What is the meaning of life?

This is the question that plagues Naruto every night when he stares to the ceiling if his apartment. So long has he stared at it that he has memorized the patters of it, every crack and crevice brought by time and poor maintenance.

What is the meaning of life?

This is what he asks himself whenever the villagers give him the cold shoulder. Which means that this question clouds his mind whenever he steps out of his apartment. 

What is the meaning of life? 

He asks himself when no other children befriend him, sometimes, even going as far as bullying him. All because of their parents orders.

What i the meaning of life?

He wonders, whenever one of his teachers kick him out of class based on a feeble excuse. Everyone knows that not even teachers like Naruto Uzumaki.

What is the meaning of life?

He asks himself whenever it is time to buy groceries and all he can afford is instant ramen. Sometimes, the smell of the food is enough to give him nausea. No one should survive on it alone. However, he soldiered through it because it was the only thing keeping him alive.

What is the meaning of life?

Naruto finally found the answer one warm evening, as the dusk decorated the sky in vibrant colours. He was standing on the hogake monument, observing the village.

"Life has no meaning," he whispered, his voice being carried away by the breeze.

A hearty laugh escaped his chest and Naruto let himself go, enjoying the sensation of being free for a few seconds, before the inevitable crash came.

And just like that, Naruto Uzumaki ceased to exist.

----------------------------------------

Sarutobi was nursing an aching wrist caused by all the paperwork he had to deal with. To be honest, he was tempted to burn those malevolent things. Only the knowledge that they would multiple if he did stopped him. With a tired sigh, he raised his pipe.

Then he felt it.

The utter terror and helplessness caused by killer intent. 

The malevolent aura that constricted his chest.

The kyubi was free.

This was not meant to happen, and much to his horror, his mind came with the most plausible reason for it. Minato had not failed. His seal had been approved by death itself, which only left one reason. One heart wrenching reason. Naruto was dead.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Young Naruto, who had come to his office a few days ago in search of help, only to be mostly ignored in favour of Sarutobi's duties. Young Naruto, who had tried to visit him a few hours ago, but he had been too busy to spend time with his young charge.

"I have failed you, Minato," he whispered and a lone year descended his cheek. 

With a swif movement, he removed his uniform. The God of Shinibi would fight one more time for his village... One last time.

"Bear! Dog!" The old man growled and two figures kneeled in front of him. "I am needed in the front lines. Kashi, you are in charge of looking for the Anbu Commander. Takado, you will look for Shikaku. Protect them at all costs, one of them will be the next Hokage... It has been a pleasure to serve with you, my friends. Now go!"

Both men left his office and Sarutobi followed their lead.

As he went to confront the Kyubi, he noticed the petrified villagers and pushed himself harder.

Why was it not attacking?

The Hokage could clearly see the demon, standing proudly at the feet of the Hokage mountain. It's gaze was fixed on the Fourth Hokage.

"So I see... All of you have come to try to attack me," it said, it's voice reverberated through Sarutobi's bones. He could swear that all the village could hear the monster.

A brave ninja rushed forward, only to be swatted away asan insignificant insect. Sarutobi could feel his heart beating faster?

Why was the monster not attacking?

The Kyubi turned around slowly, cradling something on his right hand.

"The kit was so young... I wonder if Minato would have hated you more than Kushina, perhaps both of the would have hated you all," the monster whispered, looking at his hands.

No one dared to move.

"You know? Until him, I have never understood what loneliness is really like. I could have lived without the knowledge. His life was so depressing. The moments of happiness that the kit experienced can be counted with a hand. You would even have fingers left," the Kyubi said, a chuckle left it lips and made the earth vibrate. "I could destroy this village. There is no one left to save you... But I won't. You want to know why? Hmm, simple, actually. I will allow you to live with the guilt. Konoha will meet its end at the hands of the monsters that you created. Konoha will be driven to insanity by the guilt." Another chuckle escaped the Kyubi's chest.

Sarutobi took a deep breath, wanting to confront the monster, but not willing to provoke it's anger.

"You are all murderers. Callous assasins. Murdered a ten year old because of your fear, but worry not! Justice shall come!" It yelled. Gusts of wind surged, powerful enough to damage many buildings and knock out a few ninja. "I bet Minato is cursing at every single one of you from the shinigami's stomach. Ha! That is payback."

The monster looked at his hands once again and craddled what he was holding to his chest. With a gasp of horror, Sarutobi realized it was Naruto's body.

"I look forwards to your destruction, Konoha."

With those words, the monster began walking away until it's figure was almost lost on the horizon. Sarutobi was about to let a relieved sigh as the adrenaline left his body. Instead, a gasp left his lips and he fell to his knees. A pain he had never felt before invaded his chest. His mind was fogged with the sheer helplessness that was stabbing his heart. 

How could anyone tolerate this pain?

As suddenly as it appeared, it also disappeared. Only then Sarutobi noticed that he was holding a kunai to his throat. He looked at the Hokage monument, and the tears that had wanted to make an appearance for so long did at last.

That is the torture that Naruto Uzumaki was submitted through. Congratulations, you are now murderers!

Those words were etched to the cold stone of the mountains, and for a moment, Sarutobi swore that all the Hokages were eyeing him with disgust