Author's notes:

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

After much contemplation, Naruto finally made his decision. He had long sensed that he would never find his place in Konohagakure. The villagers would never accept him for who he truly was—a demon concealed within a boy's body. For a long time, he had been devising escape plans, waiting for the right opportunity and a mission that would take him beyond the walls of the Hidden Leaf Village. That opportunity arrived sooner than he had anticipated, and he even gained the unexpected support of the demon.

With a tinge of sadness in his heart, Naruto realized it was time to say goodbye. Although he had long yearned for freedom—freedom from the shackles of Konohagakure—he was still filled with regret at having to leave behind so many memories and dreams. He could count on one hand the number of people in Konohagakure who truly mattered to him.

Among them was the Ichiraku family. The father and daughter had cared for and supported him ever since he was expelled from the orphanage. They had done more for him than anyone else, and he would always be grateful to them for their kindness.

There was also Iruka. Initially skeptical of Naruto, he eventually became a close friend and mentor. Although he never expressed it verbally, he was like an older brother to Naruto, a figure he had never had in his life.

The relationship with Sasuke was more complex. It could not be classified as a true friendship; instead, it resembled a rivalry rooted in blood and bone. Naruto intentionally refrained from using his full potential during their battles to avoid raising suspicions that the demon within him was becoming stronger.

With Sakura, he was only connected by a facade of love. From childhood, he had learned that it was better to remain in the shadows to avoid trouble. Although he didn't hold it against her for beating him up, he still couldn't accept her behavior.

Kakashi, Naruto's teacher, remained an enigma. The man displayed no negative emotions, yet he often regarded Naruto with a peculiar look, as if he were reminded of something or someone. Unfortunately, Kakashi seemed to favor Sasuke, often sidelining Naruto during training sessions. From the outset of his training under Kakashi's guidance, Naruto had learned little more than how to walk on trees without using his hands, and only when the situation necessitated it. If it weren't for that, he likely would have received nothing from Kakashi, while the Uchiha received specialized training.

The decision to leave Konohagakure was not an easy one, but Naruto understood it was the only path to true freedom and acceptance. Mixed emotions swirled within his heart. On one hand, he felt sadness at leaving the only home he had known since birth; on the other hand, he experienced relief at the prospect of liberating himself from the ostracism and disdain he endured from the villagers.

"The most important thing is to accept yourself, isn't it?" the boy pondered, chuckling softly, his laughter tinged with a hint of bitterness and resignation. "Whoever I am, whatever I am, I don't care anymore... I'm tired of seeking anyone else's approval; self-acceptance is enough for me."

In his eyes, though filled with tears, there flickered a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow. He understood that the world beyond Konohagakure was vast and brimming with possibilities, and he yearned to finally discover his place within it.

"What do you propose?" Naruto finally broke the contemplative silence, staring at the demon with piercing eyes that revealed no trace of fear. "I know you didn't share all this without a plan to free yourself from the shackles of Konohagakure."

Kyuubi, observing Naruto's determination, smiled wickedly. In his eyes, reminiscent of a starry night sky, thousands of malevolent intentions gleamed. He recognized that it was time to exploit the boy's anger and frustration for his own purposes. However, for the moment, he chose to keep part of the plan concealed.

"The demise of your comrade has granted you access to my power," Kyuubi said in a raspy voice, tinged with quiet satisfaction. "Though in small quantities, it's enough to achieve our freedom."

"Sasuke," the boy thought, his heart tightening at the memory of his friend.

"Don't fret over a worthless runt like the Uchiha," Kyuubi snarled, intruding upon the boy's thoughts. He roared with such intensity that Naruto collapsed to the ground. "I care not what you think of him; deep down, you know the truth of your bond. That trash never regarded you as an equal, but rather as an inferior. That is the reality."

Naruto froze, as if struck by lightning. Kyuubi's words pierced his soul like sharp needles, shattering the remnants of his illusion of friendship with Sasuke. Pain and anger were evident in his eyes, and a surge of fury and frustration was building within his heart.

"That's not true," Naruto said, though his voice sounded weak and unconvincing. Deep down, he knew the demon was right. Sasuke had never regarded him as an equal, always perceiving him as nothing more than a lesser being.

"Now, back to the matter at hand..." Kyuubi drawled after a brief silence, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Where was I? Ah yes. With my assistance, we can jointly gain control over the intoxication caused by my power coursing through you. With that, we can unleash a massive chakra explosion that will obliterate everything in its path. Feign your death in the blast to buy us some time before the Konohagakure hounds catch our scent once they sniff out the truth."

Fire flickered in Naruto's eyes, his heart ablaze with the bitterness of a wounded child. Kyuubi's proposition, akin to forbidden fruit, tempted him with the promise of escape from Konohagakure, the village that had transformed into a prison of indifference and scorn.

Although he was aware of the immense risks and suffering involved in the demon's plan, his resentment and hurt towards the villagers were so strong that he could barely restrain himself from agreeing.

"Is there no other way?" Naruto asked softly, gazing at Kyuubi with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. His voice pleaded for an alternative—a path that did not involve the suffering of innocent people.

Kyuubi scoffed, his demonic laughter echoing like thunder in the dark surroundings. "Boy, are you naive enough to believe there's another way? In our world, there's no alternative but to kill or be killed. Besides, I assure you, no one will perish in this explosion."

"Then let's do it," the boy replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty despite the assurance that no one would die. Although he recognized the folly of trusting a demon, an inexplicable intuition urged him to proceed.

"First, you must tear away a small fragment of the seal on the gate," the beast explained. "It will grant me easier access to your senses and to my chakra." It then cautioned the boy, "Be careful to detach only a small piece. If you remove too much, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of my chakra and could lose your life due to your own recklessness."

Without hesitation, the boy strode toward the gate. His steps were light yet firm. As he stood before it, the water around him began to churn, lifting him until he was directly in front of the seal that bound Kyuubi within him.

The demon observed every movement of the boy with bated breath, eagerly anticipating the moment it would gain greater control over him. Greed shimmered in its eyes.