Disclaimer: I own nothing

Summary: There are many "what if's" in the world of Naruto, and I hope this is a breath of fresh air for all who choose to read. What if Naruto hadn't been forced to fend for himself? What if two shinobi took a liking to the boy, and chose to not only train him before he begins the academy, but provide him a stable life, free from the attacks from mobs and overpriced goods from shops? All this and much more in Naruto: Eternal Triumph

Legend

"Human talking"

'Human thinking'

"Tailed Beast/Summon talking"

'Tailed Beast/Summon thinking'

Jutsu

Chapter 1: Introduction

The day was June 7, a fairly hot day in Konohagakure. We find ourselves in the heart of Konoha's market, where a certain child is currently being chased by two ANBU. This child was Naruto Uzumaki, the container of the Nine Tailed Fox, Kurama. Why was Naruto being chased? It was nothing major, at least to him, just painting whiskers on the face of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Naruto idolized Lord Fourth, and always dreamt of being a Hokage even greater than Minato. Naruto managed to escape the ANBU, but soon found a whole new problem. Naruto had run into a mob, mainly consisting of civilians, but also a handful of chūnin and jōnin. Naruto ran as fast as his little legs could move, and eventually found himself outside the village gates. One of the jōnin managed to throw a kunai that landed in the back of Naruto's leg, causing Naruto to slow down, and the mob to move in and swarm the child before he could recover. Before anyone could strike the poor boy, they heard a shout that was all too familiar to some.

"Dynamic Entry!" was all that was needed to alert the mob that one of Konoha's strongest shinobi had arrived, that and the fact that one of the chūnin were laying against a tree, unconscious. This man was Might Guy, Konoha's Sublime Blue Beast. Every civilian ran, leaving only 3 chūnin and two jōnin. Two of the chūnin first engaged Guy, but were overpowered and rendered unconscious. The last chūnin managed to keep Guy busy long enough for the two jōnin to grab Naruto and run towards Training Ground 44.

As Guy defeated the last chūnin and signaled for ANBU to take the three men away, Guy ran in hopes of finding Naruto. The two remaining jōnin dropped Naruto on the ground, his bright orange jumpsuit partially stained with his own blood. "Why? Why are you doing this?" said Naruto hoarsely. "Don't act like you don't know demon! We're going to finish what the Fourth Hokage started!" said one of the jōnin as he raised a kunai. Unbeknownst to them, one of the many creatures that populated the training ground, known as the Forest of Death, subdued both jōnin in a web, rendering both unable to even move. Guy had finally found Naruto, after spotting the bright orange jumpsuit that only Naruto would wear. As he approached the boy, his savior leapt from the trees in front of him, a tarantula that seemed all too large to be a normal insect. "Not another step! I won't let you hurt this boy anymore!" shouted the spider.

'It seems as though this spider was the one who saved Naruto. I'll have to be careful. Who knows what else this creature is capable of' thought Guy. "I mean no harm, I am only here to save that child. I thank you for neutralizing these two unyouthful comrades" said Guy as he bowed. The tarantula was shocked that this man wasn't here to harm the boy, but had to be sure. Inching closer to Guy, she tried to sense any evil intentions. "It seems you are telling the truth, ninja-san. I apologize, I just needed to make sure this child would be safe. I am Aurelia, a member of the spider summons" she said in an elegant voice. "It's a pleasure to meet you Aurelia, my name is Might Guy, Konoha's Sublime Blue Beast" said Guy as he flashed his signature pose. Aurelia sweat dropped at the man's behavior, but said nothing of it. Our young hero slowly walked over, his leg still wounded. "Child, I want you to hold still. I'm going to heal your wound with my web. This may hurt a little bit" said Aurelia as Naruto laid on his stomach. Aurelia found the wound and slowly shot the web around his wound. "The wound will be fully healed in a few minutes. Once the wound is healed, the web will unwrap on its own" said Aurelia. "Thank you miss…." "Aurelia" "Aurelia. But why would you save me? Why would either of you save me? This whole village hates me" said Naruto lowly. While Aurelia was enraged that an entire village would hate a single child, Guy, for once in his life, didn't feel his flames of youth burning. He was saddened by Naruto's revelation, and angry at the village for making this boy's life miserable. He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and knelt down to look him in the eyes.

"Naruto, no one should have to live a life filled with sadness, let alone a child. I want to bring you back to the village and help you any way I can" said Guy. Naruto looked at the man with wide eyes and tears rolling down his face "R- Really? B- But.." "No buts Naruto. I will do anything I can to change your life for the better and let your flames of youth burn bright!" exclaimed Guy. Naruto ignored the strange behavior and embraced Guy. Guy was surprised, seeing as he had no children of his own, only his youthful apprentice Rock Lee. "Naruto, we need to head back to the village and speak with the Hokage about what happened" said Guy. Naruto nodded his head and was ready to leave before remembering "Guy-sensei, what about Aurelia? We can't leave her out here!" exclaimed Naruto, not wanting another soul to feel pain. Aurelia surprised both of them as she transformed into a smaller version of herself. "Naruto, I will come with you and speak with your Hokage. If he approves of what I have to offer, I will allow you to sign our summoning contract. You will become only the third person to hold the spider summoning contract" explained Aurelia as she crawled up Naruto's arm and rested on his shoulder. "I would be honored to sign your summoning contract" said Naruto. Aurelia could sense this boy, despite all the hardships he's endured, still has a pure heart. 'Even after all this, he still smiles. Naruto, you'll do all of us proud' thought Aurelia. After reaching the Hokage's office, Guy proceeded to detail what happened in the Forest of Death to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. After the death of the Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen decided to retake his position as leader of the village, though was regretting that decision ever since Naruto was born. He didn't hate the boy, in fact the opposite, he loved the boy like a grandson. What he regretted was creating the civilian council. All they did was try and pad their own bank accounts, or call for Naruto's head. Hiruzen denied every execution demand, but it was becoming too troublesome for him to remain as Hokage. "Naruto, I am glad you are okay. Rest assured, these shinobi will be punished for their crimes. As far as the spider summoning contract goes, I will allow it. I believe Aurelia and her kind can help train you until the academy starts in two months. I will also have Guy assist in your training" said Hiruzen.

When all was said and done, Guy decided to help Naruto do some shopping for new clothes, food, and ninja tools to help his training. Even with Guy by his side, nothing changed. Naruto had tried to buy healthier food like Guy had suggested, but the shopkeeper continued to overcharge Naruto on everything. For the second time that day, Naruto had a savior, though this time it wasn't Guy. It was in fact Asuma Sarutobi, Lord Third's son. Asuma knew about Naruto holding the Nine Tails, he threatened the shopkeeper with arrest. The shopkeeper relented, and charged the normal price for Naruto, which Asuma was kind enough to pay, much to the shopkeepers disgust. As the three left and made small talk, they decided to get ninja tools next, with Asuma tagging along just in case an incident like the last one would happen again. Heading to Higurashi's Weapons Shop, they walked in and were greeted by the owner, Kenshi. Guy explained what they were looking for, and Kenshi got all the necessary tools for Naruto, along with pointing him in the direction for clothing. Kunai, Shuriken, and surprisingly Senbon were all paid for by Guy. While waiting for Naruto to find new clothes, Guy had told Asuma what had happened. To say Asuma was furious was an understatement. He had personally wanted to execute every member of the mob, but understood that it would only lead to civil unrest. Though he did surprise Guy with what he said next. "Naruto needs a family. I'm going to talk with my father about adopting Naruto". Guy's eyes went wide "How will you be able to make it happen. The council has voted every time to reject a clan from adopting Naruto. Tsume has tried seven times and was rejected every time. What's going to make this time successful?" asked Guy. Asuma couldn't help but smirk "That's what the shadows are for" said Asuma. Guy was still confused, but said nothing as Naruto came out from the dressing room, having done a complete 180 in terms of his outfit. He now wore a black t-shirt, a black sleeveless jacket, black ANBU pants with bandages around the calves, kunai and shuriken holsters on his legs, and black ninja sandals. Overall, Naruto now looked like a proper shinobi. With everything sealed into a scroll and paid for, the three departed for Naruto's home.

For lack of better words, Naruto's home was barely that; a home. Since nobody ever came to visit, Naruto didn't feel the need to clean. Empty ramen cups scattered the floor, dust covered the walls, the only room that seemed remotely clean was Naruto's bedroom. Asuma and Guy both agreed on one thing; they cannot let Naruto stay here. Aside from the lack of cleanliness, both shinobi knew Naruto lived in Konoha's seediest district, and knew Naruto wouldn't be safe where he was right now. "Naruto, why don't you stay with me tonight? My family wouldn't mind it at all" said Asuma. Naruto knew Asuma was the Hokage's son, so he chose to accept Asuma's offer, and after saying their goodbyes to Guy, Asuma and Naruto would walk to the Sarutobi clan compound.

Naruto began to love the Sarutobi clan like his own family, growing closer to both Asuma and Konohamaru, the grandson of the Hokage. Once nightfall came, both Asuma and Hiruzen traveled to the Hokage's office to fill out the paperwork necessary for Asuma to adopt Naruto. With the assistance of ANBU, the paperwork was filed and approved within an hour. The Hokage was smiling, Asuma was smiling, and soon, Naruto would be smiling. Both Sarutobi's were currently sitting in the Hokage's office. "It's finally over. Naruto's nightmare is finally over" said Asuma, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "It is my son, though I wonder what Kurenai is going to say when she finds out she will be a mother" said Hiruzen. Asuma couldn't help but smile at that. He had been married to Kurenai Yūhi, Konoha's Genjutsu Mistress, for only a short time, but they had always talked about having children of their own. "She's going to love Naruto. I know it" said Asuma confidently. This new found fire in Sarutobi clan head also sparked a fire within the Third Hokage. No longer will he be ruled by a council. He will be the only person making decisions within the village. The shinobi council will have their input for obvious reasons, but the civilian council will be no more. As for his advisors, he still had to act carefully.

The next morning, Naruto awoke at 5 AM, just like Guy had asked, and had met Guy at the entrance to the Sarutobi clan compound. They both raced off to Training ground 7, an area Naruto would be familiar with in the future. They would proceed to do laps around the village, along with wall climbing. By 7 AM, they began taijutsu practice. Guy had decided to train Naruto in a hybrid taijutsu style, combing the Hummingbird style of the Fourth Hokage, and Guy's Gōken style. Thus Naruto not only became a powerful fighter, but also an elusive one. Eventually Asuma and Kurenai showed up to help train Naruto in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu respectively. Upon their first meeting, Naruto and Kurenai had hit it off, as Asuma predicted. Naruto eventually found out two things that would benefit him in combat. First, while he had too much chakra to perform Genjutsu, he did have enough to break out of the strongest Genjutsu a shinobi could cast. Second, he had three elemental affinities: Fire, Wind, and Water. Asuma was able to train Naruto in Fire and Wind, but had to tell him that there weren't many Water style users in the village. While Naruto was saddened by that news, he was able to learn 2 C-rank Wind jutsu's: Wind Style: Great Breakthrough, and Wind Style: Air Bullet. Naruto was in the process of learning the Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb, but the three jōnin decided to end his training early. Heading back to the Sarutobi clan compound in time for dinner, Asuma detailed Naruto's training for the day. Hiruzen was smiling at Naruto, proud of how far the boy had come. Naruto had wanted to start training with his newly gained spider summons, but Asuma had decided to wait until he felt Naruto was ready. Naruto begrudgingly accepted, but believed it wouldn't take long. Konohamaru meanwhile had stars in his eyes at his big brother. "Big Brother Naruto, will you train me to be a super strong ninja?" Konohamaru practically pleaded. Naruto chuckled and ruffled the little boy's hair. "I promise to train you when you're older. But right now, you should focus on having fun and meeting friends. You're only young once little brother. Remember that" Naruto said sagely. This had many different reactions. Konohamaru looked at Naruto confused, Kurenai smiled at the boy, while Hiruzen and Asuma's jaws dropped. 'When did Naruto get this mature? They both thought simultaneously. Both decided to find out at a later date.

Once nighttime came, Asuma had tucked Naruto into bed. Before leaving, Asuma had told Naruto something big happened involving him. "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" Naruto shouted on instinct, but Asuma only chuckled. Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "Naruto, last night me and Lord Third filed adoption papers. Father told me of what you've had to endure, and Guy told me about the last mob attack. I want you to know that you are no longer alone. You have everyone in the compound as your family, because Kurenai and I adopted you." A small smile formed on Naruto's face as tears began to fall. Asuma walked over to Naruto's shaking form and hugged him, with Naruto returning the affection. "Tomorrow we tell the clan of this incredible moment, but for now I want you to get some sleep. Goodnight my son, I love you" said Asuma. "Goodnight dad, I love you too" said Naruto as he drifted off to sleep, finally feeling what he always sought: love.

And….CUT! Chapter 1 is officially finished. This is my first story, so I welcome any constructive criticism and questions regarding the story. More to this story will be addressed in the next chapter. Until then, buh-bye!