The first thing Arashi noticed as he entered the room was the tiny baby on the table in the center of the room. The babe was swaddled in white silk cloths, sleeping in a basket. Arashi noticed a small tuft of blonde hair atop the child's head, and six little birthmarks on his cheeks slightly resembling whiskers.

It was only after he'd taken in everything he could about the baby that he finally noticed the others in the room. Most prominent among them was the Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, who'd taken the office up again after the death of the Fourth Hokage the night prior. Next to him were the village elders Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura. The four of them seemed to be in a rather heated argument about something, and even at his young age of 12 Arashi was able to determine it was about the baby.

"You wanted to see me Lord Hokage?" Arashi asked, drawing the attention of the four elders on himself.

The Hokage looked at him with his usual warm, albeit withered, smile, while his companion gave him a stare of indifference. However, Danzo's would be better described as a glare.

"Yes Arashi," The Third replied cheerfully, "Could you please wait outside for a minute? We have an issue my friends and I must settle before we talk."

With a respectful nod Arashi removed himself from the room, but his curiosity was too great. Quickly flashing his hands through the necessary signs, he performed a sound amplification jutsu he knew, placing one hand on the thick wooden door and his other over his ear.

The jutsu worked similarly to a directional microphone, with the chakra in one hand acting as the dish to amplify sound and the chakra in his other acting as the headset. If he remembered correctly for once in his life, the jutsu was called the Sound Wave Detection Jutsu, though Arashi just called it 'damn good eavesdropping.'

"Hiruzen, I must protest against this. He's only a genin who can barely support himself, let alone a newborn baby." Homura's voice said clear as day.

"Then what do you suppose I do? Hand the child over to that mob outside?" The Hokage was in his extremely protective grandfather mode. "I will not let this boy be raised in some orphanage to be hated or worse."

What the hell are they talking about? Why's this kid so special, and why would I have to support it? Arashi wondered as the argument went on.

He caught Danzo volunteering to take and raise the child himself. While that would certainly release Arashi from the burden, he couldn't shake the feeling in his gut that it was a horrible idea. Apparently the Third Hokage agreed with him, because he instantly rejected the thought. It was then the Third Hokage said something that truly shocked the boy.

"Arashi Uzumaki is the only family the boy has. He's the only person who…" Arashi pulled away from the door as he heard the sounds of footsteps approaching down the hall.

He quickly took a seat and tried to look as casual as possible as two chunin passed by him. Arashi was about to head over to the door, when he heard the knob turn. Homura and Koharu emerged from the room, sending the young redhead an appraising look before continuing on their way.

"Arashi, you may come in now." The Hokage called from his office.

As Arashi entered the room, he found himself glancing around to see if Danzo was still present. For some reason, the old man set him on edge, and he didn't like it when he couldn't see someone who set him on edge.

"You don't have to worry about Danzo, he left in his own way."

The fact relaxed Arashi slightly, but he was still worried at the prospect he may have to take care of a baby.

"Now how much of our conversation did you overhear?"

The question took Arashi completely by surprise. He was about to question how the old man knew before he remembered whom he was talking to. Of course the Hokage had been able to sense the chakra he'd used in the Jutsu. The others probably sensed it as well. It was with a small sigh that Arashi admitted his 'guilt'.

"Most of it, Lord Hokage. Everything except the last minute or so."

"Hmmm, so you know what I'm about to ask of you?"

Arashi nodded solemnly before the Hokage continued.

"And what do you think?"

"Well sir, I think Homura's right. Since my parents died I can barely support myself. I don't see how I can support a baby as well."

Arashi's parents were both Jonin who'd died a few months ago on a mission. Arashi had been supporting himself ever since.

"Oh, I think you'll find that money won't be an issue. Do you know whose child this is?"

Arashi stole another glance at the baby on the table.

"That is the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki."

The revelation caused Arashi's eyes to widen in surprise. Not only was this the son of the Fourth Hokage, but he was also his cousin. Kushina had been his father's younger sister.

With great care, Arashi reached out and gently lifted the baby into his arms. Disturbed by the sudden movement, the babe's eyes slowly opened, revealing the bluest eyes Arashi had ever glimpsed in his life.

Succumbing to a sudden urge, Arashi shifted the newborn into one arm and tickled his chin with his free index finger. The child reached up, wrapping his tiny hands around Arashi's finger.

Unable to suppress a small smile, Arashi looked up at the Hokage, who once again had a warm smile across his face. "What's his name?"

The elderly Hokage strode over to him and placed a wrinkled hand atop the baby's head.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Five years have passed since Arashi Uzumaki become the official 'big brother' of Naruto. With the child now old enough to enter the Ninja Academy, he will discover many things, such as the inspiration for his lifelong dream...and the beginnings of his ultimate rivalry. Next time: Naruto and Sasuke: The Rivalry Begins.