HINATA IS BROKEN

The audience gathered in the dimly lit hall consisted mostly of veterans who had seen countless battles. Their seasoned minds found thoughtful analysis second nature. They could clearly discern that the Uzumaki Naruto displayed on the black-framed screen was a far cry from the Naruto they knew.

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"Uzumaki Naruto also had no money, so he could only resort to fishing by the lake."

The narration began as expected, weaving a tale of Naruto's solitude and poverty.

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"As dusk settled, Sarutobi Hiruzen approached Naruto, drawn by the savory aroma of grilled fish."

The scene played out with quiet intensity. The sudden appearance of the old man startled Naruto, his instinctive wariness kicking in as he asked about the stranger's identity.

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"I'm just a passing grandfather," Sarutobi Hiruzen responded with a soft laugh, his gaze shifting to Naruto's simple grill.

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Naruto's sharp eyes caught the subtle movement, and his expression shifted almost imperceptibly. His gaze lingered on the kanji for "fire" emblazoned on the back of Sarutobi's robe.

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Since he could remember, Naruto had always felt like an outsider. He had no knowledge of his parents or why the villagers treated him with such indifference. At times, masked strangers would leave him food or money, but it was never enough to sustain him fully. Merchants refused to sell goods to him, forcing him to fend for himself.

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Over time, these peculiarities led Naruto to ponder deeply, a habit born of necessity. He had picked up scattered pieces of information and stored them in his heart. Among these fragments was the knowledge that the most powerful person in Konoha was someone called "Hokage."

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"Could it be this old man?" Naruto thought, his brows furrowing as his sharp mind connected dots. Yet his face twisted in disbelief. "No, no, no, that's impossible."

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Shaking his head violently, Naruto dismissed the thought as ridiculous. How could an old man who looked like he might keel over at any moment be the Hokage?

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Up on the high platform, Orochimaru chuckled, lightly tapping his thigh. "This Naruto seems to be quite different from the one we know."

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"He's perceptive," Orochimaru continued, his tone tinged with admiration. "He immediately saw through Sarutobi-sensei's disguise and hit the nail on the head."

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Sarutobi Hiruzen, on the other hand, was less amused. The tension in his features revealed his thoughts. The Naruto in the black-framed world was, indeed, vastly different.

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Ohnoki, the Tsuchikage, erupted into laughter. "This kid is hilarious! He actually thinks the old monkey is on his deathbed!"

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Terumi Mei, the Mizukage, smiled playfully. "With his innocent appearance and mischievous thoughts, this version of Naruto is rather captivating."

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The Fourth Raikage crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "He's smart. Too smart to be easily fooled."

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Sarutobi Hiruzen huffed in mild indignation. "Do you mean to say I was trying to deceive Naruto?!"

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Minato Namikaze, Naruto's father, offered a gentle smile. "I think this version of Naruto simply has more inner monologues. He's still a child at heart and means no harm."

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The scene shifted back to the screen, where Sarutobi Hiruzen's stomach let out a loud growl. Naruto didn't laugh, but instead quietly handed the old man a piece of grilled fish.

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Minato's smile widened. "See? Naruto is kind-hearted. I told you he had no ill intentions."

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As the stars began to fill the night sky, Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed upwards with a contemplative expression. "The world is so vast," he mused aloud.

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Naruto looked up at the sparkling heavens. "Grandpa, how can we, who are so small, ever hope to become something bigger?"

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This innocent question carried surprising depth, causing the audience to chuckle.

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On the white-bordered screen, Sarutobi Hiruzen's response seemed to leave a profound impact on Naruto. However, it was evident that this Naruto wasn't one to blindly accept answers. Instead, he threw the question back to the old man.

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Despite the challenge, Sarutobi Hiruzen's kind smile remained unwavering. "In the world of ninjas, only by becoming strong can one gain significance," he explained patiently.

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"You're a child of Konoha," he continued. "Have you ever heard this phrase?"

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Naruto tilted his head. "What phrase?"

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Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice softened, his words imbued with nostalgia. "Where the leaves dance, the fire is always alive. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

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Naruto blinked in confusion. "What does that mean?"

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"It's a will," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained, his tone gentle yet firm. "A will unique to Konoha. The Will of Fire."

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The words seemed to confuse Naruto further, though Sarutobi appeared unfazed. He understood that Naruto, being so young, couldn't yet grasp its full meaning.

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"You'll understand when you're older," Sarutobi said reassuringly. "This will has been passed down through generations in Konoha. It binds us together as a family, with everyone willing to protect the village and each other."

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"If you grow strong, you'll no longer feel small. I believe you'll become a worthy successor to the Will of Fire one day."

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The mention of the Will of Fire reinvigorated the ninjas watching from Konoha. No matter the world, Sarutobi Hiruzen's wisdom remained a guiding light, and Konoha's villagers were always united as one family.

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Ding!

The system's sudden announcement broke the contemplative silence.

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[The prize quiz is now live.]

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[Question: What were Uzumaki Naruto's inner thoughts upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's explanation of the Will of Fire?]

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[A: He's truly a wise and knowledgeable grandfather.]

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[B: The Will of Fire? That sounds so cool—I can't wait to inherit it!]

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[C: This is way too deep. I don't understand it at all.]

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[D: What kind of crazy old man is this? He says I'll inherit the Will of Fire, but where was this "will" when I was suffering? If they don't embody it, why should I?]

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The screen faded to black, leaving the audience to ponder the question. Many exchanged knowing glances, eager to see which answer would prevail. The black-framed Naruto's sharp wit and independent thinking had already made him a standout.

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