Uzumaki was a kid.

Sandy-haired and barely-clad

Prone to screaming 'LOOK AT ME!'

To fill up all the time he had.

Built his armour: learnt to fight.

Bought a suit which screamed the same

'LOOK AT ME! I DO EXIST!"

And stubbornly declared his name.

Naruto was not 'that boy',

'Bakemono' or 'the beast'.

Naruto was just a boy

And that boy would be heard at least.

He screamed until they looked away.

He screamed until they barred the door.

He screamed until they torched his flat

And barbecued the clothes he wore.

He screamed until they shut him up

With fists. He screamed to make them see.

He woke at night and lay awake.

He lay and huddled silently.

They all would see

They all would know

Of Uzumaki Naruto.

'The Demon Fox'

'The Bastard Brat'

They could not drive him off like that.

And so, each day, he carried out

His pranks upon the angry eyes

Who soon were angry at the boy

Not at the fox in human guise.

And, one by one, he grew as great

And drove away the people's hate.