Running—that's what a blond-haired boy was doing currently running for his life—something others would deem of no value. The sound of yelling and curses could be heard as he turned and shifted through the alleyway corners.
Luckily for the young academy student, he knew these alleyways like the back of his hand. Maneuvering throughout the alleyway with practiced ease. Not someone young his age should have. But his many years of living on the street taught him many lessons.
Taught him how to disappear. To vanish without a trace or run like hell when your life depended on it. To fight tooth and nail to escape. And that's what he would do. He would escape. He'd escape his pursuers. He'd escape the yells and screams for his death.
Even as his blond hair was beginning to soak due to the rain, nothing but the moon of the night sky illuminated his path through the dimly light-tight spaces of the alleyway. He ran. And continued to run. The voices slowly faded.
He slowed his stride. Not fully convinced he had lost them. Not fully convinced that they'd let him escape that easy. He began making his way slowly and cautiously to the dump he called his home. He wasn't sure if they finally managed to find his place of residence yet.
The thought of them finding where he newly resided after they completely trashed the apartment last time was very unappealing. This time it would be different. He'd see to it himself to take the proper measures. Even if they resulted in violence.
That would get an uproar from the council for sure. They probably demand the old man Hokage to have his chakra sealed and him thrown into solitary for that. Nothing but a cold and empty chuckle would spew from his lips at the thought of that.
Those uptights in the council would surely call for his death if they could. It wouldn't make a difference. They've always called for his death, he'd bet on the day he was born that they begged the aged Hokage to kill him before he became a threat.
That thought amused him. The thought of them being frightful of a newborn infant who was brought into the world with nothing.
No parents.
No family.
Nothing.
It was pitiful. They were pitiful. The only person who he saw was more pitiful than them was that aged fool of a Hokage. The man who always bent his back and succumbed to the whims of the council. He not only had he disappointed him.
He had lied to him. He had lied to his face. Remembering the face that the old man had made when he asked him about his family, about his parents. Remembering how the old man's mouth twitched. Only for a second but he caught it.
He wanted to tell him. But something was holding him back. Something was preventing him from saying he knew something. But it didn't matter to the young lad. He knew something about his parents and still hid it. He had a right to know, and they denied him.
He denied him.
The one person in the village he thought he could trust. Thought he could see as family. But that unfortunately was not the case. That hurt him. It hurt him a lot, but he understood. The village's safety came before his wants and needs. He understood that. Even though he hated it.
Hated how the villagers treated him differently, hated how he had trash thrown at him in the streets. Hated how they'd vandalize where he lived. Hated how they'd only sell him old or spoiling food. Hated how the old man told him constantly to forgive, to understand.
He was done forgiving and understanding. They never understood him, they never made an effort too. So why should he forgive and understand them and their irrational anger at him? He wouldn't, not any longer.
His thoughts would soon begin to halt. He had made it to the abandoned apartment he had found a few weeks ago while scavenging around for things he'd find of use. Making his way behind the abandoned apartment, looking for the entrance.
Soon he managed to find a small hole that he was small enough to fit through. Slowly crawling through it shifting and turning, he finally fell flat on his face. He only grumbled standing up, dusting himself off, and shaking the water from his hair.
He currently was in the basement of the apartment. Luckily all the apartment doors were too worn down for them to cause him any resistance to move around the place. Making his way up the stairs, as they'd creak underneath his weight.
He'd make his way to one of the rooms he occupied in the other building. He'd see small rats make their way throughout the building as he made his way to his destination through the deteriorating apartment. Soon he made his way to the door of his so-called 'humble abode.'
He was met with the sight of dried paint peeling off the walls. Dirty dishes in a sink. A broken TV. And a dusty couch. He'd only sigh. "Home sweet, home." tossing his orange coat to his tracksuit on the counter as he slowly went over to his couch and sat down sluggishly.
He'd soon remember something. Something important. With a smirk, he'd put his hand between the couch cushions. Getting a feel for something then slowly pulling it out. He couldn't hide the soft happy smile that graced his lips.
It was some type of book. An old one. Not like any other book he'd seen in his life. Not that he reads any books much. They didn't keep his attention for too long. And it didn't help that back in the orphanage he was kicked out of the caretaker would punish him for reading.
It would further his dislike for reading. But this was different. The cover alone on the book enticed him. It greatly interested him. "Iron Man" it read. The picture of a man in a tin iron-like suit with an iron helmet and mask, flying above the sky.
It fascinated him. It pulled him in like a whirlpool pulled in unsuspecting ships. Throughout the night he'd flip through these picture pages of the story. Learning of the man Tony Stark, and his great achievements. Learning how he was imprisoned.
How he escaped his imprisonment by making his first suit he called Mark 1 with only scraps in a cave isolated.
Managing to escape and defeat his captors with said very suit. Going on to further his inventions and his genius level of intelligence.
How he'd go on to make more suits. Furthering his influence worldwide, making friends and enemies alike. Soon adopting the name Iron Man. Becoming a hero and inspiration for many. Soon forming a team of super-powered people.
One being a super soldier from a war long finished and won. Another being the god of thunder and lightning. Along with a scientist who can turn into an enraged green monstrosity known as the Hulk and many other individuals named the "Avengers."
This all greatly fascinated him. But nothing grasped his attention more than the suit that Tony had made. The idea of not having any great power of his own but his genius intrigued the blond-headed boy. It inspired him. For the first time in forever, he had hope.
Before he'd even noticed it. He was already pacing around his empty apartment thinking of ways to make or replicate a suit like the original Iron Man had. He had no tools, no idea of how technology of that caliber could work, let alone the engineering.
But he could learn… he could learn how to construct those repulsers. How to make the arc reactors. How to obtain flight and so much more. Tony never rushed his inventions. He took his time and developed. So why should he rush?
He had a proximity of three years before graduation from the academy. Three years would be more than enough to learn and develop his technology. The first thing he'd have to do is get a list of things to do and get at certain periods.
He never knew the constant chatter of his classmates would annoy him so greatly. That was most likely due to him trying and failing to read a book on technology for beginners. He barely understood what he was reading, and his classmates' constant talking, laughter, and arguments didn't make it any better.
He only sighed and gently closed the book. He wouldn't get much reading done in this classroom. 'That was to be expected.' he thought to himself. His class was filled with fangirls along with all the heirs for Konohas 'great clans.'
There was nothing great about those clans. Nothing made them any different from the villagers who hated his existence. And he wouldn't treat them any differently. These people in this classroom were no friends of his. They all saw him as a dead last.
A loser. Someone with not an ounce of talent or worth. He'd continue to let them think that. He'd continue to let them see him in that light. The fewer bonds he held to this village, the easier it made to leave it when the time came. Yes, he planned on leaving this godforsaken village.
What more could they offer him after he drained their knowledge dry of engineering and technology? Nothing. They couldn't give him or say a thing that would make him stay. He has always been alone in this village. And he'd continue to be alone if he stayed.
No one would truly understand him. And he longed accepted that cold realistic fact. They couldn't possibly understand what it meant to have nothing coming into this world. Not with all those happy faces, and those laughs of joy he envied.
He envied how they could laugh and make jokes with one another. To make friends. To go outside and not have everyone stare at you as if your life was a stain on this very planet. He used to cry and plead for people to understand him.
To see him, see Naruto Uzumaki. But they never saw him. They only saw a beast. He never knew why. He never understood why the villagers looked at him like he was some monster. Why the shinobi either give him pitying looks or outright disgusted.
Before he could let his mind fall deeper and deeper into those grim thoughts of his, he was snapped out of it by the sound of the lecture beginning. He could care less about what it was about. But it helped distract him from those thoughts he tried to push to the back of his mind.
He'd listen for just a bit. Listen till those dark thoughts faded to the back of his mind once more. He'd listen in as the teacher he knew as Iruka would begin to explain the history of the village. Explaining its founders Senju Hashirama and Madara Uchiha.
The latter going on to betray the village in the pursuit of power. And using the nine-tailed demon fox better known as the Kyubi No Kitsune. Which caused hostility between the Senju and Uchiha, leading to the latter's death, and the capture of the tailed beast.
Naruto would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly interested in the power of both those two individuals. To be able to fight a tailed beast let alone the nine tails and beat it was an amazing feat. Even though years later down the line the fourth Hokage was said to have slain said beast.
But for some reason, he doubted that. It didn't feel right that the first Hokage wasn't able to slay the beast who was known as the strongest Hokage so far. But somehow the fourth was? It left way too many questions unanswered.
His pondering would be soon interrupted by a shout from a brown spikey-haired boy. "Hey, Iruka Sensei. If this Madara guy was so strong enough to control the Nine Tails how did the first Hokage beat him?" the brown-haired boy exclaimed.
"Kiba, don't just shout out questions, raise your hand." Iruka scolded with a slight sigh before responding to his young student. "There wasn't much information revealed to the public on the defeat of Madara Uchiha, only that Lord first defeated and killed him in combat."
The now-named Kiba looked like he wanted to give a response but just sat back in his chair. Naruto at that moment noticed the brown-haired boy's furry companion. A small white puppy. It would be strange to anyone who didn't know of the boy's heritage why there was a dog with him.
Not to Naruto. He knew that the kid in front of the class was an Inuzuka. One of this village many clans. They were a clan that had specialized jutsu with their dog companions. Also heavily trained trackers with their noses. Always seen with their dogs.
There of course were other ways to distinguish their heritage with the one red fang-like tattoo or birthmark on both sides of their cheeks. The blond-haired boy wasn't sure if they were born with said marks or were given them, but he didn't really care.
He didn't care that the boy was the heir to the clan either. All these so-called statuses and this hierarchy of this village meant absolutely nothing to him. Not anymore at least. He only sighed laying his head on the table in front of him.
He knew this class would take up most of his day. Most of the day he could spend learning and studying the books on technology. He only had basic knowledge of technology and what to do and what not to do. To say it was a delicate process wouldn't even be half of it.
His eyes slowly scanned around the classroom. Taking in every bit of information he could. The heirs of the Hyuga, Uchiha, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, and Inuzuka clan. He knew the basics of what they all specialized in.
Hyuga being know for those pure white eyes of theirs, a Dojutsu. A mutation eye bloodline they call the Byakugan. The property it carries is being able to see through anything. Allowing one to see one's chakra network.
Giving them the ability to close the chakra network of their adversary with a fighting style known as gentle fist. Naruto would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly wary of them, and how his suit would hold up against them. He'd just have to take the necessary precautions.
The current heir of the Hyuga clan would be Hinata Hyuga. The princess of the Hygua clan she is known to be called by. From the looks of it, the girl was shy and very timid. He learned this from his previous interactions with the girl.
The next problem on his list would be the Uchiha clan. It was bad enough that they specialized in an illusion type of Ninjutsu, better known as Genjutsu. But adding on the fact that they also had a Dojutsu that could allow them to predict their enemy's moves and copy was practically cheating.
He hadn't personally experienced being on the receiving side of it, but he could imagine its annoyance. If you weren't fast enough for their blood red sharingan eyes, the battle was probably over before it even began. That is something he knows will be a pain in the future.
The heir of the clan would be Sasuke, Sasuke Uchiha. The guy was very broody and standoffish in his opinion. An overall dick. Always acted like he was entitled to greatness simply because of the Uchiha's 'Greatness.' always seeing everyone as less than an equal.
'He really needs to get that stick out of his ass.' Naruto thought offhandedly. The Uchiha wasn't the type of person Naruto would want to get to know let alone be near. If his ego and pride weren't already bad, the constant fangirls inflating it didn't make it any better.
Seriously, were these people in this classroom meant to actually be the next generation of Shinobi of Konoha? Fangirls, loud mouths, stick up their asses clan heirs? Thank the very sage of six paths he planned to leave this cesspool of a village.
He could only imagine the amount of problems that could arise in this village. Problems that he wouldn't stick around to see. He'd either be halfway to the land of Snow or Iron by then.
The walk he had while he made his way home was uneventful. Nothing of notice had happened. Well, nothing besides the small glares from the villagers. But that was not something he found new. They could continue to glare for all he cared.
Why would he care? He had nothing to prove to these people. He tried over and over again to understand these people. But yet they never tried to understand him. So why would he continue any longer?
He had work and plans to put into action. Worrying about the villager's acceptance of him didn't contribute anything towards that. It only would cause him more of a hassle if he was honest. As his steps made it up the stairs of his worn-down home he could only sigh.
He'd need somewhere more secure to even begin the workings of his "project." He would need somewhere that next to no one knew about. Somewhere he could work in undisturbed peace without the threat of the Hokage or his Anbu finding out about his little escapade.
That would do him no good if the Hokage let alone the council found out what he was doing. He'd begin to scratch at the back of his neck thinking of places he could use to begin this ambition of his. He soon made his way to his door.
The door opened easily as it closed. This place was not the best well protected if protected at all. 'I really need to fix this place up or find somewhere else that's better.' He thought to himself.
Making his way to one of the vacant rooms in the apartment, he saw many drawings or writing of notes attached to the wall or scattered on the ground. Ever since reading the comic book, he's been trying to devise ways to recreate what his predecessor created.
It was way harder than it looked. Tony's technology was on a whole other level of complexity. What he knew would be harder would be creating a computer artificial intelligence, just like how he created Jarvis. The more he thought about it the more it hurt his head.
It frustrated him. It frustrated him to no end that he had neither the resources nor the intelligence Tony had. Letting out a sigh as he grabbed the book on technology. If he wanted to overcome this gap in knowledge he had, he'd have to study, have to struggle. There would be no other way.
It had been 2 weeks since the finding of the comic book, and the jumpstart on his dream. Naruto would be lying to himself if he said it wasn't irritating constantly getting scolded for getting late to the academy because of his late-night 'project.'
He had really been sleeping less and less the past days, and it was becoming apparent to everyone around him as well. Not only the lack of sleep became apparent but the lack of seeing him at all if it wasn't in the academy. No pranks, no walking through the village, no bothering the Hokage.
His happy and cheerful mask was completely dropped, no longer smiling or being the class clown everyone thought him to be. He came off as cold, uncaring, and sarcastic. Hell as the days went on it seemed like he cared less and less about attending the academy.
It was worrying for the Hokage, where did that happy cheerful blond he knew go? It's something that kept the aged Hokage up at night. What caused such a change in him? He knew the boy was angry at the village for not accepting him, but could that cause such a change in a short amount of time?
"Tiger and Bird, bring Naruto Uzumaki to my office. If he resists bring him by force."
Just as the aged Hokage uttered those words, two of his anbu with said respective masks appeared and disappeared. The hokage could only hope that Naruto would talk to him so that he could understand the blond's sudden change.
Currently, a blond-haired boy could be seen leaving the academy. Walking slowly, making his way home to whatever awaited him. Slowly trudging and rubbing his tired eyes as he decided to begin picking up the pace noticing the sun was setting.
Just as he was planning to hurry home to his shithole of an apartment two masked Anbu appeared in front of him. One wearing a Tiger mask, the other wearing a Bird mask. He only sighed tiredly, he knew eventually the Hokage would call for him.
This wasn't something that was unexpected, far from it actually. He knew the Hokage would question him on his change of attitude. It only annoyed him to be called now of all times. Right when he was heading home to get at least an hour or two to sleep then begin working again.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you have been requested to come to the Hokage Tower, issued by lord third himself."
The man wearing the bird mask spoke to him, only resulting in a more annoyed look on the blond's face. Only causing a sigh to escape his lips. "Let's get this over with," Naruto said disinterestedly. With a quick motion, the Tiger masked grabbed onto his shoulder and they despaired from sight.
Soon reappearing In front of the aged Hokage. "I heard you wanted to see me?" naruto said tiredly. As he stared at the Hokage. Who looked shocked at how much the blond boy had changed. Not just by how he acted and talked, but his appearance.
The boy's once energetic light blue eyes with happiness were tired dark blue eyes like all the light had left them. He no longer seemed to be wearing the orange jumpsuit he had gifted him, but rather a white lab trenchcoat with a few scratch marks on it along with a few burns. With black pants and a grey shirt underneath.
The Hokage also noticed the absence of the green goggles he was known wearing. Only to be replaced with clear goggles you would use in a lab hanging from his neck. Overall the boy looked like a completely different person.
"N-Naruto, is that you, my boy?" The Hokage questioned taken aback a bit at his appearance. Even the boy's usual fox grin nor smile wasn't on his face. More of a tired neutral look. One fit for shinobi who had lived through many battles in life, not one meant for a child.
"Yeah, It's me alright. So why did you call me here?"
The Hokage slightly straightened himself, his shock disappearing as he met Naruto's with a neutral look of his own before speaking, "Naruto, I've heard about your constant repeats of your tardiness to the academy, along with worries about your behaviors."
The Hokage spoke, his voice probing for answers from the young blond. This only caused the boy to sigh, even though his questions were to be expected it didn't mean he wanted to answer them. "I've been busy, Lord Hokage."
The words 'Lord Hokage' shocked the old man. Never in his life till now did Naruto ever call him that. It was always "gramps" or "old man." Naruto had never been one to respect his authority. So this of course was a surprise.
He soon quelled his shock and spoke. "Busy with what, Naruto? Not another large-scale prank I hope." but he did hope. He hoped that would be the case. That the young blond he had come to know hadn't changed overnight, and if he did, what caused such change?
"Nah, I'm not into the whole pranking the village anymore. Would rather not be brought into your office for another scolding, Ya know?"
The world had to be ending. It just had to. There was no way the number one knuckle-headed blond boy he came to know as a grandson gave up pranking. He knew the boys' record of pranking, how vicious and even clever they could be.
"I see… If you're not pranking anyone, what exactly are you working on?" The Hokage questioned skeptically. As he stared at the blond boy that reminded him so much of his late successor. Their blond hair, and blue eyes. It was unmistakable.
He held so many regrets, but by far the biggest one was keeping the boys' heritage a secret from him. He'd ready himself for the day he'd tell the boy. He'd accept all the anger and betrayal he felt against himself from the boy.
But now wasn't the time to have his mind on that. He'd deal with that when he crossed that bridge. He only hoped the blond wouldn't grow to hate him. Observed the boys' clear inner turmoil. He was preparing to say something before Naruto spoke.
"I'm working on getting stronger."
He had said simply. He wasn't exactly lying he was working on getting stronger, just not in the way that the Old Aged Hokage would assume. "I see…" The Third Hokage would murmur. There would be nothing wrong with Naruto getting stronger.
Especially if the boy was taking his training more seriously. "Just try not to let it disrupt getting to the academy on time." the Hokage would finally say. He did not need to question the boy on where he lived or why he even changed residence.
He'd let the boy tell him when ready. He soon would dismiss the young academy student. Leaving him with his thoughts on what possible reason could make the young blond change so much. He'd only have to wait and observe for his questions to be answered.
Naruto would sluggishly sit up from his bed, checking his old worn-out clock, having no clue how it still even functioned. He simply nodded checking that it was indeed, 11:00 PM at night. Stretching he made his way out of his room and into a slightly bigger room in the apartment.
It had all his notes and even some scrapped materials lying about. If he ever needed more space, he could always tear down the walls connecting to the other apartment rooms next to his. But that would have to wait. He had some work to do.
For the past couple of weeks, he had been visiting areas where people dumped large amounts of trash and garbage they didn't need. To say it made getting materials a lot easier for Naruto. A few prototypes lay spewed on desks in the room.
He also had begun 'borrowing' books from the Konoha's library a lot more. If he tried checking them out he'd most likely be denied or questioned. And he didn't want either. Questions of what he'd need books on chakra and its uses as a power source and engineering were not questions he would want to answer.
It would probably alert the Hokage. Not to say he didn't like the Hokage, but he didn't trust the old man. He had been keeping things from him as long as he can remember. He'd get to the bottom of all that later. Currently, he tinkering with what looks to be a giant iron glove.
The glove had many wirings within it connecting it to what looked to be some power source inside the glove in the middle of the palm. This was only one small part of his suit. He had proximity 3 years in the Academy before graduation.
That would be more than enough time to have a decent stable suit made to leave. The talk with the Hokage a couple of days ago didn't sway his thoughts from leaving one bit. Only increased the working speed of the suit production.
If people began to grow more weary of him, they'd begin to question why he's always cooped in his home, and if they did that, they'd begin to look into things that he didn't want to be known till he was ready. They'd begin to investigate.
That would be bad for him. Only sighed finishing tinkering with the iron glove before setting it down. Stretching slightly he looked once more through the Iron Man comic book. Skimming over the pages, soon found the page of Iron Man's first suit, 'Mark 1.'
He completely was taking inspiration from Mark 1 to make his own suit. But unlike Tony, he had planned to implement flight in his first-ever suit. Tony didn't have much time let alone a large suppliance of resources. He had to build what he had in a cave full of scraps.
Naruto had the time. He had somewhat better resources, and he had an energy source that he could experiment with and use. His Chakra. Overall he had better odds of escaping the village with flight than without it. The suit would move too slow to outrun high-level shinobi.
Another thing he needed to do was begin production on Artificial intelligence. He needed something to keep track of the functionality of the suit. Sighing, he knew how much work lay ahead of him. The idea was still nothing but a dream, but he'd make it a reality.
Chapter 1 finished.
Author Message: Hello everyone, I know I've been gone for a bit but life's been a bunch of twist and turns and I hadn't really gotten time to work on any of my stories, and also due to me not liking the way I had them written out, so I'm either gonna discontinue them or rewrite them from the ground up with my new writing style. Overall I hope that you guys did enjoy this chapter, and yes I do plan on making more chapters and not discontinuing this fic like my others. Currently, Chapter 2 is indeed in the works of being made and is halfway done. So you guys should be getting that very soon. So peace!