5 The Fourth Hokage

Shikamaru gazed at Naruto’s flushed face as he awkwardly approached, mirroring his hesitant movements. A slight frown crossed his brow. What was Naruto so shy about? Haruna certainly didn’t have feelings for the foolish ramen lover; he was merely fulfilling the Third Hokage's mission.

Shikamaru had always known Haruna to be a diligent and earnest young woman, despite her seemingly cold and gloomy exterior. While others their age indulged in carefree play after school, she was already working to support her family. Shikamaru was familiar with Haruna from his family’s herbal medicine shop. She would blend into the crowd with the other workers, pretending not to know him, and call him “Master Shikamaru,” which he found utterly ridiculous.

When his father learned of this, he didn’t oppose Shikamaru’s association with the young shop assistant, claiming he wasn’t a conservative parent. Shikamaru’s cheeks had flushed at the time, mocking his father for his nonsensical comments, to which his father responded with an innocent look and a question.

Tsk… back to the matter at hand.

In Shikamaru’s eyes, Haruna and the impulsive, restless Naruto were simply incompatible. Besides, with the “Sky Screen” now in place, knowing how awkward the future would be, the already minimal connection between Haruna and Naruto had no hope of growing into anything more.

Now, Shikamaru only wanted to understand why Haruna would become disabled in the future, so he could better assist his friend.

Naruto’s steps were stiff as he approached the girl. Jiraiya thought Naruto’s shyness was excessive and that he needed more worldly experience. He knew Naruto well enough to understand that he couldn’t hide his feelings; if he truly had affection for Haruna, he’d have mentioned her countless times by now. Yet, Naruto had never once brought her up. In fact, Jiraiya only learned of Haruna’s existence today.

They were merely partners on a mission for the village, rarely even meeting face-to-face, so why the awkwardness? It couldn’t be that Naruto was secretly in love with her and didn’t realize it, right? Ha! What era was this? Still playing the innocent love card? Even Jiraiya, who wrote novels, found pure love elements outdated and unappealing to readers.

“Haruna…” Naruto’s voice was soft and faint, like a mosquito’s hum.

“Hm?” Haruna looked puzzled.

Naruto, usually so carefree and bold, was unexpectedly shy and hesitant, his voice trembling.

She remained professional, politely warning, “I’m going to hold your hand now.”

“Okay!” The blond boy visibly tensed.

Haruna took his hand.

“I’m going to kiss you.”

“Y-yeah!” Naruto suddenly closed his eyes.

Haruna didn’t understand why he shut his eyes. She was simply focused on her task, so she pressed a gentle kiss on the back of his hand.

In that instant, Naruto’s eyes instinctively opened just a sliver, his gaze fixed solely on Haruna.

Her long bangs hung down, obscuring her eyes from his current angle.

Was she disgusted? Angry? Disdainful?

Naruto didn’t know; all he felt was the soft, slightly moist sensation on the back of his hand fading instantly.

Haruna didn’t linger even a second longer.

But it was more than enough.

A boy who had never experienced any intimacy before suddenly felt his mind burst with dazzling fireworks.

Forget continuing the Chunin Exam—at that moment, even a slight push from Konohamaru might have sent Naruto sprawling.

He had been kissed… by Haruna!

Aaaahhh! Haruna’s lips were so soft—ugh!

Haruna paid no heed to the torrent of shyness flooding the boy. Her eyes glanced at the display panel.

[Destiny Deviation Value: 6]

It had indeed risen a little.

Just a kiss on the hand, devoid of any emotion, not even a second’s hesitation—was that enough?

Haruna wondered in surprise. Could it be that in the future, she had never taken the initiative to kiss Naruto?

But didn’t they marry three years later?

It seemed unreasonable for a married couple of three years never to have kissed.

The Sky Screen was reliable and its demands not strict; the moment Haruna finished the kiss, the broadcast lit up again.

In Ino’s psychological clinic, two figures were conversing: Ino herself and a blond young man.

The youth looked familiar.

The genin still puzzled and guessing were interrupted by a Konoha Jonin’s exclamation: “The Fourth Hokage?!”

The Fourth?!

Jiraiya was momentarily stunned. “Minato?”

Kakashi quickly denied, “No, it’s not the teacher—”

“It’s Naruto.”

On the stands, the usually taciturn black-haired boy spoke calmly.

Neither Haruna’s startling words nor Ino’s fluctuating demeanor had drawn any visible reaction from Sasuke.

While others were excitedly speculating, Sasuke’s only response was a slight frown.

His cold expression made one wonder if he simply resented the Sky Screen for wasting time that could be spent proving his own strength.

It wasn’t until the blond youth appeared that Sasuke’s expression finally shifted.

While others remained confused or dazed, and even Naruto himself hadn’t realized, Uchiha Sasuke identified the tail-ender first.

His tone was laden with an indistinct complexity.

“That tail-ender got stronger again.”

And very strong.

*

“That’s really Naruto? Huh? Naruto?!”

Hearing Sasuke’s words, Sakura’s eyes nearly popped out.

The blond youth on the screen exuded undeniable excellence and strength by any standard.

His hair was neat and bright, his handsome features framed by sky-blue eyes that seemed boundless.

Every inch of him radiated vibrant vitality, with an assured, formidable strength buried deep within.

Such an aura couldn’t be faked; it required enduring great trials and possessing solid power to manifest so.

Yet in Sakura’s mind, Naruto was still that impulsive, childish tail-ender whose room was always a mess.

“Look closely, the features do resemble Naruto a bit.”

Her gaze darted back and forth as she blurted, “Naruto’s going to grow up to be this handsome?!”

His charisma was outstanding too!

Even Temari showed surprise.

She had thought the only outstanding man in Konoha was Sasuke—who knew that wild blond brat had such potential?!

Shikamaru and Neji’s expressions grew serious.

Naruto’s charm was palpable even to those of the same sex.

Because the aura Naruto exuded had a more precise description—

Leader’s charisma.

“He looks… exactly like him,” Jiraiya murmured.

The blond, blue-eyed youth shone brightly, indistinguishable from someone in his memory.

Kakashi thought so too, feeling a bittersweet sense of pride.

That brat was destined to become a great hero.

Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, are you seeing this?

The Third Hokage was momentarily lost in thought but soon shook off the complex emotions, restoring order to the restless atmosphere.

“Everyone, quiet! Listen to what Naruto has to say!”

The Hokage’s authority was unquestionable.

But just as silence began to settle, a shocked voice rang out.

“Huh? What? That’s me?! Third Grandpa, is that really my future self?!”

Naruto had been completely oblivious, only reacting when the Third Hokage explicitly pointed it out.

—Or perhaps he simply lacked the confidence to believe that was himself.

The blond youth pointed at himself in disbelief, his voice trembling with excitement, eyes sparkling.

It was an image he had never even dreamed of.

Since childhood, Naruto had heard the words youkai, loser, tail-ender, sloppy, unwanted.

But the youth on the screen was nothing like those labels.

He was the very embodiment of a hero.

Could such a tail-ender really become a hero?

Haruna couldn’t help but mutter softly, “You’re a little slow, aren’t you?”

Though her words were tough, she too had been stunned just moments ago.

Her mindset was somewhat like Naruto’s.

That dazzlingly handsome young man was supposed to be her husband?

Haruna was well aware of her own worth.

Her looks were only ever praised as “cute” by shopkeepers when buying things; her ninja talent was mediocre, and her personality not exactly appealing.

People often said she was too calculating, too frugal—no man would like that.

But that was the survival instinct of an orphan; Haruna relied on no one and couldn’t afford to be generous everywhere.

She had thought she would never have any romantic prospects.

Even if forced to marry, it would be to another ordinary man struggling through life.

The only meaning of their marriage would be to share life’s burdens.

Naruto fit that description perfectly—or even worse.

That was why she worked so hard: to avoid the pitiful fate of selling herself out.

Yet the youth on the Sky Screen radiated “admired by all,” “handsome,” “sunny,” and “gentle.”

Such an exceptional man… would marry her?

She hadn’t expected that the young man would be Naruto.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, someone nearby exclaimed in disbelief, “Haruna actually wants to divorce a guy like that?”

“Maybe because she thinks she’s not worthy.”

“Definitely not worthy.”

“Perhaps their separation is due to…” an older ninja’s words grew inappropriate.

Before he finished, a silver-haired Jonin’s sharp glare silenced the lewd speculation.

Even though no one else voiced it, Haruna could sense the judging and questioning in their eyes.

She didn’t care.

So what if he was a handsome hero?

Haruna pressed her lips together stubbornly, thinking she would never like Naruto, nor would she ever marry.

Her concern with the Sky Screen was solely to change her disabled future.

The Third Hokage, initially displeased at being interrupted, sighed with a mix of helplessness and admiration upon realizing it was Naruto.

“So, let’s take a look at the future together.”

“Let’s see what kind of hero you will become.”

“Yeah!” Naruto nodded excitedly, then quickly glanced at the girl beside him.

His future self didn’t look so bad after all.

Would Haruna’s attitude toward him change if she saw that too?

But all he saw was Haruna’s stubborn profile.

Her expression was like snow, reflecting the thin, cold winter sunlight.

The boy’s smile faded slightly.

For some reason…

The fact that he would become a recognized, handsome hero suddenly didn’t feel quite as joyful as before.