Author's Note:

First, my username is meant to read as No Trace. I noticed it looked like Not Race potentially and wanted to clear that up.

S/O to Darth Revan1998 and Bankai777 for leaving reviews, I really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for the initial response to this story. I did not consider that 58 of you would have followed already. I am still working out the entire plot, but I have a rough outline. I'm not too sure how much I'll focus on secondary pairings and characters, but feel free to let me know your favorites and why! Also, what do you prefer for jutsu names? I'm torn between writing them in a mix of English names and Japanese names or just going all in on Japanese. Flying Thunder God doesn't have the same punch as Hiraishin to me, but I don't want to make too many mistakes with the spelling.

There is one thing I forgot to mention, I always felt like the characters were too young. This probably is because I read a lot of stories on this site and having 12 year olds get into relationships and killing people, and then 15 year olds after the timeskip. For the purpose of this story, pre-time skip Naruto and company are around 16, and then they are around 18 post timeskip. This would put them all at 18-20 depending on what year they graduated. Finally, I don't own Naruto. Without any further ado, here is the second chapter!

Chapter Two: Resolve

Still at Mount Myoboku…

I will make you all proud.

That statement became Naruto's mantra. Since learning about his lineage, he was overcome with a maelstrom of emotions. There was something therapeutic and calming about his mantra. It provided him with clarity, and he came to terms with his past and lineage. It didn't matter that his father was the one who burdened him with the Kyuubi. It didn't matter that his sensei kept his family a secret. What mattered was fulfilling their final wishes, becoming a strong shinobi of the leaf.

'I should get started with Ero-Sennin. He wanted me to learn how to better work with the toads when I summon them. I might as well ask gramps to teach me some fire style jutsus and the oil technique while I am here. I can leave probably 30 clones for each task once he gets me started, and then I can head back to Konoha to talk to ba-chan.' Happy with his plan, Naruto put the letters from Jiraiya and Minato into the wooden box for safe keeping.

"Hey, gramps." Naruto began, "Ero-Sennin entrusted me to be the new toad sage. Can you teach me some fire style and the oil bomb? He didn't think senjutsu was enough. Damn perv…" Naruto finished with a mumble.

"Sure Naruto-chan! It'd be an honor to finish your training as the toad sage. I bet ya want to use your clones to speed up the time?" The old toad asked, confident that he was right.

Naruto smiled and scratched the back of his head. "There's no going back to normal training after Kakashi-sensei taught me this way. It's way too awesome! I was hoping you could get me started on both, and then I'd leave you with clones so I can chat with Ba-chan about all of this."

"Of course Naruto-chan. First, you need to gather chakra in your throat and compress it. That's how Jiraiya-chan created the oil. To ignite it, you flare the chakra so it heats up and sparks as you release it, creating the flame bullet."

"That makes sense…" Naruto trailed off, in thought trying to make sure he understood it before summoning his clones. "What about just providing oil?"

"Ah, good question! You're growing up quick. Just skip the flaring step, and the hand signs will be slightly different. Pay attention and I'll show ya the hand signs for both techniques." Fukasaku instructed. The old sage slowly worked through the hand sequences a few times for Naruto, making sure Naruto had them memorized. Naruto flashed his signature hand sign and with a large plume of smoke and pop, he summoned sixty total clones. All of the clones turned to the original waiting for their orders.

"Alright guys! Start by getting the oil down. Once Gramps says we have the hang of it, half of you break off and work on igniting the oil." Naruto instructed.

"Hai!" The small army replied, and got to work.

Naruto watched as his clones began their training. Many of them puffing their cheeks as if the oil would naturally appear, but Fukasaku scolded them and reminded them to gather the chakra first. After a few moments, the original blonde was ready to return to the village to see what his father left for him in the Hokage's office.

"Gramps! Can you send me to Konoha now? I'll summon Gamakichi to take me back once I'm finished with Ba-chan."

"Alright, Naruto-chan. Hurry back!" Fukasaku replied before sending Naruto away in a puff of smoke.

Tsunade was sitting in the Hokage's makeshift office. The tower was not fully rebuilt, so she was currently using a tent near ground zero of Pein's attack. Even if her office wasn't as large, the stacks of paperwork and stress were at an all time high. The village had been lucky in that Naruto was able to sway Pein into reviving the shinobi he killed, but the entire village needing to be rebuilt left them vulnerable. Iwa and Kumo would consider invading the country if they learned of Konoha's predicament. Her eyes narrowed at the thought, her forces were still mighty but not hardened in the ways of war.

'The future generation is strong but they aren't ready for war. Sakura is a fine shinobi and could handle managing a field hospital but I worry it would break her. Naruto might be our greatest asset but he isn't ready for the missions I would assign Jiraiya or Kakashi.' Her mind thought back to the battle a few weeks ago. The fear she had once Pein leveled the village, she knew she didn't have the power to compete with him. 'Naruto, you are the village's strongest shield but I can't ruin your innocence. I won't send you suicide missions like Sarutobi-sensei did with Jiraiya, Kakashi, or Minato during the war.'

"Ba-chan? You in here?" A familiar voice called out before entering the makeshift office.

"Yes, Naruto. Come in."

Naruto entered the office and stood in front of the desk and Tsunade. His eyes, as if looking for something.

"What do you need, Naruto?" Tsunade asked, able to tell something was on his mind.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about what happened when I fought Pein." Naruto began, "I…" the young man hesitated, unsure if he could explain the events that occurred within his seal.

"I met my father."

Those four words caused Tsunade's heart to sink, and then a flood of questions rushed to the front of her brain.

"What? How? He's dead, isn't he? He survived?" She blurted out, causing Naruto to interject.

"In my seal. When I…lost control he appeared to me. He left some of his chakra behind for that moment. He told me what happened the night of the Kyuubi attack." Naruto then explained everything that occurred, how the masked man ripped the Kyuubi out of his mother, and then used it to attack the village.

"I see," Tsunade replied, taking in all of the information the normally hyperactive blonde had shared with her. "There's more though, isn't there?"

Naruto nodded and continued, "Ero-Sennin left me a letter, I guess toad gramps had it and I just got back from reading it…and a letter from my dad. They both believed in me. They wanted me to be the shield of Konoha, to follow in their footsteps and shoulder the burdens no other shinobi can."

"Naruto, I-" Tsunade started before she was interrupted.

"Please Ba-chan. I need to do this. It's all I have of them. My dad gave me his personal training notes, and Ero-Sennin entrusted me to finish my training as the new toad sage. I want to protect the village the way that they did before me." Naruto declared, his cerulean eyes brimming with determination but still held the innocence that Tsunade knew he had.

"Naruto, I understand but I can't let you. You don't have that type of experience yet. Minato and Jiraiya took on some of the darker missions for the village. You aren't ready for that. They'd been to war, hell, your dad ended one single-handedly. They took on assassinations, espionage behind enemy lines, things you've never thought about."

"Then train me. I'll join ANBU. That's their specialty, right?" Naruto hotly replied, his tone getting frustrated at Tsunade doubting him.

"Naruto I…I can't ask you to do that. You're not suited for that line of work and…" Tsunade paused, trying to find her words. "I don't want to send you to your death alone behind enemy lines"

'That's it. She's protecting me.' Naruto understood her position now. The Godaime Hokage had lost so much in her life.

"Please Ba-chan. I know you need someone to rely on now that Ero-Sennin is gone." Naruto sighed, it was still hard to say it out loud. "I can do it. Assign someone to train me, wasn't Kakashi-sensei an ANBU captain or something? I know him, he believes in me, it'll work. Please…please let me do this, for Ero-Sennin and Dad."

Naruto's determination only grew when Tsunade doubted him. His posture straightened as if to show her that he can be the ideal shinobi, ready to complete any mission for his village. She looked at him carefully, taking in how much he had grown up since she made that bet with him all those years ago.

'Gaki certainly grew up, didn't he? You must be so happy, Jiraiya.' She thought to herself, before accepting that Naruto had a point. If he had Kakashi train him, Naruto would be the village's premier shinobi.

"Fine, but I have a few conditions."

"Name them." Naruto said, his voice brimming with confidence.

"You will not be submitted to the traditional ANBU training. That program takes the better part of a year, and is designed to hide you from the village. An ANBU shinobi doesn't exist, officially. They aren't on the main roster, and it's a hassle to pull them out to join a normal mission. Your status is too important, and your reputation is a weapon for the village. I'll assign you to Kakashi, who will train you in the arts of the ANBU division but I want you to keep your identity."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Naruto replied.

"Shit, you're serious about this." Tsunade chuckled, having never heard Naruto address her so formally. "I'll inform Kakashi about this and he'll get in touch with you regarding training. He'll be assigned to you in a two man team when you're going on S-rank missions to help with field training. Once Kakashi deems you ready, I'll assign you solo missions. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Ba-sama." Naruto decided that one 'Hokage-sama' was enough for one day.

"Good. Now what training did that pervert leave you?" Tsunade questioned, knowing Naruto had mastered senjutsu and surpassed Jiraiya in that art.

"Ero-Sennin wanted me to perfect my combinations with the toads, so I have some clones practicing fire style and toad oil techniques at Mount Myoboku. He didn't expect me to have mastered senjutsu so quickly, so he mentioned that in his letter." Naruto clarified with a smirk.

"Always underestimated, aren't you gaki?" Tsunade chuckled, not surprised that Jiraiya wouldn't have guessed this. Jiraiya took years to get as far as he did with nature chakra. Naruto mastering it in a short month was unheard of.

"Also, my dad left me notes on his jutsu so I plan on perfecting my control with the rasengan. He also left me some kunai for his Hiraishin, and said that there were a bunch stored behind his portrait.." Naruto continued, once again looking around.

"Ah, that's what you were looking for earlier. The safe was found in the rubble after the battle, all of his kunai and the deed to his property were safely sealed in a scroll." Tsunade opened her top drawer and fumbled for a moment. Bottles clinked around as she searched untils she pulled out a small storage scroll.

"The contents are in this scroll." She said before tossing it to Naruto who caught it before looking down at it.

"The deed to his property? Is that what Ero-Sennin meant by estate?"

"Yes, dumbass." Tsunade sighed but smiled. 'Hopefully he keeps that naivety after Kakashi is done with him.'

"Well, why don't you go check out the property. The house didn't survive, but I wouldn't have put it past Minato to have had an underground study of some kind." Tsunade casually mentioned, vaguely remembering Jiraiya discussing the study at one point. She couldn't remember the details, six bottles of sake will do that to you.

"Thanks Ba-chan!" Naruto took three steps toward the door before stopping and turning around. "Ero-Sennin mentioned something about, um, you….maybemakingmeajonin?" He blurted the last five words before giving the Hokage the biggest puppy dog eyes he could muster.

Tsunade laughed, 'And I thought he grew up too much'. "Don't get ahead of yourself, genin." Tsunade was sure to stress his rank, it was far too fun teasing the boy. When she pointed out his rank, Naruto looked down embarrassed. 'Damn Ero-Sennin, must have wanted to get one last prank in…'

"Oh Naruto, you should see the look on your face. Once Kakashi finishes training you, I'll sign your official promotion to jonin." Tsunade chuckled and waved him out, "Now go check out your new land you big depressing oaf."

Naruto flashed his surrogate grandmother a grin, he was beyond excited to see what else his dad might have left behind. "Thank you Ba-chan, I won't let you down!" He yelled over his shoulder as he ran out of the office in excitement. Tsunade sat alone in her office, reflecting on the conversation.

'I know you won't, kid. That's what worries me.'

Naruto jumped from rooftop to rooftop, heading towards the upper west side of the village. People below shouted his name, thanking him for his help over the past few weeks. He smiled and responded, but truth be told he wasn't sure how to react. He had spent the last 18 years of his life dealing with hateful stares, beatings, abuse, and fending for himself. Having the entire village praise him was uncharted territory. While he did his best to be pleasant, sometimes he was downright awkward. One villager asked for his autograph and Naruto was so shell shocked he accidentally spelled his name wrong. Finally, he arrived at the location denoted on the deed to his parent's property. It had been on the other side of the village compared to Tsunade's temporary office, but once the village was rebuilt it would only be a short run from the Hokage's tower.

The plot of land looked flattened, and pieces of lumber were shattered and scattered around. Clearly the rebuilding efforts had not gotten to this area yet, but Naruto was happy that was the case.

'It's still untouched, no one's come and searched for anything yet.' He pondered, wondering what he might find. He moved some large pieces of wood, which appeared to be from the flooring and noticed a marking on the ground. It was still mostly covered, so Naruto spent the next few minutes clearing the area. Stone walls that were crumbled needed to be removed, the remnants of stairs were embedded into the earth. Finally, the area was clean and a swirling symbol was revealed. Naruto wiped the sweat and dirt from his brow and took in the symbol.

'It looks like the symbol on my jacket. Didn't Sakura mention something about it being the Uzumaki symbol? All this time I thought the name was just given by Sarutobi-jiji. Turns out, it's mine.' Naruto knelt down and ran his hand over the symbol, which was about four feet wide. His hand could almost feel the symbol pulling on his chakra, as if beckoning him to push some of his reserves into the ground. Deciding that this must be the secret to his father's study, he pumped a bit of his chakra into the mark only for nothing to happen.

'Weird, it felt like it wanted chakra. Why didn't that work?' He began to search his mind for any logical answer. He tried nature chakra next, and the ground still did not react. 'If I wanted to make sure only I could get in, or maybe family, what would…' He sat and thought for a moment before softly saying to no one in particular "Blood."

The young man cut his palm with one of the tri-pronged kunai he acquired from Tsunade's sealing scroll and wiped some on the center of the spiral, and then pulsed his chakra into the mark. The mark glowed with a reddish hue, matching his blood before the swirling symbol pulsed as if learning his identity. Once the symbol pulsed three times, the color changed to a brilliant blue that matched his eyes. A moment later the ground shook and the ground lowered into stairs, granting Naruto entry. 'This is it. My father's study.'

The blonde made his way down the stairs, and the lights were already on. At the bottom of the stairs there was a large room with hardwood flooring the color of coffee, an ornate wooden desk and chair, shelves filled with books and scrolls and a doorway. Naruto inspected the scrolls and books on the shelves and noticed most of them were not written by his dad. 'Seems dad liked to collect books, I'll have to read some of these.' Naruto continued and opened the door next to the shelf, which opened into a small hallway with two more doors. Starting with the door on the right, there was a sizable training area. It was the size of a small training field, enough to practice in private depending on the training.

Naruto noticed on the wall there was a mask and some clothing hung up. The clothes were a variety of pants and shirts that were similar to the standard Konoha uniform. There was a blue version and an all black version, but what truly caught his eye was the mask. It was slightly different from the normal ANBU mask, but was styled after an owl. The eyes were white with red and blue circles around them. It also had white coming down between the eyes and also along the top as if creating a cowl. Naruto took the mask off the wall and held it in his hands, inspecting it.

'I see, dad you wore this didn't you? Your ANBU mask?' Naruto put the mask back before thinking to himself 'I need to dress more like he did, don't I? He checked the other door and found a small bedroom that looked like it hadn't been used much. The closet and drawers were empty and the bed small but neatly made. 'A spare bedroom? Lucky me! I can move in now. I'll have to talk to Kakashi about all this. Maybe he and Shikamaru would help me move.'

Deciding there was no harm in spending the night in his new home, though he would have to have it built up, he sat on the bed and planned out the rebuild. 'Tazuna-jiji and Inari are still in Konoha I think, maybe I could ask them?' That would take some stress off of Yamato-sensei.' Pleased with his plan, Naruto felt a familiar buzzing sensation in the back of his head. The indicator that his clones dispelled. 'Wow, they got the Katon: Endan down pretty fast. Maybe I'll just read a bit from Dad's notes before bed.'

The young man retrieved said scroll from the wooden box and opened it and skimmed the first few pages. 'Wait, these aren't normal notes. 'This is like a manual. Theories, applications, and more? Dad really liked to study his techniques, no wonder he was a legend.' Curious about his father's signature technique, he skimmed further until he found the section related to the Hiraishin.

Hiraishin no Jutsu- Space Time Ninjutsu/ Fuinjutsu

The Hiraishin is in its simplest terms, a way to summon yourself to a marked location. The difference between the Kuchiyose no Jutsu and the Hiraishin no Jutsu is that the Hiraishin needs a beacon to teleport to. A normal summoning isn't as fast, the summon is not aware of where they are headed, and is less stealthy. The Hiraishin is superior in that the target location is determined and anything can be marked. The Hiraishin beacon serves two purposes. The first is to provide a location to teleport to. The second, is to provide a way to sense what is in the vicinity of the mark. By focusing on the chakra concentrated in the beacon, one can sense the chakra signatures around the beacon. This is helpful for orienting where enemies are located, allowing one to strike the instant they execute the jutsu.

In application, one can evade any attack with the Hiraishin. One can also ambush any enemy with it, as long as the location needed/target has been marked. Marking an enemy allows you to attack them instantaneously at any time. The Nidaime was able to create beacons with his hands but they would fade away over time. I was able to modify the beacon formula which allows the chakra in the mark to continuously recharge the mark, effectively making them last forever. I am able to remove them, but the benefits of having the mark last forever means I can mark weapons and throw them to a location. This change evolved the jutsu in a way that the Nidaime could not use it, specifically for stealth and covert operations. Now, one can simply bypass an enemy patrol by throwing a kunai beyond them and teleporting to the knife.

The instantaneous nature is disorienting at first, as the body is not built for that type of travel. The best way to build up to the Hiraishin is to first build up the body's raw speed. Raw speed is what will improve reaction time and instant decision making for combat. Next, by mastering the Shunshin no Jutsu, the body is further trained in its ability to 'reappear' and hit the ground running. I recommend mastering the Shunshin to the point where you can travel to the Hokage Tower without the need for any hand seals. The idea is to continue building up to instantaneous teleportation. After that step, you can begin trying the Hiraishin once your beacon formula is ready. One can use my formula as a guide, but you must adapt it for your own chakra signature.

This jutsu is extremely powerful and flexible. The uses are nearly infinite, and I am excited to see how the future generations shape and mold this technique into their own.

Naruto finished reading the notes and his respect for his childhood idol only grew. Our hero was no stranger to learning from scrolls. When he was younger and his instructors would sabotage his training, Naruto would try to read on his own to learn but often found scrolls too confusing or technical. His father's notes, while technical, were also digestible.

'You weren't known as the greatest shinobi of your generation for nothing, Dad. I promise I'll master the Hiraishin, and I'll make it my own just like you did.' With those final thoughts, Naruto laid his head on the pillow and shut his eyes, drifting off into sleep.

Author's Note:

That's chapter two! Once again, please review!

Remember:

- Let me know your thoughts on the English jutsu names vs Japanese ones.
- Thoughts on secondary pairings and why you like them!

Thank you so much for reading thus far and I will do my best to update this regularly.

No Trace out.