Third person pov

The weekend went too fast, spent bonding and cleaning up the bedrooms. Kakashi and Naruto had taken up doing that for the most part, leaving Minato to deal with the other parts of the house so he wouldn't have to watch them dismantle the nursery he and Kushina had never gotten to experience. Naruto was all too willing to help out, rushing about with various cleaning supplies, simply happy to be included. 

It was a rewarding process. It felt like they were breathing new life into the house, bringing it back up to par. It was strangely hopeful. Minato was sure there was a metaphor buried in there somewhere, but hell if he knew where. 

Kakashi had brought his ninken out near the tail end to meet Naruto as a reward for all his hard work. After they'd finished leaping all over Minato, they'd turned to his son with gusto. Naruto's blue eyes had gone impossibly wide, a gasp of absolute awe slipping past his lips as they wagged their tails and cocked their heads at him with open curiosity. 

By the end of it, Kakashi wasn't even sure he could really call them his ninken anymore. They followed Naruto any and everywhere the boy went. If the blonde boy decided he was going to run across the living room and rifle around the kitchen cabinets, you could bet there'd be seven sets of paws scurrying after him across the hardwood floor. 

Pakkun was the only one who didn't race after him, but that was probably because Naruto seldom ever put the pug down. Kakashi found it too cute to feel all that betrayed. Minato didn't share the sentiment. His son had just been stolen from him! By a pack of supercharged chakra mutts! His ego was never going to recover.

They didn't get out too much unless it was to explore the expansive backyard. If they needed anything from town, Kakashi sent a clone or went himself. He was helpful like that, wanting to do anything possible to contribute. His sensei was still adjusting to this new life, coping with his son's age and all he missed out on, and with the loss of Kushina. 

It was a lot to get used to. Even Kakashi still couldn't believe it, sometimes unable to stop himself from zoning out just... staring at his sensei. Kakashi's heart had never felt fuller. He knew sometimes all it could take was a second for everything to turn around, but this was just-- he'd never had luck like this before. 

Sometimes it felt like bad thing after bad thing haunted Kakashi. Sometimes, he wondered if he was the cause. He was the common denominator, wasn't he? He got close to someone and suddenly they'd die-- his dad, and then Obito, and then Rin, and then Sensei and Kushina. 

Except he'd... he'd come back. So maybe Kakashi wasn't as cursed as he'd grown to think.

The news that Minato was back and alive spread like wildfire throughout Konoha. Kakashi heard it everywhere he went. Spirits were noticeably lifted, people unfurling like blooming flowers at the thought of their esteemed Fourth Hokage returning. 

Minato was powerful, and kind, and everything they'd ever wanted in a leader. His loss had devastated everyone and brought a sense of insecurity down upon the village. It felt like their safety had returned, blanketing them all in a relief they'd desperately needed. Minato Namikaze had returned from beyond the grave! He'd risen above it all!

Not even the great Kyuubi no Kitsune could keep him down. Even after years of absence, he had made his way back to them and was ready to lead them again. It was everything they ever could've dreamed of. A true miracle, even six years later.

There was some disbelief, but it was dashed quickly. Shikaku spread rumors as was necessary, and the Hokage made a few public statements that weaseled their way into the daily papers and onto the few radio stations Konoha had. Talk of a ceremony to celebrate his return to life rushed across the village like a crashing tidal wave.

People were already planning, decorations and banners being strung throughout the streets to let their Yondaime know how happy they were to welcome him back. The warm reception seemed village-wide from what Kakashi understood. Kakashi was glad. Minato didn't need any unnecessary stress. 

Naruto stayed home from the academy Monday, bursting into a fit of hysterical sobs when Minato said he had to go to the Hokage's office whilst he was at school to get caught up on current affairs and plan his reinstatement ceremony as the Fourth. Naruto had wailed, saying he didn't want his dream to be over, and that he didn't want to lose his dad. 

Minato had just about gone into cardiac arrest, bundling his son up in his arms and softly telling him that they were both going to rebel and skip out. Naruto's look of hopeful disbelief had made his chest ache. He'd looked to Kakashi with desperation of his own. His masked student had looked just as out of depth as Minato felt. 

They all stayed at the house that day, Kakashi brushing off his ANBU duties readily. Minato showed Naruto how to properly throw a kunai, stunned at how fast he was able to get it down. It had taken Minato a moment to explain it. He had to show him and correct his hold, and explain in a slow manner, and show him how to do it a few times. 

Naruto watched with rapt attention before throwing a kunai at his own. It hadn't gotten anywhere near the target, but that didn't seem to dissuade his son. He learned much in the same was Kushina had. Trial, error, and observation. It was the only way he seemed to know how to work through things, looking to his dad a few times for help when he forgot something. Memorization wasn't his thing. His attention span simply didn't allow for it. 

That, however, did not mean Naruto was stupid. It didn't take him very long before he was landing a bullseye practically every time, jumping from foot to foot exuberantly at his own success. Minato was in awe. 

His son was... well, he was clearly a genius! A total prodigy! He didn't learn the same was most did, but boy did he learn fast when you explained it right. Once it clicked, it was in there. Minato was ridiculously giddy over the discovery. As though Naruto couldn't be anymore amazingly perfect. 

Minato was convinced that he was the best, smartest five year old to ever grace the planet. He went through a mental run through of every child he'd ever met but couldn't come up with a single one that even came relatively close to Naruto. He was the cutest kid, the smartest, and the most amazing by far. There was simply no competition. It was stunning.

"You're the best dad in the whole wide world." Naruto said in a sure tone, clinging to his dad. He liked to be near his dad as often as possible, tucking himself into the man's side and trailing after him. Minato loved it more than anything else in the whole entire world.

He almost wanted to say no to being Hokage just so he could spend every waking hour of the day with his son. Even if that meant following him to the academy. A little pathetic, but Naruto was just... everything. His whole entire existence. 

"And you're the best son in the whole wide world." Minato cooed at him, squeezing him as he maneuvered around the ninken all patiently waiting for him to put Naruto back down. 

Comically enough, Kakashi was actually being forced to move in because of the stubborn canines. They refused to leave and go back to the cramped apartment Kakashi kept them in after meeting Naruto and experiencing the large backyard. Naruto was overjoyed though, so really it all worked out. 

Speaking of, Naruto had been sleeping in Minato's bed with the man ever since he came back and took great joy in crawling up next to Kakashi every morning to wake him up. Naruto soaked up physical affection like a sponge. Getting cuddled by Kakashi like he was a teddy bear was something he enjoyed immensely. He was clearly touch starved. Minato and Kakashi were more than willing to make up for all the hugs he'd missed out on.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Speak of the devil. Kakashi shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting patiently as Minato swiped Naruto's backpack off the couch. It was brand new and the brightest, gaudiest shade of orange any of them had ever seen. 

It hurt a little to look at it, but Minato didn't mind. Kushina had been all about bright colors, so seeing how much Naruto liked them as well made his heart swell. He would buy Naruto as much orange as he wanted. If anyone deserved it, it was him. 

In getting to know his son these past few days, Minato had learned just how much Naruto had been deprived of. There were things he hadn't gotten to experience-- basic things that every child was worthy of. Minato and Kakashi were going to make sure he got all that and more.

"Might as well be, boss." Pakkun had turned against Kakashi completely. The masked copy-nin put a hand over his heart in mock hurt. Naruto let out a laugh.

"Yeah!" Naruto threw his little fists up in the air, blue eyes shining. Minato let out a laugh of his own, grinning so hard it hurt. He hoped Kushina was watching this from wherever she was. "Don't worry, Kashi! I still think you're really cool. Even if you're not as cool as the doggies." 

Said doggies immediately began to wag their tails, glancing at Kakashi with a shameless amount of smugness. Save for Bull, who really had no idea what was happening. He was just happy to be here. Kakashi let out a sigh, shaking his head a little in exasperation. 

Naruto beamed at him, feeling more ready to tackle school after his dad's comforts. It had been a few days and his dad was still here! He had even taken yesterday off. For him. He hadn't even hesitated! Like, at all, even slightly!

Naruto hadn't meant to freak out, in all fairness. He'd just... he'd panicked, that was all. It had felt like everything was coming to an end, and he'd cried. He wasn't trying to cause problems! Really! It had just... it had just happened. 

Minato had promised to take Naruto to school and Kakashi had sworn to pick him up. Naruto had been perhaps a little reluctant. He didn't want to admit that his experiences at the academy weren't the best. Being a tattle tail or complainer would make his dad not like him, and Naruto really didn't want that. 

What if they made him go back to the apartment, or didn't want him anymore? His chest felt tight when he thought about what his dad would do when he found out Naruto wasn't normal. He'd already seen it a little bit-- the way the villagers didn't like him. What if he eventually didn't like him either? 

The simple fact of the matter was that, dad or not, Naruto was a monster. A demon child, they all said. Why would they all say it if it wasn't true on some level? What if his dad realized that? Moreover, what if he got mad that Naruto had kept it from him?

Not to mention that his grades were awful. He hadn't had the courage to tell his dad. Sometimes when he read, the words jumbled, and he didn't always understand what Iruka-sensei was saying. He talked fast and wrote even faster, flitting from topic to topic too quickly for Naruto to keep up.

He'd tried to ask before, but he knew sensei didn't like him. He looked at him just like the villagers did, with clear distaste and lips curled in disgust, though he tried hard not to let it show. Naruto did his best not to bother him. He didn't want to get yelled at anymore than he already did. 

They were a little late to the academy. Naruto fidgeted outside the building, one hand clutching his dad's and the other focused on holding Pakkun. The rest of the ninken had been forced to stay behind. Kakashi had agreed to let him take the pug to school with him, winking in a conspiring sort of way that made Naruto's shoulders slouch with relief.

Truth be told, the pug was going solely to help the boy understand his schoolwork better and keep an eye on things. Provide Naruto with moral support and observe. He was supposed to keep himself and his ability to talk fluently on the downlow to ensure he didn't get himself kicked out early on. Pakkun had accepted the mission with a dutiful nod and moody snort.

"I'll see you after school, Naruto. Kakashi is going to bring you straight to me." Minato promised, smile strained. He wished he could just carry Naruto around with him everywhere. He was small enough for it! 

"Alright..." Naruto trailed off, glancing down at the pug in his arms. Pakkun gave a doggish smile that made him relax a little. He took a deep breath, nodding. He was Naruto Uzumaki! He could totally handle this! 

He had everyday before, and now it was going to be even better. He had a badass dad and a brand new big brother, or maybe uncle of sorts-- he didn't really know what Kashi was-- and now a really cute doggy to help him! Giving up before he'd even started would just be sad. And Naruto Uzumaki? He didn't do sad-- not anymore. Believe it. 

Things were going to be awesome. They already were! He was being picky, and that wasn't very cool. Pakkun was extra smart. He'd definitely help Naruto out. His doubts could wait until later. It was best to take things one at a time. He could have his full-scale mental breakdown after school or something!

"Pakkun will watch out for you! I'll tell you all about my super secret Hokage stuff as soon as we get home." Minato winked, grinning. Naruto grinned back, feeling lighter already. His dad really was the best dad in the world. Naruto didn't deserve it. "As long as you promise not to tell anyone, of course."

"What do you take me for?! I won't tell anyone; believe it!" Naruto announced loudly, capturing his dad's leg in a tight hug. Minato ruffled his hair as the boy pulled back, grinning. "Pakkun and I are gonna ace it. Just you wait!" 

Minato laughed, waving at him as he took off like hell was on his heels, cradling his canine companion carefully. Pakkun seemed entirely content, free of his ninja headband and instead donning a plain orange vest as a disguise. He was 'going undercover' according to Kakashi, and the pug was taking his new duties on with relish.

As funny as it was, Minato and Kakashi were dead serious at the same time, and the ninken knew that. Naruto clearly wasn't getting the extra help he needed, and if he was being mistreated, Minato wanted to know. Pakkun would be able to tell him everything he needed to know and more.

Naruto crashed through the door of the classroom loudly, sporting new attire that he hadn't fished out of a donation bin. This stuff actually fit, and his backpack wasn't falling apart at the seams anymore. Iruka stopped mid-sentence, brows raising as Naruto beamed at them all wildly. 

The boy was visibly brighter than usual, his smile less strained. The pug sitting in his arms was new. It looked relatively grumpy, its eyes a little too sharp and knowing. Iruka lowered his piece of chalk a tad as the rest of the class stared blandly at their boisterous classmate. They'd hoped he would be gone again today. Clearly that had been wishful thinking.

Most of the students didn't really have a real issue with Naruto, but a lot of them had been told not to associate. The guy wasn't the brightest. He was loud and abrasive, and an idiot to boot. The only ones who didn't really seem to mind him were Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba. They were willing to treat him just like you'd treat anyone; though, they still didn't tend to hang out with him all that often even so. 

They all blinked at Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji sharing a look at the new appearance. Clearly something had happened over the weekend. Something good from the looks of it. Shikamaru felt himself smile a little. He'd always worried about Naruto a little, but maybe this was a sign things would finally change for the guy. 

Iruka tried to treat Naruto like the rest of the students, but even he couldn't deny that he tended to... ignore the boy. Looking at him was a scathing reminder of what he'd gone through as a child, losing both his parents to the fox and growing up an orphan. Naruto was loud and obnoxious, disrupting class every chance he got. His grades were atrocious to boot, showing a severe lack of effort. 

Iruka had tried a few times to explain to him how to do it, but all he got was a blank stare in return. It sparked an unnatural amount of rage in him. He couldn't allow himself to take any anger out on him. Ignoring him was better than abusing him, Iruka had decided. He pushed down his frustrations. He had to be as fair as possible. 

Despite his negligence, even he was able to see the difference in Naruto. Kiba let out a little gasp. 

"Hey!" He pointed an accusing finger. "When did you get a ninken? You're not an Inuzuka!" 

Naruto grinned, hugging Pakkun, who was a million times cuter than Akamaru by the way. The pug levelled Kiba with a tired, flat stare that had him shriveling backwards slightly and furrowing his brows in confusion. Naruto marched into the room like he owned it, idiotically confident as he always seemed to be, though this time with a bit more bounce.

Naruto held the pug out for the entire room to see, raising him up. Pakkun didn't complain, letting Naruto show him off and preening perhaps the smallest of amounts. Iruka pressed his lips together and swallowed the urge to yell, taking in a deep breath through his nose.

"This is Pakkun! He's my new buddy!" Naruto declared with a grin. Iruka sighed heavily.

"Naruto. Sit down." His voice held snap that had the pug's gaze zeroing in on him in seconds. Iruka could tell immediately that he wasn't just any old dog. Where had Naruto gotten it, however? Surely if he'd stolen a ninken it would know to run away. "You can't just bring animals to class, Naruto. You have to have paperwork done for that, and he has to be a special kind of dog. A ninja animal."

Naruto visibly deflated as he slunk down into his seat, sinking down into it as his classmates snickered at him. Pakkun gave Iruka a nasty snarl, chakra flaring threateningly to let him know that he was indeed a ninja animal. He was small, but that only meant he was closer to hell, and a hell of a lot more dangerous where ankles were involved. 

Naruto huffed a little, glaring at his teacher in a way that made Iruka's stomach flip with his own bout of frustration. Naruto normally wouldn't look at his teacher like that, but he was insulting Pakkun! Pakkun was something called an OG-- that meant Original Gangster. And you couldn't disrespect those according to him.

"My dad said I could! And he knows everything." Naruto insisted, sitting up a little straighter. Iruka stared at him incredulously. The class went dead silent, staring at Naruto with open disbelief. The boy deflated somewhat. "H-He said it was fine. He'll fill out the forms for me." 

It came out quieter than he'd meant it to, but still insistent. Iruka let out a heavy sigh.

Naruto felt his confidence die a little at the sound, nervously glancing around and wondering if maybe he shouldn't have agreed to bring Pakkun with him. He hugged the dog a little tighter, pushing down his tears of frustration because he's not a weenie head who cries at the drop of a hat, believe it. 

He knew everyone knew he was an orphan, but his dad really was back! He was! And he'd said it was a great idea to bring Pakkun. His dad was the Fourth Hokage. That meant he was super smart, super qualified, and knew literally everything ever. All the time. Iruka-sensei couldn't even begin to compare. 

"Naruto, it's not becoming of a ninja in training to lie." He said, trying to keep his frustration from his voice. Pakkun climbed up onto the desk. Ino-- who was stuck sitting next to the boisterous blond at the moment-- scooted away a little as the dog growled. Pakkun reminded himself that he wasn't supposed to talk. He wasn't supposed to. "I don't know where you got this dog, but you need--" 

Alright, fuck it. Whatever. Pakkun wasn't going to just watch Naruto get treated like this! Not on his watch. He could be undercover and talk. Damn whatever Kakashi had advised. 

"Quit spouting out nonsense as though you know what you're talking about, brat." Pakkun's deep, gravelly voice was enough to snap Iruka's mouth shut. He stared in disbelief at the dog. Kiba gasped. He could talk so well! How was that possible?! Even his mom's ninken couldn't talk that well. Akamaru hadn't even said his first word yet. Where had Naruto found this one? "The forms are being filled out as we speak. Put a sock in it now and I might let you touch my paw pads." 

He held up his paw to display the squishy pink beans beneath. Naruto had a great time massaging them, as he should. Pakkun went to great lengths to keep them so soft. 

Iruka's face drained of color. His mouth snapped shut with an audible clack of teeth. The silence that pervaded the classroom was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Naruto shriveled back slightly, decided that Pakkun was a badass that Naruto probably didn't deserve as a friend and companion. 

His teacher opened his mouth to say something. Pakkun flashed his teeth before he got the chance, two rows ready to latch onto the man's ankle with a chakra-enhanced bite and not let go until the guy's foot was off. Iruka seemed to sense the threat because his mouth closed again, his shoulders tense.

He, wisely, didn't say anything else after that. Pakkun thought that made the blow to his cover worth it.