I don't own Naruto.


Chapter - 12 Truth and Acceptance

[Time Skip: 5 Months, 2 days before the academy]

It was gradually becoming dark. "Today is the day," thought Kosuke as he was sitting in his house and waiting of Naruto to appear. His thoughts immediately drifted to yesterday's conversation.

[Flashback]

"Good job as usual Naruto, now take a bath and go to sleep," said Kosuke as soon as all three of them appeared. Naruto nodded his head and went inside the house. "He's gotten really used to this hasn't he?" asked Fukasaku. "Yes, he has become used to everything that is happening around him and right now his mind is in a perfect state of balance," said Kosuke. Fukasaku and Shima smiled hearing this statement.

"But sadly I have to break that balance," said Kosuke sadly which shocked both Fukasaku and Shima. "In two days he will be going to the academy, so tomorrow I plan on telling him the truth," said Kosuke. Fukasaku and Shima became worried about hearing this. "So please bring him in a bit early, I have also talked to the hokage he is also coming and Jiraiya is coming tomorrow," said Kosuke.

Fukasaku looked at him for a few seconds "make sure you choose the right words and put it as delicately as possible. Tomorrow we will bring him early" said Fukasaku. "Shima you haven't said anything till now," said Kosuke. Even Fukasaku looked at her. "I trust him," said Shima with a determined expression on her face. Both of them looked at her with a surprised expression on their faces.

"I trust that he will understand his condition and move past that. I also know that it won't hinder his progress and he will not let it hinder him also because… because he's our son" said Shima to Fukasaku. Shima smiled a little and seeing her smile Fukasaku also smiled. "Then we will see you tomorrow," said Fukasaku and vanished.

[Flashback Over]

"Then I will also put my trust in Naruto hoping he will understand" thought Fukasaku. Hiruzen arrived in his kage robes. "You are the first person to arrive," said Kosuke upon seeing Hiruzen. "So Naruto hasn't arrived yet…" trailed Hiruzen and sat down next to Kosuke. Both of them sat in silence.

"Are you worried hokage-sama?" asked Kosuke. "Yes I am" replied Hiruzen. Again there was silence. "Hope I am not late?" asked Jiraiya when he arrived. "He hasn't come yet" replied Kosuke. Jiraiya came forward and sat beside Hiruzen. "How is his training progressing?" asked Hiruzen to Jiraiya.

"It's going good. His kunai and shuriken throwing has improved to the point where around half of the projectiles will hit the centre. His taijutsu has also improved. He is now used to the stance and can also move around in that stance fluently. He actually completed the basics of frog kata two months back but Shima-san insisted that he keeps on re-learning the basics. So he's been doing that for the past two months and his basics are amazingly strong. He starts to learn the advanced kata's now" said Jiraiya. Hiruzen smiled hearing this.

"On the fuinjutsu front, he's now able to read and write all the alphabets clearly without any mistakes. For some reason, he always wants to keep on practising the basics after Shima-san explained its benefits. Like after he finished with the alphabets he kept on practising for the next two months that he can now do it in his sleep without any mistakes. A month back he has started with words and sentences and it is progressing smoothly" finished Jiraiya with a proud expression on his face.

"His reading and writing language have also improved. He's now able to read and write clearly. All he has to do on that front is to read more books and write a lot which he will do in his free time. I have thought him all of my survival techniques, he just has to practice them" said Kosuke smilingly.

The hokage sported a small smile, "you thought that changing the topic will take your mind off didn't you?" asked Kosuke. Hiruzen didn't answer. "The one thing all of us can do is only to trust in Naruto and hope that he will get past this," said Kosuke while Jiraiya nodded in agreement. Hiruzen sighed and nodded his head. Just then a toad arrived in front of them and did a summoning jutsu. Naruto, Fukasaku and Shima arrived in front of them.

"Tou-san what's the big deal? Why are we here? I am still working on the advanced kata's" shouted Naruto as soon as he landed. "Naruto, we have something important to tell you," said Kosuke. He took out a scroll and a kunai. "Naruto this is a storage scroll, you know what a storage scroll is right?" said Kosuke and Naruto nodded his head. "Good, now look at what I am doing carefully," said Kosuke.

He opened the scroll, placed the kunai on top of it and did a few hand signs and put his right hand on the scroll. A set of seals were formed and immediately the kunai vanished. "You saw what I did there? The kunai is now inside the scroll. So the kunai and the scroll does not become one" said Kosuke. "Kosuke-san I understand what you did but why did you show it to me now?" asked Naruto. "Nicely done Kosuke," thought Hiruzen. "Good plan," thought Jiraiya.

Naruto looked at all of them and noticed that all of them were dead serious. "You remember a few months ago you asked me why they call you a demon?" asked Kosuke. Naruto nodded his head. "Do you remember what I told you that day?" asked Kosuke again.

"Yes, you told me that you will tell me before I enter the academy" replied Naruto in a sad tone. "That's right and the day after tomorrow you will be entering the academy. So today I will tell you the truth" said Kosuke and Naruto looked at him in surprise. Kosuke took a deep breath and the others were also tensed.

"5 years ago, there was a huge attack on Konoha. A terrifying and humongous beast called the Kyuubi attacked the village. It destroyed a lot of the village's infrastructure and killed a lot of civilians and shinobi. To save the village the yondaime hokage Minato Namikaze sacrificed himself and used fuinjutsu to seal it into a newborn…and the baby in which the Kyuubi was sealed into" and was about to continue when Naruto interrupted "It's me isn't it?" asked Naruto. Kosuke just closed his eyes and nodded his head.

"So that's why everyone calls me a demon…because I killed their family…" said Naruto with a sad expression on his face. "Naruto look at me," said Jiraiya softly and Naruto looked up to face Jiraiya. "You saw what Kosuke-san did before right? with the scroll and the kunai. He showed it to you so that you can understand better, the kunai is the fox and you are the scroll. So understand that you are not the fox" said Jiraiya.

Naruto stayed silent for a few seconds and said "I want to be alone for some time" and he walked away to the training post and sat down with his back behind the group. "Maybe we should have waited for a few more years," said Hiruzen with a sad tone. "What is the point hokage-sama? in two days he is attending the academy and he is going to be meeting a lot of people. Can you confidently say that none of the teachers/ students or their parents will not treat him as the Kyuubi?" asked Kosuke angrily.

"If we don't tell him now someone else is going to tell him eventually and in the worst case scenario that person might even release the fox, is that alright? if he is going to be hated then he at least deserves to know why he is being hated like that. Just because you don't say it doesn't mean it's not there…why don't you trust Naruto more? he hasn't even said anything yet?" said Kosuke as he stood up with an angry look in his face. "Calm down Kosuke-san," said Jiraiya as he came between the two of them. "I also agree with Kosuke. It's good that we told him and we haven't even heard what Naruto has to say?" said Fukasaku. Hiruzen didn't say anything.

After a half hour time, Naruto started walking back towards them. "I want to ask a few questions," said Naruto. "If what you are saying is true and I am just a container and not the beast why is everyone else looking at me like that?" asked Naruto.

"You see Naruto, almost everyone in the village remembers the destruction and lots of them have lost their families and loved ones during the rampage, lots of people do not know on how to channel their grief and anger so they take it out on you. During their rage, they also forget reason and start attacking you" finished Hiruzen. "Then you guys do not see me like that?" asked Naruto. "None of us think of you that way" replied Kosuke.

"What happens when the Kyuubi is released from my body?" asked Naruto which surprised everyone. "When the beast is released, it starts rampaging and the host dies," said Kosuke silently. "Is that the reason why you guys are taking care of me then, making sure that I don't release the Kyuubi?" asked Naruto. No one answered the question because they didn't know how to frame it properly.

"TELL ME, IS THE REASON WHY YOU GUYS ARE TAKING CARE OF ME IS BECAUSE I DON'T ACCIDENTALLY RELEASE THE KYUBI?" shouted Naruto. Suddenly there was a huge slap sound. It was Shima hitting Naruto. Everybody was shocked by her action. Naruto was even more shocked and was looking at her wide-eyed "What the hell are you talking about, you idiotic kid?" asked Shima angrily.

"Everybody is taking care of you not because of the fear of the beast coming out but because of the trust they have in you to keep the beast from coming out. The yondaime hokage trusted you to be the beast's jailer and since you can't do it alone everyone here wanted to help you and that comes from the truth that these people here know…that you are a great man who is shouldering a huge burden that even a grown man wouldn't do. You are a hero that the people never acknowledged. That is the absolute truth" said Shima with a raised tone.

She then grabbed Naruto's collar and brought him near his face. "Don't think for a moment that the only reason I am taking care of you because of the Kyuubi. Why do you think I let you call me Kaa-san?. Because you are my son that's why and don't EVER question a mother's love. A mother doesn't need any reason to love her son. Got that?" asked Shima angrily.

Naruto initially looked at her in shock but after hearing her explanation. "I'm sorry Kaa-san," said Naruto as slowly tears started to form around his eyes. Shima hugged him tightly and Naruto started crying even more. The others who were looking at this started smiling. "I think with this the darkness in his heart is completely gone," thought Kosuke as he looked at Naruto who was crying heavily.

After another half hour, Naruto stopped crying and was slowly coming back to normal. "What should I do now hokage-sama?" asked Naruto. "What do you mean Naruto?" asked Hiruzen. "Do you think I should talk to it or something since I can't release it?" asked Naruto.

"For now don't do anything like that" interrupted Jiraiya. "In the future with the help of Fukasaku-san, I will train you to use the Kyuubi's chakra and it will greatly aid you in battle," said Jiraiya smilingly. "Wait, the Kyuubi has chakra? wow, I thought it was just a normal beast, but to think it can use chakra" thought Naruto.

"Well…if that's all then I will leave. I have to go home now" said Hiruzen and was about to leave. "Just a minute hokage-sama," said Naruto. "Kaa-san said that yondaime hokage trusted me to be the container, but do you know why?" asked Naruto. Hiruzen thought long and hard for a convincing answer but thought of none. "I know why," said Kosuke.

Everyone looked at him in surprise. "In fact, everyone here knows the reason" continued Kosuke. "Hey, Kosuke what the hell are you doing?" thought Hiruzen as he looked at Kosuke. "Is he going tell that truth also?" thought Jiraiya.

"But…" said Kosuke when Naruto was about to open his mouth. "I will only tell you the reason only when you become a genin. Deal?" asked Kosuke. Naruto initially looked apprehensive but then smiled and nodded his head knowing that Kosuke has his reasons.

"Now why don't we all go for ramen," said Jiraiya smilingly trying to change the subject and lighten the mood. "Now…that's a great idea Jiraiya. I will bring Konohamaru, Biwako and Asuma also. Why don't we meet at Ichiraku around 8pm? Okay?" asked Hiruzen with a smile. "Yatta" shouted Naruto with his fist in the air.

"I will also meet you all at Ichiraku ramen," said Jiraiya and started walking away. "Where the hell are you…" and was about to continue when Kosuke saw Jiraiya's perverted smile with a thumbs up on both his hands. "Please leave," said Kosuke with his head down in shame. Jiraiya ran away in full speed.

"What am I going to do?" asked Naruto. "We still have some free time left so we are going to continue training," said Fukasaku smilingly.

"Kosuke we will see you later and the toad meditating next to you will summon us at eight so bye," said Shima. First Shima and Fukasaku vanished and a few moments later Naruto also vanished.

"What does she mean a toad meditating" thought Kosuke and saw a red toad meditating right next to him. "How long was he meditating?" sweat dropped Kosuke.

[Sarutobi Household]

"You're here early…" said Biwako as she opened the door and let Hiruzen in. "Where is Asuma?" asked Hiruzen. "He playing with Konohamaru" replied Biwako. He went inside the baby room and also started playing with Konohamaru. "So what happened, why made you so happy?" asked Biwako. "What do you mean?"

"I know that whenever something good happened you always immediately play with Konohamaru," said Biwako with a small smile. Hiruzen also smiled at her observation. "So what happened" asked Asuma who was standing beside him. "Today we told the truth about the Kyuubi to Naruto" which shocked both Asuma and Biwako. He told them what had happened there.

"Naruto is really something," said Asuma after hearing that explanation. "To be able to get past his burden and still be happy is nothing short of amazing," said Biwako with a smile on her face. Asuma looked out the window, "Kosuke was correct in his decision to tell Naruto the truth right now" remarked Asuma.

"Yes, he was," thought Hiruzen with a contented smile. Hiruzen got up and walked towards the door, "I forgot to tell you, today all of us with Naruto, Kosuke and Jiraiya are eating at Ichiraku today. So we have to be there by eight" and walked away.

[With Naruto]

"Naruto do you know that Ichiraku's wife died during the Kyuubi rampage," said Kosuke as all of them including Jiraiya who was walking towards Ichiraku. Naruto stopped walking and looked at the ground in shock as he heard those words. Jiraiya was also shocked on hearing this.

Kosuke bend down and looked at Naruto in the eye, "Do you know why I told you this now? I want you to know that there are people in this world who look past all that and treat you with kindness, so never forget that" said Kosuke as he ruffled Naruto's hair. Naruto cheered up a little and walked on followed by Kosuke and Jiraiya.

They arrived early at the Ichiraku ramen stand and were sitting on the bench. "Well if it isn't my favourite customer Naruto and his friends, so what will you have for today?" asked Ichiraku. "One Miso ramen for me," said Jiraiya happily. "So what will you have for today," asked Ichiraku again this time looking at Naruto.

"I already told you I want miso…" before he could complete his sentence Ichiraku caught Jiraiya by the collar and pulled him in. "Shut up, can you be quiet for some time?" with fire in his eyes. Jiraiya started sweating heavily, "I will be quiet," said Jiraiya in a low voice. Ichiraku let him go. "What's happening?" asked Jiraiya to Kosuke.

"You see whenever Naruto comes here to eat, Ichiraku will take Naruto's order first, regardless of who's sitting beside him and that also includes the hokage," said Kosuke with his usual smile. "Kosuke-san what is the matter with him and why is he so sad today?" asked Ichiraku. "Today we told him the truth about the Kyuubi and also about your wife, so he's a bit down today" replied Kosuke.

Ichiraku looked at him for a few seconds. "Jiraiya what is wrong with you?" asked Kosuke. Jiraiya gave a questionable look. "You know that we are supposed to wait for the others before we start eating, don't behave like an idiot," said Kosuke sternly. "I forgot about that sorry," said Jiraiya grinning sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Ichiraku walked towards Naruto stood directly facing him.

"Hey Naruto, I heard from the Kosuke-san that they told you about the Kyuubi and about my wife too. Is that why you are so down?" asked Ichiraku. Naruto nodded his head without looking at him. "Naruto stand on the chair and look at me" ordered Teuchi. Naruto immediately did.

"My wife died because of the fox and if you aren't here today then even more people would have died. So thank you for being a hero and keeping the fox at bay. So don't be so gloomy" said Ichiraku and hugged him tightly. Naruto slowly started smiling. Ichiraku released him from the hug.

"Where's Ayame?" asked Naruto. "She's gone to a shop nearby to buy some more ingredients, she will be back soon," said Ichiraku. "Ichiraku, there are a few more people coming so wait for a few minutes" reminded Kosuke. After a few minutes, "hope you haven't been waiting for us too long" said a voice from behind.

"Asuma-san, Konohamaru" shouted Naruto. The rest of them turned around to greet them. All of them came and sat inside. "Teuchi, this is my grandson Konohamaru Sarutobi," said Hiruzen as he took the baby from Biwako and kept him on the table. "He's a nice boy hokage-sama," said Teuchi while admiring the baby. After Naruto gave his order everyone else did the same.

"Hey, Naruto," said Ayame as she ruffled Naruto's hair and came inside while carrying a bag. "Hi Ayame," said Naruto. "This is all the things you wanted me to buy," said Ayame as she handed over the bag to Teuchi. Then she noticed the hokage sitting on the stand. "I am sorry hokage-sama I didn't notice you before," said Ayame and bowed.

"It's alright Ayame. You haven't met my family haven't you?" asked Hiruzen to which Ayame nodded her head sideways. He then introduced everyone else. "What a cute baby," said Ayame as she started cuddling him. "So what will you guys have?" asked Teuchi. Naruto gave his order first and then everyone else also gave their order. "Ayame let's start cooking" shouted Teuchi from the kitchen and Ayame ran into the kitchen.

"So Naruto how are you feeling. I heard you learnt a lot of things today?" asked Asuma. Biwako also looked at Naruto. "Don't worry Asuma-san I am perfectly alright" said Naruto smilingly. Then the food came and everybody started eating except Konohamaru who was sitting on the far end of the table while Ayame was watching over him.

"This is the best food in the whole world Teuchi-san," said Naruto as he was eating. "Thank you and you are my best customer Naruto," said Teuchi happily. All of them ordered for seconds meanwhile Naruto ordered for a third. Everyone was shocked that Naruto can eat three bowls of ramen. "Teuchi I heard from Kosuke that Minato was your first customer, can you tell us more about that?" asked Hiruzen smilingly.

Everyone was even more surprised to hear that. Naruto put his bowl down and looked at Teuchi. "Are you serious Teuchi-san? The yondaime hokage was your first customer. How did it happen, when did it happen, what did he say and what did you say? Come on tell the whole story Teuchi-san please?" asked Naruto in a fast and enthusiastic manner with puppy-like eyes

"You see, during lunch and dinner time I always tell Naruto stories about the village, the hokage and also famous shinobi's of the village. The stories he wants to hear the most about is Minato. He is a huge fan of the yondaime" said Kosuke. "So he's a fan of his father," thought Teuchi who looked at Naruto who was still looking at him like that.

"Okay…calm down Naruto. I will tell you" said Teuchi and started explaining. All of them including hokage were interested in listening to this story.

[Flashback]

"Why don't you taste this one?" shouted a large man with light brown coloured skin, standing 5 feet 10 inches and wearing a white shirt, pant and a bandana from inside the kitchen. "You know it's raining outside and I don't feel like tasting anything today," said a feminine voice from outside the store.

"Why don't we stop for today Teuchi?" said the woman who came inside the kitchen. She was a slender fair-skinned woman with short dark brown hair and large black eyes. She was also wearing the same type of clothes as Teuchi.

"What the hell are you talking about Ayano? In three days we are opening a shop and I need an accurate result on how it is tasting" said Teuchi. "Why don't you ask someone else?" rebuked Ayano. "You are my wife if I can't ask you then who should I ask. It's already night time and on top of that it is also raining, so no one will come in" shouted Teuchi.

When Ayano was about to argue they heard footsteps and someone entering the shop. Teuchi went outside to see who it was. A man with bright blue eyes and spiky blond hair, with jaw length, bangs framing either side of his face. He wore the standard Konoha uniform with bandages on either side of his feet and having a shuriken holder on top of the bandages on both legs.

"Sorry for entering, you see I was walking down and it started raining. To avoid the rains I came inside, so please let me be here for a few minutes" asked the man.

"Actually we are going to open a restaurant in two days and we want someone to taste our food and give us an honest opinion. Would you be willing to help us out?" asked Teuchi as he came forward. The man turned his head and inspected the whole place.

"I see….sure why not? Minato Namikaze is my name, good to meet you" said Minato. "My name is Teuchi and this is my wife. Please sit down" said Teuchi as he took down which was inverted on the table and placed it properly on the ground. "So what is the name of the shop and what dishes do you prepare here?" asked Minato

"Ichiraku ramen is the name of the shop and as the name suggests we only cook ramen, please wait for a moment," said Teuchi and went inside the kitchen. "Minato-san you are a ninja aren't you?" asked Ayano and he nodded his head.

"Why don't you use one of those ninja techniques and escape from the rain?" asked Ayano. Minato laughed slightly, "you mean the shunshin no jutsu, yeah it is possible but I am actually exhausted," said Minato when the food came. He started eating it. "It's really good but if you can make the noodles a bit thick and also add a few spices it would be perfect," said Minato.

Teuchi and Ayano became very happy. "Can you try more ramen dishes?" asked Ayano. "Yeah, actually I am very hungry so bring it up," said Minato smilingly. Teuchi went inside the kitchen to make the next one.

"So why are you exhausted today?" asked Ayano. "You see, I got my own genin team today and they are a handful to deal with. One is really serious and always moody, the other is a bit more jovial and free and the third one….is I guess okay. The other two fight all the time and after that, I had to go for a mission which involved a lot of running and I am here right now all exhausted" said Minato.

For the next half hour, Minato tried all the dishes made by Teuchi and Ayano and gave his inputs. "Thank you for the meal. Your restaurant will be a big hit I am sure of it. So how much should I pay you?" asked Minato. "Please… you gave us valuable inputs which will help us in improving our dishes. So no money is required" said Teuchi.

Minato reached inside his pocket and gave a single coin to Teuchi. "What is this?" asked Ayano. "The dishes you make has the potential to spread happiness, please take this coin so that I will have the honour of being your first customer," said Minato. "Thank you Minato-san," said Teuchi. The rain stopped on the outside so Minato bowed and left the place. "He's really something isn't he?" asked Ayano. "Yes he is," said Teuchi.

[Flashback Over]

It became night time by he finished his story. "This happened over 10 years ago. I still believe that his inputs today are the main reason my restaurant is doing well today. He truly was amazing" said Teuchi. Everybody listened to the story in rapt attention. "Amaaaaaaaaaaazing," said Naruto and broke the silence. "Yes it is an amazing story," said Biwako.

"I never thought this restaurant had such a beginning," thought Asuma. "Hey, hey who were his students? "asked Naruto excitedly. "Actually there were my classmates, Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohora. Unfortunately, only Kakashi is alive right now, the other two are dead" said Asuma sadly. Naruto also became sad hearing this.

"Don't worry Naruto you will meet Kakashi in the future" said Kosuke ruffling his hair. "Why do you want to meet Kakashi when you have Jiraiya here?" asked Hiruzen. "What do you mean hokage-sama? asked Naruto. "Wait you don't know, Jiraiya is Minato's sensei," said Hiruzen. Naruto looked at Jiraiya who mouthed hi and waved his hand smilingly. Naruto looked at Kosuke who also nodded his head in agreement.

Naruto then froze in shock on hearing this statement. Everyone laughed at Naruto's reaction and Hiruzen paid the bill. "Hey, Naruto….Naruto" called Jiraiya and waved his hand in front of this face. After a few seconds, Naruto got out of his shock and went to Jiraiya who was standing outside the restaurant. "Thank you for coming everyone," said Teuchi. "The food was really great and surely we will come next time," said Biwako as she carried Konohamaru.

"Please bring Konohamaru next time too. He's a real cutie" said Ayame. "Of course I will," said Biwako smilingly. "I don't know whether you remember but I came here during the opening. You were selling at half the price and there was a large crowd. That time I was really small too. After that it's now that I am coming here" said Asuma after he got up.

"Yes I remember the opening but I don't remember you sorry," said Teuchi. "No problem see you next time," said Asuma and went to his mother. "Kosuke I want to talk to you for a few minutes so would you mind staying back?" asked Hiruzen. "Of course hokage-sama…just a moment," said Kosuke. Naruto and Jiraiya were walking forward.

"All these days you were spending time with me, training me and never even once you told me that you were Minato's sensei, why?" asked Naruto angrily. "Bye Naruto/ Naruto-chan," said Ayame and Teuchi. "Bye Teuchi-san, Ayame" shouted Naruto smilingly and turned to face Jiraiya with anger on his face. "Hey Naruto hokage and I have something important to talk about so you go with Jiraiya okay?" shouted Kosuke.

"Okay, no problem. Bye Biwako-san, Konohamaru, Asuma-san" shouted Naruto. Biwako waved her hand and was trying to get Konohamaru to wave his hand too. Asuma also waved his hand. "Now start talking," said Naruto and Jiraiya gave a nervous chuckle. Both of them resumed their walk

"Asuma I have something important to talk with Kosuke so why don't you take your mother and Konohamaru home. It will be some time before I come home" said Hiruzen. Asuma nodded his head. "Then I will meet you at home," said Biwako and all three of them walked away in the opposite direction. In a few minutes, the streets were empty.

"Why don't we walk in that direction?" said Hiruzen pointing to the direction where Naruto and Jiraiya walked. Kosuke nodded his head and both of them started walking in that direction. "You wanted to talk about something hokage-sama?" asked Kosuke.

"Yesterday Chen came to visit me," said Hiruzen. Kosuke raised his eyebrow a little. "So what did he want?" asked Kosuke. Hiruzen explained everything.