NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: “He’s No Longer the Nine-Tails, He’s Uzumaki Naruto of the Hidden Leaf!”
"That fox demon… he's trying to get revenge on us! I knew it!"
"The Nine-Tails will always be the Nine-Tails! It doesn't matter how much time passes. We need to demand that the Third Hokage orders Uzumaki Naruto's execution!"
"You Leaf villagers are something else," someone commented sarcastically. "Do you even understand what a Jinchūriki is?"
"How can you blame the Nine-Tails' actions on its host? Seriously, Leaf Village, you're not just cruel—you're downright stupid."
[Comments from the Five Great Nations:]
Fourth Raikage:
"If you Leaf people can't handle your Jinchūriki, hand him over to the Hidden Cloud. We'll gladly take care of him!"
Ōnoki:
"Leaf Village, you're worse than Rasa! I'm an old man, but even I can't stomach how heartless you are!"
Mei Terumī:
"To be born in the Leaf Village… what an unfortunate fate for that child."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: …
Orochimaru (disguised as the Wind Shadow): …
Mei Terumī (continuing):
"And you, Rasa—you're just as bad. I guess every cruel village has a cruel leader."
Orochimaru: …
Naruto stared at the harsh words flying across the veil. His face grew somber.
He had tried so hard, worked tirelessly to change the villagers' perception of him. But it seemed like none of it had made a difference.
"No one acknowledges me…"
The thought dragged him back to the painful days of his youth, the loneliness, and the endless rejection. No matter how hard he tried, the villagers never saw him for who he really was.
"Hey, don't let it get to you," Jiraiya said suddenly, breaking through Naruto's thoughts.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked in surprise.
"You've already earned recognition from people who matter," Jiraiya said, tapping Naruto's chest gently.
Naruto's eyes widened. He felt his heart warm at the words.
Jiraiya was right. He wasn't alone anymore. He had friends and allies who acknowledged him.
They might not be many, but their support meant everything.
"Yosh!!" Naruto suddenly shouted to the sky, his energy returning as his face lit up with determination.
Jiraiya chuckled approvingly. "Now that's more like it."
[The veil shifted again, showing Naruto running through the forest with the Scroll of Seals on his back.]
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto turned his head, hearing Iruka chasing after him.
"Give me the scroll, Naruto! Mizuki is only after it for himself!" Iruka shouted.
Naruto didn't answer. He gritted his teeth and sped up. Suddenly, he leapt forward and tackled Iruka hard, sending him flying.
"There! That's proof he's a fox demon! He's already attacking people!"
"We need to deal with him now before he becomes a bigger threat!"
Some experienced shinobi, however, noticed something odd.
"That's not Naruto," one of them muttered. "That's a Transformation Jutsu!"
[The veil revealed Iruka struggling to his feet, staring at 'Naruto' in shock.]
"How… how did you know I wasn't Iruka?" he asked.
Poof!
With a burst of smoke, 'Iruka' turned back into Mizuki.
Meanwhile, 'Naruto' standing nearby transformed back into Iruka.
"Because I'm the real Iruka," he said with a smirk.
The ninja world burst into laughter.
"Wow, Leaf Village! Your villagers can't even tell the difference with a basic Transformation Jutsu!"
"No wonder they keep producing rogue ninjas! Who'd want to stay there?"
[The veil showed Mizuki taunting Iruka further.]
"Why do you bother protecting Naruto?" Mizuki sneered. "He's the one who killed your parents!"
"I won't let the scroll fall into your hands," Iruka countered, his voice firm.
"Idiot," Mizuki spat. "Between me and Naruto, you're the bigger fool!"
"Once Naruto learns the jutsu in the scroll, he'll unleash the full power of the Nine-Tails. Do you really think he's anything other than a monster?"
Naruto, still hiding behind a tree, hugged the scroll tightly.
"Even Iruka-sensei… doesn't believe in me… Does everyone think I'm just the Nine-Tails?"
The Twelve Young Shinobi watched with concern. They could see how deeply hurt Naruto was in this moment, teetering on the edge of despair.
"Please don't give in, Naruto…" Sakura whispered.
Even Sasuke's usually cold gaze softened as he watched the scene.
Gaara stared intently at the veil, his expression tense.
[The veil continued, showing Iruka's response.]
"Sure, if he were the Nine-Tails, he might do something like that," Iruka admitted.
Naruto flinched, gripping the scroll tighter.
"But Naruto isn't the Nine-Tails. He's Uzumaki Naruto, my precious student!"
Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his body trembling as he heard Iruka's words.
"Sure, Naruto struggles and makes mistakes. But he's hardworking and determined. He understands pain better than anyone else."
"And now… he's no longer the Nine-Tails. He's Uzumaki Naruto of the Hidden Leaf Village!"
Naruto, still hiding behind the tree, couldn't hold back his tears. Hugging the scroll tightly, he sobbed uncontrollably.
For twelve long years, he had waited for these words—for someone to acknowledge him, to see him for who he truly was.
Finally, after all his efforts, someone recognized him.
His tears flowed freely as he cried out all the pain he had kept bottled up inside.
He wasn't alone anymore. He wasn't just the Nine-Tails.
He was Uzumaki Naruto.