Chapter 7: … the Return

A lone figure stood at the gates of the Forest of Death, his golden locks tied back into a low ponytail, his steps confident as he emerged from the trees. The stationed ANBU tensed as they felt the quiet undercurrent of power flowing from his being. The figure stopped just shy of the guards, leveling a lance-like blue gaze into them.

"Take me to Baa-chan."

The ANBU nodded as they took off.

Before long, the trio landed in front of the Hokage's office, the ANBU duo taking their leave upon arrival.

He knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Obeying the command, he entered, his mask still covering his face, hiding his identity from the more... unsavory characters he could sense in the walls of the office.

Tsunade stilled as blue eyes gazed at her with tempered tenderness, her back straightening in expectation.

"Leave us."

Three presences vanished from the room at the sharp command. The figure drew a small piece of parchment from his pocket before handing it to the Hokage, waiting for her to place the seal on her desk and activate it.

A small chakra bubble emerged from the glowing seal before quickly expanding to fill the room, blanketing the walls in a soft blue shimmer that appeared in occasional wisps before being absorbed into them.

The figure then began to remove his mask.

Tears sprang from Tsunade's eyes as elation escaped her being.

There, in her office, stood the person she considered a beloved grandson. Naruto had returned.

"Hello, Baa-chan."

Tsunade had not realized that she had moved until she had her fingers tightly woven into his hair. The responding embrace was firm and solid.

"Welcome back, Naruto."

The pair had a silent, yet teary reunion. No words were necessary as they simply basked in each other's presence. Tsunade vowed that anyone who sought to cause harm to her grandson would pay dearly, starting with that traitorous ex-teammate of hers.

After a few moments, Tsunade returned to her desk, motioning for Naruto to sit on the chaise that sat near the right side wall under the window. Naruto gazed out, surveying the village from the reinforced one-way glass that lined the office.

"Did you know?" He asked, his deep timber resonating throughout the room.

"Only after you left. Hiruzen had hidden his tracks carefully. It was only sheer luck that mad he uncover the plan. Turns out sake can uncover quite a few secrets."

"He used alcohol-soluble ink. Since he only smoked, he'd have no reason to think anyone would find out about it." Naruto intoned, amusement only slightly colouring his calm demeanor.

Tsunade marveled at the change in her grandson. No longer was he the hyperactive knucklehead that caused untold amounts of trouble. In his place was a calm and collected professional ninja assassin who exuded confidence.

"How did you manage to stay hidden from Jiraya? He's not the village's spy master for nothing."

"Turns out the toads were closer to dad than they were to Jiraya. Once they found out what was going on, they were only too happy to help out."

"Have they removed him from the contract?"

"Not yet." Naruto answered, his gaze never leaving the window. "We decided to leave him as a summoner for now. The less he suspects, the better for us. They are slowly removing his summoner status as we speak. Apparently, there is a tribunal that needs to happen in the presence of Ma Toad, Pa toad, and the current Toad Boss."

"They're gathering evidence."

"By the time this is done, he'll be fortunate if he can sign any contracts at all."

A sinister grin crossed Tsunade's face.

"I may be able to make sure he doesn't."

Naruto's eyes flicked towards Tsunade.

"Falsifying reports is a criminal offence you know."

A small smirk crept across Naruto's face as he returned his attention to the window.

A silence fell over the room before Tsunade spoke again.

"You miss them, don't you."

"Painfully."

Sadness blanketed his being, his eyes seemily dulling in their usual vibrancy and sharpness.

"Not a day goes by where I don't think of them. I know they wouldn't want me to mope about them not being here. But..."

Tsunade rose again softly padding over to the crestfallen and stoic young man. Naruto turned to face her before she guided his head into her bosom, slowly carding through his hair with motherly affection.

"How do you move on? How do you forget?"

Tsunade replied softly.

"You don't ever forget those who showed you love. They tend to stick with you, even when you don't want them to."

"Then how can you be happy without them?"

This gave Tsunade pause. It was common knowledge that the deaths of Nawaki and Dan weighed on her heart every single day.

"Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't run from your pain. Face it. Live through it. It will get easier every day. Make a promise to yourself that you will become the person they knew you could be. But live your life, not the life you think they would have."

The tears flowing down Tsunade's cheeks were silent as the dripped onto Naruto's golden locks.

"They would be proud of you, Baa-chan."

The embrace tightened.

"They would be proud of you too, Naruto."

The pair remained life lined together for a long while, solace and support being passed across their bond.

Tsunade soon released him before speaking again.

"I hear you have learned some new trick. Come tell Baa-chan about them, Naruto."

A true smile appeared on the young man's face as contentment radiated from his being.

"I hope you have time, Baa-chan. We've got a lot to talk about."

Tsunade found herself smiling in reply.

"We have all the time we need."