Naruto's Escape

The night was peaceful, but my mind was in turmoil. Without even realizing it, my footsteps had led me to the great gate of Konoha. The weight of everything I had discovered recently was heavy on my shoulders. It was as if a vise was tightening around my chest, and the idea of staying any longer in that village, continuing to play a role in a play full of lies, was becoming unbearable.

I cast a last glance behind me, towards the imposing walls that had been my "home," but which now seemed to reject me. Then I jumped over the walls, landing in the dark forest that bordered the village. My mind was made up: I would not return.

Barely had I advanced a few meters when I felt chakra signatures approaching rapidly. The sensory ninjas had detected my exit, and it didn't take long before a group of shinobis intercepted me.

— "Naruto Uzumaki, what are you doing outside the village at this hour?!" shouted one of the ninjas, a man wearing Konoha's headband.

I paused, looking them straight in the eye.

— "I'm leaving," I declared simply.

A murmur of disbelief rippled through the group.

— "You're joking, aren't you? Go back to the village immediately, or we'll have no choice."

I continued to run, determined.

— "No. I won't come back. You can try to bring me back, but I won't move."

The atmosphere changed instantly. It was no longer a simple confrontation. They knew my decision was serious, and that made them nervous.

— "Naruto," said a kunoichi in a more conciliatory tone. "Don't do this. It's not you. If you have problems, talk to us, but don't turn your back on Konoha."

I shook my head.

— "You don't understand. It's not just about me. It's everything I've learned... everything that was hidden from me. I can't trust anyone in that village anymore."

A tense silence followed. Finally, one of the shinobis took a combat stance.

— "Alright, if you refuse to cooperate, we have no choice but to bring you back by force."

I clenched my fists.

— "I don't want to hurt you. So don't force me."

The first one attacked with a series of kunais, but I was already in motion. Thanks to my training with Jiraiya and the hermit mode, my reflexes were sharp. I dodged with ease, creating clones to distract my opponents.

— "You're fast," admitted a ninja trying to block me. "But we're more numerous."

They were right. Despite my skills, their numbers made the difference, especially since I didn't want to hurt them. But I refused to let myself be captured. With a Rasen Shuriken, I launched it without precision, creating an explosion that dispersed their ranks, giving me an opportunity to escape.

However, one of the ninjas activated a sensory technique, immediately informing the higher-ups of my attempted desertion.

A few minutes later, as I moved through the trees, I felt a familiar presence. Kakashi-sensei.

— "Naruto, stop this right now," he said, appearing in front of me, his tone both calm and authoritative.

I stopped, breathless.

— "Kakashi-sensei..."

— "What's gotten into you, Naruto? You know this isn't the solution. Come back to the village, and we'll sort this out together."

I shook my head.

— "I can't. You don't understand. Everything I thought I knew... it was all lies. I can't stay there any longer, pretending."

Kakashi placed a hand on his mask, reflecting.

— "You've discovered things you shouldn't have known, is that it?"

I shrugged, avoiding his gaze.

— "No matter what you've learned, Naruto, that doesn't justify giving up everything. Think about what it would mean for the others, for your friends. And for your dream of becoming Hokage."

I let out a bitter laugh.

— "How could I become Hokage when even the people I respect the most are lying to me? I'm just a weapon to them, Kakashi-sensei. And I refuse to continue playing that role."

Before Kakashi could respond, another presence made itself felt. An intense, dark chakra. We turned around to see a man in a black cloak adorned with red clouds.

— "Tsk, tsk. Naruto Uzumaki, all alone in the forest? What a stroke of luck," he said with a cruel smile.

It was Jura, a formidable member of Akatsuki. His piercing eyes were fixed on me. He was known for having killed Utakata, the jinchūriki of the Six-Tailed Demon.

— "So, it's you, the famous Jinchūriki of Kyûbi," he continued. "I must say you don't impress me much."

Kakashi immediately took a defensive stance.

— "Naruto, stay behind me," he said firmly.

But I was not in a position to back down. A part of me saw this as an opportunity to prove my worth.

— "No, Kakashi-sensei. I can handle him," I said, activating my hermit mode.

Jura burst out laughing.

— "Oh, interesting. Show me what you're worth, kid."