Completely shunned by his village, Naruto barely had any positive interactions with people while growing up. But why was Naruto hated as a kid?
Naruto was hated as a kid because the Nine Tailed Fox was sealed within him. The fox destroyed the Leaf Village years prior, ultimately being sealed away inside Naruto by the Fourth Hokage. Those of the Leaf Village took their frustrations over the Fox’s destruction out on young Naruto.
He was able to gain the villagers’ respect after helping to defeat Pain. The existence of the Tailed Beast explains why Naruto has so much chakra.
Naruto learns why he was hated as a kid
In chapter #1, Naruto is encouraged by the traitorous ninja Mizuki to steal a forbidden scroll. Iruka sensei is able to cut Naruto off before he’s able to successfully give the scroll to the ninja.
Mizuki begins to toy with Naruto, disclosing the true reason that everyone hates him. Iruka pleads with the ninja for him to stop, but Mizuki reveals the ultimate secret.
He brings up the incident of the Nine Tailed Fox destroying the Leaf Village years prior. A decree was put in place, Mizuki says, that every person in the village would be aware of except for young Naruto.
The decree states that no one must ever tell Naruto that he is the Fox Demon who destroyed the village. Those of the Leaf Village think of Naruto as the one who ended their families and upended their community. Mizuki continues to reveal that the Fourth Lord Hokage trapped the Tailed Beast inside of Naruto.
Since then you’ve been made a fool of by everyone in town! Didn’t you think it was strange? To be despised, everywhere you went?
Mizuki to Naruto | Chapter #1
Mizuki continues to hurl insults at Naruto. He says that Naruto never knew a parent’s love, being shunned by the village since the day of his birth. The best Naruto could hope for was attention, not love. He was willing to accept any criticism so long as someone was paying attention to him.
So that’s the answer. Naruto was hated as a kid because the Nine Tailed Fox was sealed within him. The fox destroyed the village before being sealed away inside of Naruto by the Fourth Hokage. Members of the Leaf Village took their grief of the Fox’s destruction out on Naruto.