Chapter 1: The Beginning

On a Moonlit night, running through the dark alley, a six-year-old boy doing his best not to get caught by a group of pursuers. The darkness of the night helps his venture through the backside of the crowded festival.

As he run, cutting through the corner and into the next one, he decided to hide behind a big dumpster. His heartbeat skyrocketed as his pursuers come closer and closer with every jog they took.

Tonight, a celebration was held to remember the calamity that struck the village 6 years ago. Food stalls and mini-game are scattered along the village's main street.

A performance was held on the stage, The performance is the main attraction to the eye of people. Mostly because it shows their hero, the fourth Hokage, fighting the nine-tailed fox 'Kyuubi' which creates havoc across the village. The pain and memories still remain in their head.

"That fucking piece of shit run so fast!" curse one of his pursuers who holds an empty bottle of liquor.

"Tch! let's go that way!" luckily, one of the pursuers who hold a steel pipe led them to the opposite direction of where the little boy currently is.

The boy is Naruto Uzumaki.

He is an orphan, without a father nor mother. A remnant of a nine-tailed fox attack that took place exactly six years ago. A great number of people got killed on that night, ninjas and civilians alike. While the attack of the nine-tailed fox left a lot of orphans, In Naruto's case it's… special in a way.

He was born exactly the day the nine-tailed fox attacked the village.

The angry and grieved populace of the village marks him as bad luck. Also, his sets of whiskers on his face didn't help at all, the small amount of the populace even believe he is an incarnation of the nine-tailed fox itself. 'Demon child' as they labeled him. Making him the perfect outlet for their hatred.

The boy is hated, despised, shunned, condemned, and cursed all words on the opposite of 'loved'.

When He feels that his pursuers have got far away from him, he leaves his hiding spot and continues his way to his home. Naruto is quite perceptive but didn't realize this skill of his which let him sense danger is a unique trait. As he walks, avoiding the main street. A glimpse of a food stall and a faint smell of food stop him from his track.

But there he was stuck on his feet.

Naruto was alright money-wise. The third Hokage, the village head, happens to give some money to him every month. The reason is unknown to him, but at least he got money, right? Well, what's the use of money if no one wants to sell you anything?

The only people willing to take his money are price-gouging merchants, some bullies, and adults who just enjoy robbing money from a cursed child.

No matter how harmless he is as a child, some still see him as an evil being. Getting glares and cold shoulders everywhere he goes. Bullied by a child the same age as him, kicked to the dark alley by an angered adult, spat on his face, and thrown out of the store.

The countless abuse he suffered all these years ultimately 'helped' to shape him into the current self he was today.

Suddenly, he shifted to a pair of eyes that observe him from the crowd of the festival. Unlike the previous encounter he got, there is no hint of malice or hatred he can sense.

The festival light illuminates the figure from behind. A pair of soft black eyes curiously stared at him, walking closer to him.

As the distance lessens between them. Naruto realized the figure in front of him is a girl around his age. Cladded in a black and dark blue kimono with her black hair tied into a ponytail. Some of her long hair turns into a bang covering the side of her face. each in her hand there is grilled meat on a stick

The girl eyes him curiously. "Are you lost?" said the girl, her calm voice getting the attention of the boy in front of her.

"… N-not really" in low voice almost mumbling, which makes the girl raise an eyebrows

"Are you sure? My father is the head of the police force I'm sure he can help"

"I-I said I'm fine" stammered he throw his gaze to his side. But the smell of the food caught his attention and slowly his eyes move to the grilled meat in the girl's hands.

The obvious gaze he gave out, of course, the girl took notice. Naruto mustered up the courage "…what is that?" in a low voice

"Hmm? This? It's grilled meat, it's called yakitori" pushing her right hand to the boy in front of him "you want one?"

"… are you sure?" Naruto eyed the hand suspiciously, taking one step back without him realizing it.

Growing up, Naruto developed some issues since an early age, mostly starting after he was kicked out of the orphanage at the age of four. For as far as he remembers, he has been living in the orphanage.

Living in the orphanage, at least for Naruto already hard on its way. Getting picked on by older orphans, getting less food ration than the others, sleeping without a blanket, you name it. No adult was willing to talk to him or teach him anything, including reading, writing, and even basic human knowledge.

In their eye, he is just dirt they want to get rid of as soon as possible.

But that hell is still better than another hell waiting for him on the street. After getting kicked out of the orphanage, the young blond roamed around the street with barely any food for months. After noticing who he was, no one was willing to give him food, and no one cares about his well-being.

Asking for food or even just standing in front of a restaurant only resulted in him getting kicked, spitted, or worse doused with hot water.

Hungry and tired. He was dying but something is keeping him alive, healing him from any wounds, scars, or burn marks he got. But the hunger is still there, the pain carved into his memories, and the suffering continues.

"I bought it for my big brother, but he just went with his girlfriend," she said sadly, "It's yours if you want".

Although hesitant, Naruto took the yakitori from her hand, the delicious smells make it harder for him to decline. The hot steam from the meat combined with the delicious smell fills his nose "T-thank you"

Living on the street has taught him the value of money and food. He needs it, his body needs it. sure, drinking water from a nearby river help him to gain some strength to walk, but the hunger still tortured him.

Naruto had tried to find some leftovers in the trash bin, but that only provoke some anger from the people nearby. He would be lucky to catch a fish from the nearby river and grilled it, or eat some random mushrooms in the forest which most of the time made him sick.

With hunger and lack of energy, the blond-haired boy just goes around randomly in hopelessness. These torturous months had opened his eyes, to not only people in the orphanage but the whole village, despise him. Reason unknown to him, only glares, kicks, punches, and curses words calling him names like 'monster' and 'demon' fill his torturous days.

So much for a kid his age.

Rains have poured and the coldness only adds to his suffering. But he didn't care, letting rainwater do its job of making his body wet.

Stumbling to one small stall, the smell coming from inside piqued his interest. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man. It was raining heavily.

The middle-aged man recognized him as the boy that everyone hated, but he didn't care. There was a cold, hungry child at his door. So, he invited Naruto into the warmth of his stall, dried him off, and gave him a big bowl of warm ramen.

Stared at the bowl in front of him "I-I can't accept this… I don't have any money". he eyed the man behind the counter.

"Eat it kid, about the money, you can pay me later when you have the money" giving him a warm smile "So, tell me kid what happen to you?" he asked trying to get Naruto to open up to him and listened to his story

The crowd in the distance can be heard from where they stand. Her black eyes meet his blue eyes. Her lips turned into a small smile "Don't mention it, oh I need to go" she said turning around with her back facing him, "My parent might get worried if I'm gone for too long" strolling toward the bright light of the festival.

The boy notices a small symbol drawn on the backs of her kimono, it's a simple round fan which the color divided in the middle, red on the top and white on the bottom.

She stops "By the way what is your name?" she asks glancing at the boy

"N-Naruto… Naruto Uzumaki" he replies in a low voice.

"Nice to meet you Naruto, my name is Sa- " before she can finish, a voice catches her attention.

"-Honey! Where are you?"

From the tone alone Naruto assumes it was an adult male. From the experiences he had all these years, Naruto had trouble facing adults. He takes some steps back earning a confused look from the girl in front of him

"Oh, that must be my father. I better get going now. See you around" waving her hand and starts to jog towards the bright side of the festival. Leaving the boy in the darkness of the back alley.

Father, family… that's something he never experiences in his life. Naruto shrugged, he turns his body and continued to his destination. The encounter with the girl is a new experience for him. Even though he didn't get her name. But he believes sooner or later they might run into each other again.

Eating the grilled meat he got from her, it tastes good. With the leftover money he got, he can buy some more.

But the question is, will they even sell him any? Well, Naruto knows the answer... Some beating, curses, or hot water.

One of them or even all the above answers is right.

Still can't beat ramen, Naruto murmured to himself while finishing his grilled meat.

Naruto's love for ramen not only comes from the taste of the food but the experience he got for the first time.

Someone actually cares for him.

The old man names Teuchi not only gave him food but also listened to his story. At first, Naruto is suspicious of Teuchi, but sooner Naruto can feel the genuine feeling Teuchi gave off. Teuchi, after listening to the blonde kid's story goes out of the ramen stall, leaving it to his daughter who is currently accompanying Naruto.

A moment later Teuchi brought Naruto to one of the apartment rooms on the outskirt of the village. Inside, two more adult figures are waiting for their arrival.

Sitting in the kitchen Surprising Naruto, the new figure in the room was their village leader, the third Hokage. Beside him stands a young man with a white dog-shaped mask. The third Hokage gestured his hand for Naruto to take a seat, so he did.

"Good evening, Naruto-Kun" he smiles warmly, his old yet stern voice echoing in the small kitchen.

The Hokage has been informed by Teuchi, of the current condition of Naruto that is. The troubled Hokage then devised a plan to help Naruto without him associating too much with the blond kid.

The third Hokage knew who Naruto's parent is. But as much as he wanted to tell him, it only will bring the kid danger. So, the only thing he can do is protect him from the sideline.

Being the son of the fourth Hokage himself already gets a bounty on his head if his existence is made public. A lot of people hate the fourth Hokage nicknamed 'yellow flash'.

His prowess able to kill hundreds of enemies in a matter of seconds had cast a permanent fear on the enemy's side. And Naruto being a Jinchuriki 'a human sacrifice' to seal the nine-tailed fox only add more weight to ensure his secret and safety.

"I've heard of your situation, and as a leader of the village I ask for your forgiveness" bowing his head to the kid in front of him, Naruto can only stare. Puzzled at first but he was not an idiot, he racks his brain and instantly realizes what the old man in front of him means

"Why… why does everyone hate me?" a small voice almost missed by everyone in the room "I... haven't done anything wrong..." his tear started to run down his face.

"Please forgive them, they are just confused by the circumstances," the Hokage said weakly.

"But why? Tell me the reason!" he replied raising his voice and clenching his fist under the table

"That, I'm afraid I can't tell you, you are not old enough."

"So, I'm old enough to get beaten around, starved to death, and cursed but not old enough to know the reason"

The third Hokage can only let the silence answer his question.

"You fucking adults are a selfish bunch!" foul language was not fit for a kid his age, but that is for our standard. Naruto used that language for as long as he can remember, Those words were mainly aimed at him.

"Enough!" the Hokage hit the table enough to stop the blond kid further. Only to get him to sob harder

"I hope I can make it up to you in the future," Hokage said weakly "But for now all I can do for you is this…"

He hands out a key and an envelope to the kid "It's the key to this apartment and enough money for you to eat, don't waste it" the Hokage gets up and proceeds to leave the apartment with Teuchi and his bodyguard. Leaving Naruto alone in his new apartment.

The trio walks through a dirt road filled with puddles.

"Hokage-Sama isn't that a bit harsh," said Teuchi glancing toward the Hokage.

"This is for the best, I have my own reasons. I can't risk being seen near him. there are eyes everywhere" walking through the empty road "It's for the peace of our village. I hope you understand".

The uncomfortable silence keeps going until Teuchi split up and goes his own way. Bowing his head then leaves.

"Inu" called Hokage, earning attention from the bodyguard behind him.

"Yes, Hokage-Sama?" The dog-masked man tilted.

"I know that the fourth order you to guard his wife back then, I'll have you continue that mission. I'll leave Naruto in your care, teach him basic things, and also protect him from distance. Until further order, you will remain on his side"

"Yes sir"

For the next few months, Inu teaches all the necessary stuff Naruto needs, from reading, writing, and basic human etiquette, and trying to get rid of his harsh word.

But nothing ever goes as planned.

Naruto for the first few months didn't even listen to Inu, thinking that the masked man was just there because of his mission. he ignores all the masked man's advice.

But as time goes on, and thanks to Inu's persistence, they started to become closer.

Naruto started to see the white-haired masked man as his big brother. He started to become less tense, as shown by the change in his demeanor and how he started controlling his language and becoming polite even if just a little. This development is more than welcomed.

Inu who has been observing Naruto, always report any development to the third Hokage. This of course made the third Hokage happy.

But only 1 year since Inu teaches Naruto, the third Hokage orders him to go on another mission and leave Naruto alone. But Inu didn't object, it is an order after all.

He has taught Naruto all basic knowledge from reading, writing, basic human etiquette, and even some ninja knowledge like Shurikenjutsu and Taijutsu. Inu believes that Naruto can defend himself if necessary. the current Naruto still has issues, but he believes that he will grow into a better person, and time will be his witness.

Walking through the back alley away from the festival, Naruto finished the grilled meat in his hand. Suddenly from the corner of his eyes, he saw the old man that pursued him before, with a drunk look and an empty bottle of liquor in his hand.

Naruto sighed, he carelessly let his guard down

"Finally! Found you, you piece of shit!" the man roared and start charging toward the blonde kid.

Inu had taught him Taijutsu for self-defense, although only the basics. Something that a kid can use. But Inu later found out the talent that the blond kid had under his teaching. While Naruto is still troubled by social interaction. His brain on the other hand is downright surprising.

After learning how to read and write, Naruto has consumed books every day. Reading has become one of his hobbies, but the bookstore and library had prohibited him from even entering, so in his stead, Inu had gone out every day to get some books for Naruto to read.

On the other hand, his physique is in the worst condition given his bad diet and lack of training. But looking at his base physique and seemingly high amount of stamina, his potential is very high. Given his limited time teaching him, for now, Inu can only strengthen his body through some physical training and some basic Taijutsu.

While only limited to basic Taijutsu, Naruto can improvise in all kinds of conditions Inu put him in while they spar. His adaptivity and fast thinking are commendable.

He was just like his parents, Inu thought.

Coming closer to Naruto, the drunk man charged at him with his empty bottle in his right hand trying to land some hit on the blond kid. Naruto was used to this, even though he can slip through thanks to his heightened sense, sometimes he just faces them head-on because of his carelessness.

The 6-year-old kid just merely grinned and avoid all the incoming attacks aimed at him. Before he took an opportunity to stab the drunk man's right leg with a meat stick that he still holds in his hand.

The stick stays in the drunk man's leg, producing a loud scream of pain.

"Argh! you fucker, you will pay for this!"

He smashes his bottle to a nearby electricity pole resulting in his bottle breaking to pieces, the drunk man now has a lethal weapon. Without saying any more words, the drunk man charged at Naruto with the sharp edge of the bottle. Of course, with how agile Naruto is, he can easily dodge all incoming attacks.

In his own justification, if his attacker is dead set on killing him, Naruto will try to eliminate that threat without more consideration.

It happens more than once; he had 'accidentally' killed some of his attackers. consumed by hate the villager tried to kill him, but he just let his survival instinct take over, slitting his attacker's neck.

Of course, such action will not go unnoticed by the third Hokage and resulted in him getting severe punishment, only a 'self-defense' excuse let him get away.

And the third Hokage had ordered ANBU to take care of his mess and to cook up some excuse for the relatives left behind. Luckily or unluckily, most of them already live in solitude after the nine-tailed attack, and most of their family already been wiped out by the incident.

So, in the end, it is aggression fueled by revenge again.

Naruto doesn't want to get scolded and punished by the third Hokage anymore. He always said to the Hokage that it was legit self-defense. Some Scolding and punishment later, Naruto learns from it, He realizes his mistake, not to let his emotion gets ahead of himself and not to take life easily mainly his fellow villager.

But aside from that, there is something else that makes him don't want to kill other people.

Still, they can hurt and try to kill him, yet he is not allowed to return their gesture? that doesn't sit well with him.

That's a load of bullshit, he thought.

but he shrugged it off. people called him a monster, if he continued down that path, he only solidifies their point. So, he will refrain for now and prove them wrong. now, what should he do to immobilize his attacker?

A six-year-old could not possibly overpower a grown-up, even with his good physique.

Somewhere else.

Two adults and one little girl walk through the street toward their home.

One of the adults had short, brown hair that reached to his shoulders and onyx-colored eyes, with visible creases below them which produce a stern look on his face, while the female linking her arm with his, is a fair-skinned woman with long, straight black hair with bangs hanging on either side of her face too roughly frame her cheeks and black eyes that have a softer and calm demeanor.

All three of them have the same design kimono with the same symbol behind their back.

"Satsuki… where are you going before? We were worried about you," said the woman.

"Kaa-san, I'm just going to the food stall to buy food for me and Nii-san". She holds out her hand which hold the grilled meat she bought "But Nii-san had gone with Izumi Nee-san," she walks in front of her mother pouting. "But I met this boy in the alley, I thought he was separated from his parent. But he insists that he is okay. he looks hungry so I give him Nii-san share."

"That Is very nice of you, but don't go to the back alley at nighttime and with this festival on the way, lots of drunk people roaming around, it's dangerous" the man warned her.

"Now. Now… everything is okay so we can leave it at that" the mother waves trying to calm his husband, "but the boy interests me, is he someone we know?"

"I don't know, I've never seen him before" Satsuki answered.

"It might be a kid from the orphanage, how does he look?" the father said. Considering his job as the head of the police force, he can figure out most of the faces in this village

"I'm not sure, it was dark back there, but I guess he is the same age as me," said Satsuki throwing a glance at her father "oh I think his name is Naruto"

"Naruto?" the mother abruptly stops, which forces the man in her arm to stop as well.

"Yeah, Naruto if I'm not Mista-" her mother's eyes wide open "Honey, we have to go back!" the mother yelled pulling the arm of his husband

Three figure jogs through the crowd of the festival. The street of Konoha was crowded, bustling with life. but as the time come closer to midnight it begins to disperse as the crowd retires to their respective home.

Into the dark back alley. "This is the place," said the smallest figure between the three. It wasn't that long since they started looking for the boy.

But the boy is nowhere to be seen.

Charging with a broken bottle, the drunk man thrust into the little boy's torso. But Naruto pulls his torso aside, easily dodging the attack. Recovering his stance, the drunk man stands wobbly and tried to once again hit the boy, now he works his leg trying to kick the boy.

bad choice

Naruto sidestepped from the drunk man's attack and when the kick misses Naruto, he exploits the kick's momentum to his advantage. Grabbing the drunk man's leg with both of his hands and yanking them to his side.

The drunk man already has balance issues, from the liquor and stick that stabbed into his legs, so that resulting in him falling down on his back.

His head hit the ground pretty hard and unconsciously let his weapon go. Naruto quickly charges into the fallen drunk man, stepping on his stomach before he sits on his chest. Now his head is in Naruto's reach, he starts to send several punches to his face and finishing punch to knock the man unconscious.

As the body falls unconscious, bruises have found their way painting the drunk man's face blue.

Naruto wipes the sweat running down his face, panting heavily. He throws the broken bottle from the side of the drunk man into the nearby trash can.

Fighting people twice almost thrice his size is not easy. But he managed like he always had. hit and parry, until the drunk man stumbled and give him the opportunity to fight back.

Luckily it's a one-on-one situation if more coming, Naruto will choose to run away instead.

The man didn't hurt that much, aside from the stick that stabbed his leg, bruises, and bloodied nose. Naruto wipe some blood on his hand on the unconscious drunk man's clothes and left the man, proceeding to his apartment. It's almost midnight and his body crying for a good night's sleep for tomorrow's activity.

In a matter of minutes, he arrived at his destination.

The apartment is on the outskirt of the village. With minimum crowd activity even on a busy day. The place is perfect for hiding and as far as he notices, no one knows his apartment. That gives him assurance that no one will break in and just rob or destroy his apartment.

his apartment is nothing fancy, one bedroom, kitchen, toilet, and bathtub are all he needs to survive, anything else is just a luxury. As he lay down on his bed, he realizes that he would enter the academy next spring. Nervous but he cast that feeling aside as his drowsiness started to take him to sleep.