Well, this concludes this little two-part special, I'll see you guys later in the week for the beginning of Arc 2!

"Come on Naruto, we should get going," Jiraya said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Hold on Pervy-sage." Naruto said, sorting through the village letter pile in hopes for Sakura's letter.

"She probably forgot, or couldn't remember where to send it to. Don't worry kid," Jiraya reasoned.

"Sakura-chan wouldn't forget something like that, she's super smart!" Naruto retorted.

"There it is!" Naruto exclaimed in his thought as he pulled the letter from the pile.

Jiraya sighed at the blonde's change in demeanour from worried to happy, "Can we get going now?" Jiraya asked.

"Sure, lead the way Pervy-sage!" Naruto said with a grin.

"Naruto, it's been three years. Could you stop calling me that?" Jiraya asked desperately.

"Nope, you'll always be my perverted sensei!" Naruto happily chimed, making the girls passing by nervous of the old man.

"I hate you sometimes." Jiraya groaned.

Naruto laughed as they proceeded out of the villages main gate. His eyes widened as he remembered the letter in his right hand, Naruto giddily unsealed the letter as he began to read its contents.

Dear Naruto-kun

Not long till your back now, right? It should be any day now. I can't wait for you to see everything I've learned from Kakashi-sensei and Tsunade-sama. They both sent their regards and well wishes on your journey back home. Can you believe it's been three years since we've seen each other? I'm so nervous and excited about seeing you again. I can't wait to show you all the things that have changed in the village. The village builders finally finished construction on Tsunade-sama's head for the Hokage monument; It looks really life-like, they did an amazing job.

I had dinner with Mika-sama last night, she seemed lonely since Juro-sama was out of the village on a mission and you weren't back yet. She showed me some of your old baby photos, you looked so cute and adorable. It made me realize how much you must've changed over these last three years, I hope you're still the same old goofy Naruto-kun I fell in love with.

I sat down and talked about our relationship with my parents earlier in the week too, I told my father I knew about what happened to you as a baby and that it disgusted me that they treated you that way. It took some convincing but my father slowly came around to the idea. Mom was pretty easy to convince, she just wants me to be happy. Maybe we should go see them as a couple when you're back in the village?

You've probably been worried sick since I told you I injured my arm in the last letter but don't worry, Tsunade-sama said I'll be good to go back to active mission duty by Thursday. I've been spending the last week working with Ino in the flower shop for a bit extra money, she's super annoying and bossy but she's really sweet and helpful sometimes too. It's still weird that she's dating Shikamaru. He comes in every once in a while to see her but he always says that flower shops are a drag, that guy really never changes.

I guess this is the last letter I'll ever send you… Thank you for keeping your promise Naruto, these letters really did help me. You helped me push myself harder and further than I thought possible and it's because of your support that I've become a stronger kunoichi. Get back soon, words can't describe how much I miss you. I can't wait to see how much my cute little boyfriend has grown, I still remember the sight of you walking out of that gate. You were a brave little boy ready to take on the world, I can't wait to see the man I love walk back through that gate and into my life once more. It's been a long three years but I know it'll all be worth it in the end. Hurry back Naruto-kun, I'll wait for you.

Sakura

"You know, I've never seen someone so infatuated with a woman before since the Fourth Hokage." Jiraya said, looking at the blonde who had genuinely happy grin on his face as he closed the letter.

Naruto giggled a bit at the old toad hermit's comment before placing the letter in his side pocket so he could re-read it on his journey back the village.

"Pervy-sage?" Naruto said, calling out to the man.

"Hm?" Jiraya responded.

"I never got the chance to say this before, but thanks." Naruto said, smiling at the sanin.

"For what?" Jiraya responded with a confused look.

"I don't know…" Naruto paused, placing his hands in his pockets. "Everything I guess, you never did have to train me or look after me. You did it out of the goodness of your heart, that means a lot to me… Jiraya-sensei." Naruto finished as the two looked at each other with small smiles.

"So, I guess it's time we head home after three years." Jiraya said, placing his arms behind his head as he followed up with a yawn.

"Yeah… I guess it is." Naruto said as he looked at the path ahead of him with a grin on his face.

"NARUTO UZUMAKI IS COMING BACK TO THE HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE!" Naruto exclaimed as he erupted into a full sprint.

"NARUTO, WAIT UP!" Jiraya called out as he tried to catch up to the speeding blonde teen.

….

"Hurry back Naruto-kun, I'll wait for you."