Capítulo 19: Chapter 18 - Here for as long as you need me
Solving the Leaf's problems was never going to be an overnight thing. Minato knew that, but he was hoping that in the three years since the fight8 that he would make some progress. So, far he hadn't made enough progress for his tastes. He had eased the restrictions for the Uchiha. They were allowed to live outside their grounds. Minato had allowed the first Uchiha's to serve under him as ANBU. Something that had never been done before. Minato also opened up positions with in the Academy, Interrogation, and Intel divisions to qualified Uchiha Candidates. Few Uchiha took the opportunities given to them. Fewer still were accepted by the others.
Finally, his plan to open positions within the Military Police for Non-Uchiha had failed. Fugaku was dead against it. He refused to cooperate. He did not want to lose what precious he had. It frustrated Minato how hard it was to make true progress. Not that he was going to give up. He was never going to give up. The Uchiha were a part of the village that he had sworn to protect. He would make them part of the Village once more or die trying.
The Uchiha were not the only area where Minato struggled. Kakashi was still a problem. He had improved but he still needed work. So far, Kakashi had managed to keep that mask but Minato planned to take it soon. Kakashi had helped Kinoe come out of his shell. Kinoe now trusted and accepted Minato as his master.
Kinoe was becoming one of the Hokage's most trusted ANBU. About a year ago he had stopped spying for Danzo. And six months after that, Minato stopped his surveillance of him. He felt that it was unnecessary now. Kinoe had performed above and beyond the call of the duty. He had earned the respect of his peers. He was opening up more and more everyday. Minato trusted the boy with his life. Which was a far cry from how they met.
All of this was thanks to Kakashi. He had become the boy's elder brother. Or at least that's how it seemed. Kinoe stuck to Kakashi like glue. He looked up to him and trusted him before he trusted anyone else. Which made Minato glad that he had let Kakashi keep his mask.
Kinoe was blossoming. He wouldn't need his partner for very much longer. Recently, he had even requested a new name. Which Minato granted. Kinoe was now Tenzo. It meant that Minato could finally take that mask away. He hadn't forgotten what it had done to Kakashi. Nor could he ignore his problems for much longer. He was his Sensei and he had to help him. He just needed a little more time . . .
Speaking of time, it certainly has changed Naruto. His son has grown by leaps and bounds. He is is constantly on the move now. He is constantly getting into everything. Poor Kushina could barely keep up! Whenever Minato went home he is treated to a display of epic portions. His Naruto would manage to get into something he shouldn't then his mom would chase him. It was hilarious display for Minato.
Naruto was so much like his mom. He was a constant chatter box. He was cheerful and loud. He was a bit clumsy though. Minato wished he hadn't acquired that from him. It was terrible combination with his wife's personality. What can I do? He is our son. Minato loved that little boy. He couldn't abandon him simply because he wasn't like his dad. That wasn't Minato Namikaze. He would NEVER abandon his son or ANY reason!
Minato wanted his son to have as normal of a childhood as possible. Sure, he was the son of the Fourth Hokage and the Jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails but that didn't mean he couldn't have a happy childhood. Minato was determined to give him that. He gave the boy as much freedom as he could. He let him play unattended in the village for a few hours a day. So long as the ANBU were watching, of course. He was far too young and vulnerable to go without that. His enemies would not hesitate to use Naruto to get to him. He couldn't allow that to happen. Naruto was his precious son and legacy. He would protect him no matter what.
Minato spent as much time as he could with the boy. He didn't want to be an absentee father. He wanted him to know that he was loved. He wanted to be there as he grew up. Sometimes a boy needs his father. It was his job to be there for him.
Today was one of the days that he set aside for Naruto. They were having a father-son day together in the village. Which was turning out pretty well so far. Naruto was a ball of energy. He practically ran circles around his dad. He kept chattering away as they went. He fired questions at his old man constantly. It was getting tiring but Minato wouldn't have traded it for the world. He was so glad that was out the boy today.
"Dad, Dad, Dad!" Naruto cried enthusiastically. Minato looked down at his son. Naruto bounced frantically. Minato's eyes drifted over to where his son was pointing. "Can we go? Can we, can we, can we?" He begged his father.
Of course he wants to go there. He always wants to go there. He's so much like Kushina. He thought as the boy practically danced in place. It was adorable. Minato couldn't help but melt at the display. Naruto was so innocent, so simple that his father couldn't say no. All too soon Naruto would be going to the academy and growing up on him. Minato would lose his little ball of energy. It was a part of life but Minato wanted Naruto to stay the same. Not that children ever did.
"It is almost dinner time." Minato chided. Naruto stared up at his father with the sweetest of eyes. Naruto looked completely crest-fallen. You're was going to to be the death of me one day. He thought before he said, "Alright. But you can only have one bowl."
Naruto cheered. It was almost as if nothing ever happened. That's my Naruto. He thought as Naruto dragged his father over to his favorite restaurant.
Ichiraku Ramen was his wife's favorite spot. She constantly ate there. She loved ramen and Ichiraku was the best. It wasn't very surprising that their son had picked up her habit. It was a habit that Minato could do without. Not that he had any choice in the matter. Naruto was his mother's son. There was no getting around it. He was stuck with it.
Once they were inside the stall, Naruto let go of his father's hand. Minato watched as his son struggled to get up on the bar stool. Minato would have helped but his son wouldn't want it. He was as stubborn as his mother. He had to do it on his own. It just was his way. That's my Naruto. He thought as he sat down beside him.
Teuchi greeted the pair as soon as they arrived. With in a minute he produced two bowls of Ramen. It was always the same kind of Ramen. Not that the pair complained. Minato watched as his son slurped down the concoction. He clearly loved it as much as his mother did. You would swear that we never feed him. Minato mused as he finally turned to his bowl. Minato wasn't that hungry. He came here because of his son not because he wanted to eat.
He was about to eat his bowl when his son turned to him. He looked up at his dad with big, sad eyes. He looked almost as if he was going to cry! Minato had seen this look before. He knew that his son was up to something. "Can I have yours, pleeease?" Naruto had already finished his bowl. Now he wanted his father's. "Can I? Can I? Can I?" He begged.
Minato melted yet again. He couldn't say no to that cute little face. "Aright." Naruto cheered as his father passed him the bowl. He wasn't that hungry anyway. "But this is it. Your mother will kill us if you eat too much before dinner." Well, she'll mostly kill me. Not that you need to know that.
Naruto agreed then slurped down his father's bowl. After he was done eating, he peppered his father with questions again. He never let up. It was exhausting sometimes. He was a curious little guy who wanted to know why everything was the way it was. But most of all, he wanted to know . . .
"Can I be a ninja?"
Minato sighed. Not that question again. "When you are older."
"But I wanna be one now!"
"No."
Naruto whined, "But I wanna!"
He looked his son in the eyes as he said, "Naruto, no."
Naruto put on his ramen face. "Pleeeaaaazee!"
Minato closed his eyes. Am I really that gullible? Does he think that will work every time? What kind of child am I raising? Naruto's spirit soared as he believed that his father would grant his request. He started to dance in his seat. It was getting harder and harder to stay still.
Minato had to shut this down. There was no way he was going to let his four year old become a ninja. He was too young. He hadn't even gone to the academy yet! Naruto didn't have the first idea of what it truly meant to be ninja. His father was going to keep it that way for just a little longer . . .
"I said no." Minato dared his son to argue. For a second Naruto started to argue then gave up. Then he started again. Which had to be promptly shot down, again. They argued like this all the way home. Minato started to get a headache. Part of him wanted to whack the boy. That wasn't his style though. He rarely ever hit Naruto but he was getting close.
Minato desperately needed the boy off his hands. Kushina was out with Mikoto today but it was almost dinner time. Kushina should be home soon. She was the best at distracting Naruto. Minato wondered how she did it. He couldn't stop the boy but she could! Somehow she always could. He marveled at her powers everyday. She could do things that he never could. He needed her help. He needed her to rescue him from his own off-spring. Minato needed Kushina now!
As soon as Minato opened the door Naruto ran in. Kushina was there already making dinner. Naruto gave her a big hug! Excitedly he cried out, "Dad's going to make me a ninja!"
Kushina shot Minato a dirty look. Naruto didn't notice though. He just went on and on about being a ninja. Minato tried to tell her that he didn't do that but she wasn't listening. She looked down at their little boy. She was going to shut this down. "Really? So, you're a big boy now?" Naruto nodded emphatically. "You can clean your room then. All on your own."
Naruto's heart sank. Naruto was extremely messy. He struggled to keep anything clean. Usually one of his parent's had to clean up his room for him. Which typically meant Minato since he couldn't stand the mess. Minato had tried to instill in his son the value of a well kept room. But so far it had fallen on deaf ears. There was no way that Naruto would clean up his mess on his own. Not yet at least.
Kushina took advantage of her son's weakness. She had him where she wanted him. She was not going to let up now. "That and you need to stop wetting your bed. Big boys don't do that, now do they?"
Naruto mumbled something then got into his seat. Naruto still struggled with keeping the bed dry at night. Several times per week Kushina had to take all his blankets and wash them. It was a part of growing up that Naruto couldn't help. It was a sign that Naruto wasn't all grown up. He was no where near ready to become a ninja. Which was obvious to everyone except Naruto.
You did again Kushina. How do you do that? Kushina was amazing. She got him off the subject quickly. Now, Naruto wanted to talk about anything BUT being a ninja. Which meant relief for the Young Hokage. He didn't want his son anywhere near a battlefield. Not yet at least. He knew that the time would come when he had to send him out into the world. To let him risk his life for his village and his country. But that time was NOT now. Naruto was not ready.
Naruto still needed his father's protection. He would have it no matter what. It was Minato's promise to him. One he had no intention of breaking. Naruto was so precious to him that it hurt sometimes.
Minato walked over to his son. He ruffled his hair before sitting down at the table. One day Naruto would be a ninja. On that day Minato would be proud. Until that day his father would keep watch. Regardless of whether Naruto wanted it or not. It was his duty as his father.
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