Chapter 13: Homecoming
It was now night time, as the group camped on the outskirts of Konoha. "So let me get this straight, you managed to apparate us to another world that shouldn't even be possible to access, yet we somehow are here," Harry stated, as he took a bite out of the beef stew Naruto cooked. "That's right and I'm surprised as well, given that I came into your world through some kind of interdimensional portal," Naruto stated. "Well, I read that some wizarding scholars believe the idea of dimension hopping could be possible, but it's just that the whole concept is foreign and hasn't been tested given the possible consequences of hopping from one dimension to another," Hermione added. "From what I know, an American muggle physicist by the name of Hugh Everett, came up with the multiverse theory. So it could be possible that our universe is one of them," Naruto pointed out. "How do you know about the multiverse theory?" Hermione asked. "Eh, I may have watched too many movies and got a little too interested by going to the library to check out about this whole concept," Naruto stated as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Right…anyways can you describe what you saw before you arrived into our world?" Harry asked. "Well lets see, when I fell into the portal after being given a second chance at life, I fell through a gauntlet full of fragments showing different universes. In one universe, I saw that I did become the hokage and I had a bandaged right arm for whatever reason. However, that wasn't the only universe I saw, as one of the universes showed me leading an army of white armored men in some planet while wielding a lightsaber hinting that I might've been a jedi in that universe, whereas in another universe I was dressed like a bat in some unknown city in the night as if I was Batman. I know it seems science fictional or heck probably just a dream, but it was real," Naruto stated. "We do believe you, after all since you managed to apparate us here, the idea of the multiverse doesn't seem so far-fetched. It's just that it is rather complicated even between muggle and wizard kind," Hermione pointed out.
"Anyways, enough about this whole multiverse dimension crossing mumbo jumbo, what are we going to do here and how are we going to get back?" Ron asked. "Well first of all, we're going to need about a few days of rest given that we are currently being hunted down by Voldemort and Kurasame back in the previous world," Naruto stated, as the others looked at him crazy for mentioning Voldemorts name. But luckily nothing happened, as no Death Eaters or Snatchers arrived. "Well it's a good thing we can speak that bastard's name freely without having to face any repercussions," Harry stated, as the others nodded. "Right and given that we're currently running low on supplies, we're going to need to head into the village to restock," Itachi mentioned. The others nodded, though Hermione noticed that Naruto was frowning. "Is everything alright Naruto?" she asked, as they all looked at him. "I'm fine, it's just that going back to the village for some reason bothers me given what they had done to me as a child. While I agree we need to head there to get supplies and some actual shelter, that doesn't mean I'm happy about it as if they try anything on me or any of you guys, I won't hesitate to take retribution," Naruto mentioned. "Anyways, it's best you all get some sleep for tomorrow. I'll keep watch," Itachi stated. Soon the four went to sleep, as the ex-anbu captain took point watching over them.
The Next Day
A new day arrived for the four, as they packed up the tent and had breakfast. "Ok since you three are technically travelers, while us two are currently rogue from the village, we are going to need to blend in," Itachi stated. "Right, Itachi let's take off our headbands and disguise ourselves," Naruto stated, as Itachi agreed. The two transformed into some random people as they look like themselves, except that for Naruto he got rid of the whiskers and opted for black hair, whereas Itachi got rid of the stress lines and changed his hair color to gray, as he changed out of his anbu uniform to something fitting for a traveler finished with a brown hooded cloak. "Alright guys, let's get going," Naruto said, as they nodded.
The group walked down the road without any hassle as it was a rather peaceful morning. They kept quiet of course, as they had mixed thoughts about where they were. Soon the group arrive at the village gates as they see two guards at their posts. The guards were just minding their own business, when they noticed the group of people coming close to the gates. "Halt!" the first guard ordered, as the group stopped and looked at the guards. "State your business!" the second guard asked. "We're just travelers, visiting this village of course. We came here to get some supplies and take a tour of the village. We'll only be here for a few days," the disguised Naruto half-lied. "Very well, you may enter," the first guard, said as the gates opened. The group entered the village and took a walk around the area. Needless to say it was surprising for the group to see what the village looked like. But for Naruto and Itachi, they were shocked by how much this place had changed.
First and foremost, it seemed that the stone faces on the mountain had a new addition showing a man with spiky hair, a headband, and a mouth mask. "Looks like the place really has changed, huh?" Naruto whispered to Itachi, as the ex-anbu captain could only nod. "This village really is big. It's even bigger than Hogsmeade or Godric's Hollow," Harry stated. Ron and Hermione look around the village, as they see shops and vendors open for business with people walking around, talking, buying, etc. "Maybe this place really hasn't changed as much," Naruto stated, as he frowned. "Ok so where are we going to stay?" Ron asked. "I guess we're going to have to stay at an inn here, given that my apartment won't fit you all," Naruto stated. "You had an apartment here?" Harry asked. "Yeah, given that I was kicked out of the orphanage when I was young, the third hokage gave me a small apartment here. Either way, it wasn't easy living there," Naruto explained.
They soon found a place to stay, which was an inn meant for travelers. "Hello welcome to the hidden leaf inn, how may we be of service to you all?" the inn owner asked. "Hi I would like three rooms please with two beds of course," Naruto asked. After paying the amount thanks to some of the Ryo he had left mixed with Itachi's, the group found their rooms to stay in. The rooms weren't much as there were two beds, a bathroom, a window, all the usual stuff. "Ok, so who sleeps where exactly?" Harry asked. "Ok, you and Ron will share a room. Itachi gets his own room, whereas me and Hermione will share a room, is that clear?" Naruto stated. They all nodded and went into their designated rooms. As both Naruto and Hermione unpacked their stuff, the two talked about something. "I'm surprised you didn't give me my own room," Hermione stated. "Well to be fair, I was considering that at first. But then I thought, since we already slept beside each other a few times, it isn't so different being in the same room and having separate beds," Naruto stated.
Hermione smirked, "Or maybe you just want me all to yourself, no?" Naruto blushed, "Y-yeah, maybe, I…uh…" he stammered when Hermione chuckled. "It's ok Naruto, I'm only just teasing you. But I'm fine with us sharing a bed, I don't mind really," she said. "Right…anyways since we're in a motel, might as well just use the bathroom to take a nice shower. I mean living off of the land can be a little discomforting, am I right?" Naruto stated, as Hermione nodded. Hermione went to the bathroom first to take a shower and soon it was Naruto's turn. After that, they changed into their cleanest clothes and met up with the others. "Ok, so now that we settled in, might as well get something to eat cause I'm starving," Ron stated, as the others nodded given that they had a light breakfast. "Well since we're here, I might as well show you guys the ramen place I frequented here before I came to your world. Assuming that is if it is still there," Naruto stated.
The group followed the disguised blond, as he tried to find the ramen place he visited when he was a kid. "There we are, Ichiraku's ramen. And luckily it's still here," the disguised Naruto stated, as the group followed him there. They all took a seat, as the waitress came by with a smile on her face. "Hello, welcome to Ichiraku ramen. My name is Ayame, how may I take your order?" Ayame asked. "Hi, I would like miso pork ramen, please?" the disguised Naruto ordered. The others ordered as well and soon they got their order, which was the same as Naruto's. As they ate, the disguised Naruto noticed a picture of him when he was just a young boy. "Excuse me, who is that young boy in that photo on the wall?" the disguised Naruto asked. Ayame sadly smiled, "Oh that is a young boy who used to frequent our shop when he was little. His name was Naruto Uzumaki. He was really a sweet little boy and even though he was a mischievous prankster, he was still a good kid," she said. "You really miss him, do you?" Hermione asked. "Every single day. Ever since he was pronounced missing or dead, I'm hoping not the latter as I don't believe it, our business increased, but it really wasn't the same without him," Ayame said.
Just then Teuchi decided to speak and the disguised Naruto noticed how old he had gotten. "Those idiots in the village drew him away all for something he had no part of. I still believe he isn't dead, as there is no way he will die not without fifty bowls of Naruto sized ramen," Teuchi stated. The group giggled at that response, as it was pretty funny to hear that. "I bet if I met this kid, we would have gotten along so well," Harry stated, as the others agreed. As they ate, the disguised Naruto kept silent as he felt touched by how much Teuchi and Ayame really cared for him. The others listened to how fond they spoke of Naruto, which goes to show that there were people that actually cared for him and they were disgusted by how Naruto was treated by the rest of the villagers from what Teuchi and Ayame described, as shown by the father and daughter's faces looking cold towards the villagers. After they all ate, the disguised Naruto decided to give Teuchi and Ayame a huge tip, which surprised them.
"Oh, no you don't have to do that, it's fine, really," Ayame protested, but the disguised Naruto shook his head. "Nah, it's not that I have to, it's because I want to. I want to thank you for treating us with the care and effort you put into our meals. Also it's because the way I see it, this Naruto boy really made a good choice when it comes to a fine restaurant. I'm sure wherever this Naruto boy is, he would've been touched hearing those words, so once again, thank you," the disguised Naruto stated, as Ayame hesitantly took the amount, with a tear rolling down her eye as she remembered the little blond boy she considered a brother. The father and the daughter thanked the group, as the group walked away. Hermione noticed that Naruto was looking saddened, as he was rather quiet. She held his hand, as the disguised blond looked at her. Hermione softly smiled at him, and the two nodded at each other. But as the group were exploring around, they were being watched by the anbu.
The anbu sensed that two members of the group had a huge amount of chakra and immediately returned back to the Hokage's office. Over at the Hokage's office, a white haired man wearing a mask and the konoha headband covering his left eye was busy doing paperwork, when a member of the anbu came with a message. "Lord Fifth, I come with urgent news," the anbu stated, as he kneeled. "What news do you bring, Hawk?" the Fifth Hokage asked. "Sir, I noticed two strangers in a group of travelers with a high amount of chakra. I believe the two of them are in a henge," Hawk explained. The Fifth Hokage raised an eyebrow and sighed, "Very well, let's go have a talk with them." The Hokage and the Anbu soon vanished from the office.
The group was now at a marketplace, shopping for groceries as they were running low when it came to food. But as they left the marketplace with the groceries, swirls of smoke and leaves appeared on their way. Out of the smoke came an Anbu wearing a hawk mask and the Fifth Hokage. The group was surprised, whereas the disguised Naruto and Itachi raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid we have never met before," the Hokage stated. "Not that I recall, Lord Hokage. After all, I along with my group here are just a bunch of travelers," the disguised Naruto replied. "Call me Kakashi, you aren't one of my shinobi's and I'm not one for formalities," the Fifth Hokage or rather Kakashi stated. "Right…anyways, Kakashi, I believe my group and I are just heading back to the inn, so we best be on our way," the disguised Naruto stated, as he and the group tried to walk back to the inn. However, the rest of the Anbu squad arrived, as they took out their blades. "I'm afraid I can't let you guys do that. You five are to come straight to my office, as I have a lot of questions to ask," Kakashi stated, as he took off his headband covering his left eye, revealing the sharingan. "What do we do, Naruto? Do we fight or run?" Ron whispered, as he, Harry, and Hermione reached for their wands. "Nah, it's too risky. Let's see what they want first," the disguised Naruto whispered back.
"Alright, fine. We'll come straight to your office. However, do not harm my friends or else, do you understand?" the disguised Naruto requested. Kakashi nodded and told the Anbu to lower their weapons. The five soon follow Kakashi to his office, as Kakashi takes a seat. "Now then, I believe the two of you drop the henge," Kakashi asked. "Privacy seals first. Don't want anyone to eavesdrop on us," the disguised Naruto requested. Kakashi raised an eyebrow, but obliged as the office became private. The disguised Naruto and Itachi soon dropped their transformations, as they looked like their normal selves. Kakashi was shocked, "Naruto…Itachi…is that you?" Naruto and Itachi nodded, as the Fifth Hokage couldn't believe that his sensei's son is still alive, but is also with an ex-anbu captain and traitor. "I believe an explanation is in order," Kakashi requested, looking serious once again. Naruto explained about how after he left the village seven years ago, he arrived in a new world that was different from where they are right now. He talks about his newfound abilities and even demonstrates his magic which surprised Kakashi. But the biggest bombshell was about how he knew the truth about his parents and why Itachi massacred the Uchiha clan.
Needless to say, it was rather too much to hear as Kakashi couldn't believe it. "So you're telling me that you went into a new world that is advanced compared to our world and that magic actually exists, along with the fact that Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune who went missing a few years ago was with you this whole time, is that it?" Kakashi asked. Naruto nodded and explained more about what happened, which was a really long story. "So now that you and your friends are here, what do you plan on doing now?" Kakashi asked. "Well since we are here, we're just recuperating as we are currently wanted back in the previous world by some guy hellbent on me and my friend with the glasses. We're just staying a few days or weeks, which really depends as I plan on hunting down a few people here starting with either Orochimaru or the Akatsuki," Naruto stated. "Well then, since we got off on the wrong foot here, I believe I should hand you this," Kakashi said, as he took out a key. "What's this for?" Naruto asked. "The key to your parents house. It rightfully belongs to you as of now," Kakashi explained. Naruto nodded and before he left the room with his friends, he had to ask Kakashi about something. "Are you Dog? The anbu with the dog mask?" he asked. Kakashi was surprised, but nodded as he knew the boy would figure out who he was. "That's all I need to know, but I just want to thank you for looking out for me when I was young. It really means a lot," Naruto said gratefully, before he left. "Wait, Naruto. I just want to apologize for not being there for you when you were young. I should've taken you in when you were little, but I couldn't because you kept reminding me of my past failure to protect the ones I know. For that I'm sorry Naruto, for all of it," Kakashi stated. Naruto was silent, but he nodded as he couldn't blame the man after learning from his father and Itachi about what Kakashi went through.
Naruto soon finds the others outside the office and they all begin to leave. "So what happens now?" Harry asked. "Well, we don't have to live in the motel anymore cause I finally got the keys to my parents house," Naruto explained. Soon they arrived at Naruto's parents house, as the place seemed clean from the outside. Looking at the group, they all took a deep breath before unlocking the door. When they entered the house, they didn't expect the place to be so clean given that the house was abandoned. "Looks as if someone had been taking care of the place," Ron stated. As they explored the house, Naruto took a look at one of the photos of his parents. It was them, as they were standing showing the view of the village and looking happy. Naruto could only smile, as a teardrop came from his eye. "She's beautiful," Hermione complimented, as Naruto turns around to see his girlfriend looking at the photo. "That she was Hermione, that she was," he said, putting down the photo. Harry explored one of the rooms, as he found a room meant for a baby. Harry was saddened by the room, given that he knew what it was like to have parents being taken away when he was only a baby, not knowing the comfort of having a home. Once they checked out all the rooms, they met up in the living room to discuss their plan.