Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 293 Forbidden Techniques

"You...you actually listened to me! You really got a dog! Haha! You have such great taste!" Ya said excitedly, his voice filled with the joy of finding a kindred spirit.

Naruto smiled and obediently took little Hibiki from his backpack and placed it on the ground. He was also a little curious and wanted to see how the Inuzuka clan, who were born to deal with dogs, would get along with this special little guy.

Ya skillfully crouched down and first slowly extended the back of his hand in front of Xiao Cangxiang's nose, a standard friendly signal to let the dog become familiar with the scent.

However, Xiao Cangxiang merely turned her head slightly, glancing at Fang's hand with a hint of doubt in her yellow eyes, without sniffing it like a normal puppy would.

"Oh ho, quite a proud little guy." Seeing this, Ya wasn't annoyed. Instead, he nodded knowingly, stood up, and didn't rashly stroke its head.

He knew the principle of interacting with dogs—first, make sure the other person remembers your scent, which is a basic "self-introduction." Xiao Cangxiang's reaction clearly expressed its attitude; it didn't like overly casual contact with strangers.

"Here, try this. It's Akamaru's favorite snack. It tastes amazing!" Kiba didn't give up. He took out a piece of food that looked like it was made with high quality, like premium dog food, from his ninja tool bag and handed it to Kakeru with an enticing tone.

Unfortunately, Little Cassiopeia remained unmoved, not even lingering its gaze on the snacks for a second longer. It simply strode back to Naruto's feet with elegant and unhurried movements.

"Wow, Naruto, you're really aloof," Kiba scratched his head, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration, but mostly surprise. "Even more aloof than my older sister's friends. But then again, that's just how dogs are, as long as they're loyal and dependent on their owners!" He quickly recovered and laughed heartily.

"Sorry, sorry," Naruto quickly smoothed things over, bending down to gently pat Hibiki's head. "Maybe it's because she's a girl, and she's more cautious and meticulous."

"A girl... no wonder..." Kiba's gaze fell on the two carefully braided "braids" that were naturally formed from hair below Kosei's ears.

"Did Naruto write this for it?" he muttered to himself. "Who knew this guy had such a girlish heart..."

However… its fur is unbelievably beautiful, and its well-proportioned and agile physique is simply perfect. As an expert who grew up with dogs, Kiba keenly sensed that Naruto, this little dog, was absolutely outstanding, even stunning, within the realm of canine aesthetics.

"Hey Akamaru, don't just stare, come and meet your new friend!" Kiba said to his companion who had been perched on his head. "This is Naruto's dog, you two can play together from now on...?"

However, when Akamaru obeyed the command and nimbly jumped off Kiba's head, Kiba noticed that something seemed off about Akamaru. Beneath its white cheek fur, its skin appeared to have an unnatural reddish tinge.

Moreover, Akamaru's round, dark eyes were fixed intently on the front—on the small, blue Zakuro, which was slightly larger than him and had a unique aura.

------

Ultimately, this first meeting ended with Akamaru looking somewhat aggrieved. Just now, when Akamaru mustered the courage to approach Souxiang, Souxiang didn't walk away like he would have avoided Kiba; instead, he stood quietly in place, showing basic politeness.

However, whenever Akamaru tries to get a little closer, such as gently rubbing his nose against the other person or moving his body closer, Kasugai will always subtly and naturally turn to the side or move half a step, just right to avoid any overly intimate contact.

This is not out of disdain or hostility—after all, it is a creature revered as a "hero," and it naturally possesses an inviolable pride and reserve.

Kiba realized that his Akamaru was completely captivated by the other's unique and aloof temperament and appearance, but matters of the heart, even between dogs, cannot be forced. Seeing Akamaru's increasingly dejected appearance, almost with drooping ears, he finally couldn't bear it and reached out to stop his partner who wanted to try again.

Because he discovered that his best friend had also become a "dog enthusiast," Kiba almost completely forgot the complex emotions he felt when he first faced Naruto. Those emotions were closely related to his dream, which he buried deep in his heart and almost never spoke of to anyone—to become Hokage.

Aside from the time when he first entered the Ninja Academy and enthusiastically shouted "I want to become Hokage" in front of the whole class during his first self-introduction, Kiba kept this dream quietly hidden and never mentioned it publicly again.

All of this was because there were two geniuses in his class who were as dazzling as monsters. Their brilliance was so intense that it made the dreams of many around them seem dim.

Now, having witnessed Naruto's godlike power on the battlefield, the gap was no longer a mere chasm, but an insurmountable chasm. The faint flame of hope deep within Kiba's heart—that "if I work hard, there might still be a chance to surpass him"—was extinguished by reality.

But... what made Kiba feel most conflicted, and even a little disappointed, was that Naruto, who already possessed such powerful, almost invincible strength, had never publicly stated that he wanted to become Hokage.

This guy... possesses such incredible power, hasn't he ever thought about bearing the title of Hokage? This thought swirled in Kiba's mind, carrying a trace of resentment, a trace of confusion, and a trace of expectation for the responsibility that such great power carries, which he himself was not fully aware of.

------

Finally, Naruto arrived at the Hokage Building office. Next, he would have to face the truth about his past.

What should I say? Should I tell them that I already suspected it?

Naruto pondered to himself. Given his astonishing talent and the powerful Nine-Tails sealed within him, how could his parents possibly be ordinary, unknown people?

He could roughly guess what the Third Hokage and Jiraiya were worried and afraid of at that moment.

As the son of the Fourth Hokage, the worst way to reveal this long-hidden truth is for Orochimaru—Konoha's enemy—to roar it out in front of everyone.

Over the years, Naruto has suffered real ostracism and cold shoulders because of the rumors about the "Demon Fox." His true identity, however, is that of the son of a hero who sacrificed himself to protect the village. How could he not feel resentment at such a stark contrast? The truth, concealed for years by his own people, is revealed by his enemy; no matter how you look at it, it seems to conceal some unsettling conspiracy.

No... perhaps the ones who really need an explanation are not myself, but rather the three generations of old men.

Indeed, the Third Hokage must have genuinely feared that Naruto would be disappointed in Konoha after learning the truth. In fact, at that time, the Third Hokage regretted not risking his life to take Orochimaru down with him and prevent it from happening.

However, without the variables and confidence brought by the system... Imagine if young Naruto had been burdened with both the infamy of "Demon Fox" and the title of "Son of Hokage," the one kidnapped by Kumogakure might not have been Hinata Hyuga, but this "special existence" with enormous potential.

"Squeak—"

Naruto pushed open the heavy door to the office.

Inside, the Third Hokage sat behind his desk, while Jiraiya stood beside him. Both men wore unusually solemn expressions, tinged with apprehension and… an overwhelming sense of grief?

This expression was somewhat different from what Naruto had expected.

"Naruto..." The Third Hokage spoke slowly, his voice low and deep, with a hint of caution that shouldn't belong to a Hokage.

Naruto was puzzled and waited silently for what would happen next.

The third generation's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, a complex expression on his face. Finally, he spoke in a tone that was both sighing and knowing.

"It seems... Kushina has already told you everything."

"...?"

Naruto was momentarily stunned by those words. But in the next instant, the cause and effect connected in his mind! His fist clenched involuntarily.

If the caster of the Impure World Reincarnation doesn't actively dispel the spell, and Orochimaru is currently only sealed away and not truly dead...

So, Kushina Uzumaki is still imprisoned in that body made of dust, unable to find true peace, and still exists in this world!