"Furthermore, the Uchiha currently have two great geniuses, and they will definitely be as strong as the 4th Hokage in the future. Their names are Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha; both are very young, Naruto, not much older than you. Shisui is currently 13 years old, but he is stronger than many ninjas. He fought actively in the 3rd War and earned the title of 'Shunshin no Shisui' (Shisui of the Body Flicker). After the 4th and 2nd Hokage and the Raikages, he is the fastest ninja, yet he is only 13. I mean, when he reaches 20, he might be like the 4th Hokage, perhaps even surpass him. And then there's Itachi. He is the future of the Uchiha, Fugaku-sama's heir and eldest son. He graduated from the academy at the age of 6, he is currently a chunin, and he is 8 years old. He will be someone very successful in the future; maybe one of the two could be the next Hokage..."
The ANBU were on the verge of a heart attack; they looked as if they wanted to jump down there and stop this. They looked at each other, silently asking, 'What the hell do we do!' They had strict orders from the Hokage: they were not to interfere with Naruto unless necessary, meaning unless there was a kidnapping or a death threat, they didn't have to do anything.
Naruto was genuinely surprised and amazed this time. Just as he was about to say, 'I want to be like that too,' Altay spoke to him.
"Naruto, absolutely do not take those two as role models! Their way of thinking is very dangerous!"
Naruto was bewildered.
'Nii-san? What do you mean, I don't understand? Aren't they amazing?'
Altay sighed.
"Yes and no... Naruto, those two are indeed geniuses and their potential is very high, but their way of thinking is wrong."
Naruto asked curiously.
'Why? I don't understand.'
Altay sighed. He was asking a heavy question for a 3-year-old child.
"Kid, what would you do if you saw someone doing something wrong? Just like the little girl you saw being bullied by those 3 brats today."
Naruto spoke with determination.
'I would stop them!'
Altay chuckled.
"Exactly! That is our rule: not to stay silent in the face of injustice. Then let me explain it to you better. Let's say you became a ninja of the village, the village made a mistake, and Teuchi wanted to point out that mistake and fix it, or rebel because of that mistake. What would you do?"
Naruto spoke with determination, he didn't even hesitate.
'I would help Uncle Teuchi and talk to Grandpa Third!'
Altay nodded.
"Very good! Now for my hardest question. The village doesn't want the mistake to come out, and the 3rd Hokage gives you an order: Kill Teuchi. What would you do, Naruto?"
Naruto was shocked, he was dumbfounded, his brain short-circuited. He spoke tremblingly.
'N-N-N-No! Grandpa wouldn't give such an order!'
Altay sighed.
"He would, Naruto. That's how ninjas are... Besides, this is a hypothetical, an imaginary scenario, so relax, just answer."
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief; yes, this was an imaginary question, not real. Naruto thought carefully.
'I would convince both sides!'
Altay asked.
"What if they don't want to be convinced? There is only one choice, Naruto. Choose."
As Naruto thought carefully, Teuchi drank water to soothe his throat; he had spoken a lot. He looked at the thoughtfully silent Naruto with curiosity and chuckled. A 3-year-old child thinking so seriously seemed funny to him, but he didn't speak, waiting patiently. He assumed Naruto was digesting the information. Meanwhile, the ANBU were both tense and relieved because Teuchi had gone silent, but Naruto thinking so seriously made them anxious. Naruto, on the other hand, gave his answer to Altay in his inner world.
'If the village is truly wrong, I will support Uncle Teuchi! I will protect him!'
Altay smiled warmly.
"A very correct answer, kid! I'm proud of you! Always stand tall against wrong and defend the right. But Itachi and Shisui aren't like that... They would do the exact opposite of what you would do."
Naruto turned pale white and froze; it was as if his blood had drained, he was shocked. He asked tremblingly.
'S-S-So, would they kill Uncle Teuchi? I won't allow that!'
Altay spoke with a sigh.
"No, Naruto..."
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief, but when Altay spoke again, he froze.
"They would even kill their own mother and father..."
Naruto froze, doubting life itself in the face of this sudden sentence. Outside, Teuchi was bewildered; Naruto's color had gone pale.
"Naruto! Are you okay, kid? Wait, let me get you some water!"
Teuchi went to the back to get some cold water. The ANBU grew worried as well; Naruto did not look normal. Thinking about the kids' fight earlier today, they became anxious.
'Did he really sustain serious damage?'
Altay spoke to Naruto seriously.
"Pull yourself together, kid, we are only talking here; discussing an event that hasn't happened. Relax."
Naruto asked with a bewildered fear.
'Nii-san... when you say they would kill their families...'
Altay took a deep breath.
"Yes, I am serious. If the village—even if it is wrong, even if it is unjust—says 'kill your family,' those two might hesitate, but they would do it without questioning... This is a complex matter, Naruto. Let it go. You just focus on the task at hand. But don't think too much about Itachi and Shisui, and don't take them as role models... I will explain it to you later when the time comes... don't forget what you are here for."
Hearing this, Naruto took a deep breath. Although he was curious about this situation, he chose to trust Altay... but his mind still couldn't comprehend it. Killing their own family? While a family was Naruto's greatest wish, could others destroy their own? Naruto shook his head and focused.
'Alright! I'm focused!'
Meanwhile, Teuchi quickly returned and gave the water to Naruto.
"Are you okay, Naruto?"
Ayame also came running in surprise.
"Did something happen to Naruto?"
If you'd like to read the ten chapters in advance, you can find them at p@@tre@@n. The link is in my profile.