From freak and monster to village hero. All these years of being bullied and ridiculed for something I can’t control—for being a Jinchūriki to the nine tails. The constant whispers behind my back, the piercing glares from villagers who saw me as nothing more than a curse. The loneliness was suffocating, an invisible weight pressing down on me every day.

But now, after countless battles, enduring grueling training, and pushing beyond every limit, I’ve saved the village and protected lives as a powerful shinobi. The same people who once avoided my gaze now nod in acknowledgment. I finally am accepted by a few more people and have made friends who see me for who I truly am, not the beast sealed within me.

I’m not a fool. I know they only now accept me because I proved myself through my actions and strength. But that’s fine. They’ll look me in the eyes one day with genuine respect, not just gratitude. For now, in the present, I’m walking through the bustling streets of the Hidden Leaf, the warm sunlight casting playful shadows, and the familiar aroma of ramen guiding me to Ichiraku. My heart feels lighter with each step, knowing that I’ve carved my place in this village—not as a monster, but as a hero.