Naruto vs Sasuke: The Aftermath Chapter 68: Shocking Revelations, a naruto fanfic

Summary: As Naruto, Kakashi, and Jiraiya settle into their new lives back home. Each of them take on new roles, as in their time away, life has brought many changes into their lives. Newly engaged and about to share their lives with the women they love. How will they react to becoming loving husbands, fathers, or both in the future? As the Konoha they once knew years ago, is no longer the same home before they left, as they forge their new lives in their new village.

Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath

Chapter 68: "Shocking Revelations"

"Naruto-sensei is in jail!"

A stunned silence enveloped the room after Moegi's declaration, before Hinata shook her head to clear her thoughts and exclaimed.

"What do you mean Naru-kun is in jail?"

"Ummm…..Uhhh….Well…" Moegi stammered.

"It's more accurate to say that Naruto-Sensei got arrested by the Anbu. We don't know for sure if he's in jail or not." Udon offered up in explanation in response to his stuttering girlfriend.

"What happened, why did the Anbu arrest Naruto?" Iruka quickly asked with a little trepidation in his voice of what the answer might be.

Both Konohamaru and Moegi seemed stymied on how to answer their teacher's question, before Tsunade spoke up and commanded.

"Udon, you tell us what happened, as you appear to be the only one with a functioning voice at the moment.

"Hai Hokage-sama, well…it's like this. The boss….err I mean Naruto-sensei accompanied us to go talk to the sensei of a public dojo. The students he's been teaching taijutsu to have been picking on the little kids at the academy and we wanted him to stop his pupils from doing that anymore."

"Yes, yes, we all know about that, Hinata informed us earlier. We want to know what happened after the four of you got there."

"Ohhh…well we entered the dojo and the sensei that runs it was just finishing up teaching a class. When he turned around and Naruto-sensei got a good look at him, his face got….I don't know how to describe it."

"The boss's face got all rigid and stern looking." Konohamaru stated for all to hear.

"What did Naru-kun d-do?" Hinata stammered in concern.

"He didn't do anything."

"What do you mean he didn't do anything?"

"I mean all Naruto-sensei did was approach the guy and explain why he was there in a calm and rational voice and politely ask that this guy resolve the situation with his students."

"Calm, rational, polite, are you sure we're talking about Naruto here?" Iruka remarked in wonderment.

"I know Iruka-sensei, it was kind of weird hearing the boss talk like that, but what Udon-kun said is exactly how he was talking and acting." Moegi chimed in.

"So, what happened next?" Kakashi asked in curiosity.

"Uhhh…well this guy seemed to recognize Naruto-sensei and a scowl spread across his face, before he started insulting the boss.

"What did he say to Naruto?"

"I, I don't know if I should say, there are ladies present."

"We're all big girls Udon, as well as Leaf kunoichi, so spill it!" Tsunade declared with authority.

"O-ok, but what the guy said isn't very….nice."

"Well first this guy told Naruto-sensei that he didn't give a damn what his students did after they left his dojo. And that if they wanted to practice what he taught them on some sniveling punks from the academy, then that was fine with him. He then said that the boss had no authority to tell him to do anything, because this was a civilian run dojo. He told Naruto-sensei to go fuck himself and if he wanted to go crying to that, that….." Udon began to stammer, as he looked pensively at Tsunade.

"Crying to whom?" The blonde Hokage asked.

"To, to that big-titted hag of a Hokage to go right ahead, because he's a civilian and this is a privately owned dojo and that drunken old bitch can't do a damn thing, just like he can't do anything!" Udon hesitantly answered, before he added.

"This guy then stuck his finger in Naruto's chest and ordered Naruto-sensei and us to get the hell out of his dojo, unless we wanted to get our asses kicked by him and his students."

"What did Naruto do after this?" Tsunade asked through clenched teeth.

"That's the weird part, I wanted to stay and beat the crap out of that asshole and his students, but the boss said no and said we should leave." Konohamaru expressed with confusion.

"That was very mature of Naruto to do." Kurenai remarked in approval.

"Wait, if Naru-kun did that, then why was he arrested by the Anbu?" Hinata questioned in confusion.

"Well, it's sort of because of what the guy said about you, as we were leaving." Konohamaru sheepishly replied to the Hyuga girl.

"What did he say about me?"

"He, he asked Naruto-sensei what it felt like to know that he wasn't the first person to feel up the tits of his Hyuga slut girlfriend."

Jiraiya and Kakashi both audibly groaned upon hearing this, as they knew after four years of traveling with Naruto how much loved Hinata. And no matter how mature Naruto had become the past few years, a person saying something like that about her was definitely going to elicit a not so mature and more than likely violent response from him. Both veteran Jounin shuddered in unison at the thought of what Naruto might have done to this Sai character after hearing what this ex-Root member asked him.

"That asshole called my neesan a slut!" Hanabi exclaimed in fury.

Udon, Konohamaru, and Moegi all nodded their heads towards their infuriated classmate and friend.

"What was Naruto's response to that?" Kakashi asked, inwardly dreading the answer.

"Umm well, Naruto-sensei turned around and got nose to nose with the guy, before he took his left hand and tucked it behind his back through his belt and said in the scariest tone of voice I've ever heard the boss use in my life."

"I'm going to give you one chance to apologize for what you did to my hime and for what you just said about her right now. Because if you don't, I'm telling you that while Neji was merciful enough to only take your arm, I may not be as merciful in what I will do to you. And just to make the playing field even, I'll do it with just one arm!"

"What happened after he said that?" Hanabi openly asked.

"Oh it was so cool babe! The guy spat in the boss's face and punched him. Then the boss just smiled and thanked the guy for choosing do to that. Then the boss and him started to fight and I'll admit for a one-armed guy, he used taijutsu pretty good and got some early shots in, but when the boss connected, it was all over. The boss then began to beat the crap out of the jerk!" Konohamaru interjected with enthusiastic admiration of Naruto in answering his girlfriend's question.

"Then what happened?" Tsunade asked in an exasperated voice, while pinching her nose in frustration.

"Well when this jerk's students saw their teacher getting his ass kicked by the boss, they decided to jump in and try to help."

"Oh no, don't tell me Naru-kun fought some children." Hinata exclaimed in distress.

"Nah, the boss didn't fight any kids, when they moved in to attack him, me, Moegi, and Udon jumped in and kicked their asses ourselves. It was awesome babe; those punks didn't stand a chance against the three of us!" Konohamaru boasted with pride to Hanabi and the others, while shadow boxing the air.

"Don't call me babe!" Hanabi snapped in irritation, before rubbing her temple and adding.

"Kami my boyfriend is an idiot!"

"Get used to it, because all men are idiots Hanabi." Tsunade remarked to the young Hyuga girl.

"Hey, that's not true; Udon-kun isn't an idiot!" Moegi piped up in defense of her boyfriend.

"If he's a man, he's an idiot, just some are more so than others Moegi." Tsunade replied in amusement, while casting a glance at Konohamaru.

"Go on Udon; please tell us what happened next?" Hinata interjected, wishing to get back to the subject at hand.

"Ummm, well after Naruto-sensei and we got done, the boss ordered everyone out of the dojo, but he stayed behind. Then I don't know what happened or what the boss did, but a minute later there was this frightening roar that came from inside the building followed by this explosion of red-chakra and suddenly the dojo came crashing down and was reduced to rubble. After all the dust and debris began to settle, the boss came strolling out of the dust cloud dragging that guy he beat up behind him and that's when the Anbu arrived."

"And that's when they arrested Naruto." Kurenai openly commented.

"No, when the Anbu arrived, Naruto-sensei told us get out of there, while he created a diversion so we wouldn't get caught. The boss then created a bunch of shadow-clones and kept the Anbu…. occupied with them, while we got away. After that, we came straight here to you Hinata-sama what had happened."

Before Hinata could say anything, there was a knock at the front door. Kurenai walked over and opened it to reveal to everyone's surprise Ibiki Morino the Head of the Anbu Interrogation and Torture department, as well as its Chief Commander standing in the doorway.

"Commander Ibiki, why are you here?"

"I came seeking you Hokage-sama, we have a developing situation at Anbu HQ, that requires your…..involvement immediately."

"What's going on?"

"A little over half-an-hour ago Hokage-sama, my Anbu arrested Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze on various charges stemming from an incident at a local private dojo. The charges range from assault, battery, destruction of public property, and resisting arrest. I do not have the full details of what took place, but my Anbu operatives reported that three youths were also involved with the incident. They were unable to apprehend these youths, as the Yondaime's legacy kept them engaged in arresting him. However, I do have a strong suspicion whom these three youths might be." Ibiki explained, before he cast a menacing glance at the Konohamaru Corp, who all gulped nervously.

"What is this developing situation you mentioned?" Jiraiya openly questioned.

"Several villagers were witness to my Anbu arresting Naruto and were…displeased to see the Yondaime's legacy being taken away in cuffs. Well word quickly spread throughout the village that the Anbu had arrested the Yondaime's son and a mob has been gathering outside of Anbu HQ demanding his release. The size of the mob is growing and I fear they may attempt to storm the headquarters to free Naruto in which my Anbu will be forced to defend themselves. I don't believe you would want that to take place Hokage-sama, which is why your presence is needed to calm the villagers down and avoid an unpleasant conflict from occurring."

"Damn it, I swear that gaki has given me a headache every day since he's gotten back!" Tsunade openly griped, as she rubbed her temple in visibly irritated aggravation, before she added.

"Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon, and Hanabi, all of you go home, as I can't have the kids of some of Konoha's most prominent citizens and clans getting mixed up in this. Jiraiya-kun, Kakashi, Hinata, and Iruka you're with me. Let's see if we can clean up this mess our favorite knucklehead has made, before a damn riot breaks out."

"Hey how come me and Kurenai can't go?" Anko whined in protest.

"Anko, did you forget that our kids are playing in the backyard?" Iruka asked in an incredulous tone.

"Oh yeah, I kind of did. Well Kurenai can watch them, while I go with you; I want to see what's going to happen."

"Oh no you don't, I have enough trouble watching over and trying to keep up with the boundless energy that Minato-kun possesses. I'm not about to try and also keep pace with your two little dynamos by myself as well. You're staying here with me and don't even bother trying to argue about it!" Kurenai declared in a stern voice to her best friend.

"Damn it." Anko grumbled under her breath, before Iruka gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek, as he followed the others and left the Namikaze compound and headed off towards Anbu HQ, as quickly as he could.

As Naruto lay on the slab of stone that functioned as a bed inside his Anbu jail cell, he nonchalantly whistled a tune to pass the time. It was only when he heard shouting from what sounded like a lot of people that he rose to investigate what all the commotion was about. Needless to say, he was quite shocked when he looked down through the bars of his window and saw a crowd of villagers gathered outside of the Anbu HQ. And when Naruto strained his ears to listen to what they were angrily yelling, he was even more surprised.

"Free the Yondaime's son!"

"You Anbu bastards, how dare you arrest the Yondaime's living legacy!"

"That dojo and its sensei was a blight on this village!"

"Let Naruto go!"

Naruto was confused upon hearing this, before a door to the cellblock opened and an Anbu operative walked in and sat in a chair to watch guard over Naruto. The blonde Jinchuuriki turned his head away from the window and asked the man.

"Hey, why are you here, what's going on out there?"

"I've been sent to guard you Namikaze-sama. It appears several of the villagers are quite upset that you've been arrested and a growing crowd is outside demanding your release."

"Really!" Naruto exclaimed in bewilderment.

"Yes, if might Namikaze-sama, I hope you bear no ill will towards me or my fellow Anbu who arrested you. Truth be told, we did not want to, but we had no choice and were under orders, as you did break a few laws which govern the Leaf village." The Anbu stated in an apologetic tone to his prisoner.

"Nah, I don't have any hard feeling against you or your comrades, you guys were just doing your job that's all."

"Thank you for that Namikaze-sama." The Anbu said in a reverent voice, nodding his head to Naruto.

A few minutes later, the door swung open once more and Ibiki walked in followed by a worried Hinata and an irate Tsunade. The blonde Hokage glared at Naruto, before she remarked in a rasping fuming voice.

"Well congratulations gaki, even I would never have imagined the shit-storm you've kicked up in the village by your actions today."

"What did I do?"

"Oh I don't know, let's review what you did, Ibiki what are the charges potentially facing this baka?"

"The list as follows is assault and battery, destruction of personal property, resisting arrest, and assault upon Anbu personnel Hokage-sama."

"I did all of that, I thought I was just defending my hime's honor." Naruto openly commented in bemusement.

"Are you alright Naru-kun?" Hinata asked with genuine concern.

"I'm fine Hina-hime."

"You're anything but fine right now! Ibiki open the door and have someone escort our guest to your office. Then gather all information pertaining to this…problem and meet us there as soon as you can. Also have someone go outside and announce to the growing mob that I along with the baka here will be making a statement to them shortly. Hopefully, that will calm them down long enough, until we can figure out how to get out of this mess without causing a riot to erupt." Tsunade gruffly ordered with authority to her Anbu Commander, before turning on her heels and marching to his office.

Minutes later, Naruto strolled into the Ibiki's office hand in hand with Hinata with a bright smile adorning his face. Upon arriving, he saw that besides the blonde Hokage, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Iruka were also present.

"Hey guy's, what's up?" Naruto happily greeted.

"Wipe that damn grin off of your face; you're in some deep trouble right now!" Tsunade snapped angrily at Naruto.

"What trouble am I in?" Naruto questioned in a voice filled with disbelief.

"What trouble, did you not hear the charges that you could be facing back in the cell-block!"

"Oh that, I doubt you're going to charge me with anything baa-chan and I'm pretty positive that Sai dickhead isn't going to press any charges against me either. I mean come on, according to the people; I did this village a favor by kicking the crap out of that asshole and taking down his dojo." Naruto remarked with in a blasé tone.

"You seem awfully confident about that kid." Jiraiya openly commented.

"That's because I am pervy-sage."

"What did you do?" Kakashi questioned in concern, as he heard the self-assured tone of Naruto's voice

"Yeah well, I sort went to the Kyuubi Three-Tail Cloak on the jerk and threw a scare into Sai about how I could go a lot worst if he ever bothered Hina-hime or my friends again. You should have seen the look on his face, ha, ha, ha, I mean he pissed and shit his pants after I let loose with the Kyuubi roar and took down his dojo. So I doubt he wants to see me again in a courtroom or anywhere else, ha, ha, ha." Naruto explained while laughing, as he thought of the look on Sai's face.

Jiraiya and Kakashi both looked at one another, as they were the only ones to have seen Naruto unleash the Kyuubi Three-Tail Cloak. So they knew how terrifying it could be and more than likely Naruto was correct in his opinion of whether or not Sai would press any charges against him. The two veteran Leaf shinobi simply turned their heads towards Tsunade and shrugged their shoulders to her, while nodding their heads to indicate they agreed with Naruto's opinion on the situation. Seeing this and exhaling a frustrated sigh, the blonde Hokage spat at her laughing grandson.

"Even if you might be right gaki, what about the charges you face for your actions against the Anbu of resisting arrest and assault?"

"I wouldn't concern yourself with that Hokage-sama." Ibiki announced, as he entered his office, closing the door behind him.

"Why do you say that?" Tsunade questioned in confusion.

"I've spoken to the arresting Anbu personnel and none of them wish to press any assault charges against Namikaze-sama. And as for resisting arrest, apparently they all seem….reluctant to testify in court about that charge, as according to them Naruto became cooperative and compliant, as soon as the three youths who were also reported to be involved with the incident had made their getaway."

"Why would the Anbu not want to press charges?" Iruka asked in curiosity.

"Because Naruto's father was the Fourth Hokage, that's why. I worked a lot with the Anbu, so I know most of those guys and they all revered the Yondaime. So in no way are they going to press charges against his only living legacy." Kakashi declared with certainty etched in his voice.

"I believe Kakashi-san is correct in that assessment Hokage-sama." Ibiki proclaimed in agreement.

"What of this Sai person, is he going to press charges against Naruto?"

"It appears not Hokage-sama. I'm not sure what Namikaze-san did to the man, but whatever it was it was highly….persuasive enough, that he is now in complete terror of meeting him again. I have had him sedated and I'm sending him over to the hospital to tend to his physical injuries. I'm also having the members of the Yamanaka psychiatric unit have the young man undergo some psychiatric evaluations of his mental state by them. As the mere mention that Naruto was in the same building sent the young man into a convulsive nervous breakdown."

"I see, thank you Ibiki, please have a report written up of this entire incident and its aftermath on my desk in the morning."

"As you command Hokage-sama." Ibiki replied, with a short bow of respect to the blonde Hokage, before he exited the office.

A pall of silence fell over the room and no one knew what to say, before Naruto piped up and said.

"You see baa-chan, everything's fine."

"Everything is not fine you gaki! I've still got a mob of angry and obviously misguided villagers outside of the building howling for Anbu blood, because of your arrest that I've still got to deal with somehow."

"That's not a problem, just let me talk to them. I can calm them down and I'll make you look good in doing it."

"I'm in no mood for your idyll boasts right now."

"I'm not boasting baa-chan; I can do it, just give me the chance. I mean the people outside have been kissing my ass and bending over backwards to accommodate me since I got back. Let me use that to our advantage, what do we have to lose?"

Tsunade could only shake her head in exasperation, before she looked over to the other adults in the room. Each one of them merely nodded their heads or shrugged their shoulders in affirmation, before Jiraiya spoke for all of them and said.

"The kid's right, let's use this adoration the villagers have him to our benefit and like he said what do we have to lose?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe the entire village going up in flames, if he says the wrong thing." Tsunade answered sarcastically.

"That won't happen, just leave everything to me, I promise I'll have them eating out of my hand." Naruto declared with unwavering confidence, before he gave Hinata a quick peck on the cheek and strolled out of the office.

"Well come on, let's go hear what he's going to say to them. However, everyone remain on guard in case we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of village civil war." Tsunade declared cynically, as she and everyone else followed after Naruto.

A few minutes later, Naruto exited the Anbu Headquarters to the thunderous applause and cheers of the massive crowd of villagers outside the building. Naruto smiled warmly at them and waved his hand, which brought even louder approval from the villagers. He then stepped up to the podium that had been hastily erected by the Anbu and was about to speak, when Tsunade and the others arrived. The arrival of the blonde Hokage brought a mixed reaction from the crowd, including some the villagers booing her, which angered Naruto who shouted.

"STOP IT!"

Naruto angered yell immediately silenced the crowd and one could hear a pin drop, before he spoke again.

"What are doing booing our Hokage?"

"She, she had you arrested Naruto-dono." One of the villagers stammered.

"You're wrong, she had nothing to do with me getting arrested, Lady Tsunade knew nothing about it, until after the fact."

The villager who had spoken lowered his head in shame, as Naruto continued on.

"Lady Tsunade works tirelessly for the betterment of the village and to keep all of us safe who have chosen the Village Hidden in the Leaves to call home. She has devoted her entire life in an effort to make all of our lives better. Hokage-sama is not deserving of any disdain or displeasure, but is deserving of our praise and gratitude. And I for one feel she should be shown our thanks and appreciation for accepting the arduous duty of leading this village to the prosperity, which we currently live in now."

Naruto then began clapping for the blonde Hokage and the crowd in front of him quickly followed suit. As the loud applause began to grow in strength, vocal cheers of love and approval for Tsunade were also being shouted by the villagers present. Tsunade and the rest of the shinobi around her were dumbstruck at how effortlessly Naruto had turned a rabid angry mob into a crowd showering Tsunade with their support and endorsement for her.

"Damn, the little gaki's good! Jiraiya openly commented to those around him.

Everyone nodded their heads in silent agreement, before the Toad-Sage then asked.

"Did you teach him how to do that Iruka?"

"I wish I could take credit for it, but that's just Naruto's natural ability to sway people to his side."

"It will be a useful trait to possess, when he ascends to become Hokage." Kakashi remarked and no one could find any fault in that statement.

After the cheering for Tsunade finally died down, one of the villagers emboldened by the energy that was now permeating the area shouted a question to Naruto.

"Namikaze-sama, if the Hokage is blameless in having you arrested, then why did the Anbu arrest you?"

"Yeah, are those faceless bastards to blame!" Another villager shouted angrily.

"Down with the Anbu!" Chant began to rise within the crowd, before Naruto hastily squashed it, as he yelled out.

"No, you are mistaken!"

This quieted the mass of villagers once more, before he continued on.

"Do not blame the Anbu for arresting me, it has no merit. They were only performing their duty and should not be admonished by you or anyone for doing so. The truth of the matter is, I was asked unofficially by Lady Tsunade to investigate and look into this matter of many of our Academy children being harassed and physically mistreated and hurt by the students of this private dojo. I overstepped my authority in doing what I did and the Anbu had no choice, but to arrest me. I offer up no excuses for what I did, but I have no regrets about it. Because I promise, anyone who levels such a vile disgusting insult about my koishii (beloved) future wife Hinata-chan as that man did can expect the same fate from me now and in the future."

Many of the women in the crowd swooned upon hearing this, as they imagined or fantasized about their own man and some them of Naruto himself romantically defending their honor in the same way he had for Hinata. The fact that what Naruto did was for Hinata was not lost upon the rest of the mob either. Hinata's stature within Konoha had grown immeasurably since the truth of Naruto's heritage had been revealed to the villager's. The people of Konoha absolutely adored the young woman and viewed her as a saint. They reasoned she couldn't be anything less than that, to have captured the heart of their beloved Yondaime's living legacy.

Naruto's voice punctuated the air once again.

"So the Anbu did nothing wrong and I was not falsely arrested. In fact, the Anbu faithfully serve the people to protect and keep all of us safe from any all threats to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Their devotion to that task sadly is under-appreciated by many of us and they are in no way deserving of any scorn or disapproval, considering they literally put their very lives on the line to protect us. We should show our thanks and gratitude for the sacrifice our Anbu are willing to make keep all of us safe now and in the future."

As with Tsunade, Naruto began clapping for the Anbu and as before, the crowd in front of him quickly followed suit. Soon as with the blonde Hokage, the loud applause began to grow in force and vocal cheers of thanks and support for the Anbu were also being shouted by the villagers present.

Once again, Tsunade and the rest of the shinobi present were in awe at how easily Naruto had turned a fervent outraged mob howling for Anbu blood into a crowd now clamoring with appreciation for them.

"I can't believe how skillfully Naruto is controlling this mob, it's unbelievable!"

"It's not unbelievable Iruka-sensei, my Naru-kun can do anything he sets his mind to." Hinata said in loving defense, the pride she held for her man very evident in her tone of voice.

Initially, Hinata had been a bit upset with Naruto upon hearing what he had done. But after learning the reason why he had resorted to violence was in defense of her and now seeing him deftly work this crowd of people like a puppet-master. The Hyuga girl couldn't help but feel slightly….aroused, as she gazed with adoration at the man she loved. It was only when Naruto spoke up once again that the cheering began to die down, as he said in a penitent tone of voice to them.

"I appreciate the love and support you have shown me in thinking an injustice had been committed against me. As you now know, that is the furthest from the case. Any fault was done solely by me and I will accept whatever punishment Lady Tsunade deems sufficient for the transgressions I committed on this day."

"Please Hokage-sama, don't punish Namikaze-sama!" One villager cried out, followed by others who shouted.

"He did the village a favor by destroying that dojo!"

"Show him mercy Lady Tsunade!"

"The Yondaime wouldn't punish his only son for doing what was right!"

The mood of the crowd was growing restless and was starting to take an angrier tone in their shouts and Tsunade knew she needed to turn this situation around before it took an ugly turn. Stepping up to stand next to Naruto at the podium, she raised her hand up to the crowd to silence them. After a moment, the mobs cries died down and the blonde Hokage spoke.

"I understand your feelings and pleas of leniency for Naruto and I sympathize with them. However, Naruto is a duty bound Leaf shinobi and he himself admitted that he overstepped his authority. So I have no choice, but to punish him, as I would have to do to any shinobi under my command."

The crowd began to mumble and a few shouts of "no" were heard, before Tsunade carried on.

"After hearing Naruto speak so eloquently about how the Anbu faithfully serve the people to protect and keep all of us safe from any all threats to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The punishment I have decided is that he will serve as a main gate guard for an indeterminate amount of time, until I judge him to have paid his recompense to myself and this village. So as all of you lay your heads to sleep at night in the coming weeks. I hope you will be comforted in the knowledge that like the Anbu Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze will be ever vigilant and alert to protect and keep all of you safe."

The crowd of villagers began to murmur upon hearing this, before a slow but growing chorus of shouts of cheer began to erupt from them, as they seemed to like this punishment their Hokage had seen fit to enact upon the Yondaime's living legacy. The thought of Naruto watching over and protecting them gave the villagers a sense of comfort and security. Naruto stepped up once more and bowed to the Hokage in a show of respect, as he proclaimed in loud voice.

"I accept your decree of punishment Hokage-sama and I shall faithfully perform my duty with my life if necessary to serve the people and protect all of them from any all threats to the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

The crowd roared in approval and booming applause upon hearing this, as Naruto and Tsunade waved to the throng of people before them. As they were waving, the blonde Hokage leaned in and whispered in Naruto's ear through clenched teeth.

"Gaki, I don't know how you did it, but you got lucky this time. Next time you pull a stunt like you did here today, I'll bring the hammer down upon you so hard and I won't care how many villagers it pisses off when I do."

Keeping up his smile for the crowd just as Tsunade was doing, Naruto whispered in reply through his own clenched teeth.

"You need to lighten up baa-chan. I promised you that I'd calm them down and make you look good in doing it. You should be thanking me instead of complaining about it."

Naruto then signaled Hinata to come over and when she did, he took her hand in his and they jumped down to the crowd. Where the two of them began to greet and shake the hands of the adoring people who flocked around both of them. Tsunade exhaled a weary sigh and made her way back to Jiraiya and the others, before she heard her fiancé and fellow Sannin comment to her.

"I know you're pissed, but you got to admit that the kid's going to make a damn good Hokage one day."

"I know he will, but not until he loses that damn cocky attitude of his."

"That's going to be hard to do considering how much the people appear to love and worship both he and Hinata judging by what we're seeing here." Kakashi remarked, as he and everyone else watched the throng of villagers practically step over one another, just for the chance to shake their hands.

A couple of weeks had gone by since the "Sai" incident and Naruto was happily making his way to the main gate of the Leaf village. Up ahead he spied Neji waiting patiently for him outside of the Sato compound and Naruto waved to his friend and comrade. Upon arriving, both Naruto and Neji resumed their evening trek to relieve Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki on guard duty at the gate. Tsunade had thought that since Neji was still serving out his probation for what he had done to Sai. And that Naruto was serving his punishment for what he had done to Sai. It made a sort of poetic sense to the blonde Hokage that they serve their sentences together.

Initially, Neji had thought Naruto's boisterous personality he had remembered of the past would probably drive the Hyuga prodigy up the wall in annoyance. However, he had been pleasantly surprised at how much Naruto's demeanor had changed while he had been away. Naruto still carried the flames of youth as their mutual friend Rock Lee would say, but it was more subdued in his blonde comrade now than it had been in the past. Their time together on guard duty also allowed Neji to gauge and determine just how true Naruto's feelings were for Lady Hinata. As he still remembered how much and how long Naruto had professed his love for Sakura in the past.

However, any lingering doubts or questions with regards towards Naruto's love for Hinata were quickly put to rest, as Neji listened to how sincerely and affectionately his blonde friend spoke about his cousin. It put the Hyuga prodigy's mind at ease knowing that Naruto truly loved and cared about Hinata and would give his very life to protect and keep her safe and happy. Upon arriving at the main gate, both young shinobi warmly greeted the men they were relieving.

"Kotetsu, Izumo, Sulu, how are you three doing?"

"A lot better now that the two of you are here." Izumou happily remarked.

"Yeah, I've been dreaming about having a cold beer at the Shapened Shuriken for the past hour." Kotetsu commented, while he stretched his arms over his head.

"Good evening Neji-senpai, Naruto-sama." Sulu politely greeted the two with a respective bow.

"Ha, ha, ha, has it been that boring today?" Naruto jovially asked.

"Yeah it has, but now I happily turn that boredom over to the two of you for the next few hours. Kotetsu answered in amusement.

However, before anything else could be said. Several covered wagons appeared on the horizon traveling on the road towards the village.

"That's strange, normally we're informed in advance of any trade caravans entering the village, but there isn't any scheduled for tonight that I know of." Izumo openly questioned in curiosity, before he asked.

"Sulu, can you give them a scan?"

"I apologize, but I cannot. They are too far away and must be closer for me to scan them, but perhaps Neji-senpai can."

Neji nodded his head, before he turned his attention towards the approaching wagon train and shouted.

"Byakugan!"

A second later, the famous Hyuga Kekkei Genkai activated and Neji's pupils became more distinct, and the veins near his temples and around his eyes bulged out. Scanning the caravan from over a mile away, Neji suddenly closed his eyes and deactivated his Byakugan and calmly remarked.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to hold off on that beer for a bit Kotetsu."

"Why is that?"

"Because the wagon train approaching is concealing about 100 armed men inside of them."

"Who are they Neji, enemy shinobi?"

"I don't think so Naruto, I saw only low-level chakra capacity in all of them. More than likely they are just common bandits."

"We should sound the alarm!" Sulu exclaimed.

"Nah don't do that, you'll just throw a panic into the villagers. Since they're just common thugs, the four of us should be able to handle them without any problem. Sulu you go inform the Hokage, we'll handle things here." Naruto declared in a relaxed tone of voice.

"Uhh Naruto, I know you're the highest ranking officer here, but are you sure it's wise to not sound the village alarm?" Kotetsu asked in an unsure voice.

"Yeah I'm sure, unless you guys don't think we're good enough to handle these bandits?"

Izumo, Kotetsu, and Neji looked around at one another and while they were still uncertain about not activating the alarm. However after hearing what Naruto had just asked, their pride overrode that doubt, as they turned to their blonde comrade and Neji said.

"Alright Naruto, what are your orders?"

"Like I said, Sulu you go and inform baa-chan and while you're doing that, we'll close the main gate behind us and meet the enemy ourselves.

A minute later all four shinobi were standing outside of the closed main gate to the Leaf village. Kotetsu pulled the two large kunai strapped on his back and tossed them to Izumo and declared.

"Take these Izumo, I feel like busting out my mace today."

A moment later, Kotetsu unfurled a summoning scroll and charged some chakra into it. Instantly there was a puff of smoke, before it cleared away to reveal the nose-bandaged shinobi wielding a large mace with a spiked conch-type shell head. For his part Izumo skillfully twirled around the two large kunai in his hands in expert fashion, before he noticed Neji was weaponless and offered one of his blades to him.

"There's no need, I am not weaponless." Neji replied, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a foot-long steel rod about two inches in diameter.

"Huh, what are you going to do with that?" Naruto questioned in curiosity.

Neji merely smirked, before he touched a button in the center of the rod and suddenly it extended two and a half feet from each end revealing a 6ft long Bo-staff ready for action. Naruto was impressed with the mechanics and craftsmanship of the weapon and he thought what a genius Hanshiro-san is when it came to making custom weapons.

Meanwhile, as Naruto was admiring the work of Tenten's father, the bandit leader a man by the name of Yamada was looking through a telescope and saw that the main gate had been closed and that four guards stood outside wielding weapons. He quickly surmised that those men must have somehow figured out that they were not a traveling merchant trade caravan. However, what puzzled Yamada was why he didn't hear the sound of a village alarm blaring. Deciding not to waste this bit of good fortune, he ordered his men to reveal themselves and to rush forward and overwhelm and kill the four guards outside of the gate. Once that was done, they could open the gate and quickly hit the village and plunder as much loot and maybe grab a few village ladies as swiftly as they could, before the village could muster up any response.

"Well here they come." Izumo calmly announced, as he watched dozens of men pour out of the wagons and race towards them, shouting in murderous roar, while brandishing their weapons.

The bandit leader was surprised that the four guards being charged by his men had remained unmoving during their rapid advance. Yamada smirked at his good luck and decided they must be too afraid to move. He and his men had sailed from faraway lands, because they had heard rumors that the shinobi villages in the elemental countries were by far the richest and most prosperous. Yamada had also heard about the supposed magical powers that shinobi possessed, but had chalked that up to be nothing more than myths and fables meant to scare away anyone from attacking them.

Needless to say Yamada was shocked beyond belief, when as his men were almost upon the guards, one of them a young man with blonde hair made some sort of strange hand movements and there was an explosion of smoke and suddenly there were fifty more of the man.

As the bandit raid on the Leaf village was commencing, Sulu arrived at Hokage Tower and quickly rushed upstairs to report the attack to Tsunade. Arriving at her office, he was ushered in to see Tsunade by Shizune and Sulu hastily informed the blonde Hokage of the situation to which her response was to slam her fist onto her desk, smashing it in half, before yelling in a frustrated rage.

"Damn that knuckleheaded baka, just what the hell is he thinking? Shizune, alert Ibiki that I need a squad of Anbu at the main gate immediately!"

"R-right away!" Shizune exclaimed, before rushing out of the room.

"Sulu, you're with me, we'll rendezvous with the Anbu on the way to the main gate!" Tsunade ordered with authority, as she and the Hyuga shinobi exited the office.

A few minutes later, Tsunade along with Ibiki and thirty Anbu operatives arrived at the main gate, which was still closed. A large crowd of villagers had developed behind them, as it wasn't every day that their Hokage came marching down Main Street with a squad of Anbu in tow. When Tsunade and the others reached the gate, they were expecting to hear the sounds of battle upon their arrival; instead they heard…nothing. This eerie silence was puzzling and Ibiki ordered one of his Anbu up onto the wall rampart to check things out. A moment later, the Anbu operative gave the OK signal and Tsunade ordered that the gate be opened.

Needless to say the sight that greeted them was a surprise to everyone.

Naruto, Izumo, Kotetsu, and Neji were standing around and cleaning the blood off of their various weapons, while Naruto's shadow clones were finishing tying up and corralling the various injured bandits that had not been killed, including their leader Yamada. Who was babbling incoherently about how these ninja were magical beings with demonic super-natural powers. Tsunade noticed that some of the injuries of the prisoners appeared to be severe and ordered one of the Anbu to bring a squad of Medic-nins to the scene at once. She and Ibiki along with the rest of the Anbu stepped outside of the village and Ibiki ordered the Anbu squad to take charge of the prisoners, before he and Tsunade marched up to Naruto and the other and the blonde Hokage shouted.

"Just what the hell do you think you were doing?"

"Uhhh, protecting the village from a bandit attack baa-chan." Naruto replied, with a confused look upon his face.

"Gaki, that's not what I'm talking about! Why didn't you sound the alarm that the village was under attack, so we could have sent reinforcements?"

"We didn't need any reinforcements for these losers. They aren't even shinobi, but low grade thugs. Sounding the alarm just would have needlessly panicked the villagers. And as you can see the four of us took care of things fine."

Tsunade was fuming about Naruto's reasoning and was about to reply angrily, when one of the villagers at the front gate shouted with elation.

"Namikaze-sama saved the village from an army of bandits!"

Another villager in the crowd shouted.

"Three cheers for Naruto,…. hip-hip hooray, hip-hip hooray, hip-hip hooray!"

Naruto raised up his hand to quiet the crowd and said.

"I appreciate your praise, but in cheering only for me you dishonor my comrades here who fought and protected the village from these bandits, as bravely and equally as I did."

A moment later, Izumo, Kotetsu, and Neji were receiving their own cheers of exultation from the villagers. Tsunade realized that dressing-down Naruto in front of the villagers would not be beneficial for her popularity with the people. Cursing under her breath as, she watched Naruto, along with Izumo, Kotetsu, and Neji waving to the crowd and accepting the grateful adulations from the villagers. Tsunade slapped her forehead in disbelief, when even Ibiki pulled Naruto off to the side and thanked him for the kind words he had said to the crowd two weeks earlier about the Anbu. The blonde Hokage could only shake her head in frustration and walk away to supervise the Medic-nin squad that had arrived.

A week passed since the bandit raid and Naruto and Neji had been released from their disciplinary sentences by Tsunade. This had been done at the urging of the Civilian Council, who in an effort to try and suck-up not only to Naruto, but also Tsunade introduced a bill to honor the four shinobi who had defended the village with some medal of courage they had concocted on the fly. So it was a surprise to Kakashi and Kurenai that on the day Naruto was to receive this phony accolade from the Civilian Council they heard Hinata and Naruto arguing, as they come downstairs to join them, before all of them headed out to the ceremony.

"Hinata, I don't care about some fake medal, I'm worried about you." Naruto pleaded, as they sat down at the dining room table.

"Damn it Naru-kun, I told you I'm fine!" Hinata snapped, as she slammed the palm of her hand down angrily onto the table, startling everyone present.

Hinata saw the astonished on all of their faces and quickly stammered.

"I'm I'm sorry Naru-kun, I know you're worried about me, but there's nothing to worry about."

"But you've been throwing up every morning for the past three days, that's not fine. I still think you should go get checked out by baa-chan and make sure everything is ok."

Both Kakashi and Kurenai's eyes widened a bit upon hearing that about Hinata. Kurenai shot her fiancé a fervent glance, which he understood and he said.

"Hey Naruto, we need to get going to the ceremony for you to receive that commendation medal from the Civilian Council."

"Bah, I could care less about some trumped up award from those teme's, just so they can kiss my ass!"

"I understand, but it would reflect badly on Izumo, Kotetsu, and Neji if you were a no-show."

"Yeah I guess."

"Naruto, why don't you and Kashi-kun go and get your medal and while you two are doing that, I'll take Hinata over to the hospital to see Shizune, as Lady Tsunade will also be at the ceremony." Kurenai suggested, as Hinata glanced at her sensei fearfully.

"You'd do that Kurenai-sensei that would be great! Is that alright with you Hina-chan?"

Hinata merely nodded her head, as she stared at her hands nestled in her lap.

Both Naruto and Kakashi gave their future wives a chaste kiss, before they headed out. As soon as they were gone, Kurenai ushered Hinata into the living room and sat Hinata down on the couch, before sitting next to her. It was then Kurenai noticed that Hinata had begun crying and said with genuine concerned.

"Hinata, what's wrong?"

"I, I don't need to see Shizune, I already suspect what's wrong with me."

"Are you…"

"Pregnant." Hinata said answering her sensei's unsaid question.

"Hai…pregnant.

Hinata nodded her head, as fresh tears spilled from her eyes, as she then stated.

"I don't know for sure yet, but I used my Byakugan to scan my body in the mirror and I saw a very faint, but still visible chakra signature."

"But why are you crying Hinata, that's wonderful news. I thought you would be happy to have a child with Naruto."

"I, I am happy, it's been a dream of mine for a long time to be the mother of Naruto's children."

"Then why are you crying?"

"Be-because I'm scared."

"You don't need to be scared; I'll be here to help you along with your pregnancy, just like you were there for me, when I was pregnant with Minato-kun."

"I'm, I'm not scared about the pregnancy, I, I'm scared about me and Naru-kun."

"I don't understand what about you and Naruto?"

"I, I don't know, it's just everything is going so fast. I mean we were only together a short time, before he had to leave for his training. And then the very day he gets back we get engaged and now in less than two months, I'm already making him a father. I'm, I'm scared that when Naru-kun learns I'm pregnant, he might feel that I've trapped him."

"Hinata, you shouldn't think such thoughts. Naruto loves you and would never think you've trapped him. I think this is nothing more than your hormones starting to kick in. I mean one of things Kashi-kun told me about his travels with Naruto was that the only girl he ever spoke of was you. Trust me; Naruto is going to be ecstatic at the thought of becoming a father." Kurenai assured her pupil in a soothing comforting voice.

"You, you really think so?"

"Yes, now dry your tears and let's go see Shizune and confirm that you are indeed pregnant."

Hinata wiped away her tears and exhaled a deep sigh, before she and Kurenai rose from the couch and began their trek towards Konoha Hospital.

A couple hours later, Naruto and Kakashi returned to their home and saw that their fiancés were not there. Sitting in the living room, Naruto couldn't help be feel nervous about what might be wrong with Hinata. For what must have been the tenth time in the past hour, he rose from the couch and began pacing around the room again. Seeing this Kakashi exhaled a weary sigh from the chair he was sitting in, before he snapped shut the Icha-Icha novel he was reading and said.

"Naruto, would you calm down and stop pacing around the room like a madman. You're going to wear down the carpet to the wood floor."

"I can't help it Kakashi-sensei, I may not be the smartest guy around, but I know there's something wrong with my hime."

'I know what's wrong with Hinata; it's just not my place to give you such news….daddy.' Kakashi thought to himself, before they heard the front door open and saw Hinata and Kurenai walk in.

Naruto immediately rushed over and hugged Hinata, before he frantically asked.

"Hina-hime, is everything ok, what did Shizune-chan have to say."

"Yes Naru-kun, everything is ok. Now let's sit down and I'll tell you what Shizune found out." Hinata replied in a calm voice, even though on the inside she felt like a nervous wreck.

"So she did find something!" Naruto exclaimed in slightly panicked tone.

"Yes she did, but it's nothing bad." Hinata stated, as she patted the cushion on the couch next to her for Naruto to sit down.

Naruto quickly sat down and Hinata could see the worried features etched on his face. Inhaling and then exhaling a deep breath, they young Hyuga girl mustered up all of the courage she could and spoke in a gentle docile tone of voice.

"I saw Shizune and she did a full check-up on me. The reason I've been throwing up in the morning is because I have nausea gravidarum."

"Nausea grav-gravi dar-dear,…oh whatever, what is that? It's not serious is it? Naruto asked with concern.

"No, it's not serious. Nausea gravidarum is the medical term, but most people better know it by its common name morning sickness."

"Morning sickness, what's that? What causes it? Is there a cure for it? You're going to be alright aren't you?" Naruto fired off in frenzied succession.

"Yes, I'm going to be fine. It's not a disease, so there is no cure for it, but it should go away in about six weeks."

"If it's not a disease then what causes it?"

"Nar-Naru-kun, the cause of morning sickness and the nausea and vomiting that occurs from it, is because the person who is suffering from it is in the early weeks of…pregnancy." Hinata softly stammered in explanation.

A bewildered visage spread across Naruto's face, as he stuttered in confusion.

"I, I don't understand?"

Hinata took Naruto's hand and placed it on her stomach, before she looked into his eyes and lovingly announced.

"I've been getting sick in the morning, because I'm pregnant Naru-kun. You're going to be a daddy."

Naruto's head dropped a bit and he stared at Hinata's stomach, as he attempted to register and process the news she had just told him. After a minute had passed, he still hadn't said a word and the fears Hinata had been harboring began surface once more. Even Kurenai and Kakashi were starting to grow concerned at the silence coming from the young blonde man sitting across from them. Suddenly, there was a low rumbling sound that began bubbling up from inside Naruto, before a scant second later he leapt up and punched his fist into the air shouted with glee.

"THIS IS SO AWESOME; I'M GOING TO BE A DAD!"

Hinata was taken aback by this very vocal reaction from Naruto, but before she could react, the Hyuga suddenly found herself lifted high in the air and spun around the room by her excited fiancé.

"That's what's wrong with you my hime, that's the best wrong I've ever hear in my life!" Naruto shouted, as he continued to spin Hinata around the room.

"Nar…Naru-kun….plea…please st…..stop….I'm, I'm started to get dizzy." Hinata stammered out in the whirlwind she was in.

Naruto immediately stopped and set Hinata down on her feet and with a worried voice apologized.

"I'm sorry my hime…oh wait you shouldn't be on your feet either in your condition."

Naruto swiftly lifted Hinata up bridal style and gently placed her on the sofa. For their part, Kakashi and Kurenai could only chuckle at Naruto's joyful reaction and antics watching him dote on Hinata.

"I'm pregnant, not fragile, I'm not going to break." Hinata chided her soon to be husband, as she sat up on the couch, before she then asked.

"So, so you really are happy with me being pregnant?"

"Huh, well yeah, why wouldn't I be happy? That's the greatest news I've ever gotten in my life."

"Well, we've only been together for less than two months since you got back and I was worried that everything is going so fast between the two us, that you might start to feel that I've…tr-trapped you by getting pregnant."

"Trapped, I could never feel trapped being with you Hina-chan. I wish we could have the kid tomorrow if that were possible. I love you and the only time I would ever feel trapped is when I'm not with you." Naruto declared with love and sincerity.

Naruto's words made Hinata's heart flutter and she enveloped him in a fierce loving hug, before softly saying to him.

"Thank you, I love you too and feel the same way."

After a minute the young released their embrace and gazed tenderly into each other's eyes, before Naruto openly remarked in annoyance.

"I wish we didn't have to wait until next month to get married. I want to marry you right now."

"Yeah, I have to agree with Naruto, it's annoying that we have to wait" Kakashi agreed in complaint.

"Don't you two realize the honor we are being granted of being wed in the same ceremony as Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya?" Kurenai asked out loud.

"It really is a special honor to be included in the wedding of a Kage. Besides, I got engaged to you on the same day that both Lady Tsunade and Kurenai-sensei also got engaged. So it seems poetic to me and special, that I can also share that day I wed my husband with the two women I admire and care for the most in my life, as they also marry their own husbands."

"Alright, if that's what you want, but I don't think baa-chan is nearly as excited about the wedding as you two are."

"It's not that Lady Tsunade isn't excited about getting married, it's all the damn wedding planners the Fire-Daimyou has hired to plan the ceremony and reception. He wants it to be the most grandiose event ever for all the other Elemental Daimyou's and other foreign dignitaries to see that will be attending the wedding."

"So basically what you're saying Kurenai-sensei is the Fire-Daimyou wants to show off to everyone."

"That about sums it up." Kakashi confirmed to his young student.

"I do feel badly for Lady Tsunade. All those planners have been driving her crazy, by constantly bothering her with all of their plans and designs for the ceremony."

"Perhaps the news about Hinata will lift her spirits. She needs to be informed of it, so after we take Minato to the academy tomorrow morning, why don't we all drop by her office afterwards and give her the news."

"That's a wonderful idea Kashi-kun, but why don't we go inform her right now? Kurenai questioned in inquiry to the silver-haired Jounin.

"Lady Tsunade was looking a bit haggard after dealing with all of the Civilian Councilmen kissing her ass at the awards ceremony today. Master-Jiraiya told me he was going to have her knock off early today and take her home for some rest."

"I understand, she needs the rest, besides I just realized that academy is just about over for the day, so we need to go pick-up Minato-kun.

"Yeah, let's go get him and I'll treat everyone to an early dinner at Ichiraku's afterwards in celebration of Hinata-chan's news." Naruto happily offered.

"Well, it sounds like a plan to me, but the real celebration is going to take place tonight." Kakashi casually stated, as he rose from his chair.

"What do you mean Kakashi-sensei?"

"Tonight you're going to celebrate the news of your impending fatherhood in the time honored tradition that all men have done for centuries."

"What's that?"

"I'm going to take you to the Sharpened Shuriken and we're going to get pissed drunk with our friends and comrades in celebration of you becoming a dad."

"Really, it's a tradition."

"Oh you have no idea Naruto. I remember the night Shikaku announced that Yoshino was pregnant with Shikamaru. I'll tell you it's a good thing none of the Leaf village's enemies attacked the next day, because I swear half of Konoha's shinobi were passed out drunk from all the drinks he bought for everyone in celebration of him becoming a dad." Kakashi declared, as he threw an arm around Naruto's shoulder and the two men began walking away, as the veteran shinobi regaled his younger counterpart with tales about that night.

As Hinata and Kurenai watched their fiancés walk away to pick-up Minato, Hinata commented in an unsure tone of voice.

"Kurenai-sensei, I don't mean to sound judgmental and please don't take offense, but there are times, I think Kakashi-sensei might be a bad influence on Naru-kun."

"I don't take any offense and you might be right about Kashi-kun. However, I fear that four years on the road with Master-Jiraiya might have had some….negative influences on both of our men." Kurenai stoically replied, before she and Hinata followed after their men and exited their home to get the littlest shinobi who resided there from his school.

The next morning, both Naruto and Kakashi were nursing mammoth hangovers, as they struggled to get out of their respective beds. Both of them grumbled in pain under their breath, as they made their way downstairs to join Kurenai, Hinata, and Minato for breakfast. For Kakashi sported a busted lip, while Naruto was battling the king of all headaches from the previous night.

It had indeed been a late and intoxicating night for both men. When they had arrived at the Sharpened Shuriken the evening before, it was a bit sparse in terms of customers. This was not a huge surprise considering it was the middle of the week. However, there were a few friends and comrades of both men that were patrons of the tavern that night.

The original and legendary Ino-Shika-Cho trio was there, sitting in their usual booth. Kakashi also spied some of his close comrades Izumo, Kotetsu, Genma and shockingly Might Gai sitting at the bar with Rock Lee. As for Naruto he was relieved to see Lee, but was more surprised to see Hanshiro and Teuchi sitting at a table drinking with their respective son-in-law and more than likely soon to son-in-law Neji and Kiba. Kakashi gave the bartender a $100 ryo for use of the private room in the back. Then he and Naruto invited their 12 friends to join them in the back for an important announcement.

"So what's this big announcement you guys want to tell us?" Kiba asked in curiosity, before taking a sip of the beer he was drinking.

"No me Kiba, it's Naruto who should be the one to give this news."

"So what is it you wish to tell us Naruto?"

"Ummm,…well Inoichi-san, I, sort of….have….uhhh…..some news….." Naruto sputtered nervously in front of everyone.

"Go on, there's nothing to be nervous about, this is good news remember." Kakashi chided.

Naruto inhaled and exhaled a deep breath, before he declared.

"Ok, I wanted share with all of you and celebrate, that earlier today I found out from my Hina-hime that I'm going to be a…..dad."

Naruto grew apprehensive at the silence that suddenly enveloped the room, before a throng of cheers erupted from everyone present, save for Neji who leveled a stern gaze upon his blonde comrade and declared in a judgmental tone of voice.

"You mean to say you impregnated Lady Hinata before you two were wed, how irresponsible."

"Neji, need I remind you about my daughter, your wife's…condition before you two got married?" Hanshiro posed to his son-in-law.

Neji's face blushed a dark-crimson, as everyone in the room erupted in laughter, before he gathered himself and extended his hand to Naruto and apologized.

"I apologize Naruto, Hanshiro-sama is absolutely correct; I've no right to judge you considering my own past….. indiscretion. So let me be the first to congratulate you on the blessing you are about to receive in the gift of a child."

"Thanks Neji, I appreciate that." Naruto warmly replied, as he shook hands with his Hyuga comrade.

Everyone then began to congratulate and give their best accolades and wishes to Naruto for his life-changing achievement. After a few minutes, the kudos and laurels Naruto was receiving began to die down is when Kakashi loudly announced.

"In keeping with the long-standing tradition of such monumental news, I would like to announce that rest of the beverages you wish to partake of this evening will be on the house courtesy of Naruto."

A rousing cheer erupted from the men, before Naruto openly asked.

"Is it really a long-standing tradition that someone making the announcement that they're going to have a kid has to buy all the drinks the rest of the night for everyone he's celebrating it with?"

"It's not a long-standing tradition Naruto, but it was one started by Shikaku here when he found out about Shikamaru." Chouza confirmed for the young shinobi.

"Troublesome, you should feel lucky Naruto that there are only a dozen of us here. It was a Saturday night when I made the announcement about Shikamaru and the bar had nearly a hundred people in it. I spent a small fortune that night buying drinks for everyone and when Yoshino found out about how much I spent…..ewwww!" Shikaku lazily remarked, as a chill went up his spine remembering how pissed off his wife was the next day.

"Anyway, a few weeks later I learned about the blessing of my princess Ino and celebrated by buying all of the drinks." Inoichi followed up.

"And I did the same with Chouji a short time later." Chouza said in agreement.

"And since then Naruto all shinobi who have chosen to make the announcement in this establishment and rejoice in becoming a parent has always funded the celebration that ensued afterwards." Kakashi cordially stated.

"Did you have to do this to Neji?" Naruto questioned.

"No, I did not, but that was only because I was incarcerated during Tenten's pregnancy."

"C'mon Naruto, is it really that big a deal?" Kiba asked, as he threw his arm around his friends shoulder.

Naruto thought about it for a moment, before he smiled and enthusiastically declared.

"No, it's not that big a deal at all…get a waitress over here for our drinks!"

Another chorus of cheers broke out from the gathered men and in short order the drinks were flowing and the drunken merriment began for all of them. The rest of the night involved Shikaku, Inoichi, Chouza, Hanshiro and Teuchi giving advice and telling humorous and sometimes horrific stories involving fatherhood to all the younger shinobi, as they were the only ones to have had children. Save for Kakashi and Neji, but both of them were still in the infancy of being a parent.

By the end of the night, after hearing some of those terrifying tales, caused some of the younger shinobi present to drunkenly swear off ever becoming a dad. However, the elder shinobi who had scared them so much, laughed and assured them that even though fatherhood is tough to deal with, they wouldn't change a thing, as a child is a blessing from Kami that nothing else can compare to. In fact, Chouza proposed a toast to fatherhood and that's when all hell broke loose, as Lee had picked up the wrong glass containing the club soda he had been drinking and downed a copious amount of very strong sake.

The memory of what happened after that and the difficulty they had and what it took to reign in the young taijutsu master was very evident in the pain Kakashi was feeling in his lip. The solace he took was that Lee's teacher Gai looked even worse than he did with the prominent black-eye he now sported. As the silver-haired Jounin sat down at the dining room table, Kurenai gasped at how Kakashi looked and asked.

"Kashi-kun, what happened to you?"

"Oh this….ahem…..while we were celebrating last night, Rock Lee accidentally drank some sake and it took several of us to bring him under control. Unfortunately, the effort in that ordeal did not leave most of us…..unscathed."

"But you look alright Naru-kun." Hinata remarked.

"Only because I've got the Kyuubi to heal me Hina-hime. When I got home last night I was nursing a couple of broken ribs, a broken nose, and a separated shoulder. Naruto replied, as he downed a couple of aspirin.

"So how many people did it take to subdue Lee?" Kurenai questioned in curiosity.

"Well let's see, besides myself, there was Gai, Izumo, Kotetsu, Genma, Kiba, Neji, and of course Naruto."

"Wow, Lee-sensei fought all of you!" Minato exclaimed in awe.

"Yeah he did kiddo."

"But why would he do that Unca Nawuto?"

"Umm, well Lee drank something he wasn't supposed to and got…dizzy and confused. And we didn't want him to hurt himself, so we had to calm him down." Naruto stammered in reply.

"Oh, Lee-sensei didn't get hurt did he?"

"Nah, ol' bushy-brows is fine."

'Which is more than I can say for everyone who subdued him.' Kakashi thought cynically to himself.

"Minato-kun, if you're done with breakfast, you need to hurry up and get ready for pre-school at the academy." Kurenai suggested to her son.

"Ok mommy."

As all of the adults watched the young boy dash out of the room, Naruto candidly asked out loud.

"So what's on the menu for breakfast?"

"Oh Kurenai-sensei and I made something special for you and Kakashi-sensei." Hinata answered, before shooting a devious glance to her fellow kunoichi.

Both women then went to the kitchen to retrieve the dishes they had prepared for Naruto and Kakashi. A minute later, they returned, their arms laden with food. As they set the meals on a side table, they each grabbed a bowl and placed it in front of the two men, as Kurenai sweetly said.

Hinata I and figured that after such a….demanding evening you two must had, that you would be hungry this morning. So for a breakfast appetizer we made for you oatmeal with raisins and cut-up banana's. That sounded alright to Naruto and Kakashi, until they looked down at the bowl and what they saw made their stomachs start to churn. Flavor-wise there was nothing wrong with the dish. However visually, the steamy bubbling lumps of brown colored oatmeal mixed in with the two fruits was not appealing in the least. Both Hinata and Kurenai saw the queasy looks that suddenly appeared on their fiancés faces and grinned at one another, before they then brought out the breakfast entrée's, as Hinata sweetly remarked to both men.

"And here is the main course."

Both women then set a large plate down in front of Kakashi and Naruto, who both took one look at it and began to feel nauseous. It was Naruto who found his voice first and stammering asked in a fearful tone.

"Wh-what is that?"

"This is a breakfast casserole Hinata and I created."

"What-what's in it?" Kakashi stuttered in equal fearful tone as Naruto.

"Well let's see, it has a trio of meat, which includes chicken gizzards and livers, corn beef hash, and hog jowls, mixed with fried green tomatoes, mustard greens, and collard greens. The entire casserole is tied together by some delicious hominy grits with white gravy and topped with sorghum syrup." Hinata happily replied, before Kurenai then said.

"Well go on and dig in, we went to a lot of trouble making this for you two."

Neither Kakashi nor Naruto could gaze upon their breakfast for very long. The myriad of sickening colors the casserole sported on top of the revolting ingredients it was made out of was testing their resolve to the utmost of not emptying their stomachs. Both men turned their heads to look at Hinata and Kurenai who both stood with their arms folded staring directly at both of them. There was something in the look they were receiving from the women they loved that made both Kakashi and Naruto nervous. Hesitantly, and with a trembling hand, they both took a fork and scooped up some of the simmering stew in front of them. The smell of the dish was repulsive, as they each shoved their forks into their mouths and began to chew.

A scant few seconds later, both Jounin's eyes grew wide and their faces suddenly became heated and flushed. Abruptly, both men slapped their hands to their mouths and bolted from the table, each of them racing the other towards use of the nearest bathroom. As Kurenai and Hinata watched their men run away, they turned and high-fived each other. Both women had been none too pleased to see Naruto and Kakashi go out in the middle of the week, just to get drunk. So they hoped this little lesson they had catered literally to their men would curb any future desires for them to do that again.

As Kurenai and Hinata began clearing the table, the young Hyuga girl picked up a fork and tried some of the casserole herself and remarked.

"I don't know what Kakashi-sensei and Naru-kun are carrying on about, this taste pretty good."

A shiver went up Kurenai's back, as she watched Hinata take another bite of the punishment casserole, as the two women had dubbed it, while they were making it and thought to herself.

'Oh Kami, the cravings have already kicked in. I hope you're ready for this Naruto?'

"Damn it, I don't care how the freaking napkins are folded for the reception, you decide!" Tsunade angrily groused in irritation at the bevy of wedding planners commissioned by the Fire Lord to plan the ceremony presently in her office.

"Surely you can't be serious Lady-Tsunade. This is your special day and we would never presume to be making such important decisions ourselves."

'Important decisions, are they fucking kidding me? These idiots have no idea what an important decision is, if they think how a napkin needs to be folded is one.' Tsunade thought to herself with disbelief, before she wearily declared.

"Fine, fold the damn napkins into a swan, like you suggested, since you wouldn't….presume to make such an important decision."

Jiraiya heard the drained and exhausted tone of Tsunade's voice and had to admit he too was growing tiresome of all of these incessant questions with regards to the planning of their wedding ceremony. Deciding to give themselves a break from this flock of wedding planners, the Toad-Sage rose from his chair and loudly cleared his throat, before calling out to the lead planner.

"Ahem…..Masayoshi."

"Yes Master-Jiraiya."

"Masayoshi, you are Lead Wedding Director and Bridal Consultant, assigned by the Fire-Daimyou himself to plan my-hime's wedding and reception, are you not?

"I am."

"So in knowing how infallible the Fire-Daimyou is in his decisions. That means you are the most talented and distinguished Wedding Director and Bridal Consultant in the entire Fire-Nation if not all of the Elemental Nations."

Masayoshi's chest swelled with pride at the flattering words Jiraiya spoke about him and the man answered in unwavering confidence.

"Hai, that's exactly what it means Lord-Jiraiya."

"I thought as much. Now both myself and my hime are very grateful to have such an esteemed individual such as yourself and your people plan our wedding and the reception to follow. However, you must understand, Lady Tsunade has a village to govern over. And as much as she would like to spend all of her time answering the various questions you have, and approving what you wish to do. Unfortunately she does not have the time, because of her duties as Hokage. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand, I don't mean to monopolize Lady Tsunade's time, but the Fire-Daimyou has tasked me to make your wedding the most lavish and splendid affair anyone has ever seen."

"And it will be Masayoshi. The Fire-Daimyou in his infinite wisdom has chosen you specifically and trusts that you make that happen and both Lady Tsunade and I trust you as well. So what I propose is this, you and your people go to the conference room downstairs and choose the three best facets of each and every detail you need us to decide upon from beginning to end for the ceremony and reception. Once you and your people have done this, then we will sit down with you and make our choices from the three recommendations you submit to us Masayoshi. That way you are able to craft the wedding and reception and make it into the opulent event the Fire-Lord wants, while allowing Lady-Tsunade to attend to her duties as Hokage. Is this acceptable to you Masayoshi-sama?"

Attaching the honorific sama to end of Masayoshi's name scored a bulls-eye on the man's vanity, who beamed with pride at being addressed in such a way by a legendary Sannin. Jiraiya's proposal was indeed acceptable to him for the very reasons the Toad-Sage had suggested and Masayoshi readily agreed to it. A minute later after the door closed behind Masayoshi and his crew, as they made their way downstairs. Tsunade pressed a button locking the door and heaved a sigh of relief, as she opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a bottle of sake and two cups and gratefully said.

"I knew there was a reason why I loved you more than just sex. That was cleverly done how masterfully you got them out of our hair, while at the same time still allowing us to make the choices we want for the wedding and reception, but letting them do the work of coming up with those choices. I can now see where Naruto-kun gets his abilities to sway people from."

"Well, I could see how worn down and annoyed you were getting from having to decide every detail they brought to you. Let them argue and beat their brains out for the next few days coming up with a consensus of the three best options for each and every issue that you and I can decide upon later. Jiraiya casually stated, as he brought Tsunade's hand up to his lips and lovingly kissed it.

Tsunade smiled and handed a cup filled with sake to Jiraiya and the two Sannin raised them in a toast, before each downed their drinks. The blonde-Hokage set about pouring themselves some more drinks, as Jiraiya sat down in a chair across from her and said.

"Are Kurenai and Hinata ok with us making all of the decisions for the ceremony and reception? I mean it's their wedding day as well."

"I've spoken to them and they don't seem to have any problems with it. With the Fire-Daimyou sticking his nose into it, they both know it will be a grand and lavish event. They're just grateful for being allowed the honor of sharing their own wedding day with us."

"Kurenai and Hinata are good women, Kakashi and Naruto got lucky, that they found them to share their lives with."

"Kurenai and Hinata are better than then those two deserve with the way they've been acting lately, especially Naruto." Tsunade groused in irritation.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on Jiraiya-kun, surely you've noticed the smug, arrogant, and cocksure attitude he's been demonstrating lately. I mean as if what he did to Sai wasn't bad enough and then that stunt he pulled in not sounding the alarm when those bandits tried to attack the village. Now I get an Anbu incident report this morning about a skirmish he and several other Leaf shinobi, including Kakashi were involved in at the Sharpened Shuriken last night. However, the owner of the bar isn't pressing any charges against anyone, as they paid for the damages and as quoted by the investigating Anbu, the owner says he has,

"No wish to file any charges against the son of the Yondaime or his friends."

"Well, being the living legacy of our kid does have its perks." Jiraiya commented in amusement.

"That's the problem, all these people sucking up to Naruto is going to his head! He's been strutting around lately like he's the Prince of the Leaf village and that pompous overconfident attitude he's been displaying is going to bite him in ass one day if he's not careful. It's unbelievable that when he got back all of these people kissing his ass he considered them nothing but hypocrites. Now he's lapping up their praise and accolades like dog at water bowl." Tsunade exclaimed in frustration.

"Don't be too hard on him. I'll admit Naruto's been getting a bit of a swelled head because of the villagers, but can you blame him. For most of his life those people now kissing his ass were the same ones who shunned and ignored him growing up. His entire life all he strived for was just to receive any recognition from them and now he is. I mean he basically had two options when he got back, hold onto his anger and pain and hold a grudge against all the villagers who mistreated him growing up. Or let it go and accept the worship and adulations from those very same people now. So let him revel in it for a while, eventually his inflated ego will go away and we'll have the same old Naruto back before we know it." Jiraiya stated in assurance, as he downed another drink, before adding.

"Besides, all of these people blowing smoke up Naruto's butt, has had one benefit. He's let go of the anger he was feeling about not being informed of Chouji's death, while he was gone."

"That's true and I hope you're right about his ego, because if the little gaki's head gets any bigger he might float away." Tsuande sarcastically quipped in amusement.

"Don't worry, besides he has Hinata to keep him grounded."

A moment later, Jiraiya face took on a grim look and he asked.

"Have you given any thought about when you want to tell Naruto the truth about us?"

"Have I given any thought, I can't get that thought out of head. It plagues me day and night, but I've racked my brain and I just don't know how to tell him or even when the right time to tell him is."

"We need to do it soon my-hime, as I don't think Kakashi and Kurenai were bluffing. They won't wait for us forever to do it and they will tell him the truth about his heritage." Jiraiya ominously declared.

"I know, I just hope they'll be a bit more patience with us."

"I spoke to Kakashi at the awards ceremony; he said they have no immediate plans to tell Naruto…yet."

Suddenly, the buzzer on Tsunade's intercom blared to life. The blonde Hokage punched a button on the small audio-box and asked.

"Yes Shizune, what is it?"

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you Lady-Tsunade, but Kakashi, Kurenai, Hinata, and Naruto are here to see you. They have some urgent news you need to know about." Shizune answered.

"Send them in."

Tsunade then hit the button on her desk to unlock the doors and Naruto came strutting in holding Hinata's hand followed by Kurenai and Kakashi who closed the door behind them. The blonde Hokage looked at the two younf shinobi standing before and while Naruto bore a mischievous grin upon his face, which annoyed Tsunade greatly. While Hinata displayed her unique trait of when she was nervous of poking her two index fingers together. A gentle nudge from Naruto got her to stop and Hinata exhaled a deep breath before stammering.

"La-Lady-Tsunade, I just wanted to inform you that you'll need to take me off the active duty roster soon, as I learned yesterday that I'm, I'm…pregnant."

It took a few seconds, for this information to be processed by Tsunade, but when it her response was not what everyone was expecting, as she slapped her hand to her forehead and exclaimed.

"Awww crap!"

"Hey baa-chan, that's not very nice!" Naruto shouted angrily Tsunade.

"Don't you raise your voice to me you little gaki! You're back less than two months and have already knocked up one of my best kunoichi's. I should brain you for being so incredibly stupid and irresponsible! In fact I ought to…"

"Lady Tsuande!" Kurenai shouted, interrupting the seething Hokage.

Tsunade looked at the glaring red-eyed woman who motioned her head towards Hinata. The blonde Hokage turned her gaze towards the Hyuga girl and immediately felt like crap. As Hinata was on the verge of tears, as she stammered in choked up voice.

"I, I'm sorry Lady Tsunade, I, I didn't mean to upset you. I, I thought you would be happy about the news, I didn't mean to displease you."

Tsunade immediately rose from behind her desk and went around to envelope the young kunoichi in a loving hug and apologized with every bit of sincerity she could muster.

"Don't apologize to me Hinata, I don't deserve it, I'm the one who owes you an apology. Of course I'm happy for you my dear. Please forgive this stupid old woman for my initial reaction. It's was just the thought of knowing I'm losing one of my best and most skilled kunoichi's that I let get to me. Instead of celebrating the blessing Kami has given you."

The two women released their embrace and Hinata wiped away her tears before she said.

"Thank you Lady Tsunade."

"There's no need to thank me, I'm very happy for you and I know you will make a wonderful mother."

Hinata smiled brightly upon hearing Tsunade's kind and complimentary words, before the blonde Hokage added in a more serious tone.

"However, I must warn you until the day comes that you give birth, it won't be easy. There's a wide variety of ailments you might experience during your pregnancy that may make your life difficult over the next several months."

"I know, Shizune-san has already told me about some remedies I can take to battle the morning sickness I've been experiencing lately." Hinata replied.

"Morning Sickness is just one of the ailments and a minor one at that like constipation, heartburn, nausea and diarrhea, just to name a few of the lesser conditions you might experience."

Hinata nodded her head in understanding, before Tsunade continued on.

"If those are the only ailments you have during your pregnancy consider yourself lucky. Because some of the major illness you could get are hemorrhoids, pain and fever, infections, colds, flu, allergies, asthma, and, rashes. Not to mention the usual muscle aches and pains, cramps, cravings, itching, insomnia that most women go through during their pregnancy."

A fretful look appeared on Hinata's face, as she listened intently to Tsunade. This expression that appeared did not go unnoticed by Naruto.

"Hey baa-chan, quit trying to scare Hinata-chan! My hime is going to breeze through her pregnancy no problem, because that's how awesome she is...believe it!"

Tsunade did not like the seemingly unconcerned and dismissive tone of Naruto's declaration, as it seemed to confirm her earlier judgments about his recent attitude and behavior, as she immediately shot back angrily.

"How dare you take such a frivolous attitude about Hinata's pregnancy! I'm not trying to scare her, but prepare her for some of the hardships she might have to endure during it!"

"Pfft, how would you know?" Naruto flippantly asked, which infuriated Tsunade even more who blurted out in fury.

"Because you little brat, I experienced most of those ailments when I was pregnant with your father!"

A second later, Tsunade realized to her horror the magnitude of what she had just said and her hand flew up to cover her mouth, as if this action would somehow undo what she had just uttered. The blonde Hokage's knees felt weak, but before she could fall to the floor Jiraiya was next to her in an instant and propped her up, as he gently led her to sit in a nearby chair.

Both Kakashi and Kurenai had winced, when they heard Tsunade inadvertently reveal the truth of her true heritage to Naruto. They had told both Sannin to try and find the right time and way to reveal that to Naruto. And both of them knew that now was not the time and most definitely not the way to reveal that truth to Naruto. For her part, Hinata could only gasp when she heard what Tsunade had just revealed.

As for Naruto, his face had turned ghostly white, as he stared at Tsunade with a look of abject disbelief and confusion. His whole body trembled slightly and he found his throat had suddenly gone dry, before he was finally able to choke out though quivering lips in a barely audible tone of voice.

"Wh-what did you just say?"

Tsunade couldn't even lift her head to look at Naruto out of the guilt, shame, and fear of what she might see, before she answered in a very soft and timid voice.

"I said because I experienced most of those ailments when I was pregnant with your father."

The silence in the room was deafening, as Tsunade continued on.

"It's true, I am the mother of Minato Namikaze, which also makes me your…"

Tsunade exhaled a remorseful breath, before she finished her sentence.

"Grandmother…I'm your grandmother Naruto."

Author Note: Wow, what an emotional, angst-filled, and dramatic cliffhanger. And I did keep my promise that Naruto would of his true heritage to Tsunade and Jiraiya in this chapter. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, because I'll be honest I battled a serious bout of writer's block during its creation. Not so much from the standpoint of not knowing what to write, I had that. But more from the perspective I just had difficulty in how to write it to my satisfaction and hopefully yours as well. I guess I'll find out soon enough if I succeeded in that endeavor from your reviews.

Anyway, all of that aside, I hope everyone did enjoy this chapter and I am anxious to see what your reviews will be for it. I do wish to thank everyone both old and new readers who took the time to review my last chapter. For those of you who did review, you all had a lot to say about it and I'm pleased that this story has such a strong fan base with readers who actually write out well thought-out reviews. Because of that, I enjoy reading many of your reviews, so please leave lots of them, as they do help a writer get a sense of the thoughts and opinions of the fans of a story. They also can help lift the spirits of an author as well. Also, to any readers who are staff members to any C2 communities, please feel free to add my story to your community if you feel it is worthy of it. I won't mind, I swear. I'll even pinkie swear if I need to?

Questions?

I'm a big fan of Cartoon Networks Adult Swim's Toonami which airs every Saturday from Midnight to 6am. This season they started airing an anime called Space Dandy. Anyway, my opinion of this show wildly fluctuates at times. I mean I'll watch an episode and say this is a good and funny show. But then I'll watch another episode and think this show is bad and stupid. So please help me out here people, as I want to know what all of you who have seen the show think. So my question is a simple one.

Is the anime show Space Dandy good or does it suck?

My second question is also a simple one.

Did anyone find that casserole dish Kurenai and Hinata made appetizing in anyway?

Please leave your answers with your review of the chapter if you would be so kind to do.

Now, onto everyone's favorite section Kingkakashi's rants on the manga yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Surprisingly, I have mostly positive things to say about the following issues of the Naruto manga.

*Warning I do give away some spoilers in my rants, so read at your own risk.

#681 – The chapter starts with Naruto and Sasuke counterattacking Kaguya, while one of Naruto's clones gets Kakashi, Sakura, and Obito to safety. The counterattack fails and Kaguya grabs both Naruto and Sasuke and starts draining all of their chakra out of them. She does this through using Black Zetsu who merges himself into Naruto and Sasuke, while being connected to her. Now Kishimoto decides it's time for another villain twist. First it was Madara who was the mastermind behind all that has happened, then he switches to Kaguya. Now we learn from Zetsu that he is the child of Kaguya and has worked throughout the entire history of the shinobi world to revive his mother from the seal placed upon her by her sons Indra and Ashura.

Zetsu then starts to explain how he manipulated the descendants of Indra, which became the Uchiha clan throughout their existence. Finally when Madara came to being Zetsu decided he was the one who could ultimately free Kaguya. So Zetsu used and played Madara like a fool, but ultimately he was right, as through Madara, Zetsu was able to revive Kaguya. The chapter ends with Naruto breaking free of Kaguya's grasp and freeing Sasuke as well. They then both decide that they need to use a yet unknown sealing jutsu. Overall this was a complicated chapter, but also one of the more interesting ones of the entire manga. As long as you don't mind Zetsu now being made as the ultimate bad-guy or villain of the Naruto story.

#682 – This chapter begins with a faceoff between Naruto and Sasuke towards Kaguya and Zetsu. Zetsu mocks the two of them, as he states that no matter what they do, it will fail, because Kaguya has absorbed every known jutsu in existence. Naruto hatches a plan, but needs Sasuke's help to get close enough Kaguya. Sasuke unleashes his Amaterasu black flame enveloping Kaguya, but she disperses it easily. However, it allowed Naruto to get close enough to release his attack, the sexy reverse-harem jutsu. Which if you don't know this attack, it's a combined variation of Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and Oiroke no Jutsu. Where Naruto first creates numerous shadow clones then each individual clone uses the Oiroke no Jutsu technique. The result is a several young nude sexually appealing women who will completely overwhelm the carnal feelings of a perverted ninja. However, in this case since Kaguya is a female Naruto had the clones turn into several young nude sexually appealing men.

Sakura pretends to be appalled by Naruto using this jutsu, even though her nose is bleeding from it and swears it will never work. Sakura of course is wrong and Kaguya is sent flying by the jutsu. Sasuke and Naruto then attack together in what I can only guess is an attempt to seal Kaguya away once again. However, before they can connect, Kaguya sends everyone to another world in another dimension, in this case an ice planet and freezes Naruto and Sasuke midair. Naruto and Sasuke are able to break free from their ice prison and Zetsu advises his mother that they should separate the two of them and pick them off one at a time. Kaguya agrees and through her ability to move in-between dimensions grabs Sasuke and sends him off to a desert planet, ending the chapter. An enjoyable chapter to read, as the sexy reverse-harem jutsu used as a viable attack was quite humorous to see.

#683 – Well this chapter begins with Kaguya attempting to seize Naruto and start draining drain his chakra again. Naruto dodges these attempts, but suddenly the ice-planet seems to come to life and starts attacking him. You then switch to a scene of Kakashi, Sakura, Obito, and the Naruto clone trying to decide what to do next. Then you switch back to earth, where the four Edo-Tensei Hokages are also trying to figure out what to do next, as their efforts to free everyone from the tree has failed. They decide to use the Edo-Tensei technique on what's left of Madara's body to try and learn what's going on. However, instead of Madara being revived, it's Hagoromo the Sage of the Six Paths that suddenly appears.

You then switch to the desert world Sasuke has been deposited on and he discovers he's trapped there. The chapter then switches back to Kakashi, Sakura, Obito, and the Naruto clone arriving where the real Naruto is battling the Kaguya who is still using the very ice-planet as a weapon against him. Obito recognizes Kaguya's powers as space-time manipulation similar to his own unique Sharingan powers. He devises a plan to use his Kamui and sync-up with Kaguya's power to go find Sasuke. As the only way Kaguya can be defeated is with both Naruto and Sasuke together. However, Obito is low on chakra and runs the risk of not having enough to bring Sasuke back. It's decided that Sakura and the Naruto clone should go with him and lend their chakra to the effort. The chapter ends with Obito asking Naruto and everyone to let him take the lead to protect them and allow him to die, ending the chapter. A downer of an ending, but overall the chapter was good.

#684 – This chapter starts with Obito, Sakura, and the Naruto clone about to initiate Obito's plan. However, Kaguya has taken noticed of them and Obito realizes she might stop them. Kaguya then goes on the offensive and dives down to attack Naruto, who she thinks she has trapped in ice, but he's faking it. Naruto then calls upon the power of Kokuou the Gobi (Five-Tailed Demon Whale-Horse) to increase immensely his physical strength and breaks out of his ice-cage right before Kaguya is able to reach him and counterattacks sending her flying. Then with the help of the Kyuubi he creates hundreds of shadow clones to face her. They all attack at once, but Kaguya counterattacks slaying many of the clones, but not all of them, as some get through to land punches upon her. Kaguya finally relents and opens up a dimensional portal to escape. Which is what Obito was waiting for and he unleashes his Samui and sync's-up with the dimension she's fleeing to.

Meanwhile, Naruto is able to follow Kaguya before the portal closes and they arrive at what Zetsu calls the Core dimension. He's upset that Naruto has followed them to this dimension, because it is a direct link to the other five dimensions and he might be able to find Sasuke. He advises that Kaguya kill Naruto and reluctantly she agrees and appears to do just that. She opens up the portal again and returns to the ice-world. After she is gone, Obito and Sakura appear in the Core dimension, thanks to the clone Naruto sacrificing himself fighting Kaguya to keep them hidden from her. Now, since the Core dimension is linked to the other five dimensions, they can begin their search for Sasuke. In the meantime, Kaguya is shocked to see upon her return to the ice-world that all of the Naruto shadow clones still exist and doesn't understand why, since she believes she killed the real Naruto ending the chapter. Another solid chapter, mainly because it's just the continuation of this lengthy battle.

#685 – This chapter starts off with a recap of what happened in the Core dimension. Then you switch back to the ice-world and Kaguya realizes she was tricked. Then the scene shifts back to Sakura and Obito, where Sakura is pouring her Hyaku-gou chakra into him, so he can use his Samui ability to search the other dimensions for Sasuke. You then shift back to the ice-world where Kaguya is pissed off at being tricked and is laying waste to the Naruto clones. Suddenly, she notices that the real Naruto has the Gudou-dama spheres behind him and the clones don't. Once more the shift switches back to Obito and Sakura and after nearly getting fried by opening a dimension containing a sea of acid. They finally open a portal to the desert world Sasuke is on, but their so low on chakra it doesn't look like Sasuke is going to make it to the portal in time to escape. Sakura of course is wailing "Sasuke-kun" left and right and when the portal closes, she starts to collapse in grief, when suddenly Sasuke is there catching her. Sasuke explains his power allowed him to close the distance in an instant ending the chapter. An ok chapter, but it lacked any real excitement to it.

#686 – This chapter begins with Hagoromo informing the four Edo-Tensei Hokages what has been happening and that he has a plan to stop Kaguya, but he needs chakra and for them to do exactly as he says. The story moves back to Kaguya attacking the Naruto with the Gudou-dama spheres, but at the last second two clones save him sacrificing their lives. This act confirms to Kaguya and Zetsu that he's the real Naruto. Kaguya makes a concerted effort to kill Naruto and it appears she does just as Obito, Sasuke, and Sakura return to the ice-world. However, Naruto has tricked Kaguya once again, as he gave his Gudou-dama spheres to one of his clones, while he reunited with Sasuke and the others.

Kaguya and Zetsu decide they can't hold back anymore and must kill Naruto and Sasuke. So Kaguya transports everyone to another dimension and world this one being a super-gravity dimension. However, even Kaguya is affected by the gravity of this dimension and misses with her attack to kill Naruto and Sasuke because of it. She and Zetsu adjust for this and attack again with Kakashi and Obito racing to act as a shield for Naruto and Sasuke. It doesn't look like they will make it, but what I can only guess is the spirit of Rin appears and places them in front Naruto and Sasuke in time. Just as both Obito and Kakashi are about to be impaled, Obito saves Kakashi and sacrifices himself, ending the chapter. Overall a better chapter than the previous one, as it had a lot more action to it.

#687 – This chapter begins with Obito explaining to Kakashi that he's still needed for the future, while he himself is finished. Naruto attempts to save him once again, but Obito is too far gone. Zetsu begins to deride and mock Obito's life, before Sasuke launches a chidori attack that Kaguya barely escapes from, before sending everyone back to the Core dimension. Sasuke decides to attack once more, while telling Naruto to quit trying to save Obito. The Uchiha brat activates his Susanoo at attacks Kaguya once again, while Obito goes into this emotional soliloquy saying goodbye to Naruto and the others. You then get a brief memory of Obito with Rin, before Obito makes one last declaration before he crumbles away that Naruto will become Hokage. I suppose this is a positive sign that Kishimoto may not screw Naruto over and make Sasuke the next Hokage, as I've feared he might do, but I just don't know? Zetsu mocks Obito's passing, which infuriates Naruto and he joins in with Sasuke in attacking Kaguya. Naruto is so pissed off he literally rips the arm and sleeve off of Kaguya where Zetsu has been hiding in. The chapter ends with Obito reuniting with Rin in the afterlife. A sad chapter for the most part, but that doesn't make it a bad chapter.

#688 – This chapter starts with Obito deciding he needs to return however briefly to I'm theorizing Kakashi's mindscape to remind him not to go sacrificing his life, as he needs to precede Naruto as the next Hokage, with Naruto to follow him. Meanwhile, Naruto unleashes his Chou Bijuu Rasenshuriken attack, which is him and eight of his shadow clones create nine Rasenshuriken, each reflecting the special abilities and chakra natures of a specific tailed beast and nails Kaguya with it big time. This attack injures her so bad she loses control of the 10-tailed chakra she has and morphs into this amalgamated blob of all the bijuu. This monstrosity begins attacking everyone and it looks like Sakura is about to be killed by it. Suddenly a gigantic Susanoo arrives and saves her. Everyone is shocked to see that it's Kakashi with two functioning and very powerful Sharingan eyes. Apparently this was Obito's final gift to Kakashi, before he finally moved on. Another good chapter and enjoyable chapter and I really liked seeing Kakashi back and better than ever.

Yes, I'm still thoroughly disgusted that Kishimoto hasn't done anything yet with Hinata's confession to Naruto now reaching 251 freaking issues!

Now I'd like to give a shout out to a couple of stories of quality work that I recommend. I urge all of you to check-out these fine works when you have the time.

Recommendations:

"Confessions?" by Pencilfreak17: This is a just a sweet and romantic one-shot revolving around the best couple in the Naruto universe NarutoxHinata. Since it's a one-shot I don't want to spoil anything for you, but if you're looking for emotionally touching romantic read, this is definitely a story worth reading.

"Staying the Night" by Grinja: This is a Bleach story and is only three chapters along so far, but it's a very well written and interesting story surrounding a burgeoning romantic relationship between Ichigo and Rangiku. This story also has some of the hottest lemon scenes I've ever read as well. I debated a long time whether or not to recommend this story to all my readers. Not from a quality standpoint as I said it is very well written. No, my dilemma comes from the fact the author hasn't updated this magnificent story in over five years. Now his profile page, which was updated a few months ago, says "It's been awhile since I've written anything and I'm getting in the habit again." So I guess what I'm hoping for is that he'll resume writing this story again if he suddenly gets a boost in new readers and reviews for it. However, while I highly recommend what is already there, I can understand if people don't want to get invested into a story that may never resume.

Now please be kind and leave precious valuable reviews on these stories.

As always, if anyone wants to discuss my story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with any readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can.

Take it easy and be good!

Kingkakashi

School Time:

Blasé

Definition: Having or showing indifference or a lack of excitement or interest in something.

Etymology: French to Dutch 1810-1820a.d.

Part of Speech: Adjective