It had been a little over six months since the Fourth Hokage and his wife had sacrificed themselves for their village and their son. The Third Hokage had taken the position again, whining that his two loyal and stubborn students were not listening to reason. Jirayia had left shortly after Minato's death, grief stricken. Tsunade and Shizune had arrived in the village and were staying. They took over the hospital with ease. This particular morning the Hokage had been trying to put a dent in the mountain of paperwork covering his desk when some papers caught his eye. He checked them for genjutsus and even held them up to the light, checking for forgery. After reading them he decided to send an ANBU after Choza Akimichi and Tsume Inuzuka. Sending a glare at his paperwork mountain he decided to reread the papers in his hand while waiting for the two clan heads. When they arrived he lit his pipe and decided to get straight to the point.
"I have received an adoption form for Naruto Uzumaki to be jointly adopted by Genma Shirauni and Kakashi Hatake," said the Third, watching their faces. Both clan heads had actually smiled.
"That's not all. There was a letter attached as well. 'I, Genma Shirauni, hereby agree that upon our adoption of one Naruto Uzumaki to rejoin the Hokage's guard and limit myself to a maximum of six S-Rank missions a year. I agree to limit myself to ANBU to an as needed basis. I agree to weekly sessions with a Yamanaka for the foreseeable future. I also agree to live with Kakashi Hatake at the Hatake compound. I, Kakashi Hatake, hereby agree that upon our adoption of one Naruto Uzumaki to request a position on the Hokage's guard and limit myself to a maximum of ten S-Rank missions a year. I agree to limit myself to ANBU part time. I agree to weekly sessions with a Yamanaka for the foreseeable future. I also agree to live with Genma Shirauni at my family's compound. We both agree and plan to raise Naruto Uzumaki to the best of our abilities'. Both signatures are legitimate. Out of everyone in the village, as his genin sensei you know Genma the best, Choza. As his great aunt you know Kakashi the best, Tsume. Should I allow these two teens to adopt Naruto?" said Lord Third.
The two clan heads were shocked at what the two teens were willing to do. Choza and Tsume exchanged glances. They both knew that Genma and Kakashi had thrown themselves into ANBU after Minato's death and had completed over twenty S-Ranks in that time. They were only in the village long enough to somewhat recuperate before leaving again. Tsume spoke first.
"I say let them. The pup would be taken care of. Those two will not let any harm come to him and it would force them to start taking care of themselves. Kakashi hasn't seen anyone therapy wise since Sakumo died. I'd leap at the chance, just to get him to go," said Tsume. Choza nodded.
"At the rate he is going my student will not live to see the age of eighteen. He lost his sister in the Nine-Tails attack as well as the hokage. When he is in the village he avoids everyone except Kakashi. And that's only because they are living together. I want my student back sir. If this is the way to get him back, I say yes," said Choza.
"Since Naruto holds the Nine-Tails, both the shinobi and civilian councils will have to agree to this. I suggest you get as many clan heads on board as you can. I will call for a meeting tonight about this subject. You both know Danzo has been trying to get the child through any means necessary. There have also been many attempts on Naruto's life. I would also recommend talking to Kakashi and Genma. They got back from an S-Rank late last night," said the hokage. The two clan heads nodded then body flickered out of the office, meeting together in the street.
"I'll talk to Shika and Ino. I will also talk to the Kurama clan head and Hyuga clan head," said Choza, knowing his teammates would agree.
"Shibi will agree. I'll talk to Tsunade and Sasuke Sarutobi. I guess I will try to get Fugaku to agree to this," said Tsume. Fugaku did not like Kakashi, but his wife had been Kushina's teammate and Sakumo Hatake's student. Lord Third's son Sasuke and Tsunade would agree, if only so Tsunade wouldn't have to make house calls to check on the two teens after missions.
"Alright. Meet you at their apartment in say, three hours?" asked Choza, knowing his student had moved in with Kakashi after the Nine-Tails destroyed his family home.
"Sure. Could you bring lunch? I doubt those pups have food or have eaten," said Tsume. Choza nodded, then was gone in a body flicker. Tsume wished her canine partner was with her but he was training puppies, so Tsume went to the Uchiha compound alone.
Tsume knocked on the clan head's front door. It was answered by a five year old Itachi. Itachi met her gaze evenly, surprising Tsume. Everyone fliched away from Tsume.
"Mother is in the kitchen. Father is in the study," simply stated the five year old, before disappearing. Tsume decided to start with Mikoto.
"Mikoto!" hollered Tsume.
"Tsume! What do I owe the pleasure?" called Mikoto.
"It would appear two people want to adopt one Naruto Uzumaki and the Hokage is seeing who will support this arrangement," stated Tsume as she walked into the kitchen where Mikoto was feeding her youngest son, Sasuke.
"Who are the two people?" asked Mikoto, her eyes narrowing.
"Kakashi Hatake and Genma Shiranui," answered Tsume.
"Do you think they are capable?" said Mikoto as she closed her eyes.
"Yes. Mikoto...they both offered to go to therapy if this is allowed," said Tsume. Mikoto's eyes snapped open and met Tsume's.
"I'll speak to my husband when he comes out for lunch," promised Mikoto. Tsume left the matter in Mikoto's hands, and after quick meetings with Shibi, Tsunade, and Sasuke Sarutobi, met up with Choza outside the door of Kakashi's apartment. Tsume was shocked at the huge basket Choza had that looked to be full of homecooked food. He had to hold it with both hands. Choza smiled sheepishly at her.
"My wife and my teammates' wives believe they are not eating healthy or even enough period," explained Choza, "Could you knock for us? I don't have enough hands."
"Sure," said Tsume as she smiled. She knocked softly.
Inside the two teenagers were sprawled out in the living room with Kakashi on the couch and Genma on the floor. They both heard the knocking but didn't move to answer it.
"Probably Tsunade to drag us to the hospital," stated Genma. The knocking got louder.
"She'll leave eventually," said Kakashi.
"Pups if you do not open this door I will open this door and then you will no longer have a door!" hollered Tsume.
With energy Genma was pretty sure Kakashi did not actually possess, Kakashi was vaulting over the couch and throwing open the door.
"Now was that so hard?" asked the smiling Tsume as she pushed past Kakashi and headed into the living room. She threw on the living room light as Choza entered behind her. Kakashi shut the door as Genma groaned and threw his arm over his eyes. Choza rolled his eyes at his student's antics but put the basket on the table and sat down beside him. Tsume sat on the couch and Kakashi hesitantly sat beside her. Choza opened the basket with one hand and pulled the senbon out of Genma's mouth with the other.
"Alright I'm up," grumbled Genma as he pulled himself into a sitting position. Choza ruffled his hair, as for once Genma's bandana was missing.
"The Hokage told us about your request," started Tsume. Both teens looked at each other.
"And?" asked Genma.
"We both said it should be allowed," answered Choza.
"Huh?" said Genma.
"What?" said Kakashi at the same time.
"You two didn't think you would be allowed to?" asked Tsume. Both teens nodded.
"Look we both know how much you two loved Minato and Kushina. You two would- will- take good care of Naruto. That baby would not come to harm with you two raising him. But I'm afraid that this plan might be denied by the civilians. Lord Third is calling a meeting of both the shinobi clan heads and the civilian ones tonight about your request," said Choza. He unsealed a bowl of his wife's pumpkin broth and put it in front of Genma. He student quietly thanked him.
"Tsunade said she will speak to Mebuki Haruno. Apparently the Haruno Clan is the head of the merchants and very well to do for civilians. Mebuki is the head of the clan. Her husband was killed in a bandit raid attack a few months back. Apparently they didn't hire ninjas to protect their caravan, but civilians. Mebuki has decided shinobi are necessary to the civilians. Hopefully she can convince the other civilians," said Tsume as she claimed some of Choza's wife's barbeque. Kakashi claimed the rest.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," said Kakashi.