The Restorer

Chapter 1: The Awakening

Kakashi Hatake lay in the hospital bed, his one visible eye fixated on the figure of his deceased sensei's living son and his own student, Naruto. His scars, visible on his exposed chest, reminded Kakashi of the horrifying extent to which Sasuke had gone in their recent battle. He couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and frustration that Naruto and Sasuke, once teammates and friends, had ended up in such a dire situation.

As he observed Naruto, who lay in the neighboring bed, Kakashi couldn't help but reminisce about the Valley of the End. The clash of Chidori and Rasengan had unleashed a blinding light, leaving both students unconscious. Carrying them back to the village had been a bittersweet reminder of the bond they shared.

But now, as Naruto's bright blue eyes fluttered open, Kakashi's attention snapped back to the present. The sunlight streamed into the room, almost mocking Naruto's troubled existence. Kakashi approached his student, wearing his trademark one-eyed smile.

"How are you feeling, Naruto?" he asked, concern laced in his voice. But before he could get an answer, Naruto's question came pouring out.

"Where's Sasuke?" Naruto's voice was filled with urgency and worry, his concern for his friend evident.

Kakashi sighed, bracing himself for Naruto's reaction. "Sasuke is in the next room, undergoing treatment. His injuries were severe, Naruto. The power of the Rasengan and the Nine Tails caused significant damage, and his internal organs were affected. Fortunately, Tsunade-sama is doing everything she can to heal him."

Naruto looked hurt and confused by Kakashi's words. "I thought it was against the rules to speak about the Nine Tails."

Kakashi dismissed Naruto's concerns, his tone matter-of-fact. "There's no point in hiding it from you, Naruto. You already know the truth. The village knows about the Nine Tails within you, and it's no secret anymore."

Naruto's expression shifted, a mixture of sadness and resignation. "I see. So how serious are Sasuke's injuries?"

Kakashi paused, grappling with how to convey the gravity of the situation without causing further distress to Naruto. "Sasuke's injuries are quite serious, Naruto. The clash between your Rasengan and his Chidori took its toll. His internal organs were damaged, and he lost a significant amount of blood. Tsunade-sama is doing her best to help him recover."

Naruto's eyes widened, his voice tinged with guilt as well as happiness. "I see... That's good to hear."

Kakashi couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. "Good to hear? Naruto, you almost killed your friend. This fight was reckless and unnecessary. If the Nine Tails had taken over more of your chakra, Sasuke might not have survived. I expected better from you, to defeat Sasuke with your own power rather than relying on that beast inside you."

Naruto's anger flared, his voice rising. "What the hell are you talking about? I was sent to bring Sasuke back, and I completed my mission. I should be rewarded, not lectured."

Kakashi's stern expression didn't waver. "Mission or not, Naruto, the truth is that this fight was senseless. You used the power of the Nine Tails, endangering your friend's life. The village has taken notice, and as a consequence, your ninja registration has been revoked. For now, you are considered a civilian."

Naruto's disbelief turned into anger. "You revoked my ninja registration? Are you out of your mind?"

Naruto's hand tugged against the restraints, realizing he was bound to the bed. Confusion and frustration washed over him. "What is this? Why am I restrained?"

Kakashi sighed, weary from the weight of the situation. "It's just a precaution, Naruto. The elders of the village have concerns about the Nine Tails within you. They fear you may pose a threat, so you're under close watch by the ANBU. But it's not permanent; it's for your own good."

Naruto's voice resonated with sadness. "My own good? Rotting in a hospital room is for my own good? Tell me the truth, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi glanced towards the door, knowing he couldn't reveal the full truth to Naruto. "I'm sorry, Naruto. There's no other way right now. Just trust me, things will get better. You're free to do as you please within the village, as long as you don't leave."

Naruto's disappointment was evident as he turned away. "Leave me alone, sensei."

Respecting Naruto's wish, Kakashi silently exited the room, leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts. Hours passed, and as the footsteps echoed through the hallway, Naruto braced himself for another visitor.

—-XxX—-

The door creaked open, revealing the figure of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, standing in all her glory. Naruto remained facing away, not bothering to acknowledge her presence.

"Do you need something, Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked, his tone formal, devoid of warmth. Getting no response he continued.

Naruto's voice was filled with bitterness and a touch of resentment. "I thought you believed in me, Hokage-sama. But instead, you treated me like a criminal. Is this how the village repays its heroes?"

Tsunade winced at Naruto's cold demeanor, but she understood the source of his anger. "Naruto, please understand that I had to make a difficult decision. The village was concerned about your control over the Nine Tails, and precautions had to be taken."

Naruto scoffed, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Precautions? More like punishment. I risked my life to bring Sasuke back, and this is how you repay me? By chaining me up and treating me like a monster?"

Tsunade's voice quivered with a mix of guilt and frustration. "It wasn't my intention to belittle you or make you feel like a monster, Naruto. But the safety of the village comes first, and we couldn't take any chances."

Naruto's tone turned sharper, his words dripping with resentment. "I get it. The village always comes first, right? Even if it means sacrificing the ones who have given everything for it."

Tsunade's eyes welled up with tears, her heart aching at Naruto's pain. "Naruto, please try to understand. We're facing challenging times, and difficult decisions have to be made. But I still believe in you, in your strength and ability to rise above any obstacle."

Naruto's gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained cold. "Belief doesn't mean anything if it's not followed by action. You had the power to change things, to stand up for me, but you chose to go along with the village's decision."

Tsunade's voice trembled with emotion. "I did what I thought was best for the village, Naruto. It wasn't an easy choice, and it certainly wasn't one that I took lightly."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, the pain in his voice palpable. "Well, Hokage-sama, I hope you're satisfied with your decision. Because from now on, I'll forge my own path. I'll prove to everyone that I am more than the Nine Tails, more than just a weapon to be feared."

Tsunade reached out, her hand trembling, but Naruto pulled away, refusing her comfort. "Save your sympathy, Hokage-sama. I don't need it. All I need is the truth and the chance to prove myself."

With those final words, Naruto turned away from Tsunade, his heart heavy with disappointment. He was determined to rise above the pain, to carve out a new destiny for himself—one that would defy the expectations and limitations placed upon him.

Tsunade watched Naruto in silence, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had hoped to protect him, but her actions had only pushed him further away. She understood the weight of her decision and the consequences it had on Naruto's spirit.

As Naruto walked out of the hospital, he felt a mixture of anger, sadness, and determination coursing through his veins. The chains that had bound him, both physically and metaphorically, were shattered. He vowed to use his freedom to become stronger, to find his own path, and to prove to the village that he was deserving of respect and recognition.

The road ahead was uncertain, but Naruto was prepared to face it head-on. With each step he took, he left behind the pain and betrayal, fueling his resolve to become a force of change—a beacon of hope in a world that had turned its back on him.

As Naruto walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, he couldn't help but feel a heavy weight on his shoulders. The reality of his situation began to sink in. He had lost his status as a ninja, his comrades had turned their backs on him, and he was now viewed as a threat by the village he had sworn to protect. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

With each passing moment, Naruto's resolve grew stronger. He refused to be defined by the village's judgment and the chains they had placed upon him. If they saw him as a monster, then he would embrace the darkness within and use it to protect those who truly believed in him.

The book he had taken from the library, "The Eyes of God," weighed heavily in his hand. It spoke of the legendary Rinnegan—a power said to be capable of great creation or destruction. Naruto's mind raced with thoughts of what he could achieve with such a power, and a small, sinister smile crept across his face.

As he made his way to his vandalized apartment, Naruto's heart sank at the sight of the wreckage. The once vibrant space that he had called home now lay in ruins, a reflection of the pain and rejection he felt inside. But Naruto was no longer the naive, hopeful child he once was. He had grown stronger, and the darkness within him whispered promises of vengeance.

Gathering his resolve, Naruto knelt down amidst the wreckage and picked up a shattered fragment of glass. Blood dripped from his hand, a reminder of the pain he had endured. Slowly, he clenched his fist, the broken glass digging into his skin, mingling his blood with the shards.

"I will rise above this," Naruto muttered through gritted teeth. "I will show them all that I am not to be underestimated."

With determination burning in his eyes, Naruto set out on a new path—one that would lead him down a darker road. He would embrace the power within him, harnessing the Nine Tails' chakra to fuel his ambitions. The village may have turned their backs on him, but he would rise above their limitations and become a force to be reckoned with.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as Naruto delved deeper into his training. He sought out forbidden knowledge, delving into the darkest corners of his abilities. With each passing day, he grew more powerful, his control over the Nine Tails' chakra strengthening.

But as Naruto's power grew, so did the darkness within him. The line between right and wrong began to blur, and the thirst for vengeance consumed his every thought. He had become a vessel of anger and pain, a tempest waiting to be unleashed upon those who had wronged him.

The village watched with wary eyes as Naruto's transformation became more evident. Whispers of his newfound strength and his descent into darkness spread like wildfire. Some feared him, while others saw his potential for destruction. Naruto became a symbol of rebellion, a thorn in the side of the village that had cast him aside.

In the depths of the night, Naruto stood atop the Hokage Monument, overlooking the village he once called home. The moonlight cast an eerie glow upon his features, accentuating the coldness in his eyes. He had become a different person, a shadow of the bright, optimistic boy he had once been.

"I will make them regret what they've done," Naruto whispered to the wind, his voice filled with a chilling resolve. "I will show them the consequences of abandoning their own."

With a flicker of darkness, Naruto disappeared into the night, leaving behind a village teetering on the edge of uncertainty. The Restorer had awakened, but in his wake, a storm loomed—a storm that would shake the very foundation of the shinobi world.

As Naruto ventured deeper into the darkness, a newfound alliance began to take shape. He found solace in the presence of the Nine Tails, the very beast that had once been a source of strife.

He too was confused he had begun enjoying thr Fox's company, after all they lived the same life even if they hated it. Their interactions had begun after he had awakened the Rinnegan, the Fox had taken him to his cage and told him about the Sage of the Six Paths, the Rinnegan and what this meant for him and for the rest of the world, they had come to understand one another.

They shared a common goal—to seek vengeance against those who had wronged them. Together, they forged a pact, a dark and dangerous partnership that would forever change the course of their destinies.

Under the cover of night, Naruto made his way to a secluded spot in the outskirts of the village. The moonlight filtered through the dense trees, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding foliage. It was here that he would meet the Nine Tails once again, ready to negotiate the terms of their alliance.

As Naruto stood before the towering beast, its red eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, he spoke with a determined voice. "I seek power, Nine Tails. Power to exact my revenge and to protect those who still believe in me. Will you grant me that power?"

The Nine Tails chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers down Naruto's spine. "You have the spirit of a true warrior, Naruto. Very well, I shall lend you my strength. But remember, power comes with a price."

Naruto nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I understand. I am prepared to pay that price."

And so, a sinister pact was forged. Naruto embraced the darkness within him, allowing the Nine Tails' chakra to surge through his veins. With each passing moment, his features transformed, taking on a more menacing aura. The chakra cloaked him, shrouding his body in an eerie glow that spoke of his newfound power.

With the alliance sealed, Naruto turned his back on the village that had abandoned him. He disappeared into the night, leaving behind the source of his pain.

Meanwhile, in the hospital of Konoha, Sasuke sought solace in the presence of his former sensei, Kakashi. The guilt of his actions weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he knew he needed to make amends for the pain he had caused, particularly to Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke began, his voice filled with remorse. "I need to talk to you about Naruto."

Kakashi looked up from his book, his one visible eye filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "What about Naruto, Sasuke?"

Sasuke took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I need to apologize to him. I've realized the gravity of my actions and the pain I've caused him. I can't ignore it any longer."

Kakashi nodded, a somber expression crossing his face. "It's good that you've come to this realization, Sasuke. Naruto has suffered greatly, and your apology may be a step towards healing those wounds."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his voice filled with determination. "I won't rest until I make things right. Naruto deserves better, and I will do everything in my power to make amends."

Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, a glimmer of pride in his eye. "I believe in your ability to change, Sasuke. It won't be an easy journey, but I know you have the strength to face your past and forge a better future."

With newfound resolve, Sasuke set off on a path of redemption. He knew it wouldn't be easy to earn Naruto's forgiveness, but he was determined to make things right. The bond between them had been strained, but Sasuke hoped that with time, trust could be rebuilt.

As the sun began to rise over the village, the shadows of redemption stretched across Konoha. Naruto, veiled in darkness, embarked on a path of vengeance, while Sasuke, seeking forgiveness, walked a path of redemption.