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Chapter 1

It was always a lonely affair growing up in orphanages, one that every orphan child understood. Despite having people everywhere around you, you would still feel the loneliness from the lack of a real family. And for one particular child it was far more lonely. One 7 year old Naruto Uzumaki. To him it was like he was always different from anyone else. He was always left out of the groups of children that formed friendships and close ties. Never really finding anyone that he talked to or was close to. Always staying alone, to the side of activities that everyone partook in. Always on the side with only books to keep him company.

An avid reader some would say for his age, he was seen with a different book every two or three days. Not some measly children's story books, but some that were hundreds of pages long. Books meant for people twice or three times his age. Nonetheless he was always seen with one book or another. Reading and focusing solely on the source of his hobby. Although some may call it an obsession to a degree. To him it was the only thing to do.

You may ask, why is he so alone? And the answer would not be so difficult to find. He was a red haired boy, borderline crimson in shade. His hair stood in spikes all over, reaching to his upper shoulder. He had whiskers on his cheeks, three on each side. Wearing a black t-shirt with the whirlpool symbol on the back along with black cargo shorts. Eyes as blue as the ocean with a curious sheen to them. With a demeanor that was as quiet as a mouse. Barely talking and barely interacting. Someone you would not have noticed, if he didn't possess the signature hair that he has. He was also shorter than the rest of his fellow orphans, standing almost 2 inches shorter than the average. Overall someone you can easily miss.

Naruto loved his books more than interacting with the people around him. He often preferred to be alone with his thoughts and books. The only true human contact that he was comfortable with, was with the Hokage. The leader of the village. Most of the time he would simply call him old man, and the Hokage would be fine with it. He always brought him more books and would talk with him for hours on end. He came by once every two to four weeks to check on him. They would then spend the day together.

Naruto, however, always noticed something weird at those times. Whenever the old man would take him out for ramen, Naruto was always being glared at by the people in the street. Icy glares that made him a little tense. At first it wasn't really a problem until he would feel a pressure and dark aura being released by the old man. It seemed to scare away the civilians around them, and they would stop staring at him with those icy eyes. He was always curious as to the reason why they did that. Ever since he could remember at the age of five, it had been like that with his jiji.

He was still curious about the reason why this kept happening, but he never did ask the old man about it. It was something he always wanted to see if the hokage would take the initiative to bring it up with him. While he loved the old man and respected him, he always had a feeling that he was holding out on him a lot of information. Nonetheless, Naruto learned patience from his books, and he would practice that patience with the old man. He just hopes the old man doesn't die before telling him about it.

As of now we see Naruto reading a book in his bed while laying down. He noticed that it was around afternoon time from his large window that stood in the back of the room. He had a single bed underneath that window and a nightstand desk next to his bed, with the door being the opposite side of his bed. The room wasn't big by any standards, it was 10 feet by 20, but it was enough room for him anyway.

As he was just finishing his last paragraph of a chapter about the art of calligraphy, Naruto heard one of the orphanage's caretakers call. Getting up slowly, Naruto placed his book on his nightstand to go see what was needed of him. No sooner than he opened his door, the caretaker was on the other side waiting for him to appear. But what truly caught his eye was his hokage-jiji waiting nearby her.

Walking over to the old man at a slightly faster pace, Naruto proceeded to give him a small smile and a hug. He really appreciated his jiji stopping by every once In a while. The hokage himself smiled and hugged Naruto back, appreciating the small reprieve from his daily work to check on what he considered his grandson in all but blood.

"Hello Naruto-chan, how are you, my boy." The hokage smiled at Naruto.

"I'm good Jiji, I really liked the book you gave me last time about the Art of calligraphy." Replied the heavily smiling redhead.

"Ah, good, good. I had hoped that you would get something useful out of the books my boy. So, how about you and I get something to eat today?"

Naruto smiled a little more and nodded his head twice about that. Taking that as a yes they both proceeded to leave the orphanage and head towards the shopping and restaurant district of the village. All the while a smile could be seen on both of their faces.

After a while, Naruto and his Jiji finally made it to a restaurant that seemed to be serving barbecue. They had swiftly entered the restaurant, and even faster still found a table and grill setup. Sitting side by side with Naruto being closer to the wall, Naruto was handed some raw meat and vegetables for him to cook and eat with his jiji after he ordered food for both of them. As they were both eating, different topics came up mostly regarding the books Naruto was reading. During those conversations, Naruto was then told of the reason that the visit was taking place today from his jiji.

"Naruto-chan, I wanted to talk to you about when you'll be joining the academy to become a ninja, that is what You want to be right?" Hiruzen asked with a smile.

"Yes jiji, I want to join the academy and start my journey to be a ninja." Naruto smiled brightly.

"Ah, good, good. Then I'll get you all the things you need to start at the academy in a week's time my boy. But, there is something else that you need to know. Your living situation will have to change to enter the academy." Hiruzen added.

"Ummm…..changed how jiji?" Naruto replied with a slightly confused face. He was wondering what that meant exactly for him. Did he have to leave the orphanage he wondered?

Hiruzen gave Naruto a slightly sad smile As he delivered the news to him. "I'll Be giving you an apartment to live in Naruto-kun, it is a one bedroom apartment close to the academy and Hokage tower. However, I fear that you'll be living alone in the apartment. I will still visit you when I can, and send Ayame-chan to check on you. I'll also give you a stipend for the things you need to buy."

Ah, it seems that he will have to leave the orphanage. But for the red headed boy that wasn't really something that matters much. He'll just have to make do with his situation. Plus with the added bonus of having more freedom to do what he wanted without the orphanage placing rules on him. It was a win-win situation."It's ok jiji, I think I can handle it. I want to be a ninja anyway. If this is the best way to do things, so be it." Naruto gave a smile to the Hokage to reassure him.

Hiruzen gave a smile in return, proud of how the boy was handling the situation with maturity. "It's settled then Naruto-chan. I will be picking you up tomorrow to show you the apartment that you are going to live in. I'll also take you shopping for ninja supplies as well. Get you ready for the academy. " Hiruzen finished.

"Okay Hokage-Sama." Replied the redhead with a mischievous smile.

Hiruzen laughed at the little joke and continued to talk to his grandson in all but name. It was after an hour or two they decided it would be best to head back to what would be Naruto's last night at the orphanage. On the way there Hiruzen gave some advice to Naruto about the academy and what it's like. He made sure to tell his young charge to make some friends and enjoy himself somewhat at the academy. Along with the hard work that is essential to any shinobi or kunoichi.

The advice that Naruto got from his jiji was something that Naruto definitely wanted to adhere to. He really respected his jiji and was determined to make him proud. He would put his best effort in and try to make some long lasting friendships. After all, books can only get you so far. Something, funny enough, he also read in a book. As for working hard, Naruto was for sure going to do just that. To be truly strong, hard work was a necessity, not an option.

As Naruto waved at the Hokage goodbye after reaching the orphanage, he noticed that the sun had a little more time before setting. Deciding that he had time to kill, Naruto asked the matron if he could go to the rooftop and spend the rest of what time he had left there.

The rooftop was usually closed for the other kids in the orphanage. Naruto was sorta the only person usually allowed up there apart from the caretakers. The only reason he can go up there, with permission of course, was his hokage-jiji. He had asked him to talk to the matron and ask if he could watch the sunsets from the roof. It was a one of a kind request that the jinchūriki had asked from his jiji. He loved sunsets and would love watching them anytime he could. Seeing a sunset from a higher place was better than being on the ground. So he had asked the Hokage and after a bit of begging he was giving the ok. As long as Naruto agreed to inform the matron of when he was going and not to stay up there too late.

Getting the ok, Naruto dashed through the building and ran up the stairs to the flat top roof that the 3 story building had. Time to watch his favorite part of the day from his so far favorite place in Konoha.

After all, today would be his last day at the orphanage.

Reaching the rooftop, Naruto just then saw that the sun was about to set. The sky was slowly turning from blue, to the yellowish-orange color that he really loved. He sat at the edge of the building and hung on the railing that surrounded it. Feet dangling From the building, and the sunset directly in front of him. Naruto always loved this part of the day. Sunsets made him think of the future. To him a sun set symbolizes the end of one opportunity, only to bring about the birth of a new one in the future. To him it was a marker that the day had ended, and to the end of that marker he wanted to work as hard as he possibly could. Afterall, as one opportunity ends, another would dawn anew.

It was something he read in a book that would always remember and connect with. He will always want to improve himself, no matter how small the improvement, by the end of the day. That was his belief. To be better, even if by one small step, could get you miles ahead of everyone else. It Is the reason why he reads so much, to get better everyday and improve, no matter how small the improvement.

As the sunset reached its final descent, Naruto watched it until the very end and closed his eyes when it was fully set. The end of the day and the beginning of a new one. Naruto stayed for a few extra minutes Just laying down with his hands under his head. Eyes closed and enjoying the few minutes of silence the world would give him.

However, that would change quite quickly.

At first he felt nothing but a pressure of some sort, and then a stinging pain like He never felt before. Jumping up he howled in pain as he looked down towards the area where it hurt and saw a kunai stuck deep in his right thigh. Blood quickly cascading from the deep injury he sustained. In a state of shock he simply stared at the area with wide eyes of fear and panic. He didn't even have time to think about what just happened.

That was all before he heard the menacing laugh from behind him.

Turning slowly he saw what appeared to be a Konoha shinobi, wearing The standard Chunin gear and outfit. With a menacing grin ear to ear, and what appeared to be insanity in his dark brown eyes. Staring at him with a glare of pure hatred and yet also glee. Holding a kunai in his right hand and standing only a few feet from in front of him.

Naruto was terrified. Never before had he felt the level of fear like this. The raw hatred that rolled from the man in front of him was almost suffocating. He took a step back while continuing to feel the blood he is losing fast. Cascading down and covering his hands and his right leg down to his feet. Despite the adrenaline his vision was starting to blur. And he fell down on his backside while trying to crawl backwards and away from the menacing man. Keeping his eyes on the man that looked to be hunting for his head.

Meanwhile the shinobi gave another insane and manic laugh at the site before him and finally spoke for the first time.

"Oh what a wonderful day today is! I finally found you ninetails. And today is the day I take revenge. Revenge for everyone you killed, and everyone you hurt!"

Naruto, still shaking wide eyed and confused, could barely speak or utter a word. Yet he somehow managed to say something.

" w…w..what a-are you s-saying."

"Shut up you demon! You know what you did! You are the reason for my pain and suffering! The pain and suffering for the whole village! And it's time for you to finally DIE!"

He moved fast, almost too fast for Naruto to see him attacking, but the adrenaline almost seemed to have slowed everything around him. Running across to surely kill him. Naruto did the only thing he could do at the moment but raise his arms in front of his face. Hoping against hope that the man would stop at that moment. Closer and closer the man drew, determined to end him once and for all. yet Naruto would not know of the outcome. At that moment, everything seemed to fade into the dark. He was succumbing to the dark before the shinobi could even reach him.

The last thing he heard was a scream of pure pain and terror before the darkness enveloped him.

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