Prologue: The Forgotten Flame
In the hidden village of Konoha, beneath a blood-red moon, fate twisted with cruelty and fire. The Nine-Tailed Fox tore through the village on that fateful night, and two newborn cries echoed through the chaos. Naruto and Saruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, twins born to the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, each received half the burden of the Nine-Tails, sealing it between them.
But fate, and family, were not kind to them.
While Naruto and Saruto bore the unimaginable weight of Kurama, their younger siblings, Mito and Narko, were heralded as prodigies. Born moments later, untouched by the fox's chakra, they were seen as perfect heirs. Minato and Kushina poured their love and attention into Mito's gentle brilliance and Narko's boisterous charm, leaving their older sons to grow in silence.
Naruto and Saruto tried to earn their place. They trained tirelessly, seeking approval with every mastered jutsu and completed chore. But they were met with cold gazes, harsh words, and the ever-present reminder: "You're the reason we suffer."
They weren't the only ones.
Sasuke Uchiha, once adored, lived in the shadow of his genius brother, Itachi. His achievements were nothing more than echoes to his clan. Shikamaru Nara, whose mind was sharper than any blade, was dismissed as lazy by a clan that misunderstood him.
Kiba Inuzuka was a wild child with a heart full of loyalty. But his clan looked to his sister Hana as their pride, leaving him to train alone. Neji Hyuga, born into the branch family, carried the cursed seal that marked him as lesser, no matter how great he became.
Rock Lee, unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu, was seen as a failure by all but Guy. Shino Aburame, emotionless and methodical, found himself forgotten by a clan that praised detachment but failed to offer warmth.
Hinata Hyuga, shy and kind, was deemed unfit to lead. Tenten, an orphan with no bloodline, floated through training with no anchor. Ino Yamanaka, vibrant and passionate, was constantly told she was too emotional to be strong.
Temari and Anna, sisters from the Sand, were sent to Konoha under the guise of diplomacy, but really to get them out of the way. Ashley, a foreign orphan with a hidden bloodline, was always treated like an outsider.
Naruto and Saruto found them one by one. Through bruises, failures, and broken hearts, they formed bonds deeper than blood.
Together, they stole into their clan libraries at night, copying scrolls, whispering forgotten techniques to one another under moonlight. Naruto discovered his wind and water affinity. Saruto's fire and lightning blazed with fury. Shikamaru mastered shadow techniques far beyond his age. Ino and Saruto sparred endlessly, her mental techniques sharpened by his relentless push.
They stumbled across an abandoned compound at the edge of the village, once belonging to a clan wiped out during the Second Shinobi War. Over months, they restored it—sweeping floors, fixing walls, planting trees, and drawing seals of protection.
It became their sanctuary.
They called themselves The Forgotten Flame Clan—a name born from the fire in their hearts that no one else saw.
By the time they reached academy age, the new clan was a legend whispered among the trees. Stronger than any expected. Fiercely loyal. Hungry to rise.
They no longer trained for approval.
They trained to be the best.
And when the time came to enter the academy, they walked in not as children seeking validation, but as future legends ready to leave their mark.
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Ships established:
Saruto x Ino
Naruto x Hinata
Sasuke x Sakura
Shikamaru x Temari
Kiba x Anna
Neji x Tenten
Rock Lee x Ashley
Shino x Ashley
Their stories were just beginning, but the fire had already been lit.
End of Prologue