Scepticism

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In all things show yourself as an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and soundness of speech that can't be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

Titus 2: 7-8

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*DING-DONG* *DING-DONG*

The bells of the extravagant academy finally rang, announcing the crescendo of the arduous day. Immediately upon hearkening to the bell, the haggardness of all the students dissipated, replaced by untamed fervour as they dashed out of their classroom in a fatal fashion, competing with their peers to determine who was the faster one to exit the establishment.

Transitioning to the outside world, the kandscape lay blanketed in a thick carpet of white, contaminated by the presence of humans, mainly adults, staring into the cased opening that lead to the innards of the Academy. The doors were agape, allowing the sound of heavy footsteps to pass through...

*THUD* *THUD* *THUD* *THUD*

The sound amplified rapidly...

And finally, the entrance doors of the campus, initially devoid of life, suddenly brimmed with vibrant energy as the numerous students streamed right through the towering archway. The formerly tranquil landscape was now brimming with jubilance as the children rushed to their loving parents.

Academy is a bore, there's no denying that.

As for the students, the time apart from their affectionate homes unconsciously strengthened the bond between child and parent. The final hours of the day were usually the main eye-opener, highlighting the momentous tapestry rich in benevolence between child and parent. The teachers watched with a smile; no matter how many times they visited this scenario, it never gets old. It was truly a lovely sight to behold.

Amid the animated bustle, a youthful trio trod along, bearing ecstasy as they left footprints on the snow with each stride. The trio were Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji... But wait...

It seemed there was an anomaly; a petite girl with short red hair. She was none other than Naruto's sister, Uzumaki Karin.

Choji probed, "So Naruto, you mean to say that the one who protected you from that mean vendor was your uncle?"

"Yep. My uncle is super amazing ya know." Naruto hyped up. 

"I'm sure he is," Shikamaru chided along.

Choji turned to Karin, and inquired, "So Karin, you're from Yukigakure, huh? How come you came here?"

Karin answered, "My parents were from here and married in Yukigakure. They wanted to return to their hometown, and perhaps migrate here for my sake to learn about the beloved Konoha... At least that's what they told me."

(A lie fabricated to blend with the townsfolk)

"I see," Choji was satisfied with the answer, taking massive bites from his crisps.

Shikamaru inferred, "Well, welcome to Konoha Karin."

Karin smiled, "Thank you."

Turning to Naruto, Shikamaru added, "I'm happy for you Naruto, it's good news that there is someone who will take care of you."

"Hehe, yeah," Naruto admitted, sheepishly scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

In the outskirts, just beyond the boundary of the campus field, strode a solitary figure of familiar bearings. Most notable was his crimson hair tied in a ponytail, billowing in the crisp breeze. Karin's eyes glimmered with affection as the silhouette mirrored her loving father! 

The graceful figure was none other than Namikaze Hayato (disguised as Uzumaki Saruto of course).

And so, Karin vaulted straight toward her father, leaving the trio in the dust.

The figure zoomed in the closer she approached, and finally, she fell into Hayato's arms.

"Papa," Karin mumbled.

 Hayato smiled, and spoke endearingly, "How was your first day Karin?"

Breaking from the hug, she revealed a radiant smile, and answered, "Good! I made some friends as well."

"Ohh, that's great." Hayato said.

Audible stomps closed in on the father-daughter duo, belonging to Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji.

Naruto announced vehemently, "This is my oji-chan!" 

Tilting their heads skyward, Shikamaru and Choji were met with the warm smile of Naruto's uncle. He was a tall, lean man, and his more notable traits mirrored Karin's; that is to say, the vermillion hair and eyes. He had pronounced cheekbones, and a warm grin plastered his lips. He was a rather enchanting figure, exuding an aura of elegance. His well-toned physique hinted at his expertise as a Shinobi, but that also served to unconsciously steal the hearts of several females who looked in awe. 

- Who's that? - 

- I don't know, I've never seen him before. - 

- He's quite handsome, isn't he? - 

-Yes, I agree. - 

- Indeed. -

With Naruto introduced his uncle, Shikamaru immediately followed formal etiquette, bowing in respect before the elder. He greeted, "It's our pleasure."

Knowing it was the right thing to do, Choji mimicked, "Y-Yeah, it's our pleasure."

In Hayato's eyes, the duo seemed like respectful, and responsible kids. Appreciating the gesture, Hayato spoke, "It's my pleasure. Thank you for looking after Naruto. He may be a handful, but I hope you will be good friends." 

"Yes," Shikamaru and Choji affirmed.

Hayato aligned the features of Shikamaru and Choji to that of their father, concluding impeccable resemblance. He pondered, 'They look just like them.'

Naruto blinked a couple, before he pouted, "Eh? Oji-chan, what's that supposed to mean? I'm also mature ya know."

Seeing Naruto vexed, everyone erupted into laughter, but those who weren't within the social circle eyed the yellow-haired youth with resentment. Naruto's intervention into the bustling crowd seemed to serve as a deterrent, as evidenced by the diminishing vigour, the crowd's repulsive demeanour, and revolting gazes.

The subtle shift in the atmosphere didn't go unnoticed by Shikamaru and Choji, as the duo exchanged a tacit nod, accepting the eerie tide shrouding the campus grounds... They felt as though the vile intent was directed at them...

Incorrect.

It was directed solely at Naruto. 

- It's that boy, isn't it? - 

- Yeah, that monster! - 

- Who's the person, and that girl? - 

- Maybe they're cursed as well! - 

- Yeah. That must be it! - 

Despite bearing witness to the unshaken purity of the family, the general public formulated their own twisted opinions! There was a sharp contrast in the air, and it was unsettling, to say the least. 

"Oy Shikamaru."

"Oy Choji."

Asserted 2 deep voices in unison, alerting Shikamaru and Choji of their enigmatic presence. The 2 adults presented themselves as notorious ninjas of the village, namely revered as the heads of the Nara clan and Akimichi clan; entering the scene were Nara Shikaku and Akimichi Choza.

"Tou-chan," Shikamaru and Choji yelled back. 

Shikaku's gaze shifted to the 2 youths that stood beside them; one was a female with scarlet hair, resembling Hayato in a way, while the other was a kid he was familiar with; Uzumaki Naruto.

Knowing these 2 respected figures of Konoha, Hayato greeted, "It's an honour, Shikaku-san, Choza-san."

"Oh, no worries," Shikaku waved his hand in dismissal, inferring the scarlet-haired man to cast aside formalities.

However, there was a rather larger issue at hand, revolving around Naruto who stood beside Hayato. Furthermore, Shikaku and Choza were alarmed at Naruto's optimism, which hinted at a deeper connection between Hayato and Naruto...

Shikaku couldn't help, but ponder over what this entailed.

Since it regarded the Jinchuruki, the interaction between Naruto and this stranger was definetely suspicious, and took precedence above all else.

Choza was also not one to lack behind, as he too, aligned with Shikaku's thought process. 

Choza queried, "And you are..."

Hayato introduced, executing his fake persona seamlessly, "Ahh, right. I'm Uzumaki Saruto. I'm the father of these two."

"Father you say?" Shikaku inquired, arching a brow.

"Yes," Saruto affirmed, ruffling Karin's head. He continued, "This is my daughter..."

Ruffling Naruto's hair, Saruto continued, "And this here is Naruto, whom I adopted. He's a nephew of mine."

'Nephew?' Shikaku mused, also noticing a resemblance between the man and Kushina; that is to say, prominent traits that belonged to the Uzumaki lineage. Shikaku internally concluded, 'I see. He's an Uzumaki. I thought there was none left.'

Noticing Shikaku's narrow and examining gaze, Saruto disclosed, "It's as you think. I was close to Kushina-nee-san back in the day. We're of the same clan after all."

"I see," Shikaku nodded. 

The Shika-Cho fathers met Naruto with a downcast gaze, but were met back with a radiant smile from the youth. Though Naruto had come across them before, this was the first time he had seen them up close.

Though he revealed a bright smile, the sole bead of sweat tracing down his temple evidenced his agitation. Internally, the youth shrieked, 'So these two are Shikamaru's and Choji's dads? They look scary up close!' 

A tender smile graced Shikaku's lips, before he congratulated, "I see, that's great to hear. I hope you look after the boy well." 

"Yes, I will," Saruto acknowledged with a bow, while devising another ploy; 'Perhaps I can seek their assistance in the future, especially during the meeting with the higher-ups.'

Just before the atmosphere became sombre, Saruto alleviated the mood with a taunt directed at his nephew;

"I was actually thanking your sons for watching over my nephew's feistiness, haha."

Shikaku answered in understanding, "Ohh, I see. Good job Shikamaru." He raised a thumbs up to his son.

"Oy, oji-chan!" Naruto pouted, strongly contradicting his uncle's belittling.

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone aside from Naruto erupted into laughter, and Hayato ruffled his hair; "I'm just kidding Naruto."

"Hmm, c'mon, I'm mature ya know," Naruto whined, crossing his arms in defiance, but unable to hide his reddenned face as Hayato's enormous hand brushed his tousled hair.

Shikaku suggested, "Maybe one day we should have a family feast, and perhaps get to know each other." 

However, his real intention was to get to know Saruto more. After all, who wouldn't find it strange as to why Lord Third kept this crucial information confidential?

Choza's ears immediately perked up at the mention of feast, before he abided, "Feast? Yeah, I like the sound of that." 

"Yeah, a big feast," Choji confided, exposing his intention as evidenced by the seeping drool on his lips. Naruto and Shikamaru shared a strained laugh at Choji's unmasked gluttony.

Meanwhile, Hayato nodded amicably, "Yeah, that would be great. I'd also like to personally know my son's friends."

Shikaku smiled, "Great."

With this fruitful discourse, the initial wariness both Shikaku and Choza harboured had drastically waned, replaced by a trustworthiness for the man. 

"Well, I've gotta get going. I'll see you around, Saruto... Ohh, and just Shikaku will be fine," Shikaku addressed.

"Yeah, just Choza will be fine as well," Choza aligned.

"I see. Thank you very much, Shikaku, Choza," Hayato expressed his gratitude.

And so, they all parted ways, with Naruto, Karin, Shikamaru, and Choji bidding farewell.