Disclaimer:

This is a work of fanfiction and is not an official part of Masashi Kishimoto's story. It is my interpretation and creative expression inspired by Kishimoto's original work. The characters, settings, and world depicted here are based on Kishimoto's creations, but this narrative is purely a fan's homage. I do not claim ownership of the original material. All credit for the brilliant foundation of this universe goes to Masashi Kishimoto.

In Konoha forests

The forest seemed to hold its breath as the two ninjas stood locked in combat. The wind whispered through the leaves, carrying the haunting echo of their battle cries. Each ninja's eyes bore the weight of their relentless determination to emerge victorious.

"GROANING" " Stop this, Mizuki, I don't want to fight you." said Iruka, "well, too bad, I'm gonna kill you or your gonna be a man and fucking kill me." Said Mizuki quite irritatedly. Iruka blushed briefly, embarrassed at being called on his masculinity, but soon got back to business.

Mizuki, cloaked in a dark, tattered robe that billowed with every movement, leaped back to gain some distance. His eyes gleamed with malevolence, a cold and calculating glare that seemed to pierce the very soul of Iruka. He raised his arm, etched with mysterious symbols that seemed to pulse with an ominous power.

"A gift from Lord Orochimaru!" Mizuki shouted, and Iruka's face paled in horror. How could his friend search for power in such contemptible means?

Iruka staggered but refused to relent, his body a canvas of injuries. With beads of sweat mixing with the blood on his brow, he steadied his grip on his weapon—a gleaming kunai blade that had seen countless battles. His eyes, though weary, still burned with an unwavering resolve.

The forest around them bore the scars of their brutal confrontation. Trees stood marred by the strikes that missed their mark, and the once-tranquil underbrush now lay trampled and torn. The air was thick with the acrid scent of battle and the mingling aroma of damp earth and green foliage.

Their clash resumed a deadly ballet of precision and technique. Blades met with a shower of sparks, and the Mizuki's dark arts clashed with the sheer determination of Iruka. It was a struggle of dim light against a shadow.

Minutes turned into hours as the battle raged on, each Iruka's stamina pushed to its limits. Their movements became almost frantic, desperate to gain the upper hand. The forest seemed weary of their relentless combat, the once-vibrant green now muted and lifeless. Then, in a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, Iruka saw an opening. With a burst of speed that left an afterimage in his wake, he closed the gap between them and delivered a devastating strike.

Mizuki staggered back, a gash across his chest oozing dark energy. Iruka pressed his advantage, determined to end the battle. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each faster and more ferocious than the last. Mizuki, now on the defensive, struggled to evade the relentless assault.

Finally, tired of Iruka's persistent blows, Mizuki disarmed Iruka by parrying his kunai. Iruka mistakenly presses his entire body weight on Mizuki's shoulders, allowing Mizuki to shift his weight to drive Iruka over his shoulder and into a bodyslam. Mizuki then implanted his weapon into Iruka's left shoulder, all done with Lethologic persistence. Landing with a squelch in the underbrush, Iruka feels his vest fill with blood. The forest fell silent as if holding its breath again as the two combatants vertically faced each other.

Iruka knows his life is forfeit, but he is curious why Mizuki has not killed him yet. Mizuki can see his questioning gaze annoyingly but answers, " Call it showboating, nothing more, and quite frankly, we were friends once, so that's that…

Unfortunately, I have to kill you and the orange bastard."At this, Iruka tries to get up but is stopped by Mizuki's combat boot on his chest."Stop trying!!!, I'm going to hunt down the kid and murder the monster." " Naruto is not a monster; he is a scared child who's been ostracized by a group of people who don't know any better," Iruka screamed. "Bitch please, at best, he is a good kid; at worst, he is a useless nobody that nobody cares about. You knew what he was and still want to associate with him, even though he is directly responsible for your parent's death." Mizuki now played on the man's insecurities. Iruka knew what he was saying was horse shit, but the part of him that locked in his hatred toward the fox began to churn. Iruka's hate is justified regarding the fox, but he cannot forgive himself for his shameful behavior toward his student.

Naruto was a brashed child who didn't know better and had no one to guide or nurture him. A child at age 5 knew true loneliness and had no mother to hear his cries or father to cheer him on and push him forward. Naruto was pushed to the worst of the village daily for several years.

In this thought period, Iruka did not notice Mizuki studying him and concluded that he agreed. "So you can see him in a bad light." "No, it's not tha." " no, it is. I can see your doubts, Iruka, but that doesn't matter now; it's time for you to die," Mizuki says dismissively. Mizuki, not the one for the last word, goes to slash the throat. Iruka's eyes closed for the last time, calm and peaceful. He could die knowing that Naruto made it towards the village and is in the custody of the Hokage.

Suddenly an oppressive force singled out Mizuki, and as if Kami was playing a joke, it was coming from an idiot child." oh for fuck sake, what now? The light show is excellent, but save your tears, Naruto, and await my kunai after I'm done with Iruka." Mizuki says it offhandedly without registering the force.

" MIZUKI!!" That's all you hear before Naruto leaps out, covered in red Chakra.

Naruto struck first, fueled by the malevolent power of the demon sealed within him. With a chilling, stoic face, he unleashed a relentless assault, catching Mizuki off guard. His eyes glowed eerie, crimson light, and he moved with unnatural speed and strength.

Mizuki, shocked by the sudden ferocity of the child, desperately tried to defend himself. His weapons were no match for the overwhelming force of the young attacker. Blood stained the forest floor as the Mizuki was battered and bruised, his attempts at self-defense futile.

The 12-year-old showed no mercy, each strike delivering devastating blows that left Mizuki in agonizing pain. He summoned dark tendrils of chakra, coiling them around Mizuki to constrict and crush his opponent. The forest echoed with the anguished cries from Mizuki.

As the battle raged on, it became painfully clear that he was outmatched. His years of training seemed insignificant in the face of the child's ruthless onslaught. With every passing moment, Mizuki's strength waned, and the forest bore witness to his suffering.

Desperation filled his mind, and he knew he had to find a way to survive this merciless assault. With one final burst of energy, he attempted a desperate jutsu, creating a blinding explosion of light and smoke that engulfed the forest.

Naruto is unaffected and decides to go for the kill; Mizuki, still a confused victim here, tries to get a word out but is beaten by Iruka, who shouts at Naruto not to kill. It falls on deaf ears. Now angry and scared, Mizuki tries throwing a kunai at Naruto but is shocked to see him grab it. "NARUTO, THIS IS NOT YOU, IT THE," Iruka censored himself before he spilled the secret."NO, WHAT WERE YOU GONNA SAY IRUKA, FOX RIGHT? WAS THAT IT HUH?" Naruto beload. Mizuki evilly smiled. "This what you are, naruto, a monster. Parentless and useless," Mizuki said, trying to play on his feelings to set up a distraction for a killing blow. "Oh, I have Family"...

15 MINUTES EARLIER

A hundred yards from where Naruto stole the scroll of sealing, Naruto is crying behind a tree; his entire world has been crushed by the news of the demon he contained. KAMI MUST HATE HIM. It all made sense now, the stares and hatred. He housed Konoha's greatest tragedy. But why?

Did this rob him of his family? Did his parents get killed for him carrying the Nine-Tails?

"You're curious, aren't you?"The voice was like a breeze, brushing against Naruto's ear. He turned around sharply, his eyes scanning the area. "Who's there?"A soft chuckle, almost a whisper, filled the air. "YOU KNOW WHO IT IS ."Recognition flickered in Naruto's eyes as he identified the source of the voice—the Nine-Tails Fox. His heart quickened, a mixture of apprehension and intrigue coursing through him. This was the first time it ever communicated directly with him. Its presence was both imposing and captivating. Losing sight for a second, he is pulled into his mindscape.

The fox's crimson eyes held an enigmatic spark, a hint of amusement layered with something more profound. "Why are you here?" Naruto's voice wavered, his skepticism ever-present. Kurama's chuckle resonated within Naruto's mind. "I've been observing, waiting, as your journey unfolds."Naruto's grip on the monument tightened as he grappled with the situation. "Why are you talking to me now?"Kurama's eyes gleamed with a glint of intrigue and curiosity within them. "Partly to offer you the power to kill the pest of an educator but because the time has come for you to learn the truths concealed from you, truths that the village and its Hokage have carefully guarded, ones regarding family ."Naruto's heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions taking root within him. He had completely ignored the bit on power and was interested in the truth plaguing his heart.

To be given the chance to unveil the secrets he'd sought for so long was both exhilarating and unsettling. "Truths about what?" Naruto's voice quivered between skepticism and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. Kurama's gaze seemed to penetrate Naruto's very being. "Truths about your parents, Uzumaki Naruto. Truths that have shaped your past and will inevitably shape your future". Naruto's fists clenched, his nails biting into his palms.

The prospect of unearthing the mysteries that surrounded his parents—the enigma that had followed him all his life, held an allure that he couldn't deny. "Why are you telling me this?" Naruto's voice was a mixture of caution and curiosity. Kurama's eyes softened, revealing a glimmer of understanding within their depths. "Because you deserve to question the stories you've been told. The village and its Hokage may not have your best interests." Naruto's gaze narrowed, his skepticism like a shield. "And why should I believe you?" Kurama's chuckle. "Well, you shouldn't, but who else told you valuable information like this?" "Uhm... old man Gramps has,"." Oh, don't lie, boy scout, he always either lies or deflects." Naruto could not deny this; furthermore, he didn't want to believe his grandfather would lie to him.

At age 9

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat stoically behind his desk, his gaze sad and brooding beneath the surface. Naruto's footsteps reverberated through the office as he barged in, his orange jumpsuit practically screaming defiance in the solemn room.

"Naruto," the Third began, his voice seething with suppressed surprise, "I hope you're managing at the academy."

Naruto's eyebrows shot up in a furious arch. "What the hell are you hiding from me, old man?"

He could see it in Hiruzen's eyes—the old man knew something about his parents, something he had been denied for far too long. Naruto's impatience flared as he confronted the hidden knowledge that the Hokage possessed. Yet, the older leader seemed unwilling to share or adept at dodging the subject.

Naruto's heart raced with a torrent of rage. He had constantly been fed the same story about his parents' heroic deaths, but now, the flames of indignation roared within him. He swallowed hard, his voice dripping with venom. "Who are my parents? Spit it out."

Hiruzen hesitated, the weight of his decision etched on his face. He finally replied with a simple, firm "No."

As the Third reluctantly recounted the grim details—the Nine-Tails' rampage, Minato's sacrifice, and Kushina's heroism—a storm of emotions raged inside Naruto. His anger at the villagers who'd treated him like dirt, his grief for the parents he'd never known, and a boiling resentment for those conspired to keep him ignorant.

"Why keep this from me? " Naruto's voice was a quivering blade of fury; his accusation was weighted with the unspoken understanding that Hiruzen held the key to his parent's story.

Hiruzen finally met Naruto's glare, his features etched with remorse. "I believe it's for your own good, Naruto. They are dead and gone; you can't bring them back. "

Naruto's fists clenched so hard that his nails drew blood. "You have no clue what it's like to be despised and treated as a monster and still don't understand why! "

"Naruto, you need to understand that they are afraid," of me. Why, what did I do, huh?"

Hiruzen is genuinely conflicted, but he knows Naruto is reactionary and emotional, so he won't risk a high-level village secret just because a child is curious. Part of him is scared of Naruto's reaction because it puts Naruto in a space where he feels betrayed, which could cause problems.

His Hokage side also can't separate the idea of Naruto drawing wild conclusions and killing the people of Konoha due to that perceived "act of betrayal." "I'm sorry, my boy. It seems the burden of fortune is unkind," Hiruzen said stoically."I just wanna know why," Naruto said. " Sometimes the world's mysteries were never meant to be found, but you, Naruto… are different and destined for great things." "Really?" Naruto said hopefully. "Yes," Hiruzen sighs sorrowfully.

BACK TO THE MINDSCAPE

"NOW YOU SEE, HE CONTROLS YOUR LIFE AND ACTS LIKE WATER AND NOODLES IS GONNA MAKE IT OKAY." Naruto was miffed at the fox calling Ramen "water and noodles."

Although he can't counter the fox's argument.

"KID, YOU MAY NOT LIKE ME, BUT YOU HAVE THE BENEFIT OF KNOWING THAT I AM TRUTHFUL. " "SO I SAY THIS FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, CHOOSE YOURSELF." "What…?" Naruto said bewildered. "YOU WANT TO BECOME HOKAGE FOR WHAT REASON." "To prove and gain the respect of…" As if a light was on, " The Village. " Naruto's mind began to swell with painful memories of the past. The Fox smiled, "Accept my power, and choice is forever yours," echoing in his head.

Power surging like a floodgate, Naruto needed no introduction to intoxication; seduced by this power and doubt, Naruto's inhibitions were loose, and he started to look at his surroundings like a newborn baby, "SEEK OUT THIS MIZUKI AND DELIVER YOUR JUSTICE."

PRESENT

Naruto thought back to his talk with the fox and decided to just do it."Who are they?" said Mizuki. "THAT DOESN'T MATTER, YOUR DEATH IS NEAR," strangely said Naruto. Mizuki choked in surprise; red-hot eyes locked him in place. He didn't even see the kunai he threw earlier sliced open his throat. Seduced by fear, Mizuki bleeds out in stillness.

Iruka was beyond shocked. "Naruto, what have you?".Naruto blinked twice, and his eyes were restored. Naruto's anger had turned into a turbulent storm of emotions, making him feel violated and confused. His eyes, once filled with determination, were now clouded with uncertainty. Each scratch on his body seemed to fuel his bloodlust, and he had lashed out violently, unable to contain the overwhelming mix of emotions that had taken hold of him. It was as if a tempest of sorrow and fury raged within him, threatening to consume everything in its path.

As the rain began, it washed away his tears and blood, and so did the sodden forest floor soothe his bruised, battered, and broken body. His skin felt chilly and clammy against his sore muscles and nerves. He clutched the red-stained kunai in his hands.

As Naruto struggled for breath, it was like a tornado that had blown out all of the life and emotion from within him. He could break free. There were only black clouds that obstruct reality and true desires, shrouding him and the village he swore to protect. He looked up at the gray sky with lifeless eyes. Even then, his hand reached out, almost as a plea, but no cry for help would come. Deep in his confusion, he could not see his sensei crawl towards him. Iruka was worried; he could not leave his student, Naruto, like this. "NARUTO! ARE YOU OK?".No response. As the rain washed everything, and the sound of water streaming drowned out everything else around him, Naruto was absorbed deep within himself and could no longer hear his teacher's voice. All he heard was the howling wind and thunderstorm overhead.

Then there was silence.

Naruto lifted himself slowly, and with his tired eyes, he glared sorrowfully at his bleeding mentor. "You lied to me, Iruka sensei. You and everyone else. I thought all this time it was me, but no, it was what I held, yet you all called me a monster. Maybe it's better to be that way, being alone, because no one likes me or has faith in me. I can never escape from this lifestyle of constant insults and deceit. Why can't I become a real Shinobi and a normal kid like other kids?" Iruka needs clarification on this behavior and is trying to figure out how to respond. Naruto, however, still speaks. "Maybe people should hate me. Everyone hates me. People who hate me want to hurt me and make my life miserable. I never wanted them to hate me, but they wouldn't stop... Now, no matter what, everyone is going to hate me. If everyone else despises and avoids you, then they are all correct. Right. " He turned his head sideways in sadness. Iruka wants nothing but to apologize for his previous behavior toward Naruto and must accept that fact.

"NO, NARUTO. Please calm down; I don't blame you for being mad. You are misunderstood, yes. I'm sorry, Naruto. I wouldn't have judged you like that if I had known earlier. In the Academy, teachers should always pay attention to their students; evidently, I have not."

Naruto sighed. " That fox doesn't care about me, and I don't care about it either. Even if you apologize, there are too many other instances where people have done the same and not meant it. Those scars are more profound."

Iruka is dejected.

Naruto said sarcastically with his mouth drawn in a bitter smile and his eyes dull with frustration:

"Perhaps it would've been easier to not exist and to disappear entirely." He didn't know what he had said until he realized his sensei was frightened. And then, there was nothingness. The silence and the emptiness were both comforting and stifling simultaneously. Iruka would not allow this to continue; with all his strength, he moved toward his student, intending to hug him. He felt a warm, gentle embrace, a heartbeat next to his, a soft sob and whispers, and a few seconds later, a warm tear on his cheek.

"Naruto, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for not being there for you. I'm sorry for not being a good teacher. I'm sorry for not being a good friend. I'm sorry for not being a good person." Naruto was surprised by the sudden gesture and was unsure how to react.

"Iruka-sensei, why are you crying? I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm a monster ."

"No, no, no, no, no. You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm the one who should have been there for you. I'm the one who should have understood you. You and I are not that different. We both have been alone. We both need to be understood. But unlike me, you didn't have anyone to lean on, to be your shoulder. So I promise I'll be here for you, and you'll never be alone anymore. You have me now. "

Naruto could not believe what was happening.

As Naruto listened to these heartfelt words, a mix of emotions surged. He had never expected to hear such understanding and empathy from Iruka-sensei, whom he had always looked up to as a mentor. Iruka's sincerity was palpable and struck a chord deep within Naruto's heart.

But no, he could not accept his kindness and silently decided not to trust anyone until he understood himself.

Author's Note:

I'm excited to share this chapter with you, though I must admit it's my first attempt at writing. In my haste to get it to you, there may be some spelling mistakes, and the flow might feel rushed. Rest assured, I'm committed to learning and improving with each endeavor. Your understanding and encouragement are invaluable.

Thank you for embarking on this journey with me.