I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.
I OWN ALL THE OCs in this story.
This work is my own work and cannot be published by someone else without my consent.
CHAPTER 3
THE MEETING
"Greetings, Hokage-sama"
Hiruzen quickly composed himself and gave the boy a calming smile, "Hello, young man."
Naruto couldn't help but feel intimidated by the fact that he was standing in front of THE PROFESSOR who is currently the undisputed strongest shinobi alive, even with the gentle smile on his face, Naruto knew that the Sandaime could erase his existence with a mere twitch of his finger.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I am a survivor of the invasion of Uzushio last week. I have come here make a request."
'Just like I thought.'
Though he wouldn't say it, Hiruzen was highly impressed by the manners young Naruto was showing, he was just so not-Kushina.
"You have my deepest condolences for the loss of your clan. They truly were great people who wanted nothing but peace. I am extremely delighted that you have survived the invasion."
Naruto remained impassive but inside he was glad that his clan is still highly valued among their comrades.
"Although there is something you must know. You are currently the only recorded Uzumaki to have survived the invasion. Others may have escaped too but you are the only one to have reported to Konoha."
Naruto's eyes widened as his heart broke a little. He was sure that if any shinobi had survived, they would come to Konoha, but it seems that they all had died. He never expected any civilian survivors to come here since they could be targeted and would instead live in secrecy. He quickly ushered his tears back as the professor continued.
"I believe that you came here to make a request."
Naruto quickly steeled himself as he replied, "Hai, Hokage-sama, I would like to be granted refuge in the village. I also wish to join the academy and the Konoha shinobi corps when I graduate."
Hiruzen was again impressed by the young boy. He would have expected a scared little kid who would come to Konoha to seek comfort and would need to be rehabilitated, but he seemed like someone who has his life and goals clear in front of him.
Plus, he wouldn't mind another Uzumaki powerhouse within the village, but there was something he wanted to test in the boy, so he gave Naruto a blank face and said, "And why should I let you take refuge in the village?". Hiruzen knew that Kushina would likely attempt to castrate him for this but he wanted to see if he could instill the will of fire in the kid.
If Naruto was surprised, he didn't show it, maintaining his impassive expression, another thing Hiruzen was impressed with. But on the inside, Naruto's thoughts were going to overdrive, 'I didn't expect this! Surely Konoha should accept its allies, I can mention that its my right as an Uzumaki, but I don't want to come as spoiled or entitled. If I mention my revenge then I am sure they won't let me proceed.' So Naruto decided to go with the next best reason.
"I have already lost my family, my clan and my village and I was too weak to protect them. But, I have not lost everything, as per my knowledge, there's an Uzumaki in Konoha and I have already made a little sister in Konoha. This time, I want to be strong and powerful to protect them, I want to cherish them and make them happy, I believe Konoha is the perfect opportunity and place for that. That is why I want, no, I need refuge in this village."
'And this will also be the perfect place to plot my revenge, though he doesn't need to know it.' he added as afterthought.
Hiruzen's face gained a proud smile as he watched the Uzumaki youngster speak so passionately, it reminded him so much of Kushina and Lady Mito that he was sure that Naruto truly was an Uzumaki.
'I cannot instill the will of fire in this kid…. he already has it in heaps.'
"You are right, my boy, there is an Uzumaki in this village, her name is Uzumaki Kushina. She has been devastated since the loss of her clan, and she will be extremely happy to see you."
Naruto's eyes widened, "Does that mean I…"
"Yes, but first we need to confirm your Uzumaki heritage, now I have no doubt about it, but as a shinobi, I can never be too cautious, follow Bear as he will take you to get your blood tested, after verification, you will be given a form to fill up, and then you will return here, is that understood?"
Naruto straightened up and said, "Hai! Hokage-sama"
Hiruzen nodded as an ANBU wearing a bear mask appeared and shunshin'ed with Naruto in tow. However, he didn't notice an ANBU with a blank mask and a 'ne' insignia getting away after spying on the whole conversation.
—X—X—X—
"Hmm, an Uzumaki survivor you say.."
"Hai, Danzo-sama, his blood test confirmed him to be a pure-blooded Uzumaki, our sensors have detected that his chakra is indeed dense and potent." a lone shadow whispered to its master.
"It doesn't matter, since he there are only two Uzumakis in the village, Hiruzen will keep a close eye on them, he might approve of my organization but he won't like me taking away his projects, he must have also sensed the boy's chakra…."
Danzo continued, "Leave the boy alone for now, I will contact him after he graduates and becomes a Chunin."
"Understood, Danzo-sama" the shadow said as he immediately disappeared to continue his duty of supporting the roots of a great tree.
—X—X—X—
"There never was any doubt. UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
Naruto immediately stood in attention at that, already knowing what The Professor was going to speak.
"By the order of the Hokage of Konohagakure no sato, you are now officially a civilian of the village, your name has been enrolled in the academy and you will continue your shinobi training with peers your own age."
Naruto smiled at that, the first part of his grand scheme has succeeded, future again looked bright for Naruto as he couldn't wait to face future challenges head on, and probably kill some Kumo, Iwa or Kiri shinobi on the way…
Yeah, he didn't mind that at all.
"Luckily, Kushina is in the same age group as you and she will guide you through the academy. The Uzumaki clan had some funds in Konoha, which you will be given access to once you make Chunin and Kushina takes the place of clan head, by the wishes of Lady Mito."
"I have no problem with Kushina being clan head, as I am not suited for politics."
The Hokage nodded at the mature way Naruto spoke and handed him a pair of keys. "These are the keys to your apartment. Its right beside Kushina's apartment. The Uzumaki clan does not have a compound in Konoha, so you two are under the Orphan Shinobi Program. Even with aid of your clan funds, that's the best we can provide you with."
Naruto frowned but quickly took the keys. After a respectful bow to the leader of the village, he left the Hokage tower and started searching for the address of his new accommodation.
—X—X—X—
Uzumaki Kushina was not in the best mood these days. She was constantly bullied in school, she would stand up for herself and beat the crap out of her bullies, but it hurt her every time when her classmates refused to acknowledge an outsider as their comrade.
But losing her clan was the final straw for her. She was now an orphan, her clan wiped out, and the pride of her clan, her red hair, was ostracized and ridiculed in Konoha. The Hokage let her take a break for a couple of days but its been a week already.
The only comfort she has was the salt ramen that she consumed 3 times a day, everyday now, just stress eating 'ttebane.
In her current condition, Kushina knew that her chances of going back to the academy were as low as the chance of that blonde sissy becoming the Hokage. By the way, what was wrong with that Minato kid, he never bullied her nor did he make fun of her, something she was grateful for. But he never stood up for her either, he was just content observing her in her misery.
No, scratch that, she is plenty strong herself, she doesn't need anyone standing up for her, even the blondie, though the though of someone standing up for her made her feel warm in the chest…
Knock-knock…
She was broken out from her musings by hearing that someone was on her door. Kushina was pretty sure that it was her classmate Mikoto. She was the closest thing she had to a friend, she sometimes tried to stand up for Kushina but couldn't do much against the bullies.
"Go away, Mikoto, I am not in the mood."
Knock-knock
Kushina was starting to get annoyed, she took a deep breath and said in a loud voice, "I said go away! I am not going back to the academy, 'ttebane."
Knock-knock
That was the final straw, Kushina's red hair started floating in the air like nine tail-like appendages as she went to the door, ready to pummel Mikoto to oblivion.
She slammed the door open and yelled, "MIKOTO, DON'T YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND that i-I…"
She went silent as she stared at the most surprising thing in her ramen-blessed life…
—X—X—X—
Naruto finally reached the apartment complex, and safe to say, he was not impressed.
The apartment complex was pathetic in condition. The windows were rusty, the walls cracked and dirty, the spiders had their own hidden village in the corners, and the stairs creaked like they were going to give out any moment when he walked on them.
It was nothing compared to the orphan accommodations in Uzushio. There, every apartment was well maintained and every child would be personally counseled to make sure they were content with what they were provided. To think that the Uzumaki heiress lived in such conditions made his blood boil. He was going to get them a new apartment very soon. Probably a house, since he was pretty rich.
He finally made it to room 301, with his room being 302. He knocked on the door, waiting for her to come out.
"Go away, Mikoto, I am not in the mood." He heard a faint voice. He could have cleared up her confusion but he wanted to get a read on her, know what kind of person she was. So without speaking, he knocked once again.
"I said go away! I am not going back to the academy, 'ttebane." Okay….so she possessed the verbal tic the more eccentric members of his clan possessed. Hearing the tic, a wave of nostalgia washed over Naruto as he remembered….he remembered Kay- he stopped himself from finishing that sentence in his mind as he knocked once again, this time sure to elicit a reaction.
He was proven correct when the door suddenly snapped open and out came Kushina. He caught sight of her blood red hair and froze on the spot. She was screaming something but he couldn't pay attention as he was too….mesmerized, to see the red hair that signified the uniqueness of his family again. Tears threatened to spill out of his eyes but he quickly regained control and just gave her a small, sad smile.
Facing him, Kushina had wide-eyes with tear stained cheeks, indicating that she had been crying before, something that Naruto didn't like. He started to start the conversation, "Hello Kushina."
Kushina was broken out of her stupor as she shakingly said, hoping against hope, "Wh-who are you? Are you an Uz-"
"Yes, My name is Uzumaki Naruto." Before he could say anything further, he was glommed by the red headed girl as she hugged him tight and started crying into his shoulder.
"H-how, Goatee said th-that my clan is all d-de-dead?" She asked, her voice filled with pain as her pain from losing her clan was expressing itself in the form of tears which were continuously dripping down Kushina's face.
"shhhhh" Naruto tries to clam her down, placing his hand on her back as he started to rub circles with his hands. "Calm down Kushina, I am here, I have been waiting so long to see you, and I don't want to see my family cry."
He was also very amused and impressed by Kushina's nickname for the Sandaime. 'Goatee' seemed like a fine name for the Hokage.
—X—X—X—
After Kushina finally calmed down, she invited Naruto to her apartment.
"Are you really an Uzumaki?" Kushina asked seriously.
"Yes, Kushina, I am an Uzumaki, now can I explain?". Kushina gave an embarrassed blush but nodded her head, signaling Naruto to continue.
Then, Naruto explained, he told Kushina how he woke up in the morning hearing distant blasts, how he went out to search for the cause, how he almost got caught in the crossfire, how he lost in his mother, how the Uzumaki clan was killed down to its last infant, and how he managed to escape. He did tell her that he killed 5 Kumo shinobi, but not about his eyes, that will be done when the time is right.
Kushina was in tears the whole story and after Naruto was done, she was full-on crying. She cried for the loss of her family, she cried for the destruction of her village, she cried for the sacrifice of her clansmen but most of all, she cried for the pain and scars inflicted on Naruto.
After she finally regained her bearings, Naruto took hold of her hands and declared, "Kushina, I know that you are alone and hurting. But now I am with you, I am your family as you are mine. I will not leave you alone, no matter what happens. I will be the friend who will support you and I will be your family you can rely upon."
Kushina felt warmth in her chest when Naruto took her hands, just like when her elder sister used to ruffle her hair. Upon hearing Naruto's declaration, she was overjoyed and promptly glommed him again.
"Arigatou, nii-san. I promise to be by your side and support you too, after all, you look so serious you need me lighten things up for you 'ttebane."
Naruto, for the first time in Konoha, gave a true smile as he heard Kushina, "Thank you, for giving me the opportunity to be your family, Kushina."
—X—X—X—
"I have joined the academy too, and it looks like we will be in the same class. Isn't that great."
Kushina had mixed feelings about that. While she was happy that Naruto would be with her in class and she would finally have a friend, she was also nervous. 'How would Naruto react when he finds out about the bullies? Will he be bullied too?'
On seeing Kushina's distraught face, Naruto got worried, "Hey, is something wrong?"
"N-no its probably nothing."
Naruto, however, was not satisfied with the answer and wanted to know more, however Kushina was persistent in not telling him. So he decided to change the subject.
"Well, since I am new here, why don't you show me around Konoha? I would like to get to know you better too."
—X—X—X—
After spending the whole day showing Naruto around Konoha and getting to know each other, Kushina realized that Naruto was definitely not an average Uzumaki.
She learnt that Naruto could be kind and caring one second and cold and indifferent the other. But she knew that for Naruto, his family will always be his top priority and was glad that he considered her as his family.
However, the most concerning thing about him was his darkness. Kushina was extremely worried and dare she say it, a bit scared when Naruto mentioned his goal in life, to get revenge on Kumo, Iwa and Kiri. How, she did not know, nor did she dare ask, but she would be damned if she lost the last of the Uzumaki for revenge.
Naruto, on the other side, learnt that Kushina was a little brash and hot headed, but had a good heart. She dreamed to become the first female Hokage, and she was pleasantly surprised when Naruto fully believed in her dream rather than ostracizing her. Naruto also learnt that Kushina was pretty insecure about her hair colour. 'An Uzumaki ASHAMED of their red hair? Preposterous!' So he spent the whole day getting the insecurity out of her head. It was not fully gone, but it was a good start.
—X—X—X—
"Lets go Kushina, we have one final thing to do."
"ehhh! We have been walking all day, what is it that you want to do, can't it wait?"
Naruto flashed her a genuine smile as he said, "No, its plenty important, it is in fact, a gift to you."
"What is it? tell me right now 'ttebane…"
"I am getting us a new apartment."
Kushina snapped her neck so quickly towards him he was sure he heard a snap.
"What, I will be damned if I let my sister live in that shithole of an apartment, come on, lets go…"