At the ninja academy two boys could be seen at the ground, they our MC and Kakashi
Both had just finished their match and were lying on the ground exhausted
After catching his breath,Ryoma asked, "Hey Kakashi, what are you thinking of, you seemed to be a bit distracted? "
"I am thinking of graduating early and well dad also seem to be preparing something for you" Kakashi said
"For me? " I asked
"Yea, well you are at this point basically his student after all"
Seeing that the sun was setting, both parted ways and went to their homes
When Ryoma arrived home, he ate and sat on his bed
'Graduation, huh. It's already been nearly a year since we joined the academy. '
So many things had happened during the year.
I made many friends and acquaintances, learned ninjutsu, learned kenjutsu and ninja knowledge
There were also many events happening like Obito constantly challenging me or Kakashi
I would play around with Asuma, Kurenai, Gin, Sora, and Souma
Shizune left the village with Tsunade
Getting approached by Root ninja and Uncle Sakumo stopping them
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As I kept reminiscing, I fell asleep and then I woke up next morning
After finishing my routine, I sat down and thought , 'Should I also graduate with Kakashi or do I stay with everyone'
I was seriously considering it because Uncle Sakumo already taught me everything one learns in the ninja academy like the 3 basic jutsus
I also learnt some earth style ninjutsu from them, so there's really nothing left for me to learn here. The only way I will learn anymore is by going on the battlefield
But I am not that strong yet and even if I was I have never killed a person so I don't know if I can handle it
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After what felt like years in my head, I finally came to a decision
'Alright, I will..... '
At the Hatake household
I was as always just there to hang out with Kakashi but suddenly Uncle Sakumo called me in and so I went in
Over the year I had already been over to their house several times so I was quite familiar with it
After reaching the living room, we both sat down and after a brief silence, just as he was about to say something
Kakashi came in and sat down as well
Seeing that both of us were here, he cleared his throat and said, " So Ryoma are you also going to graduate early with Kakashi? "
I opened my mouth and said, "Yes!"
Hearing this Kakashi seemed a bit relieved and stared at his father for clarification
Seeing this Uncle straighten his posture and said, "What do of Ryoma, Kakashi? Do you see him like a brother? "
At this question, both Kakashi and I looked at each other with a puzzled expression and he answered, "Well he is good person, and I do think of him like a brother because he looks like us with his white hair"
And added, "Honestly if he wasn't an orphan with clear history, I might have thought he might actually be my half-brother or something"
Hearing the last part, Uncle nearly choked while I just chuckled away like a gremlin (heheheheheh)
Composing himself again, Uncle just put forward a few paper and said, "Then Ryoma, if you don't mind would you like to become a part of our little family? "
At first I was puzzled, but the moment I read the documents I understood what he was doing
"A-are you s-sure? I mean i-i.... " I tried to make a coherent sentence but I couldn't while besides me Kakashi was looking at the adoption documents and then at me
He seemed to have a smug(?) grin
Uncle Sakumo just leaned a bit and pat my head as my eyes we're moistening and I was trembling with relief and joy
"I would love to " We're the only words I could make out of my mouth at this time
Hearing this both the father and son became happy and hugged me
And with that I truly ended up crying
After a minutes, I was done crying but now I was incredibly embarrassed
Beside me Kakashi was like, "Now I am your older brother" because I was a few months younger than him
While Uncle was preparing to submit the documents to the Hokage tower
He left us alone and went ahead to the office while Kakashi just showed me around the house
At the Hokage building
As Sakumo entered the building, he was greeted by many people and greeting them back he made his way towards a clerk
The clerk was about to ask what could he help with but then an ANBU ninja came asked Sakumo to come at the Hokage office
Sakumo was a bit surprised but followed the summons and knocked on the door to Hokage's office
Inside was an man in his fifties working on some paperwork
It was Hiruzen, when noticed Sakumo approaching he put the documents in his hands down and smiled
He said, "It's good to see you Sakumo, what we're you doing here"
Sakumo just politely greeted him and said, "I wanted to adopt Ryoma, so I was here to submit the adoption papers"
Hiruzen felt like he heard something wrong and blurted out, "What" And to this Sakumo just repeated himself
Regaining his composure, Hiruzen asked many things leading up to it but Sakumo just answered them without a care as he truly cared for Ryoma
Ending their talks, Hiruzen asked to see the documents and just stamped them with his seal
After that was done Hiruzen got serious and said, "You are aware that the war is coming closer, no?"
Sakumo responded with seriousness, "Yes, things are heating up and tension is rising between the nations"
Hiruzen then asked him to be ready for a mission at any time soon and dismissed him
After he was gone, Hiruzen thought, 'Maybe Sakumo adopting Ryoma isn't bad he is after all among the very few who can protect Ryoma from Danzo..... My old friend it seems we need to discuss things more thoroughly next time'
As Sakumo reached the house, he saw the two boys just sitting in the front yard, dozing off. Sakumo just smiled and picked up the two and layed them on their beds
After some time both Kakashi and Ryoma woke up, Ryoma was confused but just followed Kakashi to the living room where Sakumo was sitting.
Seeing him Kakashi said, "Dad were you the one brought us inside? "
Sakumo replied, "Yeah, and you two shouldn't be sleeping in such a place"
"But Uncle it's not like it was our fault that the grass was too soft and just perfect to sleep on" Ryoma answered
At this Sakumo simply raised an eyebrow with a gaze that said 'you said something wrong'
Realizing what he wanted me to say, I blushed in embarrassment and said, "D-dad, it wasn't our fault"
With that the family ate dinner in the evening and went to their rooms to sleep
It was hilarious for both Sakumo and Kakashi as Ryoma was so stiff the entire time it was as if he was petrifying
At night when Ryoma was in his bed he couldn't help but feel happy
'I have a father and a brother now, is this what families are like normalcy
He remembered his past life where he also had parents and elder brother
But it was far from a happy family, Our parents neglected both my brother and me until they needed something from us and would sometimes even beat us
My elder brother died when he 17 , at that time I was just 13 but the one thing I always remember is how he protected me.
It was from him that I first saw the world of Naruto and I was mesmerized by it a world full of beauty and cruelty that was as harmonious yet as much chaotic
The powers, the people they motivated me, Naruto's words of never giving up stayed with me through my life
But I also ended up isolating myself away and was afraid of 'family' even though I came to understand that our family wasn't the norm and they were just bad people
I couldn't help it, I was too scarred by my experience that I couldn't even bother to form my own
But Sak-Dad and Kakashi melted this barrier and made free from this fear
I am really grateful to them and will never let anything happen to them
I first need to make sure Dad doesn't commit suicide
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And so I slept without a care in the world for the first time in awhile