Disclaimer: This story is 100% AI-generated fanfiction based on the Naruto universe. Characters, settings, and lore belong to Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright infringement intended.

The moon hung low over Konoha, casting long shadows across the Academy's training grounds. Twelve-year-old Naruto Uzumaki crouched behind a bush, his bright orange jacket smudged with dirt, breath visible in the chilly night air. His heart hammered against his ribs as he clutched the forbidden scroll to his chest—the Shadow Clone Jutsu, stolen on Mizuki-sensei's whispered promise: "Master this, and everyone will finally acknowledge you."

"Almost there…" he muttered, darting toward the forest's edge.

A voice cut through the dark.

"Naruto!"

Iruka-sensei stood in his path, forehead protector glinting, disappointment etched into his scarred face. "Put the scroll down. Now."

Naruto froze. "B-But Mizuki-sensei said—"

"He lied."

Mizuki stepped from the shadows, his usual smirk twisted into something colder. "Oh, I didn't lie, Iruka. I just told the demon what it needed to hear."

The word struck Naruto like a kunai. Demon.

"You knew, didn't you?" Mizuki's voice dripped mock pity as he circled them. "Why the villagers hate you? Why you've always been alone? You're the Nine-Tails. The monster that killed their families."

Naruto's vision blurred. The scroll slipped from his hands. "Shut up… SHUT UP!"

Iruka lunged at Mizuki, but the traitor was faster. A shuriken lodged in Iruka's shoulder, pinning him to a tree.

"Pathetic," Mizuki sneered, raising a kunai tipped with inky poison. "But don't worry, demon—I'll make this quick."

"I'M NOT A DEMON!"

Naruto's scream tore through the night. Blue chakra erupted around him, wild and untamed, as the scroll's seals glowed at his feet. Without thinking, he formed the ram sign.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A dozen Narutos exploded into being, their fists slamming into Mizuki from all sides. The traitor crashed into a tree, eyes wide with shock.

"Impossible… How?!"

Naruto panted, his clones dissolving into smoke. For the first time, he saw fear in an adult's eyes—because of him. Not hatred. Fear.

Mizuki staggered up, laughter bubbling hysterically. "You think this changes anything? You'll always be a monster—"

The poisoned kunai flashed in his hand.

Naruto didn't see the throw—only the glint of steel as it hurtled toward his heart.

Cliffhanger: The kunai struck true. Naruto's world exploded into golden light.