Hokage's child, he possesses extraordinary bearing.
Chapter 281 As expected of the Hokage's child, he possesses extraordinary bearing.
Inside Naruto's bedroom.
The wardrobe door was half open, and inside it was haphazardly crammed with orange and dark clothing.
It is the color that Naruto usually likes to wear.
"What kind of look is it to always wear pajamas like that!" Naruto scratched his head, then quickly walked to the wardrobe. "I'll find you some clothes to wear!"
Naruto plunged into the closet and began rummaging through it.
With a rustling sound, he decisively pulled out the clothes that were in the way and threw them on the bed.
In a short while, several jackets and pants that had been haphazardly pulled off were scattered on the bed.
The dream version of Naruto stood aside, quietly watching his other self rummage through the things, a hint of helpless amusement in his eyes.
The room's layout was very similar to his own bedroom in his dream, but it was noticeably more cluttered, like the wardrobe crammed full in front of him; everything seemed so casual.
"Found it!"
Naruto shouted excitedly, pulled an orange hooded sports jacket from deep inside the closet, and held it high.
"Here it is!"
He turned around and showed the clothes to Naruto in his dream.
The coat was wrinkled and crumpled, clearly having been tucked away at the bottom of the closet for a long time.
Naruto handed the clothes forward, saying somewhat embarrassedly, "This one—it's a bit big for me, I haven't worn it much. You're taller, it should fit you perfectly."
As he spoke, he scratched his head, a simple, honest smile on his face.
Naruto in the dream world paused slightly, then took the coat.
He looked down at the clothes in his hand and saw that the fabric was full of wrinkles.
His brows furrowed slightly, almost unconsciously.
Clearly, this Naruto is a little picky about the cleanliness of his clothes.
However, he did not show the slightest sign of disdain or dissatisfaction.
Instead, he quickly lowered his eyelashes to hide the slight discomfort.
Naruto in his dream didn't put on his coat immediately. Instead, he shook the clothes out and laid them flat on his palm, skillfully smoothing out the wrinkles in the fabric with his hand.
He didn't forget to look up and patiently explain to Naruto beside him, "If you fix it like this, the clothes won't look so wrinkled."
Naruto stared wide-eyed in astonishment at his dream self's actions. For someone as slovenly as him, such meticulous tidying of his clothes was a rare sight.
In a few short moments, he had straightened the orange coat considerably.
Naruto in his dream nodded in satisfaction, deftly draped the jacket over his shoulders, zipped it up, stretched his shoulders, and, feeling that the jacket fit perfectly, smiled and said, "Yes, it fits perfectly. Thank you, Naruto."
The jacket is quite ordinary in style and material, but when worn by Naruto in the dream world, it complements his calm and upright demeanor, making him look clean, neat, and even a bit heroic.
Naruto crossed his arms and circled him halfway, looking him up and down. The more he looked, the more resentful he became. He couldn't help but pout and say, "Hmph! That's not fair! We should be the same age, right? Why are you half a head taller than me?"
Upon hearing Naruto's complaint, which was tinged with envy and disappointment, the dream Naruto paused slightly as he straightened his collar.
He turned around and stood face to face with Naruto.
The height difference between the two was even more obvious at this moment; the dream Naruto was indeed half a head taller than the real Naruto.
A hint of pity and sorrow flashed in Naruto's azure eyes in the dream.
He understood all too well the significance behind this height difference.
That's due to the difference in growth environment and nutritional status.
In his world, with the love and care of his parents, he was well-fed and warmly clothed from a young age, which naturally made him grow taller and stronger.
In this world, it's understandable that Naruto, who grew up alone and without anyone to care for him, would suffer from malnutrition.
A pang of heartache welled up in Naruto's heart during the dream.
He really wanted to tell Naruto the real reason, but he swallowed the words back.
It would be too cruel to say these facts out loud.
"Yeah—who knows?" Dream Naruto chuckled helplessly, reaching out to ruffle Naruto's messy blond hair, and said in a lighthearted, joking tone, "Maybe the ramen portions are bigger where I am?"
"Too cunning!"
Naruto puffed out his cheeks, crossed his arms, and snorted defiantly upon hearing this.
Xiang, who had been quietly observing, finally couldn't resist coming closer.
With her hands behind her back and her head tilted slightly, she looked back and forth between the two Narutos with a face full of curiosity.
"Wow—" Xiang exclaimed in amazement, "It's amazing! The jackets are exactly the same, but they look completely different on the two of you!"
"Um?"
Both Naruto and the dream Naruto looked at Xiang at the same time, only to see that the girl's face was full of amazement.
As Xiang carefully compared the two men, she gestured with her hands, saying, "Look, this outfit looks so much more stylish on him, like it's become so much more expensive!"
"And Naruto, if you wear it—well, you'll still have that same energetic vibe!"
Her words were tactful, but the implication was quite clear.
The same outfit looks better on Naruto in his dream world.
However, before he could finish speaking, Naruto instantly bristled.
"Hey! Xiang—" He pointed at Xiang angrily and said, dissatisfied, "What do you mean by that?"
Are you saying I'm not as good-looking as him? That's so unfair!
After saying that, Naruto exaggeratedly clutched his chest, widened his eyes, and gasped, looking as if he had been deeply shocked.
Xiang then realized that her words sounded ambiguous, and she immediately waved her hands frantically to explain, her pretty face turning red to the roots of her ears.
"No, no, no! That's not what I meant!"
"What I mean is that you two have different styles! You both look great! Naruto, you look especially energetic and sunny in this! Really!"
However, Naruto did not intend to forgive her so easily.
He snorted, turned his head away, crossed his arms, and turned the back of his head toward Xiang, making a gesture that indicated he wouldn't listen.
Seeing Naruto and Kaori bickering and arguing, the dream Naruto was slightly taken aback, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but slowly turn up, a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart.
In her smile, there was a hint of envy and relief, and she felt a warmth she had never felt before welling up in her heart.
This kind of seamless interaction is something he rarely experiences in his own world.
As the son of the Hokage, the children around him either respected him or were reserved towards him.
Moreover, many eyes are watching him, so he needs to be careful with his words and actions, and he rarely has the opportunity to joke around with friends so freely.
The only person I can communicate with on an equal footing is Sasuke.
So, what kind of person is Sasuke in this world? And what is he doing now?
As Naruto pondered in his dream, he chuckled softly, "Hehe—I didn't expect you two to have such a good relationship."
"
Hearing Naruto's praise in his dream, Naruto, who was sulking, suddenly turned around and said loudly and matter-of-factly, "Of course! Kaori is an important member of my clan, we're family!"
The words "family" resonated deeply, striking Xiang's heart.
Xiang Jiao's petite body froze on the spot, and her cheeks, which were already flushed from explaining, became even hotter.
She stared wide-eyed at Naruto in disbelief, his sudden words echoing in her mind.
We are one family — we are one family —
[Ding! Xiang's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
Xiang felt as if she were in a dream, her mind went blank, and she felt a lump in her throat, almost bursting into tears.
Having suffered bullying in Kusagakure since childhood, she has a complex longing and deep emotion for the word "family."
At that moment, Naruto unexpectedly recognized her as family, making her feel both shy and happy, almost at a loss for words.
Naruto in his dream looked at Kaori's stunned expression and flushed face, and his smile deepened.
He turned his head and looked at Naruto, who was serious and oblivious to his surroundings, and vaguely understood something.
Although I don't have the love of parents in this world, I have such sincere and pure friendship and bonds.
Perhaps it is these precious emotions that support him in remaining so sunny, cheerful, and full of strength even in adversity.
After changing their clothes, Naruto and his dream Naruto walked down the stairs one after the other.
The initial awkwardness and discomfort between the two had largely dissipated.
The living room was brightly lit, and Xiang followed quietly behind them, her face still flushed.
Her gaze kept drifting to Naruto's back as he walked ahead, a smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with pleasure and satisfaction.
Naruto in his dream world then suggested with great interest, "I wonder if the Hidden Leaf Village in this world is any different from the one I live in. I'd like to go out and explore."
Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately patted his chest excitedly and readily agreed, "No problem! I've got it covered!"
"I know Konoha Village best, I'll show you around the whole village! First, I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen, it's the best ramen in the world!"
When his favorite ramen was mentioned, Naruto's eyes lit up, and he had already started planning his culinary adventure for the day.
When Naruto saw him like this in his dream, he couldn't help but laugh.
He also wanted to try whether the Ichiraku Ramen in this world tasted the same as the one in his memory.
Upon hearing this, Xiang couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. As expected, Naruto's first thought was food.
Just as the three of them were chatting and laughing, preparing to go out...
Boom!Boom!Boom!
Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the warm atmosphere in the living room.
The unexpected knock on the door startled Naruto slightly.
He and the dream version of Naruto exchanged a glance, and their relaxed conversation abruptly stopped.
"They're here!"
Xiang reacted the fastest, quickly responding and running towards the door.
Xiang opened the door, and the two figures standing outside made her pause in surprise.
Standing at the front was an old man with a kind and gentle smile; he was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Half a step behind him stood a silent ANBU ninja wearing a cat-shaped mask.
The operative was holding a cardboard box in both hands. The box was quite large and looked rather heavy, but he held it steadily without it moving.
Xiang clearly hadn't expected the Third Hokage to visit so suddenly.
She quickly stepped aside to make way, stammering, "Oh dear! Third...Third Hokage, please come in!"
The commotion at the door also caught the attention of Naruto and Naruto in his dream world inside the house.
Especially when Xiang exclaimed the words "Third Generation Lord," the two of them looked towards the gate at the same time.
Upon recognizing the visitor as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Naruto was taken aback: "Third Hokage?"
He quickly walked a few steps toward the door, a puzzled look on his face.
"Why did you suddenly come to my house? Is there some task you need to assign me?"
Naruto, being simple-minded, couldn't think of any other reason for the moment, after all, the Third Hokage wouldn't easily come to visit.
Meanwhile, Naruto in his dream followed beside Naruto, silently watching the old man at the door.
Xiang had already opened the door completely, leading Hiruzen Sarutobi into the living room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walked in, his gaze sweeping over the room without making a sound.
Finally, his gaze seemingly casually swept over Naruto and landed on the unfamiliar yet similar face next to Naruto—the dream Naruto.
He smiled slightly and nodded kindly, as if an elder had come to visit: "Hehe—Naruto, it's not a mission. Yesterday, while cleaning out the old warehouse, I accidentally found some items left by your father. I thought these things might have special meaning for you, so I specially brought them over to you."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured to the ANBU behind him to bring forward the box they were carrying.
However, the dream version of Naruto standing next to Naruto had his gaze fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi from the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped through the door.
Organizing the warehouse?
A chance discovery?
At this time?
These three questions flashed through Naruto's mind in his dream. His intuition told him that the Third Hokage's visit could not possibly be as casual and accidental as he claimed.
The timing of their arrival was absolutely perfect.
However, the naive Naruto was unaware of the undercurrents in the atmosphere.
Upon hearing that the items were left by his father, he darted to the cardboard box handed to him by the secret service.
"Dad's things? Really?!"
Naruto's eyes widened, bursting with surprise. All his doubts were instantly replaced by immense curiosity and excitement.
He stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to look eagerly at the box, impatient to see what treasures were inside.
"What is it? What is it? Let me see!"
Seeing this, the dream version of Naruto took a half step forward without making a sound, and stood seemingly casually to the side of Naruto, slightly forward.
In this way, he can clearly see what's inside the box and protect Naruto in case of an emergency.
The ANBU ninja respectfully placed the box on a small table in the center of the living room.
Naruto eagerly stepped forward and opened the lid.
What comes into view is a box full of items placed in a mixed manner.
Although it was covered with a thin layer of dust, Naruto only glanced at it before a strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him.
"Wow! It really is Dad's stuff!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, his hands already rummaging through the box with great eagerness, making a rustling sound.
The box contained a variety of items, mostly daily necessities and personal belongings.
Picture frames of different sizes and materials occupied nearly half of the box.
There were also a few yellowed notebooks and books, a few pieces of old-fashioned protective gear, and some inconspicuous trinkets.
Naruto carefully picked up a picture frame from the top and wiped the dust off the glass with his sleeve.
Inside the frame was a photograph that was quite old, with slightly yellowed colors, but the image was still clearly visible.
The blond man in the photo has a warm, sunny smile; he is his father, Minato Namikaze. Beside him is a beautiful woman with long, fiery red hair, nestled happily in his arms; she is his mother, Kushina Uzumaki.
Other photos feature familiar faces, such as Kakashi, whom Naruto knows, and Jiraiya, the perverted sage, among others, standing or sitting together in photos, looking very close.
"This one is on the living room cabinet, and that one is hanging on the wall —"
Naruto stared at the photos, lost in thought, and unconsciously began to mutter to himself.
The items in the box might seem disorganized to others, but to Naruto, each one felt strangely familiar.
Because he had seen most of these things countless times in his home in the dream world!
Those picture frames, those books and ornaments, are all components of the warm home in his dreams.
He excitedly picked up one item after another and, based on his memories from the dream, placed them one by one in their corresponding positions in the living room.
After placing each item, Naruto would take two steps back, tilt his head to examine it for a moment, and then grin with satisfaction.
"Hehe—it looks even more like it now!"
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
At this moment, his face was radiant with satisfaction and happiness.
In stark contrast to the exuberant and jubilant Naruto, the dream Naruto stood quietly to the side.
From the moment Naruto began rummaging through the box, the dream Naruto's gaze followed him relentlessly.
In the dream, Naruto's originally relaxed brows furrowed more and more without him realizing it. The calmness and gentleness in his azure eyes had long since vanished, replaced by a slowly burning flame of anger.
He looked at himself in reality and happily laid out the items as if it were a festival.
Then look at the items taken out of the box—
I didn't realize it before.
Now, in my own world, they are ordinary items that can be found everywhere in the home, full of life, and are the warmest testament to my father's and mother's love.
However, here, in this world without parents, these precious items that should have accompanied Naruto's healthy growth were treated as old relics, sealed away for over a decade, gathering dust in a corner of a warehouse.
For over a decade, it remained untouched until today, when it was discovered by chance and brought here as a gift.
In the dream, Naruto watched Naruto's ecstatic expression. Just because he received these belongings from his parents, which originally belonged to him, he was as happy as if the whole world had been given to him.
Thinking back to myself in this world, during my long childhood, I could only sit alone in an empty room, desperately trying to imagine what my parents looked like—
Just as Naruto was filled with rage in his dream, he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi cough lightly and slowly walk to his side.
The old man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the boy who looked almost exactly like Naruto but with a completely different demeanor, his eyes flashing with admiration and curiosity.
He smiled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Naruto from that wondrous world, right? As expected of the Hokage's son, you have an extraordinary demeanor."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm demeanor was tinged with warmth, as if he were having a casual chat with a junior.
Naruto in the dream slowly turned his head and met Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
He didn't answer Hiruzen Sarutobi's question. His deep blue eyes stared intently into Hiruzen's, and he asked earnestly, with a polite yet slightly sharp tone, "Third Hokage, why are you only giving him these things now?"