A month later, Naruto tried to balance a stupid leaf. What was this bull about not giving up? He gave up right now.

Unlocking his chakra had been the easy part but trying to control it, left much to be desired, and he had so many books on chakra that he hadn't read, so Naruto was running out of patience with this exercise. However, he knew he couldn't continue with the other books unless he finished this exercise.

On the other hand, Shikamaru came to see him every Saturday and his house had gradually became their headquarters, since Naruto wouldn't come out of the house. Shikamaru had also said that pretty soon he would introduce Choji, but considering that Naruto was still a little bit hesitant, they put the topic at the back of their little minds.

Naruto could now take some pieces from Shikamaru in shogi which was a major improvement, considering that Shikamaru could best some almost anyone who wasn't jonin or above.

When Shikaku had told him that after dropping off some desserts and cook books from Yoshino, Naruto had stopped beating himself up and questioning his life choices. He was already doing great for a toddler and that was enough for him. Although he was still eager to beat the genius.

He had also gotten a new neighbor. Naruto had heard some boxes being moved and a little house party, where a crazy lady with beautiful purple hair had gifted him some alcohol only for it to be taken by a man with white hair. Naruto had sensed no bad intentions from them, and he hadn't known why, but he had let the white haired man ruffle his hair. It was weird.

There was something about the white haired man that just made Naruto want to linger even, and it bothered him.

Yes, it was enough that the other was a little kinder to him, although for some reason, Naruto wanted this man's kindness more than anyone and the man was which was enough for Naruto.

He sighed and tried again to make the leaf stick. But Naruto still didn't get it. He groaned lightly. He couldn't even get Shikamaru's advice since it was still the beginning of the week. How troublesome. Great. Now he was sounding like Shikamaru.

Hehehehe.

That would annoy the other. He would try that next time.

Someone knocked on his door and Naruto carefully opened it. He looked up to see a tall blonde man with platinum hair and blue eyes. Huh. He didn't say anything and waited for the man to speak, "hi Naruto, I'm Inoichi Yamanaka, I'm a friend of Shikaku and I came here to see you" Naruto didn't open the door for him. He sensed there was no malicious intent, nor did he sense any evil in the man but he didn't dare open the door.

That lady she had also seemed kind for a brief moment and the blow had come when he least expected it. So he wasn't sure. And what did being a friend of Shikamaru's dad have do with anything? A lot of people had been friends of his Jiji and they hated him.

Naruto looked at the man cautiously, his view of him already negative and Inoichi was speechless. He saw some of the thoughts going through Naruto and he couldn't help, but feel stunned. "Here's a note" Inoichi said feeling quite perturbed that he ended up having to use the note Shikaku gave.

Naruto took the note and looked at it, whilst his vigilance increased since his attention was away from Inoichi who had stepped back to give Naruto some space.

Inoichi is one of Shikamaru's godfathers. Shikamaru trusts him.

-Shikaku Nara (Shikamaru's dad)

Naruto sighed lightly, the paper even smelled of smoke, and he opened the door, whilst Inoichi sighed in relief. He got in, not before seeing Kakashi's figure watch him silently and his step tumbled lightly. ANBU were scary. Especially since the other was ANBU captain.

He brushed those thoughts away and stepped in Naruto's apartment and was surprised to see it painted so beautifully and neat. It was just like in both reports, but seeing it was surprising and... saddening.

Naruto went to the kitchen and Inoichi sat down and observed the two papers which had Shikamaru and Naruto's hands and feet. It was really cute. He guessed Choji's hands would probably be next. And Inoichi wanted to add Ino's too, but he knew it wasn't possible for the two to be friends.

Ino was too ..bossy and too outspoken. No matter what personality Naruto grew into, Inoichi was sure they wouldn't get along until later. Maybe the Hyūga heir who was kinder and shyer than life, but then that would be a problem with Hiashi.

"Here's some tea and biscuits" Naruto said quietly and Inoichi knew he was not welcomed at all. But Naruto was being polite to him for Shikamaru's sake. Inoichi drank the tea and ate a biscuit and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It could compete with Chouza's wife and that was saying a lot since they had their own restaurants.

It was silent between them and Inoichi cleared his throat. "I'm here because I've come to check on your mental state because of the incident some time ago" Inoichi said straightforwardly which was unlike his usual approach, but he knew he had to be with Naruto, otherwise he'd be the only one of the Ino-Shika-Cho who was slighted. Since already knew Chouza's kid was a given since the kid was too sweet for his own good.

Naruto looked at Inoichi surprised and then he nodded. "The Hokage" he stated and Inoichi nodded in confirmation, whilst Naruto didn't say anything. His heart didn't warm at the fact that the Hokage had sent a clan head to check on him, because Inoichi's status was obvious, but rather it calmed down. Huh. Naruto looked at his hands and even though were still chubby and small, they were better than before. He was better than before.

"Well I am fine, Inoichi-san, I've chosen to be stay in my house and yes I'm still a little jittery but it's not that bad" Naruto said as he bit the biscuit and Inoichi couldn't help, but look at him quite sadly.

Naruto didn't notice and even if he did, he wouldn't care. Even if a lot of people gave him sympathy and kindness he wouldn't take it to heart. It was nice and that was all it was.

He looked at Inoichi and continued a little more firmly, "I am okay with being treated the way I am, the world isn't fair and fighting only wastes my time, because people will never be truly satisfied neither will I feel good with having to give and give everytime just to get people to be nice to me."

Inoichi's eyes widened but Naruto didn't stop, "They can be what they chose, they are prejudiced against me, but my conscious is clean and I am well now and that's enough"

Naruto had twisted and turned and went over all of it. If someone treated him politely, it was fine. If someone didn't treat him politely. It was fine too. The world wasn't fair and he wouldn't fight and waste his life trying to make it fair.

And as for the villagers, there was nothing more than indifference. The only people he would allow himself to care and to treat well where people who truly and sincerely without any scruples wanted to get close him.

His peace was more important to him that anything.