Third Person POV ~

Changing his living arrangements didn't change his schedule. Naruto woke up at his regular time, 05:00. Got fresh, ate breakfast and left for his early exercises.

By 08:00 hours, he was ready to receive his new mission.

The mission was nothing special, simple escort and delivery of a scroll.

Same types of missions followed furthermore.

2 weeks passed, Tsunade was proud and impressed how her gaki had been completing missions without whining, complaining or failing. In fact most of the time he was rather quick in completing and already receiving another mission. Though Tsunade was impressed she wanted to see if he could work in squads. Hence, the current discussion at hand.

"Gaki, I see you've completed many missions without complaints and have been moving up with the mission ranks. But.. I want to see how you work in or with squads. You will be joining teams on certain missions, sometimes as a member and sometimes as a squad leader. You cannot complain if it's Genin or Chunin. Do I make myself clear?" Tsunade explained and watched him intently.

"Of course Hokage sama. I won't disappoint you." He replied calmly.

She couldn't help but smirk, 'My gaki has definitely grown.'

"Good. Tomorrow be at the mission desk at 11:00. You and the team you will be accompanying will receive the mission. Dismissed."

He nodded and bowed, "Have a good day Baa-chan." he smiled and shunshin out of the sight.

She just shook my head and smiled fondly.

Namikaze compound ~

Naruto was practicing one of his Katas with a bokken.

From his mother's diary, he had learned his mother was quite adamant with swords. She had a few scrolls and a couple of wooden bokken plus a well worn sword, which he decided to put as an art piece on the wall. He could imagine his mother swiftly fighting with a sword in hand, her red hair swaying with every move, her moves he imagined would have been movements like dance perhaps.

His father's stances and movements were so elegant from what he had concluded after reading the scrolls, he could literally imagine what an amazing fighter he must have been. His father's style was more about swiftness and quick moments, just like him. But his father's style wasn't unpredictable, he was fine with it. It was good to know to he was original.

He wanted to continue their legacy, make their memories proud. He wasn't going to back down anytime soon, his hard work was paying off and he knew it.

What he didn't know was, he himself was unconsciously graceful, one could mistaken his movements in practice and fights for dance.

He knew he didn't have any Shisou for teaching Kenjutsu right now so he came up with an idea of teaching and learning himself with clones. After all isn't that what he had been doing since last few months? For kenjutsu, he just had to improvise his techniques in learning.

The original self with a Kage Bunshin would practice stances and spar, second bunshin would read and inspect from the scroll and lastly the third would just observe.

This helped him really well, sparing with a bunshin he knew where he had to correct himself on the spot, the inspecting bunshin would come up ideas and correct him if he still failed to find any mistake and lastly the observing bunshin was more like a judge to see if he was making any progress or how much he has progressed.

Tsunade's chakra enhanced taijutsu intrigued Naruto greatly, he was fascinated to see how much damage a single finger could do.

Keeping her style in mind he improvised his Kata with Bokken. He was a prankster by blood, improvising and being innovative is what he does the best.

So, until Naruto found himself worthy of wielding a real Katana, Sword or Tanto, he carried the bokken.

Ah, and the innovation you ask? He channels raw chakra to the bokken, it illuminates with his chakra and his chakra is visible when he channels it, which would make it make even the blunt wooden sword deadly.

Naruto had been training physically for quite some while today and now was his time for meditation.

Naruto was currently cooking dinner for himself, no not ramen, actual dinner. He was lost in his thoughts.

Sasuke.

He was quite disturbed about Orochimaru's curse mark. Firstly, it wasn't a fine piece of art but what could he expect from Orochimaru. What disturbed him about the seal most was not its almost non existent beauty but it's non existent counter seal. How had no one found it yet? Maybe he could work on it.

Determined to find a solution and help his friend, he started working on the seals after having his dinner.

Naruto was a self proclaimed seal master. Kurama had often called him a Fuinjutsu prodigy. But right now, at this moment he realized why had no one been able to counter the curse mark. It was nearly impossible but he had promised himself that he would find a way, and the hell if he was going to back on his words. It didn't matter if he had promised it to himself or anyone else for that matter, his Nindou does not allow him to go back back on his word and he was determined to let it stay that way.

Briefly glancing at the clock and realizing it had been late already, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

The beginning of next day was nothing out of ordinary. The same routine, his workout, meditation and from today intense study on seals.

Completing the routine, he left for the Hokage tower.

Hokage Tower ~

Naruto was on time, standing in front of his Kage, waiting for the team to arrive and receive the mission.

Seeing no teams around other than the ANBU and one desk Chunin, they were used to him and his behavior anyway, he let his professional aura slide.

"Morning Baa-chan, looking beautiful as always." Tsunade smiled and was about to reply when Naruto opting a thinking pose cut her her off, "I wonder why you don't age, maybe a jutsu perhaps?"

Even one or two ANBU stifled their snickers. It was amusing to see him slip from one aura to another, no matter how many times they saw it always baffled and amused them. One minute he is serious and next he insulting the Hokage right before her face. Tsunade scowled and threw the pen she was holding at him, "GAKIIIII!!" Naruto just laughed which melted Tsunade's foul mood instantly. 'Tch. I'm too easy on this brat.' She grumbled inwardly.

They heard a knock, Naruto respectfully straightend up and brought back his professionalism.

"Come in." Tsunade said.

Team Asuma entered and bowed to their Kage and glanced towards Naruto slightly.

"Hey Naruto." Choji greeted and offered Naruto chips which he denied, much to the internal delight of the big boned boy.

"Mendokuse blonde." Shikamaru greeted with a small yawn.

Asuma rose an eyebrow, wardrobe change? Plus one? He shrugged, doesn't matter.

Ino glanced at him, quite taken aback by his change in appearance but also relieved. Finally, no more monstrous neon orange jumpsuits. Thank Kami for that.

Though there was orange present, it was surprisingly not overwhelming, it suited him greatly. He looked mature and orange matched his complexion and hair.

Naruto smiled brightly and greeted back, "Ohayo, I guess I'm your team's plus one." he turned to Tsunade. The rest following suite.

Tsunade cleared her throat throwing a scroll towards Asuma who read the content and nodded.

Tsunade spoke, "Team Asuma plus Naruto are to escort Rei Kichiko and Muin Kichiko to the Land of Spring. This is a B rank mission. They are quite wealthy and one of the important traders between both villages. The treaty is new, expect rebellious attackers. It should take 1 week to the most completing the misson. You leave anytime today. Dismissed."

The team nodded and bowed leaving the office.

Asuma started instructing, "You all have 2 hours to pack. You guys already heard what Tsunade-sama said, pack accordingly and meet at the South gate." he lit his cigarette and shunshinned out of sight.

Naruto stopped the team before they could leave, "Wait, could you guys come 15 minutes early? It'd be better if I know how you work and I can prepare myself accordingly."

Shikamaru smirked seeing the professional and sensible side of the blonde, it was unnecessary they all could adapt to each other fine enough in other teams but this was Ino-Shika-Cho trio and their teamwork is lengendary since their ancestors, "Mendokuse.." Chouji and Ino nodded and the team left while Naruto shunshin back to his home.

Packing the essentials, a few books and a couple of bento in respective seals he sealed the house again and headed towards the South gate.

He didn't have to wait much for the team as before he headed towards the gate, he had met up with Iruka informing him about the mission. Team Asuma minus Asuma Sarutobi arrived only after 5 minutes of wait.

The team started preparing, analyzing and stratergiesing the mission and placement.

As soon as they were done with the professional talk they conversed casually, Ino hugged an arm of Naruto thoroughly enjoying his confusion and discomfort. The boy was Uke material alright.

"Don't you look good Naruto-kun. I must say I'm glad for your wardrobe change. There's finally a man with fashion sense." She flicked her ponytail haughtyly throwing a saucy look at her team mates.

Naruto blushed and then chuckled while running a hand through his hair in dashing way and winked at her playfully. "Of course Ino-chan, someone had to step up their game."

She squealed, "I definitely like this you better!" and she did, being the daughter of the head of Yamanaka Clan she had always practiced reading people in academy (when she wasn't fawning over Sasuke) but somehow she could never decipher Naruto. He showed people that he was an open book but honestly she could never read him. She always felt as if Naruto was just letting people know what he wanted them to know, all while maintaining the act of loudmouthed idiot who can't keep his mouth shut. It always felt like there was an invisible white wall protecting him and the Naruto in academy was fake. This Naruto didn't give that feeling. True she still couldn't read him but right now his white wall wasn't surrounding him on whole and instead letting others know of the real Naruto. She could conclude within her mind that Naruto was letting and giving people an opportunity to get to know a part of the real him and damn did she like the challenge.

"Maa."

"Mendokuse blondes.. "

"Oh, I remember I wanted to ask you. You bought a lot of seeds and other equipments from the shop not long back, what's the deal?"

"Eh? Oh! I am growing my own garden ttebayo."

"Really? I didn't know you were interested."

"Gardening is onna my hobby Dattebayo!"

"Wow. We should hang out sometime soon, I could give you tips and such and I'm definitely taking you for shopping!"

"As you say Ino-chan." Naruto smiled at her softly and for a minute she felt like she was talking to a brother she never had. She blushed lightly and smiled back at him. She really liked this Naruto. She hadn't been the best to him during their childhood but here he was acting like she had never berated him, making her feel like family with that smile she was envying and mesmerizing at the same time.

"Anyways Naruto, why aren't you with your team?" Ino couldn't help but ask.

"I am on solo for now." He answered easily.

"Why?" she frowned. She wasn't aware of this, Sakura hadn't mentioned anything like it.

Before Naruto could answer Shikamaru spoke, "Hokage sama must be observing if we all can adjust with each other in new situations as teams."

Naruto glanced at Shikamaru and smiled gratefully. Ino seemingly satisfied took that as an answer.

Not much later Team Asuma's squad leader and the clients arrived. Briefing and introductions later the squad set out.

The clients were civilized enough to not cause any extra trouble for our fellow ninjas. The mission was completed without much trouble. The group worked efficiently with each other. They made a deadly squad alright. It wasn't common for a Shinobi to reach the level of comfort when with Ino-Shika-Cho trio because their bond was much stronger. They were well acquainted with each before academy. But Naruto had worked alongside them efficiently and they all had enjoyed it, it was refreshing. The squad was happy with their mission success.

Naruto while on the mission, in break time was alert for possible threats also working on seals. He had a few theories noted down which would need more studying and experimenting but this was hard work. But one of reason why Naruto loved seals was because they were unpredictable, just like people called him oftenly. After all he accidentally had created a few seals that turned out to be amazing in these last few months. One of them was total paralysation seal which was supposed to be immobilizing seal but nevertheless Naruto was very happy with the new creation.

After submitting the mission report the team was departing when Shikamaru drawled to Naruto, "Mendokuse woman was asking about you before we left for the escort. You should come for dinner tonight, she would make steak."

Naruto smiled and nodded, "I'll get fresh and be there."

"Let's hang out soon Naruto." Ino said and Chouji nodded.

"Sure guys." Naruto smiled.

Shikamaru nodded back and that separated to their respective paths.

The dinner went great, they all fit well just like a family and Naruto couldn't be happy enough. He sure saw Shikamaru as his brother and he knew Shikamaru saw him the same. The elder Nara duo were just glad that they could help the only son of their deceased friends and not to mention they loved the young Uzumaki as their own. The Nara family had learned during the dinner that Naruto was aware of his heritage and was currently residing in his family's mansion.

The following 7 weeks continued to go by something like that. He was added as a plus one on a few Chunin and Genin teams, Team Kurenai and also Gai's.

Naruto helped Hinata gaining more self confidence. He had obliviously, totally by accident, played match maker between the Inuzuka and Hyuga. His clumsy feet had bumped Hinata and Kiba in a much compromising position, Hinata had fallen on top of Kiba forcing their lips to attach. And as if that wasn't embarrassing enough, Naruto had casually proceeded, in an attempt to subdue the tension, to voice Kiba's feelings known.

"Well, on the bright side, Hinata-chan if it makes you feel any better, Kiba has always had a crush on you."

Hinata, noticing that her crush was no where near sad and was somehow even trying to get them together, had accepted that he was not interested in her and would never be. The way he brushed aside the accidental kiss was a brutal slap but she hadn't expected him to accept her anyway. She had, after a chat with Kiba, decided to try dating the Inuzuka.

Shino and Naruto were on respective terms. Kurenai had helped Naruto with his Genjutsu arsenal, giving him helpful tips which he was really grateful for. Not to mention their assigned mission was completed with positive results.

Team Gai and Naruto finished their mission on a positive note. They were already experienced with working together, they had established a strong friendship and respectful comradery.

He was on Level 5 of Fuinjutsu already, not yet master in that level but close.

The theories he had noted down were complicated. He had thoroughly read them carefully to design a counter for the 'Curse seal of Heaven' and he had to master his Level on much higher level before he could make one. He could not just up and blindly charge when working with seals, at least not this one. Obviously this was a nasty seal and he would need to put a lot of effort in creating a counter seal, he definitely was not going to abandon it or work carelessly. That's why he focused on his Fuinjutsu now. He just had to stay a little more patient. Orochimaru had this coming since he had put the plan of using Sasuke's body as a vessel.

He had been working on other seal which didn't really shock him as he was quite disgusted with the use of it. The Hyuga's side branch 'Caged Bird' seal and he was sure he was near his goal to free the personal curse seal of the side branch of Hyuga.

After those 7 weeks, Naruto had again asked Tsunade to grant him some leave. Tsunade had contemplated but agreed. Naruto just had informed her that he was going to work on a jutsu and it would need his full concentration. Seeing the serious and determined expression had brought a fond look in her eyes and she had said, it was fine but he had to come to her if he needed help.

For the next few weeks, nearly a month, Naruto had all but gone to Kami knows where.

Naruto had started working on completing his Rasengan. He had decided he would add his main element to it. After asking a little help from Asuma-sensei about a few exercises to control his Futon element further, he had started working on his Rasengan. Asuma had jokingly said if he really wanted to control his Wind chakra on a really high level, he should try cutting the waterfall in two. Naruto had blinked at him and grinned, and before Asuma could say that though it was a possibility he might need help, the boy had vanished leaving behind nothing but chakra infused smoke and leaves.

Naruto had gone to his favorite place, the waterfall and using Doton element had created two pillars on each side of the waterfall and a horizontal surface, all in all a bridge so he could try cutting the water current in the middle part.

When he had begun training with his enormous amount of clones, he had noticed the clones were accidentally tapping Kurama's chakra. He had asked the fox if he had anything to do with that but the fox had denied saying that Naruto was channeling a lot of chakra and because his own chakra is now mixed with his host, he is unconsciously tapping both their chakras. Naruto had frowned, he wanted to try this on his own. Seeing his host put out Kurama had offered that he could try to keep his chakra at bay from flowing in Naruto's normal chakra which had brightened said boy's sour mood instantly. After that the legendary fox had to sacrifice his sleep and be attentive to Naruto's activity. Whenever Naruto would accidentally channel Kurama's chakra, said fox would instantly stop and retract the flow. Because Kurama had been attentive at all times he could even help the boy from falling to ground barely conscious because of his exhaustion, when he felt Naruto loosing consciousness he would take over and set the boy's body towards safety after feeding and hydrating. The boy would always forget to eat and drink when he was determined to do something. So, Naruto along with help from Kurama and copies of himself had completed the Rasengan.

Finally, he was successful in adding his element to Rasengan and the destruction left him in awe. But upon seeing the effect on himself after using 2 complete 'Rasenshuriken', as he dubbed it, he was quiet sad.

If not full access to Kurama's chakra and abnormal healing ability he wouldn't have been able to be continue as a Shinobi or worse, would have ended up dead.

Tsunade had bluntly forbidden him to use his now complete S-rank jutsu, Rasenshuriken ever and Naruto had solemnly accepted but let's just say Naruto even after apparent changes was still not someone to back down just as easily. He was determined to find a way to use the jutsu without causing any harm to himself, Believe it!

In this month of his intense training, he had also instructed Konohamaru about Rasengan. He wanted his little protegé to start working on it. The boy was just the same age when he had first learnt Rasengan and he had absolute faith in him. The blonde knew that the brunette would be able to complete it.

He hadn't been wrong. His little apprentice had not only mastered his one signature jutsu but both. Granted he didn't have as much chakra as Naruto but he still had made quite an impressive amount of clones. And the boy was still 12, even grown Jounin have difficulty maintaining the A-rank jutsu; Kage Bunshin. Needless to say he had been proud.

It had taken him a week to fully recover from the damage inflicted on his arm, so he had indulged himself in deep thinking.

His mind was running over on a lot things lately, he had voiced his goal to his parents they had given him their blessings. His first priority though, was saving Sasuke. Everything aside, he knew he couldn't help Sasuke and that fact ate him from inside. But too hell if he was going to back down. He had a promise to keep and a friend to save.

Uchiha Massacre was another trouble in his mind, albeit the fact Itachi Uchiha is one in a millinea prodigy he could not accept that he single handedly killed the whole clan of elite Shinobi that wielded the infamous Sharingan.

Something was so not right here. If he was so strong, why just massacre his own clan and not any other, there was also the fact that no ANBU was no where near sight and he fled without difficulties.

He had heard from Teuchi and read in the journal of his parents that the older Uchiha was a kind, hard working and deserving boy (now man).

What made him snap, if he could say so, was a mystery.

If he was out of his senses, as many had voiced it, why not kill his own brother?

If he was so ruthless that he didn't spare his own parents, why not his younger brother?

Sasuke had never talked about the topic, it was a really sensitive subject and he couldn't blame him for not sharing.

Another disturbing thought, Danzo.

Keeping an active spy under the nose of Hokage without the ANBU around not being able to sense was scary as well as impressive and he definitely needed to do something about that. Him with Jiraiya would take care about the seals of course but he needed to infiltrate the ROOT headquarters.

He was great in stealth but for safety measures he would ask Kurama for help.

He had several questions about his own Sharingan look-a-like which would sometime change into something else, before he could make what it is it would go back to being three white dots. He was really confused about it. His father had no clue which was simply stated that his father didn't possess that or any particular dojutsu. He couldn't have developed it himself, there must be history relating to it that could shed some light.

Maybe he could actually put the idea he had in mind to work? What was there to loose right now anyway? And it's not like he won't be returning, he just needed information and answers for himself. He also wanted to visit Uzushiogakure. Maybe he should think more about it.

There is also the fact, his along with Kurama and other fellow Jinchurikis and Bijus' lives are in danger.

The Akatsuki is after Jinchurikis and Biju.

What for?

Who knew.

The mere fact, Ichibi if let loose could destroy a whole village in a matter of minutes while trying to be restrained, who could imagine what will happen if all nine meet together. The thought was absolutely terrifying. He could only imagine the worst. The world somehow could be at stake for all he knew.

He recalled his promise to Kurama, he had rough ideas on seals that could help him come out and keep them connected at the same time but he still had to modify it. One of the reasons he had to set out his plan of traveling for a while in action.

If Jiraiya could shed some light with new information about Akatsuki it would help a lot, he concluded.

*-*

Gaki - Brat

Nindou - Ninja way

Mendokuse - Troublesome