Naruto ran. He ran faster than he could have ever imagined. He felt his heart pump with excitement, and the air was fresher than ever. He ran along a stream where he used to fish in case he'd run out of water and food. He ran all day, until his lungs felt like burning and his muscles couldn't bear the increasing pain. Finally he collapsed by a tree in the forest far to the east of Konoha. Kurama was a little amazed by Naruto's stamina, then he remembered that Naruto was half Uzumaki after all.
"The hokage has already given you your monthly allowance. He won't check on you until next month, so no one will notice you're gone until then. If you run like that every day, you will be out of the Land of Fire in no time," Kurama assured Naruto.
Naruto panted heavily, trying to catch his breath.
"Once you make up your mind, you go all out for it, huh?", Kurama thought to himself.
"Get some rest, brat. You need it."
Having not gotten a good sleep in the unfamiliar place, Naruto woke up at daybreak feeling anxious, and just like the day before, he ran as fast as he could. He knew he had to get out of the Land of Fire as soon as possible. Nobody would care if he didn't go to the academy, but since he was supposed to be Konoha's important "weapon", he'd be in big trouble if they found out he had left the village. Kurama had told him to go to the Land of Water. Since there is a sea between the two nations, it would be hard to track him once he crossed the sea. With all his might Naruto ran all day, barely stopping to drink or eat, and by nightfall he was out of his country. His clothes were muddy from all the sweat and dirt, but he didn't care. He was going to find another ninja village and become a ninja. He still wanted to be a ninja after all.
"Where are we now, ?", Naruto asked.
Kurama said, "I believe we are now out of Konoha's reach."
Naruto rejoiced at the answer, "Really? It was shorter than I expected, haha!"
"You can take it easy now, but still watch out for any signs of danger," Kurama said. He decided it was time to let Naruto relax a bit.
3 days had passed since Naruto crossed the borders and arrived at the Land of Hot Springs. The weather here was pretty nice and warm. Squirrels and quails could be found in the woods. Naruto learned with Kurama's help how to hunt, partly because he wanted to save some of the instant ramen he had brought. He finally got to take a bath in a hot spring along the way, which felt like a luxury. This day Naruto was trying to capture a hare when he bumped into someone.
"Ouch! Sorry, Mr.- oh hey you're my age!" Naruto looked up at the boy, who jumped back immediately, hands ready in defense.
"Hi there, I'm Naruto. I've been traveling and I'm going to Kirigakure! Are you traveling, too? What's your name?" Naruto was so delighted to see another kid after surviving the wilds on his own that he dropped his guards completely.
Surprised by how frank Naruto was, the boy lowered his arms and replied, "Kimimaro. I'm Kimimaro."
Naruto laughed, "That's a cool name. Where are you from?"
Kimimaro looked away, "It's not a very good place."
"Oh, well uh, sorry." Naruto realized he was being too blunt to a complete stranger.
Kimimaro stood hunching a little. He was wearing tattered clothes and carrying a crumpled knapsack over his shoulder. Naruto noticed the melancholic expression on Kimimaro's good-looking face. His gut told him that the boy he had just met was also lonely like himself.
"Say, I could use some company, why don't you come with me?", Naruto asked with a friendly smile.
Kimimaro looked at him perplexed, "How did you know…?" His voice faltered.
"That I don't know where to go?", Kimimaro asked in his mind.
"Well, I would not recommend going in the direction you were heading," Kimimaro said with a frown.
Naruto scratched his head. "You see, I'm from Konohagakure, but I can't go back to the Land of Fire. I'm kinda in exile now, haha."
The blonde boy's optimistic attitude sparked Kimimaro's curiosity. "I see from your running speed that you are not just a civilian. You haven't graduated from ninja academy, have you?", Kimimaro asked.
"You're right, but I will become a ninja no matter what! So I was thinking about going to another ninja village. I want to get the best training and become very strong!", Naruto said and punched the air.
"Hmm, how about going to the Land of Earth? If you want good training, choose a village from the five great nations," Kimimaro suggested. Only shinobi who have undergone rigid training can show true strength. Anyone who tries to challenge them by sheer violence would only be exterminated. He knew that all too well.
"The Land of Earth? Sounds great! It would be a safe place for both of us!", Naruto grinned.
Kimimaro snapped back from his memories. "Uh, yeah, I guess."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's head out!" Naruto started running again, then stopped and turned back at Kimimaro. "Hurry up, Kimimaro!"
Having not been called by his name in a while, Kimimaro was a little stunned. The boy looked 6 years old at most, 2 years younger than Kimimaro himself, and yet he was so independent and ambitious.
"Coming, Naruto!" Kimimaro smiled and caught up.