I do not own any of the Naruto or Kuroko no Basuke characters. Their ownership resides solely with Masashi Kishimoto and Tadatoshi Fujimaki.

Normal speech - "Kurama"

Flashback – kurama

Sound effects – kurama

Chapter 5

"So let me get this straight..." Naruto looked around at everyone sitting by the pool, listening to him continue a rant that started hours ago, "I was the only one that didn't know Shika was advancing his courses so that he could be my agent in time for the draft this year, Temari was helping him as well as starting up her business, and Sasuke proposed to Sakura?

"Yes!" everyone shouted at him. Having just got back from a weeklong trip with Himawari, Rin, Shizune, Kakashi, and Obito to Disneyland, Naruto wanted to know what all he had missed out on.

"But it's just been a week! You guys could've just waited for me to get back." Naruto pouts at everyone but stops when he sees that it has absolutely no affect on any of them.

"Troublesome… stop whining. It's over. You just need to focus on this season and make sure your stats are good enough to be noticed by the NBA. After the previous two seasons, you are in position to be picked in the first round but there's no need to get complacent. Now's the best time to show all the teams that you can still play your normal ball even with the pressure of being champion over your head."

Ever since the finals, more attention has been put on Naruto than ever before. Everyone wanted to know more about the guy that made such a bold prediction and then went on to do exactly that. Sports reporters were busy blowing up his phone, as well as sports agencies that wanted him to sign with him. Unfortunately, because of his contract to play in the NCAA, he couldn't talk to any of the agencies or accept handouts and sponsorships. Fortunately for him though, he had Shika and the rest of the gang watching his back so that there was no reason for him not to play the upcoming season.

"Even if I was allowed to talk to them, I still would have Shika there with me. No way am I going to let anyone else handle my affairs."

"Have you decided what team you wanna join?", asked Temari.

Naruto and the guys all looked at each other for a moment before looking back at Temari and answering together.

"Lakers!"

The girls all roll their eyes as the boys go off into their own little world, talking about basketball and other things that might interest them.

"Naruto, are you crying again?"

"No! I have allergies."

"But you aren't even-"

Baby, don't go! Don't leave me with these savages! I can't survive without!" everyone face palmed at how Naruto was behaving.

"Daddy its just school. And I'll see you later." Himawari tried to get away from Naruto but he wouldn't let her go. "Besides, you know Iruka sensei and Jiji will be there with me."

"But I don't want you to grow up! You suppose to stay little forever and ever!" Naruto's antics were starting to draw attention to the group. It was the first day of school and the gang all went with to secretly make sure that Naruto didn't embarrass Himawari too much. "Don't forget to make friends. Oh, and I packed in your favourite bowl of ramen. I'll be here when school ends."

Himawari giggles at her dad and rolls her eyes.

"Daddy I'm the one that's suppose to be crying. I'll see you later. Love you."

She kisses Naruto on the check and runs over to Iruka.

"Do you guys think I'll get into trouble if I just stalk her the whole day?" Naruto asks the group innocently.

"Yes!"

"Ruto, even Kurama isn't as emotional as you are. Just relax, she'll be fine. Besides, she's going to the same private school we went to. We all know how their system works and you can easily contact them if there's something bothering you."

Naruto stares at the building with a solemn expression on his face.

"I just don't want her to grow up."

"So we are going into this season as the champs. Everyone will be gunning for us. Now, since this season will be the last that Naruto, Daiki, and Shintaro will be with us, the plan is to slowly ease others into their positions so we are still able to have a fighting chance for the years to come." It was the first practice of the season and Obito was laying down the game plan for everyone. "Now, we are ranked number 1 in the nation so expect a lot more media attention at games and sometimes practices. I would just like to remind everyone that your NCAA contract prohibits you from doing a number of things so please go over it thoroughly o there are no incidents."

Just then, Kakashi walked into the gym leading a bunch of sport reporters over to the benchers. The team looked over to see what was going on. The first years and some of the less confident members were quite nervous that there were people watching them. The rest of the team were either used to it or just didn't care.

"I know a lot of you aren't too used to practice under such conditions but just bare with it. They will be staying after practice to interview some players so don't all run off. Now, are there any questions?"

"Why is there a fox sleeping in the ball cart?"

"Kurama is kinda like our lucky item. He's at almost all home practices and games. Don't let him distract you."

The season was going well for the team. Not losing any matches and slowly integrating other members into positions normally occupied by the three star players was actually proving to be easier than anyone anticipated. It appeared that after training with them for years, the other members' level of skill had risen to a point where they could compete against the other top collage teams in the nation. It also helped that there was an increase in recruits this year due to the championship win last year, giving Obito and Kakashi a lot of good players to work with.

The team was breezing through the regular season. Even though they weren't playing as many minutes as the previous two seasons, Naruto, Daiki, and Shintaro were still putting up impressive stats. Naruto was still focusing on passing the ball to teammates and gaining assists, still scoring 20 points every game.

One day the three of them were resting of an intense practice that Kakashi was in charge off.

"So you two are going back to Japan after we graduate?"

"Yeah, we are planning to enter into the professional league over there and the make a go for the national team. We have a couple of friends that are also planning to go professional so it should all work out nicely for us. Plus, this way, in 2016, we can duke it out for Olympic Gold and the year before that is the world tournament."

"That's only if we are all called up for the teams. If things go according to plan then it will only be my second year in the NBA, not a lot of time to get a good enough reputation for the national squad."

"You are forgetting that you already played and captain one national squad. They'll surely take that into consideration. Besides, you are one of the best players I have ever played against. You will make the team."

The three sit in silence after that, each lost in his own thoughts and memories about the years spent together.

"Daiki, before I forget, there are times where I think I see lightning flowing from your eyes. What's up with that?"

Daiki takes a while to gather his thoughts before looking towards Naruto.

"What do you know about 'the Zone' and 'the Wild'?"

Continuing their impressive form from the first half of the season, UCLA easily qualified for the play-offs. The team as a whole was stronger than it has ever been.

Everyone had a chance to play and showcase his skills. Daiki won the regular season MVP, closely followed by both Naruto and Shintaro. The fans and commentators were expecting them to win the championship again.

Walking onto the court for the warm-up before the first game of the play-offs, Naruto noticed that there were a lot more cameras compared to the previous two occasions that he has been here.

"Yo, Obito-nii. What's with all the cameras today? Something important happening?" Obito gave him a funny look. In fact, almost everyone was giving him a weird look.

"Don't you know? Everyone wants to watch you play. Especially the NBA teams that are planning signing you up in the upcoming draft. Ruto, you are currently a very hot topic. Everyone in the country that's into basketball wants to know more about you."

"But what about Daiki and Shintaro? Surely they can't all be here just for me!" Naruto looked around and finally noticed that a lot of cameras were on him and many more people in the audience were keeping a close eye on him.

"They aren't American and are going back home to Japan when the season is done. To them, you are the next big thing. It's been awhile since a player has become this popular before their NBA career so of cause they are going to make a big deal out of what they perceive to be the next great player." Obito allowed Naruto to digest all he said before continuing. "And because they are all here to see you, you will be our target man for offense."

"What!?"

Leading up to the finals, Naruto was playing the best ball of his life so far. Not only was he scoring over 40 points a game, he was making over 15 assists a game as well. UCLA was absolutely destroying all competition. The fans and cameras loved them. They weren't just winning games by a large margin; they were having fun as well. A lot of the time the team would use a streetball style of play to get by defenders or just show-off for the crowd.

The outcome of the final was one that everyone expected. UCLA utterly destroyed their opposition. All three star players managed to score of 30 points in the game. Naruto was once again named MVP for his amazing performance.

"So Naruto, now that your collage career is done, what do you have planned next?"

"I plan to enter into this season's NBA draft. I want to continue playing ball. These past three seasons with UCLA have been great and I never once regretted my decision to hold off on the NBA. I learnt so much from both my coaches and my teammates. I'll miss playing with these guys."

"Any idea what team you'll be joining?"

"Nope. No idea. Cause of the NCAA contract I couldn't talk to professional teams at all. I'm hoping that will all change now. I have one of my best friends as my agent. He's honestly one of the smartest guys I know and he has a real good business sense so all I have to worry about is playing ball."

"Well, we here at UCLA thank you for all you have done for our basketball team and we wish you luck for all your future endeavours."

Naruto was jogging along the pier next to the beach, the sun just starting to make an appearance. He had started running ever since he first trained with Guy and Lee. It was his way of clearing his head and having time to himself. He wouldn't be getting a lot of that over the next couple of days.

Ever since the end of the season, his phone, as well as Shika's has been blowing up with offers from teams and brands that would like to sponsor him. He really had no idea what to say or do so he just left all of that to Shika. He just wanted to get into the NBA and play ball again.

As he turned to go back home, he saw that someone was running behind him. She was wearing a skin-tight pair of grey Nike leggings going down to her ankles, showing off her shapely legs. She wore a Lakers number 24 top over a grey hoodie. She had a baseball cap on with her dark brown hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. Without even being able to see her face, Naruto could tell that she was extremely pretty.

As she runs past him she lifts her head up and Naruto gazes into a pair of the warmest dark brown eyes he has ever seen. He completely freezes, captivated by the gaze of this creature that managed to take his breath away from him. A feat that only one other person has ever managed to do. She gives him a warm, gentle smile and he can't help but return it with a goofy grin of his own. He watches her as she continues her run, gazing at the way the tights show off her legs and toned backside.

Hearing a giggle he glances up and his face goes red as a tomato. She caught him staring at her. She didn't seem angry or upset by it but Naruto couldn't help but feel like a total idiot for getting caught. He quickly turns around and nearly sprints his way home.

When he got home he just sat on the front steps, replaying the whole scene through his head. He had no idea how long he sat there for but he was brought out of his thoughts by Himawari coming outside to greet him.

"Morning Daddy! Why are you just sitting here by yourself? You thinking about Mommy again?" Naruto looked at her in shock.

"What you mean Hima-hime?"

"Baa-chan says that whenever you have that look on your face, you are thinking of Mommy. Do you miss her?"

"Come here Hime." He picks her up and sits her on his lap. "Of course I miss her Hime. She was really amazing."

"Daddy, why don't you get another girlfriend? That way you won't have to be lonely when I grow up."

"You are never growing up!" Naruto looks away from her and pouts childishly, causing Himawari to laugh at him. "I don't think I'm ready to move on yet, Hime. Your mommy was really the only one that I ever had eyes for. Besides, I also have to make sure that whomever I date falls in love with you as well. You'll always be the most important girl in my life."

Naruto and Himawari continue to sit together, enjoying some father daughter time until they both have to get ready for the day to come.

Hearing the door bell ring, Naruto walks over and opens it to see Shika standing there typing away on his phone.

"Yo, Shike what you doing here?"

"No idea. Jiriaya called me to say that as your manager, I have to be here today for some reason. Is he here?"

"Yeah he's sitting in the living room with an old friend of his."

As soon as both boys walk into the living room, Shika gasps and drops his phone in shock. Jiriaya and his friend both look at him with amused expressions on their faces.

"What's wrong Shika? Do you know this dude?"

Shika gives Naruto an exasperated look before rushing over to shake the older man's hand, his shapr mind already figuring out why Jiriaya told him to come over today.

"Kazuo Hirai, Sir, its an honour to meet you. Please, excuse my client's lack of respect. He really doesn't follow business enterprises, instead focusing on sports more than anything else."

Kazuo Hirai laughs at that while Naruto looks at everyone in confusion.

"Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?"

"Ruto, this is Kazuo Hirai." Shika receives a blank look in response. "The Chief Executive Officer for the Sony company." Another blank look is all he gets. "Troublesome… the company that makes Playstation." Before he knows it, Naruto is standing in front of Mr Hirai and feverishly shaking his hand while gazing at him with stars in his eyes. Mr Hirai just laughs at the interaction between the two young men.

"Before my client makes a bigger fool of himself, is there any reason for your visit Mr Hirai?"

"Well, I'm actually here on a possible business venture." This perks the interest of Shika while Naruto goes off to the kitchen. "Since you are Naruto Namikaze's agent, I would like to talk to you about Naruto being the first professional sport's person represented by Sony."

Naruto walks back into the living room to find an amuse Mr Hirai and Jiriaya looking at Shika who appears to have gone into shock. After shaking him a bit until he regains his focus, Naruto sits down to listen in on the conversation.

"Of course I want to say yes right away but I have to ask what you can offer my client. Our goal is to win championships and for Ruto to become the best out there. What can you provide that would enable Naruto to achieve his dream?"

"I'll start of with the social events. Even if Sony is based in Japan, we have branches all over the world, especially in America. We sponsor a number of sporting events and social functions. If Naruto signs with us, his name would go onto the lists of many of those events, allowing him to make contacts and interact with a lot of prominent people in many social circles. Even though he will be our only sportsman, he will be able to interact with a number of other athletes from different sports, ensuring that he gets good publicity. His family and friends will have access to our medical staff as well as facilities. We want to ensure that we keep him safe, healthy, and happy. He will have access to a lot of new merchandise. In fact, we will rely on him to advertise a lot of new products we will be producing in the near future, such as: watches, headphones, backpacks, cell phones, ect. We can also provide top of the line trainers for the off-seasons or if he is recovering from injury. There is more that you will need to know, such as code of conduct and wearing other brands, but that will all be in the contract."

Shika takes awhile to process all that he has been told. Truthfully, it was a big risk. Even though there were a lot of benefits, Sony just wasn't known for being involved in sports.

"I have to ask Mr Hirai, why represent Naruto?"

"It's actually quite simple, his heritage and friendship circle." Seeing that he is only getting confused looks, he proceeds to elaborate. "Before coming here, I asked my best investigators to do a background check on Naruto. It appears that even though he has Japanese heritage, he is also close to a lot of well known individuals, such as yourself Mr Nara, that will one day take over the family business. Sony's aim is to use Mr Namikaze as a foothold for helping and, in the future, representing these family businesses. Whether that is by providing the top of the line equipment or by providing top of the line research, will be entirely up to the head of said family. The point is, I see a major opportunity to help this big family you seem to have built here over the years, and to expand it in the years to come. You will be allowing us, the Sony Company, access into sports, culinary, veterinary and maybe even law enforcement businesses."

Shika couldn't believe his luck. This man wasn't just providing support for Naruto, he was offering to help out the families that are all close with Naruto.

"Why? Why go this far?"

After the question was asked Naruto and Shika both noticed the hardened gazes of both Jiraiya and Mr Hirai.

"I owe Minato and Kushina Namikaze a great deal more than I could ever repay. This is just my way of trying to repay them. In all honesty, I have been following Naruto's achievements since Minato first told me about them years ago."

"Wait! You knew my parents?"

"Yes, they were helping my company with something very important and very confidential. But we digress… Mr Nara, will your client be signing up with the Sony Company?"

"So let's talk about Naruto Namikaze. He is this year's projected number one pick in the NBA draft, two time NCAA champion, as well as two time MVP, a highschool champion and MVP, this kid already has a list of achievements to his name."

"I think everyone is making to much of a big thing about this kid. Sure he is good but we haven't seen him play against professionals yet. Don't you think its all just a bit to soon to be saying that he'll be one of the greats one day?"

"What do you think about a l this Mr Stephen A. Smith?"

"I have been saying it from day one already. This kid will be the next great thing. Like Michael Jordan and Lebron James, he will be the one leading the NBA into a new era. I know Lebron is coming off of just winning another championship but give this kid one or two seasons to adjust himself and I promise you that he will be up there competing with the best of him. Naruto Namikaze is a young player that teams should look to build around. Give him enough experience and players good enough to utilize his amazing passes and he will be able to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league."

"Okay now remember, no matter who picks you, keep smiling. We don't want anyone to think that you are a drama queen or ungrateful. If we don't get the team we want we will just have to make do for the time being."

Naruto and Shika were on their way to the Barclays Center for the 2013 NBA draft. After having spoken to a number of teams, Naruto still only wanted to be apart of the Laker's.

When they got to the venue, they both got out the car, Naruto, wearing a tailored suit, smiled and waved to the crowd of supporters and sports reporters. Walking into the Center, they were quickly ushered to a table that was already filled with their friends and family. After sitting down, Naruto picked up Himawari and place her on his lap. The nerves were starting to get to him but having Himawari close by always managed to calm him down.

Finally, after a bit of waiting, David Stern, NBA commissioner, walked on stage to begin proceedings.

"Let the 2013 NBA draft commence. Cleveland Cavaliers have the first pick."

All cameras pointed to the Cavaliers section as they debated on what to do. After almost using up their allocated slot, they received a call and gave their answer to Mr Stern.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded in their first round pick to the LA Lakers for PG Jordan Farmar. With the first pick in the 2013 NBA draft, the LA Lakers select Naruto Namikaze, from Los Angeles, America, and UCLA."

Sorry for the extended wait on the chapter. it was much more difficult than i thought it would be to write it. as i said before, naruto will be paired again but he won't be sleeping around, bad example for himawari and all that. there will be more basketball in the following chapters but naruto won't get with anyone for awhile. i will be leaving hints here and there for who he will eventually get with so if you figure it out don't spoil it for others