The Mountain

In the real world, Naruto found himself still at his house. As he regained his senses, he realized he was holding a bowl of porridge, and in front of him lay some leftover food from last night. This was his last bit of food. After finishing today's breakfast, he would have to figure out how to make his resources last until the next month.

However, Naruto's thoughts were no longer on food. He stood up and walked to the bathroom. Gazing into the mirror above the washbasin, he saw a three-year-old child with a shaved head resembling a little monk. He was dressed in black sportswear, and there were a few faint beard-like lines on both sides of his cheeks. This was definitely not how he usually looked.

"Was that just an illusion?" Naruto furrowed his brow in confusion. What had happened to his Six Paths power? 

As he harbored doubts, two sharp, long horns sprouted from Naruto's head, resembling devilish horns. Simultaneously, his eyes grew intense, and his azure blue eyes were instantly covered with black lines. Nine black Rinnegan-like patterns appeared on them.

Even his body was rapidly enveloped by a white robe, formed from the essence of Chakra. Naruto's hair underwent a transformation as well. Though its length remained the same, the color changed from yellow to white, matching the color of his attire.

This transformation was the manifestation of the power of Six Paths. It wasn't an illusion; he had indeed acquired these powers from the Sage of Six Paths. A spark of excitement ignited in Naruto's eyes as he clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power. While he usually possessed the physical capabilities of an eighteen-year-old, now he could compete with ninja on their level, disregarding age.

"Other than my lack of real combat experience, I shouldn't fear even Jōnin, right?"

Naruto squinted his eyes, not out of arrogance but out of recognition of the sheer strength the power of Six Paths granted him.

The Mangekyō Sharingan, the Rinnegan – each of these abilities alone could elevate him to the Jōnin level, and he had all of them.

The only drawback was his age. What if he were thirteen instead of three? Then he might truly leave Konoha Village behind. But that wasn't an option. Shaking his head, Naruto realized it wasn't time to reveal this newfound strength. 

"As I grow older and continue to train, my power will only increase."

It was akin to building a structure – the stronger the foundation, the higher and more formidable the structure. To put it simply, as he continued to train and improve his physical fitness, the power he could harness in the Six Paths state would also grow.

Currently, the power of Six Paths was merely a state he entered, far from being an expression of his true strength. So Naruto exited this state, knowing it wasn't the right time yet.

"And as I grow older and strengthen my body, the power I can unleash in this state will become even greater."

Having made up his mind, Naruto finished his breakfast quickly, then stood up and left the house. He had no money left. Not for buying supplies, but for heading out of the village.

He didn't intend to leave Konoha Village, at least not yet. Instead, he headed to the outskirts of the village. He didn't make a beeline for the village gate; instead, he ventured into the forest in the back mountain.

He had made a decision. He would not only train in the back mountain but also find food there. After all, he couldn't starve to death at home, could he?

However, as Naruto entered the back mountain, a figure nearby suddenly flickered and departed from the village. Naruto appeared not to notice, but in truth, he was aware of it.

Naruto had honed his sensory abilities to the point where he could detect when he was being watched, even by the secretive Anbu operatives within the village. Three of them had been tasked with monitoring him, but one had departed, leaving two to shadow him discreetly.

His three years of training in perception had rendered even Anbu operatives unable to escape his awareness. This heightened perception was a testament to the power of Ashura's Chakra. Naruto mused that if Kurama was willing to cooperate, he could potentially sense others on an emotional level—detecting their intentions and emotions. All it would take is for Kurama to lend him this power, but that was a challenge for another day.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage building in Konoha Village, the Anbu operative who had been watching Naruto and later left had returned. Kneeling before the Hokage, he reported, "Our target, Naruto, abruptly left the village and ventured into the forest in the back mountain. Should we intervene?"

The Hokage, seated behind his desk with a pipe in his mouth, was engrossed in his paperwork. He looked up in surprise at the news.

"He's going to the back mountain instead of the park to play with other children? Could it be that the rumors in the village have become too overwhelming? I've heard that many parents are cautioning their children not to associate with the 'Demon Fox,' so he may have decided to explore the back mountain alone."

The Anbu operative hesitated but offered his insights, "It doesn't seem to be the case, Hokage. Naruto has rarely left his home since moving out. While he has encountered some people who are unaware of the truth and have spoken ill of him, he has never shown an interest in going to the park to socialize with other children. Therefore, I believe there may be other reasons for his current actions."

The Hokage's interest was piqued, and he inquired further, "Oh? Then continue to monitor him closely. Ensure his safety and prevent any missteps. Once I finish my work today, I will find the time to personally meet with him."

"Understood."

With the Hokage's orders, the Anbu operative disappeared in a flash, leaving the Hokage deep in thought as he continued to puff on his pipe.

Meanwhile, Naruto remained unaware of the impending visit from the Hokage as he ventured deeper into the back mountain. He had already sensed the presence of those monitoring him but paid them no mind. His purpose in the mountains was twofold: to train and to secure sustenance.

He soon stumbled upon a small stream, providing a source of fresh water. Nearby, there was a sizeable open area, although it was rocky rather than sandy. Nonetheless, it was an ideal spot. Here, he could quench his thirst from the stream, try his hand at fishing when hunger struck, cook the catch over an open flame, and even take a much-needed rest when fatigue set in. It was a perfect setup for his needs, and he couldn't have been more satisfied with his discovery.

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