CHAPTER 5: First steps, again?
If one could describe Naruto's life growing up in Mount Myoboku it would be normal, well … as normal as one's life could be growing up not among people but toads. The only exception was Jiraiya who visited Naruto whenever he was not doing research for Icha Icha of keeping track of his spy network. Aside from that life was pretty much normal for the toads and the one boy living in Mount Myoboku.
Ma often commented that raising Naruto was much like raising Minato, the only real difference between them was that Naruto had a bottomless pit for a stomach. Unlike Minato who was actually quite hesitant to eat some of Ma's dishes, Naruto devoured them all regardless of what they were.
Aside from their eating habits they were pretty much identical especially when it came to learning, both of "her" boys as Ma called them were like sponges when presented with new information. The moment Naruto could form coherent sentences, life was just one big blob of rapid fire sentences to the toads in Mount Myobuku.
Rumor has it that Minato was the reason that Gamabunta the toad boss drank so much due to his love for asking questions, and now that Naruto was also doing the same Gamabunta just took to drinking more and more. Others would just chalk it up as an addiction.
Another part of Naruto that reminded the toads of Minato was his love for running around, it often took multiple toads to follow Naruto around with his insane amount of stamina just to keep track of him and prevent him from getting injured.
Seeing how much Naruto was like Minato, many toads saw this as an opportunity to rectify any mistakes they had made with raising Minato, now although to most it might seem that Minato had grown up perfectly normal, and intact. There were certain incidents that still gave Ma nightmares up to the day Minato had died.
One prime example had been when Minato had almost fallen into the pool of scared oil one day when he had been exploring, had it not been for Gamabunta passing by and catching Minato with his tongue, the consequences would have been extreamly dire for him.
Luckily for Ma, the worst Naruto had done up till now was when he had vanished for an entire afternoon. Only when Ma had become extremely frantic did some toads build up the courage to go look and poke around inside the scared oil pool, and to their eternal relief found nothing inside.
It was then that Pa had recommended that they visit the Great Toad Sage in hopes that he would find Naruto with his crystal ball, upon reaching inside the chamber of the Great toad sage. To all of the toad's surprise they discovered Naruto had been here the whole day sitting on the edge of the Great toad sage's platform, and when questioned on what he was doing by Ma. Naruto answered Ma that he was just asking the Great toad sage questions.
Life around Mount Myoboku continued like this on a daily basis, Naruto would wake up eat and proceed to run around asking the inhabitants questions about anything that came to mind than go back home eat some more and sleep.
And as much as Ma loved Naruto and his eternal curiosity she too was beginning to grow weary of Naruto's barrage of questions, so she took it upon herself and for the sake of the sanity of all the other toads to teach Naruto the art of meditation. Explaining to Naruto that if he just meditated on a question for a bit he would often find the answer himself without the need to ask it.
At first many Toads were shocked when Naruto had suddenly stopped running around and pestering them, fearing for his safety and health they went looking for him and when they found him he usually was sitting somewhere in a meditative pose with animals of all sorts climbing all over him.
Seeing this it shocked some toads who had never seen the boy so calm and relaxed, but to others they were extremely proud for it might not have been enough to obtain sage mode, but many saw that the potential was there.
Many concluded that all these questions Naruto asked was to feed his lust for knowledge and it only grew when he had learned to read at the age of 3, Seeing him learn to read at such a young age Shima dubbed him like she dubbed Minato her little genius.
After he learned to read he would often be found spending his time in Jiraiya's room reading stories, about a man who could grow and form trees instantly from basically anywhere and use them to defeat a giant demon fox, or a man who was so fast he could wipe out an entire division of enemy troops in a blink of an eye and then their were stories about a clan whose people could live for hundreds of years. Too Naruto's delights none of these were fairy tales or just rumors they were actual history.
But learning to read would also come with consequences, especially when too Ma's eternal shame Naruto found a copy of Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise. And it would be understatement if you said Ma dreaded teaching Naruto about the anatomy of a human female.
Oh the lashing she would give Jiraiya when he returned later tonight to pick Naruto up, it would make the beatings he got from Tsunade when he was younger look tame. But she knew she couldn't beat him too badly, Jiraiya still had to bring Naruto to Konoha for his first visit since his birth.
But sadly luck would not be on Ma's side tonight when it came time for Jiraiya to come pick up Naruto it wasn't him that showed up in her home, but it was Enma the Monkey King and the third Hokage's personal summon instead.
It wasn't all that unusual for other summons to show up in Mount Myoboku, but for a boss summon to show up for anything other than an political reason that was an shocker for all the toads. Ma suspected it was just the Sandaime keeping tabs on Naruto.
Still she wouldn't let her guard down, acting on her motherly instinct she immediately questioned the monkey kings motives.
"Now Enma-kun why are you here and where is Jiraiya-chan?" Asked Ma even though she almost knew for sure why Enma was here, where Jiraiya was … not so much. Not many knew where he was half the time.
Enma smiled at Ma knowing how protective she could get when it regarded children in her care regardless if they were hers or not then said,"Shima-sama I was sent here by the Sandaime in Jiraiya's place, whom is currently unable to escort Naruto-kun to Konoha. So I will in his place as by order of the Sandaime."
Seeing that Ma was still glaring at him Enma quickly added on.
"Do not worry Shima-sama I will look after Naruto-kun as if he was my very own, I will also ensure no danger would befall him."
Hearing this Ma allowed her expression to soften a little, than asked Enma.
"After you have escorted him to Konoha, who will watch him afterwards? I'm not sure if you were told but he will be staying there for at least a week."
Scratching his chin a bit Enma answered, "To be honest Shima-sama I am not sure who will officially look after him."
Watching Ma's face harden once again Enma quickly continued on not wanting to inflict her wrath.
"But if it will make you feel better, I will personally request Sarutobi to enlist the best possible candidates to look after him."
Seeing Ma's face unchanging, Enma didn't know why he felt like the need to promise her. "And if I deem this person unsatisfactory, I personally will watch over him."
Ma feeling that his answer was satisfactory handed Enma a cup of tea to his eternal relief, also letting out a breath he had long been holding.
Nursing her own cup of tea Ma then said in a more serious tone, "Do you know why aside from seeing him as one of my son's, why I got to such lengths to protect him?"
Enma shakes his head quickly wanting to hear what could bring her obsession to protect Naruto to these levels.
Ma slowly says, "I'm not sure if you are aware of this but Naruto is the Kyubi's Jinchuriki."
Enma slowly starting to understand why Ma is so protective nods his head as Ma continues explain to him.
"Also I'm not sure if you've heard the stories about how other Jinchuriki's are treated but just hearing them makes my blood boil, I'm not sure what I would do if somebody every hurt my son like that."
Enma stares down at the cup of tea he was given and says to Ma, "I have heard rumors about it from some of the other summons, but I never wanted to believe them. But now that you tell me I guess I have no choice." Now in a dejected tone Enma continues, "And although it pains me to say this but I know there are going to be some people in Konoha that would want to hurt the child, if they knew what he contained inside him."
Ma than says to him, "This is why I go to such great lengths to ensure the proper people protect Naruto, at least until he is old enough to understand and protect himself."
Enma smiles at Ma than states, "Yes Shima-sama I understand, but I would like to say that even though there are those who would want to hurt Naruto. There are also those who would see him for what he truly is and would love and care for him, one prime example would be my good friend Sarutobi. Although he has never seen or met the boy the truly man cares for him greatly, this being one of the main reasons I am here today.
Ma returns Enma's smile with a grin and a giggle than says, "Yes it would appear so, maybe that would explain the numerous sightings of monkeys hanging around Mount Myoboku as of late?
Enma chuckles than rubs the back of his head and replies, "Ah yes that would be Sarutobi's doing, As you know there are times when Jiraiya is pulled away on long missions, so Sarutobi send's some of the monkeys from my realm to watch over Naruto and give him reports on how he is doing when Jiraiya cannot.
Ma laughing remarks, "Well it's a good thing we never tried to catch any of them then, since they never meant any harm," suddenly Ma's expression changes into a stern one and states while staring directly at Enma. "Regardless next time I recommend you have them notify us of their presence in Mount Myoboku, or one might just have an accident near the Sacred Oil Pool."
Enma suddenly feeling extremely nervous seeing the old toad sage change expressions so fast, feeling the sweat start to run down his forehead he feels the need to quickly change the topic. "Ah yes I will remember to inform Sarutobi of that, Now Shima-sama if you would call Naruto we must be leaving soon."
Ma's expression once again changes instantly to a more relaxed, one an turns her head before yelling slightly to the other room. "Pa could you please get Naruto and insure he's packed and bring him here." Turning back toward Enma she says with a smile, "You're lucky we were expecting somebody to pick him up, or you would have to go out and find him yourself. Most of the time Naruto goes where he pleases."
Upon hearing this Enma begins to wonder, Naruto just how much trouble am I going to have if I have to look after you. Almost regretting the promised he made Ma to look after him. Thinking inwardly I am really hoping that you find somebody satisfactory to look after him Sarutobi, or this is going to be a long week.
After about a minute of waiting for Naruto, he walked into the room with Pa by his side the boy had sandy blonde hair and was slightly shorter than 4 feet which was taller than most average 4 year olds, Enma suspected it had something to do with Ma's choice of culinary dishes.
He wore a white t-shirt that had long blue sleeves, black cargo pants and a drawstring bag slung over one shoulder inside most likely a change of clothes and basic necessities.
Staring at the monkey summon Naruto says, "Oh you're not grandpa(Jiraiya), I'm guessing he's too busy to come… again." Naruto finished slightly crestfallen.
Pa looks over at the saddened Naruto and sternly says, "Now, now Naruto what did me and Ma teach you about manners when meeting new people"
Almost instantly Naruto's expression changed to a smile and he holds out his hand, "Hi my name is Naruto Uzumaki, pleasure to meet you."
Enma slightly taken back by his instant expression change, thinks to himself must be something Ma taught him. After that Enma reaches out to grab Naruto's hand and shakes it and replies. "My name is Enma King of the monkey summons, and don't look so sad Naruto the third Hokage sent me in Jiraiya's place to bring you to Konoha."
Seeing a look of happiness come over the young boy's face Enma feels his heart warm up. Than he asks Naruto
"So are you ready to go back to Konoha and meet the third Hokage, from what I hear he can't wait to meet you."
A smiling Naruto replies, "Really you're going to bring me to Konoha, thank you Enma-sama!" Naruto then places his hand on his chin with one finger taping it lightly in a thinking pose and says, "Third Hokage hmmmm that's the one they call the Sandaime correct?"
Enma nods his head and Naruto continues on.
"So you're telling me Hiruzen Sarutobi the God of Shinobi and the student of the First and Second Hokage wants to meet me?" Naruto's eyes wide with glee.
Enma continuing to nod his head tells Naruto, "Yes that is correct, and for a little boy you sure know a quite a lot about my friend the Sandaime."
Naruto giving Enma a toothy grin answer him "Well yeah I read a book about him in grandpa's library, is it true that he was my grandpa's sensei?"
Enma smiling at the boy responds, "If your grandpa is Jiraiya, than yes the Sandaime was his sensei, I personally remember helping train the boy when he was younger."
Naruto was about ask another question but Enma cut him off by raising his hand and saying, "Now Naruto that's enough questions for now,"seeing the boy let out a pout Enma chuckled before he continued. "It's not that I don't want to answer your quetions, but I have to point out that we have to hurry to Konoha and meet the Sandaime before he retires for the night." Then bending over and whispering into the boys ear, "and when you get to see him yourself, you can ask him all the questions you want." Straightening back up Enma could almost see the gears in Naruto's head spinning and concocting of questions to ask Sarutobi inwardly he says to himself with a snicker have fun Sarutobi.
Enma then turns to Pa and gives him a nod, with that Pa walks out and heads toward the Distant Body water portal.
Ma walks up to Naruto and gives him a hug before saying, "I'll see you in a week okay my little Naruto-kun, I'm going to miss you so much."
Naruto hugging Ma back with a smile and says, "Not as much as I'm going to miss you and your amazing cooking Ma."
Ma giggles than ruffles Naruto's hair a little bit, which was getting more and more difficult seeing he was getting taller than says to him. "You always know what to say to make me feel happy, and don't you worry I will have plenty of my cooking waiting for you when you come back. Just as long as you stay safe and come back in one piece okay," Ma finishes in a serious tone.
Naruto nods and smiles and in a poof of smoke he was gone along with Enma.
Ma than says to herself, "Hmm speaking of cooking, might as well make Pa something to eat when he gets back from Konoha." With that Ma heads off into the kitchen to prepare food for Pa when he returns.
In a forest outside of one of Konoha's side gates, white smoke emerges from the ground and 3 figures are left standing where the smoke had been when it clears.
Pa looks over at Enma and says, "I summoned us a bit outside of Konoha as instructed by Jiraiya, he said it isn't smart to summon somebody inside Konoha in the middle of the night. Something about how we would get swarmed by the police or possibly get in trouble with the Anbu."
Enma had a look that showed he wasn't paying attention to what Pa had said, than without any notice he jumped up to a tree and kicked something in the tree to the ground.
By the sound of the grunt the man had let out when he was kicked Naruto was sure it was a man, Naruto watched as Enma picked up the man and slammed him into a tree and said with a growl.
"Now what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"