Outside.
"Ninshu, the Sage of Six Paths…"
On his bed, Naruto lay with his hands clasped behind his head, staring up at the ceiling, which appeared old from having not been repainted for too long. From what Kurama had just said, the Sage of Six Paths was a real historical figure. Perhaps because he himself was such an astonishing existence, his acceptance of such mythological figures was remarkably swift. Although Kurama had already stated that the Sage of Six Paths had passed away, Naruto still felt that things weren't quite that simple. Even the world of the undying had methods of resurrection; he refused to believe this world didn't.
"Kurama, what kind of person was the Sage of Six Paths?" Naruto suddenly asked.
"…An irritating old man."
"Is that so." Naruto glanced at the bright moon outside his window and didn't press further. In the myths and legends of this world, the moon itself was said to have been created by the Sage of Six Paths…
The next day.
After many days, the scorching summer finally welcomed another rainfall. But people weren't joyful about the temporary retreat of the sweltering heat; a trace of sorrow hung on everyone's face. Although Sunagakure and Otogakure's Konoha Crush Plan had failed, it had still dealt a heavy blow to Konoha. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had even perished in the line of duty during his battle with the rogue ninja Orochimaru.
Before the Konoha Memorial Stone.
Countless villagers had spontaneously gathered here, offering a white flower bud for each of the fallen heroes. Sobs and whimpers; as the ceremony proceeded, people's emotions, far from being alleviated, grew even heavier.
Naruto, wearing newly bought black mourning clothes, stood amongst the crowd, gazing at the Memorial Stone before him. Soon, the ceremony reached its final stage. Naruto followed the crowd, offering a white flower for the deceased to show his remembrance.
[Journey well…]
Towards the Third Hokage, his guardian in name, he didn't harbor much hatred, nor did he have excessive affection. But after all, the man had taken care of him for many years; it was only right that he offer a flower. This memorial service was not only for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also for the numerous ninjas who had sacrificed their lives in the recent war against Sunagakure and Otogakure.
After the ceremony ended, everything returned to its usual course. Life had to go on.
Due to Konoha's reconstruction efforts diverting a significant number of ninjas, the backlog of missions naturally fell entirely upon the shoulders of the available ninjas.
"…Fledglings must also spread their wings and fly. Good luck to you both," Naruto said with a smile to Kaminarimon Etsureki and Izuno Akigiku. Etsureki and Akigiku nodded; they had been assigned to undertake missions under a veteran chunin. With the current manpower shortage, jonin were all assigned to other tasks, so it was naturally impossible for them to continue guiding these rookies. But ultimately, they were still in their novice period, and the village clearly wasn't entirely at ease, so some more experienced chunin were assigned to act as team captains. This both alleviated the manpower shortage and allowed for more efficient handling of the accumulated mission load.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Naruto. Because he had been 'grounded.'
With the position of Hokage temporarily vacant, the two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, had temporarily taken over the Hokage's duties. As veterans who had lived through the First, Second, and Third Great Ninja Wars, they had their own unique views on how to handle jinchuriki. In their opinion, treating jinchuriki like Sunagakure did—looking down on them as inhuman usually, and then using them as disposable items when needed—was the most correct approach. Hiruzen Sarutobi's way, wantonly allowing a jinchuriki to enter and leave the ninja village, was simply outrageous nonsense!
Thus, quite naturally, Naruto was confined within Konoha village.
Watching the two of them leave, Naruto also headed towards his 'temporary residence.' As he walked, several ANBU operatives in the surrounding corners moved in tandem with him. Glancing at them, Naruto didn't pay them any mind. After so many days, whatever there was to see, or not to see, had already been seen. Regarding the surveillance, he could only say that when a person is disappointed in something to an absolute extreme, they no longer have any superfluous emotions to spare.
Putting himself in their shoes, he could also understand why the two advisors were monitoring him. Konoha had just lost its Third Hokage, other hidden villages were still eyeing them like tigers watching prey; if he, the 'Tsar Bomba,' caused any more trouble, the amusement would be immense. But understanding didn't mean acceptance, especially when he was the one being watched.
Turning a corner, seizing the moment before the ANBU monitoring him could catch up, Naruto quickly created a shadow clone. His real body then swiftly transformed into the appearance of someone else and blended into the crowd.
He planned to leave this vexing place. The world was so vast, where could he not go? Since this place didn't treat him as a human being, he wasn't going to stay any longer. Don't even talk about Konoha having the grace of raising him—bullshit. His father in this world was Konoha's hero, for crying out loud. When one lives, what matters is inner peace and settling scores with satisfaction.
Ah, people… as long as they've died enough times, they can see through many things very clearly.
Previously, he hadn't had the chance. Now, with Kurama backing him, he had a tiny bit of capital for defiance. Based on his observations over the past few days, the ANBU's surveillance of him wasn't exactly watertight. The higher-ups clearly hadn't expected a few ANBU to be able to fully contain him. Coupled with the recent manpower shortage, the ANBU assigned to monitor him weren't particularly formidable. Or perhaps, these fellows had never even considered that this young jinchuriki would have the idea of just throwing down his burden and quitting. After all, born and raised in Konoha, where else could he go after leaving Konoha? Monitoring him was more a matter of form than actual substance.
Following 'him' back to his residence, the several ANBU operatives found their usual fixed observation posts and concealed themselves once more.
Konoha Main Gate.
Despite the recent turmoil, the flow of people coming and going hadn't diminished in the slightest. The reason was simple: Konoha had, not long ago, once again 'defeated' Sunagakure. As for Otogakure, the uninformed gossipers simply dismissed them as Suna's good-for-nothing hangers-on who just shouted encouragement.
Naruto looked up at the towering main gate. This might very well be the last time he passed through it. With this thought, he slowly melded with the flow of people and vanished at the end of the road.
Three days later.
The capital city of the Land of Wind.
Naruto, his style of dress completely changed, observed the local customs and traditions with keen interest. Perhaps due to the differences in terrain and geography, compared to the Land of Fire, the people of the Land of Wind were more forthright and unconstrained. Their cuisine also wasn't as refined as that of the Land of Fire, appearing somewhat more coarse and hearty.
Life isn't just about muddling through the immediate drudgery; there's also poetry and distant horizons. To visit different places, to experience different customs and traditions—that had been a dream of his in his first life, but due to financial constraints, it had remained unfulfilled until his death. In his second life, the world of the undying: the tranquility and remoteness of Senpou Temple, the gloomy eeriness of the Ashina Depths, the novel and magnificent beauty of the Fountainhead Palace… Although his initial visits to these places weren't driven by his own dreams, he had, ultimately, walked those paths and seen those sights. So, he held no regrets regarding this in his second life.
In his third life, the current one, due to his status as a jinchuriki, even if he had opportunities to leave the village, it was always along fixed routes and to fixed locations. The situation now was different.
"I'll take a portion of Four-Joy Meatballs," Naruto said after observing for a moment. When the stall owner called out to him, he ultimately decided to buy a portion to try.
"What do you plan to do next?" In his mental space, Kurama asked.
"Since I'm here, I'll make the best of it." Naruto bit into a meatball. "Now that I'm in the Land of Wind, why not go see Gaara?"
"Kurama, interested in seeing this world together?"
"…Suit yourself."
"Then let's see it together," Naruto said with a gentle smile.