"It's a pleasure, Shingen. I am Naruto." Naruto responded, though already knowing that Shingen knew of him, as they released hands of each other. "No offence, but I'm still surprised that I haven't heard about you. I mean, you are an Uzumaki, and Kushina with Narumi are as well, but…"

"None taken, and I would actually be more surprised if you've heard of us from your mother." Shingen and his kids immediately saw how Naruto stiffened up at the mention of Kushina. "I see that her name isn't liked by just me, hm?" Naruto immediately calmed down at hearing it.

"I-I'm sorry, I…"

"No need, kid. I know what you feel, believe me." Shingen simply smiled to him, confusing Naruto. "Now, let's get inside. I'm sure Aika should be done with the dinner by now. Come, I won't take no for an answer."

"I… I really don't want to impose, and…" Naruto was feeling uncomfortable at being invited by someone over and was about to go, but he was stopped when Hiryu put his hand on Naruto's shoulder, giving him a small, comforting smile.

"It's alright, Naruto. You've helped my sister, and that's enough of a reason for me… to call you friend." Naruto slightly widened his eyes, but calmed down. "Now, let's not keep Mom waiting." Hiryu and Akemi went on ahead, opening up the door inside, with Naruto and Shingen remaining for a second, before Shin gave a nudge in the back to Naruto, speaking up.

"If you are worried about ANBU or Konoha Police coming your way for what you have done, you can calm down. I may not look like much, but not even current Hokage or his Advisors have it in them to go against a decision that I've made." Shingen smiled to him, opening up the door and letting Naruto inside.

Inside, Naruto saw what he had expected to see within the tailor shop: manikins with various garments of all kinds, rows of textile and various kinds of silk, material and more. It was a spacious place, with a waiting area, a stand for shopkeeper, books with numerous models of garments, utilities for measuring. The interior was made in a modern, yet slightly moderate style, creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcoming comfort. Overall, Naruto had to admit that it was a plain, simple, yet elegant in its own way tailor shop, though he was ready to be that there was more to it, especially with the earlier statement of Shingen. As the two have entered, Naruto did not wait to ask a question.

"You speak with some confidence, but why would the Uchihas and ANBU Black Ops fear a plain and simple tailor, if you don't mind me asking?" Naruto turned to Shingen, who simply chuckled. "They don't fear to press up any Civilian that steps out of line, especially the Uchihas with their angered up vigorousness. What would make them reconsider their policy with you?"

"Maybe because I am a very good tailor, who also happens to have a little hobby on the side?" Shingen suggested in a somewhat amused manner, with Naruto cocking up an eyebrow. "A lot of Shinobi may not have much in terms of love towards the civilian sector, but even they have to understand that said sector here is essential for the survival of Konoha, as it supplies the most basic needs to them: provisions, medicines, all kinds of materials and services, you name it. And all of this is something that I take an interest in, the civilian economical sector."

"You are what, a head of the commerce union?" Naruto asked, with Shingen shaking his head.

"No, not quite. Aside from being a professional tailor and former Shinobi of Konoha, I am also one of main investors in Konoha, with my money being invested in practically every essential and non-essential economical part of this village, and beyond it as well." Naruto looked a little bit surprised. "Akimichi may be good chefs, but are terrible farmers, so they have to be supplied with meat, wheat and everything in between. Same as with everyone else: Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Nara, Hyuga, etc. I believe you know how investment works as a business."

"It's the principal of the banking system: loaning money to someone and extracting a percentage of his profits in exchange." Shingen nodded to Naruto. "If you are an investor and one that can dictate rules to Hokage, why bother with a simple tailor shop?"

"Because this is something I rather enjoy doing, and I am quite good at it as well, with practically no competition in here, so I have a job security. Plus, who could possibly believe that the richest man in Konoha and one of the wealthiest persons in all of Elemental Nations is a simple professional tailor with a Shinobi past?" Shingen asked of Naruto, who simply shook his head. "Not every investor makes himself known as one, and usually takes up an additional profession as well. I know one investor from the Land of Stone, who is also a very popular writer, with his detectives being quite the bestsellers. Although his romance series didn't go far from that perverted frog fetishist's… voyeur escapades."

"You are… not what I had expected." Naruto simply stated to Shingen, who led him through the waiting area, into the working area and from there to the ladder to living place his living place.

"I get that sometimes." Shingen stepped aside, letting Naruto inside of his house. "Please, make yourself comfortable.

The second floor looked like the example of a modern living house, with a living room on Naruto's left, with sofa, three armchairs, bookcase filled with books, some paintings and photos of family, tables and more. The entire room taking up about half of the spacious floor, with, what Naruto had guessed, kitchen being located on his right, and further ahead on the right were the bathroom and, maybe, a library or a personal cabinet behind the closed door. The entire floor looked warm and felt comforting, with warming beige and sunny colors, well illuminated by windows and lights. All was made to look and feel like a comfortable house, with a caring and nice people living in.

As Shingen went ahead into kitchen, Naruto went into the living room, taking a seat on the comfy sofa, feeling… not very comfortable, to be perfectly honest with himself. It was quite a long time since he was welcomed in by someone and allowed to in just like that. He may've protected Akemi from the Inuzuka idiots, but, in his mind, it wasn't something that should've allowed him to get in here, even out of gratitude. A simple "thanks" should've been enough for someone like him, but instead, he was allowed in. Was there some kind of plot in play here? Or was Hiryu with his family simply that kind to him. If this was true, then this would honestly be the first time for Naruto, encountering such kindness.

Though sofa was comfortable, Naruto wasn't feeling too good sitting on it, so he rose up and began looking around the room, particularly at the photos. There were a lot of photos of Hiryu and Akemi with their parents, from practically all ages, starting up with infancy, followed by when they were little kids, kindergarten and going into the Academy years. There were smiles, happiness on their faces and genuine content with life, with Hiryu laughing and smiling all the way, with Akemi's beautiful eyes displaying happiness with a small cute smile, or how she blushes up because of being embarrassed of her looks. Then there are happily grinning Shingen with his happy and caring wife Aika, a tall, beautiful woman with light blue eyes and long silver hair, possessing quite an appealing figure, rivaling that of Tsunade and even surpassing it in proportional beauty. It was no secret that many Shinobi and civilians alike considered her to be one of the most beautiful women in Konoha, an object of envy and jealousy of fairer sex and a wet dream of many men.

As Naruto went on looking through them all, he felt how his heart inside of him sank deeper and deeper. All of these images of happy family, caring parents and siblings… It made him feel hollow inside. This was something that he didn't expect to feel, not any time soon or anywhere like this, a feeling that he has been pushing away inside of him and burying it down under rage and fury, as well as countless and restless training.

Loneliness.

Naruto felt lonely, abandoned and empty, with the feeling of sadness settling in. All of this that he was seeing… How much he wished that it could've been him and his parents there. To be able to experience all of this and more, to spend time like this without a care in the world. To hear his mother's laughter and father's chuckle at something funny, or feel the warm embrace of them and the intoxicating feeling of content and safety. To even run around and have fun with his siblings, laughing and playing at the streets or in the house. To be a part of happy family once more…

All of this and more was all that Naruto had wanted to have, yet no longer can, nor had it in him. Happiness at the sight of his parents was replaced burning fury of a wronged son, tender and warm feelings for his siblings were now sharp and cold. They've made it clear to him in their actions that he was no longer someone they care about, with all their thoughts and attention diverted towards the twins. In their house, there were only three photos in which Naruto was depicted, and even those showed him on the sidelines and not smiling. The family album held 79 photos of twins, with and without their parents, while Naruto only had 14 dedicated to him, with 8 being the same as with those in the house. He had not known the feeling of happiness, when his parents looked at him with pride, but the bitter taste of disappointment and misery.

At this moment Naruto could clearly feel a strong sense of envy and even jealousy towards Hiryu and Akemi, but even more vividly, he could feel sadness and sorrow, with a crack having formed in his cold exterior. A small crack on his armor that he had built around himself. One that showed itself in the form of a single lone tear falling down on his face, with Naruto not even noticing it. He was so transfixed upon the photos that he did not even notice a certain housewife stepping into the living room and noticing Naruto's look of sadness.

"Naruto…" In one second, the armor regained its integrity, as he quickly turned to face the source of a sweet and caring voice of Aika Azuma, standing in front of him in a lightly blue sweater, black pants and plain slippers, with a white apron above her attire. "I haven't seen you in quite a while. I hope you are doing well?"

"As well as considered of me." Naruto answered in his usual manner, noticing a slightly perplexed and concerned look on Aika's face. "I am sorry for being a bother. If you want, I can..."

"Now why would I want you out, young man?" Aika asked of him in a somewhat insulted tone. "You have protected my sweet Akemi's honor and dignity from those assailants, from what Akemi and Hiryu told me. The least I can do for this is thank you accordingly. The meals are being served as we speak by Akemi. Please, wash your hands in the bathroom in the room after kitchen and join in."

"Um, sure." Naruto said hesitantly. "I'll… I'll be in a bit." He began to move towards the bathroom, when Aika called him out.

"Naruto." She drew his attention to herself. "Is everything alright? It may not be my place to pry, but… You look sorrowful and sad." Only now Naruto noticed a lone teardrop on his cheek, which he wiped out, before replying quickly.

"I'm fine, just… Not feeling too comfortable in here, but not because of you. It's just…" Words died down in his throat, before he decided simply not to answer on this one. "I'll be joining you in a minute." And with that, he left for the bathroom, while Aika trailed him with a concerned and saddened look, understanding what was going on with her former patient.

She could only guess and theorize, but a mother's heart told her that years and loneliness have not been kind to Naruto. Quite the opposite, as even without a doujutsu like Sharingan or Byakugan, Aika could clearly see a tormented soul, wrapped in a constant pain of loneliness, humiliation and abandonment. She and her husband may've been a little bit private, but that didn't mean that they were aloof to what was happening in Konoha.

The events of 6th Kyuubi Festival day were known to her well, as well as the consequences of it, such as disinheritance of Naruto from Namikaze and Uzumaki Clans, along with his reaction and reaction of his parents to it. To be so openly forgotten and abandoned by your own parents, and then ostracized and humiliated by the near entirety of the village because of what his parents decided… It was no wonder that Naruto was feeling so out of place in her house or confused and perplexed with this kindness and gratitude. When one goes long enough without something important, they start to learn how to live without it, and when it comes back to them, it feels so out of place for them, yet may also be something of yearn to them.

Aika may've not known Naruto well, but she hopped that she and Shingen could help the poor boy.

After Naruto returned from the bathroom, the table was set and he joined in, being seated next to Hiryu, with Akemi facing him. He was greeted warmly by Shingen and Aika, who placed the utensils and dishes on the table, with food following it. It wasn't anything of great extravagance, but a tasty looking food, traditional to Konoha people. As he sat, he decided to eat without even saying a word, getting on it just as he was used to.

Naruto had to admit, that the food was not just good, but delicious, much better than what he was used to cooking up for himself. It made his mouth salivate and awakened a gluttonous hunger for it, as he had practically have forgotten how tasty food can be. He was practically eating it without any care, until a careful cough by Shingen hadn't broken him out of his state and made him look at his surroundings. Akemi and Hiryu were looking at him with a perplexed gazes, while Aika was looking surprised and somewhat… revolted even, while Shingen managed to maintain a more simple and normal look upon him, as he spoke up to Naruto.

"Kid, no need to go stuffing all the food in your mouth like that. We aren't going to take it away from you or anything." Shingen and the rest of his family saw how Naruto chew on his food and gulped it down, before sitting straight, looking ashamed of his actions.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect or try to be a brute, I…" Naruto was starting to panic a little, before Akemi chuckled a little to him and spoke up.

"Naruto, it is alright, just… Try to eat slowly and taste the food properly, okay? It's just… You look kinda silly when you… Stuff your face." Akemi blushed up a little bit when she said it. "I-I mean that if that's how you… I didn't mean to make fun of you, I…"

"No, no… I understand. And I'm sorry. I'll be more… proper with food." Naruto calmed down, as did Akemi, starting to eat his food slower and tasting it, with everyone else returning back to it, until the family began to talk.

"So Hiryu, are you and Akemi going to take the Exam tomorrow? Did Iruka give you any trouble for getting a head start before the rest of your class?" Aika asked of her son, while Naruto stiffened up, as he felt himself again out of place and even uncomfortably. "I remember him mentioning that he doesn't like his students start out sooner than expected. Says that they should enjoy and appreciate this time of their life to the fullest, instead of cutting it short. To be quite honest, I somewhat agree with him."

"Maybe today that's how the things are, but back in our day… I remember more students graduating on their first and second years than actually going through full course." Shingen recalled, with Aika nodding to it a little. "Although, those were uneasy years and every village needed able Shinobi like air, since war was brewing up. Granted though, the quality of training Shinobi was on completely different level as well back then, nothing like today's kindergarten with all this prattling about Hokage being all great, especially with Minato's so called miracle…" Naruto could clearly hear a tone of disagreement and even anger in Shingen's voice.

"Iruka-sensei did try to talks me and brother out of this, along with Rei and Keiji, saying that we are not ready for this yet." Akemi spoke up, with Shingen shaking his head at this one. "Rei and Keiji didn't really listen to him, though, and left, with Keiji saying that he and his sister are tired of listening to the same thing over and over. T-to be quite honest, I kinda agree with him."

"Yeah, Iruka and Mizuki do tell the same thing over and over again to us on history, like there isn't something better to teach us." Hiryu agreed with them. "Although Iruka-sensei is a pretty great teacher, but Mizuki-sensei… I quite honestly can't even stand the guy, something about him just… I don't know, sit well with me. Like he puts up this nice guy front, but behind it is some kind of villain from TV shows."

"I've seen more than enough of these kinds of people, and I can tell that Mizuki is definitely not very fit to be a teacher. A shame that there are practically no experienced Jonins in the Academy nowadays." Aika sighed, before noticing how Naruto was looking very stiff and uncomfortable. "Naruto, is something the matter? Did you not like the food?" Shaking off the stasis, Naruto looks up at Aika and speaks up.

"No, no, the food is great, really. It's the best stuff I've eaten in ages, actually. Don't think I've even eaten anything better before." Naruto truthfully said, with Aika smiling at the compliment, though she and Shingen were already thinking over his statement. "I'm just… I'm not used to this kind of a mealtime, with all this talking and discussions… or company for that matter."

"Um, you don't have mealtimes with your parents?" Akemi asked the innocent question, with Naruto simply shaking his head. "But, how do you eat? Does your mom cook enough food and you eat it separately, and why do you not eat with them at all, if you don't mind me asking?"

"At first, when I was little, I did eat with them, but after they had started training the twins to control Kyuubi and other stuff… Mealtimes gotten mostly dominated by Menma and Narumi rambling on and on about what they had learned or were going learn, or how they spend their time with friends, especially in front of Jiraiya and Tsunade." Naruto spoke up with a bit cold voice, with Aika and Shingen exchanging glances with each other. "They were the centers of the attention, while I simply sat and ate, with Kushina and Minato and others not really asking me about anything, and if they did, it would mostly be where I was and what I did. I would say I was mostly out in village, which is true, but when they would try to press further, either Menma would ask for a refill, or Narumi would recall something really cool she heard or saw and tell about it…"

"It must've been really uncomfortable and awkward, sitting through it all, like you don't even exist to the others." Hiryu said with a tone of sympathy and sadness, with Naruto nodding to it. "But, it surely wasn't all that bad as it seemed, right? I mean, our Mom and Dad would never stand for me or Akemi interrupting one another like this or overshadowing each other."

"I don't really know about your parents, Hiryu, but with mine… Minato was always busy with work as Hokage, and would more often than naught talk about it at table, while Kushina would be prattling about how Menma and Narumi are doing so great under her "awesome" teaching skills and all…" Naruto let out a frustrated sigh, taking a moment to calm down. "At some point, the ignorance was starting to become too much, and I've started to first skip meals, and later have them in different times or out of house. Even learned how to cook it up myself, though never really good, but it was something."

"Didn't they ever notice that you weren't at the table? They couldn't have just… not noticed it at all, could they?" Aika asked of Naruto, fearing the already expected answer from him.

"They did, at first, and asked why I've started skipping meals. I told them that I had stuff to take care, and they lay off of me, and after… After the day," Everyone in the room understood what Naruto was referring to. "They didn't really bother with it, with Kushina now cooking enough for four people, instead of five. As you can imagine, I'm not exactly in the best relations with either the brats, or Hokage and his wife. Especially with his wife, thanks to…" Naruto rubbed his slapped cheek, as if recalling the pain. "Me not being good enough to being her heir, like those two…" The last bit was said with a great deal of bitterness and anger in it, which did not go unnoticed by anyone.

Aika and Shingen exchanged glances, silently communicating between themselves about this entire ordeal. They had heard all about how Kushina had stated that Menma and Narumi were better than Naruto back at his birthday, since she didn't bother with lowering her voice at all. The very notion of one sibling's superiority over the other was absolutely repulsive for Aika, especially as a mother, who would not even think about judging her children based upon some ridiculous standards that Kushina had set for her children. She knew that Hiryu and Akemi weren't perfect in all and had their own weak and strong sides, and she loved and cherished them for it all equally.

As for Shingen, hearing about being better and not good enough, had a reminding effect. Just as he sat there and looked at Naruto, he couldn't help but see another redheaded boy with blue eyes from a different time, who was told he was not good enough for the honor of being Kyuubi's vessel. The anger, rage, envy, bitterness and so much that he felt back then. All of it had made him push himself past any and all limits that he may've had, accepting loneliness as his companion. And when he had thought that he was now better than before, that boy, now older, was once again passed over for his teammate for the honor of becoming a personal student of Jiraiya in Sage Arts, again, because he wasn't up to that man's standards… Shingen remembered it all well, and how much it had hurt him, driving him into rage, with only Aika having been able to save him from himself and ultimately learning the real values of life are not in being the best in others eyes, but in being the better person for yourself and for those you care for.

If only he had understood that when Mito Uzumaki had tried to explain it to him, if only Shingen wasn't so angry at everyone… If there ever was one thing that Shingen Uzumaki had learned in his life, then it would that unchecked and unbridled fury will only lead a person to loneliness and suffering. Now, Shin was looking at Naruto and seeing a very familiar image of himself in the boy. He was sure that Aika also saw it as well, and they both understood one thing: the boy needs help, and he needs it fast.

Just as if Shingen and Aika had come to the same conclusion, everyone in the room heard a loud sound of thunder, right outside of the house. Drawing everyone's attention to the window, they saw that a large rainfall was now pouring over Konoha, with wind blowing and howling with such power, that it seemed like it could blow away building and trees. Shingen stood and went to close up the windows before it started pouring inside the house.

"Looks like this thunderstorm will be raging for the rest of the evening, and entire night…" Shingen noted out as he looked out a practically blackened Konoha, before turning to Naruto. "Looks like you won't be getting home today, kiddo. Hiryu, could you show Naruto one of the guest rooms? And could you get some of clothes for him to change into? You two have about the same sizes."

"Sure thing, Dad." Hiryu agreed without hesitations, while Naruto wasn't as convinced.

"Th-there is no need for that. I-I'll just head back home and…" Naruto tried to speak up against such an idea, but wasn't allowed when Shingen spoke up again.

"Kid, look right out there and ask yourself: "do I feel lucky, going out into that thunderstorm?" Shingen pointed with his thumb to a window behind him, where the rainfall was starting to pick up. "I've lived in Uzu and I know a thunderstorm when I see one. The best thing you can do, kid, is stay here until it settles down for good. And from the looks of things, it'll probably be only over in the morning. The building itself is protected with seals of Uzumaki stamp of approval, so it won't make a dent on our house here, but if you take a step outside… Shinobi or not, there some times when you best not test your luck with Mother Nature, and that's just the time."

"And if you think that we would simply allow you to go out into that hurricane like this, you are sorely mistaken, young man." Aika added to Shingen's argument, before stepping closer with a warming smile. "Naruto, it's alright. We have enough spare rooms to spare, and we aren't taking no for an answer. As a mother, a compassionate person, and most importantly, a doctor, I highly recommend that you stay here." Aika spoke with an absolutely serious tone of voice.

"Trust me, Hiryu. When Mom gets like that, there is no stopping her, and you don't want hear her start making demands." Hiryu spoke up to his friend, who sighed and spoke up.

"Alright… I just don't want to impose, plus… I'm also taking the Exam tomorrow." Naruto informed them all, with Hiryu and Akemi exchanging glances with each other, before smiling to him.

"Then that mean that we can take them together tomorrow." Akemi responded to that. "I've no doubt that we'll all succeed."

"I would be more surprised if all three of you didn't pass tomorrow." Shingen chuckled at this one. "Hiryu, why don't you show our guest the room and give him the cloths. Akemi, would you mind closing down the shop below?" His kids nodded to him and went ahead with their tasks, with Naruto following Hiryu upstairs, while Akemi took the keys and went downstairs, leaving their parents alone in the kitchen, with Aika already picking up the dishes and preparing to wash them, as she spoke up in a concerned tone of voice.

"It's even worse than I had thought." She said in a saddened and pained tone, with Shingen turning his attention to his wife. "Did you notice how tense and uncomfortable Naruto was? It's like he was expecting something bad to happen to him. And the way he ate and the fact that it's the first time in a long while since he ate homemade food like this, among family… Just what have Kushina and Minato done to the boy?!" Aika practically broke the dish when she said it like that.

"Yeah, you said, Aika." Shingen's voice became deeper and more sombre as well. "I saw the scarred skin on his knuckles and fingers, and all this talk about being not good enough, and his eyes…" Shingen let out a sigh, as he looked at his own reflection in the window. "Those were the same eyes I used to have back then… A boy, neglected in favour of one who has more promise, who answers some personal requirements and is simply thought to be a better of someone… I know it was far different for me than it is for him, but for Naruto it is even worse. Damn it, Minato, you are just like that frogged bastard."

"Shingen, Naruto can't continue down on that road." Aika turned to her husband with a serious look on her face. "The more villagers and his family continue to antagonize him, the worse it will be for him. All of that anger and rage for what had happened to him… it will kill him eventually. But behind all that anger and rage there is still a good and kind hearted person, one that simply yearns for acceptance, for friendship and family. When I walked in on him in the guestroom, he was on the verge of crying when he looked at the pictures of us and kids. I know that it isn't our place, but I can't simply stand idle and let a good soul get crushed under all of this..."

"Then that makes the two of us, Aika." Shingen agreed with her. "Although, I have been hearing about the kid all the time and it doesn't seem like the civilian populace holds any resentment towards him. If anything, more than a few pities the boy, but there aren't many that are willing to help him out openly, since none of them want to get on the bad side with Shinobi Clans. And those have grown quite a lot more arrogant and self-assured in their absolute authority in here, not to mention the brewing situation with Uchihas."

"And what about us then?" Aika asked of her husband, who looked up to her with a smile. "Are we going to be like the others, or is my husband, the Crimson Devil of Konoha, going to do things his own way, just as he has always done?" Aika asked of Shingen who simply smiled to her.

"You know how I hate it when you dare me, Aika…" Shingen laughed a little bit.

"I only do so, because I know that you could never turn down dare." Aika smiled to him in answer. "After all, wasn't this how I got you to finally say the "L" word?"

"Touché." Shingen chuckled at the memory. "It's not going to be easy for Naruto, and we'll have to be patient. Hiryu and Akemi will want to help no doubt, and as for Minato and Kushina, if they…" Shingen and Aika weren't able to continue their conversation, as they heard their daughter stepping onto the floor and coming into the kitchen

"Dad, I'm sorry, but there is Lord Hokage downstairs. He has come for Naruto, and it seemed to me like he wasn't taking him home." Akemi told her father and mother, with Shingen frowning at the fact that there was an uninvited guest downstairs. "I-I tried to tell him that he simply defended me, but he said th-that either we give him willingly, or he'll come up here and take him himself…"

"Wow, he makes us sound like we've captured Naruto or something. Looks like my old friend had forgotten what manners are since he became a Hokage." Shingen went towards the stairs to greet his former teammate. "I'll take care of this, Akemi. You go ahead and rest up. I'll be back in a minute or two." With this said, Shingen went downstairs.

It took him less than minute to get downstairs and enter the shop from behind his stand. Once he did that, Shingen could clearly see the current Forth Hokage, the legendary Yellow Flash of Konoha and the most famous student of Sannin Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze. The blond Hokage met Shingen with a cold stare, which did not deter Shingen in the slightest, even amusing him to a certain extent. To him it simply meant that Minato hadn't forgotten of their past and still hasn't let go of it, unlike Shingen.

It wasn't a particular secret that when Third Hokage was planning to retire, there were several pretenders for this post, with Minato and Orochimaru being the main ones, but there was also Shingen Uzumaki, Minato's former teammate and another one of Konoha's finest defenders. While late Danzo Shimura had supported Orochimaru, Minato was highly revered and supported by Shinobi Council and Shinobi population, and Shingen had the support of the civilian Clans and the general population of the village, as well as the favour of Fire Daimyo on his side.

Unfortunately for Shingen and Orochimaru, Shinobi Council pressured on Third Hokage to have Minato succeed him, wanting to get more influence over things in Konoha, and knowing that between sadistic and manipulating Orochimaru, seasoned and mature Shingen Uzumaki, and young and idealistic Minato, it would be the easiest to take control over the latter. And so Minato was elected as the Forth Hokage, while Shingen had left the Shinobi Corp behind, becoming something of an unofficial leader and defender of civilian populace's rights in Konoha's politics.

It was a well-known fact that many of the Shinobi didn't like or outright despised Shingen Uzumaki, calling him a traitor to Shinobi. Minato himself have admitted that he was not expecting Shingen to become his opponent and opposition to him in Konoha like that, stating that he had hoped that they could've worked for the betterment of Konoha. Shingen simply stated that he was loyal not simply to Konoha, as all the other Shinobi, but to all the people that lived in it, as was befitting to an Uzumaki of Uzu, to be a loyal defender of all those that resided in his village.

The two were vastly different in their ideals and viewing of the world, as well as their core values, yet both could've been called the most loyal men to Konoha's people. But where Minato had viewed Konoha as completely Shinobi-oriented village and civilian population as simple addition to it, Shingen saw the importance of both Shinobi and civilians, seeing Konoha as a home for them all and not just Shinobi. In his eyes, it was now bigger and more than what First Hokage had envisioned for the Hidden Village, along with the Will of Fire, something that he disagreed with completely. Perhaps it was an Uzumaki blood in Shingen with the Will of Unity, the core concept for all Uzumaki and their code of living. While similar in their concepts, with Uzumaki's Will of Unity predating the Will of Fire, there were fundamental differences between them as well.

The same differences that have made Minato and Shingen, once teammates and comrades, into rivals in their views and codes of conduct.

Shingen looked at Minato, noticing that he wasn't even wet from the storm going on outside, meaning that he used his favourite Hiraishin to get here. Shingen knew he should've removed that marker years ago…

"You know, it's usually considered impolite to enter into someone's house without the usage of the front door." Shingen decided to jape a little, as he closed the distance between him and Minato. "Plus walking is always good for your feet, providing exercising and ridding off all the excess mass. Although looking at you, you could use a little on you, but with Kushina's cooking skills…"

"Shingen, cut the chatter." Minato sharply said to him, with Shingen shutting up. "You and I both do not exactly enjoy each other's company, so let's keep it brief. Where is Naruto?" Minato asked the question.

"Why, he is upstairs, probably getting ready for a sleep in the guest room. It's not like the weather there is good for strolls." Shingen replied like it was something completely normal, getting a surprised reaction from Minato. "You didn't think that Aika and I would throw him out into that storm, now did you?"

"It's not needed of you, to give him a room and bed. I'm taking him with me." Minato was about to go towards the stairs, but was stopped by Shingen, who wasn't looking like he would allow Minato to pass. "Shingen, let me pass and we will be off."

"How about you be off to either home or work, and let the boy rest after a good family meal? Something he definitely needed in a long time." Shingen suggested to Minato, who glared at his former friend. "You know, if you had more of those normal meals with him, like a normal family, there wouldn't be such a great need to send him to the ANBU cell for a week, like you are about to do, aren't you?"

"Tsume had reported that he had assaulted four of her clansmen and crippled two of them. I will not let this simply slide like nothing had happened, son or no son of mine, so don't try to stand in my way, or I'll charge you with cooperating with a criminal." Minato threatened, with an irate voice and tone, something that Shingen did not take lightly.

"I would be careful, threatening me like that in my own house, Minato. And as for those four Inuzuka degenerates, has Tsume or those bastard forget to mention that they have assaulted my daughter and even tried to have, oh what's she called it… Oh yes: "preliminary exams" for taking Genin Exam tomorrow." Shingen released a little bit of his KI at Minato, making the blond flinch at it. "You know, I'm usually a pretty chill person these days, but if there's one thing I can't stand, then it's when someone assaults my family and thinks they can get away with it with their skin intact. Good thing they didn't though, thanks to Naruto."

"If you think that I'll believe, that four Genins have assaulted…" Minato wasn't allowed to speak more, as Shingen interrupted.

"If you were half the Hokage everyone here thinks you are, you would've long known that first: it's not your son that goes on picking all the fights, but every Shinobi Clan who is arrogant enough to do that, thanks to you. And second, in case you haven't heard or noticed, the civilian population has been getting harassed by Shinobi from practically all ranks more and more frequently over all kinds of things, and the nature of this harassment is getting worse." Shingen said with steel cold resolve. "So, instead of serving as an ass wiper for Tsume and training those golden assed twins of yours, you go back in your office and address these damn issues, before I decide to take action into my own hands." Minato knew full well, that with the tone like that, Shingen was not kidding.

"You do not have the right for that. You are not the Hokage." Minato reminded him. "And as for the rumours, I have been assured by my advisors that those were just baseless rumours."

"I wouldn't call seeing my friends mugged by Shinobi, charging them with so called: "protection fee". Or how about the fact that Clans are demanding higher prices on all of their products, while not even paying up the full price for the delivered items and products from civilians?" Shingen addressed just some of the most prominent problems. "And how about the fact that since you and your wise Council have basically exiled Uchiha Clan on the outskirts of village, they've been taking out their anger and frustration on the civilians of Konoha, with their raids on merchants, baseless arrests and even beatings and tortures for confessions in the most meagre of crimes. And don't deny that you didn't know about it, Minato. We both know that you know."

"That still doesn't make you a Hokage, Shingen." Minato reminded him again.

"No, it doesn't, but it seems like I'll have to do the Hokage's job for you. And you know that I am not one to mince words or be bent over every time the Shinobi Council wants to have their own way." Shingen stated with strength, one that Yellow Flash had remembered was in the Crimson Devil. "So unless you want me to… disrupt the natural order of things around, you'll leave Naruto alone and instead, start doing the job you were put in charge of doing. And, while you are at it, maybe take a few minutes to address the constant harassment of your son. That is, if you even care about him." Shingen showed with his posture that he was done talking and already headed back. "Close the door from outside, if you don't mind."

"I've heard that Hiryu and Akemi will be taking their Exam tomorrow, alongside with Naruto and Uchiha orphans…" Minato seemingly said out of nowhere, making Shingen stop in his tracks. "We are a little short on the capable Jonins right now, but I think we'll be able to spare our best one for them, along with someone from the Special Jonins, seems it looks like we'll be having a 5-man Squad formed from them. Just though that you wanted to know." With that, Minato teleported out of the shop, with Shingen scowling at this one.

"If he meant the one I'm thinking about, then it's probably a good thing I was already planning on offering Naruto, Rei and Keiji to train them…" Shingen said to himself, already setting up a training plan for the future Genin Squad.


Okay, looks like I've overestimated myself, and I am sorry to say it, but there will only be one update for my other Naruto stories on this week, as I'm pretty beat at the moment. I'm sorry about it, but I do plan on updating them and continuing this story.

Now about this chapter, not my best, but I hope it did go well. While Naruto may be angry and furious, he is still vulnerable and does feel lonely and yearns for attention. However, because of how he is treated and how long he has been essentially alone, he isn't comfortable around the people like this and so his awkwardness. As you can see, this Uzumaki family will be playing a big role in the future, as will the mentioned Uchiha orphans, Rei and Keiji. I plan on making a 5-members Genin Squad, like I did in Shadow Sage of Six Paths, my first Naruto story. Aika Azuma is largely based off Rosseweisse from DxD, one of my favourite characters in it.

Shingen may be a very good tailor, and a professional one at that, but he is powerful person within Konoha, with connections, influence and money, as well as being the only Shinobi at the time to have rivalled the Yellow Flash of Konoha in skill and power. Also, yes, Danzo is dead, but his ROOT lives on, but in a different role and form, which will be revealed later on. And the civilians, who are often portrayed as those arrogant douches here will be showcased in a bit more positive way.

Now, while Naruto is largely the main protagonist, I would also like to hear your opinion on whom should Hiryu be paired up with.

Comment, review, suggest, question, I'll answer it all.

See ya!