Return (1)

"Three long years."

In Konoha, on top of a hill that overlooked the entire village, a solitary silhouette against the fading light stood still, taking in the sight before him.

From this height, he could see the sprawling expanse of Konoha, a blend of the old and the new. The bustling marketplace, once a modest collection of stalls before leaving, had expanded significantly. New shops and vendors lined the streets, selling a variety of goods from food to a finely crafted ninja tools. 

His eyes soon were drawn to the Hokage Monument, pausing for a moment in the last and youngest face, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. His face hardened and turned icy cold, but his heavy heart and longing for days long gone betrayed his maintained facade.

Only the heart wrenching regret and self blame that he felt after, managed to inflict a crack in his mask that soon recovered.

"Sigh, where is my poor nephew now?"

Whistle! 

Namikaze Mirai leaped from the vantage point, his body arced in mid-air and his blond hair shimmered in the sunlight as he descended gracefully towards the heart of the village. 

As he landed with a soft thud, a few passing ninjas glanced in his direction, their eyes widening in recognition, though struggling to place him amidst their memories. 

"Isn't that...?" one whispered to his companion, his brow furrowing in concentration.

"I'm not sure." the other replied, squinting as if trying to recall a distant dream.

After their brief hesitation, they shared a glance nodding in silent agreement, and quickly made their way to the Hokage Tower.

"We should let the Hokage know as soon as possible. If that guy shows up again, it could mean something big is bound to happen."

Thinking of the chaos that happened in the past few years and the man's illustratious reputation, they couldn't help but shudder.

…

In the bustling streets of Konoha, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.

A lone small figure toddled along in the corner of the street. His usual thin orange top was tattered and stained, and his bright blue eyes clouded with weariness.

The people passing by cast wary glances in his direction, but none dared to approach.

"Is that the kid?"

"Stay away from him!"

"Demon fox!"

Their whispers and speculative glances pierced his heart, making the light in his eyes to dim.

"So many people died in the village, including the Fourth and his wife, all because of him!

Naruto could feel the weight of their stares, the judgement in their eyes, and it only served to deepen his sense of loneliness.

A torrent of questions swirled in his mind, why did people avoid him? What had he done to deserve such treatment? Why did they turn away from him as if he were some sort of monster? He racked his brain, searching for any hint or clue. But try as he might, Naruto couldn't make sense of it. 

As Naruto continued his solitary walk, he came to a stop before a small shop. His eyes focused on a red and white fox mask.

His small hands reached in his pocket, only to find a few scattered coins.

"Can I use the money to buy that mask?" The young Naruto approached the shopkeeper, his palms opened showing his only asset, his eyes alight with hope.

As Naruto approached the shop, with a sudden burst of anger and frustration, the shopkeeper snatched the fox mask from its place and hurled it flung at him with force. "Take it, take the cursed thing and leave!" The mask struck Naruto squarely in the forehead sending a jolt of pain through his skull.

Smack!

Naruto staggered backward, his hands flying to his forehead, a cry of pain escaping his lips as tears welled up in his eyes, "It hurts!" 

Naruto quickly got up, clutched the mask tightly to his chest and turned his heel and fled form the shop not wanting for anyone to see him breakdown.

Once he found himself in a secluded alleyway and hidden from prying eyes. Naruto sank to his knees, tears streamed down his cheeks and his shoulders heaving with silent sobs.

Naruto's trembling voice soon echoed through the empty alleyway, "Why? Why do you do this to me? What did I do wrong?"

…

As Naruto wrestled with his emotions, a figure approached from the shadows of the alleyway

The silhouette's blue eyes softened slightly, and his once stoic demeanor shifted to sad one. Without a word, the figure knelt down beside Naruto offering silent comfort

Naruto, who was sitting on the ground, curiously looked at the this unexpected newcomer and asked hoarsely with his nose sore.

"Who...is it?"

The figure reached his hands gently and stroked his hair, a gentle and encouraging look in his blue eyes.

A lone stream of light cascaded into the alleyway bathing his golden hair in a soft ethereal glow.

"I'm your dad's brother, which makes me your uncle."