Chapter 6: Talk?

Hiruzen had a restless night. The aged Hokage's worry increased when Dog and Tiger came back after a search that lasted four hours. They reported that they searched every corner of the village, every possible place where Naruto might be but found nothing. Hiruzen had dismissed them and headed back to his home, turning in for a sleepless and worrisome night. When he got up in the morning, his first thought was about whether Naruto was alive or not. He immediately got up, shaking off the morning drowsiness like a seasoned veteran. He quickly got dressed and used the body flicker to get to the Hokage tower. He quickly climbed the stairs that led to his office, intent on resuming the search for Naruto as soon as possible. He froze in his tracks, however, when he saw a familiar kid wearing an orange jumpsuit, deep in his thoughts, which was not unusual for him. "NARUTO!" His exclamation was filled with relief and happiness. Naruto looked up, and Hiruzen knew something was wrong when instead of seeing the usual face-splitting grin, he was greeted with a small smile filled with…sadness? Nevertheless, he grabbed the boy into a bear hug, which Naruto did not hesitate to reciprocate. "Are you okay, Naruto-kun? Where were you last night?", the questions rushed out like water breaking from a dam. He felt tons lighter than he did last night. Naruto gave him a small smile and said, "Somewhat jiji, and as for the second question, I need to talk to you in private." He was relieved but his confusion grew, he ushered the boy into his office. Naruto's keen eyes scanned the office, looking for places where shinobi might be hidden. The Hokage cannot be without bodyguards, after all.

' The upper four corners of the room, that's where they are hidden', Kurama supplied helpfully. Naruto gave him a nod of thanks and then turned his attention to the aging Hokage. "So, Naruto-kun, what did you want to talk about?" Naruto debated whether to tell the old man to make his ANBU leave, but decided to kill two birds with one stone. "I know who my parents are." That simple statement changed the entire atmosphere of the office. Hiruzen tensed up and so did the ANBU in the office. To those who were intelligent, it was quite easy to deduce just whose son Naruto Uzumaki was. Fortunately or unfortunately, those were very few. However, Naruto's file itself was classified, with no one but only the Hokage had access to it. To find out that Naruto knew about something that only the Hokage had the right to know was very unexpected.

Hiruzen wasted no time, waving hand seals. The ANBU recognized the order to leave them alone. They vanished and Hiruzen activated the privacy seals in the office. He gave his complete attention to Naruto, "And who were they?" Naruto was unnerved by the caution in the old man's eyes, but steeled himself and answered, "The Fourth Hokage and his wife." Hiruzen closed his eyes in acceptance and resignation. He always knew Naruto would find out, he just never expected it would be so soon. He opened them to find himself on the receiving end of Naruto's accusing stare, "Why did you pretend you didn't know, jiji?" Hiruzen barely caught himself from flinching. He sighed, "Who told you ?" Naruto replied, "I figured it out myself." "How?", the curiosity was killing him. He had to know if someone was out there wielding such dangerous information. Naruto recounted the events of last night and at the end of his explanation, Hiruzen was both relieved and curious. Relieved because he was glad that no one besides Naruto and him knew his parents' identity, curious because he never knew that Minato had found a way to hide from his 'peeping' ball.

Both he and Naruto sat in silence for a while. Naruto was the one to break it first, hurt in his voice, "Jiji, why did you not tell me?" Hiruzen responded, weariness coloring his tone, "Naruto, you have to understand that your father had many enemies. I could not afford to take the chance that you wouldn't blurt it out accidentally." Anger finally filled Naruto, "Do you have any idea how desperate I was for answers?" He whispered, but the anger in his voice was as clear as the sky.

Guilt hit the Hokage with the force of Gai's fist. He could honestly not relate to Naruto's situation. "Do you know", Naruto's voice was a bit louder this time, "How it broke me to not know the identity of my parents?!" He was shouting at the end. "I have the right to that information more than any other person IN THE WORLD!" Tears were freely flowing down Naruto's face by now. Hiruzen himself was shedding tears of his own. Naruto was right in that account. He had a right to know who the people were who brought him into this world. More so than anyone. But as the Hokage, his decision had to be logical; sentiment could not be afforded by someone of his position.

Naruto had calmed down after a few minutes. "I have a question, jiji. And I want an honest answer." He was glaring at the Hokage by now. Hiruzen wiped his tears and answered, "I will do my best." Naruto was looking at his feet, "Did they love me?" Hiruzen smiled this time, nostalgically, "Naruto, you were their world even before you were born." Naruto felt as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders. He had always wanted to know if his parents loved him. What child didn't? "Did they leave something for me?" That question caught Hiruzen off guard, however, he was able to recover quickly, "Yes they did, but I don't know where." Naruto lent back in his seat, eyes on the ceiling, thinking. If it was in this office, jiji would know, which means it is probably in his house.

'Kurama, would you know by any chance?', Naruto decided to ask the fox. '… damn, I was hoping to watch you scuttle around for answers. It is always entertaining', grumbled Kurama. Naruto mentally raised an eyebrow, 'So you DO know.' 'Yes, in fact, it is the place where everyone would least suspect', answered Kurama. Naruto waited for more but it never came. He mentally huffed, 'Fine, I'll do it myself. And just for leaving me in the suspense', he changed his mindscape to orange, again. Kurama's howls were somehow louder than before. 'In a place where everyone would least suspect. Hmmm…..where could that be? From what is written in the books, dad was a very humble man, but the size of the house implies he liked to live in comfort. Since he was a seal master, a study where he did his work would also be there. But he would place seals all over it to be safe. Everyone would expect him to keep the important stuff in his study, locked tight', he thought. Like lightning, the answer came to him, causing his eyes to widen slightly, 'Seals can be broken if someone is skilled enough. But no one expects to find treasure buried right under their noses. Which means what isn't in the study, is right in front of me!' Suddenly, the realization hit him; the photo of his parents! He stood up from the chair with such force that it was knocked backward; "I KNOW WHERE IT IS!" Hiruzen jumped up at the shout, eyes wide, "K-know what, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto was already running towards the window. Hiruzen hurriedly deactivated the privacy seals, just in time. Naruto opened the window and jumped onto the slope of the Hokage tower. His speed easily carried him towards the edge of the slope. He executed a perfect cartwheel on the edge, his hands holding on and legs going over in an arc, onto the wall. He then released his hold, falling towards the ground. He rolled perfectly to soften his landing and then ran full throttle, back to the house of his parents.

Hiruzen had gone pale as soon as he saw Naruto cartwheeling over the edge and letting go. However, panic gave way to relief when he saw Naruto had landed perfectly and was running away. 'That boy will give me an early grave', he thought as he prepared to follow. He gave the order to stand by to his ANBU as he darted after Naruto. He had to admit, for his age Naruto was unusually fast. He easily caught up to Naruto, who was easily ignoring the stares around him. Hiruzen asked the excited boy, "Naruto-kun, do you mind if I take us there quicker? I know where you are going."

Naruto glanced at him and said, "Then pick me up and do it!" Hiruzen nodded as he did just that and vanished in a body flicker. The villagers thought the Hokage was chasing the demon boy to kill him and when they saw him pick it up and vanish, they smiled. Everyone continued about their business, not suspecting a thing. (A/N: What a bunch of idiots)