Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do not make money from this work. This work contains slash, meaning a homosexual relationship. Constructive Criticism is wanted.
AN: This has been sitting on a CD since May 2007. So... yeah...
Many people in Konoha, namely, the Hokage and those closest to Naruto, believe that the Yondaime's plan to have no one speak of the beast within Naruto in order to protect him was a failure. And in many ways it was. Naruto was an outcast in his village for something he had no control over, ignored or harassed because of something that was done to him, not something he chose.
However, in the end, that plan might have saved Naruto, and all of Konoha with him. Because no one was to tell the next generation about the village's dirty little secret, Naruto's peers were able to see him for what and who he was; a creature far surpassing the brilliance of the Sun, and by far my savior.
Because of this plan, he was able to eventually have people who loved him and cared for him, people who asked where he was and took him out to eat, people who'd fight and die for him, people who'd fight and die with him.
It's not really hard to see why, either. He has a way about him. Naruto is like a worm that wriggles and squirms into your heart and refuses to let go no matter what. Or, if you happen to be a jerk, he'll beat his way in, like he did to me.
Perhaps the real bond comes from nearly everyone's ability to see something of themselves in him. Maybe it's his determination, strength in the face of anything and everything that begins to rub off on others. Perhaps it's his belief in everyone's strength, which in turn makes them want to become stronger to match his expectations.
Perhaps that's why I reached for the same dream he had, why I fought so hard for something I previously had given up on.
No, the Yondaime had not failed, for if he truly had, Naruto would be me, and I would still be little more then a weapon. Naruto would be me, and Konoha would be gone, leveled by the creature they had sealed within him. Yondaime was a wise man, and I thank him everyday for the mandate he placed on Konoha, for if he hadn't, I wouldn't be able to press my face into golden locks, or have the comfort of having those arms wrap around me.
No, Yondaime did not fail.
-End-