AN: Yes! Finally my shop is open! Yea, IRL again… sorry. I have a PTRN (insert vowels as necessary) now which you can find on PTRN /TitaniumWyvern and I actually got a new logo that fits my penname more. As patrons, you will get early access and voting rights to my 2 active projects. So please consider supporting me there.

Let's answer some reviews:

To Tigereey: Thank you!

To Guest: Yes. Some other characters will also be genderbent. So if it's not your cup of tea, then I must apologize beforehand.

To TipsyKitsune: It's basically both. He plays along to make sure the ruse wasn't found and the manipulating is a way for him to achieve his goals.

Before we begin, some recap:

In the last chapter, Minato was adopted by the Senju family as their son. The spiteful Uchiha tried to start problems, only to be outdone in their own game.

Chapter 4: A Gathering of Strays

Hokage tower

"What do you have there?" Minato asked. Naruto had gone outside for an outing with his new parents while he slowly caught up with some of his own work. He had decided that this would be his last year as Hokage and perhaps it would be best if his mother took over. He wanted to be more present as a father to his son and being a Hokage would not permit that.

"A small animal… looks like a mongrel, but I'm no expert on wildlife." In his arms was a small brown puppy that looked hurt, its fur was matted brown with mud and perhaps a bit of blood as well.

"Did Tsu… okaa-san take a look at it?"

"Not yet… and I don't think a human doctor would do any good to an animal. I was actually hoping you would help me talk to the dog breeder clan, the Inu…. something."

"The Inuzuka? Sure, let me get my coat and we'll go take care of your new friend."

"I haven't decided if I'd take it in yet."

"Well a pet wouldn't hurt, besides it might be useful as your own partner in the future."

Xxxx

Inuzuka kennels

"It's not one of ours, that's for sure." The veterinarian said. She looked over the dog for any means of identification and found none. Either it was a stray or it escaped before it was tagged.

"There were some wounds on it, but thankfully no fleas… otherwise we would have to call in a full decontamination." She continued with a laugh. After a thorough wash and check-up, Naruto could see its true breed and color: a white and gold Akita-ken.

"Do you want to take him home?" Minato asked.

"Her actually." The vet corrected.

"Right… do you wanna take her home?"

"Yes." Naruto didn't leave any room for discussion.

This was the first animal he had found that made him feel something beyond hunger or disgust so of course he would take it home. He was the Kyuubi no Kitsune and he would study those that intrigued him. If they asked for his help, then from that point on they were his thrall and he would help if he wished. However, this dog didn't ask anything of him, only followed him despite its apparently broken leg. Call it respect, protectiveness, hell call it sympathy. He would take it home, no questions.

"Well then, can I ask you to finish her papers and procedures?"

"Of course. In the meantime, can I interest you in some pet toys and food?" She didn't miss an opportunity to make a sales pitch. If things went well, her bonus from Tsume would be enough for a holiday to the capital city or maybe even Yuki no Kuni.

"Yes." Naruto answered. "Teach me all I need to take care of her. Please."

Xxxx

Senju family house

"So… what's all this?" Jiraiya looked at the pile of dog toys and other pet paraphernalia in wonderment. Off in the distance, his own wife, daughter and grandson were playing happily with the new addition to their family.

"Stuff Naruto bought for Mao." Minato was trying to assemble the wooden dog house with some difficulty.

Apparently the Inuzuka carpenters were so used to making dog houses that they didn't even need a blueprint or instructions and therefore couldn't provide any. In addition, none of the carpenters were available, so Minato who wanted to show off in front of his son decided he too would build one himself… a decision he was starting to regret. He should have just gotten a plastic one while he waited for the carpenters.

"Mao? Oh… the puppy?"

"Yea. Very energetic now that she could walk. Still got a bit of a limp though. The vets said she'll be fine with some R&R…., but really…"

"Huh?"

"I never realized just how expensive pet rearing is. I mean the vet fee is one thing, but the food, the toys, the meds..."

"I mean you can't use healing chakra on animals unless you have some knowledge of the animal physique. I mean in a pinch field medics can patch just about anything..."

"But whether the patient survives the patching is another question all together." Tsunade interrupted. A couple of months into her Hokage-ship, she had pushed for a more comprehensive medic training program with varying responses. So far, there was more support for it rather than against it. The main problem she faced was trying to find potential within the potential recruits. Perhaps finding recruits from the academy rather than genin ranks would be easier.

Xxxx

Mao's first night in the Senju family home was the first night she slept with a full stomach in warmth. The pup slept in her new master's bed and snuggled against him. Feeling this sort of happiness, this sort of love… she didn't want to part with it… she wanted to feel it for every day of her life.

"Come on child. Sleep now… I have something I must do." Naruto scratched her behind the ear to calm her down and made sure to leave her on one of his pillows.

However, Mao wasn't having it. She whined and gazed pitifully at him. Seeing no other choice, he carried her with him to meet with his human father.

Minato's home office was still bright as he tried to finish his last few files of work. Following the humans' customs, Naruto knocked on the door and waited until he was let in.

"Naruto? Is that you?"

"Yes… myself and Mao."

"Oh… come in, please. What's up?"

"I understand you've decided on a surrogate for my request?" Naruto was starting to get sleepy, but night was the only time he could talk to his father/ collaborator without any disturbances.

"Yes… I'm going to talk to her tomorrow actually. It was supposed to be today, but she was too tired after going back from her mission. I think she'll agree and I hope you can get along with her."

"I see this will not be a one-time thing?"

"No. My sense of duty would not allow it… I won't do it. If she agrees, I'll marry her and that is also what I want to ask you about.

"Will you agree if I were to re-marry? It won't be soon, no… but maybe in a few years."

"Why would I mind?" Naruto asked. Human customs didn't interest him in the least and if his human father decided to marry another person, then he didn't see what the big problem was.

"Do you know what marrying means, what it entails?"

"I know of it, but never understand the significance of it."

"Well, it's like my relationship with Kushina… before. I mean we were as close as humans basically could be. We... loved each other. I still do… very... much." Minato was tearing up as he reminisced about his late wife. Every memory he had of her and with her flooded into his mind and as much as he tried, he still could not get over the sorrow as he realized he would never have more memories with her.

"I… I'm sorry." Naruto said quietly. He didn't know what he was feeling now… it just felt… heavy. Like something was weighing his heart down and his eyes felt like it was stinging. He hung his head low and snuggled closer to Mao who was whining in worry over her master.

In a flash of yellow, Minato hugged Naruto instead. Tears flowing from his eyes, he unconsciously hugged his son tighter.

"It's not your fault. It's never your fault." Minato stated.

The night was filled with light sobbing between father and son, one out of regret, the other out of melancholy… and certainly out of love. Tsunade who looked into the office out of worry could only smile. She would make sure nothing would ever try to harm her new family. Tomorrow, she would begin her plans to make sure her family would be as safe as possible.

Xxxx

Kazumi entered her old teacher's office first thing in the morning. After a long enough sleep and a shower, she was ready for her appointment. Though she had a few guesses over what it was, she didn't want to get her hopes up and be disappointed in the process.

Minato's office no longer had the gloomy atmosphere it had for the last few years. It felt… brighter. Kazumi felt nervous now, she had to meet with her long time crush and now she felt like she was back in her genin days, the blushing brat who fell in love with probably the one person she shouldn't.

She tried to stall the hike as much as possible, just to get her thundering heart calm, but to no avail. If anything, the higher she went, the faster her heart beat. She decided enough was enough and went ahead to get it done. She knocked on the door to Minato's office and heard the sound of shuffling papers. Kazumi was sure he was busy with something so his decision to meet her today seemed a bit odd.

Finally the door was opened by Naruto who was carrying Mao; both pup and boy looked at her and nodded. He stepped aside and welcomed her into the office. As she walked inside, he smiled a bit to himself. Soon, the request of his brother would be complete and he would be able to cash in on a favor from him… no matter what shape he decided to take in the future.

"Kazumi, I hope you're fine after your last mission?" Minato said.

"Nothing I couldn't handle, sensei. It was rather routine." She replied.

"Now I understand you're still in your down time, so I don't want to waste your time if I can. Are you familiar with the surrogacy program we have here?"

"Well, I know we have the program and it is offered to active shinobi or even civilians… what's this about?" She could feel her expectations soar at the question.

"I… am in need of a surrogate mother. I do apologize for asking this to you, but given your track record and our own history, I believe I can trust you for this. So… Hatake Kazumi, will you accept the mission to be a surrogate mother for the Senju and Namikaze family?"

Kazumi was silent for a while. It wasn't exactly the question she was hoping for, but she was not completely against it. The request was not ideal, but for better or worse she was not at all hesitant to comply.

"I agree." She replied. She didn't need to know the details for now, but she knew what she wanted and if this were to be the way to get there, she was fine with it.

Xxxx

Jiraiya was an expert in most things ninja and perhaps one of the most experienced active shinobi. He was still Konoha's spymaster and he was still Minato's teacher… although now he's also his father. He had achieved many things in life, but there was one thing he couldn't achieve. Decades before by some miracle he managed to marry Tsunade, he had dreamt of having his own harem. Which was impossible to do now that his wife was strictly against it.

"If you continue thinking with your dick, I'll just chop it off for you." she had once said.

So given that he had to choose between his one true love and his lustful desires, he was at least smart enough to choose love. However, that didn't mean his old ambitions were gone. If he couldn't do it, his son could… or even his grandson. What better way to manipu… convince Minato than through his son?

"Naruto, do you think your tou-chan is the greatest?" Jiraiya asked. He had made sure to be on babysitting duty when Tsunade and Shizune were in their hospital duties, Minato was in a meeting, and Kanon was in the academy. The timing was impeccable and through some rather insane luck, he got the time slot he wanted.

"Yup." The boy replied.

"How do you know that?"

"He's the Hokage and Hokage means the strongest." Naruto had to make sure his grandfather didn't know the truth yet and was actively making sure his answers were short and concise. He might not want to sound eloquent, but gods be damned if he were to sound like a child.

"True… but do you know that strongest doesn't mean greatest?"

That… was unexpected. Did humans change their societal norms since the last he was aware? This intrigued him quite a bit… perhaps his spymaster grandfather might be able to teach him something new after all.

"You see, Naruto… since time immemorial, the greatest of heroes and villains have surrounded themselves with many lovers."

Lovers? Ah… those companion types that humans have… physical relations with. If he remembered correctly, Kushina was Minato's wife and they love each other. By definition, they are lovers. Yes, this logic was adequate. Many animals in the wild do engage in this type of behavior. But why were many lovers necessary for a human to be great? He needed to know more from this old human.

"Really?"

"Oh yes, my boy. You see, having many lovers means you are strong enough to protect them as well as yourself. Not only that, it means you are also smart enough, caring enough, and most importantly desirable enough to keep them happy."

So the greatest of humans now have more qualities than simply being strong. This made sense. During the times of war, strength was the only thing that was necessary. Now that time had changed, it was obvious that more qualities were more desirable. Yes, this made sense. Even nature had examples of such habits.

"So… if you want Minato to be great, he needs to have many lovers… right?"

"...right..." Naruto nodded at the comment. Getting his human father a couple of lovers… shouldn't be that hard. He made it his new mission. Making a new body for Asura to inhibit was essentially done and he could do with a new mission. Now he needed to make sure Minato agreed to it.

Xxxx

Later that night

"That conversation with your student went well." Naruto started. He had Mao in his arms and for now, he wasn't really thinking of being away from her.

"Yes, I'm thankful she's so understanding about the situation." Minato replied.

"May I ask something… odd?"

"Oh… sure. What's up?"

"I've been talking with your new father..."

Minato felt a bit of dread well up from him. What could his father have talked about with his son? Did he realize that his son was actually the Kyuubi?

"He was talking about something interesting, you see… you must have many lovers."

"Excuse me?" That was completely unexpected. Where did this come from?

"Jiraiya-dono… Jii-sama… had told me of an interesting aspect of humans' lives. Apparently… only the greatest have many lovers. As the father of the greatest bijuu in existence, you must be worthy of the title. So… for the sake of my… our family's prestige, please do your best to secure many lovers."

"Naruto… it doesn't work that way."

"Really? He raised some very interesting points, you know… capabilities, desirability, and such. The arguments are quite compelling I must say."

"I'm a widower and I'm still mourning Kushina… for better or worse."

"If I knew my previous host, which I do… quite well actually, I think she would want you to be happy. You have mourned her and worried after myself for 3 years, worked yourself almost to the point of insanity. Do you not think you deserve some happiness now?"

"But I am happier. My son is one of the wisest beings around, my father is a world renowned spymaster, my mother is the Senju heiress who had her own legend..."

"...and fanclub." Naruto interrupted.

"And fanclub, yes. Then my younger sister is one of the smartest kids the academy has ever known. I am happy… er."

Naruto was silent for a while, contemplating his options. He did not want to lose to any of the bijuus in any way and now his only question mark comes from his own father. However, he was patient… perhaps even far more than humanly possible… because he was a bijuu.

He didn't want to resort to a trick he had prepared, but he wasn't above using subterfuge if needed. He was the Kyuubi no Kitsune and his will shall be done… hopefully.

"Very well… I shall not press on the matter. You have already completed my request after all. I only hope you would simply… consider it. So you can have it on your terms."

"What do you mean?"

"Deny it if you wish, but I believe it will only be a matter of time before your bachelorhood becomes a liability for you. Soon, everyone will come out of the woodworks to offer women to you and then you would have to take a wife who might not even be your choice. Your new position might be more problematic for you in the future, I believe it is best to find allies where you can."

"I know. Do you know they didn't even give me time to grieve properly? Kushina wasn't even dead for a day and they started pushing me to get another wife. They don't care about people, only their own agenda. For the greater good, they claimed. What a bunch of crap."

"Do you want me to… handle them?" Naruto offered.

It was not the first time Naruto had offered to get rid of his problems in a violent manner and it certainly would not be the last. Not for the first time, Minato considered taking the offer. It would save him a lot of headaches and annoyances, but certainly his departed wife wouldn't want their son to be his own personal hatchet man. At least not when he's still a child.

"No. I do need your ideas for something." Minato felt like he regained something he had lost before.

Naruto smiled hearing the request. It was time to put his own plans into motion to make sure the other bijuu and their hosts knew he was the greatest. And his family? Aces.

Xxxx

Outskirts of Konoha

"It seems we've lost them, Zabuza-sama." A young girl said. She was Yuki Haku who ran away from the hunter-nin of Kirigakure. Since the bloodline purges began, her entire life had been in danger from everyone she had ever known. It was pure luck that the infamous Momochi Zabuza took her in, away from a wretched fate.

"Let's see if these tree huggers are really as good as they say they are." Her master replied.

Xxxx

A.N. AND CUT! Did you enjoy this chapter? Yup, Naruto is getting a dog… whose name is basically cat. If you don't know, Mao (貓) means cat in Chinese. In one of the Index animes you have a cat named dog, and in here you get a dog named cat. I was actually thinking of whether I should focus on the heartwarming fluffy genre or start turning into gritty grimdark, but I think I'll keep the fluff for now.