Naruto: The Sage of Cursed Flames

by Anos Voldigoad15

The Fourth Hokage's final act sealed the Nine-Tails into his newborn son, Naruto—but the ritual didn't go as planned. Amid the chaos, something dark and ancient slipped through. Years later, as Naruto struggles in a village that despises him, a new presence awakens within. Can Naruto rise above the shadows to uncover the secrets of his own soul?

11. Chapter 9: Changing Winds

Author Note: "Hey guys I'm back. had to take care of stuff but I finished it a lot earlier than expected. So thanks for being patient and enjoy the new chapter."

"There are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them... bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore." — Nicholas Sparks

Once the final bell rang, Naruto was the first to exit the academy. He didn't look back at anyone, ignoring the stares and whispers from the villagers as he walked down the street. His focus was on the library.

Naruto reached the entrance and pushed the doors open, stepping inside. The calm, quiet atmosphere was a welcome contrast to the noise outside. The scent of old parchment and ink filled the air. Cool air blew from the air conditioners, causing the sweat on his neck to diminish

And, of course, the old hag of a librarian was already glaring at him. She sat hunched behind the counter, surrounded by scrolls. Her eyes moved up from the stack of scrolls before her as soon as he entered, frowning like she had smelled something rotten.

"What do you want, boy?" she asked, cold as ever.

Naruto met her glare with one of his own. "Just looking for something," he said.

The woman snorted, shifting in her chair like seeing him had soured her mood. "Don't make a mess. And don't touch anything you don't understand." She pointed toward the shelves with a bony finger.

Naruto didn't bother responding. He turned away and moved deeper into the library. It wasn't the first time she'd treated him like this, and he knew it wouldn't be the last.

Still, he refused to let her sour mood derail his focus. He had more important things to do than worry about her opinions.

'We're here. What am I looking for?' he asked Sukuna.

'Look for books on chakra. Then we'll go from there. You need to start learning how to control this massive amount of power you've got.' Sukuna responded.

Naruto nodded and began the search. t would take some time, as he wasn't familiar with the library's system. He didn't come here often… well, nearly never. Because he didn't see the point in coming, or feel a need to. And he definitely didn't like the librarian.

After about ten minutes, Naruto found the section on chakra. His eyes ran over the spines of dozens of books, scanning for a place to start. There were too many. He grabbed one at random: Chakra Fundamentals: A Shinobi's Guide.

Naruto flipped it open and started reading. The first few lines were basic Academy-level stuff. He skimmed past them, turning a few pages.

'No. Don't skip that. Go back.' Sukuna spoke up

'Why? I already know this.' Naruto asked, confused. 'You've seen my memories, right?'

'There's a difference between what you know and what you think you understand. And you barely paid attention to the fundamentals.' Sukuna explained.

Naruto puffed out his cheeks, 'But it wasn't important…' he complained.

'Really, brat? Then tell me, what's the power inside you called? Sukuna challenged.

'Uh… catra, obviously,' Naruto stammered.

'It's called chakra, brat.' Sukuna said with a deadpan. 'Not 'catra,' not 'charka,' not whatever the hell you think you've been saying. It's chakra. If you can't even name the power running through your own body, what does that tell you?"

"Tch. Whatever. It's just a word." Naruto scowled and flipped back to the earlier pages of the book.

'No, it's proof that you barely understand what you're using,' Sukuna was quick to correct him. 'You've been winging it your whole life with improper instructions. That's why you burn through so much chakra just doing the simplest things.'

"That's not my fault. No one ever taught me–"

'You were sabotaged. Fed half-truths and useless knowledge while everyone else was handed their techniques on a silver platter. I know, but that's not an excuse anymore.' Sukuna interrupted him. 'If you don't fix this now, you'll stay exactly where they want you, a loudmouthed idiot who never reaches his true potential.' I

t's one thing to be sabotaged. It's another to be willfully stupid. And that's what you've been doing every time you reject something because it bores you or you don't understand it.'

"Okay, okay, I get it. Fine. So what, do we just start from the beginning?"

"Obviously. If you want any chance at success, you need to start from scratch. A weak foundation produces a weak mindset, which then breeds failure.'

Naruto sighed 'Fine then…' He turned back to the first page and read.

"Chakra is created when two more primal energies, known collectively as one's "stamina", are moulded together. Physical energy is collected from each of the body's cells and can be increased through training, stimulants, and exercise. Spiritual energy is derived from the mind's consciousness and can be improved through studying, meditation, and experience. These two energies will become more powerful, making the created chakra more powerful.

Therefore, practising a technique repeatedly will build up experience, increase one's spiritual energy, and allow more chakra to be created. As a result, the shinobi is able to do that same technique with more power. This same cycle applies for physical energy, except the ninja needs to increase their endurance instead. Some unique individuals have substantial potential that enables them to exponentially increase their chakra reserves in a relatively short amount of time.

At any given time, a shinobi will have a "maximum" amount of chakra that they can form and use before it runs out and they need to rest to replenish it. With practice, this maximum can be increased, but to a certain extent as they are limited to the quantity and strength of chakra that their genetics grants them. If a body is given far more chakra than it can handle, then the body would potentially be killed by the overwhelming chakra. On the opposite spectrum, if somebody runs out of chakra, they potentially risk death

The next section had a detailed diagram of the chakra network or chakra pathway system. Unlike blood, which flows through veins, chakra moves through a series of invisible pathways called chakra channels.

Chakra flows from the stomach area (the tenketsu core) and moves through a network of chakra channels. These channels form a complex system that distributes chakra throughout the body, allowing shinobi to control and shape their chakra. The system is connected to 361 specific nodes called chakra points(tenketsu), which function like circuit breakers, regulating chakra flow to prevent overexertion and potential damage to the body. While most shinobi can emit chakra from specific points like their hands or feet to perform jutsu, members of the Hyūga clan can expel chakra from any or all of their tenketsu. Their Byakugan, a dōjutsu, facilitates this exceptional control that grants them the vision to see the chakra pathway system and the tenketsu within another's body.

The Gentle Fist (Jūken) is the signature taijutsu style of the Hyūga clan, designed to directly target an opponent's internal chakra network. By striking precise tenketsu, a Hyūga can disrupt or block chakra flow within the opponent's body, leading to various effects such as incapacitating specific body parts or preventing the opponent from molding chakra for their techniques. This method is highly efficient, as it causes internal damage with minimal external force.

It's important to note that the tenketsu are minuscule, approximately the size of a needle's tip, making them too small for even the Sharingan to detect. Only the Byakugan can visualize these points, highlighting the exclusivity of the Hyūga's techniques in targeting and manipulating an opponent's chakra network."

Naruto blinked. That… actually sounded terrifying.

Before he could dwell on it, Sukuna's voice cut in.

'Now tell me, what did you get out of all that?'

'Uh… if I use too much chakra, I die. And I have chakra points all over my body.' Naruto answered.

'Anything else?' Sukuna asked

'Uh… no?' Naruto said sheepishly, scratching his cheek.

Sukuna sighed. 'Alright, let me break it down for you. Each cell in your body produces chakra. Just like losing too much blood, if you run out of chakra, you die. Simple. Now the second question, your body chakra points and a core. But where does chakra gather?'

'The stomach, right?' Naruto said, asking for confirmation.

'More or less. But that's also a weak spot. Say someone completely disrupts your chakra there, what happens?'

'Uh… it would hurt? And I couldn't use my chakra?'

'Yes. And more importantly, you'd die.'

'Wait, what?!' Naruto shouted.

'Think about it. If someone severs your tenketsu core, it's like destroying a person's heart or slicing them in half. When blood stops flowing, you die. Same with chakra. Cut off the core, and that's it for you.'

Naruto took a moment to ponder on it before finally answering. '…I guess that makes sense.'

'Good. One last thing before we move on—chakra points and pathways.'

'Aren't they supposed to be good?'

'For keeping you alive? Yes. But in battle? They're a liability.'

Naruto stayed quiet, already sensing where this was going.

'What happens when you run low on chakra? Don't pretend it can't happen. Just because you've got a massive supply doesn't mean it's infinite. You burn through it too fast because as we both know no one ever taught you proper control. A smart enemy will let you waste your strength. They'll wait. And when you're spent, panting like a dog, that's when they move in.

And don't even think about the fox,' Sukuna said, aborting the thought before it fully took form in Naruto's mind. 'It hated you before. Now it's worse. Rely on it, and you'll die waiting for help that won't come.'

Naruto swallowed. Sukuna wasn't wrong. But that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was realizing that sometimes, when he got angry, it hadn't all been him. He'd felt it before, those moments where something inside him flared, not just anger but rage, something darker that made his fists clench tighter. Back then, he thought it was just him losing control. But it wasn't. That second surge, that pulse in his gut pushing him to lash out, it had a name now. The Nine Tails. It had always been there, buried deep, twisting his anger into something uglier. And he'd never noticed, not until he met Sukuna.

Sukuna waited just long enough for the silence to sink in before continuing 'If your chakra pathways get severed, it doesn't explicitly say it, but you'd be as good as dead. Don't overestimate the fox's healing, either. It has limits. What if someone cut off all your limbs and sealed them away? Do you think it could fix that?'

Naruto shuddered, throwing up his hands. 'Okay, okay! I get it. Don't let my chakra points get blocked, don't rely on the fox to save me.'

'Good. Now move on to the next book. And while you're at it—figure out a way to prevent your chakra points from being sealed. Or better yet, force them back open.'

Naruto exhaled and grabbed another book.

Four hours later.

Naruto had his head down on the table; it felt like it was going to explode from knowledge. He looked over the stack beside him: chakra control, chakra natures, chakra affinities, and hand seals.

'Man, that was so much stuff. Please, no more. I'd rather do your sadistic workout.' Naruto begged.

'Relax, brat. There's one more thing I want to check out. Besides, now we know how to handle your chakra control issues. I've already formulated a plan.'

'Fine, fine,' Naruto groaned. 'What do you want me to look at next?'

'Look for info on the clans here. I'm interested in them.' Sukuna said

'Why?' Naruto asked, dragging himself up and stretching as he stood.

'Because two of the most powerful clans formed this village; the Uchiha and the Senju clans. And their leaders were the strongest of all time, as it stands, currently. I'm especially interested in the Uchiha. Their Sharingan seems to play a key role in their strength. Madara Uchiha was said to be a master of it. I want to know what makes those eyes so special.'

Sukuna paused, then added, 'In my world, there was someone with eyes like that. Not the same, but powerful. They let him see things most couldn't. Predict movements, control the flow of battle, and they're part of what made him nearly invincible. It was Gojo Satoru.'

'Wait,really? Gojo?' Naruto asked.

'Yes. He had what were known as the Six Eyes, a genetic trait that appeared in his clan once every four hundred years. They let him see and process everything—every movement, every shift in energy, every moment of battle. That, combined with his technique, made him nearly impossible to hit. Point is, eyes like that matter.'

Naruto frowned. 'Tch. Still… I wish it wasn't about that bastard Sasuke's family.'

'Stop being so emotional,' Sukuna replied in a dry tone. 'You're letting your feelings blind you. Knowledge is power. This information will come in handy one day. And perhaps there's something here about you too.'

Naruto squinted, unconvinced. 'What makes you think that?'

'It's like I said before, brat. You're special, and I'm willing to bet your parents were special. Could they be ordinary? Yes. But my instincts tell me otherwise.'

'Hmph. I guess we'll see. Stupid Uchiha…..'

Naruto made his way to the clan section and pulled out a few books on the Uchiha and Senju. He sat down and began to read.

Before the existence of the hidden villages and the shinobi system, there was the Warring States Period.
The Warring States Period was an era of war and violence where even children were sent to battle. The expected lifespan, if one survived, was thirty years old...

'What the heck? Thirty years old? That's hardly even old. They could've lived longer—Iruka-sensei isn't even thirty,' Naruto muttered.

'That's how war is, brat. In my world back in the Heian era—it was the same. That name fools people, makes them think it was all peace and poetry. But that was just the mask. Behind the palace walls, sure, they wrote poems and chased court girls. But outside the capital? It was rot. Clans more loyal to themselves than the emperor, tax officials bleeding villages dry, warlords stacking corpses just to claim another rice field.

'It was an era where human life meant less than steel. And when I say children were sent to battle, I mean it—boys barely weaned, handed spears, told to charge, left to die in puddles of blood and shit. Villages burned over petty insults. Castles fell overnight. Women and children? Collateral. The strong ruled. The weak got crushed.

'You know what the average life expectancy was if you fought? Thirty. Not because of disease. Not because of famine. Because someone cut you down before you saw another sunrise. I watched a ten-year-old take down three grown samurai before someone split his skull like fruit. No one mourned. They just took his blade and moved on.

'And through all that, cursed spirits feasted—on grief, hatred, fear thick enough to poison the soil. There was so much of it, we called that time the golden age of Jujutsu. And that wasn't praise, brat. That was a warning. Cursed energy doesn't come from nowhere. It feeds on the filth of human emotion—the rage, the sorrow, the betrayal, the shit people try to bury but never forget. And the Heian era was drenched in it.

'So, brat... thirty years old? That was generous. Most didn't make it past their first real fight. Some never made it past age five.'

'But that's cruel and wrong... why even go so far if that's what happens?' Naruto said. It just didn't make sense to him if people were going to die then why go to war at all?

'Because, brat, when someone's ambition burns deep enough, they'll look past the past and the present. They'll burn everything to build the future they want. War doesn't start from nothing. It comes from greed, money, land, power, even just food. Or worse, someone gets wronged and wants revenge. Then it spreads... and spreads...'

Sukuna trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Naruto frowned as he read further. The more he learned, the more twisted it all felt. The Warring States Period wasn't just about shinobi fighting, it was about families being forged into weapons. Children raised to kill without ever knowing peace. Entire generations lived and died soaked in blood, never seeing anything else.

Naruto flipped the page.

"And the two strongest clans at the time were the Uchiha and the Senju. Both feared, both unmatched, and both locked in an endless cycle of war against each other…"

Naruto's grip on the book tightened. 'So that's why those bastards act like they're better than everyone else. They've always been top dogs, huh?'

'Envy doesn't suit you, brat. Focus.'

Naruto exhaled through his nose and kept reading.

"It was said that the Uchiha possessed a rare kekkei genkai (bloodline limit), a dōjutsu known as the Sharingan that appears selectively among its members. Not everyone born of the Uchiha clan awakens the Sharingan; some go their whole lives without ever unlocking it. It can only be awakened when a wielder experiences a powerful emotional condition regarding someone precious to them. The brain releases a special form of chakra that affects the optic nerves, transforming the eyes into the Sharingan. For that reason, the Sharingan is described as an 'eye that reflects the heart' or the 'eye that sees all.'

"But those who awaken the Sharingan are granted two broad abilities: the Eye of Insight and the Eye of Hypnotism—enhanced perception, the ability to see chakra, and the power to cast powerful genjutsu through eye contact. It is said to be capable of copying techniques, predicting movements, and even controlling opponents through illusions. The extent of its power, however, varies based on the user's skill and emotional state."

'Yeah, that figures,' Naruto scoffed. 'Stupid eyeballs that let them cheat in fights.'

'Don't be an idiot, brat. This isn't just some convenient ability—it's a dangerous tool. Think about it. If the Sharingan lets them see chakra, that means they can track movements others can't. If they can predict attacks, they can counter before an opponent even moves. And if they can copy jutsu…'

Naruto's scowl deepened. 'So basically, fighting a high-level Uchiha means they see every move before you make it, can copy your techniques, and can put you under genjutsu just by looking at you. In other words, you're screwed.'

Sukuna let out a low chuckle. 'Now you're getting it. This is why I wanted you to read up on them. The more you know about their strengths, the better you can counter them. Though you probably don't have to worry about that, considering that kid Sasuke is the last of his clan. But then again… no, never mind.'

'No—tell me what you were about to say,' Naruto insisted.

'Don't worry about it. Just keep reading,' Sukuna said, waving him off.

Naruto frowned. 'Hmmm… fine.' But he didn't argue and kept reading.

"The Senju Clan, meanwhile, was known for their physical prowess, longevity, and exceptional chakra reserves. Unlike the Uchiha, the Senju did not possess a unique kekkei genkai, but they were widely considered the strongest clan due to their unmatched versatility in battle…"

Sukuna let out another low chuckle. 'Now this is amusing. No special bloodline. No broken eye powers. Yet they still rivaled the Uchiha? That means they relied on sheer talent and adaptability. They were forced to hone their craft in ways the Uchiha never had to. No wonder the two clans were such bitter enemies.'

Naruto squinted at the page. 'Why does that sound like you respect them more?'

'Because I do. Strength earned through discipline and effort is far more reliable than strength granted by birthright. The Senju were forced to improve because they weren't gifted anything except a lot of chakra.'

'Yeah, that does sound better. Screw the Uchiha,' Naruto said with a smirk.

'Don't be so simple-minded.' Sukuna scolded him. 'The Sharingan is still powerful, and dismissing them outright would be foolish. Besides…' Sukuna's voice took on a thoughtful edge. 'Something's missing from this history. A clan doesn't just go extinct overnight. Keep reading.'

Naruto nodded and turned to the next section.

"Eventually, the Senju and Uchiha came to a truce, forming a village under the leadership of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. This village would later be known as Konohagakure, the first of the hidden villages… However, their alliance did not last. Madara Uchiha, fearing the Senju's growing influence, attempted to take control of the village, believing the Uchiha would eventually be oppressed. He was ultimately defeated by Hashirama and killed. Over time, distrust grew between the Uchiha and the village, culminating in the Uchiha Clan Massacre…"

Naruto felt his blood run cold as the words poured out of his mouth. He looked at the book with wide eyes as he kept reading.

"The Uchiha Clan Massacre was an event in which nearly the entire Uchiha Clan was wiped out in a single night. The sole known survivor was Sasuke Uchiha, whose older brother, Itachi Uchiha, was the one responsible for the massacre…"

'Wait… what?' Naruto's hands trembled slightly as he processed the words, rereading them. 'Sasuke's brother killed his entire clan?'

Sukuna went quiet.

Naruto sat back, stunned. This wasn't just some old history lesson. This was recent and was personal, according to the book it happened five years ago.

"The massacre remains one of the greatest tragedies in Konoha's history, with conflicting accounts as to why it happened. Some say that he snapped under pressure as an anbu captain, and the heir to the clan. Others say.."

Naruto turned the page, expecting more details, but instead found the text trailing off into vague speculation. The next section shifted to the aftermath of the massacre rather than the actual reason behind it.

Naruto nodded and turned to the next section.

"Eventually, the Senju and Uchiha came to a truce, forming a village under the leadership of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. This village would later be known as Konohagakure, the first of the hidden villages... However, their alliance did not last. Madara Uchiha, fearing the Senju's growing influence, attempted to take control of the village, believing the Uchiha would eventually be oppressed. He was ultimately defeated by Hashirama and killed. Over time, distrust grew between the Uchiha and the village, culminating in the Uchiha Clan Massacre..."

Naruto felt his blood run cold as the words poured out of his mouth. He stared at the book with wide eyes, then kept reading.

"The Uchiha Clan Massacre was an event in which nearly the entire Uchiha Clan was wiped out in a single night. The sole known survivor was Sasuke Uchiha, whose older brother, Itachi Uchiha, was the one responsible for the massacre..."

'Wait… what?' Naruto's hands trembled slightly as he reread the line. 'Sasuke's brother killed his entire clan?'

Sukuna went quiet.

Naruto leaned back in his chair, stunned. This wasn't just some old history lesson. It was recent. Personal. According to the book, it had happened five years ago.

"The massacre remains one of the greatest tragedies in Konoha's history, with conflicting accounts as to why it happened. Some say he snapped under pressure as an ANBU captain and the heir to the clan. Others say—"

Naruto turned the page, expecting more. But instead, the text trailed off into vague speculation. The next section shifted to the aftermath rather than the actual reason behind it.

'That's it?' He flipped through the next few pages, scanning for answers—but nothing. No official confirmation or real reason. Just rumors, theories, and sanitized history.'No way. You're telling me something this big happened, and they don't even explain why?'

Sukuna clicked his tongue. 'Tch. Of course not. This much death, destruction, and there's no definitive answer? That's no accident. Someone doesn't want the truth to be known.'

'So they're hiding it?' Naruto asked, though the answer was already clear.

'Obviously. The moment history becomes "classified," it means the victors have rewritten it in their favor. Whatever the real reason behind the Uchiha Massacre was, it's not in this library. This is just what they want the public to believe.'

Naruto shut the book. 'Damn it.' He sighed, running a hand through his hair, then glanced at the shelves. 'Are there any more books on the Uchiha?'

He scanned the spines, but nothing stood out. He went back to the catalog index, flipping through the listings, but—nothing.

That was the only book.

His frown deepened. 'The hell? There's gotta be more than just one damn book.'

'The rest is probably in the hands of that brat, Sasuke,' Sukuna said. 'He is the last of his clan, after all. Well—aside from his brother, of course. If there were more books, they're either locked away in private archives, destroyed, or passed down only through the clan itself.'

Naruto folded his arms, scowling. 'So Sasuke's probably sitting on information I can't get to. Figures. Just my luck.'

'That, or the village made sure no one outside the clan ever learned too much about their secrets,' Sukuna went on. 'Makes sense, doesn't it? A clan's power comes from its exclusivity. The fewer people who understand its abilities, the harder it is to counter them.'

Naruto exhaled through his nose. Tch. Whatever.
'If that's all I can get on the Uchiha, then forget it.' He flipped back to the Senju section.

"Unlike the Uchiha, who were defined by their ocular prowess, the Senju Clan was renowned for their unmatched versatility, physical strength, and vast chakra reserves. Unlike many clans of the era, they did not rely on a single bloodline ability but instead mastered all forms of shinobi combat, earning them the title of the 'Clan of a Thousand Skills.'"

"At the height of the Warring States Period, the Senju and Uchiha were bitter rivals, clashing on battlefields for generations. When one hired the Uchiha, the other hired the Senju. Only the Senju could truly fight equally against the Uchiha. Both clans were spearheaded by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. When one appeared on the battlefield, the other always followed. They fought countless battles, time and time again.

"Hashirama sought stability and peace, believing that an end to constant bloodshed was possible. Over time, and with enough convincing, Madara agreed to a temporary truce between their clans—resulting in the formation of the first hidden village: Konohagakure."

Naruto's brow furrowed. 'So they fought non-stop… then decided to make a village together?'

'Hah. More like one side wanted peace, and the other got dragged along for the ride,' Sukuna said. 'Hashirama probably had to do a lot of convincing to get Madara to go along with it. And considering how things ended between them, I'd say it didn't last.'

Naruto turned the page.

"Hashirama Senju, the man who would become the First Hokage, was regarded as the strongest shinobi of his time. He was also known as the 'God of Shinobi,' capable of healing without weaving a single sign and making him nearly unkillable in combat. Every jutsu he attempted, he was in a class by himself. He is viewed as the Ultimate Shinobi.

"His prowess in battle was unmatched, and he was the only known wielder of the legendary Wood Release—a unique kekkei genkai that allowed him to manipulate trees and plants at will."

Naruto blinked. Wood Style?

He read further.

"Hashirama Senju was the only known wielder of the unique kekkei genkai known as Wood Release—a combination of Earth and Water chakra natures. This ability granted him the power to create vast forests, suppress tailed beasts, and reshape the battlefield at will. It is said to be one of the most powerful elemental affinities in existence, capable of binding chakra itself. This ability was unique to Hashirama alone, with no known Senju before or after him possessing the same gift. He was also gifted with monstrous chakra reserves and was even able to construct the very foundation of Konoha itself."

Naruto blinked again. 'Wait, wait, wait... He built the village? And he could suppress chakra—and tailed beasts?'

'It's most likely talking about the fox inside you,' Sukuna said. 'And obviously, there are others out there. A bloodline ability that lets you bind chakra itself? That's a direct counter to creatures made of pure chakra. No wonder he was called the strongest of his era. Not only that, but the man wasn't just strong—he was a damn architect, too.'

Naruto's eyes lingered on the line about suppressing tailed beasts. 'Just how strong was this guy to handle even the Nine-Tails? He was a monster.'

The Nine-Tails stirred inside him, a low growl vibrating through his gut.

'Hmph. Seems that caught the fox's attention.'

Naruto ignored him and read on.

"Hashirama's mastery over Wood Release made him the most feared shinobi of his time. He was the only person known to have captured and subdued multiple tailed beasts, later distributing them among the hidden villages as part of a peace treaty."

Naruto froze. 'Wait, he handed out the tailed beasts like they were weapons?'

'That's right. The so-called "God of Shinobi" didn't just conquer his enemies—he controlled the very creatures that could level nations. He decided who got what, turning the tailed beasts into bargaining chips. And Konoha? It kept the strongest one for itself.'

Naruto clenched his fists. 'That's…' He swallowed. 'That's messed up.'

'Mmm. And I imagine the fox isn't too happy about it either.'

The Nine tails growl rumbled again, low and simmering with rage. Naruto could feel the fox's rage, this wasn't just old history for the fox. This was personal.

'That little growl tells me your fox doesn't like the First Hokage very much. Makes sense—he was the one who put the leash on him first.'

Naruto's fingers tapped against the page. He hadn't even thought about that. He had been focusing on the fact that the Nine-Tails was sealed inside of him without Naruto knowing, and it tried to trick him into setting it free. But Naruto hadn't considered that too, perhaps had no say in the matter. It had attacked the village, sure, but why? What

Was it revenge against the dead First Hokage and the village? Or was it something else entirely?

Naruto's fingers tightened around the book. He'd always been told that the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha out of malice, that it was a mindless beast filled with hatred. But if that were true…

Then why was it reacting so strongly to what he was reading?

He had never really considered the fox's perspective before. The rage and hatred he felt radiating from the Nine-Tails wasn't just some petty grudge deep-rooted, something far older than Naruto himself.

Why did the Nine-Tails attack Konoha?

Everyone always said it was just a force of destruction, something that needed to be contained. But this book, history itself, was painting a different picture. It made the tailed beasts sound less like monsters and more like weapons; tools divided among the villages like war assets. Like they didn't have a choice.

Then another frightening thought hit Naruto. 'So wait... if the Nine-Tails is sealed inside of me... does that mean there are others like me?'

Naruto's brain stalled. That idea… it had never even occurred to him. For most of his life, he didn't even know the fox was inside him. He just thought he was cursed—some unlucky kid everyone hated for no reason. But if the First Hokage had been handing out tailed beasts like bargaining chips… then...

But if the First Hokage had been handing out tailed beasts like bargaining chips… then...

Were there others?

Sukuna hummed, considering it. "Possibly. But I wouldn't know. And the books don't say."

Naruto couldn't help but think about it. Others, people like him, people who had tailed beasts sealed inside them.

'Did they get treated the same way he did? Were they hated? Isolated? Called monsters, too? Or was he the only one?' Naruto wondered

His fingers hovered over the page. A strange sensation settled in his chest—foreign, uncomfortable.

'Maybe I'm not alone?'

The idea was terrifying… but also weirdly comforting. If there were others like him, then maybe… Maybe he could find them. Maybe he could finally get answers.

'Don't get ahead of yourself, brat,' Sukuna warned. 'Even if there are others, they aren't necessarily your allies. The moment you start looking for them, you expose yourself.'

Naruto let out a deep sigh, slumping slightly. 'Yeah… I guess that's true.' He tapped the book, gaze still locked to the page, mind racing.

This was too much. First the Uchiha, now this. The more he learned, the more it felt like everything about this village was built on secrets and hidden truths.

He turned another page, but his mind was already spinning. Now, he wanted to see what happened to Hashirama? Why aren't there more Senju around?

He quickly scanned the next section.

"Despite his unmatched strength, Hashirama Senju was not immortal and passed away of old age. With his death, the Senju Clan slowly faded from prominence. Some members assimilated into the general populace, while others disappeared entirely. Today, very few who bear the Senju name remain, and their legacy has become a distant memory in Konoha's history."

He turned the page again, looking for more, but the rest of the book focused on Hashirama's known battles and achievements.

Naruto sighed, leaning back in the chair. 'Another dead end. Ugh. The more I read, the more questions I have.'

Frustrated, he scanned the shelves again. He was looking for… something. He didn't even know what, but his gut told him there was still more to find.

Then Naruto's foot bumped against the table leg, jostling the stack of books he had set aside. One of them slipped off the pile, landing with a soft thud against the floor, its pages flipped open from the impact.

Naruto glanced at it.

It was an older book, slightly worn, with a faded title. He picked it up and examined it closer, his eyes skimmed over the section it had landed on.

"The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. The Architect of the Modern Shinobi System."

Naruto sat up, this piqued his curiosity. He had been so focused on Hashirama that he hadn't even thought much about Hashirama's little brother Tobirama.

"Following Hashirama Senju's passing, his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, took up the mantle as the Second Hokage. Known for his sharp intellect as a tactical genius, and mastery of Water Release. Tobirama was responsible for many of Konoha's foundational institutions: the ANBU, the Chūnin Exams, the modern Shinobi Academy system, and the establishment of the village's hierarchical structure. His leadership ensured the village's stability during turbulent times; he also created the Konoha Police Force..."

"The Konoha Police Force? That was Uchiha-run, wasn't it?" Naruto vaguely remembered hearing about that somewhere before.

But the book didn't dwell on it, quickly moving on to Tobirama's military strategies and contributions to Konoha's infrastructure. And a few of the jutsu he created.

Naruto leaned closer to the page. 'Wow, so, he was the guy who actually built the village's systems, huh?'

'The enforcer to his brother's dream. Every kingdom needs both an idealist to build it, and a realist to maintain it,' Sukuna said, his tone even.

Naruto turned the page, and what he saw next rocked his world.

"Despite his strict nature, Tobirama was fiercely loyal to his clan and dedicated to Konoha's survival. His leadership ensured that the Senju remained one of the strongest clans of their time. However, it was during his brother's reign that an important political alliance was solidified through marriage, one that further strengthened the village's foundation. Hashirama Senju's wife, was Mito Uzumaki, hailed from the Land of Whirlp—"

Naruto froze and his eyes locked onto the name before him. Mito Uzumaki? His breath hitched. Uzumaki. The same as his last name.

He blinked, staring at the page like he had misread it. But no, there it was, printed right in front of him. Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, had married someone with his last name. The revelation hit him like a kunai to the gut.

'Well, now isn't that interesting? Didn't I tell you that you're special brat?' Sukuna said.

'Nartuo ignored him. 'Mito Uzumaki… that means…' Nartuo forced himself to keep reading.

"The Senju and Uzumaki clans shared a distant bloodline connection and had a history of close alliance. Their union further solidified this bond, enhancing the strength and unity between the two clans. From a strategic standpoint, their marriage fortified the alliance between Konohagakure and Uzushiogakure, ensuring mutual support and cooperation. This partnership was crucial during the formative years of the Hidden Leaf Village, providing stability and shared resources."

Naruto's heartbeat pounded in his ears as the weight of the words settled in. 'An alliance? Two clans? Uzumaki. A whole clan. What the hell?'

He had lived in this village his entire life, and no one not Iruka, not the old man, not anyone, had ever told him that his last name actually meant something. He didn't know anything about his last name. He had never thought about it. No one ever talked about it. It had just been… his name.

But now, here it was, written in the history of Konoha itself. He wasn't just some random orphan. No, he had a clan. There were others like him. There had been a whole clan.

And yet… if the Uzumaki were so closely tied to Konoha's founding, then why had he never heard of them before?

He quickly flipped the page, wanting to know more; he had to learn more.

"The Uzumaki Clan lived in Uzushiogakure (The Village Hidden in Whirlpools), which was located on an island in the Land of Whirlpools. The country was a small, isolated nation surrounded by the sea, positioned off the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. This island-based location contributed to the Uzumaki Clan's seclusion and self-sufficiency, making it difficult for outsiders to attack. However, despite their remote position, they maintained close ties with Konoha.

The Uzumaki Clan was known for their mastery of fūinjutsu, longevity, strong life force, massive chakra reserves, and stamina. Nearly all Uzumaki had red hair, a trademark of their bloodline, and their clan symbol was a spiral whirlpool; this later became Konoha's flak jacket emblem to honor their alliance. Uzushiogakure remained close allies over the following decades, with the Uzumaki providing fūinjutsu—among other things to Konoha whenever needed.

Due to the Uzumaki naturally possessing incredibly strong life forces, they had very long lifespans and likewise aged slower. This also enabled them to survive and endure much more severe injuries, while recovering from exhaustion and damage with much greater efficiency in short periods of time. Mito Uzumaki was one of the strongest kunoichi the clan had ever produced. Even among the Uzumaki, she possessed an exceptionally large and unique type of chakra.

The end."

'That's it?!' Naruto stood up from his chair. 'Come on, there has to be more.'

He looked and looked and looked, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find anything else.

'I don't understand. Why aren't there more books? She was the First Hokage's wife, so there should be more info on the clan… I mean— I sigh.' Naruto sat down, trying to wrap his head around all this. It was too much information to process at once.

'Well, brat, I did say your parents were probably special. And while you don't know anything about them, you now know about your ancestors and that you have a clan. Or you could be a descendant of the woman, Mito.'

'But if that's true… if I do have a clan, then shouldn't I be with them? And no one ever talks about them, so…' Naruto stopped as a dark thought entered his mind. 'No, that can't be… can it? They were… they were—'

'Brat, pull yourself together. Panicking won't help. It will only cloud your thinking.'

"But how can I be calm after learning all this?! First, I find out that I have a clan, and then I'm possibly related to the First Hokage! And there's no more information!" Naruto shouted at him internally.

'Brat, take deep breaths. You're being irrational. Use your head.' Sukuna said in a firm voice.

Naruto clenched his fists, and his nails dug into his palms as his chest rose and fell with uneven breaths. He wanted to believe it was just a mistake: a simple case of forgotten history, a clan that had faded over time. But the more he thought about it, the more it didn't make sense.

If the Uzumaki were so important and one of Konoha's greatest allies, why was there barely any record of them?
Why was there no mention of them in school? Why had he never even heard their name before today?

His throat tightened as his mind latched onto the darkest possibility.

'They were… wiped out….like the Uchiha.' Even as he said it the words sent a cold shiver down his spine.

He swallowed hard, pushing the idea away, but it wouldn't leave. It made too much sense. If the Uzumaki still existed, shouldn't he have been raised among them? Shouldn't Konoha have sent him to live with them? His clan wasn't just missing, they had been erased.

'Brat, don't jump to conclusions without evidence,' Sukuna interrupted Naruto's spiraling thoughts 'If you let your emotions control you, you'll miss the bigger picture.'

Naruto sucked in a shaky breath, but his mind was still racing, and he couldn't stop shaking. 'Then tell me, Sukuna, what else could've happened? If my clan still existed, where are they?'

There was a beat of silence. Then Sukuna spoke, slower this time, trying to calm the boy down. 'Those are the right questions to ask. Now think—who benefits from keeping you in the dark?'

'The village.'

'Close, but think further.'

He didn't want to believe it, but who else could have hidden this from him? Who else controlled what history was taught? It was Hiruzen, and it wasn't just him. It was every single adult who had ever looked him in the eyes and never once mentioned the name Uzumaki.

They knew, they all knew.

His clan, his history, his entire identity had been hidden from him on purpose.

He forced himself to calm down, even as the bitterness built in his chest. He took a deep breath pushing back the swirling emotions threatening to take over. Sukuna was right, he needed to think. Naruto couldn't afford to lose himself in frustration right now. He stared down at the book in front of him, as he tried to think. The librarian if he asked her would probably just shoo him off, and he could try to look some more in the library but that might be a waste of time.

'I need more information. There has to be more somewhere.' Naruto said

'Now you're thinking,' Sukuna said approvingly. 'The question now is, where do you start looking?'

'Hmm…' Naruto thought for a moment 'if there's no information here then I'd have to ask someone that knows and….the old man he must know.

Now you're using your brain.

Hiruzen had been alive long before Naruto was born. He had been the Hokage when the village was founded, when the Uzumaki were still around. If anyone knew what had happened to his clan it was him.

Naruto's hands clenched into fists as he thought about it. He had always seen the old man as kind, as someone who had at least tried to look out for him. But now? Doubt was creeping in. The old man had been watching over him his entire life, acting like some kind of kindly grandfather. But if he cared, then why?

If Hiruzen cared, why had he never mentioned Naruto's clan? Why had he let Naruto grow up thinking he was completely alone?

'Brat, don't jump to conclusions yet,' Sukuna cut in. 'You've learned a valuable lesson today, people don't just 'forget' things like this. They bury them. Now, go find out why.'

Naruto took another deep breath, then let it out slowly.

Yeah. He needed to talk to the old man. And this time, he wouldn't let him dodge the questions.

Standing up, he tucked the book under his arm momentarily before stopping himself. 'No… this book is useless. There's nothing here for me.' He placed it back on the shelf before turning on his heel and heading for the exit.

As he walked past, the librarian shot him an irritated glare, but he ignored her completely. He had bigger things to worry about.

Stepping into the street, Naruto barely noticed the villagers' usual glares and whispers. His mind was elsewhere.

His feet hit the pavement harder with every step as he moved toward the Hokage Tower, his pace quickening. The unease, anger, and feeling of betrayal all simmered beneath the surface. And Sukuna remained silent in his mind, watching to see how it would all play out.

The Hokage Tower soon came into view, and Naruto picked up his pace, his eyes were locked onto it, determination burning in his gaze.

No one had ever given him anything freely. He had always been expected to sit back, smile, and be grateful for what little scraps of acknowledgment he got.

Not anymore.

No more being ignored, and more being left in the dark.

If Hiruzen thought he could just keep him in the dark forever, then he was about to learn how wrong he was.

Naruto was done waiting for answers. He would get them whether the old man liked it or not.

He reached the steps leading up to the tower and didn't hesitate.

Today, everything changed. Not just for Naruto, but soon the whole world.

Hokage's Office

Hiruzen exhaled and set a half-finished report aside. His desk was covered in stacks of documents; border tensions, mission failures, the upcoming Chūnin Exams. And, of course, Naruto Uzumaki.

He had received reports from the Academy. There was nothing unusual, but Naruto's combat scores had improved while other areas remained weak. It was progress, but also troubling. The boy was getting stronger, and Hiruzen could only hope it would be enough for the burdens he would one day bear.

His thoughts shifted to something more immediate, Naruto passing out a few days ago. Since then, Iruka was keeping an eye on him, and ANBU had been stationed near his apartment. It wouldn't have been concerning if it had been a simple collapse, but the seal had been glowing when they found him.

The seal was intact and untampered which was good, but that only raised more questions.

Then there was the doctor's scan. Naruto's chakra network had been strained, there was no permanent damage, but still… whatever it was, he needed to find the cause.

However, before he could dwell on it further, the door to his office was kicked open, torn from the frame and crashing to the floor with a heavy thud.

Hiruzen looked up as Naruto stepped inside. His shoulders were tense, his breathing uneven, and he wasn't rushing in with loud complaints or an exaggerated grin. He didn't speak right away, either. He just stood there, staring.

Something was wrong. He'd never seen Naruto this angry.

Hiruzen leaned forward. "Naruto—"

"You knew." Naruto walked closer to the desk, looking him in the eyes. "You knew, and don't play games with me, old man."

Hiruzen's fingers twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Explain yourself."

"You knew," Naruto repeated. "You knew about my clan. The Uzumaki."

Ah.

So that was it. The boy had finally begun digging.

Hiruzen had known this day would come eventually. He had hoped… No. It didn't matter what he had hoped. The reality was standing in front of him.

"I see. You've been researching," Hiruzen said calmly.

Naruto scoffed at his composure. "Don't act like this is normal. Don't act like I just 'happened' to find out. This wasn't some Academy lesson, old man. No one ever mentioned it to me. Not Iruka-sensei, not you, not a single person in this damn village. And now, when I finally start looking, there's almost nothing to find."

Hiruzen remained silent, he felt it was best to let Naruto vent.

"I had to find out from a dusty old book that my last name meant something. That there was an entire Uzumaki clan. That they were important to Konoha. That they were close to the First Hokage. That they had their own village. And yet, not a single person ever said a damn thing. About them. About me."

Hiruzen closed his eyes briefly. 'He's piecing it together faster than I expected. I should have known this day would come sooner.' He sighed and when he opened his eyes, Naruto was still staring at him.

Hiruzen didn't speak right away as he carefully chose his words, but even so he knew it was ultimately futile. No matter what he said, Naruto wouldn't walk away satisfied unless he gave him the truth. "Sit," he said finally.

But Naruto didn't move, he stood there defiantly glaring at him

Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "If you want the truth, you will sit."

A moment passed before Naruto reluctantly dropped into the chair across from Hiruzen.

He studied the boy for a moment longer. Gone was the reckless, oblivious child who charged into conversations without thinking. What sat before him now was someone different—someone hungry for the truth.

Hiruzen folded his hands over his desk. "Yes, Naruto. I knew about your clan."

Naruto's fingers twitched, but he didn't interrupt.

"The Uzumaki Clan hailed from Uzushiogakure, the Village Hidden in Whirlpools. They were known for their exceptional skill in fūinjutsu, their longevity, and their powerful chakra reserves. They were once Konoha's greatest allies—closer than even the Uchiha or Hyūga. Our village's symbol, and the swirl on our flak jackets, was meant to honor them."

Naruto's lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something, but he stayed quiet.

Hiruzen continued. "But because of their strength, they were envied and feared. The Uzumaki name became a target. And eventually…" He paused. "They were wiped out."

Naruto didn't react. He had already figured that was the case. He had hoped it wasn't, but he'd come to the conclusion back in the library.

Hiruzen watched Naruto's reaction carefully. He expected him to be surprised, sad, distressed, or angry even. But instead, Naruto kept his composure. His expression was unreadable. Hiruzen mentally noted the lack of immediate reaction—a stark contrast to the boy's usual emotional outbursts. It was unsettling.

The silence stretched on, and Hiruzen found himself clearing his throat. "Naruto?"

"When?" Naruto asked.

"About over thirty-five years ago. Long before you were born," Hiruzen answered.

Naruto nodded slightly, absorbing the confirmation. "Who did it?"

Hiruzen hesitated before continuing. "It was… a combined effort. Several great nations saw the Uzumaki as a threat. Their enemies feared their fūinjutsu abilities and decided that Uzushiogakure was too dangerous to exist." The regret could be heard in his voice. "The village was destroyed, and most of the Uzumaki were slaughtered. Some survived, scattered across the world—but as a clan, they no longer exist. And considering how many years it's been… I do not say this with certainty, but Naruto… you could very well be the last."

Naruto closed his eyes, and a long, tense silence followed. He didn't say anything. Then finally, he opened his eyes and spoke.

"…You knew."

Hiruzen met his gaze. "Yes."

"And you never told me."

Hiruzen sighed. "Because I believed it was best to wait until you were older. Until you were ready. I did what I believed was best."

"Best for who?!" Naruto shot up from his chair. "For me? You can't be talking about me, because how the hell was it 'best' to leave me in the dark? To let me grow up thinking I was nobody? To let me—" His voice broke, but he caught himself, taking a deep breath remembering what Sukuna told him before entering the tower.

'Don't just charge in hotheaded. You're pissed, and that's fine. But if you go crazy, he'll just treat you like a child and deflect—play the 'wise old man' routine and twist it until you're the one apologizing. You want answers? Corner him. Keep your grip tight, your voice steady. Make it so even silence feels like pressure.'

Naruto exhaled slowly through his nose, forcing the heat back down. His eyes burned, but it wasn't just anger in them or frustration; it was also pain, because this wasn't just about a clan or history. It was about him. The fact that no one had ever told him. That everyone had chosen to let him suffer alone.

Hiruzen's lips pressed into a thin line as he watched Naruto compose himself. Something was definitely off—not just in the silence, but in the stillness. This wasn't the usual storm of emotion Hiruzen was used to. There was no yelling, no fist pounding, no wild accusations. Just controlled breathing, a firm gaze, and silence thick enough to crack. That's what unnerved him. Naruto wasn't holding back because he was afraid. Something was unsettling about how the boy carried himself now, a sharp contrast to the loud, reckless child he had always been.

Naruto tilted his head, a bitter, humorless smile stretching across his face. Then, without warning, he laughed, he laughed loudly. His hand covered his face as he leaned back slightly while, with his eyes staring at the ceiling like it was some kind of joke only he could understand.

Hiruzen's eyes widened; this was not the reaction he expected.

"He's… laughing?" The words slipped out under his breath. He had been uneasy from the moment Naruto walked in, but now he was cold. Hiruzen's stomach turned, and the weight in the room grew heavier.

"Naruto…" he said.

"Man," Naruto said, shaking his head. "I really was a fool, huh? I spent my whole life wondering why. Why do people look at me the way they do? Why do they whisper behind my back? Why was I always treated like I didn't belong?"

A lonesome tear trailed from his right eye, down his nose, before he vehemently glared at Hiruzen.

"And the whole time, you knew. You knew exactly who I was. You knew exactly where I came from. And you just let me stay in the dark, never telling me anything."

Hiruzen leaned forward, trying to regain some control over the situation, trying to reach the boy he thought he knew. "Naruto, I understand why you're upset—"

"Oh, do you?" Naruto cut him off. "Do you really? Because I don't think you do, old man. I don't think you've ever understood. All these years, I thought I was just some nobody. Just some orphan with a weird last name. A name no one else had and that didn't mean a damn thing. But turns out, I was wrong. It did mean something. It meant everything. And you let me believe it meant nothing."

Hiruzen remained quiet, with his hands clasped tightly together on the desk. He didn't look away, or didn't interrupt. He knew there wasn't a defense he could offer that didn't sound hollow to Naruto.

"I guess I should've known better, huh? Should've known not to trust the words of people who only ever tell half-truths." Naruto's eyes darkened. "Or straight-up lies."

"I never lied to you, Naruto," Hiruzen insisted sternly.

"Really?" Naruto gave him a long, unimpressed look. "Because I seem to remember asking you about my parents once. And you told me that they gave their lives for the village. And that I shouldn't focus on the past, but the past seems pretty important, huh? Let me guess. That was just another thing I 'wasn't ready for'? Just another thing you thought I was too dumb to handle?"

Hiruzen's silence was answer enough.

Naruto let out another bitter laugh. "Right. Of course. Because that's what you do, huh? You decide what's 'best.' You decide what I do and don't get to know. You decide what parts of my life belong to me—and what parts I don't even get to ask about."

Hiruzen's expression twisted, caught between guilt and restraint. "It was never about keeping you in the dark, Naruto. It was about protecting you."

"Bullshit."

Hiruzen blinked, stunned by that.

Naruto didn't even care, he was seething now. "If you wanted to protect me, you would've told me the truth. You would've let me know who I was and where I came from. You would've given me something. Anything. But you didn't. You let me grow up not knowing a damn thing about myself. You let me walk around this village, wondering why people hated me and looked at me like I was a mistake. You let me feel like I was nothing.

And now, after all this time, after I finally start looking, after I finally start finding out the truth on my own, you expect me to just sit here and accept whatever version of the story you decide to give me? Like I haven't already learned that you only ever tell me what you think I need to know?"

Hiruzen reached for a word, but it never made it out. "Naruto, I—"

"Why?" Naruto cut him off again. "Why did you hide it? Why did you never tell me?"

Hiruzen hesitated. "Because I believed—"

"Believed what?" Naruto's voice rose, raw with emotion. "That I couldn't handle it? That I didn't deserve to know? That it was better for me to live my whole damn life feeling like an outsider? Like some nobody? Or was it just easier for you this way? Easier to keep me blind, to keep me stupid, to keep me from ever asking questions?"

Hiruzen didn't answer.

Naruto scoffed. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

"You know, old man…" His voice was quieter now, almost thoughtful. "There was a time when I trusted you. I mean, I always knew you kept things from me, I'm not an idiot. I knew there was stuff you weren't telling me. But I figured… I figured maybe it was for a reason. Maybe you really did care. Maybe you really were looking out for me." He let out a hollow chuckle. "Guess I was wrong about that, too."

Hiruzen inhaled slowly, carefully choosing his words. "Naruto, I never wanted to hurt you."

Naruto shook his head. "Doesn't matter what you wanted, old man. What matters is what you did, and what happened."

Hiruzen watched him, a rare feeling of unease settling in his gut. "Naruto—"

Naruto cut him off yet again. "You know, I used to think the hardest part about being me was not knowing who my parents were. But it turns out that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was knowing that everyone around me knew something I didn't.

That they all just… chose not to say anything. And do YOU know what the best part is? When I found that book, I actually thought—maybe this is it. Maybe I can finally get some answers. Maybe I can finally figure out who the hell I'm supposed to be. But no. Because even the records are gone. Erased. Like my entire clan was just wiped off the map. And you let it happen. You, this village, all of you. You let my clan be erased, and you didn't even have the decency to tell me why."

Hiruzen put down his pipe, rubbing his temples. "Because the Uzumaki were gone, Naruto. I didn't want you to carry the weight of a lost clan on your shoulders before you were ready. I know you're furious but it's not that simple."

"Then make it simple," Naruto shot back. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks a hell of a lot like you just didn't care enough to tell me. That you all just decided I didn't need to know."

"At the time, Konoha was at war on multiple fronts. The other great nations were pressing us from all sides, and our forces were stretched thin. We couldn't afford to send reinforcements to Uzushiogakure without leaving our village vulnerable." His fingers tightened slightly as he exhaled. "And so, we didn't. It wasn't a matter of not caring, Naruto. It was a matter of survival. If we had intervened, Konoha might have suffered the same fate. And even if we had tried… we wouldn't have made it in time."

"That's your excuse? That's why you just stood by and let them die?" Naruto said.

Hiruzen's gaze darkened. "You think I don't regret it?" he asked. "You think I don't wonder if there was something, anything we could have done differently? Konoha did not let your clan die!"

"Oh, I don't doubt you regret it, old man," Naruto said. "But regret doesn't change the fact that you abandoned them."

"It was not by choice, Naruto. There were thousands of lives on the line. I may be the Hokage, but I can't save everyone—it's just impossible. And the attack was a surprise. Konoha and Uzushiogakure had no idea it was coming; otherwise there would have been preparations made to handle it, or a retreat. Had it been the latter, Konoha would have taken them all in as citizens and protected them."

Naruto stared at him for a moment, then he leaned forward slightly, making sure Hiruzen was gonna feel what came next.

"Oh, you mean like the Uchiha clan? And one guy killed the whole clan?"

That one actually stung. Hiruzen's expression tightened. His fingers curled slightly against the desk. Naruto was really pushing ground here and he knew it.

"Naruto… watch it. You—"

"No. Let's really talk about it," Naruto said, cutting him off. "You don't want to? Fine then. Let's talk about how you never told me that I had the Nine-Tails sealed inside of me—and that's why the village hates me."

Hiruzen's eyes widened. "What did you say?" he asked, almost like he misheard but he knew he wasn't.

"Oh, you heard me. Why didn't you tell me that I had the Nine-Tails sealed inside of me? Y'know, the one that attacked the village and the Fourth Hokage sealed inside of me."

"Where did you hear that nonsense?" Hiruzen forced himself to keep his composure. If he reacted, it would be confirmation of what Naruto was saying.

"I met the fox myself inside the seal, old man. A real cranky bastard," Naruto said, with his eyes locked on him.

Hiruzen shot up from his seat. "You what?!" His composure snapped. "Naruto, this is not some joke!"

"So you admit it," Naruto said with a dry grin.

Hiruzen felt dumb and completely exposed, he actually feel for that. Him the hokage, the Professor.

"Whatever. I already knew, even before this. Yeah, I did meet the fox," Naruto added, shrugging like it was just another Tuesday.

Hiruzen sank back into his chair, the weight of it all finally pressing down on him. "Naruto… you weren't supposed to know. Not yet."

Naruto crossed his arms, gaze unwavering. "Too late for that."

"I wanted to tell you when you were older. When I thought you could handle it."

"You mean when you thought I'd be easier to control."

Hiruzen flinched.

Naruto stepped closer. "Do you have any idea what it was like? Growing up with everyone glaring at me like I was some monster? Getting kicked out of shops, ignored by adults, beaten up by other kids—and I never knew why. You let me suffer through all of it thinking I was just… hated. For no reason."

"I was trying to protect you," Hiruzen said, but the words felt thin even as he said them.

"By lying to me? By letting me live in the dark, while the rest of the village knew what was inside me? That's not protection, that's cruelty dressed up as strategy. The villagers knew. The shinobi knew. Hell, even the other kids knew something was off. And me? I was the last to find out that I've had a damn bomb sealed in my gut since the day I was born."

Absolutely. You've built it up, now we land it. This is where Naruto turns his back—not out of rage, but clarity. The damage is done, and he's not sticking around to hear another excuse.

Naruto's hands dropped to his sides. He didn't yell, didn't shake, didn't say anything for a long moment. Then he turned toward the door–or rather where the door once was.

"It's one thing to hide my clan," he said, in a quiet voice now. "Whatever your reason was… maybe I could've forgiven that. I could've at least understood." He stopped just short of the doorframe. "But you didn't just hide that. You lied to me about why the village hated me."

Hiruzen tried to say something, but what could he say? It all spiraled out of control so fast in one day.

"That's what hurts more than anything," Naruto continued. "Not knowing. Growing up thinking I was cursed or broken or just… wrong. The way people looked at me, the way they avoided me like I was some disease… you could've stopped it. You could've told me the truth. But you didn't."

Naruto stepped out, stopping to look over his shoulder, "That's the part I'll never forgive."

Then he walked out the room without a single word left for the old man who had let everything spiral out of his grasp.'