The Uzumaki looks blankly at his reflection. There is something strange about it, but at the same time, there isn't. He is around forty inches in height. He's skinny, but not thin enough to look malnourished. This is not precisely the problem, nor was it as weird as the whisker-like scars on his cheeks. The problem was that the boy looks around four years of age, yet his body is littered with healed lacerations.

Cerulean eyes dim slightly, something happened, yet for some reason, he cannot recall what that "something" was. Something tells the Uzumaki that whatever happened wasn't right.

"Ayumu," the gruff voice of Hiruzen alerts the redhead. The name the Hokage has given him is temporary. Just a label until he remembers his right name.

"Hokage-sama," he quietly replies. Ayumu's body is tense, like a soldier waiting for a command. His voice is quiet but dangerous as if he were assassin whispering dispositions to the wind. This manner seems to surprise and sadden the older man.

"Please, Sarutobi-san is fine." Hiruzen sighs. "Formalities get tiring sometimes." The Uzumaki feels a foreign warmth from deep within. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't grasp what this fragile sensation is.

Faltering, the redhead says, "I...Understand."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Although I have asked you not to call me by formality, that does not mean you are not clear of suspicion."

Ayumu nodded. Of course, they wouldn't trust him immediately. From what he's heard, this village is going through a war. The enemy can send an assassin or spy.

"I trust that you will tell the truth, but I will not take the risk of you lying to me. For that, Yamanaka-san will put a jutsu on you to refrain from telling any false pieces of information."

Ayumu nodded once again. Seeing this, Hiruzen turned to the open door and nodded once. A tall man with blonde hair and light blue eyes enters, a calm yet stern expression is plastered on his face. The jounin did a few hand signs and stood still.

"You can begin," the Yamanaka said.

For what seemed like many hours, the questions finally stopped. They finally confirmed that the Uzumaki was innocent, but there was still something extraordinary, and not in the right way. Upon the many questions, 'how old are you' was the most straightforward question, if not 'what is your name.'

All of the questions were either replied with 'no' or 'I do not know.'

"All of the answers were honest," the Yamanaka gapes, a solemn expression following afterward.

The Hokage stands still, thinking things over.

Hiruzen decisively nods, "I will talk to the elders about turning you to a Konoha citizen."

Yamanaka-san whips his head towards the leader. "B-but Hokage-sama-"

Sarutobi Hiruzen holds up a hand, silencing the blonde, "I will have people watch over you until then."

Ayumu's expression twitched, the corners of his mouth indecisive about pulling upwards or remaining stoic. There is a momentary glint in his blue eyes.

Refraining from exclaiming, he bows and says, "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

A/N: Hello. I sincerely apologize for the unnoticed and extremely long hiatus. I will try to focus on posting often. I hope you forgive me. Thank you. This chapter is a bit short, however next chapter will be longer. Thank you for your patience...