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"I'm not a demon fox!"
In the middle of the crowd stood a little blond boy, barely three years old.
He wore a simple black shirt, and over it a plain jacket with the Uzumaki clan crest stitched at the center. Nothing about him looked special.
"Everyone in the village knows what you are. What's the point of denying it now?"
"Do you even know how many people died in that disaster three years ago because of you?"
"My parents were killed by you! Give them back!"
"You filthy demon fox, get out of the village!"
"Get out!"
The villagers' hatred felt like it could swallow him whole. Uzumaki Naruto's eyes stung, and he nearly burst into tears.
But Naruto was stubborn.
He clenched his teeth and held it in. He refused to cry in front of them, refused to let them look down on him.
He was part of this village.
So how could he possibly be some kind of demon fox?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand.
The more he thought, the more it hurt.
"Die, you freak!"
Someone suddenly roared, hurling an egg straight at Naruto's head.
If it hit him, it would definitely leave a nasty bump.
Startled, Naruto squeezed his eyes shut. His small body trembled uncontrollably.
Just then—
Someone moved.
Ken, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward. With a single push off the ground, he shot in front of Naruto.
His right hand flicked out.
He caught the egg cleanly.
For a split second, it looked like he was about to throw it back. But when he realized what he was holding, he casually slipped it into his bag instead. Then his expression turned cold.
"You'd go this far against a kid? Do you have any shame at all?"
"He's not a kid—he's a demon fox! A monster!" the young man shot back. But when he met Ken's icy gaze—and noticed the Uchiha clan crest on his clothes—his confidence faltered.
At the word "demon fox," Ken already understood what was going on.
The villagers hated Naruto. And today, like so many other days, they were taking it out on him.
Everyone knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
But no one seemed to remember that he was also the orphaned son of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, who had died protecting the village.
Naruto's childhood had been almost entirely empty—no family, no friends. Just loneliness.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had made sure Naruto had enough to survive, but emotional care? That had been completely neglected.
So his childhood was still miserable.
The son of a hero who died for the village… reduced to this.
Pathetic. And tragic.
As for why Ken stepped in?
Across the entire ninja world, Naruto was one of the people he admired most.
And more than that—a three-year-old kid, constantly being called a "demon fox," rejected and hated everywhere he went…
Ken simply couldn't stand by and watch.
Sure, he knew he was an Uchiha. Getting too close to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki wasn't exactly wise.
But making the higher-ups in Konoha uncomfortable?
That sounded like a good time.
After a brief moment of thought, he made his move.
He glanced up toward the Hokage Rock in the distance, toward the carved face of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
So this is the village you and Kushina gave your lives to protect…
And this is how they treat your child…
Naruto stared at the older boy standing in front of him.
For the first time in his life, he felt what it was like to be protected.
He hadn't cried even when the entire crowd turned on him.
But now, his eyes were starting to sting.
Still stubborn as ever, Naruto lifted his chin and stared up at the sky, refusing to let the tears fall.
"I'm fine."
Ken took his small hand. "Let's go."
There was no point arguing with those people.
The two of them walked straight out of the crowd together. The villagers, seeing the Uchiha crest, didn't dare say another word.
After they reached a quieter spot, Ken smiled.
"So, what's your name?"
He obviously knew—but it felt right to ask.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up, flashing a bright grin. "And I'm gonna become Hokage someday!"
Ken almost broke into a sweat.
For some reason, Naruto reminded him a bit of Sarutobi Kei… both dreaming about becoming Hokage.
"I'm Uchiha Ken. You can call me Big Brother Ken." He ruffled Naruto's hair, his eyes warm.
"Whoa! You're from the Uchiha clan?" Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, full of admiration. "I heard your clan has tons of amazing ninja!"
Ken raised a finger to his lips. "Shh. Keep it low-key."
Naruto immediately covered his mouth.
"Have you had dinner yet?" Ken asked. "I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen."
He'd already eaten plenty of barbecue, but with his physique, digestion wasn't an issue. Another bowl of ramen wouldn't hurt.
Besides, Naruto had just gone through all that. Good food might cheer him up.
"Ichiraku Ramen? The place everyone says has the best ramen in the village?" Naruto's eyes sparkled, and he practically started drooling.
"Yep."
"Then let's go already!"
"Alright!"
The two quickly made their way to Ichiraku.
"Boss, one tonkotsu ramen!"
"And one special chashu ramen!"
"Coming right up!" The owner worked fast, soon placing two steaming bowls in front of them.
"I'm gonna eat now!" Naruto clasped his hands together in thanks.
Less than ten minutes later—
Both bowls were empty.
"I've never had anything this good before… I'm stuffed," Naruto said, letting out a satisfied burp.
"Same here," Ken exhaled lightly. Barbecue followed by ramen—it actually hit the spot.
"That'll be 500 ryo total. So… who's paying?" The owner smiled professionally, rubbing his hands together.
Naruto looked at Ken expectantly.
Ken looked back at him like, Wait… weren't you the one treating?
They stared at each other.
In the end, under the owner's persistent gaze, Naruto caved. Grumbling, he pulled out a small frog-shaped wallet and handed over 500 ryo.
The moment they stepped out of Ichiraku, Naruto spun around, fuming.
"Big Brother Ken! Didn't you say you were treating me?!"
He stared at his now-flat frog wallet, looking completely wronged. That had been most of his spending money.
Ken rubbed his stomach and looked confused. "When did I ever say that?"
Naruto froze.
Come to think of it…
Ken had only said they'd go eat ramen together.
He never actually said he'd pay.
On the very first day they met—
Naruto learned a harsh lesson about the real world.
"Alright, don't be mad. Next time, I'll treat you for sure!" Ken patted his shoulder, grinning.
"You better not go back on your word!"
"Of course not." Ken smiled innocently.
After walking Naruto back to his apartment, Ken turned and headed home.
"Stop right there."
A tall, slender man stepped out from the shadows. His silver hair caught the dim light, and an animal mask concealed his face.
His gaze locked onto Ken.
"....."