I could really use a beta. Still, I hope the story plot is enjoyable.

...

The Hokage and Iruka startled Naruto as he left his home. "I'm going to school, I promise!"

The adults chuckled.

"So is Lord Hokage, and we wanted to walk you to school. But first, why don't you show Lord third your new gifts?" Iruka suggested gently.

Naruto smiled, ran inside, and left the door open. "Come in! I put everything away!" He excitedly showed them the new clothes, toys, and games. His new stuff made his shabby apartment seem all that glummer.

It did not go noticed but did go unsaid by both adults.

"I hope my friends can play with me soon!" Naruto cheered.

"I'm sure they look forward to it too, Naruto," Iruka said as he ruffled his hair.

The usual trio got many looks as they chatted on the way to school. Occasionally, people on the streets paused to greet Hokage, and only the Hokage.

The children at school rushed to the Hokage when they reached the school. He graciously answered questions until the bell rang to indicate class needs to start. they all filled in.

"Today class, The Hokage will be observing our class. Please, don't interact with him, or ask questions. Act normal" said Iruka and picked up where they left off in the last class.

...

At break time Naruto played and trained with his new friends as the Hokage and Iruka observed.

"They do seem to be genuine friends," Lord Hokage said quietly to Iruka.

"Yes, it's good to see," said Iruka.

"I must be going. Please, excuse my absence to the students," said Lord Hokage.

...

Souta nearly fell over when she opened the door to the Third Hokage. She bowed very low "You grace us with your presence. What brings you here?"

He smiled gently "I wish to speak to the head of the household. Eito M, please. If he's not home I can come back,"

She straightened only to bow again "Please come in, I'll get him for you, Follow me please"

She led him to their sitting room, meet for semi-formal meetings of hosting important people. Only adults were allowed. The third Hokage was the first important person in the new house, and certainly the most important person ever.

"Tea?" she offered.

"Yes please, green and honey,"

"I'll get Eito and the tea right away," Souta said breathlessly.

"Whi is it Souta?" Tam asked.

"Where is Eito? It's the Hokage and wants to speak to him,"

Tam ran off to go get Eito as Souta went to make the tea.

...

Eito sat across from Lord Third, each had a cup of tea and sipped quietly.

"Do you visit all new families?" Eito asked trying the Lord's humor.

The old man chuckled "I wish I had the time. Your family's fast friendship with Naruto Uzumaki. He is as I'm sure you know, but in case you don't, I'll tell you: he is a mistreated orphan with a big heart. I was concerned that your family's very strong and immediate acceptance of him was..."

"Underhanded and inappropriate?" Eito suggested keeping the conversation going.

The old man chuckled "You say it so casually but yes, that's what I thought,"

"And now you're here to have me disprove that assumption. I understand the poor boy has been through so much, and you're trying to protect his wounded heart. Please, answer me this: why do so many hate this boy so young and kind?"

The Hokage sighed, bowed his head, and said "That's classified information,"

"Does he know?" Eito asked voice lower and colder.

"No, he can never know," the Hokage said low and sad but it was also an order he was giving.

"Do you think you're protecting him? Will people treat him kinder if he himself is ignorant?" Eito asked and the answer hung around unanswered. He shifted in his seat, the sofa spring creaked softly. "I already know why, because he is like me, a jin"

The Third's jaw fell completely open, he gasped for air as if in anaphylactic shock. "How-" he said in a voice like sandpaper.

"You won't find it in any records, but when I was seventeen my parents sold me to medical science at nineteen an artificial demon's soul was sealed to my own. I hold three demons created by means I don't fully understand, but from what they tell me-they being the demons- they were ordinary animals tortured to have their chakra drastically increased and their souls and chakra imprinted on me. The process was very cruel to me and them."

"Sold you to medical science?" he asked nearly disbelieving but the young man knew things he should not so perhaps the entire crazy story was true.

Eito sighed and closed his eyes, he leaned his head back to rest on a pillow as he arranged it. "My paternal side of the family has a horrible disease that is dormant in us all. My parents had many children but did not love us all. Some of their favorite children that are no longer alive were dying and live subjects were needed for constant biological samples. I, my older brother, older sister, and two younger sisters were sold for money. For every month that went by and we survived the experiments, they got paid. When they were approached that I and one sister were candidates for being demon containers, they were delighted by the amount of money. The good thing is, a lot of medical progress was made on the family condition. It wasn't enough to save everyone, but the symptoms are suppressed and..."

"And?"

"I don't think we'll lose any more family members. Also, to my knowledge everyone involved is dead. There was a very rich man pouring in his considerable about of money in finding his sick daughter a cure. They took his money and put it into the demon project. The man was not happy, his daughter died, in his grief, he hired assassins and went for blood himself, no survives. I was at a real hospital, having my bone marrow harvested for a brother. Those will be in the records. I believe I have solved a long-held mystery for those in the know what you would know as The Green Chamber Massacre. My demons feed me information and that's what I have put together so far,"

The Hokage was nearly slipping out of his seat on the opposite sofa.

Eito straightened up and opened his eyes as he sensed the great turmoil inside the Hokage and felt he should keep his eyes on the Lord as he struggled with the new terrible information. "Naruto and I are like brothers. As are all jin would have suffered in a way that is thankful very rare. Our unique suffering forms a special bond that is instant and inseparable. I'll tell him the truth one day, you can't stop me, and you're only hurting him more. You care about him, I can feel your love, but you've been doing everyone wrong by him. You sense how guilty you feel but don't know how to fix things. I have the solution for you. Leave my family alone. We will love and raise him. With love and support, he will be fine, he will excel, and he will make friends outside the family. I'm certain once others see him as a person capable of being friends it will be a positive cycle instead of the negative one he's in. You promised his mother so much more than what you've delivered so far. Do better. He loves you," Eito felt tears roll down his face.

Lord Third was trembling terribly, and he too had tears in his eyes and a few fell.

...

Naruto raced Iruka to the M home. He and the kids played and trained for hours, they had to go home leaving Nauto alone, but then Iruka stopped by the walk Naruto there, when the boy broke into a run "Catch up!"

"Naruto, wait!" Iruka said.

"No, you catch up!" Naruto said and only ran faster. His face lit up when he recognized two people he wasn't expecting. "Are you here for my birthday?!" his heart pleaded it was true.

"Who else would make the ramen for your birthday dinner?" T asked with good nature.

Naruto gave them each a tight hug. "This is so awesome!"

"That's a great jacket Naruto sweetie" Ayame complimented.

"Thanks! I got it for my birthday party yesterday! I love everything I got!"

"You'll love dinner. Ramen, red bean buns, fried chicken, and of course cake!" Eito said as he strolled to greet the birthday boy.

Naruto launched himself in Eito's arms and clung on like a baby monkey.

"How was your day?" Eito asked casually, carrying Naruto into the home.

"Eito, don't baby him!" Souta said.

Eito set the boy down "Is this okay?" he pinned Naruto down, and with his remaining hand tickled the boy who squealed and laughed.

"Stop!" Naruto called out and was obeyed.

Eito put him on his feet "Go play"

Naruto ran off and the adults put the final touches on the party. Precisely at 7 pm dinner was served. Eito offered the boy to spend the night and was taken up on the offer. When all the children including Naruto who was roomed with the youngest boy Eito and Souta waited outside for Lord Hokage to join their nightly debriefing.

"Welcome Lord Hokage," Souta whispered and bowed.

"We are honored," said Eito and bowed although not as low. He could sense Souta's irritation.

Silently they went to the formal sitting room with relaxing tea.

"I deeply regret I could not make more time for Naruto," Lord Third said.

Eito heard the double meaning, not just regret for missing the parties, but the lack of involvement in general.

"I'm sure you did your best Lord Hokage," Souta said gently.

"That's kind of you to say young lady, but I was close friends with his parents. His mother died in childbirth and I promised her as she laid dying, I would do my best for him,"

"You said that out of love and grief and you probably can't do more than you do. When my mother was dying, I did everything I could, and I know that, but still there are days I feel I could have done more. I'm sure you're doing everything possible. Please, don't be hard on yourself," Sota said, she wanted to put a comforting hand, but felt it was a massive overstep.

"You are too kind, young lady. Still, I vow to take a more active role in the lives of the children of my village, not just Naruto. Please, how has he been lately? How are you adapting to your new home and new life? I want to know what I can do better" Hokage vowed.

"We are lucky to have such a kind and devoted leader," Souta gushed.

"As a child, and the older ones will remember, we used to live here. Us older ones are ninjas. Maple Tree Village is too small-minded and do nothing. It's good to send the younger ones to the academy. It is our hope it's just as we remembered: friendly and opportunity to thrive," he gestured to Souta "she wants to go into skincare, and I intend to fund her education. Her dreams would not have been possible in that small town,"

Souta grinned at the attention.

"Aren't you a ninja?" Hokage asked.

Souta nodded "It was my parent's idea. I did well and never complained but making my own skin and hair products and opening my own shop, has been my real dream. It might sound awful, but despite loving my parents, they were bad. Bad people, bad parents, bad for me. I don't know why I still love them, but I do. Still, them dying gave me a freedom I don't know was possible. I was terrified of them, but I can be myself and..." she shook her head "I'm sorry. I hope it's not disrespectful, but I have no interest in being a ninja, advancing to chūnin or any more missions,"

"That's perfectly alright. Civilians are not less valuable. Training and living as a ninja is very strenuous and empty if your heat isn't in it," said Hokage.

"I'm thinking of going back, but I feel kinda old for Chu exams. But I train often and try to keep my skills sharp. Maybe I can become a chu and immediately take the join test. But on the other hand, my family still needs me at home..." Eito sighed "I don't know"

"I'll set time aside to have a join evaluate your skills, and we can take it from there,"

Eito bowed "Very gracious of you, thank you, Lord Hokage"