Chapter 3: Naruto's New Home.
AN: I was going to have him start training under the three but felt that could wait until later for now. The next chapter is likely when he'll start his training and boy will they be mad once that happens.
Naruto awoke with a loud yawn before reaching out his left hand to turn off the alarm clock on his nightstand. An alarm clock and nightstand that didn't exist. It was only then that he noticed he wasn't in his room. Beginning to panic he recounted his most recent memories of the last few hours. Ino asking him to join her and her family for a fun day out after the bell sounded signifying the end of yet another day of school. The meal he had with her and her family. A few games played later that day and lastly getting to know Ino better. He had of course seen her a time or two in the halls as he went to and from his classes. But seeing as both of them were in different classes on opposite ends of the academy time to talk to the girl was quite limited. Now, however, he had a whole day to just talk and play and get to know her. Grandpa Hokage could only allow an hour or two at most before his duties would force the two apart. Sometimes for weeks or even months at a time.
But seeing as his day of fun was now over he began to walk out the door of the room, down the staircase, and out of the shop her family owned. At least that was the plan before her father stopped him as soon as his hand landed upon the knob of the door.
"Naruto where are you going"? Inoichi asked him with a raised eyebrow. Naruto, in turn, looked at the man before him with no small part of confusion.
"Home". Naruto replied. At this, Inoichi pulled out a scroll with the Hokage emblem on the top signifying it came directly from the Hokage.
"Before you go I would like you to read this". Inoichi said before giving the scroll to him and soon his eyes grew wider and wider the longer he read the scroll now in his hands.
: I, the third Hokage of Konohagakure hereby decree that one Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze shall be given training by Inoichi Yamanaka, Chōza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara effective immediately:.
The rest of the message talked about his new class and other matters Naruto didn't understand nor care about.
"Why...why are you being so nice to me"? Naruto asked as tears began to run down his face. Inoichi at once ran over and hugged him.
"Oh if only I could tell you. If only I could". Inoichi thought to himself as he held the crying boy until he had stopped crying. Once he had Naruto again made for the door and again Inoichi stopped him.
"Your things are no longer in that bug-infested apartment of yours. I had a few of my people move your things into a house inside our clan compound". Inoichi said before giving him his new address. "Oh, one more thing how much do you like ramen? Inoichi asked before the boy practically bulldozed him to the floor. His face going from that of sadness to joy.
"Ok, I get it you really like ramen". Inoichi said before freeing himself from the boy. "Let me walk you to your new home". Inoichi said before opening the door and out the two went.
It wasn't long before many villagers started to eye the two strangely. Some talked in hushed tones as others gave him hate-filled glares. But before he could so much as think of running Inoichi placed his hand on him.
"Be at ease nobody would dare attack you now. The Hokage has placed you under the protection of three influential clan heads. Attacking you now carries the death sentence". Inoichi said before the gates of the Yamanaka clan came into view. On both sides stood two chunin. As soon as they saw their clan head they bowed. If they noticed Naruto they didn't at all show it.
It wasn't long before he and Inoichi stood outside a modest house. If he had to guess the living room alone was bigger than his now old apartment.
"This...this is all mine"? Naruto asked eyes tearing up once more.
"Yes, Naruto-kun it's all yours. Feel free to visit me anytime. My main house is that big one on top of the hill. You can find me most days in that one". Inoichi said before allowing Naruto some time alone. For the rest of the day, he walked around the house. He was about done when he came across a small box sitting next to the backyard door. Opening it he found a new set of kunai and ninja stars. At the bottom of the box sat a note. Opening it he saw neat handwriting that he guessed was Ino's it read.
: I hope you enjoy your gift. I had to work hard to pay for this so you better enjoy it fox-kun: Ino's name sat at the bottom right. Naruto cried again that day but for once in his life, it wasn't due to sadness but happiness. It was on that day that he promised to protect Ino and her family no matter what. They were in his eyes his family and he would sooner die than allow any harm to befall them