The Outcast Boy

Konoha, Year 52.

The bustling, prosperous streets of Konoha were filled with people coming and going.

The Nine-Tails Rebellion four years ago had brought heavy losses to Konoha.

Countless ninja had died, and many families had lost parents and children as a result.

Even the Fourth Hokage, a top-tier powerhouse who had achieved great merit on the battlefield, had died sealing the Nine-Tails.

For the Konoha Villagers, that night was a night of disaster.

Four years had passed, and the village had regained its vitality and life.

But the pain of the past had not faded; instead, it lay hidden in everyone's hearts, like a time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

They hated the Nine-Tails Fox Demon, wishing they could tear it apart and devour it.

Just then, the Nine-Tails Fox Demon in their eyes, Naruto Uzumaki, walked into the street.

He wore neat white robes, carried himself with elegant confidence, and had a gentle smile on his face, like a refined young adult.

Such demeanor and appearance would be praised anywhere, but he was inexplicably disliked by the villagers.

Most villagers' faces stiffened, a flicker of disgust in their eyes, and they turned their heads away.

A small minority of villagers muttered curses: "Damn Nine-Tails Fox Demon."

"Why isn't this monster dead yet?"

"It's that monster. My son died because of him. I don't understand why Lord Hokage doesn't execute him."

"Such unnecessary mercy is sickening."

"Hush, you dare question the Hokage's actions? He must have had his reasons for making such a decision."

Besides them, a very small number of people would nod slightly at the small figure. Although their faces lacked much kindness, they at least showed no malice.

Naruto Uzumaki arrived at a familiar vegetable stall and asked softly:

"Excuse me for bothering you, Aunt Tanaka, I'd like to buy some vegetables."

Unlike the villagers whose families were broken by the Nine-Tails Rebellion, Aunt Tanaka had only moved to Konoha a year ago, so she couldn't fully empathize with the villagers' pain.

She had a deep impression of Naruto Uzumaki; he was a polite child.

Although only four years old, he possessed the maturity of an adult.

Aunt Tanaka vaguely remembered the first time she saw Naruto.

At that time, villagers were throwing rotten eggs and various spoiled vegetables at Naruto Uzumaki. The small boy didn't dodge or evade, letting the egg yolk burst on him, yet he maintained a gentle smile, bowing repeatedly and apologizing:

"I'm sorry for the great pain the Nine-Tails caused you in the past. I'm sorry, but I am Naruto Uzumaki now, I am not the Nine-Tails Fox Demon."

Repeating these words, under the endless malice, the small figure was so helpless, yet he still maintained his politeness.

The malice of life had thrust a child who should have had a childhood into a cruel reality.

Vicious words tempered his will.

Causing him to grow into a "young adult."

Aunt Tanaka had heard before that Konoha was the most prosperous and humane village among all ninja villages.

But everything she saw was far from her perception.

A three-year-old child kept bowing and apologizing.

So humble it was heartbreaking.

The surrounding villagers all revealed their ugly faces.

They attacked the child with vicious words they never thought they possessed.

This scene was deeply etched in Aunt Tanaka's mind.

From then on, she would secretly look out for Naruto Uzumaki.

"Here, take it," she stuffed a bag of vegetables into Naruto's arms.

"Thank you, sorry for bothering you," Naruto Uzumaki took the bag, thanked Aunt Tanaka, and then unhurriedly crossed the street, disappearing from everyone's sight.

As Naruto Uzumaki left, the street returned to its usual laughter.

He crossed the street and returned to his humble abode.

At the age of three, Naruto could no longer stand the nanny's subtle actions. After discussing with the Third Hokage, he moved into a new home to live alone.

The new home was not large, with only a bed, a table, and a simple stove.

But it already met all of Naruto's needs for life.

He opened the bag; besides fresh vegetables, there were also a few eggs.

He believed Aunt Tanaka had already prepared the bag, waiting for him to arrive.

In this indifferent village, this kindness felt exceptionally precious.

A gentle curve formed on Naruto's lips. He got up and went to the stove, holding a kitchen knife and elegantly performing a beautiful flourish.

Chopping vegetables, heating oil in the pan, stir-frying – the entire process was executed flawlessly, smooth as flowing water.

The greatest difference between a wise person and a barbarian is the former's elegant and confident demeanor, unlike barbarians who only bark wildly.

The simple stir-fried greens and fried eggs were quickly finished.

Naruto sat at the table, quietly enjoying his dinner.

The villagers' disgust and rejection would not affect his mood.

He would maintain his polite persona until all the villagers accepted him.

As Naruto enjoyed his dinner, his thoughts drifted further and further away.

He vaguely recalled the past.

Whenever he went out, these villagers would attack him with the most venomous words.

Back then, he would flee helplessly, filled with fear.

His heart was filled with confusion.

He clearly hadn't done anything, so why did everyone hate him?

Thus, he began his foolish pranks.

He tried to attract everyone's attention through sensationalist means.

He never expected that this approach would make the villagers hate him even more.

Even those who had previously only regarded him with cold stares began to verbally abuse him.

During that period, he fell into despair, and time felt like it dragged on forever.

Until...

He met Mr. Aizen.

That gentle, refined man who always maintained his composure.

It was he who told him:

Be a wise person who controls the overall situation, who controls his own destiny.

The strong never humbly beg for others' attention.

From then on, he began to imitate Aizen, trying to become gentle and elegant.

He spent all his living expenses to order the same model of white robe, even eating instant noodles for several months because of it.

He would greet anyone politely, and even if they responded with curses, he would still maintain his smile.

He learned to hide his emotions.

Now, although the villagers' attitudes were still unfriendly, at least some people had a significant change of heart towards him.

Life had made him mature, and malice had made him see reality clearly.

Konohagakure, the so-called Will of Fire, was not open to him.

He was just a Nine-Tails Fox Demon.

Thinking of this, a mocking curve immediately appeared on Naruto's lips.

Konoha's scope was too small.

He should reach a higher level, just like Mr. Aizen.

Naruto finished the last bite of greens and stood up, his eyes sharp and unfriendly for a moment.

But this look flashed by, and the next second he returned to his usual gentle demeanor.

He flashed a perfect, flawless smile at the mirror.

He muttered to himself:

"My smile is perfect now; I must maintain it well."