Chapter Four: More Discoveries

Training with Kakashi was brutal, he was harsh and didn't care if you were tired and hungry. Often Sakura wondered why she wanted to become a ninja, what would she gain? Her thoughts often go back to the beginning when she joined the academy. Her grandmother was a kunoichi, someone that inspired the young girl. She told her stories of her life as a shinobi.

Sakura remembers begging her parents to let her join the academy. Her mother was reluctant and angry that her daughter was following the footsteps of her father's side of the family. Sakura's father did not mind, he was okay with the idea of his daughter being a kunoichi. That was the start of Sakura's strained relationship with her mother, the pink-haired girl hated.

All of the times her mother told her she wouldn't make it, she wanted to prove her wrong. That was her goal, she was at the top of the class along with Sasuke. When she joined the academy that was when her self-esteem lowered. She was constantly bullied and she wondered if her mother was right.

Soon she meets Ino, someone she had a connection with. The blonde-haired girl was someone Sakura looked up to, and still, do to this day. Her head hurt, she never had put this much thought into her future. Everything was planned out and now she's unsure. It was a scary feeling, not knowing what to do next. The girl felt out of balance.

Sakura then notices that she was home. She entered the home to see her mother sitting down in the living room drinking tea with someone. She recognizes the woman to be someone her mother worked with. The young teen walked past her mother and guest to go take a shower.

"I have taught you manners, Sakura," Her mother called out. Her dark green eyes looked at her daughter expectantly.

Sakura rolled her eyes and turned around, "Hello nice to meet you."

Naruto knocked on a big dark oak door. He was nervous, he hasn't felt this nervous since the night of his exams. The boy heard a faint, "come in". Entering he saw the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The old man smiled once he saw Naruto.

The tired man missed the young boy, he hasn't talked to him since the night he told Naruto the truth. He knew that right now he's on thin ice. This conversation could make and break his and Naruto's relationship.

He pointed at the seat in front of him, he then looked to Naruto's file. The excuse he used to get the boy to meet him.

"How do you like your teacher?"

Naruto looked towards the picture of his father hanging behind The Hokage, "I like Kakashi-sensei. He's nice and patient."

Nodding Sarutobi smiled and then took a deep breath, "I called you here because I feel there's still much we need to discuss."

Naruto sat up, he knew this was coming. He didn't have time to think about it, his father sealed the Kyuubi inside of him. He felt betrayed and angry. Why him? What did he do to deserve this?

"Why me? There could have been someone else and anything else. He sealed the Kyuubi and left me here to deal with the damage!"

Naruto was now pleading with the old man, wanting answers. What parent would do that to their child? Did he not love Naruto enough?

"Naruto, my child. Would you ask someone else to give up their child?"

The room was silent, Naruto thought about the question. He then imagines his peers, he wouldn't wish this on his worst enemies. Having your life chosen before you could even speak, is horrible. He shook his head no and then urge the man to continue.

"I wanted you to have a childhood. I now know that this is something that shouldn't be hidden. My only regret is not telling you sooner."

"I want to know what happen that night. Where did the Kyuubi come from, I'm left with all of these questions and no answers."

Sarutobi sighed deeply and then saw Naruto's face. His heart clenched and he couldn't bear to hide anything else, "You are not the first to hold the Kyuubi. You are the third. These people are called Jinchuriki."

"Who were the first two," Naruto leaned forward. This was a lot deeper than he thought.

"Mito Uzumaki, the Shodai Hokage's wife. She was the first. Then there's Kushina Uzumaki your mother."

Naruto looked confused, he knew there was an Uzumaki clan. Known for their vast knowledge of fuinjutsu, "Why are the Jinchuriki, Uzumaki?"

"It's due to their large chakra reserves and longevity. They tend to make good Jinchuriki."

Nodding Naruto started to take this in, his mother also held the Kyuubi. He wasn't expecting this, now he doesn't even know what to think.

"Jiji, this is a lot to take in."

The Sandaime smiled gently at Naruto, "Take your time, There's something else I want to talk you about."

Naruto tilted his head in confusion, "What is it?"

"It's about taking your father's last name," The old man smiled.

Naruto looked down. He always wanted to know who his parents were. If they were proud of him. If they loved him if they cared. This is what he always wanted, a piece of his parents. Should he take it?

"Can I keep both last names?"

Sarutobi smiled, he was nervous about Naruto's reaction, "You can, there's also matters about-"

Soon a young boy with a long blue scarf ran into the room. He had a shuriken at hand and he raced towards the Hokage. His face held a determination, that Naruto was all too familiar with.

"This time I'll get you Jiji," The young boy boast before he trips over his scarf. He then looks over to see Naruto sitting down and across from his grandfather holding in a laugh.

He then stands up and walks over to Naruto, "You were the one who tripped me up, apologize!"

"You tripped over your scarf," Naruto laughs, and it feels nice. Lately, he's been feeling depressed and unhappy with himself. Having a little laugh and giggle was refreshing.

"You did too-"

"Konohamaru, I was having an important meeting with Namikaze-kun. You know better than to interrupt."

After hearing his grandfather speak, Konohamaru pouted and looked towards Naruto who offered him a smile. He then looked down and mumbled an apology.

"It's okay."

Soon the door was slammed open to show a tall man with shades on. He wore the traditional Jōnin uniform and had dark shades on. He looks towards Naruto and held a calculating gaze.

"As I was saying, would you like to receive your inheritance," The Hokage asked, he never thought this day would have come.

Naruto nodded his head, knowing that his parents left something was overwhelming. For once he felt like there was unconditional love.

"What's an inheritance," Konohamaru questioned, he wanted to know what they were talking about.

"It's when parents and other family members leave something behind," The Jōnin answered he also wanted to know who's Naruto's parents are.

Hiruzen smiled and then started searching for some paperwork, "Then the Namikaze estate and will be under your name."

The Jōnin gasped in shock, this was unexpected. Naruto was the son of Minato Namikaze the Yondaime Hokage. It made sense, Kushina Uzumaki was pregnant around the time the Kyuubi attacked.

The Hokage gave Naruto the paperwork, the blonde-haired boy thanked the old man and left the room. News of Naruto's heritage will be out soon knowing Ebisu, even though he was a respectful Jōnin he tends to run his mouth. The old man could only sigh.

Sasuke walked next to Kakashi, the older man wanted to talk to him. Sasuke thought about what had happened the past couple of days. Naruto's sudden changed didn't go unnoticed. He went from this hyperactive knucklehead to someone who wants to be left alone. He wasn't expecting it.

Then there's Sakura, he notices she calmed down and isn't as aggravating. She also improved her skills and now can somewhat keep up. There are times where she's completely shut out from the rest of them. Like she's in deep thought, it started to worry Naruto and Kakashi.

"How do you think of your team now," Kakashi asked as they stopped at a clearing. Some flowers ranged from pink to orange. Trees were enormous and the air was clean and crisp. It reminded him of the garden his grandmother had. He uses to go and help her out and she would give him cookies afterward.

Sasuke turned to look at his sensei, "They seem to be getting along well."

Kakashi frowned at his answer. Naruto and Sakura are becoming fast friends, and Sasuke is the one left out. The two would try to include Sasuke, but he would snap and insult them. He was afraid that if they were to take C ranks something would happen.

"I notice that you didn't include yourself."

Sasuke stared, is this was what Kakashi wanted to talk about. Teamwork? He didn't need it. Sakura and Naruto are still beneath him, in terms of skills.

"What's the point, they'll only hold me down."

Kakashi's frowned worsen, Sasuke maybe improving physically but he was worried for the boy mentally. Sasuke seems to be getting worse. He's afraid to see how his team will function.

*a/n*

Good morning/night everyone. I want to update every month but since I'm graduating high school soon, I've been doing a lot of work to make sure I get into college. So my updating schedule will be kinda wack.

Anyways, I know that the next chapter is going to be the wave mission and their training. Suggestions are wanted, and have a good day!