Chapter 1:Jinchuuriki's relevation
Naruto had finally achieved it – he was going to become a shinobi. He had mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu from the forbidden scroll. All he needed to do now was demonstrate the jutsu to an academy teacher, and he would become a genin, bringing him one step closer to his dream of becoming the Hokage.
"So, Naruto, you managed to get the forbidden scroll," said Mizuki, a delighted chunin, who was perched on a tree branch.
"Believe it! I got the scroll, and I learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Does this mean I've graduated?" Naruto replied with a beaming smile, shaking with happiness.
"Mwahahaha, you really are an idiot. I was lying to you the whole time, Naruto," Mizuki said, laughing and giving Naruto a hateful glare.
Naruto's elation came crashing down when he heard Mizuki's laughter and words. "What do you mean, Mizuki-sensei? When you said you were lying," Naruto spoke, bewildered and taken aback. He couldn't help but wonder why people always glared at him like this.
"There was no such thing as a graduation test. It was all a ploy to get you the forbidden scroll and to bring you here alone," Mizuki said with a malicious smile, preparing his fuma shuriken to attack Naruto.
"Why, Mizuki-sensei? Why did you lie to me? What have I ever done to you?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with confusion and hurt.
"Have you ever wondered why everyone in the village hates you, despises you? It's because you are the demon fox who attacked the village twelve years ago," Mizuki said, with sadistic glee.
"No one cares about you, not the Hokage, not Iruka. All they see is the demon fox. The Hokage is the worst of them all; he views you as nothing more than a weapon," Mizuki said with a cruel laugh.
Like an avalanche, the harsh truth crashed over Naruto, making him fall to his knees. He remembered all the cold glares, harsh whispers telling him to die, and the denial of his existence. He recalled the lonely nights when he questioned why he was alive, why he existed in such a painful world.
"Hey, fox, stay still and die!" Mizuki roared with cruel laughter. Naruto didn't react at all. Instead, he found himself contemplating dark thoughts. "Maybe I should die. It's not like anyone would grieve me. Instead, they'd probably be happy. At least if I die, I won't have to suffer anymore in this cruel, painful world."
Naruto accepted his fate and closed his eyes, waiting for his impending death. However, nothing happened. When he opened his eyes, he saw a purple-haired kunoichi ANBU deflecting Mizuki's fuma shuriken with her katana.
"Chunin Mizuki, you are under arrest for the theft of the forbidden scroll," the emotionless ANBU stated, though Naruto could sense a hint of anger in her tone.
"It was the demon who stole the scroll!" Mizuki yelled.
"We know you are the one responsible for the theft of the forbidden scroll," said the purple-haired ANBU.
Suddenly, five ANBU members appeared out of nowhere, surrounding Mizuki. One ANBU swiftly knocked him out from behind with a kunai pommel.
The purple-haired ANBU with the cat mask kindly informed Naruto that she would be taking him to the Hokage. She whisked him away to the Hokage's office.
A few minutes later, Iruka arrived in the forest, shouting, "Naruto, where are you?" When Iruka noticed the ANBU, he asked, "Have you found Naruto?"
The ANBU replied in a bland tone, "He has been taken to the Hokage for questioning. This was all a ploy by Mizuki to obtain the forbidden scroll."
Iruka had a shocked expression. "Mizuki, why would he do that?"
The Third Hokage paced back and forth in his office, deeply troubled by the situation. 'This was not supposed to happen. I was going to tell him about his status in a controlled environment. Oh, Kushina, how I've failed your son so badly. Your son should be treated like a hero, not a demon. Oh, God, what have I done? I should have been there more for you, Naruto. He was ready to give his life away without a single fight. I promise you, Naruto, I'll do right by you.'
A cloud of smoke appeared in the center of the office, revealing two figures: the cat ANBU and Naruto.
"Naruto, you've had an interesting night. I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I'll be happy to answer them," Sarutobi said with a light smile to alleviate the tension.
Naruto, however, remained tense and asked, "Is it true that I'm a demon? Is what Mizuki said true? Am I the nine-tailed fox who attacked the village?"
The cat ANBU winced at the question, and Sarutobi replied quickly to dispel the tension. "No, my boy, it's not true at all. You're as human as I am. The truth is that the nine-tailed fox was sealed inside you twelve years ago."
"Why me? Why seal the nine-tailed fox inside me?" Naruto asked, growing more frantic.
"The nine-tailed fox was on a rampage in the village twelve years ago, and the only way to defeat a tailed beast is to seal it away," Sarutobi explained.
Sarutobi signaled the ANBU to leave. Naruto asked, "What did Mizuki-sensei mean when he said I'm a weapon? What did he mean by that?"
Hiruzen sighed, realizing he needed to share the whole truth with Naruto. "Naruto, what you are is a jinchuriki, a human sacrifice. You see, a long time ago, the First Hokage aimed for peace among the five great shinobi villages. To achieve that, they needed something powerful to balance the power between the villages. They used the nine bijuus and sealed them into humans. Unfortunately, peace never happened, and we had three great shinobi wars. Jinchuriki are powerful because they can tap into the power of the bijuus, granting them enhanced strength, speed, healing, and formidable chakra. That's why jinchuriki are known as the greatest weapons."
"Will I be treated like a weapon as well?" Naruto asked, anger simmering within him.
Hiruzen stood up to emphasize his answer. "No, my boy, I won't treat you like a weapon. You'll be treated as a shinobi, like any other under my command. But there are people in the village who see you as nothing more than a weapon, and they might want to use you that way."
Naruto continued to question, "If I were sent to the frontlines, would I survive?"
Hiruzen continued, "Your chakra control is poor, your taijutsu resembles that of a brawler, your instincts are decent, but your techniques are lacking, and your knowledge of chakra and other shinobi matters is inadequate. Before you deny anything, let me ask you, what is chakra, and can you provide the correct answer?"
Naruto, feeling self-doubt, said, "I must be as dumb as Mizuki said."
Hiruzen reassured him with a chuckle, "You're more intelligent than you think, Naruto. The issue isn't your intelligence but your application and concentration."
Naruto couldn't help but express his pent-up frustration. "Grandpa, why did you lie to me? Every time I asked you why everyone hated me, you always gave me the same answer. Why?"
Hiruzen had to admit the reason behind his lies. "I only wanted you to have a normal childhood. When the village found out about your status, I enacted a law that prohibited the older generation from revealing your secret to the younger generation, allowing you to make friends. But that didn't work out for you, and for that, I'm sorry for everything that happened. I'll do everything in my power to make it up to you."
Naruto found himself torn between anger and gratitude, saying, "Grandpa, I'm still angry at you for lying, but I still love you for everything you've done for me."
Hiruzen expressed his heartfelt apology, "You have every right to be angry, Naruto. I'll make it up to you through my actions. Now, the important question is, what do you want for your future?"
Naruto, filled with uncertainty, pondered his goals. "Old man, I used to want to be the Hokage, but now I'm not so sure. Life used to be so simple – just aim for Hokage. Now, I don't even know what I want anymore."
Hiruzen advised him with wisdom, "You're still young, only 12 years old. Take your time, but if you want my opinion, get stronger and explore the world. You might find the answers to what you want in the future."
Naruto worried about his future as a shinobi, asking, "How am I supposed to get stronger? I failed the graduation test, and I can't become a shinobi. I failed three times, so I can't go back to the academy."
Suddenly, something hit him on the head. Naruto exclaimed, "What the heck, old ma—"
He stopped when he saw a Konoha headband on the ground. He picked it up and looked at the Hokage, who was smiling.
"Congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki. You managed to complete the Shadow Clone Jutsu. You have become a genin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves," Hiruzen proudly declared.
Overwhelmed with joy, Naruto hugged the Hokage tightly and cried, "Thank you, Grandpa!"
After the embrace, Naruto asked, "What should I do to become stronger, Gramps?"
Hiruzen offered some guidance. "You have a week before the team assignments. Use that time to train and visit the shinobi library for training materials."
Naruto complained, "I don't want to go to that hellhole, but I guess I have no choice if I want to get stronger."
As Naruto left the office, Hiruzen was left in contemplation, smoking his pipe. 'He never asked about his parents or why he was chosen. Perhaps it's for the best that he never asked.'
In a dark underground basement, two shadowy figures were present, one kneeling before the other.
"Lord Danzo, the jinchuriki has discovered his status," reported the kneeling, emotionless masked ANBU.
Danzo, the bandaged figure, inquired, "Tell me everything that happened."
The ANBU proceeded to provide all the details. Danzo then ordered, "Keep an eye on him in case he becomes a flight risk. Capture him and bring him here for the transfer of the Nine-Tailed Fox"
When Naruto returned to his apartment, he had no appetite.
He removed his sandals and stripped off his clothes, then changed into his pajamas, complete with his trusty toad night hat.
He settled into his bed, pulling the large duvet over himself.
Naruto trembled, not due to the cold, but because the reasons for the cold, harsh gazes, the ominous whispers, and the deep-seated hatred from everyone in the village began to truly sink in.
'Screw them, I don't care what they think anymore, believe it,' Naruto tried to convince himself, but the desire for recognition from the villagers always lingered. Tears started to fall, turning into a flood of emotions.
He had made a promise to himself long ago not to cry about his situation, but ultimately, he was just a child who couldn't help but shed tears and mourn the terrible life he had endured.
This is my first ever fanfiction so please leave reviews for me to improve my fanfiction. Also please tell what you liked about the fanfiction