Enjoy the chapter. Also there's a note at the bottom to clear some things up.

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Chapter 3: A Surprising Victory and Look at the Past

The arrow pierced through Naruto carrying his body through the air and impaling a tree. Naruto's body simply hung there, lifeless. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Konohamaru yelled.

Spectators redirected their focus from Naruto to the direction the young Chuunin was staring, while others continued staring at the limp body on the tree speechless. Sasuke emerged from the clearing dust surrounded by a large spectral figure. On its left forearm was a bow doubling as a shield. In the right hand was an arrow. "You lose, dobe," Sasuke said.

A rumble began coming from the ground. The crowd looked on confused as to what was taking place. "What's going on," a shinobi asked.

His question was answered as a large amount of shadow clones erupted from the ground surrounding Sasuke on all sides. Each wielded swirling blue spheres of chakra in both hands.

"Unbelievable-" Neji began unable to finish his thought. "That charka!"

"Taiju Kage Bunshin: Rasenrengan Rendan!" The shadow clones all charged Sasuke with unbelievable speed. Upon impact there was a tremendous explosion, tearing up the terrain and knocking over nearby trees as well as sending a fair amount of the spectators to the ground.

"Neji, Hinata, can either of you see what just happened?"

"Naruto-kun broke through Susanoo."

"What?!" Sakura couldn't believe it. "That's possible?!"

The dust cleared and Sasuke and Naruto could be seen in a power struggle with their swords locked. "Give up dobe," the Uchiha said.

"Rot in hell you bastard!" the whiskered man shot back. He sidestepped and pulled his sword back causing Sasuke to fall forwards off balance. He brought his sword down upon the back of the Uchiha's neck, but was surprised to find his sword connect with a log. He spun around, swinging his fist with all that he hand, and put his entire weight behind it. A loud thud was heard as it collided with flesh.

Sasuke crashed to the ground and kicked Naruto's leg's out from under him. He sprang back up to his feet and leapt up into the air while forming a series of hand seals. "Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku! (Great Fire Annihilation)" A large wall of flame soared towards Naruto who was recovering.

The dust had cleared and nobody could believe what was before them. Naruto was standing over Sasuke with both his sword and Kusanagi pinning Sasuke to the ground through both his shoulders. "Looks like you lose," Naruto said pulling his sword from the unconscious Uchiha's shoulder, putting it back in the sheath. "Teme." He turned around and proceeded back towards where the others were standing.

"HELL YEA BRO, YOU KICKED HIS ASS!" Konohamaru exclaimed pumping his fist in the air. Sakura and a few others ran towards Sasuke's position to tend to his wounds.

"I guess that's one way of putting it," Naruto said grinning. "So…how'd I do granny?"

Tsunade probably would've broken his jaw if it weren't for her astonishment. "I-I guess that means you improved vastly. You can begin taking missions anytime you're ready."

"I want payment for those jobs in addition to the amount I requested earlier."

"Naruto, that decision has to be voted on by the-"

"Either that or I can leave, I know other people who would pay more; the only reason I am here is because it was requested." Everyone was stunned. The blonde before them wasn't the same care free, goofy shinobi they remembered him as.

"We can meet with them and discuss it tomorrow," Tsunade said.

"Thank you, Yumi, let's go." Naruto said taking his robe from her and putting it back on.

"Ok, Naruto," the woman said. "Good bye everyone." She then turned around and followed Naruto as he walked off.

"Damn, looks like we should hope the Mighty Uchiha doesn't piss off Naruto, or else Konoha is done for," Kiba said laughing slightly. "Well, in that case I'd probably just leave."

"Kiba! Don't joke like that!" Ino scolded.

"I have to say I can't disagree," heads turned towards Shikamaru. "I mean, it doesn't seem like we've been living up to what the village should be. I mean, there isn't the same sense of unity from when the third was still alive."

"That is true," Chouji agreed backing his best friend. "But we can't say what will happen this early."

"Yea, oh well. It's too troublesome to bother with right now, I'm going home to sleep, and it's getting dark soon. Knowing my mother, she'll probably nag me for being out." Shikamaru stood and stretched before heading off.

"Guess I'm going to leave too," Chouji said heading off.

"Gai-sensei, I must continue to train as Naruto-san did and become stronger!" Lee said.

"Yes my student! WE WILL START WITH 200 LAPS AROUND THE VILLAGE!" The bushy-browed man exclaimed and the two were off.

"I will never get over how weird those two can be." Kiba said hopping on his dog's back. "Let's go home Akamaru.

Many of the spectators had already begun leaving the training grounds. Only a few were left, among them being Neji, Hinata, the former cell leaders of the rookie nine, and Jiraiya and Tsunade who was helping Sakura with Sasuke's wounds.

"I take it you two saw what happened," Kakashi said looking at two Byakugan users.

"Yes, and I must once again say that Naruto surprised me, using Dochuu Eigyo to hide underground." Neji said with a small grin. "He will forever be the most unpredictable shinobi."

"Jiraiya-san," Hinata began. "What was that weird chakra Naruto-kun used against Sasuke?"

"Sage chakra," The white-haired man said.

"What exactly is it?" Neji asked.

"Well," Jiraiya said. "It is like chakra, but, different. You see, you must gather energy from nature. After a sufficient amount has been gathered, one is able to achieve what is known as sage mode. While in sage mode, all abilities increase dramatically, taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. And physical damage to the user is almost ineffective. That is all I will tell you, I don't want to give away all of his secrets." Jiraiya then vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Well Hinata I guess we better head back to the compound."

"Ok Neji-san." The two vanished as well.

Meanwhile Tsunade and Sakura had just finished dealing with Sasuke's injuries. "Well Sakura," Tsunade began. "That should do it. He should probably try not to use his arms to much for two days otherwise it might end up taking longer for him to heal."

"Knowing him he wouldn't settle for it," Sakura said frowning slightly.

"I know which is why you should keep a close eye on him. Also I won't be allowing him to take missions for a few days."

"I'll tell him when he wakes up."

"I'll help you get him back home."

A little later in at the Hokage's guest home:

Naruto had just emerged from the restroom after finishing his shower. He looked at his soon to be wife who was already asleep on the bed. He created a two kage Bunshin to stand watch over the house. Due to the fact that he couldn't gather sage chakra while sleeping, he had shadow clones perform the task for him during the night. As the two clones exited the room he climbed in next to his fiancée and put his hands behind his head staring up at the ceiling. He thought back to when he first met her. Never in his life at that point did he ever think they would end up together. Before he knew it his eyes closed and he drifted to sleep.

Flashback/Dream: Five years ago Iwagakure (hidden rock village)

"Congratulations Naruto, your training is carrying along wonderfully. In about a year you will know everything I have to teach you."

"Thanks Ero-sennin," the young blonde said. "When are we going to go on more missions?"

"Well, I think you are good enough to choose which missions you can or can't take on. So I will be leaving you for a few weeks."

"Still tracking Akatsuki's movements?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

"Ok, well I guess I'll be seeing you around then."

"Be careful Naruto," Jiraiya said vanishing in a cloud of smoke.

"Hmm, what to do…" Naruto's mind wandered to a samurai civilization which took refuge in the mountains to the north of Iwagakure. The Kawakami Family founded it. To be more exact, one could look at it as a village composed mostly of swordsmen, as well as many shinobi specializing in kenjutsu and genjutsu. Walking through the streets it was rare to see anyone without a sword, with the exception of children in the Kenjutsu academy who carried bokken. It was about half the size of what a normal village would be in terms of population. Even so if it came to war they could beat most other villages with little or no casualties. Those who lived trained in the ancient sword style of the Kawakami family, Shiranui-Ryu.

When he had visited with Jiraiya a few months ago Kawakami Hiryu, had given him a Shikomizue. Which was basically a straight edged rather than normally curved bladed Katana mostly used by shinobi. The one he received had a black handle with a cylindrical shape and there was no cross-guard. "I guess I can use this time to go back and finish the training." With that he was off.

In the forest close to the base of the mountains:

Naruto was running through the forest quickly approaching the mountains when he heard a scream. "What the hell?" he skidded to a halt and turned in the direction of the screaming. He immediately sped off to help whoever it was who needed it. After a few minutes he came to what appeared to be a small mercenary camp. There was a group of men who stood in a circle, and in the middle was a woman with red hair, holding a younger girl who had black hair. It seemed she was protecting the younger girl who was unconscious. There were tears in her eyes.

"Haven't you had enough?" the woman cried. "Please, let her go."

"Why would we do that?" one of the mercenaries asked. "If we let her go, that means less variety."

"Not only that but she's fresh," another said. "And we've been through you enough time's already."

"Damn this doesn't look good," Naruto thought. "2…3…7…8. Ok, this shouldn't be too hard. Needa surprise 'em though." He touched the middle and ring fingers on his hands to both palms sliding them back upwards activating the seals and causing shuriken to appear in both hands.

"Enough of this, let's just fuck them both!"

"I agree I'm tired of waiting." The men began closing in on the two females.

Two shuriken flew by hitting home between the eyes of two of them who staggered back and fell, dead. The other's turned the direction the shuriken came from only to see a lone shinobi of about fifteen standing there. "Ok kid, this isn't the place for you to be so unless you want to die, run off somewhere." Two more shuriken came from behind striking two more in the back of the head and killing them. The four remaining mercenaries drew their weapons.

"Unless you want to die, you should run along and leave those two alone," Naruto warned.

"Enough of this!" One mercenary charged the blonde who made no attempt to move, and was run through by the sword. The body then burst into a cloud of smoke.

"I'm not telling you again." The mercenary looked up in time to be stabbed through the eye and pinned to the ground as Naruto landed on top of him. He then yanked the kunai out and lodged it in the screaming mercenary's mouth piercing his throat. "Who's next?"

Naruto was answered as the remaining three charged him. He put up a fight before two sandwiched him and dismembered him cutting through his neck and waist. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke once more. "Watch out for the real one!"

"What the hell?"

"Oh shit!"

The third mercenary turned around just in time to see his two comrades yanked into the ground, buried to their necks. "Come out and fight you little piece of—"

Before he finished his sentence he was silenced as their blonde assailant emerged from the ground and shoved a sword up his ass killing him. The shinobi then burst into a cloud of smoke. The real Naruto leapt down from the tree, landing on the skull of one of the ground encased mercenaries. He then turned to the other and kicked him in the head, snapping his neck, ending his life.

"Please, don't hurt us, we have no mon—"

"I don't want your money," Naruto said. "Are you two ok?"

"Yes, sir what is your name?"

"I am Uzumaki Naruto, and you?"

"Masaki Kaoru," the red haired woman answered.

"And her? Is she your daughter?" Naruto asked.

"No, but she is the closest thing I have to one," the woman said. "Her name is Yumi."

"How did you two come across each other?"

"We are—were—slaves. Her mother was killed when she was still a baby and I took her as my own. I did not know what her mother named her so I called her Yumi."

"I see," Naruto said. "Does she know?"

"Yes, I managed to keep her mother's things, and among them was a picture of both of them along with a man whom I guess is her father. There was writing on the back, but unfortunately it had become smudged and unreadable before she could read."

"I see, so…how did you end up with these guys?"

"We were slaves, sold to mercenaries, business men, anyone who would pay enough."

"I see," the blonde shinobi said. "Must've been tough."

"It was, we were forced t-to…" she stopped before finishing her sentence. Her body shook slightly from her quiet sobs.

Naruto didn't know what to do. He could talk to girls, but when they were crying it was a whole different story. "I am sorry to hear that," he said as his gaze shifted to the ground. "Do you have any belongings?"

"Only a few," Kaoru said. "They are all in my bag."

Naruto then got an idea. He pulled out a writing pad. "Hey do you two have a home?"

"No."

"You can come with me. I am actually on my way to see some old friends and I'm sure that they would be more than happy to help." He then performed a quick set of hand seals. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

A larger than normal toad sporting a vest appeared. "Yo, what's up?"

"Hey Gamakichi, I need a favor from you." Naruto said handing him a letter. "Take this up the mountain to the Kawakami family. I need them to know I'm bringing some friends."

"No problem, see you later." With that the toad was off.

"Ok, you two can come with me," Naruto said. Kaoru was about to pick up the unconscious girl in her arms. "No, don't worry, I'll carry her."

"Thank you," the woman said as Naruto lifted Yumi onto his back.

"Let's go."

A few hours later:

At the southern gates to the Kawakami compound two swordsmen, twins in fact, stood watch. One wore a red hakama with a black obi around his waist. He wore a red sleeveless robe and had his sword across his back. In the distance he could see people closing in from the distance. "Hey Ryoji, there's some people headed this way," he said.

"Master Hiryu said to expect Naruto-san and a few others, it might be them," the other answered.

"They're too far out to tell."

"You stay here Akira, I'll inform Master Hiryu at once."

Naruto, Kaoru, and Yumi who was still unconscious on Naruto's back were getting closer to the gates when a voice called out, "Hey Naruto-san!"

Naruto looked up. He recognized the white-haired swordsman who was about his age. He sported red colored samurai pauldron on his left shoulder and a set of vambraces on his forearms. He wore a red robe with only his right arm in the sleeve, allowing the left side to hang freely. His upper body was covered in a mesh tank top. "Akira, long time no see."

"Master Hiryu informed us that you would be arriving." He noticed the red-haired woman and the unconscious girl on Naruto's back. "Who are they?"

"This is Kaoru-san, and her daughter Yumi," Naruto said. "Do you think Master Hiryu has a place for them to stay?"

"I am not sure, but we can see him and ask. Follow me."

"Naruto-san," Kaoru said. "Are you sure this will be ok?"

"Don't worry, Master Hiryu is one of the kindest people I know," Naruto said. "And his wife Kazue loves to take care of people."

"Hurry up, Master Hiryu will be getting ready for training soon," Akira said.

Naruto and Kaoru followed after him.

At The Kawakami Family Mansion:

A man in a hooded robe stood in the study room. Usually family members and those who were practitioners of the Shiranui-Ryu sword style wore either a black, red, or white robe, which was either hooded or not as personal preference of the wearer. Each color signified a certain rank. White robes were worn by those who were of novice rank. Also direct family members sported a robe with a dragon on the back, while those not related had the kanji 天(sky/heavenly/god/celestial/day) on the back. Those who wore a red robe were considered advanced. The black robes were worn by those who had mastered the style. In addition to being black, this man's robe differed from the others. All over the robe were red dragons outlined in gold. Of all the Kawakami family members, he was the only one to wear this robe which signified that of all in the family he was the most skilled.

His hair was long and black, tied off in a ponytail reaching the middle of his back. His eyes were red, with the iris and pupil lined with gold. He had a stern look on his face, and although he didn't appear old, by looking upon his face one could see that he had been through a lifetime of experiences. He was a tall man standing slightly above six feet. In addition to his height, he was muscular, giving him a menacing look. He had a katana at his waist on his left side. Across the back of his waist was a wakizashi with the handle on the left. On his feet he wore white flat-bottomed sandals, and black socks. Under the robe he wore a pair of white hakama pants and a white sleeveless gi, with fishnet underneath. Around his neck was a chain with a medallion consisting of a white ring with a black dragon in it.

"Master Hiryu," a voice addressed the man.

The man turned around to face his visitor. "Yes Akira, what is it?"

"Naruto-san has arrived with his guests," the young boy answered.

"Good! Send them in."

Akira stepped out of the room and was back within a few moments with Naruto, Kaoru, and a still unconscious Yumi. Naruto was first to speak. "Master Hiryu, it's been a while."

"I had no idea you were so close, I was not expecting your arrival for a few days," Hiryu answered. He turned to Akira. "Thank you Akira, you may leave now. Find Takashi and Ryo. Tell them to take shift at the gates."

"Yes Master," the boy said bowing.

"Also, Ryoji has gone back, ask them to tell him take the rest of the day off."

"Yes, Master," he bowed once more. On his way out he turned to Naruto. "I'd like to have a rematch with you when you get the chance."

"Sure thing," Naruto said grinning. "I'm looking forward to it."

Akira exited closing the door. Hiryu then addressed the blonde haired shinobi. "So what brings you here Naruto?"

"Well, Ero-sennin had to leave on business and I was in Iwagakure," Naruto began. "So I decided to visit and complete my training if it's not too much trouble."

"Trouble? Never, you're welcome here anytime," Hiryu said. "Who are your friends?"

"This is Kaoru-san," Naruto said motioning to the red haired woman at his side. "And this is Yumi."

"Friends from back home?"

"No, they were slaves," Naruto said looking down. "But I rescued them on my way here. I'm sorry to trouble you with this Master but—"

"Make no mention of it." Naruto looked up to see the Kawakami leader smiling. "I'll have a place prepared for them to live. My wife will show them to their new home."

"Where is Kazue-san? I didn't see her when I came in."

"She is in the entertainment district, most likely playing shogi with her friends."

"Ok, well I'll stop by to say hello to her," Naruto said. "Akira told me you were getting ready to train, you wouldn't mind—"

"Of course not, we can begin as soon as you are ready," Hiryu said.

"Awesome!" Naruto placed the unconscious Yumi on a couch. He brushed her hair out of her face and looked at her for a short moment before heading for the door. "Should I tell Kazue-san to come back here?"

"Yes, please. Tell her to be here as soon as she can, and I will meet you at the dojo in an hour."

"No problem," Naruto said disappearing out the door.

End Flashback/Dream:

Naruto's eyes snapped open and he sat up. He looked at the clock next to the bed, it was almost noon. "Hmm, guess I'll just get started with my training." Naruto noticed Yumi enter the room in her training gear.

"I see you're finally up Naruto," Yumi said. "Wanna spar? It's been a while."

"Sure, I'll be out in a moment."

After a few minutes they were both outside. As Naruto stepped out he noticed Kaoru sitting in a chair on the front deck. "Hello Kaasan, are you watching?"

"Why not? Does that surprise you?" the red haired woman asked.

"Well, I just never thought you were the type for violence is all."

"Oh no, don't mind me, just go on about your training normally. Try not to kill each other though; I know you two can be rather competitive at times."

"Haha, no need to worry Kaasan, I'll hold back."

"I was more worried about you to be honest," Kaoru said causing the blonde to stare at her blankly. "Oh, I was talking to myself, I think, don't worry about it just have fun."

"Naruto stop wasting time, I have a new technique to try out."

Naruto looked at Yumi who was twirling a katana in her hand. "Oh be patient, you're always demanding something," the blonde shinobi said pulling out his sword.

"I'm a woman in need of certain things, I can't help it," Yumi countered.

"Women and their needs, I'll never understand."

"Because we're complex. Are you ready?"

"Of course."

The couple charged each other. Naruto thought back to when she first began learning to use a sword. It had been the first time he had a conversation with her. It also resulted in their first argument and kiss.

Flashback: Mura no za Hiryu (village of the flying dragon)

It had been two months since Naruto arrived at the village with Kaoru and Yumi. He felt good, having mastered the first of one of the Shiranui-ryu style's three strongest techniques, Sonikku Buumu (sonic boom). Unlike most air blades which an opponent was safe from after avoiding, this one differed.

The Sonikku Buumu required channeling wind chakra to the blade manipulating the air in front of it to eliminate any form of possible resistance when performing a swing. This allowed for the sword to travel at a speed fast enough to create a tremendous shockwave to follow after. The first version occurs if the sword happens to be blocked. The chakra on the sword is released hitting the opponent. In addition, if used with a tremendous amount of chakra, it allowed for the user's sword to cut cleanly through the opponent's. The opponent would then be hit with the wind blade and the sword. The final part of the attack was the shockwave that followed which could send most opponents flying back a good distance.

The second version required the user to perform the attack from afar as if using the Kazekiri no Jutsu. The blade of wind would travel as normal but depending on the strength of the attack the interval between the arrival of the initial blade and the shockwave varied. The most basic form of the attack would have the shockwave follow almost immediately after. The strongest version would have a shockwave that would cover a larger area and have a delay of no more than two seconds. Due to the fact that the shockwave was wind and not chakra it was undetectable.

Naruto decided he was ready to try learning the Kawakami family's second technique. "I think I'm ready for the next move."

"Sorry Naruto, it will have to be another time, however, I have another training assignment for you," Hiryu said putting away his weapons.

"What's that?"

"Yumi has been training with Kazue and Akira. I want to see how she matches up against you. She has come a long way since she started. She also seems to have the same talent for quick learning that I see in you."

"But sensei I—"

"Do not worry about it. It will just be two short days. Your training with me will commence once again the day after."

"Alright," Naruto said in defeat. He put his shikomizue back in the sheath at his waist, then sat down on a nearby bench and waited. Before too long Yumi appeared. He looked at her. Having been focused on training, he hadn't really taken time to see her. Occasionally he would speak with Kaoru, but when he did Yumi was sleeping, wandering the village streets, or off training. He took time to examine her. She had fiery orange eyes with bright red pupils, black hair reaching her shoulders, and she was only a little shorter than he was. Not only that, but he noticed that for her age she also had a matured body. Naruto was entranced by her movements as she approached him. Before his mind wandered to far her calm voice brought him back to reality.

"I never got the chance to say thank you," she said.

"Huh…oh…don't worry about it," Naruto said with his trademark grin.

"Thank you again." She stood there patiently looking at him.

"What?"

"Hiryu-sama said that we are training together."

"You can train, I can watch."

"I don't think that's what he had in mind."

"Well I can't say that I had this in mind either," Naruto said. "I don't see how training with you will benefit me in any way, shape, or form."

"You're scared of girls," Yumi said.

Naruto's eye twitched. "What?"

"I know you heard me, unless you're as much of a dumbass as you're acting right now."

"Who are you calling a dumbass you weird eyed bitch."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BITCH?"

"YOU! ACTING ALL UNGRATEFUL AND ALL AFTER I SAVED YOUR ASS!"

"FUCK YOU!" The girl pulled out her sword and attacked.

Naruto quickly moved out of the way. The unlucky bench ended up in shards. His eyes slightly widened seeing a groove in the ground caused by her blade. Before he knew it she was above him. He quickly grabbed his sword in a reverse grip, yanking it from the sheath in a back handed motion, the blade horizontal. "Kaminokaze no kabe." (divine wall of wind)

The blades collided and a wave of wind was released sending Yumi backwards. She back flipped and as soon as her feet touched the ground launched towards Naruto who was stunned by her speed. The girl got down low preparing for an upward slash. "Hononoken!" (flame sword)

As Yumi came up the blade of her katana erupted in flames. Naruto kicked her forearm knocking her arm back and sending her off balance and falling forwards. The blonde shinobi brought his knee into her face and followed up with a punch to the back of her head sending her to the ground face first.

Yumi quickly grabbed her sword, and sprang up to her feet. "Bastard."

"No need to get mad about the whole thing, you star—" Naruto was cut off before he could finish as a large ball of fire headed his way. "Maybe I can blow it out." He back flipped rotating to his left gain momentum for his swing. He landed performing a slash. "Sonikku Buumu!" The blade of wind cut through the fire. A second later the shockwave followed Blowing out the fire.

Naruto noticed Yumi and disappeared he turned around in time to lean back and avoid her sword. The black haired girl lost her balance due to the momentum of her swing and fell forwards knocking Naruto who was leaning back onto the ground and landing on him. Naruto propped himself up on his shoulders to try and sit up. Just at that moment Yumi turned to face him. "If you hadn't—"

Both stared at each other shocked. Naruto pushed away. "What was that for?!"

"What do you mean? You kissed me!"

"Get off me!" Naruto pushed her off crawling away and spitting. "I don't understand washing out your mouth for saying bad words, but with all the names you've called me today I see why."

"YOU BASTARD!" Yumi asked anger evident in her eyes.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT!"

End Flashback:

Naruto smiled at the memory, but Yumi's next attack caught his attention. "Hono no Rikudou!" (flame of six paths). She stabbed her sword into the ground closing her left eye.

"I wonder…what's she doing?" Naruto felt the ground beneath him rumbling and leapt into the air. Looking down he saw a jet of fire coming up after him. He then noticed balls of fire quickly closing in on him from the front, back, and sides. "Rikudou…six paths…that's five. That means—" The blonde shifted his body spinning to the side and diving to the ground. Naruto looked behind him to see another jet of fire coming down from the sky. The jets collided with the fireballs creating an explosion.

Yumi emerged from the blast with her blade ignited in flames. "Hono Sonikku Buumu!"

Naruto countered. "Sonikku Buumu!" His wind blade cut through Yumi's flame and the two shockwaves collided causing a large cloud of smoke and dust to rise. Naruto looked at his fiancée's eyes. They were still the same orange except now the sclera turned red like her pupil and just like the pupil was glowing. "She just had to be as fiery as her kekkei-genkai"

Flashback: Mura no za Hiryu (Two years ago)

It had been two years since Naruto completed his training with Jiraiya and learned to use Senjutsu. During the past three years he had learned a lot from the old sage. He had been back with the Kawakami family for two of the three years. Naruto had also been learning various techniques of the Shiranui-ryu style. A few weeks ago he had perfected the first technique, as well as the second. Currently he was learning the third and final technique of the style. He had also earned the right to don the black hood.

During the time he had grown closer to Yumi and her mother, Kaoru. He had also let go of the feelings he had for Sakura and allowed Yumi to get closer to him. Through his training with Yumi, and watching her, he noticed that anytime she used a fire jutsu, she never used seals. It also seemed that she could control it in any way she wished. It reminded him of Amaterasu in a way. Having just finished his training for the day, and with nothing planned, the blonde shinobi decided to find Yumi and ask her about it.

He went by the house that Hiryu had provided for the girl and her mother. He found Kaoru engaged in her usual activity of reading out on the front deck of the house. "Hey Kaoru-san, is Yumi here?"

"No, I'm afraid not Naruto," The red headed woman admitted. "She did say something about doing research or studying. You might want to try Hiryu-sama's library."

"Thank you," the blonde said heading towards the mansion. After a few minutes he had arrived and headed straight for the study. He looked inside to see Yumi standing at a table with scrolls and open books scattered across it. He knocked on the door frame. "I'm not interrupting am I?"

Shocked the black haired girl looked up. "Naruto," she said smiling. "How are you? Did training go ok?"

"It did, I'm exhausted," came the reply. "Yumi, I had a question for you though if you don't mind answering."

"What is it Naruto?"

"Well, I've noticed that when you use Katon ju—"

"Taiyougan."

"Hn?" Naruto blinked obviously confused.

"The Sun Eye," she said. "It is my kekkei-genkai. I found out from Hiryu-sama."

"Huh? How did he know?"

"All the books in his library are on ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, kenjutsu, any type even kenjutsu." The girl explained. "He also has a collection on kekkei-genkai and each book tells of known strengths and weaknesses of them."

"Wow really?"

"Yes, his ancestors kept record of any and all jutsu and kekkei-genkai they encountered in battle and any strategy formed to use against it."

"I guess I better study more often," Naruto said.

"Yep."

"So what does yours do?"

"It allows me to use the energy from the sun to use Katon Jutsu. It is stronger during days than at nights of course."

"What about at nights, can you even use it at all?"

"Yes, and it enables me to see as if it were day. Also since the moon uses the sun's light, it is more effective when used during a full moon than crescent or new moon."

"I see. What else can it do?"

"Well," Yumi said looking at the book in front of her. "I can control fire, its shape, intensity, and size. The exception being if it is from the jutsu of another in which case I can only use one of my eyes' defenses."

"Which is?" Naruto asked intently.

"Being able to protect myself from most of the jutsu by covering myself with Katon chakra in the way a Hyuuga does with regular chakra to perform kaiten."

"Oh, then what?"

"As I spin, I am able to absorb the chakra into my eyes for an attack, which is helpful."

"Hmm," Naruto thought for a second. "How helpful?"

"It takes a little time to gather chakra from the sun's energy for an attack much like regular chakra for any jutsu. So, with this, I can unleash an attack instantly without having to focus first. It would be instantaneous, like blinking."

"Well, remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Since you taught me the Kage Bunshin, I have more than enough ways to keep you in line," Yumi said smiling.

"That's why I like you so much. You're as dangerous as I am."

Yumi stared at him blankly.

"What?"

"Dangerous? You?"

"What's so hard to believe about that?"

"Do I have to remind you?"

Naruto stopped and remembered what she was talking about. There was a time when a large spider as he claimed attacked him in the shower, and he ran out screaming.

"Spider!" Yumi yelled pointing seeing Naruto was off in thought.

Naruto jumped and spun around creating a Rasengan. Seeing there was no spider he pouted. "That's not very nice."

"Awe, is poor wittle Nawuto-kun afwaid of a wittle spider?"

"HEY YOU NEVER KNOW. THEY COULD BE POISONOUS! OR I COULD BE ALLERGIC!"

Yumi began laughing and Naruto stormed out of the room.

End Flashback:

Naruto smiled again at his memory. As Yumi came down from above he caught her wrist as she landed. Twirling her around so her back was to him, he pulled her close. "I think that's enough for now."

"Yea I agree," Yumi said. "I was going easy on you anyway."

"Sure."

"Well let's go take a shower." The girl leaned to the side and looked back at him. A grin was on her face.

Naruto grinned back at her. "I think that's a good idea."

As they reached the door Kaoru's voice stopped them. "You two behave in there and don't be too loud." The two looked at her blushing. "I want grandchildren, but would rather not have to remember the sounds put into making them whenever I hold one of them."

The two hurried into the house obviously embarrassed and closed the door quickly behind them.

"Young people," Kaoru thought as she looked back to her book grinning.

A/N: Well that shows a little bit about Yumi, and Kaoru. There will be more but that will be in later chapters.

Ok the rest of this note is kinda lengthy but it should clear some stuff up for some people about the last chapter.

In the last chapter when Neji and Hinata saw irregular chakra patters I was referring to the sage chakra Naruto was gathering. I am not sure if the Byakugan can see that since in the manga during the fight with pein when Naruto gathered sage chakra to overload the pein that absorbed chakra it didn't say anything about it…so I'm not sure…but I assume it can. As for his eyes having a slit instead of the normal toad eyes, I got that from when he was stabbed by Nagato's chakra disruption blade, when he was in sage mode, you could see that his whisker marks became more defined like when he calls on Kyuubi's chakra, and that his eyes, while still looking like a toad's still had a slit from in them creating a cross with the horizontal rectangular shape in his eyes. I decided to just keep his normal eye color and have his eyes with a slit like Kyuubi's.

Anyway at that point Jiraiya only said that Naruto can gather sage chakra continuously. He doesn't have to stand still to do it. So he can stay in sage mode for extended periods of time. (I wrote that before finding out about how Kabuto is able to do so due to Orochimaru's genes/experiments or whatever he discovered after learning from the Great White Snake)

Being able to hide underground with the Dochuu Eigyo (the technique the rain genin used to hide and attack from the shadows of their clones in the forest of death.) Sasuke couldn't see him since the Sharingan can't see through solid objects as the Byakugan, and because when fighting Sasuke in the manga and using clones it is apparent Sasuke can't tell which the real one is. And sage mode allows chakra sensory so Naruto can tell where Sasuke is from underground. And the main clone that Naruto used he was controlling with a technique. I don't know if it was named in the manga, but if u remember when they were rescuing Gaara and fought Itachi and Kisame, but it turned out to be body's just being controlled by them. If anybody knows the name of the technique let me know. It was in chapter 260 in the manga.

Also about the fireball crumbling the earth wall, look at page 4 in chapter 260 and you see that Itachi's Goukakyuu no jutsu (grand fireball) tears up the ground in front of it. But o well…feel free to criticize it…but take it up with kishimoto not me, I didn't draw it.

As for him defeating Susanoo…I combined a theory I had with something kishimoto said in an interview. My theory is that since Susanoo defends the user, it serves as the ultimate defense because it focuses on defending one point which is where the user is located…so I had Naruto attack from all directions with the attack more focused on Susanoo than on Sasuke. Looking at Susanoo as an individual, no individual with only a shield can defend all parts of their body. And with kishimoto saying in an interview that Sasuke's new powers can't match against Naruto's...so that's why Susanoo was defeated.

As for people saying there is no council; I have to disagree. Yes the Hokage has that old man and woman as advisors, not council members, I know that. BUT, if you remember in the manga when Shikamaru's father was told there was to be a council meeting shortly after Naruto defeated pein, and they met in order to determine the next Hokage, and then the decision came to naming Danzo the Hokage, it leads me to believe that there is a council; well duh it shows that there is a council. They had a council meeting.

Alotta things in my story like jutsu & such, I try to keep consistent with things I have seen in the manga…and I also try to not make the jutsu and attacks too far-fetched…I'm also using theory's I came up with based on what I've seen in the manga and some things mentioned in interviews with kishimoto.

Naruto's sword style Shiranui-Ryu is a real sword style made famous in an assassin in the 1800s named Kawakami Gensai, but other than its main principle of speed, nothing is known about it. So using its basis of speed and precision I will incorporate some techniques from the manga and make up a few for Naruto.

If you don't like it o well…write your own story…everyone else…keep reading, reviewing and feeding me ideas, thank you.