Chapter one -Good news and bad.
Prologue/introduction:
The following events are set four years after the downfall of Akatsuki and the disappearance of Kabuto/Orochimaru. Our hero, Uzumaki Naruto has recently turned twenty, and is returning from his four year training with Hatake Kakashi, and Jiraiya. It is a time of peace for Konoha, and it seems that it will stay that way for a very long time. However, shadows begin to stir ominously in the background. Shadows that threaten the very existence of Konoha and its' people.
A figure writhed on the ground, completely wracked in pain. His hair lay askew and his glasses where cracked. Blood trickled out of the young mans mouth as he desperately tried to fight the inevitable. He let out a scream which seemed to crack the nature of time itself and promptly passed out. A snake slithered up to the man, to offer him what comfort it could.
Uzumaki Naruto stood proudly, with his arms folded across his chest on top of the fourth Hokage's monument. A breeze caused his substantially long, golden hair to fly all about him as he looked down upon the village of Konoha; love so strong radiating from his eyes it was almost tangible. Mid autumn, Naruto thought was always the most beautiful time of year for Konoha. The leaves around him where fantastic shades of golden and deep red, and the sky was a piercing blue with only the faint wisp of clouds.
Hatake Kakashi and Jiraiya stood a little way behind Naruto, with faint smiles etched upon their faces. "He has come so far" Jiraiya mused to himself . He looked at his student with appreciation. "Not only physically, but mentally as well"
"Even the way he dresses, and how he holds himself now shows this" agreed Kakashi. "Who would of believed that eight years ago, the young man in standing in front of us was a loud mouthed, prankster who'd do anything for attention".
"Times sure do change, huh." Jiraiya said.
Naruto was dressed in a lose white shirt, open at the front exposing the thin stark white scars which ran across his chest. Souvenirs from his harsh training. His feet where completely enclosed in boots with metal plates running up his shins and his trousers where a deep red which tucked into the top of his boots. However the most notable change to Naruto's attire was the short sword he wore at a horizontal angle directly above his bum. He pulled it out of it's sheath and held it high into the air, the tiny leafs engraved onto the blade caught the light and flashed magically in the morning sun. This sword was indeed Naruto's greatest achievement. The produce of four years hard work and infinite patience. A dedication to the belief which Naruto held that hard work will surpass a genius any day. It wasn't the sword it's self that was impressive, in terms of swords it was completely average. What really set it off was the leaves engraved all over the blade for they had not been done by a chisel. But with wind chakra.
"Come Naruto" Kakashi said. " It will be a good idea that we pay a visit to the fifth, no one knows we have actually returned yet".
"You're right Kakashi - sensei" Naruto said as he turned round to face his two teachers. "Lets get a move on. I wonder if she will recognise me".
"She isn't a senile old bag yet, Naruto. I'm sure she will recognise you". Kakashi said.
"Heh, I beg to differ about the first part Kakashi" Jiraiya sniggered. Naruto chuckled to himself and began walking towards the Hokage's building.
Five minutes later outside the Hokage's building:
"Naruto, you go in first. We will see if that old hag Tsunade recognises you without our help". Jiraiya said.
Naruto pushed open the double doors leading into the Hokage's building and went in. A few people passed him on the way to Tsunade's office but they paid little to no attention to him. It was only when Shikimaru bumped into him did he receive a second glance. Naruto finally reached Tsunade's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in" said a voice. Naruto pushed open the door and walked in. Tsunade, who was writing a document looked up, and the pink haired girl who was staring out of the window turned around.
"Who're you. I don't think I have seen you in the village before" Tsunade stated bluntly, as Sakura's eyes grew wider and wider.
"It's been a while Sakura and Tsunade" Naruto said raising a hand in greeting. Sakura's mouth hung open.
"Have we met before then"? Tsunade said "What is your name"?
"Uzumaki Naruto".
The fifth hokage's brown eyes widened, and a large smile developed on her rosy lips.
"Well well, well. Naruto, you are either lying to me or you have developed into something resembling a fine young man…" Tsunade's sentence was cut short as a flying Sakura came hurtling over the fifths desk and wrapped her arm's around Naruto".
"Naruto you've changed so much"! Sakura exclaimed still hanging onto him. "Where is the boy I'm used too? The boy who would charge into a fight with out thinking, The boy who wore his heart on his sleeve. And proudly".
Naruto laughed out loudly, and hugged Sakura back. "You certainly have one part right, I no longer charge into a fight with out thinking". Sakura broke apart, and looked up in amazement at Naruto who was a good few inches taller than her now. "Is this really the same Naruto"? she questioned herself.
"Where's Kakashi and the old fart Jiraiya then, they should be here too…Unless Jiraiya, is blind from too much…err…personal time". Tsunade questioned.
"Yo". Came Kakashi's voice through a puff of smoke".
"Personal time indeed" growled an annoyed Jiraiya sitting on the window sill. "I'll have this said once and for all today. The great Jiraiya, protector of women everywhere has no need for any personal time! Not when he can easily woo someone enough to do it for him".
"You sad old man…Do you mean by 'woo' you pay someone"? Tsunade sniggered.
"Hmph".
"How is everyone granny Tsunade"? Naruto asked. "Especially the rookie nine, I haven't seen them in four years".
Sakura and Tsunade's eyes lowered in sadness. "I'm afraid the rookie nine, is now the rookie eight…Choji passed away a year ago, protecting his students". Tsunade said her voice filled with grief.
Naruto lowered his head. "Where is he buried?"
"In a field, not far from the village known for it's wild flowers and butterflies…We thought it fitting" Sakura said.
Naruto smiled a sad smile, he knew exactly what field they where talking about and couldn't think of a more perfect place to be laid to rest.
Tsunade cleared her throat. "I hope your four years worth of training had some results Naruto". Though she knew just by looking at him that it did. His stance was one ready for action, comparable to a lion waiting to pounce on it's pray. Naruto just smiled at her and nodded.
"Very well then, I expect you here tomorrow morning at ten. We will see the fruits of your work, and like last time decide on a course of action best suited to your abilities. I'm sure you and Sakura have a lot of catching up to do, so you both have the day off to do just that. You are dismissed."
Naruto and Sakura turned to head out of the door along with Kakashi. Jiraiya however hung back.
"What are his abilities like now Jiraiya"? Tsunade asked.
"Good" was the short reply. And with that Jiraiya too vanished.
Sakura and Naruto headed out of the Hokage's building to be greeted by the late morning sunlight cascading down their faces. It was good to be home Naruto thought.