"Yo, Itachi, when's Taicho gonna show?" a man asked the young Uchiha. He wore his hitai-ate as a bandana and chewed on a senbon, this man was known as Genma. He sat on a tree stump in the middle of the Third Training Ground while he watched his teammate spar.

"Like I said five minutes ago and the past thirteen time before that, Genma-san, Taicho said he'll be here at three. It's five minutes to three now. You should know that Taicho always arrives promptly on time," Itachi answered. He was wearing his usual bored look as he practiced his kenjutsu with Hayate.

Hayate coughed as he turned away from Itachi, pausing their mini spar, "Don't you want to join us as well, Genma?"

"Nah. Besides I left my katana at home." Hayate nodded and resumed his sparring with Itachi.

Genma then turned his attention to Raidou, who was laying on the ground pretending to be asleep with his arms behind his head and legs perpendicular to his body. "Raidou! I know you're not really asleep."

"Obviously not. Who'll be able to sleep with your yapping? Be more like Tenzou over there? He's not bothering anyone."

"Shut up, Crow! You're the one who's always going on about how bored you are."

"Back to codenames, are we? You're right but right now I'm content with my life…" Raidou lazily drawled as he closed his eyes. The only one left now was Tenzou. He looked like he wouldn't ignore Genma, he was surely just as agitated as he was. Tenzou stood crossed arms next to the tree stump with his back towards Genma.

Just as he was about to open his mouth, Tenzou snapped, "Genma I swear if you even attempt to complain about when Kakashi-senpai will show up, I'll use Mokuton to put seal you in ball and listen to your cries of agony as you slowly suffocate and die."

Genma immediately shut his mouth and continued to watch Itachi and Hayate. Damn, Tenzou could be scary at times. Though he wasn't nearly as bad as Taicho when he gets angry, he shivered as he remembered the time he thought it would be funny to hide Kakashi's Icha-Icha novels.

He never wanted to be on the receiving end of that again. Thinking of Taicho, where the hell was he?!


Kakashi sneezed as he and Naruto made their way near the entrance of the training ground.

"Kashi-nii, are you okay?" Naruto asked him as the man in question seemed bewildered as to why he sneezed. He rarely got sick and his nose being covered by his mask made sure that hay fever didn't affect him.

"I don't know, Naru-chan. Someone must be thinking of me." Naruto nodded solemnly. As they continued their way to the training ground Kakashi noticed that Naruto became more and more quiet. Probably cause he's nervous, Kakashi thought. He wanted to tell him not to be nervous, that they'll accept him immediately just as he and Obito had but in all honesty, Kakashi had his doubts.

Itachi had accepted his decision but that he wasn't the whole of Team Rou. Kakashi knew his squad would come around eventually but he hoped they wouldn't scare Naruto off. If they did he would have to force it upon on them, but he didn't want that.

Not only would that lead to disaster, it would also make them doubt his competency as their leader. Trust was a big factor of Team Rou so he hoped they would understand why he was doing this. Finally, he saw his teammates who him beckoned him over. Naruto hid behind his legs just like he had in the Village's streets.

Well it's now or never.

"Finally, Taicho! You have no what hell it was waiting for you to show-hey what's that behind you," Genma asked him as he jumped passed Tenzou. That was enough to for Itachi and Hayate to stop their sparring and for Raidou to get up. They all stared at him. Man, I've been getting a lot of that these days.

"Rou," he said picking Naruto up from behind and holding the child in front of him, "Meet Pup, though his real name is Naruto." Naruto offered them a nervous smile, Kakashi laughed quietly and as for the rest, they made no movement until…

"Senpai, are you out of your mind?!" Tenzou shouted, startling Naruto.

"Look, I know it seems like a bad idea bu-" Kakashi started but was interrupted by Genma, "Taicho, why do you even have the Kyuubi' s container?"

"I told you his name is Naruto and-" he was interrupted yet again but this time by Tenzou. He looked like he was about to his explode, "It doesn't matter what his name is. Why the hell do you have him?"

"Well if you let me finish talking I'll get to that part," Kakashi muttered and put Naruto down. "I recently adopted Naruto and I'd like to make him part of our squad. Unofficially speaking, since he's just a toddler, but a member nonetheless."

"Absolutely not. Taicho, I've been told by many people that I'm insane but this… this is just fucking crazy," Raidou said.

Hayate coughed in agreement. Genma spoke again, "Taicho, I don't get what you're doing but there's no way I'm agreeing to whatever it is you're planning."

Kakashi turned to Itachi who nodded. He walked to Kakashi and picked Naruto up, much to the child's surprise.

He let out a yelp but relaxed when he sensed Itachi meant no harm. Kakashi couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy at the sight; it had taken him a while to gain Naruto's trust and here his kouhai achieved it in an instant. Itachi face his teammates; they all looked shocked.

"He's not that bad, do you want to hold him?" Itachi asked.

"Itachi-kun I don't think anyone wants to do that now," Hayate said before coughing.

"Why not? Surely you aren't backwards enough to think that Naruto is the Kyuubi himself. His chakra levels may be superior to all of us combined but he's emitting less than the average child. He is not dangerous, so why is there a problem?"

"There's a problem because Senpai did this without consulting us."

"Tenzou, I am your captain, I don't need to consult with you for every little thing. Taking Naruto in is my personal obligation."

"Taicho if it's your personal obligation then why tell us now and why make him a part of Team Rou?" Raidou asked. Personally, he didn't have a problem with Naruto but he didn't like the idea of Naruto join the team. It just ruined the dynamics.

"It's because you feel you need to do this since he's your sensei's son, isn't it Taicho?" Genma answered. Everyone looked at him, including Naruto.

"You know my daddy, Kashi-nii?" Great, now I have to explain to Naruto about his parents, which he shouldn't know about, freaking Genma.

"Naru-chan, now is not the time for that, I'll answer your questions later," Kakashi said to Naruto before speaking to the rest of his team, "Genma's right. I am doing this because of his father but that's not the only reason. I found my reason for being in ANBU because of him. I know that you probably hate this idea but he's not a bad kid so I hope you'll understand. He's important to me."

That hit a nerve for Team Rou. They each had a reason for being in ANBU, Kakashi being the one to bring them all together. Yet, he was the one still searching for his reason. They knew his past, some of them having witnessed how he grew up and changed after tragedy had struck him.

He was the most broken of their team and they noticed how during certain missions he would purposefully mess up. It was never big enough to report but it was always small enough to harm himself.

It was difficult to watch, especially since no matter how hard they tried they would never be able to reach him. Kakashi lost his will to live; he admitted it himself but if this child was able to change him, maybe this move was worth the risk.

Tenzou snorted, "That's rich coming from you Senpai, you've always hated kids." Kakashi paled at his comment. Earlier he told Naruto he was precious, if he was going to doubt him now, he wouldn't be able to raise Naruto properly before the Sandaime checked on him.

Naruto jumped out of Itachi's arms and made his way to kick him hard in the shin, "Kashi-nii, doesn't hate me, Baka!" Tenzou yelped in surprise, how could a toddler he was sure didn't have any latent ability, apart from the Kyuubi inside of him, kick him so hard?

"I love Kashi-nii," He said it quietly but it had the same affect on the team as it had on Kakashi.

Raidou couldn't keep it in, he had to laugh. His previous thoughts of Naruto ruining their dynamic gone; if a kid like him managed to kick the ninja that prided himself on his ability to withstand even the greatest force since he, in Tenzou's own opinion, 'could use wood style therefore it made him just as strong as nature itself' then Team Rou just got a hell of a lot more interesting.

"Taicho, I take it back. Can we keep him?" Raidou said just as the rest started to laugh too, leaving Tenzou a stuttering mess.

"Why you little-" Tenzou made to kick Naruto but Itachi stopped him.

"Tenzou, if you do that you're going to make Taicho mad." He put his leg down and glanced at Kakashi. He looked just as he always did but he knew his senpai better. He could see it in his eye, just slightly, that if he had hurt Naruto there would have been hell to pay.

"I agree on keeping Naruto. Look what he did to Tenzou, imagine what he could do with a little bit of help from us, to the rest of the village," Genma said after a while.

"Besides, the gaki's important to Taicho and he's the reason we're here anyway."

"Naruto-kun does seem to fit in with us too," Hayate said.

"Arigato, everyone," Kakashi said, he was glad that they all seemed to be less opposed to his idea, Tenzou will come around.

"Don't thank us yet, Taicho. Naruto still doesn't know us yet. Right Naruto-kun?" Itachi bent down to pick Naruto up as he came back to him. "Naruto-kun, I'm Itachi Uchiha or Weasel."

The rest all followed suit, walking up to Naruto back in Itachi's arms, introducing their names and codenames to their squad's new unofficial member.

"Genma Shiranui but I like to go as Frog sometimes."

"Hayate Gekko also called Rabbit on missions."

"Name's Raidou Namiashi, though I preferably like to be called Crow out on the field."

Kakashi was glad that his team warmed up to Naruto and when Tenzou walked up to said child he knew that no one, not even the Sandaime was going to take Naruto away from him. He was part of Team Rou, Kakashi's makeshift family and no one was going to change that.

"Don't take this the wrong way, kid. I don't like you but I'll go along with this. I'm Tenzou also known as Deer."

Naruto nodded at Tenzou, agreeing with what he said. He didn't like him either but this man was Kashi-nii's friend so he'll put up with it. For now anyway.

"Alright Taicho. Now that formalities out of the way, what we gonna do now," Raidou said turning, towards him.

"Now, Raidou, I need you guys to help me come up with plan to keep Naruto."


It had taken awhile but Team Rou finally came up with a plan to help convince the Hokage to let Kakashi keep guardianship of Naruto. They would train him (not to the point where he'll be able to become ninja, he was only three after all) both physically and mentally to prove that Kakashi had what it takes to raise a child.

A month had now passed since Kakashi had gained temporary custody of Naruto. That meant that the Hokage was going to check on him and decide whether he was a suitable guardian to care for Naruto full time.

Kakashi had no doubt that he was the perfect candidate in caring for Naruto, after all he had known both parents. He was the student of Minato and watched over Kushina as she went through nine months of pregnancy. He was destined to be part of Naruto's life and even if the Hokage did decide that he wasn't, he would just find a way to be with him. Though he would prefer it if he didn't have to break any laws to be with Naruto.

Obito, Pakkun and the rest of his ninken had been a great help. They watched over Naruto when he had errands to do, played with him and fed him when Kakashi was too tired and best of all, Obito had successfully potty-trained Naruto.

He didn't want to imagine how that went but was glad he wasn't the one to sit through it all. No pun intended. Team Rou didn't fail him either. Not that he doubted them in the slightest. They were the elites of the elite and if they couldn't handle Naruto then that would question their ability.

Now Naruto was no ordinary child, Kyuubi's container aside. He seemed to possess so much more energy than the average child that it made Kakashi question how he was emitting chakra levels that low. Raidou brought up the prospect of Naruto having ADHD and it made sense.

No one could be that hyperactive without a good enough reason. Since moving in to the Hatake manor, Naruto would run around in the garden or bounce up and down the house since there was so much space. It always tired whoever was watching over him but it also gave the assurance that he would be a great ninja.

After all if someone could tire out ninja of Special Jonin rank without using any Ninja Art, then that was a feat to be proud of.

Team Rou used his hyperactivity and love of games to their advantage when it came to training. Itachi had devised a training method that seemed like a game of hide-and-seek but was actually stealth training. Genma and Hayate used reed rods from the manor's garden to chase Naruto around to help him dodge attacks easier.

Raidou would have races with Naruto to increase his speed and Tenzou would have treasure hunts with Naruto to help his tracking ability. Though the training had only lasted for about four weeks it had the desired affects on him. Though it didn't make him capable of being a ninja of Genin rank, Naruto was only three and yet to learn anything about chakra, he was now able to surpass the average toddler in physical ability.

It made Team Rou pity his future Academy teachers because if he wasn't a handful before they could only imagine how difficult he would be when he starts school.

Obito and Kakashi took turns in teaching how to read. Kakashi dubbed Obito as useless as his idea of reading was picture books. This of course led to an argument between the two:

"Baka! I told you we're teaching him how to read. How does picture books help with that?!"

"It's better than you trying to teach him from history books, Teme!"

"It's helping him develop a better reading ability!"

"How can it better his ability when he doesn't have one in the first place?!"

"You're just saying that cause you couldn't read until the Academy!"

"That's where most kids learn how to read unlike freaks like you!"

"What did you call, you piece of trash?!"

"You heard me, shithead!"

"Oi! No swearing while Naruto's around you fuck!"

In the end (after Naruto learned two new cuss words) they agreed to teach separately. Kakashi had the upper hand as he lived with Naruto and Obito, not wanting to fall behind, visited often to make sure Naruto had enough picture books to learn from.

He had successfully learnt to read, not to Kakashi's standards, but made good enough progress for a child his age, which had to admired since most children wouldn't be able to read yet.

Back to the present, Kakashi sat anxiously in his living room with a rather excited Naruto sitting in his lap. He was glad the place was finally refurnished even if it did cost him a considerable amount of ryo. He had no idea what happened to the original furniture of the house as he never bothered to find out.

What was important now was that the Hokage would look at this now much livelier manor of his and see it as a suitable environment to raise Naruto That was what he hoped at least.

Noticing that Kakashi was deep in thought and to distracted to pay attention to him, Naruto smacked him with as much power he could muster.

"Oww! Naru-chan, what was that for?" Kakashi asked. Though it didn't hurt him he still rubbed his cheek.

"Kashi-nii you're not playing with me!" Naruto complained.

"That's cause I'm nervous right now Naru-chan," he knew Naruto wouldn't be able to understand the situation between him and the Hokage so he never bothered to Naruto about the visit.

"Why Kashi-nii? You made me wear itchy clothes and said I can't play outside"

"That's because a guest is coming over and I can't have you running around in dirty rags."

Naruto bent his head to the side, "What's a guest?"

"A visitor and he's really important so try not to pull any tricks on me today, Naru-chan."

Naruto puffed his cheeks. Stupid Kashi-nii, I wanna play outside not with this 'guest'. He didn't say it out loud because he knew it would make Kakashi mad. The lost time Kakashi was angry at Naruto he didn't get to eat ramen and it was his favourite food ever. Stupid Kashi-nii, baka Kashi-nii.

There was a knock on the door. Kakashi got up to answer it, holding Naruto in his arms as he did so. He gave him a pointed look and the child responded by sticking his tongue out. Kakashi sighed, hoping that the Hokage wouldn't stay long or else Naruto was going to have fit since he was being deprived of his favourite pastime: tiring everyone out around him by making a fool of them.

He answered the door and there he stood, the man who had the last say regarding Naruto's custody legally speaking. "Evening Hokage-sama."

The Hokage nodded, catching Naruto who jumped from Kakashi's arms into his in the process. "Ji-chan!" Naruto shouted.

"Ahh Naru-chan! I'm glad to see you too," He ruffled Naruto's hair and placed him on the ground.

"Kakashi's been treating you well?" Naruto nodded vigorously.

"Hai-hai! Kashi-nii's the bestest. And Obi-nii, Tachi-nii, Genma-nii, Raidou-nii, Hayate-nii, even Tenzou-nii," he then lowered his voice and looked around as if Tenzou would pop out at any time, "But Tenzou-nii's weird, Ji-chan."

Hiruzen looked at Kakashi, "You took him to meet Team Rou already Kakashi?"

"Naruto will be just as part of their life as he will mine. He's called Pup now and is an unofficial member of our team. Hokage-sama," Kakashi said. He figured Naruto would mention the rest of his team so lying wouldn't help much.

"I see," was the simple reply.

Naruto didn't like not being a part the conversation. Ever since he moved in with Kakashi he had been the centre of attention and he was not going to let that change now.

"Ne, Ji-chan let's walk!" he said and grabbed Hiruzen's hand.

"That's the garden, Ji-chan!" Naruto excitedly told Hiruzen as he dragged the Hokage by his hand through his favourite playing spot. As Naruto dragged Hiruzen through their home, he told the man all about how Kakashi was as his new nii-cha' and how much fun he was having staying with him.

The Hokage did raise an eyebrow when Naruto told him about the 'games' he was playing with Team Rou but didn't say anything and instead patiently listened to everything being told, sometimes shouted, to him.

Kakashi won yet another battle. Well I'm not an ANBU captain for nothing, after all, he mused as he trailed behind them wearing a smile under his mask. Realising what time it was by the sun being at its peak, Kakashi asked if the Hokage would like to go inside for lunch.

He didn't actually make lunch (Raidou, a surprisingly good cook, offered to make lunch since he knew how lousy his captain could be at cooking. He dropped it off the night before so all Kakashi had to do was heat it up).

"Arigatou, Kakashi, but I should get back to the Tower now. I have a meeting before one. Let us go inside and discuss things further."

Kakashi nodded and the both of them went inside while Naruto walked behind them. He didn't want his Ji-chan to leave so soon already.

"I take it you are happy with the way I raised Naruto, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked Hiruzen as they made their way to the manor's exit.

"You are confident in yourself Kakashi," Hiruzen said.

"As a ninja should be, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen sighed, "I don't like that you are training him already, Kakashi. He is only three."

"I'm not training him and I don't plan on doing so anytime soon, Hokage-sama. Obito suggested the idea and I agreed though only with enhancing his abilities from a young age. Naruto knows nothing about chakra and won't until I believe he is ready."

"You speak as though I have granted you full custody of him."

"If you haven't decided that then you wouldn't still be here. I moved from the hostels to this manor, Hokage-sama. I introduced him to my team and they recognise him as a member of our squad. Even my ninken are fond of him. Hokage-sama, Naruto is my responsibility now and I'm not giving him up," Kakashi said as he looked fearlessly at the Hokage.

Naruto watched their exchange intently, though he didn't understand what was being said. He wondered why they were acting so weirdly around each other and why they were talking about him like he wasn't even there!

"Very well. You may continue to look after Naruto as his legal guardian from now on," Hiruzen smiled briefly at the child in question before turning his attention back to Kakashi with a harsh look, "Do be aware that it will not be smooth sailing after this, Kakashi. If anything should happen to Naruto under your watch, you will have me to answer to."

Kakashi involuntarily gulped and Hiruzen smirked slightly. The young ninja could sometimes be too cocky for his own good. He bid farewell to both Naruto and Kakashi and left.

Naruto, still confused by what happened, walked over to Kakashi and tugged at the sleeve of his blue uniform he wore under the usual Chunin flak jacket. His nii-chan looked down at him.

"Kashi-nii. What's chatra?"