The Boy in the Park

Chapter Five

Naruko Uzumaki now liked the academy. She had disliked history just as she had disliked writing. She truly had taken a hatred of anything with the word 'theory' in it and whatnot, but that day, they had begun brawling time. Sure, it was called generally 'Physical Training' but to her? It was free-for-all brawling.

She liked it. She could hit people without repercussions.

Her Aniki was there at the park when she arrived with a slightly broken lip and a few scrapes on her cheeks —Sakura had clawed her hard rather than just fall down, and she had pulled her hair too!

Her Aniki gave her a glance, and then he frowned slightly. She fidgeted under the gaze of his red eyes, as he closed his book —this time it was one on architecture— and gestured for her to come closer.

She sat down next to him, looking as he rummaged through the inner pocket of his jacket that he always carried around. A small green bottle with a pungent smell came out, and now it was her turn to frown and whine.

"What's that, Aniki?" she pouted as he simply looked at her, and then told her to stay still. She obeyed because her Aniki never said something more than he needed to —she didn't know how he managed to make stand still, not even Iruka-sensei could!

"Did you fight against someone?" he asked her, sighing as he slowly shook his head. "You should know better."

"We had brawling lessons!" Naruko exclaimed happily. "I fought against Sakura!" she puffed her chest out, as if it was some sort of badge of pride. He stilled for just a second, before applying the cotton swab over her wounds. "Ehi, it burns!" she yelled at him, trying to move her face back.

"Stay still," he remarked. "Here," the next moment he slapped a Band-Aid near her chin, where one of the biggest scratches was. Naruko looked slightly shocked, if the fact she gingerly moved both fingers of her hand to the Band-Aid were of any indication. The 'indication' was also that she had some sort of half-demented grin on her face that didn't appear to leave her even as he resumed reading and had already handed over to her a book.

"Aniki?" she said softly from his side.

"Uh?"

"Thanks," her head then dropped against his shoulder, as she began to flip through the pages of the book using his side as her back support.

The next day, he actually received a summoning from the Hokage.

The summoning came as he was walking towards school, in the chilly morning of October Ninth. He had no idea what it was about, but he was more than actually scared shitless.

An Anbu had accosted him as he had been walking and had simply told him the Hokage wanted to speak with him. When you live in a military dictatorship, as one of the 'worker' bees…and you get summoned by the Queen…you have to worry.

Still, as he entered the Hokage tower for the first time in his life, he couldn't help but wonder what it was all about. The only thing he could think about was if he had somewhat done something wrong to some clan person —which was preposterous, because the middle school he went to was on the other side of Konoha.

It didn't take much to understand there really could be only one reason for it. As he was nearly pushed in the office of the Hokage, the last thing he expected was to be left alone face to face with the strongest shinobi in the world —that's what the book said about the 'Kami' of shinobi.

He swallowed nervously.

"Ah, so we finally meet," the Hokage smiled with a pipe in his mouth. He didn't look dangerous —not with the large white fabric and the bright red hat…but he was afraid all the same. "No need to be afraid," the man added then. "Do take a seat."

He stumbled forward, more than simply walk, and he sat down on the offered chair as if it was an anchor of safety rather than just a cheap wooden piece of furniture.

"So, you're the Aniki I keep on hearing about from Naruko-chan, right?" he made a small smile. He could probably crack his body in half in less than a second with the same finger he was lighting his pipe with —yes, he was lighting his pipe with his finger for Kami's sake!

"I suppose so?" he replied carefully, fidgeting on his seat.

"It's good that Naruko made a friend," the Sandaime spoke calmly, making a knowing nod. "Very good, I had lost hope…but I am a bit worried," he slowly took out a folder. A thick manila folder practically filled to the brim with photos and papers. "There is nothing that shows a common point," he remarked. "How did you two meet?"

He was interrogated on that?

He exhaled in relief. "I was at the park, reading." He began calmly, "Naruko asked me if I wanted to play, and I said no," he shrugged. "I think I said that I preferred reading, and then we began to read together."

"Only that?"

"Yes?" he blinked. "Was there…supposed to be something else?"

"What is your impression of her?" the Sandaime asked quietly.

"She's a loud kid," he shrugged. "Sort-of like my sister, but she's got a better head on her shoulders…" he smiled briefly, "She's also a quick learner."

"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at that. "And why would you say that?"

"I taught her how to read," he explained, "the complicated bits and whatnot. She learned fast."

"Ah, yes," the Sandaime nodded once. "I do not know if you realized it, but Naruko is easily impressionable," he began carefully. "At that age, all kids are. A wrong word or a wrong sentence, and she could easily become something different from day to night," he looked at him curiously. "Do you know about her particular circumstances?"

He frowned. "What?"

"Nothing," the Sandaime was a natural. "Maybe it is better this way. She trusts you 'Aniki'," the old shinobi made a small grin, "And I hope her trust isn't misplaced," he carefully added. "Tomorrow, would you be free for an afternoon snack at Ichiraku's?"

He frowned at the sudden change of argument. He nodded after a moment, "Sure."

"Oh," the Sandaime chuckled then, "I'm glad," he added.

"What for?" suddenly, he felt as if he had been forgetting an important piece of information.

"You also do not use honorifics when referring to myself," the Sandaime's bright smile nearly blinded him —albeit he could give the fault to his fright of the old shinobi. "Just like Naruko, it's endearing I suppose."

"Ah…ah…" he stammered out, "Hokage-sama…I…Actually…I…"

The Sandaime chuckled aloud. "You may go. Tomorrow at four, do not be late."

He nodded and hastily he was up and about, before repeatedly bowing towards the old shinobi as he left as fast as he could.

The raucous snorts of the Sandaime still echoed in his head as he hurriedly left the Hokage tower and headed towards his school —he'd be late, he just knew it.

Little did he know that being late would be the least of his problems, in the years to come.