Chapter 1: Freedom
A/N: I just wanted to mention to the people who are reading this that this is my first fanfiction. I changed Naruto's hair to red and this is a 'Naruto-leaving-Konoha' fanfiction. I also have some other things planned.
Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me. Although i wish it does, it belongs to Kishimoto-sensei.
"Human talking"
'Human thinking'
"Bijuu talking"
'Bijuu thinking'
"That's it!"
A yell echoed through the empty streets of Konohagakure no sato, as the owner of the voice stomped through the sleeping village. As the clouds continued their journeys, rays of moonlight lit the lands, revealing the young, red-haired boy, who yelled earlier. The boy's eyes were beautiful, blue orbs that glimmered in the night and whiskers adorned his tan cheeks.
The boy didn't stop his trek until he reached the enormous gates that towered over him. Knowing it was too late to turn back now, the boy ran through the gates and into the large forest in front of him. The ANBU watched as the boy ran with gentle yet sorrowful smiles under their masks. They knew. They knew the boy's pain. They knew the villager's hatred; their glares. Therefore, they didnt do anything as the boy left, knowing that this was the best for both the village and the boy. However, there was one, silver-haired man who found it harder than the others to let the boy go. His dog mask covered his face, which made it impossible to see his inner turmoil. He's letting his deceased sensei's son go into the world without proper guidence- when he's only 7-year old no less!
'Forgive me for this, Minato-sensei, Kushina-san...', the man thought while he returned to his post.
Unbeknownst to the ANBU and the boy, an old man watched the boy run. To see a man his age out at this time of day was suprising but a person would be even more shocked to know that this man was the strongest shinobi in Konoha. Graying with age, most of the man's youthful hair had faded and wrinkles were visible on his skin.
'Looks like I won't see you for a while Naruto-kun. Be careful, my boy, for you shall have enemies and allies alike.' , the old man thought, as he watched the young child run off. Normally he won't let a mere child leave like this but that boy was special. He knew that it was dangerous for a boy his age. However, he knew the boy's host would protect the boy with its powers, whether it likes it or not. The seal was made to be like that.
With this knowledge, the old man smiled a sorrowful yet hopeful smile. One day, he would be greeted by that bright grin once again and he hoped that he'll see it soon. He hoped that the boy will be safe. He hoped that the boy gains strength and happiness.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped with a smile.
But something else happened at that moment...
After seven years of rest, a being begins to think once more. It's tails began to sway lazily and the water it lays on gently ripples. Resting in a giant cage in an even more enormous sewer system, the creature relaxed.
Blood red, slitted eyes opened.
'It's time...' ,the being thought as sensed the boy leave his village. 'Let's see what you can do, boy.'
(Two days later )
If someone were here in this scorching summer day, they would be greeted with a similiar sight as what happened two day earlier- an angry child stomping through his surroundings.
'Maybe I should've made some preparations...' ,the sweating boy thought while trying find the road, 'or even set out at day so I can see where I was going
The only thing the boy knew were things thr academy taught for the past year, which wasn't much considering the fact that they were only six at the time. However, they did teach a lot of things to do with survival but never let them practice it, deeming it too 'dangerous'. The boy chuckled at that: Itachi Uchiha had graduated at that age.
Unfortunately, caught up in his thoughts, he didn't notice the smiling man that watched the thinking boy in amusement.
"No point in thinking about it..." the boy quietly muttered and before he could continue his journey through the large forest, a voice replied his vocalized thought.
"Especially in such a place at such a weather. You know, the only reason no one attacked you was because you're still near Konoha.", the voice ripped through the silent forest, strong and clear, like a knife through butter.
The boy swirled around swiftly to see who it was, only to be greeted by the sight of a smirking man in his 50s. Sapphire eyes narrowed in suspicion and his muscles tensed. Instantly, the atmosphere had turned restless. The man, however, seemed nonchalant, almost lazy. If it weren't for the fact that his eyes observed and assessed everything, he would've thought that the man was nothing but what he appeared- a civilian.
The man grinned as he raised his hands in a surrender gesture.
"Now, now firecracker. No need to be so hostile. I was just a poor guy that happened to be walking by.", the man stated, his voice displaying an honest tone.
The boy was good at at detecting emotions and lies so he knew man was telling the truth. Although he relaxed slightly, the boy still seemed tense. Now that he wasn't focused on any possible threats, he saw that the strange man wore a simple long-sleeved shirt and pants. What was strange, however, was the large amount of scrolls hanging of off his belt. He had emerald eyes that would make the forest itself envious and dark blue hair that seemed to only be seen as its natural colour in the burning sun.
"You know, kids don't usually go this far away from any village without their parents or guardians.", the man broke the silence and looked at the boy, searching for an answer. He was about to give up the unsaid question when the boy didn't answer for a minute but perked up when the boy mumbled something.
"What?", the man questioned.
"Don't have any.", the boy replied as his aqua eyes met his jade ones.
"Who are you, kid?" the man asked once more, his voice not wavering at the boy's reply. He's seen many orphans before but never had he met one like this.
Shocking the man to the core, the boy grinned a grin that he'd recognize anywhere, his tension forgotten.
"Naruto Uzumaki, dattebayo!"
And done! So that's the first chapter of my first fanfic. Hope you liked it.
Sayonara!
