Hello everyone.
This is the author of this story.
First of all I would like to say that this story has a Spanish version which is way ahead. However, after almost a year without updating the story, I wanted to rewrite the story, but this time in English. The reason is simple: I want to improve my English, because it's not my mother tongue.
Now that I have said this disclaimer, I would like to address some points:
This story will not have a harem, I can understand a thresome, but more than that I just don't have the skills to write a good story.
Secondly, I know that the first chapter will be a bit clichéd, but as the story progresses you will understand and a lot of things will not be as simple as they are shown and some others will become important later in the story.
A/N: I do not own the characters used, (unless they are OC), rights to their respective Authors.
"Character Speaking"
"Character Thinking"
Jutsu.
[Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]
[Summoning or Tailed Beast Speaking]
Unknown Place:
In the cold embrace of darkness, two figures lay in a grim scene.
One, split in two, his limp body bleeding into a crimson pool. The other, a woman with a gaze as cold as steel, held the lower half of the dying man.
"Why... Why?" the man asked in a halting voice, his hate-filled eyes fixed on the woman. A stream of blood spurted from her mouth, staining the ground a new shade of red.
Unfazed, the woman glared at the man with an icy stare.
"WHY?!" the man roared with a last shred of strength, only to see the woman's hand go up and…
Elemental Nations: Unknown Forest.
Swallowed by the vastness of the forest, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the chirping of crickets. Darkness reigned, broken only by the faint moonlight filtering through the canopy of trees. There was no sign of human presence for miles around. The animals were curled up in their burrows, enjoying the quiet of the night.
Suddenly, an eerie crack shattered the silence. The sound, like that of a clap of thunder, echoed through the trees and woke up some of their inhabitants. Looking up to the sky, they saw a breathtaking sight: a crack of colossal proportions had opened about 100 metres above the ground. A humanoid figure fell from it at a blinding speed.
In the blink of an eye, the figure passed through the portal and it closed without a trace, as if it had never existed. The mysterious figure descended at full speed, crashing hard into the forest floor. The roar of the impact startled the nocturnal animals, sending up a cloud of dust that enveloped everything.
As the dust cleared, the silhouette of a young woman became visible. Her clothes, torn and bloodied, revealed a slender, muscular body. Her hair, a silvery white that contrasted with the darkness of the forest, cascaded down her shoulders. Deep wounds furrowed her skin, but most striking was the expression on her face: a mixture of pain, terror and stunned disbelief.
With a muffled groan, the young woman murmured a barely audible word: "Bas. Bastards." And without the strength to go on, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Unknown Place:
In the vast expanse of nothingness, a solitary figure sat cross-legged, seemingly lost in deep meditation. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and steady, his body radiating an aura of calm.
Suddenly, the figure's eyes snapped open, their serene expression replaced by a flicker of curiosity. A ripple had disturbed the stillness of the void, a subtle tremor that hinted at a change. Intrigued, the figure murmured a single word: "Interesting."
Without another word, the figure closed its eyes again and returned to its meditative state.
Konohagakure, the village hidden in the leaves, stood as the most powerful village in the elemental nations. Once a battleground for warring clans, it was forged from the unlikely alliance between the Uchiha and the Senju, two of the most powerful clans of their time. Under the leadership of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, the village had united under a common banner of peace, attracting other clans to its cause.
Four years ago, the village had been ravaged by the Nine-Tailed Fox, a monstrous spirit unleashed upon it on a fateful October night. The Kyuubi's rampage had left a trail of death and destruction, claiming the lives of countless shinobi and civilians and reducing buildings to rubble.
In the face of this catastrophe, Konohagakure's Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had made the ultimate sacrifice, sealing the Nine-Tailed Fox within a newborn at the cost of his own life. His heroic act had saved the village from destruction, but the pain and loss of that night still lingered in the hearts of its inhabitants.
Despite ongoing reconstruction efforts, the wounds of the Kyuubi attack were still fresh, and the villagers, both shinobi and civilians, struggled with a complex web of emotions. Grief, resentment and fear swirled within them, seeking an escape. And in their search for a scapegoat, their eyes fell on a young boy, no more than four years old who bore no responsibility for the tragedy.
The busy streets of Konohagakure vibrated with life. Naruto, his spiky blonde hair catching the afternoon sun, blue eyes like two sapphires and six marks on his cheek, navigated the crowd with a wide grin. Today, he bought his special cup of ramen after getting his monthly payment from the old man. He could smell the delicious aroma from the cup and knew that he would enjoy it like never before.
Lost in his dreams, Naruto did not notice the burly figure approaching. A sickening thud echoed as they collided, sending the precious ramen flying from his grasp. Its contents splattered across the dusty ground, staining not only the pavement but also the man's clothes.
Despair filled Naruto's eyes as he stared at the ruined ramen, a symbol of his brief happiness shattered on the cold stone.
But before he could stammer out an apology, a rough hand grabbed his throat and yanked him from his feet.
The man's face contorted in rage, his eyes burning with malice. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU LITTLE BRAT?!" he roared, his voice dripping with venom. A brutal blow landed on Naruto's cheek, sending him crashing to the ground.
Pain flashed across his face, but adrenaline shot through Naruto as he tried to get up. However before he could get to his feet, another blow sent him sprawling back to the ground. Blood poured from his split lip, tears blurring his vision as he braced himself for the next attack.
Just as the man raised his fist for another blow, a hand stopped him, grabbing his arm. "What's the meaning of this?" A figure appeared behind him, its voice radiating authority.
Startled, the attacker looked at the newcomer. A nervous flicker crossed his eyes, but without a word he turned and slipped away, disappearing into the crowd.
The newcomer knelt down beside Naruto, her voice softer now, filled with concern. "Are you all right?" Naruto, still reeling from the attack, could only manage a weak groan.
He looked up to see a young woman with flowing silver hair and eyes that held a well of concern. Before she could offer further assistance, Naruto, overwhelmed by the shock and fear, scrambled to his feet and ran away. The young woman watched him disappear, a mixture of concern and determination etched into her face.
Some Moments Before:
A young woman strolled through the bustling streets of Konohagakure, her silver hair blowing in the breeze. The village teemed with life, a vibrant mix of the sounds of vendors and the sights of new stalls.
As she turned a corner, a piercing scream shattered the peaceful scene, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOUR LITTLE BRAT?!" The harsh words snapped her out of her thoughts and drew her gaze to the source of the commotion.
The sight that greeted her was in contrast to the vibrant village. A towering figure stood over a young boy, his fist clenched like a weapon. Crouched on the ground, the boy bore the brunt of the man's wrath, pain and fear written all over his face.
A torrent of anger and confusion followed the young woman's initial shock. The villagers around her watched the scene unfold with a cold apathy, some even showing a flicker of satisfaction. Their expressions were a cruel mockery of the boy's obvious distress.
But she quickly snapped out of her trance and decided to put an end to it, and she could see some of the spectators looking at her with disapproval, which also surprised her, as if her intervention was not necessary, but she snapped out of her thoughts to face the aggressor, who just snorted and walked away without looking back.
The young woman knelt beside the trembling boy, her heart heavy with compassion. "Are you all right?" she asked gently, her voice a soothing balm.
The boy looked up at her, his eyes wide with fear. Her heart sank as she realized that her presence, instead of comforting him, had only deepened his fear. He scrambled to his feet and ran off, disappearing into the maze of streets.
She watched him go, a wave of sadness washing over her. The villagers' hostile glances followed the boy's retreating figure, their expressions a testament to the deep-seated animosity they felt towards him.
Back To The Present:
The boy's feet pounded the pavement, his heart beating like a drum in his chest. He didn't dare look back, the image of the man's menacing figure seared into his mind. He ran until his lungs burned and his legs ached, seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of his small apartment building.
Located in the poor outskirts of Konohagakure, the building was a stark reminder of the boy's isolation. Unknown to him, the once lively complex had been abandoned, its inhabitants fleeing in fear upon learning of his presence.
Breaking into his bare room, the boy collapsed onto the worn bed, the tears he had been holding back finally streaming down his face. They were tears of sadness, of frustration, of a deep-seated loneliness that gnawed at his soul.
As the physical and emotional strain of the day took its toll, the boy drifted into an uneasy sleep, his dreams haunted by the events that had transpired.
Hours passed, and the boy awoke to the soft glow of the setting sun. The silence of his room was in stark contrast to the chaos of the morning. He glanced at the clock on the wall - it was five o'clock in the evening.
Just as he was about to get up, a sudden knock on the door dragged him back to reality. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with possibilities. Could it be the man from before, returning to finish what he had started? Or was it his Jiji, the only person to show him a bit of kindness in this harsh world?
Weighing his options, the boy cautiously approached the door, his hand hovering over the knob. A wave of fear washed over him, but he knew he couldn't live in constant fear. Taking a deep breath, he unlocked the door, ready to face whatever awaited him on the other side.
As the door creaked open, Naruto's eyes widened at the sight of the silver-haired, sky-eyed woman standing before him. A wave of recognition washed over him as he remembered the figure who had intervened on his behalf earlier that morning.
"H-hello," he stammered, a hint of nervousness tingling in his voice. The realization that he hadn't thanked her for her help gnawed at him.
"May I come in?" the woman asked politely. Naruto, taken aback by her unexpected presence, quickly gestured for her to enter. They sat down in the combined living room and kitchen area of his modest apartment.
"Hello, my name is Naruto Uzumaki," he introduced himself, scratching his neck sheepishly. "And I'm really sorry that I didn't thank you before, Miss. I was just..."
"Don't worry," the woman interrupted gently, her voice full of understanding. "I can imagine you weren't in the best of moods after what happened. My name is Grayfia Lucifugus."
A flicker of curiosity crossed Naruto's face as he asked, "May I ask why you're here?"
Surprised by his question, Grayfia replied, "Well, when you left so suddenly, I couldn't help but worry about you. I also wanted to know what happened to that man. Why did he react so violently?"
Naruto hesitated, not sure how to answer. This was a new experience for him, someone who really cared about his well-being. "I'm fine, I think," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty. "And thank you for that."
"As for what happened," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "I didn't do anything. I just bumped into him, and... and some of my ramen... spilled on him."
Grayfia's eyes widened in disbelief. The ferocity of the man's attack suggested a far more sinister motive than a simple ramen spill. It was clear that the man had used the incident as an excuse to unleash his pent-up rage on the unsuspecting child.
But why? Naruto looked no more than four years old. What could he have done to deserve such hatred? Grayfia's mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle.
However , Grayfia, momentarily setting aside her earlier doubts, changed the subject. "Where are your parents?" she asked, hoping to gain some insight into Naruto's upbringing.
Naruto's eyes clouded over with a hint of sadness as he replied, "I am an orphan. My Jiji told me that my parents died as heroes during the Nine-Tails attack, and I've been living on my own for the past six months."
Grayfia's heart ached for the boy. She could not imagine the pain and loneliness he must have endured, especially at such a tender age. "And what about the orphanage?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.
Naruto's expression grew somber as he recounted his experiences, "The matron said she couldn't keep me any longer. She claimed I was old enough to fend for myself and kicked me out on my third birthday. I lived on the streets for three months until a man in a cat or dog mask - I can't remember - found me and took me to my jiji. He gave me this apartment."
Grayfia's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of Naruto's story. It was clear to her that the matron had deliberately rejected Naruto, probably because of the stigma attached to his person. She couldn't understand the cruelty of such an act.
"And who is your Jiji?" Grayfia asked with a hint of anticipation in her voice, already guessing who this Jiji could be.
Naruto's eyes lit up a little as he replied, "I don't know his real name. He used to visit me at the orphanage once a month and I've always called him Jiji. He always wears a red hat and white clothes, and people call him Hok... Hokage-sama or something like that".
Grayfia's suspicions were confirmed. And knowing how the villagers treat the boy, only someone in a position of power could help him, someone like the village leader himself.
Since her arrival in this world ten years ago, even though she remained a spectator, she knew the basics of the Ninja, their ranks and the energy called Chakra, although she thought at first that she was in some Yokai city, she dismissed that possibility when she saw that everyone in this world was human, human with Chakra, but human. With magic as the energy source for her powers, she passed as just another civilian, and that helped her stay off the radar of the five major villages.
But the real question is, why would the village leader take an interest in an orphaned child with such a troubled past? Why would the village leader go to visit this boy? Of one thing she was sure, and that was that there was much more here than met the eye.
Grayfia was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Naruto calling her name. His gentle touch on her hand brought her back to reality and she turned her attention to the boy.
"Yes... yes? Did you say something?" she asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Well... I wanted to ask you if you were all right. You just went silent," Naruto replied, scratching his neck before sitting down again.
Grayfia was about to answer when she noticed that Naruto was fidgeting nervously in his chair. "Is everything all right?" she inquired with concern.
Naruto looked up at her briefly before lowering his eyes and muttering something inaudible. Grayfia leaned closer, straining to hear his words. "Naruto, what's wrong?" she asked again.
This time, Naruto took a deep breath and spoke more clearly. "I know we don't know each other very well, but you're the only person besides my Jiji who's ever talked to me, and I wanted to ask you something..."
Grayfia raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his request.
Naruto, getting more and more nervous, began to stammer: "W-w-would you... w-would you like to... be...?" His voice dropped to an inaudible whisper.
Grayfia couldn't decipher his last words, but she knew his hesitation came from fear. Gently, she placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch calming him. "Naruto, calm down and tell me what you want to ask," she said softly.
Naruto took another deep breath and finally said his question, "Will you be my friend?"
His voice was barely above a whisper, but Grayfia heard him clearly. For a moment, she considered refusing, but then she realized the depth of Naruto's loneliness. Since his "Jiji" was the Hokage, he was too busy with his duties to provide Naruto with the company he desired.
In a way, they were both alike, two souls wandering in a world of shinobi. However, a part of Grayfia's rational mind warned her against forming a close bond with Naruto. She didn't want her identity to be revealed, preferring to stay under the radar.
Grayfia met Naruto's hopeful gaze with a gentle smile, her heart touched by his eagerness. "Listen, Naruto," she began, her voice filled with sincerity, "I can be your friend..."
Naruto's face lit up, ready to celebrate, but Grayfia continued, "But I won't be able to see you all the time."
Naruto's face clouded with confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind, searching for an explanation. Before Grayfia could answer, he blurted out, "Is it... is it because I'm... I'm a monster?"
Grayfia's heart sank at his question. She had never imagined he would see himself in such a negative light. Reaching out, she gently placed her hands on his shoulders, guiding him to look into her eyes. "Why would you think that?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes as he recounted the painful memories of his past. "It's... it's because the matron used to say that. She said that..." His voice trembled as he struggled to hold back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. "...she said that no one would ever want to be friends with a monster like me."
Grayfia's heart ached for Naruto. She now understood the depth of his loneliness, the desperate need for acceptance and companionship that had driven him to seek her friendship. He had endured a lifetime of rejection and ostracism, his spirit broken by the cruelty of others.
Gathering him into a warm embrace, Grayfia held him close, giving him the comfort he desperately needed. Naruto clung to her, his tears streaming down his face as if releasing the pent-up pain that had weighed on him for so long.
In that moment, Grayfia saw the true Naruto, a broken child yearning for a shred of affection in a world that seemed determined to cast him out. She realised that his request for friendship wasn't just a childish whim; it was a plea for connection, a lifeline to a world where he felt seen and valued.
After a few minutes, Naruto's sobs subsided and his emotions gradually calmed down. Grayfia handed him a glass of water, her touch gentle and reassuring.
A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the gentle sipping of water. Finally, Grayfia spoke, her voice soft and determined. "Naruto, I never said that I didn't want to be your friend. It's just that I'm not from this village. I'm here as a trader and I will leave tomorrow."
Naruto's eyes widened and a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. Grayfia continued, her voice filled with a hint of hope, "But... if you promise not to tell anyone about our friendship, I'll come and visit you every month for a few days. What do you say?"
Naruto remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the ground. Grayfia was about to speak when he suddenly surprised her with a tight hug. Pulling away, he looked into her eyes, his face streaked with tears but now adorned with a hopeful smile. "I promise," he said, his voice full of determination.
Grayfia smiled back, her heart warmed by his unwavering faith in their friendship. She couldn't have predicted that this chance meeting, this unexpected bond, would have such a profound effect on their lives. Little did they know that this simple promise, this small act of kindness, would set in motion a chain of events that would change the course of their world forever.
Time Skip:
A year and a half had passed since the fateful encounter between the boy and the silver-haired young woman. True to her word, Grayfia had kept her promise, visiting Naruto every month for a few days before leaving, their friendship a constant in the midst of Naruto's tumultuous life.
Over time, Grayfia had grown fond of the boy. Despite the hardships he had endured, Naruto's infectious smile and unwavering spirit radiated warmth, a beacon of light in her otherwise solitary existence. Their friendship, an unlikely bond between a five-year-old and a woman in her early twenties, blossomed, bringing joy and companionship to their lives.
However, their idyllic bond was not without its challenges. Grayfia discovered that Naruto couldn't read or write, a result of the matron's neglect and the belief that he was old enough to fend for himself. His diet consisted solely of ramen noodles, the only food he could afford with his limited income. This revelation disturbed Grayfia, who realized that the villagers were taking advantage of Naruto's vulnerability by charging him exorbitant prices for basic necessities.
Determined to improve Naruto's life, Grayfia took on the role of mentor, teaching him essential life skills and knowledge. Her lessons often took place within the confines of Naruto's modest home, a sanctuary from the hostile environment that awaited him on the streets. While most villagers simply ignored Naruto, others openly displayed their disdain, hurling insults and even the occasional projectile.
As their bond deepened, Grayfia noticed a disturbing trend: the villagers' animosity towards Naruto seemed to increase with each visit. This growing hatred puzzled and worried her.
Breaking away from her thoughts, Grayfia turned her attention to the nearly six-year-old boy in front of her. " Well, Naruto," she said with a warm smile, which he eagerly returned. However, his cheerful expression quickly faded as she adopted a serious tone. "And if I find out that you've been eating nothing but ramen again, you'll be without it for a whole month."
Naruto's face paled at the prospect of ramen deprivation. While it was true that his diet had been limited to ramen before Grayfia's arrival, it was not solely out of necessity. Ramen had become his favourite dish, his personal 'food of the gods'.
With a quick nod, Naruto agreed to her ultimatum, determined to avoid another month without ramen. He had come to realize that despite her gentle demeanour, Grayfia could be quite harsh at times. Her punishments for his mischievous antics were swift and severe, as he vividly remembered the consequences of his last prank.
"Yes, ma'am," Naruto replied promptly, his voice filled with a hint of sadness as he said goodbye to his friend. He watched as her slim figure disappeared into the horizon, a pang of loneliness tugging at his heart. Despite her brief monthly visits, Grayfia's presence had changed his life, providing a much-needed respite from the loneliness that had become his constant companion.
He reached the door of his modest apartment and was about to open it when a soft, elderly voice broke the silence. "Is she gone?" it asked.
Naruto turned towards the voice, his face breaking into a warm smile. "Yes, but that's okay. She'll be back next month. She's my friend, you know," he explained, his voice filled with pride.
The old man, could only smile warmly. He couldn't help but notice the sadness in Naruto's eyes, a reflection of the loneliness that still weighed heavily on his young heart.
"Jiji, are you leaving today too?" Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze avoiding the old man's eyes.
Jiji chuckled softly, his voice filled with affection. "I was going to, but I decided to rest for a few more days," he replied, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
Naruto's face lit up with a bright smile and with newfound enthusiasm, he grabbed Jiji's hands and exclaimed, "Jiji, today you're going to tell me more of your stories!"
The man couldn't help but smile back. Naruto's excitement was contagious and he couldn't deny the joy he got from sharing his stories with the boy.
As Naruto led Jiji into their small apartment, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He vividly remembered the day he first met Jiji.
FlashBack:
Naruto was returning from his daily walk in the forest, the only place where he could find solace from the hostile stares, muttered insults and occasional stones thrown at him by the villagers. As he approached his apartment building, he noticed two figures standing outside. As he was about to ignore them, when something caught his attention.
"Are you sure you want to live here, sir? No offense, but this is where the demon boy lives," a middle-aged man whispered to an older gentleman who just stared back with a stoic expression.
Naruto paused, his ears straining to hear the old man's answer.
"That may be true," the old man replied, his voice calm and measured. Naruto's heart sank, the familiar weight of despair threatening to consume him. Just as he was about to turn away, the old man continued, "But it may also be untrue. I mean, do you have any proof that this boy is really a demon?"
The middle-aged man sighed in frustration and repeated his question, but the old man remained unmoved. "Do you want to sell me the apartment or not?" he asked firmly.
The other man sighed again and reluctantly agreed.
As they walked away, Naruto stood there with his eyes wide open and his mouth agape, unable to process what he had just heard. Here was another person, besides Grayfia and his Jiji, who didn't see him as a demon.
Wiping away the tears that threatened to overflow, Naruto broke into a wide grin, his heart filled with a newfound sense of hope. He skipped to his apartment, eager to prepare for his new neighbour, his spirit lifted by the unexpected kindness he had witnessed.
FlashBack End:
The next day, Naruto met Hiro, an elderly man who was also a merchant and spent a few days a month in Konoha. Hiro decided to buy an apartment in the village and planned to move there in a few years.
Naruto quickly warmed to Hiro and formed a close bond with the kindhearted old man. He even persuaded Grayfia to meet Hiro, despite her initial reservations. Once Grayfia met Hiro, her fears melted away and she too grew fond of the elderly gentleman. For both Naruto and Grayfia, Hiro became a surrogate grandfather figure, filling a void in their lives that they had never realised existed.
Hiro made every effort to coordinate his visits with Grayfia's, and the three of them formed an unlikely but heartwarming family. They would spend hours together, sharing laughter and stories. Naruto's antics would often elicit laughter from Hiro and Grayfia, who would then lovingly scold the boy for his mischievous behaviour.
Hiro's tales of his adventurous past would captivate Naruto, who would listen with wide-eyed wonder, while Grayfia would listen with a serene smile, enjoying the moment.
And End
I hope you liked the chapter. I don't how well is the story written but i used some tools like some AI to correct my tenses and the structure of the story, alonside they helped me decribing the scenes better, at least that is what i think. I know some people don't like the use of AI, but remember I'am not a professional writter and I do this just as a hobby and because I have a lot of imagination and I want to birng to the reality.
Thanks and don't forget to write a review.
See you soon.