Naruto's first encounter

"I know how important the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is to Konoha, but you certainly can't call this good treatment."

Shihōin Naraku knew Hiruzen Sarutobi disliked what he was saying, but he said it anyway.

Shihōin Naraku had once found it very strange. If Jiraiya spent years away from the village, it was understandable that he did not know how Naruto lived.

But Kakashi Hatake was right there in Konoha. Why had he never shown any concern for his teacher and his teacher's wife's son?

Only after coming to the world of Naruto did Shihōin Naraku understand. Hiruzen Sarutobi had personally ordered Naruto Uzumaki's identity concealed and strictly forbidden anyone from getting close to Naruto.

The successive blows Kakashi had suffered had wounded him in body and mind. Combined with the Hokage's orders, that naturally left him unable to look after Naruto.

Only that could explain why the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze's companions and friends had never appeared. Never mind taking care of Naruto-not one of them had even occasionally offered him a helping hand.

But Shihōin Naraku still could not understand why Hiruzen Sarutobi had suppressed the news that Naruto Uzumaki was the Fourth Hokage's son while allowing rumors that he was a demon fox to spread unchecked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi offered little explanation for Shihōin Naraku's doubts. He merely gave him a long look. "I am the Hokage. These decisions stand."

Kakashi Hatake opened his mouth beside them, but ultimately said nothing.

Once Hiruzen Sarutobi had left, Kakashi Hatake sighed, looking rather troubled. "What you said just now..."

"I don't see a problem. It was just the truth!"

Shihōin Naraku pointed at Kakashi Hatake, giving him a rather ill-intentioned look. "Just wait until Naruto grows up. These things can't stay hidden forever. Let's see how you face him then."

If the Red-Hot Habanero hadn't already passed away, just see whether Kushina Uzumaki would whip you to death with the chakra chains of her Adamantine Sealing Chains!

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki treated you and Obito so well, and you two idiots went all out screwing over their son.

"Face him?" Kakashi Hatake gave a bitter chuckle. "My own life's a complete mess."

Shihōin Naraku shot Kakashi Hatake a disdainful look.

The two took one last look at Naruto Uzumaki's room, then left.

Soon, they found Naruto Uzumaki in the hills behind Konoha.

"Looks like he just went fishing."

"Yeah, he's soaked all over. His clothes are drying on a tree over there."

Seeing the shirtless Naruto Uzumaki with a pile of firewood already gathered, preparing to light a fire, Shihōin Naraku thought for a moment, then stepped out of hiding.

"Looks like he doesn't actually love instant noodles. He only eats them because they're cheap and convenient. Naraku, do you think..."

As Kakashi Hatake spoke, he looked beside him, only to discover in surprise that Shihōin Naraku, who had been right next to him, was gone.

Turning back, Kakashi Hatake was horrified to discover that Shihōin Naraku was actually walking openly toward Naruto Uzumaki.

Not only he, but even Tenzo and the Ninja squad keeping watch in secret were stunned, unsure what to do.

Should they stop him?

But Shihōin Naraku and Kakashi Hatake had another mission.

But...

"Honestly..."

Kakashi Hatake scratched his head in frustration. After thinking for a while, he sighed and stepped out of hiding as well.

In the Hokage's Office, the newly returned Hiruzen Sarutobi silently smoked his pipe as he watched the scene displayed in his crystal ball.

"Huh? Why won't it catch?"

Naruto Uzumaki scratched his short blond hair, a little discouraged, but a moment later, he kept blowing hard at the pile of firewood.

Trying to light the fire had left Naruto Uzumaki rather disheveled, his entire little face smudged like a tabby cat's.

Perhaps because he was focused on lighting the fire, he did not even notice that Shihōin Naraku had come to stand in front of him.

"You need to leave some space underneath the wood for it to catch."

"Who's there?"

The little blond boy jumped in fright at the sudden voice, springing three feet into the air and turning his head every which way in search of the speaker.

Then Naruto Uzumaki saw a dark-haired young man sitting on a nearby rock, holding a forked branch. Impaled on that branch was none other than the fish he had just worked so hard to catch!

"Ah! That's my fish!"

"This?"

Shihōin Naraku waved the branch in his hand, showing it to Naruto Uzumaki.

"Yeah, I just caught it."

Naruto Uzumaki held out his now soot-blackened paws to show that he had indeed caught that fish himself.

As he spoke, Naruto Uzumaki edged tentatively toward Shihōin Naraku. He keenly noticed that this person was different from the others. He bore none of their hatred, disgust, or other malice toward him, and that made Naruto very happy.

Aside from the few people like Iruka-sensei and Grandpa Hokage, here was someone else who actually did not dislike him!

"D-do you want to eat it? You can have it if you want. I can catch another."

"I'm really good at it. I catch big fish all the time."

Naruto Uzumaki acted completely unconcerned, but the expression on his soot-blackened face had already betrayed his thoughts. Naruto was worried that this person would refuse his fish.

Watching Naruto Uzumaki strike a pose to show how capable he was, Shihōin Naraku grinned smugly. "I wasn't planning to give it back anyway. I'm hungry too."

With that, Shihōin Naraku set the branch with the fish on a rock beside him, making it clear that the fish was his now and no one was taking it.

"Ah! So grown-ups really are all that sneaky!"

Naruto Uzumaki pretended to be angry, but he could not hide the happiness on his face at all.

"Oh? Who told you grown-ups were sneaky?"

Shihōin Naraku snapped his fingers. A small flame landed among the firewood, and flames immediately leaped up as it began to burn.

"Shikamaru told me. He said grown-ups are all sneaky and troublesome..."

Naruto Uzumaki answered casually, his eyes shining as he watched Shihōin Naraku place the skewered fish over the fire to roast.

He had seen it all just now-Shihōin Naraku's motion as he lit the fire. That was something only a Ninja could do. It had to be!

"That certainly sounds like something someone from the Nara Clan would say..."

"Do you know Shikamaru too, mister?"

"No, I know Shikamaru's father. Wait, what did you call me?"

Shihōin Naraku abruptly raised his head and glared fiercely at Naruto Uzumaki. Pointing at his own face, he stressed, "Take a good look at my face. Do I look that old?"

"Hehe..."

Naruto Uzumaki was not frightened at all and continued inching closer. He was especially good at discerning other people's emotions. Although Shihōin Naraku's tone was harsh, there was not a trace of malice in it. It was more like he was trying to scare a child.

"What are you getting so close for..."

Shihōin Naraku pursed his lips, then turned his attention back to the roasting fish.

"Hehe, mi... big brother, were you using Ninjutsu just now? Are you a Ninja from the village?"

Naruto Uzumaki blinked, staring at Shihōin Naraku with eyes full of anticipation, though his soot-blackened face made his expression look rather comical.

"Big brother? Fine, I suppose I'll accept that."

"By Ninjutsu, do you mean this...?"

Shihōin Naraku held his palm out toward Naruto Uzumaki. With a soft whoosh, a flame ignited in his palm, its flickering light illuminating Naruto Uzumaki's blackened face.

"Wow!!!"

Naruto Uzumaki instantly cried out in delighted surprise. He stared excitedly at the crimson flame in Shihōin Naraku's palm, his expression filled with longing.

The firelight was not dazzling, but it was warm.

At that moment, it dispelled the gloom in Naruto Uzumaki's eyes...