Prologue: Leaving the Bird Cage

Naruto Uzumaki, a five year old blonde haired boy, quickly ran through the woods as he left his village. He didn't want to live in a place that treated him horribly everyday. He didn't know why the villagers treated him like that. So he made a decision: leave the village. Why would he want to stay in a place that didn't really welcome him? Instead of just sitting around doing nothing, he decided to go on an adventure. See what lies outside of this bird cage of a village. Maybe he'll find some people who will accept him for who he is. Suddenly, he bumped into someone. Naruto shook his head, trying to get rid of the dizziness. Once his blue eyes could see clearly, he froze at the ninja in front of him.

"W-Who are you?" Naruto asked, staring at the ninja before him. It was a male adult standing in front of him. He had black eyes and long black hair that was tied back. His bangs covered the side of his hitai-ate that he wore around his forehead. He was wearing an ANBU outfit.

"What are you doing outside of the village?" The man asked, "You shouldn't even be outside at all."

"Um, just enjoying the cool night air?" Naruto asked as he scratched the back of his head nervously. The man's brow arched at Naruto's answer.

"I'll ask again: what are you doing out here?" The man asked. Naruto sighed while looking down at the ground.

"I'm leaving the village." Naruto said.

"Why?" The man asked, confused.

"I'm tired of being beat up almost everyday." Naruto said, "I want go out and have an adventure. This place doesn't feel like a home. It's like a birdcage."

"I understand." The man said.

"You do?" Naruto asked, head tilted to the side.

"Hai." The man said, "Unfortunately, I can't leave. I have duties to my clan."

"I see." Naruto said. He saw the man reach into his pocket and took something out. It was his wallet and he took out a few ryo. Then the man handed them over to him. Naruto timidly accepted them.

"Why are you giving me this?" Naruto asked.

"You're gonna need it more than me." The man said.

"Thank you." Naruto said. Then he walked around the man, but stopped to look over his shoulder.

"By the way, what's your name?" Naruto asked.

"Itachi Uchiha." The man said.

"Well Itachi, I hope we meet again someday." Naruto said as he smiled and gave a small wave before disappearing into the night.

Itachi Uchiha watched the little blonde boy fade into the darkness of the forest. He had to admit that the kid had guts to leave the village. He had heard of the nine-tailed jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki. Somehow, he felt pity for the boy. He's been abused by the villagers ever since he was born. The boy was like the village's scapegoat, someone to put the blame on. He couldn't understand why they would bring harm to a child. Did they think that beating him up will bring their loved ones back or does it satisfy them to bring pain towards a child?

Itachi began to wonder if the kid will really survive outside of the village. But he had the strangest feeling that he might. If he was brave enough to leave the village, then he has a fighting chance that he will survive. He hoped to meet him again someday.