I do not own Naruto.

The sun was just beginning to warm the streets as a man with steel grey hair dressed in green and black leaped across the rooftops of Konoha. Hmm I wonder what Naruto will think about this new mission? It's pretty simple for a class B, but Tsunade-sama doesn't seem to be willing to give us anything else until he gets a chance to take the Chuunin exam. thought Kakashi.

The man stopped on a roof just above a small two story apartment that belonged to his long-time student and teammate. Well his lights are out, he must still be sleeping. For such a hyper-active guy he sleeps like the dead. Well it's time to wake him up. Kakashi thought as he jumped down onto a window seal right beside the boy's bedroom.

"Yo Naruto, time to get up we have a miss…huh? Where is he?" asked Kakashi. He climbed inside the empty room and looked around. As he made his way around the apartment he came upon a sealed letter on a small wooden table Naruto kept in his kitchen.

"What are you up to Naruto?" Kakashi asked as he picked up the scroll and untied its strings. He quickly unfolded the document and went from curious to worried as he began to read.

Everyone,

I know you may not understand what's going on so I guess I'll explain. The seal that keeps the kyuubi under control is weakening even faster than ero-sennin thought. I didn't want to say anything because I knew we had to save Sasuke while we had the chance. The thing is, now that he got away from Orochimaru I don't have that excuse anymore.

I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep the seal under control. The kyuubi's power is too intense, and I can feel him clawing at his cage trying to get out.

So I have decided to leave Konoha before it's too late. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of the kyuubi. I guess this means that I won't get to become a Hokage after all, but at least I will be able to save the village like a hokage.

Kakashi-sensei, Tsunade-baachan, please don't have anyone try to follow me. I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. Don't worry about Akatsuki; I don't plan on letting them catch me either. If they come anywhere near me they'll get more than they bargained for, or my names not Uzimake Naruto.

Konohamaru, it's up to you to fulfill our dream. Become the greatest Hokage for me. I'm counting on you little brother. By the way, since I can't keep my promise of becoming Hokage, I left you the necklace Tsunade-baachan gave me in a small package beside this scroll.

Iruka-sensei I'm leaving the deed to my apartment in your name. You were the first person to ever be nice to me, and it's the only way I can think of to repay you. Also, there is a something I left in the package for you too for old time's sake.

Old man, Ayame-chan, I'm going to miss your Ramen. Out of all the people in the village you two were the only ones who never yelled at me, and were always there to cheer me up so I'm leaving the rest of my salary to you, thanks.

Oh and Sakura-chan, I haven't forgotten about my promise. I think I may know where Sasuke is going. If I have time, I'll get him to come back for you. That promise at least I intend to keep.

The man who wanted to be Hokage,

Uzimake Naruto.

Kakashi read and reread the letter in a matter of seconds to make sure he wasn't mistaken. DAMN! How could I not see this coming?! I have to tell the Hokage right away. Kakashi yelled to himself. He ran out of the apartment and sped through the streets not caring who he bumped into as he made his way to the Hokage's dome-like office.

Sakura was waiting at the bridge where Team 7 generally met for missions. ERR WHAT'S TAKING THEM SO LONG?! thought Sakura. Kakashi's always late, but at least Naruto usually shows up on time. They should have been here by now. Huh…? The pink-haired girl barely had time to jump out of the way as a grey and green blur sped past her.

"Huh? Kakashi-sensei, what's going on?" she yelled. Sakura quickly regained her self-composure and raced off to catch the Jounin. The two ran all of the way into the Hokage's administrative building and into the hall containing her main office.

"Kakashi-sensei…what's…going on…" Sakura huffed as she tried to catch her breath, as much as she hated to admit it; her old teacher was still a bit faster than herself.

"Hey Sakura, don't worry it's nothing serious, just wait right here for a minute I need to speak with the Hokage." The Jounin tried to smile behind his face mask as he rubbed the back of his head.

Kakashi only acts this way when its something that would have other people peeing themselves, thought Sakura and where is Naruto?

Before she had time to ask Kakashi slipped through the door and locked it behind him to speak with the Hokage. When the (apparently) young blonde-haired woman looked up from her desk she immediately sensed something was horribly wrong.

"Kakashi? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?" asked Tsunade. Kakashi handed her the scroll without a word and watched as she read and reread it much the same as he did.

What the hell is he thinking the fool? Tsunade quickly opened the package and dumped out its contents the necklace she had given the boy when he was only twelve was indeed there as was his headband which, she assumed was intended for Iruka, and several thousand Ryu. Seeing the necklace, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a sinking sensation in her gut as she remembered her deceased brother and boyfriend... how similar they were to Naruto…and what happened to them.

"Kakashi, bring in Sakura, she should know what's going on…" said Tsunade. I just hope we can get to that stupid boy in time.

Naruto sighed as he jumped from tree to tree. "They probably found my letter by now. I told them not to follow me, but knowing the old-hag she'll send someone after me anyway." Naruto said to himself.

He quickly made a hand sign "Tijuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu…" Hundreds of Naruto clones suddenly appeared around the original. "All right everybody off in a different direction, not even Kakashi can track a thousand me's" Naruto gave a sad smile as he leaped away heading ever closer to the border of Grass and Fire Countries and further away from home.

Next Chapter: Sakura finds out what's going on and the search for Naruto begins. (expect this chapter in about one week).