Thanks for your reviews! I've gone over every single one of your reviews and I have to admit some of them are very...critical but that is to be expected with this kind of fic and I appreciate you honest opinion. After looking over all the comments it became glaringly clear that the views on this story are very much two sided, concerning Naruto's feelings towards his parents, whether he should choose to hate them or choose to forgive them. The thing is both of your views cannot be seen as incorrect since they have understandable justifications that hold truth. I have read many neglecting fics, naruto in particular, where the main character stems towards full-blown hatred or forgives way too early and easily into the story, so don't think I haven't done my homework. I know If I was in this situation in real life that I would hate my parents with a passion. I know I can't satisfy everyone with this but I'll be honest with you... I cannot write full hate fanfics, yet. It isn't in me to put someone in a bad light and make them stay there, even if it is only a fictional character, this only concerns Minato and Kushina and not Jiraiya and Tsunade though. So for those of you who say Naruto should hate his family, I agree with you there but I'm not the type to go that far so sorry for disappointing you. And if I lose you as readers? No skin off my bones. Besides the aim of this fanfiction is redemption from the worst situations. On to the story
Kakashi mentally sighed. This team was hopeless, absolutely meaningless, this wasn't even a team, just some random genin performing individually and horribly at that fact. When he was recommended by the council to Sarutobi he was excited to teach the Uchiha prodigy because they both shared something that no one else in Konoha did, the sharingan. It wasn't as if he forgot about his other students as well but he wanted to focus on grooming Sasuke into an elite shinobi and use the team as support for the Uchiha's benefit. It couldn't be called favouritism if all members of the team where included now could it? Well that was all before his sensei had showed up, prompting the postponement of the placements, he told everyone of his staged death and leaving Naruto to the trust of Jiraiya, Tsunade and the village as well, who all ended up stabbing the Namikazes in the back. Minato was really disappointed in Kakashi as well, Kushina flat out disliked him now, going so far as to call Kakashi a disgrace to the shinobi code when he chose to ignore Naruto's plite. Kakashi also voiced his disagreement to that, calling Minato and Kushina hypocrites for something like that, which he can easily admit now was a huge mistake. First off Minato and Kushina didn't leave Naruto with just some random stranger, they left him with people they considered family and even though it was a terrible thing to do to a child, especially considering a child needed parent figures to grow and mature, they left Naruto with people that they thought could qualify as parental figures in Naruto's upbringing. Kakashi could see it, Naruto, grown and trained by the two legendary Sannin, That would be every childs and parents dream and he could see why Minato and Kushina would choose not to visit until now since Naruto would be safe with Tsunade and Jiraiya, teaching him their skills and techniques, grooming him to be a legendary prodigy, telling him about his parents since the S rank secret didn't apply to them, but the two Sannin just left the kid high and dry, without a care in the world and Kakashi was only left with questions. Why did Minato and Kushina leave Naruto in the first place? Why did Jiraiya and Tsunade leave the kid as well? He already knew it couldn't be revealed to anyone of who Naruto's parents were because that would put Naruto in greater danger with people who might hate Minato taking their anger out on Naruto. So why leave him? Kakashi couldn't come up with anything. He looked at Naruto, who was tied to a pole and then looked at his genin team who had lunch ready to be eaten and decided to make his exit.
"I'll be back in a bit. You will stay there Naruto and all of you are not to feed him understood?" Kakashi asked and received nods from three heads and something that suspiciously sounded like grumbled curses from the blonde knucklehead. He made his way to some nearby trees and bushes and met with Kushina, who was using the environment to her advantage and concealing herself from the view of the genin squad, just as discussed.
"How did they do?" Kushina asked seriously as she stared at her son who was tied to a pole. She knew they did terribly, hell she watched the whole test and couldn't hide the bitter disappointment and guilt in watching Naruto just charge into battle, without a strategy or plan, and swing wild punches that would never hit the intended target. Kami she failed so miserably as a mother. Naruto didn't even seem like a ninja, just a normal boy who had to result to street fighting to cover for lack of skill set. He would get himself killed if he went on missions and that was one thing that filled her with so much dread that she had to control her stomach every time that thought crossed her mind. She couldn't understand this though. She read from reports that he beat Mizuki, a chunin, using the kage bunshin no jutsu, no other kid could do that yet, so how on earth could he be this terrible?
"In all honesty? They failed horribly," Kakashi said indifferently, he didn't really care if this team passed or failed really because the council would demand him to be put with Sasuke, whether in another team or alone, just like that he would teach the Uchiha.
"Name their weaknesses," Kushina ordered. She didn't like Kakashi at all right now, he chose to be a lazy good for nothing prick while Naruto suffered, he was trash in her book no matter what he said. She knew she was no better but she was determined to fix things at all costs with her son.
"Sakura does have book smarts but she lacks any real form of skill when it comes to jutsu, she easily fell for a simple genjutsu because she was so fixated on Sasuke to focus on the task at hand. Sasuke could be considered a prodigy when it comes to his skill set as I read in reports but he has a loner attitude, he chooses to fight battles by himself instead of relying on his teammates for help and thinking of them as nuisances instead of allies. Naruto is by far the worst student I have ever tested, he has no strategy or plan when it comes to battles, he is one track minded and that is a huge weakness, he has basically no skill set what so ever and he puts himself in danger because he is basically an open book and enemies can read his movements quite easily and kill him in the process. Naruko by far is the best member of the squad, she has a variety of skills and jutsu at her arsenal, including that little rasengan that nearly got me a number of times, she is fast and very knowledgeable in ninjutsu and taijutsu, I have to commend you for teaching her, she even figured out the true reason for the test, that it wasn't about getting the bells alone but together as a team but the other members are not listening," Kakashi surmised in honesty.
"I don't understand though. Naruto beat a chunin using kage bunshins. How could he be this terrible if he was able to do that?" Kushina asked curiously.
"I would sum up his win to sheer perseverance and dumb luck, especially considering he was the worst performer in the academy, even being labeled as the dead last," Kakashi said.
"Kami...Dead last?" Kushina asked shocked at such a thing, not only did the adults hurt her sochi but kids as well, she really wanted a punching bag council member right about now.
"He failed the academy three times and performed terribly in every class he had," Kakashi said.
"Oh sochi," Kushina breathed out. This was too much to take in, the depths of Naruto suffering never ceased to amaze and disgust her. This was not going to stand. Minato was GOING to do something about this and she knew exactly where he should start, the village council, those disgusting monsters were going to get what was coming to them and from there Minato will make this village pay for what they did to her sochi, she would make sure of that.
"It was unfortunate," Kakashi said lazily and received a glare from the mother.
"How would you rate them?" Kushina asked in irritation. He has the gall to say that and yet he did nothing? She wanted to strangle him.
"Sakura isn't genin level but she has a bit of promise. Sasuke would be low to mid genin. Naruko would be high genin to low chunin. Naruto is NOT ready to be a shinobi," Kakashi said.
"Don't run to conclusion about my son," Kushina spat, Kakashi was getting on her last nerve.
"Just my opinion Kushina-sama," Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"Right," Kushina said.
"... You do realise I really have to fail them now since they hadn't figured out the true meaning to the test," Kakashi said looking at the genin team. He was about to move when a hand landed on his chest and prevented him from doing so.
"Not yet. Give them time," Kushina said, preventing Kakashi from going anywhere.
"But Kushina-sama-"
"I said give them time and I mean it Hatake," Kushina said seriously. They had to pass. They just had to. She believed in them no matter how badly they did.
"...Okay...So since I'll be here a while longer, I was wondering if you could clear somethings for me," Kakashi said.
"And what do you want cleared?" Kushina asked.
"Why did you leave Naruto?" Kakashi got straight to the point.
"...I didn't want to at first. I wanted to take him with us so we could train him in using our styles and possibly teach him in suppressing the Kyuubi's soul but things didn't work out that way," Kushina said sadly, she would regret that decision till the day she died.
"May I ask why?" Kakashi inquired.
"If you remember correctly, there was a masked man who attacked the village and freed the Kyuubi to destroy Konoha. I was heavily fatigued from giving birth to Naruto and Naruko to stop him. The Kyuubi went on a rampage, we fought tooth and nail to protect our babies and took the worst from the Bijuu when it tried attacking our children, so Minato had no choice but to seal the Kyuubi into our children, although I refused this, He sealed the yin and yang chakra into Naruko, Naruto was given the soul of the fox. Minato survived the sealing process although he was barely alive. Minato told me that in order for the Kyuubi to be freed than you had to have both children together to extract it because the soul and chakra need to be together as one in order to exist, it didn't matter what type of the Bijuu's chakra it was. So in order to make sure that didn't happen Minato agreed with Jiraiya and Tsunade, who healed us from our fatal wounds, to look after Naruto and make sure he grew into a strong and capable shinobi while we did the same to Naruko, both children needed to be as far away as possible from each other incase that man returned and wanted the Kyuubi, we were to return to Konoha when we were sure that things were alright and safe for Naruto to see us. Jiraiya and Tsunade agreed to it and I honestly thought that they would keep to their word but imagine my utter shock when I found out my son grew up alone, abandoned, unloved and untrained. It makes a mother think on what kind of a filthy human being she is in allowing this to happen," Kushina said in self loathing. She didn't care that Kakashi heard all this, he could really keep a secret when it called for it but that didn't change her view of him.
"You shouldn't put the blame on yourself. Sometimes we all make mistakes," Kakashi said.
"No, I need to blame myself so I don't forgot what I'm trying to achieve, a connection with my entire family," Kushina said. It made her feel horrible on the inside, all the self-hatred but she would endure it until Naruto forgave her.
"What about Jiraiya and Tsunade?" Kakashi asked.
"... Let's just say I better not find them before anyone else does," Kushina said venomously, they will deserve nothing but pain for betraying Minato and her like this.
"Right... Well I guess we should watch the kids huh," Kakashi suggested.
"Fine with me," Kushina said and then looked at her genin candidates.
"Arg! Freeking ropes!" Naruto said as he struggled on the pole.
"Nii-san, stop it. You have to face the punishment," Naruko said, she didn't like it but it had to be done.
"So Naruko, I've noticed you didn't seem interested in any of those other guys in our class but you always looked my way from time to time," Sasuke said.
"Only because I had to make sure you weren't trying anything, Uchiha," Naruko spat his name in distate.
"I know you like me. I have to admit I find you attractive so how about I give you chance?" Sasuke said with confidence.
"...Teme," Naruko said then decided to ignore him altogether and focus on her brother.
"Sasuke-kun I was wondering-"
"You're ANNOYING," Sasuke emphasised the last word because it seemed like he had to keep repeating himself to the pink haired fan girl.
Sakura pouted. How the hell could he not notice her but Naruko, who looked like that stupid perverted jutsu Naruto used? It didn't make any sense.
"Nii-san stop struggling and listen, all of you," Naruko said seriously.
"What?" Naruto asked in annoyance.
"Don't you guys get it? This test wasn't about getting the bells alone. Think about it, Kakashi is a JONIN and technically we're not genin yet. It would be impossible to get the bells alone, even together which was exactly the point of the test," Naruko said.
"... I don't get it," Naruto said confusedly.
"Baka! She's saying that we were supposed to go after Kakashi together," Sakura said, she was annoyed with this idiot and she didn't appreciate been shown up on her intelligence by Naruto's female twin.
"Tch. Yeah right. You're hot but I don't think you're right," Sasuke said.
"Wow you really are a teme! I believe you Naruko!" Naruto said confidently.
"It's not just enough for you to believe it Nii-san, we all have to," Naruko said staring at the other two teammates.
"And what's in it for me if I believe you?" Sasuke asked with a smirk.
"Nothing from me that's for sure," Naruko said seriously, she can never admit a time when she disliked someone so greatly as the Uchiha.
"Than you and I can be together," Sasuke flirted.
"Teme! That's grose!" Naruto shouted in disgust as he glared at the Uchiha.
"What's it to you dobe?" Sasuke asked in annoyance.
"Listen very carefully Sasuke. I DON'T like you and I'll NEVER like you. You disgust me and I can't believe that you actually think that I would even give 'us' a chance. You're pathetic in my eyes and that notion won't change anytime soon. So you better watch yourself before I lose my patience and rip your spine, clean from your back, without any effort," Naruko said as she glared murderously at Sasuke.
"Listen here you bitch don't talk to S-"
"I believe you," Sasuke cut off Sakura's rant. He didn't care what Naruko said, he wanted her and would not stop until he got her and revived his clan. She wasn't like any other girl he ever met, she was powerful, beautiful, even if she did look like Naruto's oiroke no jutsu and that's perfect wife material in his eyes.
"Believe what exactly?" Naruko asked in confusion.
"That the test was about teamwork. I mean it would make sense if you look at it," Sasuke said.
"I believe you too," Sakura also added in but everyone knew the only reason she was doing it was because Sasuke did it.
"Good. Let's share a bit of our food with Nii-san, I can see you're pretty hungry," Naruko said as she stared at Naruto who kept his eyes on the food.
"Kakashi-sensei said we shouldn't feed him," Sakura said in worry.
"I don't care. He's hungry, we have plenty of food and we already failed the thing to begin with," Naruko said as she held a bento for Naruto to take a bite out of, which the blonde did.
"Fine," Sakura grumbled.
"Well I'll be. You daughter is truly surprising," Kakashi said from a tree he was hiding in with Kushina.
"Yes, she is," Kushina said proudly.
"Well might as well go and give them the good news," Kakashi said and schooled his face into that of mock anger before making his way to the newly formed Team 7.
Kushina was proud of them. They haven't worked out their differences yet and it's still too early to make any solid observation but at least it was a start. Naruto, his performance was horrible and that was something she would not sit idly by and leave be. He was her son and student now and she would not stand for poor performances from him, he deserved so much better and she was prepared to make sure he got everything he deserved.
Naruto flopped on his couch. He was so tired! The test really took a lot out of him and that said a lot since he knew he had more stamina than anyone else his age.
Naruko really came through, she figured out the true meaning of the test and he passed! When he told Ayame the ramen waitress didn't even waist anytime when she jumped over the counter, squealing, and glomped him to the ground, he still blushed every time he thought of that. Tomorrow he would start with his very first mission and he was so excited. What would it be? Will he be saving a princess? Will he be helping out in a battle? Will he be taking care of some important person? So many thoughts ran through his head but a knock on the door stopped him from thinking further. He was confused, ever since he was announced as the Forth's son the land lord never came around anymore, in fact the land lord said he could stay here for free. He was offered many other better apartments by other people and his parents too, when they figured out that he wasn't coming to the Namikaze estate, but he turned every one of them down, he didn't need their suck-up charity. The knocking continued and now he was suspicious of who could be behind that door.
"Who is it?" Naruto called.
"It's mommy sweetie," said Kushina on the other side.
Naruto sighed in despair, he knew he couldn't get away from her since she was his new sensei. Kami that was the only thing bad about his situation right now. He grudgingly got up from the couch and made his way to the door and opened up to see Kushina holding Narumi.
"Hello sochi," Kushina greeted warmly but didn't receive the same from her son.
"What can I do for you Kushina-sama?" Naruto asked and saw his mother flinch a bit.
"Nii-san!" Narumi screamed gleefully when she saw Naruto and stretched her little hands, trying to grab a hold of him.
"Hello Narumi," Naruto said indifferently, he didn't hate the girl but he wasn't going to act like he usually did, especially since Kushina was here.
"She wanted to see you so badly so I decided to bring her along. I really hope you don't mind," Kushina said. She had gotten rid of those horrible babysitters who let her baby run around without supervision and gotten a woman named Aki. Aki loved Narumi and Narumi loved her back, Aki made sure Narumi wouldn't run away to random places and Kushina was glad for that. Every time she asked Narumi where she would go Narumi would just say 'Nii-san' and it made Kushina wonder if Narumi spent her time away from home with Naruto but she would quickly squash the idea, she couldn't find him on many days and she doubted Narumi could.
"Whatever. What do you want?" Naruto got straight to the point, he wanted his mother gone as quick as possible.
"*Sigh* To be honest I'm not here as your mother but as your jonin sensei. Can I come in?" Kushina said seriously.
Naruto was confused but he let the woman in none the less.
"So?" Naruto prompted as they took their seats.
"I came here because I wanted to inform you of your performance today," Kushina said.
"What about it?" Naruto asked with a frown.
"Naruto... From what Kakashi has told me your performance was the worst of the team," Kushina said.
"Tch. It wasn't that bad," Naruto glared at Kushina.
"Sochi I'm not trying to demean you but something like this could end up killing you in the future," Kushina said unflinchingly.
"Well I DID train alone you know, for all my life!" Naruto said angrily. She didn't have the right to point out his faults, even if she was his sensei.
"I know... I went through records of your progress in the Ninja academy and after careful investigation it was discovered that you were sabotaged with your tests and were trained in the wrong styles of combat," Kushina said, she too was getting angry just by thinking about it.
"Tell me something I don't know," Naruto grumbled.
"After talking to Min-the Hokage it was agreed that you lacked heavily on many essential skills needed by a shinobi in order to survive on the battle field," Kushina said.
"I don't need you tell me what I don't care about. Just wait and see. I'll be Hokage and then you will all think differently," Naruto said seriously.
"That's the reason I'm here, to help you with your goal. I have special permission from the Hokage himself to give you extra training due to you lacking any proper education to begin with," Kushina said.
"I DON'T need your charity Namikaze," Naruto spat, he was getting tired of people coming to him and offering him things as a sign of their guilt and remorse, stupid villagers.
"This isn't charity Naruto. These are things you will need in order to progress in your shinobi career," Kushina said seriously.
"Well I don't need it," Naruto said stubbornly.
"I'm sorry sochi... I love you very much...but right now I am not asking you as your mother but ordering as your sensei to attend this training," Kushina said seriously and felt it was time to leave so she stood up and made her way to the door with Narumi.
"Just so you know. I will never forgive myself for what you went through," Kushina said softly than left his apartment.
Naruto just grumbled under his breath. Kushina was really clever, making time for him and her anytime she could. He didn't like this at all, especially considering both of his parents were involved in this but he was too tired to think straight so he made his way into his bedroom and decided to rest for the night.
Minato was signing the last amount of paperwork for the day. Coming back into power was okay at first but as soon as he realised what these people did to his son he started to dislike Konoha as a whole. The first day, when he announced his return, the entire village celebrated and cheered for him, but something else they said made him shocked with horror. When the crowd was cheering for him a civilian stated that they could finally get rid of the 'Kyuubi brat', it didn't take long for him to piece together who they were talking about. He was furious at them, especially when he found out about Naruto's mistreatment. How could Naruto grow up living alone? Where had Jiraiya and Tsunade gone off to? Why didn't the people he know as friends pitch in to help Naruto? Sarutobi was a good man but to allow Naruto to suffer like this didn't go well with Minato, although he couldn't be any better in that since he was never involved in Naruto's life. He felt like crap everyday knowing that he messed up so royally with his own child. He desperately wanted to have a connection with his son but right now he was sure Naruto still hated his guts. He wasn't going to give up on him though, not until he payed Naruto back fully for his negelction and suffering. Originally he didn't want Naruto to be put with Kakashi as a sensei because he didn't trust his former student anymore but the council out voted him on that, much to his chagrin. The council, bastards, the lot of them. He let them get their way with having Kakashi in Naruto's team because he was still in depression of failing his son but now that he had a clearer head he could finally implement a plan of action against these evil people. Starting tomorrow he will make sure that Konoha knows how fully they messed up. He couldn't approach Naruto yet and had agreed to let Kushina be in his team because the mother took this situation much harder then he did, she was literally a broken woman trying to fix herself and her mistakes. He knew the time would come when he had no choice but to speak to Naruto, he was sure Naruto would try to beat him up but he was fine with that, he would let Naruto vent his anger. For now he had to formulate plans on making sure he had an iron grip on Konoha.