"Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi looked up to see that Shikaku, Chouza, and Inoichi had entered his office. The elderly Hokage had been waiting for them to return. "How did the mission go?" The Sandaime asked, glancing at Shikaku uncomfortably.

"Well, sir." Inoichi responded.

"Good." Sarutobi sighed and glanced at Shikaku again.

"Is there something wrong, Hokage-sama?" Shikaku inquired, not missing the strange looks the Hokage was sending him.

"Your nephew has arrived in Konoha." Sarutobi confessed, making Shikaku grin.

"You mean little Hitoshi? I'm glad! It'll be good to see-"

"His entire family was killed besides Yamiko, who ran away." The Hokage continued, making all three men freeze.

"W-what...?" Shikaku questioned shakily, staring at the Hokage with dumbfounded eyes. "You've g-got to be kidding. T-there's no way... Shikage... N-no..." The man stood still in shock, already knowing the news was true. He had run into Shikamaru on the way to the office, and he had seemed incredibly upset. So now he knew why.

Shikaku hadn't always been fond of his younger brother, but this news shook him to the core. He had assumed that his brother was on good terms with Yamiko. He would have never even dreamed of someone killing them, much less Yamiko running away and allowing them to die.

"But... how'd the kid escape?" Inoichi asked, as his friend kept muttering to himself.

"They were dead when he arrived home."

"So... where is Hitoshi?" Shikaku asked, stumbling to his feet. The man was obviously going to need some time to process this, but he couldn't leave the kid alone.

"He's currently with Naruto, who is showing him around Konoha."

"Naruto?" Shikaku asked. The Hokage nodded.

"Yes. It appears that Naruto has noticed Hitoshi's depression and is dead set on making him happier." The Hokage gestured to his crystal ball, and the three men could see the blonde and the ginger leaping across rooftops together.

"Hey, Hitoshi?" The four watched through the crystal ball as Naruto glanced over at his companion.

"Yeah?" The ginger responded.

"Do you wanna have a sleepover?" The blonde inquired excitedly, making the ginger give a small smile. The four onlookers smiled slightly at how open Naruto was being with his new friend.

"That sounds like fun." Hitoshi agreed, making the blonde cheer.

"Oh, and I forgot to ask," Naruto turned his head to look at the ginger, "are you going to go to the Shinobi Academy?"

The two slowed in their running as they reached the top of the Hokage Monument again. "Maybe." Hitoshi responded. "I didn't hear the Hokage say anything about me being allowed to go, but I'd like to."

Sarutobi looked up and noticed the three men glancing curiously at him. "Well of course he'd be allowed to go." The Sandaime told them.

"Just making sure." Chouza said teasingly before they looked back down into the ball.

"You should come with me to the Academy tomorrow!" Naruto suggested cheerfully. "I'm sure the Hokage would let you become a student if you asked!"

Hitoshi mulled this over. "Then... I should go ask beforehand. Just in case."

Naruto nodded. "Okay then, let's go ask him right now!" Hitoshi nodded.

The Hokage chuckled. "Well, I suppose we should be expecting company."

"Hey, Hitoshi, how about we race!" Naruto suggested, making Hitoshi look over in curiosity.

"Race?" The ginger asked, making the blonde nod.

"Yeah!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing at the Hokage Tower. "That's the Hokage Tower, so let's race there!"

Hitoshi considered this suggestion. "I don't know Naruto, I'm really fast." The ginger revealed to his companion. "I wouldn't want you to feel bad when you lose." The four men all separately wondered how fast the kid was and were now secretly hoping for a race.

"Really? Awesome!" The blonde exclaimed. "But I bet you're not faster than me." Naruto taunted, making Hitoshi raise his eyebrows.

"Oh, I think I am." Hitoshi stated, giving the blonde a small smile.

Naruto grinned cockily. "Okay then. We go on three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three!"

And the two were off. Naruto was gaining distance from Hitoshi, as the ginger casually ran from rooftop to rooftop. The occupants of the Hokage's office were slightly disappointed before Hitoshi suddenly disappeared.

A knock came on the door.

"Hokage-sama?" Hitoshi's voice rang out loud and clear through the office, leaving dumbfounded expressions on the occupants' faces. "May I come in?"

"Y-Yes, child." The Hokage called out, quickly covering the crystal ball. Hitoshi opened the door and entered. The ginger wasn't even out of breath. If it wasn't for the crystal ball, they wouldn't have even guessed that there had been a race.

Naruto came barreling into the office a few seconds later. "Hey, Old Man- H-Hitoshi?!" Naruto exclaimed, shocked that the ginger had beaten him. Hitoshi chuckled sheepishly.

"I told you I was fast, Naruto."

"Y-Yeah, but still..." The blonde trailed off, before smiling brightly. "You're really awesome!" Naruto complimented.

Hitoshi smiled faintly. "Thanks, Naruto."

The Hokage cleared his throat, making both teens look over at them. "What is it you've come here for, Hitoshi?"

"I was wondering if I could join Naruto in the Shinobi Academy, with your permission." The ginger requested.

Sarutobi smiled. "Of course."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Hitoshi said gratefully. The ginger's golden eyes then wandered over to the other occupants of the room. His eyes widened. "Uncle Shikaku-san?" Hitoshi called out, their eyes meeting.

"Hitoshi." The Nara Clan Head acknowledged, looking away from him. Hitoshi sighed sadly.

"I suppose Hokage-sama told you." The ginger stated, and Shikaku nodded. "I apologize. I was meaning to tell you in person, but I suppose I was a bit late."

"It's alright, Hitoshi." Shikaku said.

Naruto wisely did not say anything about the conversation that just transpired. "Old Man, Hitoshi's gonna be staying at my house tonight!" The blonde told the Hokage.

"Alright then."