Third person pov

The meeting with the clan heads turned out to be quite fruitful! And by fruitful, Minato means he sat there patiently, waited for Danzo to finish throwing his fit, and then had continued implementing his plan despite the older man's obvious prejudices. Most people will cave if you sit there and stare at them long enough, and what choice had Danzo really had under Minato's piercing gaze? The other clan heads and elders stood behind the newly-reinstated kage. With no allies to side with him, Danzo had no basis to refuse what Minato was offering. And thus the construction on the old Uchiha compound continued as the clan prepared themselves to move back into their old home.

Fugaku had invited him and Naruto both over for dinner to try and convey his overwhelming thanks. Kakashi was off doing something ninja related-- he hadn't really wanted to come anyway, he claimed in a nonchalant tone. Things between the Hatake and the Uchiha clan were rocky due to his possession of a Sharingan. Minato was a bit disappointed but he understood. This could be a great father-son bonding experience! Even now it was their first time going to the market with just each other, which was exciting in a domestic way that Minato couldn't help but revel in.

"We should bring a gift." Minato hummed to himself, peering down at their shopping list. Naruto was abuzz next to him, gazing around the market square with wide eyes. He'd normally get dirty looks for being here, but his dad garnered way, way more attention than he did. His white coat and bright hair were a dead giveaway as to who he was, so eyes were all on him. Naruto didn't mind. He preferred it this way. His dad was so cool! He couldn't believe he was the Fourth Hokage's son. Him! 

But what if his dad found out about him being a monster? It still bothered him. Someone was going to tell him eventually. He really loved his new dad and the house they shared. The thought of losing him made Naruto's stomach hurt and his heart feel like it was twisting inside his chest. He was too afraid to bring up his reputation and ask. Naruto... Naruto didn't think his dad would ever get rid of him. But there was still that gnawing doubt that told him he had to stay on his toes-- be the absolute best he could. He struggled to keep from being too annoying or a nuisance. He had to be smart so that his dad would still love him. He had to behave, and not be too loud, and not get in the way. 

After all, what sort of Hokage would want a useless monster as their son? Naruto had to be more than that. He had to make up for the hatred the village had for him by being better.

"We could get fruit!" Naruto burst out excitedly, ready to give suggestions. People liked fruits as gifts, right? Minato nodded in agreement, and Naruto's chest swelled. He'd said the right thing! "O-Or pie. People like pie!" 

"Right! Pie and fruit sound like a great combination" Minato agreed with a grin, looking down at his son with unbridled warmth. Naruto beamed up at him sunnily, the absolute light of Minato's entire life. How had he survived without a son before? He asked himself this everyday. "You get some delicious fruit and I'll find a pie. Sound like a deal? We meet back here in five."

Naruto's eyes lit up in the same fiery way Kushina's did when she felt like someone was challenging her. Minato felt fondness gush through him unbidden as the boy earnestly nodded, little hands clenching into determined fists. Minato grinned back and gave a similar nod, bringing his hand down so that Naruto could slap his against it in a sign of comradery. Minato watched the boy turn on his heel and peel off towards a nearby stand full of fresh produce and such of that like. He huffed and turned to go find a pie.

Naruto sped towards the first fruit crates he saw, determined to find a melon of some sort that would suffice. Sakura-chan had mentioned in class once that melons were really expensive, so people only got them on special occasions. His dad had claimed they had a lot of money, so surely a melon would be okay to get, right? The money in his pocket jingled as a reminder of his new mission. This was the first time his dad had ever asked him to do anything of importance, so he definitely had to do a good job. He'd find the best fruit ever, believe it! 

He neared the stands and his heartrate picked up. He realized right about then that this probably wasn't going to go super well. Story of his life. Maybe he could slip under the radar if he kept to himself enough. He didn't know. Separating from his dad probably hadn't been the best idea. Without him to draw the wandering eyes of those around them, Naruto found himself once again subjected to the glaring weight of the villager's hatred. He wondered idly what he'd done to deserve it, but he didn't dwell on it too long. He was never going to get a real answer. No one ever explained why he was a monster. They just told him he was one.

The stand had some of the biggest watermelons Naruto had ever seen in his entire life, and he knew immediately that this was the right place to come. They were definitely more expensive than a bundle of apples would be, but they weren't quite as bad as Naruto had feared. They looked heavy. He wanted to get a big one for the Uchiha family, but he also didn't want to drop it and risk bruising it. Maybe it would be good to go get his dad? But he was supposed to meet him in the middle with his melon. That was the deal! His dad would get the pie, he would get the fruit. He couldn't let him down.

With renewed determination, he reached out to wrap his arms around the biggest one in the stack, determined to shake it and knock on it to see if it was any good. He never got the chance. A harsh had was grappling at the back of his shirt before he got the chance, and yeah, he probably should've seen something like this coming from a mile away. 

"What the hell are you doing in my stand?!" A deep voice boomed gruffly. Naruto felt himself get yanked up and let himself go limp. Fighting always made it worse. If he was lucky, they'd toss him out without kicking him at all. The man who grabbed him is tall and balding. Older than his dad is, with a pudgy belly and muscled arms that lift him like he weighs nothing. "You monster brat. You're not welcomed around these parts!" 

"I-I'm sorry." Naruto sputtered out weakly. Tears prick at his eyes, frustration and a fair amount of fear welling up alongside his anxiety. He's so pathetic! He wants to be a ninja but can't even get a single watermelon? His dad is sure to be annoyed with him. He should've stayed home with Pakkun and the other dogs when his dad asked him to come. He'd just... He'd wanted to spend time with him, and do things with him. 

This was going to happen either was, wasn't it? Eventually it would've come. He just wished it wasn't when he was out with his dad. Having a family still leaves him in disbelief. Having his dad, and Kashi-san, and the dogs. It's more than he ever could've asked for, and it had almost made him forget how hated he was by everyone else. But all bubbles popped eventually, and this one was no different. Reality would always snake in and constrict around him at some point. He just... he just wished it had taken a little longer, you know?

The man steps out of the stand, yelling at him about how unwelcome he is here and how he's a monster who should know his place, shaking him like he's a dirty rag. Nothing Naruto hasn't heard before. He sort of wishes they'd be more creative with their insults. He's a tad bit scared, but he's too used to this happening when he gets groceries to be surprised. The real fear only strikes when the man hikes him up further and draws his other fist back. Naruto's been in this position before and knows it's going to hurt, but all he can do is brace.

Only the hit doesn't come. But a flash of yellow does.

It all happens so fast Naruto could've blinked and missed it. Gasps erupt from the crowd around them. Because... Because one moment his father isn't there and the next he is, yanking Naruto from the offending fruit-seller's clenched hand and slotting the boy against his side, his other hand coming out with quick precision and wrapping hard around the other man's neck without mercy. Naruto's eyes go wide as the fruit-seller is slammed face first into the dirt with a resounding thump, his father's usually-warm expression twisted with something enraged and venomous. 

"Get your goddamn hands off my son." His dad's voice hisses out, cold and void of the love Naruto has always heard it drenched in. The market goes eerily quiet. Naruto watches with wide, teary eyes as the fruit-seller is briefly lifted again by his neck before he's slammed back down into the dirt once again. Naruto tightens his grip on his dad's coat. Something settles in him when he realizes he's... he's being defended. His dad is defending him. 

"H-Hokage-sa-" The fruit-seller starts to wheeze. Minato tightens his grip on his throat before he gets the chance, feeling absolutely livid. He's in disbelief at what he just witnessed. He isn't sure he's ever felt this murderous before.

Minato prides himself on his composure in sticky situations. Or he did, but damn that. He knew coming into things that the village didn't like Naruto, but he hadn't realized just how bad it was. He thought it was something he could gradually chip away at for Naruto's comfort, as diving into the deep end outright had seemed a bit much. But to turn around and see his precious little boy hauled out of a stand like he was a stray piece of garbage? Man handled by a complete stranger? Absolutely not. He felt sick watching the fruit-seller spit insults at him, and to see his son take them like he was used to it. Used to it! He was six and the best thing on the goddamn planet and he was used to this sort of thing? Damn that!

If anything, they should be praising him for undertaking such a burden. No child deserved this; especially not his son. His heart had all but stopped when he saw Naruto about to take a physical blow. Someone had the actual gall to raise a hand against his son. His six year old son, who was so tiny, and smart, and bright, and kind. How could anyone ever look at him and want to hurt him? Where was the disconnect there? How did they look at his son and think 'monster' when they saw his big eyes and round cheeks?

Minato is honestly about to strangle the man to death. He's about to watch impassively as the life drains out of him. His face is already beginning to purple, his hands clawing uselessly against Minato's tightening grip. The only thing that gets him to stop is the small sniffle his son gives. It snaps him back into reality and causes his hand to release, his body straightening and his attention shifting on to more important things. He ignores the way the man chokes for air beneath him and instead smiles compassionately at his son.

"Are you okay, Naruto?" He asks his son, whose eyes are big and full of tears. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have separated from you like that. You know none of what he said was true, right?" 

Naruto doesn't look like he quite believes him. Neither do the onlookers.

Naruto can't wrap his head around what in fresh hot hell just happened. His dad had just defended him. Like a real dad! Even though the villagers all glare and even though his dad heard him get called a monster, he still came to his rescue. He was asking if he was okay, and still holding him, and still gazing at him with that same warmth. It's enough to make his tears spill over. He can't really find the words as his dad pulls him closer, letting Naruto bury his face in his broad shoulder. He clenches his eyes shut and grips his father's coat tight. Because his dad doesn't think he's a monster. He doesn't believe the villagers. 

He isn't going to leave. It sounds too good to be true, but it isn't. This is happening. This is his dad, and he still loves him, and he's not mad. Him not being upset in some way hadn't really occurred to Naruto as a possibility. He was just so used to people getting mad at him that h... he...

Minato doesn't prod any further. He simply holds him, turning back to glower with striking coldness at the man struggling to pick himself up off the ground. Minato watches blandly as the fruit-seller freezes, eyes full of fear and neck discoloring for the vice-like grip Minato had held it in. He's shaking like a leaf in the wind. Minato pats Naruto's back. The public display of violence would probably have some backlash, but he honestly couldn't give two shits about that right now. It was worth it for Naruto.

"I think Fugaku will forgive us for not bringing a melon or pie this time around." Minato's voice was light and cheerful for his son's sake, but his expression told a different story. His eyes were open and what was behind them wasn't anything nice. "Don't worry, Naruto! No one is going to bother you while I'm around. It's my job to protect you, alright? You're not a monster; you're my son. So don't worry about what they say, alright? You just tell me if anyone harasses you again and dad'll handle it." 

"O-Okay." Naruto weeped out in agreement. Minato nodded, humming a comforting tune. He flashed one last smile at the onlooking crowd, but it wasn't a kind one. A wide berth was created as he strolled along. Minato's smile became a little more genuine as he went.

Yes, nobody would be messing with his son from here on out, he was sure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hokage-sama." Itachi seemed awed to see the Yellow Flash in the flesh, dark eyes wide and reverent. Minato gave a dazzling smile, not minding the way Naruto clutched at his hand and hid partially behind his leg in apprehension. He was still a little shaken from today's events. Minato had offered to call the dinner off and reschedule, but Naruto had insisted that would be far too rude. He was far more considerate than Minato was in that regard.

Naruto had cried a long time after they got home, and Minato had simply held him. It had been hard to hold back his rage towards the village when Naruto asked if he really didn't mind that he was a monster. He'd had to explain in no uncertain terms that Naruto was in fact not a monster. It hurt that his son didn't look quite convinced, but the relief on his son's face was good enough to tide him over. He'd convince Naruto of his worth. It wasn't something that could be done in a day. This was the way he'd grown up, and the insults ingrained in him would take time to smooth over.

"Itachi-kun! You're bigger than the last time I saw you." Minato acknowledged jauntily. The Uchiha heir flushed a bit, still seeming fairly bug-eyed. "How have you been? I hear you just joined the ANBU Black Ops. Kakashi has said great things about you."

"Ah, y-yes. Thank you, sir." Itachi stepped aside to invite them in, eyes following Minato's steady gait. Naruto couldn't blame him. His dad was definitely the coolest, and anyone would totally marvel at the Fourth Hokage. "Please come inside. Excuse the mess. We've been quite preoccupied... packing."

The Uchiha house wasn't anything like the Namikaze one, Naruto noted. It was not only a lot bigger, but the style was different. This was more traditional. It reminded him of a dojo or a temple shrine or something like that, with sliding doors instead of swinging ones and different floors. The walls were bland and white, and their table didn't have real chairs, only pillows on the ground. Fugaku immediately stands upon their entrance, a genuine smile crossing his usually-grumpy face. 

He wasn't the only one in the room however. Naruto's eyes drop down, falling upon the rather stunned expression his classmate was wearing. Sasuke Uchiha sat extremely still, glancing between the Fourth Hokage and Naruto like he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. His disbelief was painstakingly evident. Yeah, Naruto sympathizes with that. Hard. He still looks at himself in the mirror sometimes and thinks he's dreaming.

"Your dad is the Fourth Hokage?" Sasuke's voice dips on the emphasis and Naruto nods. Fugaku gives his son a warning look as he shakes Minato's hand.

"Yeah." Naruto smiles a little, looking down. "He is." 

Minato's beaming pride alone is enough to fill the room.