Relentless Chapter 1 : Uchiha Matsuri, a naruto fanfic

Relentless.

Chapter 1 : Uchiha Matsuri.

The scene unfolded like a cruel tableau, with a five-year-old girl cowering on the ground, her dark indigo hair disheveled and her white eyes cast downward as she wept silently. Three older boys, each at least ten years old, loomed over her, their faces twisted in cruel amusement.

One of the bullies, a boy with brown hair, sneered, "Look at those creepy white eyes. They're ugly."

Another bully, a boy with black hair, chimed in, "And her haircut is stupid too. She's the ugliest girl I've ever seen."

The third bully, a boy wearing a cap, nodded in agreement. "She's a total freak."

The girl's tears fell silently, but her eyes flashed with a deep sadness. Just as it seemed like the bullies were about to escalate their torment, a voice cut through the air.

"Is this really what you guys are resorting to?" a voice said from behind them. "Ganging up on a little girl and bullying her? You're all pathetic."

The three bullies spun around to face the speaker, their faces flushing with anger. Behind them stood a tanned-skinned boy, around the same age as the little girl. He was dressed in a black T-shirt and dark green cargo shorts, with short, spiky orange hair and piercing blue eyes tinged with violet. His gaze remained steady and unflinching.

"What did you just say to us, you little punk?" one of the bullies snarled, taking a step forward.

"I said you're all weaklings, picking on a girl half your age," the orange-haired boy replied, his voice steady. "It's cowardly and pathetic."

One of the older boys with brown hair sneered, "Get lost, kid. If you know what's good for you."

The smaller boy with orange hair looked him straight in the eye and said, "Make me."

The bullies' faces darkened, and one of them snarled, "That does it." With that, they charged at the orange-haired boy.

The orange-haired boy readied himself for the fight, dodging a punch from the black-haired bully but taking a solid hit to his left cheek from the brown-haired one. He dodged another punch from the brown-haired boy and attempted to counterattack, but the older, heavier bully with the cap appeared behind him and grabbed him in a rear naked choke.

The brown-haired boy took advantage of the situation and landed multiple hits on the orange-haired boy, striking him twice on either side of the face and once straight at the nose. The orange-haired boy, still held in the chokehold, was unable to defend himself. He felt a wave of pain wash over him as the brown-haired boy's fists flew at him with a flurry of punches.

As the brown-haired bully tried to punch the orange-haired boy again, the younger boy, still held in the rear naked choke by the older, heavier bully, suddenly jumped off the ground and landed a double heel kick on the brown-haired bully, sending him crashing to the ground. The brown-haired bully fell, clutching at his injured body and screaming in pain.

"You fucking bastard!" the older brown-haired bully screamed as he fell, clutching at his injured body. The orange-haired boy's kick had caught him off guard, and he stumbled backward, giving the orange-haired boy the opportunity to counterattack.

As the fat bully's arms slipped, loosening his grip on the chokehold, the orange-haired boy swiftly moved his head backwards, striking the fat boy on the mouth and nose. The older, heavier boy screamed in pain and released his hold on the orange-haired boy.

"Aaah, it hurts! You little shit!" the older, heavier boy screamed, clutching at his nose and mouth in pain. The orange-haired boy took advantage of the distraction to break free from the chokehold and create some distance between himself and his attackers.

No sooner had the orange-haired boy been released from the hold than he received a punch from the older black-haired bully. The moment the orange-haired boy was punched by the black-haired bully, his hair was grabbed by the brown-haired boy, who was already closing in on him.

The brown-haired boy then smashed his knee into the orange-haired boy's nose, using his grip on the boy's hair to add force to the blow, sending him crashing to the ground. The orange-haired boy's vision blurred as he struggled to get back to his feet.

Despite his valiant efforts, the older bullies quickly overpowered the orange-haired boy. As the three bullies surrounded him, beating him mercilessly, the orange-haired boy refused to give up. Despite the pain and the odds against him, he struggled to fight back, his eyes blazing with determination.

The three bullies continued to beat the orange-haired boy, their fists flying in a flurry of punches and kicks. The orange-haired boy stumbled backward, his face a blur of pain and confusion. He fell to the ground, his body battered and bruised, but still refused to give up.

The bullies' attack was relentless, their blows raining down on the orange-haired boy like a storm. He curled up into a ball, trying to protect himself from the onslaught, but the bullies showed no mercy. They kicked and punched him, their faces twisted in cruel grins.

Despite the beating, the orange-haired boy's spirit remained unbroken. He glared up at his attackers, his eyes burning with defiance and determination. He would not give up, no matter what they did to him.

The girl watched in horror as her savior, the orange-haired boy, was mercilessly beaten by the three bullies. Tears streamed down her face as she silently pleaded with them to stop. "Please, that's enough," she mouthed, her voice trembling with fear.

However, the bullies showed no mercy. They continued to kick and punch the orange-haired boy, who lay helpless on the ground.

In a desperate bid to defend himself, the orange-haired boy grabbed the black-haired bully's groin and clenched it as hard as he could. The black-haired boy let out a blood-curdling scream as he fell to the ground, trying to remove the hand that was about to crush his testicles. The other two boys stopped attacking as they heard the scream.

Seizing the opportunity, the orange-haired boy rolled out and created distance between himself and the three bullies. The black-haired boy lay on the ground, paralyzed from the pain. "Itsuki, are you all right?" his two friends asked, concerned. The black-haired boy on the ground barely nodded. "Don't worry, this kid is going to get it now," said the fat bully with the cap, as he and his brown-haired friend looked at the orange-haired boy, who was now a few meters away from them.

Now, with the odds reduced to 2 vs 1, the orange-haired boy felt a surge of confidence, as the fight had become a more even match.

"Get what ya, fat bastard?" the orange-haired boy taunted with a confident grin, as he was crouched down on the floor with one knee resting on the ground. "One of your friend is already on the ground crying."

Unbeknownst to the remaining two older boys in front of him, the orange-haired boy was secretly holding a heavy, sharp stone that was hidden from their sight.

"You motherfucker," growled the fat bully with the cap, as he and the brown-haired bully charged at the orange-haired boy.

As both bullies ran towards him, the orange-haired boy swiftly threw the rock he was holding at the brown-haired boy.

The rock struck the brown-haired boy's forehead with great force, causing it to burst open and release a gush of blood. The boy let out a loud scream of pain, clutching his head and stumbling backwards. "GRRRRRAH..." he cried out, before collapsing to the ground.

"Isamu!" screamed the fat bully, momentarily distracted by his friend's injury. However, this brief lapse in attention proved to be a costly mistake, as he looked up to see the orange-haired boy's fist hurtling towards his face. His eyes widened in shock and fear, and all he could think of was one word: "Shit."

"Next time you try to bully someone, REMEMBER THIS!" the orange-haired boy screamed, his fist crashing into the fat bully's mouth with incredible force, causing his lip to burst and his teeth to shatter. The fat bully was sent flying backwards, landing with a thud on the ground, where he lay unconscious.

The orange-haired boy stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion and adrenaline. The black-haired boy still lay on the ground, clutching his groin in agony. The brown-haired boy stirred, groaning in pain. The fat bully with the cap remained motionless, defeated.

He took a deep breath as he gazed at his fallen adversaries, waiting to see if they would get up again.

Then, he turned to face the girl behind him. He walked slowly towards her, his entire body aching from the beating he had just received. His face was a mess of blood and bruises, with cuts on his mouth, nose, and head, and his body was battered and bruised.

As he approached the girl, he asked, his breath heavy, "Are you okay?" The girl nodded, her eyes wide with concern, as the boy reached out and gently pulled her to her feet. He looked at her with a searching gaze, his eyes taking in the unique features of her face. "You're one of those people with white eyes, aren't you?" he asked, his voice weak but curious.

The girl nodded, her eyes sparkling with a hint of shyness. "I-I'm Hyuga Hinata," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I'm sorry to have caused you trouble. You got hurt because I was too weak to defend myself."

The orange-haired boy simply waved his hand dismissively. "Heh, don't worry about it. Someone had to kick those weaklings' asses," he said with a grin.

Suddenly, an older and taller man appeared behind Hinata, with the same white eyes as her. He was wearing a standard chunin uniform, and a Konoha forehead protector was wrapped around his forehead.

"Hinata-sama, I searched for you everywhere," the newcomer said to the little girl in front of him, his eyes scanning the scene before him, taking in the orange-haired boy and the three older boys lying on the ground a short distance away. "Where were you?"

"S-Sorry, Ko-san," Hinata said, looking down. "I-I wandered farther than I should have."

"Don't worry," Ko replied, his voice calm. "Let's go. Hiashi-sama has been worried about you."

"I guess it's time for me to leave too," the orange-haired boy said, turning and starting to walk away.

"W-Wait," Hinata called out, making the orange-haired boy stop and look at her. "Y-You didn't tell me your name."

The orange-haired boy's lips curled up into a confident grin. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto," he said, his voice filled with a sense of pride and determination.

Six months later...

Naruto's fists flew in rapid succession, pounding against the tree stump with a mixture of frustration and anger. He had been kicked out of his regular training spot, and the rejection still stung. "I wasn't even asking them to move out," he muttered to himself, his voice low and bitter. "Just let me train in some corner." The stump bore the brunt of his anger, withering under the onslaught of kicks and punches.

Just as Naruto was starting to tire, a voice pierced the air, shattering his concentration. "What are you doing here?" The words were laced with a hint of annoyance, and Naruto's head snapped up to face the speaker.

A girl with long, dark hair and piercing eyes stood behind him, her gaze assessing him with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. She appeared to be two or three years older than him, and taller too. Her casual black pants and t-shirt contrasted sharply with Naruto's worn-out training gear. He thought she looked kind of cute, though he would never say it out loud.

"I'm training," Naruto replied, his tone gruff.

The girl raised an eyebrow. "I can see that, but why are you training here?"

Naruto's face scrunched up in realization, and he felt a flush rise to his cheeks. "I was kicked out of my usual place, and I saw this spot was empty, so I stayed."

The girl's expression turned stern. "So just because someone else took your place, it gives you the right to hog someone else's spot?"

Naruto's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "No, I'm not hogging anything! I'll leave as soon as the people who own this place arrive."

The girl's gaze seemed to bore into him, and Naruto felt a shiver run down his spine. "Then go," she said, her voice firm.

Naruto's eyes widened in confusion. "What?"

"This place belongs to my family," the girl explained, her voice dripping with a sense of ownership. "So you can leave now."

Naruto's face fell, and he stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what to say. Finally, he bowed respectfully. "Sorry for bothering you, Uchiha-san. I'll leave."

The girl was about to start her training, then suddenly felt bed for being rude to the younger boy "I should stop taking my frustrations on others" she thought as she turned at the boy and saw he was about to jump away "Wait!" she called him.

Naruto turned back, his eyes questioning. "How did you know I'm an Uchiha?" she asked, her gaze piercing.

Naruto shrugged. "You look like one" he said as he continued "And the Uchiha compound isn't far away from here, so I guessed".

The girl's eyebrow arched in surprise, "perceptive," she said, a hint of approval creeping into her voice. "You can stay here and train if you want to." Then she added "for today at least".

Naruto's nodded understanding. "Thank you, Uchiha-san," he said, bowing again.

The girl chuckled. "And stop being formal."

The Uchiha girl's eyes flickered with a mixture of amusement and annoyance as she watched Naruto's haphazard training. His movements were wild and uncoordinated, lacking any semblance of form or discipline. It was as if he was flailing his arms and legs in the hopes of landing a lucky hit.

Despite his poor technique, the boy's determination and work ethic were undeniable. He had been punching and kicking the massive wooden stump for over thee hours without pause, his arms and legs bleeding from the exertion. Matsuri had to admit, she was impressed by his tenacity.

As she approached him she asked "What are you doing?" , Naruto stopped mid-swing, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm practicing taijutsu, Uchiha-san," he said, his chest heaving with exhaustion.

Matsuri's eyes rolled in exasperation. "First of all, drop the 'Uchiha-san' nonsense. My name is Matsuri, and whatever you're doing is called 'crippling yourself' where I'm from."

Naruto's face scrunched up in confusion. "But I thought you were from the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Matsuri-san?"

Matsuri's eyes widened in incredulity, and for a moment, she considered slapping her hand over her face. She couldn't believe the boy's naivety. She thought to herself, "Shisui nii-san isn't the only one who's dense, it seems." Thinking about her older brother.

Taking a deep breath, Matsuri composed herself and spoke to Naruto. "Just call me Matsuri, okay?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hi, Matsuri-san!" he chimed, before resuming his training. Matsuri rolled her eyes good-naturedly, watching as Naruto flailed his arms and legs wildly around the training stump.

Shaking her head, she walked over to a nearby stump and began to demonstrate a series of precise, fluid movements. "Watch closely, brat," she called out, her voice firm but encouraging. "Try to follow my lead."

Naruto's eyes snapped towards her, his face set in concentration. He watched intently as Matsuri punched and kicked the stump with precision and control, her movements a blur of speed and power. Then, slowly, he began to mimic her actions, his own movements stiff and awkward at first.

But as he continued to practice, Naruto's form began to improve. His punches and kicks grew stronger and more precise, his movements more fluid and controlled. Matsuri watched him with a critical eye while she herself was practicing, her expression softening into a hint of approval.

As Naruto practiced, he couldn't help but think to himself, "She's actually helping me?" He was grateful enough that she had allowed him to train on her family's training field, but the fact that she was actively helping him was almost too much to believe.

"Not bad, not bad at all," Matsuri thought to herself, unknown to Naruto a small smile playing on her lips. "Maybe letting him train here wasn't a waste after all." She continued to watch him, her eyes narrowing then resumed her own training.

After noon...

Naruto's eyes were glued to Matsuri as she practiced her Shuriken jutsu, her movements swift and precise. He was mesmerized by her skill, and his own training momentarily forgotten. But what really caught his attention was her eyes - they seemed to glow with an red light, unlike the dark eyes he was used to seeing. "Is that the eye powers people says Uchiha have?" he wondered, his curiosity piqued.

Just as he was about to get lost in his thoughts, Matsuri's sharp voice cut through the air, snapping him back to reality. "Stop gawking at me, and get back to your own training!" she shouted, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

Naruto jumped back, startled, and quickly returned to his own training. He approached the wooden stump and launched into a handstand, his body inverted as he began to do handstand pushups. "One... two... three... four..." he counted in his head, his movements smooth and controlled.

Despite his focus on his training, Naruto couldn't help but sneak glances at Matsuri every now and then. As he was fascinated by her skills.

Evening...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the training grounds, Matsuri prepared to leave. But then she saw the boy, his eyes fixed intently on her. Matsuri noticed that he seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't quite get the words out.

"If you've got something to say, just say it," Matsuri said, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Naruto took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination. Then, in a burst of speed, he spoke, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Pleaseletme trainherematsuri-san!" he exclaimed, his eyes closed, his body bent in a deep bow.

Matsuri's eyes widened in surprise, her face a picture of confusion. "What was that?" she asked, her voice rising in query.

Naruto took another deep breath, his eyes opening as he spoke again, this time more clearly. "I want to train in this place, Matsuri-san," he said, his voice filled with hope.

As Matsuri pondered his request, Naruto prepared himself for rejection.

Suddenly, she said, "Sure." Then she added, "But you'll have to do all the chores around here—cleaning, picking up the weapons I leave from training, bringing me food from my home, and so on."

If she hadn't been impressed by his dedication and work ethic, she probably would've said no. Plus, she could use an extra hand to help with the work.

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "W-What?" he stuttered, taken aback by the sudden confirmation.

"I said you can train here," Matsuri repeated, "but you'll also have to do other tasks I assign to you, and I'm not paying"

Naruto's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Matsuri-san," he said, before returning to his training with renewed vigor.

As Matsuri watched him train, she couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise. "He's going to train even more?" she thought to herself. "And speaking of training, he doesn't seem to be tired at all after an entire day of work. That's strange." She shook her head, a mixture of curiosity and concern etched on her face, then she turned away and returned to her home.

Somewhere in Konoha, 8 : 15 pm,

As Naruto leapt across the rooftops, the exhaustion of the day's training began to catch up with him. But despite the fatigue, a genuine smile spread across his face. It was a smile he wasn't sure he'd ever worn before, a smile that seemed to come from a deep sense of joy and contentment.

It was all because of Matsuri, the girl he'd met on the training grounds. She was the first person who hadn't looked at him with disdain or disgust. She hadn't shooed him away or told him to leave. Instead, she'd offered him her help and guidance, and Naruto had found himself feeling seen and heard in a way he never had before.

As he made his way home, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that he'd finally found something special. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but he knew it felt good. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, like he'd finally found a sense of belonging.

"I can't wait to see Matsuri-san again," he thought to himself, a sense of excitement and anticipation building in his chest. He felt like he was walking on air, like nothing could bring him down. For the first time, Naruto felt like he had something to look forward to, something to be hopeful about.

Uchiha compound, Kagami household, 9 : 00 pm,

Uchiha Shisui and his younger sister, Matsuri, sat down at the dining table, enjoying a quiet dinner together in the family estate. Since their parents' passing, the two siblings had been living alone, with Shisui often away on missions, leaving Matsuri to take care of the household chores, her Academy studies, and training. Despite her many responsibilities, Matsuri remained a top student, a prodigy in her own right, rivaling the likes of Uchiha Itachi and Namikaze Minato in academic scores.

As they savored their meal, Shisui asked, "How was your day?" Matsuri shrugged, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Nothing special. I skipped class today to take care of some household chores and then headed to the training grounds."

Shisui chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Your day sounds more exciting than mine, that's for sure. I spent my day babysitting some rich client."

Matsuri smiled, her lips curling upward. "Yeah, my day was pretty uneventful. But then I ran into a strange kid at the training grounds."

Shisui's eyebrows shot up, his curiosity piqued. "A kid? Not from the clan?" Matsuri nodded, confirming his suspicion.

Shisui leaned in, his interest sparked. "That is unusual. That place is far too away for a kid from village to wander around. What happened?"

Matsuri took a bite of her food, savoring the flavors before responding. "He was training when I arrived. Kid got unreal work ethic for his age for sure, I couldn't say no when he asked let him train on our field." She glanced at her brother, her eyes seeking his approval. "Do you have any problem with that?"

Shisui waved his hand dismissively. "As long as he's not a slacker, I don't mind. Just make sure he doesn't become a distraction."

Matsuri nodded, her ponytail bobbing behind her. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. If he becomes a problem, I'll kick him out."

Shisui smiled, his eyes warm with amusement. "How's life at the Academy?" he asked, reaching for his glass of water.

Matsuri rolled her eyes, her expression exasperated. "Don't remind me. If there wasn't a ban on early graduation, I would've left that place already. You and Itachi-san got lucky to graduate early."

Shisui's expression turned serious, his voice taking on a gentle tone. "Hey don't say that, sometimes I think that graduating early was a mistake, if I could go back time could've stayed there till I'm 12-13 and have as much fun I could have"

Shisui's words made his sister looked at him surprised, she had no idea that her elder brother thought that way.

Then Shisui added further "why do you think Itachi and I still hang out often? We didn't have many people to connect with, especially after our early graduation."

Matsuri looked up at her brother, her eyes sparkling with understanding. Shisui continued, his voice filled with a hint of regret. "Don't let that happen to you, Matsuri. Don't rush through it. Take the time to form lasting bonds and friendships. It's the most important thing for your future as a shinobi."

Matsuri nodded, her expression thoughtful, as she absorbed her brother's words.

Five days later, 12 : 30 pm

As Matsuri arrived at her training grounds after finishing her academy work, she was greeted by the sight of Naruto already in the middle of an intense workout. This had been his routine for the past five days, ever since the day she first met him.

"523... 524... 525... 526... 527..." She heard Naruto's voice.

He was performing rapid-fire pull-ups on a sturdy tree branch, his muscles rippling beneath his skin as he counted out loud. The sheer number of pull-ups he was doing left Matsuri's eyes widening in surprise. "Doing that when he is barely 6 year old? impressive," she thought to herself, impressed by his strength and endurance.

Just then, Naruto caught sight of her and released himself from the branch, landing lightly on the ground. "Good afternoon, Matsuri-san," he said with a respectful bow, his eyes shining with a hint of pride. Matsuri couldn't help but notice the spark of determination in his eyes, and she felt a pang of curiosity.

"How long have you been here, brat?" Matsuri asked, folding her arms across her chest as she eyed him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She had to admit, she was intrigued by his dedication to training.

Naruto stood up straight, his eyes meeting hers. "I've been here since 6 a.m.," he said, his voice steady and unwavering. Matsuri's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That early? That's ridiculous, she thought. "And you've been up this early for the past five days as well, I presume?" she asked aloud.

Naruto nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "I train from early morning every day," he said, his voice unwavering. Matsuri's eyes narrowed, impressed by his consistency.

"And how long have you been doing it?" Matsuri asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Six months," Naruto replied, his voice filled with a sense of pride. Matsuri's thoughts whirled with the implications. He was consistent and disciplined, and his dedication was admirable.

"Aren't you only six years old?" Matsuri asked.

"Five and a half," Naruto replied.

Matsuri's eyes narrowed, her expression softening with concern. "Tell me, don't your parents say anything about you pushing yourself this hard and staying outside all day?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of worry. She couldn't help but wonder what drove him to train so tirelessly, and whether he was taking care of himself in the process.

Naruto's looked Matsuri in her eyes, and he mumbled a single word: "None." The sound hung in the air, a stark admission that left Matsuri's shocked but she didn't show it.

"No parents?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. The words seemed to echo through the silence, a poignant reminder of Naruto's solitary existence.

Naruto shook his head, as he tried to avoid eye contact, as if the weight of his words was too much to bear. Matsuri's expression softened, her eyes filling with a deep understanding. She knew the pain of losing parents, and her heart went out to the young boy standing before her.

Matsuri's response was a simple "Oh..." but it spoke volumes. She knew that sometimes, there were no words to comfort the pain of loss, only a gentle understanding.

"Alright, enough talk for now," Matsuri said, controlling her emotions. "Go back to your work." Naruto nodded and returned to his workout, while Matsuri began her own.

As they trained, Matsuri would occasionally glance in Naruto's direction to check on his progress and correct any mistakes she noticed.

After about an hour, Matsuri suddenly called out to Naruto. "Brat, come here!" Naruto stopped his workout and walked over to her. "What is it, Matsuri-san?" he asked.

"If you're having trouble with your training, don't hesitate to ask for my help," Matsuri said, her voice gentle. "I'll do my best to assist you when I have some spare time," she added, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Naruto's face lit up with a radiant smile, his eyes shining with excitement. He took a step forward, his body language exuding gratitude. "Thank you, Matsuri-san!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply, his voice filled with sincerity. "I won't let you down," he added, his eyes locked onto Matsuri's, a promise etched in his gaze.

Matsuri's smile faltered for a moment, her eyes flashing with a hint of warning. "Don't go thanking me," she said, her voice teasing. "I'm not going to be your sensei or anything. I'll just help you out whenever I can, outside of my own work." But Naruto's enthusiasm was infectious, and Matsuri found herself smiling again.

As Naruto returned to his training, Matsuri began her own workout, her movements fluid and precise. But as she practiced her chakra control, she couldn't help but steal glances at Naruto, her eyes drawn to his determined expression.

Just then, Naruto heard Matsuri calling out to him from across the training area. "So, what's your name again?" she asked, her voice casual, as if she had just remembered. Naruto's eyes narrowed, a hint of humor dancing in their depths. He thought to himself, "You never asked for my name in the first place," but instead of saying it, he simply replied, "Uzumaki Naruto."

Matsuri's response was dry and teasing. "On second thought, brat still suits you better." Naruto's face fell, but he couldn't help but chuckle at Matsuri's light-hearted jab.

One month later...

One month had already passed since Naruto began training with Uchiha Matsuri at her family's training grounds.

As the evening sun cast a warm glow over the area, Matsuri and Naruto sat together, watching the sunset near a lake not too far from where they trained. The exhaustion from the day's efforts slowly gave way to a sense of calm. Suddenly, Matsuri turned to Naruto, her eyes filled with curious intensity.

"Why are you training so hard, Naruto?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. "What's driving you to push yourself to this limit?"

Naruto's gaze drifted away, his thoughts lingering on the question as if he was searching for the answer within himself. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think it's because it makes me happy."

Matsuri's expression was one of confusion. "It makes you happy? How?" she asked, she had an idea of where he was coming from, but she wanted it hear it from him.

Naruto's eyes dropped, his gaze falling on the setting sun as he began to open up about his past. "When I'm not training, I think about other things... painful things," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "Why I don't have parents, are they dead? Did they leave me? Why I don't have any relatives like others do? Why the villagers seem to hate me? Why they look at me with those eyes, filled with hatred and contempt?" He paused, his voice trembling.

"But when I'm training," he continued, his voice filled with a sense of longing, "I don't have to think about any of those painful memories. When my mind and body is clouded by pain and exhaustion, it's the most incredible feeling I get at that moment. It makes me feel alive... it makes me happy," he said, his eyes locking onto Matsuri's as he spoke.

Matsuri's expression had changed, her eyes no longer filled with curiosity but with a deep understanding. She had turned her head to the side, her gaze avoiding Naruto's as if she was trying to process the emotions that had just been shared with her. The silence between them was palpable, filled with a sense of mutual understanding and empathy.

Matsuri's gaze remained fixed on the side, her expression a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "And what is it about the villagers hating you?" she asked, her voice low and gentle. She couldn't quite understand why anyone would harbor such strong feelings towards Naruto, a boy who seemed kind, respectful, and hardworking.

Naruto's response was a simple "I don't know." He shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the ground.

Matsuri turned to him, her eyes searching for answers. "You don't know?" she pressed, her voice laced with a hint of incredulity.

Naruto nodded, his eyes dropping to the ground. "It's another one of those 'why's' for me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't have any answers."

The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken emotions. Matsuri and Naruto sat together, watching the sunset in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The only sound was the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees, a soft accompaniment to the turmoil brewing inside them.

Naruto's question came out of nowhere, catching Matsuri off guard. "What are your reasons, Matsuri-san?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of wonder.

Matsuri's expression was a mixture of curiosity and caution. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice measured.

Naruto's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "You know my reasons now, but why do you push yourself so hard?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. "You're already a prodigy, the strongest in the academy, and probably the strongest in your age group in this village. Yet, you still come here almost every day and push yourself to your limits. Why?"

Matsuri's response was delayed, as if she was gathering her thoughts before speaking. After a few moments of silence, she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "My reasons aren't too different from yours, Naruto," she said, her words sending a shockwave through the younger boy's eyes.

As she spoke, Matsuri's expression changed, her eyes clouding over with a mix of emotions. "When my parents died, I didn't know what to do," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "There was so much pain, anger, and grief, it was overwhelming. Shisui coped better because he was older, or at least, he tried to for my sake. But I couldn't. I needed a release, a way to channel my emotions before they consumed me."

Matsuri's eyes dropped, her gaze falling on the ground as she continued. "So, I trained. I trained as hard as I could, to the point where I couldn't think, to the point where I barely had any energy left for anything else. After a while, it became a habit," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

As Matsuri finished speaking, her eyes locked onto Naruto's, who nodded in understanding.

The air was thick with emotion as Matsuri shared her story, her words painting a picture of a young girl struggling to cope with the loss of her parents.

Two months later...

It had been three months since Naruto had begun training in the grounds belonging to Uchiha Matsuri's family not too far away from the Uchiha compound, under the watchful eye of Matsuri. Each day, he would arrive before dawn, eager to start his routine. Most days, Matsuri would join him after her return from the Academy, and together they would push each other to new heights. There were some days when she was absent, and Naruto would miss her presence, but he had learned to adapt and continue training on his own.

As he stood there, a smile crept onto his face, remembering the small gestures that had become a part of their daily routine. One such moment stood out in his mind - when Matsuri had discovered that he had been surviving on cup noodles for most meals, she had taken it upon herself to cook for him. Despite his protests that he didn't want to be a burden, she had refused to accept his refusal. "You can't train here if you don't accept it," she had said, her eyes were scary and serious.

Naruto's heart swelled with gratitude as he recalled the kindness she had shown him. He had vowed to repay her in any way he could, and he had been doing his best to prove himself worthy of her trust. He had also learned that Matsuri shared a similar background to his own - she had no parents, only an older brother named Shisui, who was 5 years her senior. Naruto was curious about the older Uchiha sibling, but he had yet to meet him.

Just as his thoughts were drifting away, a sudden punch landed on his face, sending him flying into a nearby tree. He crashed to the ground, dazed and disoriented. As he struggled to sit up, he saw Matsuri standing over him, a fierce glint in her eye. Today was the first time she had offered him a sparring session, and it seemed she was determined to make the most of it.

"Stop daydreaming, brat!" Matsuri shouted, her voice echoing through the air. Naruto struggled to his feet, his eyes were still on her, who was wearing a sleek black martial arts gi with a red belt. "Kind she might be," Naruto thought to himself, "but she's sure is ruthless."

With a newfound sense of determination, Naruto charged forward, ready to continue their taijutsu practice. He was determined to prove himself to Matsuri-san, to show her that he was worthy of her time and effort. The training session was far from over, and Naruto was ready to give it his all.

Matsuri watched with an unreadable expression as Naruto rose from the ground, determination and resilience clear in every move. He rushed at her with a barrage of punches and kicks, each one landing with a resounding thud. Yet Matsuri dodged them effortlessly, without even shifting her stance.

Naruto's fists flew at her with a jab-cross-hook combination, followed by a swift kick with his right leg. He immediately transitioned into another punch, but Matsuri dodged each strike with minimal movement, using subtle footwork to evade the attacks. She stood her ground, calmly evading and blocking each of Naruto's strikes with ease, as though his attacks were nothing more than the wind passing by.

As the attack continued, Matsuri's eyes narrowed and she thought to herself, "Enough dodging." With a sudden burst of energy, she seized an opening and landed a solid punch to Naruto's chest, sending him flying backward. Her right fist connected with a loud thud, and Naruto stumbled backward, crashing into a tree. Matsuri maintained her stance, eyes fixed on Naruto as he splintered the tree and sent shards of wood flying in all directions.

Unsurprisingly, Naruto was back on his feet in an instant, his determination and fierce spirit undiminished. He charged at her again, his movements more intense and aggressive than before. His fists flew at her with a flurry of punches, followed by a kick with his left leg. He transitioned into a series of rapid-fire jabs, but Matsuri was ready for him. She blocked and dodged each strike, using her agility and footwork to evade the attacks.

Matsuri couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as she thought to herself, "At least this kid can take a punch." He was the first person to stand up from her hits after all, a feat that none of her classmates at the academy had ever managed.

The cycle continued, with Naruto launching himself at her, only to be knocked down again and again and again. Yet each time, he would rise to his feet, his eyes burning with a fierce determination, and charge at her once more. Matsuri waited for an opening and landed a punch to Naruto's abdomen, sending him crashing to the ground and creating a crater. She remained in her stance, eyes locked on Naruto as he struggled to get back to his feet.

A kick to his back sent him flying into a nearby tree, but he picked himself up, his face set in a grim determination. Naruto quickly recovered and engaged Matsuri in close combat, his fists flying at her with a series of rapid-fire punches. He followed up with a kick and attempted to grab her, but Matsuri broke the clinch and landed a kick to his back, sending him flying into the tree once more.

Matsuri was starting to feel a sense of awe at Naruto's resilience. "This kid is sure as hell relentless," she thought, her eyes narrowed in surprise. She had never seen anyone like him before.

Her eyes locked on Naruto as he charged at her again, and predictably, he was sent flying backward with a punch once more. Matsuri seized the opening and landed a solid punch to Naruto's chest, sending him stumbling backward. She maintained her stance, eyes fixed on him as he struggled to get back to his feet.

"Now this is getting ridiculous," Matsuri thought, watching as Naruto stood up again, his determination might be unwavering, "but it's also annoying" she added mentally.

As Naruto charged at her once more, Matsuri suddenly called out, "Stop!" The younger boy skidded to a halt, his eyes locked on hers in surprise.

"But why? I can still continue," Naruto protested, not wanting to be seen as a weakling, as he did nothing but get is ass handed by her for hours, as he was started to get afraid that she will think of him as a disappointment.

Matsuri crossed her arms, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "I know you can, but I don't want to spend the rest of my day beating you up," she said with a smirk, her words dripping with a mix of humor and condescension.

Naruto nodded, his eyes wide with admiration. "You're just way too good, Matsuri-san, and you're not even using your Sharingan," he said, his voice laced with a hint of awe. He shuddered at the mere thought of facing her with her Sharingan activated. "Matsuri-san without Sharingan is already scary strong," he added mentally, his eyes sparkling with respect.

"I think I should resume my own workout," he said to her with a respectful bow, and started to walk away. But Matsuri's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Where are you going? We're not done yet," she said, her eyes having an unreadable expression that left Naruto wondering what she had planned next.

Naruto turned back to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay," he said simply, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation.

Matsuri's smile grew wider as she pulled out a handful of shuriken from her backpack. "Today, I'm going to teach you one of the most important aspects of becoming a shinobi," she announced, her voice dripping with excitement. "I'm going to teach you how to dodge!" she said, throwing the shuriken at Naruto with a flick of her wrist.

Naruto's eyes widened in alarm as he realized he couldn't track the projectiles. "Shit," he thought to himself, his mind racing with panic as he anticipated the impact. But the shuriken barely missed him, hitting the trees behind with a soft thud. Matsuri had thrown them in a way that would avoid hitting Naruto.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Naruto almost shouted, his face pale with fear.

Matsuri chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Brat, if I were trying to kill you, you'd be dead already," she said, pulling out more shuriken from her backpack. "Now stop bitching and start DODGING!" she said, throwing a hail shuriken at Naruto again with a fierce cry.

Naruto's eyes widened in terror as he realized he was in for a world of hurt. "I'm so dead," he thought to himself, his body covered in a cold sweat.

Kagami Household, Uchiha district, 7 : 00 pm...

Matsuri gently laid Naruto's unconscious body on the bed in the guest room, her eyes scanning his injuries with a mix of concern and guilt. As she tended to his wounds, she couldn't help but think that she had gone too far during their training session. The younger boy's battered body was a testament to her own lack of control.

"I went way overboard today," she thought to herself, her eyes softening as she gazed at Naruto's peaceful face. She had gotten carried away with the training, and now Naruto was paying the price.

After finishing up with his wounds, Matsuri turned to leave, assuming that Naruto was fast asleep. But just as she reached the door, she heard a faint voice behind her.

"M-Matsuri-san, you are... you are not disappointed in me right?" Naruto's question was laced with fear, and Matsuri's heart skipped a beat as she heard the uncertainty in his voice.

She gulped hard, feeling a lump form in her throat as she clenched her fists to suppress her emotions. "I'm not," she replied, trying to sound calm and reassuring. "Now sleep, Naruto," she added, before quickly exiting the room to avoid any further conversation.

As she closed the door behind her, Matsuri couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and responsibility for Naruto's injuries. She knew she had to be more careful in the future, not just for Naruto's sake, but for her own as well.

A week later, Konoha academy...

The academy instructor's voice boomed through the crowded training grounds, "Hyuga Hiroto and Uchiha Matsuri, report to the ring for the weekly sparring match!" Dozens of students, eager to witness the battle, formed a circle around the ring, their eyes shining with anticipation.

The norm was for students to spar with their own gender, but Uchiha Matsuri had proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with, and the academy had made an exception for her. The students and instructor watched as Hiroto and Matsuri took their positions at opposite ends of the ring.

"This is a pure taijutsu match," the instructor declared, his eyes scanning both combatants. "No ninjutsu, no weapons are allowed. Dojutsu can be used, but only for taijutsu purposes. Is that clear?" Hiroto and Matsuri nodded in unison, their faces set with determination. "Hajime!" the instructor shouted, and the match began.

Hyuga Hiroto, one of the strongest academy students from the Hyuga clan, was known for his exceptional skill with the Byakugan, a powerful dojutsu that allowed him to see through solid objects and predict his opponent's movements. He was confident that he could take down Matsuri, proving the superiority of the Hyuga clan.

As he faced Matsuri, he activated his Byakugan, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "I suggest you use your Sharingan for a fair match, Matsuri-san," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Matsuri's response was a smirk, and in an instant, she vanished from her position, leaving behind a crater in the ground. Hiroto's eyes widened as she reappeared before him, her fist connecting with his solar plexus with a resounding thud. The force of the blow sent Hiroto flying out of the ring, slamming him into the far wall behind him.

As he lay unconscious, Matsuri gazed at him with a hint of amusement. "You're right, Hyuga," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Using the Sharingan wouldn't be fair at all."

The entire class fell silent, as everyone already knew: Uchiha Matsuri was a menace.

6 months later, Academy enrolment day, 8 : 00 am.

The Konoha Shinobi Academy loomed before Naruto, its multi-storeyed structure a testament to the village's dedication to training the next generation of ninjas. Founded shortly after the creation of Konoha, the academy had become a hub of activity, bustling with students of all ages.

As Naruto stood before the academy, his first day of school weighing heavily on his mind, he felt a sense of trepidation wash over him. "There are too many people," he thought, his eyes scanning the crowded courtyard. The thought of spending hours cooped up in this confined space with so many strangers sent a shiver down his spine.

Just as he began to tremble with fear, a gentle hand landed on his shoulder. Naruto turned to see Matsuri standing beside him, a reassuring smile on her face. "Matsuri-san, you're here? How?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise.

Matsuri chuckled. "Did you forget that I'm still a student here?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Naruto's face fell as he realized his mistake, but his fear began to dissipate in the face of Matsuri's calm demeanor.

As he looked at Matsuri, he felt a sense of gratitude towards her. She seemed to sense his unease and asked, "So, what do you say? Do you want me to walk you to your class?" Naruto hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

He shook his head, his eyes dropping to the ground. "No, you're the top student at the academy, I don't want to attract unnecessary attention by being seen with you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Matsuri pouted, her lips pursing in a mock scowl. "I think it's too late for that, brat," she said, her gaze drifting towards the academy. Naruto followed her gaze, and his heart sank as he saw a group of older boys staring at him with hostility.

"What?" Naruto asked, his voice laced with concern. He looked at the academy and gulped, his eyes widening as he took in the unfriendly faces. "Great, just great," he thought, his mind racing with anxiety. "First day in the academy, and people are already gunning for me."

He forced a smile onto his face, trying to appear nonchalant. "Thanks, Matsuri-san," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Matsuri grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't mention it, kid," she said, walking towards the academy with a confident stride. Naruto watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions: gratitude towards Matsuri, and trepidation about the challenges that lay ahead.

Naruto's eyes drooped, his head nodding forward as he struggled to stay awake in class. The academy instructor's lecture was a droning monotony, a never-ending stream of words that seemed to hold no meaning. Naruto had expected the academy to be challenging, exciting, and perhaps even a little scary. But this? This was just plain boring.

As he sat in the far back seat, Naruto's gaze began to wander around the classroom, taking in the diverse array of students from different clans. His eyes landed on a boy sitting next to him, wearing a high-collared jacket that hid his mouth and black glasses. "Definitely an Aburame," Naruto thought to himself, his mind starting to wander.

His gaze continued to roam, settling on a girl with dark indigo hair sitting in a far corner bench on the middle row. She was wearing a baggy jacket, and when she caught his eye, Naruto's thoughts flashed back to a year ago, when he had saved a Hyuga girl from a group of bullies. "Is that her?" he wondered, his curiosity piqued.

As he looked around the classroom, Naruto took in the various students from different clans: Akimichi, Inuzuka, Nara, Yamanaka, Sarutobi, and Uchiha. His eyes lingered on the Uchiha boy, who looked like he would rather be anywhere else. The boy was seated in a middle bench, with a pink-haired girl from a civilian family on one side, gazing at him adoringly, and a blonde-haired girl from the Yamanaka clan on the other side, stealing glances at him.

Naruto couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the Uchiha boy, who seemed so uncomfortable in his own skin. He fought the urge to laugh, knowing that it wouldn't be fair to the boy. Instead, he focused on his own struggles to stay awake, his eyelids growing heavier by the minute.

As Naruto washed his hands in the sink of the men's washroom, a group of five upperclassmen suddenly entered, their tall frames looming over him. One of them, clearly the leader, gazed at the other occupants and silently mouthed "piss off," causing them to hastily leave. The door was locked from the inside, leaving Naruto alone with the five older boys.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he recognized two of them as the same individuals who had glared at him with hostility when he was with Matsuri-san at the academy front gates.

One of the boys, Chihiro, asked his companion, "Is that the kid who was with Matsuri-chan?" The other boy, Jurou, responded with a scowl, "Yeah, that's him. And Matsuri-san was smiling at him, smiling - she never smiles."

Another boy chimed in, "Yeah, and she also had her arm around his shoulder." Jurou's anger grew, his face reddening with rage.

The leader, Jurou, turned his attention to Naruto, his eyes blazing with hostility. "What's going on between you and Matsuri-chan, boy?" he demanded.

Naruto's response was calm and collected, "She's a close friend of mine. What's it to you?"

Jurou's face twisted in anger, his fist clenched at his side. "Close friend, huh? After I'm done with you, you'll be pissing your pants in fear just by mere thought of her." With a menacing grin, Jurou and his companions moved towards Naruto, their intent clear.

Naruto stood his ground, waiting for them to make the first move.

A few minutes later, the door to the washroom creaked open, and Naruto walked out, completely unscathed. He wiped the blood from his hands with a piece of cloth, his expression calm and detached.

Behind him, the five older boys lay scattered across the washroom floor, bloodied, broken, and unconscious. Naruto tossed the blood-stained cloth back into the washroom and closed the door, leaving the boys to their misery.

As he walked away, Naruto's expression remained impassive, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

As the classes at the Academy came to a close, Naruto walked out of the front gates, feeling a mix of relief and boredom. His first day had been uneventful, but he was glad to be done with it. Just as he was about to leave the academy grounds, he heard a voice behind him.

"So, how was your first day?" Matsuri asked, walking up to him with a curious expression.

Naruto shrugged, falling into step beside her. "It was kind of boring," he said, trying to downplay the excitement he had felt during the day. "Oh, and I also met a few of your admirers," he added, trying to sound casual.

Matsuri's expression changed to one of confusion. "Admirers?" she repeated, clearly surprised. She didn't think she had any admirers in the academy, as most of her classmates were either intimidated or indifferent to her.

Naruto smiled mischievously, trying to keep up the charade. "Oh yeah, we had a blast talking about how wonderful you are," he said, trying to sound convincing. It was a lie, of course, but he didn't want to tell her about the fight he had gotten into with the upperclassmen.

Matsuri's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she moved closer to Naruto, her voice taking on a playful tone. "So, you're telling me that you're also one of my admirers, Na-ru-to-kun?" she asked, her face inches from his.

Naruto's eyes widened in alarm as he tried to move away, feeling uncomfortable with the close proximity. He was still only six years old, after all! But before he could react, Matsuri suddenly changed her expression, her face becoming neutral once more.

"Let's go," she said abruptly, and with that, they jumped onto the nearby rooftop, making their way to their usual spot.

To be continued...

Character age...

Uzumaki Naruto – 5yrs at start/6yrs currently.

Uchiha Matsuri - 8yrs at start/9yrs currently.

Uchiha Shisui – 13yrs at start/14yrs currently.

Hyuga Hinata – 5yrs at start/6yrs currently.