Chapter 7

"Uncle! " exclaimed Naruto on seeing Asahi.

"Uncle?! " repeated his two companions in astonishment before Mizuki continued " You demon brat. Have you lost your mind completely?! You don't have any family let alone an uncle , they abandoned you years ago"

" You know if I were you, I would watch my tongue and I can assure you that Naruto was in fact not abandoned. Ever. Not that it is any of your business. " said Asahi casually, a small satisfactory smile graced his face when he noticed Naruto's beaming expression from the corner of his eyes that had fallen due to Mizuki's words earlier, but was quick to hide it.

On the other hand Mizuki was riled up now and sent a giant shuriken in the direction of Naruto and Iruka, Asahi stopped himself from helping, having noticed Naruto's determined expressions and wanting to test him while keeping a lookout to protect him if he needs it.

But he definitely did not expect what happened next… Naruto crossed his fingers making a very familiar hand seal to perform….. " Shadow clone jutsu! … Iruka sensei out of the way! " pushed Naruto while both of his clones diverted the shuriken using one of the clones to throw the other on it.

"What- Naruto " Iruka was fairly shocked, so was Mizuki. ' Those were solid clones… Shadow clone Jutsu?! '.

Asahi just narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything before dealing with Mizuki in a matter of seconds.

After Mizuki was apprehended Asahi went to Naruto, his sharp ears catching his talks with Iruka.

" Naruto… that was shadow clone jutsu, when did you learn that? "

" Ohh I told you Iruka sensei , didn't I ? I learnt it from the scroll " showing Iruka said scroll excitedly.

But Iruka was anything but excited, shocked definitely " Wha- you learnt that in just some couple of hours! "

Now it was Naruto's turn to be confused. " Yeah I mean I just said that sensei. Are you okay? "

" Am I okay? " Iruka shaked his head hoping to clear it before smiling " You know what Naruto I have something for you "

Naruto cocked his head in confusion " What is it? " to which his teacher had him close his eyes.

" Is it done sensei? " asked his impatient student to which Iruka stifled a chuckle. "Yes you can open your eyes now ".

Naruto opened his eyes and noticed Iruka was not wearing his headband anymore and he could feel it on his head. Naruto got excited and was about to hug Iruka but his joy was short lived since his headband was removed from his head by an unknown hand startling both teacher and student.

Naruto was about to shout when he noticed that the person who took his headband was his uncle. " Uncle what- why did you do that?"

" Sorry Naruto, while your sensei might pass you because you learnt shadow clone jutsu and while it is a B class jutsu neither Arashi nor I not in good conscience could allow you in the field until you are truly ready, which you are not at your current level. "

" What - no that's mine Iruka sensei said so you can't take it. " protested Naruto. On the other hand Iruka could not take it anymore "Excuse me but who are you and why is Naruto calling you uncle. Are you trying to manipulate him or something because I could assure you that it would not end well with you. And who gave you any right to take his headband that he earned." warned an overprotective teacher.

Asahi chuckled " Ohh I could assure you Iruka- san that I am in fact Naruto's uncle, if you want to confirm it with Lord Third, go ahead. And again I actually do have full authorization to decide and overrule anyone in this village to decide whether or not he is ready to be a shinobi or not. While you may find his learning one jutsu satisfactory, however strong,he won't be out in the field without the permission of his clan head which he won't get with the type of result he has. " told Asahi while showing both of them a piece of paper that was Naruto's result.

" That's mine" exclaimed Naruto at the same time when Iruka whispered," Clan head! ".

Asahi sighed while taking the result out of Naruto's reach who was attempting to take it back and informed "Again you could ask your Hokage but I would advise you that you only ask him. There is a reason why nobody is made aware of anything yet. "

He then turned to Naruto sporting a very stern expression " That's enough out of you! Why do you want it back when you threw it like some garbage. "

Fairly chastised, the child went back into line and asked meekly, " But- but Iruka sensei said I am ready why are you stopping me. "

Asahi sighed again before answering " You could ask that to Arashi when he is done with you. "

" Done with me. " Naruto gulped ' What does that mean? Are they going to get rid of me?! '

But his concerns were in the wrong direction,

" You don't think you would not be in any trouble for endangering your life like that. " Raised his eyebrow before winking, having misinterpreted Naruto's expression for fear of punishment " Although I think since you are not aware of the rules yet, he would go easy on you. " He didn't know how much of a relief his words were. Naruto was practically beaming, 'They are not leaving me. And- and they are going to punish me because I endangered my life, that means they care about me. Right? '

But that does not mean that he was above protesting, " But- but I didn't know that Mizuki sensei was lying."

"Somehow that concerns me more Naruto, don't you think that you being offered another way to graduate when everyone else would wait for another year would be unfair to them. "

Said boy couldn't help but blush. But he could not say that Asahi is wrong and he was feeling elated by the care he was showing towards him.

Naruto was truly happy but he had one more concern left, " But everyone would get their teams next week and if I didn't join them I would be left behind and would have to wait for the next graduating class to get into a team. "

But after seeing Naruto's life in danger, Asahi was in a strict mode right now " Better be late than never right? " said before taking Naruto with him to the compound excited to show him his room which he prepared while he was in academy. He went to pick Naruto after that and learnt that today was in fact graduation day before finding Naruto's thrown result and tailing him having witnessed Mizuki manipulating him. He didn't say anything because he wanted to test Naruto and see for himself what he would do. He also sent a message about the happenings to Minato who is in a meeting with Lord Third right now. Of course he is not going to tell anything about this to Naruto.

On the other hand Iruka made his way towards the Hokage tower to get some answers, worried for his favorite pupil.

Hokage office

The Sandaime Hokage was sitting with the new Namikaze head watching over Naruto, both of them sighed in of relief when Asahi stepped in between before Naruto got to know about his Jinchuuriki status in the worst possible way.

" Everything went well, don't you think Arashi- sama? For a minute there I was worried that Naruto would learn about nine tails from Mizuki. But Asahi-san interfered just in time. " sighed Lord Third " I won't lie I had and have my doubts about your intentions with Naruto, and not as the hokage but as his grandfather. Unfortunately I don't have any rights to interfere with a clan. But" Sandaime's eyes sharpened, " If I thought for even one second that your intentions with him are not good, let me warn you, it won't end well. " came the warning.

A disguised Minato could not help but smile, " I could assure you Sandaime-sama, my only intention is to protect Naruto, he is the heir of my clan after all. Although I must say your threat to me only pleases me since it is the evidence of your care about Naruto. "

" However, that is not of our concern right now." Minato turns serious.

The statement caused Hiruzen to turn confused, " What do you mean? The problem is already solved"

" Is it? We just learnt about a traitor in the heart of our village. Mizuki was residing among the future of our village. We don't know how much information he had leaked out to the enemies or if there is anyone else among the ranks or in the academy itself. "

" So what do you suggest "

"I think it would be best that the graduating class is held back for some time and a thorough check is done among the ranks for any spies or traitors." suggested the Fourth Hokage. And the Sandaime could not help but agree, " You are right. I guess the graduating class could wait for 6 more weeks before joining the ranks as shinobi. "

The Third and Fourth Hokage discussed a few more things before ending the night.