The concept of this fic started during the very early stages of the Fourth War arc and so some things are different from the canon, which is the nature of all fanfics, anyway.

1) Naruto doesn't take 2 additional years to realize Hinata likes him. For the purposes of this fic, the events of "The Last: Naruto the Movie" happened shortly after the War.

2) Tsunade is still the Fifth Hokage. She didn't retire after the War.

3) Orochimaru is actually dead and the members of Team Taka are imprisoned. For the purposes of this fic, Kabuto woke up early from Itachi's Izanami and resurrected the previous Hokage.

4) Naruto and Sasuke will not be unbeatable gods. They'll still be powerful, just not continent-destroyers. I HATE the power scaling. Despise it. Naruto sensing people literally an entire country away? Naruto's solo Bijuudama overpowering a 5x Bijuudama? No. Just no.

NARUTO: KARYŪDEN (ナルト - 渦流伝 , NARUTO: WHIRLPOOL CHRONICLES)

Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A lot of people want it; to be in people's eyes and in people's mouths, to be looked up to and respected. People come to you for advice and ask for your opinion on practically everything. Sure, it does feel incredible at first, especially when you've coveted this for years, but you quickly see the downsides.

One being that you're never left alone. Currently, there's a large crowd gathered in front of Yakiniku Q, which would typically be welcome business for any establishment. Unfortunately these people aren't gathered to spend money, but to meet a certain individual who they heard is dining here. They're shouting his name, demanding to enter just to get autographs, and all around disturbing the other customers. They gathered because they'd heard rumours that the person in question would soon leave the village for an unknown period of time, so this may be their last chance to see him.

One staff member was picked as a 'sacrifice' to go to a particular private room and interrupt the dinner for some of the most important VIPs Yakiniku Q has gotten in recent years. Normally such valued guests would not be disturbed but extenuating circumstances call for it. The other guests' patience is reaching their limit.

The man stops in front of the door and takes in a deep breath. This isn't his first time dealing with VIPs so he's braced himself for anything. He clears his throat and knocks on the doorframe to alert them of his presence. "Pardon me." He excuses himself as he enters the room.

Inside is a large table of 11 of the most prominent shinobi who made a name of themselves in the Fourth Great Ninja War and distinguished themselves at the young age of 17.

Rock Lee and Tenten are sitting next to each other at one end of the table with Tenten doing her best to keep Lee's rambunctiousness in check. Both have become more prominent for training more shinobi in the user of taijutsu and weapons respectively. On their right are the current generation of Ino-Shika-Chō, all of them either heads or heirs of their respective clans, with each getting more and more responsibilities within the village. Ino in particular is clinging to the arm of the person on her other side and being fairly physical in her interactions with him- Kiba Inuzuka, who's proudly wearing the armband of the new Hidden Leaf Police Force and fiercely blushing at Ino's public displays. Beside him as always is his faithful companion Akamaru. His friends and teammates Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyūga have also gained fame as elite shinobi. Sakura Haruno is also present, renowned as one of the best medical ninja in the world, not just the village, as is her teammate Sai, who's an unknown to the public but select few know him as one of the best and brightest among the ANBU.

Then, of course, there's the man of the hour. The most popular person in the village. The hero of the war and saviour of the world. Naruto Uzumaki. He's sitting in a central position at the table with Hinata by his side.

Something that the staff member didn't see was that Naruto and Hinata were holding hands under the table; Hinata immediately drew her hand away when the door opened, not wanting to seem improper in front strangers, even though such notions don't seem to cross Ino and Kiba's mind. Naruto looks down to his hand, slightly disappointed that Hinata let go.

"Uh, please pardon the intrusion." He addresses the group but his eyes are mainly focused on Naruto. "The people outside are becoming more difficult to keep at bay. It's… bothering the other customers. If at all possible, any aid in dispersing them would be greatly appreciated."

Tenten gives a light chuckle as she leans on the table. "Ah, the pain of being famous."

Naruto scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. "I'm really sorry 'bout this. I'll… try and do something about 'em. I'll be right back." He addresses the table and offers a passing smile to Hinata. He stands up with a sigh and makes his way outside, following the waiter.
Shikamaru groans in frustration. "We can't even have a simple meal together. It's already a drag to get our schedules to match without all of this getting in the way."

Kiba laughs. "Hey, it's not our fault we're heroes! Well, maybe it kinda is. But it's natural people would crowd around, hahah!" He tries to snatch up some meat from the table but is sniped by Choji's ever-watchful eye, when it comes to food, at least. "Hey!"

Shino takes some food from his side of the table. "Kiba, the people outside are not here for us but for Naruto. Why, you ask? Because Naruto is the one who saved everyo-" He looks around to see his companions chatting to each other.

Chōji wags his finger at Kiba. "Focus on the food if you wanna eat. The grill is a battlefield in and of itself."

Kiba growls and Akamaru glues his eyes on the grilling meat.

Shino lowers his head in dejection. "No one is listening."

Ino leans on the table with a playful smirk and look to Hinata who's standing directly opposite her. "Naruto's only been gone for a few seconds. You don't have to look so lonely already." She giggles. "If you two are gonna be a couple, you'll need to get used to it, you know. There's nothing uglier than jealousy."

Hinata's blush deepens. "No, that's not it, at all! I would never…"

Sakura chuckles. "Are you one to talk, Ino? You're clinging to Kiba like he's going to run away. Scared his nose will finally pick up how much you stink?"

Kiba breaks his focus from the food war he's having with Chōji and looks between the girls in a panic. "What? No, leave me out of this- whatever it is." He looks back to the grill to notice another piece stolen by Chōji. "Hey!"

"You, dear Sakura, are just jealous," Ino makes a point to hug Kiba's arm, "That you'll stay alone."

"As if I'd ever be jealous of you." Sakura scoffs and crosses her arms. 'Still, how did these two even become an item in the first place? Naruto and Hinata I get, that was obvious, but Ino and Kiba?' She muses.

At this point, Naruto returns to the room with the staff member after a surprisingly short amount of time.

Sai speaks up, being mostly quiet during the party. "Oh, they've already dispersed?"

"Uh, kinda?" Naruto scratches his whiskers. "I left like 10 Shadow Clones outside and told them to take the crowd somewhere quiet. They're dealing with it now."

"Hm." Sai nods approvingly. "A surprisingly smart way of dealing with it. Well done."

"... I feel like that was more of an insult than a compliment." Naruto brushes it off and turns to the staff. "Could you… hand everyone else a bottle of something for home? As a way of saying sorry." He then leans a bit closer and whispers. "Uhh, nothing too much, y'know?"

The man looks at Naruto with surprise. "Um, yes, of course! I'll pick something adequate." He bows and takes his leave.

Naruto once more takes his seat next to Hinata, who smiles at his return.

Sakura reaches over and lightly taps him on the shoulder. "Look at you, spending your hard earned money. But you better not go overboard. Leave some to buy gifts for Hinata. She deserves a lot for being willing to put up with you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He looks down to his new girlfriend and smiles. "A lotta people keep telling me that. I'm not a kid anymore, y'know."

Shikamaru interrupts by standing up with his cup in hand. "Alright, before something else happens to interrupt us. Let's toast. We probably won't be able to all see each other for a long time. Tomorrow, Naruto and Hinata leave for a long mission outside the village and won't be back for at least a year, so we gotta make the best of it. So many things happened in such a short time and I know we're all still getting used to it but if anyone can make it, I know it's you guys."

Ino laughs. "So dramatic."

Chōji swallows his food. "Yeah, it's not that bad. We'll still be around."

Lee jumps to his feet and pumps his fist. "That is right! Whatever obstacles we must now face will not stand in the way of our friendship!"

Shikamaru smiles. "Maybe you're right."

The group all raise their cups. "Cheers!" They all take a sip, and Shikamaru sits back down beside his teammates.

"So what even is your mission?" Tenten asks, looking at Naruto and Hinata.

"A diplomatic one, in a way." Hinata asks.

"We apparently just gotta go to other villages and do missions for them. Like an exchange thing." Naruto says. "Gonna go through each other village and help them out with stuff."

"We're not certain precisely how long it will take, but the estimates are at least one year." Hinata adds. "First we're to go to the Hidden Cloud Village, then the Hidden Stone, Hidden Sand, and finally the Hidden Mist."

Sakura smirks. "You can treat this as a kind of early honeymoon, huh?"

Hinata's cheeks burn. "H-h-honey- No, it's nothing like that!"

Sakura laughs. "I'm kidding Hinata."

Naruto looks between the two of them in confusion.

"We should soon see an influx of foreign shinobi, as well." Shino says. "Chūnin and Jōnin from each member of the Shinobi Union. Some of us have been tasked to prepare for their arrival and take them on missions with us."

"I was given the same assignment, too." Chōji nods. "Show them how we do it in the Hidden Leaf."

"It's been a drag getting all that set-up and dealing with clan stuff at the same time." Shikamaru sighs. "I feel like Shizune enjoys watching me buckle under stress."

"I think she's just happy to finally get some help." Sakura chuckles. "I've taken over most responsibilities in managing the hospital so Shizune's had more time to herself."

"Sorry I haven't been able to help more." Ino says.

Sakura shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, you have more than enough on your plate as is. I can manage just fine."

"I feel you on the clan stuff, though, Shikamaru." Ino says. "I never thought I'd have to take over the clan this soon so it's been really hectic."

"Yeah, it's… not easy to fill a void like this." Shikamaru says in a wavering voice.

The mood in the room slightly lowers at the remembrance of Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka and their sacrifice. The losses suffered are still a painful topic, rebuilding the destruction is still a work in progress and getting used to the changes is even moreso.

"Still!" Ino perks up, trying not to sour the evening. "Uncle Chōza has been amazing. I don't think I could've handled it without him." She smiles at Chōji.

"Definitely." Shikamaru nods. "I still feel completely out of my element, but uncle Chōza's made it bearable."

"We look after each other, after all. Been like that since before the Hidden Leaf." Chōji smiles.

Kiba uses this distraction to snatch some food right under his nose. "Even if it's not easy, you're still pushing through. That's pretty damn commendable."

"What about you, officer?" Ino nudges his shoulder. "How goes rebuilding the Police Force?"

"Eh." Kiba shrugs. "We've had to do a lotta things from scratch. The Leaf hasn't had a proper Police Force since… you know, the whole Uchiha incident. We've had a lot of help from the ANBU, though, surprisingly enough. But me and Akamaru are gonna prove we got what it takes and show the people the Police Force is on their side. Will make Captain before you know it!"

"It is also in our best interest for the new Police Force to flourish." Sai says. "I just wish we could offer more help. We have been scrambling to pick up the piece, as well."

"Like what?" Naruto asks.

"The ANBU and Root never really had time to properly adapt to Danzō's death." Sai explains. "Between that and the Fourth Great Ninja War, many members of the Root either stepped down or became missing-nin. We've had to allocate most of our resources to hunting down the defectors. That's not even accounting for all the prisons that were destroyed by the Divine Tree's roots, releasing hundreds of convicts that we're still chasing."

"Um, should we be hearing all of this?" Sakura raises a brow. "It sounds confidential."

"That's because it is." Shikamaru facepalms.

Sai simply smiles. "I'm sure it'll be alright."

Hinata leans over the table to look to Lee and Tenten on the other side. "What about you two? I heard you've taken on the role of tutors."

"That is correct!" Lee perks up. "Lady Tsunade asked me to teach more of our shinobi how to handle the [Eight Inner Gates]. It will be a long and arduous road but I trust our fellow shinobi will handle it."

"Can it even be trained safely?" Ino asks. "I remember you were in pain after just the First Gate."

"That is why extensive training will be required. Guy-sensei will be around to help but since he's wheelchair-bound, the task falls to me to ensure the trainees can handle it."

"Man, you all really are something else." Tenten laments. "I don't really have the expectations or responsibilities you do. I don't have as much going for me."

"That's not true at all, Tenten!" Lee once again rises to his feet, driven by his passion. "You've done exceptionally well training others in weapon usage."

"Yes, I've heard others say good things." Hinata adds.

Tenten shrugs. "I don't know. I do like teaching, but I don't think this is for me. I've been talking to Daikoku-sensei and Iruka-sensei. I think I want to be an Academy teacher."

"Truly?" Lee says in surprise. "I wasn't aware"

"I've kinda been keeping it to myself since I wasn't sure, but talking to Daikoku-sensei helped a lot. And I think Iruka-sensei was you guys' homeroom teacher, right?"

"Yeah." "He was." They say in unison.

"I think you'd be an amazing teacher, Tenten." Sakura says.

"I think you're all amazing." Naruto grins. "I'm really gonna miss you guys."

"Careful, Naruto." Kiba smirks. "By the time you come back, I might already be Hokage."

"Keep dreamin', pal!" Naruto protests

The group bursts into laughter.

They remain in Yakiniku Q for a while longer, talking about how they've fared with their new responsibilities, about any news in their personal lives. Catching up while they still can and enjoying each other's company.

The evening would unfortunately come to an abrupt end when Lee accidentally drinks from Tenten's sake cup and he destroys a wall. She reassures the others she'd pay for it, seeing it as her responsibility. If her wallet could cry, it would.

~X~

With the sun having already set long ago and the party suddenly over, Naruto and Hinata walk along the streets of the Hidden Leaf on their way to the Hyūga estate. Unlike Tenten, they're not allowed to drink spirits but they can still drink some weaker drinks with alcoholic content. As their last meeting for a while, they decided to have a few cups. As such, their cheeks are a bit rosey and while not drunk, still feel a light buzz.

Maybe it's that or maybe it's because relationships are still new to them, but the two awkwardly walk side by side, shyly and lightly holding each other's hands.

"Um, Naruto?" Hinata speaks up after several minutes of walking in silence. "If I may ask, why did you agree to this mission tomorrow?"

"Hmm…" Naruto slows his pace and looks at her, mulling over the question. "Well, I figure I gotta. If I wanna be Hokage in the future, I gotta know about all the other villages, not just the Leaf. Pervy Sa- I mean, Jiraiya-sensei thought it's possible for the world to unite and achieve peace, and he thought I'd be the one to help get there. So for him, too, this has to be my path."

"It seems he was correct. If it wasn't for you, and Team Kakashi, none of us would be here now."

"And that's why I wanna make sure this isn't something temporary, you know? The Five Nations banded together and put their differences aside, but we still gotta work to keep it going, so if I can somehow help with, I gotta. But I ended up dragging you along with me. Sorry." He gives her an embarrassed smile.

Hinata shakes her head. "You don't have anything to apologize for. That is… something I've wanted to strive for, myself. The Hyūga clan have always secluded ourselves, and while we've had our reasons, I believe it's important to open ourselves up." She lowers her head for a moment and thinks over her next words. "And… truth be told, I feel similar to Tenten. Everyone's found their path in life and are doing amazing things for the village. I believe this may be my path, so I have to take it."

"Even if it means being away from your family?" Naruto asks.

"It's only for a year, in exchange for a lifetime of peace between our villages. I believe it's a small price to pay. And, um," Hinata nervously rubs her hands, "It's also a way to stay close to you."

"Hinata…"

"I spent so many years chasing after you that I don't want to lose you."

"You won't." Naruto takes her hands into his own, an act that causes her to jolt her head up in surprise and look him in the eyes. "I know I'm dumb for not seeing it sooner but you don't have to chase anymore. If you're fine with someone like that, I want you by my side."

Hinata's cheeks flush an even deeper red. "Naruto…" She subconsciously leans closer, drawn by the quiet streets that make this moment solely about them, drawn by the street lights that shine behind Naruto, giving him a warm aura against the night sky.

Naruto leans closer, as well, drawn by her radiance that he spent so many years oblivious to.

They both close their eyes as their lips meet and embrace each other under the moonlight. Hinata grasps onto Naruto's sleeve as if to make sure he's really there and isn't a hallucination. Despite not being their first kiss, it somehow always feels like it is.

The two part ways after a moment but remain close. Naruto presses his forehead against hers as the two smile.

The moment is broken, however, when a cough startles them both. They yelp in surprise and turn to the fenced wall next to them to see a young girl perched on top.

"H-Hanabi?" Hinata squeaks her sister's name in shock. "W-What are you doing here?" She asks in a slightly more squeaky way than she probably intended.

Hanabi simply points behind her with her thumb. "I live here."

Finally noticing their surroundings, Naruto and Hinata realize they were already at Hyūga estate without even noticing.

In a state of mild panic and embarrassment, Hinata looks to Naruto, then back to Hanabi, then to the estate, "E-excuse me! I should go," and rushes off inside, leaving a bewildered Naruto.
Hanabi grins and gives Naruto a thumbs up. "Good job." She Flickers inside after her sister.

Naruto returns the thumbs up belated only after both sisters have left. "See you tomorrow?" He blinks and begins walking. After a moment he realizes he should be walking in the opposite direction.

~X~

Iruka really ought to be asleep this late into the night. He has work early in the morning- tests to grade, curriculum to fix. He's not in the position to stay up all night like he used to do and he's also nearing the age where he no longer can't even if he wanted to. At only 28 years old, he feels at least 10 years older than that.

Still, his mind races with worry over the boy he's grown to think of as a brother. Although it's probably not fair to consider him a boy after everything he's been through and everything he's done.

'I really should've gone to think.' Iruka muses. 'At least to say goodbye if nothing else. But he's been so busy with newfound responsibilities, it never felt like a good time. At least the class got together for a send-off dinner from what I heard. He doesn't need me to say goodbye to him too.'

Iruka would soon be proven false. As he lies in bed and does everything other than what he should be doing- sleep- someone knocks on his door.

Iruka raises a brow. 'Who could that be?'

He drags himself up from bed and grabs the pants he'd flung over a chair nearby. As he puts them on to be more presentable to whoever that is, there's another knock.

"I'm coming!" Iruka calls out in frustration that someone would come this late.

He rushes to the door and slings it open, ready to put on his teacher face and reprimand whoever is there, but stops in his tracks when he sees that the person there is the same person he was just thinking of.

"Yo, Iruka-sensei." Naruto waves.

Iruka furrows his brow in confusion. "Hi, Naruto. What brings you here?"

"Ah, just… thought I'd stop by and say 'hi'. Sorry for coming so late."

"No, it's alright." Iruka opens the door further and beckons Naruto to enter. "Come on in, it's not proper to have a conversation at the door."

"Thanks." Naruto walks in and takes off his shoes at the entryway. "Pardon the intrusion."

Iruka leads him to the living room and motions for him to take a seat. He looks around as if trying to find something. "Uh, I don't really have anything ready to greet you with."

"That's fine, sensei, I won't bother you for too long. You don't need to prepare anything." Naruto says as he glances through the living room, taking in the neatly ordered bookshelves, the clean table, the decorative plants and paintings lining the wall. It's probably cleaner than his own apartment's ever been. "Y'know, this is the first time I've seen your apartment."

"Oh, that's right, you've never actually been here, right? That's all the more reason to get you something. I'll put on some tea." Iruka goes to move to the kitchen but is stopped when Naruto places a hand on his arm.

"No, really, it's fine. I just wanted to talk, is all."

"Oh?" Iruka decides to sit down. "What about?"

"Dunno if you heard I'm going on a mission tomorrow. Won't be back for a long time again."

"Yeah, I heard." Iruka nods. "It's all the village talks about."

"Well, it didn't feel right to leave without thanking you."

"Thank me? I haven't really done anything to be thankful for."

Naruto shakes his head. "Not true at all. You've done more than I can say. If you didn't believe in me way back when, I don't know what I would've become. You really saved me."

Iruka scratches the back of his head. "I'm not sure I'd go that far; believing in your student is a teacher's job. Besides, it did take a while. I'm not free of guilt, myself, there was still a time where I saw the Nine Tailed Fox and not… you."
"But you did see me, and believed in me where no one else did. Because of that I got to where I am now- I have my friends, I have Kakashi-sensei, I have Konohamaru, I have… Hinata. All because you helped set me on the right path and showed me how to be strong, so…" Naruto turns in his seat and takes a bow. "Thank you."

"Naruto…" Iruka inches his chair closer and places a hand on his student's back, doing his best to fight back the tears forming. "That… means a lot. Thank you. But make no mistake, you were strong even back then. Not many could've gone through what you did and turned out as well as you did."

"Because they don't have a teacher like you." Naruto grins. "Anyway, I should get going. I'm keeping you awake." He stands up and makes his way out the door.

"When you come back to the village, I'll have some tea ready for you."

"I'm looking forward to it. Good night, Iruka-sensei. I promise I'll come back from this mission a better person."

"I know you will." Iruka smiles. "Good night, Naruto." Iruka closes the door and wipes his eyes with his sleeve. He goes to bed with a newfound motivation to do even better at the Academy.

Sunrise would usually be way too early for Naruto to even consider being awake. His irregular and downright awful schedule has always been something Kakashi and Sakura tried to help him fix but he never quite took to it. After all, being well rested means performing better on missions. Today, he's not exactly well rested as he still went to bed fairly late, but he's up early and in position to better wake up.

Despite the minor alcoholic content consumed, it didn't quite stick. His metabolism has always been different and apparently that goes for drinks, as well. When he's older, he might try it with actual alcohol, but seeing how Lee reacts to it makes him reconsider actually drinking.

Still, even if it wasn't for his body's natural regenerative properties, he'd still be sobered up by the sight in front of him- the reason he's actually even up this early.

As soon as he woke up, he grabbed a new set of clothes from the wardrobe and laid it out on the bed and has been staring at it with a huge grin on his face for well over half an hour. A marking of a new stage of his life and his career.

He takes the clothing with great care and puts it on.

First is a set of a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants, a stark contrast to the orange tracksuit he wore before. It'll always hold a very special place in his heart, it's a gift he received from Jiraiya that marked the end of his training, after all, but this new outfit marks a new journey for him. He can only hope that Jiraiya is watching over him and is proud of how far he's come.

Next up he straps on a new set of shin-high boots that are slowly becoming standard, to offer more protection for the legs than the old sandals. He also ties his kunai pouch to his legs.

Then is the forehead protector, probably the most important item to any shinobi and the dream for every student in the Academy. This is one item that's unchanged, it's the same forehead protector he's worn for the past 3 or 4 years. It's sometimes difficult to keep track. This is also a memento from Jiraiya, who had the cloth changed when his old one started wearing off and falling apart.

After that is a new thing for him and something he hadn't really worn up until now. A pair of forearm protectors that cover the whole arm rather than just one side. It's not something he's ever truly needed in his career as a shinobi and truth be told, he ordered them because he's always thought they looked cool. Now he has more of a reason to wear them with the outfit change.

Finally, the coup de grâce is an article of clothing that every Genin dreams of obtaining- the traditional flak jacket with six scroll pouches on the chest. Naruto holds the green vest that's given to every Chūnin and takes a moment to admire it.

This will not only be his first mission as a Chūnin, but also his first mission since the Fourth Great Ninja War. He was quickly promoted to Chūnin for his deeds, which was really more of a ceremonial thing. After all, what do ranks mean to someone who saved the entire world? Climbing the ranks is more of a trivial thing at this point so there's not much reason to rush the process. He'll grow as a leader as much as he can to be promoted to Jōnin and eventually prove his worthiness to be Hokage.

The reason he hasn't had any outings as a Chūnin is because he spent the whole time since then recuperating from the loss of his right arm, and needing to perform hundreds of tests and experiments with the new arm Tsunade made using the First Hokage's cells. However, now he's all cleared and ready to get back into action.

He dons the flak jacket and looks himself over in the mirror, taking in the new appearance. He still can't get used to the fact that he's a Chūnin now. With that of course come new responsibilities. He's confident in his own strength but being a Chūnin or a Jōnin is about so much more than that- it's about leading and working through missions with a team. He can't brute force everything on his own as he's always done. This is something he'll need to learn as he does missions for the other village.

"So, whatcha think?" Naruto asks seemingly no one. He waits for a few moments for an answer that never comes. "Oi! Don't ignore me!"

Naruto finds himself no longer in his room, but a space of complete calm and serenity, shining in soft golden and silver colours that represent his inner soul. Here, he finds himself staring down one of the most feared entities in the lands- the Nine Tailed Demon Fox.

"What is it?" Kurama sighs and opens a single eye, not even bothering to get up from his nap.

Naruto spreads his arms to show off his new attire. "Check this out! I'm fully a Chūnin now!"

"You changed your wardrobe, that's hardly a momentous event."

Naruto grumbles. "You're just a big ol' ball of negativity, aintcha."

"I just don't see why you're asking for my opinion on clothes of all things."

"Then I'll just go ask someone who cares!" Naruto snaps back into the real world and gives himself an affirming nod in the mirror.

With everything set and ready, he makes his way to the door. He gives his apartment one final look over before leaving for a year. He's already dreading how much cleaning he'll have to do once he returns, but that's a problem for future Naruto. Present Naruto has a girlfriend to meet and a mission to embark on. He turns off the lights, closes the door, and locks it.

~X~

Hinata had woken up far earlier than she really needed to. She'd never woken up this early even for the rigorous training her father put her and her sister through. She and Naruto had agreed to meet at the main gate but without having anything better to do with her morning, she donned her Chūnin gear which she wore during the War and got here way ahead of the agreed upon time.

Normally she'd used this opportunity to do something like read to pass the time but she's been staring at the same page for well over an hour now with no indication of going to the next one. Her foot constantly taps and she takes the occasional nervous breath- which are the only reason Kotetsu and Izumo haven't gone to check up on her.

The two are stationed to guard the main gate today and have been eyeing Hinata from time to time to make sure she's alright but feel it'd be presumptuous to go over to her. It seems like a standard case of nerves so it might be better to let her handle that than have two strangers walk up to her. Their worries are lifted when Hinata spots a familiar man making his way to the gate.

As soon as she sees Naruto, she stands up and smooths her pants over to be more presentable.

Naruto walks over with his signature smile and waves to her. "Hey!"

"Naruto!" She looks him over in his uniform. "Y-you look good. It suits you."

"Heh, thanks. You look good, too." He walks over and stops just in front of her.

The two stay in silence for a moment, unsure how to progress from there. Thankfully, they have someone to prod them to move along.

"You two going to flirt, or do you have a mission to go to?" Izumo calls out to them from his guard station.

"Oh! My apologies." Hinata turns to the two guards and begins making her way to them, followed closely by Naruto.

She hands over the scroll that describes the mission they're to embark on. Kotetsu takes it and looks it over to ensure all is in order- standard procedure for shinobi that leave the village on official business.

"Everything looks in order." Kotetsu says and stamps the scroll before handing it back to Hinata. "Looks like it's gonna be a while for you two, huh?"

"Yeah, looks that way." Naruto says.

"Try not to cause too much trouble for the other villages, okay?" Izumo chuckles.

"I'm not promising anything!" Naruto laughs.

"Then… shall we head off?" Hinata asks.

"I guess we're all done here." Naruto says. "Let's go."

The two begin walking toward the main gates but don't make it that far before a voice calls out to them. "Naruto! Hinata!"

They turn around to see its source is none other than the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, followed closely by Shizune holding Tonton close to her chest.
"Lady Fifth? Why are you all the way out here?" Hinata asks.

"Come to send us off, Granny?" Naruto chuckles.

"Hardly. Something new came up that's on your way so I figured to give it to you. A side-mission, if you will, before you reach the Hidden Cloud Village." She hands a new mission scroll to Hinata, designating her as the more trustworthy of the two.

"Whatcha need?" Naruto asks.

"There have been reports of shinobi going missing around the border with the Land of Hot Water. Shinobi from the Hidden Leaf and remnants from the former Hidden Hot Waters. Since you're going in that direction, anyway, I'm assigning you to investigate the disappearances and hopefully apprehend those responsible before you continue on your original mission."

"Won't that slow us down?" Naruto asks. "Isn't the Hidden Cloud expecting us?"

"The Hidden Cloud is aware of this new development and were informed I'll be assigning it to you. In fact, they're sending a team of their own, as is the Land of Hot Water. You're to cooperate with them on this and once done, you'll go with the Cloud shinobi to their village."
"I'm surprised to hear the Hidden Hot Water Village is sending people." Hinata says. "Their village disbanded years ago and the Land hasn't focused on militaristic matters since."

"I'm as surprised as you are." Tsunade shrugs. "But we didn't speak with the village, we spoke with officials from the Land of Hot Water who said they'd send someone over. I suppose they still keep contact with their former shinobi."

"Why are Cloud shinobi coming, anyway?" Naruto asks. "Isn't this a bit far for them?"

"They have reason to believe that whatever is happening at our border is somehow connected to rogue Cloud ninja. They're still hunting down escaped convicts who took advantage of the chaos the Infinite Tsukuyomi created."

"Yeah, Sai mentioned they're busy with that, too." Naruto lets slip.

Tsunade narrows her eyes. "He did, did he?"

Hinata immediately enters a defensive mode. "Oh, please don't hold it against him. We all swear to secrecy!"

Tsunade sighs. "I'll deal with that as it comes. As for you, you're to head to Tsuji Town and look into these disappearances, it's a small town that we've zoned in on as being the closest to the last known locations of the missing ninja."

"Yes, ma'am."
"Gotcha."

"I know I probably don't need to say this, but be on your guard." Tsunade warns them.

"Aw, you care." Naruto chuckles. "But did you really need to come all the way out here to tell us this? Could've just sent someone with the scrolls instead of coming out yourself." He says.

Tsunade's eye twitches and lightly smacks Naruto over the head. "Whatever, brat, just get going."

Naruto rubs his head. "Yeah, yeah. See ya!"

Hinata bows as the two fully make their way out of the village.

Tsunade stays where she is and observes their forms getting smaller and smaller across the horizon.

Shizune watches on for a bit before walking over to Tsunade. "Is that fine? You didn't even tell him what you wanted to tell him."

"No, this is fine. To begin with, our relationship was never like that, anyway." It feels like so long ago that she scoffed at Naruto's cocky attitude and proclamation that he'd be Hokage. She was among the first to learn how powerful Naruto's determination is and that his words were never empty. He'll definitely make a worthy successor one day. "I'm curious to see where your journey will take you."

Tsunade turns on her heels and heads back to her office.

Elsewhere in the Land of Fire, at the border with the Land of Hot Water, a young girl of no more than 8 years of age sits in a large open yard with multiple sets of swings, monkey bars, slides; it's a full-on playground but currently sits empty. The sound of playful kids can be heard but it comes from the building behind her, a simple two-floor structure where she can see dozens of young children running back and forth.

The girl smiles at their playing and turns her back to the building to avoid any distraction. She puts her auburn hair into a ponytail and hypes herself up by slapping her cheeks, to focus herself. She takes a deep breath and forms the Bird hand sign- her index and pinky fingers pointed upward and pressing against the same fingers on her other hand, while her middle and ring fingers intertwine and curl downward.

"Come on, this time it'll work." She tenses all of her muscles and growls the entire time in an attempt to somehow will her desires into being. Her face turns red from the strain she's putting on herself and despite it clearly not working as intended, she doesn't give up.

She remains in this position for a solid minute until she finally realizes she needs a good breath of air. She stops and plops on her back, panting. As she looks up she sees a single feather floating down toward her. She reaches out and grabs it before it falls to the ground and looks it over.

"Only one feather again." She frowns and relaxes her hand and lets it fall to the ground, feather slipping between her fingers.

She stays on the ground for a bit longer to calm herself with the passing clouds. The vast and free skies, not bound by borders; anyone who can reach it is free to do as they wish. Currently, that's mainly the birds soaring, from mighty eagles to the more annoying pigeons, like the ones flying overhead. She wonders if these feathers she can conjure would one day allow her the freedom to fly to anywhere she wishes. Not bound by anything.

"Kotori!" A voice calls from the building. "Kotori, it's time for breakfast."

"Coming!" Kotori calls back.

She stands up, brushes the grass off her simple shirt and pants and heads back into the building, a large sign posted just above its double doors- Tsuji Town Orphanage.

NAME MEANINGS

Tsuji Town (辻街 , Tsuji-gai) = 'crossroad'

Kotori (コトリ , Kotori) = 'little bird'

AUTHOR'S NOTES

This entire concept of this fic first came to be in 2012 and the overall story remains more or less unchanged, although it's still modernized with elements that became known after 2012. That's what the disclaimers at the beginning are for- to inform that that this fic won't 100% adhere to how the series was at the end.

The fic was first envisioned as a NarutoxSamui story but that changed in the final product. I wanted Naruto Karyūden to read like a possible continuation to Naruto, something that would make readers feel like it belongs on Weekly Shōnen Jump, alongside other battle shōnen manga. Since I'm not Japanese, there'll still be plenty of Westernism that wouldn't fit in a Japanese work, but I'll try to stay as close to the spirit as possible.