As a young child, Naruto lived his early childhood as an outcast when he was turned into the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails at birth, receiving negligence and hatred from his fellow villagers. He always wanted to be a Hokage. On the day of her enrolment in the Ninja Academy, Naruto first met Hinata Hyūga, who was being picked on by three bullies. Despite not knowing her, Naruto immediately came to her defence, but he was outnumbered and knocked unconscious, and the bullies damaged his red scarf. When Naruto awoke, Hinata thanked him for helping her and returned his scarf to him, but he let her keep it. He was unaware that the girl's growing affection for him began at that moment.