And time to see how Konoha is doing in the last five years. Enjoy and Review.

Konoha 5 Years after Naruto's Disappearance

Life in Konoha had changed drastically in the past five years, not all of it good. With the loss of the entire Uchiha clan minus two survivors, Konoha's military force dropped greatly but they still remained strong. Sasuke, one of the two survivors along with his mom, was always seen training hard in order to one day kill his brother and avenge his clan.

But that is not what Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Saindame Hokage, depress, and this time it wasn't paperwork. Naruto Uzumaki, someone who was like a grandson to him, had still not been found and even now Sarutobi wanted to find him but the council, or to be frank the civilian council, were glad that the demon brat was gone. Even now there were parties now and then, which ended with anbu arresting large numbers of people to be taken to Ibiki.

But Sarutobi wasn't the only person upset with Naruto's death, Kakashi Hatake the student of the late Yodainme, was also in mourning having believed in failing to protect his sensei's legacy. This made him more unreliable in taking on teams, though he usually failed them anyway. However this year Sarutobi would have no choice but to assign him a team since the civilian council, without Mikoto's permission, were pushing for Sasuke to be trained by one of their elites and Kakashi fit that bill seeing how he had the sharingan despite not being an Uchiha.

Along with him were Jiraiya and Tsunade, two of Hiruzen's students and part of the Sannin. Jiraiya was the boy's godfather and he felt like he failed Minato, his student, in keeping his son safe. He would still come to Konoha to deliver news from his spy network but wouldn't stay to long due to being unable to stand the parties celebrating Naruto's disappearance. Tsunade was a different story; true she did not know Naruto very well or in fact ever met him. But he was technically family due to her clan, the Senju, and the Uzumaki clan being relatives. Also Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto's mother, was like a daughter to Tsunade so that was like a double blow to her. Instead of staying away from Konoha even more, she decided to move back into the Senju clan estate and run the village's hospital. She finally saw that running away from the source of her pain wasn't going to do anything and it would be a better way to honor her love ones.

But unknown to him another person was mourning over Naruto's disappearance. That person was Hinata Hyuuga, the heiress to the Hyuuga clan. Even to this day she regretted not helping Naruto when he had helped her and worse not even telling him her feelings. However she made a promise to herself to remain brave and train hard because that is what Naruto would want.

Sighing Hiruzen continued with assigning the genin teams this year. 'Things have been so dull these past few years. What I wouldn't give for one of Naruto-kun's pranks right now.' He thought to himself as he continued signing forms.

Academy

Sasuke was sitting amongst an admiring crowd of girls; among them were the bickering forms of Sakura and Ino. Kiba was sitting next too the quiet Shino, while Shikamaru and Choji were found together in the back. Hinata was sitting in the front of the room when the door opened revealing a kid who looked similar to Sasuke; except for the "smile" on his face. He wore all black clothing and was carrying a small book in his hands. Sai was a surprise to everyone when he showed up during the middle of the academy year, but he demonstrated that he was a competent ninja who was more then on their skill.

"Okay everyone quiet down!"

Everyone turned to the sound of the voice just as a giant cloud of smoke erupted revealing a grinning Iruka. Dark skinned chunin gently laid the folder he was holding down on his desk as he scanned everyone in the room. "Now, is everyone ready to learn your team," Iruka questioned with a gently smile on his face as everyone nodded. "Now just remember the individuals in your team are there to help you. If you get into trouble you can count on them to get you out of it." Iruka couldn't stop the chuckle coming from him as he watched everyone quake with anticipation.

Iruka glanced at his students and gave them a smile as he opened the folder. "Now, please listen closely to your team assignments," Iruka announced with an authoritative tone in his voice. "Now, some of the teams will be left unfilled because we don't have enough students to fill them. Team seven will be Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Sai and your sensei will be Kakashi." Everyone covered their ears as Sakura screamed out in joy while other girls deflated. "Now, that we have that out of the way. Team eight will be Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame and your sensei will be Kurenai." Hinata smiled towards her fellow teammates who gave her nods of a silent agreement. "Team ten finally is Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and your sensei will be Asuma." Iruka looked around at the students and noticed some were happy, but others looked indifferent to the whole thing. "Now, you have some time before you met your sensei so please take this time in order to get to know your team." Iruka said and left with that word leaving the newly formed teams to themselves.

The result was almost immediate almost everyone seemed to materialize next too their respective teammates. Hinata and Kiba talked while Shino listened intently. Sakura tried to get Sasuke to go out with her while Sai drew in his book. Ino berated Choji for eating too much and Shikamaru for sleeping. Hinata continued to talk with her friends until a red eyed woman with black hair entered. "Team eight?" Hinata, Kiba, and Shino looked at the woman giving her a slight wave. "I'm Kurenai your sensei. Meet me at the meadow in two minutes." With that their sensei vanished in a swirl of leaves causing the trio to dash for the window.

Sasuke, Sai, and Sakura were all still sitting in their classroom awaiting their sensei. Sai was sitting drawing aimlessly, but kept glancing towards his fellow teammates. Sakura was prancing back and forth muttering about how their sensei is late. Sasuke was looking about with barely a hint of emotion in his features. Sai returned to his picture to see a small snake. Just then the door opened to reveal a man with silver hair that seemed to defy gravity. He gave everyone a glance as if he was trying to measure their worth. "My first impression," Kakashi stated. "I think you're an odd bunch." Sasuke's eyes twitched in a slight display of anger. Sakura glared at her sensei with a glare on her face. Sai just smiled up at Kakashi. "Meet me at the roof… now." With that last word Kakashi vanished in a swirl of leaves leaving his team to take the stairs. Kakashi was waiting on the bench when his team opened the door behind him. Kakashi gestured to the chairs in front of him indicating that he wanted his team to sit. "Now I want you all to tell me a little bit about yourselves."

"Why don't you go first Kakashi-sensei?" Kakashi glanced towards Sakura and gave her an eye smile.

"Okay, I guess I could give you an example," Kakashi said as he crossed his arms and leaned back. "My name is Kakashi Hatake, I have some likes, but just as many dislikes. My dream… is undecided at this point." Everyone just stared at Kakashi with one thought in mind. 'All we got was his name.' "Now, it's your turn pinky." Sakura glared at Kakashi with hate at her nickname, but continued neither less.

"My name is Sakura Haruno," Sakura announced with a clear voice. "I like…" She gave Sasuke a loving glance, but quickly tore it away. "I dislike loud and idiotic people. My dream is to someday marry a certain someone." She giggled at that causing a slight groan to escape Kakashi while also resisting the urge to taunt the girl a little.

"Alright, Mr. Gloomy you're next."

Sasuke shared a glare that never wavered with Kakashi as he spoke. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha, I have many dislikes, but not a lot of likes. My dream is to revive the Uchiha clan, protect my mother and to kill a certain someone." Kakashi gave Sasuke a sad expression and made a mental note to inform Mikoto about Sasuke's dream. If Sasuke was so hell bent on killing his brother then he would have to make sure that didn't happen.

"Alright, now it's our artist's turn."

Sai didn't close his book, but spoke as he continued to draw while glancing up at Kakashi every few seconds. "My name is Sai," Sai spoke in an emotionless voice. "The only two things I like is my brother who is currently ill and drawing. My dream is to help my brother get better and do my best for this team." Kakashi nodded, but knew there was something else that Sai wasn't saying. Kakashi sighed as he stood up and fully looked at his team with a steady gaze and thought carefully.

"Tomorrow meet me at training ground seven for your final test," Kakashi raised his hand to stop Sakura from interrupting him as he continued. "The first test was just to weed out the weak, this is the true test. Oh, and don't eat anything or you might throw up." With that Kakashi left leaving his team confused. Sasuke stood up and turned to leave when Sakura jumped up and looked at Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun would you like…"

"No, besides my mom wanted me home as soon as I was done here." Sasuke left on that note leaving behind Sai and Sakura.

"He's differently different," Sai announced as he stood up with his finished drawing. Sakura turned around only to see Sai's picture. It was a picture of Kakashi, Sasuke, and her all in different posses like he drew them from separate areas. "But there is hope in this team." Sakura looked up and saw the sly little smile on Sai's face making Sakura turn with an angry blush on her face.

"Sai since I don't have anything to do and since I don't know you that well; would you like to go eat something to eat?" Sakura looked up and saw Sai thinking about her offer before nodding his head "But not too long I need to check on my brother." Sai said. Sakura nodded her head as well and the two of them left heading for the a nearby restaurant.

Somewhere in the Land of Fire

Walking through the many forests of the country, two hooded figures could be seen. They both wore black cloaks with whirlpool symbols on it, one on the back and the other on the front. One of them was shorter then the other by a few inches but nevertheless was intimidating. The taller one had a suitcase in his left hand that would sway back and forth as he walked.

"Itachi-san we are nearing the checkpoint." Kimimaro said to his partner.

"Thank you Kimimaro-kun I can see it from here." The stoic Uchiha replied.

The two arrived in front of a small shrine that judging by its look was dedicated to the Sage of the Six Paths. In the center of the shrine was a compartment, big enough for a briefcase. Itachi gently placed the said briefcase inside the compartment and after forming the correct hand sign the briefcase disappeared in a flash, only to be replaced by a scroll.

"Well it seems like we already have our next assignment. I was hoping that we would have a little break after getting that money on that missing-nin." Itachi said as he opened the scroll and read its contents.

"Naruto-sama must have a value reason for giving another assignment so soon." Kimimaro said.

Itachi nodded and placed the scroll into his pocket. "We are to head towards Wave Country to recruit to more people to our group."

"So we will have more comrades like Guren-san, Yukimaru-kun, Jugo-kun and Gozu-san?" Kimimaro asked.

Over the past five years Naruto's group managed to recruit four more people. Guren was the wielder of the unique kekkei genkai known as Crystal Release. She was once a subordinate of Orochimaru but Naruto showed her the truth of the vile man and so she gladly accepted the invitation to join Naruto's group.

Taking with her were Yukimaru, a young boy whose mother was killed by Guren, thus making the older woman swear to protect him and the other was Gozu, one of Orochimaru's test subjects who Guren had shown kindness too. Gozu was a skilled fighter and good with Earth release, making him a welcome addition to the team. Yukimaru was still young but when he was at age, Guren planned to train the boy in ninjutsu.

Jugo was a unique case. He came from an unknown clan that had the ability to change their bodies using sage transformation. Jugo also had split personality, one of them would send him on a killing spree on anything in sight. It was thanks to Kimimaro that Jugo was able to be tamed and be given help with his problem.

"Yes Kimimaro-kun we are to recruit a man named Zabuza and his partner a boy named Haku." Itachi said as the two took off to the trees.

"Zabuza's name sounds familiar but I do not recognize the other." Kimimaro said as he and Itachi jumped from branch to branch.

"Zabuza is one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist but became a missing-nin after a failed coup on the current Mizukage. Haku from what the scroll tells me is a survivor of the bloodline purges and is a wielder of the rare kekkei genkai Ice Release."

Kimimaro nodded his head. "I see, but why are they in Wave Country?"

"According to the scroll and from what I heard around in other villages, a tyrant named Gato is controlling the country by sucking it dry. He has hired missing-nin to assert his authority and also to eliminate a bridge builder named Tazuna who has requested Konoha's aid. Our orders however are to take Zabuza and Haku with us. Naruto-kun shall deal with Gato." Itachi said as the two continued jumping through the trees.

Lave of Waves

It had been six months since the new genin teams were formed. Currently two of them were in the Land of Wave on what was suppose to be a simple C-rank mission that got boosted to an A-rank mission. At first Team 7 had been given the mission but when Kakashi realized that this was to much for a newly formed genin team, he requested back-up, which he got in the form of team 8. Currently both genin teams and their respective sensei's were locked in combat with Zabuza Momoichi and his subordinate Haku. Kurenai and Kakashi were taking on Zabuza, Kiba, Sasuke, Sai and Shino were dealing with Haku's ice mirrors while Sakura and Hinata were protecting the client Tazuna. However fighting in the mist that Zabuza had created made things difficult for the Konoha-nins.

Kakashi dodged another swing from Zabuza's sword while Kurenai charged the swordsman from the back. However Zabuza saw this and easily kicked the kunoichi jonin back. "Ha! Is this the best that Konoha can offer?" Zabuza asked as he deflected Kakashi's kunai and slashed Kakashi in the waist. Though it wasn't fatal it still made the copy-cat wince as he jumped back.

But Kakashi soon formed some hand signs with the blood from his body and slammed his hands on the ground. "Summoning: Earth Release: Tracking Fang!" He said and soon all of his dog-nins popped out of the ground and latched themselves onto Zabuza. "Shit!"

Kakashi then focused lightning into his hand, thus creating his personal assassination jutsu, Chidori. "Now…you die." Kakashi said and charged forward intending to finish Zabuza once and for all. But before he could impale Zabuza several small projectiles headed towards Kakashi who managed to dodge them as they struck the ground instead. The projectiles created small craters in the bridge's surface when they struck it. Zabuza used this to free himself from the dog's grasp though he felt some skin rip off of his body as he did so.

Two cloaked figures landed beside Zabuza while Kurenai landed next to Kakashi. "Who are you?" Kakashi demanded.

"Who we are is not you concern Konoha-san. However we cannot allow you to kill Zabuza or his partner." Itachi said calmly.

"And what do you want with me and Haku?" Zabuza asked as he picked up his sword. True these guys save him but that didn't mean he trust them.

"Naruto-sama wishes for you two to join us as your skills could prove valuable for our organization." Kimimaro said in a stoic manner while keeping his eyes on Kakashi and Kurenai.

Kakashi didn't miss the person that Kimmimaro mentioned. 'Naruto-sama? Does he mean Naruto Uzumaki?' He thought.

Before anyone could do anything else the mist unexpectedly began to disappear. Soon everyone could see where everyone else was. "What the hell is going on here?" Zabuza asked.

"Ah that must be Naruto-kun's doing. He has the unique ability to absorb jutsus into his body." Itachi said calmly.

'An ability that allows you to absorb jutsus into your body? That's one hell of a skill?' Zabuza thought as Haku landed beside him while the other genins ran to their jonin's side.

"Kakashi-sensei, what's going on, who are these people?" Sakura asked.

"I have no idea Sakura but for now I want you all to stay on your guard." Kakashi ordered as he turned his attention back on Kimmimaro. "You the one who said Naruto-sama. Would he happen to be Naruto Uzumaki?"

Kimimaro growled a little as he got into a stance. "How dare you use Naruto-sama's name in such an undignified manner." He growled but was stopped by Itachi.

"Calm yourself Kimimaro-kun, we came here to get Zabuza and Haku, not start a fight." Itachi said.

Kimimaro relaxed slightly but still glared at Kakashi. "Hai, Itachi-san"

That made everyone gasps but made Sasuke just glared at the man who had been identified as Itachi. "Itachi" He hissed as he glared at his brother. Itachi sighed but removed his hood along with Kimmimaro. This seemed to only further Sasuke's anger. "Hello little brother how is mother?" Itachi asked calmly.

"She'll be a lot better once I bring home your head!" Sasuke shouted as he charged towards his brother with a kunai, ignoring his sensei's warning. But before he was even close to Itachi someone kicked the young Uchiha back hard, who was caught by Kakashi. The person who kicked Sasuke was about the same size as Kimmimaro and wore the same type of cloak as Kimmimaro and Itachi. 'I didn't even sense him.' Kakashi thought.

Kimimaro automatically got to his knees. "Naruto-sama!" He shouted.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he looked at the newcomer. "Naruto" He murmured to himself as he looked at the hooded boy. Though he couldn't see Naruto's face he could faintly see whisker marks on the boy's cheek.

Hinata however was on the brink of tears as she saw her crush for the first time after five years. With her Byakugan activated she could see the boy's chakra coils. Though they were more smooth and controlled, they could not hide the orange chakra that was at the center of Naruto's stomach. "Its really him, Naruto-kun." She said.

Naruto ignored them however and looked at his two comrades, Zabuza and Haku. "Itachi-san, what is taking so long? I had already killed Gato and his men and you still haven't left yet?" Naruto asked a little irritated.

Itachi just merely replied, "Apologies Naruto-kun but we had not expected for this to take so long." The older Uchiha said.

"Wait this kid is Naruto?" Zabuza asked shocked. It wasn't that he was shocked that their leader was a thirteen-year old, but the chakra he was giving off was huge. But that didn't mean he wasn't skeptical. "Anyway what makes you think I'll join you so easily and how do I know that you killed Gato?"

Suddenly in a portal opened from Naruto's right eye and flying out was Gato's body, dead as a doornail. "Kami what happened to him? I don't see any wounds on his body or signs of poisoning." Haku said, the boy absolutely in shock.

"Ah well you see Naruto-kun as a unique way of killing people quickly." Itachi said with a smirk on his face. "Also as to why you should join is simple: We can get you into the resistance against Yagura."

That caught Zabuza's attention but was still suspicious. "How do I know you're not lying?" He asked when Naruto tossed him a scroll. Zabuza began to read its contents and his eyes widened at a certain name. "You've been in contact with Mei Terumi? She's actually still alive?" He asked surprised.

Before Naruto could respond he heard a noise from behind. He turned around and saw a large lion made of ink lunge at him. But when the lion was about to make contact, it merely slipped through his body and exploded when it struck the ground.

The Konoha-nins were shocked at what he did, along with Zabuza and Haku. "Sai, do not attack him. Let me talk to him." Kakashi said to the pale boy.

Sai nodded and put away his brush. Kakashi then looked at Naruto. "Itachi what have you done with Naruto?" He said with a glare towards the older Uchiha while holding back Sasuke.

"I have done nothing to Naruto-kun, nor do I think I ever could. The power now possess is quite formidable. Besides it was he who asked me to join him." Itachi responded.

"What?" Kakashi asked confused as to why Naruto would want to recruit someone like Itachi, or for what purpose. "Anyway I'm taking him back to Konoha where he belongs and away from you." He said as the genins and Kurenai got into stances.

Naruto just stared at the silver hair jonin before replying. "You have no right to take me back to that village just so you can redeem yourself in my father's eyes Kakashi." Naruto said calmly.

Kakashi's eyes widened at what Naruto said. 'He knows that Minato-sensei is his father! How?' He shook his head. "But Naruto-"

"Enough" Naruto said in a loud and commanding voice, making everyone flinch at how powerful it was. Naruto then turned back towards Zabuza and Haku. "Well?"

Zabuza shrugged. "Well you seem like someone who would be worth following. And if I can get another shot at that bastard Yagura then I'm in. C'mon Haku." The swordsman said.

"Hai Zabuza-sama" The ice user replied.

Naruto nodded and dug into his cloak. What he pulled out was a medallion with the symbol of Uzushiogakure. He held it forward and squeezed it, causing the symbol to open up and revealing a pitch black hole. The hole then fired a beam a few feet away from Naruto and created a large portal. Zabuza whistled at this. "Not bad. By the way what's the name of this little group of yours?"

Without looking at the man Naruto said, "We are called Ageshio." Naruto said calmly as he walked into the portal followed by Itachi and Kimimaro.

"Hmm, Rising Tide?" Zabuza said as he and Haku followed the other threes into the portal, leaving several shocked genins and two jonins as the portal closed.

Well what do you think of this chapter? Give me lots of reviews. Also to why I decided to make Haku a boy is because I feel better with it. I mean I have no trouble with stories that make Haku into a girl its just I do better when I visualize him as a boy.