Hidden Leaf Village Conference Room

Tsunade slams both fists on the desk, causing the entire room to quake and the TVs in front of her to lose signal for a moment. Naruto, sat right beside her, flinches at the sudden outburst. Although her outbursts are common enough where they shouldn't really be unexpected.

"We can't let this go on any further!" She cries out. "They've been running circles around for too long. First sending their monsters to attack and now capturing two Tailed Beasts."

"I agree." Ay says. "We need to move our plans forward."

"By plans, you mean the joint Chūnin Exams?" Gaara asks. "Is it wise to all gather in the same place?"

Ōnoki shakes his head. "We do need to act. And if worse comes to worst, we'll need more capable Chūnin to fight."

Mei lowers her gaze. "So it's come to this once again? Another war."

"Except this time, the Hidden Rain will be present to help." Konan states. "I wasn't there to take a stand against Madara Uchiha but this time will be different."

"Do you think this attack had a specific purpose?" Kaidomaru asks, trying his best to act innocent.

"Besides weakening us?" Gaara answers. "We don't know, and that's a big problem."

Ōnoki nods. "Their goal is to unleash the Great Beasts. It would make sense to get rid of the main force capable of opposing them- the Tailed Beasts."

"We can't let'em get away with any more

They got two, we gotta protect the other four.

Yeah." Bee rhymes from his seat beside his brother.

Tsunade raises a brow at Bee's wording. "Killer Bee." Tsunade addresses the jinchūriki. "What did you mean by "other four"? There should be five remaining, right?"

Ay furrows his brow. "Two sealed inside you and Naruto, two captured by the enemy… Yeah, there should be five."

"Uh, actually," Naruto scratches his head. "We don't know where Saiken is, either."

"Saiken… The Six Tails?" Mei asks. "She's missing, too?"

This time it's Ay's turn to slam his desk. The signal is lost for a brief moment. "What do you mean, you don't know where the Six Tails is?! If she's been captured, too, we should know!"

"No, not captured." Naruto explains. "We just… don't know where she is. We haven't had contact in years."

"Her gate still stands so we know we ain't captured." Bee clarifies. "Isobu and Kokuō's are all broken and busted."

"And you can't contact her?" Gaara asks.

Naruto shakes his head. "Not unless she wants to be found."

Tsunade rubs her brow. "So that's another thing to worry about for later. We'll deal with it as it comes. For now, we need to make sure the others aren't captured."

"We'll call Matatabi back." Ay says.

"I can… try and speak to Shukaku." Gaara says. "But I doubt he'll want to."

Ōnoki grumbles. "I don't think Son Goku would appreciate it, either."

Shibuki lowers his gaze. "The Seven Tails- Chōmei, I mean, used to be the Hidden Waterfall's Tailed Beast but I don't think we have much authority with him."

"Chōmei's probably better at hiding than most so I think he'll be fine." Naruto says.

Tsunade leans back in her chair. "So we need to get the remaining Tailed Beasts protected and initiate the Chūnin Exams."

"Going by the schedule we'd made, it's the Hidden Mist's turn to host them." Mei Terumī says. "I believe that may be a blessing in disguise as we're more difficult to attack than other lands. Should it even come to that."

"I agree." Ay nods. "We'll keep the location as it was, that much doesn't need to change."

"Then it's settled." Ōnoki says in a more authoritative voice. "The next Shinobi Union Chūnin Exams will be held in the Hidden Mist Village."

All 12 leaders voice their agreement.

"We have our work cut out for us, let's not waste any time." Tsunade says before the leaders log off, leaving the Leaf representatives on their own.

"Granny." Naruto wastes no time. "I got something to ask."

"I feel like I know what but go on."

"Let me go and check the places where Isobu and Kokuō were captured."

"Oh?" Tsunade raises a brow. "I thought you were gonna ask-"

"And let Team Nine take part in the Chūnin Exams." Naruto interrupts her.

Tsunade chuckles. "Yeah, there it is. I get that part but what do you hope to learn by going to those places?"

"I don't know. Anything. I just… need to check, y'know? I can't sit here and wonder."

"Fine. I'll send you over. If anyone might learn something, it'd be you and Killer Bee. But I can't grant your first request just yet."

"What, why not?"

Shikamaru shakes his head as he approaches the desk, having been out of camera-view with Kakashi. "It's not that simple. Since these Chūnin Exams are pretty big, we gotta select who goes. Pick the top teams to represent us."

Kakashi adds. "Although Team Nine has done very well, we still need to review everyone's performance and not be biased."

Naruto crosses his arms. "Alright then."

"Don't worry, we'll call you when we've decided."

"Then I'll go get ready to leave! I'll just have Sasuke take me there." Naruto runs out of the room in record speed.

Tsunade can only chuckle as he bolts.

Hidden Mountain Village

Seikai Miyoshi sits cross-legged on a railing, high up in the village that's high up in the mountain. From his view, he can see the village spreading further below him, built in layers into the mountainside.

'To think I'd end up here.' He laments. 'After so many years of hating the very idea, why does it feel like this is what I should've been doing the whole time? Hidden Mountain, Uzumaki,... Miyoshi.'

His thoughts are interrupted when someone else leans on the railing, causing it to shift ever so slightly. Seikai looks to the side, to see the man who brought him here.

"How are you faring, Seikai?" Kaidomaru asks.

"Still coming to terms with it all. Your meeting ended?" Seikai asks.

"It did. And as expected, the Shinobi Union is mobilizing in full force. The Chūnin Exams are nearing and we have to prepare accordingly. That also means you'll have to go to one of our secret locations. There's too much traffic here in the Hidden Mountain Village, you could be recognized."

Seikai nods. "I'm a bounty hunter, I'm familiar with laying low."

Kaidomaru smiles and clasps his shoulder, lightly- as a way to display camaraderie and kinship. "I'm aware you're capable. Still, I can't help but advise caution. You'll leave with Mōkin and the Amagiri he brought with him. I'll send someone to show you the way. Just a little bit longer and I promise it'll all fall into place." Kaidomaru lets go of Seikai's shoulder and pats it, before walking away.

As Seikai prepares to leave, Kaidomaru rounds the corner to be met by another new arrival to his army. Mōkin Hōyoku who's standing against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Ah, Mōkin, just the man I was looking for. I'll send an escort to-" Kaidomaru begins explaining when he's suddenly cut off.

"What did you do to him?" Mōkin stares him down with a stern gaze.

Kaidomaru smirks. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Uzumaki." Mōkin straightens himself and walks up close to Kaidomaru, standing just a bit shorter than the village leader. "He's trying to kill us and all of a sudden, at the snap of a finger, he's on your side and ready to abandon everything for your cause. I know why I'm here, but him? What the fuck did you do?"

Kaidomaru chuckles. "Oh, Mōkin, I assure you there's nothing to worry about. I already told you- I merely opened his mind and showed him where his anger should be directed. He hates the hidden villages and I intend to bring the hidden villages to their knees. We have a lot in common." He leans in closer and grins. "Or are you worried I'll do the same to you?"

Mōkin subconsciously takes a step back. "If you could, you would've."

"Or I simply had no need to." Kaidomaru walks past Mōkin and continues on his way. "I'll send an escort to lead you to the hideout. Get your men ready."

"Sure."

The Nine Gates

Within the confines of the shared mindspace, Naruto looks at the destroyed 三 and 五 gates. All the remaining Tailed Beasts stand under their gate in council, save for Saiken. Her 六 gate stands empty but still standing.

The main purpose for Naruto and Bee calling this meeting is to catch up the others on what the Union wants to do, to provide shelter and protection to the Tailed Beasts so this doesn't happen again.

"We have to keep all of you safe." Naruto says.

Shukaku laughs. "You expect us to trust humans again? Just because we're not trying to kill each other doesn't mean we're friends, you know."

"Think this through, Shukaku." Gyūki cautions. "They took out Isobu and Kokuō before we could even realize. This isn't the time to be prideful!"

"He's right." Matatabi chimes in. "If there was ever a time for us to unite, it's now."

"Of course you two think so; you got soft around your jinchūriki. Son Goku, you're with me on this, right? We're better off on our own."

Son Goku looks over his siblings before lowering his gaze to Naruto who stands expectantly, waiting for an answer. He notes the genuine concern in the boy's eyes and in his voice, the same concern he saw while Obito had captured them all. He knows Naruto believes this to be the best choice but he's still not entirely certain himself.

"I'm not so sure." Son Goku shakes his head.

"What?!" Shukaku utters in surprise. "Not you, too!"

"You're seeing this, too, aren't you?!" Son Goku shouts. "Isobu and Kokuō are strong and yet they were kille-"

"We don't know that!" Matatabi interrupts him. "We don't know what fate's befallen them."

"Be that as it may, they're gone." Son Goku continues, black plumes puffing out his nostrils as he huffs. "And we don't even know where Saiken is. This clearly isn't a threat we can face divided."

"Maybe they got Saiken, too?" Chōmei says.

Kurama shakes his head and finally says something after remaining silent. "Her gate isn't ruined, so she's probably just out of reach. Gone to places unknown."

"The problem is we don't actually know what these gates mean. We never had them before, they're only here now because of Naruto's influence." Gyūki says. "It could mean that Saiken was captured while Isobu and Kokuō were… killed. Or the opposite."

"All the more reason to not risk our own lives to find out." Son Goku says. "I'm going to speak to the Tsuchikage as you requested, Naruto, and we'll face this threat together."

"Thanks. I know there's still a lot of bad blood."

"Blood can always be washed out." Bee says.

"I'll stay out." Chōmei says. "I'm difficult to find if I wanna be. I can keep an eye out on the outside if we need it."

"You'd be risking your own safety." Gyūki says.

"That's fine. This is what I'm good at. I'll keep you updated if I sense anything."

"So, Shukaku?" Matatabi turns to him. "Is your mind still unchanged?"

"Damn right it is! You can all go and hide away with the shinobi, I'm staying where I am."

Gyūki sighs. "Please, just… be careful."

Kurama chuckles. "We know that's not happening."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Kurama just chuckles again in response.

"Then… this is how it is?" Naruto asks. "I don't know if this is much better, but…"

"It'll be fine." Kurama reassures him.

With that, they all disperse and return their consciousness to the real world.

-x-

Land of Wind

As Shukaku leaves the mindspace, he finds himself in a dark and rather tight cave. Tight for a Tailed Beast, that is, for a regular person it'd be extremely spacious. It's a good hiding place for while he's communicating with the others, especially since he made it himself so it's more intricately connected to him- any more violent disruptions he would've sensed and snapped back in order to fight.

Right now what he's feeling isn't anyone attacking but there's a great disturbance in the sand, in a way that's very familiar. It's as if he himself is manipulating the sand on the surface outside which can really mean only one thing.

Shukaku decides to be a bit mischievous and violently jump out of the sand dome he'd built for himself underground. As he does, he's met by a very familiar, annoyingly familiar, figure of a young man floating in the air on a cloud of sand.

Gaara looks at the massive form in front of him, not even flinching at the sudden eruption of sand. "Shukaku." He addresses the Tailed Beast while gathering back the sand he'd sent to the ground for scouting.

"Gaara." Shukaku grumbles.

The two stay in awkward silence for a moment longer, neither continuing the conversation, or at least not knowing how to. Gaara seems completely unphased by the silence; he always was a weird one.

Shukaku finally gives in and grumbles. "Why are you here?"

"To ask you to come to the Hidden Sand with me."

"Pah! Forget it. I'll tell you what I told Naruto and Bee- I'm not trusting any of you for a second."

"This isn't the time for senseless pride." Gaara argues. "The Three Tails and Five Tails were captured, what makes you believe you stand a better chance all on your own?"

Shukaku bares his fangs. "Their names are Isobu and Kokuō! And I can do a whole lot more without being slowed down by you. I spent years being slowed down. No more!"

An abrupt sandstorm washes over the area just as Shukaku finishes speaking. Gaara looks away and shields his eyes. His sand gathers around his legs as the winds become more violent, threatening to blow him off. When the dust settles, Gaara looks around but sees not a trace of Shukaku.

"So stubborn." Gaara sighs in defeat. "Just be careful, Shukaku."

He turns his floating sand cloud around and heads back from whence he came.

-x-

Uzumaki household

As Naruto snaps back to his body, in his bedroom, he stands up from his meditative position and continues what he was doing before- preparing to leave for foreign lands. In truth, he really only needs to pack the essentials as if he needs anything more specialized, he won't know until he gets there.

A very familiar voice calls out to him from the floor below. "Remind me again why I'm taking you?"

"Because it's faster!" Naruto replies.

Downstairs, Sasuke is comfortably sat on the living room couch, waiting for Naruto to get ready so he can act as a transport service once again. These truly have been busy days for him and he's considering taking extended vacations.

Hinata places a cup of tea on the table in front of him. "Thank you for your hard work. I know it hasn't been easy for you."

"It's unavoidable." He sighs. "It expedited the process and helped people in need."

"You certainly made my job easier as a Shinobi Union representative."

As Sasuke is occupied talking to Hinata, he's interrupted by a tugging at his shirt. He turns around to see a small head of blonde hair pulling his sleeve.

"Sasi. Sasi." Hiroto repeats.

"It's Sasuke. Sa-su-ke." He corrects the toddler.

"Sasi!" Hiroto calls out in excitement that he finally got Uncle Sasi's attention.

Hinata walks around the table to pick up the wandering toddler. "Now, now, it's rude to interrupt guests."

Hiroto clings to her and snuggles against her chest.

"He's grown so much."

"I think Kamae might be bigger, though." Hinata giggles.

Sasuke chuckles. "She's fairly big, yes."

"Alright, I'm done." Naruto jumps down from several flights of stairs. "Let's go."

"Wait!" Kotori runs out after him. "Let me come with you."

"Kotori…" Naruto walks up to her and kneels down in front of her. "This is something I have to do. You have something else you should be doing."

"But I wanna help!" She protests.

"And if I find something and you can help with it, I'll come get you. Right now, the thing you can do best is keep training, keep growing stronger. Alright?"

Kotori pouts and grumbles for a moment but finally gives in. "Fine."

"Atta girl." Naruto kisses her on the top of the head. "When I get back, show me how much better you've gotten with your jutsu." He stands up and throws his backpack over his coat. "Alright, Sasuke, let's go."

Sasuke takes the cup of tea and gulps it down. Can't be rude to the host, after all. At least not to Hinata.

Naruto walks over and hugs Hinata and gives Hiroto a kiss on the forehead as the boys call out for dada. "I'll be home soon, little guy."

"I hope you find something." Hinata says.

"Yeah, I hope so, too." Naruto gives a strained smile.

Sasuke turns to face a more spacious area in their living room, to have enough room to open a portal. When he tries to, however, a familiar sharp pain hits him like a brick to the face. He fights through it and tries not to show any sign that something's wrong. Despite the migraine he's getting and the blood he can feel trickling down from his left eye.

When the portal opens, Naruto runs directly into it. "See you soon!" He calls out to his family.

Sasuke walks in and uses the brief time he has to wipe the blood off.

-x-

North Great Barrier Sea

The first location they visit is around where Isobu is believed to have been caught. The only real leads they have of the fight are reports from local fishers who claimed to have seen the giant battle from the far, far distance.

Right now, investigating the water surface, the underground, and the nearby island formations are shinobi and ANBU from different nations. Currently, a Hidden Mist ANBU is catching up Naruto and Sasuke with what information she and the others have managed to gather.

A scuffle between mainly two large turtles sent waves crashing all the way to the nearby town, but the thing that catches Naruto's attention is mention of one other specific large beast.

"A flaming bird?" Naruto questions the ANBU that reported their findings. "Are you sure?"

The woman nods. "Yes, sir. The locals said they saw a giant firebird in the skies in this area, when the Three Tails was captured."

Naruto grits his teeth. "So… that guy really was working with them?"

"They couldn't get the Hidden Dream's wolf so they set their sights elsewhere." Sasuke says.

The ANBU continues her report. "If the firebird truly does belong to Mōkin Hōyoku, then our other reports may be connected, as well."

"What other reports?"

She points to the north-west. "There's a resort town about a day inland, Toshiwaka Town. The forest just outside was burned to a crisp by an unknown source. Judging by the sheer scale of the destruction and the way the trees have been burned, we believe it to have been the work of Mōkin Hōyoku, as well."

"I take it you're going to want to go there, as well?" Sasuke asks a fairly obvious question.

"Of course we are. But first…" Naruto sits down crosslegged on the water and begins meditating.

After remaining in silence for a few moments, the ANBU turns to Sasuke. "Um, what's he doing?"

"You'll see. It usually takes a while."

After a minute of silence, Naruto stands up and looks around the area. When he turns his head, the ANBU sees the very distinct change in his eye colour, going from a blue you could get washed away in, to a piercing yellow.

"There's more than usual." He says.

The ANBU tilts her head. "More of what?"

"Natural energy, I presume?" Sasuke surmises. "Wouldn't it get carried away by the waves? We're in a sea, after all."

Naruto shakes his head. "It doesn't really work like that. Natural energy kinda… stays where it is for the most part? If that makes sense. It doesn't really travel like something physical although it gets weaker without a powerful source."

"And that's happening here?"

"Yeah. Whatever happened, there was definite natural energy used."

Naruto dives deeper down into the sea, where he can sense some more shinobi investigating. He recognizes an unnaturally large clump of coral that would be Isobu's creation, and recognizes a massive crater on the seabed caused from the fight, most likely Isobu fighting back with a [Tailed Beast Bomb]. He looks around but unfortunately the only thing he can actually do is guess as to what may have happened. He finds no evidence that would lead them closer to finding out where the attackers came from and where they went.

When he comes back up to the surface, he approaches Sasuke who'd been asking around on his own what the ANBU had found.

"Nothing." Naruto clenches his fist.

"It was a small chance we'd actually find anything to begin with." Sasuke shrugs. "Shall we go?"

"Yeah." Naruto begins walking in the direction pointed before, to Toshiwaka Town, when Sasuke stops him.

"I can take us directly to Toshiwaka Town. I've been there."

Naruto raises a brow. "Why do you know the location of this resort town?"

"I've been there. Their onsen are some of the best in the land." Sasuke answers without looking back but even still, he can feel Naruto staring at the back of his head. He sighs and turns around. "What?"

"You've actually been to an onsen?" Naruto chuckles. "What, you mean like on a mission or something?"

"No, to relax."

"... Sasuke, you don't know how to relax."

"Just shut up and let's go." Sasuke sighs and opens a new portal. This time the pain isn't as sharp as before although it's still present. He once again fights through it without saying a word.

-x-

Outskirts of Toshiwaka Town

As the capture of the Tailed Beasts was deemed top priority, most of the forces were sent to the locations they were last seen to try and track where their captors may have fled to. That's why the group gathered by Toshiwaka is smaller compared to what was sent to Toshiwaka.

As soon as Naruto and Sasuke step out of the portal, they can't help but recoil at the destruction. Everything around them is burned to cinders, leaving the area a barren field of ash and charcoal. The only hints of what this forest may have once looked like lie in the far distance where the trees yet remain green.

"What happened here?" Naruto whispers to himself.

A Hidden Mist ANBU approaches them when they arrive. "Best we can surmise, a whole lot of fire."

"You must be good at your job." Sasuke says in his usual dry tone.

"Do you know what happened exactly?" Naruto asks.

"From what we've pieced together, whatever happened here happened about a day before the Three Tails was attacked. Judging by the reports we've gotten about Mōkin Hōyoku, we believe this to be his doing."

"Why would he burn down a forest?" Sasuke asks.

"That, we still don't know. A man matching his description was seen in a local onsen but then vanished into thin air. Much of the area has been doused in water, which as far as we're aware he's unable to use, so we believe he fought a Water Style user here."

Naruto scans the area, focusing on where the ANBU motioned that water is present. The presence is much stronger here and definitely feels familiar. "There's natural energy here. It feels similar to what I sensed at sea." He kneels down and presses his hand against the softer ground, still affected by whatever water had covered it.

"That doesn't make sense." Sasuke says. "If Mōkin Hōyoku fought against a Water Style user, then why would they then go fight the Three Tails together?"

"Or did their fight just… carry over?" Naruto scratches his head. "Was this Water Style user trying to stop Mōkin from capturing Isobu?"

The ANBU takes out a scroll and scribbles down a few things as Naruto and Sasuke talk. "Either way, you've helped us glean more insight into the situation. Whatever the case is, we know what we should be looking for. Thank you."

"That's why I wanted to come." Naruto nods.

"Sir." A voice calls out from the end of the clearing, drawing the attention of Naruto, Sasuke, and the ANBU speaking to them.

Another member of ANBU walks out into the clearing, ushering a man to walk in front of him with the point of his sword.

"You don't have to actually stab me." The man complains.

He's a tall, bulky man with short red hair, dressed in clothing that doesn't quite identify him as belonging to any particular village. He doesn't even have a forehead protector on him. But the most peculiar thing about him is that on his hip he carries an empty hilt. No blade in sight, just a plain sword hilt.

"We found an intruder lurking about." The ANBU reports.

"Like I said, I was just looking for my-" The man stops when he looks around the area and spots a familiar face. "Oh, if it isn't Naruto! Hey, could you tell this guy to cut it out?"

Naruto squints his eyes for a moment, trying to identify the man.

"Oi, don't tell me you've forgotten." The man narrows his eyes.

"Ah! You're… Isa!" Naruto finally remembers. "Isa Miyoshi. You can let him go, I know him. He's not an enemy." He says to the Mist ANBU.

The two ANBU shrug at each other and choose to trust that the world's saviour knows what he's talking about.

Naruto walks over to Isa. "What're you doing here?"

"Looking for my brother, actually. I don't suppose you've seen him."

"Seikai? No, I haven't." Naruto shakes his head.

Sasuke steps forward, as well, choosing to stop just behind Naruto. "And why would your brother be here?"

"He was hunting a high profile bounty posted by your Shinobi Union, Mōkin Hōyoku from the Hidden Dream Village. Far as I know, Seikai tracked him to the area and came to capture him.

Naruto furrows a brow. "Seikai was tracking Mōkin? Did he actually find him?"

"I don't know." Isa shakes his head. "I hadn't heard from him in a while so I followed his leads to here but all I found was a burned forest and Union ANBU lurking around."

Naruto and Sasuke share a confused look, as the possible involvement of yet a third person only serves to complicate things.

"We think Mōkin Hōyoku fought here, but we think he fought a Water Style user. I don't suppose your brother knows Water Style jutsu?" Sasuke asks.

"Not even a drop, no. We're Fire Style users." Isa answers.

"Oh, yeah, Sasuke, they're the ones I told you about- with the really hot Fire Style. It might be just as hot as your Amaterasu!" Naruto says.

Sasuke raises a brow at the statement and takes a moment to think, his mind churning with ideas.

"What, are you jealous because I said that?"

"No, you dolt, I'm thinking. Unlike you." Sasuke snaps at him before turning to Isa. "If your flames are as hot as mine, then they should leave a unique trace that no other fire leaves behind. Can you identify if any of the damage here is caused by your flames?"

"Oh, yeah, a bunch of it is. I already scouted the area a bit ago." Isa answers. "Seikai definitely fought here."

"So … that complicates things." Sasuke sighs.

Naruto turns to the ANBU. "Hey, have people in town seen Seikai? Long red hair, wrapped in bandages kinda guy?"

"We could ask around for him."

"I doubt anyone's seen him." Isa says. "He knows how to keep a low profile, especially with a mark like this Mōkin guy."

"Well, if we do find out where he is, we'll tell you." Naruto says.

"Thanks. It's been good to see you doing well, Naruto." Isa smiles.

"You, too! I hope whatever happened here, Seikai got out fine."

"Knowing him, I'm sure he did." Isa looks around. "If it's fine with you lot, I'll take my leave. We have some safe spots we go to, Seikai might be there somewhere. Until next time, Naruto Uzumaki." He turns around and heads out of the clearing, with a wave as he walks away.

"See you!" Naruto waves back.

With the new information presented to them, Naruto and Sasuke give the ANBU full information of what they know and have found out and head to the next location soon after.

Unfortunately, the area they believe Kokuō disappeared from isn't as easily zoned in on. With Isobu, there were nearby fishermen who saw the commotion, but Kokuō was in a desert with no one around to witness anything. The area they believe the fight took place doesn't offer any insight, like the previous locations did.

With a hint of dejection, Naruto and Sasuke go back home after a solid day of traveling to and fro.

-x-

Uzumaki Clan District

Naruto has to walk back home, seeing as Sasuke dropped them off at the Hokage's Office to report what they found out and what they told the Hidden Mist ANBU. From there on, they walked their separate ways, each going home.

He uses his opportunity to gather his thoughts after a day of worrying and talking. It's relaxing to just… walk. These Uzumaki clan members that seems to appear and disappear on a whim… They keep getting their way over and over and by the time anyone realizes what they've done, they're gone.

Naruto stops in front of the main gates of the Uzumaki clan district and takes a long pointed look at the clan mon. A clan… Something he'd never really put any thought in as a kid, he'd just accepted he was on his own. Yet these strangers trusted him enough to follow his lead and become Hidden Leaf citizens and shinobi.

He has to do right by them and fix what's going on. Members of his clan, of his mother's clan, are threatening the world as they know it. If he can't do this as a clan head, then what would he do as Hokage?

Naruto stands in place for a while longer, thinking over everything which is counterproductive to his original idea of not worrying and just taking a nice stroll.

"Naruto." A deep voice calls out to him.

He turns around to see two of his clan's elders, walking to the gate with reddened cheeks and reddened noses and in a seemingly pleasant mood.. "Uncle Yaizu, Gramps Awaji."

"You've returned." Awaji steps forward and tries to hold his wobbly self straight. "Did you find anything?"

"A bit." Naruto looks them both over. "I don't think you're in a position to hear it, though." He chuckles.

"HAH!" Yaizu bellows. "I can drink your weight in sake and still be in tip-top shape." He hiccups.

"Sure." Naruto claps his back and begins leading them. "You two geezers have fun?"

"Who's a geezer?" Awaji grumbles.

"Wasn't the intent to have fun but we kinda went overboard, huh?" Yaizu says.

"We had a lot of catching up to do." Awaji answers. "A lot of things to go over. From the past and present." He adds with a dejected voice before turning to Naruto. "We have to stop them. We can't let them tarnish our name."

Naruto pats the elder on the back. "Don't worry, gramps. We got everyone on it."

"I just hope that's enough." Awaji sighs. "If only I wasn't this darn old…"

"Your age is what's allowed you to gather everyone in one place." Naruto reassures him. "It's a blessing."

"It's a miracle is what it is, that you're this old." Yaizu chuckles. "Stop your worrying, elder. It won't do us much."

The three of them walk along the district streets in comfortable silence until they reach Awaji's home. As soon as they reach the front door, it slings open to reveal Awaji's daughter, Minami Uzumaki, rushes out.

"There you are, father, we were getting worried." She says, taking him by the arm. "Thank you for escorting him back." She bows her head to Naruto.

"It's fine." He chuckles. "Make sure he gets rest."

"I will. Good evening to you two."

With that, Naruto and Yaizu walk not that much farther to their own homes. The district itself isn't that big to begin with since the Uzumaki clan isn't that big, so their houses are a pretty short distance away.

"Do you want to come inside?" Naruto offers as they come to his home first.

Yaizu shakes his head. "Nah, it's fine. I don't wanna be drunk around Hiroto."

"I thought you were in tip-top shape?" Naruto laughs.

"Tip-top drunk shape." Yaizu clarifies and heads off to the neighbouring house. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Naruto picks up his pace in these last few steps to finally get home. As soon as he opens the door, he's greeted by the sounds of an unusually busy home, or at least busier than normal. The pleasant sounds of laughter and a toddler's cheering fill the home.

"I'm home." Naruto calls out as he takes off his shoes.

"Welcome home." Hinata makes her way out to the entryway to greet him. "How did it go?"

"About as well as I thought. I'll tell you all about it." He motions to the living room. "We have guests?"

"We do." Hinata says and leads him inside.

In the living room, Naruto first sees Konohamaru lounging on the couch while in front, Hiroto is chasing his auntie Hanabi who very slowly tries to "run" from the toddler. Hanabi slows her pace to a crawl, allowing the barely walking Hiroto to grab her leg.

"Ah, you caught me!" Hanabi feigns defeat and picks up the giggling Hiroto. "You're so fast, I couldn't escape!" She kisses his nose, eliciting a giggle.

"Konohamaru, Hanabi." Naruto greets them. "It's good to see you. What brings you two here?"

He and Hinata both sit down on the armchairs opposite the couch.

"We just haven't been in a while, you know?" Konohamaru answers. "Not much of a chance to hang out."

Hanabi presses her nose against Hiroto and rubs it. "And I wanted to see the cutest and sweetest little boy."

"You both know you're welcome at any time, no matter the reason." Hinata says with a smile..

Hanabi walks over and sits by Konohamaru's side while Hiroto's snuggled by her chest. She leans on Konohamaru's shoulder and smiles. "We know, but you've had a lot of things on your mind, right?"

"All the more reason we need the distraction." Naruto laughs.

"Hey, bro, are things really that serious?" Konohamaru asks. "I've talked with mom and dad about it and it's not looking good."

"Father has the entire Hyūga clan on high alert, as well."

"I've heard." Hinata says with a hint of worry.

Naruto shakes his head. "No, it's not looking good. The village heads are starting up the Chūnin Exams, to gather together and finally figure out what to do about all this."

"The Chūnin Exams, huh?" Konohamaru leans back. "That brings me back."

"Yeah, the good old times when I kicked your butt." Hanabi giggles.

"That's not what happened at all!" Konohamaru protests.

"Sure thing, sweetie." Hanabi laughs and leans forward to look at Naruto. "Is Team Nine going to take part?"

"If we're picked for it. Apparently they're carefully selecting who's gonna be allowed to go. Still waiting for an answer."

"Team Nine's strong!" Konohamaru says. "You and Team Five are apparently some of the best Genin we've had in a while, so they're definitely a shoe-in."

"Speaking of, where is Kotori?" Naruto looks around.

"She's out training with Yokumaru and Shoto." Hinata explains. "They've been at it since you and Sasuke left."

Naruto sighs. "I think they probably realize things are getting serious. They're smart, those kids."

"Hey, bro…" Konohamaru says with a less jovial tone than he's been speaking with so far. "You know whatever happens, I'm sticking by your side. If worse comes to worst, this time I'll fight with you."

"We both will." Hanabi says

Naruto gives a strained smile and pounds him on the chest. "I know. I hope it doesn't come to it, though…"

Hinata notes Hiroto's nodding little head and fluttering eyes, the young boy desperately trying to fight off sleep but it's very much a losing game. She walks over to Hanabi and brushes her son's hair. "Let's put him to sleep."

"Sure thing." Hanabi carefully stands up not to jostle Hiroto too much, and the two head upstairs to his bedroom.

"How about we play some cards when they come back?" Naruto suggests.

"That'd be nice. We don't get a lot of chances to just relax."

"No, no we don't."