The warm atmosphere of the birthday celebration slowly settled in the cabin, with the scent of food and laughter seemingly lingering between the wooden beams. The golden sunset had completely dipped below the horizon, casting a tranquil deep blue over the forest.
The spark of 'home' in the heart of the Naruto Shadow Clone controlled by Minato grew brighter and brighter. Wasn't this the happiness he sought?
He looked at Naruto, who had eaten his fill, and Kushina, who was washing dishes, and a thought exploded clearly in his mind.
"Kushina, Naruto!"
Minato's eyes sparkled with unprecedented brilliance. He pointed to the cabin and said, "This shack… it's too crude! Let's renovate it properly, shall we? Let's build a real home! A home that belongs to our family!"
Kushina, who was clearing the dishes, paused, her eyes instantly shining with astonishing brightness, even more excited than before.
"Renovate?! Build a home?!"
She threw down the rag, put her hands on her hips, and burst with incredible enthusiasm, "You're absolutely right, Minato! How can my little Naruto live in this—" She kicked the roughly stacked log wall in disdain, "—leaky, drafty little shack!"
She suddenly turned to Naruto, who was still savoring the taste, her eyes gleaming:
"Naruto! Tell Mommy, what kind of house do you want? A two-story wooden house? With a big kitchen, a bright living room, and a dedicated training area for you! Oh, and the roof must be sturdy, fireproof and insect-proof!" Her thoughts instantly diverged, countless ideas gushing out, as if she wanted to turn the dilapidated shack into a palace in an instant.
Minato Namikaze watched his wife, who was so excited she was almost bouncing on the spot, smiling gently, his eyes, however, flashing with the unique wisdom of the Yellow Flash.
He glanced around this simple dwelling, built by Naruto alone with the blessing of [Wilderness Survival] LV5. Although kept clean and tidy by its owner, with bowls and plates neatly arranged and even a bed made, the structure was indeed too simple and flimsy. Thick logs interlocked, with gaps merely stuffed with mud and moss. Cold winds would inevitably blow in during winter, and heavy rains might leak in during summer, not to mention defending against potential infiltration by wild beasts, although currently only the Third Hokage and Anbu came.
He stepped forward and gently held his excited wife: "Kushina, don't rush, let's hear Naruto's thoughts first."
His gentle blue eyes turned to Naruto and asked:
"Naruto, is there anything special you want? Also, materials..."
"There are plenty of materials!" Naruto immediately interjected, his already eager little face filled with uncontrollable excitement and an eagerness to plan his territory. "There are so many trees in the back mountain, even denser than Third Hokage Hiruzen's hair! I've already explored the entire back mountain thoroughly!"
He "zoomed" off the chair, ran a few steps to the door, and pointed to the deeply silhouetted forest under the moonlight outside, like a little general commanding a thousand troops:
"Deep in the back mountain, there's a large area of ironwood trees that have grown for many years. Their hardness and toughness are superb, perfect for beams and pillars! I discovered them last time when I was chasing a mutated giant trout! Near the stream, there's fine-textured chalk, which, when dried, is especially suitable for building walls as bricks, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer! There's also a patch of wild vine gum trees. The tree gum extracted from their bark is super strong, I used it to glue my fishing rod, it's waterproof and moisture-proof, absolutely no problem!"
As he spoke, he even waved his little fist, showcasing his knowledge and practical experience.
"Wow! Naruto, you're amazing!"
The Kushina Shadow Clone instantly transformed into a starry-eyed fan, looking at her son with adoration, "You've even researched the materials so thoroughly!"
The emotional support was abundant!
Minato also nodded with satisfaction, already planning the blueprint in his mind.
The next morning, dew still sparkled on the grass tips as Naruto arrived at the Hokage building with light steps.
Just as he was about to step into the shadow-shrouded hall, a figure, like a falling leaf, silently landed in front of him, blocking his way. The person wore a common cat-faced mask, with a tall and straight posture. Most striking was his spiky, silver-white short hair, which subtly reflected the morning light.
"Stop."
The White-Haired Anbu's voice came through the mask, flat and calm, without the usual villagers' aversion or deliberate enthusiasm, as if routinely questioning an ordinary villager, "This is the Hokage's important office area. Entry is restricted unless necessary. What do you need?"
Naruto stopped, looked up, his bright blue eyes fearlessly meeting the eyes behind the mask's holes. He could feel the gentle, scrutinizing Chakra on the other person. This must be Kakashi, he thought, looking quite gloomy. It seemed he hadn't moved on yet. He wondered if Jiraiya had written Make-Out Paradise yet; otherwise, there could be one more pervert.
"I'm looking for Third Hokage Hiruzen."
Naruto said crisply, his tone carrying the frankness unique to a child, "I have something to discuss with him."
The White-Haired Anbu was silent for a moment, seemingly assessing. After a while, he spoke, still in his official tone:
"Lord Third Hokage is busy. Please state your specific matter."
"It's about my dwelling in the back mountain..." Naruto explained, "I want to fix up the shack better, the kind that's warm in winter and cool in summer! I want to split off a few more 'mes' to help with the work. But I remember Third Hokage Hiruzen said I could only use one Shadow Clone normally."
He tilted his head slightly, as if recalling the agreement, "So, I came to ask if an exception could be made, to let me use a few more... I'll be very careful, only using them in the back mountain, and I won't disturb anyone in the Village!"
He held up his small hand, promising with a serious expression.
The White-Haired Anbu seemed to nod after listening, though it was unclear through the mask. He didn't ask for details, only said one sentence:
"Wait here."
Then his figure flashed, instantly disappearing, leaving only a trace of dust.
Naruto stood quietly downstairs, the morning breeze ruffling his golden hair. He waited patiently, his mind already having flown back to the grand construction site in the back mountain that was about to begin.
Not long after, the white figure reappeared silently in front of Naruto.
"Follow me."
It was still a concise instruction. With that, he turned and led the way, his steps silent and swift, guiding Naruto through the heavily guarded corridor directly to the Hokage's office.
The heavy, carved wooden door was gently pushed open. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was hunched over a desk piled with documents, his pipe set aside, his brows slightly furrowed as he read a report.
Hearing the movement, he looked up and saw Naruto enter, followed closely by the White-Haired Anbu. A kind smile naturally appeared on his face, the previous solemnity instantly replaced by gentleness.
"Heh heh, it's Naruto."
The Third Hokage put down the report, picked up his pipe, and said with a warm smile, "Coming so early, is something wrong? Did you sleep well last night?"
His tone was gentle, like an ordinary old man caring for his grandchild.
Naruto took a few steps forward, his small face showing a bit of embarrassment and some anticipation:
"Third Hokage Hiruzen, I slept very well last night! It's just... that shack is a bit... well, not sturdy enough! It's windy in winter, and it drips when it rains." He imitated Kushina's disgusted expression from last night, "I want to make it better, like the real houses in the Village! I want to split off a few more 'mes' to go to the back mountain to cut wood and move stones!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen's eyes flashed with surprise at his words, then filled with deep satisfaction. This child not only had strong independent living skills, but now he even wanted to improve his own dwelling. This self-reliance and initiative far exceeded his expectations. This was much better than the worst-case scenario he had envisioned.
He took a puff from his pipe, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and his gaze softened:
"Oh? You want to renovate the house with your own abilities? That's a good idea. However, building a house, especially one that can withstand wind and rain, is not easy. Do you need help? Shall Grandpa send some people or provide some materials?"
"No, no!"
Naruto immediately waved his hands, his small head shaking like a rattle, his face full of confidence, "There are so, so many materials in the back mountain! I've already found the best wood and stones! I'll figure out the tools myself too! I just want a few more 'mes' so I can finish faster by myself! To avoid taking too long and bothering others."
He pondered for a moment, gently tapping his pipe on the edge of the desk, and finally revealed an approving smile, slowly nodding:
"Heh heh, good child. It's very good to think of improving your life with your own strength. Grandpa agrees."
He held up five fingers, his tone carrying the authority and admonition of an elder:
"A maximum of five Shadow Clones! That's the limit, understand? And, you must, must, must only use them within the back mountain area! Absolutely no using them in the Village, and no using the Shadow Clones to do anything unrelated to construction or anything that might disturb the villagers! This is Grandpa's absolute bottom line, understand?"
"Understood!"
Naruto immediately stood at attention, his small face taut, answering loudly and clearly, trying to make the most serious expression to guarantee it,
"I promise! Only five! Only for building the house in the back mountain! Absolutely no running around in the Village!"
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction, watching Naruto's joyful demeanor. The gloom in his heart caused by the war seemed to fade a little. This child, perhaps, would truly grow into an extraordinary existence.
"Go on, child." The Third Hokage waved his hand, smiling kindly, "Build your new home well, and be careful."
"Thank you, Third Hokage Hiruzen!" Naruto bowed deeply, then turned and walked briskly out of the Hokage's office, which was filled with the scent of paper and ink.
With the Third Hokage's permission, Naruto, unable to contain his excitement, rushed back to his small shack in the back mountains like a gust of wind. The moment he landed, he eagerly formed hand signs:
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff! Five plumes of white smoke burst open, and five identical blond Narutos instantly appeared beside him.
"Time to get to work!"
Naruto, the original, waved his small hand, full of spirit. The five Shadow Clones also rubbed their fists together, their faces showing the same excitement as the original.
"Minato!" Seeing this, Kushina's Shadow Clone immediately looked at the Naruto Shadow Clone controlled by her husband, her eyes burning, "You plan it out! My Adamantine Sealing Chains are perfect for moving materials!" She brandished the slender chains made of Chakra. Although it was just Naruto's Shadow Clone, the power of the Adamantine Sealing Chains was even stronger than when she was three years old. This showed how powerful the Uzumaki bloodline within Naruto was!
"Hmm," the Shadow Clone controlled by Minato nodded, his blue pupils gleaming with intelligence, "Kushina, I'll entrust the heavy ironwood beams and pillars to your chains; they're efficient and won't damage the wood. Naruto, you all are responsible for collecting chalk rock and vine sap bark. As for me…"
Minato took out a kunai and infused it with Wind Release Chakra.
"Leave the task of turning the wood into planks to me!"
"Oh!" The Narutos responded in unison, their voices full of vigor.
The construction project officially began, and the small back mountain instantly transformed into a bustling construction site.
A full month of working day and night, with concerted effort, saw the intertwining of diligent sweat and the glow of Chakra. In place of the former crude shack, a brand new and vibrant home proudly stood!
A uniquely crafted two-story wood and stone mixed building replaced the old shanty. It covered more than twice the original area, skillfully blending into the forest environment while retaining the warm ambiance of a home.
In front of the house, a flat grassy area was cleared to serve as a training ground. The ground was covered with thick, soft turf, and there was also a simple wooden dummy nearby.
Behind the house, adjacent to the kitchen, a large vegetable garden was cultivated. Since the back mountain was vast and rarely visited, Naruto simply created a huge vegetable garden. He realized that as his physical fitness improved, his appetite also grew, making a large vegetable garden a necessity.
Pushing open the thick oak door, one entered a spacious and bright living room. The pine floor had been polished smooth and warm by Minato using Wind Release Chakra and tools. A delicate stone fireplace was built against the wall, its hearth shaped and reinforced with Earth Release, ready to provide a warm bonfire in winter. By the window, a sturdy dining table made of ironwood stood.
Kushina's dream of a super-large kitchen occupied a significant portion of the first floor. The spacious countertops were equipped with various pots and pans of all sizes, cutting boards, and storage racks specially made by Naruto; everything was neatly organized. A stream was even diverted to make water access convenient.
The second floor was the bedroom area. Naruto's room had a window facing the back mountain, a brand new bookshelf beside the bed, and the bed itself was acquired by Naruto using the Transformation Jutsu.
The treehouse on the big tree next to the house was Naruto's proudest and most scenic masterpiece! On the thick main trunk of the towering giant tree behind the house, like a meticulously built nest of a giant bird, a delicate treehouse was firmly attached.
Its main structure was ingeniously constructed by interweaving tough ironwood branches, making it extremely sturdy. The exterior was adorned with fresh vines collected from the forest and various wild flowers, making the treehouse appear as if it had naturally grown from the tree itself, harmonious and exuding the unique fresh scent of plants.
For a Ninja, one could walk directly to the entrance, which was a small, round door just big enough for one person to bend down and enter, full of childlike charm. The interior space was not large but comfortable, laid with thick, soft vine mats.
The treehouse had a small round window on each of its four sides, especially the large round window facing outwards, which formed an excellent 360-degree panoramic viewing platform:
The east window offered a view of endless, layered forests. At dawn, the continuous canopy was dyed a captivating golden-red, with rays of light stretching across the sky, full of vitality.
The west window's view, through the gaps in the trees, clearly showed the rising smoke from the Konoha Ninja Village in the distance. Under the sunlight, the small figures running and jumping on the Ninja Academy's training ground were faintly visible—these were the people Naruto might interact with in the future.
The north window directly faced the lush, overgrown mountain ridge, where herds of wild deer often gracefully ambled to the mountain stream to drink water in the early morning or evening, creating a tranquil and peaceful scene.
The south window overlooked a bottomless, secluded valley, where mist constantly swirled and rose. When illuminated by the sun, the mist transformed and shifted, resembling a flowing, ethereal painting, mysterious and magnificent.
Naruto planned to sit here alone, or with his father's or mother's Shadow Clones, as the sun set. He patiently waited for the sunset to melt into gold, painting the sky red; watching the tired birds return to the forest, disappearing into the verdant foliage. He quietly absorbed this tranquil and magnificent beauty that belonged only to him.
Kushina and Minato tacitly referred to this place as "Little Naruto's Secret Lookout." Minato even secretly carved several reinforcing sealing runes inside some key supporting beams of the treehouse, ensuring its stability as solid as a mountain.
On the day of completion.
The golden glow of the sunset pierced through the forest gaps, casting its light upon the brand new home.
Beneath the giant tree, Naruto, Minato Namikaze, and Uzumaki Kushina stood side by side. The Nine-Tailed's Shadow Clone awkwardly sat leaning against a distant large tree root, silently watching the family before him.
Their gaze swept over the cozy and sturdy treehouse nestled among the leaves overhead, the warm kitchen with its wisps of cooking smoke beside the tree roots, the private bathroom by the stream with its moist air, and the vibrant, budding green vegetable garden in the distance.
An unprecedented sense of satisfaction and deep warmth flowed through the hearts of the three.
"Phew…"
Kushina let out a long sigh, hands on her hips, her blood-red eyes shining with a warmth even greater than the sunset. "This is truly impressive! This is what a home should look like, you know!"
Minato gently put his arm around Kushina's Shadow Clone's shoulder, looking at her tenderly, then at Naruto beside him, his golden short hair gleaming in the sunset: "Yes, you've worked hard, Kushina, and you too, Naruto. This is our shared home now." Despite being a body constructed by a Shadow Clone, the happiness in Minato's eyes was incredibly real.
Naruto looked at the "himself" beside him, who was smiling kindly, his mouth twitching slightly. Then he nodded vigorously, a smile brighter than the sun blooming on his face, and emphatically said, "Mm!"
In the afterglow of the sunset, this secret forest base seemed to be edged with a warm golden rim. Cooking smoke curled upwards, vegetable seedlings were freshly green, and new vines climbed along the wooden walls of the treehouse. Everything was silent, yet it exuded a solid, warm, and vibrant "homey" atmosphere. This was no longer just a shack for shelter, a cover-up; it was a true home, built together with love and hope.
In the new fireplace, dry firewood crackled, and the dancing flames illuminated the brand new living room, making it warm and bright. Naruto, the original, sat contentedly on a small stool in front of the fireplace, his belly round from the delicious mushrooms grilled by Kushina. The Shadow Clone controlled by Kushina held a perfectly grilled mushroom on a fork, bringing it to Naruto's mouth, her eyes as gentle as water: "We have a home! It's wonderful! This is what my little sun deserves!"
The Shadow Clone controlled by Minato sat beside Naruto, watching his profile, reddened by the firelight. He reached out a phantom yet incredibly warm hand and gently ruffled his son's golden hair, which was as bright as his own, his voice soft and firm: "Yes, no matter how tired you are from training in the future, just come back here. This is our home."
In the shadows of the corner, the Nine-Tailed's Shadow Clone controlled by Naruto stood with arms crossed, his scarlet vertical pupils glancing at the quiet forest silhouette under the moonlight outside the window. He then looked at the warm fireplace inside and the figures of the family of three, finally awkwardly turning his head away, but muttering under his breath, audible only to himself: "Hmph… barely, just a tiny bit more pleasing than that stinking red cage…"
Naruto, as if telepathically, grinned and turned to shout in the direction of the Nine-Tailed's Shadow Clone:
"Big Fox, next time I'm free, I'll even make a 'fox den' for you in that big tree!"
The fireplace crackled, the dancing flames reflecting on everyone's smiling faces. The aroma of food, the fresh scent of wood, and the hard-won warmth of reunion flowed and settled into every corner of the new home. A true sense of peace and happiness, for the first time, permeated this brand new little home so fully.
A certain White-Haired Anbu, sent by the Third Hokage for patrol, sensed the increasingly rich signs of life from that area in the distance. The slight vigilance and worry in his heart couldn't help but fade a little in the face of such warm and lasting vitality. He silently adjusted his monitoring point, etching this peaceful and harmonious scene into his mind. The three-year-old Naruto could live so well on his own, which filled the White-Haired Anbu with countless emotions, leaving only a sigh in the end!