Chapter 4: The Fourth Year

It's been four years since the attack of the Dark Titan Sargeras but the memories are still fresh to those who survived the incident. It is all thanks to a boy named Uzumaki Naruto who is the vessel for the demon. But they didn't see him as the container. They see him as the demon itself, their source of fear and the reason for many deaths of Konoha citizens. They hate… no they despise him with all of their heart. They wanted to make him suffer so much and then kill him. They wanted vengeance. But they can't do that. Sandaime Hokage made a law that no one must harm the boy for the reason of having revenge and another one that no other person must know of his special 'condition'.

Naruto is perfectly safe not entirely because of the law but because of the demon inside him. Sargeras' fire protected him every single time he is in trouble. It even helped him hunt for his own food whenever the orphanage didn't give him any. Of course he can't do that if he is inside the building. He's not allowed to go out without permission. That's when Sargeras' power over darkness comes in. He can travel anywhere through the shadows without anyone noticing. He had also no problem whatsoever when the orphanage can't find him inside the building. It's not like they care for him, right?

'It would be better if that monster will not come back' thought everyone every time they found out his missing.

Through the years the Third Hokage watched Naruto. He knew everything that's happening around the boy from the protection that fire gives him to how badly the way the villagers treat him. But he didn't know what's going on inside the young one's mind. Contrary to what he had expected, the boy grew up to be a silent and reserved type unlike his father who is loud and obnoxious. There's only one trait that Sandaime thought Naruto got from his father, strong. Even with the villagers' hate, he is able to live through successfully everyday though the Third can also see that the boy hates the villagers possibly even the whole Konoha.

'Arashi, I hope that your son will become more like you when he grows up. But right now I think it's impossible with the treatment he receives from your citizens' thought the old man as he stared up to the sky while inside his renovated office.

If you ask Naruto if he hates Konoha, he will answer you coldly with this line, 'I hate this village more than anyone can imagine'. Yup, with that kind of answer, his hate is really clear. And if you ask him if he knows something about what's inside him, he will answer you with this line again coldly, 'I know Sargeras ever since I was able to think'. His knowledge of the demon is obvious because he can use his power. No need to ask him that question.

Sargeras became quite fond of his jailor. When the boy was able understand words, the Dark Titan told him everything about himself from the reason why he betrayed the Pantheon to the reason of his attack to Konoha. Although his young mind can't understand most of what the demon explained, he learned to accept him unconditionally. He really didn't need any explanation since Sargeras is the reason why he is still alive and well.

"Hey child, you are four years old now right?" asked the demon to his vessel.

"Yes. Why did you asked that?" asked the slightly confused Naruto.

"Well, I planned that when you reached this age, I will begin training you."

"Why would you train me? Is my power over fire darkness not enough?"

"Obviously yes, it's not enough. Time will come when you'll face even stronger opponents and your current abilities will not be enough. You need to know not only how to control fire and darkness better but also how to fight using your physical strength. For that you need to be trained and I'm telling you it will not be easy. Training is never easy"

"All right I accept. When will we start?"

"Right now child so be prepared. Pack your things now and we will be going somewhere else so that others will not disturb us. Oh by the way we need to find you a better place to live in first. This orphanage is suffocating you" ordered Sargeras. Naruto immediately started packing his clothes and other belongings. He finished in a couple of minutes because he doesn't have too much possession. Using the shadows, he snuck out of the building again unnoticed. Once outside he asked his 'resident' some questions.

"Sargeras, do we have to tell the Old Man Hokage that we left the orphanage? And where will be our new home?"

"For your first question, no. I think the old man watch you every free time he has so he might already knows of our plans. For the second, we will be going in the forest the ninjas called Training Area # 44. I think it is also called the Forest of Death. By the mere sound of its name, that place will be the most suitable training ground for you and home at the same time" said the demon a little over excitedly.

"Yes just from the name I can say that place is too scary, the perfect training ground. But home, that's impossible! You're getting us killed living every single day in that place! And how come you know of that place? I don't remember going there and I don't remember someone talking about it" complained Naruto obviously not liking the idea of living in the forest.

"Child you're not really good and you supposedly have a photographic memory? Remember one of our hunting trips. We passed the border of that forest. Come on try to remember, a wire fence with message posted on it saying 'Restricted The Forest of Death'." Naruto then tried to remember what Sargeras said.

"Ahh I see. So that place is the Forest of Death. No wonder the first time I see it, it immediately gave me the creeps. But still I don't know why we have to live in that forest!"

"That's quite simple child. We will live there so that we will not waste time going there when you train"

"Is that so? I just hope we can find a least a cave there" he then continued his travel.

Meanwhile inside the Hokage tower, Sandaime watched in his crystal ball as Naruto escapes the orphanage again. 'Where are you going this now Naruto?' He wanted to watch more but the paperwork needed to be done. It now stands seven feet high on his work table almost reaching the ceiling.

'Sigh Perhaps I should go back to work now' thought Sarutobi.

Almost half an hour later, Naruto finally arrived at his destination.

'Geez this forest is really creepy. Do we really have to do this?' he asked again to Sargeras.

"Stop asking questions child and enter immediately" ordered the demon. And so Naruto entered the Forest of Death to start his training.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Come on guys and gals, review my work.