After Orochimaru retreated, Naruto undid all his clones, however, he felt that he was forgetting about something...
*bang*
With a thud, an enormous figure landed behind him...
"Brat! Where's the fine wine you promised!" Gamabunta roared
Naruto turned around
"Damn, you still remember that" He clicked his tongue
"Don't tell me you were lying" Gamabunta leaned in with a fierce glimmer in his eyes, as if he's prepared to risk it all and fight with him for being lied to.
"It's not a lie" Naruto sighed
"It's just that it's made with some rare ingredients, so I don't have much of it" He took out a large barrel from his lab and placed it in front of Gamabunta.
He made this wine with intentions of fermenting it for a few years before drinking it when he's old enough, but it seems that he need to use it now to appease the big man himself.
Gamabunta grabbed the barrel and opened it up. His nose was instantly invaded with a fragrance that left him intoxicated.
He took a small sip
"Bwah! Good wine! Not bad kid, consider today's favour paid" He laughed as he undid the summoning jutsu to return home with the barrel in hand.
"Ah!" The moment he disappeared, Ino, who was still on his head, fell
Naruto jumped up and caught Ino safely
"Sorry, I forgot you were still up there" Naruto apologised
"It's alright Na-kun, as long as you care" Ino giggled as she tapped his cheeks
Hiruzen walked over at this moment, clutching his chest as he walked with a slight limp. During the battle against Hashirama and Tobirama, he expended quite a lot of chakra, so his current state wasn't the greatest.
Naruto stared at him
"Hokage-sama...do you perhaps want to retire?" Naruto asked
???
Ino turned to Naruto, stupefied
Hiruzen was also surprised, but he smiled and actually nodded
"I'm already so old, I feel the village needs to be led by someone of a younger generation" He said
"Be honest" Naruto said
*Cough*
Hiruzen coughed
"Don't tell anyone, but I'm sick of the paper work" He replied
!?!?!
Ino couldn't believe her ears! The third Hokage, Hiruzen-sama, the man who usually does everything for the village, wants to drop the job because of the paper work! His image in her mind started to crumble slowly...
"Then just retire"
"I'm afraid that there are no good candidates, Jiraiya would be good, however, he has refused me once already" Hiruzen shook his head
Naruto nodded and didn't press further. Because of his intervention, Hiruzen didn't die, so now, Tsunade would become harder to convince to return to the village.
The village spent a few days recuperating the damage, and during these days, Naruto visited a few places.
The first place...
Some distance away from the village, Orochimaru returned to his temporary hideout, still seething with rage.
When he returned, the first thing that came to mind were the two that lived in here...
"I will skin them both alive!" He gnashed his teeth and entered
"You two, get-"
"..." The moment he entered, he fell silent, because in the room, Naruto sat there, sipping tea, whilst Haku and Zabuza were tied up tightly, and hung from the ceiling...
"Sup" Naruto waved at him
"How did you get in here..." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice
Naruto pointed behind himself, at a familiar looking scroll. It was the very scroll that he used to hold Zabuza and Haku's bodies.
"The scroll...the flying raijin's mark" Orochimaru muttered, in which Naruto nodded
He sucked in a cold breath, he didn't think that he would be unable to detect such a thing.
"Why are you here, after betraying me like that" Orochimaru said coldly
He didn't act right away, as Naruto's performance earlier left him cautious
"To explain the situation" He replied
"What is there to explain" Orochimaru sneered
Naruto shook his head
"You have no idea how dangerous your situation was, the moment Hiruzen summon the clones, he was determined to kill you with his own life at stake" Naruto said calmly
"Kill me? Laughable! He could hardly protect himself, how would he kill me" Orochimaru laughed with a mocking tone.
Naruto took out a scroll and passed it to him. Orochimaru frowned further, Naruto's betrayal wasn't something he could overlook, but he still received it and opened the scroll. As he read the content, his brows furrowed as he broke into a cold sweat.
On it depicted the reaper death seal, a forbidden jutsu from the Uzumaki clan. It was one of the jutsu Minato listed in his guide book.
"He was going to use this? How did you know" Orochimaru asked
"Because he felt that you are too big of a threat for Konoha, he is so old already, so taking you down with him would be a big bonus" Naruto replied calmly
"Also" Naruto added
Orochimaru's frown deepened, there was something else?
"You summoned Hashirama Senju, if you didn't summon him, I wouldn't have needed to intervene at all" Naruto said
"Why? It can't be because of the kyuubi, could it?" Orochimaru questioned
"Bingo, it is the kyuubi, his rage spiked upon sensing Hashirama, and refused to lend me any chakra unless I promised it to beat him up, if I don't have his chakra, I'd be in quite the predicament" Naruto replied
"..."
Orochimaru's lips twitched, so his battle was interrupted, solely because he brought Hashirama back from the dead!?
He sighed, no matter, in the end, he can be considered lucky that the fight was interrupted, since Hiruzen seemed like he was going to try to take him down with him. Had he really done that, Orochimaru felt that his chance of survival would be slim.
"Is that all then?" Orochimaru asked
"Goodness no, I also came to see how these two are doing" Naruto chuckled
They currently had their mouths bound tightly, so all they could hear were some muffled screams.
*Snap*
He snapped his fingers, and the ropes disappeared, including the one covering their mouth.
"Naruto you #(!#& #&!, I swear I'll #@&! your #!&*#)# and &@*#&!!!!" Haku shouted at Naruto the moment it was taken off, but the two didn't make any actions towards him.
Well, they initially tried, but he instantly tied them up and sealed their chakra with a seal...
Orochimaru and Zabuza were in shock as they stared at Haku, who usually speaks in a refined and respectful way...
"...um, cool, anyway, how are you two doing now?" Naruto asked
"I hate you" Haku replied
"Sounds nice, how about you" Naruto turned to Zabuza and asked
"Uh..." Zabuza coughed, he was actually living quite a good life here, with no fear of people wanting to hunt him down and such.
"Not bad, I guess" he replied
"Fantastic, hey, mind if you teach me swordsmanship?" Naruto asked
"..." Zabuza was speechless as he stared at Naruto, did he seriously just ask the person he poisoned and kidnapped, to teach him swordsmanship?
"You can say no if you want" Naruto smiled innocently
Zabuza lifted a brow in surprise
"Then I'll have to decli-"
"Of course, I'll kill you once you say no" Naruto added
"..." No wonder he was willing to let him reject him...
This is no longer a request, it was a blatant threat! He couldn't believe his eyes, how can someone say such a messed up statement with such an innocent smile?
*Sigh*
Zabuza glanced at his side, where his arm used to be. Ever since his arm was cut off, he considered his life as a Shinobi to be over, yet Naruto didn't kill them, and even placed them in Orochimaru's care.
He then glanced at Haku...
'How long has it been since he's expressed himself so well?' Haku has always been very calm and respectful whenever he spoke to him, yet when Naruto is in the picture...
Well, anger isn't the greatest spectrum of emotions, but perhaps if he is in contact with Naruto for long enough, he would start showing more.
"Alright, I'll teach you swordsmanship" He said
"Zabuza-sama" Haku exclaimed
"Haku, it's fine" Zabuza patted Haku's head and said
"Oh my, oh my, what a strong father-son relationship" Naruto covered his mouth and said
"I thought as much" Orochimaru nodded by his side
"He's not my son!" Zabuza glared at them and said fiercely, but Orochimaru realised that he wasn't as resistant to the term as before.
"Sure~" Naruto shrugged
Haku lowered his head, Zabuza has never patted his head before, so feeling this made him reveal a faint smile as a small blush appeared on his face.
"Okay, I know it's weird to say to a guy, but why are you actually cute" Naruto rubbed his chin and asked with a frown.
"..."
Zabuza removed his hand, and suddenly...
"Wait, is he making a hand sign? I thought you needed two hands to form it" Naruto frowned
Mist started to fill the room
"Huh? Wait, this doesn't add up, how is he using hand signs!" Naruto looked around, and realised Orochimaru was hiding behind the door
"Oi! I thought you're always curious about jutsus, why not get curious about this one!" Naruto exclaimed
"I am curious, curious about how he'll kill you" Orochimaru replied, for some reason, even he felt an immense threat from Zabuza at this moment.
"...f**k" Naruto suddenly dodged to the side as Zabuza appeared behind him, and struck down with his hand.
*Bang*
"F**k! His hand just went through the steel floor! This ain't hollow, this is solid steel!" Naruto yelled
Naruto quickly made a seal, and instantly, a strong wind blew, dispersing the fog, whilst Zabuza was once again tied up.
"Phew" Naruto heaved a sigh of relief
"I'm already dealing with one man with a daughter complex, I don't need one who has a son complex" Naruto grumbled
Haku smiled at him
"I hope you $^@*$ in h*ll" Haku said with a smile that made Naruto shiver, just what is up with this father-son duo...
After calming down Zabuza, Naruto finally relaxed. He even took out the executioner blade and passed it back to Zabuza.
"I've been using it during this time, but I want to earn it properly, teach me swordsmanship, and when I can best you with raw kenjutsu, then I'll take it back" Naruto said calmly
Zabuza was once more surprised, but this time, it was much more pleasant as he chuckled. He has always had people challenge him for his sword, but this is the first time someone asked him to train him so he could take the sword.
"Sure, kid, once you become skilled enough, you will get my title"
Naruto sat down on the couch and groaned
"Man, I'm tired...and yet I still have so much to do" Naruto sighed
"What else do you need to do?" Orochimaru sat down on the other side and asked
Naruto took out two coins, which Orochimaru recognised. Those were the coins that the first and second hokage are sealed in.
"I'll need you to undo the edo tensei on them, since the pure lands have been trying to pull them back"
"Simple" Orochimaru nodded, and made a seal, undoing the edo tensei
The coins in Naruto's hand began crumbling, and vanished completely.
"Alright, time to go to the next place, take of these two for me, I'll pick them up when I have a proper house" Naruto waved
"What! Take them away already!" Orochimaru yelled, but Naruto just stuck out his tongue and teleported away.
"That damned brat" He heaved out a deep sigh and shifted his eyes to the two
"We're leaving" He said with a helpless expression
For some reason, Haku and Zabuza felt somewhat bad for Orochimaru, to have made contact with that little yellow demon...
As for where Naruto went now?
"Enemy attack!" Naruto appeared in the middle of a group of Suna ninjas, causing them to panick.
"Wait!" A voice came from the back, calming the disorder quickly
Temari walked over with a slight frown on her face as she stared at Naruto. She didn't hate him, but the fact that he appeared out of nowhere caused qite a lot of shock.
But the biggest factor...
"Before anything, please get off my younger brother" She said in a low voice
Naruto looked down, and Gaara was staring at him with a dead pan expression...
"Ah, hahaha, sorry, I forgot that I placed the mark on his back directly" Naruto laughed as he got off Gaara.
Temari sighed
"Why are you here? Or did Konoha send you to follow us" She asked
"Nah, even if they did, I'll just say I couldn't keep up, but I doubt they'd send a genin to follow a bunch of Suna ninjas" Naruto shrugged
Gaara got up, and patted himself down
"Um...hello" Gaara said awkwardly
Naruto could feel that his killing intent was no longer as intense, likely due to the Ichibi being in a bad state and had his seal fortified at the moment so it couldn't disrupt his mind.
"Hi, I actually came for you" Naruto pointed at Gaara
"Me?" Gaara was taken aback
He nodded
"Yep, to be more specific, I need to talk to the one inside you"
"The one inside? The Ichibi?" Gaara frowned
He shook his head
"I cannot control it, so letting it out is out of the question" He replied
"What? No, I don't need you to let it out, I just need to take a dive into your head" Naruto grinned
Gaara rubbed his head
"My...head?" He couldn't seem to understand what Naruto meant
Naruto rolled his eyes, he pulled Gaara down and sat down in front of him. He then placed his hand on Gaara's stomach.
"I'm going to pull your mind into your mindscape real quick, kay? I'll be in there as well" Naruto said
"Okay" Gaara nodded
Naruto closed his eyes, and very quickly, entered Gaara's mindscape. When he did so, Gaara was pulled in as well, taking them to a sewer like place, very much like the one Kurama was in.
"This place..." Gaara looked around
He turned to Naruto, and suddenly took a step back
"K-Kyuubi" He gasped
Seeing his expression, Kurama revealed a satisfied grin. Finally, someone who would show some proper fear towards him!
[Hahaha, you have good eyes, human] Kurama chuckled
Naruto jumped up and landed on Kurama's head
"Now, don't go scaring our new friend, first, we need to go find the Ichibi" Naruto chuckled
[Indeed, it has been so long since we last met] Kurama looked around, and a giant cage came into view, far off in the distant.
Gaara was still shocked by the fact that Kurama has entered his body, and couldn't understand why.
"Don't think too hard, I just brought Kurama in with me" Naruto saw his shock, and smiled
Kurama rolled his eyes, he'd be more surprised if Gaara wasn't shocked by his appearance. After some convincing, Gaara finally understood the general situation, and it was just like Naruto said.
The two of them are like friends, they argue, but are still close. That relationship...he couldn't help but glance towards the cage in the distance, wondering...can he be like that with the Ichibi?
"Let's go meet him" Naruto grinned
"Mn" Gaara nodded
*Bang*
As they got closer, they heard loud smashing sounds. The Ichibi, within the prison, constantly smashed its body against the bars, trying to break free with every moment it has.
[Grr, damn humans! That damned toad, once I get out, I will skin that b*stard alive!] The Ichibi screamed as it smashed the bars.
It soon noticed the presence of the three who has arrived, and the first thing it saw was none other than Kurama. His eyes shrunk as he stared in disbelief...
[K-Kurama! And...HUMANS! Kurama, kill them! Kill those b*stards!] The Ichibi screamed as he grabbed the bars.
Kurama approached and chuckled
[Shukaku, it's been a while] He said with a gleeful grin on his face
[K-Kurama?] Shukaku wondered if Kurama has been possed, who in the world is this nine tailed fox who is smiling at him!
All the beasts knew that the hatred within Kurama is the greatest! Yet here he is, smiling with two humans around him!
He stared at Naruto, who sat on top of Kurama, as rage filled his heart
[YOU! You were the brat on the toad! How dare you show your face in front of me!] Shukaku wanted to reach his claws out to grab Naruto, but wasn't able to do so.
Kurama shook his head
[Shukaku, you're as hot tempered as always]
[Stop talking as if you're so great! Acting like some big shot! Just because you have more tails, you think you're above us all!] Shukaku yelled
Naruto covered his mouth and chuckled
"Wow, the oh so great Kurama is being insulted by his lil bro"
[I am not his little brother!] Shukaku screamed
[Fufufu, isn't he just adorable?] Kurama smiled
"Well, now that I actually see it out of battle, yeah, he is indeed very cute" Naruto nodded
Shukaku was flipping out at this moment
[Ah! Kurama, how is it that you of all people have submitted to your host! You even let that human ride you!] Shukaku spoke with deep resentment, and a hint of betrayal
Kurama scoffed
[Submitted? I can leave this brat whenever I want, the seal that binds me to him is no longer intact, also, I'm not a person]
[WHAT!]
"What!"
Both Shukaku and Gaara had the same expression as they stared at them. The seal was no longer intact?
"Yeah, I removed it last month, hahaha" Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed
[Th-Then why are you still in him! Why not escape!]
Kurama laid down in a comfortable position before he answered
[I made a deal with him, but Shukaku, perhaps you can be like me if you learn to reign in that anger of yours] Kurama chuckled
[Like you? I would rather be sealed forever than act like someone's dog!]
Kurama didn't angry at Shukaku's retort, rather, he stared back with a meaningful smile
[Is that really true?]
[O-Of course!] But everyone heard a trace of hesitation in his voice
"Shukaku...are you willing to become my second friend" Gaara suddenly spoke up
[Hah!? Why should I be friends with a brat like you!]
Gaara had a firm expression
"Like Naruto, I will be willing to release the seal" He said with a resolute look in his eyes
His words surprised Kurama, and even more so Shukaku.
[Hah! Release me? I doubt you have the guts! And don't use my name so easily, it is not I who gave it to you] Shukaku sneered
Gaara didn't back down as he walked over, and placed his hand on the seal
"Then...Ichibi, would you be willing to become my second friend, and help me protect the people I care for" Gaara asked
Shukaku saw the flames in Gaara's eyes, with no hint of lies. However, his gaze didn't waver as he laughed in contempt.
[Second friend? Pathetic! To think my host is this pathetic!]
Gaara smiled
"Indeed, and it is my goal to change it"
[...] Shukaku realised that no matter what he says to Gaara, he seems to shrug it off and continue treading forward.
[You're unbelievable pathetic!]
"I know"
[You would be nothing without me!]
"Maybe, maybe not, without you, my siblings will still be there for me" Gaara responded calmly
[Your goal is a joke]
"At least it made you laugh" He smiled
Shukaku leaned in with his beady eyes
[I was the cause of your mother's death, and your father's resentment] He scowled in a low voice
This one line made Gaara freeze. The death of his mother led to his father's aggression towards him, treating him as not a person, but a monster. That is also what led to himself believing he is a monster, slowly succuming to the ichibi's rage as he grew up.
However...
"But was it your intention to kill her?" He asked
[Of course! That woman trapped me for years, killing her was one of my many goals] Shukaku laughed hysterically, knowing this is Gaara's lowest point.
Gaara stared back at him, but showed no signs of anger
"Was it not for freedom that caused the backlash? You have taken my mother from me, yes, but if I continue to reject you, turn away from you...I fear that my mother won't be the only ones I lose" He remembered the looks of worry Temari and Kankuro had on their faces as they ran up to him.
The warmth he felt...he felt that he could finally find himself, a person, not a monster.
Shukaku leaned closer, Gaara's response made him frown, but the look of determination in his eyes made him remember Kurama's words...did he truly...want to be locked away forever?
He suddenly roared at Gaara
[Brat, do not ever think you can befriend me, Shukaku]
"Then I'll need to keep trying"
Kurama and Naruto both chuckled faintly upon hearing what Shukaku had said, and at Gaara's response.
[Kid, you have his approval] Kurama spoke
"Hm?" Gaara was a little confused
[Shut up Kurama!] Shukaku screamed
He turned to Shukaku who was still furious. When has he given him his approval? He thought back on everything Shukaku has said...
[He's a little slow, ain't he?] Kurama chuckled
"Lay it off him, he's still learning" Naruto replied
Gaara was silent for some time, and it suddenly clicked. He remembered something Shukaku has stated earlier...to not use his name, as he was not the one who has given it to him.
But at the end there, he clearly stated his own name in a conversation between them.
"Shukaku, thank you" Gaara looked up and said
[Tch, that damned fox, poking his nose into everything] He clicked his tongue and grumbled in a low voice
Naruto jumped off Kurama's head
"Shukaku, if you promise to not leave Gaara's body, I can undo the seal on you right now" Naruto said with a calm smile
[Hm!] Shukaku stared at Naruto, then at Gaara
He took in a deep breath.
[Kid, what's your name] He stared at Gaara and asked
"Gaara, Gaara of the sand" He replied
[Well, Gaara of the sand, I am Shukaku] He said as he poked one finger through the cage
Seeing this, Gaara reached out his hand, and placed it on the fingle claw. It was rough like sand, but it was a texture that would make him feel at ease...
"Naruto, please remove the seal on him" Gaara turned around and said
"Hehehe, right away" Naruto walked over to the bars and placed his hand on the seal
"Wow, this seal is awful! No wonder Shukaku could influence your mind, it has enough holes for Kurama to break out by force" Naruto gasped as he felt the seal
[...] Shukaku felt like he was being made fun of at this moment, is he indirectly saying that Kurama is stronger than him, because he could not break out of the seal....
"Gaara, when you get back, you should have your sealing team train properly, tsk tsk tsk, this is just pathetic" Naruto said as he began removing the seal.
In just a few seconds, the cage began dissipating...
When the cage was completely gone, Shukaku took a step forward and breathed in deeply...
[Freedom at last! I, Shukaku, AM FREE] He screamed at the top of his lungs
When he did this, Naruto glanced at Kurama
"Hey, did you do that when I left you alone after breaking your seal?"
[As if! I am not so childish] Kurama snorted
[Hah! Are you saying I'm childish!] Shukaku roared as he made his way to Kurama
Kurama merely chuckled
[A little, but it's fine for the youngest to be more spoiled] He said with a cheeky grin on his face.
[Damn you Kurama!] Shukaku wanted to attack, but Naruto interjected
"Hahaha, well, now that this is over, time for me to leave, say goodbye Kurama"
[See you soon] Kurama chuckled
[Kurama you damn fox! Just you wait! I will make this host strong enough to rip off your stupid hide!] Shukaku roared as the three vanished
When they left the mindscape, Gaara felt as if a heavy burden was lifted from his body. He didn't feel the constant heavy feeling that he usually felt, as if something was always making him feel frustrated. And the voice of 'mother' no longer haunted his mind...
'Thank you, Naruto' Gaara smiled at the blonde boy sitting across to him
Naruto rubbed his nose and sat up
"Well, that was fun, now that this is over, I'll be leaving, take care, and have fun talking with your new friend" Naruto chuckled
"I will" Gaara nodded
The moment the exchanged farwells, Naruto left with a golden flash, and returned to his house.
"Man, that was exhausting, I can finally rest" Naruto took a quick shower and jumped onto his bed, allowing the softness to cover him as he sunk into a deep sleep.
However, how can it be right of he doesn't get interrupted during his naps? So once he closed his eyes for a few minutes...
*Knock*
"AH! I swear, who is it! I will tear you a new one if you're not someone I'm familiar with!" Naruto yelled as he slammed the door open.
"..."
Naruto placed his palm on his face as he sighed when he saw who it was...
"Hehehe, Na-kun, are we familiar enough so you won't tear me a new one?" Ino grinned with her hands behind her back.
Her cheeky expression made Naruto feel helpless as he reached into his pocket and took something out. He then grabbed Ino's hand and shoved it into her palm.
"What's this?" She opened her hand and saw a key
"My house key, if you want to come in, just enter, I am seriously tired right now" Naruto yawned
"E-Eh?" She didn't expect that it would be his house keys!
She couldn't help but feel flustered because of this as she stared at the key in her hand. Should she use it in the future? She was about to ask when she realised that Naruto was already back inside, snorning as he laid on the bed.
"Ah...jeez, and here I was, getting all flustered" She patted her cheeks and walked in before closing the door behind her.
She walked up to him, and stared at his sleeping face...totally defenseless...
A cheeky grin appeared on her face as she poked his cheeks
"Stop poking" Naruto grumbled, he seemed to be half asleep still when he said that, and grabbed Ino's hand before pulling her down.
Before she knew it, she was being held in his arms like a pillow, which made her face turn beet red in an instant. However, she didn't struggle, and just allowed him to hold her.
In her heart, she was constantly thanking her past self for letting go of Sasuke, and decided to move on.
-In the flower shop-
Inoichi turned his head with an uncertain look
"I...sense a disturbance, something happened to Ino" He muttered as his murderous gaze started to appear once more.
*Bang*
Kiku, Ino's mother, and Inoichi's wife, smacked the back of his head, snapping him out of his blood crazed state.
"Our Ino is growing well, and I quite like the kid Naruto, why are you so against it?" Kiku sighed as she gave him a fierce glare.
Inoichi tucked his lips
"I have nothing against Naruto himself...but the moment I think of a random hooligan laying their hands on my baby girl, I-"
*Bang*
He was hit again
"You did it again, just let the two have their alone time, you have interrupted them twice already, not to mention, Naruto has helped Ino quite a bit with growing" Kiku said with a frown.
"But-"
"Would you rather our daughter be a smiling idiot for the Uchiha brat, or be with Naruto" Kiku growled
!!!
Inoichi fell silent. Back then, when Ino was chasing after Sasuke, she didn't hesitate to ignore her training just to look for him, and barely learnt anything in her time in the academy. It made him feel frustrated, so when he learnt that she dropped him, he couldn't be happier.
But before he could be happy for long...he heard news that she was now hanging out with the nine tail's Jinchuriki! At first, he panicked and decided to observe from afar...
'He...treats her well'
Naruto didn't ignore Ino, and above all else, Ino didn't act like a fool when being with him. She was genuinely expressing herself and laughed normally, it was no longer just a one sided foolishness, but a proper relationship.
'That Uchiha brat made her cry that day...but Naruto was there and helped her move on...I should be happy...'
He clenched his fists
"Fine...I'll do my best" He replied
Kiku smiled
"Now that's the man I fell for" She gave him a deep kiss, which made his anger fade a little...
-Ten minutes later-
"She sure is late, I wonder where she went" Inoichi muttered
"Barely any time passed, she's probably just taking her time" Kiku replied
-1 hour later-
"Should I go check on her?"
"Best not, what if you interrupt her again"
"All the more reas-"
*Bang*
"I'll wait..."
-Nightfall-
"This is it! I need to go check!" Inoichi stood up and said
This time, Kiku also got a bit worried, Ino's been late before, but never this late. She sighed and decided to follow him as well.
The first place they checked was Naruto's apartment. They knocked on the door a few times, but no one answered the door. Inside, they could hear a faint snore...
"Perhaps she's with Shikamaru and Choji?" Kiku muttered
"Perhaps..." Inoichi sighed with worry
"Just in case, I'll still ask Naruto if he saw Ino" Inoichi then said which Kiku didn't say anything against it.
They placed their hand on the doorknob and realised that the door wasn't locked, so they entered.
"Naruto, wake up, I need to ask-" They stepped in, and before Inoichi could finish, he saw it all...
Kiku gasped, and placed her hand over his mouth as she said "Oh my" over and over again...
Ino was in Naruto's arms, sleeping with a faint grin on her face...
"I will en-mrf!" Kiku covered Inoichi's mouth and pulled him out the house.
Inoichi wanted to rush back in and pull the two apart, but against his wife, he felt as if all his strength has been sapped. Even the tail beast aura that Naruto would usually feel from him was dissipating...
Kiku smiled as she closed the door, even locking it for Naruto before dragging Inoichi back home.
"Fufufu, as expected of my daughter, only a few months and they're already sleeping together" She giggled
"She's too young! I will not allow for her to be sullied!" Inoichi yelled
"They're just sleeping dear, and don't act like we didn't do this back in our hey days" Kiku giggled
"Th-That's...grrr...." He couldn't argue back...