Sasuke later realized there was a perfect way to describe how he had felt that day.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Naruto continuing to live a hard, miserable life.
It was that he was afraid of Naruto suddenly standing on equal ground with him—or worse, pulling ahead.
That fear lingered like a thorn in his chest.
With the graduation exams concluded, the entrance to the Ninja Academy grew lively once more.
Parents crowded the grounds, voices overlapping as they came to collect their children. Laughter, pride, and anticipation filled the air—yet threaded through it all was an undercurrent Naruto knew all too well.
Whispers.
Curses.
Disgusted glances quickly averted.
Naruto had planned to slip away immediately. He had no intention of lingering just to be reminded, once again, that he did not belong among them.
But before he could leave, Lock stopped him.
Don't run, Lock said calmly inside his mind. Endure it.
Naruto hesitated.
Lock's reasoning followed, cold and deliberate.
If you want to truly control the Nine-Tails' power without losing yourself, you need to harden your heart. These voices—this hatred—are part of your reality. Face it.
Naruto clenched his fists.
If enduring this could help him grow stronger… if it could bring him closer to becoming Hokage…
Then he would endure it.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto stepped back into the crowd.
He deliberately moved toward the densest clusters of parents, weaving through them without apology. Wherever he went, voices dropped, faces twisted, and people recoiled as if he carried a disease.
"Why is that thing still here?"
"Keep your child away from him."
"Disgusting…"
Some cursed him openly. Others muttered under their breath, as if saying his name too loudly might invite misfortune.
And then something strange happened.
Naruto didn't retreat.
He followed them.
The more they tried to avoid him, the more persistently he stayed nearby—standing just close enough to hear every word.
A bizarre scene unfolded in front of the Ninja Academy.
A crowd of adults, glaring and cursing, found themselves repeatedly sidestepping a grinning blond boy who refused to leave.
From within Naruto's consciousness, Lock watched with quiet satisfaction.
The emotional backlash rolled in waves.
[blackening value +600]
[Current blackening value: 2200]
Good, Lock thought. You're learning.
By the time Naruto finally left the Academy grounds, it was already noon.
Following Lock's instructions, he first returned home to retrieve the manuscript they had prepared the night before.
After stuffing it securely into his jacket, Naruto counted the money in his wallet—then headed straight for Ichiraku Ramen.
The familiar scent of broth and noodles greeted him before he even stepped inside.
"Yo, Naruto! Good afternoon!"
Teuchi stood behind the counter, ladle in hand, smiling as warmly as ever.
"Here for ramen?"
The tension Naruto had been carrying all morning melted instantly.
"Yes!" Naruto grinned. "I want Uncle Teuchi's deluxe signature ramen!"
From behind the counter, Ayame blinked in surprise.
"The deluxe one? That's not cheap. Did you suddenly get rich?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, unable to hide his pride.
"I got first place in the graduation exam today! I'm officially a ninja now!"
For a moment, both Teuchi and Ayame stared at him.
Then their faces broke into genuine smiles.
"Congratulations!" Teuchi laughed. "After all this time, you finally made it."
"This bowl is on me," he added immediately. "A graduation gift."
Naruto ignored the subtle reminder of how long it had taken him to graduate and nodded enthusiastically.
"Thank you! But can you replace all the toppings with narutomaki?"
Teuchi laughed as he turned back to the stove.
Inside Naruto's mind, Lock spoke again.
Don't forget why you came. Ask Ayame for help.
Naruto stiffened.
He glanced toward Ayame, suddenly feeling heat rush to his face.
Showing her the manuscript was… embarrassing. Very embarrassing.
Ayame noticed his stare and tilted her head.
"Is something wrong?"
As she spoke, she set the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.
The smell nearly broke Naruto's resolve.
But if he wanted a steady source of income—if he wanted independence—this had to be done.
He swallowed and pulled out the manuscript, holding it out with both hands.
"Um… I wrote a novel. I was hoping you could help me submit it."
"A novel?" Ayame repeated, surprised.
She took the stack of papers.
Teuchi leaned over curiously. "What's the title?"
Ayame read it aloud, amusement flickering across her face.
"Young A-Naruto?"
She smiled teasingly. "Is this based on yourself?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Naruto waved his hands frantically. "It's just a coincidence!"
Then, remembering the contents, his expression turned pleading.
"Please don't read it right now…"
Teuchi chuckled. "Alright, alright. Eat your ramen before it gets soggy."
Ayame, however, said nothing. She turned and slipped into the back kitchen with the manuscript.
Naruto's heart sank.
He shoveled ramen into his mouth with desperate intensity.
"Slow down!" Teuchi warned. "You'll choke at this rate."
Ten minutes later, the bowl was completely empty.
Ayame returned from the kitchen, her face noticeably flushed.
Teuchi, oblivious, asked casually, "So? Is it good enough to interest a publisher?"
Ayame hesitated, then nodded.
"It's… good. Really good."
She stole a glance at Naruto, her voice quieter.
"I just didn't expect him to write something like this."
Naruto nearly disappeared under the counter.
Teuchi blinked. "I don't see the connection."
Naruto cut in immediately.
"Let's go! If it passes, I need to write more chapters this afternoon!"
Ayame laughed softly and untied her apron.
"Alright. I'll take you."
Before leaving, she added, "Let me read new chapters first, okay? I'll help check them."
Naruto nodded vigorously.
The publishing office wasn't far.
Naruto waited outside while Ayame went in.
It didn't take long.
She emerged with a man wearing a wide, eager smile.
"This is the author," Ayame said simply. "The boy everyone calls a monster."
The man waved dismissively. "Nonsense. I'd never say such a thing."
He bowed deeply to Naruto.
"I'm Hiroyuki. I'll be your editor. Your manuscript passed."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"It passed?"
"Absolutely," Hiroyuki said smoothly. "We'll promote it heavily. It has real potential."
Naruto felt dizzy.
Inside his mind, Lock observed the system update.
[Main Personality Trust and Dependency: 40%]
Good, Lock thought.
This is only the beginning.
---
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