Chapter 4: I am Uzumaki

Naruto pulled on the collar of his jacket, the fabric soft and still possessing that new clothing smell. It was a simple fleece with two orange and black stripes climbing along the sleeves. As for pants they were basic, just black with white stripes. It wasn't meant to be his new thing, Ino told him the clothes they bought were meant to see him through most of the year, she had something else for him when they finally graduated.

For now this had to do.

New clothes felt weird, most of his previous record either came from donations or were handed down to him by unknown parties. He has never actually walked into a store and bought himself clothes, well to be more accurate, Ino bought these clothes with his money.

It's not that he minded, he loved his new clothes. They felt good and Ino's taste wasn't half-bad she even allowed him to keep some orange in his look. It was still just something that was going to take some getting used to.

"Uzumaki, the Hokage will see you now."

He looked up from his chair, a pair of grey bespectacled eyes meeting his own.

"Thanks." He rose from his seat and approached the door.

"And Naruto, I like the shirt." The lady said with a pleasant smile. The flustered blond nodded dumbly before slinking through open door, being immediately met with the fragrance of the Hokage's tobacco.

The wizened man sat behind his desk, a thin plume of smoke surrounding his visage. Naruto always viewed the Sandaime Hokage in a different light than most, their relationship was akin to that of a grandfather and his grandson. And despite Naruto suspecting that the Hokage knew more about his origins than he let on, he didn't hate the man for lying, after all the Hokage had to make decisions that he didn't want. That's what that book told him.

"Ah, Naruto-kun, I'm glad you could make it." He greeted with that smile that never failed to make Naruto grin.

"It's been a while, Jiji." He pulled out the seat in front of the desk and sat down.

"Indeed, and already I can see how much you've grown." He wasn't just referring to the change in clothes, but rather Naruto's entire demeanor. Something felt different about him, no matter how minute it was.

"Thanks, Jiji, I've been working really hard. I have to it I want to take that hat from you."

Hiruzen let out a hearty chuckle, "Still intending to become Hokage I see."

"You bet!"

The boy's energy was contagious, Hiruzen could feel himself liven up just from how Naruto carried himself.

"And I'm sure you will." He stroked his beard, "Now Naruto I wanted to inform of you of a few things, and discuss others as well." The Hokage began.

"What is it, Jiji?"

"Well first off regarding your Chunin instructor, Mizuki."

Naruto thought back to the events that occurred a week ago. Whilst class was ongoing, an Anbu appeared and detained the white haired Chunin and took him away. Ever since he hadn't returned and rumours began to pop-up, buzzing with all manner of claims and accusations.

"It has been revealed that Mizuki has been sabotaging your grades." Naruto's eyes widened, a look of shock settling on his face.

"Shocking, yes, Mizuki intended to manipulate you until the Genin exams, hoping that you would fail. He would then approach and trick you into stealing an important scroll, and subsequently frame you."

Naruto never liked Mizuki, but even taking that into consideration he couldn't believe what the Hokage was telling him. But the more he thought about it, the more things began to make sense. Mizuki always looked at him funny, the same way that the rest of the villagers did just that he was more slick about it.

It also explained Ino's strange behaviour whenever he spoke about their written work.

"I know that's a lot to take in, but I will reassure you that we have already detained him. All your written work since Mizuki's employment will not affect your chances of becoming Genin, so do not concern yourself with that."

He could only nod his head. Truth is, Naruto was livid. All this time he had been led to believe that he was just some bumbling idiot without a worthy thought.

"Inoichi brought this up," Hiruzen said breaking Naruto out of his thoughts. The young blond blinked.

"Ino's dad?" That too was surprising.

"Yes, and your little friend is to thank as well. If it were not for her, I'm afraid this would have never come to light in time." He said.

Immediately Ino's face came to mind.

"Wow, Ino-chan?"

"Yes, you two must be close."

They were good friends, Naruto would go as far as saying she had become his best friend. Ino's friendship had come out of nowhere, she was the last person she expected to ever befriend. But here she was solving mysteries he never knew about.

"I owe her, a lot." He thought to himself, but how did he even begin to thank her back?

"Indeed. However, there is something she also brought up through her father." He perked up as the Hokage's voice rose.

"I believe you have a unique sensory ability Naruto-kun?"

"Oh yeah, that. Apparently it is, I just thought everyone could that."

The Hokage shook his head, "No, my boy, you have something special. Something that one Uzumaki Mito also had."

"Uzumaki Mito?"

"Yes, the Shodaime Hokage's wife. She possessed the same ability that you have, with it she could find anyone she wanted as far as her mind could reach. Mito herself was never privy on the details of what it was exactly, she was ever the mysterious woman."

Naruto's eyes were wide, he had the same ability as the Hokage's wife?

"Wait, did you say Uzumaki?"

Hiruzen chuckled as he rose from his seat, taking a short walk to the massive windows that gave him a view of the village.

"Yes, Uzumaki. Your clan."

Naruto's mind was blown. He had a clan? But why has he never heard of it?

"Your clan was known for its unique chakra, capable of many miracles. Not only that, but they were feared and respected for their grasp on the art of Fuinjutsu."

His clan sounded amazing, but something didn't sit right with him. The way the Hokage kept referring to them...

"You keep referring to them in the past tense..."

Hiruzen sighed, "I'm sorry my boy but your clan met an unjust fate. Despite their peace loving ways, your clan and its entire island nation were seen as a threat by Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa. The three nations combined their efforts and attacked. Few survived, and what remains of the clan is splintered, spread across the world."

Naruto was sad to hear that. His clan suffered for their talents, all because paranoia had swept through the other nations.

"Your mother was one of the few that survived." He was once again torn from his musings.

"My mother? You knew my mother?" He asked anxiously, after fourteen years he was about to get some answers.

The Hokage returned to his desk and pulled the drawer just above his lap. He rummaged through it while Naruto fidgeted from anticipation.

"Yes, you and your mother are so alike." He said, finally pulling out what looked like a card. He soon recognised it to be a Shinobi ID. He pushed it across his table for him to take.

"She had a natural affinity for causing trouble, she once managed to paint the Hokage tower a bright pink without anyone noticing." A fond smile sat on his lips, "Biwako wanted me to keep it that way too."

Naruto examined the ID, the picture was small but enough for him to make out the woman's features. She had long straight red hair and beautiful violet eyes. Her face was round in shape and smooth without a single blemish on it. He looked over to the text right next to the the name.

Uzumaki Kushina

"This...this is my mom?"

"Yes, Kushina was so excited to have you." His features softened as a solemn expression took over, "While she was pregnant with you she was so happy, she was always smiling and planning everything she was going to do once you were born."

"Did she love me?" He asked, tears beginning to pool in his eyes. His grip had tightened on the card, refusing to let go.

"More than anything in the world, my boy."

"Is...she..."

It broke his heart to him see him like this, but Hiruzen knew it was time for Naruto to know everything about himself. The incident with Mizuki showed him that hiding the truth led to more complications, complications that only served to make things worse for Naruto. Leaving him in the dark was a decision made to hastily, he had many hopes and most of them were shattered.

"Dead? I'm sorry, your mother fell during the Kyubi's attack. She protected you with all that she had."

"The Kyubi? It killed her?" He could hear the anger bubble in his throat, he was furious, understandably so too.

"Yes, but before I continue. Are you familiar with the term Jinchuriki?"

Naruto shook his head, mentally repeating the word in his mind.

"A Jinchuriki is a person bearing the responsibility of containing a Biju, such as the Kyubi. They hold the beings inside them through advance Fuinjutsu, serving as the jailer and the protector of their respective villages."

Naruto was no idiot. He could put two and two together, and right now he wasn't liking what the Hokage was insinuating. He looked at himself, but slowly it was making sense. The stares, the whispers, the harsh treatment.

"...am I...a Jinchuriki?"

The Sandaime Hokage's silence was deafening. Inside him was the very creature that killed his mother, the same beast that destroyed half the village and took so many lives in the process. Naruto felt sick, as if the skin he wore did not belong on the body he possessed. Deep down he could feel it clawing, pulling at his insides.

"I'm...a monste-"

"No! You are Uzumaki Naruto. I want you to understand me when I tell you this my boy, Jinchuriki are not the creatures they contain. Your mother was the Kyubi's previous Jinchuriki, and Mito before her."

"They were Jinchuriki too?" He used the sleeve of his fleece to wipe away the tears that he had unknowingly allowed to flow.

"Yes, as I mentioned previously, your clan possess unique chakra, this allows its clan members to be the best Jinchuriki." He saw Naruto gradually drop into a state of calm.

"If it was inside my mother...how did it get out?"

Hiruzen sighed once again, "That is a mystery my boy, we believe an unknown party was involved. The area where your mother delivered you was secure, Jinchuriki in labour are vulnerable to the seal weakening. Someone knew of this and managed to infiltrate the chamber, killing the doctors...and my wife."

"Jiji...I'm sorry."

"What has passed, has passed my boy. But I want you to know that whoever unleashed the Kyubi that night may still intend to do so. I had hoped withholding this information would somehow protect you, but those were the thoughts of a foolish old man." Hiruzen stood up from his seat and walked over to the windows, gesturing for Naruto to join him.

Naruto complied and stood shoulder to shoulder with the man he saw as a grandfather.

"I know now that trying to protect you is doing more harm to your growth than aiding you. It leaves you in the dark, easy to manipulate." He placed a hand on his shoulder, "You must be strong and wise, knowledge is power, and knowing one's self is the ultimate wisdom. You must know who you are, where you come from, and what you fight for."

Hiruzen pointed to the stone monuments, all four Hokage looking over the village they led. His finger in particular gestured over to the Yondaime Hokage, a man who led and died in his prime.

"The Yondaime Hokage would have been giving you this lecture, Namikaze Naruto."

The gears in his head turned, "Namikaze, as in...Namikaze Minato?"

"You two look a like don't you?"

Naruto felt as if he was dreaming. There was so much information to digest all at once, but here he was learning of his heritage. Never did he imagine that he would be the son of the same man he looked up to. But a question came into mind.

"But why me?"

"You wish to be Hokage right my boy? So you tell me, would you use your power to demand another child to hold the beast or would you use your own knowing he is able to hold such power and responsibility?"

Naruto mulled it over. It was a tough decision, it was easy to claim one thing over the other but in the moment he could only imagine what was going through the Hokage- his father's head.

"Being Hokage means a lot of things, but ultimately we sacrifice a lot. Our lives are dedicated to the village, we must always think of it first. Your father trusted that you'd be able to put the Kyubi's power to good use, to protect the village, foolish as its people may be."

"Use the Kyubi's power?"

"Jinchuriki have always been wanted for their power. Biju are capable of many things, Naruto, and Jinchuriki are able to access a portion of that power. In other cases some Jinchuriki achieve full control over that power."

Naruto nodded, despite the influx of information he could grasp what he was being told. His hand trailed to his stomach, the odd seal now making sense.

"But isn't it dangerous?" Naruto asked, surely such creatures of mass destruction would not be easy to work with.

"Oh it is, especially when not done right. However, from what I understand your father put precautions in place to ensure that your efforts will not result in dire consequences. However, caution must still be practiced and when the time is right I will allow you to explore this avenue of power." Hiruzen said, but he still needed to contact his student regarding Naruto's training.

"...The other villages, you said they had Jinchuriki too right?"

"Yes, there are nine Biju in total. Suna has the Ichibi, Kumo has both the Nibi and the Hachibi. Last I heard the Sanbi and Rokubi were in Kiri, while Iwa possesses the Yonbi and Gobi, and lastly Taki holds the Nanabi." Though this was all based on the last report sent to him by Jiraiya, things could have changed by now.

"I see...do all the other villages have control over their Biju?" He asked, morbidly curious.

"I can't say for sure, only Kumo has boasted that its Jinchuriki have mastered their Biju." That surprised the blond, Kumo must have been a powerful village if they could achieve that.

"Unfortunately, Kumo withholds the knowledge they have on Biju, they too understand that knowledge is power and sharing what they know would take that away from them." Hiruzen looked at Naruto, he could only hope that the boy prevailed.

"So, I can talk to the Kyubi to learn more about it?"

"I will not stop you from doing so if you can. But tread carefully, little is known about the Biju, their motives remain unclear."

Naruto nodded, eyes peering down at the villagers roaming the streets below.

"And I can't ask you to forgive the villagers, I will not, grief and hatred are powerful and easy to cloud the mind of all logic. But it is also one's personal responsibility to clear that fog, to understand that hate towards an unwilling party is foolish and unwise." Hiruzen understood their pain, but that did not excuse their treatment of Naruto. Danzo was also to blame, the man revealed Naruto's Jinchuriki status without making the people understand the difference between the beast and the person who holds it.

"I get it Jiji, I'll focus on me," Ino came to mind, he wondered how she would react if she ever found about this, "And my friends."

"That's my boy. And I know forgiving this old fool will take time, but I hope you will someday."

Naruto was upset that the Hokage didn't tell him these things earlier, yes, anyone would be angry about that. But to claim that he hated the man was absolutely false. Sure a part of him wondered how long it would have taken him to learn of these things if Ino hadn't did what she did, but at the end of the day that was not his reality. He now knew why he was hated, he knew who his parents were, he knew so much. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders, that unknowing dread no longer ate the back of his mind. Naruto now knew who he was.

"Thanks Jiji, for telling me. Now I know I'll definitely take that hat from you."

Hiruzen chuckled, also experiencing some freedom as the weight of these secrets finally left him.

"It's what I should have done earlier Naruto-kun, and I wait to see your growth into the greatest Hokage."

Something crossed his mind, "Oh yeah, I still need to learn to make a clone. You wouldn't know anything to help with that would you, Jiji?"

The elder hummed in thought before his eyes lit up with realisation.

"I might in fact." He turned to his desk and tore out a piece of paper from his journal. The man spent a few minutes scribbling something and once he was done he handed it over to Naruto.

"This is the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, it's more advanced than what you learn in the academy but I believe it will be no problem for you."

The blond's eyes sparkled with excitement, as he accepted the paper. He quickly pocketed it alongside his mother's ID.

"Now use it wisely, it's a chakra intensive technique and can quickly overwhelm its user." Naruto nodded, taking the Hokage's words to heart.

"Oh, and Naruto-kun, I must ask that you do not so openly disclose information regarding your father. He had many enemies, especially beyond the walls. As for your mother, Kushina was not one to make enemies and the relationship between her and your father wasn't known by many, you are free to speak of her." He then brought his hands together, "As for your tenant, you are free to speak of it, in my haste I completely failed to realise how accessible that information was." He cleared his throat.

Of course most of the population knew of Naruto's Jinchuriki status, it wouldn't take much convincing for an enemy shinobi to come into the village and ask the person closest to them for an answer. It really didn't protect Naruto, it just made him easy to lure.

"Right, I understand, Jiji...and do you think Ino-chan will hate me if I told her?"

"Those who truly call you their friend will see you as Uzumaki Naruto, that is all I can say my boy."

He nodded, and looked out the window one last time, eyes focusing on the Yondaime's sculpted face.

"Thanks Jiji, I should get going. Ino's probably fuming right now." He said, shuddering. At least Ino didn't hit him like Sakura did.

"Lady troubles?" He laughed, and Naruto rapidly shook his head.

"It's not like that Jiji, why does everyone keep saying that." He groaned, but Hiruzen knew better.

"In due time, do pass my greetings to the young Lady Yamanaka."

"Okay Jiji, I'll see you later."

Naruto left the office, stopping right outside the door as a shadow loomed over him. He looked up and was met with an old man whose face sported a bandage over one eye, and an x-shaped scar on his chin.

"Uzumaki." The man spoke his clan name.

He did not like this guy's vibe, and feeling his chakra gave him the creeps.

"Yeah?"

"I will have my eyes on you."

Naruto wanted to point out his lack of an additional eye, but kept his mouth shut. He simply walked away, not daring to look back but could still feel the man's stare boring into the back of his skull.

"I see you still let the boy walk freely."

Hiruzen sighed, "And I see you still fail to acknowledge him for who is."

"What I see is Konoha's greatest asset left to be squandered."

"He is Konoha's greatest asset, just not in your pessimistic viewpoint old hawk." Hiruzen replied, "And Naruto is on a path to greatness. You fail to see that because you're constantly absorbed in your own hero-complex, Danzo."

The bandaged man clicked his cane, "I want what is best for the village!"

"You want what you think is best for the village, but you lack the compassion of a leader and thus think rigidly."

"You're a fool, Hiruzen."

The Hokage reached for his pipe, "Indeed, a fool that sits on this chair while you sulk in whatever dark room you shut yourself in."

Danzo's grip tightened around his cane, he turned and left without a word leaving the aged Hokage to inhale the thick smoke of his tobacco.

'Naruto-kun, the ball is in your court my boy.'

Naruto was jogging through the village square, pushing and squeezing past the many patrons of the busy centre. It was a weekend and thus many people were out and about, both resident and tourists alike. He felt the stares, but they did not bother him, he knew now and he did not care to entertain them. They would no longer acknowledge him because he wanted them to, they would acknowledge him because of he will become.

The blond finally managed to make it across, reaching the end of the square and breaking out into the less populated road that would lead him to Yamanaka Flowers.

"Do my eyes deceive me!" He heard a loud voice call out, "Is that you my once rival!"

Naruto froze, he knew that voice. He hoped it wasn't addressing him but before he could take a step forward a green blur filled the path ahead.

"Oh heeeeey Bushy-brows." Inwardly he cursed his luck as a bowl cut haired boy stood before him.

"Naruto! You radiate with youth! You must be in good spirits!"

Naruto could only nod, he had no idea what Lee was talking about but he knew he wasn't getting out of this without agreeing to something he didn't want.

"Lee my exquisite student who is your youthful friend here?"

'Oh no, he multiplied.' He thought in horror as a man who was nearly identical to Lee showed up.

"Gai-sensei! This is Naruto! We used to be in the same class, he was my sworn rival!"

"Is that so? Well it's a pleasure to meet you, youthful Naruto-kun!" The man took up a dramatic pose, "I am Maito Gai!"

"Pleasure to meet you, Gai-sensei." It was all he could say.

"Lee you really need to stop running off like that." A female voice cut into the awkward moment, one he sort of remembered. He looked over his shoulder and saw a brown haired girl sporting a pink vest.

"Wait a minute, I know you." She said while tapping her chin recollection.

"It's the failure, one not worth remembering."

Naruto groaned and rolled his eyes, "And the stick up your ass is getting crusty." Naruto shot back at the Hyuga who had joined the group.

He definitely remembered them, Rock Lee was a decent guy, just a little too enthusiastic for his tastes. Tenten was the girl and he remembered she was a weapons fanatic, and then there was the asshole, Neji, the guy who still needed to eat a fist.

"Be mindful of your words deadlast-"

"You're one to talk, actually I think I'd prefer it if you learned how to shut up."

"Whoa, now easy young ones! That is most unyouthful speak!" Gai stepped in seeing the animosity between his student and the blond.

Deciding that she didn't like the tension, Tenten spoke up, "So what have you been up too recently, Naruto? I see you got rid of that outfit of yours."

Naruto pouted, why did everyone hate his ol' reliable?

"I'll be graduating this year, so there's that. And I work at Yamanaka Flowers."

Tenten blinked in surprise, this wasn't the Naruto she left in the academy. He actually looked like he gave a damn about doing stuff.

"What? No epic pranks?"

"Ino-chan will kill me if I tried anything like that, at least for now that is." He replied raising a few eyebrows.

"Ino-chan?"

"Oh shoot speaking off! I need to get going, or she'll definitely kill me!" Naruto said in a bit of a panic. But before he could take off, Lee called out to him.

"Wait! Naruto, before you go, do me a favour." The boy produced a scroll from only the heavens know where.

"Gai-sensei has tasked me with creating a training program for my peers. Neji refuses to help me, curse him and his hip attitude. I was hoping you would give it a try and tell me what your thoughts on it are."

"Huh, so that's why you chased him down like a rabid mad dog." Tenten commented.

"Training program?"

"Yes, it is to aid academy students and Genin alike to achieve optimal physical fitness and taijutsu aptitude." Naruto raised an eyebrow, that could actually come in handy.

"Hmm, that sounds good. I'll give it a shot." He accepted the scroll and Lee jumped in joy.

"Excellent! I will be awaiting your feedback!"

Naruto nodded before taking off with a quick thumbs-up.

Ino muttered intangible words under her breath, eyes glaring squarely at the the magazine she had been reading. Not even the latest trends could keep her annoyance in check, not even the cute green dress with a purple bow.

The bell chimed and she rolled her eyes up, only to narrow them as she saw the mop of blond hair and the naturally tanned skin.

"Where were you!?" She yelled, something Naruto didn't expect as he slowly approached the counter.

"Uh, Hokage-Jiji wanted to speak to me." Her expression softened and she sighed, shoulders slumping.

"Sorry for yelling, I was just...worried."

"Worried?" He tilted his head to the side.

'Damnit I was hoping he'd say something dumb.'

"Yeah, worried that you tripped and knocked yourself out."

Naruto's eyebrows lay flat and his lips formed a thin line, "Of course."

"Sooo, what did the Hokage want to talk about? Or is it some classified stuff?"

"Kinda, but first." Naruto circled around the counter and scooped Ino in a tight hug, much to her confusion.

"I know that I'm amazing, but what did I do this time?" She asked, patting down her skirt and looking away from her peer.

"Remember what happened with Mizuki last week?" She nodded, "Well turns out he was a massive traitor and was sabotaging my grades so that I would fail and be a pawn in his scheme to steal something from the Hokage."

"You lie." She never liked that guy in the first place, he was such a weirdo.

"All truth, and well I have you and your dad to thank. Jiji told me that you brought it up to your dad." He suddenly became bashful, "So yeah thanks. I know that's lame, but I'll make it up to you soon, I promise!"

Ino smiled rolled her eyes, "You don't have to, Naruto, I'm just glad I could help and that creep got what he deserved." They stood in silence, both staring at their own feet.

'Come on, say something you idiot.' Were their uniform thoughts.

"Oh and this," Naruto pulled out the ID from his pocket. He handed it over to Ino who took it with a curious raised brow.

"What's this?" She examined the picture. The woman in the image was undeniably beautiful.

"Who's this?"

"Go on keep reading." He said with a massive grin pushing his eyes close.

She did as she was told, eyes rolling over to the the text that accompanied the image.

"Naruto...is this?"

"That's my mom."

Ino was honestly speechless. She never had an image of Naruto's mother in mind, but she was a beauty. He could see a bit of her in Naruto, particularly his eyes, they weren't the same colour but they shared the same shape.

"Kushina..." She also had a lovely name.

"She's not around anymore...but, I'm just happy to know who she was." She saw the sad smile he wore, she could only being in his position. The thought of losing either of her parents rarely crossed her mind, but she would be devastated. It was a natural part of life, but accepting loss sounded easier than it must be.

"And I had a clan, the Uzumaki clan. Apparently they were cool." She dreaded asking the question, already anticipating the answer.

"And they're also not around, but y'know I finally know where I come from." He said, that signature Naruto smile crossing his face.

"Was your mom like the Clan head or something?"

He scratched his cheek, "I didn't ask, but maybe."

"So you're saying there's a possibility that you're Prince Uzumaki?"

Naruto groaned at the sound of the title. He didn't know how clans worked, but he hoped he wasn't some figure of royalty. But then again didn't being the Yondaime's son make him count towards that in some way?

"You know now that I think about it more, Uzumaki sounds very familiar. Where else have I heard it?" Ino asked herself, returning the ID to Naruto who carefully pocketed it.

"Might be Uzumaki Mito, the Shodaime Hokage's wife."

"Oh yeah! Senju Tsunade's grandmother! Holy shit Naruto, you could be related to the Slug Princess herself!"

Naruto's face scrunched up, "I don't think that's how that works, Ino."

"Spoilsport, but hey that's cool. Any clue on your dad?"

Naruto shook his head, "Nah." He hated lying to Ino, but he didn't want to blurt it out, not yet at least.

"I'm sure you'll find out some day, and if you don't, you can have mine since you like him so much."

"Really? I'll go get him now!" He said while feigning to leave.

"No! He's my dad! You dork!"

"In that case marry me!"

Ino's face discovered a new shade of red, the young Yamanaka heiress failing to produce words at Naruto's silly request. How could he be so brazen?

"Yeah, marry me so that he can be my father-in-law!"

"Argh! You're such a dumbass!"

"I feel like you're getting taller." Ino said in a disgruntled manner as she walked alongside him.

Naruto popped an eye open, he never really acknowledged their height difference so he wasn't sure whether that was true or not.

"Must be puberty."

"As if, you're still a brat." She would say with a huff.

"Yes, a brat that is your senior. Y'know you should be calling me Naruto-senpai."

Ino looked aghast by his words, "In your dreams, or do you want me to stroke your whiskers again?"

Naruto gulped, he forgot about that.

"What were we talking about again? Oh yeah about how Ino-chan is the most amazing person!"

A satisfied hum rolled through her throat, "Yeah, that's what I thought."

They continued to walk together in relative and comfortable silence, both enjoying the company of the other. In their trek they failed to notice a pink haired girl watching them from a distance, green eyes wide in surprise.

"Is Ino walking with...Naruto?"

Sakura couldn't help but notice Ino's strange behaviour over the past week or so. Their fights had lessened, and more often than not she found herself sitting next to Sasuke without much competition. Her blonde rival didn't even throw jabs at her in return, just what was happening with Ino? And why did it involve Naruto?

He was also acting strange lately. What used to be a boy smitten with love for her, was now reduced to the occasional greeting whenever they happened to cross paths. Naruto actually paid attention in class and would sometimes even beat her in answering Iruka-sensei's questions.

'Something's going on between those two.'

She wasn't jealous, no matter how she felt seeing them have fun and laugh around one another. There wasn't an ounce of envy in seeing their friendship. That's what Sakura would keep telling herself as she made her way home.

Ino and Naruto finally reached the Yamanaka house, lights on as usual during this time.

"What are you going to do when you get home?" She asked him, now standing on the elevated platform in front of the door.

Naruto shrugged, "Probably read a bit, I bumped into an old classmate earlier and he asked me to review his training program."

"Hm?" Ino's face seemed to glow a bit, "Dad's covering the store tomorrow, maybe we can try out the program together?"

"That sounds fun, sure! Meet here at say eight?"

"Why so early?" She asked with a frown.

"Best to start early, get a good feel for it before the weather decides it wants to blast us with heat like that one day."

She groaned, "Ugh, you're right. Fine, don't make me wait."

Their hug was longer this time, and although Ino would never tell her fellow blond, she was always excited for them.

"Now beat it l-"

"Loser? You're so predictable, Ino-chan." He flashed her a mischievous grin.

Ino stomped her foot and scowled, "Just go."

"Ooookay Ino-chan, goodnight, and don't let the bed bugs bite."

She watched his form disappear into the night. She loved that goofball, in a friendly way of course!

The weary Yamanaka entered her home, once more finding her father performing his usual ritual drinking an aspirin.

"Work again?"

"You have no idea."

"Right, dad, Naruto says thanks for talking to the Hokage about Mizuki."

"Ah, so the Hokage told him. Where is that little rascal anyway?" Inoichi was still sour that he couldn't take Naruto in as an assistant.

"He went home, we'll be training together tomorrow."

"My baby girl's becoming a woman, training with her boyfriend. Such growth." His teasing was met with a flat stare.

"Dad I swear you'll need more than an aspirin for the headache I'll give you."

Inoichi chuckled, it wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when. She was still in denial, but anyone with a functioning brain cell could see it, well except for them apparently. But Inoichi often found himself thinking that his daughter and Naruto shared a single braincell amongst themselves.

Ino had left her father in the kitchen by his lonesome, opting to had to her room to grab some stuff before she showered. As she entered her chambers her eyes noted the sheet of paper sitting on her nightstand. It belonged to Naruto, a faux exam she had given him a while ago.

She picked it up and glossed over it.

'Wow, I never noticed but Naruto has a neat hand.' the boy's handwriting was borderline beautiful, not something she'd expect from someone as rowdy as the Uzumaki.

Speaking of the Uzumaki, her mind chose this moment to replay his dumb proposal, leaving her face to redden once again.

"That idiot!"

Naruto sneezed as he walked down the gravel road. The streets were empty with a few patrons of the village still roaming this part of town. His building came into sight. He took the short flight of stairs up and as peeked over the last step he saw a peculiar sight.

An oddly coloured toad almost the size of small puppy sat in front of his door. It wore a yellow vest and sported what looked to be a bowl on its head. He cautiously approached it, hoping that it would flee upon detecting him.

"Uzumaki Naruto?" It turned its head.

"Ah!" Naruto let out a yelp of surprise.

"My name is Gamakin and my master has sent me on an errand to deliver this to you." The toad's throat swelled before it regurgitated a scroll. Naruto's face twisted into one of disgust.

"My duty is complete, I bid you farewell. Until we meet again." The toad disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving only the wet and slimey scroll behind.

"Man...this has been a weird day." He muttered as he approached the scroll and picked it up using two fingers. He shuddered feeling the slob brush against his skin.

As he entered his apartment he quickly threw the scroll onto his living room table before following suit and launching himself onto the couch. He was tired and drained, the conversation with the Hokage left a lot to dwell on, but at the end of the day he knew who his parents were, he knew what was inside him.

Naruto shifted and grabbed his mother's ID. He couldn't stop looking at it, this was hers, he kept telling himself. To be able to hold what used to belong to his mother felt liberating in some sense.

"I'll make you proud mom...you too dad."

He closed his eyes, chakra flaring all around him. He found who he was looking for, this time around she was about to enter the show.

"Close enough, I guess." He thought, his timing still needed some work.

And thus Uzumaki Naruto went to bed.

End of Chapter 4

A/N: I managed to bang out another chapter for you guys, though this one didn't have as much Ino moments, my main focus was catching Naruto up to speed with who his parents were and the Kyubi.

Now I know Hiruzen is a controversial figure amongst fic authors and is typically hated by the masses. But I didn't want Naruto to hate him, is there lingering mistrust and some frustration? Yes, but hate? No. I felt like Naruto should have known his origins earlier, keeping information about the Kyubi felt weird considering the majority of the village knew, I'm doubtful that there isn't a single person who knew and left the village, letting that information spread easily. As for his parents, he already has the Uzumaki name, is in a team with Kakashi, and ends up by Jiraiya's apprentice. At that point anyone who knew Minato would have found that way too suspicious to let it go, especially if they held some sort of grudge.

As for how Naruto handled it, I'm not the most proficient in the English language, it's my third language and I've struggled with it for the most part. There may have been things that were lost in translation while I was trying to convey his confusion and anger. If it was underwhelming I apologise! I'll do better next time!

And on the topic of Karin once more, I have started working on the fic with her and Tayuya. It has a slight Jujutsu Kaisen crossover and focuses on Naruto and his two red-headed assistants travelling the nations, exorcising cursed spirits. Karin will still be present in this fic, I don't know about keeping Tayuya alive, we'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

Also in regards to his age, yes I know the Rookie 9 are all the same age, I just like making Naruto older. And him failing twice has always been murky for me, from my understanding they said graduation but that could have been the dub I watched. I tried looking online and that seems to be the common thing, with theories surrounding what was meant such as being able to take the test when you feel you're ready. I'm just going with the headcanon of him failing two years, which is why he was in class with team 9.

Next chapter will explore some training, I don't want to dwell on pre-team selection so graduation will either be late next chapter or the chapter after that.

I'm glad you guys are enjoying the fic so far, your continued support makes writing each chapter a joy. Thank you!

Ciao!