Naruto's Shock, The Nine-Tails Isn't a Monster!

In Konohagakure, Uzumaki Naruto was never valued.

People called him "monster," "Jinchuriki," "fiend." He had grown accustomed to those harsh voices and the disgusted looks.

But today, that handsome older brother with the goggles gently called him, "Little kid."

At that moment, Naruto almost thought he'd misheard. He tugged at his ragged clothes, his heart uneasy, "Are you talking to me? This... big brother?"

Teuchi and his daughter were taken aback, clearly surprised by the words. They knew Uzumaki Naruto to some extent.

Normally, Naruto was mischievous, rude, loud, and undisciplined, often causing headaches.

Although they didn't dislike Naruto, they didn't entirely approve of some of his attention-seeking behavior.

But now, he was using a respectful term like "you."

This child, ostracized since childhood, spoke to someone with respect and shyness for the first time.

In truth, Naruto's rebelliousness and loudness were just a facade. Whenever people called him "monster" or "brat," he would put on a tough act, using backtalk and mischief to hide his inner vulnerability and loneliness.

In Konohagakure, almost no one truly saw him as a child. Even though he was only seven years old.

"Big brother is a Jonin, Naruto, you can't call him that," Ayame gently reminded him.

"Jonin, what did you just say?" Naruto asked, a little embarrassed.

"I said, I ordered a super-sized ramen with a lot of Narutomaki on top, and I can't finish it," Uchiha Rei said with a smile. "I wonder if this little kid would be willing to share some with me?"

"Actually, I don't particularly like Narutomaki either..." Naruto scratched his head, his eyes fixed on the steaming bowl of ramen. "But since it's big brother's request, I'll reluctantly agree!"

Though his words were tough, the light in his eyes couldn't be hidden. He looked at the luxurious ramen, piled high with Chashu, Soft-boiled Egg, Narutomaki, Bamboo Shoots, and Seaweed, its aroma filling the air. He was practically drooling.

"Sister Ayame, why have I never seen big brother's ramen before?" Naruto quietly asked Ayame.

"That's the 'Adult's Special Ramen.' You can only eat it when you grow up," she explained with a slight blush and a smile.

Naruto grinned and cheerfully picked a Narutomaki from Uchiha Rei's bowl into his own. He didn't forget to politely ask, "Big brother, do you like Bamboo Shoots? Teacher says we should learn to share good things."

"I do," Uchiha Rei replied with a gentle smile.

So, Naruto then transferred some Bamboo Shoots from his own bowl over.

After a while, he finally couldn't hold back any longer. He picked up the bowl of noodles, which was almost half his size, and carefully began to eat.

But today, he didn't bury his face in the bowl like usual, devouring it like a typhoon. Instead, he ate slowly, chewing each bite thoughtfully.

Teuchi and his daughter exchanged glances again, their eyes filled with surprise.

This kid never ate noodles like this before. Was he... trying to make a good impression on Uchiha Rei?

Uchiha Rei didn't rush, quietly accompanying Naruto as he ate his noodles. He moved gracefully and spoke gently.

Gradually, as Naruto ate, he secretly glanced at Rei, an emotion he'd never felt before hidden in his eyes.

"Is there something on my face?" Uchiha Rei smiled and turned his head to look at him.

"N-no..." Naruto quickly lowered his head, his voice softening. "I just feel... Big brother, you're really warm. No one has ever treated me like this..."

Uchiha Rei paused for a moment, then softly asked, "What's your name?"

Naruto hesitated, then shook his head. He was afraid. Once people knew his name, knew his identity, they would distance themselves from him and hate him, just like everyone else.

Uchiha Rei lowered his head and thought for a moment, then asked again, "Do Teuchi and Ayame know your name?"

Naruto nodded.

"Then that's enough," he said softly. "A name is just a bridge for people to connect. True understanding comes from spending time together."

He paused, looking into Naruto's eyes, and said, "I think you're a very good, sensible child. You're polite and know how to be grateful. Your name won't change my opinion of you."

Naruto took a breath, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto."

"I know. You're the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Here it comes..." Naruto's eyes dimmed, and his head slowly drooped.

"He's like everyone else... afraid of me, hates me..."

But the next sentence struck the softest part of his heart, like sunlight piercing through heavy clouds.

"A Jinchuriki is the most sacred existence in the village, our Konoha's final protective barrier."

"You mean, I'm... sacred?" Naruto's head shot up.

Uchiha Rei nodded gently. "Do you know the origin of a Jinchuriki?"

Naruto shook his head, his eyes filled with confusion. "No one ever told me..."

Teuchi and his daughter beside them were also piqued with curiosity and listened quietly.

"Simply put, a Jinchuriki is a ninja who has sealed a Tailed Beast within their body. There are nine Tailed Beasts in total, from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails, each possessing the power to destroy a country."

"The Tailed Beasts you're talking about... is that the thing sealed inside me?" Naruto asked softly.

Uchiha Rei nodded. "That's right. You have the most powerful Nine-Tails sealed within you. To become a Jinchuriki, one must have extremely strong physical qualities and the trust of the village."

"You come from the Uzumaki Clan, with incredibly resilient vitality and a vast amount of Chakra. You are naturally the most suitable candidate to be a Jinchuriki. The village chose you because you can withstand the Nine-Tails' power."

"So... I'm not a monster?" Naruto's voice trembled slightly. He had never heard these words before; no one had ever told him this.

Teuchi and his daughter were shocked. No one had ever said what Uchiha Rei said before. Everyone thought the Nine-Tails was a monster.

"Of course not. You are the guardian of the Land of Fire, the last barrier of Konoha. Only those most trusted by the village would undertake such an important responsibility."

"Are there others like me?"

"Yes." Uchiha Rei nodded. "The First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, was also a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Other villages have them too, like Gaara of Sunagakure, who is the son of the Fourth Kazekage; and Killer B of Kumogakure, who is the sworn brother of the Fourth Raikage."

"They are like you, the most trusted beings in their villages. Precisely because the power of the Tailed Beasts can deter other nations, more wars can be avoided. Therefore, you are a sacred power that exists for peace."

Naruto's eyes lit up. He excitedly stood up, his voice even changing pitch. "I'm not a monster! I'm sacred!"

"Mhm." Uchiha Rei chuckled lightly. "Perhaps in the future, I will have to rely on you to protect me."

"I will definitely do it!" Naruto nodded vigorously, an unprecedented determination and pride on his face.

"Alright, the ramen will get cold." Rei reminded him softly.

"Right, right, right!" Naruto quickly sat back down, an irrepressible smile of happiness on his face. This day might be the happiest day since he was seven years old. That cool older brother didn't hate him; he actually acknowledged him!

With his mood improved, Naruto's eating also became familiar again. He unreservedly buried his head in the bowl, slurping the noodles with loud "slurp slurp" sounds, as if he were eating all his happiness into his stomach.

Teuchi and his daughter were stunned once more.

This was the real Uzumaki Naruto. He could finally stop pretending, stop being reserved, and return to being that carefree yet enthusiastic little boy.

"Another bowl!" Naruto shouted with a grin.

But Teuchi smiled helplessly. "Okay, but we've sold out of Narutomaki."

"Ah? Then forget it, I'm full." Naruto patted his bulging stomach, but unlike usual, he didn't leave immediately.

Instead, he sat quietly beside Uchiha Rei, cheerfully sharing the details of his day:

"Grandpa Third Elder gave me living expenses again today, but everyone still doesn't want to talk to me."

His eyes flickered, as if he remembered something else. "Uchiha Sasuke... he's been looking for his brother a lot lately, and seems very sad."

"It's Uchiha Itachi, right?" Rei's expression paused, and he said softly, "I heard he's already become a rogue ninja."

"Yeah." Naruto suddenly quieted down. "Sasuke couldn't find his brother and has cried many times. Even though he always acts so cool, I think he's very pitiful."