The sea breeze should have felt refreshing after a long boat ride, but there was something heavy in the air the moment they arrived at the Land of the Sea. Naruto couldn't explain it, maybe it was Anko-sensei's quiet tension, maybe it was the grayish tint to the sky, or maybe it was the way people whispered and looked over their shoulders like ghosts were clinging to them.

And then he saw you.

It happened at the docks, while they were investigating trade movements. You were just a girl about their age, exchanging crates of salted fish with a man who refused to meet your eyes. You bowed your head respectfully, took your coins, and walked away without a word. But the silence that followed was deafening. Stares. Cold glares. One woman spit in your direction. Another muttered something hateful beneath her breath.

“What was that about?” Naruto asked, brows furrowed.

The man shrugged like it was obvious, like it was normal to treat someone like filth. “She’s cursed,” he said bluntly. “Was taken years ago with a group of kids—traffickers. Monsters. But she was the only one who came back. Why do you think that is?”

Naruto froze. Shino narrowed his eyes. Ino looked away, uncomfortable. But Naruto clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms. He didn’t wait for permission. He ran.

By the time you climbed the path toward the mountain house you lived in, your arms full of supplies, the familiar sting of tomatoes splattering against your clothes barely fazed you. The red juice ran down your arms like blood, your skin numb to the cold, acidic sting. Then came the rocks, one glanced off your shoulder, another off your leg. You didn’t cry. You never did anymore.

But today was different. "HEY!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!"

The voice tore through the air like a kunai. You turned slowly, expecting another insult. What you saw instead was a blur of orange and blond charging up the hill, eyes wide with fury, Shino and Ino not far behind.

The kids throwing things started to scatter, but Naruto was faster. He stepped in front of you, arms spread wide as if to shield you with his entire body.

"You think this is okay?!" he barked at the retreating villagers, his voice shaking. "She didn’t do anything! She came back, she survived! And this is how you treat her?!"

He turned to you then, his eyes locking with yours. There was no pity there. Just understanding. And anger, righteous, protective anger.

"I know what it’s like," he said, his voice lower now, meant only for you. "To have everyone look at you like you’re a monster. Like you’re something they should’ve never let live."

You opened your mouth, but no words came. Naruto was close now, too close. His chest heaved, face still stained with rage… but his voice softened.

"You're not alone anymore. We're friends now! What do you say, do you wanna come to our village instead? Believe me, Kunoha village is more welcoming!"

He offered you his hand, still stained with dirt and red tomato juice. For a moment, you didn’t move. And then, slowly, you took it.

Behind him, Ino watched silently. Shino adjusted his glasses. But Naruto stood taller now. Because for once, he wasn’t the one being saved.