He is back!

3 years and 2 weeks later – Mt. Myoboku

"Well Naruto-boy, I must say I am beyond impressed. In 3 years, you have managed to learn all we toads had to teach you. Those shadow clones of yours really are something else. You may not have perfected all the techniques we have taught you, but you will master them soon enough. Well done," Fukaksu told Naruto, pride evident in his voice and eyes.

"Thanks Grandpa," Naruto replied with his trademark grin," But you should not forget that the others must have been training as well. Well…. maybe not as seriously as me…except for Sasuke probably…but it wouldn't do good to underestimate them."

"Very true my boy. And don't you ever forget that. It may save your life one day."

"Right, if you two are done saying goodbye…. Naruto as much as it pains me to say we-" Jiraiya was interrupted by Naruto, "-have to go back to Konoha. Yes, I remember the deal we made Ero-sennin. Let's not put this off longer. Well then Gramps…see ya after some time." Naruto then turns towards the lake on his left. "Bye guys. See ya later"

"See you Naruto," Reply the toads. And with that, Naruto and Jiraiya returned to the Elemental Nations.

Hidden Leaf Village, Cliff of the Hokage Mountain

In a huge burst of smoke, Naruto and Jiraiya appeared inside the village on top of the Hokage Mountain. "*snorts* Man talk about disappointing. Three whole years and not a single fucking change," says Naruto.

"Well, not everyone or everything progresses at your pace. Honestly, I think only Guy and Lee can beat you in the workaholic department right now," replies Jiraiya in an amused tone.

"True. Those two are in a league of their own. Anyway, let's go report to Baa-chan now."

"Right behind ya gaki."

Hokage's Office

'Rejected, rejected, re-are they insane? Hell no. Hmmm… Reasonable but no. Fuck you no. Huh, finally something good. Approved,' were the thoughts going through the head of the 5th Hokage as she went through her stack of paperwork. And then a breeze blew into the room ruffling her papers.

"So…. you are finally here… gaki," Tsunade says as she raises her head towards the two men who just flash-stepped into her office. Her eyes fall on a six-foot tall man, with a lean build, golden blonde hair and azure blue eyes. He wore a red half sleeved shirt with a black sleeveless vest on it coupled with black shinobi trousers with red trims, black shoes and a black Konoha headband. His skin was lightly tanned and his face sported a few more scars.

"Unbelievable. 3 years I don't see you. And you turn out to be a rugged version of your father. You do realise what the female population of Konoha is going to do to you?" Tsunade asks with mirth in her voice.

"My dad was a pretty boy, wasn't he? *chuckles* But I guess that's why the Fourth Hokage was such a sought-after guy. As for the female population of Konoha…. I am pretty sure I can manage them. But whatever. It's nice to you see Baa-chan," Naruto replies with a smile and goes to hug Tsunade who gladly reciprocates.

"Holy…what the hell?! Why does your body feel like it is made of stone?! What kind of training did you even do brat?" Tsunade inquired in a disbelieving voice. "And wait, how do you know who your father is?! I certainly never…. Jiraiya. What possessed you to tell the kid that particular piece of information?"

"Trust me hime. You don't want him against you in a fight anymore unless you have no sense of self-preservation. I learnt that the hard way. That alone merited the fact that he should know his parentage. Ha! You should have seen his concentration when I told him about his parents! And get this! He cried on hearing how Minato saved Kushina! That was fucking hilarious!" laughed Jiraiya.

"Now, now," Naruto grinned evilly, "we do have other things to tell Baa-chan. I am damn sure she doesn't need to know about the different ways I found to torture an opponent while not breaking bones."

"Oh kami no. It will not. Be. Told. To. Her. My whole body still hurts like a bitch, dammit."

"Tch. The apprentice tries to blackmail the master," Naruto turns to Tsunade ignoring Jiraiya's shouts of protest, a victorious smirk on his face, "Anyway Ero-sennin can brief you about my progress. Meanwhile, I will go buy a new apartment for myself. The old one really was a dump Ja ne." And with that, Naruto leaves in a swirl of leaves.

"So…. Jiraiya, tell me. How strong is the brat really?" Tsunade questions Jiraiya. Jiraiya sighed.

"Look Naruto has got different stages of power. As he told you, he trained hard. Very hard. The dedication he showed would put Lee and Guy's training look like a walk in the park. Without additional power-ups, Naruto at 100% is easily going to beat any jounin of Konoha, except maybe Guy. Lee is the only other person who can give Naruto problems. Rest of 'em rely too much on chakra, and well, they will be fighting someone who has as much chakra as the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha together."

"What! That much?!"

"Hime, think logically. What I am saying is no exaggeration. Even three years ago, he probably had as much chakra as Sarutobi sensei. Right now… Anyway. Moving on.

With his Kyuubi chakra…. he can probably put me down with 4 tails worth of chakra. But he can control only one tails worth. If both of us use sage mode, and he hasn't figured out how to master it, something I finally accomplished after all these years, so I still am stronger as a result. So, all in all…. Suffice it to say he is a few years away from surpassing us."

"…. well damn."

Konoha Main Street

Naruto was strolling around the village, checking out new shops, people…. Basically, getting the lay of the land. As he was walking a woman with blonde hair tied into 4 spiky buns stopped him. "Hey, excuse me, I don't think I have seen you before in Konoha, even though you are wearing the genin headband. So, identify yourself," said the blonde lady.

"I will," replied Naruto, "After you tell me what a Suna shinobi is doing in Konoha."

"Ambassador."

"Oh! Sorry, in that case. Well, my Name is Naruto Uzumaki and I am a genin of Konoha. Nice to meet you after such a long time Temari-san."

"W-w-wait…Naruto!" Temari blinked. "And how did you recognise me?! Oh my gosh, how could I not recognise YOU?!"

"Relax, relax Temari-san," Naruto laughed. "Well, that hairstyle is very distinctive. As for me well…. I have changed in a lot of ways. Can't blame you."

"Pfft! Change is an understatement. Where is that scrawny runt with a big mouth? And where is that hideous orange suit of yours huh?" Temari grinned and asked.

"The suit is still there but that runt is now a mere memory," Naruto replied smirking.

"Heh. Well nice to see you around. Do try and keep yourself alive. The two times I was there were times where you almost died. "

"Sure. Laugh it up. Anyway, I won't keep you from your business. Ja ne."

"Ja ne."

'Yeah, no way I could have recognised him when he looked like that. I had half a mind to jump him right then and there,' Temari thought to herself and blushed.

Konoha Shinobi Apartment near the West gate

"A single BHK. That's what you want?" asked the landlord.

"Yep," replied Naruto.

*We got one on the seventh floor with a balcony. It's yours for 10,000 per month."

"What! No way. 5000 per month."

"Kid…ugh…. fine. 9."

"5 and a half."

"8 and a half."

"Tch. Clearly you are a pain. 7000."

"7000 only if you agree not to move out for a year."

"Done." And with that the two shook hands sealing the deal.

"I will get the paperwork tomorrow. Be ready to sign."

"You bet."

Naruto walked out of the landlord's office and came face to face with an ANBU.

"Lady Hokage requests your presence in her office in 5 minutes."

"Sure. I will do you one better and go there right now."

Hokage's Office

"So, what do you – woah…." Naruto stopped mid-sentence as he found not one but 13 faces looking at him. "Uh okay. Well, that is one crowd. So, what do you need me for Baa-chan?"

"Brat! Address me respectfully!" Tsunade chucked a sake bottle at him which Naruto deftly dodged. "Only when needed Baa-chan. Only when needed."

"Well, if I wasn't convinced before I sure as hell am now. Only Naruto calls Lady Hokage that," Shikamaru said smiling and shaking his head.

"Yo Shikamaru. I can see we are missing Neji, Tenten and Hinata. Hi everyone else. How are you?" Naruto answered.

"Good." "Fine." Peachy." "IN THE FLAMES OF MY YOUTH!"

"Well now that that's out of the way. Naruto, we want to test your strength. Or rather I want to but it doesn't matter. I want to see if Jiraiya was saying the truth. So right now, you have to pick 3 opponents who will fight you at once. And depending on the results we will gauge your potential. So, pick your opponents," Tsunade tells Naruto.

"Hmmmm…"

'This is gonna be good,' thought Jiraiya.

"I pick…Shikamaru…. Lee…and Kakashi. Before you ask why, let me tell you. Lee because he is literally the worst match up for me. His taijutsu was miles better than everyone 3 years ago, and right now it's gonna probably drive me crazy. Shikamaru because I was never, or will I ever be, able to anticipate a solid plan made by an enemy tactician. It always throws me off. And Kakashi because I want to have an all-round test of my ninjutsu as well. That good enough?"

'….. since when did Naruto become so smart?' was the thought going through everyone's head except Jiraiya.

"Er…. right. You heard the kid. Lee, Shikamaru, Kakashi and Naruto, head to the Chunin exam ground. The rest, move to the viewer gallery," Tsunade ordered.

Konoha Battle Arena

Naruto faced off Kakashi, Lee and Shikamaru in the middle of the arena while his companions looked on from the gallery.

"So, Naruto…" Kakashi started, "Let me start by welcoming you back. Next, I warn you. I will go almost full strength. I look forward to our match."

'He is going all out?!' Everyone was fazed by this except Naruto and Kakashi. "Understood," Naruto curtly replied. 'I got to keep a lookout for any genjutsus. Naruto cast one 3 years ago when he had shite chakra control. How, is beyond me. And who knows what he did on these 3 years?' Shikamaru prepared himself.

"…..Begin!" Tsunade boomed.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Author's note: Fanfiction formatting is a pain in the ass. Anyway, let me know how you feel about this chapter. The fight scene coming up is very big and as usual, a first for me. So stay tuned, and review and let me know how was this chapter of The Crimson Storm!