The next day, Koby ventured out into the new village, uncertain of where he would go or how he would spend his time, aside from research, assisting people, and training as best he could. He understood that training might pose challenges, but research and helping others were always viable options.

He walked calmly toward one of the town's main buildings, sensing that the person in charge wanted to meet him. They had likely heard his story and were quite curious about him. What this meeting would entail remained a mystery, but he was prepared to find out.

Upon entering the large building, Koby couldn't help but be impressed, though it paled in comparison to Naval HQ back home. He continued toward the main office of the building, his gaze fixed ahead as he anticipated meeting the leader of this village. He had heard that this man held the title of Third Hokage, a term he had never encountered before. As he approached the office door, he knocked and waited for a moment before entering the room. Inside, he found an elderly man seated behind a desk, surrounded by books and paperwork.

"Hello, sir. I'm certain you've already heard of me, but I am Marine Captain Koby, the one hailing from a distant land," he introduced himself, offering a slight bow as a sign of respect to the village's leader. Koby remained courteous and composed in his demeanor.

The Third Hokage, an elderly man with a wise and contemplative demeanor, regarded Koby with a thoughtful expression. He acknowledged Koby's introduction with a nod, his eyes assessing the young marine before him.

"Yes, Captain Koby, we've heard of your arrival," the Third Hokage replied, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Your presence here has raised many questions, and we are eager to understand your situation better. Please, have a seat, and let us discuss how we can assist you." He gestured to a chair opposite his desk, indicating his willingness to engage in a conversation about Koby's circumstances.

Koby took a seat, his expression calm and composed, revealing his collected demeanor. "Your, um, Lord," Koby began humbly, uncertain of the appropriate title, "I come from a distant land, and my utmost desire is to return home. I hope to gather any information that might help me achieve that goal, if it's at all possible." Koby conveyed his earnest intention to find a way back to his homeland.

The Third Hokage observed Koby's demeanor and the sincerity in his words. He nodded in acknowledgment and replied with a measured tone, "Captain Koby, we will do our best to assist you in your quest to return home. It's clear that you've found yourself in an unfamiliar place, and we are committed to helping you navigate this new world. We have resources, knowledge, and allies that may be of use to you."

"I comprehend the challenging situation I find myself in, and I'm genuinely grateful," Koby expressed, his sincerity evident in every word. He continued, "Is there any way I can engage in training? My former teacher would be quite displeased if he knew I was slacking off. Additionally, I'm eager to contribute to your village in any way possible."

Koby paused for a moment before asking, "Oh, and is it acceptable to refer to you as 'Lord'?" He wanted to ensure he was using the appropriate title.

The Third Hokage regarded Koby with a thoughtful expression, appreciating the young man's willingness to both contribute and respect local customs.

"As for training, we have skilled individuals here who can assist you in honing your abilities," the Third Hokage replied. "And regarding your term of address, 'Lord' is certainly acceptable, though 'Hokage' is the traditional title for the leader of our village."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Your eagerness to assist and respect for our customs are greatly appreciated, Captain Koby. We will work together to find a way for you to both train and contribute to our community."

"These books contain information about ninjas and our world. Don't worry, there aren't any state secrets within them. They cover the basics that everyone in the village already knows, but you're unfamiliar with at the moment," Hiruzen explained as he regarded the pink-haired young man. This individual had turned out to be quite different from what he had anticipated. He displayed kindness, humility, and a strong work ethic—qualities that Hiruzen appreciated in ninja. If he had been born in Konohagakure, he thought, he would have likely become a very successful ninja.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Koby expressed respectfully as he accepted the books and held onto them. He believed that reading the books would be a productive use of his time while he tried to discern his location and approximate his distance from his homeland. His ultimate goal was to find a way back to his own people.

"Is there anything else you require of me, Lord Hokage?" Koby inquired, appreciating the combined title in his mind.

The Third Hokage nodded in acknowledgment of Koby's respect and eagerness to learn. "You are quite welcome, Captain Koby," he replied with a warm smile. "For now, I believe that should suffice. Feel free to explore the village, get to know our people, and familiarize yourself with our customs. Should you require any further assistance or have questions, do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help."

His tone conveyed a sense of hospitality and openness, making it clear that the village was willing to assist Koby in his quest to adapt to his new surroundings and eventually find his way back home.

Koby nodded, fully aware that his movements were restricted to the village while they kept a close watch on him. He made his way back to his small shack, set the books down, and selected the top one, which happened to be about the basics of chakra and the human body. With the book tucked under his arm, he strolled through the village as the afternoon sun bathed the surroundings in warmth.

During his walk, he came to a halt upon spotting a young boy sitting alone on a swing. The blonde-haired boy appeared quite somber. Koby approached the child, who seemed to be around five years old, and paused.

"Hey, kid, you okay?" Koby inquired, addressing the boy, Naruto Uzumaki, without knowledge of the fact that he was one of the most despised individuals in the village, a detail that Koby neither knew nor cared about at that moment.

Naruto, the five-year-old boy, glanced up at Koby, his bright blue eyes widened with surprise at the friendly approach. He hesitated for a moment, not used to anyone speaking kindly to him. It was a rare occurrence in his young life.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Naruto replied, his voice tinged with both uncertainty and a hint of curiosity. He didn't know this stranger, but something about the pink-haired man's presence felt different from the usual interactions he had in the village.

"Well, it doesn't seem that way, my young friend," Koby responded with a warm smile as he observed the boy. "How about you and I have a chat? Or maybe we could grab a meal together. I haven't eaten in days, and I'm not familiar with this place or what food is good here. I'm sure you know your way around much better than I do, right? It's my treat."

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise at the offer. No one had ever asked him to join them for a meal before. His face broke into a wide, genuine smile, and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, sure! I know a great ramen place nearby. It's my favorite!" Naruto exclaimed, clearly excited by the prospect of sharing a meal with someone new.

Koby walked alongside Naruto to the mentioned ramen place. He had some money that the village had provided him, and he handed it over to the shopkeeper.

"I'll have whatever the boy's having too. That way, I know it's good," he requested with a gentle tone, showing his trust in Naruto's choice.

Naruto naturally ordered his favorite ramen, which Koby also chose. As Koby took a bite, he found the ramen to be delicious. He observed the young boy, who was clearly delighted by the meal and the interaction. With his observation haki, Koby sensed that more people were watching the two of them closely, keeping a vigilant eye on him. He wondered if there was something about this child that was not immediately apparent. However, it didn't concern him; he held no hostile intentions toward the boy.

"Now, who are you?" Naruto asked, looking at Koby with a voice that revealed his curiosity. He wondered why this person seemed so different from anyone else in the village.

"Well, my name is Koby. I used to be a Marine, working for a large government, and I held the rank of captain," Koby replied. He began to share some of the stories from his numerous adventures with Naruto.

As Koby shared his stories of adventure and his experiences as a Marine captain, Naruto listened with wide-eyed wonder. His curiosity only grew as he absorbed the tales of far-off lands, exciting battles, and incredible challenges. Naruto was captivated by these stories, finding them to be unlike anything he had ever heard in his young life.

"Now, Naruto, I think it's best if I walk you home. Um, where are your parents?" Koby asked, unaware of the sensitive topic he had just stumbled upon. Naruto's expression turned melancholic, and Koby immediately realized he had asked the wrong question.

Naruto's expression darkened, and he cast his gaze downward, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. It was a painful subject for him, and he hesitated before responding.

"I don't have parents," Naruto replied softly, his voice carrying a heavy weight of loneliness.

Koby paused and let out a sigh, realizing the gravity of the situation. He gently ruffled the boy's blonde hair and spoke softly, "I understand. I lost my parents a long time ago too, and it really does suck when that happens. So, who do you live with now? An uncle, cousin, someone important in the village, or are you in an orphanage?"

Koby looked into Naruto's eyes as he looked at him. He could see the emotions, the sadness, the hurt, but also the determination in them as well. He could see there was a special fire that drove this boy. It was impressive to see. Koby couldn't help but be impressed by the boy.

"I live alone," Naruto replied, his gaze unwavering. "I don't have family, and the villagers don't like me much. But I'm gonna be Hokage someday, believe it!"

"You live alone," Koby said with a sigh, his gaze filled with concern. The thought of a five-year-old living on his own was deeply troubling. "I know being Hokage is a great goal. My goal was to become an admiral in my organization. I was working my way up to that rank before I, well, ended up here," he explained gently, wanting to offer encouragement and support to Naruto.

Naruto gazed at Koby in astonishment. This was the most anyone had ever engaged with him, and it warmed his heart. For once, someone didn't dismiss his dream with a casual remark. He was genuinely surprised and grateful for the kindness he had received from this stranger during their meal. Naruto's face lit up with a bright smile.

"I'm definitely going to be the Hokage, and I hope you can find a way back to become an admiral too!" he exclaimed with determination and sincerity.

"So, you're going to become a ninja first, right?" Koby asked, his mind still lingering on the fact that the boy was left alone for some reason. The thought troubled him, and he surmised that the additional people he sensed were likely discreetly watching over Naruto at all times.

"How about I show you some tricks I know, starting tomorrow? I'm sure they might be of some help, even if just a little," Koby offered with encouragement as he looked at the young boy. "It's a challenging path, but I don't mind sharing some of my knowledge and helping you work towards your goal of becoming Hokage."

Naruto's eyes shone with excitement and gratitude as he looked at Koby. No one had ever offered to help him in this way before. It was a gesture that meant the world to him, and he couldn't contain his enthusiasm.

"Really? You'd do that for me?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with awe and enthusiasm. "Thank you so much! I can't wait to learn from you!"

A/N- I really like this rewrite way more than the original, it has taken a different turn already. One I think should make it far better. Again if you don't like thanks for reading up to here, and if you like feel free to review, I know I have room to improve.