Chapter Four.
Tsunade escorted Hinata back home, and explained what had happened to her surprised father. She kept the part about Kurenai and Asuma being Naruto's bodyguards. She also left out Hinata's love confession.
"You were willing to put yourself in danger for someone you care about, and you stood up for him against irrational hatred. I have to confess I'm impressed Hinata," Hiashi stated with slight smile on his face. Hinata eyes lit up and she gave her dad a a very grateful look.
"Hinata told me that her elders told her stay away from Naruto. I thought you'd …"
"Be the same? You thought wrong Tsuande-sama. I know Jinchurikki aren't the monsters they contain. To be honest, I rarely think about young Naruto, I'm too busy with clan matters. Some of my clan said that associating with "the demon", my daughter was tainting the Hyuga. I always said that it was her hesitation and lack of confidence that was doing that. Who Hinata wants to be friends is none of my business. Making her worthy of being an heiress is.
Tsunade was happy that Hiashi Hyuga didn't stigmatize her boy, but was more than a little irritated that he demeaned his own child.
"In that case, perhaps I can be of help. As one of the Sanin, I'm sure I can make her a more assertive young woman, and skilled shinobi," Tsunade offered.
"I'm sure you can," Hiashi nodded. Then, turning to his daughter, Hiashi said, "I think you'd make a good bodyguard for Naruto, along with the others. What do you say?"
The eight year-old girl nodded enthusiastically.
/
"Hey Naruto!" three familiar voices said from outside Naruto's bedroom. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy to see Sasuke, Ino, and Sakura standing there.
"What are you guys doing…?" Naruto started to ask before Ino cut him off.
"To let you know were not like those leaf idiots, and that we won't tell anyone."
"Also, we've got your back," Sakura added.
"If you run into any trouble, from the villagers or anyone else, let us know. Got it dobe?" Sasuke finished.
Naruto was too stunned by their understanding and kindness to get angry at Sasuke's insult. He just nodded and said, "O-Okay."
The three of them had been told by Shizune that Naruto was back at the Hokage residence, safe and sound. After thinking it over a bit, they decided to visit him tonight. It was 11:00 now.
"Sweet dreams Naruto," Sakura said as she walked away; the other two just waved goodbye.
/
Naruto laid on the sofa, while his slug sage benefactor stood over him making hand signs.
"This is going to hurt Naruto," the Senju mistress warned him. He nodded, and then yelled as she slammed her fingers into his bared stomach. Her fingers glowed yellow as did the Kyubbi seal. When the glow faded so did the spiraled eight-trigram seal. Uzumaki stopped yelling and passed out. Tsunade picked him up and brought him to a clearing with a small river next to it. Her apprentice had gone ahead of them. Naruto woke up by the time they got there.
"Today were going to do some chakra control excercises."
"What type of excercises Tsunade-sensei?"
She picked up a leaf and put it to her forehead. It stayed there.
"By focusing my chakra, I can make this leaf stay on my head. And," she paused jumping onto the water causing vibrations but not splashing or sinking.
"I can also walk on water by focusing Chakra to my feet. I want you to try, and to keep on top of the water and the leaf on your head while we spar. Okay?"
"Got it Tsunade-san!" Naruto said as he focused his chakra carefully. He picked up a leaf and started walking toward the water. The Jinchurikki stuck one foot on the water and the leaf on his head. When it didnt fall off and his sandal didn't sink, he congratulated himself silently but stayed focus. He calmly stuck his other foot on the water, then took a few steps on the top of the river."
"Great job kid!" Tsunade said. Then she smirked, cracked her knuckles, and said, "Now lets see if you can keep your balance."