Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

AN: Another brilliant idea from the mind of yours truly!

Two figures were walking up the dirt road towards the southwestern gate of Konoha. One was a tall man, clothed in black robes and a black cloak. All of his clothes were lined with a metallic purple trim. About his neck hung a simple necklace. It was a round purple orb, probably amethyst, attached to simple black silk cord.

Beside him walked a boy of twelve years. He wore a cloak that stopped just above his knees, a pair of black pants and a similar colored long sleeve shirt. Over his shirt he wore ANBU like armor in black. All of his clothes were trimmed with a metallic cerulean blue. About his neck a rested a similar necklace to the first, only a light blue color. Unlike his companion he wore his cloak with the hood down, exposing his wild blonde hair and face with three whisker marks.

"So, you excited about getting back to Konoha, Naruto?" the tall man asked.

"Hai, shishou," Naruto responded in a voice that clearly said he didn't give a damn.

"Do you think that the old man will be happy to see you?" the tall man continued to ask.

"Hai, shishou," Naruto responded.

"Do you want to go for some sushi when we get in?" the tall man continued.

"No shishou," Naruto answered in a negative.

"So my newest plan for world domination is to release giant snakes onto the cities that don't that agree with my rule, or maybe I should go with dragons! Do you think that would work?"

"No shishou," Naruto responded yet again.

The tall man turned to look at the blonde, who was himself staring forward. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Hai shishou," the blonde answered again.

"Fine, prove it," the tall man said.

"Since we set out from Tanzaku Gai this earlier this morning you have asked about women, your world domination plan involving pickles and sunflower seed cannons, dogs, women, turkeys, lunch, Konoha, whether or not I liked onions over celery, if I was feeling alright, if Konoha had a red light district, if I was doing well on my shinobi skills, if I was doing well on my other skills, if I would like to get a sword, if I was excited about coming to Konoha, your world domination plan involving marrying all the beautiful women in each government, if I was excited to be going back to Konoha, if I suffered any wounds against that bandit group, if I was excited about going back to Konoha, if Oji-san will be happy to see me, if I wanted sushi when we got to Konoha, your world domination plans involving either giant snakes or dragons of which the snakes is actually copy righted by Orochimaru of the Sannin, and finally if I was listening to you at all," the blonde said.

"You said all that in one breath?" The tall man asked.

"Hai shishou," Naruto responded.

The tall man let loose a cry of frustration. "Why can't you be like normal kids your age?"

"Because I like to annoy you shishou," Naruto said in his flat voice.

"You know that you are high enough in rank to not call me shishou anymore, right?" the tall man asked. "I mean, you are only one rank away from being a full master yourself."

"You will always be shishou because you taught me, and you will always have something to teach me," Naruto said.

"Do you even remember my name?" the tall man asked, throwing his arms out in a wide gesture.

"That's another reason I call you shishou," Naruto responded.

"My name is Murasaki Reisu! Remember it Uzumaki Naruto!" Reisu said.

"Hai shishou," Naruto responded.

"You've already forgotten it, haven't you?" Reisu asked.

"Hai shishou," Naruto said with a hidden smirk, causing Reisu to slump over in a temporary bout of depression. Seeing the gate in sight, Naruto pulled his hood up to conceal his face.

XxXxX

Kotetsu and Izumo were guarding the gate again. They would never complain about it. Hell, it was better than going out in the field without the comforts of an actual bed or hot shower. No, they loved gate guard.

"I wish something would happen," Kotetsu said.

"Careful about what you wish for," Izumo said looking over at his partner. "You just might get it."

"Still, it gets boring out here with nothing to do," Kotetsu sighed.

"Hey look, here comes some guys now," Izumo said.

"It's about damn time," Kotetsu said. "Let's mess with them a bit."

Izumo shrugged. "Alright travelers, we need your names, your Hi no Kuni identification number or passport equivalent, your bank number, and five hundred ryo each."

"You can have our names, and that's it," the smaller of the two cloaked figures said.

"You're no fun," Kotetsu said. "Alright, names and reason for entering?"

"Murasaki Reisu, here on political business," the taller man said.

"Okay, you're clear, just don't do anything stupid," Izumo said. "Have a nice day Murasaki-san."

"You too Hagane-san, Kamizuki-san," Reisu said as he vanished into the crowded streets of Konoha.

"How did he-?" Izumo asked wide eyed.

"He read your minds, and most likely your memories too," the boy said, drawing attention to him.

"Oh, right. Name and reason for visit?" Kotetsu asked.

"Uzumaki Naruto, returning from six year training trip," Naruto said.

"Naruto?" Izumo asked. "It's good to see you, how have you been?"

"I've been well. I should get after shishou, before his does something stupid." Naruto said. A loud cry rose from the women's bath house. "Too late. Well, I'm off to see Oji-san. You two take care."

"Wait, how did that other guy know who we were? I know you don't know our family names," Izumo said.

"I said it earlier, he read your minds," Naruto said. During this entire altercation, his tone of voice never changed from his 'I-don't-give-a-damn' mode.

XxXxX

"Hokage-sama, there is a Murasaki Reisu and his apprentice here to see you," Hiruzen's secretary said from the other side of the door.

"Send them in," Sarutobi Hiruzen said. Two men in black clothes entered the office. "You wanted to see me Murasaki-san?"

The taller man lowered his hood, revealing striking features and tan skin. His hair was shoulder length brown and he had hazel eyes. "I did."

"For what purpose if I may ask," Hiruzen asked.

"I've come to offer my service to the village," Reisu said. "And my comrade was adamant about seeing you for some reason or another."

"Your apprentice?" Hiruzen asked.

"I'm not his apprentice anymore," the shorter figure said. "I'm an adept and only one test away from full mastery."

"So, if you are not at mastery, then you are an apprentice?" Hiruzen asked.

"No, our order-OOF!" the shorter figure doubled over from where Reisu had hit him in the stomach.

"Sorry, we cannot give out any information on our order at this time," Reisu smiled at Hiruzen's questioning look.

"I see," Hiruzen said. "So what it is it that you wanted to see me so badly for?"

The boy dropped his hood, revealing his blonde hair and facial features. "Uzumaki Naruto, academy student, reporting in Hokage-sama." Naruto said with a bow.

Hiruzen's eyes widened in recognition. He stood up and made his way around the table. "Naruto is it really you?"

"Hai, Oji-san," Naruto said with an actual smile. Without warning, Hiruzen wrapped Naruto up in a tight embrace. "Oji-san, isn't it kind of against protocol for a shinobi to show emotion on duty?"

"Bah, damn the protocol," Hiruzen said, letting go of Naruto. "I'm Hokage, and you're almost like my own grandson. If the elders don't like it, then they can deal with it."

"What of the council?" Naruto asked.

"I took your suggestion the night you left," Hiruzen said. "The only council left is the Clan Council that decides things based on the clans."

"And," Naruto asked.

"They agreed that when you have graduated the academy, you can take your place on the council," Hiruzen said.

"I heard about the Uchiha clan," Reisu said.

"Yes," Hiruzen said. "After I found out about it, I put those who were responsible for it in prison."

"So who is the Uchiha clan head?" Reisu asked.

"Uchiha Itachi," Hiruzen said. "He's been looking after his mother and brother for a while now."

"So I start the academy again when?" Naruto asked.

"On Monday," Hiruzen said. "You've been traveling a great deal recently I imagine, so you can take this week off. By the way, I would have thought that Jiraiya would have come back with you."

"Jiraiya-sensei heard troubling rumors about a new hidden village. It's supposedly run by the traitor Tsunade," Reisu said.

"I see," Hiruzen said. "Any news on Orochimaru?"

"He was sighted drinking away his problems in a bar in Tanzaku Gai," Reisu said.

"He was stumbling down memory lane last we saw him," Naruto said. "When he recognized me, he sobered up real quick."

"Yes, well, your father was a good friend of Orochimaru's," Hiruzen said.

"He asked us to deliver this letter when we arrived here," Reisu said, handing a scroll to Hiruzen.

"I will read this after I finish with this paper work," Hiruzen said.

"It never occurred to you to make an administrative position that deals with doing your paper work for you?" Naruto asked.

"My boy, how would you like a raise when you start doing missions?" Hiruzen asked.

"It would be pointless. I am rather rich after all," Naruto said.

"Of course," Hiruzen frowned. "Is there anything else?"

"Two last things, then I will go to Namikaze compound," Naruto said.

"Alright," Hiruzen said, lighting his pipe.

"Senju Hashirama is alive, and he's plotting his revenge against Konoha," Naruto said.

"Nani!" Hiruzen said, coughing up smoke.

"Uchiha Madara has been sighted around as well," Naruto said. "Hashirama has created an organization that plans on collecting the bijuu, while Madara has created one to help protect the jinchuuriki."

"This is troubling news," Hiruzen said.

"Jiraiya's contacts say that Hashirama's group won't move for another five years," Reisu said. "Right now they are taking on missions and building up funds."

"I see. Well if that is all?" Hiruzen asked the boy.

"Last thing, prepare for a prank the size of Konoha," Naruto warned. "And tell Danzo-jiji that I'm back."

"Hold on," Reisu said. "What prank?"

"Seiu," Naruto said simply as he walked out of the door.

Reisu started to chuckle, before it turned into full blown laughter.

"What is Seiu?" Hiruzen asked.

"It is short for Sosa Seiu, or Operation Blue Rain," Reisu said. "You can imagine what it entails."

Hiruzen let out a sigh. "Well, what services was it that you plan to offer?"

At Reisu's evil grin, Hiruzen let out an involuntary shudder.

XxXxX

As Naruto wandered around Konoha, his stomach rumbled. Deciding that it was better if he went to get something to eat before going home, he started looking around. After about ten minutes of searching, he found a decent looking food stand.

"Ichiraku Ramen, huh?" Naruto read aloud. "Worth a shot."

Lifting the flap, Naruto entered the stand. There were two other people, shinobi if he guessed right, seated at the counter. They seemed to be in a conversation.

As Naruto took his seat, unnoticed by everyone in the stand, he listened to the conversation.

"You will never guess what I heard from Izumo at the gate," the one wearing his hitai-ate like a bandana said.

"I give, what did you hear?" said the other one.

"Izumo told me that Uzumaki Naruto is back in the village," the first ninja said.

"That demon!" the second shinobi hissed.

"Yeah, the Kyuubi brat's back," the first shinobi said.

"Gentlemen, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the old man that ran the stand said with a fierce glare. "If you can't keep your prejudice about our hero to yourself, you're not welcome here!"

"That's fine," the second shinobi said as the two left the stand. "I wouldn't want to eat somewhere that caters to demon lovers."

"Sorry about that sir," the old man said. "My name's Ichiraku Teuchi. What can I get for you?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said as he lowered his hood. "Thanks for standing up for me. I think I would like to try the miso ramen."

Teuchi's eyes widened. "Of course! Anything for the Hero."

"Jiraiya-sensei said something about Kaa-san eating here a lot," Naruto said calmly.

"Yes, she used to drag your father in here all the time," Teuchi said as he put the noodles in the boiler. Realizing what he said, he stiffened.

"Don't worry Ichiraku-san," Naruto said. "I already know all about my parents. Jiraiya-sensei told me about them long ago."

"Oh, okay," Teuchi said, somewhat relieved. "Please, call me Teuchi, or Ossan. Your parents used both of those."

"Ossan it is then," Naruto said.

Teuchi placed a bowl of ramen in front of Naruto. "Eat up."

"Itadakimasu!" Naruto said, before breaking apart his chopsticks. He gingerly tasted one of the noodles, before shoveling them into his mouth like there was no tomorrow.

"Well, it looks like someone was hungry," Teuchi laughed.

Naruto froze, roughly half of the large bowl already gone. He sat up straight and started eating in a dignified manner. When he was finished he looked up at Teuchi. "Not a word of that to anyone."

"I promise on my samurai honor," Teuchi said, raising his right hand.

"You were a samurai?" Naruto asked.

"I was once," Teuchi said. "Now I spend my time making noodles."

"I was looking for someone to teach me how to use a sword," Naruto said.

"I would be honored," Teuchi said. "The stall is really open during meal times. I'll teach you what I know about handling a sword."

"And in repayment-," Naruto started.

"Oh no, I couldn't accept payment from you," Teuchi said. "But if you promise to come here for dining about three times a week or so, I would gladly teach you for free."

"Sure," Naruto said. "Ossan, can I have another miso ramen?"

"Of course you can kid," Teuchi said.

"Tou-san, I'm back!" a female voice called from behind the stand.

"That's my daughter Ayame," Teuchi said. "She's attending the Ninja Academy. She graduates this year."

"In about five months, right?" Naruto asked.

"That's right," Teuchi said. "How'd you guess?"

"I'm going to be graduating this year, if I can pass the exam," Naruto said.

"Tou-san, are you here?" Ayame called out.

"I'm here," Teuchi yelled over his shoulder. "I was just talking with a customer!"

"Oh, okay!" Ayame called out as she entered the kitchen side of the stall in a white kimono. She stopped when she saw Naruto. "Wow… he's cute."