"Baa-chan, please tell me you're kidding!"

It's been 5 long years since our hero has been away from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. For the most part of that journey, training was the main priority. Heavy Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and even sessions of Genjutsu (although that isin't exactly Naruto's cup of tea). Aside from the odd situations of oggling at women and getting kicked out of brothels and bathhouses, sculpting the mind and body into peak condition was integral.

The original plan was to only be away for 2 years, as Jiraiya and Tsunade agreed it would provide an ample amount of time for Naruto to hone his skills. That idea however,was scrapped when Tsunade, the current Hokage, realized just how formidale certain threats were becoming, specifically the Akatsuki. Thus,the decision to prolong Naruto's training and keep Jiraiya and Naruto on the move was taken.

Naruto, now being a young adult at 18 years of age, will finally be returning to his home, one which he dearly missed.

"5 goddamn years huh.." A tall white haired man sighed, walking next to an equally tall blonde male. Both figures carried large scrolls strapped to the lower areas of their respective backs, each having the kanji for "Toad" embroidered onto the midsection of the scrolls.

"Yeah, feels pretty good to be back." Naruto said, inhaling the soft breeze. The nostalgic feeling of his home began to escape the deep confines of the blonde's mind. Training ground number 7, the Hokage Monument, the one-eyed cyclops he calls his sensei, along with the cherry blossom haired kunoichi, Sakura Haruno, his long-time teammate.

"We should be nearing the southern gate soon, eh ero-sennin?" Chirped Naruto, hands behind his head in a relaxed stance as the pair walked onwards to their destination.

"Naruto," began the Toad Sage, an angry tick forming just below his specialized headband, bearing the kanji for "Oil", "..how many times have I said not to call me that, ecspecially since we are indeed nearing the Village!"

Naruto rolled his eyes casually at Jiraiya,"But that title is fairly accurate, with all the books and..," Naruto looked over at the fuming Sannin, a playful gleam in his eyes, "..'data' you've accumulated over the years."

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at his prideful sensei's futile attempts to justify his "research" as he claims it. Shouts of, "..it's a form of art" and,"..no appreciation" ensued from the Toad Sage which resulted in Naruto's small chuckle to escalate into a hardy laughter.

"Halt!"

Naruto was snapped out of his laughing fit as the abrubt voice suddenly distorted the calm atmosphere.

"Who's there!" Another, much more feminine, voice interjected.

"Calm down," began Jiraiya, raising his hands up, palms facing outward. "We mean no harm."

Suddenly two shinobi appeared in front of Naruto and Jiraiya, both clad in long black trench coats covering them from head to toe, complete with a hood and face mask. Neither shinobi had any particularly interesting features, aside from a classic animal-style ANBU mask and black shinobi sandals.

Naruto quickly went into a slightly defensive stance, something was giving him an ill vibe about the characters that had just revealed themselves. Naruto could feel Kurama begin to stir as well, something the fox usually refrained to do as most threats were not worth his patience.

The Sannin seemed to sense the mysterious air as well judging from the serious demeanor Jiraiya took on.

"We are part of the sub-division of ANBU, Root. We are merely assigned to scout the surrounding areas due to the increasing activites of the Akatsuki and Orochimaru. Lord Fifth decided to take extra precautions because of the aforementioned circumstances, Jiraiya-sama."

Both figures bowed down, resting on their knees with their hands balled into fists on the ground. Their heads were tilted downwards as the male shinobi finished explaining their actions.

"I see, so the problem is that serious." Jiraiya commented, things were happening at a faster rate than he had imagined, ecspecially since Root is invloved."Well you two may continue your duties, dismissed I guess."

With a short 'hai' both figures disappeared back into the foilage on the outskirts of Konoha.

"What's going on" Naruto asked, a serious mood dawned on his usually carefree features.

Jiraiya closed his eyes, rubbing his chin with his right hand.

"I don't know the full story yet Naruto, but we must see Tsunade as fast as possible. Judging by the rate at which things are occuring we might not have that much time left."

With that the two shinobi set off at a blistering pace towards Konoha, time being both their enemies.