《Letters: Naruto's Rebirth and Redemption》


 Prologue

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    ¡°I don''t believe in love at first sight because my mother started loving me before seeing me.¡±


    ¨D Luffina Lourduraj


    <hr>


    A few years into the future¡­


    My Baby Naruto,


    There are still a few months until we meet, but already I''m busy writing you letters. I started writing things down because I honestly couldn''t stop thinking about you, and because even though I''ve only been carrying you for a matter of months, it already feels like there''s so much to share. It''s all in a tiny journal on my nightstand, one I''ll give you someday when you''re a bit older. There''s a letter about how your dad and I met, another about the day you became a reality, plus others about your grandpa and your grandma and some of the special people who already love you.


    It seems like just yesterday we found out we were having you. The memory brings tears to my eyes. I was so afraid when I took that pregnancy test. Afraid of what the future would hold. Afraid of my inadequacy to be a mother. Afraid of the changes that I knew would inevitably come. In the midst of the fears that flooded my heart came an overwhelming joy in knowing that we were going to be parents and our life was about to change forever.


    The moment I learned that I was pregnant with you, I was ecstatic. You suddenly brought a love into my heart that I had never before experienced. My love was your very first love, and it will last your entire lifetime, even long after I¡¯m gone. That¡¯s how much I love you, Sochi.


    You know, last night I started crying thinking about the joy that will flood my heart when they lay you on my chest for the first time. I can¡¯t wait to hold you! Until that moment and until the day that you read this letter, know that you are loved dearly.


    I can''t wait to meet you.


    Love,


    Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze


    "Okaa-san¡­" Naruto whispered, unable to stop the tears from falling.


    <hr>


    - PROLOGUE -


    <hr>


    ¡±I drink to make other people more interesting.¡±


    ¨D Ernest Hemingway


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    0


    Three guards sat in a room filled with dusty tomes, drinking their worries away. Skirting their duties in favor of getting hammered, they hid behind a wall of pilled documents, parchments, and scrolls; however, one of them finally had enough. Relaxation during work was acceptable once in a while, yet Masashi and his friends were on their eighth straight night. He did not want to lose this job and find a new one, chiefly because of its perk of allowing him to focus on writing his novel as opposed to worrying about his living expenses. Guarding the vault, gave him a lot of leeway to follow his dreams.


    Now, if only his accomplices could see reason. But judging from the elation plastered on their faces and the pink tint smeared on their cheeks, it would be a dauting task.


    ¡°We should stop this,¡± Masashi Kishimoto urged, turning down another swig. ¡°This is not right.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Masashi. Our superiors are not here. Besides Lord Daimyo and his nobles are already dreaming to whatever disgusting fantasies they have. Who¡¯s to stop you, or us, for having a little bit of fun? We¡¯re the guards here remember?¡± Tite Kubo encouraged, forcing Masashi to drink by putting the cup in front of his face.


    ¡°Do the nobles frighten you, Masashi?¡± Eiichiro Oda asked with a hint of a smile.


    Masashi did not rise to the bait. He was an aged man past forty, it was natural he¡¯d seen a lot of things in his life. He knew he was being goaded, his resolve being tested, yet there was only so much he could do against two persistent drunkards. With a sighed, he took the cup and ruefully replied, ¡°Nobles will be nobles.¡± He then brought the cup near his lips but decided against it.


    ¡°You should reconsider your statement, Oda. Everyone¡¯s afraid of them. Like you should be. They can make your life a living hell and it will be effortless in their part especially if you happen to snag their interest.¡±


    Shrugging off the comment, Oda stared Masashi into the eyes and seriously said. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of them and their so-called sport of tormenting hapless commoners. There are terrifying things than petty nobles and their useless squabbles.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Kubo hesitantly asked, ¡°Like what?¡±


    For a moment Oda shivered in fear as his mind was seized by the terror of his nightmare. Upon closer inspection, he wasn¡¯t with them anymore; he was viciously battling for his life, pitted against his greatest fear and considering the haunted look on his face, he was losing the battle. Luckily, the timely and forceful dropping of the Sake bottle courtesy of Kubo successfully pulled him back into reality.


    Still trembling and shaking, Oda looked over his shoulders before nervously muttering.


    ¡°Pirates.¡±


    ¡°Pirates? That¡¯s what you¡¯re afraid of?¡± Kubo questioned, finding the answer ridiculous. ¡°Give me a break! What did these pirates do to you?¡±


    Irritated of being slighted, Oda¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s not what they did to me; it¡¯s what they will do to you. These pirates will take you onto their ship that has a head of a lion. Dragging you across the sea and around the globe, to throw you into ridiculous battles for survival. You¡¯ll be up against freaks with bizarre abilities steaming from fruits¡ª fruits that grows from a Devil Tree. If that is not enough, their captain has this creepy ability to stretch himself in all places. All for the idea of finding a treasure that might not even exist in the first place.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Kubo said aggressively. ¡°Shinigami is a much better story than that. Creatures that are beyond our understanding. Fighting near us, yet we can¡¯t see them because it requires spiritual awakening. They are souls carrying swords, which also have souls, giving them two forms. Their duty is to collect the souls of the dead and put them in a vast blender of society. Wiping their past and their memories, even their personality isn¡¯t safe, hoping to turn us into weapons¡ª soldiers. If not, our other choice is to turn into these abominable creatures with holes into their bodies. What¡¯s more horrifying than that?¡±


    Oda fired back as he raised a finger at Kubo¡¯s ugly mug. ¡°That¡¯s obviously an exaggeration. No way that¡¯s true!¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s true. Just like what your pirates did to you!¡± Kubo slammed his cup to make a point.


    "Now, you are just trying to piss me off."


    ¡°What? Does little Oda have a secret trauma for pirates?"


    "I told you to stop insulting me. At least mine''s real."


    "Hey¡ª it''s very real. Take that back!"


    "Oh-ho! Can you see who''s crying now, huh, Kubo? I can feel your tears all the way from here."


    ¡°Do you want me to give you something to cry about?¡±


    Eyes wide, Masashi shook his head in defeat, letting out a disappointed ''hum'' each time they open their mouths to retort a thrown insult. He watched his friends banter as their arguments kept getting more and more absurd by the minute. He couldn¡¯t believe these two were grown-ups. But before he could slander more in his mind and strip them of their remaining dignities, he heard Oda call his name.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just ask Masashi to know which one of us right?¡±


    ¡°Agreed. It¡¯s your funeral, old man. Be ready to taste defeat! I¡¯m going to kick your ass and throw your bo¡ª¡±


    ¡°So, Masashi, which one is scarier?¡± Oda intervened before Kubo could get back and spout his childish threats. He was getting weary of hearing the same thing over and over again. Although, Kubo did his best to rephrase and made it sound a little different each time. They still translate to a single thing. He was a bad ass. That itself was nonsense to Oda.


    ¡°Yeah, Masashi, which one?¡±


    Masashi instantly paled. It was now his turn to be fearful for his life. He reluctantly downed the sake in one gulp and told them in a shuddering voice. ¡°Both of you are wrong. T-There is one more¡­ more dangerous than your puny pirates and spookier than your cute Shinigamis.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡±


    ¡°S-Shi¡­ Shinobis. The c-creatures of the night.¡±


    Oda and Kubo gasped at Masashi¡¯s unexpected answer. They began tearing up as they let out a restrained snort before chuckling a bit. Both paused and recalled Masashi¡¯s answer before looking at each other then turned their attention towards Masashi. Seeing his grave expression and remembering the hilarity of his statement, they finally exploded in fit of laughter. ¡°Hahaha. Hah¡ª Masashi, I¡ªHah, don¡¯t think you¡¯ve understood the question,¡± Oda slapped Kubo at the back as he erupted in another set of cackling. ¡°We asked you which one is scarier¡­ Not tell us what your phobia is.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! Masashi, is your nyctophobia clouding your judgment?¡± Kubo added.


    ¡°Those shinobis are as docile as a cat. Paid mercenaries, they are. Word on the palace, Daimyo-sama controls them the same way how he treats his girls¡ª like bitches,¡± Oda cheerily said.


    Masashi had known they would drag him into the quarrel sooner or later. He wished it had been later rather than sooner. ¡°My uncle told me the same thing.¡± He paused for added effect. ¡°Nowadays, he spends his time alone in the forest away from civilization, dead¡ª six feet below the ground.¡±


    ¡°My nanny said the same thing,¡± Kubo scoffed, lacing his voice with additional venom. ¡°Just like when she told me that a Yuki-onna visits naughty children and buries them in the snow when she doesn¡¯t get her hugs.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Kubo. You should respect the dead. There are things we could learn from them. No need to mock Masashi here,¡± Oda pointed out.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± Kubo shrugged.


    ¡°But honestly, Masashi, what did your uncle do? We knew he was working as a blacksmith here in the capital. A good one particularly with those tiny knives,¡± Oda said with an odd mixture of confusion and concern.


    Masashi didn¡¯t respond. Looking at his memories, he knew his Uncle Sadai was a missing-nin and an even better assassin, but nothing more. His uncle was as elusive as his search for a love life.


    Oda could see the tension around Masashi¡¯s mouth, the barely suppressed anger in his eyes. Masashi was a man of few words, an honest, honorable man, that place people¡¯s needs above his own. Yet, he was more than that. He was prideful as he was stubborn. Being disrespected was akin to losing his life. Underneath it all, Oda could sense something else. He could feel it; a nervous tension was looming perilously close.


    Kubo unknowingly shared their sentiments. He too could sense the uneasiness in the air. He had been a guard of the Vault for eight years. Of course, compared to these geezers, he would be their junior. If he could get away with it, he would call them his uncles. But he wasn''t a new young kid on the block. He was old hand¡ª a veteran. He had the experienced the terror and chaos of the battlefield and came back alive. Watching a couple of dusty documents was a piece of cake.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Until tonight.


    Something was different tonight. There was a creepiness lurking behind this darkness that made Kubo¡¯s hair rise. It wasn¡¯t his skills or his talent that allowed him to survive thus far. It was his instinct. The gut feeling that warned him of the incoming dangers. Like when animals fled to safety to avoid an earthquake. They don¡¯t have any early warning device, they only had their instinct. This was the same¡ª a hunch.


    Masashi and Oda had felt it too. The tension intensified as the silence took over their once happy bantering, each lost in their own thoughts.


    Clatter!


    In his dazed state, Oda accidentally dropped the shot glass spilling its contents. Masashi was there in an instant. ¡°Careful!¡± he shouted. ¡°These documents are valuable!¡± pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. Kubo helped cleaned up the mess in doing so, dispersed the built-up tension in the atmosphere.


    ¡°You know,¡± Kubo started. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking.¡±


    Masashi immediately replied, reminded of Kubo¡¯s previous transgression. ¡°You¡¯ve been thinking? Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m serious here. We¡¯ve been guarding this place for the better part of a decade now. They say it is just a storage for old papers. There¡¯s no need to hire us. Tell you the truth, we¡¯re overqualified in guarding this place,¡± Kubo expounded. ¡°And don¡¯t think about denying it either. Doesn¡¯t it stir something within you? Curiosity? No? Maybe suspicion? Excitement?¡± He completed his piece.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t really thought it,¡± Masashi made light of the unexpected discovery. ¡°Works for me though. I can concentrate on my novel,¡± he chimed.


    Kubo interjected, ¡°You have the audacity to write a novel and ¡ª This, this is a mystery! Something you, who aspires to be a novelist is lacking in enthusiasm, which is important, I must say, find dull." He inhaled sharply and slammed the door to Masashi''s face. "I advise you to stop writing. It won¡¯t work for you.¡±


    ¡°And what do you know about writing?¡± Masashi quickly answered. ¡°Last time I checked, you were sticking your nose to some impressionable young servant.¡±


    The hidden invisible tension gushed out as the two traded jabs back and forth.


    Now, it was Oda¡¯s turned to play peacemaker. Kubo was antagonistic to everyone, more so with his friends. Their previous wrangle with each other might have been intense but it was just a friendly banter nevertheless. Oda could point out his friend¡¯s age, being two years younger than them, yet it was a useless undertaking for people like them passed the age of forty. Though he was clueless where all the maturity went to, he would try his best to sympathize with Kubo before Masashi had enough and elected to drive a dagger through their friend¡¯s back.


    ¡°Yeah? You¡¯re right. I might not be curious about the secrets of this place because I¡¯m not foolish to stick my head where it doesn¡¯t belong.¡± Masashi balled his fists, tempers flaring.


    Kubo shunned the insult and concentrated on his lecture. ¡°That¡¯s the main reason you wouldn¡¯t succeed in your dream of being a writer. You¡¯re just plain boring. Imagine, there¡¯s a hidden adventure waiting for you and just sit there on the sideline like a cowa¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now, look. I don¡¯t know what your problem is, but I won¡¯t be tolerating your insults any longer. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Guys, stop it!¡± Oda had enough.


    The two were dangerously close to spilling blood. He decided to interfere before words that couldn¡¯t be taken back left their drunken mouths ruining whatever friendship they built burning like a wildfire, quickly spreading and unbelievably corrosive. Their harmless wordplay turned hostile the moment Kubo insulted Masashi¡¯s passion for writing. Oda determined that Masashi was close to snapping, any more words would force him to use needless force further fueling the incoming firestorm.


    ¡°Kubo, you know how passionate Masashi is on his novel. Heck, you were the one who suggested he started writing in the first place. Why say things like that now? You know what, you are drunk and so much more maddening to understand. Why do you have to be so pesky and irksome all the time?


    ¡°Ever since you and Masashi started arguing, all I heard are derogatory comments and rude remarks. Do you really have to humiliate someone just so you can get your point across?¡±


    ¡°Masashi, you know how Kubo is¡­ his mouth and his attitude screams trouble like the school¡¯s most notorious delinquent yet you¡¯ve allowed yourself to be stirred by your emotions and provoked by his jeering. That is his most recognizable trait and his natural talent, being annoying. Everyone knows that.


    ¡°Yes, he started it, but you know how immature our friend is, right? But you¡¯ve always been the one to stay patient particularly during his tenacious childlike tantrums. What change? Hm?¡±


    The moment Oda finished dressing these ladies that were pulling each other¡¯s hair until one of them becomes bald, he knew he halted the spread yet the fire hasn¡¯t died yet; and before it can regain its strength and make him go bald instead, he struck.


    ¡°Now, could we please get past this go back to being good friends enjoying an occasional drinking session?¡±


    Kubo almost snickered while Masashi sported a slight smile on his lips. Oda had successfully doused the kindling with his timely humor and calming action. Yes, they were enjoying an occasional session for the eighth straight night.


    A serene silence permeated the surroundings. Words weren¡¯t being exchanged as each of the guilty party evaluated their attitude for the past hour. Masashi reflected on how he let himself be misguided by his emotion as it clouded his beliefs and destroyed his composure. Kubo remained speechless and wounded because of how Oda addressed his maturity even though deep down inside he knew it was true. Masashi remembering how Kubo was, relented, vowing to forgive his friend. While Kubo reached a decision to be a little more understandable and a little less vexing.


    ¡°Truce?¡± Oda extended his hand.


    The arguing parties looked at each other and nodded, sealing a silent pact between brothers to stop their bickering.


    ¡°Yeah! All right! The big three is back! Yet regardless of what happened earlier, Kubo raised an interesting line of thought. It¡¯s called the vault after all. There may be some kind of treasure here.¡± He began tapping his fingers like a drum on the table, the aforementioned misdemeanor was forgotten in place of solving a puzzle.


    ¡°Aha! A piece of treasure. One piece of treasure. The One Piece!¡± Oda wrapped up with an unbridled amount of energy.


    ¡°A forbidden scroll of knowledge,¡± Masashi tossed his idea.


    ¡°A magic crystal?¡± Kubo offered.


    ¡°A magic artifact that looks like a crystal?¡± Kubo tried again.


    ¡°Come on, guys. That¡¯s not far-fetched!¡± Kubo defended himself.


    "Keep telling yourself that! Even you are not assured about the idea with that tone," Oda announced flatly.


    ¡°I may lack curiosity but I¡¯m certainly not lacking any creativity compared to a certain monkey over here,¡± Masashi swiped, he may have forgiven Kubo but it doesn¡¯t mean he was off the hook. Kubo opted to endure and show a little wisdom present at their current age.


    The famous trio swapped ideas more outlandish than the prior thrown into the mix. It encompassed things such as spaceship full of alien ladies looking for love, a blue cat¡¯s magical door to anywhere, a time machine, a gate to another dimension or parallel universe, a hyperbolic chamber and much more. At the end of their discussion, they were right where they wanted to be, nowhere.


    ¡°All this thinking is making my head hurt,¡± Oda groaned, shaking his head.


    A small line formed between the Masashi¡¯s eyebrows. ¡°We¡¯re are guards, you know, not nobles. Thinking is for scholars." Then he took the half-empty Sake bottle, tucking it safely into his body. "We''re done here." He stood up and motioned for them to follow. "Let''s go. We''ve got a job to do."


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, Spoilsports,¡± Oda said sardonically as he stood up.


    ¡°More like a killjoy like an old man. Maybe his joints are aching already,¡± Kubo corrected him as they grumpily followed Masashi back to the main hall.


    ¡°What happened here?!¡± Masashi barked. His heart stopped in his chest. For a moment, he dared not breathe.


    What they saw was the stuff of nightmares. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Blood oozed out their wounds painting the floor red as the heavy smell of iron filled the space. Oda walked and knelt to the closest body, he saw one of his longtime friends, the gulp was stuck in his throat.


    ¡°God!¡±


    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± Kubo stated the obvious, trying to diffuse the gravity of the situation. The worst thing they could do now was panic, and panic could cost them their lives. Someone took down a whole company of guards. They were terrified, but none of them wanted to show it.


    Without warning, Masashi yelled. ¡°Get down!¡±


    A hail of shuriken whistled past. They were under attack, but they couldn''t pinpoint the direction which the attack came from nor could they see the attacker. Crouched, they slowly got up while keeping their senses alert.


    An obsidian sword came shivering through the air.


    Kubo met it with steel saving Oda from an untimely death. Noticing that the black cladded offender was shorter than he was, he strained his muscle to overpower the swings. Kubo pushed him back and pushed him hard, leaving no room for retaliation. The bloodlust confined through the years that he left in the vicious graveyard of warriors came rushing back. Assured of his victory, he got cocky and failed to assess the man¡¯s body language.


    A fast swing came, then the realization dawn on his face. He hardly able to parry it but when their blades met, Kubo rapidly felt that he was outmatched. His adversary was stronger, faster, and more skilled than any of them. That single exchange told him that much. Then he finally noticed the relaxed, cool composure oozing from the man¡¯s body adding to his doubts.


    The swings came sooner at a much sharper angle than before. The duel just turned deadlier. Another assault was coming for him. Dodging the first, Kubo checked a second blow, and a third, then fell back a step. Another flurry of blows and he fell back again. He was being toyed around and his bloody headache wasn¡¯t helping at all.


    Masashi saw the assailant¡¯s eyes; blue, deeper and colder than any human eyes, a blue like the freezing tundra of Yuki no Kuni, The Land of Snow. It was merciless daring them to come.


    Kubo was the first to fall, a double-wing attack that folded into something else at the last minute got him by the chest. It was a masterful display of swordsmanship. Kubo was undoubtedly the best out of them on frontal assault and exceedingly exceptional with a sword on his hands, him falling doesn¡¯t inspire confidence.


    Wasting no time to mourn nor to think, Oda started to lunge for the opening created by his friend¡¯s death; he swung in a blazing arc. Fury burning in his eyes, he kept pressing forward, raining down strikes from above, from the side, trying to create an opening to put the attacker down. Vowing vengeance against this injustice for his friends and for Kubo.


    His opponent was on the defensive, contented to parry and redirect each of them. For a moment, Oda dared hope as the success of his attacks were dimmed by the ingested liquor.


    An agonizing scream echoed through the main hall; Oda was limping, his right thigh was stabbed. The attacker led him by the nose; a momentary hesitation was all it took. His opponent deliberately showed an opening; the kind a novice swordsman would make. Shocked, for a split-second, he didn¡¯t know how to react, that was when a quick thrust found its way to his thigh.


    Slowed and wounded, a fast three slash combo ended his life stabbing his heart.


    Masashi was petrified by the series of events. He was the least skilled out of them. Chances were betting for him to die, but his need for survival wouldn¡¯t let him lay ahead and give up. He roared, a roar of a cornered animal.


    The match started in a flash. Contact was made between the blades, but their swings emitted no sounds; it was drowned by Masashi¡¯s absolute focus to save his life. The instant he saw an opening, he was already sending his blade, not bothering to contemplate if it was a feint or a trap. This wasn¡¯t the time to be cautious. His opponent was terrifyingly good, he knew that. His best chance of survival was to catch him off guard, a lucky blow or something.


    Maybe he was already broken mentally.


    Again and again, the swords met, the masked individual parried his every effort with ease and unnatural grace. Masashi was panting from exertion now, his breath booming in the deafened hall. His blade was chipped; the man¡¯s coated with thick red¡ª the blood of his friends.


    Then the attacker lunged, using obscure forms that Masashi scarcely recognized and could barely block. Masashi was forced to go on the defensive. He furiously raised his arm to block an overhead strike, his knees buckling, his sword cracked a little. A hasty dashed backward protected his footing. Getting knocked down means death, he was barely able to take that blow. At the same time, his enemy had already circled to his rear. To parry the next blow, he instinctively raised his sword then used the momentum to roll behind his aggressor.


    It was a mistake.


    As he was getting up from his roll, another overhead strike came. Masashi managed to block it with his sword, but the shock of the blow reverberated down from sword into his hand. Shaken, however, he was more than ready to receive another strike, yet the next slash turned out to be the last.


    When the blades touched, his steel shattered.


    The horizontal follow-up cleaved through his sword like butter. Masashi failed to notice the faint buzzing sound enveloping the sword, thin enough barely at the edge of hearing, like the screeching of a glass. He was able to leap back at the last-minute to avoid getting diced in two, but it already cut his chest open.


    Grimly light-headed, he was forced to defend against another series of blows. A two-pronged attack, the feint was slicing up and across, while the actual thrust came from beneath. Masashi spotted it a beat too late. The Obsidian sword bit through the armor beneath his arm stabbing him in the stomach.


    The aspiring novelist and guard cried out in pain. Blood welled between the leather scales. Holding his wound, dreadfully afraid of what¡¯s to come, while blood dripped on the floor feeding the chilling concrete ground.


    "D-Don''t c-come any c-closer," Masashi squawked as he raised the remains of his blade defiantly. All the while suppressing the trembles that attacked his weakening body.


    Unthreatened by his false bravado, the intruder of the vault walked up to him and kicked his knees smashing the kneecaps in the process. Limping, Masashi waved his fragmented sword for the second time hoping to keep the mysterious man at bay. He went soaring as another kick was sent to his wounded chest.


    It was cold butchery.


    As he lay dying on the floor, Masashi forced himself to a sitting position. Then he looked over to his friends. Kubo was lying face down; his clothes were a tatter. Oda died sitting, his body leaning against the wall. Both of them dead, he would join them soon. Masashi felt it was the end of an era.


    Masashi wanted to beg for his life, to let him go, let him live yet there was something he greatly desired more than those things. Masashi wanted this mysterious man dead. For the things this man did tonight, the dreams he took away and the lives he ended. Damning and cursing the masked individual as life continued to be siphoned out of his body.


    As Masashi looked up, he saw his conqueror walking towards him, silent on his feet while the nonstop dripping of his blood and every one of his victim tonight resonated through halls, singing ominously, from that Obsidian instrument of death.


    Stopping and standing above him, Masashi met that frightening gaze. The man¡¯s eye stared at him.


    The pupil burned blue, an intense blue.


    ¡°W-What a-are y-you?¡± Masashi croaked, desperately clinging to life as he coughed blood.


    ¡°A Shinobi.¡±


    The broken sword fell from his hand. Masashi closed his eyes to pray.


    His end was near.


    He was right all along.


    Right to fear the creatures of the night.

 The Heist

    <hr>


    - P A R T O N E -


    <hr>


    "When you know what a man wants, you know who he is, andhow to movehim."


    ¨D George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords


    <hr>


    1


    FIRE, SMOKE, AND ASHES EVERYWHERE.


    ¡°Hiruzen, give me the boy. I¡¯ll raise him to be the edge that Konoha needs. We¡¯re weak, and we lost more than 40% of our Shinobi forces,¡± A bandaged old man with cane stated.


    ¡°The answer is no, Danzo. I¡¯m not going to give you the boy,¡± he said while leaning back in his chair. They were having this conversation in the Council chambers then in the hallways and finally here in his office. Danzo was persistent on having the boy under his care, insisting it was for the good of the village.


    ¡°Konoha needs a weapon to survive. I can provide that weapon. The boy will be a great asset. We cannot waste it.¡±


    ¡°He is not a weapon, Danzo. He is a child of this village,¡± he replied unfazed, pushing any thoughts about Danzo¡¯s lack of morale.


    ¡°Then it is his duty to protect his village,¡± Danzo countered.


    ¡°No, Danzo. I¡¯m not going to give you Minato and Kushina¡¯s Legacy so you can turn him into a mindless puppet. We do not know much about Jinchurikis to risk undergoing your ROOT program. It may backfire. We didn¡¯t risk asking Uzushio for Kushina to be the new vessel after Mito-sama before, for you to mess it all up now with Naruto. While Minato was a genius f¨±injutsu, my argument still stands,¡± Hiruzed said, glaring at Danzo before continuing.


    ¡°We know that only an Uzumaki can hold the Kyuubi, nobody else could. And if a mishap happens during one of your training session, we won¡¯t have an Uzumaki to seal it in. I might as well sign Konoha to its doom.¡±


    ¡°Hiru¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shimura, you¡¯re treading on thin ice. You¡¯re forgetting who you are talking to. I may be lenient on you because we¡¯ve been comrades in the past but I don¡¯t like you undermining my authority as Hokage,¡± he said, letting an icy tone creep into his voice, shutting up Danzo. ¡°Understood?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hokage-sama.¡±


    ¡°This discussion is over,¡± he said with finality.


    ¡°Hokage-sama,¡± Danzo mutter as he bowed and quickly left. Hiruzen could hear the tapping sound of Danzo¡¯s walking cane as it faded away. He vowed that he would have the boy under his care by hook or by crook.


    The Sandaime Hokage stood up from his desk and make his way to the window overlooking village. He could not help but feel deflated at the sight. The damage was massive from infrastructure to casualties. The economic and political backlash because of the Kyuubi would be felt for years to come, more so with Minato''s recent death. He knew that Konoha could not afford to appear weak. Yet that was not enough to risk an emotional conditioning of a ticking time-bomb. And in the event that Danzo succeeded, the boy¡¯s loyalty wouldn¡¯t be with Konoha but with the old war hawk.


    He took a drag on his pipe. Nights like this make him feel his creaking old bones, and weight on his shoulder for wearing the hat again. Even though he was already past his prime, his reputation would be the armor Konoha needs right now. So, he did what he was supposed to do; he tightened his armor.


    The God of Shinobi was back to protect his throne.


    <hr>


    ¡°Man cannot be freed by the same injustice that enslaved it.¡±


    ¨D Pierce Brown, Red Rising


    <hr>


    2


    SNOW WAS FALLING FROM THE SKY.


    A five-year-old Naruto watched the snowflakes drift through the air. He held his hand out of the window as the snow gently, and leisurely landed on his palm. The puffs of ice fell like a blanket, descending upon Konohagakure. They drifted, uncaring where they would land, allowing the wind to guide them to their destination. They seemed so free.


    What would that be like?


    Naruto sat quietly in the orphanage¡¯s attic ¡ª it was dusty, dirty and falling apart. In spite of that, it was one of the few places he could find solitude. And Naruto liked solitude.


    When you¡¯re alone, no one can hurt you.


    Uzumaki Naruto had been born a happy child, but that had changed after spending several years in the orphanage. Ever since he could remember, the caretakers would treat him like garbage and would trample anything that can cause him happiness. They even raised and instructed some children to do the same. They didn¡¯t do anything directly that cause physical injury, but they would ignore and glare at him.


    He had no idea why he would deserve such treatment. As far as he could remember, he had never done anything to make them angry. He had been good, quiet and obeyed everything that was asked of him.


    Yet he had been the receiver of ridicule and scorn whenever he showed up. But sometimes ¡®accidents¡¯ happen, and it was always around him. He tried his best not to cry, especially when the other children were present because if he complains the kids would laugh and mock him even more. Though it was a frequent event, it still hurts a lot. So, he always hid in the attic.


    Naruto let out a deep sighed.


    The snow continued to fall. Looking at the snow, Naruto cannot help but imagine he was like the snow or the wind. A thing incapable of feelings, pain, loneliness, or. . . hurt. He could be free.


    Feeling a little chill, he adjusted the red scarf wrapped around his neck. He was told that this scarf was found wrapped around him when he was given to the orphanage. The small piece of clothing was the only piece of connection he has to his parents. As the warmth of fabric fought the biting coldness in the air, he couldn''t help but embrace it, the only witness of the love he would never experience.


    A shuffling sound echoed near the door while Naruto tried to ignore the incoming footsteps behind him. He already heard her when she accidentally tripped to some mess lying around the floor. The solemnity of his thoughts was interrupted as the young girl navigated through the boxes and various obstacles with the grace of brute.


    Reaching her intended destination, the girl uttered his name and settled for a seat beside him. "Naruto, it''s time for dinner. We need to get some food."


    Naruto turned his head and met her gaze. Two bento boxes were noticeably tucked between her arms. With a roughish smile, his fingers pointed at the boxes almost touching it, sprinkling every bit of his charisma in delivering his line. "¡­Then can you tell me why are you holding that? Unless they''re empty,"


    She blinked, already immune to his antics, and looked at the boxes at her hands. Holding the boxes in the query in the air, "These," she shook them. "¡­are our combat rations. We would need to eat them now while they''re still hot. The fire in them would bring out our youthfulness for our next mission."


    Ignoring her peculiar language, he deftly snatched the bento from her hands. The sight succeeded on putting a smile on his lips. A brutish nudged of an elbow to his ribs encourage him to open it along with a warning.


    "You better eat now. We don''t much time to spare wondering the mystery of food," she proclaimed while shoving rice balls after rice balls.


    He snorted and matched her relentless pace. Halfway through his bento, he ceased his assault. ¡°What is the mission again?¡±


    ¡°What else, to steal food.¡±


    ¡°Pray tell me, what is this?¡± He motioned mockingly to his bento.


    ¡°Food,¡± she blandly replied.


    Naruto rolled his eyes at her answer with another hand gesture. ¡°Obviously. So, why do we have to steal more?¡±


    ¡°You can never have too much food¡­ And if you noticed, you just ate half of my portion.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s for two persons. Two bentos, two persons. One bento, one person. You know, you need to work on your math,¡± he teasingly rebuked, using his fingers to teach her basic math.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I know that? And I know how to count! Are you going to help me or not?¡± she screeched, clearly agitated by his joking.


    Of course, he knew why they need to do this ¡®mission.¡¯ She was a hardworking girl that dreamed of being an exceptional kunoichi, practicing throwing projectiles during her free time, and treating games as battle simulations, a professionalism rarely found in person so young. Because of these, she was burning more calories compared to other children, hence her need for more food. He could also use a rainy-day food stock for himself.


    Naruto gave a weak snigger, at which she rose an annoyed eyebrow at. With a final bite, he finished his food. He stood up and did a mock salute.


    ¡°Kunoichi-taichou, Uzumaki Naruto reporting for duty!¡± Naruto declared with conviction. Evidently pleased, she stood up and put her hands behind her back as she relayed her orders.


    ¡°Kohai, we move at 2200 hours (twenty-two hundred hours). We move fast. Our first target is the kitchen to look for any leftovers. Pack all of them, make sure you take everything. Then, we hit the pantry. There¡¯s a fresh delivery of bread. We¡¯ll each take a week worth of bread. Make sure to clean our food chest before we head out,¡± she firmly ordered as she turned around heading for the door.


    A beautiful smile stretched across his face. Despite all he¡¯d been through trying to keep a positive attitude, once in a while a respite gives him the courage to hold on. He swore that he would always try his hardest to smile against all the odds. His musing was interrupted as the girl stuck her head back in the room, and looked at him straight into the eyes.


    ¡°Are you coming?¡±


    ¡°Hai!¡± Naruto replied as he followed her out. As he approached her from behind, his playfulness slipped out of control since he gently tugged one of her hair buns to annoy her. ¡°You know, I think you¡¯re getting fat, Tenten,¡± he blurted out an accompanying lie further infuriating his friend.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Tenten flushed, taking out a handful of rubber shuriken. She chased him, vowing to bring the red-head in a world full of pain. Naruto ran laughing. She would get a lucky shot or two, but that was all she was going to get. There was a reason they don¡¯t get caught stealing; he was extremely fast and agile. He decided to take another shot at her.


    ¡°Come on, Tenten! Are those fat legs slowing you down?¡± Naruto stopped and pointed a finger at her legs.


    "... You didn''t," Tenten was rooted on her spot. She glared hard, promising a reckoning, an inquisition, a manhunt, and everything else to kill him the worst way possible.


    "I didn''t?" Naruto wore that cheeky grin of his. That woke her up; she would make do with her promise, she ran.


    ¡°Oh, no, you don¡¯t!¡± Tenten aimed her shuriken at him and threw, seeking vengeance.


    Naruto briskly dodged her shuriken. He weaved, jumped, and twisted at her feeble assault. He taunted her with his knowing smirk and exasperating laughter that echoed in the backyard, fueling her rage. Like a slippery eel, he was untouchable to her.


    ¡°It seems that I need to teach you more than just counting! Are you sure you¡¯re actually aiming? You won¡¯t hit me with that accuracy.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t miss this time!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that before.¡±


    "Argh! Stay. Still," she shouted, frustrated at her failure to inflict physical pain. Tenten threw shuriken upon shuriken during their chase. As she finally run out of ammunition, a helplessness washed over her. Repeating her vows to never miss again in her head, a promise was made that day¡ª the promise of a budding weapon mistress.


    ¡°And why would I do that?¡±


    "I will get you, Uzumaki! If I can''t hit you, I will catch you and pound you with my fist," she sprinted, feminine righteous fury glowing in her eyes.


    "Uh-hn, is that a goal I hear?" Naruto sounded amused. ¡°You said you won¡¯t miss but you did,¡± he looked back. "¡ª and miss a lot. Yup, missed all of them. Now, you want to catch me?¡± It was time for the finishing blow, the chambers were locked and fully loaded, he fired.


    Bang!


    "Better get to it, Fat Bun-chan!"


    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡±


    That¡¯s it! He understood that under no circumstance he would allow himself to be captured by the raging panda, not unless he was secretly attracted to pain. With that amount of goading, he would be lucky to get away with just a broken bone and... maybe a bloody face. A quick glance behind him told a different story. Yup, a painful death.


    After half hour of fierce pursuit and failed capture attempt of Tenten, both of them were panting and heavily breathing sitting on the floor. Well, Tenten was unceremoniously sprawled all over the ground. This, fortunately, evaporated all of Tenten''s wrath. Actually, she just couldn¡¯t move yet; her murderous aura was projected through those round brown orbs that were oddly turning to a shade similar to his hair.


    If looks could kill, thankful it doesn¡¯t.


    Naruto smiled to himself for the chance to see another day and for taking home another point for the Uzumaki Play club. He stood up and faced the breathless panda. "I''ll see you later, Taichou."


    The young thief hastily retreated to the backyard with a lazy wave, moving out onto a dark, unused passage, back towards the attic¡ª his attic. Naruto kept his head down and pulled his hood against the still falling snowflakes, a smile plastered on the corner of his lips.


    This wasn''t so bad.


    But he longed for something else.


    Free. Just a couple of years more. Endure.


    <hr>


    ¡°There you are!¡± Tenten narrowed her eyes dangerous, pulled him into a squat and pointed a finger toward his face. ¡°Where were you? You¡¯re late.¡±


    Naruto didn¡¯t respond and shrugged her comments. He simply sent her an apologetic nod, giving Tenten what she expected to see. There was still fifteen minutes to spare, but he wouldn¡¯t voice it out. He was stubborn and headstrong; however, he knew this was a battle he wouldn¡¯t win. Doing what every smart male would do, he quietly looked down looking sorry.


    Tenten growled slightly at his nonchalant attitude, then raised her hand and hit him on his biceps. The force of the blow wasn¡¯t much; it was more of a playful jab more than anything. But Naruto bore his punishment silently and caressed his thoughts.


    See? Can¡¯t win. Argue, she would be angry. Don¡¯t argue; she would still be angry.


    ¡°Listen,¡± Tenten hissed. ¡°This is an important mission. It¡¯s worth risking our youth. I won¡¯t have you screwing this up. Understand?¡±


    Again with that strange language.


    Naruto nodded.


    Tenten studied him for a moment, satisfied, she calmly nodded back. Naruto knew there was something wrong. She was annoyed about something¡ª something more than his tardiness. In spite of that, he noticed the signal and asserted himself. ¡°What¡¯s our situation? Anything out of the ordinary?¡±


    Tenten sighed. ¡°Remember when Makoto and his gang accidentally broke the front door? It during one of their stupid escapades,¡± searching his memory, he nodded. ¡°Mother Matron had it fixed this afternoon while you were brooding in the attic.¡±


    His brows rose at her obvious prod on his behavior but kept his tongue tied.


    She was looking for someone to punish, Naruto thought. But it doesn¡¯t make sense how it was my fault.


    The accused late comer looked up at Tenten to meet her gaze, with a small gulp and subtle intake of air, he decided to bite the bullet.


    ¡°What does fixing the front door have to do with all of this?¡±


    ¡°Everything! Mother Matron didn¡¯t just fix the front door. She noticed that the locks on most doors have already rusted, some are even close to falling off. She said that it was reasonable to have them change as they¡¯ve already served the orphanage for a long time. The handyman finished all of them in record time,¡± Tenten snapped, explaining her dilemma to her dimwitted red-head fellow, convicting him of a crime he didn¡¯t do.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why that would be a problem for us. The kitchen and pantry were just changed four months ago,¡± Naruto stated, extending his bail to the court.


    Agitated, the judge venomously spat out. ¡°Well, lucky for us. Mother Matron negotiated a terrific deal that covered for every door except private quarters. The handyman changed all of them and repeating what I said earlier, ¡®finished all of them in record time.¡¯ Now, tell me why this isn¡¯t our problem? Hmm?¡±


    His bail denied, the accused-late-comer-turned-convict plopped down and rubbed his head as he prepared for his upcoming trial. ¡°This could be a problem,¡± shaking his head. ¡°A huge problem.¡±


    ¡°Ya think?!¡± Tenten angrily retorted.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he bit back, eyes glimmering seemingly enjoying the unanticipated scenario. ¡°Is there anything we could have done to prevent this?¡± Naruto resumed his monologue; he loved his theatrics evident by his playful side.


    Tenten was used to the scarlet-haired''s quirks, but now wasn¡¯t the time, she was fuming due to that unforeseen incident. Seriously, how could he stay calm? This wasn¡¯t a game. She was about to reprimand her subordinate when¡ª


    ¡°That is, of course, a problem, if,¡± Naruto wagged a finger at her, letting his words simmer a bit, clearly enjoying the moment of domination specifically her irritation. ¡°If¡­ If we don¡¯t have these. Yes, hmm, these poor souls would be in trouble. Very, very much,¡±


    Naruto held the keys and jiggled it in front of her face, dangling the bait for mama bear; a most worthy bribe for the jury.


    Tenten¡¯s eyes flashed with glee. A-A g-glutton! She grabbed his hands and plucked the keys away from him, forceful prying it through his clutches. The bouncing started as Tenten excitedly launched away at the owner of the red locks; the inmate could feel that he was close to being acquited. ¡°You¡¯re a lifesaver! You¡¯ve saved our mission tonight, and our missions in the near future. How? When? Can you¡ª¡±


    Naruto cut her off before she could bombard him more, reining her excitement before her explosive voice woke up everybody. Did the court just rule in his favor? Freedom!


    ¡°I¡¯ve sto ¡ª ahem, borrowed it before coming here. I already overhead Mother¡¯s conversation with the handyman even prior to him working with the orphanage. Luckily for us, he gave the spares and original first. I guess they already reached a deal before coming here.¡±


    ¡°Overheard?¡±


    ¡°Yup overheard.¡±


    Tenten knew her accomplice doesn¡¯t do anything with a purpose. Confident that he was spying on them, she let the issue slide and focused on the task at hand. They got the keys; they would proceed according to plan.


    Wasting no time, she nodded and used a two-finger signal pointing to their direction as well as the start of their mission. The two-wannabe shinobi, nicknamed the Felon and the Brutish Panda, walked carefully, utilizing their light footsteps to carry them to their destination. Reaching the kitchen doors, Tenten was rummaging on the keys as Naruto hid behind a wall, to act as the sentry, overlooking the hallways, looking out for any patrol. As the doors open with a soft clink, they hurriedly scurried inside.


    The kitchen itself wasn¡¯t impressive except for its size. From the number of orphans eating, the size was adequate for its needs. Naruto looked at Tenten awaiting her command.


    ¡°Good, Naruto. Check the pantry and collect one of our objectives. Be sure to take anything that might not be noticeable, alright? I¡¯m going to start packing bentos now. Leave me one of your sack,¡± Tenten threw the keys to Naruto.


    Without a word, he went to the pantry and started filling his sack, adding drinks, snacks and some fruits to his haul. Completing his goal, he discreetly rearranged it, like a landscaper making art, he reshaped the terrain. Satisfied, he made his way back to the kitchen and met up with Tenten. Announcing his arrival and job completion, he uttered a short, concise declaration.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°Alright, just hold on. I¡¯m almost done here,¡± she replied, putting packed bentos in the sack. Two empty bento boxes left, she reached out to the food tray placed at the center table. The moment she grasped the lid, Naruto caught her hand straight away, seizing her motion.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked with an irritable tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m filling these two empty bento boxes,¡± she told him, confused by what was transpiring, struggling to free her outstretched hand. Tenten tugged again, telling him to let go. It was upsetting to be handled like this particularly without reason, but before she could retaliate, he heard him speak.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch that.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What?¡±


    ¡°I said don¡¯t touch that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Tightening his hold, he pointed with his free fingers towards the tray in question. Clarifying his action, he began lecturing her. ¡°Those are Mother¡¯s favorite food. She orders them from those foreign caravans that visit Konoha once every third week of the month. You cannot find them anywhere on Konoha. Trust me; she would notice if you put your hands anywhere near that stuff. Unless you want a hunt, you¡¯ll follow my words.¡±


    His words quenched her brewing temper. Calming down, she nodded in appreciation; Naruto finally let her hand go. This puzzling piece of information needed to be solved.


    ¡°How did you know? We¡¯ve raided this kitchen more than a hundred times. It¡¯s the first time we have this kind of problem,¡± she requested, still baffled because of the hundred times, not even encountering it once was confusing.


    ¡°Most of the time, Mother receives the delivery of her favorite food or she would be the one to buy it, storing it in her room afterward. Today, Megu-san was the one to receive her food because Mother was called for a meeting. It would seem that she also ordered an extra, clearly noticeable with the size of the tray. It¡¯s the first time we¡¯ve seen the food here in the kitchen because Mother hasn¡¯t come back yet from her meeting. It was odd for her to take this long. Normally, she¡¯ll be bulldozing halfway through that tray by now. If that¡¯s the case, it makes you wonder what she¡¯s up to,¡± he stated, expanding on his previous statement. Tenten could hear a faint babbling of ¡®pig¡¯ and ¡®flat nose¡¯ as Naruto began drifting off.


    Not satisfied with his incomplete explanation, she demanded. ¡°Right. But you didn¡¯t answer my question. How did you know?¡±


    ¡°I asked.¡±


    ¡°You asked? Did you really think I would believe that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I asked. How else would I know about it then?¡± Naruto raised his eyebrows telling her to come at him. Tenten countered with a glare of her own, he relented and put his hand up in defeat. Naruto unwillingly responded with a groan.


    ¡°Right, so I¡¯ve asked politely. There, happy now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and I¡¯m Tsunade¡¯s apprentice.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be surprised how charming I can be,¡± he proclaimed with a wide toothy grin. Tenten and her fascination with Tsunade. No wonder she as driven as she was.


    ¡°Enough of this. Finished your job. We need to get out of here as soon as possible,¡± Naruto said with finality, ending any and all queries Tenten may have, as he turned around to watch the doors.


    Tenten looked at him, frustrated that she wouldn¡¯t get her answers, he was as annoying as he was reliable. With a growl, she resumed packing the boxes to finished her part of the job. Standing up, she confirmed her success, ushering the mission¡¯s end.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Mission accomplished.¡±


    They left with another success added to their impeccable mission record.


    <hr>


    Within the shade of the mighty tree lurked the roots under its foundation. In here, names were thrown, the past was left behind, and history was forgotten. Nothing matters here except the mission.


    ¡°How¡¯s the boy?¡± Came a voice from the shadows.


    ¡°Miserable, sir. A little bit skinny but completely healthy. The matrons ignore him as you¡¯ve suggested. They don¡¯t even feed him, but the boy turned to stealing during the night. He exhibits traits of a lone wolf, keeping everything to himself most of the time,¡± his kneeling subordinate answered with no inflection in his voice.


    ¡°Any guards?¡±


    ¡°None, sir. The last I¡¯ve spotted was three years ago.¡±


    Yes, he thought. It was three years ago when the young Naruto was almost assassinated by a drunk shinobi from the regular corps. It was when the fear within the populace was at its peak.


    He would¡¯ve taken advantage of the situation if Konoha wasn¡¯t so depleted and weaken by the Nine-Tails¡¯ rampage. Yet, it wasn¡¯t meant to be. But he had other plans; he was gradually deteriorating the boy¡¯s mental health to the point of insanity. At that point, Hiruzen wouldn¡¯t have any other choice but to let him have the unstable container.


    Until then, he would prowl in the darks.


    ¡°Continue your tasks.¡±


    ¡°Sir.¡±


    The man showed a rare smile as the tapping of a cane joined into the never-ending blackness.

 The Escape

    <hr>


    ¡°If a street has a spirit, no matter how narrow it is, we can breathe comfortably over there.¡±


    ¨D Mehmet Murat ildan


    <hr>


    3


    THE SUN HUNG JUST OVER THE EDGE OF THE HORIZON, threatening the night¡¯s arrival, as furious nail-biting cold winds blew signifying the end of winter starting spring once again when Naruto found himself on the streets like a lost sheep.


    He¡¯d been wandering for hours, scanning the alleyways where he might bunk for the night, doubling back and forth. It was slow, tedious and extremely tiring. He was on his last legs. His options were dwindling. The bag containing his rainy-day pack was steadily getting lighter. At very least, he would able to eat for a couple of days ¡ª a week if he pushed it. When the sun sunk deeper and the western sky matched his flaming hair, he started to wonder if he would ever find a warm place to spend the night. Specks of dirty snow covered his way, as he trotted on the cold and slippery ground.


    ¡°Come on, give me something here,¡± he muttered, checking another alleyway. ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep out here. Heck, I don¡¯t even want to be here. But I need you to help me out.¡±


    The back alleys were made up of zigzagging maze-like a spider web. Naruto had already been to all of them except those alleys where tattooed individuals prowled. He might be desperate, but he wasn¡¯t suicidal. Just seeing those ruffians smacked passersby¡¯s gave him a definite no-go sign.


    It was getting colder by the minute, and he started feeling the chill in his bones. The dark-blue hoodie he was wearing wouldn¡¯t stop his ensuing death by freezing. How would he avoid it? He had no idea. Continuing his walk through the streets, he started reminiscing, where his misery started.


    Last night, he was finally kicked out from the orphanage. The Mother Matron that was hell-bent on making his life miserable had finally snapped, berated him for an hour spouting lies upon lies, before he was told that he could not live with the other children anymore. When he asked why she riposted with reverberating slap across his cheeks. Then she unceremoniously dragged him to his room, throwing him on the floor in the process. Gritting his teeth as pain flares through his cheeks, he picked up his bag stuffing all his belongings inside. As his hands drifted to his red scarf, pain and longingness broke his indomitable spirit, showing his real age as he cried in agony.


    Kaa-chan, Tou-san, why can¡¯t you be here? Why did you leave me alone? I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. It hurts so much. Why can¡¯t you be here? Why? I don¡¯t even know why they hate me and hurt me. If you can hear me, help me, Kaa-chan. Give me a hand. I don¡¯t want to be alone anymore. I don¡¯t want to feel so alone. All I wanted is to be with you.


    The shouts of mother ended his thoughts. Wiping his tears, Naruto hoisted his bag on his shoulder. He steeled his nerve as he was walking downstairs. He was about to plead, but his pleadings were met with massive resistance. The Mother Matron threw him out immediately before he could speak, drowning his cries and despair with the silence of the night.


    As the darkness took over and devoured the dying ember-colored sky, his walk to remember was interrupted by another freezing breeze. Naruto tightened his red scarf and pulled his hood closer to his head. He¡¯d been stalking and snaking his way through various alleyways, trying to find safety in a minefield. Looking ahead, he didn¡¯t like what he saw.


    Alleyways that I might have to get used to again. This isn¡¯t the best, but I have to make do.


    He had survived them before when he was late on coming back from the playground, and the orphanage closed down for the evening. He could do so again.


    Naruto arrived at an alleyway near the red-light district with a thick broken table, can¡¯t find anything more suited, this would be his roof for the night. The red-light district was no place for a young child but dangerous as it may seem, it is still infinitely safer than on the main street of Konoha where he would be chased out. Staying out of sight of the citizen was a valuable lesson he learned earlier, it presented him with the best way to survive.


    ¡°What should I do now? This is so frustrating!¡±


    He had no money, but his life had taught him how to scavenge and beg. Both were difficult in the Elemental Nations, especially in Konoha, but he would find a way. If he had to.


    He laid down and stretched his legs. Exhausted, as sleep offers her hand, he took it. It was his temporary retreat from this world and all its pain. For now, he would be safe in her embrace, revitalizing his aching soul. Darkness carried his burden for the night.


    Naruto hoped he wouldn¡¯t freeze to death within her embrace.


    <hr>


    Months had passed when Naruto started living on the streets of Konoha. The weather began to get warmer and drier, yet Naruto hardened like the harsh winter he braved, starting spring with a new outlook. His eyes were opened to the cruelty and unfairness of the world. These lessons taught him how to survive on the streets as an urchin. Brutal lessons often in the form of his battered body. Currently crouched, sweeping the field for a potential mark.


    "Forty barbecue sticks, to-go please," said a rotund young child wearing a green vest and brown shorts with two swirl marks on his cheeks, beaming and drooling at the sight of food. He watched in anticipation as the owner wrapped that delicious meat.


    "Here you go, kid!" The owner handed the paper bag with a greedy grin, pleased doing business with the young child. Akimichis are the best customers even when they''re still young.


    The kid gave the exact amount and hastily started walking out of the restaurant, dragging his companion behind.


    "Thank you; please come again!" The owner thanked his customer, waving them goodbye. Yet the young child didn¡¯t pay him any attention, distracted by the sweet-smelling package.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go to the park. I¡¯ve told okaa-san to pick me up there. We could go cloud-watching near the big Sakura tree while waiting for them. Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± Letting out an enthusiastic invitation to his friend.


    His pineapple-hair-styled companion mumbled. ¡°Troublesome,¡± but a definite soft smile graced his face. Delighted with their agreed choice of destination.


    ¡°Hold on. Calm down. Geez~ I¡¯m coming. No need to drag me,¡± he said, trying to hide his obvious excitement.


    Both unaware of a pair of oceanic cerulean eyes watching intently, hiding in the corner of a nearby alley, looking at them waddled away. Naruto wasn¡¯t idle; he was planning his grab ¡ª get in, get out quickly, finalizing his entry and exit strategy. He had done this before; he would do so again to survive.


    The garbage heaps can only provide so much, and most of it was already too rotten to eat. It doesn''t help that people started to notice his scavenging after months living on the streets. They began chasing him away even from their garbage bins. The Ichiraku''s was the only place that didn''t chase him, but they almost have no leftovers to throw away. Talk about efficiency.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Naruto was famished and desperate, scooping different restaurants, stalls, and shop to find the safest mark; never hitting it twice. He learned that the longer people see him, the more hostile they are. So, he did himself a favor and made himself scarce. This particular restaurant serves barbecue, which he hasn''t tasted yet. It helped to have an extremely lax security.


    I haven''t eaten in three days. It is not like they''re going to give me any food if I ask them. No one ever helped me. Might as well save myself. And he has so much! I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t notice. He pondered, justifying his reason for stealing.


    He surveyed the surroundings again and eyed his prize. The delicious smelling smoke coming from the grills made his mouth water. A grumbling stomach decided his next course of action.


    This would be his mark. He began to move.


    The little boy tiptoed lightly to the side of the restaurant, using what he learned in the orphanage. He was sneaking much careful than usual to hide his crimson red locks. Glancing up, he saw the man was busy talking to another customer. Naruto slowly creep in, reaching with his tiny little hands.


    As he grabbed the paper bag, a bystander shouted.


    ¡°THIEF!¡±


    I have to get out of here. Get away from that man!


    Naruto dashed toward the door, frantically scrambling around tables and customers.


    The owner noticed him and flung a wooden stool, hitting him in the back. This caused him to stumble on the floor. Pain flared between his shoulders, and several customers cried out when the stool bounced off of him and thumped against the floor.


    Naruto lied in a daze. Then something within him ¡ª something vile and evil but unbelievably potent ¡ª rushed through his body. Suddenly, strength filled him. His vision began to focus, his pain becoming a dull throb. He climbed awkwardly to his feet.


    The man was there, hovering over him, cutting his escape. He backhanded him as he stood. His head snapped to the side from the blow, twisting his neck so painfully that he barely felt hitting the floor again.


    The man bent over, grabbing him by the hem of his shirt, pulling him up, his fist cocked back ready to continue the assault on the young boy. Naruto was trembling; it was the only thing he could do; he braced himself and began to beg for mercy. He looked at his attacker with his blue pained-filled eyes, tears starting to form; his eyes begging for a bit of compassion.


    "P-Please s-stop. I w-won''t do it again," Naruto¡¯s desperate words filled with sincerity, no louder than a gentle breeze. His tears finally began streaming down his face, taking what little hope he had.


    Please let me go.


    For a moment, the man hesitated, his eyes softened. A bit of humanity was shown, his conscience tested. However, he remembered his wife ¡ª dead, in his arms ¡ª as she was pierced by wooden spears made of debris while attempting to escape that nightmarish night. His daughter lifeless beside her; he would never see her grow up. They were gone, he would never see them again. You did this, demon!


    His eyes shifted to the boy in his arm and his rage returned. Unwavering. Terrifying.


    "Damn demon!" The man muttered, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him, trying to crush him.


    Naruto tried to break free, but the man''s grip was firm like steel. He looked around, desperate for aid from any other customer, however, he knew what he would find; indifference.


    Just endure. I can''t die here.


    He renewed his struggle, but the man hit him again, knocking him to the ground. The blow stunned him, and he gasped, the breath knocked from his lungs.


    He¡¯ll just beat me up senseless and throw me. I hope I¡¯ll go unconscious soon,


    Naruto weakly turned, and he saw the man looming above him, drunken fury showing in his face. Then he knew that this time would be different; it would be no simple beating. The man was not in control. The murder was evident in his eyes.


    Please!


    Naruto thought with desperation, terrified of the man before him.


    Anyone!


    The man bent down, muttering to himself as he roughly pulled the boy by the right shoulder, making Naruto wince, his shoulder releasing a loud pop.


    The man raised an arm ¡ª his hand forming another fist, his muscles tensing, while his eyes darted around, deciding which part of Naruto''s body he would pound next. His target chosen, he looked up to Naruto''s eyes, glaring at him in defiance, this irked him. Yes, I will knock your teeth out, along with your spirit.


    Just as he was about to swing his fist, the door shook, then burst open sending splinters all over the place. An opportunity ran into Naruto¡¯s mind. He ignored the newcomer, seeing a chance to escape, he tried to shake himself free from the man¡¯s grip, but he was too weak. His face blazed from where he was hit, and he tasted blood on his lip. His shoulder had been twisted awkwardly, and his side ached from where he¡¯d fallen.


    Then he saw a dogface masked man quietly standing in the doorway. Tall and lean muscled, he had gravity-defying silver hair and wore black pants, gray colored armor over a black sleeveless shirt, elbow reaching gloves with forearm protector, and a sword at his back.


    The newcomer looked down at Naruto checking his condition, and expression softened slightly. Then he looked up at the man, and his eyes grew dark. While his mask hid his expression, his eyes were livid: one black and one red.


    The man was about to greet the newcomer when he felt a mighty blow across his face, sending him flying across the room. He impacted the wall hard, and slowly collapse to the ground.


    The room fell still.


    Have to get away was the only thought running through his head.


    Naruto forced himself up to his knees. The man groaned in pain from a few feet away, and Naruto crawled away from his, slipping beneath an unoccupied table. He turned toward the door desperately. He was close, painfully close. He had nearly escaped. Just a little farther. The exit was just a few feet ahead. If he could crawl to it¡ª


    The newcomer finally stepped into the room. The rest of owner¡¯s customers remained sitting at their tables. They looked surprised but oddly unworried.


    As the newcomer entered the room, Naruto could finally see that a second person stood in the doorway behind him. This second man was less imposing. He was shorter, with a gray goatee and tan skin, sporting a regal outfit; he wore a red kimono, a white obi tied around his waist, a white haori and square hat labeled fire written in kanji. He looked calm, but his eyes are sharply examining the room.


    On the other side of the room, the man groaned and sat up, holding his head. He glanced at the newcomers. ¡°Hokage-sama! Why, uh, well, this is a surprise!¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± said the shorter man. Naruto frowned, realizing he sensed a slight familiarity to these men. He recognized them from somewhere.


    Hokage? The orphanage. I¡¯ve seen that old man once when he visited the orphans. As for the silver hair¡­ I can¡¯t put my finger on it, but he is really familiar.


    The man tried climbed to his feet, but that was optimistic, the word was ¡®tried.¡¯ As soon as he finally had a semblance of footing, Naruto¡¯s silver-haired savior delivered another brutal strike to his face, downing him once again.


    ¡°Inu, stand down,¡± Hiruzen said, calming the furious dogface masked man. He motioned from behind signifying there¡¯s more that came with him.


    ¡°Neko, take this man to Ibiki and tell him to go for the special.¡±


    The man was knocked out and taken before he could begin to protest. Hiruzen came near Naruto and knelt, assessing the damage done to his frail young body, ignoring the other occupants of the room. He looked at Naruto and smiled warmly.


    Naruto remained still, keeping watch on both men. As the tension subsided, he felt his wounds throb again. He noticed that there¡¯s blood dried all over his face. The blows to his face, side and shoulder would become large bruises soon enough. But he guarded his emotion, clenching his teeth, he could deal with pain for now.


    Hiruzen extended his hand towards Naruto to bring him closer, however, upon contact Naruto slapped his hand away; and gave him a fiery scowl. ¡°No!¡± Naruto tried to shout, but it came out as a weak croak. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± His voice was shaking; it can be either fear or anger. The Hokage attempted to soothe him.


    ¡°Naruto, no need to be so cautious. We¡¯re not here to hurt you. We want to help you.¡±


    Naruto didn¡¯t respond, instead remained focused on Hiruzen, observing his every movement. Nobody does things without motive.


    Come on. Tell me what you want with me. Make your move.


    ¡°Naruto, we need to take you to the hospital to get treated. You¡¯re badly hurt,¡± The Hokage said as convincingly as possible while keeping his distance from the young man. He tried to smile reassuringly.


    Never trust a man who tells you good news


    ¡°Who are you? And why do you know my name?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, its protector and its pillar. I know you because you are one of the many leaves that I protect. You''re a part of the great tree, and it¡¯s my duty to care for all of you. You are in need of help, and I want to help you. You can trust me. I¡¯m not here to hurt you,¡± Hiruzen narrated, a magnificent show of authority. The view was awe-inspiring especially for those sitting patrons inside the restaurant, everything said, it was impressive.


    Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t dealing with a gullibe kid.


    The man who wants you to trust him is the one you must fear the most


    He would go and get treated in the hospital, but he would remain vigilant.


    It was to protect his neck.