Ninja Gamer

Chapter 11: Shard of the Six Paths

I looked around the simple two bedroom apartment in the residential district of Konohagakure with a critical eye, checking for any structural deficiencies or signs of mold, pests, etc. Little Naruto-kun babbling happily on my hip as I bounced him a bit during my look. "How much does it cost?" I questioned the realtor who was politely waiting by the door as I inspected the apartment, carefully keeping my voice neutral as I looked out the main window at the splendid sight of the Hokage Tower and monument.

"2,000,000," the realtor informed me politely.

I turned to the five month old baby in my arms as he looked out the window. "What do you think, Naruto-kun?" I questioned him gently. "Do you like it?"

He looked up at me and gave me a babbling smile as he reached for my hair, he just loved playing with it.

"I'll take it," I told the realtor with a smile. "I'll bring the cheque in tomorrow."

"I'll be sure to have the keys made up and ready for you," the realtor told me with a smile, barely even glancing at baby Naruto in my arms. "Thank you for your purchase."

After exchanging a few more words, I parted ways with the realtor and began to make my way to the Uchiha District.

It had been five months since the Kyuubi attack and my world fell out from under me with the death of Minato-sama and Kushina-san, only to be saved from my despair from little baby Naruto-kun. On that day in Hokage-sama's office I declared that I would raise Naruto-kun, come hell or high water, even threatening to resign as a shinobi if Sandaime-sama didn't allow it, much to said person's amusement.

He told me that was what he was hoping for when he brought me to see Naruto-kun, he felt that I was the only one suited to protecting him and ensuring his healthy growth. Apparently, according to Jiraiya-sama, the flush on my face went down my neck. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take him with me right away, even with my newfound determination I was not ready, mentally, to begin taking care of Naruto-kun.

It had taken a couple of months with Fuyuko-san and many visits to baby Naruto-kun, but... I was healing. I was officially granted custody over Naruto-kun last week and had been busy looking for a suitable place to raise him within Konoha proper, Fugaku-sama had offered me a place within the Uchiha district of course, but I had decided to get a place of my own within Konoha.

The Uchiha Clan... there had been a big change of opinion for them since the night of the Kyuubi, not only was the outrush of Uchiha to defend their village a factor, but one or several of the councilmembers had let it leak that Sakaki-nii-san had risked permanent blindness with his reckless attempt to delay the Kyuubi.

Thankfully, when he woke up he still had some eyesight left, although he needed to activate his Sharingan in order to see properly. When I saw him again, I gave him a tight hug before smacking him upside the head and ranting at him for his foolish decision to try to teleport the KAMI DAMNED KYUUBI!

He was rather shocked when Fugaku-sama informed him of his transfer into the Konoha Military Police as a Commander, and firmly gave him the order not to use his Mangekyou Sharingan again unless he was in a life or death situation. Although that was nothing when compared to the shock of the number of fan girls for him that seemingly popped up overnight.

Thankfully they respected the warning I issued about those who got too aggressive in their pursuit, I wasn't about to allow a potential blackmail resource disappear on me after all.

"We're back!" I called out as I walked in the door, the trip home taking longer than usual, Naruto-kun not being strong enough yet for me to carry him while travelling shinobi style limited me to walking, and of course, Naruto-kun being the adorable ball of sunshine he was, attracted the attention of various grandmothers all over.