The following morning, the air in the Hokage's office was thick with unspoken questions. Two Anbu stood before Hiruzen, their masks obscuring their expressions.
"Hokage-sama," one began, his voice low and respectful, "we cannot be entirely certain, but we believe we may have witnessed the Yondaime-sama's Rasengan… in the hands of the Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki."
His partner elaborated, "It was small, Sandaime-sama, and the formation was… unrefined. We cannot offer definitive confirmation."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply, his gaze distant, 'Impossible. An A-rank jutsu? A five-year-old child? Not even prodigies like Kakashi or Itachi accomplished such a feat at that age.' He gave the Anbu a silent dismissal.
Later, he sat alone, rubbing his temples wearily. Danzo's persistent demands to take custody of Naruto, fueled by any minor incident, echoed in his mind.
A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he recalled the Anbu's report of the three bruised and toothless children.
"Look likes he got his temper from Kushina?"
——
Meanwhile, within the vibrant chaos of Naruto's mindscape, Kurama scoffed. "Like father, like son," the fox rumbled. "But how did you know and learn your father's jutsu, brat?"
"Don't remind me of him," Naruto retorted, his tone sharp.
Kurama's massive head tilted, his crimson eyes scrutinizing the boy. "It seems you harbor resentment towards your parents, despite knowing their sacrifice."
Naruto hesitated, his gaze drifting. "My mother's sacrifice… well, she essentially forgot about me in the process. My father… he did it half for the village, half for me, I suppose."
Kurama chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Then why is it that you never resent me, brat? Knowing that it was I who ultimately ended their lives?"
Naruto fell silent, his thoughts drifting to the hazy memories of his past life – his own parents, the warmth of their presence, the sharp pang of their loss just before his college graduation.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. "Minato and Kushina gave me birth, yes. But I can't exactly call them my parents."
"And about you killing them… oh, come on. They didn't have much time left anyway. Whether you attacked or not, they would have died sealing you."
Kurama remained silent, not because of the logic of Naruto's words, but because he sensed the profound loneliness and slight sadness that flickered in the boy's eyes.
Another silence stretched between them before Naruto spoke again. "Besides," he said, his tone matter-of-fact, "I also know you weren't entirely at fault that night. Your hatred for humans… that stems from Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju."
Kurama's massive form stiffened, his eyes widening in disbelief. "H-how do you… how do you know this, brat?"
A small, almost smug smile touched Naruto's lips. "Oh, the great Kurama, flustered? I see."
——
The days bled into weeks, and the weeks into months, which eventually turned into years. The undercurrent of tension between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage faction grew more palpable, even to a young boy who deliberately kept his distance from the other children.
Naruto, now seven years old, woke up on the fateful day, the oppressive atmosphere of the village already heavy in the air. He glanced at his System interface.
(Host : Naruto Uzumaki)
(Chakra Capacity : Lower Chunin)
(XP : 13,750)
Additional :
[Chakra Battery : Tail Beast Level [Yang Half Kurama])
'This Uzumaki Sage Body is definitely kicking in,' he mused, noting the significant increase in his chakra reserves and XP without much conscious effort.
He had deliberately avoided forming close bonds with Shino, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, and the other main cast members during their playground gatherings, seeing no real benefit in early interactions.
However, the growing unease surrounding the Uchiha clan had been impossible to ignore. He remembered from his past life that Sasuke was also around seven when Itachi carried out the massacre.
'It's probably happening soon', he thought, a strange mix of detachment and anticipation settling within him. He turned his mental gaze towards Kurama.
"Hey, Kurama," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, "want to hear some great news?"
Kurama, his massive eyes half-closed in his usual state of semi-slumber, grunted lazily. "What is it, brat?"
Naruto's lips twitched. "The Uchiha clan… the ones you hate so much… they're about to be wiped out. Only three will be left."
Kurama's eyes snapped open, his massive form jolting upright. "Really?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a surprising degree of what sounded like… glee.
"Finally!"
He turned his intense gaze towards Naruto. "Hey, brat! How about we go and see this… momentous occasion… live?"