(Welcome to my next chapter where Naruto's gonna put together a team of his own.)
One morning Naruto was on the roof of his mansion looking out into the village, "Things are only going to be getting worse for us." He said to himself.
"Dad, are you ok?" Yukina asked as she arrived on the roof.
"Hi Yukina, and yeah I'm fine, it's just a lot's happened to the village," Naruto began, "I mean it's taken at least three years for the place to be restored since Orochimaru launched an attack on it. And now with another skillful ninja gone, our village is becoming low on man power, even with the people of Suna willing to help us."
"I know what you mean, seems like everyone wants a piece of this village." Yukina noted.
"Yeah, and I'm one of the reasons," Naruto added. "Ebon and the Breed are a major asset to the village, but they're still not enough."
"Well what do you suggest?" Yukina asked, "I mean it's not like you can go out and find some recruits."
Naruto nodded, until an idea came to mind and he smirked, "Maybe I can."
Yukina looked at him, "Dad you got that look in your eyes."
"I know," Naruto says and kissed his daughter, "Thanks for the idea." He said and took off.
"Wait!" she tried to call him back but was too late, "What idea?"
At the administration building, Tsunade was going over paperwork in her office until Naruto barged in, "Baasan!" he called startling her and Shizune.
"Dammit Naruto, don't surprise me like that!" she scolded him.
"Sorry, but listen I'd like to make a request for you Jonin to Hokage." Naruto explained.
"A request?" Tsunade asked confused.
"Yes, it's clear that we have lower man power now due to Asuma's death as well as our other ninja always on missions. So I request that you let me go and find some recruits for the village."
"Naruto, you know missions like that have to be dealt with between the Hokage and such." Tsunade reminded him.
"This is different baasan, the people I have in mind are ninjas who were banished and such from their homelands."
"What are you saying you've met these ninja?" Tsunade asked.
"Yes, during my travels with Ero-sennin we've met some of them and befriended them. They said they would help me should I ever need their assistance. And I feel their talents will be beneficial to our village?" Naruto said, "Please I have to do this."
Tsunade thought about it and the situation they are currently in and reached her decision, "Very well, I shall arrange a squad to accompany you."
"No squad is necessary." Naruto answered.
"But Naruto." Shizune began but was cut off.
"I have to go this alone. These people will not cooperate with anyone other than myself. Plus some of them have reputations that no hunter or Anbu would hesitate to judge them." Naruto explained.
Tsunade looked at Naruto who was serious about this and wasn't willing to give up, "Ok Naruto, permission to go solo is granted."
"Good, and make sure no one knows of this. I don't wanna worry anyone." Naruto added.
"Ok, but how long do you plan on being away?" Tsunade asked.
"A day or two at the most." Naruto explained.
"Ok, be careful." Tsunade instructed.
"I always am." He said before leaving.
"Tsunade-sama, who do you think Naruto is going to recruit for us?" Shizune asked worried.
"I have no idea Shizune, but if Naruto is sure then we'll have to trust him." Tsunade replied.
Soon Naruto was packing some things in his backpack and grabbed his sword, a couple of zap caps, the basics, "All set." He said and hurried out the door as Yukina watched him.
"Be safe father."
Soon Naruto was flying on his static saucer out through the village gates cheering like a surfer as he traveled across the Land of Fire. Since he was going solo he didn't have to worry about others keeping up with him. Soon he was flying across the sea on his saucer singing to himself while doing some flips and turns while flying. Soon he stopped and landed on an rocky island spotting a compound on it that looked abandoned, "Time for stop number one." He said before heading inside.
As he walked along a hallway it was dark along with numerous tanks set up containing clear water. He looked ahead seeing a bigger tank of water and called out, "Hey Suigetsu wake up!"
A groan was heard from the tank followed up by a voice, "Naruto, I thought I recognized your tone. Haven't seen you in awhile."
"I know I'm long overdue for a visit, but let's do it face to face." Naruto used his energy knives and sent shockwaves at the tank making it crack open with water pouring out and onto the floor.
Emerging from the puddle of water was a naked boy who was roughly Naruto's age, with short white hair, violet eyes, and sharp teeth, "Well it's about time someone got me out of here, and I'm glad it was you who did it, Naruto." He said as he stood up.
"Go put some clothes on Suigetsu, we gotta talk." Naruto ordered confusing the boy known as Suigetsu.
Soon Suigetsu was dressed in a purple sleeveless shirt, three brown belts around his torso, waist, and another a bit lower than the waist, gray pants, and sandals. He was sipping water from a bottle as he and Naruto were sitting outside the compound looking out at the ocean, "So what is it you wanted to talk to me about Naruto?" Suigetsu began, "I mean you obviously didn't just come all this way to break me out for nothing."
"And you're right I didn't," Naruto answered, "You remember that talk we had two years ago when I last came here?"
"The one about me joining you in Konoha as part of some ninja squad?" he asked, "You said you were only thinking about that."
"Yeah well I've reached my decision and I've decided to put it into motion," Naruto replied, "And you are my first candidate."
"Me seriously, well who else do you have in mind?" the white haired boy asked as he drank his water.
"Two I have in mind are Jugo and Karin." The blonde answered as he ate a chocolate bar.
"What, them?" he groaned, "Well I can see why you'd want Jugo, but Karin, seriously?"
"Hey, cut her some slack," Naruto replied, "Besides Karin's family."
"All right whatever you say." Suigetsu sighed as he left it at that.
"Besides I know you wouldn't miss out on a chance to fight a member of the Seven Swordsmen," Naruto tempted the boy, "Kisame Hoshigaki is part of the Akatsuki organization, the one hunting Jinchuriki like myself. Stick with me and you'll get a chance to fight him."
Suigetsu looked at Naruto seeing the guy found his weak spot before smirking, "You drive a hard bargain, Naruto. Ok I accept."
"Good." Naruto replied.
"But before we go get the others, can we make a detour to the Wave country?" Suigetsu requested.
"Oh, and what reason could you want to go there?" Naruto asked, but had a feeling what he was after.
"You said that's where you fought Zabuza-sempai?" he asked earning a nod, "Well I'd like to take up his sword that was left there."
"Very well," Naruto said before pulling out his saucer and jumped on it, "Hop on." He ordered Suigetsu who jumped on but felt a little unsure. Naruto took off only much slower considering he was riding with a passenger.
Soon they arrived at their place of destination which was the Land of Waves. Naruto smiled remembering the first time he came there as a Genin. He and Suigetsu stopped looking up at the title above the bridge reading 'The Great Naruto Bridge', "Great Naruto Bridge?" Suigetsu asked and turned to Naruto.
"I guess I made quite an impression for this to happen." Naruto chuckled.
"Well come on let's go." Suigetsu said as they walked.
Naruto led the way through the town that looked big and busy. The little town that it once was all gloomy and in ruins was restored, "Place looks like it's doing great," Naruto said while looking around. Naruto then bumped into Suigetsu who stopped in his place, "Hey what's the hold up?" Suigetsu pointed up ahead. Naruto looked ahead and gasped, seeing a statue of his younger self on top of a stand, "I didn't think they'd make something like this." Naruto admitted.
Suigetsu read a golden plaque below the statue, "In dedication to the brave ninja who gave this village its hope back."
"I'm touched." Naruto smiled and shed a tear.
"Look over there!" a voice called.
Naruto and Suigetsu turned to see a teenage girl with a squad of her friends looking at them, "That's him, that's really him!" she pointed to Naruto.
"Our savior Naruto!" another squealed which led to all of them squealing.
Naruto and Suigetsu's eyes widened, "Naruto, we better run."
"Agreed!" Naruto agreed as they took off running like crazy from the mob of fan girls.
They were running throughout the village, until the girls ran past a man dressed in a trench coat and a fedora hat standing in front of a dumpster. The man watched them run past them and removed his hat revealing to be Suigetsu, "Ok they're gone." He motioned to the dumpster, and revealed it to be Naruto who used his rubber ability to mold himself to look like a dumpster.
"Man, never in my life did I ever imagine having a fan club." Naruto chuckled.
"I guess your popularity here was bigger than you thought." Suigetsu chuckled as well.
"Yeah, well come on I know a place where we can rest, then you can get your blade." Naruto said as they walked.
"Where are we going?" Suigetsu asked.
"You'll see." Naruto replied.
They stopped in front of a house by the sea, "What's this place?" Suigetsu asked.
"Come on." Naruto said as he knocked on the door.
The door opened revealing Tsunami; daughter of the bridge builder Tazuna, "Hello how can I help you?"
"Tsunami, remember me?" Naruto asked before removing his sunglasses.
Tsunami gasped, "Naruto it's you." She cried and hugged the boy.
"Nice to see you to." Naruto was blushing.
The woman removed herself from him, "Oh so sorry about that, come in please make yourselves comfortable." She said as the two ninja entered.
"Dad, Inari, look who's here." Tsunami called and coming into the kitchen area was Tazuna and Inari who was older and a bit taller.
"Naruto-niisan!" Inari cried.
"Hey Inari, how's it going?" Naruto asked as the boy hugged him.
"Great." Inari replied.
Tazuna approached, "Well Naruto, you sure grew since we last saw you."
"Thanks Tazuna, you seem to be holding up pretty well to." Naruto noted.
"Well I'm too stubborn to die just yet," Tazuna chuckled, and they noticed Suigetsu. "Who's your friend?"
"Just an old pal of mine," Naruto began and motions to him, "This is Suigetsu Hozuki."
"Nice to meet you, any friend of Naruto's is welcomed here." Tsunami welcomed him.
"Thanks ma'am." Suigetsu thanked her.
"This is Tazuna the one who built the bridge, and this is his family, his daughter Tsunami, and his grandson Inari." Naruto introduced them.
"Hi." Inari greeted him.
"Likewise." Suigetsu replied.
"Well how about we have a bite to eat?" Tsunami suggested.
"Good thing, I'm starving." Suigetsu agreed.
Soon the five of them were seated at the table enjoying a nice home cooked meal, especially Suigetsu, "Sugoi!" he and Naruto smiled with lit up eyes.
"You two must've been hungry," Tsunami giggled, "Well eat up there's plenty for everyone."
The two ate up while having a conversation, "So how's it been here in Wave?" Naruto asked.
"Never been better, Naruto. Ever since Gato's death and the bridge being completed our village has been restored to the beauty it was before Gato took over." Tazuna explained.
"That's good to hear." Naruto smiled.
"And it's all thanks to you nii-san." Inari added.
"Oh come on you give me too much credit." Naruto acted modest.
"So what brings you here, Naruto?" Tazuna asked.
"Well I'm sorta just passing through," Naruto began, "I met up with Suigetsu and we've decided to travel back together."
"I see." Tazuna said as he took a sip of sake.
"Yup," Naruto said and looked at his watch, "Whoop speaking of we better run."
"So soon?" Tsunami asked.
"Yeah I know, but when you're a ninja, job comes before anything." Naruto reminded them and he and Suigetsu got up, "Thanks for the food." They said as they headed out.
Soon Naruto led Suigetsu to the memorial where Zabuza's weapon was, "Well there it is." Naruto motioned to the memorial and the sword stuck in the ground in front of it.
Zabuza's sword was covered in leaves and such from not being moved in so many years,
"Yes!" Suigetsu cheered as he grabbed the hilt, "I mean you no disrespect to your grave sempai, but your sword deserves to be used in battle." He used his water ability to increase his arms muscles and was able to pick the weapon up with ease. He strapped the sword to his back.
"Ok you got your weapon, so let's be off." Naruto said pulling out his saucer again and got on followed by Suigetsu.
As they flew off, Naruto was flying much slower due to the added weight from Zabuza sword's to Suigetsu, "I sure hope you have a plan with getting Karin and Jugo to join us." The swordsman said.
"Don't worry, I got it all covered." Naruto assured him as they saw an island up ahead.
Inside the island compound was a girl with red eyes covered by glasses, and red hair that was short and unkempt on the right side, while long and combed on her left. She was at a desk, until her head shot up, "The feeling of this chakra, it's him. He's back!" She gasped.
(And that's part one of his recruiting. See you later.)
