The sun rose over Konoha, casting warm light across the village streets as its inhabitants bustled with the energy of a new day. To the villagers, it was just another morning, filled with the usual chores, greetings, and laughter shared between families. But for Naruto Uzumaki, it was a morning like every other—a day spent in the shadow of others.
Naruto, now seven years old, sat on the rooftop of his family's home, his legs dangling over the edge as he stared at the distant horizon. His messy blond hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, but his bright blue eyes, once full of mischief and wonder, were dull with loneliness. Below him, in the courtyard, his parents, Minato and Kushina, were busy training his siblings. He could hear their voices, the praise in his father's tone, the encouragement in his mother's laughter. They were training Naruko and Menma again. Always Naruko and Menma.
Naruto pulled his knees to his chest and rested his chin on them, trying to block out the sound. It didn't matter how many times he listened, the sharp sting in his chest never dulled. His mother's soft, gentle voice called out to Naruko—"You're doing great, sweetie, just keep pushing!"—while his father's instructions to Menma were delivered with pride and expectation. Naruto could almost imagine their faces as they watched his siblings, full of admiration and hope for the future.
He wasn't part of that future.
The villagers had made sure he knew that.
Naruko and Menma were heroes, both revered for their power and potential. The chakra of the Nine-Tails had been split between them, turning them into living legends even at their young age. They were hailed as the saviors of Konoha, groomed for greatness. Menma, the eldest, was already being spoken of as a future Hokage. He was strong, skilled, and carried the weight of the village's expectations with ease. Naruko, always by his side, was just as celebrated—clever, quick, and filled with a burning desire to prove herself.
And Naruto? Naruto was the one who carried the spirit of the Nine-Tails. Not its power, but its malevolent presence. The villagers whispered behind his back, pointing at him as if he were the monster himself. When he walked through the streets, people moved aside, casting nervous glances his way. Some even outright ignored his presence, treating him like he was invisible. Those who didn't avoid him openly sneered, their eyes filled with disdain.
It was a strange existence, to be both Uzumaki and nothing at all.
Naruto was used to it by now, or at least that's what he told himself. His parents, Minato and Kushina, had once tried to love him, to include him in their lives, but as the years passed, it became easier for them to forget about him. It wasn't intentional, not at first. They had tried to balance their attention between their three children, but the weight of the village's expectations on Naruko and Menma had consumed them. Training sessions with his siblings grew longer, dinners became quieter, and Naruto's questions were answered with distracted hums or hurried glances. Slowly, his presence faded from their minds, until one day, it was as if he wasn't there at all.
The door below slid open, and Naruto watched as Naruko and Menma sprinted out, laughing and racing each other. Naruko, with her fiery red hair tied up in a ponytail, giggled as Menma playfully tugged on it to slow her down. The two siblings were inseparable, best friends, partners in everything.
"Hey, wait for me!" Naruto wanted to shout, but the words stuck in his throat. He knew they wouldn't hear him, even if he did. They were always too busy, too focused on their own worlds to notice him anymore. Instead, he swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a small smile, watching as they disappeared around the corner.
Naruto stayed on the roof a little longer, letting the stillness settle around him. Eventually, his stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the night before. His parents usually forgot to set out breakfast for him, caught up in training Naruko and Menma. Sometimes he found leftovers in the kitchen, sometimes not. Today, he decided, he'd try his luck at Ichiraku's.
Sliding off the roof, Naruto landed on the ground with a quiet thud. He brushed the dust off his tattered clothes and made his way through the streets. The village was alive with activity, but it felt like a different world to him—one he wasn't part of. As he walked, he could feel the eyes of the villagers on him. Some looked at him with fear, others with cold indifference. He could hear the whispers, the muttered curses under their breath.
"There goes the demon brat..."
"Why do they even let him walk around?"
"He's not like the other two... not like Menma or Naruko..."
Naruto clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he kept walking, head down. He tried to ignore them, but it was impossible. Every step felt heavier, every word like a stone thrown at him. He wanted to shout, to tell them he wasn't the monster they thought he was, but deep down, he wasn't sure they were wrong.
By the time he reached Ichiraku Ramen, he was exhausted, not from the walk, but from the weight of it all. Teuchi, the owner, greeted him with a warm smile, one of the few people in the village who didn't treat him like a pariah.
"Hey, Naruto! Usual?" Teuchi asked, his voice kind.Naruto nodded silently, slipping onto a stool at the counter. "Yeah... the usual."As Teuchi prepared the ramen, Naruto allowed himself a moment of peace. The warmth of the shop, the familiar smells, and Teuchi's fatherly presence made this small corner of the village feel like a sanctuary. Here, at least, he wasn't hated. He wasn't feared.When the steaming bowl of ramen was placed in front of him, Naruto smiled faintly. "Thanks, old man," he muttered, picking up his chopsticks.Teuchi leaned on the counter, watching Naruto eat. "You holding up okay, kid? Haven't seen you in a couple of days."Naruto shrugged, keeping his eyes on the bowl. "Yeah, just... busy, I guess."Teuchi didn't push, but there was understanding in his gaze. "Well, if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."Naruto nodded, grateful for the offer, but he didn't say anything more. He didn't want to burden Teuchi with his problems. Besides, what was the point? He was used to being alone. This was his life, and he had learned to endure it.But as he sat there, eating his ramen in silence, a small part of him couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if things were different. If he had his parents' love, like Naruko and Menma. If the village saw him the way they saw his siblings. If, just once, someone looked at him and didn't see a monster.