Some say what Naruto went through was just a "bit" of neglect — nothing more than a whiny kid overreacting.
That view?
Is utterly laughable.
Naruto was an orphan.
His father died right after he was born.
And from that moment, the entire village treated him as the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox incarnate.
Every death caused by the Nine-Tails during the attack — every life lost — all that hatred was dumped on Naruto.
Or maybe even more than that.
People are social creatures.
Even a single case of emotional abuse can break someone.
But Naruto?
He endured a whole village's coldness, bullying, and rejection.
A village-wide PUA.
What child could possibly endure that?
Even most adults wouldn't.
> "If you've never carried someone's suffering — don't lecture them about kindness.
If you've never paid the price — don't ask for forgiveness."
Anyone downplaying Naruto's experience is no better than those who say,
> "You only lost your life — she lost her love."
Total nonsense.
---
After reliving Naruto's memories, Minato's energy — his ki — had changed.
It was no longer that blazing midday warmth.
Now it carried a subtle, unplaceable darkness.
Naruto noticed immediately.
The ki didn't feel "evil," per se — it just wasn't the same.
And in Dragon Ball, a person's ki reflects their emotional state.
> "Such evil energy…" they'd often say.
It wasn't literal — it was about intent.
Minato's ki was now deeply conflicted.
> "What can I even do…?"
He shut his eyes tight, and something cold trickled down his cheek. When he opened them again, they were hollow, unfocused.
Like he was lost — like the ideal he fought for had just crumbled beneath him.
> "Naruto, how do I make it right…?"
> "I don't need your apology,"
Naruto snapped before he could finish.
"And it's not you who owes me anything…"
> "It's Konoha."
Minato stumbled over his words.
> "No… I mean… what can I do?"
Even this perfect ninja looked clumsy and awkward before his son.
He wasn't afraid of Naruto — he just didn't know how to face him.
He wanted desperately to make things right.
> "Teach me ninjutsu," Naruto said firmly.
This was why Naruto had summoned him in the first place.
Minato, however, sighed.
> "I'm afraid… I might not have time.
If I use too much chakra, Kushina might never get her chance to speak with you…"
> "Don't worry about that," Naruto said coolly.
If he could summon Minato here, then of course he'd considered how to keep him around longer.
He walked over, held out his palm, and a pale white light began to glow.
With a gentle push, it washed over Minato.
> "This… what is this energy?"
Minato blinked in surprise. He could feel time stretching — his soul stabilized.
His presence in this realm… had grown stronger.
> "Natural energy?" he guessed.
> "No. It's similar, but not the same," Naruto said.
"This is ki."
Minato was clearly curious — this was a power he'd never encountered.
But seeing Naruto had no interest in explaining, he let it go.
---
In the world of Dragon Ball, ki is mysterious and miraculous.
Though it's a life energy, it can also act upon the soul.
When Frieza was nearly destroyed and left for dead, it was Goku's ki that revived him enough to fight back.
Ki works on the living and the dead alike — its effects are just as real for both.
It's a phenomenal power.
---
Minato Namikaze — the Fourth Hokage — wasn't just a powerful ninja.
He was the first commoner to become Hokage.
A genius in ninjutsu theory, solid fundamentals, and unmatched technique.
Unlike Goku (who learned by instinct), Minato was an excellent teacher — even better than King Kai in some ways.
His chakra attributes?
Fire, Wind, Lightning, Yin, and Yang.
He had five out of the seven main attributes — missing only Earth and Water.
His base ninjutsu arsenal wasn't quite as ridiculous as the Third Hokage's, but Minato still had C to A-rank techniques at his fingertips.
And let's not forget: he created the Rasengan — an A-rank, handseal-free technique.
Getting personal training from Minato himself?
Even with Naruto's current power, he still managed to level up under his father's instruction.
That's how solid Minato's skills were.
---
> "Shadow Clone Technique."
With a puff of smoke, a perfect copy of Naruto stood before him.
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.
Created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju — a B-rank technique.
Rather than illusions, these were real, physical clones that shared the user's chakra and returned experience and memory when dispelled.
Each clone held all of the user's skills — minus some chakra reserves.
So long as the user had enough chakra and didn't take fatal hits, the clones could remain indefinitely.
It was an incredibly versatile technique.
Naruto looked at his clone — and the clone looked back, nodding in satisfaction.
It was surreal.
The same thoughts.
The same will.
But different perspectives and feelings.
A strange, amazing sensation.
For most ninja, Kage Bunshin is just a support move.
Confusion tactics.
Scouting.
Basic fieldwork.
Even when Tobirama created it, the purpose was espionage — not combat.
Because clones drain chakra, and they're fragile, they weren't considered serious offensive options.
But for Naruto?
It was a game-changer.
Especially for a body-based fighter like him.
If a clone can physically replicate your entire strength — not just a projection or trick — then it's perfect for taijutsu specialists.
Think about it.
Imagine Goku vs. Raditz again — but this time there were several Gokus.
Even if each was knocked out in one hit, Raditz would still struggle.
And his battle power was three times Goku's at the time!
With Shadow Clones, Naruto's fighting power basically doubles.
It's a technique tailor-made for a fighter like him.
Multiple bodies, each strong enough to beat a tailed beast bare-handed?
Yeah.
That's terrifying.