Crackshh!

The resounding crack echoed through the room as the old man's wooden cane struck forcefully against the brat's forehead. The boy tumbled from the bed, his body spinning in response to the blow, before collapsing onto the floor. Clutching his head in agony, he let out a pained groan.

"Son of a bitch! What's happening?!" Naruto snapped, his eyes flaring as he scrambled to his feet. He had been jolted awake by the unexpected attack and now he was determined to identify his assailant. His gaze settled on an elderly man, complete with a white beard and a cane, who was seated upon a nearby bed.

"Old man, what's your problem!" he growled, his voice a mix of irritation and confusion as he struggled to regain his footing. His right arm throbbed with discomfort, a persistent ache that intensified his frustration.

"Don't be a baby; I just woke you up," the old man lazily remarked as he walked through the small room he occupied to attend to his patients.

With unhurried steps, he made his way to a chair, settling into it. From this vantage point, he observed the blonde boy—still brimming with irritation—seated on the bed, arms crossed in defiance.

"What kind of madman wakes up with a blow to the head?" Naruto hissed, his voice tinged with annoyance, as he cast bewildered glances around the unfamiliar surroundings.

"My parents did," replied Tenzo with a mocking smile, his gaze fixed on the boy. He noted Naruto's apparent lack of concern or fear, despite waking up in an unfamiliar place with a stranger. Further intrigued by this observation, he decided to delve into the boy's identity.

"Will you tell me who you are?" Tenzo asked as he was curious to find out who this boy was.

In response, the boy's grin lit up the room as he extended a finger toward himself. "Etch this name into your bald head, old man. I am Uzumaki Naruto! The future Hokage of the Leaf Village! Dattebayo!" With his spirits high, he gestured playfully toward the elderly doctor.

Unfazed by the declaration, Tenzo merely reclaimed his cane and delivered yet another swift blow to the boy's head. The resulting pain prompted Naruto to cradle his forehead once more.

"Cut that out, old man!" Frustrated, he seized the cane and flung it across the room, using it as support for his still throbbing skull.

"Stop calling me with disrespectful terms, you impertinent young brat. My name is Tenzo Hazumo. Now, care to explain why I found you nearly lifeless in a crater bathed in an intense flash of light?" Tenzo asked, already losing patience with this boy who was yelling too much for his liking.

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"No, just another brat with the same stupid face as you," the response caused a visible vein to throb on Naruto's forehead. He exerted effort to rein in his emotions, avoiding lashing out at the cantankerous old man.

With a deliberate inhale, the shinobi centered himself, allowing the rush of emotions to recede. "Alright... the last thing I remember was helping Ero-sannin escort Oba-chan back to the village. We handed her over to Kakashi-sensei and the teme for recovery..." His brow furrowed in contemplation as he rubbed his chin, his expression pensive. Strangely, everything beyond that point seemed to blur together. "Well... that's about as far as my memory goes," he admitted, his puzzlement evident as he scratched his head. These observations took place beneath Tenzo's attentive gaze.

"Apparently, he's dealing with a minor case of amnesia, just as I suspected. The question is, at which juncture in his life did the memory lapse occur? For some, years of existence can vanish, while others merely lose recollection of recent events spanning a few weeks," the old doctor mused, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

He paused, his fingers thoughtfully stroking his beard, observing as the boy donned the same clothes he had arrived in. Despite the garments being torn and worn, the doctor's skillful hands had managed to mend them, preserving their integrity.

"Well, old man, thanks for the help. But can you tell me, where is Konoha?" inquired the now-dressed Uzumaki. He took his bandana and secured it firmly around his forehead.

"Konoha?"

For the first time in a while, Naruto experienced the sensation of being lost and filled with uncertainty about his location.

…

"Officially, he was screwed. Not only was he in an unfamiliar continent or world, but he was also ensnared in a war. According to the old man's account, the war raged between the fire nation and the earth kingdom, with the water tribes also embroiled. There had existed another group long ago, the air nomads, who wielded the air element, but they were tragically eradicated in the past.

He still didn't know how he got to this place and how he ended up so hurt, he would find out and return home, although now he had bigger problems.

"Thank you for your purchase." At present, Naruto found himself within the confines of the old man's store. Engaged in tending to the establishment, which offered medicinal supplies and basic sustenance, he had come to realize that the treatment required to mend his injuries was far from inexpensive. The burden of settling his dues compelled him to undertake work, a necessity given his inability to meet the cost. It wasn't that bad though.

"Hello," the next individual in line was a charming girl with brown hair and deep eyes. Her slim figure, attire, and demeanor hinted that she held significance as someone's daughter.

"Welcome to Hazumo's shop. What can I help you with?" Naruto greeted her with his customary smile, donning a white apron over his mostly repaired orange outfit, courtesy of Tenzo. He knew he'd need to acquire fresh clothing soon.

"Just the usual, please, Naruto," the 17-year-old girl smiled. Her gaze lingered on his blonde hair and gentle whisker marks, evoking an urge to stroke or pinch them—well, at least that's what the teenager thought.

"Umm, this is the sixth time this week that you've bought a batch of groceries and medicine, is this all right?" Naruto walked behind the store counter, gathering the necessary items for the girl. She leaned on the bar, fixing her gaze directly on him.

"Of course, it's just that I like to see you every day to cheer me up. Are you free tonight?"