I experienced something significant in life, a new experience and I got the urge to put it in a story so here I am, with a new story.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden rays over the Hidden Leaf Village. Children ran through the streets, their laughter echoing in the air as they played games and chased after each other. Parents stood nearby, watching with smiles on their faces, offering words of encouragement and affection.

Naruto Uzumaki walked among them, his small feet pattering against the cobblestone road, his big, bright eyes filled with confusion. His yellow hair fluttered in the wind as he looked up at the faces around him, his cheeks flushed with a mixture of excitement and hope.

He had tried to join in their games, tried to laugh and play like the other children. But every time he got close, their parents would pull them away. They'd shoot him hateful glares, whispering in low voices that he couldn't quite make out. "Stay away from him," they would hiss. "He's the demon's vessel."

Naruto didn't understand. His small mind couldn't comprehend why the people around him—people who should have cared for him—looked at him with such disdain. Why did they hate him so much? Why was he alone while everyone else had someone? A mother. A father. A family.

He tried to offer his hand to a little girl, hoping she would play with him, but her mother quickly yanked her away, shaking her head with a cold, fearful look. "Don't go near him!" she snapped.

His heart ached with a pain he couldn't name, and he couldn't understand. The other children ran off, and Naruto was left standing there, his hand still outstretched, waiting.

He tried again, with another group of children near the park. This time, he offered to help them pick up some fallen toys, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they'd see that he wasn't a monster, that he was like them. But when he approached, the children scattered, their parents hovering close by, their eyes full of disdain.

"Get away from him," one mother called, her voice sharp.

Naruto's shoulders slumped, and he turned away, the sting of rejection burning deep. He wasn't like them. He didn't belong.

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he blinked them back. He wasn't supposed to cry. The people in the village wouldn't care. They never did.

As he wandered down the street, his gaze dropped to the ground, the weight of their rejection pressing against his small chest.

From his office window, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watched the scene with a heavy heart. His hands gripped the arms of his chair as he observed the little boy, his loneliness so apparent, so overwhelming. The village, his village, the people he had spent years protecting, had failed him. They had all turned their backs on Naruto, and it crushed Hiruzen to see it. He had hoped that when he revealed the truth about Naruto's burden—that the boy carried the spirit of the Nine-Tails Fox—people would rally behind him, see him as a hero for containing such a powerful and destructive force.

But the villagers didn't see a hero. They saw the monster.

Hiruzen let out a sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like an unbearable burden. He had hoped, prayed that things would be different, but the hate remained. The child who needed love and support was met only with fear and disdain.

He stood from his desk, the creaking of the chair loud in the silence of his office. His heart hurt for the boy who had been abandoned by everyone, even by the very people who should have protected him. He couldn't undo the damage that had already been done, but he couldn't sit idly by and let this continue.

With slow, deliberate steps, Hiruzen left his office and made his way to the village streets, his face set in determination. He would find Naruto. He had to. The boy was all alone in a world that didn't understand him, and the Hokage could not allow that to continue.

Naruto didn't notice the old man at first. He was too focused on the ground beneath his feet, trying to push the pain away. The heavy feeling in his chest wouldn't go away, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. He looked around, hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone would come to him, to show him kindness.

But no one came.

It was then that he heard a soft voice from behind him.

"Naruto."

Naruto froze, his body stiffening at the sound of his name. He turned around, blinking in surprise. There, standing in front of him, was the Third Hokage. His expression was kind, but there was a deep sorrow in his eyes, one that Naruto couldn't fully understand, but he could feel it all the same.

"Hey, Hokage-sama," Naruto said, trying his best to smile, though his voice faltered. "What are you doing here?"

The Hokage's eyes softened as he looked at the boy. "I was just... passing by," he said, though Naruto could tell there was more to it. "I saw you walking alone, and I thought... maybe we could talk."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. The Hokage wanted to talk to him? He couldn't believe it. No one ever wanted to talk to him. The people who had been ignoring him, even treating him like a ghost—why would the Hokage want to speak to him?

"Okay," Naruto said, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands fidgeted at his sides, unsure of what to do. The Hokage smiled warmly, and for the first time that day, Naruto felt a flicker of hope.

"Do you want to go somewhere?" the Hokage asked, his tone gentle.

Naruto nodded, unsure of what to say or do. He had never had a chance to speak to the Hokage, to learn about him beyond the man who was always in the background of his village's affairs. They walked together, side by side, though there was an awkward silence between them, one that Naruto didn't know how to break.

As they walked through the village, Naruto could feel the weight of the villagers' eyes on him, could feel their hatred piercing through the air like sharp knives. But for once, with the Hokage beside him, he didn't feel so alone. It wasn't much, but it was a moment of comfort, a fleeting sense that maybe, just maybe, someone cared.

And for the first time in his young life, he allowed himself to hope again.

The inviting aroma of freshly made ramen filled the small stand as Naruto and the Third Hokage sat side by side at Ichiraku Ramen. The steam rose from their bowls, carrying the rich scent of broth, noodles, and tender pork slices. Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement as he slurped his noodles, savoring every bite with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Woah! Old man, this is the best thing I've ever eaten!" Naruto exclaimed, his voice muffled by a mouthful of ramen.

Hiruzen chuckled, watching the boy's face light up in a way he rarely saw. "I told you, Naruto. Ichiraku's ramen is the best in the village." He took a slow sip of his broth, his eyes softening as he observed the small child. For a moment, Naruto looked like any other boy—carefree and happy.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, the Hokage set his bowl down and turned to Naruto with a smile. "Tell me, Naruto... do you want to train with me?"

Naruto froze, his chopsticks falling into his bowl with a loudclink.His wide blue eyes stared at the Hokage, almost as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. "W-Wait... Are you serious?! Train with you? The Hokage? Me?"

Hiruzen nodded, his smile warm but firm. "Yes. But you have to show me you're serious. Come to my office tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Naruto's face broke into the biggest grin he had ever worn. "You got it, old man! I'll be there first thing!" He puffed out his chest with pride, practically bouncing on his stool.

"Good," Hiruzen said, finishing his ramen. "And don't call me old man."

Naruto laughed and dug back into his bowl with renewed energy. "Sure thing, old man!"

Hiruzen could only shake his head with a sigh, but deep down, he was relieved to see Naruto so happy, even if it was just for a short while.

The next morning, Naruto rushed through the village, weaving through the busy streets, his feet pounding against the ground as he made his way to the Hokage's office. Excitement bubbled in his chest; for the first time in his life, he felt like someone was giving him a chance.

"I can't be late! I can't be late!" he muttered, pushing himself harder.

Reaching the Hokage's Tower, Naruto burst through the front doors, running straight to the office. But before he could reach it, the Hokage's secretary, an older woman with sharp glasses and an even sharper expression, blocked his way.

"Hold it right there, brat!" she snapped, glaring down at him. "The Hokage is busy. You can't just barge in!"

Naruto pouted, stomping his foot. "But he told me to come here! I have training today!"

The secretary crossed her arms. "I don't care what you think he said. The Hokage has important work to do. Now scram!"

Naruto clenched his fists, frustration building inside him. Just when he was about to protest, the Hokage's voice rang out from inside the office.

"Let him in."

The secretary stiffened and turned nervously to see Hiruzen standing at the door, his gaze stern and unwavering. "H-Hokage-sama, I was only—"

"You're fired." Hiruzen's voice was calm, but the weight behind it was undeniable.

Naruto blinked in surprise, watching as the woman turned pale and scrambled to gather her things. He couldn't help but grin a little as he strutted past her into the office. "Heh, serves you right!"

Inside, the Hokage smiled down at Naruto. "You're early. That's a good sign."

Naruto beamed with pride, bouncing on his heels. "Told you I'd be here, old man!"

Hiruzen chuckled and turned to his side. "Naruto, I won't be the one training you directly. Instead, I've arranged for someone special to help you."

With a subtle hand signal, a swirl of leaves filled the room, and in an instant, a masked figure appeared beside Naruto. The Anbu wore the standard uniform, but what caught Naruto's attention was the mask—shaped like a dog, with sharp, narrow slits for eyes.

"This is Inu," Hiruzen said, gesturing to the Anbu beside him. "He's one of my most trusted shinobi, and he will be training you from now on."

Naruto's eyes widened, staring up at the masked figure in awe. "Woah... you're so cool! Can I get a mask like that too?"

The Anbu, Inu, tilted his head slightly, and Naruto could swear he heard a small amused huff behind the mask.

"Perhaps someday," Inu replied in a calm, almost lazy tone.

Hiruzen placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Listen well, Naruto. Inu is an elite shinobi, and his training won't be easy. But if you listen to him and work hard, I believe you'll grow into a fine ninja."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically, determination burning in his eyes. "I won't let you down, old man! I'll work super hard!"

Inu kneeled down to Naruto's level, studying him for a moment. "We'll start with the basics. Stamina, chakra control, and discipline." His voice was calm but carried an underlying strictness that made Naruto swallow nervously.

"D-Discipline?" Naruto repeated, scratching the back of his head.

"Yes," Inu said, standing up. "And that means no pranks."

Naruto pouted. "Aww, man."

Hiruzen chuckled. "Alright then, you two. Training starts now."

Naruto stood tall, clenching his fists in excitement. "Alright, Inu-sensei! Let's do this!"

The open field stretched out under the warm sun, with soft grass swaying gently in the wind. Naruto sat cross-legged, eyes shut tight, his small hands resting on his knees as he tried his best to focus. Inu, the Anbu with the dog mask, stood beside him, arms crossed as he observed the boy's attempts at meditation.

"Steady your breathing, Naruto," Inu's calm voice instructed. "Feel your energy within, let it flow naturally. Don't force it."

Naruto scrunched up his face, trying to concentrate. His tiny frame trembled slightly as he reached deep within himself, searching for the power Inu told him about. Suddenly, a surge of warmth ignited inside him, spreading rapidly.

"I... I think I—"

Before he could finish, a suddenboomerupted, and an enormous wave of chakra burst from his small body. The ground beneath him cracked, forming a deep crater, and the wind whipped through the clearing. Inu took a step back, his usually calm demeanor momentarily broken as he shielded himself from the dust cloud.

When the dust settled, Inu gazed at the destruction with narrowed eyes. "Well... that was unexpected." He glanced down at Naruto, now lying unconscious at the bottom of the crater. Inu sighed, kneeling beside him. "You've got a lot of power in you, kid. More than I thought..."

Two Years Later...

At six years old, Naruto had come a long way from the lonely, ostracized child he once was. Under Inu's training, his body had grown stronger, his chakra control had improved, and he had learned several jutsu that put him ahead of his peers. Though his chakra reserves were still small for his age, his efficiency in using it had skyrocketed.

One of the techniques that stood out the most was theShadow Clone Jutsu. Unlike the regular clone technique most academy students struggled with, Naruto was able to create multiple solid clones, something even Inu found surprising.

Watching Naruto practice his clones one afternoon, Inu muttered under his breath, "This kid... his potential is off the charts."

Naruto grinned proudly, standing among ten identical versions of himself. "See, Inu-sensei? I told you I could do it!"

Inu shook his head, a faint smile hidden behind his mask. "Yeah, yeah, just don't get cocky."

Despite the intense training, Naruto had found solace in something he had never experienced before—friendship. The academy, which once felt like another place for rejection, now felt different. Over the past year, he had managed to form bonds with a few students who saw past the village's hatred and accepted him for who he was.

Naruto's Friends

Kiba Inuzuka- The loud, brash, and fiercely loyal friend who never backed down from a challenge. Naruto had met Kiba during a sparring session at the academy, and their competitive spirits naturally brought them together. Kiba's ninken, Akamaru, was always by his side, and the two of them would often gang up on Naruto for fun.

"Oi, Naruto!" Kiba called out, arms crossed, with Akamaru perched on his head. "You better not slack off today, or I'm gonna leave you in the dust!"

Naruto smirked. "Ha! You wish, dog breath!"

Kiba growled. "What'd you say, loser?! Come on, let's go right now!"

Akamaru barked in agreement, wagging his tail excitedly.

Shikamaru Nara- The lazy genius of the group, who found Naruto's energy exhausting but still enjoyed hanging around him. Their friendship formed when Naruto stubbornly challenged Shikamaru to countless games of shogi, refusing to accept defeat.

Shikamaru sighed, hands in his pockets. "Troublesome... why do you even try, Naruto? You know I'm always gonna win."

Naruto huffed. "One of these days, I'll beat you, just you wait!"

Shikamaru yawned. "Yeah, yeah... wake me up when that happens."

Hinata Hyuga- A kind and quiet girl who admired Naruto's determination from afar before slowly opening up to him. Naruto found her company calming, and she, in turn, found his encouragement inspiring.

Hinata blushed, fidgeting with her fingers. "N-Naruto-kun... um... I-I think you did really well today."

Naruto beamed. "Thanks, Hinata! You're getting better too, y'know!"

Her face turned redder, and she gave a small nod. "Th-Thank you..."

Shino Aburame- The quiet and observant bug-user who initially unnerved Naruto, but their odd conversations slowly grew into a friendship based on mutual respect.

Shino adjusted his sunglasses, his tone monotone. "Naruto... I have observed your progress. It is... commendable."

Naruto blinked. "Uh... thanks? I think?"

Shino simply nodded. "The kikaichu agree."

Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "Right... those bug things again."

Sasuke Uchiha- Unlike their future rivalry, Naruto and Sasuke's relationship at this age was less tense. They shared a silent understanding—both loners in their own ways.

Naruto grinned as he nudged Sasuke. "Oi, Sasuke! You think you're better than me, huh?"

Sasuke smirked slightly. "I don't think. Iknow."

Naruto growled. "Tch, I'll prove you wrong one day, just wait!"

Sasuke shrugged. "We'll see."

Though Naruto still faced glares from villagers and whispers behind his back, he finally had something that he had never experienced before—people who cared about him. His training under Inu had given him strength, but it was his friendships that truly gave him hope.

As Naruto trained with Inu in the fields, his friends often gathered to watch, offering him encouragement, jeers, and sometimes challenges of their own. And despite the challenges, Naruto felt like he finally had a place in the world.

Standing in the field after an exhausting session, Naruto looked up at Inu with determination in his eyes. "I'm gonna be Hokage someday, you'll see!"

Inu simply chuckled. "Then you better keep training, kid. You've still got a long way to go."

And with that, Naruto's journey continued, his bonds growing stronger, and his resolve fiercer than ever.