(Hey All writing fans, I have also been nominated for Author of the year in the first ever Readers Choice Awards 2007, I humbly ask for the vote of all my writing fans. (To vote go to the profile of: Jesse Briceno) Thanks! (03/11/08))

Chapter 21: Back in Konoha

(Italics: Thoughts/Flashbacks/Dream sequence. Bold: Title and Kyubi's / Demon's / Inner Naruto's / Inner Sakura's Speech.)

Tsunade was astonished at the young Jinchuuriki's story yet a bit skeptical at the same time for the power he spoke of seemed too powerful even for this world... But then again in the world of the Shinobi nothing is certain...

Tsunade smiled and said: "Naruto I have some great news for you... From your current level of abilities you have proven yourself more capable than a Genin, or Chunin. As of today you, Naruto Uzumaki are officially a Jounin Class. Congratulations."

Naruto wanted to rise out of bed and jump up and down in joy if his body would allow it. Tsunade then turned to Ino and said:

"Ino I feel as though you've been relying on your clan's Jutsu too much, as of today you are going into an intensive training period. Now believe me when I say that I'd love to train you myself but my duties as Hokage prevent me from choosing favorites over any student so all I can do is give you this..."

Tsunade fumbled around in her pockets and pulled out a training scroll and handed it to Ino.

Tsunade looked over at Ino and said:

"Ino in this scroll I have readied the training I gave Sakura in terms of my Taijutsu style and various medical ninja techniques, most of which I developed myself in my youth. As for your other training I have arranged for Tenten to train you in the art of swordsmanship and weapon summoning techniques. She was more than happy to share her knowledge and training with a good friend."

Ino who had planned on beginning some kind of training smiled at the Hokage's arrangements and immediately bowed her head as she responded: "Thank you Lady Hokage. I will study the scroll every night but I do have one question... When is Tenten going to train me?" Tsunade smiled and said:

"I have arranged your first training session with her this evening at five thirty in an old training a short walk away from Rosemary Park..."

"You can start your training as soon as you're released from the hospital."

Ino smiled and replied: "Thank you very much Lady Hokage."

Within three days Naruto and Ino were both released, as much as the lovers wanted to spend time together Ino had friends and family she wanted to see before she began her training. Ino smiled and planted a passionate kiss on her lover's lips before she ran off toward's her parents house.

Naruto ran his fingertips over his lips and a grin appeared on the young Shinobi's face as he turned and began to walk towards Ichiraku's... Who knows maybe he'll run into Kakashi or Jiraiya...

Zero kneeled before his master and said: "...And that's what happened, forgive me my Lord..."

The Dark Lord although enraged at his most skilled and powerful assassin, he could not hold blame on his failure, he too failed to capture the son of his accursed rival on his own...

If only his true power were restored... He meditated for a moment to clear his energy and facial expression and looked down upon Zero and said:

"Zero although your mission was a failure the blame rests not upon you but by me... And to atone for my sin I will take you on as my apprentice and make you into the greatest weapon this world has ever known..."

A Dark and Malicious grin appeared on Zero's face as he replied: "I'm liking the sound of that..."

Naruto smiled and walked into Ichiraku's and sat down casually in a seat in the back he normally never sat at.

When he was a Genin Ichiraku's was just a simple stand but now the stand had evolved into somewhat more of a restaurant, they of course served many different varieties of ramen but during the morning there would be ramen with bits of egg in it for example.

Where as the dinner menu consisted of different meats, spices, and sauces mixed with the ramen or just by itself if you're not a ramen lover, why someone other than a ramen lover would eat at Ichiraku's Naruto would never know but he certainly enjoyed the new changes.

Naruto casually sat back in his seat and after a few minutes a familiar voice said from his right: "Hey there Naruto what can I get for you?"

Naruto smiled and said: "I'll have eight bowls of Miso Pork please."

Ayame smiled and said: "Coming up... In the meantime is there something else I can get for you?"

Ayame smiled seductively and leaned over the table a little bit so Naruto could see her cleavage.

Naruto blushed really hard but he had to do something while his head was in charge because the lower portion of his body had other plans on what to do with the situation...

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously as he said: "As much as I would love to take you up on your offer Ayame I'm sort of seeing someone."

Ayame stood back up and winked at him and said:

"I was just teasing you anyway, who's the lucky girl?"

Naruto smiled and blushed a little as he said: "Ino Yamanaka."

Ayame smiled and said:

"The girl from the flower shop? She's a real beauty Naruto congratulations, you'll have to tell me how that happened sometime, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go put your order in but knowing my father he probably already started on it, he call's it your 'usual'."

Naruto smiled as Ayame walked away as he thought: Yeah I sure am lucky...

Before Naruto even knew it the Ramen was in front of him, he ate that ramen so fast if there was a third party to witness his meal it would seem as if he didn't even eat it but inhaled it like the very air he breathes.

After a refreshing meal Naruto left the money on the table and decided to go for a walk. Feeling a little disappointed he still had not run into any of his friends.

Naruto smiled and thought: Oh well might as well train!

And with those finishing thoughts the young shinobi ran off toward the old team seven training grounds.

Ino had just gotten back from visiting her parents and teammates but still felt a bit bad for leaving Naruto and she knew that when her and Naruto were on their own full-time training schedules they would have very little time to see each other but you know what they say: "Absence makes the heart content."
A/N: As for Naruto being a Jounin for now the rank is merely a reflection of what he can do, he's actually more of a special Jounin / ANBU class at full power. I may have Naruto take on some students like Kakashi did for Team Seven.

But the idea is overdone and sounds stupid so I'll probably not. Ino's character is going into some intensive training and after it's all said and done Naruto will be able to rely on her for support, she may not be as powerful as Naruto in terms of technique power but her Taijutsu skills and weapon skills will make her a powerful asset, but in the end she won't need Naruto to watch her back anymore.

Anyway I can still remember when this story was only five chapters long and I thank everyone supporting it thus far. REVIEW if you care!

Peace! - DemonicLove555