Well, it has been quite a long time.

I in fact did not have the cat in the bag.

I honestly just stopped writing again, as I had started working a lot of overtime. But now I shall try to be back once again! I thank everyone for their reviews and I hope they come back, or new people try out the story.

Naruto isn't my story. If I attempted to write it I'd be like the MC from Erased, not selling at all.

Onwards, my dear acolytes!

Around 2 hours had passed since Naruto fell unconscious. Tetsuya put the young boy on a cot, sitting in a chair the Hokage offered him.

"I believe young Naruto will soon awaken. His wounds have healed, and I understand you wish to take him along with you. You do seem to be a ninja," Hiruzen stated. Having seen the man in action, he knew the young boy would be in safe hands. But, the main question was, "Do you plan to stay in the village, or do you plan on leaving? If you leave, I would advise you to bring him back in the future."

Tetsuya looked at the Hokage, brushing a strand of hair from his eye. He understood that the old man wanted the legacy of the blonde to be safe. "The are many reasons I should not bring him back here. Yet, the choice will be his." Looking to the child, the man continued on. "I was trained at a young age in Iron Country. My father was a Samurai, however he left after my mother died when I was seven. He took me along to travel the nations, teaching me his style of swordsmanship. I have learned some elemental techniques, favors my father had called in from his allies."

Hiruzen nodded, observing the man as he spoke. Though he did seem sad, resentful even, he saw strength in his eyes. "I have heard many things of the Miyamoto family swordsmanship. I have never seen it in action." As he spoke, he noticed Naruto stirring. He motioned to the shadows, and Tetsuya noticed a flicker in the corner of his eye.

As Naruto slowly awoke, he felt his body aching. He had vague memories of another mob, but he also remember something else. 'What was that voice? It helped me... but it also made me hurt.'

'Yes, boy, I did. I have never witnessed such disgusting acts by humans since that Uchiha.' A dark voice stated in his mind, scaring Naruto and causing him to sit up.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT?" Naruto yelled out loud, not noticing the two men get up and look at him with concern.

'There is no reason to yell or speak out loud, boy. I can hear you just fine. If you hadn't guessed, I am within you. I have helped you with your little... 'predicament'. Be grateful.' The voice stated, before Naruto felt a pull on his stomach and he arrived in a tunnel, hearing water flow underneath his feet.

Naruto looked down, seeing a metal grate covered in moss under him. He could barely see, however he saw a light peering out ahead of him. Walking toward it, he reached a metal door.

'Put your hand upon the door. It will open for you. Then you may witness that which caused your pain and anguish.'

'Uh... okay, mister voice inside my head!' Naruto did as he was instructed, and was surprised to see swirling letters form on the door. Before he could attempt to look at them, the door opened and he saw the largest thing he had ever seen before.

'Yes, child. Feast your eyes upon me, for I am the Kyuubi. Or as you humans call me, the nine tailed demon fox.' The giant animal stated. 'I was sealed inside of you 6 years ago. The reason you are hated. I still hate the Uchiha who caused me to do everything...'

'Uh. Hello! You're not scary at all!' Naruto yelled, pointing at the fox. 'Why are you in here? Isn't this supposed to be my head?'

'It is your head. But the cursed Yondaime sealed me within you to stop me from attacking the village you sit in.' The fox looked at the boy, baring its fangs. 'Not that I wanted to attack it. I just wanted to get away. It was the Uchiha who forced me to do it.'

'Wait, are you saying that the Yondaime did this to me? That's crazy! Why?' Naruto stopped for a second, putting his hand under his chin. 'If he did it to me, is that why I am alone? You... this Uchiha you spoke of killed my parents? Caused me to be hated? Wait, did you know my parents?' Naruto asked, scratching the back of his head and looking down.

'I see you have at least a speck of intelligence in this young mind of yours. Madara Uchiha... at least that is what he called himself. His chakra felt different that Madara's did. Your parents are dead in part due to me. But that is a talk for another time. Now you must awaken. I will speak to you
soon, child. We have many things to speak about.' The kyuubi stated, before Naruto saw a bright flash and was looking into the eyes of the Hokage.

"Naruto? Are you okay, my boy?" the old lord questioned him, concern adorning his features. "You've been unresponsive for 2 minutes."

"Old man? I'm okay, Gramps! I was just talking to the fox in my head! We were talking about my parents and why people don't like me..." Naruto said, looking down in sadness. "Why am I hated and treated so meanly? Who were my parents?"

Hiruzen looked shocked, watching as Naruto had a maelstrom of emotions cross his face. "Naruto, I need to first make sure that your seal is not broken. You know how to channel chakra, correct? If my reports are correct, that is."

Naruto laughs lightly, rubbing the back of his neck with a slight grin. "Yeah, but I'm not sure how it works. I only did it to get away from the ninja trying to catch me after I prank them!"

Hiruzen looks at Naruto, raising his brows in surprise. "I never realized you were able to get away from the Chuunin trying to get you. You are very quick, Naruto. I'm proud of you." He states, a slight smile on his face as he praises Naruto. "Now, could you do your best to channel your chakra? In fact, I want you to pull out as much as you can. Can you do that for me?"

Frowning slightly, Naruto thinks of how to do it. 'Make this seal and think of pushing your essence through your body. Visualize it like this.' The Kyuubi's voice quakes through his head, before a memory comes before his vision. He forms a ram seal, and forces the feeling deep inside him out.

Feeling ecstatic, Naruto opens his eyes then widens them when he sees 2 masked ninja face down on the floor. He sees Tetsuya for the first time, using his sheathed sword to stay standing.

Finally, he sees Hiruzen grinning like a loon, a shocked look in his eyes as he stares at Naruto in wonder.

What is this kid?

So... how was that? I know I've been gone for quite a while, but I hope whoever reads this enjoys it. Let me know what you think!

I'll try to not have years between chapters this time. I had the thought to come back to this story while playing Ghost of Tsushima, now I'm watching Bleach as I write. The plan is to not abandon this. I read enough fanfiction as it is, I will do my best to continue writing this story if all of you enjoy it. Thank you all for reading, my dear acolytes, I'll be back!