Chapter 15: Confusion
With the night settling and the moon hanging high in the sky, Naruto sat in front of the window, holding his chin with one hand. His eyes were lost in thought as he gazed at the still dusty pictures. In the photographs, a fair-skinned woman with shoulder-length strands of red hair and violet eyes gently held her seemingly pregnant belly. Beside her stood a man with jaw-length bangs of familiar blond hair and sky-blue eyes—the same eyes Naruto always saw in his own reflection and in his uncle.
He had asked his uncle, right after moving to their new home, about his parents. Mirai had shown him their still-kept relics, and Naruto had pestered him about every memory of them. Mirai had shared stories, painting vivid pictures of them, and he took great pride in his father being the Fourth Hokage and the hero of the village, and his mother being the strong woman who supported his father with her fierce spirit and heart full of love.
But soon his eyes dimmed as he recalled the whispers and discussions of the villagers when he was returning from his meeting with Sasuke at the park. He heard how he was the demon fox who killed the Fourth Hokage, and now with his own parents' identities being revealed to him, he felt more confused. How could he have killed his own father? Why did the villagers hate and fear him so much?
The confusion and sadness weighed heavily on his young heart. He had always tried to understand why the villagers looked at him with such disdain, but now, knowing that his father was the beloved Fourth Hokage, it made even less sense.
Naruto clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The memories of cold glares and harsh whispers echoed in his mind. "Why?" He muttered to himself. "Why do they hate me if my dad was the Fourth Hokage?"
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the door being pushed open. Mirai entered calmly, announcing his arrival. "Naruto, I'm home."
Naruto's eyes brightened for a moment, a flicker of happiness crossing his face, but then his expression turned downcast again.
Mirai noticed the change immediately. "Naruto, what's with the long face?" He asked gently, walking over to him.
Naruto looked up, his blue eyes filled with a mix of confusion and sadness. "Uncle Mirai!" He began, his voice trembling. "Why do the villagers hate me? They say I'm the demon fox that killed my parents. How can they think that?"
Mirai sighed deeply, pulling up a chair to sit next to Naruto. He knew this conversation was inevitable, but it was never easy. "Naruto, it's a complicated and painful story." He said, his tone serious but comforting. "The villagers see the Nine-Tails as a symbol of destruction and loss. They don't see you, the person who carries that burden."
Naruto's voice quivered with emotion. "But why? Why did it have to be me? Why did my parents have to die?"
Mirai's heart ached for his nephew. "Your parents made a very difficult choice, Naruto. They believed in you and wanted to protect the village. They knew that you had the strength to bear the Nine-Tails and to one day turn that burden into something positive."
Naruto wiped away a tear that had escaped down his cheek. "I want to make them proud, uncle Mirai. But it's so hard when everyone looks at me like I'm a monster."
Mirai put a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You are not a monster, Naruto. You are a brave and strong young man. Your parents's love and hope live on in you. And one day, you will show everyone your true strength."
Naruto nodded, determination slowly replacing the sadness in his eyes. "I'll do it. I'll show them all that I'm more. I'll become someone they can respect."
Mirai noticing the change, smiled and ruffled Naruto's spiky hair gently. "Alright, enough talking. I'll start dinner. Just wait patiently." He said, leaving Naruto by the window and heading to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Mirai moved with practiced efficiency. He infused the iron knives with his chakra, controlling them telekinetically, seamlessly assisting in the meal preparation. Vegetables were chopped, meat was sliced, and ingredients were expertly combined, all orchestrated with a blend of skill and his unique abilities.
The delicious aroma soon began to fill the house. With dinner prepared, Mirai set the table and called Naruto over. "Come on, let's eat." He said with a warm smile.
…
Soon, Naruto finished eating and decided to go to his room to rest. He was tired from his play with Sasuke and the emotional turmoil of the day. "Goodnight, Uncle Mirai." He said softly before heading to his room.
"Goodnight, Naruto." Mirai replied with a gentle smile.
Once Naruto was out of sight, Mirai quickly and efficiently cleaned the dishes. The rhythmic clinking of plates and running water filled the kitchen, a calming routine for him, a contrast to the restless events of the day. When he finished, he dried his hands, glanced around the now-quiet house, and then made his way to the yard.
The night was cool, and the moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the courtyard. Mirai looked up at a tree that had a clear view over the courtyard and called out softly. "Kakashi."
A figure dropped silently from the tree, landing with the grace and stealth of a seasoned ninja. Kakashi Hatake, his fox mask covering his face, leaving his eye-catching silver hair, looked at Mirai with his one dark brown eye and his other Sharingan. "Mirai-san." He acknowledge
Kakashi had been ordered by the Third Hokage to trail and protect Naruto, a task he took seriously despite the hidden tensions.
Mirai, aware of all the surveillance put on him and Naruto, had chosen to ignore them for the most part. However, tonight was different. He asked. "Why did Naruto come home hurt and confused earlier?"
After hearing the question, Kakashi's visible eyes took on a complicated expression. He hesitated for a moment before responding. "As you know, there are rumors circulating about Naruto, Mirai-san. The villagers… they still isolate him and see him as the demon fox, the symbol of death and destruction that attacked the village. Some of them don't hold back their words, even around children."
Mirai's eyes darkened, his expression hardening. "So, they told him he was the Nine-Tails? That he killed his own parents?"
Kakashi nodded slightly. "He overheard them talking. They didn't mean for him to hear, but he did."
Mirai's expression darkened with anger. "And you didn't intervene?"
Kakashi sighed, his tone measured. "I did what I could without drawing too much attention. The villagers's hatred isn't something I can erase with a few words. Naruto needs to learn the truth, but he needs to be strong enough to handle it."
Mirai clenched his fists. "Naruto is strong, but he's still a child. He shouldn't have to bear the weight of this hatred."
He looked away, his eyes flickering with emotion. "I wanted to protect him from this world, at least until he's ready."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "I understand. But keeping him in the dark will only make things worse. He needs to know who he is and why people react to him the way they do."
Mirai's eyes softened slightly, though his voice retained its edge. "I will change the villagers's perspective of Naruto. He deserves to be seen for who he is, not as the demon they fear."
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