Chapter 11: The Village's Whisper
The dust had settled. The screams of battle had faded into quiet murmurs. The forest stood still, as if holding its breath.
From the shadows, Temari and Kankuro emerged, finding their brother unconscious, his monstrous form broken down to his bloodied human body. Temari knelt beside Gaara, her face a mix of worry and confusion.
"He lost…?" Kankuro muttered, looking at the boy beside Gaara—Naruto, covered in bruises and dirt, his clothes shredded, his body completely still.
Temari nodded. "We need to go. Before the Konoha forces arrive."
Kankuro hesitated. "What about the blonde one?"
Temari glanced at Naruto, then shook her head. "He didn't kill Gaara… He saved him. That's enough."
They vanished into the trees, carrying their brother back to the Sand.
Later…
Kakashi landed in the clearing moments later, his eyes scanning the scene. Sasuke was slumped against a tree, his skin pale and the Cursed Seal spreading like dark flames across his neck and chest.
"Naruto…" Sasuke muttered as Kakashi rushed over.
Kakashi knelt beside him, quickly inspecting the seal and stabilizing his chakra. "You're okay."
Sasuke's voice was hoarse. "It wasn't me… Naruto defeated him. Defeated Gaara…"
Kakashi's eye widened. He turned to see Naruto lying just a few feet away—battered, unconscious, but alive.
Without another word, he picked up both boys and vanished from the forest in a blur of movement.
Three Days Later
The white ceiling blurred into focus as Naruto's eyes slowly opened. The beeping of machines, the clean smell of antiseptic, and the quiet rustle of curtains greeted him.
He was in a hospital.
He blinked a few times before trying to sit up. Pain flared across his body, but it wasn't unbearable. His training had made him tougher than before.
A nurse walked in, gasping. "You're awake! Let me get the doctor."
Naruto looked around. Flowers. Cards. Gifts. Nothing fancy—but from people. From villagers.
He was released the next morning. His body was still sore, but he didn't want to lie around. He needed air.
Konoha Streets
Naruto walked aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, unsure of where he was headed. But something felt… different.
People were looking at him—but not with hatred.
"Hey, it's the kid who saved Sector Four!"
"I heard he took out a dozen Sound-nin by himself!"
"My cousin said a blonde kid and his clones rescued their whole neighborhood!"
Naruto's steps slowed.
A vendor waved. "Hey, Naruto! Thank you—for protecting my family."
A woman who used to pull her child away when Naruto passed now gently bowed to him. "I'm sorry for how I treated you before… Thank you for saving us."
Naruto stood frozen. These people… These were the same villagers who used to glare, whisper, curse under their breath.
Now they were smiling.
He gripped his fist, overwhelmed by emotions he hadn't let himself feel in years. Acceptance. Respect. Gratitude.
All because, before chasing Gaara, he'd created a hundred shadow clones, sending them to defend and rescue as many people as they could. Not for praise—but because it was the right thing to do.
And now, the village was beginning to see him not as the demon boy… but as a hero.
Naruto smiled, wiping a tear from his cheek.
"Guess I finally made 'em notice me, huh?"
The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Naruto's small apartment. After the madness of the exams, the hospital stay, and the overwhelming shift in how the villagers treated him, Naruto decided he needed a break—a real one. No clones. No training. Just sleep, ramen, and peace.
For the first time in what felt like years, he allowed himself to relax.
He hadn't heard from Kakashi. Not even a "well done." Sasuke hadn't visited. Sakura didn't say anything either. Part of him expected it—maybe even accepted it. But that didn't make it hurt any less.
He was resting on his futon, arms tucked behind his head, when there was a soft knock at his window.
"Oi, brat. You alive in there?"
Naruto's eyes widened slightly, then brightened. He sat up quickly. "Anko?"
The window slid open, and there she was—purple hair tousled, fishnet and trench coat still covered in signs of recent missions, a casual smirk on her lips.
"I heard you woke up a few days ago," she said, stepping in like it was her own place. "I figured you'd be sulking in here."
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Not sulking. Just… taking it easy."
Anko's eyes scanned the small apartment. Ramen cups. A few scrolls. His tattered old gear in the corner. She looked back at him and gave a small, crooked smile.
"You did good, Naruto. Damn good. Not just beating Gaara—but what you did for the village. The clones saving civilians, standing your ground during the invasion… That wasn't just brave. That was shinobi work."
Naruto gave a sheepish grin, rubbing his arm. "Thanks, Anko-sensei."
She raised a brow. "Since when am I your sensei?"
Naruto shrugged. "You trained me more than anyone ever did. So yeah, you kinda are."
Anko leaned against the wall, folding her arms. "Still haven't heard from your team?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not a word. Not from Kakashi. Not from Sakura. I think Sasuke's still in the hospital."
His voice dipped slightly. And then it hit him again, like a kunai to the chest.
"Hokage-jiji… He's gone." Naruto's voice cracked.
Anko's expression softened. She didn't say anything. Just walked over and sat beside him on the futon.
"I heard what happened," he said after a moment. "Orochimaru killed him. My… my grandpa…"
He didn't cry. Not loudly. But the emotion sat heavy in his throat. So much had happened, and he was only a kid—but the world kept spinning like it didn't care.
Anko didn't say anything. Instead, she pulled him closer. And in a rare moment of vulnerability, Naruto wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
She blinked, stunned for a moment—but then her arms came up around his back. Her grip was strong, but warm. Protective.
"You're not alone, Naruto," she whispered, voice quieter than he'd ever heard it. "You've got me. Always."
They stayed like that for a while. Two outcasts. Two survivors. Connected not just by pain—but by strength.
And in that quiet moment, something in Naruto began to heal.