Naruto uzumaki : The Will To Rise

After a month of being grounded, Naruto was finally allowed to go outside again.

Humming a cheerful tune, he walked freely through the streets, ignoring the glares and whispers of the villagers around him. Although the Third Hokage had issued a ban on calling him a "demon fox," it hadn't changed the villagers' opinions of him. Instead, it seemed to deepen the divide.

Naruto didn't mind, though. He had long decided to treat others the way they treated him. As malice radiated from the villagers, Kyuubi's voice echoed mockingly in his mind.

"Little brat, it seems your Grandpa Hokage's rules didn't change a thing. The humans' hatred for you has only grown stronger."

Naruto didn't respond, his focus on a shop in the distance. He entered to buy some much-needed condiments. The shopkeeper, the same man who had sold him spoiled food in the past, glared at him.

"What do you want this time, kid?" the man sneered. "Prices have doubled, so don't waste my time if you can't afford it."

Naruto smiled innocently. "I'm not here to complain about the old food you sold me. I just need some condiments and non-staple items. But if you refuse to sell them to me, I might accidentally tell everyone that your shop is cursed by the demon fox."

The shopkeeper paled, realizing the potential damage to his business. Without a word, he hastily packed Naruto's items and shoved them into his hands.

"Take it and leave!" the man grumbled, clearly agitated.

Naruto placed the money on the counter, but as he walked out, he turned back and yelled, "Don't buy from this shop! It's cursed by the demon fox!"

The shopkeeper rushed to the door, but Naruto had already disappeared into the crowd, a triumphant grin on his face.

In a quiet alley, Naruto paused to catch his breath. Kyuubi chuckled.

"You're vengeful for a little brat," it teased. "Using Hokage's rules to make trouble for the villagers? Clever, but risky."

Naruto shrugged. "They never treated me kindly, so why should I? I repay kindness with kindness and malice with malice."

Kyuubi tapped its claws thoughtfully. "Your actions might make them hate you more, you know."

Naruto smirked. "They already hate me. If I can't change their minds, I might as well live how I want."

After gathering his groceries, Naruto decided to explore the nearby forest. He preferred its tranquility over the bustling streets of Konoha. He planned to collect mushrooms, wild vegetables, and fish, enjoying the simplicity of nature.

On his way, he passed a small park and froze. In the distance, a familiar scene unfolded.

"White-eyed monster! White-eyed monster!"

Three boys circled a kneeling girl, her pale eyes brimming with tears. They taunted her relentlessly, throwing snowballs at her.

"Your eyes are so ugly! What happens if we put snow in them?" one boy sneered, advancing with a handful of snow.

Hinata Hyuga, trembling, curled into herself.

Kyuubi's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "Isn't that the girl you helped before? Are you going to ignore her this time?"

Naruto stood still, watching. His lack of action puzzled Kyuubi.

Then one of the boys noticed Naruto.

"Look! It's the fox!" he shouted. "The demon fox came to help the white-eyed monster!"

Encouraged by their numbers, the boys turned their attention to Naruto, emboldened by their perceived bravery.

"The adults are scared of you, but we're not! We're going to be ninjas one day. We'll protect the village from monsters like you!"

The leader raised his fist, ready to strike, but before he could, Naruto knocked him to the ground with a swift punch.

The other boys hesitated as Naruto stepped forward, a dark smile on his face.

"You called me a demon fox, didn't you?" Naruto said, his voice cold. "Let me show you just how terrifying a demon fox can be."