Chapter 9 - My SI Stash #9 - Return of The Heavenly Demon by AzumiBear (One Piece & Naruto) (2/2)

When he had first arrived at the orphanage, she was wary of him, knowing his status as the Fox's container. She did her job, took care of him and that was it, end of story.

After a while, she began to notice strange things about him. His eyes seemingly holding an awareness that didn't belong in such a young child. Some days, she could have sworn that she had seen the young boy in his crib, practicing to walk a couple months ahead of others his age, but lay right back down as soon as she had walked in.

That wasn't what had disturbed her the most though. When he was young, the boy would almost never cry. It was only when he needed to be changed or feed, never anything else. Eventually, even that stopped all together.

When the boy would fall and scrap his knee or when the older kids would try and pick on and bully him, never would he cry. No, instead there was just a smile, a grin if you could even call it that. It looked normal to most yes, but after seeing that smile everyday for over a year Aneko knew better.

There was something wrong with that smile, with that boy.

The other children knew it as well. They would hardly ever interact with him anymore, and when they did it would not go well. That boy would simply smile at them, brushing them off and almost ignoring them completely, as if he were looking down on them.

It wasn't just his social skills that were off either. The boy moved with grace; an elegance and control that a 5 year old should not posses. He walked with confidence wherever he went, with that damned smile never going away.

He was stronger than others around him as well, she had seen him beat children that were almost twice his age and had training in the ninja academy, though he never instigated the fights.

Yes, Aneko Hamadate truly did not like Naruto Uzumaki. He had shown an interest in becoming a ninja as well, a terrifying thought. And with that thought in mind, she signed the letter she had written to the Hokage, his official guardian, calling for his immediate removal from the premises.

Normally, she would feel bad for sending a child out all alone into the world, but Naruto Uzumaki was not a child, this she was certain of.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not having a good day. It, like almost every other, was filled with monotonous paperwork and political strife that he was well and truly sick of at this point. He remembered a time when he enjoyed these things, but now he was missing the retirement that Minato was so kind to bring him.

He grabbed the next obstacle in his path to the days end, what looked to be a letter addressed to him, and filled his pipe with another round of tobacco. He read the letter as he did so, stopped for a moment to put his pipe down and re-read the letter, hoping that he had misread it.

After, he sighed and, with weary hands, set the letter down and picked up his pipe. He sat there for a few minutes, enjoying the downtime that he honestly felt he deserved. When his pipe ran dry, he quickly scribbled a reply to the letter he had received, signed it and signaled for one of his ANBU.

”Yes, Lord Hokage?”, a Tiger Masked ANBU had appeared kneeling in front of his desk.

Hiruzen handed the folded up letter to the agent. ”Take this letter to Akeno Hamadate at the Southern Orphanage”, he ordered, his voice firm and calm to hide the frustration he was currently feeling.

Without another word the ANBU agent disappeared to fulfill his orders. Hiruzen got up from his chair, stretching his back that sore from constantly sitting down for the past few hours.

As sad as it was, Hiruzen had anticipated this happening and had already rented an apartment in advance in-case this situation ever occurred. He walked out of the room, entering the hallway and greeting his secretary.

”I'm going out for the rest of the day. Push any appointments I have to tomorrow”. Not stopping to hear her answer, the Hokage continued to walk out the tower and made his way to Naruto's soon-to-be former home.

His pace was slow as he greeted the various villagers around him. He was not looking forward to this. While he enjoyed visiting and speaking with Naruto, telling him that he was going to be living alone from now on was not something he was eager to do.

The villagers were quite wary, afraid even, of the young boy. That fear spread to their children as well, ostracizing Naruto and making it very difficult for him to make any friends. He knew this, it was something he was keenly aware of.

His decision to reveal Naruto's status as the Nine Tailed Fox's Jinchūriki was a hard one. There were many ninja that night, watching the sealing happen. Who knew what kind of rumors would be spread if left alone?

To mitigate this, he had decided to reveal Naruto's status making it clear that he was just a normal child and that he was a hero. That decision clearly went well.

Still, Naruto himself did not seem to be bothered by this if he was aware of it, which he undoubtedly was. He was a smart kid, advancing well beyond his peers in pretty much all things.

When the two of them would get a chance to speak, he didn't feel like he was talking to a child. Honestly, Naruto reminded him of Itachi, with eyes too old for such a young soul.

Like Itachi, Naruto was talented as well. Hiruzen had already suspected that the boy was a sensor, never being surprised when the Hokage would drop by, almost knowing that he was on his way.

His physical abilities were quite impressive as well if Aneko's letter is to be believed. Defeating multiple academy students that were almost twice his age with no formal training was quite a feat.

Hiruzen continued his steady pace toward the orphanage. No doubt by now Tiger would have delivered the letter and Naruto would be almost done packing his things, what little he had anyways.

Hiruzen's thoughts eventually strayed to his now wayward student, Jiraiya. All those years ago, when he had come with him to visit Naruto, Jiraiya had disappointed him. Was that unfair?

Perhaps, he knew that Jiraiya was in a lot of pain after Minato's death. He had spent most of life searching for his Child of Prophecy, and finally he had thought he had found him in Minato. Minato and Kushina treated him like family, something Jiraiya never had.

And in the end, he lost everything in a single night. Naruto was a reminder of that pain, of everything he lost. Yet Hiruzen couldn't help but see it as a Jiraiya running from his responsibilities.

The two still kept in touch via letters though only for official Leaf Business. Still, Hiruzen would mention the boy in his letters, encrypted of course, and mention his hard sh_i_p_s and struggles, hoping to convince him to change his mind and return.

He never even bothered to acknowledge them. Yes, in Hiruzen's eyes, Jiraiya was just running from his responsibilities.

Finally, Hiruzen had reached the orphanage and approached the front. Already, he could hear the sounds of children playing and laughter. He waited for a couple moments until the door finally opened, Akeno there to greet him. A short, brown-haired and rather heavy-set woman but one that he had known to be a mother-hen through and through. This thought only made him more disappointed in her, an emotion he was beginning to be feeling far to often.

”Ah..h-hello L-Lord Hokage”, her voice trembling slightly. There was a small look of shame in her eyes that could barely stand to meet his own. What stood out most though, was the was the look of determination in the rest of her features.

He didn't have to do this. As Hokage, he could force her to continue keeping Naruto in her care, but that look meant that she was adamant about getting him out of here. If Naruto did stay, his life would only go downhill from here as the caretakers began to neglect him more and more till he was already independent. It was best to get it over with now instead.

”Take me to him”, his replied with his voice demanding and possessing an air of authority. Akeno startled slightly, wide-eyed, and nodded, turning around to guide him to Naruto's room.

The two went through the building, with Hiruzen smiling at all the children running up to greet him. Soon, they made it Naruto's room, and not even bothering to knock, Akeno opened his door and walked in.

”Hey old man, what took ya so long huh?”, rung out a young voice, full of amus_e_m_e_nt and mischief. Looking inside, Hiruzen spotted young Naruto. He was leaning up against the far wall, his arms crossed and a small backpack sat down in front of him.

The short blond-haired boy, was wearing his ever famous grin, a bright pink shirt on with equally bright white shorts and black shoes. He had on a pair of oddly shaped sunglasses, with a silver frame and red lenses. Naruto had asked for them during last year's Rinne Festival that they spent together and wore them everyday. In fact, Hiruzen couldn't remember seeing him without them on since then.

Yes, without a doubt, Naruto had quite the flair for the dramatic. It didn't bother Hiruzen though, he had seen stranger things, and stranger people.

Hiruzen smiled lightly, then chuckled a bit. ”Well when you get as old as me it takes a bit longer to get around”, he said humoring the boy.

”heh heh heh, sure old man. What ever you say”, Naruto replied, seemingly laughing at some inside joke. Naruto pushed off the wall, kicking his back pack up and looping one of the straps around his shoulder in one smooth motion. ”Now c'mon old man, lets go see this new place ya got for little ol' me”, he said, walking past him and Akeno and toward the front door.

Yeah, quite the flair for the dramatic indeed.

The Hokage followed him to the front door, amused by Naruto's antics. ”Now Naruto, shouldn't I be leading the way? After all, I doubt you'll know where to go after we walk out that door.”

Naruto, finally at the front door, opened it and bowed dramatically, gesturing for Hiruzen to step out.”Of course Lord Hokage, I was getting the door for you. One should be respectful to their elders. Heh heh heh”. Naruto, with that grin still plastered on his face, laughing at the barb about his age.

The two walked out of the orphanage, now side-by-side, they began to walk closer to Naruto's new apartment. It was located closer to the Hokage Monument and thus the Academy as well, which Hiruzen signed Naruto up to begin attending next year.

As they walked through the village, the various villagers would often stop to look at the two, and not in greeting like they did when he was alone. They would often move to the other side of the street to avoid being close to them. Seeing this, Hiruzen looked down at Naruto.

Naruto seemed to be ignoring this, grinning like always and his eyes hidden behind his stylish sunglasses. Hiruzen sighed a little, looking at him. Naruto had a bad habit of walking a little strangely. His hands would be in his pockets and his legs would move at an almost exaggerated pace, lifting up far too high when he walked. But he was mostly concerned about the way Naruto would hunch his head, as if he were too tall and trying to duck under some thing.

They pass by and stop by a few places, getting Naruto food, clothes and various supplies like utensils and dish soap. The apartment was already fully furnished and Hiruzen would leave further decoration up to Naruto. Continuing away from the market, Naruto stops and turns, standing still for a moment. ”Hey old man, whats the building for?” the child looked up at Hiruzen pointing at a building to their left.

Hiruzen looked over at the building Naruto had pointed out. It was a fairly large building, two stories and with a red shingles making up the roof. The beige walls shown obvious signs of wear, spider web cracks running all along them. He knew this building quite well, watched both its construction and the need for its use. Built during and after the First Great Shinobi War, it housed all of the war orphans that the war had brought and has done so for the Second and Third as well.

It was a building that symbolized the pain and hardship that the Leaf had gone through, and a prison for the children whose parents were sacrificed in her name.

Hiruzen looked down at the boy. Naruto looking towards the building, his usual smile missing from his face. ”That's the first orphanage that was built in the Hidden Leaf Village. Why is there something the matter?”, he asked, curious.

The boy stares at the building for a moment longer, eventually looking away and continuing. ”Nothing, let's keep going”, as he called back to him.

They continue towards where Naruto will be staying. They finally walk up to a beige building with maroon colored shingles. Standing about four stories tall it was a plain apartment building.

As they proceed to follow up the stairs to the top floor and stop at the third door on their right, at room 4C. ”This will be the building you will be staying at,” Opening the door, he revealed a single, small, plain room with dim green colored walls and a wooden floor. In it was a bed with a small night stand and alarm clock, a small desk and chair with a small radio on it and a single dresser. ”and this will be your new room.”

Naruto, after adopting his smile again on their way to the apartment complex, entered his new room, looking around. The two walked through a small door way leading to the kitchen, where a small refrigerator, stove top and a small table with four chairs served as Naruto's new dining room. There was another door in the kitchen leading to the bathroom.

Hiruzen put the bags of groceries on the dining table. ”So, what do you think, Naruto?” Hiruzen asked, eager and slightly nervous to hear the boys response.

Naruto looked around the apartment for a moment, his smile dropping for a moment. Then his smile returned and he looked up at the old man. ”It looks like shit, old man. Heh heh heh”. Naruto said, laughing.

Rather disappointed but not very surprised the Third Hokage sighed. ”Language, Naruto”, Hiruzen reprimanded him, handed him a spare key and then continued, ”I'm afraid you'll have to live with it for now, at least until you become a powerful Shinobi and earn some more money. Speaking of...”, the Hokage reached into his robes and pulled out a small bundle of money, handing it to Naruto.

”As of this moment you'll be receiving a fixed income every 30 days from the Hidden Leaf in order to help take care of yourself. This is all you'll be getting so be sure to spend it wisely.” The Hokage moved out of the kitchen and into the main room, with Naruto following him.

”Also, I have enrolled you into the Ninja Academy for next year. As long as you'll be attending you won't have to worry about paying any rent or utility bills.”

Naruto flung his backpack off his shoulder and onto the bed, his grin widening as he flipped through the bills that Hiruzen just handed him.

After flipping through the last bill, Naruto spoke up. ”Anything else I need to know, eh?”, Naruto asked still gleefully looking at the money in his hands.

Hiruzen shook his head at the young boys greed, and replied,”No that's everything for now. I'll be visiting in a few days to check up on you and if you need anything I'm usually at the Hokage Tower.” Hiruzen opened the door, ready to head home and relax for the rest of the day.

”Yeah, Yeah, see ya later old man”, Naruto waved him off and closed the door behind him.

With that, Hiruzen made his way home, this time traveling by the rooftops. There many thoughts about Naruto on his way home. What Naruto was thinking and what his future was. As much as Hiruzen hated it, there were many things that rested on the boys shoulders, too many. He would do all he could to make sure Naruto went down the right path.

Hopefully he wouldn't be the only one for much longer.

Doffy closed the door behind the old man, the smile on face dropping for a moment. Ever since they passed that building, the other orphanage, what his Haki had sensed had been bothering him, distracting him. Looking out the window in his new apartment, the sun was beginning to set. He would investigate it tomorrow. For now he would settle into his new home.

He put the things that the Third had bought him away into its new designated areas, made some dinner for himself and, after he was done eating, laid in bed.

He lay there for a while, trying to sleep but the orphanage situation still bugged him. It took a while, but eventually sleep took him.

Doffy woke again at the crack of dawn, like always. He got out of his new bed and decided to enjoy his new freedoms. He used his own shower and bathroom, no longer having to share it with various other orphans. He cooked his own breakfast, something he was slightly out of practice of but was more than capable of. Changing clothes, Doffy grabbed something, a gift, out of his backpack and exited his new apartment, locking the door behind him with an objective in mind.

Slowly, Doffy mad his way over to the orphanage that he and the old man had passed yesterday. It took quite a bit, as Doffy had a bit of trouble remembering exactly where it was but he found it again eventually. It was just before noon now and just like at previous home, there was various children playing at a nearby playground.

It was like clockwork, as soon as he was in range that aura was back, calling out to him through his Haki. Doffy with his signature smile walked onto the playground and spotted two benches sitting back to back in the middle of the park.

He walked toward it, slowly, tracking that aura through his Haki and sat down on one of the benches. Then he waited, his eyes staring straight ahead of him and his smile dropping.

There, a boy was a few meters ahead of him. He was quite odd looking, a bowl shaped hair cut, thick eye brows and large, round eyes with rather prominent eye lashes. A small frown adorned the boys stone set face, a perfect example of seriousness.

The boy walked forward at a steady pace, his hands neatly folded behind him. He continued to approach him, eventually reaching the bench Doffy sat at. Rather than sit next to him, the mysterious boy circled around, sitting at the bench just behind him.

The two sat there a moment, back to back, the sound of the other children playing around them. Doffy reached into his pocket and pulled out the gift, a pair of sunglasses. Taking them, he reached over his shoulder, offering it to the other boy, who smoothly reciprocated the action, taking them from him.

Doffy could hear the boy unfold them and place them on his face. They say there for a moment, until finally, the other boy greeted an old friend.

.

.

.

”Doffy”.

.

.

.

Donquixote Doflamingo grinned.

.

.

.

”Vergo”