(A/N: I'm sorry for the late update, but life interfered, that's why, I have posted an epically long chapter. Forgive me? *puppy-dog eyes, Kakashi style* Happy New Year!)

Dear Diary,

It is so good to be back home again! The grass underneath my feet that give me blisters when I forget my shoes, the smell of pine leaves and an assortment of smells you really don't want to know about, the laughter of children (and the taunting, and the crying and, the bullying, and the screeching), the clang of pots and pans in the food district (and the acrid smoke of yet another burnt dish obscuring the perfect view of the sunset), the pleasant breeze that hits your exposed face (and makes you wish the world would just leave you alone with your blankey*) and the feeling that screams 'I'm home.'

We walked through the gates, well, I walked through the gates, Jiraiya-sensei strutted like the king of the world. Not that I'm not used to it, but I just put it there to remind myself that I haven't sunk to that level of insanity yet. He was humming this off tune song with a 'falalalaalaaaaaa~' every two sentences. I would say it was annoying, but I felt like singing too, so I think I can forgive him.

The first thing we did (unlike any other sensible, good, obedient ninja) was go to the hot springs. For 'spying practice'. Right. Practice.

I stared at him for a while, exasperated, until he decided that 'Insistent Blonde Gakis are Useless!' and harrumphed and walked with me to the building next to the hospital. We went inside and asked for Nohara Izura, and she led the way to a room near the back. I gulped slowly, but went in anyway. Jiraiya-sensei gripped my shoulders and whispered for me to 'have a sentimental break down later!' and I was sure in that moment that he did care. After all, when else does Jiraiya-sensei whisper?

She was lying on the bed, her head propped up on a mountain of pillows and she was staring at the village from the small window. When the door opened, she turned slowly to face us, and then she smiled softly, the smile that screamed 'I miss you but I'm sorry I'm gonna leave now.' I started crying slowly, because she was gonna die, and nothing, no amount of training, could help me stop it.

Judging by the pile of Sannin on the floor, Jiraiya-sensei felt the same way. A nurse entered and looked at up sadly, and told us that she had been on life support for quite some time now, waiting for 'Team Jiraiya' to meet one last time. There was a picture of Shimu-kun on the bedside table, grinning at us like the world was full of people eating shit from his hands.

I must have said something, but I don't remember what, but it made Izura-chan smile. She didn't remember us completely, but she remembered enough to know that we were important to her. She breathed her last before we went to the Hokage tower. Her funeral is tomorrow. Not a huge funeral. Just the burning of her body, and the carving of her name by the Hokage on the memorial stone. Won't take a few minutes if it's a powerful Ninjutsu user. An Uchiha would do fine.

In the Hokage Tower, we composed ourselves before going into the Hokage Office. The place looked exactly as I remembered it. Although, now that I am, in fact, two heads taller than when I left, everything seemed so much clearer. Sandaime-sama looked expectant and Jiraiya-sensei's stance shifted slightly, making him look like a serious shinobi (I can hear my inner Uzumaki-san laughing madly) and gave him a detailed report of the next Iwa strike. In addition, the Kumo forces were planning on weathering down our forces (he said something about a Jinchuriki, but as far as I'm aware, there aren't any in Konoha) and the Kiri-Kusa border skirmishes were growing in number. The fear of a full scale invasion on Kusa was proving to be too realistic not to send forces there. Sandaime-sama shook his head morosely at this and said that they would dispatch 6 squads immediately. 'We can't have another Uzushio, now can we?' He also said that Gran-san (he was a spy!?) had reported that Suna wanted an alliance with us. Sandaime-sama smirked cruelly and said that he'd send 'the trio' soon enough.

I was confused, but Jiraiya-sensei grinned roguishly too. Poor 'the trio'…

Then, Sandaime-sama turned towards me, and scrutinized me for a good ten minutes before glancing at Jiraiya-sensei. He nodded minutely, and if you weren't looking for it, you wouldn't have noticed. He then got up with the grace of a seasoned Taijutsu user and strolled to the door. Jiraiya-sensei tried mimicking him. Key word: tried. He tripped over his hakama and crashed to the ground. Sandaime-sama and me chuckled softly. Jiraiya-sensei pouted and proceeded to strike the most vulgar pose in his arsenal and proclaimed loudly that 'It was my Awesomeness that wanted the Ground to have a feel of the Awe-inspiring Awesomeness that is…'.

That is about how much I heard before I walked behind Sandaime-sama to training ground 32. I was asked to fight the magically appearing ANBU (inner Uzumaki-san clapped in childish delight. Before telling me to crush them till they wept for their mommys. I mentally nodded at her. The world is ending.) telling me not to hold back. And kill them.

My stance shifted and I immediately proceeded to attack them relentlessly. They were like a multi-mask-headed Jiraiya-sensei. Impossible to beat. A few Futon jutsus later (countered by perfect Katon Jutsus, which makes me believe that we have an Uchiha in our midst) I was nearly out of chakra, and I was tired. I threw a kunai at them, and they didn't even have to dodge to avoid it. I heard Sandaime-sama tsk.

They saw a yellow flash.

I was the last one standing. Sandaime-sama blinked, indicating that he was shocked enough to show emotion, Jiraiya-sensei flashed a smirk of complete satisfaction and Tsunade-hime (who had magically appeared) was looking at me with a dazed look. I merely stood at attention. Sandaime-sama asked me how I did it. I pointed at the kunai I had thrown with 'horrible aim'.

It was three-pronged.

And I explained my technique. None of them understood, but Sandaime-sama decided that I was worthy of the ANBU. He handed me my mask (A toad. Wonder whose Idea that was?) and a Chunin vest. I had been officially promoted to Chunin. Whenever I felt ready to beat Jiraiya-sensei in an all out fight, I would be promoted to Jounin.

That would be a long time away.

I am ANBU now.

Inoichi, Shikaku and Chouza were 'the trio'. They had become famous for their flawless teamwork and perfect execution of strategies to destroy the enemy. Who knew?

Hatake-senpai left on a mission recently and Hiashi-san has already become clan head. I saw Mikoto-chan trying to kill an Uchiha elder (Inner Uzumaki-san was telling Mikoto-chan to 'poke him in the eye!'), so I assumed she was fine. Orochimaru-sama was staring at me with something akin to revulsion and respect when Jiraiya-sensei told him about my promotion to 'Chunin'. He even winked very conspicuously. So much for secret ANBU identities. Team Sarutobi are going on an extended mission to Amegakure.

Me and Jiraiya-sensei are going to have dinner at Yakiniku BBQ before he leaves and I begin my ANBU duties.

I have a feeling, that things will never be the same again after this.

Namikaze Minato

PS I haven't seen Uzumaki-san yet...

*Blankey is not a typo, it's intentional, to show that while he might have grown up considerably, he is still young at heart. A part of him is still a little boy that his mommy tucked into bed.

Nohara is the last name of Rin from Team Minato. It was intentional.