Chapter 4
Chapter 4: The Birthday Party
Naruto looked outside, panic surging through her. It’s so late?! Her heart raced as she realized she had missed her siblings' birthday party. How could I have let this happen?
"Ellen, I need to go back! I have something important to do," she exclaimed, urgency lacing her voice. "Is it okay if I leave you here?"
Ellen chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with reassurance. "Ah, you worry too much, kid. I’m an adult. I can handle myself. If anything comes up, I can always talk to Star Gazer."
The small star-shaped device floated from under Ellen’s shirt and blinked to life, its faint glow casting a calming light. “Good day, Sir,” it said in a polite, smooth tone with a slight accent, almost comforting yet tinged with a soft sadness.
Naruto fidgeted with the packaged presents, her fingers tracing the colorful wrapping. Each gift was a small piece of her heart, a token of her love for her siblings, and the thought of missing their celebration twisted her stomach. What will they think? Will they even care? Nagging doubts crept in, but she pushed them away. ´´No, I can’t think like that. They’re my family.´´
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Naruto asked, hesitating at the doorway.
“Of course! I’ll be just fine here. Be careful out there,” Ellen replied, a playful smile crossing her lips.
Right... okay, I’ll be back as soon as I can! With that, Naruto dashed out of the room, determination in her steps.
As she raced home, her heart pounded, a mix of excitement and anxiety. I can’t believe I almost missed it. The streets of Konoha buzzed with life, vibrant decorations adorning every corner. Laughter and music filled the air, creating a festive atmosphere that made her feel hopeful and out of place. She darted past villagers in colorful kimonos, and booths overflowing with treats, her hands clutching the small gifts she’d wrapped herself.
When she finally reached her house, she paused to catch her breath before pushing open the door, her heart sinking slightly at the scene inside.
The living room had cheerful decorations—streamers, balloons, and a large cake with brightly colored candles. Menma and Natsuki were surrounded by friends, their faces glowing as they opened gifts and swapped stories. Kushina and Minato stood nearby, beaming with pride.
“Hey! Look who finally decided to show up!” Natsuki called, her voice tinged with playful annoyance. The room’s attention turned toward Naruto, and for a moment, she felt exposed, as if everyone could see the uncertainty swirling in her mind.
“Sorry, I—” she started, but the words caught in her throat.
Menma grinned, pulling her into a headlock. “You’re late, Naruto! But I guess you brought us some presents?” He ruffled her hair affectionately.
Naruto’s heart warmed at the familiar gesture, a small smile breaking through her earlier anxiety. “Yeah! I made something for you both!” She held out the carefully wrapped gifts, her hands trembling slightly.
Natsuki’s eyes sparkled as she tore into her present. “You didn’t have to, you know! But thanks! I’ve wanted this hairpin for so long! How did you manage to get it?!”
“Yeah, thanks, sis,” Menma added, attaching the lucky charm to his vest with a wide grin.
Watching them open their gifts, Naruto felt a swell of pride. Maybe I’m not just an afterthought after all. Maybe, just maybe, I am part of this family, despite the lingering doubts.
This is what I’ve been missing, she thought, a smile reaching her eyes as laughter filled the room. But then, her smile faded as she noticed everyone slipping back into their groups, talking and laughing without her.
The other kids—Hinata, Tenten, Ino, and Natsuki—giggled over some joke while Kiba, Shino, Sasuke, Choji, Neji, and Rock Lee argued over a new card game popular among the boys. In one corner, her parents exchanged quiet words, happy and content. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—the three Sannin—were sharing drinks, with Shizune trying (unsuccessfully) to keep them in check. Across the room, Kakashi, Itachi, Shisui, and Genma stood in a serious conversation, probably about ANBU matters.
Watching them, Naruto felt the familiar ache of isolation return. The older kids, the heroes of her village—they all had their place, their bonds with each other. I’m just an annoying little sister who’d only get in the way. She moved to the buffet table, grabbing a small slice of cake and some fruit, hoping the sweets would dull her loneliness. She was about to head upstairs to eat alone when a voice echoed softly in her mind.
Naruto… is that you? Ellen’s voice was a soft brush against her thoughts. "Can you hear me?"
Naruto stiffened, her eyes widening as she looked around she sat down on the stairs. "Ellen?! How are you in my head? Magic?"
Ellen’s laugh was warm." Yeah, something like that. We’re linked now through our Linker cores, remember? It’s telepathy—a handy trick. Since we connected, I can reach you across distances, like I’m right next to you."
Naruto felt herself smile, taking another bite of cake. "That’s… kinda cool," she admitted. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to talk. Reading the book you gave me, it said the Shodaime Hokage—the founder of your village—created the forests of the Land of Fire, right?"
Naruto brightened a bit, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah! Every tree here—he created them with his Mokuton Jutsu. People called him the ‘God of Shinobi’ because he was so powerful. Chakra was said to be stronger back then. Nowadays, only a few come close to his strength."
Ellen’s thoughts grew closer, warmer. That’s… incredible. "To shape landscapes with one’s power? Back where I’m from, only a few mages could even dream of doing something like that."
But Naruto’s excitement dimmed as she looked at her hands, small compared to her family’s talents. "Yeah, but… I don’t have that kind of power. My siblings are the ones people talk about. I’m just… me."
Ellen’s words flowed into her mind gently, filling her with a quiet reassurance. "Naruto, strength isn’t always about what others see. The most remarkable qualities are often hidden, like your kindness, the band ravery it took to help a stranger like me. You’re much stronger than you think."
Naruto’s heart lifted, Ellen’s words wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She glanced back at the laughter and lights, the shared moments from which she often felt so distant. But for once, a voice reached her—one that didn’t see her as a shadow but as something far more precious.
"Thanks, Ellen." She whispered in her thoughts, savoring this small connection, a spark of warmth to hold onto in the swirling uncertainty.
And for the first time in a long while, Naruto felt something new take root in her heart—a quiet belief that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t invisible after all.
With a small, blushing smile, Naruto took the last bite of her cake. Maybe I could get another slice, she thought.
Suddenly, she sensed the quiet presence of people around her. The Shunshin Jutsu. Locking her breath, she glanced to her side. So fast.
“Is something wrong? You made a strange face just now,” Shisui pointed out, his brow raised in curiosity.
“Hey, don’t tease her! She’s just a kid… Wait. You’re that girl from yesterday! I didn’t know you were related to the Hokage. Sorry, Naruto-hime; we should have been more respectful yesterday. My fault for not realizing who you are,” Genma chimed in, shooting a glare at Shisui and bowing politely.
Well, she was the Hokage’s daughter, even if she was the youngest and seemingly untalented. Any child of the Hokage, until they became a shinobi, was referred to as a prince or princess. It was difficult for her to get used to such a title.
She shook her head. “It’s fine. Naruto is fine. I was just going to get another slice of cake.” With a blink, Itachi appeared at her side, having filled her plate for her.
“Ha ha… thanks?” Naruto took the plate with her small, chubby hands, feeling grateful. After a while, listening to the three of them talk, she quietly escaped to her room. Sometimes, she wished she wasn’t there at all.
Three weeks passed, and Ellen recovered swiftly. During those days after the academy, Naruto dashed to Ellen, eager to train with her.