In their new routine Naruto left every morning for school while Minori took care of chores. Then when he didn't have anything to do he would begin training, usually just reviewing katas. When Naruto got home, he'd teach him as well. Anything from history to stories about foreign food. Most often he's ask for training as well. He also asked about his family.

Then the two would try and decipher Naruto's weird theoretical math homework until they both gave up and began to cook together. They did the dishes together and then retired to either read or recount stories about their respective upbringing, Minori's stories were usually about Uzushio. But sometimes he would speak about kiri or his travels. Anything to be closer.

For the most part they enjoyed their little routine. But they tired of sitting about, and they both wanted to do more. They were excited for Minori's probationary period to end seeing as it was almost up. They wanted to travel, Naruto wanted to see his homeland.

And now flourishing in the academy, Naruto qualified for an away camp with his new class. Three whole days discovering tons about how shinobi made and broke camp. And since his best friend Ino was in that class he was even happier.

"Remember to water the lavender while I'm away!" Naruto had teased jubilantly.

With mock hurt Minori responded. "How could I ever!" He tousled the boy's hair and pushed him towards the group of students. "Go knock yourself out squirt."

"Bye uncle!" He said, waving enthusiastically and then yammering off to Ino.

Minori watched content as his nephew walked off with the group, not a laughing stock anymore with a sensei that seemed to treat him alright.  

He knew a Konoha anbu, likely the one Naruto called Inu, was watching him of course so he brushed off the feeling of eyes glued to his back and he walked leisurely home through the market.

-----

A darkly dressed man knelt submissive before a dark figure on a throne. When the figure acknowledged him he raised his head, revealing a plain mask devoid of symbols or markings.

"The target is alone now sir. Anbu are now otherwise preoccupied." The man's voice was plain and monotone, and it felt as if only those words could describe it.

On his throne, the figure hummed deeply, leaning forward slightly to reveal one unbandaged eye set into a wrinkled face.

"Good, then it's time to begin."

-----

Day three of surveillance on target.

Target whistling, radio tuned to easygoing music.

The target appeared to be slicing vegetables in preparation for a meal, next to him was a pile of prepared veggies and beside him freshly made noodles. The agent identified the meal as ramen.

Target ate six servings of prepared meal.

Target trained for a duration of three hours, the kata were all standard and well known. Nothing learned.

Target bathed and retired to bed. Slept fitfully for two hours.

Target mumbling in sleep. Agent approached to hear. No knowledge of Uzumaki clan techniques aquired. Agent will continue listening.

Target sleeping fitfully again. Target thrashing. Target yelling. Sound muffled from outside, target applied silencing seals. Agent unable to decipher seal code.

Agent enters room to hear.

-----

"Kenchiro!" Minori awoke suddenly and violently and in his state of fear immediately noticed the foreign presence in his room. He slapped a hand on a seal and pushed his chakra through to activate it.

The doors and windows were immediately covered by a misty blue shield trapping him and his unknown assailant in his room. He rolled out of bed in a millisecond, ready to fight. His brains, still addled by sleep saw only a mist recovery nin at the foot of his bed.

Rage and desperation sent him at the man in a fury. He seamlessly drew his sword, the naked steel hissing against it's sheath. The intruder ducked his first swing but not the down slash that followed.

The sharp sword caught in bone, and with monstrous strength Minori pushed it straight through. Meanwhile the invader sunk a kunai into Minori's side.

But the man didn't waver and brought the sword down again. This time, the sword pierced his heart directly. The intruder was dead.

It was three minutes before village shinobi began to appear, the Hokage having been alerted by Minori' s emergency seal.

But it was too late, the man was dead and Minori, on probation already, was in trouble.