Chapter 3

- Nanadaime! Did that giant toad just speak to me? - Kawaki asked, looking like he had just seen a ghost.

- Yes, that's Gamakichi, my summoning animal dattebayo. - Naruto answered with a calm and cheerful voice.

- I don't care if he's your brother! Since when do toads grow this big?! And it talks?! It talks! And is that a cigarette in his mouth?! – Kawaki continued to question everything around him, his voice becoming louder and louder. He knew that shinobi were capable of things that regular people could not even imagine but this was just too much. He felt as if everything he learned up until this point was wrong. His world was turning on its head.

- Hey brat don't talk like I'm not here! – The raspy voice shouted from above scarring the poor kid even more. Naruto noticed how scared Kawaki was and moved closer to him and lightly hugged him. He put his hand onto Kawaki's head and whispered.

- Everything's alright Kawaki, no need to worry. I am sorry, I should've warned you. I sometimes forget that you didn't grow up around shinobi. Yeah, to someone who has not seen things like this too often this might be startling. – Kawaki was slowly coming back to his senses. He breathed out a sigh of relief. He was still not completely sure about everything, he was still a bit confused, but he was calm. Still, he didn't hurry to move away from Nanadaime.

- Naruto, stop ignoring me! Who's the kid and where's the enemy? – The voice from above broke the silence and the peace of the moment for Kawaki but it was okay, he was ready now.

- Sorry, what enemy? – Naruto moved away from Kawaki but still had his hand on his son. Now he was the confused one in the situation.

- You haven't summoned me since becoming Hokage. I thought that you summoned me to help you in a fight. – The toad yelled getting angrier with every word. – Naruto's smile returned as the pieces finally connected in his head. In a calm voice, he explained.

- Sorry, I guess I owe both of you an explanation. Let me start over. Gamakichi, this is my son. – Kawaki wanted to correct Nanadaime at that point but refrained. I was teaching him the summoning jutsu and I summoned you as an example. So, do you want to do the honors dattebayo? – Naruto asked the orange giant with a wink.

- You couldn't have summoned any other toad for example? – The toad said in an exaggerated annoyed tone. – Alright, kid listen up. My name as you might have guessed if you have any brains is Gamakichi. I am this idiot's summoning animal.

- Hey! – Naruto yelled in an offended tone.

- I wouldn't call you names if you summoned me once or twice just to talk. But no, you only summon me when you need something. – Gamakichi explained in a sulking voice.

- I'm sorry Gamakichi. What do you say I drop by on Mount Myoboku next week dattebayo? – Naruto consoled his old friend with a cheeky smile.

- Alright. I forgive you.

- I am sorry to interrupt but what exactly is a summoning animal? – Kawaki asked finally mustering up enough courage to talk to the giant that stood above him.

- Oh, right… - Gamakichi answered with a smile on his face and a much more welcoming tone, making sure that Kawaki wasn't afraid of him. After learning who Kawaki was and that he didn't mean any offense by what he said earlier Gamakichi wanted to show that he was a friend. – A summoning animal is an animal you have a contract with. Once you sign your name in a contract with that animal you can summon it at any time to come to your aid.

- There are three big summoning animals. – Naruto picked up Gamakichi's explanation as if they had rehearsed it. – We call them the three-way deadlock. Those animals are toads, slugs, and snakes. All three of these animals all have their special place where they live. For toads, it is Mount Myoboku. Since the three-way deadlock summonings are some of the oldest summonings in the world and have contracts with many different shinobi, they don't align themselves with any village or nation. Smaller and newer summons like ninken or monkeys, usually only have a single summoner who not only has a contract with them but also is the one who found them and made the into a summoning animal. A good example of this would be Sandaime's summon. Monkey King Enma could only be summoned by the old man and was only loyal to him. He even wore the leaf headband, dattebayo.

- I think I get it. So, are all summons this big? And do they talk like you or are the toads the only ones who can talk? – Kawaki asked with a spark of curiosity in his eyes. Naruto laughed and patted him with a small tear of pride in his eye.

- No, not all of them grow this big. In toads, there are only six toads who are this big. Gamahiro, Gamaken, the chief toad Gamabunta, the great elder Gamamaru who rules the toads, Gamatatsu and Gamakichi here. Others are mostly the size of a small child. – Naruto explained with Kawaki nodding and soaking every word. – As for the talking some animals do talk but not all. I have personally only met two monkey summons but both talked. As for the three-way deadlock, every slug, toad, and snake I met could talk. Sasuke has a hawk summon alongside his snake summon but it doesn't talk. As for the ninken only some talk. Pakkun and Biscuit who is Kakashi-sensei's summons talk but Akamaru who is a ninken used by Kiba doesn't. – Kawaki listened carefully, he was silent for some time, making mental notes and trying to understand everything that Nanadaime had said. Finally, he spoke up.

- So how do you choose a summons? – At this Naruto let out a chuckle.

- You don't. Usually, a summons chooses you. For my master Jiraiya, he learned the summoning jutsu before even having contact, and when he tried to summon something he was instead teleported to Mount Myoboku and formed a contact with the toads and went on to become The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku.

- So, if a summons chooses you why do you think I should have a contract with toads? How do you determine if they have chosen me?

- How did you know I wanted you to have a toad summons?

- I may not have grown up around shinobi and might be confused by most of the things that you somehow think are normal, like talking to snakes and dogs, but I do have a brain. That giant scroll, with toads drawn all over it, is the contract, isn't it?

- Clever, aren't you?! You sure this is your kid Naruto? – Gamakichi asked through his laughter.

- You are right Kawaki. That is the contract. As for the reason, I have a question. Do you know what my full title is?

- Isn't it Nanadaime Hokage of the Konohagakure?

- Not quite. You see I am The Nanadaime Hokage of the Konohagakure, the Jinchuriki of all nine tailed beasts, the child of prophecy, the great toad sage Uzumaki Naruto dattebayo!

- I thought your master was the toad sage.

- A toad sage is the one who achieves toad sage mode and since I am a sage with a toad summons, I am the toad sage.

- And what does that have to do with me having a toad summons?

- I think being adopted by the Toad sage is enough reason to think that toads have chosen you. Don't you? So, what do you think, do you want to sign with the toads?

- Get that damned scroll over here. – Kawaki yelled enthusiastically without even a hint of hesitation.

Naruto brought the scroll over and put it in front of Kawaki. Before continuing teaching he thanked and released Gamakichi. Gamakichi said his goodbyes and made Naruto and Kawaki promise to visit Mount Myoboku next week. Naruto unrolled the scroll revealing the names of those who came before to Kawaki. Kawaki was not the most literate out of the Uzumaki children, after all the people that had brought him up until his escape didn't need him to read or write. Hinata had helped him study, but it was not easy. But despite this, he strained himself and read the names of the pure legends that were signed on the green scroll, his astonishment growing with every passing name. The "weakest" out of the people there was Sarutobi Konohamaru the strongest of Konoha's active Jonins. If Nanadaime's warning about this jutsu didn't scare him the names surely did. "Are the toads that powerful that all of them relied on their help?" with an unsure look he glanced at Nanadaime's reassuring face.

- Alright Kawaki, I know that this can be intimidating, putting your name along with the names that you have only heard in legends, but remember they were regular people just like you! To be completely honest they are the ones who would be asking themselves if they are worthy of having their name written along with yours. Kawaki, when I signed my name, I was 12! I was a weakling, who only knew 3 jutsu. Even when I became your age, I was honestly much weaker than you are now. You are an incredible shinobi with the potential to surpass even the Kage and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. – Naruto's reassuring words meant a lot to Kawaki. To hear from the man, you idolize that you could surpass legends and that he believed in you was something to take to heart for every child. But for Kawaki who hadn't heard praise for his progress ever before in his life until meeting Nanadaime, it was something that he would die before forgetting. – I am sorry, but this might hurt. You will have to cut your finger to sign your name in blood. – Naruto explained looking guilty about having to tell Kawaki to harm himself in any way. But Kawaki didn't care. He was still riding the high of Nanadaime's praise he sliced his finger with his kunai and signed his name and was reading to put his fingerprints on the page when Naruto interrupted.

- Kawaki why did you only write your name?

- What do you mean?

- Kawaki, it has to be your full name. Go on write the rest of it. What's your clan's name? – Kawaki looked confused at Nanadaime, waiting for an explanation.

- I don't have a clan. – Kawaki answered with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

- Yes, you do. You are an Uzumaki, Kawaki. Just like me, just like your brother…

- But I am not really an Uzumaki. Boruto is not really my brother. You are not really my father… – Kawaki corrected Nanadaime with the cheer from earlier disappearing in sheer moments

- And why is that?

- Because I wasn't born from an Uzumaki!

- So what? That doesn't make you any less of an Uzumaki! No matter where you came from, you are my son who I love with all my heart. Hinata, Himawari and Boruto as well. Yes, you might not have been born a part of this family, but you became a part of it as soon as you stepped into the house. It is true that we are not connected by blood but what binds us is stronger. Just as Gaara and Shinki are father and son, just as Kabuto is the father to all of the kids in his orphanage, just as the Third Raikage was the father to Killer Bee, just as Torune was a brother to Shino, we are too. I wasn't born an Uzumaki, and yet my children are Uzumakis. My wife became a part of the Uzumaki clan. What makes you so different that you think that you might be the black sheep of this household? You are a part of this family, and to remind you of that if you ever doubt it, I bought you something. – Naruto talked pledging to always treat Kawaki as his son no matter what and taking out a smaller scroll.

With a quick sign, a coat came out of the scroll with a puff of smoke. A green coat with a red inside. It was carefully folded with a little sticky note on it. It read: "From dad and mom to our precious son. Wear it with pride. PS turn it over." It was written in Hinata's handwriting and had a smiley face on it. As Kawaki turned the coat over the tears that were welling up in his eyes turned into a full-on waterfall as he saw the Uzumaki crest embroidered on the back. He couldn't help himself but lung at Nanadaime his father to hug him knocking both of them to the ground. Kawaki hugged Naruto with all the strength he had thanking him over and over both of them grinning from ear to ear. After solid 5 minutes of hugging Kawaki sat up and wiped the tears from his red face. He took off his coat and put the new one on. He stretched out his hand helping his dad from the ground. With a sigh, he grabbed the kunai and sliced his finger one more time to write his now full, name onto the scroll tears still dripping from his eyes. As he put his last fingerprint onto the parchment he sat up and looked over at Naruto. He just smiled and said:

- Thanks, dad. – At this Naruto just teared up and hugged his son one more time.

- Say, Kawaki, it is getting a bit late. I have a proposition. – Naruto addressed Kawaki with a smile that could only promise some "fun" – Why don't you try to summon a toad for about ten minutes, while I make a small fire and cook us some food. I think I have some meat and enough vegetables left in this scroll to make a hot pot for the two of us. Or… you could help your poor old man and use the firestyle jutsu to light the campfire.

- Ha, now I understand what the book meant when it called you a whisperer of shinobi! – Kawaki smiled realizing that Nanadaime hadn't forgotten that part of the test. – What if I light the fire now and practice while you cook?

- Alright then, here's the wood. – Naruto said with a delighted face, folding his finger into the "Mi" sign. – Mukotun!

- Showing off, are we? Katon! – Kawaki yelled making the biggest fireball he had made yet; he couldn't let the old man upstage him like that after that speech about the potential and being an amazing shinobi.

- Careful! You're trying to light a campfire not, fry the shinobi alliance! – Naruto joked recalling the war.

- So, I just sign the signs you did earlier, and a toad appears? – Kawaki interjected snapping Naruto out of his memories.

- Not quite. You'll need some blood first. Just bite your thumb that should be enough. Spread it on your palm then you just do the signs and slam your hand on the ground. If you have used enough chakra a toad should appear, if not either nothing or a tadpole. – Naruto explained readying the food for cooking.

- Are you speaking from experience?

- Don't get cocky, son. You know what?! As punishment for your comment, you will help me cook! – Naruto said looking even smugger than Kawaki.

As Kawaki accepted his "punishment" he walked to the fire. Naruto unsealed the vegetables and cut them up, Kawaki brought some water from the river. Naruto unsealed the meat and started skewering it. Finally, the food was cooking Naruto and Kawaki had all their fingers, and the smell was getting better and better.

- Nana…Father? – Kawaki called Naruto.

- Yeah? – Naruto answered, still not used to getting called "father" by Kawaki.

- That scroll, how does it work?

- The contract? – Asked Naruto taken aback a little by such a question.

- No. The one with food.

- Oh, that? – Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. – It is a sealing jutsu.

- Will you teach it to me?

- No. – Naruto answered quickly.

- Why? – Kawaki asked confused.

- It's simple. I can't teach you something that I don't know myself! – Naruto explained with a proud smile.

- But isn't sealing jutsu Uzumaki clan's specialty?

- Yes, but I am an oddball, I know only two sealing jutsu, but I can't really teach them to you either because they need Magnet style. – Naruto paused for a second. He didn't mind Kawaki's questioning but it was odd for him to know all this about him. Thinking about it Kawaki had mentioned some sort of book earlier. – If you want to learn that jutsu I can ask my friend, she is an expert with sealing scrolls. – Naruto continued as if nothing. – Say how did you know about Uzumaki sealing jutsu?

- I read it in a book… - Kawaki blurted out without even thinking barely stopping himself. – That meat smells delicious. – Kawaki tried to direct Naruto's attention to anything else. After all what son would want to openly admit that he was learning reading by reading every book about his father that he could get his hands on.

- It sure does. Was it the same book that called me the whisperer for shinobi? – Naruto pressured the kid a bit. Though it didn't feel like that for Kawaki. It was like he was being interrogated by Ibiki Morino himself. Not wanting for this torture to go on Kawaki broke and told the truth.

- I have been reading books about you to help me study. I picked up the first one to find out just who you were, and why everyone respected you so much, but I just couldn't put it down after the first chapter. I mean it helps me learn, plus it's insanely interesting. I mean to imagine that you fought a whole tailed beast when you were twelve! Your life is something out of this world I just couldn't get enough of reading about you. – Kawaki blurted everything out in seconds trying to get it over with as fast as possible. He flinched awaiting Naruto's answer, he expected everything, laughter, anger, but definitely not an arm around his shoulder.

- Son, - Naruto turned to the blushing kid. – If you wanted to hear stories of my life you could have just asked me to tell you them! I mean I have thousands of stories for you! Want me to tell you some while we eat? – Kawaki slowly looked back up at Naruto with a surprised look. All he could make himself do at that time was nod. And so, the long evening began. Naruto told stories for hours on end. From how he almost got expelled for painting the Hokage faces, to how he fought a giant turtle. He didn't leave anything out making sure to include his failures as well as wins. The evening turned to night in stories and night to midnight. The hot pot was empty and stomachs were full.

- …And so, I go like, Rasengan!... – Naruto spoke with his eyes closed and his robes on his head as he felt a sudden punch to his chest.

He looked down to discover Kawaki asleep, with a smile on his face. Naruto just brushed his head, picked the sleepy teen up, and laid him on the grass. He quickly made a pillow out of his robes and used Kawaki's old coat as a blanket. With a final glance at his son, Naruto just fell backward falling asleep himself. "You can wash dishes tomorrow…" was the last thing the blond Hokage managed to say before blacking out completely. And so, they slept, finally resting after a long day. Not a bother in the world. No training, no threats to deal with, no paperwork just grass and trees to surround them with a river to sing them a lullaby. No matter what tomorrow had to offer, they were ready.