Chakra rippled through the classroom, silencing everyone as if a sudden storm had swept through. The tension in the air was palpable.
Sakura was the first to break the silence, her voice clear and pointed. "Who would like him? All he does is cause trouble, and he's not even handsome!"
Other children joined in, their voices echoing her sentiment.
"My parents told me to stay away from Naruto Uzumaki," one child said.
"He's a demon fox," another muttered. "The monster that almost destroyed the village."
"And he's the deadlast," someone added, their tone dripping with disdain.
Amid the chorus of voices, a barely audible whisper came from Hinata. "I... I like Naruto-san very much..." Her words were so soft that only Uzumaki Chito's heightened senses caught them.
Seated at his desk, Naruto stiffened. He had always assumed his unpopularity stemmed from his poor grades or the fact that he was an orphan. But now, hearing their words, the truth hit him like a physical blow. They avoided him not because of who he was, but because of who they thought he was—the embodiment of the demon fox that had attacked the village.
His fists clenched tightly under the desk, his emotions swirling in a chaotic storm of hurt, confusion, and anger.
Hiruzen's expression was grim, his heart heavy with guilt. The very scenario he had hoped to avoid was unfolding before him.
Uzumaki Chito's lips curved into a sneer. With a snap of his fingers, the chatter ceased abruptly. The classroom fell into an unnatural silence as the children instinctively covered their mouths, their wide-eyed gazes betraying their shock and confusion. They hadn't meant to say those things out loud. Why had they spoken so freely?
Chito turned his cold gaze to Hiruzen, his voice a quiet storm. "Hiruzen, explain this to me. 'Demon fox'? 'Monster'? Why is the son of Kushina and Minato—the son of Konoha's Fourth Hokage—being called such things?"
The room grew even colder, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone. The children's eyes darted toward Naruto in disbelief.
Son of the Fourth Hokage? The boy they had shunned and ridiculed was the child of the hero they revered?
Shikamaru's usually lazy expression sharpened, a look of realization crossing his face. The pieces clicked together for him, though he remained silent.
Hiruzen stammered, his voice shaky. "I... I didn't want Naruto to grow up basking in adoration. It could have made him... arrogant."
His justification faltered under the weight of Chito's piercing stare. The excuse, weak as it was, sounded hollow even to Hiruzen's own ears. He knew better than to think it would convince someone like Chito, who had lived for over a century and seen through countless deceptions.
Chito snorted, his contempt evident. Just as he was about to press further, Naruto interrupted, his voice trembling. "Grandpa Hokage... is it true? Am I really the son of the Fourth Hokage?"
Hiruzen hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yes, Naruto... it's true."
The confirmation hit Naruto like a tidal wave. Tears welled up in his eyes as years of pain and confusion erupted all at once. "Why didn't you tell me?" he cried. "All these years, I didn't even know who my parents were! If I'd known, maybe I wouldn't have been bullied. Maybe I could've been treated like a normal kid. Instead, everyone in the village sees me as a monster! Why? Why did you hide this from me?"
Hiruzen looked down, unable to meet the boy's eyes. The truth—the political games and the harsh realities of protecting the Jinchuriki—was not something he could explain to a child. And certainly not in front of Chito.
Chito placed a comforting hand on Naruto's head, his tone softening. "Cry, Naruto. Let it out. You've held it in for too long."
As Naruto's sobs subsided, Chito's voice grew resolute. "Naruto, tell me. Do you still wish to stay in this village? If you don't, I'll take you away—to your mother's homeland. What do you think?"
Naruto's tear-filled eyes widened. "My mother's homeland?"
The idea sparked something in him—a glimmer of hope and excitement. For the first time, he saw a path away from the pain he had endured. The dream of becoming Hokage suddenly seemed far less appealing. He hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. "Okay, Grandpa. I don't want to stay in Konoha anymore."
Chito smiled gently. "Very well. I'll take you away from here."
"Chito-sama, please reconsider!" Hiruzen's voice was desperate. "Naruto can't leave Konoha. He's... special. He's what Minato wanted to protect."
Chito's expression darkened, his gaze like ice. "And how does this treatment of Naruto honor Minato's wishes?" His tone grew colder with every word. "You let him suffer, ostracized and unloved, in the very village his parents gave their lives to protect."
Hiruzen's voice trembled as he replied, "Chito-sama, if you take Naruto away, don't blame us for acting against you."
Chito's laugh was low and dismissive. "What I choose to do, no one can stop. If Hashirama were alive, perhaps Konoha would have the strength to challenge me. But you?" His eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Are you even worthy?"
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