"Naruto…"
Inside the Ninja Academy classroom.
Uzumaki Naruto was sprawled across his desk, fast asleep, when a gentle, melodic voice suddenly stirred him awake. Blinking groggily, he lifted his head—and saw the face of the girl he could never forget.
Morning sunlight spilled into the classroom, soft and golden, highlighting the delicate features of her face. Her long pink hair was clipped neatly to the side, bangs swaying slightly across her wide forehead. Those bright emerald eyes curved into a soft smile as she looked down at him.
"Saku…ra?!"
A line of drool slipped from the corner of Naruto's mouth before he even realized it.
He wasn't sure if it was because of sleep—or because the goddess of his heart was standing before him.
"You're awake now?" Sakura's voice was gentle, almost tender.
Naruto's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Why is Sakura being so nice to me today? Could it be… has she finally noticed my charm? Could it be that… she's fallen for me?
He nodded vigorously.
"I'm awake, Sakura! Totally awake!"
Sakura giggled.
Then—her fist shot forward.
BAM!
The blow landed with an explosive thud, sending Naruto crashing into an entire row of desks and chairs before collapsing to the floor in a heap.
The whole classroom burst into laughter.
"Ahhh—!"
Clutching his swollen cheek, Naruto sat up, dazed and pitiful.
"Sakura, why… why'd you hit me?!"
Hands on her hips, Sakura huffed in frustration.
"I told you, I was trying to get to Sasuke!"
"But you were snoring like a pig, blocking my way. No matter how many times I called you, you wouldn't wake up!"
"Tell me—don't you think you deserved that?!"
She stepped over the overturned desks and chairs, walked straight toward Uchiha Sasuke, and in an instant her expression softened into a radiant, sunny smile.
"Sasuke-kun! I made these rice balls myself, want to try them?"
"They're homemade!"
Sasuke just snorted and turned his head to the window, ignoring her completely.
Watching the scene, Naruto clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.
"Damn it! That bastard Sasuke, acting all cool like that…"
"Why does Sakura like that kind of guy?!"
He jumped to his feet, brushed the dust off his clothes, and strode toward Sasuke with fire in his eyes.
Sasuke gave him a look full of disdain.
"You clown. Do you want to die?"
The insult only made Naruto angrier.
"What did you just say, you bastard Sasuke?!"
"If you're so great, fight me right now!"
But before he could make a move—
WHAM!
Sakura's
Sakura's fist slammed down on his forehead, sending him flying once again.
"What do you think you're doing, Naruto?!"
"Stay away from Sasuke-kun!"
Naruto lay sprawled on the ground, clutching his head, his eyes brimming with hurt as he looked up at Sakura.
"Sakura, you… you…"
Laughter erupted through the classroom once more. Everyone pointed, whispered, and sneered, but not a single classmate reached out a hand to help him.
Naruto stood, fists trembling, his heart heavy with that all-too-familiar loneliness.
But he forced himself to act as though he was used to it.
"Hmph! That's nothing!"
"One day, I'll become Hokage—and make all of you acknowledge me!"
If there was one thing Naruto was good at, it was convincing himself to endure. Otherwise, he might not survive even a single day.
He wasn't dumb—though many thought he was.
He could sense the strange, cold hostility from the entire village.
It wasn't simple dislike.
It was hatred.
But why?
What had he ever done to deserve it?
Even Sakura, the girl he loved most, treated him with rudeness and violence. Yet, at least she spoke to him. For Naruto, who had endured years of isolation and rejection, even that rough attention felt like a kind of luxury.
At least she acknowledged his existence.
The others didn't even want to stand near him.
At that moment, Sakura and Ino were both crowding around Sasuke, laughing and chatting, competing for even a glance from him.
Meanwhile, the boys had already broken into their own groups, joking and playing.
And Naruto was left alone.
Head lowered, eyes flickering with sadness, he forced a grin, laced his hands behind his head, and strode through the noisy crowd. He kicked open the classroom door and left.
The bustling chatter behind him seemed to come from an entirely different world.
Why is there no one who cares about me…?
Naruto kicked a stone across the training ground. It struck a wooden barrel with a sharp clunk. Next to it lay some paint cans and brushes.
Naruto's eyes lit up. He slapped his palm against his hand.
"I've got it!"
A short while later—
On the great Hokage Rock, Naruto was standing proudly, brush in hand, smearing paint across the faces of the stone-carved Hokage.
"Heh heh, how's that?!"
He had just finished giving the Fourth Hokage a pair of crooked mustaches. Taking a few steps back, he admired his work with a grin of satisfaction.
But suddenly—
A cold shiver ran down his spine. He could feel a terrifying presence behind him.
Slowly, stiffly, he turned his head.
"U! Zu! Ma! Ki! Na! Ru! To!"
The booming voice nearly scared the life out of him. He stumbled, nearly tripping, before realizing who it was.
"Iruka-sensei, you nearly scared me to death!"
Umino Iruka's face was thunderous.
"During class hours—what are you doing here?!"
Naruto scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
"I was making art, Iruka-sensei! Don't you think it has an artistic feel?"
"Especially the mustache on the Fourth Hokage—that's my masterpiece!"
"Clean it up. Now! And get back to class with me!" Iruka roared.
"…Fine."
Pouting, Naruto wiped away his graffiti, grumbling but ultimately obedient.
On the way back to the academy, Iruka sighed.
"Naruto, why do you do these things?"
Naruto gave a carefree grin.
"Because I can! Who else would dare, huh?"
"Only I, Uzumaki Naruto, have the guts!"
Iruka shook his head, though he understood well enough. He knew the loneliness behind the boy's antics.
Softly, he said, "Naruto, I know you want others to notice you. But pulling pranks isn't the way. Shouldn't you focus on training and studying harder?"
"I already train hard, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto protested.
"But… there are just some things I can't get right. Forget Sasuke—that bastard—I can't even keep up with the rest of the class…