The days leading up to the Fire Capital Festival were some of the most enjoyable times Naruto had ever experienced. The grand city was a place of wonder, but it wasn't just the sights and sounds that filled Naruto's heart with excitement—it was the people.
For the first time in his life, Naruto felt completely accepted. There were no suspicious glares, no hushed whispers following him wherever he went. In the Fire Capital, he was simply another child, free from the weight of the Kyuubi's legacy or the prejudice that had clung to him like a shadow back in Konoha.
Naruto, always one to strike up a conversation, quickly made friends with people from all walks of life. Whether they were street vendors, wealthy merchants, or other children playing in the markets, Naruto's boundless energy and infectious optimism won them over in no time. His laughter echoed through the bustling streets, and soon enough, he was known throughout the city.
"Izuna, guess what?!" Naruto exclaimed one afternoon as they returned to their hotel after a day of exploring. "I made a new friend today! His dad owns the biggest restaurant in the whole capital, and he said I can come in anytime for free ramen! Isn't that awesome?"
Izuna, sitting on the hotel balcony with a calm expression, chuckled at Naruto's excitement. "That's wonderful, Naruto. It seems you've been making a lot of friends lately."
Naruto grinned, practically glowing with pride. "Yeah, I've met tons of people! Everyone here is so nice. I even made friends with this kid who sells flowers with his mom, and there's another kid who's training to be a swordsman. He's from a noble family, but he doesn't act all stuck-up or anything!"
Izuna nodded, pleased with Naruto's newfound connections. The boy had always been good at bringing people together, even in the most unlikely circumstances. It was one of his greatest strengths, and here in the Fire Capital, it flourished.
Unlike in Konoha, where Naruto had often been ostracized, the Fire Capital treated him like any other child. He ran through the streets with the poorest kids, playing games and laughing, then later found himself invited to dine with the children of noblemen in their grand estates. Naruto's ability to move seamlessly between these different worlds was something that even Izuna admired.
Kenji Nagashi and his Genin team often accompanied Naruto on his adventures, though they were always careful to maintain a level of professionalism. Still, even they couldn't help but be caught up in the spirit of the city.
"Naruto sure knows how to make friends, doesn't he?" Aiko, the Aburame, commented with a rare smile as they watched Naruto playing tag with a group of local kids near the market square.
Kenji nodded, his arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby wall. "That boy has a way of drawing people in. It's a good quality to have, especially for a shinobi."
Riku, the Inuzuka, grinned as his canine companion barked excitedly, watching the game. "He's probably made more friends in this city than I've ever had in my entire life."
Kira, the civilian-born Genin, chuckled. "Well, he's got that kind of energy. It's hard not to like him."
As the festival day approached, Naruto's popularity in the city grew. By the time the festival finally arrived, Naruto was well-known across the Fire Capital. He had made friends from every social class—whether it was the poorest child selling flowers in the streets or the son of a nobleman, everyone seemed to know and like Naruto. His infectious smile and relentless positivity had made him a favorite among the people.
The day of the festival was filled with excitement. The streets were decorated with colorful banners and lanterns, and the air buzzed with the anticipation of the celebration. People from all corners of the Fire Nation had come to the capital to take part in the festivities, and the city was alive with energy.
Naruto, dressed in a new outfit he had received as a gift from one of his noble friends, was practically bouncing with excitement as he and Izuna made their way through the crowded streets.
"Look at all the people, Izuna!" Naruto exclaimed, tugging on Izuna's sleeve. "This is gonna be the best day ever! There's so much to see!"
Izuna, his face calm as always, smiled faintly. Though he couldn't see the sights that Naruto was describing, he could feel the excitement in the air. "Enjoy it, Naruto. This is your chance to experience something new."
They wandered through the festival together, taking in the many sights and sounds. Naruto tried different foods from the many stalls that lined the streets, from sweet dumplings to spicy skewers. He marveled at the performers who danced and played music in the squares, and even participated in a few games, winning small prizes along the way.
At one point, they found themselves in the midst of a large crowd gathered around a stage. Dancers in colorful costumes twirled and leaped to the beat of drums and flutes, their movements graceful and mesmerizing.
"Wow," Naruto breathed, his eyes wide as he watched the performance. "That's amazing."
Izuna stood beside him, his arms folded inside his sleeves. "There's much to learn from different cultures, Naruto. Dance, music, art—it all reflects the soul of a people."
Naruto nodded, barely able to tear his eyes away from the dancers. He had never seen anything like this in Konoha, and the experience filled him with wonder.
As the night wore on and the festival reached its peak, fireworks lit up the sky, painting the darkness with vibrant colors. Naruto stood with his new friends—kids from all across the city—and watched in awe as the sky exploded with light.
"This is the best trip ever," Naruto said, his voice full of contentment as he looked up at the fireworks.
Izuna, standing beside him, nodded silently. Though his thoughts were often clouded by his greater mission, in this moment, he allowed himself to enjoy Naruto's happiness. The festival was a brief but precious respite from the larger dangers that lurked in the world.
The night sky was ablaze with the brilliance of fireworks, their colors painting the heavens with dazzling streaks of light. The festival reached its climax, and the people of the Fire Capital cheered with excitement. Naruto stood among the crowd, his face lit with awe, absorbing every moment. This trip had been a dream come true for him, a rare chance to escape the shadow of Konoha's prejudice and feel like a regular kid.
But amidst the festival's celebrations, Naruto's sharp senses picked up something unusual. He spotted a shadow moving on one of the rooftops overlooking the plaza. At first, he thought it was a guard or another spectator trying to get a better view of the fireworks, but something didn't feel right.
Squinting his eyes, Naruto observed the figure more closely. The man on the rooftop wasn't enjoying the show; he was focused—too focused. His hands moved deliberately as he reached behind his back and pulled out a sleek, black bow, notching an arrow in one smooth motion. Naruto's heart froze as he saw the man aim, not at the sky, but directly at the daimyo, who stood on a raised platform with his guards, smiling and watching the fireworks alongside the crowd.
Naruto's instincts screamed at him to act. He knew that Izuna had told him countless times to keep his skills hidden from the public eye, to only use them when absolutely necessary. But this was no ordinary situation. If he didn't do something right now, the daimyo would be dead.
Without hesitating, Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a large kunai. He had only a second to aim, his heart pounding in his chest. Time seemed to slow as he focused all his energy into the throw, his hand snapping forward with precision born of countless hours of secret training with Izuna. The kunai soared through the air, spinning toward its target just as the assassin released his arrow.
Clang!
The kunai struck the arrow mid-flight, knocking it off course in a flash of sparks. The arrow veered wildly, embedding itself harmlessly in the wooden platform beside the daimyo, missing him by mere inches. The crowd gasped in confusion, their attention snapping away from the fireworks to the sudden commotion below.
Chaos erupted.
The daimyo's guards rushed to form a protective circle around him, their hands on their weapons as they scanned the crowd for the source of the attack. People in the plaza screamed and ran, unsure of what had just happened but aware that danger was near. No one had seen Naruto throw the kunai, nor had they noticed the assassin on the rooftop. All eyes were now on the daimyo's platform, where the arrow had lodged.
Naruto barely had time to catch his breath before he and Izuna were suddenly surrounded by the daimyo's guards. The heavily armored men closed in, their spears and swords at the ready. None of them knew what had just transpired, but they were determined to secure the area—and that meant treating Naruto and Izuna as potential threats.
Izuna's face remained calm, but his grip tightened on the walking stick he always carried. Hidden within the stick was a blade—a weapon he would not hesitate to use if the guards made any aggressive moves toward Naruto. His senses, though dulled by his blindness, were attuned to the tension in the air. He could feel the weight of the guards' suspicion bearing down on them, could hear the unsheathing of swords and the movement of armor.
"Stand down," one of the guards barked, his spear leveled at Izuna and Naruto. "Identify yourselves. Now!"
Naruto's heart raced as the spears were pointed at him, but Izuna's calm presence beside him kept his panic in check. He glanced at Izuna, who stood tall, unwavering, his fingers wrapped around the handle of his walking stick. Naruto knew that if the situation escalated, Izuna wouldn't hesitate to defend him, no matter the cost.
"We mean no harm," Izuna said in a low, measured tone. His voice was soft, but there was an edge to it, a quiet warning that the guards didn't miss. "We were only here to enjoy the festival."
The guard captain narrowed his eyes. "And yet an arrow was fired at the daimyo, and moments later we find a kunai lodged in the platform. Explain yourselves."
Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Izuna's hand lightly touched his shoulder, a silent command to stay quiet. Naruto swallowed hard and nodded, trusting Izuna to handle the situation. He had been taught how to remain calm under pressure, but the sight of the armed guards surrounding them made his hands tremble slightly.
Izuna turned his blind gaze toward the guard captain, his unseeing eyes locking onto the man with unnerving precision. "You are mistaken. We had no hand in the attack on the daimyo. I suggest you focus your efforts on the rooftops—where the true culprit lies."
The guards hesitated for a moment, confused by Izuna's calm confidence. The guard captain frowned, but before he could issue another order, one of the daimyo's personal bodyguards, a tall shinobi with a scarred face, stepped forward.
"Wait," the bodyguard said, looking at Izuna more closely. "You… you're not just a civilian, are you?"
Izuna remained silent, his hand still resting on his walking stick.
The bodyguard's eyes widened in recognition. "You're the one the Hokage spoke of. The one who's been living in the village… the protector."
The guard captain looked puzzled. "Protector?"
The bodyguard nodded. "He's with the Hokage's permission. We've been briefed on his presence. Lower your weapons."
Reluctantly, the guards stepped back, though they remained wary.
Naruto let out a small sigh of relief, but he knew they weren't out of the woods yet. The assassin was still out there, and whoever had tried to kill the daimyo wouldn't give up easily.
"Izuna," Naruto whispered, "what do we do now?"
Izuna's face remained unreadable, but his mind was already working through the situation. "We wait," he replied quietly. "If they want to come for us, we'll be ready."
Naruto nodded, his heart still racing, but his resolve strengthening. He wasn't about to let anything happen to Izuna or the daimyo—not on his watch.