In the bustling village of Konoha, there was a boy named Naruto Uzumaki. He was known as the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. But despite his prestigious lineage, Naruto lived a life of isolation and neglect.
His parents, while loving, had to focus their attention on his two younger siblings, Menma and Mito, who had inherited the potent chakra of the Nine-Tails From the moment Menma and Mito were born, it seemed as though Naruto had faded into the background. His parents rarely had time for him, always tending to the needs of his siblings, who were hailed as the future protectors of the village.
Naruto grew up without the warmth of his family's love, always seeking attention and validation from others. He became the class clown, pulling pranks and trying to make people notice him, but it only earned him scorn from his peers.
One fateful night, as Naruto lay in his small, dimly lit room, tears welled up in his eyes. He stared at the moon outside his window, wondering why his parents couldn't love him as much as they loved Menma and Mito.
Little did he know that this night would be different, as an unexpected visitor was about to change the course of his life. Inside his subconscious, Naruto found himself in a vast, ethereal space. Before him stood a figure, cloaked in robes and radiating an otherworldly aura. It was the Sage of the Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki himself.
"Naruto Uzumaki," the sage spoke, his voice resonating with wisdom and kindness Naruto, wide-eyed and bewildered, stammered, "Who are you?" "I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of the Six Paths," he replied. "I have watched your life unfold, young one, and I am deeply troubled by the neglect you've endured." Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes as he looked at the sage. "Why did they do this to me? Why don't they love me like they love Menma and Mito?" Hagoromo's eyes softened, and he spoke with empathy,
"Your parents have been burdened by the responsibility of the Nine-Tails chakra within your siblings. They see it as their duty to protect the village, but in doing so, they have overlooked the most important duty of all – to love and cherish their children."
Naruto wiped away his tears and asked, "Is there anything I can do?" Hagoromo smiled, "Yes, Naruto, there is. The soul within you is special, and it has the power to change the world. You must learn to harness this power and show your parents the true essence of love."
Naruto nodded, determination welling up within him. "I'll do it! I'll make them see that I'm more than just a vessel for the Nine-Tails!" Hagoromo extended his hand, and a powerful presence appeared beside him – the Nine-Tails itself, Kurama. Kurama, who had long resented Naruto for sealing it away, spoke with an unexpected sincerity, "I've watched you grow, Naruto, and despite my initial hatred, I can't help but admire your spirit. I'll help you unlock your potential."
Days turned into weeks, and Naruto had become resolute in his efforts to bridge the gap between him and his family. With newfound determination, he decided to follow the Sage of Six Paths' guidance by training diligently in chakra control.
Each morning, Naruto would wake up early and head to a secluded training ground deep in the woods. There, he practiced the basics of chakra control, beginning with the leaf sticking exercise.
He focused his chakra into the soles of his feet, willing himself to stick to the leaves scattered on the ground. It was a frustrating process at first, but Naruto's determination was unwavering. In the afternoons, he moved on to the vertical tree climbing exercise.
He climbed tall trees and clung to them using only his chakra-infused fingertips. He pushed himself to reach higher and higher, determined to master this skill. And in the evenings, Naruto practiced the water walking exercise by a serene pond.
He learned to distribute his chakra evenly across the soles of his feet, allowing him to walk on the surface of the water without sinking. It was a delicate balance of concentration and control. As Naruto's skills improved, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
He knew that this was just the beginning, but he was getting closer to his goal every day. One night, as Naruto lay in bed, he was startled by the presence of the Sage of Six Paths in his dreamscape once more.
"Naruto," the sage spoke softly, "your progress is impressive. You are proving that your soul is indeed strong enough to master the Nine-Tails' power." Naruto smiled, feeling a sense of validation. "Thank you, Sage. I won't stop until I've earned my family's respect." The sage nodded, his expression serious.
"There is one more step you must take on your journey. I will create a blood clone of you to replace your life in Konoha temporarily. This clone will live as Naruto Uzumaki, attending the academy, forging bonds, and facing the challenges of being a ninja."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "But why, Sage?" Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki explained, "Your absence will allow you to focus on your training without distractions, and it will also give your family the opportunity to see the potential within you. This clone will be your proxy, and when the time is right, you will return to your true life.
" Naruto took a deep breath, understanding the significance of this decision. "I trust your guidance, Sage. Please help me create the clone." With a nod, the sage raised his hand, and a swirling vortex of chakra materialized before them. From the chakra, a perfect duplicate of Naruto emerged, identical in every way.
"This clone will need your memories, emotions, and experiences," the sage said, infusing the clone with Naruto's essence. "He will carry your hopes and dreams, and he will represent you in Konoha." Naruto watched as the clone took on his form and looked back at him with determination. It was as if he were staring at a reflection of himself, a second chance to prove his worth to his family.
As the clone stepped out of the vortex, the sage spoke, "Remember, Naruto, this is a temporary arrangement. Your true journey awaits, and when the time is right, you will return." With a solemn nod, Naruto accepted the clone as his proxy and prepared to embark on his next phase of training.