Shen Mo's holographic display this time was more advanced than what he'd shown Tsunade.
It was 3D.
The scene opened to a blazing sea of fire, flames spitting like demons, radiating despair. Screams of terror echoed.
As the view zoomed out…
Naruto's eyes widened. He saw a panicked mother clutching a wailing child, a man screaming as a collapsing house buried him.
Just a few frames, and the scene's despair seeped out.
A disaster.
Then…
A fierce whirlwind blasted through, scattering swathes of flame.
A towering, muscled man dropped from the sky.
Golden hair, two upward-swept bangs, and a confident smile that burned into memory.
"It's All Might!"
"All Might's here!"
"We're saved!"
"You're finally here, All Might!"
The moment this man appeared…
The air of despair flipped.
Men, ignoring the roaring flames, cheered with tearful excitement. Women collapsed, as if spent, yet felt saved despite the inferno.
Even children stopped crying.
Big eyes looked at the blond man, curious.
Naruto's breathing quickened.
It was their reactions.
Even he could tell—this man was hope in despair. Just arriving, just standing there, doing nothing yet, he sparked cheers, easing those in peril completely.
What kind of trust was this!
Naruto's fists clenched, staring unblinking, his heart stirring with the scene.
Then—
The most rousing moment hit.
The man's voice, fist raised, rang out.
"Everything's fine now! Why? Because I'm here!"
Cheers drowned the fire's roar. This man, All Might, became a whirlwind. His goofy red-white-blue suit blurred into the disaster's most beautiful sight.
Terrifying speed, precise action.
Fist gusts alone doused flames, shattered debris.
One by one, people were saved.
He lived up to his words—no one hurt from the moment he arrived, his confident smile unwavering.
"All Might," Shen Mo said, voice tinged with sentiment. "He's not the strongest hero I've seen, but the most trusted, the most recognized. Naruto, see his smile? In that world, it's the mark of protection. His presence alone, no matter the enemy or disaster, makes people believe in him completely."
Heroes existed in many worlds.
But Shen Mo chose All Might for Naruto first.
He knew…
Naruto craved recognition. Even his Hokage dream stemmed from it. For now, his thirst for trust and acknowledgment outshone his will to protect.
All Might's charisma was sure to strike deep.
And it did.
Naruto stared at the screen, at that reassuring giant, unable to hold back. He clenched his fists, cheering loudly.
"This is—just awesome!"
"He's truly a hero," Sarutobi said, taking a slow drag on his pipe, a trace of emotion in his eyes.
He wondered…
As Hokage, did he give his village that same confidence?
No.
It wasn't about power, but will. Respected as he was, he lacked the resolve of "I'm here, so it's fine." He even had to sacrifice some to save the village.
"Naruto," Shen Mo's voice rose again, nostalgic. "I've been to many worlds, seen countless heroes. Some weren't pure-hearted, some faced misunderstanding or hate, but most shared one trait: the will to protect others—and power!"
Shen Mo snapped his fingers.
A second scene appeared.
Another fire, another muscled figure in a tight suit. This one soared from the blaze, hitting a lake with sonic-boom speed. A single breath froze the lake solid.
Then—he lifted the entire frozen lake!
Yes, hoisted it, flying. The size contrast was stark.
Sarutobi's pupils shrank.
What insane strength.
The melting ice doused the fire easily. If All Might's impact was fame, this man's was sheer, unbelievable power.
Shen Mo snapped again.
A third scene.
A meteor plummeted toward a sprawling city, exhausted heroes powerless below.
A bald man shouted, "Don't crash in my city!" and, in a jaw-dropping move, tore through the sky. One punch—
Shattered the massive meteor!
Then, a fourth scene—a man with a shield. A fifth—a knight in darkness…
Some weren't that strong, others impossibly so. The scene fell silent, save for the display's sounds.
Naruto was beyond excited.
These were true heroes!
Stepping up in despair, guarding cities with fists and power. Their resolute gazes, explosive strength, and earned fame—everything ignited Naruto's deepest longing.
So cool!
He was jealous to tears.
"I want it!" Naruto shouted, voice shaking. "I wanna be a hero like them, protect Konoha like them—I have to do it!"
Not just Naruto.
Sarutobi, Tsunade, Kakashi, Sakura, even Sasuke…
After those epic moments, their hearts were stirred.
So…
Other worlds really had this many true heroes.
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