"You are his godfather Jiraiya. If you don't take care of him no one will". Jiraiya sighed as he looked at his sensei and The Third Hokage. They were both still grieving over the loss of lives after the nine tailed fox attacked the leaf. Two of the lives lost were Jiraiya's student Minato Namikaze, who was The Fourth Hokage and his wife, the jinchuriki Kushina Uzumaki. They had left behind a newborn baby boy named Naruto.

Minato had sealed the jinchuriki inside the baby. "Look Sarutobi Sensei I am not qualified to raise a child. I have research to do and besides I'm looking for him". Hiruzen sighed "Jiraiya I know how you feel about that. But we don't know when he will resurface. You don't need to spend your life chasing after someone who doesn't want to come back. More importantly, we need to discuss what is in the best for the boy.

Due to the attacks no one will adopt him. An orphanage is no place for a child. Because of him having the nine tailed fox spirit inside him we can't guarantee he can be properly cared for". "There is no way I can take care of a kid alone". "Yes that's why I have asked someone else back here as well. It was even harder to get her to agree". There was a knock at the door and Hiruzen nodded his head. "Come in". In walked his student and Jiraiya's teammate Tsunade. "Jiraiya"? She said looking at him confused.

"Tsunade"? He said just as confused. Shizune had followed after her but stayed quiet. "Tsunade you read everything in the letter"? "Yeah I did. But what precisely do you want us to do"? "I would like for you both to adopt Naruto". Both their mouths flew open at the thought of adopting a child together". "I wouldn't trust him with a kid" Tsunade said glaring at Jiraiya. "She isn't very motherly either" he said. "Why you"! Tsunade said. "Alright enough both of you listen to what I am saying".

Shizune shrank back at them getting reprimanded. They just couldn't believe after all this time they were getting lectured by their sensei. Some things never changed. "As I was saying there isn't a lot of options for Naruto. He faces a lot and this is without parents". "But we both travel. How are we considered as potential parents for Naruto"? Tsunade wanted to know. "You are correct you do travel a lot. It wouldn't be the most stable life for a child. So I would hope you at least turn down your time doing so.

But Naruto might have a better chance outside the village. His life will never be normal I am afraid. Out there no one will know who he is". "But what of ninja training"? Tsunade asked. "I assume he will be one right"? Jiraiya rolled his eyes but stayed quiet apparently content to let Tsunade ask all the questions. "Well you are both legendary ninja and my students so I know you are capable. Jiraiya you taught a team and Tsunade is teaching Shizune. Let's not forget Jiraiya taught this boy's father".

He looked at him pointedly. "You have a personal connection to this. To this boy. You were regarded highly by both Minato and Kushina. I can't think of a safer place for him to be than with you". They both looked at each other as their minds wavered. Tsunade hadn't thought about children of her own in years. The last child she cared for was her little brother. She and Dan had discussed children and decided they both wanted them after they married. Once Dan died she never thought of it again. Being sensei to Shizune had her thinking.

She might want children one dya. By this point her biological clock had shut down. Would it be so bad to have a child? One she could raise and love. That would grow up to be a man just like Nawaki and Dan. One that just might heal her broken heart. If anything could it might be the love of a child. Indeed how many other favorable options did this child have? Shizune was wonderfully caring. She could help out. Knowing her pupil she would be delighted to have a kid to care for.

Jiraiya was torn. He was this boy's godfather after all. He couldn't abandon him. What would Minato and Kushina think? They named their beloved baby after a character in his book. They wanted him to be there for this child. His parents had died young. It could be lonely without a family. It was even more tragic when he had two parents who loved him and would have been so wonderful to him. It could just be another challenge for Jiraiya. He could totally raise a kid. That kid would be a fine ninja and man.

It was the least he could do for Minato and Kushina. The man who he thought of as his own son. He looked at Tsunade. "Listen if we're going to do this you are taking my league. This kid doesn't need to grow up to be a pervert. I don't want him being anything like you. Godfather or not got it"? "Sure thing Tsunade". She turned to Shizune. "How do you feel about this"? "I think we should help this boy. He's only a baby and he needs us. He needs you".

Tsunade nodded. "Okay fine will do it". "Good Hiruzen said smiling. "Now let's go meet the boy". They headed to the Konoha hospital. It had been a while since either had been there. A nurse came out holding a small boy in her arms. With that blonde hair there was no doubt he was Minato's. Tsunade reached for him first. He began to cry and she smiled. Who knew babies could make her smile" Jiraiya thought to himself. With this innocent little boy in her arms she felt joy and piece.

"He has quiet a set of lungs doesn't he" Jiraiya said winking. Tsunade rocked him till he fell asleep. She sighed handing him back to the nurse. "There isn't any way I could refuse him now. How soon can we take him"? "First thing tomorrow morning. It will give you a chance to discuss your plans. As well as for them to get some things for Naruto". They nodded as the nurse took Naruto back to his crib. Jiraiya and Tsunade chose to go to a bar for drinks. It would presumably be a while before they could again.

"So Tsunade what are we going to do"? "She sighed "You never know do you Jiraiya"? "Yep you know me pretty well after all this time". "Well I hate to say it but we might need to find somewhere to live. We can't just raise this kid on the go. Not right now at least maybe later. But it's going to be hard to travel with a crying infant. He will be doing a lot of that". "Yeah I have thought about that too".

"Well when we finish here we need to get baby supplies. We don't know how much stuff there going to give us. But he will be in diapers for at least the next three years". Jiraiya agreed and they headed to all the stores. They picked up a big pack of diapers first. "Does it matter how much these things cost"? "Were getting it cheap because I am not wasting all my gambling money". "You know you're going to have to quiet that habit right"? "Only if you quit that disgusting book writing you do". "Lady Tsunade" Shizune said sweat dropping. She was feeling sorrier for the baby as time went on.

"My book writing is successful art. Also a great hobby and very popular. Besides we are going o have to have money somehow. I doubt your gambling is going to give us any". "Shut up pervert" she said angrily. Shizune smiled nervously as people began to stare. "Go get bottles next he needs something to drink out of. Tsunade was formulating the cost of formula next. She knew breast milk was healthier but she didn't have a way to get any. "To bad you can't breastfeed" Jiraiya said with a perverted smile. Tsunade punched him in the face sending him flying into a shelf and knocking it over. "Lady Tsunade"! Shizune screamed.

Two hours later they headed out with piles of purchased baby stuff. Jiraiya still had a huge red mark on his face. They had to pay for the damages to the store and were asked to leave. So they ended up going elsewhere to get there things. "You know we wouldn't have had to pay all that money if you hadn't punched me". "Well then stop doing stupid things and it want happen". How are they going to be parents? Shizune thought.

None of them could sleep that night. When it was finally morning they went to pick up Naruto. "Thank you for doing this. You're not only saving this child but you might even be saving the village" Hiruzen said to them. "What has the village been told about this"? Jiraiya asked. "Some didn't know Kushina was pregnant. Those who did are being told they died before Kushina could deliver". They nodded satisfied with this. A nurse brought in some supplies. "I am glad to see you went ahead and went shopping for some things.

I knew what we had here wouldn't be enough. I gave him a bottle already so you should be alright for a little while". Tsunade nodded "Thanks". "We have dressed him warmly since its quiet cold in late October". "I'm glad you did. We haven't actually gotten him any clothing. We need too". The nurse handed them the baby and they went to the village gates alongside Hiruzen. "I am putting his well-being in your hands. I wouldn't trust the life of a child and villager in anyone else's hands but my two students".

They nodded and bid farewell. This was the beginning of their new journey. For all intents and purposes they were going to be parents. Something they never expected to happen. But this beautiful little boy deserved the very best. No matter what he had inside him. This wasn't the time but Tsunade was helping raise this kid. Drinking and gambling suddenly couldn't be the most important thing. He would need to eat, have naps and sleep. They would have to watch places they traveled.

They couldn't afford to put his life in any danger. Of course he would need an actual house to live in. He would need to be told the truth one day. About his parents and what was inside him. He would need an education. There was so much to think about. There was no manual on perfect parenting. That hadn't stopped either of them from buying parenting books. People looked at Jiraiya like he was weird to be having a kid that old. Though of course Tsunade looked young and the blonde hair helped them look actually related.

"How'd you get a pretty lady like that to have your kid"? The book store owner whispered to Jiraiya but Tsuande heard. "Oh you know I used my charm on her" he said winking. Tsunade smiled "Shizune would you hold the baby please"? Shizune took him nervously. "You idiot we are not together"! Tsunade said punching him again. He hit the wall as Shizune grimaced. Oh no they were going to get kicked out of the store again. A still angry Tsunade turned to the book owner. "Umm how about you just take it for free"? He asked nervously hoping the wild women would leave without maiming him as well.

"Okay sounds fare to me" she said cheerfully. The man and Shizune both sighed in relief. Jiraiya groaned getting up. How could he handle this for eighteen years. Maybe I should run away he thought. He could run and go continue his research. Parenthood just wasn't for me. Tsunade will do fine she has Shizune to help. He shivered at the thought of Tsunade catching him if he did that. Sadly as hard as she had hit him that was her holding back. She could kill him with that monstrous strength if she wanted too. He didn't want that.

"Il get this stuff" he said faking a smile as he grabbed the books. They went to a motel and were forced to make a palate in the floor for Naruto. They couldn't risk him falling off the bed. They made a mental note to get a crib as well. "He is so cute isn't he"? Tsunade said smiling tenderly. "Yeah he is. Guess I'm going to turn in". "Not in this bed you're not. I am sleeping here and you can't sleep in Shizune's bed"! "Why don't you both sleep in the other bed and I will sleep in this one"? "Because Shizune preferred to sleep alone".

Shizune started to say she didn't mind but Tsunade held up a hand to silence her. "So why can't I sleep with you"? Tsunade punched him sending him flying off the bed. "You have got to stop doing that" he said holding his now aching head. "You are going to have to stop making me do it. I could have woken Naruto up". "Then don't hit me" Jiraiya said annoyed. "Then stop saying idiotic things. Of all the time I hit you growing up it didn't do any good. You're as stupid now as you have always been". Jiraiya shrugged his shoulders in response. Shizune sighed it was going to be a long painful night.