author notes: sorry for late upload. exams are here.

impashadows- your review is much appreciated.

Super Squashman- thank you for reviewing. i know you are of the original reader here.

guest(nov6 2024)- if you are reading this then i want to thank you for the name. it helps add depth to story

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ky111-thanks for the review. good for you i always planned to have politics in the story.

The morning came, bringing it with itself hope and dreams for the future to most. For Naruto however it brought dread. His first action had been to look for Taro and her sister. He hoped they were real not a fragment of his imagination and also they hadn't run away.

Naruto lingered in the doorway, staring at the two sleeping figures. His heart pounded against his ribs, each beat a reminder of the risk he had taken. What if they had run away? What if he woke up to find the room empty, as if last night had been nothing more than a dream? Would that be better? Would it be easier if they left before the village turned its hatred on them too?

His fingers curled into fists at his sides. No, he wouldn't let that happen.

He forced himself to take a step forward, his breath shallow. He half expected them to disappear the moment he got closer. But there they were—real, breathing, vulnerable. Taro had curled up on the cold wooden floor, his thin frame rising and falling steadily with each breath. His sister, still too weak, barely stirred under the worn-out blanket Naruto had given them.

A wave of relief crashed over him, but it did little to ease the tightness in his chest. They stayed. For now.

He backed away slowly, careful not to wake them, but his mind was already spinning with new worries. What now? He had given them shelter for the night, but what about tomorrow? What about next week? They needed food, clothes, medicine for the girl.

And then, there was the village.

His stomach twisted. The villagers would hate this. They already loathed him, and now he had taken in two more strays? It wouldn't take long before people noticed. And when they did…

Naruto gulped.

Would they stop selling him food? Would they start targeting Taro and his sister, just like they had done to him?

His thoughts spiraled, one fear stacking on top of another, until he could hardly breathe. He looked at his hands, trembling slightly. Maybe he had made a mistake. Maybe he should have—

A soft cough broke through his thoughts.

The girl shifted slightly in her sleep, her pale face scrunching up before settling into a peaceful expression once more. Naruto exhaled. No. This was the right thing. He wasn't going to abandon them. No matter what the village thought.

But that didn't mean he wasn't scared.

With a determined shake of his head, Naruto turned on his heel. He needed to think. He needed a plan. Most of all, he needed to figure out how to keep them safe.

And fast.

He couldn't panic. Not now. Maybe later, when he was with Jiji. Maybe then he could let himself breathe, let the weight of everything crash down. But not now.

Now, he had to be strong. For them.

Forcing himself to calm down, Naruto sucked in a deep breath and padded toward the kitchen. His apartment was small, barely more than a single room with a kitchen corner and a couch, but right now, it felt even smaller with two more people inside.

His cupboards were nearly empty, just like always. Instant ramen.

He frowned, stomach twisting—not from hunger, but from the realization that this was all he had to offer. Would it be enough? He had never had to feed someone else before. Was he supposed to give more to the girl since she was sick? What if she couldn't eat ramen?

Naruto shook his head. No time to overthink. This will do. It has to.

He boiled the water and poured it into the cups. The scent of ramen filled the apartment, warm and familiar, wrapping around him like a comforting presence. Normally, he wouldn't have thought twice about it. Ramen was just… ramen. But today, with two more mouths to feed, it felt different.

It felt better.

It was strange. The same instant ramen, the same smell, but knowing that he was about to share it with someone—that they would eat because of him—made the apartment feel less empty.

Setting the three cups onto a tray, he carefully picked it up. He wasn't used to serving food, but there was something about it that made his chest feel lighter.

Then, a thought struck him.

'I don't even know their past.'

He had given them shelter, but he didn't know their story. Didn't even know the girl's name. He bet they didn't know much about him either. He didn't need their gratitude, but he wanted something else—trust.

And if there was one thing that could bring people together, it was food.

A small smirk tugged at his lips. Sacred ramen-eating rituals have solved bigger problems before.

Maybe, just maybe, the food of the gods would help them open up.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto walked over to wake the siblings.

With the cups of ramen in his hands, Naruto was faced with another hurdle—waking someone up.

It wasn't something he had ever done before. How was it supposed to be done?

People woke him up all the time, usually with loud knocking on his door or, in the Academy, with a piece of chalk aimed at his head. But that didn't seem right for this situation.

He frowned, thinking hard. There was that one time…

He had been fake-sleeping at Jiji's office, hoping to avoid a lecture. The old man had seen right through him, of course. But he hadn't yelled or thrown anything. Instead, he had gently shaken Naruto's shoulder, calling his name in a soft voice.

Right. That should work.

Naruto crouched down and slowly ruffled Taro's shoulder.

"Wakey, wakey."

Taro groaned but didn't wake immediately. Naruto tried again, this time with a little more insistence. The boy stirred, blinking sluggishly. His eyes, hazy with sleep, darted around in confusion.

For a split second, he didn't recognize where he was. Strange ceiling. Strange room. Strange smell. Panic sparked in his chest.

Then, instinctively, his fingers twitched—and felt warmth.

His sister's small hand was still in his grasp.

Taro let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Right. She's here. She's safe.

His mind caught up with reality. The apartment. The blond kid. The food.

And suddenly, everything from last night crashed back into him.

The kindness. The warmth. The risk.

Taro hadn't made that decision lightly.

For months—no, years—he had fought to survive. Scraped by. Every day had been a battle against hunger, against cold, against the looks of disgust and indifference. People ignored him at best. At worst, they chased him away like a stray dog.

It wasn't just about him. He could endure it. He had endured it. But his sister? She was small. Fragile. Sick. She wouldn't make it through the winter.

Taro had known that.

He had known it with a certainty that had settled deep in his bones, in the way he forced himself to stay awake at night just to keep watch, in the way his hands had started trembling more and more from hunger, in the way his body felt heavier with each passing day.

He had stolen because he had no other choice.

And then, just as he had started to believe there was no way out, the blond appeared.

A stranger.

A fool.

A hope.

He should have been suspicious. Nobody helps people like us. Not unless they want something. But when the blond had tossed the money at him and stepped back—giving him space, giving him a choice—Taro had felt something deep inside him crack.

It felt natural to believe him.

So he had gambled everything on that feeling.

If he was wrong, they would suffer for it. If he was right… maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't have to fight alone anymore.

And now, waking up in warmth instead of dirt, greeted by the scent of food instead of the stench of the streets—Taro realized just how much he wanted to be right about the blond kid.

Slowly, he turned his head and looked at him.

The kid was crouching nearby, balancing a tray with three cups of something steaming. Food.

His stomach twisted—not in hunger, though that was always there—but in hesitation.

What now?

Taro didn't know. But he'd have to figure it out fast.

Taro took a deep breath, steadying himself. He turned to his sister, still curled up on the thin mattress Naruto had given them. Her small form looked even more fragile in the dim morning light. The steady rise and fall of her breath reassured him, but he knew she had to wake up. Gently, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, it's morning," he whispered, shaking her lightly. "Wake up."

The girl stirred, scrunching her face before slowly blinking her eyes open. It took a moment for recognition to settle in, but when it did, she immediately sat up, looking around. When her eyes landed on Taro, they softened with relief.

"Taro..." she mumbled, her voice groggy.

"Yeah, it's me," he reassured her with a small smile. "We're safe."

She nodded sleepily, rubbing her eyes. Taro glanced at Naruto, who had been watching quietly, standing near the doorway with the tray of ramen in his hands. The blond gave them a wide grin, one that Taro could tell was meant to be reassuring, though something about it felt just a bit forced.

Naruto was... strange. Taro had met many types of people in his short life, but no one like him. He was loud, yet careful. Open, yet hesitant. People who were kind usually wanted something in return. But Naruto had offered them shelter, food, and safety without a single demand. It felt almost unnatural, too good to be true. And yet, something in Taro told him to believe. It wasn't just the fact that he had no other choice—though that played a part—it was that trusting Naruto felt right. Like something inside him knew this was the right decision.

So, for the first time in a long while, he chose to gamble on someone else.

"So, uh, guess we should do some proper introductions, huh?" Naruto said, stepping forward and setting the tray down. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage and the guy who makes the best instant ramen in all of Konoha."

Taro arched an eyebrow at the exaggerated introduction, but before he could say anything, his sister let out a soft giggle. It was a quiet sound, but it was the first time he'd heard it in a long while. He turned to her, and she looked up at Naruto with a bit of curiosity.

"I'm Taro," he finally said, glancing at Naruto with a wary but appreciative look. "And this is my little sister, Aika."

Naruto nodded, grinning. "Nice to finally know your names. Now c'mon, eat up before it gets cold."

Taro hesitated for a moment before taking a cup of ramen and handing one to Aika. She took it carefully, looking up at him for permission. He gave her a small nod before she dug in, the warm broth bringing color back to her pale face. He hadn't seen her eat like this in weeks.

As they ate, Naruto sat across from them, his usual carefree grin still in place. But there was something in his eyes—something thoughtful, maybe even hesitant. Taro knew that look. It was the same one he had when he had to make tough choices.

Once their meal was nearly finished, Naruto finally spoke. "You guys should stay inside today."

Taro frowned slightly, glancing at Aika before looking back at Naruto. "Why?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "It's just... some people might not like knowing there are more people living here now. It's better if they don't see you yet."

Taro tensed, understanding the unspoken meaning behind his words. He had been on the receiving end of people's hatred before. He didn't know why Naruto seemed to be dealing with the same thing, but he wasn't about to ignore a warning that sounded like it came from experience.

"Alright," Taro said, nodding. "We'll stay put."

Naruto seemed relieved but quickly covered it up with another grin. "Good! 'Cause I'm gonna get more food later, and I don't want you guys sneaking off and missing out."

Aika smiled at that, and for now, the heavy tension eased just a little. But Taro knew—Naruto was doing more than just giving them shelter. He was protecting them from something. And for now, he would trust him to do so.

"So, make yourselves comfortable, I guess. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll find a doctor for Aika," Naruto proclaimed confidently. Finishing his ramen, he stood up. As he reached the door, he glanced back at them and said, "Thanks for trusting me. I won't let you down."

Then he left.

Naruto didn't look back as he stepped out. If he had, he would have seen the relaxed face of his new friend or the silent yet hopeful tears in Aika's eyes. Taro, for the third time in the last twenty-four hours, felt a sense of relief settle over him.

"We're not alone, Ni-san," Aika murmured softly.

Taro, despite the rational part of his mind telling him it was too early to believe that, couldn't help but agree.

Naruto knew it was still morning, and if he wanted to, he could still make it to the ninja academy. But his mind was preoccupied.

He had taken in two kids. Kids who had no home, no food, and no protection from the world. And despite the warmth he felt at having them here, fear gnawed at him. He had no idea how the village would react if they found out. Would they take Taro and Aika away? Would they punish him for helping them? He wasn't sure. But he knew one thing: he wouldn't let anyone hurt them.

He clenched his fists, determination settling over him. If he wanted to keep them safe, he needed to be smarter, stronger. And for that, he needed to get moving.

Normally Naruto would have gone to academy but today, no, this whole week was anything but normal. He decided it would be better if he got to a quiet place and think properly and so off to the forest of Konoha. Hoping to find answers, he didn't think existed Naruto sprinted towards the jungle.

Naruto's fists slammed into the tree's bark, sending a sharp sting up his knuckles. He ignored the pain, landing another strike, then another. His breathing was uneven, frustration bubbling inside him like a storm.

Everything was changing so fast. Yesterday, he was just another lonely kid in Konoha. Now, he had people depending on him. The weight of it sat heavy on his shoulders.

"I gotta do something… but what?"

The trees stood still, offering no answers.

His stomach growled, and Naruto scowled. He had food back at the apartment, but not enough for long. Ramen wasn't gonna cut it forever. If he was going to take care of Taro and Aika, he needed to think ahead.

"Guess I should start by finding food," he decided, shaking off his anger. He had seen wild animals in the forest before—maybe he could catch one.

Naruto wiped the sweat off his forehead, letting out a breath as he surveyed the traps he had set up. Over the years, he had become skilled at creating simple contraptions using ropes and bamboo—launchers that flung stones, kunai, and targets for his training. It had been a way to make up for the lack of proper tools, but now, he was using those same skills for something else: survival.

The traps were crude but effective. A few tripwires, some hidden loops meant to snare small animals, and a well-placed pit covered with leaves. It wasn't much, but it would do for now. Hunting wasn't something he had done often, but he knew enough. Besides, the alternative was relying on ramen forever, and even he knew that wouldn't work.

As he finished setting the last trap, another thought crossed his mind.

"I should buy some vegetables under a henge."

It would make things easier. If he went as himself, some shopkeepers might overcharge him—or worse, refuse to sell to him at all. He had seen it happen before. But under a disguise, no one would bat an eye.

Naruto patted his pockets and pulled out a small bundle of ryo, quickly counting it.

"1,850 yen… not much, but it'll have to do."

If he was careful, he could stretch it. Less vegetables, more meat from hunting. Maybe he could even find some wild herbs or edible plants. With some luck, they might manage for a while.

With his plan set, he made his way toward Namiya General Store, one of the few places he knew he could shop without trouble—so long as he picked the right person to deal with.

Naruto entered the store quietly, keeping his henge intact as he scanned the area. The scent of dried goods and fresh produce filled the air, shelves lined with everything from rice and spices to preserved meats and household supplies.

His eyes quickly landed on a familiar face.

Mitsuka Yamoto, a civilian woman in her fifties, stood behind the counter, sorting through a stack of receipts. Her silver-streaked hair was tied back, and though her face bore signs of age, her sharp eyes still held the fire of someone who had endured much.

She wasn't just any store worker—she was someone who had once been a slave.

As a young woman, she had been captured by corrupt nobles and forced to work in the rice fields like countless others. For years, she had suffered under their cruelty, until the Fire Daimyo discovered the illegal operation. It was Minato Namikaze—Konoha's Yellow Flash—who had led the mission to bring justice. The noble was arrested, and Mitsuka, along with the others, was freed.

After that, she had come to Konoha, settling down and carving out a quiet life for herself.

And though she wasn't someone who openly defied the village's treatment of him, Naruto knew she wasn't like the others. She didn't sneer at him. She didn't throw him out of the store. That was enough.

Stepping closer, Naruto leaned in and whispered, "Baa-chan, it's me—Naruto."

Mitsuka's sharp eyes flickered with recognition, though she kept her expression neutral. "Naruto boy, are you using ninjutsu?"

"Yeah," he admitted, pulling out an envelope from his pocket and handing it to her. "Here's the money and the list of what I need."

Mitsuka took the envelope, glancing at the list inside. Without a word, she folded it back up and nodded.

"Wait by the counter. I'll get it done."

Naruto didn't linger. He knew better than to draw attention to himself. Instead, he wandered toward the far end of the store, casually examining a row of dried fish until he saw Mitsuka finishing up his order.

When she handed him the bag, he gave a quick nod and left immediately. It was only when he was a few streets away that he checked the receipt.

His eyes widened slightly.

A discount.

The bill listed an employee discount, though Naruto knew that was just an excuse. Mitsuka had given him a break.

A small act of kindness.

Naruto exhaled, a strange warmth settling in his chest. It wasn't much—but it was something.

Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha, a bag of groceries in his arms and a storm of thoughts in his mind. The weight of responsibility pressed against his shoulders in a way he had never experienced before. He had taken in two people, two people who relied on him, and for the first time in his life, he wasn't just looking out for himself.

He thought back to the way Aika had clung to her brother when she woke up, how she had hesitated before eating as if unsure if she was truly allowed to have a full meal. He thought about how Taro had been tense, always looking around as if expecting someone to take it all away. They were afraid, just like he had been for so long.

Naruto knew that strength was important. That was why he had spent the morning training, taking out his frustration and confusion on the trees. But as he had stood there, fists sore and mind racing, he realized something that unsettled him—strength alone wasn't going to be enough.

Even if he got stronger, it wouldn't change the way the village worked. It wouldn't stop people from looking at them with suspicion, wouldn't stop someone with authority from coming and telling him that he couldn't keep Taro and Aika with him. He knew that kind of powerlessness too well. How many times had he been denied things? How many times had he been thrown out of stores, refused service, ignored as if he didn't even exist?

The realization gnawed at him—if someone decided that Taro and Aika weren't supposed to be with him, he wouldn't even know how to fight back. He didn't understand the rules of the village.

He clenched his fists. If he was going to protect them, he needed to be more than just strong. He needed to understand how things worked. Who made the decisions? Who had the power to say what was allowed and what wasn't?

His mind drifted to the Hokage. He had always wanted to be Hokage, but for the longest time, that had meant just being the strongest ninja in the village. But was that really what being Hokage was about? He had seen Hiruzen make decisions, settle disputes, handle the affairs of the village. Maybe the real power didn't just come from strength but from knowledge—knowledge of how the system worked.

If he wanted to change things, if he wanted to protect the people important to him, he needed to start learning. And there was only one person he could think of who had the answers he needed.

Naruto took a deep breath. He had been meaning to talk to Jiji anyway. Aika needed a doctor, and Naruto wasn't about to trust just anyone with that. But now, he had another reason to seek out the Hokage. He needed to understand how Konoha worked, how decisions were made, how power flowed through the village.

If he wanted to protect Taro and Aika, if he wanted to truly chase his dream of being Hokage, he needed to learn the rules of the game.

s Naruto clenched his fists, his resolve solidified. He needed answers. He needed to understand how the village worked if he was going to protect Taro and Aika. The first step? Talking to the Hokage. Jiji might not tell him everything, but he had to start somewhere.

Determined, he turned on his heel, ready to march straight to the Hokage Tower—

Only to freeze mid-step.

He looked down at his hands.

"…Oh crap."

He was still holding his groceries.

Naruto groaned, resisting the urge to smack himself. He had just spent all that time sneaking around to buy food under a henge, and now he was about to walk into the most important building in the village carrying vegetables like some kind of lost delivery boy.

With a defeated sigh, he spun around and sprinted back to his apartment.

Protecting his new family could wait a few more minutes. First, he needed to put away the damn groceries.