Chapter 5

"Normal Conversation"

"Kyuubi or Summon Talking"

: Naruto Mentally Conversing with Kyuubi :

: Kyuubi Mentally Conversing with Naruto :

'Normal thoughts'

'Kyuubi's thoughts'

'Jutsu'

Disclaimer!

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'You leave for a few good years and everything turns upside down as if hell itself had been here and back. I think I'm gonna puke!'

The supposed dead man had been searching for over an hour already and with no luck. However, this was not what angered the former Kage. Oh no, not at all… In fact, what angered him so much were the murmurs and gossips that he had been hearing from the villagers since he began to search for his son.

As Minato continued to walk, he couldn't help but listen to parts of some of the villagers' and Shinobis' conversations, especially the ones about his beloved Naruto… And, in actuality, he didn't know whether to smile, scream, jump for joy, cry… Or… Go on a killing spree!

True, there were some people who talked about the good qualities of his son while others mentioned his bad sides and flaws while others… Well, let's just say that what they say about Naruto pissed him off to the limit.

These people! They had no right to call themselves villagers of Konoha! He gave everything he had for them and nearly died in the process too, and they call his son a monster? They call him the demon that attacked the village years ago?!

If they had hurt his son in anyway or even so much as to touch a single strand of hair on his head, the villagers would learn what a true monster was. Hell, he'd be the one to personally put them out of their misery if needed.

However, right now, he needed to find his boy before he could perform any of his 'threats.' His son was not, in whatever form or dimension, the Kyuubi. He was merely its jailor and if he wasn't there to hold the demon at bay, they would all have been dead a long time ago!

His son was just like all of them! A human! His son was just Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto, the one and only son of Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage, and Uzumaki Kushina, heiress of Uzu no Kuni! Hell, his son was a hero! He--

"You're wrong about that young man,"

Minato looked towards the source of the voice which had defended his son's name. It was a Shinobi, a Jounin by his appearance, who was wearing a black bandana, a dark colored jumpsuit and a pair of shades.

The man whom he had corrected was a balding man with dead brown eyes and pencil thin lips. He had previously been complaining about how 'everything was the Kyuubi brat's fault.' And when the aforementioned Jounin spoke and defended the so-called demon, he had attracted a small crowd of villagers and Shinobis, Minato included.

"What on earth are you blabbering about, Ebisu?" The recently dubbed 'stick-man' asked the recently named Ebisu. "Everyone in the village knows that that brat only brings trouble.'

The Jounin, Ebisu shook his head in disagreement. "You're wrong. If he was so bad, like you say he is, then why did Sandaime-sama care for him as if he was his own grandchild? Why did the boy take it upon himself to teach Konohamaru-sama as if he was his little brother?"

He looked at each and every one of the people who were part of the crowd as if trying to tell them something. "Why do Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama care, protect and train the boy? Why does Umino Iruka, a man whose parents were killed during the attack, treat the boy like a son?"

As he continued, some became confused as to what the Jounin was trying to get across. "Why do each and every one of the clan heirs, heck even the clan heads themselves, Team Gai, the Godaime Kazekage and his siblings and other people call him a friend? Why do you think, even after all the physical and mental abuse you and this village put him through, that he constantly put his life on the line just to save you and your families?"

Ebisu looked around once more and glared. Some glared back, others agreed with him while some of them looked ashamed as if they had just realized their mistakes.

"Yet you treated him no different, Ebisu." The 'stick-man' challenged again, as if trying to change the opinions of the Jounin.

"That's true," Ebisu nodded his head in agreement. "However, unlike you, now I know that there is more to the boy than meets the eye. You all think of him as a nuisance and an annoying pest that needs to be squished -- I did too -- yet he still considers this village precious to him."

The 'stick-man's' glare heightened although it was useless against Ebisu, being a Shinobi and all. "My opinions of the boy have changed after the Suna-Oto invasion years ago… Naruto could have destroyed this village if he wished, instead, he protected it."

"Just think about it for a second, Kinpa and everyone of you. If Naruto was not here to hold the demon at bay, where would you be now? I doubt that you'd be here standing right now, that's for sure. So before you judge the boy, think of what he has done for you. After all, he is not the demon… He is just a boy who longs for acceptance and recognition from the village he protects."

After a full minute of silence, Ebisu left the crowd via Shunshin and hoped that they would realize their own mistakes. The Shinobis who had been listening had also left the area. Soon enough, the place was deserted and Minato smiled slightly.

'Even though the majority of the village hates him, at least he still has a few friends who would defend him from these bastards…' At the thought of the villagers who hated is son, his blood boiled to the point where his face was nearly red due to the anger.

That was also the minute he realized that he truly had to make it up to his son. He had missed so much of his life and now, he was going to repay whatever he needed to. However, before he could continue his search for his son, a soft growl was heard.

Minato looked down at his stomach which happened to be the source of the aforementioned growl. He sweat dropped remembering that he hadn't eaten anything at all since he woke up at his house this morning.

Shrugging, he began to trek to where he knew the Ichiraku Ramen Stand was; intent of getting some food before continuing his search. 'After all, with a full tummy, I'll be able to look for Naruto much easier.'

Beta-readers Comment: Is Minato PMS-ing? He's had a little too much mood swings in this chapter!

Star's Comment: Hey It's funny, Besides you did the rewrite.