Chapter 8

Namikaze compound

Naruto was in awe. He has never seen anything so beautiful and majestic. And this is his new home!

His jaw completely dropped when he saw the mansion. Asahi gave him a tour of the mansion promising to show him the whole compound the next day. For now he wants to show Naruto his room.

" My room! " Naruto asked in astonishment.

Somehow he did not believe he was actually going to live here. But his uncle grinned excitedly and said, " Yes Naruto, your room, come on. "

Asahi took him to the second floor and opened a door on the left side of the corridor. This room was actually just the other side of Minato's, not that Naruto knew that.

He opened the door cautiously and his jaw dropping on the floor, " Wha- This- this is mine!"

But Asahi was nervous," Yes Naruto, do you like it? It's alright if you want to change anything. I was not sure what you would like so I just guessed. " Considering Kushina and Minato's choices went unsaid.

Asahi got his answer when the young boy crashed into his arms, " Oof! Haha I guess that's a yes "

Naruto hummed before answering, too overwhelmed, " This is perfect! Thank you. "

Next morning, Naruto was pouting at the breakfast table before whining, "That's not fair! I want Ramen".The only reaction he got was two sighs before Arashi signaled for Asahi to take over the stove so he could crouch in front of his child "And why is it not fair Naruto ? Because from where I see it, you got lucky to only lose your Ramen privilege for 2 weeks. For your actions yesterday would have gotten you in a good amount of trouble.The only reason you didn't, is because you were not aware of the rules." Seeing no change on his child 's face he continued "And besides, you are not actually losing much considering even without punishment you won't be getting that much ramen that you were eating. I mean, I can't believe all three of your meals contained Ramen. That is not healthy Naruto, I don't even know how you survived this long without getting sick even once." explained the exasperated father calmly.

Unfortunately that was not enough and only riled his rambunctious son more "What do you mean I won't be getting Ramen either way, you can't take my ramen". Minato sighed for the millionth time. While he loves his son with all his heart and wants to give him everything he wants, he neither can take risks with his health nor could allow him to run awok without any discipline. Afterall that's what's been happening for the last 12 years isn't it?

With this decision Minato took Naruto's ear in one hand and gave it a light twist, enough to make Naruto yelp and catch Minato's hand in order to try and relieve some pain and for Asahi to wince in sympathy knowing while his brother may be the calm one , when annoyed enough could get his strict mode out, as he call it.

"That's enough Naruto! I know you like ramen , but there is no need to throw this big tantrum for just that. Do you rather want a full grounding for the next two weeks where you not only get any ramen but won't be able to do anything remotely fun with all the extra chores among other things that you won't find interesting at all."

The statement caused the child to look at him in horror, "No! I am sorry, please I'll be good" promised Naruto. Minato smiled and left his son's ear before standing and ruffling his hair. "Good boy, now come on I have some good news for you after breakfast, so no more sulking okay?"

"Good news, what's that,tell me" asked his now excited son. Minato only chuckled before booping his nose playfully "After breakfast" This caused his son to blush, not used to any physical affection and his brother to smile, happy for them both. After that our favorite family had breakfast without any further interruptions.

It was only after breakfast that Naruto asked again, "Now what's the good news,tell me, tell me please please please.."

His very familiar excitement caused both the older blondes to chuckle before Minato gave a sad smile being reminded of his lovely wife who is definitely alive in his son. With the thought he took Naruto's hand and led him to the couch to sit beside him.

"Alright then, so do you remember Uncle Asahi telling you that you can't be in the field right now even if your teacher passed you"

All his statement achieved was a good glare before Naruto exclaimed "That's not good news! He took my headband away, you can't do that. Iruka sensei said I passed."

But Minato calmly explained, " No Naruto, while your sensei passed you on the basis of your shadow clone jutsu, and while I am proud of you for learning that. One jutsu alone cannot help you survive in the shinobi world, war or not. So I suggest rather than whining on that fact you actually do some work so that you can join your graduating class."

"Huh" Now Naruto was confused, "But you just said I can't join them."

Minato only smiled before answering "Normally yes but due to Mizuki's actions yesterday the graduating class this year has been held back for six weeks to check the academy if Mizuki had any friends. Your letter also arrived this morning because I didn't inform the Hokage yesterday of you being held back. Asahi only showed me your result after I returned. raising an eyebrow Minato continued, "So in the next six weeks if you work hard and stand at least an acceptable level as a Shinobi then you could join your graduating class". While Naruto blushed when his result was mentioned and promised himself to prank Asahi a good one for tattling , he was excited now, "Really! I can join the graduating class. Yay!" cheered the child before being reminded, "Only if you're at an acceptable level in both academics and practicals". But he was unheard by his overexcited child.

In truth, this idea was actually Asahi's, when Minato told him about the meeting with Lord Third he got this idea. Well his idea was to use Shadow clones in training but Minato shot it down not even a second later. In any condition, Minato does not want Naruto to train using shadow clones, since it is not only dangerous if not used correctly (even with Naruto's status), but his son could get into the habit of using shadow clones for everything he wants to do. Perhaps after he becomes chunin or something he could follow this approach but not anytime soon.

So he can try till the end of six weeks to be at least average in his skills - (it's not like they won't get more time since a month or two would be only D ranks )- and graduate with his class but if not then it would be the lesson for him that one could not get everything he wants, sometime he must face failure to be better next time.

Later Naruto regretted not listening to Arashi while sitting between piles of books. "Aww why do I have to study these. I already did enough in the academy" whined Naruto not even five minutes after he was made to bring his books out in the living room by Asahi since Minato went to the council meeting in regards to the Mizuki incident last night.

"You have not even started Naruto and are behaving as if it's been hours." Asahi scolded before explaining, "I know you don't like studying but you can't become a great ninja if you only focus on your physical training. You need to train your mind too, otherwise there is no point in being strong if you can't use them efficiently."

At this Naruto finally caved although reluctantly and started his studies with the most miserable expression one could make.

Asahi chuckled and helped him by explaining the strategic concepts easily. This way they spent their afternoon before Asahi allowed him any break when he was planning to take Naruto shopping, especially for some clothes that he so desperately needed considering his atrocious jumpsuit.

Luckily by the time they would complete their shopping Arashi would also return and both father and son could start their first training session that he knew his nii-san was looking forward to.