Naruto is Mine to Protect

Little Naruto obediently went inside the restaurant first and sat down, and Kakashi beckoned to an ANBU member not far away, motioning for him to come over.

The ANBU member hesitated for a moment before walking toward Kakashi.

"Lord Kakashi!" the ANBU member greeted respectfully.

"Mhm, I'll keep an eye on Naruto for a while. You go wait at the next surveillance post first," Kakashi said calmly.

"This!" The ANBU member was taken aback. "But the Third Hokage gave orders..."

"Mhm?"

Kakashi let out a noncommittal hum, and the ANBU member suddenly remembered that Kakashi was currently a favorite in front of the Third Hokage.

"Yes, Lord Kakashi, but I will report tonight's events truthfully to the Third Hokage," the member said.

"That's what you should do. Fall back now." Kakashi waved his hand, shooing away the eyesore.

Little Naruto had been sitting in his seat for a long time, watching eagerly and waiting for Kakashi to come in.

That guy isn't just tricking me, is he? Just like those older kids before, always pulling pranks on me every day. Little Naruto felt a bit nervous.

Seeing that Kakashi finally entered, he finally felt at ease.

"I want to eat this and this too, is that okay?" Little Naruto looked at Kakashi with anticipation.

Kakashi wore a gentle smile. "Yes. Boss, please come over."

The boss was a middle-aged woman with a plump figure; only the wealthy in the village could afford to carry that much fat.

"Welcome~" The woman was originally smiling, but her expression changed drastically the moment she saw Naruto.

"Demon Fox! You're not welcome here, get lost!"

The customers who had been chatting and laughing all stopped, casting glances in this direction and whispering.

"It's the Demon Fox. Why hasn't this damned thing died yet?"

"What was the Third Hokage thinking, letting such a dangerous thing stay in the village?"

"Hurry up and chase this guy out! Who knows when he'll suddenly go crazy!"

"That's right, get out of here right now!"

The surrounding fragmented words were like sharp knives, fiercely piercing Naruto's chest.

What on earth did I do wrong? Why does everyone treat me like this...

Little Naruto bit his teeth shut and jumped off the chair, preparing to leave the restaurant. His tiny figure looked so desolate.

Kakashi could no longer bear it. He grabbed Little Naruto's hand with one grip, while his other hand heavily slapped his ANBU mask onto the table.

"All of you, get out!" Kakashi bellowed angrily.

Seeing the ANBU mask that represented death and fear, the crowd wisely shut their mouths and obediently left the yakiniku restaurant.

"You, stay."

Kakashi stopped the yakiniku restaurant owner who was about to run out, leaving her with no choice but to stay in the shop while trembling all over.

Kakashi pulled out a stack of banknotes and slammed them hard onto the table. "Go and bring us a serving of every single kind of yakiniku in your shop."

"Yes... my lord..." The female boss's teeth were chattering as she tremblingly went to prepare the meat.

"Why are you treating me so well?"

Little Naruto stared fixedly at Kakashi; he did not believe someone he had just met could be this good to him.

"Me?" Kakashi smiled faintly. "Actually, I am your..."

"Could you be my uncle?" Little Naruto guessed.

"Un... uncle?" Kakashi was instantly unsettled, his whole face sagging. "Am I that old?"

After pondering this complicated relationship for a moment, Kakashi said, "I suppose I'm like an older brother to you, though not the biological kind..."

Little Naruto clapped his small hands together. "I get it, you're my... big cousin!"

Kakashi smacked Little Naruto right on the head. "Where did you learn a phrase like that?"

"My name is Kakashi. You can just call me Big Brother Kakashi from now on, understand?"

Little Naruto seemed to be holding his head and grimacing, but inside he felt immensely joyful—he finally had family.

"Okay, Big Brother Kakashi."

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, just call me Naruto!"

As plate after plate of yakiniku was served, Naruto gorged himself ravenously, as if he hadn't eaten in ages.

"Phew, so satisfying." Naruto patted his little belly.

Kakashi rubbed the top of his head. "Let's go, Little Naruto, I'll walk you home."

The two of them walked one after the other down the street. Little Naruto kept turning his head back every so often to look at Kakashi behind him, terrified that everything just now was merely an illusion.

"Hey, this is my place! Aside from Old Man Third, you're the very first guest!" Little Naruto chuckled foolishly.

Kakashi looked over the small house in front of him. Although everything was quite old, Little Naruto had cleaned the place until it was spotlessly neat.

"Well, I won't go in. I still have some matters to take care of," Kakashi said with a trace of apology.

"Ah, alright..."

Naruto looked a little disappointed, but a split second later he stared at Kakashi with renewed anticipation. "Big Brother, will you come visit me again in the future?"

"Of course."

Kakashi nodded heavily. After all, ever since before you were even born, I have already begun protecting you...

"Then it's a deal!" Only then did Little Naruto happily let Kakashi leave.

Kakashi sighed. His momentary impulse tonight had stirred up trouble, and now he had to go explain things to the Third.

Hokage's Office.

It was already very late, but the Third Hokage was still in his office processing documents. Kakashi knew in his heart that the old man was waiting for him.

"Sorry, Lord Hokage, for causing you trouble tonight," Kakashi said respectfully.

"Knowing that is enough. Let this be the last time."

The Third put down the documents in his hand and looked at Kakashi. "Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on the Jinchuriki?"

Kakashi weighed his words for a moment. "Personally, I believe we should let Naruto experience a shred of goodwill. After all, when a Jinchuriki's emotions fluctuate violently, the Tailed Beast easily takes advantage of the opening."

"And... he is also the teacher's son..."

In truth, that last sentence was the one Kakashi most wanted to say, but he had no choice but to put the other point first.

The Third Hokage nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, I'll leave this mission to you. However, you must keep a tight watch on the Jinchuriki; Konoha cannot afford any more slip-ups right now."

Kakashi felt a surge of joy. "Yes, thank you, Lord Hokage."

"Very well, you may withdraw."

The Third dismissed Kakashi. If he hadn't been waiting for him, he would have gotten off work long ago.

Phew, from now on I can visit Naruto openly and righteously, with proper justification.

As for plotlines and things like that... who even cares anymore! Kakashi felt an overwhelming surge of heroic spirit right then.

Yet the moment he thought of the terrifying Madara and Kaguya, Kakashi instantly lost his nerve.

Training, I need to train first before anything else...