Three Days Later – Morning
At Naruto's place, the house was dead quiet. After tossing and turning for two sleepless nights, Naruto had finally passed out from exhaustion the night before. Now, sprawled out like a starfish across his bed, he snored loudly, completely oblivious to the time.
That is, until an ANBU ninja in a mask quietly slipped into his room.
"Hmm… who's there?" Naruto mumbled, half-asleep. He lazily swatted the ninja's hand away. "Stop bothering me… Lemme sleep…"
The ANBU straightened up and said calmly, "The meeting is about to start. The Hokage sent me to get you. If you'd rather sleep, I'll just
let him know."
Naruto's eyes snapped open.
"W-WAIT—WHAT?!"
He shot straight up like a rocket.
"The meeting! I almost forgot!"
He scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over himself on the way to the bathroom. Toothbrush in one hand, half-changing clothes with the other, he called out through a mouthful of toothpaste, "Tell the old man to wait for me! I'm almost ready!"
The ANBU gave a small nod and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Naruto finished brushing, threw on his clothes, and stood in front of his closet for a second. His fingers hovered over a few shirts before landing on the orange and blue jacket—the best one he had. It was still a bit small, but he didn't care.
He rarely wore it.
But today mattered.
Today was the day.
He wanted to look presentable. He wanted to look like the son of the Fourth Hokage.
After quickly smoothing down his hair and checking himself in the mirror, Naruto left the house in high spirits, heading to the square for the big announcement.
At the Meeting Grounds
The place was packed.
The villagers were gathered in the same arena they used during the Chunin Exams. The stands were full, and even the center field was crowded shoulder to shoulder.
Konoha may be called a "village," but it was massive—bigger than most.
Not everyone was there, but it sure felt like it.
By the time Naruto arrived, people had already started to murmur. Since he was late, he had to enter through the center ring where everyone could see him. Instantly, whispers and glares followed.
"Tch. Can't believe they let that thing in here."
"Why's the demon fox walking around like he belongs?"
"What a joke. He still thinks anyone wants him here?"
Naruto heard all of it.
Every ugly word. Every turned back.
People stepped away from him as he walked by, like he was contagious. Like just standing near him would make them sick.
But today… today he didn't flinch.
He didn't drop his head.
He kept walking.
Because today, everything was going to change.
He held onto that thought like it was life itself.
The Hokage Arrives
Soon, the Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—stepped onto the platform, wearing his formal robes and hat. The crowd hushed almost immediately.
"Whoa… he's in full Hokage get-up."
"He must have something big to say."
"Ugh, I bet it's about that demon kid. Look at him standing there like he's one of us…"
Naruto gritted his teeth but said nothing.
He reminded himself again: It's fine. Just wait. Everything's going to be okay after today.
Sarutobi scanned the crowd, and his eyes stopped on Naruto. The old man gave him a small smile and a nod.
Naruto nodded back, heart pounding.
Then, the Hokage began his speech.
"I'm grateful that all of you could make time in your busy lives to be here today…"
His voice was calm but loud, easily reaching the thousands gathered.
Naruto shifted on his feet, impatient.
"Come on, old man," he muttered under his breath. "Just say it already…"
After several minutes of ceremonial niceties, Hiruzen finally cut to the point.
"The reason I gathered you all today… is to talk about what happened during the Nine-Tails' attack on the village."
The crowd gasped.
Even after all these years, that night still haunted people.
Murmurs rippled through the stands. Angry glares were once again directed at Naruto, standing alone in the center.
Some of the looks were pure hatred.
It took two loud coughs from the Hokage to calm them down.
"I know the pain you've felt. I lost loved ones that night too. But burying the past or using it to fuel hatred won't heal us. It won't honor those we lost."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Our loved ones died to protect us, to protect the future of this village. If they were here, they wouldn't want us trapped in the past. They'd want us to live better, to live freely."
There was a heavy silence.
Then, quietly, someone began to clap.
And then another.
Soon the entire square was filled with the sound of applause.
For a moment, it seemed like the speech was working. People were softening. Some wiped away tears. Others looked thoughtful, even hopeful.
Naruto watched, breath held, heart pounding in his chest.
Was this it?
Was this the moment?
Was this finally when everything changed?
He didn't know yet.
But he hoped.
He believed.
Because he had to.