I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Several cloud ninjas, still shaken by their encounter with the mysterious masked figure, resumed their mission. Hidden in the shadows, their heightened vigilance soon paid off as they spotted another masked figure approaching—a man dressed inconspicuously, almost blending in as a typical Konoha villager. Yet his appearance at such a time and place was anything but ordinary.

Captain Yūnin's eyes narrowed. Their movements had clearly drawn the attention of Konoha's Anbu. A faint smirk played on his lips as he formulated an excuse for their presence here.

The masked figure came to a halt in front of the Yūnin team. Before the man could speak, Captain Yūnin stepped forward, his face stern and accusatory. "You're a Konoha ninja, aren't you? We've lost track of our Jōnin leader. Did you have something to do with that?"

The captain's words were layered with accusation and intent. He knew well from their earlier interactions that Konoha's elite might hesitate to escalate tensions during peace talks. Perhaps a little intimidation would suffice to send them on their way.

The masked man remained silent. His gaze swept over the Yūnin team with unsettling calm before he said coldly, "Perfect. Everyone's here. Tonight, we're taking the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

The Yūnin captain's smirk vanished, replaced by a hardened scowl. But before he could reply, the masked man disappeared, leaving the team in confusion. "Shunshin or a shadow clone?" the captain muttered under his breath, scanning their surroundings.

"What's going on, Captain?" one of the younger Yūnin whispered. "Are we changing plans and targeting the Jinchūriki?"

"No, you fool!" the captain snapped. "That was no ally. Those are infiltrators from another village trying to frame us. We've been set up!"

As realization dawned, the piercing sound of Konoha Anbu closing in filled the air. Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Yugao dropped down from the rooftops, their expressions sharp.

"We've had our eyes on you for some time," Moonlight Hayate stated, his raspy voice underscoring his seriousness. "State your purpose for being here."

The Yūnin captain gritted his teeth, knowing their explanation would sound flimsy at best. "We… took a walk here," he replied, but even he knew how absurd that sounded.

"Save it," Hayate shot back. "You're coming with us for questioning."

---

Meanwhile, in Naruto's room, he yawned, stretching lazily as he headed to the bathroom. His attempts to spy on the excitement had been a bust, and it seemed wiser to wash up and sleep. He knew better than to meddle in high-stakes matters beyond his abilities—it would only draw unwanted attention.

Still, a nagging feeling lingered. He glanced toward the window. The uneasy tension in the air triggered his malice-sensing ability.

"Naruto," the Nine-Tails growled within the sealed space, its deep voice laced with warning. "Someone's coming. They reek of malice, and they're closing in on you fast. Judging by the chakra, it's a ninja."

Naruto's expression hardened. "What about the Anbu assigned to watch me? Where are they now?"

"They're being distracted by another group," Kyuubi rumbled. "You're on your own for this one, kid."

Naruto's usual playful demeanor vanished as he quickly scanned the room for weapons. He wasn't one to back down from a fight, even if this was far earlier than he had anticipated. Grabbing a fruit knife, he mentally prepared himself.

"If it comes to it, hand over control to me," Kyuubi offered, its voice surprisingly calm. "If you use my chakra, you might survive. But if you hesitate, you'll die for sure."

Naruto gave a curt nod, silently acknowledging the beast's offer.

---

Outside the building, the masked intruder scaled the wall, pausing momentarily to survey Naruto's room. Removing his mask revealed the face of a middle-aged ninja—Tianfeng, a man who had once been part of the Fourth Hokage's unit.

Tianfeng's eyes flickered with conflicting emotions as he entered the room. His gaze fell upon a single photo on Naruto's bedside table. Picking it up, he stared at the cheerful image of a young Naruto before his expression darkened. Memories of his past flooded his mind: the rise and fall of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.

Once, Tianfeng had believed in Minato's vision. He had risen through the ranks, inspired by his Hokage's determination and strength. But the events of the Nine-Tails' attack had shattered everything. Minato's death left his unit to languish in obscurity, and injuries from relentless missions robbed Tianfeng of his potential.

Clenching his jaw, Tianfeng crushed the photo in his hand. His bitterness boiled over. "Naruto Uzumaki… if you hadn't been born, none of this would've happened. You should never have existed, you damned demon fox."

Pushing open the bathroom door, Tianfeng moved swiftly, kunai in hand, ready to strike. The silhouette behind the foggy glass didn't flinch. He thrust his weapon forward—but to his shock, it pierced nothing but air.

Before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his foot. He looked down to see a fruit knife embedded in his heel, blood pooling at his feet.

Behind him, Naruto's voice rang out, steady and filled with resolve. "It's you who doesn't belong in this world!"