Naruto's POV (Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
The only blonde Uzumaki sat on his couch, bored. He had always enjoyed training. It was one of the few times he could think freely. He just had always enjoyed being active, he supposed. It was a healthy attitude when you lived the shinobi lifestyle. As such, the Genin of Team Seven had taken to a nightly run. Take care of conditioning and have some extra team time. But his mother had asked him to hold back. They were having a "family meeting". She claimed it was tradition, but if so, it was a new one.
Naruto knew his family was a bit odd. Namely, missing was a rather crucial element that other families had. But it had always been a reasonably enjoyable life they had lived. From others' perspective, it was chaotic and odd, but the blonde had been happy. Then, he met Iruka, someone he saw as his older brother. Then, Shikamaru, his first peer turned friend. Then they came even quicker. Lee, Choji, Neji, and even Ino. Naruto nowadays had a lot that he had wished for back in the day. Perhaps that's why he suddenly worried about what he didn't have.
He wouldn't say he missed his father. He couldn't remember him, and his mom refused to tell him anything substantial. And he couldn't say he wanted one either. He had never had one, so he knew little of what he was missing. He had never truly seen the point in it all.
But despite all that, he had come to enjoy his chaotic life. Yet, in moments when his mother brought order, he knew to expect change. It became even more apparent when it wasn't one-on-one. Next to his mother stood Kakashi. Both of them had locked their eyes with the blonde.
"Um, hi?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Hi there, Naruto!" Kakashi waved jovially before Kushina elbowed his side. "We both need to talk to you about the exams." His voice was now more serious.
"More training? I think it's a bit late." Naruto said jokingly from his position on the couch.
"Son, it's about a deal regarding the exams," Kushina explained.
"An unfair one," Kakashi added. His voice sounds oddly emotional. Like he wasn't pleased with the current situation.
"What do you m-" Naruto started before Kushina quietly shushed him.
"Just let us explain sweetie." Kushina interrupted softly. "The Chunin Exams are always a big deal for shinobi. It helps keep the peace and drives business to the villages that do well. But for you, son, this exam is a challenge your father wanted for you. See the identity of your father, and the truth of that night is a secret your father swore me to. I've hated keeping it and have dragged others in as well. Kakashi here is an example. Kakashi had begged me to allow him to be around you as much as possible. But I couldn't allow it; you might've discovered the truth then."
"Kakashi sensei wanted to be around more? But why would he care about me?"
"Your father and I were quite close. I can't tell how or why yet. But your father was someone I admired quite a bit." Kakashi explained sadly. "But as much as I wanted to be around, I couldn't go against his wishes."
"Why would he want me without people? Why the hell is this some secret? I deserve to know who he is! Didn't he think about me at all?" Naruto exclaimed, getting steadily more angry.
"M-" Kakashi coughed into a hand. As he sat next to the blonde. "Your father is hiding it from you because he wanted you to have a regular childhood. Something we managed to some degree. Things weren't perfect; I know you suffered from loneliness, and the mystery behind your father must've bothered you. But he truly believed this was for the best. He knew it would be hard for you to see that. So he made time for you to be told. For the world truly."
"Son, your father's legacy, his identity, your identity. I've wanted to tell you all this time. But your father is… was the man I love. I had to keep the promise given. Luckily, it is time for you to learn it. I know you're ready to know the truth, son. The same way I know your father is watching. I know it's not fair, son. But… to learn the truth, you must become a Chunin."
Naruto stood up suddenly, his head low to avoid eye contact as he sat up and slowly walked to the front door. Kushina went to stand and grab him, but Kakashi stopped her. Shaking his head no as the blonde got to the door. "I get your reasoning." He said simply. "And I don't care about the deal. I'm becoming Hokage, so becoming Chunin was always the plan." He opened the door and entered the chill night air as he said this. "But I would never hide something like this from someone I care about." The door slammed violently with the declaration, and the blonde stormed out.
Kushina sighed as she sagged low. Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't worry too much. Naruto has shown himself to be forgiving. I know Minato-sensei appreciates you doing this. I think Naruto will understand in time. Perhaps even appreciate it himself one day."
"I know Kakashi. You're much too young to be giving me advice." Kushina countered her voice, wavering a bit.
"Hm, I forgot you look so young," Kakashi said jokingly.
Kushina snorted. "No woman is pretty when they cry." She said as a subtle warning.
"Understood, mam. You have my word, and I'll keep him safe. And with both of our training, I'm confident it's time." Kakashi said as he walked out. "You always were a great mother. Don't let one mistake eat you up." Kakashi offered as he poofed away.
Kushina sniffled slightly as she waited for her son to return. He may not always appreciate what she does. But as a mother, she would do whatever was necessary for her beloved child. She had promised Minato no less.
X-X
Naruto sat on the curb of a road a couple of streets down. Usually, he would go to the monument when he wanted some time to himself. But that was the first place his mother would check. He had retreated due to his anger pooling over. As infuriating as the situation was, he simply could not treat his mother poorly. She had always been there for him. But those reasons could only do so much to dull hsi rage. Naruto was smart enough to know something odd was going on. But knowing that people kept a secret that the blonde was so desperate to know felt like a slap to the face.
He had thought some time alone would allow him to process this. But his mind seemingly was determined to wander in various depressing ways. In this stupor of negativity, the blonde encountered some familiar faces. Neji, Lee, and Shikamaru all jogged up to the blonde. Lee and Neji both enthusiastically said to the blonde while Shikamaru panted on the ground pitifully.
"Naruto-san! It is a most youthful night! Would you like to join our jog?" Lee asked the entire time he jogged in place. Naruto chuckled as he looked at Neji, who seemed empty. Perhaps for his sanity, he had gone to his happy place.
"Um, how'd this happen, Neji?" Naruto asked. While he didn't particularly want to talk. But the three were good friends of his, and he wouldn't willingly be an ass to them.
"He saw me doing our run solo. Ino skipped tonight, citing "a conversation long overdue" with her father. When he saw me, he went on some asinine rant about youth before joining me. I had intended to pick up the pace and lose him, but he matched it easily." Neji complained.
"Haha, ya Bushy Brow's speed is no joke!" Naruto jokes. He was already feeling slightly better from talking to his friends. "How'd they get your lazy ass to join?" Naruto asked with a snark towards the prone Nara.
"Bushy Brows or whatever saw me lazing on a bench and dragged me into running. It was fine initially, but those two turned it into some kind of competition." He stood up with a frown. "What are you doing out here anyways, Naruto?"
Naruto frowned and considered brushing them off. But the three were good friends, and any advice they could give him may be of excellent service. Neji and Shikamaru were some of the most brilliant guys he knew. And Lee was surprisingly wise despite his odd behavior. "Well…" The blonde explained the situation to the three men silently lounging on the sidewalk as they listened.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. "This sounds absurd. I can't think of a singular reason for them to hide that from you. Even less so for Kakashi to somehow tie into it. Regarding them hiding it, it's definitely odd, but I simply can't see them hiding it for anything short of a good reason. Your mother isn't the type to keep secrets. Kakashi is, but Kushina has always been straightforward."
"I get that. But they do not see how cruel this is. I've wondered for years who he was. Even the story she used to tell about had seemed odd. Yet they know the truth and are now dangling it over my head." Naruto complained.
"Certainly in poor taste, but it doesn't seem the biggest concern," Neji interjected. "We were planning to get Chunin either way. This is merely motivation."
"Yes! Gai sensei has always taught us that youth is powerful. Though it can be easily muted by negative mindsets." Lee added.
"Ya, but it's bullshit!"
"I agree with Naruto on this, as much as a drag as that is. It's weird and messed up, regardless of how valid it is. I'm gonna look into this for you." Shikamaru said as he stood and stepped away. A trail of smoke followed him on his way home. 'It's a drag, but you've suffered more than enough… Naruto.'
Lee smiled and gave the blonde the nice guy pose. "I'm confident you will handle yourself well, Naruto-san! Remember the power of youth!" Then he ran off, seemingly allowing the two teammates to speak privately.