I first saw this idea on reddit. the original credit goes to Vishnurajeevmn. the original post is "Naruto:The People's Hokage.
The people of Konoha had endured countless hardships under the weight of time. The scars of the Third Great Ninja War still lingered, casting shadows over the village's recovery. But as if war wasn't enough, another calamity struck: the Nine-Tails Fox, Kyuubi, unleashed its devastating fury upon Konoha, tearing through the village that had kept it imprisoned since its founding.
Very few truly knew what happened that fateful night. Public records claimed that the seal containing the Kyuubi had broken, resulting in catastrophic loss — among the dead, the Fourth Hokage himself. The monster was ultimately sealed within a newborn child named Naruto. Though Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, took on the responsibility of managing the fallout, he missed a critical detail. Perhaps it was his old age, the trauma of losing his successor, or the recent passing of his beloved wife. Whatever the reason, he made a mistake.
Some had more knowledge of that night than others. Kushina's medical team, for instance, knew secrets that many did not. One nurse in particular recognized Naruto as the son of the fallen Fourth Hokage. And when word spread that Naruto was the vessel for the Kyuubi, fear took root, growing into a call for the young boy's life. Panicking, the nurse shouted the truth:
"Don't harm him — he's the son of the Fourth!"
"The Fourth's son? That… monster? Impossible!"
"Well, it makes sense… the Fourth wouldn't use someone else's child for such a fate," another added, probably a Nara, Hiruzen thought grimly. He could already feel a headache coming on. The crowd turned to him, seeking answers he hadn't prepared for.
Hiruzen, cornered, made a decision.
"It's true," he said firmly. "Naruto is the child of the Fourth Hokage."
The uproar was immediate, louder than Hiruzen had anticipated — almost as if he'd announced an Uchiha as Hokage. That day, two decrees were made: no one would ever speak of Naruto's connection to the Kyuubi, nor would they mention his parentage.
Hiruzen knew he couldn't personally care for the child, especially in a village still reeling from the devastation. He had too many urgent tasks — organizing a mass funeral for the fallen, overseeing Konoha's defenses, and monitoring neighboring villages eager to exploit Konoha's weakened state. His student and spymaster, Jiraiya, had already been sent to Iwagakure. For now, Naruto was with a trusted ANBU member, Roster. Yet Hiruzen still needed to find a permanent home for the boy. He couldn't entrust just anyone with such a responsibility…or could he? He'd have to consider it later. Right now, there was a village to honor, and after that, his wife's cremation in the traditional Sarutobi manner. The thought left him somber. She'd have to wait — as she had in life, so now, even in death.
Meanwhile, in Iwagakure…
The elderly Tsuchikage, Onoki, had just received alarming news. Not only had the Kyuubi attacked Konoha, but the "legacy of Iwa's most hated man" was still alive. Immediately, he convened the council to discuss an invasion.
"This is our chance!" one councilman exclaimed.
"The gods themselves have judged Konoha guilty," added the priest of Jashi, with the fervor of divine conviction.
For once, the council seemed united, an occurrence rare enough that Onoki was determined to make the most of it —
"We won't be doing any such thing."
Onoki's excitement was cut short. He turned, only to see the interrupter was his son.
"What do you mean by that?" Onoki's voice was low, filled with a dangerous edge, as if daring anyone to cross him.
"Have you forgotten the price we paid in the last war?" his son retorted fiercely. "We lost a thousand shinobi — a thousand! It'll take years to recover. And for what? Revenge? Let's not ignore that we're already dealing with a rebellion!"
The young man's words landed heavily. They were valid points. Signs of dissent against the Earth Daimyo had been growing, and their forces were still far from recovered. Onoki had to admit it might be wiser to reconsider.
"But wouldn't crushing Konoha boost our lord's image and stifle any rebellion?" countered the priest.
The Church of Jashi was a new faith that had sprung up after the Third Ninja War, exclusive to the Land of Earth. Its influence was spreading quickly, lending hope to the people. Though Onoki didn't entirely trust the church, he was aware of the political advantage they provided. Despite some disturbing rumors, there was nothing concrete against them. After all, what group didn't attract its share of baseless whispers?
"If you start a war over this, I'm leaving the village," his son warned, his tone unyielding.
It was the threat of rebellion — a direct challenge. And Onoki knew his son was serious. Reluctantly, he backed down.
"You make valid points," Onoki said, looking over the council. "If anyone has a counterargument, speak now." Silence followed. "Then we do nothing with Konoha… for now."
Similar discussions played out across the other villages, with each reaching a comparable conclusion. The threat to Konoha had been postponed — if only temporarily.
Back in Konoha, Hiruzen still hadn't decided who should take care of Naruto. Obvious candidates like Jiraiya or Kakashi were out of the question due to their essential roles in the village's defenses. He himself had too many obligations. The clans were also a poor choice; Naruto's unique circumstances could make him a political pawn in the wrong hands. Hiruzen continued to ponder as he made his way to his wife's cremation site, the weight of responsibility pressing heavily on him.
After hours of internal debate, the aged Hokage came to a decision. Naruto would be placed in an orphanage under the Leaf administration. This arrangement would allow Hiruzen to oversee the boy's welfare, even if indirectly, while Naruto could have a chance at a normal childhood, free from the intense scrutiny of the village. Hiruzen resolved to visit him every day.
Two days later, Naruto was officially placed in Konoha's orphanage.
Naruto's time in the orphanage was remarkably unremarkable. He faced little discrimination and was treated as the other children were. But in Naruto's story, good things never seemed to last long.
When Naruto was four years old, an incident changed everything. Hiruzen Sarutobi suffered a heart attack—a mild, non-lethal one, but impactful enough to shake the village leadership.
In the council chamber, tensions were high.
"Lord Hokage's health is failing. We can't continue like this," one council member remarked gravely.
"Agreed. But who could replace the Hokage?" another replied.
"There is one thing we could do."
All eyes turned to Shimura Danzo, who was watching with his usual calculating expression. In a voice as cold and composed as ever, he explained, "We can share some of the Hokage's responsibilities. He oversees the village, but if we shoulder some of the load, we'll ease his burden."
For once, there was rare, unanimous agreement. Even the shinobi council saw the wisdom in lightening Hiruzen's duties. After four days of intense debate, they reached a resolution to reassign key administrative tasks.
The Hokage, however, saw the scheme for what it was: a power shift disguised as concern for his health. By seizing on his moment of weakness, the council had effectively stripped him of many of his powers. But he also understood his limitations; he was no longer the God of Shinobi, but an aging leader, facing the reality of his own decline.
Unfortunately for Naruto, one of the orphanage's newly delegated responsibilities was placed under the civilian council's control. The change was swift. Within weeks, he began to notice a shift in how he was treated, facing subtle yet growing hostility. Eventually, he was forced out of the orphanage altogether.
Naruto wandered the streets of Konoha, his small belongings stuffed into a worn cloth bag. It was nighttime when he realized he had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. Cold and confused, he curled up under an abandoned stall; hoping morning would bring a solution.
But morning came with no such luck. For the next few days, Naruto tried to make do, gathering scraps left by vendors and huddling wherever he could find shelter. Some people would look at him with pity, others with disdain, but no one stopped to help. The whispers he overheard only added to his confusion.
Then, as though fate had finally noticed him, a kind shopkeeper who had seen him sleeping near her stall offered him some leftover bread. "You shouldn't be out here alone, kid," she muttered, more to herself than to him. Though she couldn't take him in, her gesture reminded Naruto of a warmth he had felt before in the orphanage—of the simple comfort of being cared for, even if only for a moment.
Word of Naruto's plight slowly spread, especially to those who remembered Minato. One by one, a small, unlikely community began to form around him. The streets, tough as they were, took him in, with locals offering small acts of kindness—a meal here, a blanket there, a place to sleep in a back room when it rained. For the first time, Naruto experienced the raw strength of a bond built on the kindness of strangers who saw a lonely child. It was also the first he learned that people other his Ji-chan would be kind to him.