Chapter 8: Uzumaki Naruto, A Ray of Light in the Darkness

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 20 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

****************

After realizing he had no talent for throwing weapons, Colt went back to the basics.

He would go to the Konoha Hospital to gain experience in the mornings, do physical conditioning in the afternoons, and do chakra control exercises in the evenings.

The days were the same routine yet fulfilling.

Hinata would come over from time to time. When Colt was training, she would sit quietly and watch.

The two became gradually more familiar with each other, though Hinata's shyness couldn't be overcome overnight.

For Hinata, it would be misleading to say Colt had no impure thoughts about her.

But what he envisioned was the gentle yet strong Hyuga princess years from now, not the current little Loli version.

He could not be faulted for that.

Colt could feel it - Hinata looked at him differently than others.

He didn't know why this ninja child viewed him so peculiarly.

For now, Colt felt at most a fondness for her cute girlish charms.

Therefore, most of his energy remained focused on improving his own strength.

Due to his system interface, Colt could clearly track his progress.

Just like a game, any increase in attributes made him happy for a long time.

Many cannot sustain motivation when hard work shows no tangible results daily.

Over time, the lack of visible payoff makes people become disheartened and give up.

Walking down the bustling market street, Colt pondered where to get food.

He'd had good luck that morning, gaining ten stat points and learning the Great Fireball Technique from a ninja patient.

Although dubbed the relatively harmless "fireball", it was actually extremely powerful and had incredible offensive potential.

The fire affinity attack was also one of the most versatile natures.

The only issue Colt faced now...he didn't have a fire chakra nature yet.

But this was a minor hurdle. The path ahead was still long, and he believed he could eventually obtain all elemental affinities.

"Get away, you demon fox! I won't sell you anything!"

There was an angry shout from up ahead at that moment.

The crowd rapidly dispersed as if avoiding something filthy, the once lively street becoming deserted.

Only a three or four-year-old boy was left standing there, still clutching the money to buy food.

Uzumaki Naruto.

Colt squinted at the little boy the same age as him, but much thinner and malnourished.

This incident was undoubtedly a black mark on the Third Hokage's legacy that can never be erased.

As the son of a hero, Naruto could not even secure a normal life, much less receive the treatment he deserved.

Some say the Third allowed the villagers an outlet for their hatred by indulging Naruto's identity as the "demon fox."

But in Colt's view, this was pure nonsense.

In Konoha, everyone knew the Nine-Tailed Fox was the true culprit behind the devastation. They could simply say the demon perished alongside the Fourth Hokage Minato.

This would enhance the Fourth's heroic image while dispelling lingering resentment among villagers.

After all, when even the greatest sacrifice was made, what more was there to complain about?

Did the need for Naruto as a scapegoat contain even darker machinations?

Colt could not begin to unravel all the threads, nor did he care to try.

Because now, he could not change anything.

However, there were some things within his ability that he could still do.

He stepped forward.

**********

Feeling the disgust, fear, and hatred in everyone's eyes, Naruto was inwardly hurt.

"Hey! I forgot my wallet when going out today, can you lend me some money for food?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.

Turning his head, he saw the speaker.

So cool.

This was Naruto's first impression of Colt.

With black hair, dark eyes, exquisite features and a confident look, he was even cooler and more handsome than the boys from those clans Naruto had seen before.

This made him feel a bit self-conscious.

"Are you talking to me?"

Naruto looked around and saw only the two of them remained, and pointed at himself questioningly.

"Of course." Colt looked directly into his blue eyes, speaking in a very calm tone, "I forgot my money when going out, and now I want Ichiraku ramen."

"I just saw you had cash, so I came to ask. If you don't want to, just forget it."

Naruto met Colt's steady gaze.

There was no embarrassment in borrowing money, nor any disgust or hatred.

"Well...of course!" Naruto raised the money in his hand, maybe a few hundred ryo.

"Do you like Ichiraku ramen too? I'm a regular there, want to come with me?"

In the end, his tone became cautious. He looked at Colt expectantly, hurriedly adding, "If I invite you, you don't have to pay me back."

What was this all about?!

Colt inwardly sighed, his heart aching a bit.

When watching the anime in his past life, although he felt sympathy for Naruto, it didn't impact him like this lived experience.

Seeing Colt didn't respond for a while, the look in Naruto's eyes gradually dimmed.

At that moment, Colt gave a slight nod, "Then I'll take you up on that. I'll treat you another time."

Naruto finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then impatiently grabbed Colt's arm and headed towards Ichiraku Ramen.

As they walked and chatted, Naruto asked, "My name's Uzumaki Naruto, what about you?"

"Kamiyo Colt."

"Colt? Nice name!"

Along the way, the pedestrians who saw the two all avoided them, but Naruto didn't care at this time.

He had found a peer who didn't look at him with those strange eyes.

At this moment, his entire heart was focused on Colt.

And Colt ignored the disdainful looks from those ignorant passers-by.

Talking to Naruto so impulsively today was still rather rash.

He was sure there must be ANBU or Root watching Naruto at all times.

Possibly both.

In a few minutes, news of his contact with the Jinchuriki would reach the Third Hokage and Danzo.

However, Colt was not afraid.

His mother was a student of the legendary Tsunade (in medicine), and his father appeared to be connected to the Third himself.

He had also shown his ability and that he was embodying the Will of Fire, with roots planted deeply in Konoha's soil.

This trivial matter, the Third would definitely not object to it.

That being the case, he might as well befriend Naruto.

At least, it could provide a little more light in the boy's dark childhood.