AN: Me: Hm yes, this chapter would be perfect for some plot Brain: Hahahaha. No. *dumps bucket of angst out instead* Edit: Beta'd as of 2/9/19

"Ugh, finally," Naruto moaned, stepping through the gates of Konoha. He was hunched over in a weary gait, backpack threatening to slip over his shoulders because of it. Beside him, Sakura seemed a little sweaty from the heat, but otherwise fine, while both Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei were apparently too cool to be tired. Dicks.

"You can't honestly be that tired, Naruto," Sakura deadpanned, staring at him with the most unimpressed eyes he'd ever seen on her. Okay, that wasn't true. He'd been on the receiving end of worse, but that wasn't important.

"Maa, behave yourselves, you two," Kakashi-sensei said idly, not even appearing to be paying attention to them as he walked them over to the gate guards. Izumo and Kotetsu were there to greet them, just as they did before and after every mission. While the chūnin were filling out the proper paperwork, Kotetsu leaned over and gave Naruto a funny look.

"What happened to the jacket, Naruto?" He asked, genuinely confused. "I thought you wore that thing everywhere?" For a moment Naruto was confused about how he knew that, as they hadn't ever formally met in this timeline, then realized he must have been one of the chunin that chased after him when he set off a large prank or defaced public property.

"Oh, it uh…" Got torn apart by chains made of pure chakra. "Training accident," he said instead, offering the chunin an embarrassed smile. Kotetsu seemed to think nothing of it and merely shrugged.

After they finished filing their paperwork for re-entry, the four started off to the mission desk to file their report. It was going to be an interesting one, for sure, Naruto figured. He remembered how crazy it had been. Telling the Hokage that the mission was actually an A-rank was crazy enough. Telling the Hokage that it was an A-rank this time, on top of everything else that had happened, was sure to be an interesting affair.

Not only had they confronted one of the seven swordsmen of Kiri, but they'd also not killed him as would be advised, made friends with his apprentice, and also unlocked a few kekkei genkai along the way. They hadn't talked about it much, but Sasuke "unlocking" a final stage sharingan was sure to raise a few eyebrows.

Oh well. They'd burn that bridge when they got to it. Or was it cross? Naruto shrugged. It didn't really matter. The point was that they'd do what they did best when that time came. Wing it.

During the walk to the mission desk for their mission debriefing and report, Kakashi's mind was focused solely on one thing.

Naruto.

Or more specificity, what Lord Hiruzen was going to do about him. The boy had unlocked an amazingly powerful and rare kekkei genkai and had thousands of questions about it that Kakashi couldn't answer. While he knew more on the subject than most people, he was far from being considered an expert. So on that front alone he wanted Hiruzen to take charge and step up. Then on the other hand Naruto must surely be dying to know about the last Uzumaki to have them. He'd want to know all about them, as he'd never met another one of his clan before. Unfortunately, Kakashi couldn't give him what he wanted. Another reason he wanted Hiruzen to deal with his little jinchuuriki. Of course Kakashi wanted more than anything to tell him all about it. To answer any questions he might have. Questions about his clan, his predecessor, anything.

Naruto deserves to know about his heritage. But when his heritage is an S-class secret, there was little Kakashi could do.

"Sensei? You okay?"

Kakashi blinked, taken out of his reverie by the very genin he'd just been thinking about. Looking down at Naruto, he was met with concerned blue eyes. Eyes that seemed a little to old for the face they belonged to.

"Maa, just lost in thought," he said easily, brushing him off. Naruto frowned at the response, but accepted it nonetheless. Kakashi watched his student turn back around and was reminded painfully of how close he'd come to losing him. Back on the bridge, when he'd seen golden chains erupt from the dome of mirrors, it was like he'd seen a ghost. And when the boy had crumpled to the ground, he'd been terrified he'd lost him. That after these years he'd failed at the one thing he'd swore he'd never do again. Lose a comrade.

The sight of his sensei's son, lifeless on the ground, was almost too much. He hadn't yet grown close to the boy, not like he had with his own team in the past, but the protective instinct was still there. As was the memory of kind blue eyes and bright smiles from his sensei.

When he rushed over to check his pulse and found it going strong, and when Sakura informed him is was just chakra exhaustion, he could have fallen to his knees in relief. But he didn't. He was a jōnin, and he had to stay strong for his students. So he had. For two days until Naruto woke up. When the boy had immediately started shouting about how cool he was, Kakashi finally let himself relax.

Of course, he had immediately forbid him from even trying to use his chakra chains again. Naruto had been put out, but seemed to have understood his reasoning. Kakashi was glad; he didn't feel like getting into another argument over it again. Now that they were back in the village though, Kakashi had a sneaking suspicion that the boy would spend every waking moment trying to master them, and obviously exhausting himself in the process. Jeez, he really needed adult supervision.

In a striking moment of panic, Kakashi came to the startling realization that he was the adult supervision.

That was a horrible idea, he thought to himself, inwardly cursing Hiruzen for ever forcing this responsibility on him.

Whatever, he would figure it out. He always did.

With a sigh, Kakashi settled for going to back to reading Icha Icha to distract him while they made their way to the mission desk where he was sure to be chewed out by the Hokage.

After a long, long retelling of events and explaining how their mission had turned from a C-rank to an A-rank (much to a certain chūnin's chagrin), Lord Hiruzen finally let out a long sigh. Upon arriving, Iruka had immediately asked Naruto where his jacket was, as the boy wore it everywhere. With a frustrated sigh, Naruto had explained it had been destroyed by a jutsu before the three genin had launched into their tale of how the mission went. Finally they were finished, and neither Hokage nor chunin seemed entirely thrilled by it.

With his hands clasped in front of his face, Hiruzen gave Kakashi a accusatory stare, as if to say "and you allowed this?" Kakashi merely attempted an faux-innocent eye-smile, but gave up when he realized Hiruzen saw right through his bullshit.

"Well," Hiruzen finally managed to say. "That was quite an adventure you three had," he said, addressing Kakashi's genin. "I'm glad you have all made it home safely."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Sakura said, dipping her head in a bow. The other two followed suit.

"Seeing as this has complicated some things, I would ask for you three to excuse us while we sort some things out," Lord Third said. "Iruka, would you escort them out of the room and help them fill out their mission reports." The chūnin nodded and got up to leave, shooting an expectant glance at the three genin.

Naruto frowned and looked to Sakura then Kakashi for affirmation. Sakura shrugged in acceptance. It seemed the adults needed to talk. After watching the four shinobi leave the room, Kakashi turned back to Hiruzen.

There was a moment of silence between them before Kakashi took the initiative to speak up.

"Naruto unlocked his mothers kekkei genkai," he said bluntly.

"I'm aware," Hiruzen said, voice heavy with something Kakashi could only relate to wisdom and burden.

"It won't take long for other nations to realize his heritage," Kakashi continued. "Kushina Uzumaki was famous for her chakra chains. She was kidnapped as a child because of it." Hiruzen remained silent. "One way or another, Naruto will find out. And when he does he'll have questions." It was a threat. Kakashi was never of the mind to keep Naruto's parents secret from him. The boy deserved to know the man he looked up to was his father, and how his parents were heroes to the village. On the other hand he did see the reasoning behind it. Minato and Kushina had many enemies. Enemies who be glad to get their hands on their child. But now that he was a full fledged shinobi there was no reason to continue keeping it from him. And that was what Kakashi was getting at.

"You suggest telling him," the Hokage surmised. Kakashi only gave a small nod in response. "I'm sorry Kakashi, but I can not advise that course of action. It is far too dangerous."

Anger boiled inside Kakashi as he listened to the man. "He'll be in danger regardless," he argued, forcing his voice to stay level despite the emotion inside him. "How long do you think it will take somewhere like Kumo or Iwa to figure out who he is? An Uzumaki with chakra chains is already enough to get him put in Bingo books by the time he makes chūnin. An Uzumaki with a striking resemblance to the Fourth Hokage will be immediately put under scrutiny," Kakashi argued. "It doesn't matter if you tell him, he'll already be a target. It would be better to prepare him for that than send him out into the world blind and hope for the best."

Kakashi watched as Hiruzen silently contemplated his words. The pensive look on his face betrayed nothing, as was expected from him. But to Kakashi it just frustrated him. He couldn't tell if his words had swayed the man or not. Eventually, the man unclasped his hands and leveled the jōnin with a firm look.

"I appreciate your thoughts, Kakashi," he said. The tone set the jōnin on edge, and his metaphorical hackles rose. "But I must disagree. He's far too young now. He shall remain in the dark until the proper time comes." A sigh. "I'm sorry, but it will have to wait."

Clenching his teeth, Kakashi forced himself not to show any anger or frustration at the order. That was no excuse! Despite his anger, Kakashi schooled his features into something resembling respect to the Hokage. "I understand," he finally ground out, bowing to the man in preparation to leave. Just as he made it to the door, Hiruzen's voice stopped him.

"Kakashi," he called out, halting his movements. Kakashi turned to look over his shoulder, not bothering to give the man his full attention. The action was noted by the man. "I trust you to keep it secret."

Kakashi didn't even bother responding as he slipped out the door.