"I'm not a demon fox!"
In the middle of the crowd stood a little boy, barely over three years old, with bright blond hair. He wore a simple black shirt, and on his outer jacket was the spiral emblem of the Uzumaki clan. There was nothing particularly special about him.
Yet—
the hostility surrounding him was overwhelming.
"The whole village knows what you are. What's the point of denying it now?"
"Do you know how many people died in the disaster three years ago?"
"My parents were killed because of you—give them back!"
"Damn demon fox, get out of the village!"
"Get out!"
Faced with the villagers' hatred—as if they wanted to tear him apart—Naruto's eyes turned red with grievance.
He wanted to cry.
But his stubborn nature forced him to hold it in.
He refused to be looked down upon.
He didn't understand.
He was clearly part of the village.
So why—
was he called a demon fox?
The more he thought about it, the more wronged he felt.
"Go die, you monster!"
A villager suddenly roared and hurled an egg straight at Naruto's head. If it hit, it would definitely leave a painful welt.
Startled, Naruto shut his eyes tightly. His small body trembled uncontrollably.
And at that moment—
Kai moved.
With a light step, he flashed forward, instantly appearing in front of Naruto. His hand rose casually and caught the incoming egg with perfect precision.
He glanced at it.
Just as he was about to throw it back, he noticed what it was.
Without changing expression, he quietly slipped it into his bag.
Then his voice turned cold.
"You're attacking a child?"
"Have you no shame?"
"He's not human—he's a demon fox! A monster!" the young man shouted back, though his confidence wavered slightly upon seeing Kai's cold gaze—and the Uchiha crest on his clothes.
Hearing the words "demon fox," Kai immediately understood the situation.
Nothing new.
Just the villagers bullying Naruto again.
Everyone knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
But no one knew—
he was the orphaned son of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina, who had died protecting the village.
Naruto's childhood had no family.
No friends.
Utterly alone.
Hiruzen only ensured his basic survival, but neglected his emotional needs.
So his childhood was still miserable.
The son of heroes—reduced to this.
Ridiculous.
Tragic.
As for why Kai intervened—
it was simple.
Among all characters, Naruto was one of the few he truly admired.
And seeing a three-year-old child—called a "monster" everywhere he went, rejected and hated—was something Kai couldn't ignore.
Yes—
he was Uchiha.
And getting close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki was risky.
But making Konoha's higher-ups uncomfortable?
That sounded just fine.
After a brief thought, he chose to act.
He looked up toward the Hokage Rock—at the face of Minato Namikaze—and thought quietly:
"So this is the village… you and Kushina gave your lives to protect."
"And this is how they treat your child…"
Naruto looked at the boy standing in front of him—the one who stood between him and the crowd.
For the first time—
he felt… protected.
He hadn't cried when being cursed.
But now—
his eyes grew moist.
Still, he lifted his head proudly, refusing to let the tears fall.
Stubborn to the end.
"Let's go."
There was no point arguing.
Kai took Naruto's small hand and walked away.
The villagers, seeing the Uchiha, didn't dare stop them.
…
After reaching a quieter place, Kai smiled.
"What's your name?"
Though he already knew, he asked anyway.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I'm going to become Hokage someday!"
Naruto gave a thumbs-up, grinning brightly.
Kai paused slightly.
Why did this feel familiar…
Ah.
Just like Sarutobi Daiki.
Another "future Hokage."
"I'm Uchiha Kai."
"You can call me Big Brother Kai."
He ruffled Naruto's hair gently.
"Wow! You're from the Uchiha clan? I heard you guys have lots of amazing ninja!"
Naruto's eyes lit up with admiration.
Kai raised a finger to his lips.
"Shh… keep it low-key."
Naruto quickly covered his mouth.
Then Kai asked, "Have you eaten?"
"I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen."
Even though he'd just had barbecue, his Asura's Chakra digested food quickly.
Another bowl was no problem.
And Naruto clearly needed cheering up.
"Ichiraku Ramen!? The best ramen in the village!?"
Naruto's eyes sparkled. He practically started drooling.
"Let's go!"
"Alright."
…
Soon, they arrived.
"One tonkotsu ramen."
"One special chashu ramen."
"Coming right up!"
The owner served them quickly.
"I'm eating now!"
Naruto clasped his hands.
Ten minutes later, both bowls were empty.
"That was the best thing I've ever eaten… I'm so full…"
Naruto burped, satisfied.
"Agreed."
Kai exhaled lightly.
Not bad—barbecue followed by ramen.
"500 ryō total. Who's paying?"
The owner smiled.
Naruto looked at Kai expectantly.
Kai returned the look:
Wasn't this your treat?
They stared at each other.
Silence.
Finally—
Naruto lost.
Under the owner's gaze, he reluctantly pulled out his frog wallet and paid.
…
Outside, Naruto puffed his cheeks.
"Big Brother Kai! Didn't you say you'd treat me!?"
Looking at his now-empty wallet, he felt wronged.
Kai blinked innocently.
"When did I say that?"
Naruto froze.
Wait…
He only said "let's go eat."
Not "I'll treat."
…
First lesson of society:
People are complicated.
"Don't be mad. I'll treat you next time."
Kai patted his shoulder with a grin.
"You promise!"
"Of course."
Still smiling.
…
After escorting Naruto back to his apartment, Kai turned to leave.
Then—
a voice stopped him.
"Stop right there."
From the shadows, a tall figure stepped out.
Silver hair.
Animal mask.
His gaze—
locked onto Kai.
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