Chapter 17

Nypism: Yep, I have re purposed Sakura as well as make her about three years older. As for how she'll develop, she'll be less of a medic nin and more of a well rounded Shinobi.

Returns and unpleasant surprises

It all looked exactly the same, nothing looked out of place, everything was how they remembered it. It was strange how they remembered every detail considering it had been four years since they travelled this route on their way to the capital.

But their time in the capital was at an end, it was time to return home, to Konoha. As for the village itself, they had yet to set eyes upon it and four years was a long time in a hidden village. They wondered how it had changed. New buildings, new Ninja and only Kami knew what else.

That's not to say they hadn't changed either, they had. Four years of cuts and scrapes, of protecting the Daimyō's family and occasionally assassinating deserving members of other families; The Daimyō had many enemies after all. Even if you became the greatest of leaders you would still have those who would prefer you replaced by someone more in line with their way of thinking.

It was a pity therefore that the heirs to the Uzumaki, Namikaze and Uchiha clans proved most adept at removing those who sought the removal of the Daimyō.

Then they saw the first sign of the village, the great outer wall. The vast stone structure that marked the outer limits of the village proper. "Good to be home, eh Itachi?" Naruto asked. "Mm," he replied causing Naruto to laugh. They might have gotten older and more mature but Itachi was still as stoic as he had always been.

It took another ten minutes of casual walking to reach the southern gate. It was best not to rush headlong towards a hidden village, the reception tended not to be so welcoming in such circumstances.

Nevertheless they soon approached the southern check-in station to find the same two Chūnin who'd been there when they'd left. "Four years. Do you they keep you locked in there or something?" Naruto asked jokingly. "Huh? Have we m.. Wait, Naruto-san? Is that you?" Kotetsu asked as he elbowed Izumo awake.

"Wha.. what? What? Damn it Kotetsu, I was having a nice drea..."
"Never mind your damned dreaming, look who it is," he butted in while pointing at the figures stood in front of them. "Huh?" Izumo groggily murmured, "Bright blonde hair, violet eyes, doesn't act as if the world should bow at his feet. Why if it isn't little ol' Naruto. Has it been four years already?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by 'doesn't act as if the world should bow at his feet?" Suddenly the two experienced Chūnin looked very nervous, neither saying a thing. "Well, I'm waiting," Naruto said, adding an authoritative edge to his voice. "Uh, let's just say your younger brother has developed somewhat of a big head and.. Well you'll see yourself soon enough," Kotetsu near whispered.

"I see," was Naruto's blunt reply. "I'm sorry to say that your brother is much the same, Itachi-san. The Uchiha's formerly emotionless face shifted slightly to reflect his annoyance. Just like Naruto, Itachi had zero-tolerance for showboating and smug, arrogant attitudes. They'd dealt with enough people who were all too full of themselves during their stint in the capital.

"I see," was also his reply.

"So where's the third member of your little troupe?" Kotetsu asked after recalling three left that day but only two stood in front of him. "You mean Tri? Don't worry about him, he'll be back at a later date," Naruto replied, his cheery facial expression suddenly returning.

"Well, anyway. Let's get you both signed in," Kotetsu added. The two returning Chūnin handed over their papers and were quickly listed at present within the village once more. "Alright, that's it. Now, orders were left for you to present yourselves to the Hokage as soon as you returned."

"Alright, thanks Kotetsu-san, Izumo-san. See ya around," Naruto thanked. "Yeah, you too, we'll see you around Naruto-san, Itachi-san," they replied as the two fourteen-year-olds headed further into the village.

Strolling through the bustling streets of the market district saw them both come to similar conclusions. "While it looks the same, I don't ever recall there being so many people," Itachi commented. "Agreed, I don't think I've ever seen so many people at once in the village. There seemed to be more buildings around the outskirts too. Looks like the village has been growing just fine without us."

They continued through the market district, weaving through the bustling crowds. After a few minutes Itachi spoke again. "Yeah, I had enough of dodging and ducked through the crowds in the capital, I am not doing it here too." Naruto turned his head just in time to see him partner disappear only to reappear on a nearby rooftop. Naruto chuckled before shunshining up to join him. "I couldn't agree more."

In the capital they weren't permitted to jump from rooftop to rooftop unless absolutely necessary, thus they had to travel through the streets as civilians did. There was no such rule in Konoha. Something that relieved them both immensely as they began hopping from roof to roof, the Hokage's tower off in the distance.

The area surrounding the Hokage's tower hadn't changed at all. Then again any new construction would require an older structure be pulled down to make way for it. Both soon dropped down and Naruto headed for the door. "What, you not going to use the window?" Itachi queried. Naruto only smiled as he pulled the door open and held it for Itachi.

"I thought about it," he replied, "And as funny as it would be to jump Tou-san after four years, best not. Don't want the ANBU in the corner of the office getting jumpy. Besides, we need to be professional." Itachi let the slightest of smiles appear on his face as he stepped through the opened door. "Arigatou, Naruto and yes perhaps that would be best."

Minato's day had been dull to say the least. Then again, paperwork was never exciting to begin with. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair, the latest accursed piece of paper finished with. But no matter how many he got through, the pile to his right never seemed to shrink. No, if anything Minato was certain it had grown since this morning.

His boredom was interrupted by a knock at the door. The door opened slightly as his assistants head popped around the door. "Two Chūnin to see you, Hokage-sama," she said with a slight giggle. "Uh, ok. Send them in?"

'Chūnin, I don't recall asking any Chūnin to see me.'

Minato remained in his slight state of confusion, right up until the door swung open. "Yo! Tou-san," Naruto cheered as he stepped into the office. Itachi sweatdropped, "Act professional huh," he muttered. "Well, I wondered who the mystery Chūnin were," Minato said as he rose from his chair.

Walking around his desk he opened his arms which Naruto accepted without question. "It's good to see you again, Naruto-kun," he quietly said. "Likewise Tou-san, likewise." Separating again Minato turned to Itachi, "It's good to see you again too Itachi-san," he said, greeting him with a hand-shake. "It's good to be back, Hokage-sama."
"So that's two of you, where's Tri-kun?"
"Don't worry, Tou-san, he's ok. We'll explain when Kaa-chan's here. No point in repeating ourselves."
"Alright then. She shouldn't be long, she's in a meeting with the council. It's that time of the year again."

"Still?" Naruto remarked with a slight wince. "Yep."

Despite Kushina for all intents and purposes being the leader of the Uzumaki clan in Konoha with Tri as her named heir, the Uzumaki's weren't technically a clan like the Uchiha or Nara, they were more a prominent family. Kushina had been trying for years to get the clan officially established in Konoha. But it was all for nought as she lacked the support of enough council members, civilian and Shinobi alike. Despite that she persevered and made her case anew once or twice a year.

It wasn't because of a lack of Uzumaki's in Konoha, after all the Namikaze's continued to be recognised as a clan during a time when Minato was the only living member. No, the reason she had been unsuccessful was that she lacked a definitive marker, something that said to others, 'I am Clan Leader'. Unfortunately any such relics were lost or stolen away when Uzushiogakure fell.

They talked idly amongst themselves for the next few minutes before the door opened again. In walked a weary-eyed Kushina. "Hey, Kimi. How'd it go?"
"Same as per usual, stupid Council," she irritably replied walking across the office. "Hey Naruto-kun, Itachi-sa.." Her voice stopped and her movements did too. She slowly turned her head towards the blonde haired teenager leaning against the wall.

She slowly walked up to him in complete silence. Soft and slow footsteps as if she were trying to sneak up on a mouse, she steadily approached Naruto who didn't move an inch. Eventually Kushina came to a stop right in front of him, their faces almost touching.

Naruto kissed her on the nose suddenly, "Hi, Kaa-chan," he quietly said with a wide grin. She smiled back as the moisture being pooling in her eyes. "Naruto-kun," she whispered before launching herself at him.

At that moment Naruto wondered if this is what it was like to be hugged by a bear as his ribs compressed into his lungs. "Kaa-chan," he hoarsely whispered, "I think you're going to break something. With a gasp, she lessened her stranglehold on his chest which allowed him to hug her back.

Her frustrations with the council utterly forgotten as a few tears of joy slipped down her cheeks, her Naruto was back.

"Wait, where's Tri?" she asked taking a step back. "He isn't…"
"Nononono," Naruto hurriedly reassured her, "He's fine. He decided to stay and serve a fifth year," he explained. "How come?" Minato asked.

This time it was Naruto and Itachi's turn to look uncomfortable as they quickly looked at one another, Itachi nodded once causing Naruto to sigh.

"Alright, you have a right to know I guess. It was late last year, the three of us and a few others were assigned a mission to track down a noblewoman's daughter that had been kidnapped, she was only a year or two older than us. She was known to everyone in the Shugonin Jūnishi so we were all rather eager to safely return her. But by the time we'd tracked her and her kidnappers down, it was too late. By then her throat had been cut but not before she'd been repeatedly raped."

Naruto drew his breath as Minato and Kushina winced before continuing, "And he, well he."

"He snapped," Itachi butted in. "I've seen him angry before but nothing like that. And we think it changed him slightly. It isn't noticeable in day to day life but in combat he developed a slight sadistic streak, he allows emotions to influence him ever so slightly. Since that day he tasked himself with tracking down all those responsible. When we left there were only two or three left out of thirteen."

"I see," Kushina said sombrely. "So he returns next year?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Itachi replied.

"Tou-san, Kaa-chan. What's this I hear about Rezano-kun having an attitude problem?" Naruto questioned, looking to move on before the awkward silence set in. This time it was Minato and Kushina's turns to look uncomfortable. Minato sighed before explaining, "Not long after you left we began Rezano-kun's training properly with the help of Tsunade, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, myself and Kushina. And sadly it seems to have gone to his head."

"In what way?"
"He seems to have gotten it into his head that he is superior to his peers."
"And how does he act around Minusha-chan?" Naruto menacingly asked. "Thankfully, she's too young to understand but he keeps trying to make her act as he does and it upsets her."

"How did this come about?"
"Due to the prominence of those training him he seems to have got it into his head that he's better than those around him."
"We've tried talking to him, but nothing seems to get through," Kushina lamented. "How good is he compared to say, me or Itachi when we were that age?"
"He's one of the best who joins the academy next year but he's behind your development curve," Minato replied which made Naruto snort. "Alright, let me take a shot at getting through to him."

"But Naruto-kun, we've all tried talking to him and it had no effect."
"Kaa-chan, words won't be my only weapon," he bluntly replied making her cringe but said nothing.

"Hokage-sama, I have heard that my Otouto has unfortunately walked a similar path to Rezano-san." The Yondaime nodded, "I'm afraid so Itachi-san. Sometime after you left your father took on a far greater role in his training and his personality seems to have rubbed off on him."

"Ha, a greater role, he had no role at all when I left," Itachi bluntly replied. His face said nothing, no emotion, his eyes however shone with flickers of anger.

"Speaking of my father, is my clan still acting up or have they learnt to behave themselves?" Minato's eyes quickly looked at Naruto before returning to Itachi. "Anything you have to say to me, you can say to Naruto too." Their eyes locked for a moment, Minato's blue and Itachi's red. "Alright then. No Itachi they haven't, frankly the situation is only growing worse."

Itachi was silent a moment, "I see. Then would you have me assume Shisui's role and report to you on my wayward clan?"
"Are you willing to assume such a role?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama. Shisui entrusted me with safeguarding the village, even from members of my own family. The village comes before the clan, Shisui understood that and so do I. But if I'm to do this then I need to be of use to my father and I can't provide that as a Chūnin."

"Agreed, which is why I'm going to fast-track the pair of you to your Jōnin trials, I imagine four years wearing the sash has developed you beyond the level of a Chūnin. For the next month or so the two of you will be given missions that would be handled by experienced Chūnin. At the end of which I'll start the ball rolling on your Jōnin trials, I doubt either of you will have much difficulty passing them."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," both replied. "Very well then, dismissed. Kushina-chan, perhaps it'd be best if you go home with Naruto-kun lest Minusha-chan think someone is breaking in." The red-haired woman eagerly nodded as she wrapped her arms around one of Naruto's and began pulling him towards the door. "Uh, guess I'll see you later Tou-san," he managed to say before he was yanked out of the office entirely.

That left Minato and Itachi alone, "Hokage-sama, would I be of greater use to you as a Jōnin or an ANBU?"
"I believe ANBU would be best Itachi-san, they are privy to more secretive missions and sensitive information."
"Very well then," he replied as he too exited the office, heading for home."

It was as Kushina walked alongside her first-born son that she got her first proper look at him. Now 14 years old he had shot up six or seven inches in height. He now looked like a Shinobi and not a child with defined muscle mass on his arms, broader shoulders. He was almost as tall as she was and it annoyed her slightly.

His outfit too had developed with him. The three-quarter pants were now azure-blue, not black while the mesh was now only present on his left leg. The shirt was a lighter shade of blue with the two tantō scabbards woven into the shirt itself, the mesh shirt was still worn underneath. While the most prominent edition, the Shugonin Jūnishi sash was wrapped around his right thigh, just above the knee. His forearms and hands were wrapped in bandages and covered with a multitude of various seals. If he had any scars she couldn't see them.

"So Naruto-kun, did you meet a nice girl during your time in the capital?" she asked teasingly which turned into a giggle as she spotted the blush on his cheeks. "Uh, no Kaa-chan, no girls."
"What? No girlfriend at all?" she exclaimed. "No Kaa-chan, we rarely had time to ourselves outside of our duties and training."

His answer made Kushina pout, "Well that's boring. Maybe I'll have better luck getting anything out of Tri." This only made Naruto laugh, "Yeah, good luck with that Kaa-chan, he left himself even less free time than me. Although I did notice something a while back about him."

"Oh?" Kushina replied with a mile-wide grin that unnerved Naruto slightly. "Well, it's just, have you ever noticed how apart from me and Itachi nearly all of Tri's closest friends are female."
"They are?"
"Yeah, Hana-chan, Maki-senpai and Inari-chan and Sakura-san are the obvious ones."

Their conversations varied as they continued towards their family home. "Will Minusha-chan be home, Kaa-chan?"
"Yep, I believe she's currently having a chakra control lesson with Shizune-san."
"Great, I've missed her terribly," Naruto happily admitted, Kushina couldn't help but smile as they reached their street.

And soon enough they were stood outside their home. It hadn't changed at all, sure it looked like the fence had been painted while he'd been away but it still looked identical. "It's good to be home," he quietly said. "It's good to have you home," Kushina added giving him another hug.

"Come on Naruto-kun, Minusha-chan's been waiting to meet you properly for ages," she said leading him to the door.

Inside was a young girl with vibrant red hair and violet eyes and her black haired teacher. "That's it Minusha-chan, you just keep improving," Shizune cheered as she watched the leaves spin on her student's fingertips. "Keep this up and we might move up to small pebbles soon." Her declaration brought a brief smile before it was replaced by a frown. 'Not that it matters. Rezano-nii-san will still make fun of me, say I'm not good enough.'

Shizune was about to reassure her youngest student but she heard the front door open before she could speak. "Minusha-chan, Shizune-san. I'm back," Kushina called from the hallway. "Kaa-chan!" Minusha happily shouted back as she made a break for the hallway to greet her mother.

Through the door into the hallway and straight into her mother's waiting arms. It was only as she drew back from her hug that she noticed someone else standing in the doorway. Upon seeing the stranger her natural shyness set in as she tried to hide herself behind Kushina.

"It's ok, Minusha-chan. He's been wanting to meet you properly for a long time," she reassured her. Naruto knelt down in front of youngest sibling, "Hello, Minusha-chan, my names Naruto and I'm your older brother."

The look she gave him was conflicted as elation and trepidation battled for dominance in her mind. She remembered Kaa-chan telling her about her two other older brothers of whom she had only the vaguest of memories. Her parents had told her how they both doted over her constantly but her memories of how Rezano-nii-san treated her left her very apprehensive

She pushed her anxiety aside and rushed in to hug her returned brother. "Nii-chan," she whispered making Naruto's smile widen as he tightened their hug. Leaning back Naruto placed his hands on either side of her face, "Let me get a good look at you." He nodded to himself, "Yep you're going to look just like Kaa-chan when you're older." He got a small smile in return.

"Tri-kun wanted me to tell you that he's really looking forward to seeing you again and that he'll be back before you know it, ok?"
"Ok, Nii-chan," Minusha enthusiastically replied.

Naruto stood again, lifting his five-year-old sister into his arms. "So what were you up to Imouto?"
"I was practising using my chakra with Shizune-chan."
"You were huh," he said walking into the dining room. "Well Shizune-chan, how's she been getting on?"
"Very well, Naruto-kun. Even if she won't admit it."
"Huh, why wouldn't you think you're doing well?" he asked her. He didn't get a reply, she instead buried her head in between his shoulder and neck.

'Hmm, she seems to lack self-esteem, rectifying that will take time,' Naruto thought to himself, refusing to let his little sister beat herself up over something she should take pride in. "Why don't you show me what you've been learning?" Sensing the nervousness in her, "Please?" he added sweetly.

She reluctantly agreed, slipping out of his arms and picked up the leaf on the table. First balancing it on the tip of her right index finger she used her chakra to first hold it in place and slowly spin it clockwise. Naruto let a wide smile cross his face as the leaf continued to spin. Naruto was surprised that she was to spin the leaf at her age, he'd past his sixth birthday before he could do it. His surprise only grew when he noticed the lack of strain on her face.

A strained face meant they were struggling or having to concentrate hard but Minusha's face was almost serene. "Have you tried spinning a leaf on two fingers Minusha-chan?" She mutely nodded as Shizune carefully placed a leaf on her middle finger, within a few seconds it too was spinning clockwise.

Naruto shook his head in disbelief, something that Minusha spotted. The leaves immediately fell to the floor as she tried to run from the room. Before she could however Naruto gently held her arm, sensing what was wrong he made to reassure her. Placing his hand under her chin he lifted her face so he could look her in the eyes, he noticed the sadness in them.

"Minusha-chan, I'm not shaking my head because you're doing it badly, I'm shaking my head because I'm amazed. You're five years old and your chakra control is already this good."
"Nearly six," she quietly muttered to herself but not quietly enough. "Ok, ok, nearly six then," Naruto laughed. "It doesn't change the fact that I was past my sixth birthday before I could do this. Is two the most you can do or can you do more?"

"Come on, Minusha-chan. Time to show up your Nii-chan," Shizune said, trying to encourage her. She was silent and unmoving for a few moments but relenting and holding out her hand. Shizune added the leaves one at a time and before long each finger on her right hand had a leaf spinning on it.

"Ffffff-four!?" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief. "I didn't know you could count Naruto-kun," Kushina joked which earned her a narrow-eyed glare from him. "Minusha-chan, who on earth made you think this wasn't good? This is remarkable. I couldn't do this at that age, hell Tri-kun couldn't. I take it her chakra reserves are still sizeable?"
"Hai, Naruto-kun," Shizune replied. Tsunade-sama found her chakra reserves to be larger than Rezano-kun's natural reserves but smaller than Tri-kun's." Naruto nodded, understanding the hidden meaning in her words. Rezano's own reserve was large but was massively supplemented by the Kyūbi's chakra.

"Despite that though, she seems to be gifted with heightened control over her chakra, something which we don't truly understand," Shizune added. Naruto had heard of and seen many abilities but this one was new to him.

"Rezano-nii-san," he heard her finally reply, her voice barely a whisper. He gave her a reassuring hug. 'Well then, Imouto, appears you failed me. The honorific change says alot. It would appear that someone needs to use a firm hand on you and by Kami be glad it's me and not Tri unless you want to end up in the hospital. I have little tolerance for stupidity, he has none.'

He hadn't even seen his youngest brother again. But here he was already plotting on how best to break through his Imouto's idiocy. 'Sigh, this is going to be a long year.'

"Ok, Minusha-chan, here's what I want you to do. I want you to totally ignore what Rezano-kun says ok. If he tries to make fun of you, tell me and I'll deal with him, ok?"
"Ok," she mutely responded.

-One week later-

*crack*

Naruto sighed, he had warned him, a fair but blunt warning at that. A warning that if he tried messing with Minusha again, he'd wrap him around a tree.

So when he returned from a week on patrol to find him pushing his little sister around he acted and proceeded to launch him at the nearest tree. Ok so maybe the tree was a little too wide to literally wrap him around it but that didn't mean he couldn't try.

*Sigh*, "I wonder how Itachi's getting on with Sasuke?" he said to himself

*Crack*

Itachi sighed, he was a patient young man, more so than most but even he had his limits and his younger sibling had been testing his patient ever since he'd returned. He had hoped, perhaps in vain that reports of his brother's attitude were blown out of proportion. Sadly, however, they were completely correct. Their father's influence had leeched into Sasuke's mindset, all that nonsense about Uchiha superiority and he'd lapped it up.

For the past week, bar the two days he was on a C-Rank mission Sasuke had been trying almost desperately to challenge him for his heirship of the clan and Itachi didn't know whether to be surprised or embarrassed by Sasuke's attempts. Was he capable for his age? Sure. Was he the slightest threat and in anyway able to defeat Itachi? Goodness no.

Even if they were evenly matched he wouldn't concede the heirship, he had set his mind on rehabilitating the Uchiha clan. But still, he'd grown tired of his Otouto mistaking his utter disinterest for cowardice and thus had kicked him into a wall.

Itachi was all that holding his younger brother up as he held him by the hair, he leaned in closer. "You need to drop these delusions of yours Sasuke, they'll only end badly for you," he quietly spoke in his ear. He released his grip on his hair and he slumped to the ground.

"I wonder how Naruto's getting on with his Otouto?" he sombrely said to himself as he turned away from his only sibling.

End Chapter