When the Uzumaki family arrived, Shikaku and Iniochi were in Holage's Office. Naruto greeted them cheerfully as usual, unaware of what was to happen. Naruto sat in a chair in the centre of the room while Rina and Karin stood at the side, worried for him because they noticed he was getting nervous.

"What's going on?"

Tsunade took a deep breath and slowly explained that she wanted to know the extent of the bullying Naruto suffered.

"You have the reports, Baa-chan; you can refer to them. You read them already, didn't you?"

Shizune tilted her head, surprised by the younger blonde's demeanour. She did not expect his nervousness to dissipate so quickly, but now he seemed detached almost.

"Naruto, yes, I have read the reports, but I did not ask you to recall those incidents with me today. I want to know if any villagers spoke about the law during those incidents?"

Naruto looked up, his eyebrow arched. Tsunade thought the scepticism looked very much like Jiraiya. "Why would they bring up the law? The law is clear: to not speak about the fact that I am a jinchuriki to me or anyone of my age/lower. It never said anything that they couldn't bully me, hurt me or call me names like Kyuubi/Demon brat. The Sandaime wanted repercussions on those people, but because so many people were cheering this on, and the Council insisted he did nothing, it resulted in my years of suffering. If Raiya never showed up - I would have never known what having a parent was like!" His words, filled with resilience, echoed in the room.

Tsunade felt tears prick into her eyes. Sure, she expected the boy to get emotional, but she did not expect so much hurt and resentment to be so plain as day on his cheery face.

"But Naruto, you loved the Sandaime...you want to become the Hokage because of him, didn't you?"

Naruto sighed deeply, "The old man was like a distant grandfather to me. He tried to look out for me but couldn't because of his position. I want to be Hokage to show everyone I am worthy of respect, not the Kyuubi. I am a human ninja loyal to Konoha. I always have been and always will be."

Tsunade let out a breath, exhausted. She covered her eyes with one hand, looking away. Naruto was far too good. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and looked up to see Karin hugging Naruto. Naruto faltered, surprised. Karin appeared to be saying something in his ear, which calmed him, and he hugged her back tightly with one arm. Karin started to cry on his shoulder.

Rina watched all this from the sides, resenting that her kids were put through this. She scowled irritably before turning to address Godaime. "Well? Will you do something about the law or leave it as it is? Hmm? Honourable Hokage?"

After the Uzumaki family left, Iniochi relayed to the Hokage what he heard from Ino—her observations of how Naruto was treated when they were schoolchildren. Listening to this, Shikaku wondered whether his son had made the same observations but decided not to probe. Shikamaru is likely to figure out this S-class secret if Shikaku tries to ask him about Naruto.

Tsunade admitted she was unsure how to make changes to the law without making it so public that Naruto was abused all this time.

Shizune suggested adjusting the law so that no Konoha villager may speak about the circumstances of the Kyuubi Jinchurikki and that any ill-treatment of the said jinchuriki will result in immediate banishment.

Iniochi disagreed, warning that the parents' hatred for Naruto had already passed to Naruto's generation so that the law wouldn't affect them that much. Shikaku suggested instead that they send any recent perpetrators they do know of to jail, so in that way, at least it sends a message. Then, Tsunade remembered that Kakashi had just secured the people who torched Naruto's apartment.

"I know what we can do."

Meanwhile, Ino was in the flower shop, sighing in boredom.

The flower shop didn't have as many people as it usually did, which worried her. She did notice new ninja faces coming by and browsing the flowers they had on display outside, but not many buyers.

It confounded her as to what caused the change. She asked her mother if it was because she was dating Naruto. Her mother had schooled her expression and told her not to think that way, but it was apparent.

Why was Naruto hated so much? Sure, he was a noisy kid and a desperate attention seeker growing up, but it was apparent that it was because he was an orphan who only wanted to be noticed. Naruto had matured a lot since having a guardian; if anyone had just cared about him and adopted him earlier, would he have been this disliked?

Ino frowned, using the pencil to draw more lines on the daisy she was doodling on her notepad.

"Yo"

Ino recognized his voice and looked up at Shikamaru with his usual nonchalant expression. "Why are you here? We don't have training today."

"We don't, but I heard you and Naruto are steady now."

Ino arched an eyebrow, sceptical, "You have a problem with it?"

"Not as long as you're sincerely caring about Naruto. I don't want him hurt."

"Yet, you never stepped in when Sakura kept clocking him for whatever reason she could find?"

"Naruto liked Sakura at that time. I told him he shouldn't take it, but he insisted he was all right. Anyway, it's you we're talking about here. I just want to ensure you know what you're in for."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his head irritably, "You know how the villagers feel about Naruto. Are you prepared to deal with that?"

"Naru is worth it. You're his friend, and you know he doesn't deserve all that." Ino's determination to stand by Naruto was palpable in her voice, no matter the circumstances.

Shika's eyes widened at Ino's determined look. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then smiled. Ino's unwavering support for Naruto had managed to change his perspective. "Fine, you've convinced me."

Ino rolls her eyes, "Are you going to have this same conversation with Naru?"

Shikamaru rolls his eyes, "You and I know Naruto is smitten with you, and he would cherish you. He's the pushover in your relationship."

Ino blushed, surprised, "Y-you knew how he felt about me?"

"Ino, Naruto always thought you were nice, and he appreciated that you weren't as mean to him as the other girls at the Academy. After you visited him with me at the hospital those months ago, I saw him looking in your direction lately and noticed his feelings changed bit by bit. It doesn't take a genius to notice people catching feelings."

Ino couldn't help it. She covered her face with her hands, embarrassed by this new revelation, which caused Shikamaru to chuckle.

They're good people. They deserve each other.

Naruto sneezes to the side, and Karin grins, "Your new girlfriend is probably gloating about you."

Naruto wipes his nose with Rina's handkerchief, her hand rubbing his back. He thanked Rina, ignoring Karin, but he couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Having a girlfriend never seemed within his reach before, but things changed.

Speaking of change, he sees Kakashi and Sasuke come up toward them. He waves, and Kakashi raises his hand in recognition, but the determined look on Sasuke's face is strange.

"Sup?"

Sasuke sighs, "I need your help with something, and it will be awkward."

Naruto and Karin share a look but say nothing. Sasuke readies himself and finally asks for his favour.

"Naruto, would you go on a group date with Kakashi and me?"

Rina covered her mouth with her hand, giggles bubbling in her throat, eager to spill out of her mouth, and Kakashi watched with amusement as the Uuzumaki cousins stared at the Uchiha in disbelief.

Eventually, Karin spoke first - her curiosity getting the better of her, "Why would you want to do something so social?"

Sasuke rubs his temples in irritation, "Hinata wants to."

Naruto laughed, "Now that makes sense! I'm guessing Kakashi and Nee-chan are tagging alone as chaperones?"

"Unfortunately, Kakashi agreed to keep some distance away so they wouldn't be so noticeable."

Naruto smiles good-naturedly, "I can't answer you now, but I'll ask Ino if she's on board; then yeah, this sounds fun."

Karin rolls her eyes, "You are way too accommodating, Naru."

Sasuke awkwardly extends his hand, "I appreciate you not turning me down immediately. Let me know soon so we can work out a plan."

Karin was wide-eyed at Sasuke's outstretched hand and almost gasped as Naruto took it, shaking his hand firmly with a grin.

Rina and Kakashi watched all this bemused. This was going to be fun.