A Glossary has been provided at the end of that chapter with the terms I believe some might need help with. I believe they are right, but someone might want to check.
Chapter One: The Return
It was another humid day in Konohagakure no Sato. The warm moist air seemed to cling to the body and anyone alien to the area would be panting, but to the citizens of Konoha, it was just another day. The villagers began the activities of normal day. Architects and construction workers began the last few minor repairs needed from the Sound's attack on the village. After two years the ugly scar in the village from the brief war was finally beginning to heal. Merchants and shoppers flooded the streets, looking to do business, while shinobi jumped along rooftops heading to their respective tasks and missions.
Team Ebisu, after a couple hours of toiling in the heat, had finally managed to find Tora, Madam Shijimi's (who is the Fire Daimyo's wife) cat. Konohamaru, after remarking that if he were the cat he'd run away too, complained about how boring D-rank missions were. Ebisu began to lecture him again, but Konohamaru just rolled his eyes and ignored his sensei. It wasn't like other teams couldn't handle that damn cat and besides if Naruto-nii-chan was able to go on an A-rank mission as a genin fresh from the academy, why couldn't he? They could at least get a C-rank mission, anything other than these pathetic missions. He was the grandson of the Sandaime Hokage and a pupil of Naruto; he could handle it. He was going to be the Nanadaime Hokage.
"Why the Nanadaime, why not the Rokudaime?" asked the Godaime Hokage. She was confused, surely she wasn't old enough to retire before the boy became a competent ninja. Wait, was he calling her old? There would be hell to pay if he was. Tsunade Senju, if not known for her terrible luck, was known for her temper. Konohamaru wouldn't last a second against her, but before she could even begin to get mad at Konohamaru, the boy answered her question.
"The Rokudaime will be Naruto-nii-chan."
The boy had a smug look on his face as everyone was surprised by his answer. It had been a while since anyone had mentioned the Naruto's name around the village. Those in the room that knew the boy could only happily reminisce at the sound of him. It had been two years since he left. He was due to be back soon.
"Naruto-nii-chan?" Udon asked aloud to know one in particular after the Team Ebisu had finally been dismissed.
"I wonder where he is?" Moegi, the team's only female, pondered.
"I'm sure he'll be an awesome shinobi when he comes back," Konohamaru concluded. He didn't know how right he was.
The path leading to the village is always very well maintained. For travelers heading into Konoha, it would be a pain to cross a pot-hole filled road. For peddlers navigating from place to place, difficult roads mean wasted time and every businessman knows that time is money. Therefore it is in the best interest of a nation to encourage traveling by maintaining the roads.
Hi no Kuni is covered in thick forests. The canopy formed by these trees provides much needed shade for the paths leading to the village. Not all of the sun can be blocked by the thick leaves though, this causes tiny rays to sparkle down from above, covering the ground in bright patches. This aesthetic scene was one of the reasons why Konoha was known for being one of the more beautiful hidden villages. Travelers would come from hundreds of miles for the natural beauty of the area. This morning's travelers, approaching the rising gates on the horizon, were familiar with the scenery. A tranquil feeling fell upon the two men as their sharp eyes caught sight of the defensive walls; for the first time in two years, they could say that they were home.
The oldest man was a hermit with long white hair, the self-proclaimed super-pervert Jiraiya. Known by many of the five nations as the Gama Sennin, the man was finally returning to Konoha with his second prized pupil. With the village so near, the hermit's pupil, a young male blond, was starting to get restless. The boy even after two years grueling training was still so full of life and energy. It amazed Jiraiya just how much boy had changed in two years, but he knew it would be best to remind the boy about his orders.
"Eh, Naruto."
"Yes sensei?" the boy asked. He momentarily stopped his subconscious itching to run into the village and took a more relaxed pose with his hands relaxing on the back of his skull as he turned to face his sensei.
"I shouldn't have to remind you, but," the hermit began. The boy made a small grumble, but decided it was best not to ignore his teacher. "Don't discuss what happened over the past two years with anyone without my strict permission."
"I understood it the first time sensei. I know it's for my own good. I can't imagine how the village would react. Besides I want to earn their respect, though I feel it might still be difficult," the boy replied a bit solemnly.
His sensei was proud of his perception, but he didn't want him to feel down. So Jiraiya decided to praise the young man. Naruto, for all his spirit and selflessness, loved attention, especially after being deprived of it for so long.
"Don't worry. I'm sure Hime has the village whipped. I bet if they even roll their eyes at you they will have to deal with Tsunade's temper; she really is like a protective Obaa-san. Don't tell her I said that; she'll kill both of us if she finds out. Even with our combined strengths, an angry Tsunade is something that I don't think we could handle."
The two laughed at the image of the Hokage throwing her desk at them and then chasing the two around Konoha with the intent to kill.
"One last time," Jiraiya continued after a few moments, prompting Naruto to sigh. "Don't show your true strength until the right time, I'd rather you use the Kyuubi's chakra than your own at first, just be careful, that demon will try anything now that you don't need him."
"I know. I know," Naruto replied in an annoyed tone. The incessant lecturing was getting on his nerves. "I'm not a baka, sensei."
"Yes, but you used to be," a smug Jiraiya countered.
Naruto narrowed his eyes on the hermit, "Fine then, Ero-Sennin."
Naruto, with a foxy grin, watched as his sensei's face contorted in anger. "I thought you had finally stopped calling me that!"
"Yeah, but I used to call you that. It would look suspicious if I finally started to respect you."
Jiraiya could only grumble at the boy's logic. The boy had won this round, but Jiraiya had an ace up his sleeve. Now wasn't the time for it, but someday, when the boy least expected it, the Gama Sennin would have his revenge.
For those in the military profession, time of peace can be a blessing and a sin. War is a terrible fact of civilization, but it does give those in the military something to do. Times of peace are just—boring, especially for chunin stuck with the meager leftovers that could be called assignments. To the two ninjas monitoring the traffic coming in and out of the village, this guard seemed like it could be a civilian job. Why did they have to be stuck here? Any person in their right mind could spot an enemy shinobi and alert the town's ninja. Besides, if a really powerful group like the Akatsuki approached, what could Izumo and Kotetsu do against a group like them anyways? It would take a hundred chunin to slow them down.
Half-way through their eight hour shift the two chunin began to drift off. Reality and their daydreams becoming almost interchangeable. It was through this haze like state that Naruto and Jiraiya walked through. At first it seemed like a dream, but after a quick double take there was no doubt in their minds, it was real.
"Hey was that—"
"Yeah, no doubt about it."
Sakura was making her way through Konoha's busy streets. Rush hour had finally set upon the town. Even though the bustling streets were filled with the cries of merchants and laughter of children, it all seemed too quite. The whole village had been that way for the past couple of years. It's surprised her to no end how much of a difference the blond baka made.
"Sakura-nee-chan!"
Someone was calling her name. The pink hair girl turned around to see Team Ebisu running up the street to meet her. Konohamaru was the first to approach. After all these years, the boy was still the one in charge of what could be considered Naruto's fan club.
"Konohamaru," Sakura said as she acknowledged the boy with a wave.
"Where are you going?" the scarf wearing boy asked. He was breathing a little heavily. The three of them must have been searching for her for a while now.
"The main gate," Sakura answered. "I'm going to pick up the traffic report for Tsunade-sama. Do you want to come?" It would be nice to have a little company along the way. If she couldn't have Naruto with her, the second coming might do.
As the four walked along to the gate, the three genin began retelling their morning adventure with Tora. Sakura couldn't help but reminisce. Yes, it was good thing to bring the genin along, but she was beginning to miss Naruto now. Hopefully he'd be back soon.
As Jiraiya and Naruto went further into the village, Naruto couldn't contain his energy any longer. Stopping in front of a telephone pole, he dropped his bag on the ground. Gathering chakra in his feet almost subconsciously, the orange and black clad man was up the pole in an instant.
At the site of his pupil, Jiraiya had to chuckle, "Getting excited already I see."
Once he got to the top of the pole, Naruto stretched. He was home. The boy looked around the small metropolis. Everything looked almost exactly as he had left it. "This brings back memories; this place hasn't changed at all! Everyone Naruto Uzumaki has returned!" he yelled to the whole of Konoha, but to himself he added, but with a big surprise.
"Everything here is so nostalgic," he thought aloud. With a quick survey of the Hokage monument, he quickly saw Tsunade's face and had a quick laugh. "They added Baa-chan to the mountain."
Suddenly from down the street, four figures began to approach. After seeing the smiles on the chunin guards' faces combined with the hints the two dropped, Sakura, Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi had a feeling that Naruto was back. They had to go check and there he was on top of a telephone pole.
"Is it true?" Sakura asked. She hoped this wasn't just some elaborate prank. Her friend and teammate had to be back.
"It is!" Konohamaru replied happily.
"Naruto?" Sakura called out to the orange clad. It felt good to call his name again. She didn't know why, it just did, so she said it again. "Naruto, is that you?"
The boy on the pole heard his name being called by someone other than his sensei. The voice was nice and soothing. Turning around he saw a young woman next to his sensei—Sakura. Even from his position on the pole, he could still see just how beautiful she was. Since it probably wasn't the best idea to have a conversation from the top of a pole, Naruto hopped off to get a better look. While in free fall, Sakura asked when he had returned, and right before he hit the ground, he said they had just returned.
"It's been a while, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, now that they were up close.
It had been a while. The two friends smiled at each other while noticing the changes that had happened. The both made remarks to themselves about how the other was more beautiful or handsome. The change in clothes was another topic of interest for their eyes.
Soon Sakura felt that something was off as she took in Naruto. There was something different and she had to look up to see his eyes. Then it hit her; Naruto was taller then her.
"You're taller than me now, aren't you?"
Naruto brought his hand up to his head and mock measured his height.
"You're right," he answered, a goofy grin on his face.
It seems you've grown pretty strong in the time I haven't seen you, thought Sakura as she secretly admired his changes. His chakra signature seemed powerful and comforting and his hair was even longer and messier, but she liked it. His shoulders were broader, and even through the jumpsuit she could tell that his muscles were more developed. Naruto was becoming manly.
"What do you think? I'm more womanly now?" Sakura asked. She couldn't figure out why she asked that and she blushed at her own question.
Naruto panicked. How am I supposed to answer that? I still have to worry about my cover too. What do I do? Why'd she have to ask that of all things.
"It's fine, you haven't changed at all."
Now, why did he have to say that? That couldn't have been the right thing to say. It was definitely something he would've said a couple of years ago, but couldn't he have said something that wouldn't include having to deal with Sakura's wrath?
Sakura, clearly getting the wrong message, was upset and turned away from the boy. Jiraiya almost let a smirk slip at Naruto's comment. Good job Naruto, playing the part of the fool, but couldn't you have handled that better? Playing along with Naruto's lead, Jiraiya shook his head in disappointment. "You don't understand a woman's heart at all."
Konohamaru, after watching Naruto and Sakura talk, decided it was his turn to make his presence known. Naruto had been gone for two years, it was time to stir up a little trouble. He called Naruto's name before gathering and releasing his chakra.
Naruto turned around to see Konohamaru use the Oiroke no Jutsu. Jiraiya instantly started bleeding from his nose at the site of a naked, busty brunette. Sakura had the opposite reaction. A look of horror crossed her face followed by a searing anger. Naruto, strangely enough, had the most calm reaction. He chuckled at the young boy's antics.
"How was that?" the boy asked. "It had some real "oomph" to it, right?
Naruto grinned at the boy, "Konohamaru. I'm not a kid anymore. So you shouldn't use techniques like that either."
Konohamaru was a little ashamed. Naruto was right. They were both shinobi now. Sakura was dumbfounded at what she was hearing. I see so he didn't grow just physically. She was starting to like this new Naruto and the more she thought about the more she started to blush. It's a bit sad, but you've grown up a bit, Naruto. Knowing you, you probably came back with some impressive techniques too.
Naruto felt bad. It looked like he had hurt the feelings of the closest thing he had to a little brother. He decided that he was going to make it up to him. "Don't worry Konohamaru. I'll show you a more powerful technique later. The middle of the street isn't really the best place to demonstrate."
"Yeah kid," Jiraiya added to help Naruto excite Konohamaru and stop the baka from blowing his cover, "You should listen to the kid after two years the boy was able to improve in every aspect of ninjutsu." The old man even added a lecherous grin and wink to make his comment seem more suggestive.
Sakura noticed the sannin, but continued on her train of thought. That's right, an even more powerful jutsu. Naruto looked at his his sensei. What was he implying? "Yeah, I'll teach—"
Before he could even finish his sentence Sakura had woken up from her admiration induced haze and punched Naruto in the face. The poor orange clad ninja was buried three feet in the dirt after being launched down the street. Sakura in a fit of rage stomped over to the crater Naruto was buried in. She brutally began shaking him like a rag doll, yelling at the unfortunate boy.
"You baka!"
The three poor genin, having witnessed Sakura attack Naruto, clung onto the Gama Sennin in fear. The pink haired kunoichi was on a war path. City-goers just enjoying their day quickly removed themselves from the area. Some inched along the walls trying to make themselves invisible to the girl. The wrath of a woman is something everyone should fear, and Sakura was only getting started.
"On the inside you haven't grown at all. How dare you offer to teach that boy a more powerful perverted ninjutsu. Don't make me beat you senseless after two minutes when I haven't seen you in two years. What about my sparkling admiration of you?"
Naruto could barely think of anything besides the pain he was feeling, but a few random thoughts slipped through. What did she punch me for? That's not what I meant. Wait, she admires me?
Jiraiya was amazed by the strength of the petite woman. With that strength and that temper it's almost like a second Tsunade. Poor Naruto, he has to act like a baka and deal with those beatings. Jiraiya wanted to shiver at the thought, but, out of pure fear, his body wouldn't let him.
"Sakura-chan's temper hasn't changed at all," Naruto accidentally let slip, "actually I think she's become more violent than before."
"Huh? Did you say something?" Sakura asked, ready to kill him if he answered wrong.
Naruto decided it was best to act unconscious.
The Hokage Tower is located at the heart of Konoha. More of a sphere than an actual tower, the building serves as more than just an office for the Hokage. This building is where the village councils meet to make decisions that affect the village outside of the military. The first house of the legislation is the shinobi council. It is smaller in comparison to its companion house. Only a few retired shinobi elders are comprised of this group, their main duty is to act as mediators and advisers. In emergency situations, the elders can have the ability to take control of the Hokage's affairs. The next council is the civilian. Though some shinobi are on the council, the house is compromised of clan heads that have major interest to the village. This house can be compared to major stock holders of a company. Since the stock holders own a portion of the company, they can make decisions. There are different conditions that must be to gain a seat, but if the conditions are met, the clan has the seat forever, even if the clan dies out. This recognizes the contribution of the family to be remembered throughout history.
In this system the Hokage serves as an executive officer. The Hokage has control of the military and reviews bills created by the legislative branch. Even though the Hokage can veto bills, with the support of the shinobi council and an extra-majority in the civilian council, the legislation may override the veto. The Hokage, being a military leader, has access to privileged information. With this in mind and the Hokage's complete control over the villages shinobi, the Hokage is granted with the ability to make secret decisions without informing the councils as long as the decision does not cause malicious harm to the village. This is the premise behind the ANBU. The Black Ops allow for a place where missions, with or without knowledge from the council may be buried. With the power of such an elite group, the ANBU would seem like a way for a Hokage to cause a coup de état and gain complete control, but the village council, with support from the Fire Daimyo can strip the Hokage from their rank. This creates an uneasy trust between the leaders of Konohagakure no Sato.
As Naruto entered the office, he knew Tsunade would have to exercise some of her power. In two and half years he had changed.
"Long time no see, you two," the Godaime Hokage said as Naruto, Sakura and Jiraiya entered to room and stood in front of the Godaime's desk. "I take it that the training had some results?"
Jiraiya seemed appalled at the question. "Did you think we would come back with no results?"
If she only knew the whole story, she'd give Naruto a two rank promotion on the spot.
"I did great," Naruto clarified.
Tsunade leaned forward onto her desk as she eyed the young man in front of her. He was much taller from the last time she'd seen him. Hopefully his skill grew as much as his body. "Well then, let's see those results."
"See them?" Naruto asked. He thought Tsunade already knew the results of him training. Jiraiya would periodically send messenger pigeons back to the Hokage on his status. This isn't what he was expecting.
"I'd like you to fight against a certain someone. I haven't given him any missions in the past few days so that he could rest up," Tsunade answered. "Your opponent is—"
She didn't get to finish her sentence because of a knock on her door. After a curt, "enter," from the Hokage the door opened to reveal chunin with a pony tail. He was wearing a standard flak jacket over a mesh shirt and he had his headband tied to his left arm. Behind him was a girl with blond hair. She was a ninja from Suna and she was wearing a long purple dress. She also had a large fan strapped to her back.
Sakura quickly had their attention has she called their names and pointed at Naruto. "Who do you think it is?"
Shikamaru looked at blond ninja. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit, had blond hair and blue eyes. He was just so tall, but it had to be Naruto. "Naruto? Hey, if it isn't Naruto"
Temari was surprised. This was that same shrimp from the Chunin Exams?
"So you came back?" Shikamaru continued.
"Yeah, I just got back this morning," Naruto grinned.
"You don't look like such a baka anymore, or how should I say it? You've changed."
Naruto smiled at his friend. Someone was finally complementing him. Naruto wished he could see the face on his genius friend if he could tell him the whole story. He might not have been the brightest shinobi, but he believed he was a force to be reckoned with now.
Too bad Sakura had to ruin his pride, "Nope he hasn't changed at all."
"Just as I thought," Shikamaru chuckled. Naruto was hurt a little. Was it really that hard to believe that he had changed over the past two years?
"Sakura-chan," Naruto whined before perking back up. He turned back to Tsunade. "Is Shikamaru supposed to be my opponent?"
"Opponent? What are you talking about?" Shikamaru asked, clearly unaware of what was going on. "I just came here to pick up some documents."
"So if it's not Shikamaru, then who is it?" Naruto asked aloud.
"Naruto," Tsunade called. "Those two aren't your opponents. He's over there."
The fifth pointed outside her window. There wasn't a balcony, but there was a ledge. Naruto stuck his head out and looked around. As assured, Kakashi Hatake was sitting on the roof reading one of his books.
"Hey, you've gotten big, Naruto," his old sensei said. Kakashi also gave a little wave for good measure.
Climbing out of the window, Naruto crouched down by his old sensei. "Kakashi-sensei, you haven't changed at all."
It was true. In the two and a half years Naruto had been gone, Kakashi had done little to change his appearance. He still wore the mask that covered his face, and his forehead protector still covered his eye. If Kakashi had changed, the differences were much more subtle.
Suddenly Naruto remembered something. "Look here Sensei," Naruto said as he reached into his backpack. After fumbling around with the contents, Naruto found what he was looking for. "I have a present for you." Kakashi was intrigued. He didn't know what he did to receive such a gift, besides what kind of gift would Naruto give.
"Nani?" Kakashi yelled in surprise when he saw the gift. "Y-you...t-t-this is," Kakashi stuttered. It was impossible. How did Naruto get his hands on that book?
"You see, this is the first new Make-out Paradise in three years!" Naruto explained. "It's really boring, but you like it, don't you sensei?
Jiraiya snorted at that comment. The baka, like a gaki like him would be able to understand just how interesting it is, and that one hasn't even been put into circulation yet. It took me forever to get all the research for that story done. The gaki doesn't know just how much time I wasted on his training instead of that book. Jiraiya decided that his revenge would be even sweeter if that boy didn't start respecting him soon.
Looking at the book, Kakashi carefully took into his hands. In a manner similar to an archeologist finding a very precious artifact, Kakashi slowly opened the book. It was real. Flipping to the first page, the one-eyed man began reading, but he was ruefully interrupted.
"Stop goofing off now, Kakashi!" the Hokage ordered, from her position in the window.
Giving an inaudible sigh, Kakashi closed the book and headed towards the office. Naruto finally realized that Kakashi was going to be his opponent. How ironic, earlier today he was talking about how everything was so nostalgic and now he had to fight his sensei, just like he did when he became a ninja. At least Kakashi would provide him with a good challenge.
"So, my opponent is supposed to be—" Naruto didn't get to finish because Kakashi made a correction to Naruto's conclusion.
"That's not quite true either," the silver haired man said smiling under his mask. "It's been a while since I've last seen you Sakura."
"Hai, Kakashi-sensei," the Godaime's apprentice said. Sakura then moved away from the window to let Kakashi and Naruto back inside.
Once Naruto and Kakashi were both situated in the office Kakashi began speaking again. "I'm going to fight against Naruto and Sakura," he explained pointing at the two teenagers, when he said their name, respectively.
Jiraiya smirked when heard the scenario. If Naruto could use his full abilities not even your Sharingan eye would be able to keep up.
"The two of you together," Kakashi finished. The man received a gasp from his two students. They both looked surprised, but on Naruto's face there was a small amount of confusion. Without showing it, Kakashi wondered why. He thought Naruto would be excited to fight him again after his training his trip. This was unexpected. Shrugging the thoughts off, the jonin decided he would receive an answer sooner or later, there was no need to push for it now.
"Kakashi-sensei is our opponent." Naruto almost yelled. This is bad. If it was just Kakashi and I it wouldn't be a problem, but with Sakura-chan there...
"Just how for can you go with Kakashi as your opponent," the Godaime said, breaking Naruto and Sakura out of their surprise induced trance.
Jiraiya continued to praise himself. Farther than you could image Tsunade. A small smirk formed on the old man's lips. His student had become quite powerful over the past couple of years. With the amount of chakra the boy possessed, Naruto was one of his best students.
Naruto looked to his sensei. He hoped he would find some kind of clue as to what was going on. It was quite clear at this point that Jiraiya had left out some very important details. Seeing the smirk on the Gama Sennin, Naruto knew that this was the case and that this whole situation was becoming—he didn't want to think it with Shikamaru still in the room—troublesome. Naruto decided that he would just have to hold back.
"I'll decide what to do with you depending on the results," the Godaime said, done speaking, but by that time, Naruto wasn't paying attention anymore.
"What to do with them, huh," Shikamaru thought aloud. Technically Naruto was still a genin. Shikamaru wondered if Naruto even remembered that fact. He hadn't even seen the blond a full day yet and Shikamaru knew that Naruto was going to be just as troublesome as the day he left.
The Hokage then turned to her apprentice. "Sakura it's not like you've been wasting your time while working under me."
"Right," Sakura answered.
Kakashi took a step into the center of the room drawing everyone's attention. "So, should we get started now?" he asked, but before anyone could answer, he continued further. "At least, that is what I would like to say. Naruto is probably tired after just getting back. I'll give you a while to rest up."
Naruto at this point wasn't really that tired, and considering that he would have to hold back when they fought; it didn't matter when they started. It was probably best to get this over with as soon as possible. He told his old sensei that he was ready, with as much enthusiasm he could muster, even if he did end up over doing it.
"I'll meet you at training ground three," Kakashi replied, happy to see Naruto's excitement, but Kakashi couldn't help but feel that something was off with Naruto. Giving everyone in the room a mock salute with his index and middle fingers, the one eyed man used the Konoha-Shunshin to disappear, likely heading towards the training ground.
(For those that need it)
Glossary:
Konohagakure no Sato- The Village Hidden in the Leaves
Sandaime- Third
Nanadaime- Seventh
Rokudaime- Sixth
Godaime- Fifth
Hi no Kuni- Land of Fire
Gama Sennin- Toad Hermit(Sage)
Hime- Princess
Obaa-san- Grandmother, Naruto uses Baa-chan as a nickname to affectionately refer to Tsunade as his grandmother.
Baka- Idiot/Fool
Ero-Sennin- Perverted Hermit
Oiroke no Jutsu- Sexy Jutsu, Developed by Naruto, the Oiroke no Jutsu is a henge where the user changes into the form of a naked woman. The technique is quite effective against certain perverts. The Sandaime Hokage even remarked that the justu could've worked against him.
Gaki- Brat
Nani- What
Konoha-Shunshin- Leaf Body Flicker, a division of the normal shunshin, the user instead of using smoke to conceal their movements uses leaves. The shunshin is a teleportation technique that uses chakra to augment the users speed faster that the human eye once in motion. This is why leaves or smoke are used to conceal the movements of the user, but other mediums can be used, such as water (Mizu-Shunshin) or sand (Suna-Shunshin).
Authors Note: Like always, please inform me of any mistakes.
Updated: 1/5/11