Adoption

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God will put his Angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.

Psalm 91:11-12

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***

While the village resided in normalcy, showcasing the cacophony of daily life and devoid of anomalies, today marked a new beginning for a specific youth. The youth was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, his current setting enveloped in an eerie tranquillity, so silent that the beating of his heart echoed in his ears!

He was in the presence of the aged 3rd Hokage, and a crimson haired man who claimed to be his uncle, a loving smile gracing his countenance.

And finally, Naruto's mouth widened, and he exclaimed in disbelief;

"E-EEHHHH?!"

Naruto exclaimed in disbelief, uncertainty evident in his tone. The youth's eyes widened as he gazed at the red-haired man, a blend of confusion and astonishment etched across his face. After all, the notion of having a father figure was something Naruto had never experienced.

Breaking the silence, Naruto finally spoke, his voice a bit shaky but filled with genuine emotion; "You... you want to be my father?"

Pointing at himself proudly, Hayato declared, "Naturally, I'll be a father for you; I'm your super cool uncle after all, so I gotta take responsibility." A playful grin played on his lips, warmth radiating from his crinkled eyes. He added, "I'm your oji-san... but if you'd like to call me tou-san, I wouldn't mind."

Naruto rasped wistfully, "O-Oji-san..."

Noticing Naruto was unable to speak, Hayato smacked his palm on Naruto's shoulders, and pressed on; "Well, I'll be adopting you Naruto, you'll be under my care, and..." He paused, his pupils constricted in perplexion. 

Reflected before Hayato's eyes, a solitary tear traced down Naruto's cheek, falling onto the hand that firmly grasped the youth's shoulder!

Quickly retracting his hand from Naruto's shoulder, Hayato stammered, "A-Ah, sorry, did that hurt?!" 

A bead of sweat traced down his temple as he envisioned a fiery red-haired woman in his mind, her clenched fist poised to strike him. 'I'm sorry Kushina-san, I didn't mean to do that,' Hayato pleaded for forgiveness. He clasped his hands together in a motion of prayer, seeking forgiveness from both Naruto and Kushina, and perspiring heavily at this ordeal!

Kushina was one to act out rashly, and he knew that more than anyone else that she wouldn't give him time to elaborate!

In the dark world, Kushina's every step rang out in the abyss, each step resonating with an ominous vibe! Her grinding teeth were asunder, and she calmly whispered, "Hayato-san, did you just make my Naruto-chan cry?" 

It wasn't the calmness in her pitch that made the man shudder, but the undercurrent of something vile... More sinister! Hayato's heart yearned out in trepidation! Kushina's vibrant red hair splayed wildly, her eyes plain white with no presence of her pupils, entailing her heightened wrath!

Yet all Hayato could do was kneel, and beg for mercy!

While Hayato had his imaginary conflict with the red-hot habanero, Naruto was anxious by Hayato's withdrawal, raising an eyebrow at his peculiarity who had his hands clasped together apologetically. 

Naruto questioned, his tone slightly croaked, "Huh? What do you mean?" 

Caressing his cheek, it was then he realised that his cheek felt damp. He wiped his left cheek with the sleeves of his arm, muttering, "That's weird." However, his effort proved futile as more tears streamed down his face, yet he persistently rubbed his face, sniffling his nose, and unable to comprehend this bubbling emotion... An odd sensation he found solace in.

Why?

Because the youth had been strong for too long. It had been an internal conflict, where he locked behind his real emotion. Hayato was the key to the tightly shut door, unsealing the concealed toll and wild fluctuation!

'Naruto,' Hayato mulled, letting his clasped hands fall to his sides, his eyes widened, and his mouth twitching. At that moment, the world seemed to freeze as the youth tried to clean his face. Naruto's tears descended slowly down his cheeks, and the youth was unable to grasp his gesture came to no avail!

Without hesitation, Hayato instinctively enveloped the sobbing youth, who had yet to perceive what he was feeling. The sudden embrace startled Naruto, his eyes widening momentarily in surprise.

"I'm sorry Naruto. I was away on a mission and couldn't find the time to meet you. I am very sorry," Hayato voiced, his tone laced with sincerity as he tightened his grip. He was truly heartbroken by Naruto's current emotional influx. 

Naruto accepted the embrace of the man, not uttering a word, allowing himself to be pulled into a warm hug. He didn't know why he felt the way he did, but for the first time in his life, he felt something from this man he hadn't felt from anyone else. His life till now, the village shared an ill resentment toward him, harbouring deep hatred he could never fathom. He had learned to hide the pain behind a smile, burying it deep within his heart. But now, the man before him had somehow unlocked the floodgates of his emotions. Naruto, the seemingly optimistic kid, was crying, moved by the empathy and love this man offered.

Hiruzen observed the scene, his mouth twitching. His own emotions were ambiguous, but it was evident he agonised over this unexpected chain of events. Naruto's genuine tears were something he had never witnessed before.

Hayato expressed his sorrow, his tone grievous, "I am truly sorry."

The embrace resumed for a while longer, with Naruto feeling the warmth of his uncle's affection, while Hayato grappled with his own feelings of guilt. He couldn't possibly understand what Naruto was going through. Eventually, Hayato gently pulled away from the embrace, glancing at Naruto worriedly. "Naruto," he muttered.

"I-It's fine," Naruto muttered, wiping the tears from his face. Wiping away the tears, the room seemed to brighten as Naruto's face broke into a radiant smile, and he spoke enthusiastically. "I've never had someone like that in my life. I hope you'll look after me, oji-san."

Concluding his statement, he flashed a mischievous grin, his cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment. It was as though the dull world had regained colour, his youthful persona emitting radiant hues that shifted around like a kaleidoscope. 

Hayato's lips curved into a smile, and he affectionately ruffled his nephew's hair, "You can count on me kiddo."

Turning to Hiruzen, he intoned, "Lord third, I will be taking Naruto."

Hiruzen was speechless, but Hayato could tell by Hiruzen's absence of mind that something was bugging him. It's not every day you see the third Hokage suddenly in a daze, but Hayato could discern Hiruzen was feeling guilty.

"Lord third!" Hayato exclaimed, snapping Hiruzen from his lampooning. With the old man's attention, Hayato spoke, "I'll be taking Naruto."

With his back straightened, Hiruzen recomposed himself with a fake cough, and answered, "Ahem, yes, absolutely."

Showing a hand to the youth, Hayato initiated, "Well Naruto, shall we get going?"

"Yes," Naruto firmly agreed, his face showing visible excitement as he accepted Hayato's hand. 

Hayato cast a glance at Hiruzen, his mind racing, and his lips quivering as though struggling to find the right words... Or more like, with Naruto's presence, Hayato was hindered from vocalising. And so, turning to Naruto, he suggested;

"Oh, right, Naruto, do you have a lot of belongings?"

Naruto shook his head, "Uh, no, not much."

"In that case, how about taking them all now? I'll talk with Lord Third for a while, okay?" Hayato instructed, using this chance to have a final conversation with Naruto.

"Okay," Naruto agreed, releasing his grip on Hayato, and scurrying off to collect his belongings.

Hiruzen and Hayato watched the ecstatic youth rummage through his bedroom and pack his suitcase. Hayato watched with a smile, his arms crossed in nonchalance, while Hiruzen had his arms behind his back bearing a serious visage.

Finally, Hayato broke the silence, "Lord third, I believe I should speak first about what happened yesterday. I may have gone a little far in our encounter."

Hiruzen objected immediately, "No, it's my fault. Your actions were entirely justified." The image of Naruto shedding tears moments prior replayed in his mind, and he was truly heartbroken, and he couldn't help but reflect, 'I should've taken better care of him.'

Hayato nodded in justification, "Yes, I do believe my action was reasonable. Anyone in my shoes would do the same."

Hiruzen remained silent, his formerly haggard demeanour diminishing as he watched the joyous youth stockpile his mini suitcase. The smile on Naruto's face was much brighter than he had ever seen, exuding a radiance like the sun that would illumine even the darkest of nights.

Hayato resumed, "... But then again, I should sympathise with your line of duty. What I said back then stemmed from rage, especially my own inability to be there for him, however..."

He paused, as though reluctant. His warm gaze now cradled a slight coldness, and his face slightly reddened from anger.

Hayato's lips slowly parted, his tone carrying irritation, "... It was also because the way you spoke reminded me of that psychotic old man!" 

There was no need to elaborate, casting a momentary hush over the room. As though resonating with Hayato's statement, the wind howled an agonising cry! Even nature itself seemed to align with Hayato's statement! 

It was obvious by the 'psychotic old man,' he was emphasising Shimura Danzo!

Truly an evil man whom Hayato had shallow regards for... Or rather, he'd be better off dead!

Hiruzen nodded amicably, "You may be right, and it's also true I have been negligent." As Hiruzen observed Naruto packing his bags, a disappointed expression crept onto his face; a self-deprecation for his incapability to properly care for the young boy. Despite making occasional visits to Naruto, ranging from once to thrice a month, he couldn't escape the realisation of his own shortcomings. He grappled with the fact that, much like Danzo, his thought process had been flawed.

Naruto, in the midst of filling his suitcase, picked up a familiar item; a golden Kitsune mask that Hayato had bought for him. A serene smile graced his lips as he traced the red linings of the mask before delicately placing it inside his suitcase.

Meanwhile, Hayato raised an important concern; "Have you told him anything? His parents, the Kyuubi inside him..."

"No, I have not," Hiruzen denied.

"I see. Well, in that case, I'll tell him everything in due time."

"Very well."

Stretching his arms, Hayato let out a satisfactory groan, and notified, "Well, I'll see you later Lord Third. I chose to speak because I don't really want you to feel guilty about something that is none of your fault." 

"I see..." Hiruzen replied.

"And I believe we'll meet at the council meeting," he notified.

"Yes, I'll be sure to inform you of the meeting," Hiruzen added.

"Alright."

Hayato assessed the small apartment, digesting every nook and cranny, a small confined space that Naruto had lived in throughout his 6 years. A smile adorned his lips as he whispered, "This brings back memories, huh nii-san?"

A memory flashed in his mind, recalling moments when Minato had affectionately ruffled his head in this very apartment. The table held the memories of shared dinners, the bed witnessed nights spent together, with Hayato often being the one to playfully disrupt their sleep...

"O-Oji-san," an enthusiastic voice rang out, jolting Hayato from his reminiscence.

Both adults turned their attention downward, where a child stood with a large suitcase, contained with belongings.

"Got everything?" Hayato raised in a questioning tone.

"Yeah... I think. Can we come back if I forgot anything," Naruto inquired, the pause in his phrase hinting at his uncertainty.

Hayato assured, "Absolutely, that's not a problem." Extending a hand, he proposed with a grin, "So, let's get going." 

Naruto happily accepted. The youth's heart raced with a sense of anticipation and vigor. As of this moment, his life will change for the better; he had always been envious of the familial bonds of his peers, and today, he felt from his uncle firsthand how it felt.

He was excited.

It besieged him with a sense of invigoration.

"O-Oji-san," Naruto called.

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me all about my tou-chan and kaa-chan?" Naruto asked, genuinely curious.

Hayato flashed a smile, "Absolutely, I'd be glad to. I'll tell you all about them." Naruto excitedly smiled upon this confirmation, his eyes glistening in anticipation, eager to be under his uncle's tutelage, and also eager to know his real parents. 

Facing Hiruzen, Hayato concluded, "Well, I'll see you Lord Third."

Hiruzen affirmed, "Yeah." 

Hayato closed his eyes, and warned the youth, "You might feel a little dizzy, so bear with me."

"Mhm," Naruto hummed, his hold on his uncle's hand tightening. Hayato's eyes closed, and he mused in approval, 'There.'

"Saruto."

Halting Hayato from casting his technique was an aged voice. Hayato turned around, the image of the 3rd Hokage reflected by the corner of his eyes. 

Hiruzen's lips slowly parted, as he voiced his closing words; "Look after him well."

Hayato ascertained with a nod, and supported, "Yes, don't worry Lord Third. Naruto will be under my care."

Subsequently, the uncle-nephew duo vanished from the spot, leaving the aged man alone in the now desolate apartment. Hiruzen sighed, his gaze fixed on the sky... or more accurately, the ceiling. The image of Naruto's tears lingered in his mind, and he whispered, "Naruto, I, too, will do my utmost to protect you."

***

Naruto merely blinked, and a whole new world was presented before him. Before he had blinked, he was in his dark, lonely room, and then all of a sudden, the vibrant light of the outside world flooded his vision. Naruto would've questioned what sort of jutsu this red-haired man had cast, but he was too awestruck by the view presented before him.

With a warm smile, Hayato's gaze remained at the front, and he announced, "Welcome. This is our home, Naruto." 

Naruto was in stunned silence, his jaw dropping in disbelief, and his eyes flickering in astonishment!

The duo stood before an extravagant house.