Chapter 5: Just Some Housing Problem

Ichiraku Ramen Shop

Naruto was feeling out of place sitting in the corner most seats waiting for Sasuke surrounded by the Hokage and Team Minato and for some unknown reason each time he turns around to run he would face the front of the shop again-again like he was glued on the seat.

Hiruzen was looking forward to a meeting with Naruto because his previous attempts for talking to the kid failed. In Naruto's mind any high ranking person gets pissed off easily and making them mad usually ends with the other person's execution so he always run away each time he sees any high ranking officer. Hiruzen knows how Naruto sees him as that is a 'mean looking old man' (Kakashi heard Naruto saying this when he was three and Hiruzen tried to meet him). So when Hiruzen saw the interaction between Sasuke & Naruto in his crystal ball, he decided that he was going to force Naruto to meet up and Ichiraku Ramen Shop was the perfect place & time to interact with Naruto.

Flashback at Ichiraku Ramen Shop before Naruto arrives- Everyone was serious like they were on a 'S' class mission

Hiruzen: So the information you are providing is correct?

Obito: It is.

Rin: This could be our first & last contact with the target, so I'm going to ask how reliable is your source?

Obito: My source of information is my clan head's wife so I am not sure but I can at least confirm that the target would be arriving in this location around 1600 hours.

Rin: Target's Objective?

Obito: He is going to pick up a client and the client would have 2 persons as guards.

Kakashi: Are the guards going to be a problem (while reading 'Make Out Paradise')?

Obito: Don't worry one of the guards is my source of information but can't say about the other one.

Rin: What's his deal?

Obito: After becoming chunin he has gotten cockier. That asshole! Well you guys don't need to worry about him if he gets out of line I'll handle him.

Hiruzen: Make sure you do without making the target suspicious.

Obito: Yes Sir.

Hiruzen: Teuchi you know what to do right?

Teuchi: Don't worry he won't be able to resist, I have restock all my supplies just for this moment and I can guarantee you in the future he will return.

Hiruzen: Good and don't charge him, it's all on me today and Kakashi is there something we should keep in mind.

Kakashi: Just don't stare and bring out your natural smile not a creepy one, yes I'm talking about you Obito. Don't worry about intruders no one will disturb us and last but most important 'whatever happens do not touch him, compliment him or disrespect him'. Do any one of the 3 things mentioned then you are on his hit list so be careful.

Hiruzen: Okay we will keep that in mind.

Rin: Oh! That reminds me, Kakashi please don't corrupt the target and the client, if you do that I'll cut your balls off.

Kakashi: Yes Mam.

Hiruzen: Alright we should now leave before the target arrives to this location, Kakashi make sure he finds the path to here with least resistance as soon as he enters the shop block all the exits and make he can't leave.

Obito: Don't worry about him to leave I'll put a genjutsu around him so that he couldn't leave before the meeting.

Hiruzen: Good, now scatter.

Flashback ends

Naruto was sitting at the ramen shop for 15 minute and was so nervous and worried that he would make a mistake and be executed on the spot. Then Sasuke entered the shop giving Naruto a little relief but the only problem was he brought his mother who look scary and his big brother who was not very friendly because he tried to eat his pet. Now he was surrounded by 6 people who could have him executed with a snap and Sasuke who had 0 chance of saving him if anything goes wrong.

As Sasuke, Mikoto & Itachi entered the shop, first and foremost they greeted Lord Hokage and exchange pleasantries with him and then Sasuke began conversing with Naruto.

Sasuke: Hey Naruto, sorry for the delay.

Naruto: It's all right.

Sasuke: Meet my Mother.

Mikoto: Hello Naruto, sorry for the trouble Sasuke caused you yesterday.

Naruto: (bowing on floor) Greetings. There was no trouble with Sasuke staying with me yesterday.

Sasuke: And you met my brother this morning.

Itachi: Sup…

Naruto: (in sorry position) Sorry for the trouble I caused this morning.

Itachi: You should be. Do that again I (feeling killing intend from Obito). I mean its okay.

Mikoto: So Naruto, Sasuke told that you 2 wanted to be roommate.

Naruto: (after standing up looking at the floor) Yes I guess.

Mikoto: And your apartment needs a lot of maintenance.

Naruto: Yes.

Mikoto: I think you need a new place to live.

Naruto nodded.

Obito: (jumping between the conversation as planned) Hey big sis, if you are looking for a new apartment I can help.

Mikoto: Sure more the merrier.

Obito: So what type of apartment are you looking for?

Sasuke: Not to fancy but near academy, training grounds and the library.

Rin: (joining in) Why the library.

Sasuke: Naruto likes to visits.

Naruto is giving an awkward smile.

Rin: Hi, I am Rin, this is Obito & Kakashi and you already know Lord Hokage.

Hiruzen is giving a grandfatherly smile.

Kakashi: I am guessing that you are an orphan, so according to your budget you won't find the apartment you are looking for.

Rin: Yeah there might be something we can do right?

Hiruzen: There is a training ground which is very cheap and unused but meets the requirements you need, you guys can buy it and build yourself a house.

Naruto: But I still can't afford a training ground.

Hiruzen: Tell you what; you guys clean the training ground and the ground is yours. After that you can build yourself a house.

Sasuke: That would be very generous of you Lord Hokage.

Naruto: (bowing on the floor) Thank you Lord Hokage.

Hiruzen: Oh don't mention it.

Kakashi: Okay now the decision is finalized how about I pick you up at 7 in the morning for the cleanup job.

Naruto: (still bowing) Thank you for your kindness.

After that everyone said their goodbyes and all the adults were smiling for a job well done on the first part of their secret mission. Naruto went in last as he was captivated by ramen making it the best food he has ever tasted. And from that day he decided to stop by the ramen shop at least once a month.

The next day, Naruto was already up as usual and was waiting for Kakashi to pick him up; at 7 am Kakashi arrived at Naruto's place by knocking on the door rather than popping on the window or balcony. Seeing Naruto ready they walked in complete silence to the training ground. Hiruzen was waiting for Naruto & Sasuke to arrive as he could also use this chance to spend some quality time with them. The training ground was safe as Hiruzen had assigned some genin to clear all the wild animals so that kids would only have to clear some garbage, overgrown weeds & grass and some insect houses which were located in the part of the land where the house would be build. This training ground was located on the top of the Hokage monument 500m away from the great stone faces plus there was a waterfall nearby from which they can acquire fresh water. Everyone arrive at training ground almost the same time.

All the adults were having a secret conversation with the hand sign.

Everyone: Why is Itachi here?

Mikoto: Sorry, Fugaku send him to keep an eye on Sasuke.

Obito: So that bastard does have a heart (amused).

Hiruzen: Everyone stop this and concentrate on the objective.

Naruto & Sasuke were assigned different tasks. Sasuke was assigned to take out garbage with the help of Itachi & Obito because Naruto could not handle them both and Naruto has to cut the overgrown grass & weeds with Mikoto & Rin. While they were cleaning Hiruzen & Kakashi were watching them from afar.

Naruto was feeling like he was in heavens because he found marijuana in the form of overgrown weed. Naruto discovered that he does not need to buy marijuana anymore he could just grow it near his new house and he will have an endless supply of it. Both Mikoto & Rin were confused seeing Naruto smiling at sky asking each other what he is thinking.

While cutting the grass Naruto found a large egg and showed it to others.

Mikoto: It's a very large egg.

Rin: Which animal's do you think this egg belong to?

Hiruzen: Probably some dangerous wild animal which were cleared yesterday. What do you think Naruto?

Naruto: (Looking at everyone and pausing for 3 minute) I wonder if we could eat it.

Hiruzen: How about we find out during lunch? How does that sound (smiling)?

Naruto nodded and get back to work.

Mikoto & Rin: (in sign language) you are not serious about eating that are you?

Hiruzen: (in sign language) When the time comes just pretend it is a chicken's or an ostrich's egg.

All three of had fake smile on their faces.

All the cleaning completed till noon and it was time for lunch and Naruto was about break the egg. No one except Sasuke was looking forward to eat the egg. Naruto was about to grab the egg then just suddenly the egg started to break from inside and lizard like creature crawl out and sat on Naruto's hand.

Hiruzen: Looks like it was a crocodile's egg.

Rin: Hey do you think he sees Naruto as mommy.

Obito: Wow so cool.

Kakashi: Thank god, now we don't have to eat that.

Sasuke: Naruto do you think we can still eat it?

Naruto: Probably.

Mikoto: (lecture mode) No kids, you should not take life so easily because that animal is innocent and all innocent whether they are an animal or human should be treated kindly. Understood?

Naruto: Sorry (bowing)?

Sasuke: Come on, don't you see that animal is trying to eat Naruto's finger.

Mikoto: No he is not, he is just hungry. Promise me you will raise him properly.

Naruto & Sasuke: Okay.

Rin: So it is trying to eat the finger (confused at Mikoto's words)?

Kakashi: Hmm, both of them understand nothing she said instead they are blindly following orders given to them.

Both 5 year olds move a little far away with Itachi to search for food for the crocodile.

Obito: Sis, you do realize that you just told them to raise a wild animal 'which could eat them' as a pet.

Mikoto: I know (realizing the mistake).

Hiruzen: Don't worry they can raise it for now if it grows to be dangerous I'll handle it secretly.

After lunch they started to work on the blueprint of the house and it decided that both of their room will be one door apart and as we open the main gate there would be a hall and kitchen would be outdoors, toilet and bathroom would be separate from the house.

Now all the work left to be done was heavy lifting. So Naruto, Sasuke, Hiruzen and crocodile who is named Crox by Naruto were sitting near the river catching fish for dinner and others were busy building the house by wood which is surprisingly going very fast.

The house was completely build by 7pm which very late for moving in, so after having dinner everyone went home and Kakashi drop Naruto & Crox at his home.