7: Darkness and a pleasant dinner

"How strange..."

Seiji couldn't fully understand the intentions of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen. He took some time outside the Hokage's office, trying to process everything that had happened during that conversation. The sheer amount of information revealed by the Hokage had left him stunned.

Seiji didn't have enough time to fully react.

The oddly close relationship his father had with the Hokage, the revelation of his enormous chakra reserves, his appointment as the patriarch of the Hoshino clan, his task of taking care of Naruko, and the true nature of his family's connection to the girl.

'Too many revelations in one day.'

"I guess I have a long-term guest at home now..."

Seiji hoped everything would go smoothly, though a part of him suspected it wouldn't be that simple.

"You... are Seiji Hoshino... the son of that man, right?"

A deep, dark voice echoed behind Seiji, making him jump to the other side of the room.

'When did he get behind me?'

Seiji looked at the man in front of him. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to be cautious.

Seiji had never felt a presence like this before. The man wasn't hostile toward him... but he couldn't help feeling wary.

The man's gaze was piercing, filled with an unsettling calm, as if he were constantly evaluating Seiji and his intentions.

"Hah... you're just like Kasuya... he was afraid of me too, though I never knew why. I see you have a massive amount of chakra... you should master your father's techniques quickly. Unlike him, you'll be able to create seals for a longer time."

Seiji wondered what kind of person this man was, that even his father seemed to fear him.

"Here... this is a gift left by your father. Despite constantly fearing me, he always asked for favors. I promised to give this to you, though I'm not sure what use it'll be to you."

Seiji hesitantly accepted the object. Upon closer inspection, he realized what it was.

A pair of dark glasses.

"Thank you... Mr...?"

Before Seiji could finish, the man replied:

"Danzo Shimura. Remember it well."

[Image]

Danzo smiled coldly and quickly entered the Hokage's office.

'Danzo Shimura...'

Seiji didn't want to think too much about it and quickly left the area. He didn't want to find out more. Something about Danzo unsettled him, and he didn't want to discover what it was.

There were too many strange things about his encounter with Danzo.

The fact that Danzo knew his name was the least suspicious part. Danzo didn't seem surprised by his chakra reserves, which had even shocked the Hokage. Also... if Danzo had found him by chance... why did he have his father's "gift" with him? This made Seiji think that Danzo knew he would be there...

'I don't want to stay here any longer.'

Seiji ran straight home, as he had left someone waiting for him.

When he arrived home, he quickly entered. Once inside, he was greeted by the familiar aroma of home-cooked food.

'Is she visiting?'

Seiji thought of that woman, someone who visited him occasionally and prepared delicious homemade meals.

He immediately went to the kitchen and saw the woman's back, with her characteristic black hair. In the dining room, he saw Naruko eating frantically, with piles of empty plates around her.

"I'm home."

Seiji felt strange saying it, as there was usually no one waiting for him.

"Oh, Seiji, you're back. Take a seat, and I'll serve you right away. Also... I've already met your lovely guest."

The woman winked at him teasingly, smiling mischievously.

"Alright..."

Seiji walked to the dining room and sat next to Naruko. Naruko, for her part, was wiping her cheeks, clearly embarrassed.

Naruko looked at the pile of plates around her... and then at Seiji. Immediately, she blushed and hid her face.

*Growl.*

A growl came from the girl, causing her to lower her face even more.

Seiji couldn't help but frown. Taking the time to observe Naruko, he noticed that her body was quite thin, to the point where he could slightly see her bones.

'Damn bastards...'

Now that he knew Naruko was his father's goddaughter, Seiji was furious, planning to investigate those responsible.

"Here, Seiji. Be careful, it's a bit hot."

"Thank you, Kurenai."

[Image]

One of Seiji's few pleasures was Kurenai's cooking. Though her visits were sporadic, they were always pleasant.

Kurenai had been visiting him for as long as he could remember, and though he didn't know why at first, he eventually figured it out.

"Kurenai, is there more food? Could you serve Naruko a bit more?"

Kurenai nodded with a smile and returned to the kitchen. As for the reason for her visits... she always visited the altar Seiji had for his parents and cried a little. More specifically, when she saw the photo of his father.

'Which led to some misunderstandings.'

Seiji remembered with embarrassment an incident some time ago, where he angrily asked Kurenai... if she was his father's mistress.

Kurenai patiently explained that, at one point, she had considered it. But after the death of Seiji's mother and the decline of his father's health, she decided to let it go.

Besides, she clarified that she wouldn't have been the "mistress," but rather his father's second wife. Apparently, Kurenai was the only one who "got" the approval of Seiji's mother.

'The way she said it... it seemed like there was a lot of competition.'

Sometimes, Seiji wondered what kind of life his father had led.

Without dwelling on it further, Seiji continued eating quietly.

After a while, once both children finished eating, Kurenai decided to start.

"Seiji, could you introduce me to your friend?"

Naruko, nervous, avoided Kurenai's gaze, clinging to Seiji's side.

"This is Naruko Uzumaki. From now on, she'll be living with me. Oh, and she's my father's goddaughter."

Naruko's eyes widened, and she snuggled closer to Seiji with a huge smile. Seiji, slightly uncomfortable, patted her head.

Kurenai looked at them with concern. Seiji, understanding the reason, explained:

"I was summoned by the Hokage... He told me Naruko was my father's goddaughter and... gave me permission to take care of her..."

Seiji lied, as he didn't want Naruko to find out the real reason, since it seemed she didn't know she was a jinchūriki.

Kurenai, being the experienced kunoichi she was, understood the truth behind Seiji's words.

"I see... so now you have permanent company. I'm relieved, since you won't be alone anymore. Haha, and I can see you two are quite close."

Naruko hid her face in Seiji's chest, though her red ears were still visible.

Kurenai, seeing the girl's behavior, sighed.

"I guess you really are his son... though you still have a ways to go."

Kurenai murmured as she watched Seiji's confused face while he awkwardly dealt with the girl.

That night, Kurenai decided to stay over, sleeping together and taking care of the girl's hygiene.

Seiji, on the other hand, couldn't sleep, anticipating his training the next day with whoever Hiruzen had sent.

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