On the day of the Third Hokage's funeral, a heavy rain poured down.
Ninjas dressed in black gathered solemnly at the base of the Hokage Rock.
The air was quiet, subdued.
Naruto lifted his head, silently observing the four stone-carved faces above. Then he lowered his gaze to the photograph of Hiruzen Sarutobi on the altar.
"The Third Hokage is gone," Naruto murmured softly. "I think it's time for me to leave Konoha as well."
But in this stillness, even the softest whisper felt magnified, piercing the silence.
All eyes turned towards him, shocked.
Sasuke and Sakura were particularly taken aback, disbelief etched on their faces.
Karin, as though anticipating Naruto's decision, stepped forward resolutely to stand by his side.
"Naruto!" Kakashi called out softly, reaching out a hand to stop him.
Naruto sidestepped him, offering a bright smile. "I've been considering this for a while. It just became clear to me that day."
As if once more, he sensed the ominous shadow of the 'Reaper.'
"There are more important things I must do," Naruto declared, "rather than staying in Konoha and continuing as a ninja."
Some reacted with alarm.
"Are you planning to defect from Konoha?" Kurenai, recently promoted to Jonin, didn't yet know Naruto's true identity.
Those aware of Naruto's identity were even more agitated.
Several ANBU operatives instantly appeared around the rooftop, forming hand seals and concentrating chakra, poised to act.
Further away, unclear chakra signatures loomed.
"Don't phrase it like that," Naruto said to her, his gaze briefly sweeping over the others as he smiled gently. "I was never truly accepted as one of you, so it's not really betrayal."
Kurenai was taken aback.
Sakura shouted, "But things are changing!"
"Naruto, I don't dislike you anymore."
"You've been a great teammate."
"Others are starting to see you differently too."
Naruto shook his head, interrupting her. "Do you know what the Third Hokage wished to tell me before he died?"
Sakura's mouth hung open.
"How would I know," she thought. "I didn't go to watch."
"It's 'sorry'," Naruto answered his own question, then posed another, "But do you know why he said that to me?"
He lifted his head, his gaze falling on the crowd.
Some already knew the answer.
Kakashi lowered his head; Shiranui Genma avoided his eyes; Shikamaru and his father turned their headsaside; and there were numerous other ninjas whom Naruto didn't recognize.
"Sakura, the Third Hokage is here, and so is my dad,"
Naruto turned to face the crowd directly, his back to Hokage Rock, and smiled gently as he raised his hand.
"I'm the Fourth Hokage's son."
The last head, a sculpture on the mountain, slightly bowed, as if looking down at Naruto.
This calm declaration caused the unaware people's pupils to dilate.
Sakura Haruno was in disbelief.
Sasuke leaned his head back.
Kurenai's mouth dropped open.
How could he be the Fourth Hokage's son?
Some people secretly glanced at the child nestled in Iruka's arms.
That was the Hokage's grandson.
Then they looked back at Naruto.
That was the Hokage's son.
The juxtaposition of their childhood experiences formed two opposing lines, one ascending, the other descending.
Those who guiltily averted their eyes found no one stepping forward to refute it.
"Naruto," Jiraiya appeared instantly, his voice somber, "It's Konoha that owes you."
Naruto interrupted him: "'Sorry' has already been said by the Third Hokage."
"Saying it more is tiresome."
"For sacrificing for the village, he can be called a hero."
"But I don't intend to accept this apology."
He grabbed Karin's hand, his chakra surging as it spread through the air.
As Naruto stepped forward, he seemed to tread upon invisible steps in the sky.
The hearts of the gathered ninjas tensed.
Could he climb the sky using only chakra control?
Such overwhelming power was awe-inspiring.
Many ninjas who had yet to fully comprehend Naruto's capabilities were astounded.
Had the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki already grown so formidable?
It had only been a little over three months since his graduation from the ninja academy.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you're a good person. It's been quite enjoyable being around you,"
Naruto said.
"And Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto turned back, glancing at Kakashi with a complex look.
"When I first met you and found out you were my father's student, I was genuinely happy.
I thought I might receive your favor.
But it seemed you preferred Sasuke a bit more."
Kakashi Hatake remained silent, gazing absently at the blond youth ascending the sky.
Naruto placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said with a sigh, "I seem to have suddenly garnered a lot of goodwill from Konoha."
"But"
"The time I needed this goodwill, this care the most, was before I was six."
"Secondly, it was before I graduated from the ninja academy."
"Now, however, I am capable of taking care of myself and others."
"Jiraiya-sensei, Kakashi-sensei,"
"You're both quite decent."
"But you're just a bit late."
"Just like the Third Hokage's apology, it came too late."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, staring silently at the statue of the Fourth Hokage.
"As a Jinchuriki, you've received virtually the best treatment possible," a ninja interjected.
"The Third has been very lenient with you."
Naruto looked at him.
It was an unfamiliar face.
He smiled gently, unabashed by the topic at hand, "There are many people in this world far more unfortunate than I am."
"These past two days, I've met with Gaara."
"As a Jinchuriki, I'm indeed better off than he is. At least, aside from being ostracized, I can attend the ninja academy like a normal child."
"The pain Sasuke endures far exceeds mine."
"Iruka-sensei's misfortunes are no less than mine."
"But—"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Because others bear heavier misfortunes, does that mean I must ignore my own?"
"Isn't that a bit unfair?"
"I just want to let go of misfortune and seek my own happiness."
Jiraiya took a deep breath, shifting his gaze away from the statues, "Naruto, once you leave the village, what do you want to do?"
"If it's just leaving for the sake of leaving—"
"I was a bit lost before, but now I've found my goal." Naruto beamed with a bright and determined smile, "I want to find my mom and dad."
Jiraiya was puzzled.
Find his parents?
Two people who had already passed away?
Suddenly, Naruto turned his head, looking into the distance.
There, disturbed chakra was brewing, ready to erupt.
"Please don't make me take action, okay?"
"Even though I don't quite like it here,"
"this is still the place my mom and dad protected with their lives, their home."
"I don't want to destroy their home."
Silence fell.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense and conflicted.
A ninja stepped forward, it was Shikamaru Nara's father. With a hand seal, he spoke with gravity, "In the name of Shikaku Nara, leader of the Jonin squad, I authorize Uzumaki Naruto to leave the village."
Jiraiya leapt up, summoning a giant toad, blocking the restless chakra behind him, mimicking the same action, "In the name of Jiraiya, the Toad Sage of the legendary Sannin, I support Uzumaki Naruto."
After a moment of silence, Kakashi stood up as well, "In the name of Kakashi Hatake, mentor of Team Seven, I support Uzumaki Naruto."
They couldn't stop Naruto.
He had grown into a mature and powerful ninja.
Rather than let Konoha's image deteriorate further in his heart,
it's better to go with the flow.
Support Naruto and let him leave Konoha to journey.
It would be far better than a conflict with the village's jinchūriki defecting.
Konoha, as it stands now,
couldn't endure another devastation like Orochimaru's, or worse.
Naruto smiled as he turned back, staring straight at the Fourth Hokage's statue.
With a thought, he lifted his hand from the sword hilt and removed the Leaf forehead protector from his left arm, tossing it lightly.
It floated down like a leaf, heading towards Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei, thank you so much."
"Among all the people in Konoha, you're the one I like the most."
"You're a great teacher and an even better person."
"If there were more people like you, that would be wonderful."
"Please take care of this for me."
Iruka reached out, catching the forehead protector absent-mindedly.
He caught not only Naruto's burdened past.
(End of Chapter)