Chapter 2: The Forgotten

Six Years After the Attack

In the Uzumaki-Namikaze household, the backyard was alive with the sounds of laughter and chatter as family members gathered around a table laden with bowls of ramen, a staple in their home. The sun cast a warm golden glow over the scene as they enjoyed their meal, taking a well-deserved break from their training. The first day had been relatively simple, focusing on basic kunai and shuriken throwing exercises.

Among the group were two six-year-old girls talking animatedly to a red-haired woman. The girl on the left, Naomi Uzumaki-Namikaze, had brilliant red hair and sky-blue eyes. She wore a short fighting-style kimono and stood around 3'7", making her slightly shorter than her sister Narumi, who was on her right. Narumi had pale blonde hair with red highlights, wore black ANBU-style pants, and a gray T-shirt. Narumi was just a few centimeters taller than Naomi.

"So, kaa-san, when are we going to learn some cool ninjutsus?" Naomi asked excitedly, her hyperactive nature evident in her sparkling eyes and eager expression.

Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze, a redhead whose presence radiated both warmth and strength, responded with a smile. "As soon as you master all the exercises, we will begin to teach you that," she replied. "But before that, your father and I are going to teach you how to master the Bijuu chakra. What do you say?" Kushina's excitement was palpable.

"Awesome, kaa-san! Are you really going to teach us that?" Hiruzen Uzumaki-Namikaze, the eldest of the triplets, chimed in. Standing at 3'9", he was noticeably taller than his younger sisters. He wore an outfit similar to Narumi's but with the colors reversed. His sun-kissed hair had streaks of black, giving him a unique appearance.

"Yes, Hiruzen, but you're going to have to master this first," Minato Namikaze, the father of the triplets, said with a gentle yet firm tone. Known as the Yondaime Hokage and the Yellow Flash, Minato's legacy was one of bravery and brilliance. Hiruzen pouted for a moment but then broke into a goofy smile.

"OKAY! THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!" Hiruzen shouted with determination, earning laughter from his family. They resumed their training with renewed fervor, embodying the perfect image of a loving and supportive family.

However, if anyone had glanced up at the house, they would have seen an eleven-year-old boy standing by the window, looking down at his family with a mix of longing and sadness. His name was Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. At 5'4", Naruto was tall for his age. He wore a black T-shirt with a swirl pattern on the back and white pants. Feelings of neglect and isolation clouded his heart as he watched his siblings receive the attention and training he had longed for since he was five years old. Despite his repeated requests to join the training sessions, the answer was always a resounding no. His parents' excuses had once seemed reasonable—his siblings were too young—but now that they were older, the refusals stung more deeply.

Naruto had not let this deter him entirely. He had trained himself diligently, mastering all the Academy jutsus by the age of six and honing his chakra control through various exercises. During this period of self-training, he had met someone who was also familiar with the pain of being overlooked—Shisui Uchiha.

FLASHBACK

Naruto was on his way to his usual training ground when he noticed a boy around his age already there. The boy's eyes reflected a deep-seated pain that resonated with Naruto. As Naruto approached, he accidentally stepped on a stick, causing it to snap. The sound alerted the boy, who immediately became defensive.

"COME ON OUT! I KNOW YOU'RE THERE, SO NO POINT IN HIDING!" the boy yelled. Realizing he had little choice, Naruto stepped out into the open.

The boy, identifiable as an Uchiha by the emblem on his high-collar shirt, scrutinized Naruto closely. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he demanded.

Naruto maintained a neutral expression. "You know, it's bad manners to ask for someone else's name first, but whatever. My name is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. Nice to meet you. I've been training here since I was seven years old. May I know your name now?"

The Uchiha boy looked shocked upon hearing the name of the most famous family spoken with such underlying bitterness. It was clear he didn't know about Naruto, the 'forgotten' member of the Uzumaki-Namikaze clan.

"Yeah, yeah, I know nobody knows I even exist since that day," Naruto said, recognizing the boy's confusion. "So what's the matter with you? You seem upset about something."

The boy's expression turned venomous as his hair fell over his eyes. "My name is Shisui Uchiha," he said. "And as to why I'm pissed, you should learn to mind your own business."

Naruto was taken aback. It was unusual to hear an Uchiha speak ill of their own clan. Typically, they would boast about their lineage and the power of their Sharingan.

"Tell you what," Naruto offered. "I'll tell you a secret about why I've never been heard about if you tell me why you're upset."

Seeing Shisui nod hesitantly, Naruto recounted his story of neglect, how his family never allowed him to train, and how he had discovered an unused training ground to hone his skills in secret. Shisui listened, shocked to find someone whose experiences mirrored his own.

In return, Shisui shared his story. He revealed how his parents constantly compared him to the Uchiha prodigy, Itachi Uchiha, and belittled him for not measuring up. They told him he was too weak to be a true Uchiha, urging him to stop calling himself one. Hearing this, Naruto felt a kinship with Shisui and invited him to train and spar together.

FLASHBACK END

Since that day, Naruto and Shisui had grown closer, forging a bond through their shared experiences and mutual support. They trained together regularly, pushing each other to become stronger.

As Naruto walked to the training ground, he saw Shisui practicing the Uchiha's signature taijutsu style, the intercepting fist. Recently, during a sparring match, Shisui had awakened his Sharingan and had since been striving to perfect it, aiming to surpass Naruto in their bouts.

While Shisui focused on taijutsu, Naruto began his ninjutsu training, determined to improve his skills. Despite the camaraderie with Shisui, deep down, Naruto still carried the heavy burden of feeling forgotten by his family.

As time passed, the bond between Naruto and Shisui only strengthened. They often discussed their dreams and aspirations, finding solace in each other's company. Shisui admired Naruto's resilience and strength, while Naruto respected Shisui's determination and skill.