Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Author's Note: Pre-read by Pyr00tje and Yurusane.

---

"Nuh-Naruto."

Naruto gave Sakura a weird look before staring at the other remaining members of Team 7. "It's been... quite some time, hasn't it?"

"You want us to leave, taichou?" Ino asked as she gave Naruto a questioning gaze.

"You can stay, but I suppose it feels kinda awkward if you do so..." Naruto reasoned as he smiled at the blonde woman. "Your choice." He shrugged.

"We'll leave." Anko pointed out as it came as an order to the others.

Naruto snorted as his team left to probably rest. "Don't think we won't train anymore today..." He warned. As they were no longer in hearing range, Naruto turned back to his former team. "The rumours are true... The Yondaime Hokage has returned." He dramatically let out, holding both his arms out towards the sky, followed by a short chuckle. "The Red Flash, actually, and I do look cuter than the Yondaime, I heard a woman say once..." He pondered, putting the index finger of his right hand under his chin.

"Dobe..."

"Hey, Uchiha." Hey nonchalantly greeted.

"Naruto! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?" Sakura yelled as she took one step towards him. "We missed you!"

Naruto frowned. "Well, I can't say the same thing, actually... Especially not for the traitor."

Sasuke's fists clenched tightly. "You better watch what you're saying, dobe." He warned, his Sharingan begging to be activated.

Naruto snorted. "I couldn't care less what I say or who I offend. Pathetic little Chuunin."

"What did you say?" Sasuke, seemingly calm, asked as he stepped forward. "I dare you to repeat it." Sasuke said, who was now a Jounin, actually.

"Sasuke." Kakashi interrupted. "We didn't search for our former comrade to start a fight. Or did we, Sakura?"

Sakura shook her head. "Nuh-Naruto... Uh, we should get to know each other again... Don't you agree?"

Naruto frowned at the pink-haired girl. "I'd rather not. I know what kind of people you are. I had a horrible time when I had to spend it with you, I remember. You aren't people I'd want to hang out with. Not even you, Hatake Kakashi." He honestly let out.

Kakashi's eye seemed curious. "And why is that?"

"Sure, you were a great teacher... But people will never forget the times in which they got hurt. You, choosing the traitor over me... I'll never forget that, you know. And Sasuke betraying Konoha and trying to kill me. I won't ever forget or forgive that either." He turned to Sakura. "And you, expecting me to be your bridge towards all your dreams... Spoiled people. That's what you three are. Now, I'm going to leave. My team needs to be disciplined for not being able to have beaten you down in the time I've given them. And to think I even gave them so much time..." He pondered as he turned his back towards his former team.

"Naruto." Kakashi's voice held authorization as he yelled his name. "Try us, we've changed."

Naruto turned around with a frown. "Changed? It's difficult to change, especially for people like you... I actually deem it impossible for you three. The only thing that's changed around here is my attitude towards you. I was getting tired of allowing all three of you to get what you want."

"Naru-"

Naruto cut Kakashi off. "It's no use speaking towards me like that, Jounin. I outrank you now, as I am a Jounin Captain." He yawned, to show he was getting bored fast. "Want me to show why I outrank you?"

Sasuke wanted to rush forward, but suddenly found himself tied to one of the posts next to the great Gates of Konoha. 'W-What the Hell!' Just a split second ago, he was at least a mile away from where he was now...

Back to Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto. "Wuh-where did Sasuke-kun go?" Sakura asked as she was looking around.

Naruto simply smirked as Kakashi shook his head. "Truly, those techniques. Even more perfected, surely?"

Naruto nodded proudly. "Even your Time-Space Techniques are nothing compared to mine, Kakashi."

Kakashi simply smiled. "You're the only one, Naruto, who can actually say that and be right."

Naruto grinned back. "Well, I'm off. Perhaps we'll be doing a mission together one day. Doing it with you, Kakashi, I can bear. However, with the team I'm having, I think that won't occur... They defeated you three without their Captain, after all."

"Naruto, wait!" Sakura called out, just as Naruto was about to jump. "We... We need to talk!"

"Weren't we doing that already?" Naruto scratched the back of his head. "If you so desperately want me to repeat myself again. However, I do not feel the need to talk more than I already have."

"Naruto!" Sakura frustratingly let out. "What happened? I... We... Ever since Iruka-sensei-"

"Don't say it!" Naruto cut her off. "I don't want to talk. Especially not about that. I'm over that and over all of you. The way I live now is much better than the way I did before." He glared at Sakura and Kakashi. "Let me be."

"Naruto. We want to be like Team 7 was before." Kakashi suddenly said. "We've had some rough times and... yes, we have betrayed you in several ways. But times were hard back then."

Naruto frowned. "Times were hard? I had it the hardest back then, yet you all used me to get your own ways."

"Naruto, we didn't know back then. You can hardly expect we would have understood; we were just kids!" Sakura said.

Naruto frowned. "And I wasn't?" His reply caused silence. He sighed. "Sorry, but it's no use. You used me, while I have never used any of you. Think about that." And with that, he vanished.

Sakura fell to her knees. "Kakashi-sensei, do you think he'll ever forgive us? Or forgive me?"

Kakashi sighed. "Time will tell, Sakura."

---

Walking the Road

Chapter 4

---

"Ah, I see you're here..." Naruto turned to see an old friend approach him. "Again." She finished.

The blonde Yondaime look-alike shrugged. "This place calms me. Even though it's depressing. It makes me rethink my actions and it allows me to see a situation through another's point of view."

The Fifth smiled as she put a hand on Naruto's shoulder. Naruto had gotten taller than her now, so she was looking a bit up to look at his face. "Heh, truly, you look just like the Yondaime Hokage. Without those whisker marks and your mature face. If only I was younger..."

"Quit dreaming, mom..." Naruto dryly relayed. "What's the reason you're here?" He turned serious. He never did like joking around too much when it concerned him and his looks. Life was so much easier with a mask on.

"You know these names?" Tsunade asked as she put her right hand on one of the stones that had names of deceased Shinobi.

"Some. Most from stories and only very few personally." Naruto answered as Tsunade got on her knees and put her hand in front of a 'Nawaki.'

Naruto knew who Nawaki was and decided to be quiet. People mourning should be left alone, he figured. So he turned away. "Wait, Naruto."

"This is about the name next to Nawaki-san's, hm?" Naruto asked. "Tenzou-taichou..."

Tsunade nodded. "Since he has passed away, we don't have a trump card for the remaining Akatsuki. He, combined with you, formed a powerful force; where Akatsuki had to run from."

Naruto nodded. "I've been training my team to deal with the powers of a Youkai, Hokage-sama. We will become an unstoppable team, even the Akatsuki will be ants soon..."

"I doubt it, Naruto." Tsunade said as she rose again and turned to look at Naruto. "We need to strengthen up, Konoha needs to become stronger."

"How do you suppose we do that? I can only do so much for my team. Let the elite Jounins train all Genins and Chuunins. Or better yet, why not demand more from a rookie Genin? The better and sooner you start, the farther you get." Naruto let out.

"Uzumaki Naruto. You are worthy of standing beside the Sannin... But I think, you've long surpassed this title... Legendary Shinobi. You should give yourself a nickname and become well known, so Konoha will have a new Legend to add to the List. Strike fear to our opponents."

Naruto chuckled. "I guess Red Flash isn't really original, hm?"

Tsunade smiled. "The White Fang has returned, another Uchiha Prodigy is in the making, a new Tsunade, A Hyuga Genius, The Sarutobi Clan is up and about, The Aburames are announcing a Legend... You name it."

"Kakashi just named himself the second White Fang, or what?"

Tsunade shook her head. "You know that he already has a nickname, Naruto. The Copycat Genius, Hatake Kakashi, wielder of a Sharingan and he knows over a thousand Jutsus..."

"Ah, I remember." Naruto responded. "Then what do I call myself? The Kyuubi Vessel? The Ultimate Jinchuuriki?"

Tsunade frowned at him. "Why focus on the Kyuubi? Why not focus on you for a change and be more original?"

Naruto eyed her suspiciously. "That aside, what are you planning? You didn't come here to discuss nicknames."

"Very true... I want to get rid of the Akatsuki once and for all. Therefore, I am cancelling high-ranked missions for your team and am forming a team especially created for this mission." Tsunade explained. "You, Hyuga Neji, Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura, Hatake Kakashi and Sarutobi Asuma. You are to get rid of the remaining members of the Akatsuki. Aburame Shino is your tracker."

"What about the others?"

"I am going, along with Jiraiya, Uchiha Sasuke, Inuzuka Kiba, Nara Shikamaru and Maito Gai. We are to encounter Uchiha Itachi, so our Uchiha will be able to fulfil his ambition."

"Hm, not a very smart thing to do... Who's left here in Konoha? Information Gatherers have become good enough to find out which Shinobis are going out on missions, you know..." Naruto started. "Surely, you're leaving capable Shinobis behind?"

Tsunade smiled. "Did I say both teams would leave Konoha at the same time, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto snarled. "There's no need to call me that." He looked Tsunade in the eyes and allowed a silence to wash over them. "So, the first team is leaving soon, then? Since Neji is on his way here, as well as Sarutobi-san." He had already smelled this with his nose.

Tsunade shook her head. "No, I've sent a few birds to fetch them and Aburame Shino. Cooperating with Kakashi and Sakura is not a problem for them or you, since they already had a few missions with them and you. But it's been longer for you since you worked with Neji and I don't think you've ever worked with Asuma."

Naruto nodded. "True."

"I want you three to get along." Tsunade said. "And no, Kiba can't be put in your team, Naruto."

Naruto frowned. "Who says I was going to ask you that?"

"Uzumaki Naruto." Sarutobi Asuma let out as he appeared behind Tsunade and walked up to them. "Hokage-sama" He bowed shortly.

Neji appeared a second later. "Naruto." He then turned to Tsunade. "Hokage-sama."

Tsunade grinned. "Already they acknowledge you before me, Naruto. Perhaps you should run for Hokage?"

Naruto grimaced. "I tried that. It's not something I want to try again."

"Excuse me, but I think we should get started. I still have a mission in the evening I have to take care of." Neji let out. "I don't want it to take my entire night."

"Assassination?" Naruto asked, on which Neji nodded. "Nice..." Naruto pouted, feeling slightly envious.

"Asuma, Neji... I and Naruto are going to go fully out against you, brace yourselves!"

"What? But you just heard I have a mission, Hokage-sama." Neji didn't understand.

Asuma chuckled. "Obviously, the three of us will accompany you on your mission if need be." He dropped the cigarette to the ground. "Let's get this over with; I haven't had a good fight in a long time..."

---

"They're coming for us... But, to speed it up, let's gather again."

---

"I see..."

"What does it say?"

Gaara looked up from the letter to look at his older sister. "I have to travel between the roads of Leaf and Stone. This mission takes priority over being Kazekage even... Tell Kankurou to take over and share the title, sister."

Temari nodded her head but looked worried. If it meant more than being Kazekage, it could only mean one thing. Akatsuki was involved.

---

There, his fist went even beyond his own boundaries, but it barely skimmed his face.

"You do realize that this is not Jigoku Shinjou, right?" His opponent said and chuckled. "Did you become slower?" He taunted.

Neji's expression turned annoyed, but it changed into a pained one as a fist was planted in his stomach.

"You never were one to fall for taunts, Neji... What's wrong?" Neji jumped back and realized Naruto's speed had increased dramatically.

"What happened? How did you become this fast?" Neji asked as he fell into his Hyuga Stance. "Even my Byakugan has trouble keeping up." With his Byakugan, he could also see how Tsunade hit Asuma hard on the face. He even ducked a little to let the older Jounin fly over him. Now, Neji rushed forward again.

Naruto simply rushed backwards and allowed Neji to come closer. "I don't know... I guess I've found someone to protect again, ne?"

---

"To reach your pinnacle, the farthest you can get... You truly need someone beside you..."

---

"Not really." Neji grinned as he got past Naruto's defense and decked him.

He got a blow back to his chin.

"Heh, as talented as ever, huh?" Naruto said as he rolled back on his feet again, while Neji did the same.

---

"So, Naruto will be the captain for this mission?"

Kakashi nodded his head. "Yes. I'm somewhat surprised that Hokage-sama would announce his presence so quickly. I can't say I'm not curious as to how his leading capabilities are now. He has already made quite the name, since Tsunade-sama has already linked the Legendary ANBU Captain with the now new Jounin Captain Uzumaki Naruto over the Shinobi Countries."

Sakura nodded. "She did that on purpose. So Konoha would have some fire again. Not that it didn't have that already without the great Copy Ninja and the even greater Haruno Sakura." She pointed out.

Kakashi smiled. "The Red Flash is not quite the original title, hm? What would be a good title for someone like Naruto?"

"Someone who's so full of surprises?" Sakura said. "Hmm... He's violent, fast, powerful and unpredictable... A tornado!"

Kakashi frowned. "Tornado?"

Sakura frowned right back. "Coming out of your mouth it sounds lame, yeah..."

---

'Instant Reaper. Instant Executioner. Instant Death. The Grimm Reaper sounds lamer than Instant Reaper... Ah, well...' Naruto sounded like his old self again as he was thinking about nicknames... 'A nickname is supposed to be given to you, right?'

Naruto, in all honesty, didn't really care as he was seated on a chair in his living room. Kiba and Neji were present for a change. Their wives were probably bitching again.

"I thank the lords I am not seeing someone..." Naruto whispered as he leaned backwards, yawned and looked at the ceiling.

"Tired from our little exercise?" Neji asked with a smile. "I though you had endless stamina."

"What, you two exercised? Why wasn't I included, damn it!" Kiba let out. "Other than that, though... Why aren't we in the same team, man? That bites..."

"The other team also needs a tracker." Naruto answered. "You're the best tracker in Konoha, Kiba. Your nose is even better than mine or Kakashi's. It's compensation, really. If you'd be with me and Neji, our team would simply be better than the other team."

Kiba sighed. "I know, but it still bites."

---

"Tcheh, I don't see why I would return with you lame guys, man. Spending my time like this is way better."

"They will hunt you down anyway. I don't care what you do, but I know that alone; you can not beat them. Deidara and I are already searching for the others. Your life doesn't matter to me, but my own does."

"Sheesh, you sound so dramatic. I don't die as easily as you, you bastard. But this is Leaf we're talking about, hm? Fine, fine, I'll come along..."

---

"Naruto."

Naruto grinned at the man before him. "Morino-san. How are we today?"

The blonde Shinobi was almost as tall as Morino Ibiki. "Hm. I'm feeling fine. I heard you're going after Akatsuki, hm? I want them. Give them to me and I'll give you twice the money you'll receive for accomplishing the mission. Those bastards... I want my hands on them."

Naruto tilted his head as he grimaced. "Aiii.. I'll see what I can do, Morino-san."

"You will do it. You've gained a power that surpasses the Yondaime's, you idiot."

Naruto's mouth was open as Ibiki left.

"He's right, you know."

Naruto looked up to see Sai. The black-haired Shinobi landed in front of Naruto. "Ah, Naruto-san. You have quite the influence on the people around you... I've beaten Uchiha Sasuke in a friendly spar... I've never beaten him, actually. I am sure it has to do with you."

Naruto shrugged. "Perhaps the Sharingan user is getting weaker..." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Sai... if you were a foreign Ninja, what would you call me?"

"You? Noisy? Dramatic? Annoying? Weak, maybe?"

"I mean me, now, not a few years ago, bastard." Naruto warned with a flare of his Chakra, causing several Villagers to quiver in fear.

Sai smiled with his eyes closed. "I see. Perhaps you should not waste your Chakra using them for threats, Naruto-san. It might cause Villagers to recognise you again? But... A good nickname for you? The second Yondaime?"

"Forget I asked, short guy." Naruto waved him off and vanished.

Sai scratched the back of his head. "Hm, do I need a nickname as well?"

---

"Good to see everyone on time." Naruto said, this time sporting another new mask. Neji and Shino also wore a mask.

Kakashi looked at them query. "Ah, are we supposed to wear masks as well?" Asuma, who stood next to him, nodded, agreeing with the question.

Naruto shrugged. "It doesn't really matter. Now, We'll be facing very powerful enemies in this mission. Pay attention."

Naruto sat down and motioned for the other to follow suit. Here he started explaining how the members of the Akatsuki fought, who they were and what he believed their weaknesses were.

The explanation didn't last very long, he was Naruto after all. "Alright. I don't care what formation we move in. A simple flare of your Chakra will let us know you're in danger. In other words, we split up. I hope I can count on each of you to take care of yourselves for more than a few seconds, since I hold the ability of instant transportation."

---

'Hmph, I actually wanted to spend some time around Naruto, having a mission with him and all...' Sakura grumbled inwardly. 'But here I am, completely alone...'

All this time, Naruto had been that famous ANBU Captain everyone was so cheery about. To think he had been in and around Konoha for years, without even knowing it. They thought he had been lost to the outside world.

'Man, to think he was alwa-'

---

Naruto flinched. 'Where did Sakura's Chakra Signature go? Without sensing it, I can't teleport towards her...' A bit angry, he flared his own Chakra up after he appeared next to Kakashi, so the others would now that they're supposed to gather.

"So, you've noticed as well?" Kakashi asked as he stopped on a tree branch, Naruto landed on the same.

"Asuma, Neji and Shino are still pretty far away from the route. The one closest to Sakura was you..." Naruto explained. "Let's track her down. Asuma and the others will follow us as we have our Chakra Presence up."

Kakashi nodded as they both disappeared.

---

"Pathetic, really."

"I recognise this one. She was with one of the Jinchuurikis, I think... Yeah."

"If these kinds of Shinobis are hunting us, then we don't really have to worry, do we?" Hidan said as he held Sakura by the neck. "These Leaf Shinobis are always so easily to beat, hm?"

"She wasn't alone. Keep your Chakra down. Shinobis are searching for her as we speak."

"Tcheh, who are these Shinobis, Zetsu?"

Zetsu's white eyes narrowed slightly. "The opponent we failed to defeat last time... Uzumaki Naruto. Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Hyuga Neji and... another Leaf Shinobi. Somehow, he seems to be able to hide his own presence. All I can sense is bugs... and a Hitai-ate from the Leaf."

"Pf, an Aburame, then. Quite skilled too, this one."

Zetsu, Hidan and Deidara, Akatsuki Members.

"We won't be able to take them, is my guess." Zetsu said. "Uzumaki Naruto alone could already be tiresome for us, but with the Copycat and that Aburame it could be more complicated." Zetsu paused. "Leave the body; they might be able to track us because of her. Killing her would motivate them more to find us. Let's leave through Earth Techniques."

The others nodded, leaving Sakura's unconscious body.

---

Naruto landed skilfully and gracefully next to Sakura's body. He didn't make a sound and narrowed his eyes at the ground around her. He motioned towards the trees above him that the coast was clear.

Kakashi, Neji, Shino and Asuma landed behind him. "They left her alive, it seems." Naruto whispered. "They're not here, they left using Doton Jutsu."

"What do we do?" Asuma asked.

"Using silence and almost no Chakra, they can't be far." Naruto responded. "Also, our mission has just begun. I intend to hold my reputation of always accomplishing missions." He glared at the forest. "We hunt them down, these Akatsuki bastards."

'We hunt them down and avenge Iruka-sensei's death...'

---

They ran and ran. Kakashi moved underground, finding the 'road' the Akatsuki had taken.

Naruto checked the skies, just making sure, because it was possible Deidara was around as well. Sakura and Asuma were the tail of the running group. Naruto was in the lead and Neji was the centre. Shino had the ability to transform himself into millions of flies and fly through the forest, so he was basically everywhere..

Naruto grinned. 'Shino has become really good... I'll ask the old hag to add him to the team of Hunters...'

And then... millions of flies of clay exploded all around him. 'Shino!'

"Hehe, you guys think you're so smart... yeah..."

Naruto immediately glared at the man flying above them. "Deidara..."

Deidara smirked down upon him. "Reinforcements will arrive, little demon."

Naruto jumped up to avoid being grabbed at the ankles by Hidan, who rose from out of the ground. He was followed by Zetsu and a few seconds later, Kakashi.

"Looks like a fight is inevitable, huh, Kyuubi no Kitsune?" Hidan started. "Let's make a big great ceremony out of his one, ey? I remember fighting you, let's see if you can stand even more pain now!"

"Hidan... These ones are more skilled. Do not underestimate them. They already know your weaknesses." Hidan immediately snarled at Zetsu. "Don't give me that look... Itachi and Kisame are already on the way. With them, we can dispose of these Shinobis. Without them, it'll be difficult."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Looks like we'll have to deal with you quickly."

Zetsu grinned, as did Hidan. "Sorry to disappoint, but we're not as easy as you think."

"Naruto. We outnumber now. We should cut the talking and end this battle as soon as we can."

As soon as Kakashi finished that sentence, he had to duck to avoid being hit by Hidan's body. Zetsu sprayed poison around him to keep Naruto away from him. Deidara's clay bird had been destroyed by Shino and the two were now fighting on the ground away from the others. Sakura and Asuma had just arrived, landing in front of Hidan's body.

"Ah, didn't I knock you out already?" He said as he stared up at Sakura. Her fist was easily avoided as she crushed the ground where he lay on moments before.

Sakura looked up from the floating rubble in front of her to see Hidan with his arms folded. "Women are so easy."

Asuma glared at the man. "You almost killed me before. This time, I will return the favour and finish the intention."

Hidan's eyes widened insanely. "Is that so! Show me then!" Sakura and Asuma rushed towards Hidan. Kakashi and Neji circled around Zetsu, while Naruto went out to help Shino.

---

TBC