Chapter 12 - Growth(1)

[May I ask you a question?]

Naruto: "Ask away." said Naruto. Naruto was more relaxed as talked to Cain.

[After you do leave the village, what are you going to do?]

Naruto: "Uh...What do you mean?"

[Well you will need shelter and a source of income for your human needs. Not to mention, if a kid like you goes out to the world, who knows what might happen to you. Some might have bad intentions for you and others might not care. Also, people are not stupid.]

[...]

[I retract that statement. Anyway, your father has enemies. Enemies that can kill you faster than you can say my name. What will you do then?]

Naruto: "..."

[Even if you train madly, the technique is only technique. Without the raw power behind it, your technique is only a paper tiger. Not to mention, You have zero experience in fighting others. You fought yourself but you know yourself. Do you know others? Have you fought enemies that are out for your blood?]

Naruto: "..."

[You are also a child. You should be enjoying your childhood a little more. There are people here that are good and innocent that you can get along with. I'm not telling to make bonds which can be used against you. I'm merely telling you to have more experiences. Learn and fail. That is how humans grow.]

Naruto: "..."

[Training will help. If there is one thing that will never betray you, it's training. But you also need to mȧturė as a human being.]

Naruto: "..."

[That is all I have to say. You can listen to me or not. Up to you.]

Naruto: "..." Naruto blanked out the whole time he was listening. Every word hit home and he knew Cain was right. After Cain was done, Naruto woke up from his stupor and sighed. 'He's right. I still am a child. I need to mȧturė. This village is not worth my time but some people are. People who will fill the gap in my heart but I simply can not trust these people. Most, if not all kids are probably brainwashed by their parents already so what's the use in trying? Not to mention, I really did not have a plan after I leave.' Naruto looked up. 'Looks like I'm staying here for a few years, unfortunately.'

Taking Cain's words to heart, Naruto decided to try. Naruto used ID Escape and saw that it was still morning. He took a deep breath, wore his new clothes and walked out of his apartment. He walked around the Leaf Village. Using Negative Emotion Sensing, he was checking people as he passed by them. Every single one of them had some kind of malicious sentiment towards him except a few. Those few were babies!

Naruto: 'Will this be my third bet within the past few days? I think it will.' he mentally chuckled. 'I bet that if I saved this village somehow, they will either praise me and try to be nice to me to make sure I feel welcomed in this village or they will give credit to someone else. Probably to the poor last Uchiha.'

He continuously walked around until he paused. He paused at two boys that were walking towards him. One was a skinny young man with black pineapple hair while the other was on the big side and had swirls on his face? Naruto blinked. He rubbed his eyes to observe the bigger one and he was right. There were swirls on his face! Naruto was a bit confused as to how parents can pass that on but his curiosity towards them overpowered that thought.

Sure they had negative emotions but it wasn't strong and wasn't directed at him. In fact, Naruto thought that this should be the normal state of anyone. He watched them go until they disappeared and his raging mind calmed down.

Naruto: 'Looks like Cain was right.' Naruto chased after them, having a childlike smile on his face. When he saw their backs, he touched their shoulders to stop them. They both turned around to see who was grabbing their shoulders, only to see a whisker having blond boy.

?: "Can we help you?" This statement already caused turmoil in Naruto's mind.

Naruto: "Actually yes." Naruto smiled at them. "I was looking to make a couple of friends to hang out with but there are no quality people to do it with."

?: "Oh? Why is that so?"

Naruto: "I honestly don't know."

[Lying Level 1, Exp-22%] If Naruto wasn't used to Cain, he would've flinched but being used to it, he talked to them casually as if he didn't see it.

Naruto: 'Close notifications.' "Good people are hard to find after all."

?(2): "Well, we had nothing to do today. Honestly, we were going to the park and lay on the grass. Wanna join?"

Naruto: "I'm okay with that. The name's Naruto by the way." he said as walked with them."

?: "I'm Shikamaru." It was one of the laziest sounding answers Naruto has ever heard.

?(2): My name's Choji. Want some?" said Choji as he offered snacks to Naruto.

Naruto: "Sure Choji. Thanks." He bit the chip and his eyes sparkled. "Wow. These are some of the best chips I have ever had. Where did you get them?"

Choji: "Oh they're from my clan. See, the Akimichis specializes in food so it's only more natural that we have the best foods."

Naruto: "I see. That makes more sense then. And do you have a clan Mr. Lethargic?" Shikamaru raises his eyebrow.

Shikamaru: "Yeah. I'm from the Nara clan."

Naruto: "..."

Choji: "..."

Shikamaru: "...what?"

Naruto: "Well Choji told me that they are good with food but you did not tell me what your clan does."

Shikamaru: "Oh that. Uh. We have the Shadow Possession Jutsus and we are also known to be the most intelligent clan."

Naruto: "Oh? Is that so?" 'Clans have clan heads. If the clan is smart, surely the clan head is reasonable. It would be nice to smart allies. Although I'm still bitter about the fact that a smart shinobi clan does not know the difference between the Nine-Tails and its Jailer. Maybe there is more to it.' he thought. "Can I visit sometimes?"

Shikamaru: "Sure. Do whatever."

Naruto: "You too Choji. May I also visit? I'm a big fan of good food."

Choji: "Yeah of course! If you do join, we'll have out traditional Akimichi eat out in three days. You can join us at that time."

Naruto: "Awesome. Thank you."

Choji: "Haha no problem." And they all walked to the park. Of course, none of them actually played and simply laid down under a tree. Naruto was suspicious about how laying down under a tree can provide comfort but the moment he tried it, he felt ashamed of his own mouth. It was so good. He has never felt this sense of peace in his life before and this new feeling was a bit addicting.

Naruto: "I could do this forever."

Shikamaru: "Yeah... Hey Naruto."

Naruto: "Hm?"

Shikamaru: "I think you just became our third best friend."

Naruto: "Really? That fast?"

Choji: "Well yeah. You like food and lazing around. Not to mention, you're not judgemental nor are you mean. In fact, you were very sincere with us the entire time."

Naruto only smiled to that.

Naruto: "Thank you for being my friends."

Shikamaru: "Just don't get sentimental here."

Naruto: "Oh shut it. Let me have this." To this statement, Shikimaru only smirked and closed his eyes. Choji did the same. They spent their entire afternoon napping on the warm grass. They did not even notice a person with multiple scars arrived and watched them.

?: "Well isn't this a peculiar view. My son, his best friend, and the village pariah. All together. Napping under a single tree. Who would've thought." He smiled before disappearing once more.