HINATA IS BROKEN

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as if his heart were in his throat. Uzumaki Kushina's furious expression had him on edge. Her sharp glare bore into him, the rage in her eyes barely restrained.

Orochimaru, standing nearby, couldn't resist stirring the pot. "Heh, it's rare to see Lord Third so nervous. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight."

"Shut your mouth, Orochimaru," Sarutobi retorted, his voice terse.

Naruto's voice echoed in the discussion group, cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Back then, I was always excluded," Naruto admitted candidly. "At first, I didn't understand why. Later, I found out about the fox sealed inside me. But things are different now. Iruka-sensei invites me to ramen all the time, and Kakashi-sensei occasionally brings fruits and vegetables. I'm happy now, especially with my companions by my side."

Senju Hashirama chimed in with a hearty laugh. "Ah, what a remarkable young man! He understands the importance of companionship at such a young age."

Senju Tobirama nodded approvingly. "Indeed, the Fourth Hokage seems to have raised a wonderful son."

Uzumaki Kushina, however, remained silent. Her face twisted with a mix of sadness and rage as she clenched her fists tightly. She understood the burdens of being a Jinchūriki, and the pain her son must have endured. The thought of her child being treated poorly was unbearable.

"A bowl of ramen…" she muttered under her breath. "My son couldn't even afford a bowl of ramen... Damn it, Sarutobi!" Her voice broke, tears threatening to spill.

On the high platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen shivered involuntarily. Orochimaru leaned in with a smirk.

"Getting cold, Lord Third? Perhaps you should step out of the wind."

Hiruzen glared at him. "Enough of your nonsense, Orochimaru."

---

On the Screen:

In the dimly lit room, young Naruto lay on his small bed, staring at the ceiling. A single tear slid down his cheek, though he quickly wiped it away. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, forcing him out of bed.

The scene shifted to the back mountain of Konoha Village, where Naruto stood by a stream with a makeshift fishing rod in hand. His youthful determination was evident as he reeled in three modest grass carp.

Satisfied, he gathered firewood and discovered mushrooms in the forest, his face lighting up with delight. Moments later, a small fire crackled as Naruto grilled the fish and stewed the mushrooms. Despite the simplicity of the meal, it was a feast for the lonely child.

Suddenly, a sound startled Naruto. He turned quickly, his eyes wide with fear, to see a white-haired old man approaching.

"Who are you?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling as he backed against the rocks.

The man, none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen, raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Don't be afraid, young one. I'm just a passing grandfather."

Naruto's suspicious expression softened as Sarutobi's stomach grumbled loudly. The boy blinked, then burst into laughter.

"Haha, Grandpa, your stomach's as loud as a drum!"

Sarutobi chuckled sheepishly, his laughter mingling with Naruto's.

---

Naruto grabbed a freshly grilled fish and held it out. "Here, Grandpa, you can have this one."

Sarutobi's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you! This fish looks delicious."

Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "Of course, I caught it myself. It's the best!"

As they ate, the sky darkened, stars dotting the night like scattered jewels. Sarutobi gestured toward the heavens.

"Look at those stars, Naruto," he said, his voice contemplative.

Naruto tilted his head back, his eyes reflecting the starlight. "Wow... there are so many of them."

Sarutobi nodded. "Each of those stars is like the sun in our world. The universe is vast and boundless."

Naruto listened intently, his young mind soaking in the wisdom. "Really? That's so cool!"

The Third Hokage spread his arms wide. "Compared to the vastness of the world, we humans are small. Our problems, no matter how big they seem, are insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

Naruto frowned, pondering the words. "So... no matter what I do, it doesn't matter?"

Sarutobi smiled warmly. "It does matter, Naruto. What I mean is, no matter how small we are, we each have our place in the world. You are you, and that's important."

Naruto's lips curled into a smile as he gazed up at the stars again. "Yeah... I'm me. No matter what, I'm still me."

---

In the viewing group, the scene elicited mixed reactions.

Senju Hashirama was visibly moved. "What a touching moment. That boy is incredible!"

Tobirama agreed. "Indeed. Despite the hardships, he maintains a pure heart. It's admirable."

But Kushina was far from comforted. Her hands trembled as she whispered, "Sarutobi… How dare you eat my son's fish…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, feeling the weight of her gaze even across dimensions, shrank back in his seat. Orochimaru, ever the instigator, leaned over with a sly grin.

"Ah, Lord Third, you seem to be in trouble. Perhaps you shouldn't have taken that fish after all."

Sarutobi groaned, muttering to himself, "Why do I always end up as the villain in these stories?"

---

Final Thoughts:

As the stars twinkled over Konoha Village, the bond between the Third Hokage and young Naruto grew, even if the moment was bittersweet. Naruto, despite his struggles, displayed resilience and kindness, qualities that would one day make him a great leader.

Meanwhile, those watching the scene couldn't help but reflect on their own actions and the impact they had on the people around them.

---