I DON'T OWN NARUTO
Two figures slowly make their way toward the gates of Konoha. One, a tall, middle aged man with long, spiky silver hair. The other, about a head shorter, dressed in all black with spiky blond hair walked beside him.
"We could have just flashed here, ya know." the blonde said in a huff.
"Then we wouldn't have gotten to enjoy all this natural beauty. Besides, what's the rush? You're about to be knee deep in missions, enjoy this last bit of freedom." the older man responded.
"I enjoyed the scenery enough. I'm not an old. Besides, I'd like to see everyone again, unless you want me to tell Tsunade you delayed us to look at some trees." the blonde retorted.
Paling at the thought, the older man decides to hurry along to the checkpoint, not wanting to anger Tsunade in the slightest.
"Names and reason for vi… Oh it's you. Welcome back Jiraiya-sama, Naruto-sama." said the guard.
"Naruto-sama?" Naruto asks while quirking an eyebrow. "Naruto will do just fine."
"Sure, Naruto, no problem. Hokage-sama is expecting you both and left instructs to go straight there no delays. Said if you stopped for ramen she'd make a law that they could only sell you salads.".
"WHAT! I'd raise an army and revolt. I'd cast off the yoke of tyranny with like minded people that understand the importance of the noodle and the broth." Naruto said shaking his fist.
"You're the most selectively stupid person I've ever met." Said Jiraiya through chuckles.
"Oi! No one threatens the ramen, Sensei. Anyway, let's go check in before she makes good on that threat." Naruto then places his hand on Jiraiya's shoulder and both vanish without a trace.
The duo appear in Tsunade's office, making not a sound, and see her hard at work. Both stand there waiting for her to noticed, after a few seconds an ANBU guard coughs to alert her. Both Naruto and Jiraiya barely manage to duck the paperweight tossed at impossible speeds and it embeds itself into the wall behind them.
"Damn it, Tsunade, that could have hurt."
"Good, what have I told you about sneaking up on me Jiraiya?"
"Not to."
"Damn right."
"And what about you? Trying to give me a heartattack?"
"Sensei told me to do it. I tried to talk him out of it but he said I either do it or he'd use me as a character in one of his books."
"Did he now?" Tsunade said with a tick mark. Jiraiya, has one too not believing Naruto just lied to save himself. He'd be impressed if Naruto had done this to someone else.
"Jiraiya, after the briefing we need to talk."
'Shit, I'm going to get you back gaki.'
Her annoyance forgotten she rushes over and embraces Naruto in a bone crushing hug.
"Kaachan, can't breathe." he wheezed. Tsunade releases him, blushing a little at the new name. She had grown increasingly fond of the blonde but was anxious when she proposed formally adopting him, so anxious she had to do so in a letter. She was beyond shocked when she received the documents signed three days later.
For Naruto, he was beyond stunned. He had come to cherish the makeshift family he had with Tsunade and Shizune but was conflicted about the adoption.
"Accepting Tsunade doesn't mean you're rejecting me, you know?" said Kushina.
"I know, it's just, I don't want you to be forgotten. It's bad enough that no one speaks of how you were instrumental in sealing Kurama."
"Sensitive subject!"
"I know! Sorry, Kurama but still, I just don't want to erase you."
"You wouldn't be, sochi. I can't be there for you like Tsunade can and I know you've come to love her but that doesn't diminish what you feel for me. Don't do this for my sake, embrace all the family you can. That'll make me happy."
And with her reassurance, Naruto sent Gamakichi with the papers and became Naruto Uzumaki Senju.
While the trio were getting caught up there was a knock on the door, gaining permission Shizune walks in with Sakura.
Sakura, a name Naruto hasn't much thought about since that night in his apartment. He hadn't seen her since then, not even in the outings with fellow rookies and up until now he never even considered it odd. Did he just delete her from his memory along with anything related to team 7 Naruto wonders. So deep in thought he almost missed Shizune speaking to him.
"You've grown, shorty."
"Taller than you, Spinster-neechan."
Shizune immediately activates her chakra scalpels and Naruto forms a rasengan.
"You remember what happened the last time you tried that, neechan."
"Yea, you ran to Tsunade and jumped into her arms like a bitch."
"Tactical retreat, important for a shinobi to know. Don't worry, I'll teach you the tricks of the trade. Stick with me and you can stop shaming Kaachan."
"Enough you two. Naruto, you can go but be here early tomorrow for your assessment."
"Ok. Sensei. Sakura. Old maid." Naruto says in goodbye with a grin, Shizune narrowly missing with a swipe of her chakra scalpel as he vanishes.
"When did he learn the hiraishin?" Shizune asks in amazement.
"Apparently before he left and unless you want a twenty minute rant just don't bother to ask him about it."
"Why not?" asked by the women in the office. Jiraiya sighs before answers.
"You know the kid had major issues with his father, right?" Sakura and Tsunade go wide eyed for different reasons, seeing this Jiraiya continues, "Naruto doesn't care. He's said as much. If people know they know and trust me, any assassin Iwa or Kumo send would meet a swift end. Kid was good when he left, he's a monster now. Anyway, apparently he's been working on the hiraishin since the start of his three year training period. Had Minato's version down fast enough and had the conditioning for it but felt a shinobi technique known for being flashy was incomplete, no matter how effective so he spent the next year creating a shiki that not only removes the flash but suppresses any chakra spike. Kid went on and on about "Minato-teme" needing his son to complete all his work. So, please, just leave it be."
"...ok, before we continue, Sakura you're dismissed." Waiting for the pinkette to leave Tsunade begins, "I was thinking of having Kakashi do his assessment, figure that'd be a good test of his abilities."
"No, it wouldn't. If he were serious he'd kill Kakashi and I'm not sure if he'd require sage mode to do it."
"He's a Toad Sage?"
"No, he has access to senjutsu but it's different from what the Toad's taught me because he mixes it with bijuu chakra."
"Are there any negative affects?" asked Tsunade.
"No and it's really similar to how I do it with Ma and Pa, since he's not the one channeling the nature chakra the duration and activation issues are removed."
"So, how is he?"
"Better, he only talks to me so much but he seems to have resolved, to some degree, whatever was bothering him."
Feeling relieved by Jiraiya's assurance, Tsunade continues, "so who should do his assessment?"
"Sensei and Danzo should be an adequate test. I'll tell him to leave all of his S rank jutsu out of it."
"All?" Tsunade and Shizune ask.
"Yea, he has… five, I think. More or less."
"So, is he ready?"
"Yes."
On top of the Hokage Monument Naruto sits atop his father's head, appreciating a view he hasn't seen in a year, awaiting for the presence he sensed to arrive.
"It's good to see you, Naruto."
"Same here. Congrats on the promotion, I know you deserved it."
"I appreciate that. How long have you been back?"
"Just got back, actually. Checked in with Tsunade and came here."
"And how are you? Your letters were distressing, my friend."
"I didn't think they were that bad, Shino, but you've never been one to miss subtext so I'll defer to your judgment on the issue."
Hey Shino
I hope all is well. I recently had a breakthrough with my training, learning senjutsu is unlike anything I've ever felt. It was like a new form of consciousness, a form of pure power and I am left wondering if I will only waste it. Shinobi kill, steal and everything else. I've accepted this reality but I used to dream of more. I haven't even considered the nature of shinobi as a force of good since I've been training for these upcoming trials and now that I've reached this threshold I feel adrift. I've become an extremely efficient killer and a powerful combatant but am I no more? I can pull water out the atmosphere but do I use it to irrigate land? No, I use it to attack. I can create a twenty foot wall of rock and I use it only to defend myself? Is this the pinnacle of chakra or my abilities with it? I can't heal like Tsunade, my seals are mostly combat oriented and at the moment I was most connected with nature I felt utterly disconnected from life. Death can't be my only legacy but I fear I may not have a choice.
N. Uzumaki
Naruto
While I understand your position, I find myself at a loss at how to advise you. I have dedicated myself to logic as a means of problem solving and while logic is not divorced from concerns of morality, it can often become murky when trying to decide what one should do when the action is revolutionary in nature. I've accepted the way of shinobi, not as perfect but in such a way I can be logically consistent in my actions and my feelings. I see your struggle and grow concerned and anticipatory in equal measure if and when you resolve this conundrum. The answer may very well lead you to a path you abandoned so many years ago, the desire to be Hokage. To truly change the way of the shinobi would require you to be an excellent one, one that is acknowledged by all. As you know, the one who is acknowledged by all is the one who will become Hokage and while becoming Hokage may not be the answer, it may be the final destination of the path you walk. Whatever you decide, you will not face your struggles alone, at least take peace in that.
S. Aburame
"And still you avoid the answer. Your letters increasingly had signs of depression until you left for your walkabout so, how do you feel?"
"I think I'm at peace with it all, at least for now. But enough about me, how are you?"
The two friends would spend the afternoon catching up for parting ways. As Naruto was watching throughout the village he sees an all too familiar sight. Quickening his pace while remaining unnoticed he walks up behind his target and wraps her in a giant hug.
"Hi Ten-chan!" he says before the kunoichi had a chance to react. Putting her down, the annoyed girl takes a swing at her friend, which he dodges right into a hug.
"Hi, stupid. Maybe don't sneak up on me next time." Tenten says.
"YOSH, Naruto-kun, it's great to see your flames of youth still burning brightly!"
"Thank you, Lee."
"Uzumaki."
Sighing, "Hey, Neji-chan. How's it going."
"Oh, it goes well, I'd do better if you wouldn't accost my girlfriend."
Looking at Neji and back at Tenten, seeing her nod he smiles at his friend. "So, finally found your courage? Excellent! Well, I'm off. You crazy kids stay out of trouble." Naruto said before narrowing his eyes at Neji, "Oh and Neji if you hurt her I'll disappear you and everyone will know but they won't be able to prove a thing. See ya!" he finishes with a smile before disappearing without a trace.
"Did he just teleport/did he mean that?" Lee and Neji ask.
"Yes to both. I wouldn't worry since you aren't going to hurt me, right?" Tenten said with an overly sweet smile.
"Right." Neji says as Tenten heads off.
"If I may be unyouthful, you're so totally fucked."
"I am aware, Lee."
Moments after leaving Team Ten found Naruto out of the Hyuuga compound. He finds it a little distressing that the most secure compound in the village is so easily infiltrated. Why if he wanted to he could visit a certain hime in the dead of night and who knows what would happen. Oh the possibilities. 'When did I become a pervert?' he thinks to himself as he refocuses on the task at hand. Over the wall, avoid a few guards here and there, move in silence and eventually he finds himself at his destination.
"Where's Gamakichi?"
"Really? No, hi? No, when did you get back? Just where's kichi? I think I'm hurt that you like my personal summons more than me and I think the feeling's mutual."
"Stop being a baby, we've just had a lot of time to talk since he delivered your messages to me. Also, he can actually pull off orange."
"I get no respect. When did you turn on me, Hanabi?" Naruto said through fake tears.
"You are so dramatic, you know that right?" she says before giving him a hug.
"So, how have things been?"
"Tense. The clan's business affairs and relationships have been stagnating for a few years now and while there are suspicions there is little in the way of proof. The frustrations have caused some main branch members to take it out on the cadet branch so tensions are high on that front. And then there is onee-sama."
"What's wrong with Hinata?" Naruto try to keep his voice steady but failed miserably, causing Hanabi to smirk.
"What's wrong with Hinata depends on perspective. About two months after you left she had a spar with Neji, not only nearly drowned him with suiton jutsu but tried to run him through with her ninjato. When the elders started to complain she replied, "if you don't like it then do something about it". One of the elders did and got his arms broken for his trouble. Now, she does pretty much what she wants. Outside of tou-sama for official business or me very few main branch members approach her. They're all afraid."
Naruto can't help be laugh Hanabi's response. The two visit for a little longer before Naruto excuses himself as to not get caught, besides he has one final stop before he heads home for the night but before he does,
"Here, take this." Naruto said handing Hanabi a tri prong kunai. "If you ever need me for anything just channel some chakra into the kunai and toss it down, I'll be here as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Naruto."
"No problem, Hanabi-chan."
Flashing to a marker he left outside the Hyuuga compound, Naruto makes his way to the Inuzuka compound, hoping to not run into Kiba, he proved to be unlucky today.
"Why are you here dobe?"
"Must we do this every time, Akila?"
"You know that's not my name!"
"Whatever, Kira. Is your mom home?"
"No, go away."
"What is your problem with me?"
"Oh, where to start. How about the preferential treatment you get?"
"I'd laugh at you if this weren't so sad."
"Deny it all you want but you've gotten preferential treatment. Training by a Hokage and a Sannin, adopted by another Sannin, training by the strongest Jounin in the village. You deserved none of it and if anyone else had been given that they'd be just as ahead as you are now."
"Oh, poor Kiba doesn't feel special! I really don't want to hear anything about preferential treatment from a clan ninja, especially the child of a clan head. I was intentionally stunted in my training until the chunin finals. That's right, I've had a little under four years of real shinobi training while you've had nearly a decade. If I'm further ahead some of that can be placed with my teachers, the rest is just the difference between us. Recall, I beat you in the prelims with almost no training. Just guts. Also, what are you going to learn from the Sandaime? I'm a ninjutsu specialist, the best since him. Do you even know your elemental affinity?"
"No."
"Then we'll drop that. Besides, even if I didn't earn this preferential treatment, I deserve it for services rendered. Kiba, I'm the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi. The Fourth Hokage, who is my father by the way, sealed it inside of me. I've been protecting ingrates like you since the day of my birth. Hated and isolated for my involuntary service so I think would make me due for some benefit to balance out the misery."
"Wha?!"
"That's better than I expected. I assumed you'd accuse me of being the Kyuubi or something equally moronic."
"Whatever, let's say I believe you are this jinchu… whatever AND the son of the fourth Hokage it just makes me dislike you even more. Maybe it came late but you were still given an easier path. You became a Chunin and a Jounin before any of us in our graduating class when you did the worst. So, what, to make up for your crappy life and to pay back the fourth they give you undeserved promotions and advantages."
"You do remember how I kicked your ass, right? Twice in one night. You, a tracker, couldn't handle me in the forest. How can you say my promotions are undeserved when you don't know how I got them and I've demonstrated the ability to handle you?"
"You just don't. You have have Shino and Hinata snowed but I know the truth. You got lucky a few times but you don't deserve he…."
"Wow, so this is about a girl I can't even be with. You're so very sad, Kiba. Jealous over a nonexistent relationship."
"It doesn't matter, because of you our team broke up. Because of you Hinata won't even speak to me and never noticed that I'm better for her. I'm betting Hiashi would agree with me."
"Hinata leaving the team likely had very little to do with you; her not speaking to you, however, is entirely because of you. You tried to hurt her and embarrass Tenten by outing us and since you're dumb you think no one else would notice your malicious intent. We all did and you couldn't even be a man and own it. Whatever, Kiba. I'm done. But one last thing, I'm a sensor, dumbass. I know your mom is home, my asking was me being polite so if you'll excuse me" Naruto says as he walks pass Kiba to knock on the door.
Trying not to lose his temper in front of his mother, Kiba storms off. Naruto proceeds to visit Tsume, telling her about his time away from the village.
The next morning finds Naruto arriving to training ground 29 with the Sannin, the Sandaime, Danzo and Kakashi waiting. Greeting everyone he takes his place.
"Ok, the rules are anything goes outside of crippling attacks and S rank ninjutsu. Begin!" Jiraiya says and all three participants blur through handsigns, the battle of Masters v. Student had begun.