Naruto held his hand out, keeping his eyes locked onto Obito, who was still trapped in a state of conflict and confusion.
Looking at the unyielding determination in Naruto's eyes, Obito glanced down at his own hand. Slowly, he reached out toward Naruto, only to shove his hand forward and violently clamp it around Naruto's throat.
Staring at Naruto's contorted, pained expression as he choked him, Obito said coldly, "It is impossible for me to come over to your side."
"And I have absolutely no regrets regarding the path I have walked!"
Naruto stared back at Obito, his face twisted in pain but his gaze entirely unbroken.
"I told you... I saw everything..."
"So, after everything you've done..."
Naruto cocked his fist back and swung, smashing it squarely into Obito's face.
"Why are you still picturing yourself becoming Hokage?!"
Obito staggered back violently, stumbling dozens of steps before recovering his footing. When he opened his eyes again, the conflict inside him flared anew.
Right now, Naruto looked exactly like his past self. Deep within his heart, Obito still desperately clawed onto his memories of Team Minato and Konoha.
Seeing Obito in such a state, Naruto's own expression grew complicated as a flood of memories rushed into his mind.
It was a memory from when he was only seven years old. Though mundane, it was a moment Naruto would never forget for the rest of his life.
That day had started like any other. The young seven-year-old Naruto was walking down the street entirely on his own, though by that point, he had rarely been carrying paint buckets around.
His shadow stretched incredibly long in the fading glow of the setting sun. The streets were lined with bustling shops and busy people, but none of it seemed to have anything to do with him.
Just by walking down the street, Naruto was subjected to freezing, hostile glares.
"Ugh, that's that kid, isn't it? Creepy."
"Hey, don't play with him. Heaven knows what he might do to you."
The voices of the adults drifted over from every direction, making Naruto feel as though he were the center of a malicious spotlight.
He kept his head down, pushing forward and ignoring the countless cold jeers. But how could a child truly not care?
He wore a slightly faded white Uzumaki clan short-sleeved shirt, his hands stuffed into his pockets as his feet stepped lightly and silently across the cold ground. His hair was messy, and his large blue eyes stared forward, completely devoid of focus.
In the crowd around him, parents held their children's hands, friends shared laughter, and others whispered scathingly about him. Naruto had only his own shadow to keep him company.
The look in his eyes betrayed a profound, unspeakable loneliness, as if he were a forgotten child in an empty world.
He kept walking, his tiny silhouette appearing painfully small against the massive world around him. He knew that even when he returned to his so-called "home," there would be nobody waiting.
Except for Kanon, no one ever waited for him, no one cared what he had eaten that day, and no one asked how he was doing at the Academy.
He passed by Ichiraku Ramen and watched the customers eating happily in a warm, harmonious atmosphere. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a few coins, only to find it wasn't even close to enough for a single bowl.
Naruto immediately wanted to flee the spot. Kanon had just been discharged from the hospital a few months ago, and as her friend, he felt he shouldn't disrupt her recovery right now. She had just survived the Uchiha Clan Downfall, so her mind had to be completely overwhelmed.
Thinking this, Naruto shook his head and ran away from Ichiraku Ramen.
As his feet pounded against the pavement, it wasn't long before he arrived outside the door to his apartment.
Staring at the door that looked identical day after day, and was even beginning to rust, Naruto swallowed hard.
He fantasized about walking inside and finding someone waiting for him, someone who would smile and say, 'Welcome back.' His heart swelled with anticipation, and his hands unconsciously moved faster.
However, the moment he pushed the door open, all his anticipation shattered into dust. What met his eyes was a messy, disorganized room, a completely empty space, and scattered instant ramen cups littering the table.
It was dead silent. There was no sign of anyone waiting for him, no greeting, and no human warmth, only a suffocating, crushing loneliness.
Dejectedly walking into the cluttered living room, his eyes fell upon a calendar on the desk. A red circle was drawn around the date of October 10th.
And today was exactly October 10th. At some point in the past, the Third Hokage had told him that his birthday fell on October 10th.
Ever since then, Naruto looked forward to this day every single year, because his birthday was the only day worth celebrating.
His eyes instinctively began to scan the room, desperately hoping to find some overlooked detail. He hoped it was all just a prank, that someone would suddenly jump out, laugh, and wish him a happy birthday.
But his search was completely futile. The room remained freezing cold, and loneliness clung to him like a shadow.
He walked slowly to the table and picked up a cup of instant ramen, his fingers trembling slightly. This was his daily routine. Every time he dared to think things might change, reality ruthlessly reminded him that he was completely alone.
No one cared if he came home, no one cared what he ate, and no one even remembered his birthday.
Sitting his small frame down at the messy table, Naruto's heart felt heavy enough to bleed. He couldn't understand why he was always alone, why he was always forgotten, why none of the kids would play with him, and why the adults constantly mocked him. He was just a seven-year-old child who craved a shred of attention and love.
Spreading his arms wide, Naruto threw himself backward onto his bed. He finally closed his eyes, his deep blue pupils slowly welling with tears until two droplets rolled down the corners of his eyes.
His nose tingled with a sharp sting, but Lord Third had told him that he had to be happy on his birthday.
Naruto's gaze drifted over to a dust-covered paint bucket sitting in the corner. He decided he would grab that bucket and go cause a massive scene.
Just as he got up to reach for it, he suddenly caught the sound of approaching footsteps outside. Then, there was a knock at the door.
Feeling thoroughly confused, Naruto pulled the door open. Standing at the threshold was his best friend, Kanon Uchiha. She held a small birthday cake in one hand and a plastic bag in the other, her face illuminated by a warm, radiant smile.
"Happy birthday, Naruto!" Kanon's voice resonated like a gentle spring breeze, instantly banishing the dark shadows looming over the room.
Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and she wore a blue trench coat, though a few bandages were still visibly wrapped around her body.
"Kanon..." Naruto's eyes were red and a lump formed in his throat, but he forced himself to snap out of it. Turning his head away, he muttered with a slight, stubborn pout, "I'm already so old! It's fine if I don't celebrate my birthday anyway!"
Suddenly, a sweet, delicate fragrance wafted into his nose, causing Naruto to freeze. Kanon's face was incredibly close to his, so close that if either of them leaned forward even a fraction of an inch, their lips would touch.
Staring at Kanon's breathtakingly adorable face and her soft, rosy lips, Naruto's face flushed a brilliant red. He stumbled backward in a panic, leaping into the air like a startled frog.
"Ahhh! Kanon, why did you get so close?!"
"I was just checking to see if you were putting on a brave face, that's all."
Kanon laughed, scratching her head before asking, "Can I come in?"
"Of course! Please, come in... though it might be a little messy."
Kanon stepped inside and looked around. She hadn't been to Naruto's apartment since the night of the clan downfall, having spent most of her time confined to a hospital bed. Seeing it today, she realized it had somehow gotten incredibly messy again; the half-eaten instant ramen cup from Naruto's breakfast was still sitting right on the table.
"Oh goodness, you really are something! How did you get the room this messy again?!"
"If that Sakura girl you always talk about ever comes over, she's going to completely despise you."
"Ah, hahaha..." Naruto rubbed his nose awkwardly.
As she spoke, Kanon walked further into the room, placed the cake on the table, and began carefully setting things up.
"I made this cake myself. I'm not sure if the sweetness is exactly to your liking, but you always finished the desserts I brought you before, so it shouldn't be too bad."
"Of course! It's definitely to my liking!" Naruto said, instantly leaning in close to sneak a peek, only to be blocked by Kanon.
"We're saving this for tonight!" Kanon placed her hands on her hips, gesturing firmly at Naruto.
"As for right now... we clean! And then we decorate the room!"
"This is the very first birthday I get to celebrate with you, after all!"
Hearing her words and looking at her sun-drenched smile, a profound warmth filled Naruto's chest. He nodded with pure, unadulterated joy.
"I'll handle the windows and the floor. Naruto, you're in charge of taking out all this trash and the garbage bags!"
"Got it!" Naruto flashed a beautiful, beaming grin, the six whisker-like marks on his cheeks twitching with happiness.
From that moment on, Naruto's apartment became a whirlwind of activity. Though it was exhausting work, Naruto had never felt happier.
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NOTE: This fic has been completely translated. If you want to read the whole story head over to my p-atre-on: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]