"I l-love you, Naruto-chan."
A red haired woman cried as she lowered a cradle in front of a church. Her companion, a tall blonde man wearing a white coat had a stoic face, but in his eyes a different story was told.
"We have to go Kushina-chan, they'll catch up soon." The man spoke, his face grimacing as blood continued to pour from his face wound.
Kushina hesitantly nodded, "Yes, I already placed a barrier around here, they won't notice him anymore." She kissed Naruto's head one more time. And in a clap of thunder, they were both gone.
Father Orsi's ears tingled as a clap of thunder seemed to move the church with its ferocity. Worrying for the clothes he had hanged the day before he quickly moved and fetch several baskets to place the clothes in. As he opened the door, the sky was dark and the smell of lightning seemed to permeate the area.
Before he could move, loud wails reached his ears. He looked in front and almost dropped the baskets in his arms. Three babies were left in front of the church door. It was the first time in the twelve years he had been in Hage village that a baby nonetheless three babies were left in front of the church. Hage village was a small community in the outskirts of the forsaken realm.
It had a long history and was the most devastated area when a demon attacked centuries ago.
Once he had settled the babies on a bed, he took time to read the lettering embroidered on their shirts. The one on the left had black hair, this child was quiet and behaved, Yuno. He had a blue stone with weird markings around his neck.
The baby on the far right was fussy and squirming. Asta was his name, he had white hair and Orsi knew the boy would be trouble.
The one in the middle was swathed in an orange blanket, a red scarf was folded next to his body, and he had a green gem around his neck. There was a note attached to the blanket. It was unreadable, but when he grabbed it, the note flashed and changed into a scroll. Orsi opened and a message was written. He cleared his throat and started to read.
"To whom it may concern, please take care of our son. His name is Namikaze Naruto, the further pages are locked and can only be opened when he is ready. Do give this to him when you deem the day that happens."
Orsi wondered how a single note could change into a full scroll. It seemed like in this world of magic, there was still some things that were a mystery.
"Asta, Yuno, and Naruto. Well, the following years would not be lonely anymore." Orsi smiled gently as he looked at his new children.
The years passed by and it was filled with stressful moments. Asta and Naruto were natural troublemakers. Naruto much more than Asta, he was quite devious and quite a trickster. Asta just went along because Naruto always coerced him in. Yuno on the other hand was shy and gentle. He preferred just watching and laughing silently as Naruto pranked various villagers and when he was caught Yuno would cry a little bit. Asta would cheer him up then, and Naruto would give his support.
Wherever they may be, the three of them always went together. Though they may not have the same blood, they built bonds with each other.
Things changed for the better when Sister Lily arrived. She was a young nun that has been assigned to their church when he requested for aid. After the three children, two more babies were left in the church, Recca and Nash.
The church had never been livelier. Though the wall paint was fading and chipped, everything was more colorful. Until one day everything changed.
Orsi had to leave for an emergency but at the same time he had to give this letter to Stevin at the inn at the town center.
"Asta, Yuno, Naruto. I need to go to an emergency, can you handle giving this letter to Mr. Stevin at the town center inn?" Orsi asked the three children.
They were nine years old now, Yuno stood the tallest, Naruto at the middle, while Asta was the shortest. And as expected, Naruto and Asta nodded energetically and jumped around, while Yuno looked nervous.
"There's heavy snow right now so please be careful. If you need help you could ask Mr. Francis by the farm, he could walk you there." Orsi sighed as Naruto and Asta didn't seem to hear him.
"I guess only Yuno would have to go since you two aren't listening." Naruto and Asta suddenly stood still as boards and Orsi had to laugh. Yuno looked pale at his suggestion which made him laugh harder.
"I was kidding. I want you children to be careful okay? Don't wander off too much, if its dark already just stay at the inn and I'll fetch you later."
Orsi didn't know it back then, but that day would send ripples throughout the realm.
When he arrived sometime in the evening, he noticed sister Lily's worried look. He immediately entered the church and saw three battered boys.
Asta and Naruto immediately told a story, of how they delivered the letter quickly and how Yuno stumbled into a drunk stranger and how his necklace was stolen and. They told him how Naruto unleased a powerful magic attack but the stranger was able to stand back up and the weakened Naruto was hit, his scarf was also ruined. How Asta fought to protect Naruto, and how Yuno came out of his shell to eventually push the man away.
The necklace was given back, and the boys were battered but Orsi saw the relief in their eyes. Not just relief, but fire and determination.
"Its good that you are alright. I should not have sent you away. Come let's eat some nomotatoes!"
As the three cheered, he grabbed Naruto and talked to him. "After dinner, go with me okay? I'll have to tell you something." Naruto looked curious but nodded and went immediately to the mess hall as Asta called him.
Orsi sighed, these boys gave him stress but deep down he knew these three would rise above any other.