Uzumaki Kuniharu was 'bright. At least, this was the first impression Iruka got when he first laid eyes on the man grinning ear-to-ear after he had gotten over the shock of Iruka bursting uninvited into the Hokage 's office. Umino Iruka did not make it a habit of doing such a thing, but with the exams for graduation approaching, Naruto had taken the deadline as a challenge to prank the holy hell out of the village, either as a stress relief or just to take his mind off it. He had slowly been ratcheting up his pranks to ungodly levels. The next thing Iruka would know and his student would somehow manage to do the impossible--like paint the Hokage monument in broad daylight, while still wearing that eye-searing orange jumpsuit. All the while not getting caught until he was finished.

Well, maybe that was beyond Naruto, but the hyperactive kid would do something that would drive Iruka 's blood pressure through the roof. So, when he heard the familiar childish laughter pass over his head and make for the Hokage 's office, his only thought was to lessen the damage his student could do. Which left him there '.interrupting a meeting with some of the highest-ranked shinobi in the world, and there was no Naruto in sight. As he bowed at the waist, Iruka cursed his existence. He wondered if it was the strange redhead who had been laughing instead or just his crazed imagination playing tricks on him.

To find out that the man was supposedly a Uzumaki put him on-guard. He still felt mortified at his rudeness, but he was glad he had interrupted the meeting. It would allow him to feel out the stranger before the man ever had a chance of getting close to Naruto. Still, the way he smiled, his blue eyes shining with those whisker marks Iruka knew so well, he couldn 't help but feel that he knew this man already...sort of?

He led the strange man from the Hokage 's office, observing him discretely. The nin was relaxed in what must be foreign territory. His eyes scanned the hallway with a hint of what appeared to be nostalgia. Iruka dismissed that as his own delusions. He decided to test the waters with the first question that popped into his head. Of course, asking a man if he edited porn was not the smoothest thing Iruka could have done. Nor did it aid in his duty in determining if this man was a danger to Naruto. He couldn 't help but project disapproval. It was bad enough that Kakashi went around the village openly reading those eyesores. Konoha had enough perverts in their ranks.

The man surprised him with his openness to a stranger. He gave him a commensurate look as though Iruka would feel bad that he was forced to edit porn at all. Iruka didn 't think that the man was the Toad Sage 's lover...but he may have considered it for a moment or two. He did find it curious that the stranger knew the legendary Sannin well enough to know who the man loved. There was an ongoing bet among the older shinobi; Iruka had only ever heard debates about whether Jiraiya would ever pluck up the courage to approach his rumored unrequited love. No one ever talked about exactly who that was, but if she were like Kuniharu described her, perhaps it would be better if he never did.

'You plan to join Konoha? ' Iruka asked after his embarrassment over his assumption passed.

They headed down the stairs, weaving out of the way of shinobi, who gave the stranger wary looks. Kuniharu only ever acknowledged the distrustful glances with a nod and his ever-present smile. Was he truly so confident in his abilities that he wasn 't concerned with being alone in the center of a Hidden Village? Iruka considered the wisdom in allowing only himself as an escort. Despite his wave of concern, the Uzumaki hadn 't been anything but friendly toward him.

'Yeah, ' Kuniharu confirmed, 'living out there on my own...well, let 's just say I 'm not suited for it. My childhood was a bit...isolating, and ever since, I 've always craved being around people. I just never felt like I could 'well, after Jiraiya offered a chance to have a place to call my own-- I wasn 't going to let that pass me by again. I might be the last Uzumaki alive, but maybe here I can have something similar to the family I missed out on. '

Iruka 's eyes widened at the sadness he could sense emanating from Kuniharu. A loneliness that reminded him fiercely of the times he had watched Naruto when the boy hadn 't known he was looking. When he had seen his student sitting alone on that swing, his eyes glacial and shoulders slumped. The side that the boy hid well enough that Iruka would forget about it until the next time he saw it. It was so hard to connect that dejected side to the boy who was so obnoxious and brimming with optimism. He was reminded of that then, especially when the man snapped his bright smile back on. A lump in his chest dissipated slightly, but at the same time, a pang of unfathomable guilt began to grow as it occurred to him that by hiding Naruto, he was denying both the lonely souls a family. Iruka was glad he wasn 't in charge of deciding what to do about that problem; it made his chest ache.

'Maybe I 'll see you around Iruka-chan, ' Kuniharu teased, 'you can show me the ropes around town if I can stay! '

'Iruka-chan? ' Iruka exploded. He was just as easily diverted from his observations of the man 's sadness as when Naruto pulled the same maneuver.

'Sorry, ' Kuniharu said, not sorry at all, 'too soon? I thought we were getting along. Should I call you sensei instead? Though, that 's a bit ' ' Kuniharu trailed off before he wagged his eyebrows suggestively.

Iruka sputtered, though more than irritation, he felt a little giddy. Kuniharu was like a ray of sunlight, and it was just like talking with Naruto when he was unknowingly being adorable instead of obnoxious for once.

'No, not sensei, ' Iruka put that idea to bed, 'if you can 't stick to Iruka-san like a proper person, I suppose I can handle Iruka-chan. '

Kuniharu stared at Iruka in surprise.

What?

Kuniharu had been trying to get Iruka-sensei to let him call him Iruka-chan for years! It was almost a letdown.

Then Iruka held up a finger. 'But only If I get to call you Haru-chan. Otherwise, stick to Iruka. '

Iruka grinned as though he had caught the man. Surely, a nuke nin brought in by Jiraiya-sama, of all people, would balk about being called such a nickname.

Oh, Iruka should not have done that.

Kuniharu 's eyes sparkled as a feral grin spread across his face. The whiskers made it practically animalistic.

'It 's a deal." Before Iruka could take it back, Kuniharu took his hand and shook it. 'So,

Iruka-chan

, you 're a teacher at the Academy? '

Iruka sputtered once again, and his cheeks burned. However, he had made a deal...if the Uzumaki stayed, he would just have to figure out a way to embarrass the man in return. He had a feeling this might become a pattern. He glared at 'Haru-chan, ' but the man simply grinned as they made their way across the main lobby toward the cafeteria wing in Hokage Tower.

'Well,

Haru-chan

, ' Iruka emphasized the name, but Haru 's grin just got bigger, 'I do work at the academy. '

'You 're a brave man, ' Haru said. He put a bracing hand on Iruka 's shoulder. 'Children can be scary in large numbers. I was a terror as a child. I drove my caretaker to a sugar addiction that he never quite recovered from. '

Haru snickered to himself, while Iruka pondered on yet another similarity between the two Uzumaki 's. Iruka would take issue with the idea that anyone drove him to his highly secretive sweet tooth (Naruto knew to give him sweets and back away slowly when he was truly upset), but he had to acknowledge his sugar intake had skyrocketed once Naruto had joined his class. Not to mention his salt intake for all the times the two ate ramen together. It was a wonder Iruka was able to stay in shape. Though considering all the running after the hyperactive blond he did, maybe it wasn 't that surprising.

'I make do, ' Iruka said before a genuine smile crossed his face, 'I enjoy helping them find their way. '

'I 'm sure your students do you proud, ' Haru said, and there was a strangely solemn look in his eyes.

'Thank you, ' Iruka said, taken off-guard before he noticed someone exiting the doors of the cafeteria just as they approached them. A warm smile graced his face, 'but I don 't do it alone. Actually, my co-instructor is right here. Mizuki! '

Iruka waved at his fellow Academy instructor. Mizuki smiled slowly, though his eyes trailed up and down Haru with a calculating light.

'Iruka-san, ' Mizuki nodded in acknowledgment as the two shinobi stopped in front of him, 'and you are? '

Mizuki turned to Haru, who maintained a smile. Maybe it was Iruka 's imagination, but he could almost swear he saw something feral in the man 's eyes for a split second when he returned Mizuki 's nod. But no, the Uzumaki still grinned brightly at Mizuki.

'Uzumaki Kuniharu, ' Haru introduced himself. He did not offer a handshake as he had with Iruka. 'I'm being considered as an addition to Konoha. '

'Uzumaki? ' Mizuki questioned, his eyes flicked to Iruka, who made the same gesture as the Hokage had to warn Mizuki to keep quiet about Naruto. Haru, for his part, smiled tightly.

'One of the last, ' Haru admitted, 'if there are any others, I haven 't met them. '

There was a tense moment where Mizuki and Iruka thought of the orange jump-suited student. Iruka felt that guilt again while Mizuki became intrigued. Maybe he could use this information to his advantage.

'I see, ' Mizuki said and then grimaced as he saw Kabuto walk toward the exit behind the two shinobi. Their eyes met briefly. 'Well, we definitely need to meet for drinks or something later. Iruka-san can set it up. I 'm sorry, I have to go. Bye, Iruka. '

'See you, Mizuki, ' Iruka murmured, confused by his quick exit.

'Bye, ' Haru said and stepped to the side to allow the man to pass. His expression seemed to soften again when he looked to Iruka after Mizuki had left.

'Shall we, ' he indicated the doors as Iruka scrutinized his face as if he looked for a clue to the tension he sensed toward Mizuki. 'I 'm starving! '

At the same time, Iruka heard the man 's stomach gurgle. He gave his companion a chagrinned smile.

'Well, come on, I think they 're serving ramen today, ' Iruka said. He was not disappointed when his arrow hit the mark.

Haru 's eyes got that sparkle again, and he rubbed his hands together. 'What are we waiting for, ' Haru said before he grabbed Iruka 's wrist, 'let 's go! '

Iruka laughed yet again as he was pulled through the double doors. He didn 't even mind that people were staring at them. Uzumaki Kuniharu was apparently more like his student than he guessed. If the man had turned down ramen, he would have been suspicious. Now, well, he let himself hope that the man would pass whatever interrogation was waiting for him after this. Maybe Naruto would have a new bond after all. Iruka might just have made another friend as well.

<>

Kakashi was genuinely scandalized that Jiraiya had allowed some

stranger

to edit his rough drafts when Kakashi had been trying to get a sneak peek for

years

. Kakashi could edit things, too! He glared at Jiraiya, but the man just grinned unrepentantly and followed Hiruzen to his desk. Hiruzen settled himself and then reactivated the privacy seal while Jiraiya and Kakashi positioned themselves in front of his desk. They waited until the ANbU presence faded before Hiruzen pinned Jiraiya with a thoughtful look, chewing on his pipe.

'You like him? ' he asked first, though it was obvious to anyone who had seen the two men together.

Jiraiya snorted as his arms banded across his chest. 'Hard not to like the kid, ' he admitted, 'he 's hilarious, genuinely friendly, and an excellent shinobi. '

Hiruzen 's eyes widened as he took in the seriousness of Jiraiya 's assessment. Kuniharu had made quite an impression on his student. Kakashi had replaced Icha Icha back into his flak jacket to focus on the Toad Sage beside him. It was still odd to him that Jiraiya seemed so attached to anyone, much less a nuke nin he had known for a month. What was it about Uzumaki Kuniharu that called for that level of affection from a person known to guard himself against just such a thing jealously? Kakashi might need to be on his guard against the man if his track record proved true.

'I must admit, Jiraiya, ' Hiruzen puffed on his pipe as he observed his student through critical eyes, 'it worries me that you are so fond of the boy already. I must wonder the reason for it. '

He left the possible implications open for interpretation. Jiraiya sighed.

'I understand, ' Jiraiya conceded, 'so I 've asked someone who has known him longer than I have to vouch for him and my own interpretation of him. '

'Who? ' Hiruzen asked.

The two shinobi had come to Konoha alone. Jiraiya would not have invited another stranger to Konoha without asking Hiruzen for permission, so he was puzzled.

'May I have your leave to summon Fukasaku-sama? ' Jiraiya asked.

Under normal circumstances, he would just summon the Toad, but he felt on thin ice with his sensei. He did not want to do anything that could be perceived as a threat. He didn 't think Hiruzen would assume he was an imposter, but he would rather cover his bases than have to explain to Kuniharu why it was he who needed someone to drag him out of T&I.

'Of course, ' Hiruzen agreed, 'though am I to understand that Fukasaku-sama knows Kuniharu-san? '

Jiraiya didn 't flinch at the unsaid censure in the statement. He rolled his eyes at his teacher. As if he would let a stranger sign the Toad summoning contract no matter how much he liked them.

'I didn 't introduce them, old man, ' Jiraiya sighed, 'I 'll let Pa explain. '

Kakashi watched with interest as Jiraiya did the summoning technique to call forth one of the two great toad sages from Mount Myoboku. The ancient toad poofed into existence on top of Hiruzen 's desk with an expectant expression. He first scanned the room before he nodded toward Jiraiya.

'Jiraiya-chan, ' he greeted Jiraiya before he nodded respectfully both to the Hokage and Kakashi as well.

Kakashi had seen the Toad only a handful of times, but he remembered the power that he was able to channel for himself and through Jiraiya. He was a formidable opponent on his own, not to mention combined with a summoner.

'I understand you are here to tell us about Uzumaki Kuniharu, ' Hiruzen said as he confirmed that it was Fukasaku in front of him.

A part of him relaxed. It

was

Jiraiya-chan. He hadn 't doubted that, but 'it was still nice to have it confirmed.

'Of course, I am relieved that Haru-chan has finally decided to stop being so stubborn, ' the ancient Toad croaked with a nod. He sat cross-legged on the desk with his hands resting on his lap.

Hiruzen looked in surprise at the Toad. He spoke with easy familiarity and that same hint of fondness that Jiraiya did.

'Stubborn, how? ' Kakashi asked when Hiruzen stayed silent. He watched the Toad as his mind spun, trying to fit the pieces together. Fukasaku turned toward Kakashi before he hummed low in his throat.

'Ma and I have been trying to convince the boy to seek refuge in Konoha since he came to us thirteen years ago, ' Fukasaku explained, 'the boy is quite stubborn about it. He seemed convinced he would be a burden in Konoha with his name and history. It was only when the man fully mastered Senjutsu and proved himself that he felt comfortable enough to make the journey. Even still, he would have stayed away without Jiraiya-chan to convince him otherwise. Had it gone on much longer, I would have broken our agreement and told Jiraiya-chan of the boy 's existence. I am glad I was not forced to go back on his confidence. '

'The boy is a toad summoner? ' Hiruzen asked in amazement as his eyes went from the Toad to Jiraiya, who leaned back on his heels to allow his summon to speak for him, 'but how? Jiraiya has the contract. '

'Jiraiya-chan has

a

contract, ' Fukasaku corrected sagely, 'the Toads have always been clear that we offer contracts to those we deem worthy. It is uncommon to have two separate autonomous contracts, and unheard of that we have extended one to someone outside of Konoha, but we made an exception in Haru-chan 's case. '

Kakashi listened closely. The toads were one of Konoha 's most loyal summons. They were especially picky about those they allowed to be contracted with them. That the Uzumaki had somehow become a toad summoner while residing outside of Konoha was quite the feat. Based on Jiraiya 's reaction when he had been sent after him, he had not known about this either.

'How? ' Hiruzen asked as he puffed on his pipe.

He stared down the Toad. Fukasaku wasn 't cowed by the intense stare. He returned it with equal power. Old as he may be, Hiruzen was still a child when compared to the Toad. He was not fond of lying, but he cared for Kuniharu more. The man had given him a second chance at life, accidental as it may have been, but he had also given him the ability to make up for not keeping Jiraiya-chan alive and leaving Shima alone.

'For the second time in my long lifetime, a child reverse summoned themselves to Mount Myoboku with no training. As with Jiraiya-chan, we believe the child has a role in the future to come, though we choose to keep the details of his destiny to ourselves at his request. You may, however, ask me anything else about the boy to prove his worthiness to Konoha. I have longed for him to take his rightful place here rather than struggle alone with the memories of people far gone from him. I hope you will offer me that chance to help him. '

'I see, ' Hiruzen murmured. He thinks for a moment before he nods. 'Tell me about the boy. '

Fukasaku nodded back before he began the story that the Toad Sages had come up between the four of them.

'As I said, the boy came to us thirteen years ago. His caretaker had perished in an attack by a party that sought the Uzumaki clan secrets the two possessed. Haru-chan tells me that he and his caretaker lived under the radar, traveling often to throw off pursuers. Kurama offered freelance protection services or took jobs that Hidden Villages turned down to support himself and his charge. During very lean times, they used their sealing abilities to pay for their vagabond lifestyle, though this always drew undue attention. This eventually led to their attack, ' Fukasaku allowed this to sink in before he continued speaking.

'Kurama died to save the boy who barely escaped with his own life. It was from Kurama he had learned the summoning technique. The man had a rare contract with the Foxes of the Forest of Kyuu. Unfortunately, Kurama had not shared the contract as he wanted to wait until his charge reached his next birthday. Instead of summoning a fox to assist him, he reverse-summoned himself to the Mount. As I said, we believed the boy to be important, so we forged a contract with him. '

Fukasaku paused his explanation as he could sense that Hiruzen had a question. Kakashi himself was fascinated with the tale; he hadn 't even known there was such a thing as a fox summon, and the fact that the two Uzumaki 's had lived for so long under the radar, whether their luck ran out, it was still incredibly impressive. He still wondered why they had not come to Konoha. Was it truly to protect Kushina-nee-chan, who would have welcomed them with open arms, or were there other untold reasons for their reluctance to find refuge hidden in the trees?

'Why were Jiraiya-sama nor Minato-sensei not made aware of another Toad summoner? ' he asked.

Fukasaku nodded; they had anticipated this question in advance.

'When Haru-chan came to us, he was extremely paranoid. He was near death and terrified of strangers. He had lost the only constant in his life to violence. We, of course, urged him to seek shelter in Konoha with Kushina-chan. We would have introduced him directly to Minato-chan and Jiraiya-chan immediately, but he was not in a fit state for it. He was convinced he would put Kushina-chan in more danger with the combination of the Kyuubi and another Uzumaki as a target when he was still unable to protect himself. He made us swear not to breathe a word of his existence; he wouldn 't take the contract without this promise, and we, in turn, encouraged him to consider our offer, ' Fukasaku sighed and appeared troubled.

Instead of the story, he reflected on the past year as he and the Toads had tried to convince Kuniharu to return to Konoha even if he still intended to go back to his time. When he had learned he could never go back, Fukasaku had watched Kuniharu break down in a way he had never expected from the upbeat, optimistic boy. It had not been difficult to convince him afterward, but Fukasaku had not forgotten the haunted look that had remained the first month after it became clear he was stranded.

Jiraiya observed both Kakashi and Hiruzen critically. A part of him was still torn up about keeping the truth from either shinobi, as both were important figures in Kuniharu 's past life. It only took imagining how Hiruzen might react to the news about Danzou and Orochimaru, or Kakashi to the truth of Obito and Uchiha Sasuke before he had even met him, that held him back. The Toads had agreed with their plan. It was now up to how well they executed it that would determine how useful Kuniharu 's information would be. For the most part, Hiruzen and Kakashi appeared thoughtful. There was a guardedness, but they appeared to take the ancient Toad 's words at face value. Fukasaku was a trusted ally of Konoha. If he and Jiraiya vouched for Kuniharu, it spoke volumes about his character.

'We allowed him to live on the Mount, and he trained intensely for over a year. As he grew into his abilities as a Shinobi and budding Sage, he gained more confidence in us and in himself. It was a true tragedy that upon the cusp of his openness to meeting Kushina-chan, the Kyuubi attack occurred. He was there when the news came to us that his cousin had perished. Kushina 's pregnancy was unknown to him as we swore silence to Minato-chan. He is unaware of young Naruto 's existence. Had he known, I believe he may have volunteered to watch over the child, despite the fact he himself was a child at the time. He left the Mount soon after the incident and traveled to the furthest reaches of the continent to seek out other Uzumaki. I believe he heard rumors of several but never was able to track them down. He followed Kurama 's example in doing freelance shinobi work for the smaller nations without Hidden Villages for a reduced price to support himself. He kept a low profile despite the level of his skill. '

Fukasaku paused once again to allow the questions he could see brimming behind Hiruzen 's eyes to be voiced.

'Why the sudden explosion of activity? ' Hiruzen asked reasonably. 'If he has wanted to remain under the radar, I do not believe actively irritating multiple Hidden Villages is a smart strategy. '

Fukasaku seemed mildly amused at this, but he dipped a nod to concede the point.

'He has grown from the boy he used to be. His powers are such that very few would stand against him easily, and he had a mission he felt obligated to complete. Despite Haru-chan 's ability to hide in plain sight, he is a rather 'loud person. Nor does he do things discretely. Old contacts that knew of his sealing ability passed on a rumor that Iwa was looking for a master in Fuuinjutsu to improve a seal that they knew to be Uzumaki made, ' Fukasaku paused. Both Hiruzen and Kakashi leaned in closer. This was interesting information on the man 's motives.

'He then uncovered information that several of the Elemental Nations had pillaged the ruins of Uzushio and stolen some of the Uzumaki secrets he has been protecting his entire life--that Kurama died for. Haru-chan has a passionate sense of duty and justice. Of course, he intervened. He made these raids as loud as possible as a warning to anyone who has stolen Uzumaki relics that it will not be tolerated. I think he also hoped that any other Uzumaki might seek him out. He has acquitted himself well. We believe he has acquired most if not all of the remaining stolen scrolls and artifacts without grave injury. '

Kakashi's gray eye widened. He had not expected that as the reasoning behind the Uzumaki 's suicidal attention-grabbing campaign. Not for revenge, not for a thrill like some S-classed fighters were prone to, or to prove himself to the shinobi world, but to protect the last dregs of his clan. Putting the safety that he had guarded all his life behind his duty to his fallen family. It was humbling and intriguing. The man 's laughing face floated in his thoughts, the hidden depth of his azure eyes whispering something like a kindred soul to the last surviving member of both the Hatake clan and Team Minato. Hiruzen was equally impressed by the man. It seemed his initial desire to trust him had held true. He puffed on his pipe and nodded to himself.

'Thank you, Fukasaku-sama, you have been most helpful. Unless you have anything else to add, I believe Jiraiya may finish his report, ' he gave the Toad a shallow bow in gratitude.

The Toad Sage bowed as well before he turned to Jiraiya. 'Let us know when the decision is made. We leave him in your hands, Jiraiya-chan, ' Fukasaku gave him a heavy look, to which Jiraiya gave a formal bow in response.

'I will watch over the Gaki, ' Jiraiya promised, and then the Toad was gone with a puff of smoke.

Jiraiya straightened and then offered his sensei a crooked smile. 'Kid inspires loyalty like you wouldn 't believe, ' Jiraiya chuckled, 'I swear the Toads like him more than me. '

Hiruzen 's mouth twitched as he remembered Jiraiya often complaining that the Toads favored Minato when the boy had become a Toad summoner. It was oddly fitting that the Uzumaki would continue the tradition despite his only connection to Minato being through Kushina-chan.

'Report Jiraiya-chan, ' Hiruzen ordered dryly, his mouth twitching yet again when Jiraiya cursed at him for it.

He dealt with Fukasaku calling him "-chan," but it irked him when his sensei did the same. It wasn 't dignified for a man such as himself.

'I swear with one, it 's Ero-sennin and then -chan ' ' Jiraiya muttered darkly under his breath.

He glared, challenging Kakashi, who dared chuckle at his expense. Kakashi just continued to watch the Toad Sage with lazy amusement. He couldn 't help but consider that Minato-sensei would approve of anyone who could get under the Toad Sage 's skin.

The thought of his sensei still stung, but the amusement eased the pain so it was barely noticeable.

'Jiraiya, ' Hiruzen sighed.

'Very well, Hokage

-sama

, ' Jiraiya sneered, 'I arrived in Uzushio ' '