Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.

Victory was celebrated in Konoha soon after word of the Cloud being driven back and the Stone advanced force was decimated. There were losses on the Konoha side but they had been light, do to the fact that the Cloud had to face two of the Sannins. But loses were still loses none the less. After a day of mourning for the fallen shinobi, the celebration began. The celebration was not just for victory however; it was also for the appointment of a new Hokage. For in just a few days time, Tsunade would officially become the Fifth Hokage.

Not all of the citizens of the Konoha were celebrating though. One of the key ninjas responsible of the victory was at the hospital still unconscious. Naruto had yet to waken up after he stopped the Stone-nins. It was kept secret that he was in the hospital, unconscious and vulnerable to attack, just incase someone wished to seek revenge. When Sasuke had described the attack Naruto used, to say the Hokage and the Sannins were in shock would have been a gross underestimation. The 'Kanon' as it was called, was clearly an S-class technique, but they had never heard of one that could do as much damage as what Sasuke described. They were anticipating Naruto waking up in order to explain the attack.

Tsunade had come by to see the blond every day to check up on his status. And everyday she used her medical scan jutsu to see how the teen was recovering. The technique had caused Naruto to use his chakra making him pass out afterwards. But with his fast recovery they did not expect Naruto to remain asleep for much longer. Right now Hinata was making her rounds through the hospital as per her duties as a medic-nin. And though she actually liked visiting all of her patients there was one that she particularly enjoyed visiting, she would enjoy it more however if he was awake.

The next day Tsunade for came daily check up on Naruto. Along the way she bumped into a young medic-nin that she had come to know rather well in the last couple of months, Hyuuga Hinata. "Hello Hinata-san how are you today?"

"I am well Tsunade-sama," Hinata replied. "There are still some injured shinobi from the war so I have been rather busy here."

"That's understandable," Tsunade said, "I'm here to check on Naruto, would you like to join me?"

"He is actually one of the patients I am attending to," Hinata said.

"I know," Tsunade smiled, "I had you assigned as his medic. I figured he would like it if he saw you when he woke up."

"Thank you Tsunade-sama," Hinata said blushing.

"So shall we go?" Tsunade asked. Hinata nodded and the two walked down hall.

Slowly opening his eyes, Naruto noticed he was in a room that was covered in white. Because he had spent so little time in hospital so he was not sure where he was. The last thing he clearly remembered was fighting the Stone shinobi causing him to believe that he had been captured. Struggling to sit up he noticed he was still low of chakra, and thus was vulnerable. "So now what do I do?" he asked himself. The had not occurred to him to ask, if he was captured by the enemy then why was he not restrained in some way? The only thing going through his mind was how could he escape when he was so weak?

Figuring that the only reason he was not dead was that they wanted to question him. Naruto decided the best way to remain safe was to convince them that he was still asleep. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing thus lowering his heart rate. He knew that his chakra system was still too low to be considered a threat, but his chakra would grow over the next couple of days and other shinobi would soon detect it. He would have to keep it suppressed while he was recovering. Once he was strong enough he would escape and find a way back to Konoha.

If Naruto knew that he was in a hospital he would not be wasting his time thinking of escape. As he was thinking about how he would get out of whatever village he was in he heard the door open two people enter.

Tsunade came closer to the bed and checked Naruto's breathing and heartbeat. Because he only had rather minor injuries to begin with there was no reason to hook him up to any monitoring equipment. So someone would just come in every few hours to check if he was awake. "Let's see," Tsunade said checking his pulse and breathing. "Looks like he's still asleep."

Hinata, being the professional medic-nin that she is, checked Naruto herself by using her Byakugan. When she looked at Naruto she saw his chakra system, and though weak, was flowing faster than it would if he were asleep, "Tsunade-sama," Hinata whispered. "I think something is wrong, his chakra is flowing faster than it should if he were asleep."

"Those voices," Naruto thought, "I think I recognize them." Because of his low chakra levels Naruto was only able sense chakra near him not if he recognized them.

"Are you saying he's actually awake?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes," Hinata answered.

"Damn," Naruto cursed, "How did they know?"

Tsunade thinking that it was one of Naruto's infamous pranks she heard so much about became rather irritated. "All right Naruto wake up!" she ordered.

"damn," Naruto thought, "No point in hiding now." Opening his eyes he was very surprised to see Tsunade and Hinata standing over him. "Hinata-chan? Tsunade-bachan? What are you doing here? Wait, where am I?"

Seeing his confusion Hinata stepped forward and answered his questions, "You're in Konoha hospital Naruto-kun and we are here to check up on you."

"Oh that's a re…" he was cut off by a light fist to the head.

"Don't call me 'bachan'" Tsunade said removing her fist.

"Ok! Ok! Tsunade-ba…uh chan," Naruto said rubbing his head, "So how did I get here and how long have I been out?"

"You got here because Sasuke carried you back," Tsunade answered. "And you've been out for only couple of days. Mostly do to charka depletion from that attack you did." Naruto nodded in understanding, he knew the effects of using Kanon. Both on the enemy and the user, "And speaking of which you will have to explain that one when the others get here."

"I was actually expecting that," Naruto said.

"Fine then," Tsunade then turned to Hinata, "Hinata would you go get the Hokage and bring him here. Jiraiya will either be with him or at the bath house." She then thought for a minute, "And if he's at the bathhouse use this," she handed Hinata a scroll.

Hinata examined the scroll noticing it was a one time summoning scroll. She became confused and asked, "Why do you want me to use a summoning scroll Tsunade-sama? And what does it summon?"

"If Jiraiya's at the bath house we all know what's he's doing," Tsunade said causing the other two to nod, "So I want you to use that to bring me there and I will make sure me answers for it." This caused Naruto to laugh rather loudly after picturing Jiraiya's face when Hinata suddenly summons Tsunade in front of him.

Giggling herself Hinata nods, "Yes Tsunade-sama I'll bring them here immediately."

After a few minutes of Tsunade giving Naruto the basics of what happened the last couple of days she suddenly said, "I'll see you in a few minutes Naruto." Naruto looked confused for a moment then when Tsuande disappeared in a puff of smoke he started laughing even harder than before.

Not long after Tsunade was gone the door opened and in walked the Hokage, "Good to see you're up Naruto." The Third looked around the room for a minute then asked, "I thought Tsunade was here with you?"

Naruto smiled, "She was 'called' a way a bit ago. She'll probably show up around the same time as Jiraiya." The Hokage was confused for a moment but noticing the smile on Naruto's face he got a good idea what might have happened.

About fifteen minutes later Tsuande, Hinata and Jiraiya, with a large welt on his head walked into the room. And once again Naruto laughed for the third time in less than forty-five minutes. Shaking his head the Hokage spoke up, "Well Naruto, could you please explain the attack you used against the Stone?"

"The Kanon is the final technique of Shadow Skill," Naruto answered. "It can either be focused into a narrow spread or spread out to deal damage of a large area."

"Sasuke reported that you needed to have a high altitude to perform it," Jiraiya said.

"That's because I have yet to truly master it," Naruto replied, "It requires high chakra capacity and control to use properly. The amount of chakra you put into the attack determines the strength and the control determines if the spread is narrow or wide. Because I don't have full control yet if just kind of spreads out when I perform it. That's also why I passed out," he added, "If had better control over the attack I would not require all my reserve to perform it at that strength."

"So the attack's strength is dependant of the individual," Tsunade guessed.

"Yes, but it also requires a certain level of chakra reserve to do the attack," Naruto confirmed, "And that is also why it usually takes a lot longer to master Shadow Skill than it took me. You have to have the stamina to actually use learn the attack in the first place. Because of the Kyuubi I all ready had the amount, I just needed to learn how to do it."

"Thank you Naruto," the Hokage said, "That was all I needed to know for now. Once you regain your strength you are free to go." The Hokage then said his good-byes and left to attend to his duties. Jiraiya left soon after with a thoughtful expression on his face.

After they left Tsuande said, "Well since you are the one who knows your body and recovery rate the best I will you tell me how long you are going to be here."

Naruto concentrated for a moment then said, "I should be back to full strength in about a day or so."

"Well, I know you recover quickly but I'll still come by tomorrow and if I think you're strong enough then you can leave," Tsunade said. "I have my own duties to perform, I'll see you later."

The next day Naruto was released because Tsunade had verified that he had recovered enough to be let out of the hospital. He had been told by Tsunade that he was given time off until fully recovered. Naruto estimated that he was about thirty percent and it would take him another two days or so to be fully recovered. During that time he felt he might as well enjoy himself at the celebrations that were taken place in honor of their victory in the war and the upcoming inauguration of Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.

While walking down the street Naruto most people paid him no mind. The few that did however seemed to look at him differently. When he glanced around he noticed that many had a questioning look on their face like they did not know what to think of him. But every so often Naruto would notice a person that gazed at him with respect, this utterly confused the Shadow Skill user for he had never been looked at with respect before; save for those few that were close to him. "Wonder what made them change their minds?" he asked out loud.

To Naruto's surprise he got an answer, "What you did in the war," Jiraiya said, "And I'm not just talking about what you did to the Stone. I'm talking about your actions as a whole have a lot of people questioning their ideas about you."

"Maybe now I'll stop seeing so much hate in their eyes," Naruto hoped.

"That will change for some," Jiraiya supplied, "But not everyone, at least not yet."

"I know," Naruto nodded. "So what do you want?"

"I've been thinking about your fighting style," Jiraiya answered, "And though I will admit it's probably the one of the most impressive I've ever seen, you could use some things to help supplement it."

"I'm not sure I want to use much that requires hand seals," Naruto responded, "I think at this point if would counter productive for me."

"You may be right on that," Jiraiya admitted, "But there are some jutsus that do not require hand seals or you could use other methods to supplement your style."

"I'll think about," Naruto relented. It would be good to have something else to use other than just Shadow Skill, if someone were to watch him enough they may find a way to counter his abilities. He would have to think hard about what he would want to do.

Naruto continued on his way when he came across Lee and Neji. Surprisingly, Lee was carrying a ceramic mask in his left hand. When they got closer Naruto waved in greeting and the two stopped, "Hey Lee what's with the mask?"

"I just got accepted into the Anbu squads Naruto-kun!" Lee answered with pride giving the 'nice guy' pose while showing off his turtle mask.

"Nice job Lee," Naruto said slightly taken back by the new Anbu's enthusiasm. "But why, I thought you had to take a test of some sort?"

"Normally yes Uzumaki-sama," Neji answered, "But Hiashi-sama recommended him for the position after the war and the Hokage agreed."

"Wait!" Lee pointed at Naruto, "Why did you address him as 'sama'?"

"Yeah I want to know that too," Naruto joined, "When I came to the Hyuuga grounds everyone was calling me Uzumaki-sama."

"I am not sure," Neji answered, "But Hiashi-sama ordered us to address you as Uzumaki-sama."

"Well don't," Naruto said, "You can just call me Naruto, that 'sama' thing feels weird."

"As you wish Naruto-san," Neji said, he still addressed Naruto with respect; mostly do to his accomplishments in the war.

"Well, I have to go," Lee announced, "I'm to meet with my new team soon."

"And I have my own duties to perform," Neji said. And the two friends walked off.

At the Hokage office another discussion was taking place. This was between the soon to be former Hokage and the soon to be new Hokage. "So you think this is best for him?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes I believe that Naruto's skills are most suited for this," The Third answered, "He has shown his ability to work as a group and an individual. And as you know this requires both, besides we need some as strong as him here."

"I can't disagree," Tsunade said. "But why did you tell me first?"

"Well you will be the Fifth soon," the Hokage smirked, "You will be required to give Naruto his assignments personally. I just figured you would want to know his position before you were forced to give him his first assignment."

"Yeah I guess," Tsunade sighed, "So when do we tell him?"

"Let him relax for a couple of more days," the Third answered, "Then we'll tell him." Tsunade nodded knowing what Naruto's new position would entitle.

In a darkened cavern at a location known only to a hand full of people a gathering was taking place of several dangerous individuals. Not just any dangerous individuals, but S-class criminals. Two figures of differing heights were walking down a poorly lit pathway, they had been surprisingly called back just a couple of weeks ago. They had thought their organization had been disbanded presently over two years ago. Moving through the darkness a voice from in front of them called out, "You two are the last to show up." A large but short man came into the light of the torch, "And I hate to be kept waiting."

"We had further to travel," the short man replied.

"Yeah, Sasori," the tall one who had something wrapped up strapped to his back, "So get that stick out of your ass already." The one called Sasori became angry at the comment and stepped forward. The tall one, not to be out done, stepped forward as well as reach for what was strapped on his back.

"Enough!" short one said. The other two turned to the third person and noticed his eyes had gone blood red and appeared to spin. It caused the two flinch slightly and step back, "We have a meeting to get to." With that the short one went ahead of the other two.

Not long after the small meeting in the pathway the three entered a large cavern where six other individuals were gathered. Five of those were standing up facing the only one sitting down. "Good, Itachi and Kisame have joined us," the seated one announced. Once the three joined the others the seated one continued, "I have called you all back because our plan is to be reinstated." A question look passed on several of the people, but no one dared interrupted him. "The Nine Tails is not dead, the recent war has revealed its location. With that we can proceed with plans that originally drew us all together." Several of the nine smirked in anticipation at the thought of once again attaining their goals. If fact only one seemed indifferent to the idea, but on the inside he was wondering what it would be like to see his little brother again and how much stronger he was become.