Disclaimer: I own neither Naruto nor Ninja Gaiden.

AN: To make up for being out of touch soon, I decided to write a new chapter (and to show that one guy who gave me a bad review that I don't care.) ON WITH THE STORY!

A few hours from Konoha's east gate

Heading in the direction of the Konoha no Sato were two men. The shorter one was an old man carrying a large pack. It was much bigger than even he was. He wore traditional white robes and had a long pointy beard. His companion was just the opposite. He was tall and well muscled. He wore a sleeveless, tight fitting, jumpsuit with a pair of tabi boot. On his forehead was an artistic metal plate. The over the lower half of his face was a mask similar to what Kakashi wore. The rest of his head was hidden with a tight hood. Over his should was a single katana with a red grip and a blue-green gem in the shape of a curved tear drop. On his thighs were several kunai holsters.

"Muramasa-san," the taller of the pair asked., "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

The smaller man looked up at his ninja companion. "Yes, Ryu. The ninja of Hi no Kuni are honorable ninja, much like your former clan."

Ryu sighed and looked up at the sky. This was going to be a long trip.

Same time and distance from Konoha's west gate

Another equally old man was wandering toward Konoha on the opposite road. Unlike the other old man, he was taller and wore plain work clothes. He had a regular sized pack made out of leather. He, however, was alone. On his side he wore a katana with a green and white grip.

"Stop old man," a deep voice said from somewhere in front of him.

'Probably a bandit,' the man thought.

Just as he finished the thought, a bandit stepped out. "I'm here to collect any valuables you may have."

"That would be a bad idea," the man said.

"Can it old geezer," the bandit said as his group burst out of hiding. "I know who you are. You are the legendary smith, Masamune. I know you have something valuable on you, now fork it."

"I don't want to hurt you," the smith said.

"Heh, I don't have the same problem. Men, kill him," the bandit leader said.

Masamune sighed and dropped his pack. He drew his weapon and with several quick slashes dispatched every last one of the bandits that had charged at him.

The leader was backing up, wide eyed. "I-impossible."

"The best smith is a former swordsman," Masamune said. "I will let you live as I hate to end a life. Now go. I suggest you find a temple or a shrine and dedicate yourself to good."

The bandit leader took the words to heart as he ran as fast as he could.

Masamune, after giving his blade a wipe down with a cloth, sheathed his sword and knelt on the ground, offering a prayer to the kami. When he was finished he stood up and grabbed his pack, continuing on his way to Konoha.

In the hospital

Several people were struggling against one person. That is to say, the entire rookie nine, as well as everyone else close to Naruto were struggling to keep him in the bed in his room.

"Let... Me...GO!" Naruto shouted.

"Tsunade-sama said that you had to remain here for at least three more days," Iruka grunted before catching a fist to the jaw.

Naruto flung everyone off of him with a burst of pure strength. Just as he was about to jump out of the bed, Hinata spoke up. "Naruto-kun, would you please stay in the bed and get your rest?" she asked quietly, tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"Anything for you, hime," he said. "Just don't cry."

"Good," Hinata said smugly, the fake tears disappearing. Everyone stared at the girl stunned. Even Naruto.

"That was unfair," he protested, yet not getting out of his bed. He started pouting, which Hinata started giggling, thinking the sight cute.

Hiruzen sighed in relief. If he didn't keep Naruto here, Tsunade was going to destroy his stash of his favorite books. The same series that Kakashi and Kakashi's team read.

"Hokage-sama!" an anbu with a cat mask appeared in the room. She had long purple hair. "The smiths Muramasa and Masamune are here in the village."

"Thank you, Neko," the elder Sarutobi said. "I will see them shortly. Also send for Higurashi Yokuro, from Higurashi weapons."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," Neko said, before using the shunshin technique.

'Perhaps I could get Naruto a new weapon,' Hiruzen thought.

Later in the Hokage's office.

"It is good to see you again, Muramasa, Masamune," Yokuro said.

Yokuro was the best smith in the Higurashi family. His son was the one who owned his store that his granddaughter, Tenten, worked at occasionally. He was the tallest of the three smiths, with a build similar to Muramasa's companion. All three were well known throughout the elemental nations and beyond.

"I have a favor to ask of you three," Hiruzen said, appearing behind his desk.

"Ah, Hokage-sama," Masamune bowed. Muramasa would have bowed, but the pack on his back kept him in a half bowed state anyway.

"May I ask what the favor is?" Yokuro asked.

"A young man that I see as a grandson recently had all three of his blades broken in a spar yesterday," Hiruzen said.

"Ah, the Namikaze heir," Yokuro said. "I saw that match. It was glorious. I know for a fact that he takes care of his blades. I will accept."

"Who would be providing the materials?" Muramasa asked.

"I have them," the hokage said.

"If that is the case, I will lend my hand as well," Muramasa said. Ryu rolled his eyes.

"If the other two think it is a good idea, I shall lend my skills as well," Masamune said. "But I would like to meet the individual the blade is destined for."

"I think that is a great idea," Hiruzen said with a smile. "Follow me."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with you getting out of paper work for a while longer, would it?" Ryu asked.

"Maybe," Hiruzen said noncommittally.

He led the three smiths and the ninja to the hospital. Naruto and Hinata had been moved to a separate room and Sai had been released. Maybe it was because Sai didn't call Tsunade old. Or have a girlfriend that was keeping him in there.

When they got to the room, Naruto was on the floor doing sit-ups. Hinata was in her bed sound asleep.

"Naruto, I have brought some men who wanted to meet you," Hiruzen said.

"Greetings, Naruto-san," Muramasa said with a smile. "I'm the smith Muramasa. The other one here is Masamune. I'm sure you know Yokuro."

Naruto nodded in greeting before standing up. "It is a pleasure to meet you," he said with a grin.

"I would like to ask a few questions," Masamune said.

A few hours later, the smiths had left and Naruto was wondering how they had so many questions. He wondered what they for as well. He shrugged and started continuing his workout.

"Naruto-kun, you were told to rest," Hinata scolded him from her position on the bed.

"How long have you been awake?" Naruto asked.

"Since the smiths came in," she answered.

"Oh, well, I couldn't sleep," he said. "I'm too full of energy."

"I think I can help with that," Hinata said sweetly. She hopped out of her bed and walked over to Naruto.

"Nan-" he started to ask as Hinata pressed a certain part of his neck. He slumped over, unconscious. She smiled and picked him up, placing him in his bed. She considered it for a moment then climbed into his bed as well, going to sleep herself.

The door opened and Masamune entered saying. "I have one more question. Why do you fight?"

When he didn't get an answer, he looked at the blondes bed. When he saw the sight of Hinata and Naruto snuggled up together, his usually cold and distant face was graced with a warm smile. He shut the door quietly and left.

"So what was his reason?" Muramasa asked.

"From what I saw, he fights to protect his loved ones," the oldest smith said. (I'm making Masamune the oldest and Yokuro the youngest, by a few years.)

"Then let's get to work," Yokuro said.

"How long will this take?" Hiruzen asked.

"Normally, for the sword we're forging, with this type of metal, a few days," Muramasa said

The hokage nodded. He was full of patience after all.

"However," Yokuro said, "we, being who we are, can finish this in a matter of hours. If we were to work longer, it would be better."

"I think we should take the longer route," Masamune said.

"Agreed. It will be finished in a week," Muramasa said.

The smiths shooed the hokage out of the smithy and locked the door. 'A week, hmm. Then it should be ready just in time for Naruto-kun's wedding,' the shinobi leader thought.

Two nights before the wedding

Naruto had been released after three days of rest, which gave him plenty of time to affix the seals for the ritual. And enough time to let Sasuke know that he didn't have a choice in the matter.

"Everything ready?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke nodded. He was slightly uncomfortable. He was sitting in the center of the room without his shirt. The reason for this was that his torso was covered in numerous seals. The room was covered in seals. There were three circles that had no seals. Sasuke was in one, one was right in front of him, the other one was behind him.

"You ready to do this?" Naruto asked him.

"I guess. Just hurry up. I want to go to sleep," the Uchiha said.

"Okay, now focus all your thought inward," Naruto said.

"I got it," Sasuke said.

Naruto sat by while Sasuke took several deep breaths and relaxed.

In Sasuke's mind scape

Sasuke found himself standing on a dirt road. To either side of the road was darkness. Before him loomed a giant temple with a massive, seven tailed bird.

"Suzaku," Sasuke whispered to himself. He entered the temple. He was shocked to see an elevator instead of stairs. Shaking his head he entered the elevator. When he looked at the panel there were twenty buttons. Buttons one through eighteen had bright white numbers. Button nineteen had a faded grey number, and button twenty was a star. Seeing as how his tenant was at the top, he pressed the star. The elevator doors closed, then opened. Sasuke was already at the roof of the temple.

"That was fast," he said. He walked out of the small transport and onto the roof.

"So you have finally come, hatchling," the phoenix said. "What is your purpose to coming to see me?"

"I came to ask to borrow your chakra," Sasuke said.

"Why would you want MY chakra?" Suzaku asked.

"My friends father has lost his soul and his body. We are performing a ritual to re-obtain both. Your chakra is the most vital piece of the entire ceremony."

"I highly doubt that," the giant bird said. "However, I will lend you my power this once."

"I thank you, Suzaku-sama," Sasuke said, bowing low.

"Now, it is time for you to AWAKEN," Suzaku's voice boomed out.

Naruto saw the golden red chakra pour out of Sasuke. He made a hand seal and started to call on Kyuubi's chakra. Minato's ghost appeared in the last circle.

Naruto started to flash through hand seals, his brow knitted in concentration. He drew in the chakra that Sasuke was releasing, as well as the kyuubi's. With his last hand seal he cried out, "TENRAI AKUMA TENSEI!"

There was a blinding flash of light, then darkness for both boys, and the one man.