[From now on, I will not mention Xuan Tian in many places. Right now, Naruto is Xuan Tian. If I maintain both words, it will be rather confusing, so you need to understand that Naruto is no more. Only the one who is presented right now is the demonic cultivator. ]
.....
Three days had passed since Naruto was admitted to the hospital.
Everything in the village continued as normal.
The academy classes were running as usual.
Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, Sakura, Kiba, and many more attended like always.
Naruto was not someone with many close friends.
The only one who was somewhat close was Shikamaru.
But even he was too lazy to bother about what happened to Naruto.
As for others… Naruto was never someone they were attached to.
Compared to Sasuke, he was almost invisible in their daily thoughts. Sakura and Ino always thought of Naruto as a piece of shit who always creeps them out when they try to flirt with Sauske.
No one truly felt his absence.
No one waited for him.
No one missed him. Well, they find it peaceful without Naruto's foolish acts.
..........
Naruto slowly opened his eyes in the hospital after three days.
The light of the room hit his face.
His fingers moved slightly.
He was awake.
A medic ninja quickly noticed it and informed the Hokage.
Hokage immediately sent a message through Anbu to summon Inoichi.
Soon after, Inoichi arrived at the Hokage's office.
He bowed slightly and asked,
"Why did you summon me, Lord Hokage?"
Hokage replied in a calm and low voice,
"You need to examine Naruto's memories… regarding his leakage of Nine-Tails chakra."
Inoichi agreed to what the Hokage said.
Both of them went to the hospital.
Naruto was now conscious, sitting on the bed.
Hokage stepped forward gently.
"Naruto, how do you feel?"
Naruto looked at Hokage… then at Inoichi.
He raised his hand and touched his head slightly, as if trying to recall something broken inside him.
"Oldman Hokage !"
"I don't remember anything."
His voice was slow.
Confused.
"I remember something… but most of it is gone."
He paused.
"It feels… fuzzy. I think I've lost many memories."
Hokage and Inoichi exchanged a quick look.
Hokage spoke again.
"Naruto… for your safety and the safety of the village, we need to check your memories. About what happened there in the forest and when you first met with Mizuki."
"It will only take a moment."
Naruto nodded.
"Do what you need to, Hokage."
Hokage then glanced at Inoichi to proceed.
Inoichi placed his hand on Naruto's head.
His chakra slowly entered Naruto's mind.
Inside Naruto's memories…
Everything was unclear.
The moment of the fight with Mizuki appeared… but it was broken.
Dark gaps covered large parts.
Even the important parts were blurry.
Inoichi frowned slightly.
He searched deeper.
Naruto's earlier memories appeared next.
But even those were incomplete.
Some parts were missing.
Some were blank.
After a long moment, Inoichi pulled his hand back.
He looked at Hokage.
"Lord Hokage… he is telling the truth."
"His memories are fragmented."
"He has lost a large portion of them."
"I cannot say if it is temporary or permanent."
"But he has definitely forgotten many things."
Hokage nodded slowly.
Then he asked,
"And the Nine-Tails?"
Inoichi took a small breath.
"It is still sealed inside him."
"The boy is still Naruto."
"But his behavior seems slightly different than before."
Hokage looked at Naruto carefully.
There was something different. That's the old man's (experienced person's) instinct.
The usual Naruto was loud, restless, childish.
But this Naruto… was calm.
Too calm.
Suspicion formed for a moment in Hokage's eyes.
But Inoichi's confirmation eased it slightly.
"Very well."
Hokage said softly.
"Naruto, take a few days of rest."
"Once you recover, you will return to the Academy."
Naruto nodded.
After a few hours, Naruto was discharged from the hospital.
He walked through the village alone.
Slow steps.
Observing everything with his own eyes.
People looked at him.
Some with fear.
Some with disgust.
Some with indifference.
"Monster…"
"Useless…"
"Trouble…"
Whispers followed him.
Naruto did not react strongly.
He simply observed.
Strangely… this kind of attention was not new to him.
In a different life… he had lived under similar gazes.
Only difference was...
There, he had power.
Here… he was nothing.
He needed people.
At least a few.
Two or three voices to interact with.
Otherwise, this world felt too silent. And he need to gather info about this world.
Whenever he tried speaking to shopkeepers…
"Naruto, get out."
"Don't stand here."
"Leave."
No conversation followed.
Only rejection.
To be frank, Xuan Tian had lived in a similar atmosphere before, but he had a prestigious position, women, servants, subordinates, but now not a prestigious position, is a commoner, nobody, and has neither women, nor subordinates. This is his reality right now in the Naruto world.
Soon the night came.
The streets were covered with warm streetlights.
The village looked calmer at night.
Naruto kept walking.
No destination.
Just movement.
Just observation.
Finally, he reached a small stand.
Ichiraku Ramen.
A simple place.
But popular in the village.
Many strong ninjas came here often.
Naruto's stomach growled.
He had not eaten properly for days as he is in hospital.
Behind the counter, Teuchi looked at him.
Unlike others… his eyes were calm.
Warm.
No fear.
No disgust.
Just normal.
"Naruto, how have you been for three days? Do you want ramen? You look like you are hungry."
Naruto checked his pockets.
Empty.
No money.
Teuchi noticed it immediately.
And said,
"You can eat now. You can pay me later when you have money."
Naruto sat down.
Quietly.
Teuchi started preparing ramen.
The sound of boiling broth filled the air.
From inside, Ayame came out.
She looked at Naruto.
"Hey Naruto. You are back."
She paused slightly.
"It's good to see you again. How have you been?"
Naruto looked at her.
"A lot of things have happened… but your ramen is helping me to calm down."
Ayame chuckled lightly.
"You are always welcome here."
Naruto finished three bowls of ramen.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Then he stood up. Looking at Teuchi,
"Thank you for the ramen. I will pay this when I got the money."
After saying that, he walked out of the stand.
The night air touched his face.
As he walked home, naruto thought, atleast Iruka and these are looking at him a little warmly.
................
This is just the beginning.
He needed to understand more of this world.
Gather more trusted companions…lovers… allies.
And finally…
Build something of his own.
A cult.
A world under his influence.
The Hidden Leaf villagers did not know what was coming.
Very soon…
From Demon Naruto.
(...to be continued.)