Hey there everyone Ken here, thank you again for taking out the time to read the story as always I always appreciate being able to read reviews and overall just see everyone enjoy the story so far. This chapter in of itself is a slice of lifeish one but the action is being kicked into gear from here on out.
As always feel free to read and review and thank you again for reading.
I hope you enjoy
-Ken
{...}
Chapter 4: Once Beaten, Twice Sore
"Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
"That's what you said isn't it?"
A gray haired man looked over a tombstone, the same one he's been visiting for years without fail.
The one where his friends were buried.
However today Kakashi felt a bit more haunted than usual, it's been a month and 5 days since Naruto was banished from the Leaf. While he did believe in the boy's tenacity and determination he still couldn't help but worry about him. The world was a dangerous place especially for a ninja as young as him, yet Kakashi still let him walk away all by himself.
He really was a bad sensei, he could practically feel Minato rolling in his grave. Don't even get him started with Kushina. Kakashi shuddered at the thought before his thoughts went back to their progeny who he was supposed to be responsible for.
Could he consider Naruto a friend?
A part of him did honestly, Naruto was his student but the more they went through the more he slowly recognized the boy. He was annoying at the worst of times but at the best of times he was inspirational with an infectious energy.
A part of him also felt like he abandoned him.
"Looks like I became scum in the end anyway huh Obito?"
Kakashi lamented to himself before he heard the soft footsteps of someone approaching from behind.
The masked man sighed before he lazily turned his head, "Fancy meeting you here Yugao." Kakashi then slightly moved his head to the side, easily avoiding a thrown kunai.
His eye widened before he blinked at the sudden action, "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to talk about a different woman in front of one?" The familiar voice of one of his colleagues caused Kakashi to sigh even harder than before.
Anko Mitarashi, formally one of Kakashi's juniors and now a fully-fledged Tonketsu Jonin.
The purple haired woman approached him while he turned his attention toward her, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" Kakashi eyed the young woman who huffed.
"I'm bored, I saw you on the walk over and decided to bother you. Also, speaking of Yugao, I haven't heard from her in the past month."
Anko said while this piqued Kakashi's interest, "Some kind of long mission?" Anko shrugged her shoulders.
"She could just be dead."
Kakashi chuckled at the younger woman, "Doubt it, highly doubt it." Kakashi responded while Anko pointed a finger at him.
"Enough of that, you hungry? We're having lunch."
Kakashi's eyebrow raised at the sudden offer before he sighed, "I'm not in the mood to be a part of some bet, tell Guy that victory is his this time." Kakashi nonchalantly said before turning his back on the young woman while throwing up a peace sign.
The gray-haired man suddenly felt the back of his flak jacket collar get harshly tugged before a kunai was pointed toward his eye, "The hell are you going on about some bet? It's an invitation, asshole." Anko growled while Kakashi sweatdropped.
"There are nicer ways to ask."
Kakashi watched the younger woman groan before she gritted her teeth, the gray haired man was amused at the internal debate going on inside of Anko's head.
Honestly he didn't know much about his kohai, he knew about her curse mark, the fact that she's most definitely addicted to dango, and that she was once aiming to become a part of the Anbu Black Ops. Other than that he didn't really know anything about Anko.
Especially why she was suddenly asking him to lunch.
Unfortunately Kakashi was a curious man, his curiosity sometimes leading him into several situations both good and bad. However as the older one in the situation he had become wise and learned from his mistakes.
He wouldn't crack this time.
"...Please?"
Anko muttered in a tone Kakashi had never heard from her before in the entirety of the time he's known her, hell he didn't think anybody had heard that tone from her before. That combined with the look of shattered pride on her face was a dangerous combination indeed.
Kakashi Hatake crumbled in an instant.
"Sure."
Kakashi eye smiled at the pouting young woman who then unleashed a punch into the Jonin's shoulder. It was hard but clearly not hard enough to be a serious one, Kakashi rubbed his sore arm with a faux expression of pain on his face while Anko stomped ahead.
"Hope it was worth it!"
Anko threw her hands up before resting them behind her head continuing to walk forward, Kakashi followed behind catching up to her before he peered over his shoulder to look at the purple haired woman.
"Mind if I ask what the sudden invitation is for? If this is for something… extracurricular then I'm not necessarily against it but I'm sure there are different less complicated ways to relieve stress?"
Kakashi offered before he was sent flying to the ground, his face firmly planting against the path the pair were walking on, "Say some shit like that again and the next one kills you, it's just a simple lunch with a colleague you smut reading perv!" Anko stomped ahead while Kakashi immediately recovered back to his feet.
"Smut is a strong word for my choice of literature, it's merely adult literature."
Kakashi defended his precious series only receiving a glare in response from the younger woman, "...If you really got to know… then it's doc's orders. It's not good to be constantly alone, she said." Anko admitted while Kakashi gave the young woman another look.
He could tell she was serious.
"Doc's orders huh? Why me then? You and Kurenai are close, she probably would have been better company."
Kakashi kept his eye on her while Anko made eye contact with him, "... I need someone that can be serious with me… tell me I'm being irrational." Anko said before she turned to continue walking forward.
Kakashi gave the younger woman a look. He had never known Anko to be the type to display such emotion. Naruto made a bigger impact on this village than he could have ever imagined, Kakashi just wished he would be able to see it.
"Fine, if you want someone to be crass so badly then I hope you can put up with me."
Kakashi answered while Anko rolled her eyes at the man before she opened the doors to her usual dango spot.
{...}
It was bright once of the clearest days in the history of the village while footsteps were heard rushing along a rooftop. The figure jumped backflipping from that roof to another before dashing across that roof as well. Villagers looked toward the dashing figure while they smiled, the headband on his head shined in the morning sunlight as he jumped from roof to roof.
A foxy grin was on the blonde boy's face as he spotted his next destination.
"Good morning Naruto!"
A villager shouted from the ground before the boy jumped into the air again.
"Good morning!"
Naruto yelled before he dashed toward the new site he would be working at, the villagers cheerfully greeted the boy as he passed by them.
Naruto Uzumaki was headed off to work!
The blonde slid in front of an older gentleman who was watching a dozen more men carrying stuff around.
"Mr. Murabito! Sorry I'm late, I got a little caught up."
Naruto scratched the back of his head while the older man grinned, "I figured, better late than never. We need more mortar stat, not to mention the brick team needs help, and we could use an extra pair of hands on the office construction." Murabito said while Naruto grinned.
"Consider it done!"
Naruto cheered before he ran toward the site weaving his famous hand sign summoning multiple clones.
"Alright, I'm going to help the brick team. Naruto's group 1 you guys are on mortar duty, Naruto's group 2 you'll help the rest of the guys with constructing the office. Got it?!"
Naruto ordered while his clones gave the original a salute.
"Got it boss!"
The clones then dashed to their specific places before Naruto himself dashed toward the half-built bath house.
"It's Naruto!"
One of the construction workers called out while several clones rushed into carrying stacks of lumber into the nearly built office. "Hey Ryuchi, hey Muzan, hey Kyuusei!" The clones greeted while the other men began to accept the lumber from the hands of the clones.
"Oi Naruto!"
One of the men tossed over a hammer to one of the clones who caught it, "Thanks! Alright boys, let's get these suckers nailed down!" Naruto clone one yelled while the entirety of the construction team cheered.
Meanwhile more clones pushing a wheelbarrow filled with mortar made it to the bath where the original was setting brick.
"Thanks guys."
Naruto thanked his clones while the pair nodded before going back to their station at the pit. "Naruto, hate to ask but I need a favor." One of the construction workers asked Naruto who looked over at the large structure the men were standing in front of.
"Woah, which one of you guys made this?"
Naruto looked at the large stone brick in front of him while the other workers all aimed their glances at a black-haired younger guy.
"It's not that bad!"
The younger guy tried to convince the other to no avail, "Cut Ban a break, mistakes happen." Naruto shrugged while Ban sniffled while looking at the blonde.
"Thanks Naruto."
Ban said while Naruto pointed toward him, "Next time try not to fall asleep at the brick cutter huh?"
Naruto teased with a grin while Ban scratched the back of his head, the blonde boy moves toward the large brick before he summoned a Clone. "Little help?" Naruto asked his clones as he extended his hand toward it, the Clone nodded before moving his hands over Naruto's open palm slowly molding Chakra.
"Thanks!"
Naruto said while his clones disappeared in his palm was a small spiraling sphere of Chakra.
"Rasengan."
Naruto slowly placed the sphere against the brick, the spiraling chakra ball had no problem cutting into the stone.
The other men watched as Naruto carefully used his jutsu to cut into the brick like a tool, the blonde quickly finished the large brick turning it into a stack of multiple smaller bricks.
"There!"
Naruto wiped the sweat off of his face while the rest of the men cheered, they laid the rest of the bricks into the bath before Naruto looked at the clock on the wall.
"Crap sorry, guys I'm going to be late. I'll leave a Clone or two."
Naruto apologized while the other men shook their heads, "You're a busy guy we get it, get going you crazy kid." Ban said while Naruto nodded his head.
"I'll catch you guys later!"
Naruto waved before he dashed out of the bathhouse, he quickly stopped by the small office of Murabito.
"Hey Mr. Murabito! I've gotta dash to the river to meet with the rest of the fishermen, I'm going to leave a few clones."
Naruto watched the man give Naruto a nod, "Good work today, take your time with getting here tomorrow. I'm worried you've gotten a little too good at this stuff."
Murabito gave the boy a rare grin while nodding his head, "Gotcha! I won't be late next time!" Naruto nodded before he dashed off to his next job.
Murabito watched the boy leave huffing as the boy left, "If he keeps this up he may end up putting us out of the job." The older man said before he went back to his paperwork.
Meanwhile Tazuna was going through the paperwork at his own office almost frantically. In two weeks the mayor of the village would be returning and he still had a ton of work he had to get through.
Oddly enough Naruto was not helping with his paperwork influx, in the past month he had somehow become even more of a celebrity than he was before.
He was getting requests from all over the district for Naruto to get work done and while the blonde took the work in stride Tazuna groaned at the paperwork.
However, The older man looked at the ceiling with a grin on his face imagining Naruto working hard around the village.
That kid was safe and happy here.
So if it's for him then maybe another couple of stacks of paperwork wouldn't be too horrible.
"Good morning Father."
Tsunami greeted before she placed a plate on his desk, "Ah Tsunami, thank you for bringing up some grub. I could have come down and grabbed it." Tazuna marveled at the meal while Tsunami smiled.
"Well I was on the way anyway so I figured I might as well. It's no problem."
Tazuna grabbed his fork ready to dig into his late breakfast before he raised an eyebrow, "Right, did you need something? You said you were on the way up here anyway." Tazuna asked before another stack of paperwork was placed on his desk.
"I just wanted to drop these off."
Tsunami said the smile never left her face while her father groaned again, "I was being facetious…" the man leaned back in his chair with a stretch.
"These are actually more for reading than anything, I admit I did take a peek and thought you'd might want to see them too."
Tazuna looked at the paperwork before he started looking through the pile, his eyes slowly widening.
"Seriously?! South District has nearly been fully constructed? That job was lined up to take months!?
Tazuna exclaimed while Tsunami slowly nodded her head, "Naruto's been working really hard ever since he arrived here. Now the village is starting to love him." Tsunami said while Tazuna nodded his head.
"Yeah… they are aren't they?"
Tazuna and Tsunami sat there quietly for a moment, in the past month that Naruto has been here he's really started to grow on them. Tazuna felt like he had gained an older and just as energetic grandson while Tsunami felt like he was already family.
They both knew that this wouldn't last forever.
Somehow that felt a little sad.
"No, you're the idiot!"
A yell from downstairs broke both of the adults from their stupor before Tsunami huffed.
"I'll take care of it."
The dark haired woman's tone switched to a rare one that Tazuna flinched at the sound of, poor Inari. The older man went back to his paperwork avoiding the angry motherly aura coming from his daughter as she exited the room.
Tsunami breezed down the stairs spotting her son and another child standing at the doorway. Tsunami was rarely ever truly angry nor did the woman ever really yell but as she was human she did still become frustrated.
And she always demonstrated that frustration with a smile that could spook grown men.
"What happens to be the problem, Inari?"
Tsunami spoke in a sickly sweet tone just behind Inari causing the young boy to flinch at the sight. "M-mom!" Inari fell onto his butt while Tsunami continued to smile at him before getting shakily pointed.
"It's her fault!"
Inari quickly shifted the blame to the other individual, Tsunami slowly turned her head toward the other offending child who slightly trembled at the sight of her face.
The look quickly left her face as soon as she registered who the other individual was before her scary smile became genuine.
"Oh, good morning Haruna!"
Tsunami chirped while the girl standing outside the door looked away bashfully from the older woman.
Haruka was around the same age as Inari, possibly older, she was the daughter of the mayor currently staying with her mother in the village while her father was gone.
The young girl had cherry brown hair that had been pulled into messily made pigtails tied with ribbons.
Her light purple eyes always seemed to shine a certain color in the morning light of the Land of Waves, they also shined that way for possibly other reasons. Tsunami's eyes sparkled while she looked in between Haruna trying to look innocent while Inari pointed an accusatory finger at her.
Ah, young love~
"Good morning Ms. Tsunami, I'm here because Naruto wasn't at his house. I have a job for him today."
Haruka shook away her nervousness and spoke with a false bravado, Inari rolled his eyes at the girl.
"You just want a reason to hang around Big Bro, Naruto is way too cool for a baby like you."
Inari said, turning his nose up while Haruna narrowed her eyes at the boy, "Quiet twerp, you could never understand the way I feel. The way he gently looks at me with those ocean blue eyes." Haruna blinked dreamily into the air while Inari gagged.
Tsunami's eyes still sparkled while she looked at the pair, the typical pair of young lovers she was looking forward to their development.
In the meantime Tsunami gave Inari a light tap on the back of his head, "Be nice to girls Inari, you know what happens when you aren't." Tsunami gently earned while the boy huffed.
"That's right, listen to your mother. She is a smart and elegant woman."
Haruna said with a curtsy while Tsunami smiled, "I know who isn't." Inari grumbled, causing the brown haired girl to glare at him.
"Why you little-"
Tsunami gave the girl a gentle tap on her head as well, "Haruna, girls also have to be nice to boys as well. I'm sure Naruto only likes nice girls." Tsunami warned that quickly got Haruna to straighten up her act.
"I am a nice girl."
Haruna smiled and gracefully curtseyed before Inari huffed, "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Inari mumbled before Haruna's graceful image cracked.
"Oi Tsunami!"
A voice called out from behind where Haruna was standing at the door, the brown haired girl quickly turned around and spotted the blonde.
Naruto was covered in dirt, his t-shirt was slung over his shoulder while his pants were rolled up. Tsunami smiled at the approaching boy, he must have just got back from Michiru's farmland.
Haruna meanwhile wasted no time dashing toward her current object of affection, "Naruto! I missed you!" Haruna cooed before tackling the boy with a hug.
"What are you doing here Haruna?"
Naruto asked obliviously before patting her head with his hand, "I'm here to see you of course!" Haruna clung onto the boy tightly while Inari gagged.
"Welcome back Naruto, how was work?"
Tsunami asked her eyes still flicking between the two children, she still had her motherly intuition running on the both of them. This was an obvious case of girl crushs on the older cooler guy while the boy she actually falls for sticks close and is grossed out by her flirting attempts.
Tsunami was giving Naruto a silent thumbs up in her head for properly playing his part in their love story. The blonde boy could have sworn he saw steam come out of Tsunami's nose before he shook his head.
"The latest harvest and re-seeding at the farmlands is done, that bathhouse everyone has been raving about is almost finished, oh and I managed to catch a bunch of fish today, not as good of a haul as yesterday but it's something."
Naruto explained while he pulled himself from the grip of the girl holding onto him much to her dismay. "If you want to borrow the bath I'll have lunch ready by the time you get out." Tsunami brought Haruna inside and pushed Inari toward the kitchen, Naruto gave a quick salute.
"Yes ma'am! Thank you!"
Naruto walked toward the bath while Tsunami made sure to drag Haruna away with a little extra force.
Naruto returned from his bath in his new attire, he was wearing a short sleeved black hoodie that has the land of wave ensignia on the back with a blue hood and blue sleeves paired with navy blue cargo pants.
The boy made sure his headband was fastened before he entered the dining room where the other three were waiting.
"Welcome. Go ahead and chow down, you earned it."
"The headband still looks super cool on you bro!"
"You look really good in blue stuff too!"
Naruto smiled as the two youngest glared at each other while Tsunami chuckled at their antics.
"Don't mind me then, thanks for the food!"
Naruto dug into his meal while Inari copied the older blonde boy across the table enjoying the food with gusto.
"Gross."
Haruna turned her nose up at Inari who huffed, "Naruto's doing the same thing, it's appreciating your food." Inari stated while Haruna looked at Naruto dreamily.
"That's because Naruto is a growing young man."
Haruna swooned at the blonde wolfing down his food Inari groaned loudly while Tsunami fangirled in her head.
"So Naruto, having you been saving up properly from your jobs around the village?"
Tsunami asked with genuine curiosity while the boy stopped eating for a moment, "Yeah totally other than the occasional meal and clothes I've saved up a crap ton. I've got a lot more money now than I used to." Naruto chuckled before he scratched the back of his head.
Tsunami kept a smile on her face but felt a pang in her chest, by now he probably had enough to leave the village. She knew it wasn't fair but apart of her didn't want him to leave, unfortunately it looks like she's gotten used to Naruto being around.
"That's awesome, eventually you could buy a bigger house around here!"
Inari exclaimed while Haruna's eyes lit up at the response, she nodded her head rapidly at Inari.
"Yeah! One of the big houses next to mine!"
Haruna cheered while Naruto swallowed more rice, "Huh maybe I could huh?" Naruto laughed while Tsunami felt there was hope that potentially he would stay.
"That reminds me speaking of my house, that's the reason I came here today. Naruto Uzumaki, I have a job for you."
Haruna pointed her chopsticks at the blonde who had half of a fish stuffed in his mouth, "A Joab?" Naruto asked through his full mouth.
"Yup and that job is to escort me home today, I'll make sure you are compensated handsomely."
Haruna stately matter of fairly while both Tsunami and Inari sweat dropped, "You just want an excuse to hang around Naruto more!" Inari exclaimed while the girl frowned at him.
"Haruna, I understand that you like having Naruto around, but he's just had a busy day maybe we could try again another time."
The dark-haired mother replied gently before Naruto consumed his fish before pointing a thumb to himself.
"One escort coming right up!
Naruto cheered while the rest of the dining room gave him a look, "Naruto, are you sure?" Tsunami asked while Naruto nodded his head.
"Yeah, it'll be easy-peasy. Also, I get to kick the crap out of any perverts on the way."
Naruto bluntly stated before finishing his food, "I knew I could count on you Naruto!" Haruna cooed before Inari crossed his arms.
"Fine then I'm going to."
Inari said while Tsunami and Naruto gave the young boy a look, "What? I just don't trust lady weirdo around him." Inari said while the girl stood up pointing her chopstick at him.
"No one needs a brat like you following us around!"
Haruna yelled before Naruto clapped his hands together again appreciating his food he ate.
"Thanks for the food, it was delicious."
Naruto said while Tsunami smiled, the blonde quickly collected the dishes giving both kids a little tap on their heads with plates.
"Settle down guys, we'll all go together and it'll be great. Right?"
Naruto offered while the two younger kids nodded at him, "Okay." They both agreed peacefully before Naruto smirked. Tsunami smiled brightly at Naruto she could almost see her late husband standing where the boy currently stood.
Despite everything that's happened to this boy he stays firm and never gives up, Inari looks up to him and the village loved him already.
She silently hoped that he would learn to love the village just as much.
The younger kids got ready while Naruto himself was ready to go as well, the pair of kids waved their goodbyes before Naruto followed after them.
"Naruto."
Tsunami stopped the blond boy from walking before he gave her a peace sign.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure they're safe. Believe it."
Naruto uttered his catchphrase causing Tsunami to grin a little, "We'll be waiting for you both to get back." The dark haired woman said before Naruto nodded following the two kids.
Tsunami herself had finally started to come to a decision.
{...}
"Why are you always being all gross with big bro? You see this is why I can't trust you alone with him, you infect him with cooties."
"Will not! You're just jealous that Naruto is an amazing and handsome man while you're just a snotty kid!"
The two children bickering while Naruto was groaning in his head, he had officially came to a silent understanding with Kakashi in his head. 'I think I can understand you better now, Kakashi sensei.' Naruto thought to himself before he turned around spotting Inari flick Haruna only for Haruna to return the favor with a meaty whack to his head.
They both kind of reminded him of himself and Sakura just a little bit, Naruto suddenly paused at the thought.
Sakura…
The pink hair and green eyes immediately filled the boy's thoughts. How long had it been since he thought about Sakura? He's had a crush on that girl for as long as he can remember, all the times he confessed and was rejected.
Had he been so busy surviving and working that he hadn't even thought about the girl he loved?
Maybe that's for the best.
It's not like he would ever be able to see her again, not to mention he'll no longer be able to keep his promise to her. Thinking about it, was there even a chance that Sakura would ever love him like she loved Sasuke?
Naruto knew the answer all this time but constantly being around her made him always keep fighting for her.
Now that she's not here that means Naruto officially lost doesn't it?
He wouldn't act surprised; Naruto knew what he was. There was no way that anybody would ever love him like that. A guy could always dream, but whenever Naruto dreamed of Sakura telling him she loved him it always felt false.
"Naruto?"
A small voice asked the boy knocking him out of his stupor, "Are you ok?" Haruna asked while Naruto blinked before he saw Inari with the same concerned expression.
Naruto smirked before brushing his thumb on his chin before giving a thumbs up to the pair.
"Don't worry about me, I'm just as great as always!"
Naruto spoke confidently but Haruna and Inari were all that convinced, the brown haired girl sighed before she extended a small hand to Inari.
"Can we call a truce? If us fighting is going to cause Naruto to get upset I'd rather get along with you."
Haruna swallowed her pride while Inari looked at the girl before he took her hand and shook it.
"Agreed."
The children came to a cordial agreement while Naruto looked at the pair with surprise, they honestly had nothing to do with his sudden thoughts.
But maybe this would work out.
"Good job you two, you're both good kids. Why fight when you can be friends?"
Naruto asked while the pair looked at each other before they nodded their heads, the blonde smiled as they continued their journey. The trio eventually made it to the market where they had to cross though to get to the other side of the village.
The two kids looked around the market with awe at all the different goods being sold at the multiple stands. Haruna's eyes were caught on a particular necklace; she managed to break her gaze away from it before she kept walking alongside Inari.
This didn't go unnoticed by Naruto who suddenly had an idea, "Hey Junko." Naruto waved at one of the stand owners.
"Ah Naruto and the kids, what brings you to my stand?"
The pale purple haired woman spoke while Naruto clapped his hands together, "Would you mind keeping a quick eye on them, I'll just be a sec!" Naruto yelled before he dashed off.
"Huh? Naruto? Where are you going?!"
Haruna called after the boy who made his way into the crowd, "Don't worry about big bro, when he gets that look in his eyes he has a plan." Inari said a little too proudly while Haruna frowned toward the direction he ran toward.
"Now I can't flirt with him!"
The girl loudly whined while Inari groaned at the girl's whining, Junko smiled at the two kids beginning to bicker again. "Now you two let's-" The woman suddenly was cut off by the sound of wood being crushed and fabric being torn.
"That's my cart! Please stop this!"
A man cried before he was kicked across the face by a light brown haired man, he was skinny, pale and had a pair of black sunglasses. "Think I give a shit about your product, I'm going down the line until we get what we want."
four other men began to stomp the stand owner out while the other stand owners watched on in horror. "Quick. You two come into the stand." Junko pleaded while Inari looked at Haruna who was frozen in place, her small fist trembling by her side.
"Haruna come on, we have to wait for Naruto to get here."
Inari grabbed onto the girl's arm as she continued to watch the poor man get stomped out.
His cries of pain send a cold feeling running through her blood, an image of Naruto wiping the sweat off his forehead before giving a thumbs up filled her vision.
Haruna stomped her foot down and snatched herself out of Inari's grip, stomping toward the men.
"Leave that man alone you evil jerks!"
Haruna yelled, causing the men to turn around to stare at her.
"Wait a minute… I think this is her!"
One of the men called while the brown haired thug lifted his glasses to get a look at the trembling Haruna.
"My name is Haruna Shiozaki. I'm the daughter of the leader of the village! That means you it's my responsibility to protect these people! Now leave him alone."
Haruna growled while Inari's eyes widened watching the scared girl holding her ground against them.
"Well, I'll be damned, it really is her boys. Looks like we don't have to break into the family home after this."
The brown-haired thug said while Haruna glared at them, "Get out of here! No one here in this village has any room from thugs! You should remember what happened to the last one-" Haruna's speech was cut off by a hand smacking her across the face.
"Shut up. You're coming with us. Grab her."
The brown-haired thug said while they reached toward the girl, Inari frantically looked around from Naruto to show up and save the day.
Yet he still didn't see the boy in sight at all.
They were going to take Haruna and everyone was standing there watching it happen. Haruna meanwhile began to tear up as the hands began reaching out toward her, where was Naruto?
This was part he would swoop in and save her right?
He would beat up the bad guys and carry her home like a hero, yet no matter how long she waited she hadn't seen any blonde hair yet.
Was she really about to get taken away from her?
Was no one really coming to save her?
Please someone, anyone.
Save her.
A hand never grabbed her, only the sound of a meaty thwack filled her ears, her eyes registered the figure standing in front of her slowly.
"You gonna cry? You big ole crybaby."
Inari spoke with tears running down his face. The punch he just took made him bite his own lip causing it to bleed slightly. Haruna looked at Inari with shock as the boy stood between her and the thugs with a bloodied lip and teary eyes.
"You bullies want her, then you're going to have to go through me!"
Inari yelled through sniffles while the brown-haired man narrowed his eyes at the boy protecting Haruna.
"Seriously? Get out the way kid, I'll seriously kill ya."
The brown-haired man growled while Inari stood his ground, "No… I-I won't run. I'll protect her from you nasty jerks and I won't give up!" Inari yelled while Haruna kept her shocked look on her face.
"Fine you asked for it, you little brat."
The man winded his fist back throwing his punch at Inari who closed his eyes shut to prepare for the impact. The brown-haired thug suddenly felt a vice grip latch to his arm, the thug looked to his side.
The first thing he spotted was an icy blue.
"The hell do you think you're doing to these kids?"
Naruto growled while gripping the wrist of the would-be kidnapper whose eyes slowed widened looking at the blonde boy, "...Wait, aren't you-" The brown-haired thug was flung into the rest of the group of thugs while Naruto's glare stayed on them.
"You two, get back to the shop."
Naruto ordered while Inari quickly took the hand of Haruna leading her back to the shop while the thugs began to reorganize pulling out their weapons.
"It really is him isn't it?"
"Shut up, just kill him and we'll carry on with our task."
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the group of men standing in front of him while he tightened the headband on his head, "You jerks wanna fight? Fine!" Naruto formed the hand sign for his signature jutsu unleashing two clones.
"Make sure to bring his head back!"
One of the men yelled before they all charged toward Naruto, the blonde also obliged, charging toward them with his clones. Naruto narrowly avoided a swing from the blade of the first thug before he jumped in the air, kicking him directly in the face.
One of Naruto's clones was fending off another thug while his third was weaving around the multiple slashes from several other thugs, Naruto backflipped before he summoned another clone grabbing it by the shins before he launched it.
The flying clone made the hand sign for the Shadow Clone Jutsu as well creating four more clones that slammed into the thugs sending them rolling and flying outside of the strip of shops, the brown-haired thug got up while shaking his head before he started weaving hand signs.
"Don't let up boys!"
Naruto yelled to his remaining clones while they cheered, "Damn brat! Water Style: Jet Stream!" the brown haired thug yelled before a thin powerful stream of water shot out of his mouth toward the blonde.
Naruto looked back at the stands before he looked ahead, "Oh yeah?!" Naruto summoned more clones who jumped backward to form a barricade in front of the shop area, the blonde and his three clones following in in their rush avoided the water stream while the clones in the barricade prevented the water from hitting the shop area.
"Water Style: Aqua Shot!"
"Water Style: Liquid Hell!"
More water style jutsu were erupting from the thugs while Naruto continued to advance, one of Naruto's clones stuck it's hand out while Naruto himself started weaving chakra around the clone's palm.
The clone in front jumped above both of them creating more clones, "Naruto's Uzumaki Launcher!" The clone yelled out before it grabbed another one of the clones it made, roughly flinging it over toward the thugs.
The clone then kicked off of the feet of the last clone it made launching the clone while it backflipped landing next to Naruto and the clone now holding a Rasengan, "Mind if I get in on that action boss?!" the clone yelled while Naruto began molding chakra in it's palm as well.
The other clones meanwhile weaved through the water jutsu avoiding them before one was smacked into by one of the large bursts of water, the other slid and rolled past the thugs throwing kunai at their backs.
"Here it comes!"
Naruto yelled while his clones beside him nodded before they both crossed each other's path's unleashing their Rasengans to tear through the advancing water coming toward Naruto who kept running.
The brown hair thug deflected one of the kunai before he threw his own knife, popping the clone behind the group, "You're all alone now kid!" The brown haired thug yelled as his cohort's deflected the kunai coming toward them.
"That's where you're wrong idiot! I'm never alone!"
Naruto yelled with a grin on his face as he weaved another hand sign causing the deflected kunai to transform into four more clones that dropped down onto the men from above, the thugs tried to avoid the attacks, but the clones were unrelenting.
"Let's wrap this up!"
Naruto yelled before he weaved his hand sign again, unleashing another set of clones that appeared by his side, "Ready for impact boss!" one of the clones yelled before Naruto nodded at it.
The blonde did a front handspring before grabbing his clone's ankles spinning it before he launched it at the group of men, another clone ran over and gave Naruto a boost into the air before the blonde reached down to grab his clone pulling it up to him before he threw it over as well.
The last clone jumped into the air with Naruto grabbing his hand before the blonde spun quickly launching the clone toward the group of men as well, the launched clones joined up with the attacking ones to begin attacking the group of men as well.
They all began to attack the group of men in a tight circle keeping them trapped in the center of it while receiving blows, the clones one by one dropped to the ground kicking the thugs into the air.
"U!"
"Zu!"
"Ma!"
"Ki!"
The clones chanted while the beaten men flew into the air, Naruto spun flipping toward them before he aggressively spun in the air.
"Triple Kick Barrage!"
Naruto yelled as he slammed three different kicks into each of the men in the air slamming them back into the ground hard enough to kick up dust and form a small crater in the dirt with a few of the men twitching.
Naruto landed among his other clones who were celebrating, "Those guys were kind of weak sauce huh?", "Quit goofing around and tie them up before one of them tries something!", "It would be kind of cool to fight some strong monster ninja though." The clones bickered amongst themselves while tying up the thugs.
Naruto turned back toward the shop area with a grin on his face, "Hey, is everyone alright?" Naruto asked while the shop area broke into cheers toward the boy, the blonde boy blinked at the reception before he scratched the back of his head.
"Naruto! That was amazing! You're way stronger than you were the last time I saw you!"
"As expected of the greatest ninja ever, that's my Naruto for you!"
Inari and Haruna said while Naruto crouched to look at the pair, "I'm sorry I left you two alone, I shouldn't have been so careless." Naruto said while Inari shook his head at the blonde boy in front of him.
"Don't worry about it, I knew you would come and save the day."
Inari said while Naruto grinned before he ruffled the younger boy's hair, "You were pretty cool back there too y'know." Naruto praised with a grin while Inari flushed slightly at the praise before Haruna huffed.
"...You were maybe a tiny bit cool… Not as cool as Naruto though so don't let it get to your head!"
Haruna yelled before turning her head causing both boys to sweatdrop before Naruto looked toward Inari with a grin.
"Haruna was probably really scared… you should give this to her."
Naruto said before he brandished a necklace with a lavender colored seashell dangling from it, "That's the one she was looking at earlier… Wait, why should I give it to her? She might reject it because it's me." Inari said before Naruto gave the boy a knowing smile.
"Listen, I kind of got some advice from a dumb expert about this stuff but when a girl cries it's a guy's responsibility to be there to give her a shoulder to cry on and dry her tears. This will help her feel better, I promise."
Naruto said with a grin while secretly worrying if he butchered Jiraya's words, though knowing that pervert that might actually have been a good thing.
"You promise?"
Inari said sheepishly before Naruto smiled and gave a thumbs up to the boy, "Believe it!" Naruto encouraged while Inari took the necklace before he approached Haruna with it. He watched as the boy stumbled through saying something while the girl accepted the gift bashfully.
They slowly morphed into a younger version of himself and Sakura while they looked at each other, the blonde boy gave a sad smile knowing that it was no longer a reality. Perhaps it never would have been, but while he was here, he would protect them.
He would protect this village and its inhabitants.
"Boss!"
One of the clones flew over while Naruto raised an eyebrow at the clone, "The thugs from earlier, some guy appeared out of nowhere and just took them before he disappeared. We couldn't even see where he went." The clone reported while Naruto sighed.
"They'll turn up again sooner or later, we'll kick their asses again and take them in for real next time. Right now we have a job to finish up."
Naruto said to the clone who nodded in response before disappearing, the two younger kids looked toward Naruto who grinned.
"Let's go!"
Naruto yelled while the two younger kids obliged, walking the rest of the way to Haruna's large house stopping at the front of it just before the door, "Thank you Naruto, I knew you could do it." the brown-haired girl bowed slightly while Naruto nodded.
"Anytime you need me!"
Naruto pointed a thumb to himself while Inari huffed, "Try not to need him too much." The boy commented while instead of the usual back and forth Haruna fiddled with her necklace the boy gave to her.
"Inari… did you want to stay over and play?"
Haruna spoke quietly causing Naruto's eyes to shoot open, from the amount of time he knew the girl she was always just as loud as he was, Inari meanwhile while frozen in place before he stiffly turned toward Naruto.
"I'll tell your mom you'll be staying over."
Naruto said before he turned, "W-wait! You can't just-" Inari was cut off by a hand tugging at the boy's hat slightly.
"Have fun, I'll come and get you tomorrow."
Naruto said while Inari looked back at the eager Haruna before he looked back at the reassuring Naruto who grinned at him, the dark haired boy sighed before he turned to go back into the house with Haruna giving Naruto a little wave before the door closed.
Naruto smiled at the door before he walked toward the large gate at the front before he weaved his hand sign summoning two clones.
"Hey I need you both to keep an eye out around here. If anything happens, kick their ass and then let me know."
Naruto said while the clones gave the boy a salute before they dashed off keeping a close eye on the perimeter around the house, the blonde sighed before he walked out of the gate back onto the streets of the village.
"I think I can do at least one more job before going home, first I'll grab something to snack on."
Naruto said thinking about a stick of dango or two before a familiar purple haired woman came to mind causing the blonde to immediately shake off the thought.
"Excuse me young man, I'm sorry to interrupt but would you be able to help me?"
An older woman said while Naruto grinned, "Yeah, of course! What 's up?" Naruto asked while the older woman extended a sheet of paper toward Naruto.
"My dog Tonto has gone missing. I know he likes to explore the woods behind my home but he's never been gone this long. I'm a little worried, could you find him for me?"
The older woman asked while Naruto nodded, a snack would have to wait until later. This job should be pretty quick to take care of, "I'll get him back!" Naruto called while the older woman smiled at the blonde boy.
"Thank you."
The older woman said before Naruto began to follow her to her home.
{...}
Tsunami hung up the last of the sheets to dry in the backyard before she sighed, the dark-haired woman stretched before yawning as she turned toward the door.
That wasn't something that she used to do, usually she wouldn't even know she was tired until the last minute before she would fall asleep. Yet ever since Naruto arrived at that bridge a little over a month ago she's found herself to be more relaxed than ever.
Naruto was energetic and a bit busy but he's been helpful in watching Inari, helping her do housework, the boy was even learning how to cook from her so she wouldn't have to do as much for dinner. The boy has been nothing but a blessing since he arrived and Tsunami was nothing but grateful for the blonde boy.
She had no idea why anyone would have banished him.
He was just a kid, what could a child do that was so wrong that banishment was the solution to that problem? The thought of that situation still irked the mother to this day, the cherry on top was that Naruto always believed deep down that his village was right to do so.
A child shouldn't have to be burdened with those thoughts.
The woman stopped while pouring herself a cup of tea, there it was again. That reminder that Naruto will be going back into the world all by himself again someday soon, that young boy who wants to travel the world.
Isn't the world a dangerous place?
Statistically the Land of Fire as a whole had a mortality rate of 24% in just murder during travel itself, not to mention it could be way worse in the other lands that the blonde could find himself traveling to in his journey.
Tsunami knew that Naruto was strong, really strong but there were some ninja out there that were way stronger than even him.
Would he be safe out there?
"Tsunami?"
Tazana asked, emerging from the dining room spooking the younger woman who jumped at the sound of her father's voice.
"Father, please don't sneak up on me…. You know I'm bad at sensing people's presences."
Tsunami said while Tazana raised an eyebrow, "You looked like you were deep in thought about something, is everything alright?" the older man asked while Tsunami took a breath.
"Shall we discuss it over tea?"
Tsunami said gently while Tazana nodded his head before the father-daughter pair found themselves sitting in the living room of the house at the small table in the middle, Tsunami took a long sip of her tea before she spoke.
"It's about Naruto."
Tsunami said while Tazana chuckled, "Right? That kid is making a killing out there! I hate the paperwork, but the village loves this kid. I'm getting requests left and right for this guy, not to mention how much he's helped the village grow in a month." Tazuna gushed about Naruto in a way the man would when the boy was nowhere in sight.
"He's leaving soon."
Tsunami said causing the man to nearly choke on his tea, "Huh? Did he tell you when?" Tazuna asked while Tsunami shook her head.
"No, but I can feel it. Naruto's going to leave this village and go out into the big bad world all alone, he said he was going to travel remember?"
Tsunami said while Tazuna sighed, "I'm going to miss having that kid around but shouldn't we believe in him? If he's going to travel, then I have faith in him." Tazuna said while Tsunami gave her father a quick look.
"All alone? He's no longer a part of any village meaning if something happens to him then he'll…"
Tsunami trailed off while Tazuna reached a hand over the table, "Look I'll admit it, I don't really want Naruto to leave either. He's a good kid and a breath of fresh air but he's also a capable ninja. We shouldn't be hindering him." Tazuna said while Tsunami tried to ignore her father's fair point.
"It's just since my husband Inari hasn't had someone that he could properly look up to, no offense to you father but Naruto is a good role model for him. Not to mention he'll be homeless out there just some drifting vagabond."
Tsunami explained while Tazuna went to speak but was cut off by the sound of the door opening revealing a blonde teen walking in.
"Oi Tsunami, Tazuna where are you guys?"
The teen called while Tsunami leaned back to see him, "We're in the living room." Tsunami spoke calmly while the blonde walked into the room.
"Hey there kid."
Tazuna greeted while the blonde waved, "I don't got a lotta time since I'm a clone and all but the boss is working on another job and won't be back 'till later. Also Inari is staying the night over at Haruna's but don't worry other clones are on the case!" the clone stated while Tazuna grinned before giving the boy a thumbs up.
"Thank you, make sure to tell Naruto to do his best."
Tazuna said while the clone nodded, "Yes sir!" the clone saluted before it left out the front door, closing it before it disappeared. The older man grinned at the door before he turned toward his daughter at the other side of the table.
"Now as I was saying… Tsunami?"
Tazuna looked at his daughter who looked like she was frozen on the spot before her eyes flicked toward the kitchen before she quickly got up from her seat dashing into the kitchen leaving Tazuna confused at the table.
The woman quickly returned with a tall bottle and two small glasses, Tsunami wasted no time opening the bottle and filling her glass. She gave the glass a small tap on the table before she knocked it back, drinking it down in one go before sighing.
Tazuna looked at his daughter with a horrified expression on his face while she plopped back down to the ground, a flush starting to appear on her face,"...Wait! Tsunami, you don't drink! I've never seen you have a sip in your entire life!" the older man yelled out in shock while the woman was filling up his glass with sake.
"S-sorry, but this is a special occasion so drink up."
Tsunami tried to maintain her calm demeanor but hiccupped at the end of her sentence, turns out there was a lot about his daughter he didn't know. Tazuna took a sip from his glass while Tsunami hiccupped again.
"I'm going to do it."
Tsunami said while Tazuna gave his daughter a nervous look, "Do what?" the older man asked while she pointed at him drunkenly.
"I'm going to ask Naruto to stay here in the village. That way he always has a home."
Tsunami said while Tazuna's eyes widened at his daughter's words, "Wait Tsunami that's- slow down!" Tazuna said while Tsunami took another drink of sake before she nodded her head, her hair swaying at the movement.
"He's an orphan right? According to the legal system since he's no longer a leaf shinobi he should just be recognized as a normal kid instead of ninja meaning that I can adopt him. That's what I'll do, I'm going to adopt Naruto and give him a home. A place where he doesn't have to be thrown away like garbage."
Tsunami ranted while Tazuna looked down at his glass while the red-faced woman hiccupped again before she took another sip from her glass that she poured herself.
"I never imagined that having him around would make me so happy, at first I was more than happy to repay a favor but that boy he's so good and so sweet. Yet he's running around homeless and alone because his village thought he was worthless."
"Screw them, I'll take care of him. I'll make sure he's never abandoned ever again."
Tsunami slurred while her eyes watered slightly. Meanwhile Tazuna kept his eyes on his glass, he had never really thought about it like that. Naruto was left to his own devices in a world filled with dangerous people, yet he always kept a good attitude.
Has he been suffering through this kind of stuff for so long that he's gotten used to it?
If they leave him alone out there, would he stay used to it?
Tazuna finished his glass before he looked at his daughter, "You're right… but it needs to be his choice." Tazuna commented while Tsunami nodded her head before she raised both of her fists into the air and took a breath.
"Alright! Now drink up father, I need plenty of liquid courage."
Tsunami yelled while Tazuna sweat dropped at his daughter, "At this rate you'll just fall asleep." Tazuna said while the dark-haired woman looked at him before she pouted, shaking her head rapidly at the man who chuckled.
The pair enjoyed a couple of drinks together with Tazuna reveling in seeing his normally composed daughter letting loose, the only thing that interrupted them was the sound of the door being knocked on.
"That'shim!"
Tsunami's words fused together in a slur while Tazuna chuckled at his daughter standing up from her seat and stumbling toward the door, he was sure that Naruto would make the choice that would be the best for him.
…Now that he thought about it.
Since when did Naruto knock?
{...}
Naruto was walking toward the Tazuna family residence with multiple bags in his hands filled with food ingredients for dinner. His plan was to eat over here and go back home to rest for the rest of the day.
Even he didn't expect that it would take six hours to find that damn dog.
He half expected the dog to not even exist three hours in but he eventually found the poor thing tied up in some old trap rope deep in the woods, which now that he thought about it was odd since it wasn't hunting season until next month.
However, the blonde didn't fret about it too much, he was just focused on what Tsunami was going to teach him how to make next, the boy looked at the door noticing a slight tear in the paper material that it was made up of.
The boy raised an eyebrow before he swung the door open before he saw it, the inside of the house was torn apart. It looked like a small war was waged inside of the house, Naruto immediately dashed into the living room where he found Tazuna under the shreds of the table.
"Tazuna!'
Naruto yelled as he pulled the beaten old man out of the mess on the ground before the older man coughed, "...Naruto." Tazuna said weakly while the blue eyed boy nodded his head.
"Yeah, it's me. What happened? Who did this to you?"
Naruto spoke with a growl while Tazuna shed a tear while being held in Naruto's arms, "They took her…" The older man said while Naruto paused at the words before Tazuna spoke again while pointing at the door.
"They took Tsunami."
