Year Zero: The Curse
Author's notes: This chapter is pretty much a re-telling of canon events, so feel free to skip it if you wish. Please don't leave nasty comments because I'm re-telling canon events here, because I've seen plenty of people doing it and I'm doing it because I feel that omitting it would break the flow of the story. Please enjoy.
On that day of October 10th, a lady by the name of Uzumaki Kushina was giving birth to her son in an unknown location nearby the village of Konoha. The reason for this was that she was the Jinchuuriki of the demon known as the Kyuubi no Yoko, and the seal holding it back was weakening on this occasion, thus the village leader and father of her son, Namikaze Minato, found it prudent that she give birth outside the village; to protect both herself and the village.
Unknown to them, a madman by the name of Uchiha Madara was lurking nearby, plotting to do as the leader had tried to prevent. To unleash the demon Kyuubi on the village of Konoha.
``I'm so sorry my son, I hope you can forgive me for the burden circumstances made me put on you. Know that your mother and I love you, Naruto. It is my last wish that you will be seen as the hero you truly are, although I realise that it will probably go unheard. I'm so sorry, Naruto, my son, but this must be done.´´ Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, told his son as he prepared the last jutsu of his life on top of the toad summon boss Gamabunta.
``This boy is the new Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Yoko. Since he is the reason we were not all killed by the demon, it is reasonable that we show him respect.´´ said the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, while holding up a newborn baby. That baby boy was the now-orphaned Uzumaki Naruto.
``You fool, can't you see? Look at that creature's cheeks: it has whiskers just like the Kyuubi. Why would it have them? Because it's not a human baby boy; that's obviously the Kyuubi no Yoko in disguise. LET'S KILL IT!´´ came a woman's screech.
``Even if it truly was a Jinchuuriki, you know how unstable these are! Why should we protect or even respect something that just might turn against us in a few scant years?´´ a man shouted.
As the crowd continued their opinion in that unfortunate line of thought, the Third Hokage, who had been reinstated upon his successor's death, couldn't help but feel disappointed in his people. It was with a heavy sigh full of regret that he decreed that those who weren't currently aware of Naruto's Jinchuuriki status be kept in the dark, and anyone informing the unaware would be punished by death.
`Forgive me Minato, it seems that I put too much faith in the people of this village.´ Sarutobi thought with a sigh.
Welcome to life Naruto, an unfair place where people are more often than not far too quick to judge.