Chapter 4: The Outcast

The village was abuzz with rumors, whispers spreading like wildfire through the streets and homes of Konoha. Small groups of villagers gathered in corners, speaking in hushed tones about the latest scandal, their faces etched with varying degrees of shock and disbelief.

“Did you hear? Naruto Uzumaki… that boy killed Iruka-sensei,” an older man said, his voice hushed yet filled with unmistakable tension.

“No way. How could someone like him kill Iruka?” another villager responded, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“It’s true,” another voice chimed in from the edge of the group. “I heard he used something from that forbidden scroll he stole. You know how dangerous that scroll is.”

“But Iruka-sensei was strong… wasn’t he?” someone else muttered uncertainly, looking for confirmation from the others. “How could a kid like Naruto—?”

“He’s not just a kid!” an older woman interrupted sharply, her eyes blazing with a mixture of fear and anger. “He’s the Demon Fox, remember? That boy’s dangerous. It was only a matter of time before he snapped.”

“But still… a child?” a younger villager mumbled, shaking his head. “I always thought Iruka was weak, but to be killed by his own student… that’s beyond belief.”

“Doesn’t matter,” another man cut in, his face pale with dread. “Naruto isn’t like the rest of us. He’s… different. That beast inside him… it’s what did it. I always knew that demon would rise again. The Fourth Hokage’s seal must be weakening.”

The group fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of the accusation hanging heavily in the air. None of them could deny the fear that lingered at the back of their minds, the fear they had held ever since the Nine-Tails had been sealed within the boy. Despite years of peace, that old terror had never truly faded.

Meanwhile, in the heavily guarded infirmary, Naruto lay unconscious, his body battered and bandaged from head to toe. The room was thick with tension, the sound of low voices murmuring among the guards and medical ninja. Around Naruto’s bed, Konoha’s top officials had gathered, their faces etched with seriousness as they debated his fate.

“This boy,” one of the ninja said, his voice laced with disdain, “he’s too dangerous to keep around any longer. He killed Iruka, and before that, he killed that dog. He’s a ticking time bomb.”

A woman beside him shook her head. “Naruto didn’t use the kunai to kill Iruka,” she said sharply. “But that doesn’t make him any less of a threat. We all remember the dog incident—Mizuki mentioned the children didn’t actually kill it. What if Naruto dealt the final blow? What if he kicked it to death?”

Mizuki, standing in the corner, nodded gravely, his face portraying sorrow while his eyes gleamed with hidden malice. “That’s right,” he said, his voice calm but sinister. “The children may have injured the dog, but Naruto could have easily finished it off. It wouldn’t surprise me… the Demon Fox can’t change its nature.”

The room fell silent at Mizuki’s words. The implication hung heavily in the air. They had all harbored doubts about Naruto for years, always watching him with a wary eye. Now, those doubts seemed to be confirmed, solidified by the recent events.

One of the elders, an older woman with a tired face, spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. “But… look at him,” she said, her eyes filled with pity as they fell on Naruto’s limp form. “He’s barely alive. He can’t hear, can’t see, can’t even speak anymore. Throwing him out would be… cruel.”

The Third Hokage, who had been standing silently at the back of the room, finally stepped forward, his face lined with sorrow and weariness. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the expressions of those around him. “I agree,” he said slowly, his voice soft but authoritative. “It would be heartless to cast him out in this condition. He’s no longer a threat.”

“But what about the villagers?” another elder countered, his brow furrowed in concern. “They’re afraid of him. If we keep him here, there will be unrest. People will demand justice for Iruka. They’ll want to see Naruto punished.”

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The Third Hokage sighed deeply, his heart heavy with the weight of the decision before him. “I understand,” he said, his voice grave. “Naruto… will be exiled from the village. With his injuries, he will no longer pose a danger to anyone. And with his eyes gone… he will never be able to return.”

A somber silence fell over the room as the Hokage’s words settled in. Some nodded in agreement, others looked troubled, but none could argue against the decision. It was the only solution that could keep the peace within the village, even if it meant casting out a boy who was already broken beyond repair.

In the academy, the atmosphere was equally tense. The classroom buzzed with confusion and unease as the children sat restlessly, whispering to one another as they waited for Iruka-sensei’s usual arrival. The air felt heavy, charged with rumors and fear, and none of them could shake the sense that something terrible had happened.

“Where is Iruka-sensei?” one of the more oblivious boys asked, glancing around the room. “Is class canceled today?”

“Idiot,” a girl snapped, rolling her eyes. “Don’t you know? Naruto killed Iruka-sensei!”

The boy’s eyes widened in shock, his face paling as the weight of the news hit him. “What?! No way! Naruto did that?”

“I swear it’s true,” another student said, her voice filled with a mix of fear and excitement. “I heard that Naruto went crazy or something. Used some kind of jutsu from the forbidden scroll.”

Sakura, sitting nearby, crossed her arms and scoffed, her expression full of disdain. “I knew that orphan was no good. He was always so weird. I bet he snapped because no one liked him. Can’t believe he actually thought he’d become Hokage. As if!”

The words hit Sasuke like a blow, though he didn’t show it on his face. His mind wandered to the countless times he had heard Naruto say those exact words with such determination: I will become the Hokage. The memory seemed at odds with what he had heard. Sasuke clenched his fists under his desk, his thoughts racing. Could Naruto really have done that? Killed Iruka-sensei?

The doubt gnawed at him, refusing to be ignored. Naruto was a fool, always getting into trouble and spouting nonsense about becoming Hokage. But a killer? Sasuke couldn’t reconcile the image of the loudmouthed, annoying boy with the rumors of murder. Something didn’t add up.

In the back of the room, Hinata sat quietly, her heart heavy as she listened to the whispers around her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing—Naruto couldn’t have done something so terrible. He was always kind, always trying to prove himself. The idea of him killing Iruka was unfathomable to her. But she couldn’t bring herself to speak up. The weight of everyone’s judgment seemed too heavy, and she feared her own voice would be lost in the noise.

The door to the classroom slid open with a soft creak, and Mizuki stepped inside, his face a mask of sorrow as he approached the front of the room. The children fell silent as he stood before them, his expression somber and his voice low.

“Class,” Mizuki began, his tone filled with forced sadness. “As you’ve all heard, Iruka-sensei won’t be coming today. I will be taking over his lessons for the time being.”

There was a brief pause as the students exchanged glances, uncertain how to react. Mizuki’s presence felt off, unsettling in a way they couldn’t quite place. Sasuke’s sharp eyes narrowed as he watched Mizuki closely, suspicion gnawing at the edges of his mind.

Mizuki continued, his voice dripping with false emotion. “Iruka-sensei was a dear friend of mine. Seeing what happened to him… it was devastating. But… we must remember to be strong, and we must move forward.”

Sakura, oblivious as ever, whispered to one of her friends, her voice full of disdain. “Good riddance,” she muttered. “Naruto was always trouble. We’re better off without him.”

Sasuke didn’t hear her. His attention was locked on Mizuki, watching the way the man’s face twisted into what should have been grief, but something about it seemed too forced, too rehearsed. There were no tears, no genuine signs of mourning. The way Mizuki spoke about his “friend” felt wrong. It was as if the words were just another performance.

Sasuke’s mind raced, piecing together the events of the past few days. He didn’t have proof, but his gut told him that something wasn’t right. Naruto… despite being an idiot, wasn’t a killer. And Mizuki… there was something off about the way he carried himself, something hidden beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Naruto stirred slightly in his bed, his body aching and wrapped tightly in bandages. His throat was raw, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. Pain wracked his entire body, making it difficult to even breathe, let alone move.

Memories flooded his mind, flashes of the attack, Mizuki’s betrayal, and the overwhelming agony that followed. His thoughts were scattered, fragmented by the trauma, but one thing stood out amidst the chaos—Mizuki’s cruel smile as he struck him down.

“I’m… sorry…” Naruto whispered, his voice barely audible as it cracked with pain. The words felt hollow, a desperate plea to be understood, even though there was no one there to hear him.

One of the medical ninja nearby noticed his movement and rushed over, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw Naruto’s eyes fluttering open. He hurriedly turned to one of the guards standing outside the door. “Naruto is awake,” he called out.

The guard nodded grimly and quickly left to inform the Hokage, while the medical ninja turned his attention back to Naruto, his expression filled with concern. But as Naruto lay there, weak and broken, one thought repeated itself in his mind, over and over again.

“I’m… sorry…”

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