"regular talking"
"thinking"
"kyuubi talking"
"kyuubi thinking"
Beta reader- Odkut English tech- FemJiraiya
undecided
In the office of the most powerful ninja in the village hidden in the leaves was an old man, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Hokage of the Hidden Leaf facing down the most evil enemy of all time. Paperwork. It wouldn't be so bad if only he could see the piles upon piles diminish. Evil, evil paperwork. Taking a moment, he looked out his window over the peaceful village. There hadn't been a war in almost thirty years and it had been nearly five years since the attack from the Kyuubi...and the loss of the Yondaime. Through the recovery efforts of the townspeople the village economy had become stable once again.
Leaning back in his chair, Sarutobi used his momentary respite to think about how much he would rather be spending his time strolling through the village that he loved dearly. Glancing at the evil white sheets covered with scribbles of this problem or that, he pushed away from his desk and walked over to the window. Looking out over his village, his home, knowing it was safe and that he had been given the gift of overseeing it during such peaceful and prosperous times filled him with pride. It was going to be a quiet day, he could tell.
"Hey, Old man, when are we gonna get lunch?" asked the one and only, Anko Mitaroshi, as she entered his office... without knocking.
Sarutobi's eye twitched only slightly at her choice of endearment and chuckled, almost sadly. He had felt her chakra closing in on his office but it was always a surprise as to what mood she would enter with.
"We will leave shortly. I invited another to join us for lunch today. You don't mind do you, Anko?" his voice sounded strained even to himself and he cleared his throat to cover the emotion that had welled up so suddenly.
Anko narrowed her eyes at him. She knew it hadn't really been so much as a question as a statement. For a moment he had seemed so frail, his voice full of sadness, but as he turned to face her a subtle transformation overcame him and she shook her head at the very notion of frailty. Nodding, she responded with a very simple, "Hai."
Looking around his office, she noticed there wasn't much surface space available that wasn't piled high with forms, missions, and the like. Sarutobi motioned for her to sit on one of the few empty seats.
Anko made her way to the chair and sat down. His sudden silence led her to ask, "So, who will be joining us?"
Sarutobi smiled and started to speak as he felt a familiar chakra coming down the hall.
"Well, in just a moment you will be able to see for yourself."
-1 hour before-
A small boy crawled through a hole in the fence surrounding his "home". His stomach growling loudly.
'Time to go see the old man for some food... I wonder if he'll take me for some ramen or if it's going to be dango today,' was what Naruto Uzumaki thought as he left the orphanage behind. As he cleared the fence he stuck his tongue out towards the lonely building. He never felt bad for sneaking out and he highly doubted that he would be missed. It wasn't after all, the first time he had snuck away.
For a moment he let himself think about the full ramifications of what that meant. Feeling angry and sad at the same time he ran towards the Hokage's tower. Keeping to the back streets even though he knew it would take him longer to get there. He wasn't as stupid as a lot of people thought he was. He saw the contempt on the faces of the villagers. Felt their hatred every time they deemed to notice him. Feeling eyes upon him now he pushed himself faster and faster towards his destination.
Getting to the entrance of the tower was easy enough for the young boy but on occasion there were a few "mishaps" with some of the villagers. Most of them didn't dare do anything, at least not today. They knew what day of the week it was and they knew he met with Hokage today, but there were always those few. Those few who were too drunk or hung over to care. They slung insults at him like a verbal whip. He tried not to show them how much it hurt but he always felt his shoulders slump with each lash.
By the time Naruto arrived at the base of the tower he looked like a mutt covered with mange. He wiped his nose with a dirty sleeve. The orphanage never really gave him the best clothes, never cared that his short yellow hair was always unkempt. He didn't even own a comb. You could forget about a toothbrush. He could tell a long time ago that he was being treated differently by the owners of the orphanage. They made it real clear with each new child that arrived. New pillow, new blankets, new clothes and here he was standing in the same orange jumper that he had been given upon arrival.
The look of rejection, so unusual on his face, had the chuunin guarding the door exchanging worried glances. This was unlike the Naruto they knew. Among the few who didn't hate him, they never could figure out how the others could treat a child like Naruto so coldly. Usually so upbeat and fun to be around they knew they had to do something to cheer him up. Trying to joke with him just for the possibility of a grin or chuckle.
Naruto looked up as he heard them talking but he wasn't able to focus on what they were saying as all the negativity had finally caught up with him. He knew he should be happy, this was his special day. There could be ramen involved! But as he continued on his way, kicking at rocks, a dark cloud hung over his head. Normally him and the old man met for dinner, when it was darker and he could go unnoticed more. Not today though. Today the old man asked him to come for lunch, in the middle of the day, when there were more people about. Not to mention he had to sneak out of the orphanage and the ANBU that would have normally met him hadn't been there.
Naruto had run a gauntlet today. A gauntlet of glares and taunts from the villagers. It would have been enough to ruin anyone's mood much less one that was so used to it by now. He often wondered why the people treated him the way they did and today... today he was going to ask the Hokage. He stopped looking up towards his office.
"Hey, Naruto, what's the matter with you today?" asked Kotaru, one of the chunin.
Naruto mentally shook himself and let the mask slip back into place, "Nothing. Hey, is the old man in his office or do I have to look for him today?"
Kotaru could tell Naruto wasn't in the mood to talk so he smiled and replied, "He's still in his office last I knew. Just head on up."
Seeing Kotaru smile made Naruto feel a little better and a small smile crept on his face knowing that at least here was someone who didn't hate him. Someone who didn't treat him like he was dirt. That and the fact that there was the possibility of ramen had him climbing the stairs to the old man's office with a little more confidence.
-Present-
Sarutobi sat at his desk again as they waited. It wasn't long before he heard a commotion outside his office and Naruto suddenly coming through the door.
"HEY! You can't just go in. Get away from there you brat."
Sarutobi jumped up and moved around to the door in time to see Naruto stick his tongue out at her. Instead of letting another shouting match start this early in the day he pulled the scrappy little blonde into his office, waving the secretary away.
"I think that will be all the help I need from you. I don't need that kind of attitude in a secretary especially since you have been told many times that Naruto may see me at any time. You're dismissed and don't forget to pick up your things on the way out."
The woman stared at him in shock a moment as it sunk in. Staring from around the Hokage, Naruto watched her. She glared at him with all the hatred she could muster for the demonic little heathen before turning around in a huff and grabbing her things.
Sarutobi took a breath as he composed himself and smiled at the young boy, "I'm glad you could make it for lunch today, Naruto. I hope you didn't have too much difficulty getting here."
All the while Sarutobi thought, 'Why can't I find decent help that can follow simple rules like most of my ninja? Maybe I should ask Tsunade to come back or even Jiraiya. Though I don't know how much help that lech would be with being my secretary. Oh, well, I'll just have to have ANBU find me a replacement.'
Nodding to himself Sarutobi flicked his hand and a member of ANBU appeared in front of him causing Naruto jump. All Naruto could see was purple hair and her mask in the shape of a cat.
"Oh, thank you, Cat-chan for coming so quickly. If you would be so kind as to find a suitable replacement for my secretary. Preferably one capable of following simple instructions then I think a reward might be in order."
Sarutobi knew this particular ninja had a request for some time off in. Always dedicated and passionate about her work. He would have approved the time off in any case but at least this way he could get a capable secretary in the process.
Smiling behind her mask, the purple haired ninja replied, "Hai, Hokage-same, it should not take me long. Although perhaps chuunin or even hiring a genin to be your secretary would be better than a civilian. They would cause less problems and of course either one could learn from you, Sir."
Chuckling lightly, "Well, while I agree that would make things easier, I would like to keep a civilian as my secretary. It helps the people to know that I care about what they have to say by having one of their own among our ranks. As well as a way to integrate all of our people, ninja and civilians alike, together, but I do appreciate the effort it will take to find such a one as I'm looking for."
Cat-chan nodded and shushin'd away to find a replacement that was hopefully worthy of the position. If she finished quickly perhaps she would be able to take that vacation and spend some time with her boyfriend.
Anko smiled mischievously as she took in the appearance of this rag tag boy named Naruto. She had heard the name a time or two. Walking towards him to gauge his reaction of her. She moved closer, making no attempt to hide her footsteps. Instead she intentionally made them noticeable so that way she wouldn't scare him too much.
"What are you?" asked Anko casually as Sarutobi watched the exchange unfold in front of him. How was he going to explain the situation to the two people in front of him?
Naruto turned from the old man to the woman in the room and back again wondering what he should do. It had always been just him and the old man. Sarutobi noticed and smiled at Naruto. Nodding towards Anko made Naruto turn back to her in curiosity.
Smiling tentatively toward her he replied in kind, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Who are you?"
Anko laughed and ruffled his hair, "You're quite the handful aren't you, Uzumaki? The name's Anko Mitarashi."
Looking over Naruto's head she gave Sarutobi look that said he wasn't fooling anybody.
The Hokage noted this and cleared his throat, "Yes, well, it's about lunch time, eh, Naruto? Anko? How about I order some lunch and the three of us can talk?"
Anko narrowed her eyes but shrugged her shoulders, "Sure, whatever sounds good." All the while she scrambled for any explanation of why he would want to talk to her and the dirt covered kid.
"Does Ichiraku's deliver?" came from Naruto as his stomach growled. He didn't really care why the lady was there so long as he could have ramen. He looked at Sarutobi hopefully.
Sarutobi chuckled at the very focused Naruto, "I don't believe they do," he said and Naruto's face fell a little, "but I'll have someone go get some for you. How's that?"
Anko watched as this little scrap of a boy went off like a firecracker. Laughing, cheering, jumping all at the same time. Raising an eyebrow she looked to Sarutobi questioningly.
"How about you, Anko? Would you like dango or ramen?" he said with a charming smile.
"What do you think old man?" she responded as more of a statement. She watched as he nodded and then turned smiling at Naruto. She could tell by their interaction they were close. The smile given to him so familiar to the one he gave her as a kid.
Sarutobi motioned them to the chairs available and went to the door. He called for one of the guards, gave them the order for lunch, and watched as they left to get it. Turning back to his two guests and the situation at hand he moved to his own seat behind the desk.
"Kotaru will return shortly with lunch."
Anko and Naruto both just smiled, content to sit there and wait for lunch to show up. The longer they sat there the more curious Anko became until finally she had to ask, "So, why did you ask the two of us, specifically, to eat lunch together when the two of us have never met before?"
This caught Naruto's attention and curiosity as well, "Yea, how come we're having lunch instead of dinner like we always do?"
Not one for being put on the spot Sarutobi just smiled at them both, "I just thought the two of you might like some more company than just an old man while you eat."
Hoping to fend off the mountain of questions that were in both of their eyes Sarutobi looked at Naruto and motioned to Anko, "Anko-chan here is a special Jonin. If I remember correctly, Naruto, didn't you want to become a ninja? I'm sure she would be willing to answer a few questions."
Naruto's eyes grew wide as looked from Sarutobi to Anko. Anko of course was caught between suspicion and being proud of how far she had come with the villagers. How often herself and the council had gone toe to toe as they tried to hold her back. She looked over at Naruto and suddenly had a sense of foreboding.
Almost bouncing in his seat, Naruto fired off questions rapidly, "Have you ever had to guard a princess? Or a king? Capture bandits? Have you ever had to kill anyone?"
Anko tossed Sarutobi a look that clearly said, 'What in the hell is this?' She turned towards the overly excited Naruto still rambling off questions despite the fact she hadn't answered a single one yet and had to smile at least a little. This boy clearly knew nothing of her past or didn't care. Either way she was almost happy to tell him all about what she had been doing recently in the T & I department but Sarutobi coughed lightly. As if to say, 'Don't scare the kid.'
Anko decided to humor the old man by telling Naruto about average every day missions that mostly genin and chunin are assigned like capturing or taking out bandits. Though she didn't mention much about her genin days, as that always put her in a foul mood, Naruto didn't really seem to mind. In turn, she wouldn't spoil her appetite for dango.
Sarutobi watched quietly as the two became more animated with each question. Even Anko was getting into the spirit as she fired back answers almost as quickly as Naruto asked them. He smiled and just as Naruto flung himself back in the chair in awe, Kotaru returned with multiple bags of ramen and dango. Knowing how much each of them could eat, Sarutobi hoped he had ordered enough.
"Dig in. I got plenty of both so you can have as much as you like, or some of each."
Both of them seemed to drool as they smiled at the feast set before them. Looking at each other in childish delight they each grabbed a pair of chopsticks and yelled, "Itidakimatsu."
For a while nothing was being said other than the occasional, "Can you pass..." or "Can I try that?". As they both ate their fill they sat back in the chair and sighed happily. It was Anko that made the first move to continue the earlier conversation with Sarutobi.
"Now that we've eaten lunch, Old man. Perhaps now you would like to explain what you wanted me for. You never did answer earlier."
Sarutobi looked from Anko to Naruto and back again. Best to do it like a bandage, "Anko, I'm looking for a ninja to take on a continuous S rank mission and I'm hoping that ninja is you. That is if you will agree to it?"
Anko blinked rapidly as some of what he asked sunk in and led to the conclusion, "You want me to train the boy?"
Naruto's eyes lit up but despite his excitement he held his breath watching them both intently.
"I'm sure you have guessed by now that Naruto wishes to enter the academy within the next couple of years and there will be young ninja from every prominent clan in the village enrolling." Knowing that she would understand that the others would get training from within their clan wasn't what worried him.
She kind of looked at him funny with a dango stick still in her mouth. She paused from gnawing on the stick and swallowed hard, "I thought the gaki here was from one of the prominent clans since the two of you are so close. Normally he would be trained by them, but I'm guessing that isn't the case?'
"Don't worry. You will be provided plenty of money for clothes, gear,shuriken... whatever you need and of course you will get the paid for the mission," replied the Hokage lieu of an explanation hoping that Naruto hadn't understood the full extent in case Anko actually turned the mission down.
Naruto sat on the edge of his seat, nearly shaking with anticipation. Looking towards Anko gauging her as only a kid can. Hoping without hope that she might say she would train him. There was so much he could learn from her. He tried as much as he could to hide his emotions. Anko smiled at his efforts to contain his excitement. She wondered at his need to hide behind a curtain though.
"The only thing is that you would have to pick me up at the orphanage every day that we trained or you could tell me a time and I could sneak out. I would do anything you said and I won't let you down if you just give me a chance," he said with sudden determination. To Anko it was quite a transformation that came over him. His sudden eagerness turning serious made her smile.
A moment of silence entered the room and Sarutobi decided to push the two of them along. He cleared his throat, "Well, the thing is, Naruto, someone from the orphanage showed up as I was ordering lunch and they told me you wouldn't be able to stay at the orphanage any more. So, you see I'll be setting you up with your own apartment with someone coming in now and again to make sure you're doing okay."
Anko looked at him as a sudden protective streak ran through her. Thinking to herself, 'I'm sure that would be my job if I accept the mission. Babysitting?' She looked at the boy again, 'At least the gaki doesn't seem to be too much of a brat. How could the orphanage even do something like that? S rank mission, huh?'
Naruto looked so lost for a moment, "I would have to live in town?"
Sarutobi smiled with kindness, "I understand this is difficult for you, Naruto. Being so young and having to live on your own. Perhaps there is an apartment by Anko, if she accepts, that would allow her to keep a closer eye o you."
Anko saw a quick flash of true fear flash across Naruto's face before he covered it and she found herself speaking before she realized it, "Well, if that's the case why doesn't he just stay with me then? I mean if I'm gone on another mission or at the T & I department then I could have Kurenai watch him. It just makes sense and it would be easier for me to make a training schedule."
Sarutobi feigned surprise and linked his fingers in front of him trying to hide the smile that was on his face. This was exactly as he had hoped for. Looking at Anko he nodded, "Perhaps you're right and since you would be accepting this mission, missions outside the village wouldn't happen very often. I'm sure that your work at the T & I will slow down some too so you will have more time to aptly train the boy. As to payment, you would receive it from the S rank mission every week as well as an account for expenses."
Anko smirked as she thought, 'I needed a vacation anyway,' looking at Naruto, 'I doubt the gaki could train for more than an hour or two a day. This will be a cake walk.'
Anko nodded at the Hokage. Looking towards the kid, she noticed that he seemed to be in deep thought. His face seemed strained, almost as if he was waiting for an ax to fall. That would have to change. He was still young. Shouldn't be too hard to get him thinking along the same lines as herself.
"I accept the mission, Old man. I'll take in the gaki and teach him all I know. Heck, I might even get Kurenai and Ibiki to help me out," Anko said before turning to the boy, "First thing's first. You are getting new new clothes and we're burning those things, whatever they are. If you're going to be a ninja then you might want to start dressing like one."
Sarutobi nodded as he reached and grabbed the papers from his desk for her to sign. Passing them over to Anko to fill out. She made quick work of the paperwork and added them onto a pile on his desk much to Sarutobi's chagrin. After the paperwork was done and lunch was done Anko nodded towards the Hokage.
"Come on gaki. Best we go get you some real clothes and show you around my place, well our place, before dinner. Then, you can come with me while I go see Ibiki to let him know what's going on."
Naruto oddly silent, looked to the Hokage, before falling into step behind Anko.
Sarutobi watched them leave before sitting back in his chair grinning like a fool. Taking out his pipe, he lit it and took a few puffs while thinking that despite the mountains of paperwork still piled high on his desk, he was able to accomplish perhaps the most important task. Just hoping Anko never figures out that she was maneuvered into the situation.
"Sarutobi, old boy, you still got it."
