I'M ALIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

For the guest reviewer, I only have this to say. FUCK YOU! IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY I WRITE THEN WHY THE BLOODY FUCKING HELL DID YOU READ MY STORY?!

That said, ON TO THE STORY!

"We ready to start?" Iruka asks with a smile as the others nod.

Reunion

Umino Iruka was on needles and pins (pins and needles actually). He had arrived at a park near the Governor's mansion this morning. The former instructor had sent two short chakra flares up and was desperately waiting for contact. Soon, Naruto's shadow clone appeared near him under the henge of an old man. He flared his chakra from the other side of the terrace they were on and Iruka came over to join him on the bench the clone was sitting on. "Umino Iruka, Chuunin ninja of Konoha; pleased to make your acquaintance." He saw the henged man's eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets.

"Still shocking to see you WITHOUT your scar Iruka-sensei." Naruto says, getting nods from Hinata, Ino, and Shikamaru. Iruka just chuckles in amusement.

Naruto's clone said with a tremor in his voice, "Iruka-sensei, is that really you? You look so young and you don't have that scar across your face. I know you're not under a henge like I am. Hell, your voice is a little higher."

Iruka was taken aback. This person knew him! He asked, "Please tell me who you are."

After a pause, the clone answered, "It's me Iruka-sensei; Uzumaki Naruto -ttebayo! Why do you look different? More importantly; have you found a place where we could get RAMEN?" ….There was only one person in the universe that would ask such an inane question at a time like this. Iruka looked into the blue eyes of the clone and saw so many emotions. It was truly Naruto. Naruto's clone babbled, "I'm so glad you're alive Iruka-sensei! I almost killed you last night." The clone said in a whisper.

"I was hoping he WOULDN'T inherit your verbal tick Kushina-hime." Minato says with a groan. Kushina just blushes, along with Naruto.

Iruka reassured him, "It's alright Naruto. Everything's all right." They wanted to hug each other like brothers but they couldn't make a scene.

The clone asked, "Why do you look so young Iruka-sensei?" Iruka explained, "When they cloned us, they wanted 16–17-year-olds at the prime of their life. Also, my scar is gone because it wasn't genetic."

The clone smiled. "It really is you, sensei. I can't tell you how happy I am. The others will be thrilled!"

Iruka and Naruto talked briefly, explaining their missions to each other. Naruto's clone said in a dark tone, "Once we finish our guard duty, Wellbutrin will be wide open. Meet us on Cymbalta."

Iruka was taken by surprise. "How do you want to meet up? Anko and I have never been to Cymbalta."

The clone answered, "When you enter the main port, go to docking bay 391. Our ship, the Misfire, is there. Give the code, 'The Will of Fire' and our droid Doc will let you aboard if we aren't in."

Iruka smiled, "Anko and I will be there."

Naruto's clone asked, "How did you end up with the crazy snake lady?"

Iruka blushed. "It's a long story Naruto, we'll explain when we meet up."

The clone replied, "All right; I'll let boss and the others know."

Iruka asked, "Boss?"

The clone smirked, "I'm a shadow clone." The clone quickly got out of sight and dispelled.

Iruka thought amusedly, 'I should have known Naruto would send a clone. I can't wait to tell Anko we aren't alone anymore!'

That evening, Naruto and the others boarded the High Rider along with Counselor Wellbutrin. Once aboard, they set up a much more relaxed guard duty. The three-day trip to Cymbalta was peaceful and the counselor just hid in his room. After they landed; they escorted the lecherous counselor back to his mansion and turned in their mission papers to the guild. They were glad to have the money but were mainly glad they could go back to the Misfire and relax. They were mentally and physically exhausted.

"No doubt. You certainly chose a good code to use gaki." Jiraiya says with a lecherous grin, only to be punched in the back of the head curtesy of Tsunade.

The still sore Anko and Iruka arrived at the ship three days later. They were soon embraced by the (mentally) younger ninja and were overjoyed to have comrades again. Iruka asked, "Can you help Anko? She's still recovering from her injuries."

Ino answered, "Sure! Hinata and I know medical ninjutsu."

Anko grunted out with a pained expression, "Thank God! My ribs are killing me."

The sheepish Hinata said, "Sorry Anko-san."

Anko smiled and said, "Just call me Anko; you kids capitalized on me being complacent. If I had gone into that fight knowing ninja were there, you wouldn't have defeated me so easily."

Hinata and Ino thought the same thing in unison, 'That was easily?'

Soon, the group was all discussing the Wellbutrin issue and how they had escaped their captors and ended up where they were. Naruto spoke, "Counselor Wellbutrin is scum. If he hadn't been our client, we would have killed him ourselves by now."

Anko happily exclaimed, "once we off him, the 'Two Shadows' will finally be able to disappear. I was sick to death of killing people."

Iruka agreed and asked, "As was I. Do you think we can join your guild for work Naruto?"

The blond knucklehead answered, "I don't see why not sensei. Once you've wrapped up this last job, we'll take you down there to apply at the guild."

A week later, Honorable Counselor Desyrel Wellbutrin was found dead face down in his Jacuzzi. Apparently, no one knew how that electrical appliance ended up in the water with him. He was fried as crispy as bacon….It was a pathetic end to a corrupt and pathetic man.

Anko and Iruka joined the guild and started training the younger ninja with more advanced techniques. Anko helped Ino wither her Taijutsu. Ino took to Anko's snake style like a fish to water with her acrobatic body. The others weren't lax either. Iruka taught Naruto about barrier ninjutsu for both offensive and defensive purposes. There were a few minor earth jutsus he was able to pass along to Ino and Shikamaru because they were both earth release types. Between everyone sparring with different fighting styles and learning from each other, the team was now stronger than ever.

"What element are you aligned to anyways son?" Minato asks. "Wind." Naruto replied, getting a pout from Kushina (who was hoping her sochi-kun had a water affinity like her).

The only dark cloud was the encrypted data on the Misfire. They hoped they could break the code but none of them were tech savvy enough to do so. Anko and Iruka knew an info dealer on Corellia that could probably break it but it would cost a fortune. They decided it was worth it since it could lead them to other ninja groups, but for now, they would concentrate on building up some capital via the guild. Since there were six of them now, it was much more reasonable to take on higher level missions.

"More people mean less risks taken." Minato says with a nod.

The Extermination Job

Finding a high paying mission took time. They finally negotiated one on another Paxil colony, the planet Sarafem. The world of Sarafem was known for its agriculture and lush plains. It was the bread-basket of the Paxil colonies. Apparently, there was a massive outbreak of Urcaninus (large canine like creatures also known as Early Death Dogs) that were eating livestock and even a few people. The planet's regional overseer had put out a mission a couple of months ago to destroy the creatures before they caused more damage.

"So, we have to put down overgrown mutts? BORINGGGGGG!" Anko says with a groan.

Anko complained, "So essentially our job will be to put down a bunch of overgrown mutts? Boringgg."

Shikamaru commented, "We also need to see where they are coming from. They aren't native to that world and masses of them popped up out of nowhere."

Ino asked, "What else do we know Shika?"

The Nara replied, "Well, it seems they eat red and blue meat, are nocturnal and very irritable and aggressive. Here's a picture," he said activating the holographic display. It showed a muscular creature with two massive fangs and some impressive claws as well.

"Looks like something that belongs in the Forest of Death." Anko says with a cheerful smile, getting shivers from the Genin.

Naruto spoke his opinion. "Damn, what an ugly critter."

Hinata analyzed, "Precise strikes to the brain and spine would be the best bet seeing as they can soak up a lot of damage with that much body mass."

Naruto nodded his head. "I agree Hinata-chan. We should try out those blasters and rifles we've been learning to use but I figure a kunai in the head will shut them down much faster. Any ideas Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka smiled and said, "You don't have to call me sensei anymore Naruto. We're equals. But back topic; I don't understand why they are attacking in large groups. Aren't they supposed to be solitary?"

Shikamaru nodded his head in agreement. "That's what I read Iruka. I guess we'll find out soon enough."

The Misfire landed smoothly on a very modest docking pad where a messenger was waiting to take them to the overseer. She led them to a small official building where the overseer was waiting. She said, "This is the overseer's office. Please enter." And ushered them in.

The overseer was a large, stocky human in his early 50's. he looked over them with a critical eye and then spoke. "Hello and welcome to Sarafem. I hope you do better than the last two teams." Everyone thought, 'Last two teams?'

Shikamaru spoke up. "We were unaware anyone was sent ahead of us."

The overseer looked surprised. "You weren't told?! Damn guild….There was a team of four two months ago that was completely wiped out and a more heavily armed team of eight a month ago that had one survivor. He's at the hospital minus an arm. I'd advise you go talk to him before you set out. If you're unprepared, you'll end up like the other two teams."

"Damn. They must be really vicious." Tsunade says with a frown.

Shikamaru groaned to himself and commented, "Troublesome, this job is going to be a real drag. Can you direct us to the hospital so we can talk to the survivor? He might have vital information that can help us."

The overseer nodded. "Certainly, I'll have my page take you over there."

Soon, Naruto and Shikamaru were talking to the survivor of the last team at the hospital. The survivor said, "You'll need armor piercing weapons. A blaster shot will burn them and hurt them but it will also piss them off. Then they don't stop attacking until they're dead."

Naruto asked, "Didn't you try to pick them off from a distance?"

The injured man nodded. "We did but it was ineffective. You have to get close to hit a vital point unless you have a good sniper with a high-powered scope and rifle, we didn't. it was strange. The dogs would wander around erratically and we'd take them down one at a time. We were doing well. Then we chased a couple into some rolling hills and valleys and a swarm of them came over the hilltops down onto us. You can see how I ended up and I was the lucky one."

"Always best to get more information before rushing into things." Anko says with a grin. Naruto just grumbles about his first C-Rank mission.

Shikamaru commented, "Sounds like a well-planned ambush to me. Was someone directing them somehow?"

The man said with a puzzled look on his face, "What you say makes sense but I don't know what could control those beasts. I saw a domesticated one once and the only way it was kept in line was high-powered shock collars and fences. It seemed feral even then."

The Nara ended the conversation with "Thank you for your time, sir. You may have saved us from making a serious mistake. Come on Naruto." They quickly walked down the hall towards the exit to meet up with the others.

Naruto asked, "Shika, why did you ask me to come along?"

The shadow user replied, "You are our leader Naruto. You would have made a great Hokage and I always planned to be your advisor. The others feel the same way."

Naruto smiled softly, "Thanks Shika, you don't know how much that means to me."

The group quickly traded notes on what they had discovered. Ino stated, "….In other words, these blasters and blaster rifles won't do us much good. Glad we already kind of figured that."

Naruto asked, "What all did you find out while we were at the hospital guys?"

Hinata spoke up, "The locals are superstitious and scared. They are angry about the loss of farm animals but frightened enough that they run at the sight of the Urcaninus. They think it's some sort of sign or something. Ino and I didn't find out anything about them attacking locals except for rumors. That and the larger groups of them come from the East."

Anko growled, "Wish I could still summon my snakes; they could scout them out." Like Naruto, Anko's summoning contract was gone.

Iruka said, "At least we have Hinata's Byakugan. That's a huge plus for us. Anko and I checked around and it seems that the dogs actually stop and turn away when they get too close to the large populated areas. They haven't killed many colonists but those that they have were actively hunting them and may have provoked a response from the dogs. The only time large groups of those dogs have gathered was when a hunting party was out after them. It was as if they knew they would need a larger group to counter the threat."

"The lazy ass has a point gaki (brat)." Tsunade says with a small grin towards the whiskered blonde. Naruto just smiles back. Kushina squeals while Minato has a proud grin on his face.

Naruto growled. "This whole thing smells like a setup. Someone is controlling these critters. We need to get the lay of the land and where the creatures have previously attacked. Maybe there's a pattern. From what the guy in the hospital said, they simply went out there and started shooting anything close. They didn't take anything into account except that the dogs were causing trouble. We need to stop this at the source, not shoot random animals."

"That is the smartest thing I've ever heard you say Naruto." Ino says with a shocked look, getting a pout from Naruto. Hinata just gives Naruto a pat on the back consolingly.

Ino smirked. "Wow Naruto. I don't know what to say. That plan is well thought out. Are you sick?"

Naruto mumbled, "I get no respect…." As Hinata patted his back. He started again, "I guess we'll need a fast transport so we can cover a lot of area quickly; does anyone know how to drive a land speeder?" Silence. Sweat drops appeared on everyone's heads. Naruto shook his head, dismayed. "Oh boy….well, one problem at a time. Hinata and I will go to find some topography maps. Shikamaru and Ino can look for incident reports we can to the map….and Anko and Iruka-sensei can find a speeder for the six of us. Just make sure it's easy to drive please." He said with a pleading voice.

"No respect." Naruto pouts while Hinata just smiles and pats his back.

Iruka smiled. "We'll do our best Naruto."

Naruto exclaimed, "Alright! We'll meet back at the Misfire in a few hours. Let's go Hinata-chan!" Hinata took Naruto's hand and they were off.

That evening, on the Misfire:

Everyone was busy. Shikamaru and Iruka were drawing all the points of attack on the maps they acquired. Hinata was getting dinner ready (unlike the others, she could actually cook) while she listened to Doc drone on about one of the many wars he had experienced. Ino and Anko were getting the weapons of choice cleaned and ready. They concluded that a larger vibro-dagger would be ideal for cutting the beasts' hides and made sure there were enough for everyone.

"Always best to prepare all your gear before a mission." Jiraiya says with sagely, getting snorts from both Minato and Naruto, causing a rain cloud to hover over the self-proclaimed "super pervert" who mumbles about "no respect".

Naruto was in sage-mode, meditating up in the cockpit. He could sense the others in the ship, the nearby city and several clusters where ranchers and farmers families lived out on the plains. He was reaching out, trying to find large concentrations of life forms to the east. Perhaps he could find the breeding grounds of these dogs. That's when he sensed someone else using natural energy. Naruto was shocked. 'What? Another sage?' His eyes suddenly clicked open and he saw Hinata. "Naruto-kun; come and eat. I don't want you to miss dinner."

"WHAT?!" "THATTA BOY!" Both Jiraiya and Minato shout at the same time, one in disbelief and the other in pride. Naruto just gives Jiraiya a smug grin.

Naruto nodded. "Thanks, Hinata-chan. I'll be right there." 'This complicates things,' he thought.

Iruka asked, "So you're saying someone else that can use sage-mode is out there by the dogs Naruto? Do you think it's our puppet master?"

Naruto sighed and said, "I'm not sure but if he or she is skilled enough, yes. I never thought of using natural energy to control animals but I'm sure it could be done if one was attuned enough to that particular animal. I sensed this person was as shocked as I was when I made contact. I have no doubt they know I'm here."

"I think Pa said something like that once when he started my sage training." Jiraiya remarks.

Shikamaru drawled out, "I know it's troublesome but could you pinpoint them on the map?"

Naruto retorted, "It's not that troublesome Shikamaru but I'd say around here." As he pointed to an enclosed valley on the map.

Anko frowned. "That's a perfect place to set up a trap like the other group fell into." She said.

Meanwhile, an ancient being sat in the very valley that Naruto pointed out on the map. He thought aloud, "So they've sent a Jedi here, have they? I never dreamed one would come here for insignificant old me. But I won't give it up! Do I try to flee or negotiate? I don't really know if the strength to fight is in these old bones and I really am tired of hiding. He's young and strong. He'll be here soon….I may just have to accept facing him as destiny."

"Destiny, shmestiny. There's no such thing as Fate and Destiny!" Naruto proclaims with passion.

The next morning, the ninjas were up early and ready to go. After a few mishaps because of Anko's need for speed, they were underway on the land speeder. They estimated the valley was about 50 miles away from their location. They spotted a few Urcaninus here and there but none attacked. They were under the impression that the creatures were watching them intently.

Ino soon confirmed this using her clan's powers. She said, "It's as if we're being watched by someone looking through the eyes of a summoned creature. Didn't Itachi do that with crows Naruto?"

Naruto replied, "Yes Ino; he did. Whoever we are facing is very dangerous."

The number of dogs watching them actually grew steadily the closer they got to the valley. At the valley's entrance, they stopped and wheeled the speeder around to make a quick escape. The ancient human hobbled out to see them. He wore long brown robes and a hood that covered his face. "I will talk with the Jedi." Was all he said.

Iruka took the lead and said, "No one here is a Jedi, elder." Both Iruka and Anko knew of the Jedi and Sith Orders from their travels but from the looks on the other's faces, he realized none of them knew what the old man was talking about.

The old man rasped, "The blond male, he touched my mind last night through the Force. I know why he is here. I will face him alone."

Naruto was taken aback. 'Jedi? What the hell is this old man on about?' He started, "Look old man…."

The elder responded. "Come face me and your friends will be unhurt. Otherwise, my dogs will tear them apart. I know the Jedi Order sent you to find me but I will not go back. Draw your Light Saber."

Naruto spoke in an even tone. "Old man; I'm a ninja, not a Jedi or whatever you call them. I was meditating last night using natural energy and sensed you might know something about these dog attacks." Then Naruto got deadly serious. He activated his sage mode. "But if you threaten my friends, I will take you down….the choice is yours."

The ancient Jedi was baffled! He sensed no lies from the boy but this child was throwing off incredible amounts of energy. Given training, he would be easily on par with a Jedi master. He stood no chance against this 'ninja.' At the old man's hand motion, the dogs slowly withdrew from the ridge around the valley; going back to whatever they were doing. "It seems there has been a misunderstanding on my part. Please come in. your friends are in no danger." Naruto hesitated but the old man continued, "I give you my word as a former Jedi Knight."

"Gaki, what the hell did you do?!" Jiraiya demands of Naruto. "I just perfected the use of Sage Mode without the need for Ma and Pa to fuse with me since the Fox prevented them from fusing with me anyways." Naruto says with a shrug.

Shikamaru urged Naruto forward. "It's alright Naruto, go ahead and go. We'll wait here."

Naruto answered, "Alright." As he followed the old Jedi.

Naruto sat across from the old man in his modest home. The old Jedi said, "I am Deluvion. I left the Jedi Order in exile fifty years ago after seeing the horrors of war with the Sith. I was originally from the Corellian system. Tell me young one, what is the name I should call you by?"

The younger of the pair answered with, "Um, I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I was born on a planet your people call Edo. I was recently cloned back to life though I don't know why."

The old hermit exclaimed, "EDO?! That place is cursed. The Jedi Order forbid anyone to look for it. It was said all life was destroyed there by some kind of war thousands of years ago."

Naruto's tone took a dark expression. "I was in that war old man. I died in that war. It's no myth. 10,000 years ago, Uchiha Madara destroyed all life there, claiming it was for peace." Naruto calmed down. "Someone found the remains of my people and started cloning us back to life. They said the chakra we could use could offset 'Force users' which is what I'm guessing you are."

"Stupid Madara. Stupid Black Zetsu. Stupid Kaguya." Naruto grumbles with a glare.

Deluvion sat for a moment. "Your description of this 'Sage chakra' is almost identical to what we call 'The Force.' I have to admit I'm shocked to meet someone from Edo but the 'other' energy I sensed from you and your friends must be this 'chakra' you speak of. You are powerful; you could bend others to your will with that power."

Naruto quickly stated, "I don't want to bend anyone. I only want people to truly understand one another. That is what my old master taught me. That is the way to true peace."

"…." Deluvion was dumbfounded. He thought he was going to be slain by this boy in mortal combat only to find that the youngster was an idealist who held no aggression against him at all. The old Jedi took on a much more friendly tone. "Naruto; why don't we invite your friends in for the night? It is cold outside and I feel we have much to talk about."

Naruto smiled. "That's what I wanted to hear!" He said popping a shadow clone out to summon the others.

Deluvion asked, "How did you do that? It was simply amazing!"

Naruto smirked and simply said, "Chakra."

They spent the evening and the following day speaking with Deluvion. The old Jedi said, "I didn't realize my dogs got that far out of hand. There were only four of them when I hid here 50 years ago. Tell the colonists, I will pull them back around the valley. Any random ones are beyond my reach. If they are causing problems on that big of a scale then the colonists should put them down. As long as they don't send mass hunting parties into my territory." He motioned to a small area on the map, "the dogs under my influence will leave them alone. I'm terribly sorry for their suffering. It seems I've disturbed the ecology on this world. Just don't tell them my name. the Jedi want me because I have something very valuable that they think is theirs." Then the ancient man got a gleam in his eye. It was similar to the one Naruto sported before he pulled a prank. "Will you grant this old hermit a personal favor Naruto?"

Jiraiya just ruffles Naruto's hair as a show of affection for the comment about what Jiraiya taught about finding a way to true peace.

Naruto answered hesitantly. "As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, yes." The old Jedi cackled, "Wonderful!" And went in the back of his home and rummaged around. "Here it is!" They heard from the back room. Deluvion returned with a wooden box in his wrinkled hands. "I know I said that you could benefit from Force training as a way to continue and improve your sage training. This will help you do it. Open it up." Naruto opened the box and found a hexagonal crystal and a cylinder. Deluvion spoke with reverence, "This is all that remains of my late master. I loved him as a father." He said in a sad tone. "This is my master's light saber and the Holocron passed through his family."

"Troublesome. Family heirlooms are a pain to deal with." Shikamaru says with a groan.

Naruto asked, "What do they do? A light saber sounds like a weapon."

Deluvion motioned to the saber. "Point that end away from us all and touch the switch Naruto." Naruto activated the switch and with a snap-hiss, a silver light saber blade emerged. Deluvion continued, "That will cut through almost anything but another light saber blade. It was passed through my master's family through generations and he bequeathed it and his family's holocron to me before he passed. I now bequeath it unto you Uzumaki Naruto."

"That looks like Granduncle Tobirama's Raijin no Ken (Sword of the Thunder God)." Tsunade says at the sight of the lightsaber.

Naruto was a bit awed and asked, "What was your master's name Deluvion?"

Deluvion replied with a toothy grin. "Now where would be the fun in that? Use your natural energy and meditate while focusing upon this holocron. You will find training and tales from the past that will spark your imagination! Just tell the gatekeeper my name and he will start your training. With enough of it, you might even learn proper respect for your elders." The old hermit said with a smile.

Naruto lamented, "Everybody's a critic."

"Agreed." Naruto says with a pout. Both Jiraiya and Tsunade just harumph at the lack of proper respect that Naruto gives them.

Well, this certainly took some time but here is chapter 5.