章 2: Library
Naruto didn't have a lot of things. He didn't have a smart mind. He didn't have parents to teach him things. He didn't even have the people to help him.
But, one thing that he had was a hundred times better than things other people had.
It was his determination.
A determination to grow stronger. A determination to make a change in his life and a determination to become a Ninja.
His determination didn't help him become smart. But, what it could do was to help him find new ways to get smarter.
And, that's exactly what happened at this moment.
Without any tutors or parents to explain the sentences and the logic behind them, he began to memorize them.
He began to read every single word and memorize them in his five-year-old brain.
It certainly wasn't easy. He had to literally read one word a dozen times to memorize it. But, it did help him.
Because the things that were memorized at first would come back to help him in future chapters or contexts.
He didn't even notice that it was already getting nighttime. Until his stomach finally made a sound, he stopped reading and made some instant ramen.
During this time, he also began to think about everything he read. It wasn't a lot. It was just words and the alphabet, how to use them, and where to use them.
It wasn't a lot but it was fun.
Next Morning,
Naruto woke up quite late considering he slept quite late due to reading those books.
After waking up, he made his breakfast which was instant ramen. He wanted to eat something else but people would throw him out of their store and didn't allow him to buy anything.
So, he had no choice but to eat instant ramen.
After having his breakfast, he began to read more. He was so engrossed that he only heard the door knock after the third attempt.
Clack!
He opened the door and looked outside to see the old man. He was in his Hokage attire and still had the smoking pipe in his mouth.
"Hello, Naruto! Can I come in?"
He smiled and asked.
"Please, come inside Old Man!"
Although he didn't seem to have any respect in his words, the word 'Please' at the front raised his eyebrows.
He didn't expect Naruto to learn to speak with polite words, even if he wasn't using a polite tone.
Then, he saw a lot of books, scattered on the ground.
"Sorry, Old Man! I was reading."
"Don't worry, Naruto! In fact, I came to help you with your reading." Hiruzen chuckled as he spoke.
"What? Are you going to help me read?" Naruto excitedly asked.
Hiruzen shook his head and said.
"I am the Hokage, Naruto. I have a very busy schedule. But, I have found a way to help him learn more."
Naruto was sad at first but he quickly came out of his sadness and asked.
"How?"
Hiruzen took out a card from his pocket. It had Naruto's face and name on it with some other details.
"This is a library card. Come with me and I will show you the Library. You can go there and read about many things. And, some of them even include the experience notes written by popular and powerful people."
"I heard you want to become an Awesome Ninja. If you want to become a powerful and respectful ninja, you must work hard and learn a lot during your time in Ninja Academy."
"But things taught there might get too complicated for you so if you start from the library, it will definitely help."
Naruto's nose was red. He almost wanted to cry but he didn't. He simply hugged Hiruzen and buried his head on his stomach.
"Thank you, Old Man!"
Hiruzen smiled and patted his head, ruffling his hair for a bit.
"No problem! Now, shall we go?"
Naruto excitedly nodded his head and two of them left his apartment. As they moved through the streets of Konoha, people were looking at Hiruzen with respectful eyes but giving him the same eyes.
The only difference was that whenever they looked at him, they looked away quickly so that Hiruzen wouldn't notice him.
He didn't think much. He had been given those glares for a long time so he could simply just walk away without thinking much.
As they reached the Library, he noticed the librarian wasn't giving him that kind of glare. He was surprised but didn't raise any questions.
Hiruzen went to the Librarian and said.
"Naruto, if you are coming here daily, you might as well introduce yourself."
Naruto immediately bowed his head and said.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I am going to be the most awesome Ninja, believe it!"
The Librarian chuckled which was quite a different response than he was used to getting from unfamiliar people.
He ruffed Naruto's hair and said.
"Well, my name is Mitoku. I am also new to this job so let's do it well. Do you know the first rule of Library?"
Naruto shook his head and Mitoku continued.
"You must stay silent. No matter what you read or find, you must remain silent."
Naruto nodded his head. He took out a paper that had the names of the book written on it and asked.
"Can I find books that can help me understand these books?"
"Well, I am new here so I am not sure if I can find it right now. I will look for them."
"Thank you so much, Mitoku-san!"
Naruto bowed once again and thanked him.
"Naruto, I know a few books that I would like you to read. How about you read them while you stay in the library?"
Hiruzen spoke. He no longer held the smoking pipe in his hand since they were literally inside the Library.
"Of course, Old Man! I will read any books you give me." Naruto immediately shouted but then noticed Mitoku's expression and his voice soon lowered, along with his head.
"Sorry!"
Hiruzen chuckled and walked toward a certain bookshelf. There was a massive tag written on top of it.
[History]
He looked through the shelves and eventually took out four books. He passed those books to Naruto and said.
"It might take you a while but I hope you will read them well. These books are the biography of Four Ninjas who have become the Hokage."
Naruto's eyes widened and he quickly took those books. The title of the book was written on the cover page.
[Senju Hashirama Biography]
[Senju Tobirama Biography]
[Sarutobi Hiruzen Biography]
[Namikaze Minato Biography]
He held these books with so much respect as if they were gifts given by gods. He even forgot about Hiruzen who was standing next to him and ran toward the table.
Hiruzen saw his excitement and chuckled. He shook his head and walked toward Mitoku. As he reached there, he became silent for a moment.
The atmosphere was getting depressing for Mitoku but Hiruzen eventually spoke.
"Young Naruto doesn't have a lot of people who like him or want to talk to him. I know you don't harbor any hatred against him nor do you have any love for him."
"And, that's exactly why I chose you to become the Librarian. This will be your mission until he graduates and you are allowed to do your research in the Library as well."
"Just make sure nothing goes wrong with him."
Mitoku released a deep breath and bowed his head.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen then suddenly disappeared.
Mitoku turned his head and saw Naruto far away on the table, reading the book, forgetting everything around him.
He looked so engrossed with those books that it brought a smile to his face.
"Yeah! He is not Kyubi. He is just a young boy."
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