Chapter 19: Homecoming

"How does it feel to be back gaki?" The booming voice of jiraiya asked as he and Naruto walked down the streets of konoha side by side.

"It feels good Ero-sannin." Naruto said taking a deep breath the whole village felt more alive than it had when he left, maybe it was due to the increased trade between the great 5, maybe it was the jingoism of winning yet another war. Naruto wasn't sure but it made him feel peaceful.

"I'm sure it'll only feel greater tonight when you and you're ladies get to action." Jiriya teased wiggling his eyebrows causing Naruto to blush and stutter.

"I-I have no Idea what you're saying Ero-sannin." Naruto said with a glare he directed towards his master.

"Hmm your face says otherwise." Jiriya said nonchalantly.

"Naruto-sama has returned." Naruto heard within the crowd that moved through the ever busy streets of Konoha.

"Really? The hero of the war?"

"Wow he's really grown up… I wonder if he could father my children." A female voice could be heard.

"I heard he defeated the Mizukage single handedly." Naruto blushed at the praise as it seemed tales of his exploits had made its round through konoha.

"Someone has a devoted fan base already and it took just one war." Jiraiya said, nudging his student in the ribs lightly. Saying nothing the two continued on towards the kage tower though Naruto half expected to be tackled by his siblings.

"Also Naruto I know we just returned but the toad clan wants to teach you sage mode… But I suppose that can wait." Jiriya said with a sigh the two had just returned after all.

"Already planning on training my son more ay Jiraiya-sensei?" Came the voice of one Minato Namikaze.

"Tou-san!" Naruto shouted and hugged his father who happily returned the hug standing just a bit taller than his son.

"My Naruto-kun you've grown mighty tall while you were gone I'm glad you're home." He said with a light smile as he stepped back looking at his son with pride.

"How did you know we had returned?" Jiriya asked, having forgotten to send a toad to let them know they were returning today.

"I felt the Kunai I had given Naruto coming closer so I figured he was in the village." Minato said, causing Jiriya to shake his head.

"How Could I not figure that out?" He said as Naruto snapped his fingers pulling out a kunai handing it to his dad.

"Hey Tou-san… Could you do me a favor and place this in your office really quick?" Naruto asked as Minato looked at the kunai curiously. It wasn't one of his kunai nor did it seem unique.

"Sure?" Minato said perhaps his son had figured out his signature jutsu? He pondered on this as he teleported to his office placing the kunai on the ground. His eyes widened in shock as Naruto appeared in his office as soon as he set the kunai on the ground. However that shock quickly grew into pride and joy.

"You figured it out huh?" Minato said happily as Naruto nodded with a smile.

"It took a long time… even with your's and Tobirama's notes on the jutsu it took a long time for me to craft my own seal matrix. It took even longer to be able to actually use it but by the time we began to return to Konoha I had almost mastered the jutsu." Naruto explained all this to his father who looked at the seal matrix that had formed on the kunai.

"You said you almost mastered the jutsu?" Minato asked looking up to his son who nodded.

"Well when I used multiple kunai at once I still have a hard time distinguishing between the individual ones like you're scrolls talked about but I'm getting there." Naruto explained to his father who nodded.

While Harashin could be a devastating jutsu to use on the battlefield that was only possible if one had full control over which Kunai or marker they moved to. It had taken Minato a long time himself to figure out but it made him feared on the battlefields of the third war. When enough kunai littered the battlefield it made it possible for one to move quickly from one side of the battle to another cutting a wave of destruction through the enemy.

"Give it time and I'm sure you'll figure it out… to have even made your own seal matrix and be able to use it by the age of 17… It's simply amazing." Minato praised as Jiraiya finally entered through his window rather angry.

"You brat you could have given me a warning that you were going to do that." He told his student who simply shrugged.

"Should have learned Harashin." He replied nonchalant causing the man to rub the bridge of his nose.

"Whatever brag all you want that you one upped me with one jutsu I still have years of experience over you." Jiriya began only to see both Minato and Naruto weren't listening to him.

"Come back to me when you can teleport." Naruto said with a shrug causing Jiriya to pout.

"Well at least I have a moniker." Jiriya told Naruto who began to pout as a rain cloud formed over him. While many high class shinobi gained monikers such as the sannin, the Kiiroi Senkō, and even the copy cat ninja just to name a few Naruto had yet to. It was almost a badge of honor that you were worthy enough to gain a name among the elite of the world.

"Mah Mah Jiraiya-sensei I'm sure Naruto will gain a moniker rather quickly considering the renown he has already gained from the war." Minato tried to cheer up his son who took the bait perking up slightly at that. "Oh also Naruto… Seeing as you are married and at that age where you are more interested in girls uh me and your mother have expanded the clan compounded. You're room has been moved into the new house which should be big enough to accommodate the large family you are required to have. Everyone you're married to has already been moved in." Minato explained to the teen who nodded scratching his head. Naruto missed his wives having not been able to spend much time with them being called away constantly.

"Anyways we're having dinner for your return tonight so go ahead and go home while me and sensei discuss some matters." Minato told Naruto who gave a mock salute before shushining away. Minato turned to his sensei as their faces turned seriously.

"So Sensei… what level would you say Naruto is at?" Minato asked it had only been two and a half years but when all you were doing was training that was quite a bit of time.

"When we left Naruto was certainly a high chunin low jounin at a B level… But now I would say he's High A level and nearing elite jounin level." Jiriya told his student who sighed.

"Still not S class level huh?" Minato asked he knew that this would probably be true but he was hoping that S class would be in Naruto's reach.

"He has the knowledge and talent he just needs the experience before I would put him on that level… Well more experience." Jiriya told his student. While a war hardened a shinobi it wasn't enough to make them S classes. That came with lots of experience and time as a shinobi on top of raw skill and talent.

"And the Akatsuki?" Minato asked as Jiriya sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well there have been reports of them being spotted in one country but there hasn't been much concrete about them… But they have clearly become more active." Jiriya informed the fourth hokage. Minato returned the sigh as he turned his chair around looking towards his village.

Naruto arrived at his clan's compound in a swirl of leaves as he took a deep breath happy to finally be home. Using his sensor skills Naruto noted that the compound was empty except for him. Looking around Naruto saw that the walls had been expanded as two houses had been added. He assumed the smaller one was for zabuza who had returned to the village.

Looking at the other house which was much bigger Naruto walked towards it with a somewhat bated breath after all this was his own home. Opening the door carefully Naruto took off his sandals, setting them at the entrance. There was a long hall way with three doors connected to it and one room at the end. A flight of stairs was on the left hand of the hallway. Deciding to explore the first floor Naruto opened the first door on the left. It opened to a simple Kitchen and dining room with another door leading to the back of the house.

Walking through the kitchen he noted the used dishes in the sink and entered what the hallway was connected to as well and this was a large living room with a large couch enough for quite a few people. There was also a book shelf which had pictures of him, Yugito, Kurosutchi and Temari on it. There was also a picture of their wedding day that made Naruto smile. There was also a picture of all of them before he left on his trip.

Heading back into the hall way the first door that was once again on his left was a simple bathroom so he decided to walk down to what was the first door on the right when he entered. Opening the door he came into a dogo filled with different weapons and practice dummies.

Turning around Naruto decided to finally head upstairs. There were 5 rooms in total connected to the main hallway. Each of them were marked with different names, the first on the left being temari, the second on the left being Yugito and the first on the right was Kurostuchi. Finally Naruto noted his name being the second one on the right entering the room it opened to a large room filled with bookshelves filled to the brim with books and scrolls. Seated in front of the window was a desk with a note and a couple of books.

Walking over Naruto first looked at the books which were all advanced books on fuinjutsu with a note saying they were from kushina. Naruto smiled before he turned his attention to the note.

Naruto

With this being our house now we figured we would all like our own spaces, this is your space which we figured you would like a study for working on new seals as well as jutsu concepts. We bought as many books as we could over the past couple years that might help with your studies. We also have a bookshelf with literature for fun as its useful to relax your mind sometimes.

WE all share one bedroom however as I'm sure you have noted only one bed.

The girls

Naruto set the note with a smile as he went around the room there were so many books on different subjects within a certain field. Each Bookshelf was marked accordingly with 6 in total. There was Ninjutsu, Fuinjutsu, Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu as well as the fun shelf. Naruto looked at them all and it had books ranging from basic information to more advanced concepts.

Leaving his room Naruto returned to the hall looking to the final door at the end of the hallway, Entering it Naruto looked around seeing just one king size bed with 4 dressers as well as what he assumed was a large walk in closet. Each of the dressers were marked according once again for all the residents. There was also obviously room for more dressers and what not.

Sighing, Naruto sat down on the bed which was rather comfortable, fully laying his back down on it the teen let out a long sigh as it felt like all his muscles decompressed at once.

"It's good to be home." He said wearily as he stared up at the ceiling fan which turned lazily. Despite being autumn in Hi no Kuni it was still rather warm so the breeze felt nice. Naruto layed there for a while simply enjoying the fact he wasn't walking anymore. While he didn't mind all the hiking it took its toll on the boy being on the move constantly.

Naruto felt himself about to pass out when he heard the click of the down stairs door being closed suddenly.

"I'm home." He heard a familiar voice say to no one in particular he was sure. Sitting up a large smile formed on his face as he walked out of the bedroom as quietly as he could. The boy heard footsteps coming up the stairs, so Naruto moved quickly to the top of them.

"So am I temari-chan." He said with a large smile as Temari stopped in the middle of the stairs looking at the teen. Naruto felt so happy to see his wife she had grown even more beautiful while he was gone. Her attire was completely different then it once was. Having exchanged her previous purple-coloured kimono for a short-sleeved, black kimono that reaches down to her legs, with slits along the side and a more revealing neckline. While she retains the red sash she liked tied around her waist, she now sports fingerless black gloves and wears her hiate-ate on her forehead.

"Na-Naruto-kun!" Temari shouted, rushing up the stairs smashing into his chest as she hugged the teen tightly, which Naruto happily returned. The two moved their lips together slowly embracing in a passionate kiss which separated into their two foreheads touching.

"I've missed you so much you knucklehead." Temari whispered lovingly causing the smile on Naruto's face to grow.

"I know I've missed you too." Naruto whispered back the two stood in that embrace for a long time not saying a word just enjoying each other's presence.

"Well well if it isn't the treefucker." Came a familiar voice as the door opened. "Welcome home." Kurosuchi finished walking up the stairs planting a simple kiss on Naruto's Cheek before walking into her room.

"Oh Naruto you're home." Yugitos voice said as well, entering the house with a smile walking upstairs she planted a kiss on Naruto's forehead before entering her own room as well.

"I would have thought they'd be happier." Naruto whispered to temari jokingly who laughed lightly.

"They're happy they're just having a hard time showing it is all." She informed him, causing Naruto to nod and smile. The two walked into the bedroom as Temari told Naruto what everyone was up to. Temari had made jounin and had become a team sensei to Genin Team 32, Yugito was working with one of the tracking platoons and Kurotsuchi had joined the intelligence and interrogation team.

"Sounds like everyone has been busy in their own ways." Naruto said with a large smile, happy his wives had integrated into Konoha well enough.

"It took time but we all had to find our own ways… I was more accustomed to Konoha seeing as I've lived here for so long now but it was hard to figure out my own path." Temari said as she changed into a simple black skirt with a red blouse Naruto blushed looking away. "You know I don't mind if you look right?" Temari teased

Naruto looked back to see she had left the blouse unbuttoned as she strutted over to Naruto placing her hands on his shoulders. Naruto for his part placed his hands on her hips as she pulled him into a kiss straddling the boy. Naruto returned the kiss as they sat there for a time making out without a care in the world.

"Um hey guys it's almost time for dinner." Yugito's voice called out, causing the two to blush and look at the door, seeing both Kurostuchi and Yugito standing there staring at the two. Kurostuchi walked over, whispering something into temari's ear causing the girl to laugh and nod.

"Get dressed mister we have dinner to attend and your clothes are filthy." Temari said to Naruto getting off the young man as she returned to getting ready. Naruto nodded as he walked over to his dresser. He elected to pull out a pair of black slacks and a dark orange dress shirt. Naruto barely noticed his wives staring at him as he changed in the room without a care in the world.

Turning around he saw that his wives were also dressed, Kurostuchi wore brown slacks with a red blouse which was unbuttoned at the top to show off her cleavage. Yugito wore a purple dress which went down below her knees all three of the girls looked at him waiting for the boy.

"Well let's get going." Naruto said leading the small procession out of the house with Temari taking Naruto's right arm while Yugito took his left and Kurosutchi elected to walk behind the two. The walk was rather short being that it was only across the yard the group ended up in front of the door with Naruto looking nervous.

Freeing his right arm Naruto rose it to the door hestitanting for a second before he knocked with the door flying open almost as soon as he knocked.

"Naru-chan!" Kushina shouted as she pulled her son into a hug rattling the boy before he eased into the hug himself.

"Kaa-chan." Naruto said happily before he felt himself glomped from the sides as well.

"Naruto-Nii!" Shouted his younger siblings their heads coming up to his waist now. Breaking free from his mother Naruto kneeled down before his siblings hugging them both separately and ruffling their hair.

"Its good to see you two Kaito... Aiko." Naruto said happily as he stood up his mother making way for the group to enter into the house and guiding them to the kitchen. Already waiting for them was Kakashi, Itachi, Mikoto, Shisui, Haku, Zabuza and finally Minato.

"Welcome home!" Everyone shouted at once causing Naruto to smile seeing everyone that had shown up to welcome him back to konoha. The part dispersed a slight bit as everyone formed their own groups with Naruto talking to everyone he could.

"So how was training with Jiraiya-sama?" Kakashi asked he was surprised that Naruto chose him first.

"It was really good Kakashi-Sensei. I gotta say I did miss having my team with me but knowing everyone here was waiting for me made it easier." Naruto told the man with a smile which Kakashi returned with an eye smile.

"Well I'm glad you look like some worthy of being a jounin now more than ever." Kakashi said, causing Naruto's smile to grow before a look of remembrance flashed on his face. Pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket Naruto unsealed a little box and handed it to Kakashi. Leaning in close Naruto whispered into his ear.

"Don't open this here otherwise Kaa-chan will probably murder you but it's a gift from Ero-Sannin on my behalf." Naruto told the man, causing him to look at the box in confusion before he stored it away in his back pouch.

"Anyways I have other people to talk with Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto told his old mentor as he walked over to Itachi and Shisui who looked at the teen with excitement.

"Hey Naruto! Glad to see you've returned to us." Shisui happily as he extended a fist to Naruto who happily bumped it.

"You look much more mature now Naruto-Kun I'm excited to see how much you've grown as a shinobi." Itachi said, offering a small smile of his own as he leaned in. "Anbu squad ro is also excited to have you back." Itachi told the teen who smiled happy that his brothers in arms were ready to welcome him back.

"I'm glad to hear that Itachi I'm sure I'll hear more about this soon." Naruto said with a smile which Naruto nodded to knowing he'd probably hear about it early in the morning.

"Hey gaki don't think you can forget about us." Zabuza's voice suddenly said as the swordsman pulled Naruto into a headlock ruffling his hair much to the teens annoyance as everyone laughed.

"Of course I wouldn't forget my sword instructor from hell." Naruto said as zabuza laughed finally letting go of the teen. "I'm happy to see you again zabuza." Naruto said with his normal smile.

"So are we Naruto-kun." Said Haku offering a small smile as she looked him over noticing how much he had grown over the years.

"I hope your sword skills haven't dolled over the years. You're one of the few shinobi who I believe will outmatch me one day." Zabuza said, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.

"Well of course they haven't hell I bet I can beat you now old man." Naruto said, causing Zabuza's grin to grow.

"Ow Mr. Hotshot over here care to put your money where your mouth is?" Zabuza asked, causing Naruto to grin and nod.

"Always." Naurto replied simply as the two stared each other down.

"Enough of that dinners served!" Kushina announced as everyone took their seats around the rather long table with Naruto at the head and Minato across from him. Temari took his right side and Kurotsuchi his left with Yugito sitting next to her. Everyone sat amongst their own groups once again conversing amongst each other as they ate.

Naruto watched this happy to be back with his family looking at his glass of water he noticed a chip in it form suddenly causing the teen to frown.

'I'm normally not that superstitious but that can't be good.' Naruto thought a frown, gracing his features for just a moment. However turned back to the festivities electing to ignore the glass for the moment.

Sunagakure at the Same time

Night had finally settled over the desert city as the activity increased with the cooler climate. Gaara of the sand sat in his fathers office as the two went over paperwork together. While it wasn't official yet Rasa had begun to prepare his son to succeed him having grown weary of the role of hokage.

Over the city flew a large grey creature carrying a man who looked down at the city in glee. This man wore a black robe adorned with red clouds and a straw hat that hid any details of who he might be. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out what looked like clay formed into spiders.

"May my art reach far." He said simply as he turned his hand over the clay spiders floating downward. Feeling something was wrong Gaara sat straight in his chair.

"Excuse me father." He said suddenly as he stood up leaving the office causing Rasa to look at his child confused. However he felt something was off himself as he looked out the window at his village.

Walking up to rooftop Gaara took a deep calming breath, the air was still hot and filled with dust but it was better than being trapped in doors. Leaning on a railing Gaara saw what looked like a spider sitting at the rail.

"What's this?" He said to himself the spider looked abnormal and artificial, confusing the teen. "A spy perhaps." He said in his normal monotone voice. Suddenly the spider began to glow, surprising the man before he gasped as it began to explode acting quick Gaara formed a defense around him which took the brunt of the explosion throwing him across the roof.

Across suna similar explosions rang out as shouts of confusion rang out a few fires being sparked. Standing up slowly Gaara looked upwards spotting the Creature that floated lazily in the sky.

"What was that!" Rasa shouted as he rushed through the door looking in the same direction of gaara. "Black robes with red clouds? Akatsuki!" Rasa shouted spotting the man's attire. Looking at his son he noticed that he had already taken off towards the enemy on a cloud of sand.

"Wait Gaara-" Rasa began only for his son to hold up a hand.

"Father let me deal with this, they're after me after all." Gaara told his father who thought for a second before nodding. Heading upwards Gaara uncorked the guard in his back at he sent tendrils upwards towards the man who lazily dodged them.

"My my Ichi you're putting up quite a fight but is it enough for my art?" The man asked, reaching into his pocket once more, to pull out some birds of clay. They flew downwards towards the jinchuriki who simply dodged the birds.

"Bad mistake." The man said suddenly causing Gaara's eyes to widen as the man formed a half snake seal, the birds exploding below him. Gaara tsked as he looked back towards the man shooting more tendrils upwards trying to push the man out of the city.

"Smart but will it be enough?" The man said barely noticing a tendril of sound shooting up behind him till it grasped his arm. "Shit!" He shouted, feeling his arm crushed.

"Fuck Fuck Fuck!" The man shouted in pain seeing his arm was effectively destroyed or so it seemed. "That really pissed me off." He said with a glare.

"I grow bored of this and I want to go home." The man said as he reached his other hand into his pocket pulling out a large wad of the clay which formed into a rather large creature that looked similar to what he was riding.

Gaara let out another tsk as he called upon the sand within the city forming a defensive barrier over the city.

"I'll protect my home at all costs." Gaara announced in his monotone voice as the barrier absorbed the brunt of the large explosion that rocked the city with patches of sand falling downwards.

"You know you're rather annoying!" The man's voice said as Gaara saw more spiders heading straight towards him. Seeing he had very few options the teen formed a ball of sand around him which protected him from the explosions.

"Normally that would have worked." The man's voice could be heard with a laugh. Gaara's face contorted into horror as he saw spiders once more crawl out of the sand. This was the last thing Gaara saw before his world turned black an explosion ripping through the sand as Gaara's body began to fall downwards.

"About time." The man said as another arm went through his sleeve a large grin forming on his face. "I didn't believe you'd fall for it!" He shouted maniacally as his bird scooped up the teen flying quickly away from the town.

"Gaara!" Rasa shouted seeing this he started to make for his son when an anbu stopped him.

"Sir there's damage all across the city! We have 4 dead found so far but we fear there might be more." Rasa looked at Anbu angrily but resigned himself. Kankuro suddenly appeared in a shushin looking at his father in fear.

"Kankuro! I need you to follow that man, he's taken gaara." Rasa told his son enraged that the akatsuki would be so brazen as to attack his home directly. Kankuro said nothing, understanding his mission as he took off over the skyline of the city his father watching him leave.

"I wish I could help you son." Rasa said though he wasn't clear on which son he wished to support. The man was in a rather tricky situation; it wouldn't look well on his part to leave Suna right now with it in turmoil. He needed to think rationally, sighing he turned back to his anbu who awaited his order.

"Deal with the fires across the city and assist the wounded and those in need of help… Taka!" He shouted another Anbu appearing kneeling before his kage. "Send messenger birds to all the nations that the akatsuki have attacked suna… However, send for help from konoha." Rasa said looking back towards the last fleeting image of the clay bird.

"Hai!" The anbu said before dispersing. While he wanted to deal with this situation on his own he knew he needed help. Though the war had done much to mend the relations of all the big five the only village Rasa truly trusted at the moment was konoha. It seemed the Akatsuki were finally ready and on the move and they would attempt to bring the shinobi world to its knees.

And with that chapter 19 is done! What a sour note to end on eh? But we are officially into part 2 and so begins the second overarching arc: the fight against the akatsuki!

I've also officially begun to do edits and rewrites on earlier chapters which I hope turns out well and helps provide clairvoyance and make it easier to read. I wanted to make this chapter longer but I felt like this would be a pretty good place to end the chapter on.

Anyways we will continue on the gaara retrieval arc next chapter and I hope everyone enjoys it! With all this said

Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze101 out!