The tenth of October.
To the rest of Konoha, it was the anniversary of the Kyuubi's defeat, a day of somber remembrance and celebration of the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice. To Naruto, it was just his birthday. His eighth, to be exact.
He'd spent the last year enduring Garp's brutal morning workouts and playing the part of the class clown at the Academy. The physical conditioning had hardened his body, but the daily act of pretending to be a talentless dobe was a different kind of training—a test of patience that grated on his very soul.
Still, a small, stubborn part of him held onto a sliver of hope. Maybe this year would be different. Maybe someone would remember.
He walked into the Academy with a little more pep in his step, but the day unfolded just like any other. Iruka-sensei didn't say a word. Sakura shrieked at him for a failed clone attempt. Sasuke shot him his usual look of utter disdain. By the time the final bell rang, the hopeful spark in Naruto's chest had been thoroughly extinguished. It was just another day.
The walk home was always the worst part. The streets were filled with families, their laughter and chatter a painful reminder of what he didn't have. He kicked a loose pebble down the street, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
"You're moping," Garp's voice suddenly boomed in his mind, startling him. "It's unbecoming of a future powerhouse."
"Leave me alone, ghost-gramps," Naruto mumbled, his voice thick with disappointment. "It's nothing."
"It's not nothing," Garp said, his tone softening just a fraction. "It's the day you were born. Happy birthday, Naruto."
Naruto froze mid-step. The world seemed to stop. He stood motionless in the middle of the street as the words echoed in his head. Happy birthday, Naruto. It wasn't shouted. It wasn't a joke. It was just… a greeting. The first one he'd received all day. The first one he could ever remember receiving from anyone.
A warmth spread through his chest, so potent and unfamiliar that it made his eyes burn.
"You... you remembered?" Naruto whispered, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
"Of course I remembered, you idiot!" Garp laughed, his usual boisterous tone returning. "I've been stuck in here with you for eight years! It's kind of hard to miss! A man's birthday is important!"
Naruto couldn't stop the wide, trembling grin that spread across his face. He didn't care that people were staring at the kid grinning at nothing in the middle of the road. He felt lighter than air.
"So, uh... you get me a present?" he asked cheekily, his mood completely transformed.
"Hah! I'm giving you the greatest present of all every single day: my training!" Garp declared. "But… I suppose for a birthday, we can kick things up a notch. The first year was just about turning your body into steel. Now, we start teaching that steel how to become a weapon. Tonight, your gift will be your introduction to the Rokushiki—the Six Powers."
Naruto's eyes went wide. "Roku-shiki?"
"The pinnacle of superhuman martial arts!" Garp's voice was filled with pride. "Imagine moving faster than the eye can see. Kicking with the force of a hurricane. Your fingers becoming bullets. Your body becoming as hard as iron. You can even learn to walk in the sky itself. That is my gift to you, Naruto. The key to true strength."
Naruto was practically vibrating with excitement. Walking in the sky? Fingers like bullets? That sounded way cooler than any jutsu!
As he neared his apartment, Garp spoke again, a thoughtful tone in his voice. "By the way, brat. Looks like you're not as forgotten as you think. While you were at the Academy, two people left something for you. One who always watches you closely from the shadows, and another who watches over the whole village from afar."
Naruto frowned. "What? Who?"
"Hmph. Not my place to say. But don't ever think you are completely alone. Now hurry up, let's see what they left you."
Confused but intrigued, Naruto rushed up the stairs to his apartment. He pushed the door open and stopped. On his small, clean table sat three neatly wrapped packages that definitely hadn't been there this morning.
He approached cautiously. The first was a soft, rectangular package. He tore it open to find a brand-new orange and blue jumpsuit. Tucked inside was a simple, unsigned note: "For a fresh start."
The second package was small and hard. Inside was a pair of sleek, green goggles with a dark tint. The note with them read: "So you can see your future clearly."
The final gift was a lumpy, green wallet shaped like a toad. Naruto had never seen anything like it. The note was the simplest of all: "A full wallet makes a full belly. Start saving!"
Naruto stared at the gifts, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. Someone was watching. Someone cared enough to leave these here. He didn't know who, but it was real. They were real.
He picked up the green goggles, his fingers tracing their smooth frame. He felt the sting of tears in his eyes again, but this time, they were tears of overwhelming gratitude. He looked around his empty apartment, but it didn't feel empty anymore.
"Okay, Gramps," he said, his voice quiet but firm as he slipped the goggles over his forehead, fitting them perfectly. "I'm ready for my present now."
In his mind, he heard the sound of a deep, hearty, and proud laugh.