Ch. 33

--Zach POV--

Walking into the receiving room, I spotted my wife sitting in the middle of the couch, typing away on her laptop. Tsunade looked up and smiled at me before going back to typing. Looking around the room, I spotted a giant white sheet covering a bunch of items and took a guess that she had everything we made moved into here to present it to the man. I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm around her and just watched her work away at her medical research.

We only had to wait around 30 minutes before Shizune knocked on the door, letting us know to get ready. Tsunade closed the laptop and placed it on the coffee table, then sat up all prim and proper, she really is a princess. It caused me to straighten up as well, I didn't want to disappoint the love of my life. Finally, Shizune opened the door to let Teuchi and Ayame in. I stood up to greet and guide them to the couch in front of Tsunade. Teuchi had recognized me from yesterday and was giving me a confused look, to which I just smiled.

After we all got settled, Shizune returned with some tea and coffee for me. She distributed the drinks to the four of us and left after a little bow. Reaching down, I grabbed our two cups and handed my wife hers, she bowed her head in thanks and took it from me. Looking back to the old man he seemed to be nervous and trying to think about what he's done wrong to get called here.

Tsunade: "Teuchi, do you know why I summoned you and your daughter?"

Teuchi: "N-no ma'am, we haven't done anything."

Tsunade: "I want to talk to you two about Naruto."

That caused the man to pause, then stiffen his back. He slowly raised his head high and stared into Tsunade's eyes.

Tsunade: "What would you say if I told you to stop serving Naruto?"

Without hesitation, he replied.

Teuchi: "Ma'am, I would tell you to go to hell. The civilian council has already relegated me to a crappy shop in the slums for selling to him. I'd rather die than let that kid starve again."

Woah, that was a lot to take in. I couldn't hide the shock on my face, learning that he didn't stay in that crappy shop because it was sentimental. It was because he fed Naruto and was getting punished for it. Looking over to Tsunade, I saw her smirking. She found the answer she was looking for.

Tsunade: "Do you know who he is, what he is?"

The old man was balling his fists and getting angry now. Why do you have to do this, love, I know you like tormenting people but he's one of the good guys!

Teuchi: "I know, and it doesn't matter."

Tsunade: "Do you know who his parents are?"

That froze Teuchi and he narrowed his eyes towards my wife. Normally I'd get all huffy and let out killing intent, but it was Teuchi. She was testing him in her own little way, making sure he was worthy of the gift that I and a God created for him.

Teuchi: "I have my suspicions. What is this all about? If you want me to stop selling to him, we can end this right now and I'll be on my way."

Tsunade let out a joyous laugh at that. Teuchi and Ayame just looked at her in confusion.

Tsunade: "I won't tell you outright who the parents are because it is a secret. But, as the Fifth Hokage, I can give you some hints as a thank you from me for taking such good care of him. The first hint is obviously his yellow, spiky hair. The second being that I know of only one person who is as fanatical about ramen as young Naruto."

Turning my head to Tsunade, I looked at her in shock. I could have sworn she was going to turn down the Hokage after the bombshells she dropped on Jiraiya and Kakashi. She looked at me and smiled, tapping my thigh, letting me know we'll talk about it later. Tsunade turned back to the two, one was proud that his suspicions were correct and not regretting his decision, and the other was lost in thoughts.

Tsunade: "First off, I want to introduce my husband, Zachary Briggs. You two met last night when he treated Naruto to dinner. He wanted to reward you two for being the only ones that genuinely cared about the boy. I'm sorry for testing you like that, but I'm not as nice as he is and didn't want to give out these rewards without confirming for myself."

I just waved as she introduced me, and the two replied with mouths open and little waves back. Standing up, I held my hand out to Tsunade to help her up, then I went over to the two and did the same, motioning them to follow me to where everything was covered with a giant white cloth.

Zach: "So, as my lovely wife said, I'm Zach, nice to officially meet y'all. I am actually a smith, and I saw how well-loved your kitchen set has been maintained. Seeing that, I thought you'd like an upgrade, so I called a buddy of mine for some help and we made you some things."

Teuchi and Ayame were just staring up at me in amazement as we walked closer. Reaching the display, I grabbed the cloth and pulled it off of everything. What was revealed were polished knives, pots, pans, and kitchen appliances with a maker's mark of a slug crawling on a hammer.

Teuchi's eyes glittered in amazement as he walked up to the knives and picked up one of them. He gave it a couple of test chops and nodded in satisfaction.

Then he turned and went through the pots and pans like any master of cooking should do. When he got to the appliances was the moment I started to see his eyes shine in excitement. Figure he loves those more than mine, but then again, they were created by a god. It took him a while to go through everything, and by the end, he was in tears.

Teuchi: "T-thank you so much, Hokage, and you too, Zach! But I'm concerned if I bring these to my shop and the civilian council sees that I have such nice things. That the items will disappear one night, and I don't want that to happen with such precious gifts."

Tsunade just laughed.

Tsunade: "Well, I got better news for you. You know the Wandering Inn that popped up right next to our compound."

Teuchi: "Yeah, I heard they have a great bar and it's the number one spot in the town!"

Tsunade: "Well, we know the owners of the bar, and I talked to them this morning. They wanted to thank you for the work you've done and offered to extend the inn and let you set up shop in it. But that is only if you agree to it, of course. Either way, you get to keep all these gifts, so don't think of those as a bribe."

Ayame fainted in Teuchi's arms and he started crying even more tears of joy. How could he have known by doing the right thing, which caused his alienation, that he would be rewarded so well? On top of that being recognized by the Fifth Hokage herself. I couldn't be prouder of everyone in the room, these two and my wife reaffirmed my belief in humanity.

After the two calmed down, they decided it was time to go, they had a lot of packing to do for the move. I had told Tsunade that I would walk them out, she just nodded and gave me a kiss. As we were at the front door and I was about to let them out, I heard someone running down the stairs.

Naruto: "POPS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

Teuchi and Ayame turned to see Naruto barreling down the stairs with a wide grin on his face. The two couldn't but be appreciative of what this energetic bundle of joy had brought them. Ayame ran and hugged the boy, which caused him to blush a bit, which gave me a good chuckle.

Before things could get awkward, I let out a little cough, and the two separated. Naruto was still in a daze, and I think he might have a little crush on her, my man! But time to come to the rescue of my young protege.

Zach: "Naruto, Teuchi, and Ayame were here to talk about business. Their shop is going to be moving right next door to the inn over here."

Naruto was excited, but then the reality of the shop moving hit him. He became dejected really fast after that and hung his head low.

Naruto: "But if you move here, I'll get more scorn than I would be getting in the slums."

That made us all a bit melancholic. I went towards the boy and ruffled his hair.

Zach: "There is something I want to talk to you about, Naruto, follow me to the workshop."

Teuchi and Ayame read the mood and let themselves out as I guided Naruto outback and to the workshop. Looking back every now and then, as he followed me, I saw him squirming a bit in nervousness. Reaching the workshop, I opened the door and gestured for him to go in first. After he passed through, I followed behind.

Zach: "Take a seat anywhere ya want."

Like the smartass he is, Naruto jumped and sat down on a workbench that had barely enough room to fit him. I just sighed and brought a chair over and sat down right in front of him.

Zach: "So, a couple of things I want to talk to you about."

Naruto: "Yeah, yeah, I heard you and Granny Tsunade talking last night."

After hearing that I started to sweat bullets, wondering if he caught what happened after that. But then I remembered I thought I had heard the door click and let out a mental sigh, he didn't catch my fun.

Zach: "So....."

Naruto: "I'm thankful for everything you said."

Zach: "I sense a "but" here."

Naruto just smiled at that and laughed.

Naruto: "But I want to prove to everyone on my own!"

Facepalming and feeling like I had gained no traction from yesterday, I just sighed. As I removed my hand from my face, I could see Naruto's face was as white as a sheet, and he looked… Wait, I know that look! That's the look I gave when I fucked up, and Tsunade is reaming me a new one!

--Naruto POV--

It was cool of this old man to offer to let me live here and possibly adopt me. But it's not my ninja way, I've made it on my own this far why would I need help now? Plus I've got to train in order to beat my eternal rival Sasuke and win over Sakura's heart because THAT���S MY NINJA WAY!

Female ???: "Naruto, sweety."

Woah, where did that voice come from? Looking around I didn't see anyone but me and the old man in front of me, who was facepalming for some reason. He may be able to run fast, but he isn't a ninja so how could he understand what I'm trying to do? There is no way that this blacksmith could help the future Hokage!

Female ???: "NARUTO UZUMAKI!?! YOU STOP THOSE THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL ACCEPT THIS MAN'S HELP, OR BY GODS WE WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU! THIS MAN HAS DONE FOR YOU FAR MORE THAN YOU REALIZE! "

That voice scared the hell out of me, there was no one other than us in here, I looked. On top of that, the voice sounded really familiar, but it was one I know I've never heard before. Before I could think about it any further, a male voice chimed in.

Male ???: "Honey, you used our one time to talk to him before we're freed for this? Let our son choose his own path, we will support whatever he does. Naruto, choose for yourself, not for others. Do you really think someone married to the Fifth Hokage is that simple? We love you and will see you soon."

I heard a harrumph and I felt two presences disappear from my mind. They do love me? Who are they, they felt so familiar? As my mind started racing at trying to figure out what was going on, I heard a cute little girly voice in my head.

Little Girl: "They're your parents, you dummy!"

What a little girl now? Did I have a little sister that died the same night my parents did? She said that the ones who just spoke where my parents… I JUST GOT SCOLDED BY MY MOM?! Oh man, now I know why Shikamaru goes white when his mom has had to track him down. That was the scariest thing I've ever faced, even scarier than Zabuza and Haku. My gut is telling me to at least give this a try, for now, and see how it works!

Naruto: "HEY, OLD MAN! I'LL STAY HERE UNDER ONE CONDITION!"

Zach looked surprised at my outbreak.

Zach: "Name it."

Naruto: "I WANT AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF RAMEN FROM POP'S SHOP WHEN HE MOVES HERE!"

Zach gave me a warm smile, and I couldn't help but think about him and Tsunade adopting me. What did he say before, oh, yeah, it was that I didn't have to prove myself to anyone but myself? I'll try and follow that, they seem like good words to live by.

Zach: "Deal!"

Heck yeah! I gave Zach two thumbs up. What a sucker, I'm going to be eating there for every meal!

(A/N: Heads up I'll probably go to 1 a day for the rest of the week. Friday, I've got plans for most of the day and I hate trying to type stuff on my phone. Plus work has been hell this week and I'm just tired. I'm sorry and hopefully I can get more of a backlog so I can get back to two-a-days. On good news I want to thank all of you for getting us into the top 10 of the power rankings! You guys rock! -Pepto)