Naruto - Neglected Sage

Hokage tower

"WHAT!!!!!" shouted the Red hot Habanero

"Is that true, Kotetsu. Are you sure it really was Naruto?" asked Minato a bit excitedly.

Taking a few steps back from their una.d.u.l.terated enthusiasm, Kotetsu said stuttering "Y-yes H-h-hokage-sama *cough* we are sure it was him. I remember a photo of him being circulated a few years ago when he was announced missing. He looked exactly the same, though granted he was now more m.a.t.u.r.e and taller. He is also accompanied by the rumored Hyuuga girl from the reports, further confirming his identity"

"Really!" asked Kushina almost in tears from happiness "Minato he's back, our sochi is finally back"

"Where is he, Kotetsu?" asked Minato a bit more composed than his wife.

"He is currently on his way to the tower now, Hokage-sama" said Kotetsu.

"Did he say the reason for his return?" asked Minato as Kushina perked her ears waiting for the answer.

"Hai Hokage-sama, he said or rather his 'friend' said, he was here to take the Academy's Graduation exam to officially become Ninja" said Kotetsu.

"That's great!" said Kushina.

"I don't know, does he even have the skills to pass the exam?" asked Minato.

"What are you saying, Minato? Are you implying our Sochi isn't good enough?" asked Kushina with a hint of anger in her voice.

"I'm not saying that, I mean he even learned the tree climbing exercise without supervision" exclaimed Minato immediately hoping his wife wouldn't lash out on him.

"Then what are you implying then?" asked Kushina in a cold tone.

"That he hadn't had any supervision in his training, he was a seven year old when he left for God's sake. He may be a prodigy but self training can only get you so far" explained Minato.

"I see, and it's all our fault" said Kushina as she immediately blamed herself and looked down in shame.

"Calm down Kushina-chan" said the Yondaime as he moved to hug his wife.

"I can't Minato, what if he fails and leave again" said Kushina.

"That won't happen" reassured Minato "We won't let it happen, we'll apologize for neglecting him, for leaving him to himself, for not believing in him at times when he claimed he was beaten. He might not forgive us immediately but I'm sure we can make it up to him if we offer to train him. Then we'll bond with him and show him everyday how much we love him, until he forgives us" said Minato as Kushina just silently nodded.

"Now, Kotetsu" said Minato as he addressed the quite chuunin.

"Hai Hokage-sama" said Kotetsu

"I need you to do something for me" said Minato

"Hai! what is it Hokage-sama?" asked Kotetsu

"Go to the Namikaze compound and inform Mito and Naoko about their brother's return. Have them report here as soon as possible" said Minato.

"Hai! Hokage-sama" said Kotetsu as he immediately flickered away.

*****

A few minutes later, Mito and Naoko appeared with Kotetsu in a body flicker. After Minato dismissed him. Mito and Naoko immediately questioned their parents.

"Tou-chan, Kaa-chan, is it true!?" asked Naoko excitedly.

"Is Nii-sama really back?" asked a fidgety Mito.

Mito and Naoko had grown quite beautifully throughout the years. Naoko was like a female version of her brother(like the Canon version of Naruto's s.e.xy Jutsu) the only difference is that she is a bit short at 5'2". She has a heart shaped face with whisker marks that compliments her cuteness, blue eyes that sparkle like the sea and beautiful golden blond hair like her father which was tide in a side ponytail. Her b.u.t.t was plump and her bust was well developed rivalling Hinata's C-cup. She is wearing a standard anbu's set of clothing only except for a vest she wears her brothers unzipped old orange jacket with an Uzumaki swirl at the back, over her sleeveless shirt.

As for Mito, she is like a Mini version of Kushina but with shoulder length hair. Her body exudes the aura of maturity and s.e.xiness at the same time. She has all the right curves in all the right places. Her bust was bit smaller than her sister, but still in the range of C-cup. She is 5'5 in height and wears a black battle kimono that has red flame patterns on the edges of the sleeve, a pink skirt that has just the right length, white belt, black stockings, and a standard wood sandals.

"Yes!" shouted a happy Kushina "Your brother has finally returned!"

"We can finally apologize to him. I just hope he'll forgive us?" said Minato a bit solemnly. The three women quited down when they heard him.

Mito was the first to speak "Don't worry Tou-chan, I'm sure Naruto-nii will understand"

"Y-yeah, I-I'm s-s-sure O-o-onii-chan w-will u-u-understand" said Naoko as she stuttered unconfidently, unsure of her own words.

Through the years she had developed a stuttering problem whenever her Onii-chan was mentioned. She was really mad at herself for her actions, as well as regretted what happened all those years back.

Kushina, Minato, and Mito saw her confidence waver, so they moved to engulf her in a hug.

"Don't worry, your brother has a big heart. He'll forgive you" said Kushina.

"Yeah, and who could say no to such a cute little sister" said Mito as she gently pats her head.

"Y-y-yeah" said Naoko as she started to regain a bit of confidence.

"Don't worry girls, as long as we show him our love for him. I'm sure we'll be a complete family again" said Minato with the signature Namikaze grin.

"I beg to differ Minato" said an indifferent tone that splashed all their excitement with cold water.

""""NARUTO/NARUTO-NII"""" they all shouted in unison as they saw a handsome blonde and a beautiful lavender haired girl enter the Hokage's office hand in hand.

However they all froze when they saw the scowl and cold eyes directed at them.

"Hello, Hokage-sama, Kushina, Mito, Naoko" said Naruto sending shivers down their spine, while Hinata just bowed her head in greetings.

Since it looked like they weren't going snap out of their stupor, Naruto continued "I and Hinata would like to participate in this year's academy graduation exams to get our Gennin rank. We know how to perform the standard 3 academy jutsus, and as for our other skills? well, you can be the judge of that when we take the exam"

"Naruto, we can discuss that later. For now can we talk?" asked Minato.

Raising an eyebrow, he moved his gaze to everyone in the room then back to the older blonde, he sighed then replied in monotone "If you could forgive my bluntness Hokage-sama, but I don't see the relevance in 'talking' to any of you" Making everyone flinch.

"Naruto, Sochi please can you not treat us so coldly. We are still your family and-" Kushina couldn't continue her words when he heard a cold chuckle from Naruto.

"Family?" he asked mockingly "I never knew I was part of one, well not until recently" he said the last part looking at Hinata, making Kushina and Minato look down.

"Naruto-nii please, don't say that. Of course your part of ours. We love you just give us a chance to show it" said Mito a bit teary eyed.

"N-n-naruto-nii, I-I k-know w-we w-w-wronged y-you, b-but c-could y-you p-please f-find it i-in y-your h-h-heart to f-forgive u-us" said Naoko in between sobs as Hinata waivered at their sincere words.

"Naru-kun" whispered Hinata worriedly she had never seen Naruto this cold before and it somehow scared her. Naruto felt her hold tighten and looked at her then released a sigh "I know Hina-hime" while he pats her on the head. Their exchange didn't go unnoticed by their family, and all eyes now looked at Hinata. The contrast in their treatment was appalling. 'How could he have such warm eyes and comforting smile towards her, while they were looked down upon like a stone on the the side of the road' they all thought as a pang of jealousy crept into his sisters heart.

Coughing to get their attention, the blonde said in monotone "I won't forgive any of you" making everyone except Hinata tense up, Kushina almost broke down crying as she bit her lips in frustration, Minato hugged his wife and hung his head down, he couldn't look at Naruto in the eye, Mito felt her knees buckle and almost fainted in disbelief but she held on to her consciousness only for her legs to give in, and Naoko's reaction was extreme, her eyes looked dead. But, their suffering didn't last long as they caught Naruto say an almost inaudible whisper of "at least not yet"

Kushina, and Minato snapped their heads forward, Mito thought 'I knew it' and almost jumped to hug him if only her legs didn't gave in. and Naoko's eyes regained their l.u.s.ter.

That one almost inaudible whisper, was their salvation. Everyone deducted it as him giving them a chance. He hadn't forgiven them, no, not by far, but they had a chance. Although it wasn't much, but it was still progress. This finally brought smiles on the Hokage and his family's faces, they had a chance for redemption, and that's all they needed.

Hinata was happy for them and also for Naruto, but she also let out a giggle as she saw the roller coaster ride of emotions they were all experiencing. Mito and Naoko glared at her for that, but she just shrugged it off like it was nothing.

"Now, if you don't mind Hokage-sama we have an exam that we would like to participate in" said a still indifferent Naruto.

"Oh yeah, ah wait- he said as he looked for some paper and pen, then he wrote a letter of participation and approval "Here you go Naruto, Hinata-san. Just look for Iruka and show this to him before 8am in the academy tomorrow. He will let you participate in the exam, wether you graduate or not all depends on your skill. Good luck" he said as he gave the paper to his son, fighting the urge to hug him.

Naruto nodded and said nothing else before leaving, Hinata on the other hand stepped forward and said "He gave you a chance so try your best to win him back" she encouraged with a smile on her face.

But before anyone could reply and thank her, her demeanor changed and the rooms temperature seemed to have lowered by a few degrees. "But- she paused as she glared at them with her Byakugan on making them all flinch "If you ever hurt Naru-kun again, then a berserk Kyuubi would be the last thing you need to worry about" as her Byakugan flashed blue with a lotus symbol in the middle. Then her demeanor returned and smiled at the Hokage, bowed and then hurriedly scurried to Naruto.

Minato smiled wryly at the girls threat; it reminded him so much of Kushina. Kushina on the other hand voiced her opinion of her saying "I like that girl"

Mito and Naoko clenched their fist and was about to follow them, but Kushina stopped the two by holding on to their shoulders.

"You can't go you two. Not now at least" said Kushina.

"Why not?" asked the two

"Because, I know your emotions are gonna get the best of you and your are going to smother him with affection that he doesn't wish for right now, like some mindless fan girls and push him away. Just give him some space for now" said Kushina sternly.

They both flinched at the statement unable to deny it.

"But how are we suppose to make it up to him if we don't get close?" asked Naoko while Mito nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry girls, I have a plan" said Kushina with a grin as she looked at Minato. Making said blonde sweat beads of sweat.