Chapter 7
hapter 7: Aburame vs. Hatake vs. Uchiha – Who Gets to Adopt Me?
Shino was a great friend. Scratch that—he was amazing. His dad was cool too. I remembered Shino and his clan being among my favorite characters in the series. They were chill, respectful, and generally kept to themselves. Exactly my kind of people.
But now? Now, his dad—and the entire Aburame clan—was fighting with Sakumo Hatake, Weasel, and Raven over who got to adopt me.
I had no idea how we got here.
It started innocently enough. I was playing cards with Shino in the Aburame compound when his dad, Shibi Aburame, walked in. Shibi was... intimidating, to say the least. Quiet, stoic, and with an air of calm authority that screamed, Don’t mess with me. But when Shino introduced me, Shibi had been surprisingly warm—or as warm as someone covered in bugs could be.
“She’s your friend?” Shibi asked, tilting his head slightly as he adjusted his round sunglasses.
“Yes, Father,” Shino replied. “She’s kind, intelligent, and doesn’t judge my kikaichū.”
High praise from Shino. Hey, his bugs are cool! I love them, after all!
Shibi turned to me, nodding approvingly. “You’re welcome in our home anytime, Haruno-san.”
That should have been the end of it, right? Nope. Somehow, word got out that I was hanging out with the Aburame, and by the next day, chaos had descended.
"I’VE KNOWN SAKURA LONGER!" Sakumo Hatake declared, slamming his hand down on the lunch table in the Aburame compound.
"Your argument is irrelevant, Hatake-san," Shibi said calmly. “My son has formed a bond with her. She would flourish under the care of the Aburame clan.”
Raven, with his mask still on crossed his arms and glared at everyone in the room. “You’re all mistaken. The Uchihas will take responsibility for her. She’s already under the protection of ANBU, and we—”
“I DON’T THINK SO!” Sakumo roared. “She’s practically family already! My son and I have been neighbors with her for months.”
“She saved my life—I mean Shisui Uchiha,” Weasel muttered under his breath, countering coolly mask Anbu shaking. “Our clan owes her a debt.”
“I’m right here!” I yelled, waving my arms. I had just turned 7 now. “Can I say something? Maybe I don’t need to be adopted!”
They ignored me.
Shibi adjusted his glasses. “This is becoming tiresome.”
“You’re all aware that I am a civilian, yes? This isn’t a clan matter,” I retorted, annoyed.
“But you’re an orphan,” Sakumo said firmly. “You deserve a family.”
“I agree,” Shibi added.
“SHE ALREADY HAS ONE!” Weasel snapped.
"You're all insane!" I yelled. “I don’t want to be adopted by anyone! I’m fine on my own!”
I stormed out, leaving behind a room full of sulking shinobi.
“Ninjas are the worst!” I complained to myself.