Here it is folks, Chapter 4 for those of you still reading and not driven away by the thought of a 'freakishly tall' Naruto. Seriously, folks, in a world where ninjas can make giant frogs appear, hair grow longer in an instant, and in the case of my other story, Naruto become a demon or even a half demon, some of you feel the need to point out that he's too tall. Grow up. Enjoy the story for what it is: fiction and make believe. Its not real and I could have made him twelve feet tall. The height doesn't detract from the story one bit and I'm always gracious enough to explain my actions. Readers, reviewers, thank you guys. Keep on trucking. Peace.

CHAPTER FOUR

'Oh Kami' Naruto thought 'Can this day get any worse?'

Naruto truly loved his friends, really he did, but they were trying his patience. He was currently in Tsunade's office, squeezed into one of the chairs that were not meant to hold his oversized frame. He had withstood a barrage of questions about his new look and was, quite frankly, sick of it. Most of the questions seemed to repeat themselves and he had separated them into different categories in his mind.

Question: How/When did you get so tall?

Answer: I got this tall during training. It's a combination of my muscles and bones being broken multiple times and the Kyuubi rehealing them, to my need to be taller to take advantage of the swords. That was also Kyuubi's influence I suppose. If I had stayed shorter, I'd be dragging the swords around and couldn't use them properly. I'm sure Samehada and Kubikiri had nothing to do with my current height and build…

Question: What's with the beard/long hair?

Answer: I was in the wilderness for two freaking years! I didn't have access to scissors or a razor and quite frankly they were the last things on my mind. Besides, most girls say I look cool like this…

Question: Are those swords enchanted?

Answer: They're not enchanted; they're sentient. They have their own minds and don't always do as I tell them, instead following their own idea or rules. They're my partners as much as I am their master. Without me they are hunks of metal. Without them, I don't feel complete.

Question: I like the look, but what's with it? Not into orange anymore?

Answer: The freaking cloak is orange isn't it?

Question: Will you go out with me?

Answer: No, I will most certainly not go out with you…

This Q&A shit was getting on his last freaking nerve. Why couldn't Tsunade have just talked to him alone? At least with just her he could relax and not worry about Samehada or Kubikiri zapping someone because they didn't want to be picked up. He stared down at his legs and was painfully aware of just how tall he had become. He looked gangly and clumsy sitting in that small chair, his frame too big so he had to sit on the edge. Upset with his ass falling asleep, he opted instead to flop down on the floor. Big mistake since he left an imprint in the floor, making Tsunade irate that that was another thing she'd have to have fixed. Naruto sighed. The Hokage office would be brand new by the time he took up the station.

Tsunade had finally had enough. In between Naruto's obvious discomfort and growing irritation with his friends, Lee's constant demands for a spar, Sakura's longing looks at Naruto, and TenTen constantly trying to bypass the swords' defenses; she had slowly begun to get that twitch over her eye. Slamming her hands down on her desk, she narrowly avoided breaking it before screaming at the top of her lungs.

"QUIET!!!"

Silence followed. Not even an overly exuberant Lee was going to deny Tsunade her quiet time.

"Now I'm sure all of you are happy to see Naruto back, but I have things to discuss with him and then I have to speak to Yamamoto-san. All of you report to the rec room in the Hokage tower at 7 o'clock tonight and I'll guarantee that Naruto will be there for you to bug. Now begone, all of you. Naruto, Sakura, you stay. I wish to discuss some things with you."

'Great. I wanted to avoid Sakura as much as possible and now I'm stuck with her for Kami knows how long. Sometimes I really hate you Tsunade.'

"Now then you two. I know that you haven't seen each other in a long time but you'll have to put aside any get togethers until tonight. Once the third member gets here, we'll be taking a walk to the Council room and having a chitchat with them concerning your new stations. Ah, here's our third chickadee now."

Anko walked into the room in her usual attire. She raised an eyebrow at Sakura and gave an appraising glance at Naruto. She didn't recognize him and even if she had, it wouldn't have made her thoughts any less filthy. She tilted her head and gazed up to meet his eyes. She narrowed her eyes and thought back a few years. There was only one person she knew that had eyes that blue and whisker marks on his cheeks.

"Uzumaki fucking Naruto. How you been?"

"It's Namikaze now Anko. And I've been good. You?"

"All right I guess. Nah, I'm kidding you, I've been fucking awesome. Got rid of the curse seal and made peace with the snakes. My life is finally on track. I even snagged myself a sexy dolphin of a man."

Naruto cocked his head at this. Dolphin of a man? What the hell was this crazy bitch on?

"Anko, who in the hell are you talking about?"

"Why Naruto, you can't guess? Still as dense as ever I see. He's really good in bed, really sweet to me, treats me right, loves dango and ramen, good with kids…"

"Holy shit…you don't mean Iruka-sensei? Oh sweet Kami, I'm gonna be sick…"

"Hey you little shit! Don't talk about Iruka and me like that…"

Tsunade, though amused by this, had to get down to business at some point.

"All right you two, knock it off. You can bond later. Or in Anko's case, bondage later…"

Naruto paled at that thought, while Anko just thought about ways to tie a certain blonde up. He'd be a challenge that's for sure…

"I called you three here because we have need of all your services. Currently Naruto is the only active Sannin. This is a sore point since the Sannin are viewed as the strongest ninja in the village, besides the Hokage of course. Sakura, Anko, as the holders of the other two respective animal contracts, I wish for you two to take up the stations as the Snake Sannin and Slug Sannin. Do you accept?"

"Hell yes I accept. To be a Sannin was my dream Lady Tsunade. I'll take my role as the Snake Sannin with pride."

"Excellent. Sakura?"

"Yes Shishou. I accept. I'll make you proud, I promise."

"Very good. Naruto, you've already accepted your station, but I want you to drop the Sennin business. You can't be a hermit forever you know. I don't want you following in Jiraiya's footsteps and being alone your whole life. Go out, have fun, get laid for Kami's sake."

A sly smile crossed her face and she bridged her fingers under her jaw.

"You know, I always fancied blondes myself. If I were a few years younger, you'd be in trouble right now…"

Naruto's face nearly turned green. He'd seen pictures of Tsunade when she was younger and her henge now didn't do her justice. She was a bombshell. It was no wonder Jiraiya chased her around. But to think that she was looking at him like that now…no it had to be a joke…right?

"I don't know Tsunade-sama, you seem young enough to me. I'll help you hold him down if you prefer…"

While the two older women were joking at Naruto's expense, Sakura was silently fuming. Tsunade knew about her feelings toward Naruto and yet she was openly flirting with him, like she wasn't standing there. Anko she could understand, the woman was a shameless flirt, but she would never cheat on Iruka, no matter how tempting the blonde Adonis in front of her was. So tempting, so…those trains of thought were going to get her in trouble. Sakura put on a smile that was forced and grinned and bore it. She wouldn't let harmless teasing get to her.

"So tell me Naruto, how did you get so tall?"

Naruto growled and gritted his teeth. He was tired of explaining this.

"This is the last time I'm telling anyone this so listen up. Over the years, as I used my swords, my muscles and bones snapped and broke more times than I care to remember. At some point the Kyuubi, with the pushing and prodding of my swords I'm sure, decided that if I was taller and bigger, with more muscle mass, then I could wield them more effectively. Thus the height. I didn't choose to be this tall and I know it was a freakish growth spurt, but I'm a special case. Pump a little demonic chakra into the vessel's pituitary gland and voila! Instant Miracle-Gro."

"You make yourself sound like a plant."

"The rest of me may be rough and tough but I've heard it said my stem is good eating."

Anko grinned at the repartee she was sharing with the boy. His wit had gotten better over the years.

"Sexual innuendo no less. I'm impressed brat. You keep this up and I may leave Iruka for you. And I never take no for an answer."

"No problem there, but remember, you hurt Iruka, I hurt you. Plain and simple."

"I like you kid. I'll be seeing you around. Tsunade-sama, excuse me. I'm going to go…celebrate…with Iruka."

She waved to all of them and walked out of the office humming happily. How often was it that a woman achieved her dream after all? Tsunade sighed and waved the other two out. She had things to do before Naruto's welcome back party tonight. She grinned at her slyness. Getting Naruto and Sakura together had been easier than she thought. The rest was up to her apprentice.

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As Sakura trudged alongside Naruto down the hallway she had to fall behind several times when his swords didn't allow her to travel beside him. Narrow passageways seemed to work against her and she couldn't get a look at his face. She frowned as they neared the exit door. If she didn't act quickly, she wouldn't get him alone again until who knows when? Gulping nervously, she made her move.

"Umm, Naruto?"

"Yes?"

"Are you…mad at me about something?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"Because…because you seem so distant to me and you never were before."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how to act around you anymore Sakura. I'm not the same Naruto you knew. I've had to grow up fairly quickly."

Shannaro! And you think I haven't? I've had to deal with stuff too!

'Quiet you!'

"But we used to be such good friends Naruto and then you just up and left. I didn't even get to say goodbye to you. You didn't even say goodbye to me…"

"You had other things on your mind Sakura. I didn't want to interfere."

'You're horrible at hiding your true feelings Naruto.'

"I wasn't preoccupied with anything or anyone. I searched for you for over a week and never found you."

"I had places to be just like I have places to be now. Goodbye Sakura. I suppose I shall see you tonight."

Sakura watched him walk off into the distance, a slight tug on her heart. He wasn't cold like Sasuke was, but it hurt worse than Sasuke's rejections. Naruto had spent years just trying to gain a sliver of her attention and now that he had it all, it was like he refused to accept it.

Damn that Uchiha and his scheming ass! If it weren't for him, we'd be with Naruto right now.

Sakura sighed and shook her head. 'We don't know that for sure. Naruto might still have rejected us. He didn't even see us in a romantic sense before Sasuke kissed us.'

He didn't see us that way because he thought we loved Sasuke. We never made a move on him so why would he have thought otherwise? That was our mistake. I didn't push you hard enough to go after him, and you never took the initiative.

'I suppose you're right there. But he…he…oh Kami, I miss him so much…'

Me too.

Sakura sighed wistfully and trudged off to her apartment. Perhaps if she put forth the effort to look nice for him she could at least get a reaction out of him tonight.

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Naruto was lost in his own thoughts. 'Why does she keep trying to talk to me? She was in love with Sasuke so why does she pester me to talk with her? I'm not a silver medal damn it! I'm not second best. I won't be anyone's bitch just because they couldn't have someone else.'

That is an unhealthy way to think master. You are analyzing this situation entirely too much and at the wrong angle.

'Oh really. Perhaps you'd care to expound on this since the two of you were so chummy with Sakura.'

I wasn't chummy with her, I asked her a question and expected the truth. I got my answer but you still don't have yours.

'And what would that be exactly?'

Does she love me?

'Shut up. And no she doesn't. She can't.'

Says who? You? Forgive me master but you can't read minds. You cannot fathom what she thinks right now. Perhaps she truly does desire you now.

'Doesn't matter. I'm through with her and I want nothing more than to be alone. Why can't everyone see that?'

Because you don't truly desire to be alone. You want someone to be there for you when you go to sleep and be there beside you when you wake up.

'That's true. That is what I want. Unfortunately it can never come to pass.'

Why?

'Because I'm convinced that Kami wants me to be miserable. Perhaps my life is a test to see how much the human psyche can withstand before it irrevocably snaps and there is no life, only instinct. I believe that is why I was chosen to house the fox. Not because I was born that day, not because of who my father was, but because Kami wanted to see how long an insect could squirm before it gave into insanity and slaughtered all it held dear.'

…that's just stupid. Kami is not like that master. You are the only one denying yourself of the woman you love. As far as I am concerned this conversation is over until you come to your sense. I will have nothing more to do with this until you get over your little pity party.

Naruto growled and slit his eyes at Kubikiri.

'Until I get over my pity party? I was the one cast aside damn it. Why am I all alone here? Why doesn't anyone see it my way?'

Because your way is wrong master. You need to open your eyes. We leave this up to you. But before I go, let me tell you what your mind is like when you are not here. It is dark and dank when you are sad and you are sad most of the time because you won't let yourself be happy. You are convinced that she doesn't love you because of a stupid reason. Talk to her yourself and stop being such a frigid bastard toward her.

'I'm not frigid. Hey! I wasn't through talking to you yet. Don't tune me out damn it!'

His swords no longer talking to him, Naruto huffed and trudged on to his house. He had been looking forward to a shave and a hot bath, but now he was just pissed off. He stormed into the house and tore his clothes off, wanting nothing more than to wash his troubles away. Now he knew why Jiraiya had stayed away from Konoha for the most part. It wasn't the information gathering, it was the fact that if he came home he would have to face so many problems and so many people. Naruto eased himself into the water and sighed heavily. Was it so bad to want to be left alone?

He thought back to why he left in the first place. That kiss between Sakura and Sasuke. It wasn't the kiss itself that upset him, it was the fact that Sakura had deepened it herself, of her own volition. He had thought they were getting closer and yet he found himself so far away. He felt the tears coming on and he fought them back. He hadn't cried in years and he didn't intend to start now. Finally, he broke down and couldn't hold it anymore. His only thought was 'I shouldn't have come back'.

After his bath and finally stopping his sobs, he had climbed out only to realize that everything he owned was too small for his new size. He'd have to go shopping before the get together. He sighed; he hated shopping. He needed everything; clothes, new toiletries, and maybe furniture. No, he wouldn't get rid of the furniture. Even if he ended up dirt poor he wouldn't do that. They were mementoes of his mother and father. Shrugging his clothing back on he began the trek back into town. Kami, he hated clothes shopping.

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It seemed fate was out to get him and Naruto was just about to the point of apologizing to Neji for saying he was wrong. He was now convinced that Kami indeed had it out for him. How else do you explain him stumbling into Ino and being drug through every clothing store in Konoha while she 'measured him up'? He never thought that he'd be wanting to run away from such a beautiful woman but he could only take so much. Ino didn't seem to notice his discomfort and kept searching and searching until she had him a completely new wardrobe. Several things had to be fitted for him, as his height was entirely unusual, especially for Konoha. Ino had finally sent him on his way, telling him what exactly to wear that night or she'd make his life a living hell. He was just glad to be rid of the banshee. Now then, on to get new towels and a new bathrobe…

Ino, meanwhile, had had the perfect opportunity to see that gorgeous body up close and wished to hell that Sakura hadn't already staked her claim. It wasn't natural to be that tall and muscular, but damned if it didn't look good on Naruto. Everything was proportioned just right. Damn Sakura and her call of dibs. Oh well, at least with the outfit she made Naruto promise to wear, she'd get to see Forehead blush and drool, along with several other kunoichi. Tonight was going to be a good night.

'Tonight is going to be horrible.' Thought Naruto as he adjusted his clothing one last time. He had shaved the beard off and now looked more like a stretched out version of his old self. Still had the whisker marks and had lost the baby fat. Not that he minded the beard but it itched and he didn't need the distraction. How in the hell had Sarutobi-jiji kept his without going insane? Naruto shook his head and sat down, reminiscing about the past wasn't going to do any good. He missed the old Hokage and he missed Jiraiya sorely. Even if the perverted hermit had been a bad influence earlier in his life, he had taken the time to notice Naruto's potential and try to steer him in the right direction. True, he wasn't the best teacher in the world, but at least he had taught him. Naruto smiled and bowed his head in prayer, offering his thanks for the pervert and hoping that wherever he was there were many hotsprings and nude ladies for him to ogle. He glanced at the clock and sighed for the last time. 'Time to go, let's get this over with.'

Sakura was nervous, that was for damn sure. She had dressed in a sea foam green dress to match her eyes and wore heels to match. Ino had said that she had met up with Naruto that day and had picked him out a whole new wardrobe, of which she had made him promise to wear a certain outfit for the night. Sakura inwardly cursed Ino for getting so close to Naruto but couldn't really blame her. He was pretty hot now. She only hoped that she could corner him tonight and tell him how she felt. She was having a fight with her inner self when the room went quiet. Turning her head, she saw the object of her affections and her eyes went wide, blood dripping down her nose. 'Damn you Ino. You didn't tell me you made him promise to dress in that.'

Naruto had drawn the full attention of the room. It was to be a casual dress affair, but Ino had made him promise to go all out since he was the guest of honor. He stood tall in the doorframe, his body completely blocking out any light from behind him. Clad in black slacks and patent leather boots, with a blood red button down shirt and brown leather trench coat, his hair falling over his eyes with the lack of a hitai-ate and spilling down his back tied together with a red ribbon; he…was…a…GOD! Sakura had to wipe her nose quickly and return to the task at hand; gather enough courage to talk to him, while getting him somewhere alone. Unfortunately, everyone decided to swamp him at once and he was drug into the crowd. He was still easy to spot and she could see the discomfort on his face even when he hid it behind that stupid grin of his. Living out in the wilderness by himself for two years, no contact with humans except for his informants had left him feeling skittish of large crowds and it showed.

Tsunade stood back and watched as the crowd took their turns asking Naruto questions, which he answered with as much grace as he could. She frowned at his obvious discomfort and wondered if anyone else had picked up on it. She saw Sakura who was also frowning and staring at Naruto. Tsunade sighed deeply, apparently her plan to get the two together earlier hadn't worked like she planned. If only Sakura were a little more confident. It wasn't like Naruto was a total stranger, he was just more mature now and had heavy responsibilities. But…so did Sakura. Tsunade grinned suddenly. With Sakura's new Sannin status she wouldn't be in the village much anymore. She'd need to be shown how to move outside of Konoha and who better to show her than the Toad Sannin. 'Tsunade you old schemer. You've still got it.' She patted herself on the back. Her apprentice and little brother would not end up like her and Jiraiya…

Naruto had finally broken from the crowd and made his way to a balcony overlooking the village. It was a beautiful sight, the lights sparkling in homes as people walked happily along below. Families having fun together, young couples hand in hand, old couples leaning on each other and their canes. He sighed and turned his chin upward to stare at the stars. 'Will I ever know such peace with someone?' He hadn't noticed the pink haired woman sidling up beside him, he was too lost in thought.

"Naruto?"

'Damn. Can't I escape her for just five minutes? Why is she trying to do this?'

"Sigh…yes Sakura? Do you need something?"

"I just want to talk Naruto. I want things to be like they were, where you and I could talk without it being awkward. I want the Naruto I knew back. I want you back in my life again. I'm…sad and lonely without you around."

"Well I'm sorry for that, but I have duties I have to fulfill now. Information doesn't gather itself you know?"

"But why do you avoid me? Is it because you don't love me anymore?"

'Oh if that could only be the reason. I wish I could stop loving her.'

His thoughts were not unnoticed by his blades who grinned at each other in his mindscape. They may have washed their hands clean of the situation, but that didn't mean they didn't care. Perhaps their master wasn't hopeless after all.

"That's not it Sakura. I just can't stay long so why bother? I'll never be here longer than a couple days and then I'm gone again."

"That doesn't mean you can't visit me. That doesn't mean you have to ignore me. I know what this is all about Naruto. I'm not stupid. That kiss with Sasuke…"

He interrupted her with a glare and a sharp hiss.

"Stop. Right now. I don't want to talk about it. This conversation is over. Good night Sakura."

Nice going genius. That was real smooth. Mentioning that kiss backfired real good.

'Shut up. I was trying to make a point. And now…now it seems I've made it worse. All I want is to be happy with him? Is that asking too much? Why can't I say the right things to make it all right again?'

She began to sob and covered her face. Their little exchange did not go unnoticed however. Tsunade and Iruka had seen and heard everything. Tsunade turned to Iruka and nodded and he took off after Naruto. The older blonde sighed and walked toward the young girl. Sakura felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Tsunade with her arms open. Sakura fell into them and bawled against the woman's chest, asking over and over why she couldn't make Naruto happy, why did the past always have to mess up her chances with him? Tsunade turned her eyes to the stars and closed her eyes. 'Damn you Jiraiya. You taught your student everything except how to follow his heart. I don't want our students following in our footsteps because of bullheadedness. If you can hear me you old pervert, help me out, please.'

She opened her eyes and saw a star shine brightly before going back to its normal twinkle. Perhaps things would be all right after all.

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Iruka meanwhile was having a very hard time locating Naruto. How could a man so tall and big disappear like that? He was about to give up and go home when he heard a boom coming from the training grounds. He sped toward them and was amazed at the sight. There stood Naruto in his new training clothes with his zanbatous held out. Iruka watched with held breath as the man began to dip and dance with the blades, never touching the two together and never dragging them on the ground. It was poetic and deadly, the way a true sword dance should be. The dance was punctuated by a familiar blue ball forming at the tip of Samehada before it was driven into a tree, blasting it to bits. Naruto just stood stoically, trying to calm down when he heard the sound of clapping and turned to find his old academy teacher. His gaze softened, he had always had a soft spot for Iruka.

Iruka was still smiling at the display his former student had put on. He didn't know if Naruto was aware, but they were being watched by many ANBU at the moment and he was sure that the display of kenjutsu skill did not go unnoticed by them. Naruto would more than likely get an invite to visit the ANBU headquarters later on to give them a demonstration. Perhaps with Naruto's tutelage, a swordsman group like that of Mist's could be born in Konoha. Iruka shook these thoughts from his head for the moment and strode toward his surrogate brother, smiling the whole way. He was astonished at how he had to look up to Naruto now, instead of the other way around. He was glad that Naruto seemed happy to see him.

"Hello sensei. How have you been? You look well."

"I'm all right Naruto. How about you?"

"I'm fine. Couldn't be better."

"Oh really? Then all this destruction has nothing to do with that little display I saw back at the party?"

"What do you mean Iruka-sensei?"

"You know exactly what I mean Naruto. It isn't like you not to give someone a chance to explain themselves. You aren't being fair to Sakura."

Naruto frowned at this and slit his eyes, the blue hardly seen.

"Did she put you up to this? Seriously Iruka I don't need this shit right now."

Iruka puffed himself up and glared at the young man in front of him. It didn't matter to him if the man in front of him was bigger and stronger than him. He was still Naruto and if need be, Iruka would take him to task for stupidity.

"She didn't put me up to this Naruto. I came of my own accord because I want to see you happy with someone you deserve. The two of you deserve happiness."

"But does she deserve me Iruka-sensei? After all I did, she chose Sasuke over me. She kissed him after all, not the other way around. I'm not blind you know."

"I know that, you're just stupid. That kiss didn't mean anything Naruto. It was a test to see if she had any feelings for Sasuke so she could move on. Stop beating yourself and her up over something so small and insignificant and let yourself be happy for once. Stop pushing away a good thing and quit being a dumbass."

Naruto was taken aback by this. Iruka had been forceful before but he had never been so adamant about something. Naruto hung his head and closed his eyes before whispering in a soft voice.

"Do you really mean all that Iruka-sensei? Every bit?"

Iruka smiled at his victory. He still had it.

"Of course I do Naruto. Every word. You've had enough bad in your life Naruto, let some good into it. Sakura will be good to you, I guarantee it."

"I'll…I'll think about it sensei. But I promise nothing. All right?"

"All right Naruto. That's all I can ask for. Before I let you get back to destroying the training grounds can I ask a favor?"

"Anything."

'Heh heh' thought Iruka 'Hook, line, and sinker.'

"I want you to come by the academy tomorrow and be my show and tell for the day. You know, answer questions, be a model citizen for Konoha. Please? For me?"

"Sure sensei. I'd like nothing better. We can catch up more tomorrow after class ok? I'll see you then."

With that Naruto jumped away leaving Iruka alone with his hands on his hips. Turning to the trees he yelled out.

"So what did you guys think? Very good isn't he?"

Five ANBU leapt out of the trees, two with familiar facemasks. A dog and a cat walked forward and removed their masks, showing Kakashi and Yugao. Kakashi gave a lazy grin and slipped his fingers through his hair.

"He certainly does have talent. I don't think I could even lift one of those swords for a significant amount of time and he was throwing them around like they were children't toys. I wish I had realized the potential the boy had when he was younger. Then I could claim to have trained a Sannin to his full potential."

Yugao looked thoughtfully around at all the destruction and especially at the tree where the rasengan had hit.

"I think I want him to do a demonstration for the ANBU, maybe even have a spar with him myself. Kenjutsu skill like that can't be ignored. If he can teach that style then we may be able to make our own swordsmen group."

Iruka smiled and nodded his head.

"My thoughts exactly. Well I'm turning in. I have to prepare my class tomorrow for our guest and I'll be dealing with a lot of hyperactive brats tomorrow."

"Naruto isn't a brat anymore Iruka."

The entire group laughed at this and made their separate ways. Iruka walked off to his apartment, bathed in the moonlight, thinking as he went.

'Little by little we're getting the old Naruto back. It'll take a while, but he's still there. Come back to us brother, we're all waiting for you.'

Iruka never saw the shape of a certain cloud that seemed to grin at him, looking suspiciously like a certain old hermit. In heaven, Jiraiya smiled. His student would be all right…