Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters created by Kishimoto-sensei.
Naruto was annoyed once more. The trip back to Konoha should not have taken more than a few weeks. It was now three months since they left the Mist Village because Ai and Jiraiya were constantly wanting to stop and 'Research' new material for their 'hit books', which loosely translated into having sex for days on end before moving onto the next village. Worse though, was that Naruto had to be under a very powerful Henge no Jutsu at all times because as he was regularly reminded, the Akatsuki were still after him.
"Stupid perverts," complained Naruto as he slurped up his sixteenth bowl of ramen noodles.
It was then that someone sat down next to him.
"I think I've only ever seen one person eat that much ramen in my life," said the new voice.
Naruto turned to see Itachi sitting next to him. He paused only for an instant before he resumed eating his noodles. "They are the best food in the world."
"I'm more partial to soba myself," said Itachi calmly.
Naruto had no doubt that Itachi knew exactly who he was talking to. The question was more about what Itachi was planning next. "Too bland for my tastes."
"Some people think so but they are so much healthier than ramen," said Itachi calmly as he began to eat his own noodles.
"We're shinobi, what do we need to eat healthy for? We exercise all the time and are constantly training. Ramen gives you everything you need, carbs for energy, meat for protein, vegetables for vitamins and minerals. What more could you ask for?"
"Unclogged Arteries," said Itachi calmly but with a small smirk.
"You seem different than the last time I saw you," said Naruto as calmly as he could but he was ready to act on a moments notice.
"I am different," said Itachi.
"Where is fish man?"
"I don't know, I'm on my own for the next month for a . . . personal training mission," said Itachi.
Naruto all through the conversation was observing Itachi. First and foremost he noticed Itachi was using two hands despite having only one. His Sharingan was inactive and he wasn't radiating any killer intent.
"How are you doing that?" asked Naruto motioning to his hands.
"I altered the Kage Bunshin to replace the missing limb," said Itachi, "It is a bit draining to maintain all the time but not too much so."
"Interesting," said Naruto, "So, what happens after we finish eating?"
"Nothing," said Itachi, "I didn't track you down for the last three weeks just to fight and capture you. I have . . . another purpose."
This raised Naruto's curiosity quite effectively.
"Oh, and what would that be?" asked Naruto.
"Let me tell you a little story," said Itachi, "It all begins just before I murdered my family . . ."
BREAK
"What do you want Shisue?" asked Itachi. He was annoyed that his best friend made him come meet him at such an ungodly hour of the night.
"I have a gift for you," said Shisue before looking Itachi in the eyes.
Itachi had never seen such eyes before. It was the Sharingan but he'd never seen it developed like that and before he could look away the world turned black.
Itachi watched as he killed his very best friend in his mind. It felt unbelievably real, nothing he could do stopped it. Immediately after he killed him he felt blinding pain in his eyes.
When he opened them again minutes later he knew he carried the same eyes as Shisue.
"Welcome to Mangekyou Sharingan," said Shisue, "How do you like my gift to you?"
"Why?"
"I want you to be powerful," said Shisue, "I want you to work for me and my organization. Together, you and I will conquer the world. We will rule over everything. We will claim the powers of the demons for ourselves and then none shall oppose us."
"You're insane," said Itachi looking at his friend.
"Maybe, but admit it, you want to join me. You hate the family as much as I do. They have destroyed too much and made our family name into nothing more than common thugs. The police force is corrupted as it the rest of this cursed village," ranted Shisue. Itachi could see the maniacal glint in his eyes as he continued to talk.
"I can't allow you to do that," said Itachi, "I may hate the way our family operates just as you do but I will not be party to killing them all, especially Sasuke. He is innocent in all of this. He has to potential to change the clan for the better just as I do."
"Fine, then we can leave him alive but the rest must die," said Shisue trying to contain his laughter, "We can give him the same eyes and then the three of us will be unstoppable."
"I will not subject my little brother to that, he doesn't deserve that," said Itachi venomously.
"Fine, we'll leave him alone but let us hurry and kill the others," said Shisue.
"Stop this madness Shisue," said Itachi, "It is unnecessary."
"I see," said Shisue, "I thought you would understand. You of all people would understand, but you don't see. I suppose I have no choice." Shisue locked eyes with Itachi. He could feel his mind being changed, trapped even. Itachi suddenly knew that he had to fight it.
"Fighting it are you?" asked Shisue with an amused smile before he intensified the mental attack. "There, now that should hold you for a least a little while. Don't get your hopes up of breaking free because in a few minutes you will be my mindless slave." Shisue then ripped off Itachi's glove. Shisue cut his hand causing it to bleed freely and then very carefully he began to write a very delicate, precise seal on the back of Itachi's hand.
Within moments Itachi felt the most intense burning coursing through his body but more importantly it was tearing through synapses eliminating any control over his body he may have once had.
"Now, you belong to me," said Shisue before he began laughing maniacally.
BREAK
"From that point on I was a passenger in my own mind. Sealed away from the world and turned into a puppet for Shisue," explained Itachi, "When you removed my hand you removed that wretched seal. For now Shisue is fooled with the false hand but I do not know for how long it will remain such."
"So you're going to sit there and tell me that this whole time you were actually innocent," said Naruto in disbelief.
"I am not innocent," said Itachi strongly, "I have done so many horrible things on the orders of Shisue. It would not be right for me to not face punishment for the things I have done."
"But if you were being controlled then . . ."
"No, I should have fought harder against it," said Itachi, "I should have done something, anything to prevent it from ever happening."
Naruto wasn't sure what to say at this point.
"Anyway, I came to warn you," said Itachi, "The Akatsuki are pursuing Gaara of the Sand now."
"For what purpose?" asked Naruto.
"Shisue has found some ancient magic to seal the demons powers and give them to whomever he so chooses. Gaara has the weakest demon of the nine demon lords. Kyubi is the strongest. The number of tails tells how much power they each have. Gaara possesses the one tail so he is the first target. Once they have absorbed him they will seek after the two tails and so on," explained Itachi.
"What are you going to do now that you've warned me?" asked Naruto.
"No doubt Shisue will have been told by Kisame about me losing my hand."
"Huh, wouldn't he have told him when it first happened?" asked Naruto.
"After it happened and I retook control of my body, I controlled Kisame just enough to make him not say anything about it," explained Itachi, "I've been away long enough now that my spell will have been broken. Now the Akatsuki will hunt me down and kill me to prevent me from telling others their secrets. But I've told you now. You are the most important one to tell as you are the most powerful of all the vessels even without your demon. As long as you know, it doesn't matter what happens to me."
"I'm glad you told me," said Naruto, "But I'm not about to let those bastards get away with that. Hell no. You're going to come back to Konoha with Ero-Sennin and me. We'll fight off the Akatsuki together."
Itachi actually smiled fondly at the blonde, "I can see why my brother would get so annoyed with you."
Naruto suddenly quieted, "I take it you heard what happened to Sasuke?"
"I heard," said Itachi, "That is the last thing I need to resolve before the Akatsuki can finish me off. Orochimaru learned that damn body switching Jutsu because of Shisue and now I need to prevent him from using it on Sasuke, even if I die in the process."
"What?" yelled Naruto, "Ero-Sennin never told me that was why Orochimaru wanted Sasuke. Does that idiot know that?"
"I doubt it, my little brother always was a bit foolish," said Itachi calmly.
"A bit?" questioned Naruto.
"Okay, a lot," said Itachi with a slight smirk.
"So will you come back with us?" asked Naruto, "We could really use your help."
Itachi closed his eyes and breathed deeply, "I cannot die until I have saved Sasuke and that Village will kill me on sight if they see me coming."
"No way," said Naruto, "I'm Yondaime's son, they won't mess with you if you're with me. Plus you can always use a Genjutsu until we can speak with the Hokage and get everything cleared up properly."
"You are persistent," said Itachi.
"Damn right I am," said Naruto, "And don't you forget it."
"Very well, we will try it your way," said Itachi with a slight nod.
"Now, we just have to wait for those damn perverts to finish whatever it is that they are doing so we can finally go back to Konoha," said Naruto with an annoyed expression.
"Is it really the Ai, the author of Ai Ai Paradise?" asked Itachi with a slight blush on his nose.
"Ack," screamed Naruto, "Not another one."
BREAK
"Oh Hinata-chan," said Tsunade with a devious grin as she looked at her daydreaming student. Upon getting no answer she slammed he hand down on the desk.
"Tsunade-sensei," said Hinata blushing, "I'm sorry, I was just . . ."
"Daydreaming about my idiot son," finish Tsunade for her.
Hinata blushed even more, "What did you need me for Tsunade-sensei?"
"I got some news today that I thought you'd like to hear but seeing as you're so busy daydreaming I think I'll keep it to myself," teased Tsunade.
Suddenly Tsunade found herself suspended in the air by Hinata holding the front of her shirt, "Did you hear from Naruto-kun? Is he okay? Is he coming home soon?"
Tsunade couldn't help thinking that it might not have been a good idea for her to teach Hinata how to obtain her super strength. "Put me down please."
Hinata blushed again and set her teacher back on the ground, "Sorry about that," she mumbled.
"With reactions like that, you might crush Naruto when you give him a hug when he arrives next week," said Tsunade nonchalantly. She was trying to hide her smirk at Hinata's lack of registering the words. Suddenly it was Tsunade that was being crushed by Hinata's hugging her.
"Is he really going to be home in a week?" she asked not relinquishing her grip on her teacher.
"Yes," gasped out Tsunade hardly able to breath.
Hinata this time just release Tsunade who dropped to the ground gasping for air. "Oh, but what will he think of me now? Will he still think of me as a friend or something else? Will he even remember me?"
"You worry too much," said Tsunade as she finally stood up, "Naruto would never forget you and if he does he'll never forget you again once he sees you. You've really blossomed into a beautiful young woman Hinata."
"But he's been away for three years, what if . . ."
"Hinata, do you really think that Naruto is the type of person to forget his first friend? Or any of his friends for that matter?" asked Tsunade with a fond smile towards Hinata.
She shook her head and smiled at her own irrationality. She knew Naruto better than that or at least she hoped that she did. "I'm sorry, but sometimes I worry so much."
"I know," said Tsunade with a smile at the girl, "So, are you going to help me plan a welcome back party for him?"
"Of course," said Hinata with a bright smile and a small blush.
BREAK
"I'm going to say it right now," said Jiraiya, "I don't trust him Naruto. It's all too convenient."
"At least give him a chance to prove himself then," said Naruto angrily.
"Itachi, if you do anything to make me question your motives, and I do mean anything, I'll kill you myself," said Jiraiya vehemently.
"That is understandable Jiraiya-sama," said Itachi then he blushed slightly, "Um, I was hoping you could sign my Icha Ai Icha Ai Paradise Volume I Gold Edition?"
Itachi didn't realize it then but that instantly endeared him to both Jiraiya and Ai both.
"This is what I get for doing the right thing," mumbled Naruto. "Can we go now?" he shouted.
"Fine, brat but if our next volume isn't up to its usual standards I'm going to be very disappointed," said Jiraiya.
Naruto decided not to respond and instead started walking ahead of the group. Sadly he heard Itachi, Jiraiya, and Ai all discussing the first volume and what was to come.
"Damn Perverts," muttered Naruto once more. Suddenly he senses were on overload, there was something very wrong. "Down!"
Everybody dropped to the ground instantly. Jiraiya had to pull Ai down with him.
A giant sword flew the air where they were all once standing. The sword itself got stuck into the side of a rather large tree.
"Whoa, deja vu," said Naruto as he looked at he situation.
The shark looking man suddenly appeared standing on the sword.
"It's been a while Itachi," said Kisame coldly.
"Kisame," said Itachi with a slight nod.
"So, you thought you could control me eh? Make me forget to report the loss of your hand? Shisue is not pleased," said Kisame, "In order to make amends I have to kill you now."
"You're outnumbered three to one Kisame," said Itachi, "Do you really think you have a chance against the three of us?"
"He may not but we do," said another voice.
"Deidara," said Itachi recognizing the voice.
"Itachi," she replied.
"Don't leave me out," said another voice. This one sounded sickly.
"Sasori," said Itachi but his eyes never left Kisame. "Deidara uses living clay explosives against her opponents. Sasori is the puppet master. Kisame, you all know."
Jiraiya nodded gravely. He definitely didn't like the odds. Three S-Class criminals vs. two S-Class Shinobi and one B-class shinobi. His best hope was that they underestimated Naruto again.
"Hey, Jiraiya," said Naruto with a smile, "You seem to be worried."
"Just a bit," said Jiraiya trying to figure out what Naruto had planned, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm a bit divided here. I really want to give a bit of pain to the fish man but these other two look just as interesting," said Naruto.
"I'm sure they will be," said Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya," squealed Ai, "These three are so unique, we should invite them into our research plans. I bet fishy man is really hung."
All six Shinobi sweat dropped at that comment.
"And she has probably got an amazing body," said Ai studying Deidara up and down, "No doubt she's the whips and chains type."
"She is," said Itachi causing Deidara to blush profusely.
Suddenly the fourth person appeared behind Ai and leapt away with a kunai pointed at her throat.
"This pretty one will be fun, I can't wait to find out what her insides look like," said the newcomer.
Naruto just smirk at the newcomer, "Oh Ai-chan."
"Yes Naruto-kun," she replied just as happily as always.
"Boom," said Naruto. What followed was a large explosion and lot of blood and body parts. "Good, now that the odds are really even."
"When the hell did he do that?" asked Deidara in a mild panic.
"While you were to busy blushing and your friends were embarrassed for you," said Naruto in the girls ear just before a red orb of energy tore through her back and out the front of her chest.
"What are you?" asked Kisame looking on Naruto in a new light.
"Haven't you been paying attention to all the rumors?" asked Jiraiya with a confident smirk, "He's the 'Yellow-Flash'."
"I can't use my Kirameki on the fish man," said Naruto, "That sword seems to absorb the technique every time I get close to it."
"Don't worry, I will deal with Kisame," said Itachi, "You and Jiraiya will have to deal with Sasori, but be careful, he's very proficient with poisons."
Naruto and Jiraiya nodded solemnly.
"So, Itachi," said Kisame, "You really have betrayed us."
"I was never with you," said Itachi, "I was forced into servitude."
"And to think that you were most powerful amongst the nine soldiers. Second in strength only to Shisue-sama," said Kisame as he dropped from the tree to the ground with the sword in hand.
"I'm sorry Kisame, but I'm going to have to kill you now," said Itachi.
"You can try," said Kisame, "But you're going to fail."
"Maybe," said Itachi calmly as he activated his Sharingan.
"Ha," laughed Kisame, "I've worked with you for so long, do you really think that those eyes will work on me."
"You'd be surprised," said Itachi as he suddenly turned around and locked eyes with Sasori sending him in to a permanent nightmare of death and torture. Only a few seconds later and Sasori was bleeding through the nose as his brain seized and had an aneurism killing him.
Kisame was so surprised by the move that he didn't notice the attack by Jiraiya and Naruto until the arm holding his sword was severed at the shoulder suddenly.
"Too bad you're not as capable with your hand seals as I am," said Itachi, "Otherwise you might have been able to use the same technique as I did to give myself a new hand."
"Damn you," said Kisame, "Damn you Itachi, we were friends."
"We were never friends," said Itachi, "If you weren't going to die in a minute you would have been killed by Shisue in time. He plans to use you and the other to collect the demons and then take all the power for himself and then do away with the rest of you."
Kisame actually had a moment of true regret pass behind his eyes before Jiraiya finished him cleanly.
With that done Naruto dropped to the ground panting heavily before passing out of chakra exhaustion, even with using Kyubi's chakra.
"I had no idea that Naruto had already come so far," said Itachi looking around at the scene of carnage before him.
"I've never seen him use those techniques that well ever either," said Jiraiya, "I think he finally understands how serious this situation actually is."
Itachi suddenly looked panicked, "Oh no, what happened to the beautiful Ai-chan?"
"Is it safe?" asked a voice from behind a bush.
Jiraiya rushed over to his wife to find her unharmed and shivering from a bit of fear before he knew it she was all over him. After that she because an adrenaline junky and would purposely try to get Jiraiya and herself into life and death situations just for the afterglow sex.
While they were busy, Itachi collected the heads and burned the bodies.
That little event caused them to be delayed another three days as well.
BREAK
"Damn Perverts," mumbled Naruto once he finally recovered. He was lucky he had Kyubi or he would have been out for two or three weeks instead of just two days.
"So, which girl are you going to sleep with first when you get back?" asked Ai to Naruto, "The quiet-hiding-under-the-covers girls, the kinky sex fiend, the screamer or all three at once?"
Itachi laughed harder than he'd laughed in several years as he saw Naruto propelled into the forest by a bloody nose.
The loss of blood caused Itachi to have to carry Naruto for half the day.
"Damn perverts," Naruto repeated grumbled in his sleep that day. For a minute Itachi almost felt bad for Naruto having to put up with this for three years when it was clear he didn't care for perverts. Then he remembered that he also got the privilege of spending so much with the super gorgeous, amazingly hot, unbelievably sexy Ai-chan. He was a lucky bastard and didn't even realize it, which ended up pissing Itachi off instead.
Ten days later they were finally back home.
"Home," said Naruto with a warm smile, "I'll meet you guys in the Hokage's office in a few hours. I need to go do something."
With that Naruto vanished from sight.
"He's fast," said Itachi.
"You have no idea," said Jiraiya with a happy smile.
Naruto arrived exactly where he wanted to be within seconds. He was moving so fast that the gate guards never even saw him.
Naruto kneeled down and rubbed his fingers over the etching before him.
"Tousan," he whispered, "I hope I'm making you proud of me. I'm trying to get better everyday to protect our home. I understand why you did what you did. I'm glad you chose me to carry this burden for our home. I promise I'll always protect our home and I will continue to make you proud of me."
After that Naruto just sat and thought about everything he'd experienced the last few years away from his friends and family. From there Naruto went to the Hokage monument to look upon his father's face as it held an entirely new meaning for him now.
It was dusk before Naruto decided it would be a good idea to go see his Kaasan.
Naruto checked the Hokage's office first only to find it empty.
So, he just went home.
"Kaasan," yelled Naruto as he entered the dark house.
"SURPRISE," yelled out several voices when Naruto flipped the lights on.
I less than a second more than a dozen Naruto clones appeared behind each person with a kunai held at their throats.
Naruto was a bit embarrassed once he realized what was happening, "Oops." All the clones disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Naruto," yelled the all too familiar voice of his kaasan. It was the same voice that always made him cringe when he was younger. It was the one voice that always told him he was about to get an ass beating.
"Kaasan," said Naruto in a shaky voice, "I can explain, I really can."
Tsunade held up one finger. Naruto knew he was in really deep shit now. He swallowed nervously, "Sorry."
Tsunade moved in the blink of an eye but much to her displeasure Naruto was no longer standing in the same place. Instead he was seeking refuge hiding behind the closest female to him, which just happened to be a severely blushing Hinata.
"How the hell . . ." questioned Tsunade slightly puzzled as to how he moved so fast. There was no flash of yellow light to suggest he'd used the Kirameki and yet she was certain she was going to hit him.
"Protect me Hinata-chan," whispered Naruto in Hinata's ear fearfully.
"Naruto," yelled Tsunade, "Don't you dare hide behind that innocent girl, get your ass over here and take your punishment like a man."
Naruto swallowed once more before slowly marching through the stunned room to face his punishment. One would have thought from looking at him he was about to be put to death.
Naruto stood before his Kaasan with his head bowed and eyes closed so it came as a great surprise when his mother hugged him tightly.
"I've missed you my little Naruto-kun," said Tsunade happily embracing her wayward son.
"Me too," came Naruto's muffled voice.
Tsunade then held him out at arms length to look him over, "You've gotten taller. You look just like your father too aside from those cute whisker marks."
Naturally Naruto blushed, "You look the same as ever. I don't know if I'll ever get used to seeing you wearing Hokage robes though."
"Like you'd look any better," said Shizune from next to him.
"Damn right I would," said Naruto loudly and happily. It was wonderful to talk with his sister again.
"Before this goes any further," said Tsunade, "I need to know if you've been corrupted by Jiraiya. Have you?"
"Damn pervert," mumbled Naruto with a shiver, "You thought Jiraiya was bad just wait till you have to deal with him and Ai-chan for a few years. You have no idea how much I detest perverts now."
Tsunade smiled with a tear in her eye before hugging her son, "Thank goodness, that was my only fear with you leaving with him and it didn't come true. Now we can really enjoy this party."
Meanwhile the other occupants of the room were caught up in their own discussions of what they'd just witnessed.
"Did you see him move Lee?" asked Tenten.
"No," said Lee with a slight quiver in his voice.
"Neji?" asked Tenten trying not to blush when talking to the object of her affection, not that he even had the first clue.
"No," said Neji calmly. Little did he know that Tenten was trying to hide a blush as much as he was when talking to her.
"Naruto is so troublesome," said Shikamaru to Choji.
"Yeah, but his Kaasan makes great food," said Choji as he stuffed more into his mouth.
"Arrogant bastard," said Ino to Sakura, "Just what the hell was he thinking holding a kunai to my throat."
"Ino, do you really think he meant anything bad by it?" asked Sakura.
"No, but that's no excuse," said Ino angrily.
"It's our fault for surprising him," said Sakura thoughtfully.
"I'll give him a surprise," said Ino ruefully.
"Showoff," said Kiba who received a bark of confirmation from Akamaru. Akamaru had grown quite a bit in the last three years and now rivaled Kuromaru in size and strength.
Shino didn't really do anything but sit there listening to his loud friend complain.
Poor Hinata though was paralyzed with shock. Naruto had chosen to hide behind her from his mother. He was so close to her that he was in contact with her body. She was so red from embarrassment she could hardly hide it. Luckily no one was looking at her.
"Oi, baka," yelled Ino stalking over to Naruto, "What's the big idea you big dunderhead? You trying to kill all of us? What the hell went through that big melon on top of your head huh?"
"It's your own damn fault for surprising me," yelled Naruto in return, "I've spent the last three years training to protect myself and this village so forgive me if I'm a bit paranoid about being ambushed, you would be too if you had to deal with the shit I've been through."
"Some damn 'paranoia'. You didn't even know we were here before you came in. Any shinobi worth anything would have known we were here before he even entered the damn house, you baka," shouted Ino in return.
"That's it," yelled Naruto, "Step outside."
"Do I look stupid to you?" asked Ino, "I'm not about to start a fight with you now. Your mother would kill us both you moron."
"Then stop yelling at me," he yelled back.
"I'll stop yelling at you when I feel like it," shouted Ino.
"I think she's channeling your spirit Tsunade-sama," said Shizune in a barely audible whisper to the Hokage.
Suddenly both blondes sent a death glare at Shizune causing her to cower.
Unfortunately for the both of them Tsunade decided to end the fight by bashing them both on the head. The problem was that she only hit Ino and once again missed Naruto.
Once more Naruto was cowering behind Hinata.
"Damn it," shouted Tsunade, "Naruto I forbid you from ever dodging one of my punches again."
"Um, no," said Naruto smartly earning a death glare from his mother.
"Hinata," said Tsunade icily, "I suggest you stop harboring my son and move out of my way."
Hinata swallowed nervously.
"Don't listen to her Hinata-chan," whispered Naruto's warm breath in her ear.
She was instantly turned to mush, "He's really sorry Tsunade-sensei, can't you forgive him just this once? It is his first night back after all."
Tsunade tried her hardest not to smirk, "Fine, but if he smarts off even once more . . ." she left the threat hanging.
"Thanks Hinata-chan," said Naruto then he saw Ino about to stalk over again and start in on him until Sakura and Lee both dragged her away kicking. A nice silencing Jutsu prevented the screaming.
Hinata turned to face Naruto and blushed heavily as she hugged him fiercely. "I've missed you Naruto-kun."
Naruto couldn't help but notice how much Hinata had changed in his time away. She was nearly as tall as he was now and she'd developed curves that he'd never noticed before or ever wanted to take notice of before and suddenly Ai-chan's words were echoing through his head. It took every last ounce of self-control he had left to prevent his nose from bleeding. Unknown to him Hinata was struggling with the same problem, minus Ai's words of wisdom.
"I missed you too Hinata-chan," said Naruto, "I have so much to tell you about my time away."
"I want to hear everything Naruto-kun," said Hinata, "Maybe you can tell me some other time though."
"Of course," said Naruto, "How about dinner tomorrow then?"
"Okay," said Hinata trying her best to hide her blush but smiling all the same.
"How did you do that?" asked a voice from behind Naruto.
Naruto turned and recognized the young man before him as Neji. "Do what?"
"Move that fast, I've never seen anyone dodge Tsunade-sama's punch before?"
"Oh that, family secret," said Naruto, "Besides, she wasn't being very serious anyway."
"We will have to spar again sometime to see how far you've come," said Neji.
"Sure, when and if I ever have time again," said Naruto with a grin.
"I'm after him," said an overly excited Lee.
"You're all too troublesome," said Shikamaru lazily.