Uzumaki Kozumu, along with three other young adults of the Uzumaki clan, stepped into the Senju Mito Memorial Orphanage. One of many orphanages in Konoha, and the only that had the distinction of being founded and supported by the wife of Konoha's first Hokage: Senju Mito, though Kozumu and his companions knew her by another name: Uzumaki Mito.
Upon seeing the three Uzmaki enter her orphanage, the matron of the facility moved to greet her guests: "My lords Uzumaki, welcome to the Senju Mito Memorial Orphanage. I am the matron here, how might I be of service to the Uzumaki Clan?"
"Greetings Matron, I am sure you are aware of Mito-sama's heritage yes?" Kozumu answered.
"Yes of course, I personally knew Lady Mito. She may have been forced to renounce her membership in your clan and join the Senju upon her marriage, but secretly she was always a proud Uzumaki."
"Good." Kozumu grinned, pleased to hear the matron's answer. "We are here today to honor her. Yoshide-sama, regent of the Uzumaki Clan, has authorized us to make a sizable financial donation to your facility, and inquire as to any immediate needs you may have."
The matron was, naturally, delighted to hear Kozumu's words and the young Uzumaki quickly passed her off to one of his clansman who had accompanied him. Said Uzumaki would handle that business while Kozumu and the others wandered around the facility.
Kozumu stepped into the backyard of the orphanage and took in his surroundings. Some 15 children were in the backyard, split into smaller groups playing. However, one child very quickly caught his eye.
A young girl was playing on her own off in a corner. She wore a pink shirt, and her brown hair was kept in two buns. She was currently yelling and pretending to punch the ground. Curious, Kozumu wandered over to further investigate.
The young girl continued to play for several minutes, oblivious to Kozumu's presence. Finally, the Uzumaki spoke: "What are you doing, little girl?"
The girl whipped around, clearly startled. At first, she seemed to be afraid, but she quickly recovered and bowed to Kozumu.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir, I didn't see you!"
"That's ok, I can be pretty sneaky when I want to be. What were you doing just now?"
"I was playing ninja, sir."
"By punching the ground?"
"I heard that Senju Tsunade-sama can make the ground blow up by punching it!" The girl's eyes light up as she explained her actions.
"So you were impersonating Lady Tsunade then?"
"Yes, she's my hero! I want to grow up to be just like her!"
Kozumu almost snickered, Tsunade's reputation preceded her. I doubt this girl would actually want to be a gambling-addicted drunkard, Kozumu thought to himself, before asking: "What's your name?"
"My name is Tenten, what's yours?"
"I am Uzumaki Kozumu. It is very nice to meet you, Tenten. Why do you want to be like Lady Tsunade?"
"Because she's the best! Everyone knows she's the most famous Kunoichi ever!"
I suppose it's to be expected, Kozumu thought, This girl doesn't even have a family name. The fact that Tsunade is so famous and well known is probably what draws Tenten to her. I must admit that after my parents died in the destruction of Uzu I felt like I had to make a name for myself, and this girl is so young that she probably doesn't even remember her parents.
"Um...excuse me, Uzumaki-san?"
Tenten's question brought Kozumu out of his thoughts: "Yes, what is it, Tenten?"
"Are you a ninja?"
"Yes"
"Would you teach me, please?" Kozumu looked at the toddler that was staring back at him with what can only be described as "puppy dog eyes," and he immediately realized he had lost.
"Sure thing." As the girl celebrated, Kozumu pulled out a scroll and unsealed a target board and three wooden Kunai.
"Now these aren't real, true kunai are far to dangerous for a beginner, but let me show you how to throw them."
Even after his fellow Uzumaki had left the orphanage, Kozumu stayed for several more hours, teaching the girl to throw kunai.
From a window looking out onto the backyard, three Uzumaki, Yoshide, Kozumu, and Takahiro, along with the matron of the orphanage, watched as young Tenten practiced throwing her wooden kunai.
"She does this at all hours of the day" the matron commented, before turning and offering a lighthearted glare towards Kozumu: "You've created a monster."
"She's driven to achieve her goals." Kozumu said, "that's why I keep coming back to help her."
"I think it's more than that." The matron responded with a knowing smile: "You've been coming to visit her twice a week for the past six months. And today you've even brought your clan's regent and an elder to observe her."
Suddenly, the matron's smile dropped. She quickly looked around, as if confirming that the four of them were alone before dropping her voice to a barely audible whisper: "If you're going to adopt her, do it soon. They've already started to notice how much she practices. I think they'll come for her before too long."
"Who are these people you speak of?" Yoshide asked.
"I don't know." The matron responded. "But it happens at all the orphanages, not just this one. Anytime a child shows some promise in the shinobi arts two people come see me. They are very cold people, and they come bearing a signed order from an official in Daimyo-sama's court to take the child with them for specialized training. I never see those children again."
Root. Yoshide thought, exchanging a knowing look with Takahiro. Danzo's organization was a poorly kept secret among high ranking members of the village, and even with other villages. Long before either Uzumaki had resided in Konoha, they had known of the existence of the organization that was also known as "The Foundation."
Pushing the thought of Root from his mind, Yoshide tapped into his sensory abilities, and focused them on the girl they were watching. "Tenten doesn't seem to have unlocked her chakra yet."
"Good, very good. That exponentially improves her chances of surviving the ritual." Takahiro said, whispering so that only Yoshide could hear him. Then, aloud, he said to the matron: "And you said she is 4?"
"She actually turns 5 tomorrow." The matron responded.
The elderly Uzumaki grinned, "Cutting it a bit close, but she should be fine."
"Yoshide-sama, Takahiro-sama, do I have your permission?"
"Our permission is not required, Kozumu." Yoshide responded, "You may be young, foolish, and headstrong, but you are undoubtedly the most promising shinobi in our clan, and I am confident in both your judgment, and the fact that you will mature into a fine member of our clan one day. Perhaps adopting this girl as your daughter will jump-start that process."
"Indeed" Takahiro added, "I believe young Tenten will make an excellent addition to the Uzumaki Clan."
"It seems that she is about a year older than Lord Naruto and my Karin." Yoshide said, placing his hand on Kozumu's shoulder. "I hope your daughter will befriend them, most of the clan's children are older, and they could use another friend around their age."
Tenten continued to practice until she grew tired, and she leaned against a tree to take a break. Shortly after she sat down, she saw Kozumu coming toward her. Quickly, she scrambled back to her feet!
"Kozumu-sensei! I'm sorry, I'm just taking a break!"
"It's ok, Tenten, I'm not mad. We've been watching you practice for the last half hour, you're getting very good with those wooden kunai!"
After the initial rush of euphoria from the praise of her 'sensei' ran through her, Tenten began to wonder just who the 'we' Kozumu had referred to was, that is until the other two Uzumaki and the Matron came out and stood a few feet away.
"Kozumu-sensei, who are those people with Matron-sama?"
"That is Uzumaki Tamahiro-sama, he is an elder of my clan. And that is Uzumaki Yoshide-sama, the regent of my clan."
"Why are they here?"
Internally, Kozumu became very nervous, it was time for the big reveal. "Well I wasn't going to just give you your birthday present without getting permission from my clan head first."
Tenten was perhaps a bit confused as to why Kozumu needed permission from his clan head to give her a present, but as with most kids the excitement in knowing she was getting a present was all she could think about.
"You got me a present sensei? What is it? Let me see! Let me see!"
The matron quickly stepped forward and handed Kozumu a clipboard. Having seen this same situation before many times, recognition quickly dawned on Tenten's face, and tears began to well up in her eyes. Still, she tried to hold it together, at least until she knew for sure.
Kozumu squatted down so that his head was close to the same level as the toddler's, before saying:
"I'd like to adopt you, Tenten-chan. That is, if you'll let me."
A river of tears now came from Tenten's eyes, but still, she managed to ask: "Will I have a kaa-san too?"
"I'm not married yet, but I'll let you in on a secret." Kozumu said, leaning into to pretend that he was telling Tenten a big secret: "There's a girl that I like, and I want to ask her on a date, but there's one thing I need to do first."
"What's that?"
"Adopt you. You're a strong girl, Tenten. I know you can achieve your dream and become the strongest kunoichi ever. But I think you're missing two things: A forever home, and a forever family. I'd like to give you those things if you'll let me."
Before he had even finished speaking, the girl had thrown herself into him, wrapping her small arms around his stomach and burying herself into his chest, as still more tears rolled down her face. Standing nearby, Yoshide, the matron, and Takahiro could just hear her squeak out: "Hai, tou-san."
Kozumu returned the hug, and the two stayed like that for several long moments, before finally breaking apart.
"Now then," Kozumu said, his own emotions showing as his voice almost cracked: "I think I just need to sign here," he signed the form on the clip board, "and I believe everything is official."
Both turned to a grinning matron, who nodded in confirmation, prompting Kozumu to turn back to Tenten, "And so it is, I'm the father of a beautiful little girl." In response, Tenten threw herself into yet another hug with her new father.
When they broke their embrace for a second time, Tenten found that the other Uzumaki had approached, and were looking at her.
"As regent of the Uzumaki Clan, I welcome you, Uzumaki Tenten!" Yoshide said, his smile prominently showing.
"Thank you, Yoshide-sama." Tenten responded, bowing deeply. She had not been in a clan before, but even she knew that you were supposed to bow to your clan head.
"Tenten, go gather your things and meet me at the front door." Kozumu said, "I just need to file this paperwork with the Matron and then we are taking you home."
"Home..." the word seemed to linger on Tenten's lips.
Finally, she looked up into her father's eyes, smiled, and responded "Hai, tou-san," before running off.