Naruto Gone Insane

**"What are you doing? You're a born evil Uzumaki brat!"**

**"I must kill you with my own hands!"**

Amid the furious roars of Kurama, Naruto exited the sealed space. As his consciousness returned, his eyes opened to the sterile ceiling of Konoha Hospital.

Turning his gaze to the window, he noticed the bright sunlight streaming in. Despite the intense confrontation with Kurama in the sealed space, time outside had barely passed—only an hour or two.

He felt remarkably refreshed, his body brimming with vitality. The guilt of his earlier "desertion" was nowhere to be found.

*What a joke!* he thought. *Kurama was about to unleash a third Tailed Beast Ball, treating it like a basic attack. Even if Raiketsu (name change as it was feeling chinese) can absorb chakra, using it repeatedly would have drained my Mangekyō Sharingan's pupil power. That Tailed Beast Ball was equivalent to hundreds of Kakashis!*

However, Naruto had made a surprising discovery: his Mangekyō Sharingan's pupil power could recover. He wasn't sure if this was due to the Uzumaki clan's special physique or the influence of Kurama's chakra, but it was a massive relief.

*Does absorbing Sharingan increase pupil power?* he wondered. *And if I absorb a Mangekyō Sharingan, would it evolve directly into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?*

The thought of testing this theory briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He was almost six years old, meaning he'd soon enter the Ninja Academy. The Uchiha clan's downfall was approaching, and Naruto couldn't help but see potential opportunities amidst the chaos.

*If I can find a Mangekyō Sharingan during the clan's demise…* His thoughts drifted toward the possibility of unlocking the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and wielding its power without worry.

But before that, he needed a subject to test his new abilities. The list of people who had made his life miserable over the years was long. As Naruto pondered, he sensed through Kurama's malicious perception that two hostile presences near him had disappeared—likely to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.

Unlike before, Naruto no longer felt the need to suppress himself. With the Mangekyō Sharingan in hand, his days of silent endurance were over.

**"Knock, knock, knock!"**

A sudden knock on the door broke his thoughts. Before he could respond, the door swung open to reveal Sarutobi Hiruzen, adorned in his Hokage hat and wearing a kind smile.

*You knocked for nothing,* Naruto thought, his irritation barely concealed.

"Little Naruto, how is your body recovering?" Hiruzen asked kindly.

Naruto returned a polite smile. "Much better, Sandaime."

The unexpected change in address made Hiruzen freeze for a split second. Though his expression remained warm, Naruto sensed the slight uptick in malice.

"Little Naruto, why don't you call me Sandaime Grandpa anymore? Are you feeling unwell?"

*Old man, calling you Sandaime is me being polite. If I weren't, I'd bury you under the Hokage Monument.* Naruto kept his thoughts to himself, his expression neutral.

"I'm fine," Naruto replied curtly, lowering his gaze in feigned sadness.

Seeing this, Hiruzen assumed the boy was emotionally wounded. "Naruto, this isn't your fault. Many in the village have misunderstood you."

"But… I turned into the demon fox just now," Naruto muttered, his voice laced with false despair.

Hiruzen sighed deeply. "Naruto, let me tell you a story."

Naruto feigned curiosity. "A story?"

Hiruzen's expression softened with nostalgia as he began recounting the tale of the Fourth Hokage. He spoke at length about Minato Namikaze's brilliance, his kindness, and his heroic sacrifice during the Nine-Tails' attack five years ago.

But as Hiruzen painted Minato as the village's savior, Naruto's mind wandered to his own experiences.

*Minato Namikaze, what exactly did you protect?* Naruto thought bitterly. *You died, your wife died, and your son was left to suffer—hated and scorned by everyone. Your so-called legacy is nothing but ashes.*

The villagers didn't truly believe Naruto was Kurama. They only needed someone to bear their grief and anger, and Naruto, with no one to defend him, became their scapegoat.

"Naruto."

Hiruzen's voice pulled him from his thoughts. The Hokage's tone was serious now.

"Though it was the Fourth Hokage who sealed the Nine-Tails, you carry the hope of the entire village. Without you as the seal, Konoha wouldn't enjoy the peace it has today. Naruto, you are a hero."

Naruto stared at the old man, his mind blank for a moment.

*What?*

Sarutobi Hiruzen's PUA skills were impressive. His words almost made Naruto believe it for a moment. Almost.

But Naruto quickly composed himself. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he forced a determined expression. "Sandaime, I am the hero of Konoha! I'll make everyone recognize me!"

"Good, good!" Hiruzen said, nodding in satisfaction. Though Naruto still didn't call him "Grandpa," his fiery resolve was enough to please the Hokage.

"If you want recognition, you must first become a ninja. Once you graduate from the academy, you'll truly begin your journey."

"I will work hard, Sandaime!" Naruto said with exaggerated enthusiasm, staring at the old man with eyes brimming with "hope."