The burning will of fire 🔥

The beggining

Third-Person P.O.V

A little boy with sun-kissed blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, marked with three whisker-like lines on each cheek, ran barefoot along a dirt road. His small legs struggled to carry him faster, unable to escape the mob of villagers chasing him.

If one looked into his eyes, they would see it—the raw fear of death, the silent plea for someone, anyone, to save him.

Naruto turned sharply into an alley, hoping he'd finally shaken them off. But to his horror, he found himself cornered.

"Get him!" one villager snarled.

Bottles. Rocks. Knives. They came flying at him from every direction. Cuts appeared on his arms and face. Blood trickled from deep gashes, and pain seared through him.

Then, one villager stepped forward, gripping a large pitchfork, its sharp prongs aimed at the boy's chest. Naruto screamed—his voice filled with terror and desperation—as the weapon drove toward him.

⸻

Meanwhile...

A nearby ANBU, patrolling the area, heard his cry.

Hold on, Naruto. I'm coming, she thought, fury rising within her as she raced toward the sound.

When she arrived, her heart clenched at the sight: Naruto lay on the ground, bleeding, his small frame trembling.

With a roar that shook the mob, the ANBU stepped forward. The villagers froze, recognizing the deadly force before them. They backed away, terror in their eyes.

Without wasting a second, she knelt, scooped Naruto into her arms, and vanished in a swirl of leaves—straight to the hospital.

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The Next Day

Naruto awoke to the ache of his wounds and the sting of every bruise. Memories of the night before flooded back, and his small body trembled uncontrollably.

The ANBU who had saved him, seated nearby, felt the shift in his chakra. She rushed to his side, eyes soft with worry, trying to calm him. But Naruto's tears came anyway.

She gently wrapped her arms around him, holding him close like a mother would, whispering, It's okay... you're safe now.

When at last he calmed, she said softly, "Naruto... let's go see the Hokage. We need to tell him what happened."

Naruto nodded, wiping his eyes. Together, they walked to the Hokage Tower.

⸻

At the Hokage's Office

They knocked.

"Come in," came the Sandaime's voice.

The moment Naruto saw him, he ran forward with a cry. "Jiji!"

The old Hokage smiled, lifting the boy into a gentle hug.

After hearing the ANBU's report, the Sandaime sat in silence. His fists clenched, rage boiling beneath his calm facade.

How could they? he thought. How could they harm this innocent child... the son of the Fourth! How blind are they?!

He closed his eyes, bitterly recalling a conversation from years ago.

⸻

Flashback

"Minato, think again!" Hiruzen had pleaded. "Naruto will suffer for this. You know how the villagers are. If you step down, they'll take it out on him!"

"Hiruzen-sama," Minato had replied, his voice edged with frustration, "the villagers would never harm Naruto. Why would they?"

"You're blind! He holds the Kyuubi's soul! They see him as the demon itself!"

Minato shook his head. "I have to do this. Yumi needs to master the Kyuubi's power. I have to train her."

"And Naruto? You're abandoning him!"

"He lies! All he does is complain about the villagers. And besides, the Kyuubi's chakra inside him will fade soon."

Hiruzen had watched Minato leave, heart heavy with dread.

⸻

End of Flashback

"You will guard Naruto personally," the Sandaime ordered the ANBU. "Protect him whenever he leaves his home. I'll assign another ANBU to alternate shifts."

A masked figure with a dog mask appeared in a puff of smoke.

"You'll share the duty. Understood?"

"Hai!"

"Jiji... will they protect me from the villagers?" Naruto asked, his voice small, his eyes full of hope.

"Hai, Naruto. They'll keep you safe. No one will hurt you again."

"Not even... Kaa-san?" Naruto whispered, tears brimming.

The Hokage blinked. Kushina? Why would she...

Naruto spoke again, voice trembling. "Whenever I tell her about the villagers... she slaps me a lot."

The Sandaime's heart sank. I'll have to speak to them.

"Naruto, it's late. Go home now. ANBU—escort him."

The ANBU nodded, lifting Naruto gently into her arms, and together they left.

⸻

At the Namikaze Compound

"Where have you been, young man?! Why are you coming home today?!" Kushina roared, hair whipping like fiery tails.

"K-Kaa-san, the villagers beat me up... The ANBU saved me... I had to stay in the hospital..." Naruto stammered.

"Liar!" she screamed, slapping his cheek.

Naruto's eyes filled with tears. He turned to run, but she grabbed him, pulling him back.

For an hour, bruises bloomed on his skin as the beating continued. When at last she let him go, Naruto crawled into his room, face wet with tears, too frightened to scream. He sobbed silently until sleep claimed him.

⸻

Author's Note:
Guys, this was my first try at writing a Naruto fanfic. I hope you enjoyed it! Please like, comment, and support me—your encouragement helps me keep going! Expect the Naraku storyline, SasuHina, and lots of plot twists ahead. Thank you!