Time flies, and at the age of three, Naruto, now capable of some independence, is placed in a small apartment room.
After futile protests, the apartment residents choose to move out one by one.
Crouched in a corner, Naruto stares blankly out the window, her lips parting as if to speak, only to sigh instead.
The feeling of being watched—she's endured it for three years, and it shows no sign of ending.
According to Minato Namikaze's will, Naruto should be cared for as the village's hero, growing up respected. Yet, the village elders allow the villagers to treat her as the Nine-Tails' incarnation, cursing her relentlessly. It's the exact opposite of Minato's wishes.
Naruto often wonders why the Third Hokage broke his promise to Minato. Thinking of canon Naruto's struggles, she can only muster a bitter smile in her solitude.
Countless times, she's heard the wet nurses who feed her mutter curses under their breath. If not for the ANBU watching, she might've choked to death on their bitter milk long ago.
From initial rejection to numbness, Naruto slowly rises and steps outside.
As a fan of the early, hot-blooded shonen anime, she never imagined Naruto's childhood would be so miserable. Watching the anime, it didn't feel this profound—perhaps she was too caught up in the goofy, energetic Naruto to notice Konoha's malice.
The treatment Naruto endures is unbearable even for an adult. It's a miracle she remains so cheerful.
A masochist? A glutton for punishment?
Naruto snorts, stopping briefly in front of a shop. The owner rushes over, shooing her away. "Get lost! You're scaring away my customers!"
Naruto lowers her head and hurries off, her sharp hearing catching the owner's muttered complaint.
"Damn monster. Why doesn't it just die? I don't get why the Hokage lets this thing live in the village."
A monster…
If not for my body sealing this monster, how could you live in peace? If I weren't the jinchūriki…
Hahaha! How ridiculous!
Expressionless, Naruto's deep, hollow sapphire eyes glint with sadness as she walks to a park where children play. At her arrival, parents hurriedly call their kids away, fearing bad luck from contact with her.
Watching the adults' disgusted, fearful gazes, Naruto sits on a swing, her pale feet dangling. She lowers her head, her sapphire eyes flashing blood-red for an instant.
The Nine-Tails' chakra flickers around her, and a masked figure appears on a tree branch. Just seeing the silver hair, Naruto recognizes him.
Kakashi Hatake. Checking if I'm losing control due to the Nine-Tails' chakra? Konoha's Will of Fire—what a joke.
If they sense I'm unstable, they'll lock me up. As long as the Nine-Tails exists, jinchūriki are disposable.
"Naruto…"
Kakashi sets aside his Icha Icha Paradise, cautiously observing Naruto sitting on the swing, her golden hair tangled and her hands gripping the ropes tightly. Her emotions aren't as calm as she appears—otherwise, she wouldn't unconsciously release the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"Leave me alone for a while."
Naruto raises her head, her eyes red and a tear lingering at the corner.
"You're crying."
"Shut up! It's none of your business! Mind your own!" Naruto wipes her tears, stubbornly refusing to show weakness in front of Kakashi.
As Minato's student, Kakashi knows the truth and feels immense sympathy for Naruto. Yet, as an ANBU, the moment he donned the mask, he sealed away all emotions.
After a moment's gaze, Kakashi silently leaves.
"Thwack!"
A pebble hits Naruto's forehead. From the shadows, Kakashi watches three children approach her, frowning.
"Hey, monster! This is our swing! Not for freaks like you!"
"Get lost, monster!"
"Yeah! Scram!"
Each "monster" feels like a dagger piercing Naruto's heart.
"Who are you calling a monster?" Naruto raises her head, blood trickling from her forehead wound, splitting her face like a grotesque mask. Her whiskers twitch faintly.
"You, monster! Get lost!"
"Ah!"
Naruto roars, charging the three kids. She knows mere tolerance only invites more abuse. Better to vent her frustration now.
The four children brawl. Even outnumbered, Naruto fears no one, targeting their faces and groin with every punch and kick, wishing to castrate them.
Damn, this girl's vicious!
Kakashi winces as Naruto lands a kick to a boy's crotch, facepalming. Sensei, your daughter's as fierce as Kushina!
Mid-fight, the kids' parents arrive, pulling apart the tangled foursome. Seeing their bruised, battered children—one with a footprint on his groin—their parental rage ignites. They glare at Naruto, hatred burning in their eyes.
"If not for the Hokage keeping you here… you'd be dead already!"
One father snarls, kicking Naruto in the stomach.
Agony sears her gut, twisting it like a knot. She cries out in pain.
With the first kick, others join in, their hatred for Naruto overriding any concern for their children. They beat her mercilessly.
Witnessing this, Kakashi dashes over with Shunshin, grabbing the worst offender and hurling him aside. The man crashes to the ground.
The sudden ANBU appearance halts the assault. Yes, assault—their actions far exceed defending their children. They've been beating a defenseless Naruto.
Kakashi radiates icy killing intent, his emotionless gaze turning him into a drawn blade.
Scooping up the unconscious Naruto, his killing intent intensifies. Overwhelmed, the attackers faint.
Drip…
Drip…
Water droplets echo as Naruto slowly opens her eyes. She's in a dim, familiar place—her inner world.
Seen countless times in the anime, Naruto sits up, gazing at the mirror-like water rippling beneath her. She rises, walks forward, and at the end, sees a massive prison gate with a sealed tag at its center.
A pair of sharp, blood-red eyes glare at her angrily.
"You are… the Nine-Tails…"
Approaching the gate, Naruto sees the Nine-Tails' colossal form within.
A giant claw bursts through, swiping at her. Naruto stands still, unafraid, her face almost relieved.
Maybe dying here will return me to my original body. Even if not, I can't keep suffering… Living is so exhausting…
The claw halts inches from her. The Nine-Tails, sensing her death wish, retracts it, harrumphs, and lazily ignores her.