HunterX097: Yay, hello everyone! The cute little author comes back again xD. Man I finally had some days off to relax myself and immerse myself in my hobbies, one of them is writing our story of course lol.

The mission of Wave is complete, and preparing for the interesting: The Chuunin Exam Arc. Do you have any ideas for me? Oh, and should Gaara be the female or not? Please let me know in your reviews.

I received a lot of comment and there is a person who makes me feel interested in them lol. Sadly, that person reviewed as a guest. Hey, thank you for your reviews, it helped me too much and they were also interesting xD. I hope you will keep on reading my story. Thank Antex-The Legendary Zoroark for supporting me, I was touching when I read your reviews.

I hope you enjoy this chapter .

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights go to Masashi Kishimoto.

Everyone was standing in front of the newly completed bridge.

With the help of Zabuza, Haku and the shinobi of the Leaf, the bridge was completed in only a few days.

Kakashi was watching his favorite student with his best friend. After the night Sasuki shared the room with Naruto, look like something interesting had happened. The silver haired man was surprised when they saw the raven haired seemed to be...friendlier a little. Of course she was still Uchiha Sasuki, somewhat cocky and aggressive. He also noticed that Sasuki was clingy to the blond boy, she followed him like a lost puppy and helped him do most things, saying that he'd not fully recovered yet, it could give them a hard time and he needed to get some rest. Naruto, who was always a nice boy and a gentleman, obviously refused that because he didn't want to let a girl do so much for him, but he finally obediently followed her orders after she pinned him with her spinning Sharingan glare. Those added so much amusement for Shino, Haku and even Zabuza as the Kiri shinobi teased two of them things sound like 'lover bird' or 'tsundere', that caused the Uchiha a great deal of embarrassment and snarled at him.

For Kakashi, he was just silently watching the duo and thought about something that only he knew.

As all good things must come to an end, Naruto and his teams said goodbye to the villagers, the blond boy even earned some hugs and kisses from Tsunami and some ladies. Of course, it was on the cheek but it still made Sasuki growl, she then approached and snatched him away from them, giving them her deadly ferocious Uchiha glare before dragging the boy with her...by pulling his ear again.

Naruto also gave all the money he, Kakashi and Zabuza took from Gatou's house to the Land of Waves to help fund the place and get everyone back on their feet.

And now, it was time to say farewell.

"Again, I apologize my actions caused you any harm." Haku bowed as she addresses the two youth sitting before her.

"It's okay Haku-san. You just did what you had to do, don't worry about it so much." Shino said. He understood the girl's actions, she, after all, was just protecting her not only master but also precious person.

Sasuki, however, made no comments but held her glare firmly on the gentle face of the woman that had nearly killed her teammate and crush, "How can they trust her easily? And that idiot, he was nearly killed and now he just acts like nothing happened!" She huffed quietly but Haku could still heard every words, she chuckled inside. Haku was a girl too, she knew what the raven haired girl felt for the blond shinobi. Haku was interested in it and she couldn't stop herself from wanting to tease the Uchiha a little.

"I understand your concerns, however..." She fell into step beside the blond whom she had just pledged her allegiance, "I'm Naruto-kun's friend and as such would bring no harm to those he holds dear."

Sasuki had to take a pause at the new piece of information, her face contorting into sheer disbelief and bewilderment.

Since when did fucking she called him Naruto-kun!?

Naruto was sweating at the blank look on Sasuki's face while Kakashi looked at them amusingly; Zabuza, though his face was covered by bandages, Naruto knew he was smirking with a smug, Shino just sighed and shook his head amusingly.

Sasuki growled in anger and turned around a certain boy who was trying his best to look anywhere but at his teammate and slowly inching his way away from the Uchiha girl.

"Moron! Explain, now!" She snarled angrily.

Naruto cursed his luck, shooting an unamused glare at Haku who merely smiled and rocked herself on the balls of her feet as though she had no clue what she'd just done, 'I'm sure she did it on purpose! Why you can, Haku!?' He shouted inside before turning to Sasuki.

"Look, I know how it seems but she's not a threat and Kakashi-sensei is okay with it." He tried to ease the angry girl.

Sasuki seemed unconvinced, "And she's calling you Naruto-kun because..." She ground out the words as though she was trying to chew through gravel.

"...Would you believe that she's just really respectful?"

The look on her face told him that excuse was not going to fly at the moment.

Haku for her part found the whole process rather amusing if she was honest. Now she was quite sure what the raven haired girl's relationship was with the blond, the ice user could tell the two were much closer than appearances would suggest.

Seeing at the Uchiha had been willing to take a hit for the blond perhaps there was something deeper going on there.

'They're really very cute. But Uchiha-san isn't honest with her own feeling and Naruto-kun is so dense.' Haku sighed inside. "Maybe I should provoke her a little."

"Excuse me Uchiha-san," She spoke softly her generally serene expression causing the bickering duo to pause and face her as she sauntered up to Naruto's side almost immediately setting said blond on edge.

"Forgive me if this seems rather blunt but..."She covered her mouth with her sleeve to hide a grin "Are you perhaps...interested in Naruto-kun?"

...

Shino had to hold his choke at the sudden question. He could guess Haku's purpose for it, but this way...

Naruto, for his part, had adopted the look of a grizzled war veteran staring far off into the distance as though he had accepted his fate and was now merely waiting for his inevitable end...

Kakashi who had up to this point been a silent observer giggled into the pages of his little book as his mask muffling his laughter, he was more than content to watch the drama unfold from a safety position

Zabuza had a little pity on the poor genin but as like Kakashi, the Kiri ninja wasn't stupid enough to interrupt and he didn't think he needed to do that.

As for our little Uchiha...

Well reacted about as well as anyone who'd ever met her would assume.

Very poorly.

"W-WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?!" She sputtered her face going red in a mixture of shock and embarrassment, "OF COURSE I'M NOT!"

Haku tilted her head adopting a faux confused expression, "Oh? I assumed your anger was more territorial in nature but if that's not the case~" She then wrapped her arms around the blond's arm placing it right between her chest, "Then I'd argue it's none of your business what goes on between me and Naruto-kun now is it?~"

Naruto wasn't sure he could get any paler by this point.

"I-I'm his teammate and best friend! Of course it's my business!"

Haku grinned and rested her cheek against the blond's but never took her eyes off the Uchiha trying to glare holes into her face, "Then your input is not required since your commanding officer has given his consent." Sasuki gritted her teeth, raising her fists.

"Unless of course, you have some other reason you'd like to share?"

Sasuki glared heatedly at the smug expression her tormenter sported, she was very much aware that no other argument she could make could override.

Haku smiled victoriously when the Uchiha closed her mouth biting down any retort instead settling for glaring daggers at the ice wielder.

"Watch your back!" Sasuki screamed.

"I'm glad we could move past this." She bowed low towards the two not at all missing the enraged look the Uchiha girl was sporting, the sigh the glassed boy was sending to his friend or the fact that the boy she was currently holding was near comatose in her arms.

And now, it was time to say farewell.

"I wish I could say it'll be nice to have you brats gone but... we're gonna miss you." Tazuna smiled as he gave each member a firm but friendly farewell handshake.

Naruto grinned, "I guess in the end you weren't so bad for an old drunk... not gonna miss your smell though~" He added cheekily getting a round of laughs from the crowd that had assembled to see them off and dark mutterings from the man in question.

"Tsk... cheeky punk..."

Tsunami smiled and gave each member a short hug, "We can't thank you enough for what you've done us, you're always welcome to come and stay with us again if you find yourselves in the area."

Kakashi and Shino smiled while Sasuki grunted but offered a small smirk to show her own gratitude.

By her side, Inari frowned a bit at the assembled shinobi, "Do...do you really have to go?..."

Seeing Wave free had shifted his perspective and had pushed him to be better having joined the village in seeing off the bandits from their dens. He felt like Kaiza would have been proud of him.

To see the people who made that change go was saddening for him.

Naruto grinned and placed a hand on the boys head tussling his hair through his hat, "We'll come back and visit someday but until then we're counting on you to protect Wave and make it better than ever, can we count on you?"

Inari smiled and nodded even though his tears, "I will I promise!"

He smiled back, "I can't wait to see it!"

Their moment was promptly interrupted when the blond was knocked over by a crying little girl whom Naruto had helped, he caught her as she cried in his chest. Sasuki narrowed her eyes and grunted at the girl.

"Onii-chan, don't go." The little girl hiccupped and he smiled.

"We talked about this didn't we? You have to stay here, it's a great place villagers'll take good care of you and your friends. You can write to me regularly as I have left my address with them and don't worry about anything. Ask for anything you need there and I'll take care of the money alright. I'll come visit when I can. Now I have to go." He said softly, she nodded and went back as Tsunami picked her up and he nodded to her with a grateful smile.

"What are you going to do now Zabuza-san?" Naruto turned to ask in a polite tone. They could have once been enemies and Zabuza was a missing nin, but Naruto still gave him the respect as a shinobi, plus he saved and took care of Haku, his new friend.

"We will come back Kirigakure and join the rebellion." Zabuza said firmly. Team 7 knew the truth about Zabuza's the Mizukage assassination.

Kakashi shook his head, "Then you're out of luck. The civil war's over. The Yondaime Mizukage's been killed and replaced with a woman called Terumi Mei, it seems she was in charge of the rebels." Zabuza's eyes bulged at that information.

"Terumi Mei!? Really!?" He shouted incredulously. Naruto raised a brow.

"Yeah, you know her?" Zabuza didn't answer the question, he just looked thoughful instead.

'So you're successful eh Mei-chan? I'm glad for you.' Zabuza thought with a relief, "Then I suppose I've got other plans..." He then turned to look at villagers. "I think I and Haku will be in here and protect this land." His answer surprised everyone. Haku seemed like she'd like that, "It will be better than we continue wandering everywhere. I'm starting to feel tired of all the meaningless fighting. Besides..." he chuckled. "...I have the duty of a father to fulfill now, after all."

He rubbed Haku's hair, who was now blushing from happiness and embarrassment.

"Oh?" Kakashi eye-smiled. "So the deadly demon of Kirigakure has become a harmless puppy now thanks to a little girl, eh?"

"Say that again, and I'll show you harmless." Zabuza growled, though his voice was more playful than menacing. Kakashi just giggled.

Kakashi then looked at him, "Anyway, are you sure, Zabuza? You know this is still a poor land and it's gonna take a while to restore damages from Gatou's actions."

"I know, but villagers still accept us after we caused them troubles. Tazuna's family treats us well though we just tried to kill their old man, and they even help me take care of Haku. No way I can repay them enough." He said, looking at the girl who always followed him and patted her head, "In addition, it's dangerous for us to travel or come back Kirigakure now, especially Haku. I also don't want to let her bloodline be taken advantage of by someone from the former council. Our best choice is being here in this land as Wave doesn't have ninja."

Kakashi nodded, "I see. I wanted to ask you for joining my village but it's unsafe to do that...at least now." Sasuki and Shino were curious about his words, but Naruto knew what he was implying. The Konoha elders with a certain mummy and the civilian council.

"Anyways..." Zabuza spoke out, he stepped forward with an outstretched hand, "...Nice to meet you, The copy ninja Hatake Kakashi."

Kakashi blinked a little before he eye-smiled, "Nice to meet you too, one of the Seven Sword Man of the Mist, Momochi Zabuza." And he shook his hand.

Tazuna smiled fondly at two jounin, and looked over the completed bridge, "Now to name the blasted thing... hmm...hey everyone, how does the Great Naruto Bridge sound?!"

The roads of approval from the villagers was deafening and Naruto blinked at him in surprised, "Tazuna-san...I can't..." The old man held out a hand.

"Nonsense. You won't accept a reward for saving us from not only Gatou and his goons, but those shinobi as well, so this is my compromise."

Zabuza grinned at the blond genin, "The brat looks so happy."

Indeed, Naruto's face had broken into a massive grin, and he extended his hand to Tazuna, which the old man shook eagerly. After a few more goodbyes, the Konoha shinobi turned to leave. As they vanished into the high noon sun, Inari glanced down the book that he received from Naruto as his goodbye gift. The little boy grinned at the title: How to be a ninja?

On the inside of the front cover, there was a small message from Naruto that increased Inari's grin even more: This book will guide you on the path to becoming a true ninja, a protector of the innocent, a true hero. It won't be easy, but never, ever give up! Your big brother, Uzumaki Naruto."

Three days later

The Hidden Leaf Village

Team 7 made their way back towards the leaf in about three days. Once they arrived, they went to the Hokage Tower to report their mission to the Sandaime Hokage. Kakashi was going to go alone, but Naruto wanted him and his best friend to go with the jounin while Shino decided to come back his home as he wanted to talk to his father. The blond was sure Mikoto and Izumi were waiting them in the Hokage Tower. Before they came back the village, Kakashi must send a preliminary report to the old man, it was the rule of the Hokage.

Before nightfall, Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuki stood inside the Hokage's office. As expected, the Uchiha clan head and her eldest daughter were there. Kakashi started recounting their C-rank-becoming-A-rank mission again, and for the first time seeing the old man so shocked and angry in their young lives. Mikoto and Izumi also looked at them unhappily.

"From your report, your team tangled with Momochi Zabuza, the A-rank missing nin of the Hidden Mist and Naruto almost died in the fight against a Hidden Mist kunoichi, Yuki Haku." The Hokage growled in a displeasure voice.

Kakashi nodded calmly while Sasuki and Naruto were nervous a little. The girl wasn't used to see her mother and sister upset, and the boy didn't want to deal with angry Uchiha women.

Mikoto nearly exploded, "Hatake Kakashi! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't have your head here and now! What were you thinking at that time!?"

"Uchiha-sama. We were doing our first mission. You know it's not a good thing to abandon it." Kakashi replied gently

"Kakashi! This is an A-rank mission, not C-rank. You have to know it's so dangerous for your team and your students could have been dead!" The Hokage hissed.

"Yet it hadn't happened and all three are still alive. They're a special team after all."

"It's not a worthy excuse for putting your team in any danger Kakashi-senpai!" Izumi snarled.

They could go on for hours like this and there would never be a victor in their arguments. The fights would only stop when someone came with some important work for the Hokage or he had to leave for a meeting. Naruto should have guessed this would happen as he knew how protective the Hokage, Mikoto and Izumi, he decided to interrupt.

"Jiji, Mikoto-obaasan, Izumi-neechan please don't blame Kakashi-sensei." He spoke out and three adults turned to look him. "Continuing the mission was team 7's decision because like Kakashi-sensei said, that's our first mission. I don't deny it was a reckless one, but it wouldn't be good if we went back to Konoha and left Tazuna-san there. He could lie about the mission parameters, but because all the money all of Wave Country had was enough to pay for C-rank mission." The blond boy stated in a calm voice, "And people have no objection, which means we all agreed to continue the mission thought we knew it was an A-rank mission and team 7 was willing to do whatever it took."

The Hokage sighed at him, "I know, Naruto. But it was still so dangerous, not to mention you were nearly dead..."

"You know I won't die that easily." Naruto replied with a foxy grin, then looking down and grabbed his stomach. "After all, I have my tenant inside me..." He said in with a quite voice.

Kakashi, Hiruzen, Mikoto, Izumi, their looks became sorrowful as Naruto considered his jinchuuriki status. They felt grief and guilt for the boy's life as he had to carry that weight on his shoulders since he was born. The Sandaime Hokage felt even more sorry that he was Hokage, the leader of the Hidden Leaf village, but he couldn't do much for him and Naruto'd never complained so much or bore a grudge against him or villagers who mistreated and abused the poor boy. The young boy even agreed to become a Konoha shinobi and dedicated here to protect the village.

The Hokage sighed but then smiled, "Alright, I suppose it is reluctant and apparently Kakashi didn't have a choice as all agreed." He then looked the lazy ninja, "I will put it off to you this time, Kakashi but make sure you'll be more careful the next time. Naruto was lucky to be alive because...well...he's special a little." Hiruzen didn't know Naruto told the young Uchiha about the fox so he avoided talking it. "...but if it was Sasuki or Shino, it would have much greater consequences." He said with a firm expression.

"Yes I see Hokage-sama. I will be careful nest time" Kakashi replied seriously.

"Alright, and now..." The Hokage turned to Naruto and Sasuki, "I suppose you two have something to tell as Naruto, you fully know it's unnecessary that you go with your jounin for the report of the mission."

Naruto grinned at him, "You're really sharp for your age." Izumi smacked his head for disrespectful words, but Naruto still smiled with pleasure while the Sandaime was sweat dropping; Mikoto, Kakashi and Sasuki sighed at his antics.

"You have something important to tell you but at first, can you dismiss all ANBU, just let Izumi-neechan in here and add a privacy seal to this room? Please...Hokage-sama." Everyone in the room tensed up. Naruto rarely called Hiruzen with his tittle unless he was really serious, this was a great importance.

The Hokage was startled a little at his knowledge of fuuinjutsu, but he still dismissed his ANBU except Izumi and everyone then sensed some chakra being applied to the room around them. The privacy seal.

Meanwhile, Naruto looked forward, eyes closed and he sniffed the air. There was something off about the office.

'Hey Kurama, you sense this?' He asked the fox telepathically.

Kurama who was laying lazily on top of his hand-like paws nodded in response to this. "Yeah, three to four listening seals. It looks like someone found the loophole and began to listen from the inside for quite a while now." He explained with detail. "Just apply a little of my chakra to enhance a roar and it'll destroy them easily."

'Good thing I brought those earplugs for me in case I needed them.' Naruto said with his prankster like grin he was infamous for.

"...Why did you have those in the first place?" Kurama asked with a sweat-dropping.

'There is many interesting things in the storage seal I'm bringing.' Naruto answered mischievously.

"Weirdo."

Naruto refocused on people in the room. "Please wait a little everyone." He softly called out, getting the two's attention.

The Hokage raised his eyebrows as he looked at the blond genin. "What is it Naruto?" Hiruzen asked as placed his hands behind his back. Naruto didn't answered, instead he gave him some earplugs.

"Here, put these on." He whispered lowly as he then turned to others and handed them some as well. "You guys too, don't ask why. I'll signal when you can take them out."

Izumi would had question this, but seeing the serious tone in his voice, she and others placed them in their ears, then Naruto place them too. Just as he did so, Naruto rubbed his neck.

'This is going to be a pain in my throat...' He thought as then he began to gather a very small amount of the fox's chakra and sent it to his throat, this quickly alarm the Hokage but he saw that Naruto was look away from both him and everyone, he realized what the blond genin was about to do as the two then cover their ears for further safety.

Naruto took a deep breath and let out a high pitch scream towards the listening seals were located at and they instantly were destroyed by being exposed to the tailed beast's chakra.

In an unknown place, three people that were listening in became deaf by being exposed to the high pitch scream.

While the while this was happening, a certain mummy frowned at the sight at the bleeding ear men.

Once Naruto saw that the deed was done, he made a motion to his ears that meant that the old man and everyone could take the plugs out.

"Naruto-kun, what just happened? What was it that you just did?" The old man asked, taking the plugs out of his ears.

"What's burning?" Kakashi asked as he did the same.

Everyone then finally noticed the smell of paper burning.

"What's that?" Sasuki asked curiously.

Naruto then took off his ear plugs out and placed them back into his pocket while he was rubbing his throat with his hand.

'Knew it...' Naruto groaned as he walked over to one side of the room and picked up a half burning piece of paper and showed it

"What do you think these are? I'm quite sure you guys know it jiji, Mikoto-obaasan, Kakashi-sensei." The Hokage stood up and walked around the desk. He took the paper and began to studied it carefully with Mikoto and Kakashi before their eyes widened in realization.

"Why, these are listening seals. That would mean..." Hiruzen got out with a surprise tone before narrowing his eyes.

'Someone has been spying on us eh? In this case...' Kakashi glanced at the Hokage who gazed back and nodded.

'Danzo...that war hawk and his Root members!' Mikoto thought with anger. Shimura Danzo, that old jerk and the Uchiha clan never got along with each other.

The Sandaime looked around the office before doing a quick anti-listening jutsu to make sure that there was no other possible way for eavesdroppers to listen in this time.

"Alright, this room is safe now Naruto-kun. You can tell now." Hiruzen cleared his throat.

Naruto nodded, then he looked at Sasuki and the girl looked back. On the way, they discussed about it so Sasuki knew what the boy wanted her to do. She felt a little nervous as she would show them. She unconsciously gripped tightly onto Naruto's jacket for dear life as the fear of reactions she could received made any possible thought process halt indefinitely.

Naruto smiled at her and held her hand, "Calm down Sasuki. They're jiji and our sensei, your mother and sister. You have nothing to be afraid of." He said softly, "By the way, I'm here for you." He added with an caring voice.

Upon hearing this, Sasuki recovered from her anxious filled moment, she loosen her grip on Naruto's jacket, but she still held it with her index finger and thumb, "I..I see. If you say so..." She then turned to Mikoto and Izumi, they were looking at her worriedly. They were concerned about her.

"I'm stupid. Okaa-san and onee-chan are my family. They always care for me. Why do I think some of these things that they will hate me?' She thought guiltily before she slowly pushed charka into her eyes. They switched to three-tomoe Sharingan, and then it transformed into the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Mikoto and Izumi widened their eyes at that scene, 'No way! That form...but how can she get it!?' The Uchiha prodigy wondered as she looked her sister in shock.

'The youngest awakened Mangekyou in the clan was just 12 and that's Izumi-chan.' Mikoto thought as she bit her lip, 'But even Sasuki-chan...why even my youngest daughter too for God's sake!?'

The Hokage just stared at the little Uchiha, his knowledge about the bloodline of the Uchiha clan was limited but he still knew about thing that was Mangekyou Sharingan or 'Cursed Eyes' like Nidaime Hokage called them.

Naruto felt the tension in the room and knew that they would want a explanation now.

"Well..." He cleared his throat, everyone simultaneously turned to him, "Because it's difficult for Sasuki to talk about them without making her feel uneasy, I'm telling for her now." He started explaining, "Like everyone knew. Team 7's mission turned from C-rank into A-rank because of the presence of Momochi Zabuza. He has an apprentice naming Yuki Haku. She is the last one of Yuki clan in the Hidden Mist Village and a powerful kunoichi. In the fight against her, I was hit by her bloodline technique and nearly died..." He then looked at Sasuki who was holding his hand tightly as that memory came back to her, "...And unluckily, that scene happened in front of Sasuki's eyes." He said sadly, looking down a little.

Mikoto and Izumi looked in horror when the Hokage became somber. That girl, an rookie kunoichi, a genin, and she was young, but she had to witness the death of her best friend in front of her. No. Not only a friend. All of them knew Sasuki's feeling for Naruto was more than a normal friendship. She just didn't admit it for her pride. They'd been extremely close since they were in the ninja academy. The youngest Uchiha wasn't a society type so she didn't have any friends, people she tolerated were her family and the blond boy, who was always by her side and helped her so much. The 5 years were enough time for growing a friendship into a certain new relationship. Naruto became one of her precious people, plus Sasuki was too young to control her emotions.

No wonder it snapped her enough for activating the Mangekyou Sharingan.

'Two times, same person and she awakened Sharingan, then Mangekyou.' Kakashi glanced at Naruto, 'Sasuki's feeling for him is enough strong to affect on her emotion and bloodline. He's really your son, sensei.' He thought with an eye-smile.

'Formerly you and now your son. Like father like son.' The Hokage smiled sadly at his memory about a certain blond Hokage, then gazed at Mikoto.

'It's never a good thing that an Uchiha has their Mangekyou Sharingan. I hoped Sasuki-chan wouldn't get it because of her safety, but again, Naruto-kun has something to do to it.' The female clan head sighed, but she then looked at her daughter with a smile, 'But it's also for him, I feel better when he's around her.'

'I've not told anyone how I awakened my Mangekyou. Rather, I don't want to recall it. Look like I and my little moon have the same cause.' Izumi remembered that night. That day, 10th October A.K.A Naruto's birthday. Villagers congratulated on the victory of the village defeating the Kyuubi, and Kyuubi-haters, including some civilians and shinobi, were more wicked and ferocious than normal. They would hunt the poor jinchuuriki down, beaten and humiliated him badly. That day, a jounin crossed the line as he slashed Naruto's back by a sharp kunai, then stabbed him a lot while he didn't stop insulting him something as 'demon' or 'clan less' until Naruto didn't move anymore... At that time, Izumi always saw Naruto as her lovely brother, so those images snapped the Uchiha prodigy. A pure rage and hatred boiling in her and before she knew, her Mangekyou Sharingan was activated. She then used her greatest genjutsu and forced that jounin to go through his worst nightmare before she finished his life slowly and painfully.

That was the first and she hoped the only time she let the hatred consume her. Izumi still remembered she had stabbed that jounin, again and again, even though he had been long dead...with a blood lust grin. She wouldn't stop...if she hadn't heard a voice calling her. She had forgot his tenant and thought Naruto had died. When she had looked up at him, it had haunted her until now. He had looked anxious and surprised but Izumi could see a little fear in his eyes. Naruto had been afraid of her. He had thought she would hurt him...

Since then, Izumi devoted herself to control her feelings, and she wouldn't let her anger and vengeance take control again. She didn't want to see that look in his eyes anymore. It had followed her in her sleep all that week. It made her hurt so much.

"One more thing..." Naruto spoke out, got the attention again, "I talked to Sasuki about my tenant, and Shino knew it." The Hokage cringed.

"Naruto-kun, you-" Before Hiruzen said anything, Naruto shook his head.

"I know jiji, you're not wrong when you said that I should keep it secret." He eyed the old man seriously, "But Sasuki and Shino are my teammates, they deserved to know about it." Naruto retorted sharply, "Though Shino unexpected found out by his bugs." He mumbled with a pout.

Hiruzen, Mikoto and Kakashi sweat-dropped at that. Izumi looked amusing with that.

"Oh, and don't worry jiji. They will keep it secret. It's not like they have a gut to break your law. Right, Sacchin." Naruto winked at Sasuki which made her blush and looked away. Mikoto and Izumi giggled at that.

The Hokage sighed, he should have known that the Uzumaki would reveal the truth about the Kyuubi to his teammates someday. In fact, Hiruzen felt relieved to learn that. That was the reason why he put Naruto, Sasuki and Shino in the same team

"Make sure you won't practically reveal it Naruto unless they're trustworthy people." The Sandaime stated sternly.

"I understand jiji. I still want to keep my head after all." Naruto replied with a carefree smile.

Suddenly, Sasuki thought of something and she spoke out, "Hokage-sama. I can ask why is it Naruto? Surely there can be many other people the Yondame Hokage could use to contain the beast for him... Why used a baby who had just been born?"

At this time, Izumi was wondering the same thing. It wasn't her first time. Every ANBUs and jounin learned about Naruto's jinchuuriki status but most of them didn't knew about the reason he was chosen. Izumi heard a lot about the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato, she could see that he wouldn't do anything without having a specific reason.

Hiruzen, Kakashi and Mikoto, however, knew it better than anyone. They looked at each other awkwardly. Which wasn't unnoticed by Uchiha sisters and they narrowed their eyes.

"Sasuki." Kakashi voiced quietly, "There is a special reason for that and it's a SS-rank secret. It means it isn't allowed to release arbitrarily and if you ask why. Once more, it's for Naruto's safety."

"BUT THAT'S SO UNFAIR!" The youngest Uchiha got out as she began to feel an uncontrollable fury building inside of her, "Villagers think he's Kyuubi because they can't get over the fact that it's sealed in him! He shouldn't have a scapegoat to be killed. Not to be abused as a sick twisted way of revenge!" She yelled her declaration.

"Sasuki! Show Hokage-sama some respect!" Mikoto scolded her but Sasuki ignored her mother.

Hiruzen looked down in shame. "I understand that you're upset, but Yondaime had his reasons, and he didn't want me to reveal it...at least not now as Naruto need time to improve his ninja career."

The Hokage's answer couldn't placate the anger of the Uchiha. Before Sasuki could shout some more, Naruto put his hand on her shoulder.

"That's enough Sasuki." Naruto said softly, "It's not like jiji doesn't want to tell me. I understand the value of the promise. Jiji has his words, we shouldn't give him a hard time. By the way, I believe Yondaime-sama had a good reason and I'm happy he trusted me enough to choose me the jinchuuriki of the Nine Tails and protect the village." He stated with a foxy grin.

"Naruto..."

Adults couldn't help feeling heartwarming, the Uchiha Matriarch smiled slightly at the blond boy.

'Of course he trusts you. You're his son after all, the son Minato and Kushina-chan love more than anything in this world?' She the glanced at the Hokage, the said man had a soft but a little sad smile on his face, Kakashi just looked away and said nothing.

"Alright, I suppose it's enough to day. Everyone can leave now." Hiruzen said, "Team 7 completed the mission successfully. You guys will have a week off without missions, get some rest or training, whatever you guys want to do."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Everyone bowed before all them left, leaving the Hokage in the room with his thoughts,

"Naruto...Sasuki... Is the history repeating itself?" And he glanced at the picture of the Yondaime Hokage.

After leaving the Hokage Tower, Naruto took the opportunity that Izumi and Mikoto inquired of Sasuki about her Mangekyou Sharingan, he sneak away and went to his favoritre place in the library. When he came, he didn't see the librarian anywhere.

'Maybe she is out here on business.' he thought. Naruto went upstairs, coming to his 'secret base'. Naruto entered into and he made sure the door was blocked carefully, he put a privacy seal. After everything was done, Naruto started talking to someone.

"Alright, no one can disturb us now." Naruto said with a sigh, "Though it's not like there is someone eavesdropping us...Ashura."

"...It never hurt to be careful, Naruto. By the way, I don't want someone to find me out so soon yet~" Ashura sing-sang.

"Tch, she will reach us one day, sooner or later." Kurama grumbled annoyingly, "How the hell can you hide your presence from that girl? She even can find the old man when he lowered his chakra until I couldn't sense him."

Ashura just giggled, "It's one of my special techniques, dude. I mask my chakra and blend into Naruto's chakra, making myself invisible. Unless onee-sama's transmigrant uses Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan on Naruto with intense concentration or she will never find me." He completed with a shit-eating grin.

Naruto and Kurama sweat-dropped. Was that really the successor of the Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki Ashura?

"...He's really your ancestor kit. You two are childlike in most aspects..."

""Oi, What's that supposed to mean?"" The young Otsutsuki and the Uzumaki invoked. The fox sighed in annoyance, why the hell were those two idiot supposed his old man's successor and the child of prophecy?

"Anyways, why are you here Ashura? I know Naruto is your transmigrant, but don't you think it's a bit early?" Kurama stated with narrowed eyes.

Ashura just sighed, then turned to look the fox, "I know. But what could I do at that time? That Yuki girl injured Naruto, accidentally release my chakra and a part of memories in his sub-conscious mind. In addition..." His expression became firm, "...I can dimly feel onee-sama's chakra growing in that little girl. It won't take long..."

Kurama and Naruto both turned serious. Coming back in the Wave when Naruto met Ashura in his mindscape. The Uzumaki was shocked as he found out the Sage of Six Paths was no myth, and the story about his two child, Otsutsuki Ashura...and Otsutsuki Indra, and their conflicts. More surprisingly, according to the Otsutsuki man, not only Naruto was his descendant but also, the Shodaime Hokage, Senju Hashirama and the Senju clan...while his best friend, the legendary Uchiha Madoka and the Uchiha clan were his older sister's descendants.

'No wonder he said it was memories...' Naruto though thoughtfully, '...or rather, they were memories in my previous life as Shodaime-sama...'

"Hey Ashura." He called and the said person paid his attention to him, "Can you tell me more about what you talked to me when we were in Wave?"

Because Naruto was talking to him outside so he couldn't see, but Kurama who was in the mindscape with Ashura caught a hint of pain and sorrow on the Otsutsuki's face. He, of course, knew the reason for it, but it wasn't his position to tell about it. It would be better if he let Ashura do that. It was his job to pass his stories and knowledge on the young boy. The conflict lasted too long and it needed an ending, now and then.

'But good end or bad end...it belongs to kit and the Uchiha brat.' The fox thought.

Meanwhile, Naruto was still waiting patiently on his ancestor. He didn't know how, but he felt a little delicacy from Ashura and he didn't want to press him. Naruto was not ignorant to the cause for his speechless. Who didn't feel something distasteful and upset when they had to recall their bad memories, especially it had something to do to their sibling? Naruto was an orphan, he wasn't sure he could know how Ashura feel as he even didn't know about his parent, but he was his descendant, he still got a little discomfort.

"...You know you don't need to tell me now if it makes you feel uneasy." The blond spoke out, "You can tell me later or I can find it out myself."

Ashura shook his head, "I'm grateful you're think about my feeling, but I have to tell you. Not all I think, because...I need a little time for myself, and you're not ready for some information. However, I make sure I will give you enough what you need in the future." He stated with a serious tone, "Naruto, how much you know about the Curse of Hatred?"