Synopsis
12 years ago the ninja village of Kohona was attacked by a nine tailed demon fox, causing mass destruction. In a last ditch effort to save his village the Fourth Hokage ("Chief" or "leader") sacrificed himself by sealing the Kyuubi inside a new born child, Naruto. The Hokage meant for the boy to be seen as a hero, but after the Fourth's death most villagers viewed him as if he were the demon itself rather than an innocent vessel sacrificed for the good of the community. A law was passed forbidding the villagers from telling the younger generation (Naruto included) what actually happened to the Kyuubi after it's defeat. So Naruto grew up hated and alone without ever knowing why and his generation, though ignorant of his identity, learned to hate the wayward orphan as much as their parents did.
The manga opens 12 years later, introducing the prankster Naruto, now a student in ninja school, decimating Kohona's most valued public monument in what is most likely a desperate bid for attention. It follows him as he tries to realize his dream: to become the next Hokage (strongest ninja in the village) and make the villagers acknowledge him. Of course, what good is a budding ninja without a perverted sensei and two border-line hostile teammates (one a broody rival, the other an unrequited love interest)?