Streets of Konoha

Sakura walked with her father as they made their way to the tower. "Dad, the Hokage has called the whole family to the tower, hasn't she?"

Kai chuckled nervously. "What makes you say that Sakura?"

Sakura looked at him with a dead pan face. "Dad, I'm a trained Shinobi. You didn't have to lie to me. I'm not going to turn down a summons from the new Hokage because mother will be there. I'll simply address her with the etiquette befitting a comrade."

"Sweetie, I know you and your mother haven't been getting along, but she's really trying to do what's best for us." Kai stated.

"No dad. She's doing what's best for her. She's always done what's best for her. Every action she takes is to serve herself. The sooner you see that the sooner you'll realize that you're better off without her." Sakura shook her head. "Let's just get to the tower."

Kai sighed sadly as he didn't know what he could say, so he followed his daughter. He felt downtrodden that his two favorite girls, who he loved more than anything in the world, weren't getting along.

Hokage Office, Same Time…

Tsunade currently sat at her desk as Shizune stood at her side and Tenzo stood before them decked out in his Anbu gear.

Shizune, acting as the Clan Head she'd be, addressed the man. "Tenzo, do you know why you are here?"

"Given recent activity and the Chunin Exams, I could make some educated guesses; however, it would be quite rude to steal your thunder." Tenzo stated.

Tsunade nodded. "Tenzo of Anbu, I am reassigning you to the standard rank of Jonin so that you may mentor Sakura Haruno on the Wood Style. With her emergence, keeping your abilities secret is no longer a priority.

I will not break up Team Eight, so you will be working closely with Kurenai Yuhi as Co-Sensei and Jonin. As such, you will be expected to help Sakura's teammates grow as well, but your main concern will be Haruno's growth."

"Understood, Lady Hokage." Tenzo removed his mask. "Is there anything more you wish to discuss?"

"There is." Shizune stated. "As you said, activity is high due to recent rumors concerning the rebirth of the Senju Clan. I will confirm that they are true. As such, I request that you join our clan and become a Senju.

You have gained the Wood Style through unfortunate means, but it may have the possibility of passing onto any children you have. Someday, the Senju Clan could flourish with Wood Style users. It is your choice whether or not you join."

"A new life as a Jonin and Senju." Tenzo nodded. "I will join; however, the name I have now is not my real name. I never have been able to remember what it once was. That is why, as a joining member of this clan, I request you give me a name Clan Head Shizune."

"If that is what you wish, I will oblige." Shizune nodded. "You will now be known Yamato. Once the Senju Clan is brought back into the light, you will be Yamato Senju."

Yamato nodded. "Yes ma'am."

At that moment, the door opened and Sakura, Kai, and Yumi, wearing her Anbu gear, walked in.

"Right on time." Tsunade stated.

"Lady Hokage." Kai bowed "If you are still busy, we wouldn't mind waiting."

The Hokage smiled. "It's quite alright Kai Haruno." She nodded to Yamato. "This is Yamato, and your interactions with Shizune involve him as much as you three." She turned to Shizune. "I shall leave it up to the Clan Head of the Senju Clan to speak now."

Yumi looked Shizune up and down. "This is the Clan Head? Hm, it'll make it tougher for Kai to become the Clan Head and Sakura the Clan Heir. Maybe I can spin this to get that outcome."

Shizune stepped forward and smiled. "Lady Tsunade and I are excited to meet you three. Especially Kai and Sakura as they are descendants of a Senju Clan. We are aware of the events that likely led to this outcome, but the discovery of Senju blood outweighs the scandal."

Yumi wanted to stay as far away from that as possible. "Can we get on with it, Clan Head Shizune."

"Yes." Shizune cleared her throat. "We'll get right down to it. The Senju Clan is reforming, and we already have four members set to join. Myself, Lady Tsunade, Tenten, and Yamato." She nodded. "Sakura, you'll be happy to know he has Wood Style."

Sakura looked at the man and smiled, but Yumi was less than pleased by this as she had never worked with Tenzo keeping her in the dark about his abilities. "How is this possible? I was under the impression Sakura was the only Wood Style user in the village."

"It's an unfortunate story that he should share when ready, but I will say he is not a Senju." Shizune nodded. "His kids may very well inherit Wood Style as opposed to Sakura who we're unsure about. He's just now been assigned to Squad 8 as Co-Jonin."

Sakura smiled. "So, he'll be teaching me Wood Style then?"

"That is correct." Shizune nodded. "Naturally, there would be more opportunity to learn if you three were to join the Senju clan. In addition, the First Hokage has left behind scrolls on Wood Style that we can only entrust to Sakura if she joins."

Yumi immediately said, "All three of us will join as one family."

Sakura stepped away from her. "Wrong." Tsunade and Shizune looked at her. "I will join as my own family and request sperate residence from my mother and father. I would like for my achievements in any field to be attributed to me alone."

Yumi chuckled and tried to approach her daughter. "My daughter is quite the joker Lady Hokage and Clan Head Shizune."

Sakura walked away from her calmly. "You'll have to forgive my mother. She's under the impression that I'm still a young girl. As you can see, I would like to live alone and attribute my achievements to myself to prove them wrong." She bowed. "Please honor my request."

Tsunade looked at Shizune. "It's your call."

Shizune smiled. "That sounds like a just goal to strive for Sakura. I agree."

Sakura nodded. "Then I will join the clan like my parents intend to."

Yamato looked at her. "I look forward to teaching you, Sakura Senju."

Sakura bowed respectfully to him. "I look forward to learning from you, Yamato Senju."

Shizune said, "For now, you are free to move into the compound. Lady Tsunade is close to finalizing the paperwork for everyone involved, and yours will be added to the pile. I would like to thank you four for joining us. This is a great step in filling our clan."

Tsunade smiled. "You have my thanks as well. With this, the clan has seven members and will be a shinning beacon of moral to the village after the attack it's suffered. I'll look forward to seeing you all around the compound."

The Shinobi filed out.

Outside

Yamato immediately took off.

Sakura intended to do the same until Yumi, who was fuming, stopped her. "Halt young lady."

Sakura turned. "What do you want mother?"

"I want you to adhere to the plans we worked out when rumors of this first began to spread." Yumi firmly stated.

"You mean the plans you outlined to me. I don't have to do anything you say mother." She pointed to her head band. "I'm old enough to kill, so I'm old enough to make my own decisions as the law dictates in this village."

Kai stepped in between them. "Girls, please stop fighting. We're family."

Yumi ignored him. "Sakura Haruno, I am your mother, and you shall do as I ordained."

Sakura turned away from her. "I don't have time to stand around arguing with you. The meeting with Lady Tsunade was nice and short meaning I have time to do what I originally planned. Naruto and Sasuke are to fight with the guidance of their Sensei."

"You are not to go anywhere near that demon, so-called Clan Head, and/or that failure of an heir." Yumi declared. "They are already tainting your image."

Sakura had no more words to spare and took off leaving her mother behind.

Yumi grit her teeth under her mask. "That girl is making things far more difficult than they need to be. At this point, there are too many Konoha laws prohibiting my actions. Everything is working against me. Where am I in life?

I've followed every order they've given me. I'm in Anbu because the Third requested it. I had to marry Kai of all people instead of Minato because he loved that loud mouthed, tomato outsider. I've been stuck in place all this time.

With Sakura turning against me, I'm stuck where I am. No chances to improve my life. Kai won't help because Sakura's the special one. She's the one with Wood Style. That won't even be special with Yamato around. There's nothing I can do… here."

Kai noticed that his wife was silent. "Are you alright honey?"

Yumi left him without a word. Kai sighed sadly before walking home to pack. To him, it truly was an honor to be a Senju even if it was still shocking to him that his father, whom he never met, was such a thing.

Team Seven's Training Ground

Kakashi stood with Daichi, Hinata, Kiba, and Ino while Naruto and Sasuke faced off. There were others interested in seeing the fight, civilians and shinobi, who hung back. Sakura arrived and came to stand next to Daichi just as things were getting started.

Naruto smiled. "Alright, I've been waiting for a real rematch with you ever since the Chunin Exams." He pointed at Sasuke. "Just you wait Teme because I'm much stronger now. Today is the day I finally beat you!"

"Don't get cocky." Sasuke calmly declared. "I may recognize your strength Dobe, but that's not the same as saying you're stronger."

Kakashi looked at his students. "Begin."

The two Shinobi charged one another from across the field. Both went for a punch that the other caught. For a moment, they were locked before Sasuke went for a kick. Naruto dodged to the right and went for a punch. The Uchiha fell back before springing off his hands at the Uzumaki.

Naruto dodged to the left, but Sasuke fell to his hands before spinning on them catching his teammate with a kick. The Uchiha capitalized by putting Naruto on the defensive with a flurry of punches. The speed eventually became greater than Naruto could handle.

The Uzumaki was sent skidding along the ground before weaving hand signs. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" The clones all scattered surrounding Sasuke who looked at them as they each drew shuriken. "Let it rip!"

They threw multiple shuriken at the Uchiha prodigy before weaving the signs and extending their palms. "Wind Style: Gale Palm." The shuriken nailed Sasuke only for him to suddenly vanish via the Substitution Jutsu. "Where'd he go?"

Sasuke jumped from a nearby branch while finishing a set of hand signs. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A ball of fire launched right into the middle of the Narutos and became more powerful due to the lingering wind. This resulted in the fire spreading out nailing all the clones. The real Naruto used the Substitution Jutsu himself to get out of the danger while his clones were destroyed.

Sasuke landed and activated his Sharingan. "Let's get serious Naruto!"

Naruto landed across from him and activated his Ultra Instinct Fighting Style causing his hair to gain the red sheen and his eyes to become the same. "Alright, let's go Sasuke!"

The two Shinobi charged one another with more intensity entering a heated Taijutsu exchange as the Sharingan allowed Sasuke to follow all of Naruto's moves. Naruto's Ultra Instinct allowed him to avoid anything Sasuke threw at him.

What resulted was an impressive display of dodging. Eventually, both began to tag each other with various blows to the body and face while also blocking one another. In the end, no one could see a clearly better Taijutsu user between them.

"Impressive." Daichi nodded. "They've both trained their respective styles and abilities to such a degree that they're seemingly dead even."

"It's a stalemate going back and forth between the two." Hinata stated impressed. "Neither of them holds the clear advantage."

"Amazing! Is that really Naruto?" Ino thought. "Sasuke used to cream him back in the academy, but now they're fighting on equal grounds."

"Alright, way to go Naruto!" Kiba cheered. "Show that Uchiha you won't lose to anyone but me!"

Sakura smirked. "He's already beaten you Kiba. Seeing this, I don't think it'd be too hard for him to do it again."

Kiba hung his head. "We're supposed to be supportive teammates." Akamaru barked and licked his partner's face making him smile. "Akamaru believes we can do it."

The various civilians and Shinobi were talking about the impressive display positively.

Sasuke jumped back from Naruto. "Get ready Dobe because I'm going all out!" He crossed his arms. "Gate of Opening, open. Gate of Healing, Open!"

"Nine Tailed Fox, you're rent is due, now!" Naruto yelled internally.

He suddenly felt an increase to his speed and strength as his hair turned completely red. He gained a red glow around himself. Both Shinobi didn't stop there. Sasuke formed a Chidori and Naruto a Rasengan. Kakashi instantly lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan, prepared to move.

"Chidori!" Sasuke declared.

"Rasengan!" Naruto stated.

They charged at each other while yelling all the way. This utterly shocked the civilians and impressed many Chunin, as well as Genin, gathered to see this. Hinata and Daichi were worried until Kakashi suddenly ran in.

He grabbed the boy's wrist before impact and threw them into separate trees nearby. Their respective moves, fueled by the respective powers and emotion, obliterated those trees on impact in an impressive display.

"Naruto learned the Rasengan." Kakashi thought impressed. "Does Daichi know that as well? Is that what Jiraiya taught those boys when they went to find Tsunade?" He stood up and began chiding his students. "What do you two think you're doing?

That was a little too intense for the sparing match I thought this would be. What's wrong with you two?" The boys' respective abilities dispersed leaving them normal. "Those Jutsu were neither the size nor power you'd aim at a comrade. I'm declaring this a draw."

Naruto, though a little miffed, looked at Sasuke. "I'm sorry Sasuke. I wasn't trying to kill you, but my emotions got the best of me."

Sasuke wasn't happy with what happened. "Fine. Sorry."

The Uchiha then ran off. Kakashi watched him go before bowing his head and vanishing. Soon, the crowd began to dissipate to spread the story of what transpired around the village.

Konoha: A Tree

Sasuke sat in a tree thinking. Thinking about the massacre, his time with Team Seven, and his meeting with Itachi with a solemn look on his face. This led to genuinely, sincere thoughts running through his mind.

"What have I been doing this whole time?" Sasuke thought. "What's it been for?"

Kakashi appeared before his student with his arms crossed. "Well, you seem to be in a listening mode so stay seated. We have much to discuss." He looked his student in the eyes. "You must let it go. Forget about revenge. It never ends well for those who follow such a path."

Sasuke knew from their talk in the Land of Waves that Kakashi knew exactly what he was talking about. As such, he chooses not to speak up.

"As I said before, I think you know what you're training is really for." Kakashi turned away from him. "You are at a crossroads, and it's your choice now Sasuke. Reflect. Reflect on everything I've ever taught you to determine the person you want to be."

With that, Kakashi left his student there.

With Naruto, Daichi, and Hinata: Academy, Evening…

The three of them walked along the streets of Konoha and ended up where it had all began for their team. The place where they were formed and met their Sensei. It seemed like it was so long ago. The three remaining members of Team Seven sat in a circle by the fence.

Hinata giggled. "Things were so much easier back then."

Naruto chuckled. "I know what you mean."

Daichi crossed his arms. "Things being complicated isn't a bad thing." He closed his eyes and smiled. "Time ever flows, and I've learned there's no way to really prepare for what we may face." He opened his eyes and nodded. "I think things will be okay."

"Hearing that faith, how could we not think the same." Hinata stated.

Naruto nodded. "I think things will be okay because we've conveyed our bonds for one another clearly. I know Sasuke understands how much he means to us."

The three Genin spent time together as evening turned to night.

With Sasuke, Night…

Sasuke's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as four Shinobi jumped onto his branch surrounding him. He was immediately on his feet and on guard. All four wore sound note head bands, consisted of three males and a female, and wore large purple rope around their waists.

The first male had dark-skin, black shaggy hair tied in a ponytail and black eyes. He was the second-tallest member, had a confident grin, and six arms. He wore a black, sleeveless shirt under a sleeveless grey tunic and tight black shorts.

The second male was the tallest member with fair-skin and narrow, slanted orange eyes. He was stern and had three tufts of orange hair on his head: a mohawk that ran down the middle and two similar styled tufts of hair at the side. His attire was a beige-colored, sleeveless tunic and a pair of black, ¾ length pants that stopped just below his knees.

The female was a fair-skinned girl with a slender build and was the shortest member of her team. She had brown eyes, was impassive, and had red hair which fell past her shoulders. Her attire was a black shirt under a tan tunic with elbow-length sleeves and black skin-tight shorts.

The last member had fair-skin and straight, dark blue hair. He was smirking and had green lipstick around his lips. His attire was a black shirt under a brown tunic with long sleeves and black skin-tight shorts.

"Okay, who are you four?" Sasuke demanded. "Out with it."

"We are the Sound Four." The dark-skinned male stated. "I'm Kidomaru of the East Gate."

The androgynous male said, "I'm Sakon of the Wester Gate."

The tallest male said, "I'm Jirobo of the South Gate."

"I'm Tayuya of the North Gate." The female stated.

They suddenly started to move around.

"Sharingan!" Sasuke declared as his eyes changed.

He then bit his thumb as he tracked the Shinobi moving around him. When Kidomaru came at him, the Uchiha jumped to the ground while weaving more hand signs.

When he landed, Sasuke slammed his palm on the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!" A red phoenix, about half Sasuke's size, appeared. "Fly into the air. I want to test the power you offer."

The phoenix spoke with a male voice. "Yes, summoner Uchiha."

He began ascending only for shuriken to be thrown at him.

Sasuke wove more hand signs. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Instead of the usual orange, this ball of fire was yellow and larger. It hit the thrown shuriken stopping them from hitting the phoenix. The Phoenix was soon out of sight and the four Sound Shinobi surrounded The Uchiha once more.

Sasuke crossed his arms. "Let's get started."

Sakon chuckled. "You little weakling." He ushered Sasuke to him. "Come on kid. I'm waiting. I want to play Do Ra Mi on those ribs of yours until they crack!"

"I'm facing four opponents that aren't going to let up any time soon." Sasuke thought as his Chakra began to build. "My best bet is to hit them hard and fast." His Chakra was swelling. "Gate of Opening, open! Gate of Healing, open!"

He suddenly moved faster than the Sound Four could keep up with since they were underestimating Sasuke. The Uchiha punished them for their folly in the form of knees and elbows to their guts knocking them to the ground.

He immediately wove the hand signs and formed a Chidori as Kidomaru shot webbing at him from his mouth. Sasuke avoided it and charged Sakon. The Chunin even jumped after him when Sakon jumped into the air.

To Sasuke's shock, a second body emerged and the Chidori pierced straight through the second body's heart. At that moment, both bodies separated completely. All combatants landed on the ground. Everyone, but the second body, landed on their feet.

Sakon immediately ran to the second body distraught. "Ukon!" He picked the body's head up. "Quick, remerge with me. You can…"

Ukon coughed up blood and died on the spot as the other members of the Sound four looked from Sasuke to Ukon's dead body in shock. The Uchiha didn't exactly care given the fact that they attacked him and proceeded to attack the other members of the Sound Four again.

Jirobo punched Sasuke who noted the big guys strength. He put his hands on the ground and got to his feet before charging him once more. He dodged the other two members and ducked below Jirobo before kicking him into the air.

The guy was so big it took multiple kicks to achieve this. He then kicked Jirobo's stomach, spun to the other side, caught his neck with his arms, and spun once more before delivering a powerful axe kicked which impacted the biggest member into the ground.

"Lion's Barrage!" Sasuke declared.

A furious Sakon stood up as black lines appeared all over his body. "You're finished Uchiha!"

He slammed into Sasuke's gut and followed up with a vicious assault of kicks and punches. Sasuke attempted a kick only for Sakon to catch his foot and toss him into the wall of a nearby building cracking it.

Jirobo stood up and slammed a fist into Sakon's head knocking him into the ground forcing the enraged Shinobi into unconsciousness. Tayuya and Kidomaru came to stand before Sasuke with their respective Curse Seal's activated at level 1 to be safe.

"I can see why Orochimaru wants this one." Kidomaru stated.

Sasuke stared at them while panting.

Tayuya spoke up. "We came to test you on orders from Lord Orochimaru, and now offer you this power we've displayed. We can grant you your own Curse Mark. To gain one thing, another must be left behind. What is your purpose in this life? To stay here in this back-water village hiding with your little friends. Surely you have not forgotten Itachi Uchiha?"

Sasuke's eyes went wide.

Kidomaru said, "Don't lose sight of your purpose. Life in this village binds you, so severe your ties. If you do, you will find there is no limit to the power you can gain."

Jirobo picked up the unconscious Sakon and dead Ukon. "We will be sticking around for some time. When you come to your senses, find us outside the village."

They then jumped into the air and body flickered away causing leaves to rain down on Sasuke. The Uchiha stood up and looked at the night sky.