Chapter 52 (Chapter 1 of RBD): Konoha's Growth! Naruto Returns!

And so...Four Years Later, 'He' Returns!

"I wonder if Naruto-kun will know how to find Ichiraku now." Hinata said as everyone gathered in front of the new, bigger, and better Ichiraku Ramen Restuarant. It was the Grand Opening of the new place, but it was reserved for Naruto's return that night. It was only mid-day, and the preperations were beginning. Every single person that was Naruto's friend was there, and all of the little kids played together unless they were under the age of one.

"I bet he'll go crazy when he sees that the old shop is gone." Shikamaru joked. Everyone laughed a little. "It'll be hard for him to see how large Konoha has gotten in the past four years...I bet he can't wait to meet his daughter...Hey, by the way Hinata...has he asked you to marry him yet?" Shikamaru continued.

"Um...Um...Um..." Hinata started to turn red and twiddled her fingers. "N-Not Exactly I guess." Hinata finally said. Everyone paused before they all started complaining on how Naruto should have made the proposal. "Lets change the subject, shall we? Where is Sakura and Sasuke? Hinata continued.

"They said they were going to be late." Kiba said as he arrived. "I guessed that Akamaru couldn't come, so I just left him back in the lot to help my sis train the new Ninja Dogs." Kiba continued before anyone got the chance to ask why he was late.

"So, when is Naruto getting here?" Kiba asked.

Outside Konoha

"I'm home! At long last!" Naruto said as he approached the gate. "I bet they'll be angry that I got back a few hours early, but I wasn't as far out as I thought, they'll forgive me!" Naruto continued as he passed through the gate and waved at the guards.

Naruto froze as he entered the village. A lot of the small, minor buildings had become a lot bigger. Naruto was pretty shocked to see that the village had gotten so large in only two years. Naruto also noticed that there was an update on the Hokage Faces, the number of the respective Hokage was carved a little under the face itself. Naruto turned the corner towards Ichiraku and screamed.

"WHERE IS IT?????" Naruto yelled as the old shop he used to go to was completely gone, there wasn't a single trace left. "WHERE DID ICHIRAKU RAMEN GO?" Naruto yelled. He pulled a villager to the side and asked where the shop was.

"Its on the other side of town, its the largest food place in Konoha, you can't miss it." the village said and quickly ran off from Naruto. Naruto was almost in tears.

"Almost there guys." Naruto said and took off towards Ichiraku.

Back at Ichiraku

Sasuke and Sakura burst in through the door. Everyone stared at them, all of them were thinking why they just burst through the door. Sakura let the children down to go play with the others. She was panting.

"Naruto...is in the village! On his way!" Sakura yelled. Everyone quickly started to move faster, the preperations were in a rush. They quickly set up the last little details, and turned out the lights and they all hid using their ninjutsu.

Five Minutes Passed...then Ten Minutes, then Fifteen, and finally.

Knock, Knock

To Be Continued

Next Chapter: Surprise! Welcome Home, Naruto Uzumaki!