Even as a kind-hearted child, Naruto Uzumaki had endured a series of painful events.
No matter how pure and gentle his nature, he harbored resentment toward those who despised him.
He was willing to strive and sacrifice for those he loved, to grow stronger for them.
"Protect everyone…"
Naruto murmured, his voice tinged with hesitation.
A flicker of conflict crossed his eyes. Protecting those who hated him—wouldn't that be unfair to those he loved and who loved him?
[A Hokage's duty is to protect the village.]
[I'm just fulfilling a Hokage's role. Those people aren't as important as Sis Izumi!]
Such early defiance wasn't true blackening; it was a child's stubborn impulse.
Chu Ran's influence was critical, reinforcing Naruto's belief that those who cared for him mattered most.
As for others, they were merely part of a Hokage's duty.
Protecting the village was an obvious responsibility for a Hokage.
"Yeah, I know, Sis Izumi."
"I'll work hard to get stronger, to protect you and everyone."
When mentioning others beyond Izumi, Naruto's gaze wavered.
Though blind, Izumi sensed his reluctance, the unspoken resistance in his heart.
...
A month passed quickly.
Uchiha Izumi had been discharged early and, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangements, moved into Naruto Uzumaki's home.
The Uchiha compound was now a desolate, abandoned street.
During that month, Izumi occasionally faced questioning from the Leaf's interrogation division.
But over time, the interrogators stopped coming.
Life settled into a calm routine. The Ninja Academy resumed, and Naruto returned to school.
Izumi, her eyes lost, retired from her ninja life.
Her former lively, boisterous nature gave way to quiet serenity.
At school, Naruto grew more reserved.
He threw himself into ninja training with newfound diligence.
But Naruto wasn't alone in his intensity. Another was even colder, more silent, more relentless: Sasuke Uchiha.
Before the massacre, Sasuke occasionally spoke with classmates.
Now, he was withdrawn, his sharp gaze unnatural for his age.
Several times, Naruto spotted Sasuke training rigorously in the back hills.
A year later, Naruto was nine.
His blackening progress hadn't increased, but the Anbu monitoring him dwindled.
Izumi adapted somewhat to her blindness, occasionally venturing out.
Once, passing the Hokage's office, Naruto saw Izumi there.
She claimed it was to discuss the massacre, and Naruto didn't dwell on it.
But Chu Ran noted it.
Two years later, Naruto was ten.
Two years remained until Ninja Academy graduation.
During this time, Naruto and Sasuke's skills surged.
One driven by vengeance, honing his strength relentlessly.
The other sought to protect his loved ones. They clashed several times over two years.
Each time, Naruto lost, whether in taijutsu or shuriken techniques.
Unconvinced, he earned the nickname "eternal second place" among peers.
Yet, their rivalry forged a bond through each encounter.
Three years later, Naruto was eleven, no longer the child he once was.
Unlike the original Naruto story, he rose early daily.
He jogged through the village, then practiced shuriken techniques.
His mastery of the Three Basic Techniques was flawless, ensuring no risk of failing to graduate.
Over these years, Naruto gained some friends at school.
Among the original Twelve Genin, Kiba Inuzuka, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara formed bonds with him.
But these were merely casual friendships, nothing deeper.
Today, Naruto bid them farewell with a smile and headed to the school gates.
There, he saw Uchiha Izumi, leaning on a cane, waiting for him.
Beside her stood Hinata Hyuga.
"Sis Izumi, why'd you come today?"
"Hinata, too? What were you talking about?"
Naruto jogged over, gently taking Izumi's arm and speaking softly.
Hinata's face flushed crimson upon seeing Naruto.
She lowered her head, mumbling incoherently.
"I got bored at home and wanted to get out. It happened to be your dismissal time."
"Thankfully, Hinata kept me company and chatted while we waited."
Izumi smiled, patting Naruto's hand and pulling Hinata closer.
Though blind, her hearing had sharpened.
She clearly noticed Hinata's heartbeat quicken when Naruto approached.
Izumi reached out, touching Hinata's cheek.
"Hinata, you need to be more confident."
"You and Naruto are both such good kids."
Izumi knew Hinata had feelings for her "little brother."
She'd always known, but now her heart felt clearer, unburdened.
"Um… Sis Izumi…"
Hinata froze, lifting her flushed face to Izumi.
Despite the bandages covering Izumi's eyes, her smile was reassuring.
Hinata's racing heart calmed under Izumi's gentle voice.
"Hinata, thank you."
"Come to our place for dinner sometime. I've learned a lot of recipes."
"They might not be as good as yours, but they're decent."
Naruto was glad someone was keeping Izumi company.
Since losing her eyes, Izumi had lost her former vibrancy.