The road was long and winding,

Secrets there for finding.

An arduous task,

There was no time to bask

In the glory of fulfilling my goal.

Old age has taken its toll.

I can't wait to see you again.

It had been three years since Naruto had been back in the village long term. Luckily, he was able to come back for a couple months here and there. Jiraiya and Naruto did discover information about the chains, but sometimes it would take months to decipher it. Naruto and Jiraiya would come back, since it wasn't necessary for them to be away. Although he was still able to see Hinata, it was difficult. When he was home he would want to spend all of his time with her, but he also wanted to spend time with his other friends. It was really difficult to balance it all, but it always worked out in the end. But now Naruto wouldn't have to worry about time. He was back for good!

He walked in the gates and Izumo and Kotetsu waved. They had always watched over the gate, and Naruto had become very familiar with the two. He had outgrown his old jacket that Kakashi bought him, but he still kept it. He had it tied around his waist at all times. He had kept his old old jacket too. He sadly outgrew his cloak, but sewed a larger one during his free time, however, his new cloak was orange instead of red, with the same black flames. Underneath he wore a black shirt with an orange Uzumaki symbol. He had a new understanding and appreciation for the symbol after his journey. His clothes had nothing to do with the fact that he was starving. The two weary travelers stopped by Ichiraku.

"NARUTO! You're back! We missed you!"

Even though he did come back every once in a while, he hadn't been back in almost over a year and half. "You've grown, kiddo."

"Hey I'm not a kid anymore-ttebayo!"

Teuchi laughed and began to fix a bowl, "Ramen's on the house for you two. Our treat, a welcome gift!"

It had been so long since Naruto had enjoyed his favorite meal. He slurped down a Naruto record 22 bowls before he retired. Several people had noticed his jacket hanging below the Ichiraku banners, and came in to welcome him back. In the last year, Choji, the last of the rookie 12 to become a chūnin, had finally been promoted from his genin status. All of the rookie 12 were now chūnin, or jōnin in the cases of Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Neji. Naruto noticed, whenever he visited, Shikamaru was much less lazy, volunteering more for missions.

Lord third had stepped down, and the role of Hokage was given to a very unexpected person. Danzō was the first person recommended for the position, to which he declined. His reputation would only bring harm to the village and the Hokage name. In his place, both Tsunade and Jiraiya were recommended separately. Neither person really wanted to fulfill the role because of the paperwork it entailed. With no other options, and Danzō adamantly refusing the role, Hiruzen talked the council into allowing both to have similar responsibility. Danzō could do the (paper)work from the shadows, while Tsunade, a legend of the leaf, would handle public relations. It was a perfect balance. Tsunade hated paperwork and sitting still, Danzō didn't want to soil the reputation of the Kage with his presence. Besides, he was already comfortable working from the shadows.

"I would have done anything to be Hokage. I'm still mad at you for not taking it," Naruto said to Jiraiya as the two exited the noodle shop.

Jiraiya just scoffed, "Please. A Hokage has to set a good example for the people of the village," he looked at Naruto as the boy looked away, "There are no Pervy Hokages," Jiraiya saw Naruto pick up his head and raise a finger, "Besides lord third."

"Well Tsunade's a drunk. Danzō isn't really a good example either," Naruto exclaimed matter-of-factly, "The second hated the Uchiha, and the first had a gambling problem, and like you said, the third was a perv. He didn't really do all that much either." Naruto kept walking as he talked, but Jiraiya was stuck in place. That kid had just destroyed his point and didn't even break stride, "Oh, Pervy Sage? Are you coming?" The man nodded and caught up to Naruto, "If you didn't want to do paperwork, just say that-ttebayo."

"It isn't that, kiddo. I just don't think I could handle the pressure. And being called Hokage-sama all the time," he shivered, "That just sounds gross. Plus we wouldn't be able to spend time with each other."

"You really like spending time with me that much?"

"Well I did it for three years straight."

Naruto shrugged and the two continued to walk. They overheard some chatter while they walked.
"Did you hear about lord third?"
"Yeah. He's in the hospital. Some illness. It was bound to happen eventually."

Naruto and Jiraiya looked at each other. They had heard no news of this. They immediately rushed to the hospital.

"Please please just tell us where the old man is," Naruto was speaking frantically. He pointed to Jiraiya, "This is Jiraiya of the sannin, one of the old mans students-ttebayo," Jiraiya nodded emphatically.

"They can see him," a gruff voice stated from behind. The receptionist got up and bowed.

"Lady Hokage."

"Wait that sounded like Danzō-ttebayo," Naruto added before he was quickly pummeled.

"Don't test me right now, twerp. I'm exhausted and very sober."

"Hello Tsunade. Looking as buxom as always," he too was in the ground, next to his student.

After the two had got up, rubbing their wounds, they followed the new Hokage.

"I'm warning you both, he's lost a lot of his memory. He has some sort of degenerative illness, due to his age."

This worried Jiraiya heavily. Naruto, however, was oblivious. He had never heard of a dacoglinitive illness.

They walked into the hospital room and saw the Hokage looking at a flower. He turned to his visitors, "Why hello, you two fine young men," he looked over at Tsunade and sprung a little nosebleed, "And to the beautiful woman," Tsunade just sighed, "What would your names be?"

It all just kinda hit Naruto. All at once. This was the man who sat and told him stories as they ate in the woods. The man who first told him about the will of fire. This man who Naruto had talked to so many times throughout his life. He was so proud of Naruto, and now he couldn't even remember his name. He looked down. Jiraiya noticed, placing his hand on the boys back. "I'm Jiraiya, and this knucklehead is Naruto!"

Hiruzen tilted his head, "Well it's nice to meet you," a smile stretched across his face, "I feel happy looking at the two of you," he turned and continued to water his flower.

"What's your name?" Naruto asked. It reminded him of when he first remembered meeting the old man.

Naruto was dashing through the woods. He didn't really like the food at root, so he went out to get something to eat. He didn't have enough money, and to make matters worse, he saw a familiar face from... that night. He had bolted from the scene, and had been running ever since. He had picked a couple mushrooms he thought were safe, stashing them in his pocket. That would keep them clean.

The sun was setting and he looked at his haul. "Three fish and some mushrooms. Do you know how to cook them?" He heard a voice from behind him. It kind of sounded like Danzō. He turned to see an old man. Definitely not Danzō though.

"Hey old man! What are you doing out here."

"Well I-" his stomach grumbled. Naruto looked wide-eyed at each other, before each let out a laugh.

"Come on! Let's eat-ttebayo!"

"Hm ttebayo. Ttebayo, ttebayo," it was very similar to Kushina. This was her son after all.

"Say, what's your name old man?"

"My name is, uhh," he scratched his chin, "Hiruzen. My name is Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Well it was nice to meet you-ttebayo!"

"Hm. What did you say? Ttebayo?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled, "Yeah... I've just always said that. It's my thing-ttebayo!"

Hiruzen laughed and began to speak before his stomach grumbled loudly. He looked wide-eyed at the boy, who stared back. They both let out a laugh, "Uhm, Tsunade?" The man looked at her to see if that was the right name. The lady nodded, "Do you know what's for dinner?"

"Fresh Saba," the man looked at her confused. He had no idea what freshsaba was. To be honest, neither did Naruto. Tsunade realized and spoke up, "Fish."

"Hm. Fish sounds good," he sat down on his bed, "ttebayo. Ttebayo, ttebayo. Hm," he looked at Naruto, "That sounds quite familiar," he smiled, "It was nice to meet you both."

Naruto smiled and nodded, "Nice to meet you too, Hiruzen."

Him and Jiraiya had left before going their separate ways. Naruto slid his hands in his pockets and was sulking. It really sucked knowing that the Hokage wasn't himself. He showed some progress at least. He remembered Naruto's catchphrase a little bit, and how he made him happy. He missed gramps. He was looking forward to telling him about his mission. He stopped. 'Well why can't I tell him about it?' He turned and began walking back towards the hospital.

He entered Hiruzen's room. The man turned around, "Ah, ttebayo! How are you, ttebayo?"

"I'm good, Hiruzen. My name is Naruto."

"Oh okay. It's not ttebayo?"

Naruto laughed and shook his head, "No, no, old man. Naruto," the man nodded, "Hey do you mind if I tell you a story?"

"Well sure. As long as it's a good story," the two chuckled.

"You took down how many? Wait why was the short guy so bad again?"

"The short guy was hurting the people in a nearby village. He was stealing all of their money and murdering those who stood up against him. He had over a hundred guards."

Hiruzen gasped, placing a hand over his mouth. He put the other on Naruto's shoulder, "You did the right thing, ttebayo," he paused before shaking his head, "I mean Naruto. Sorry. I don't remember too well these days."

"That's okay," he chuckled, "I have a pretty bad memory too. Do you want to hear another story?" The man nodded.

Naruto told him about lots of things from his life. He told him about some anbu missions, the chūnin exams, and the field trip to the Konoha Krush game. Hiruzen was still shocked to learn Naruto had his arm cut off. It was getting late. Naruto hadn't even seen Hinata yet. He really wanted to see her. "Speak of the devil."

Hey all!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I know it's kinda sad making Hiruzen forget all his memories, but it gives me chance to tell some of the stories between him and Naruto that I can't anywhere else. I hope you all have a great day/night (or else!)
Jerry