One year after Uchiha Sasuke returned to Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto was fed up with his own life. Even after rescuing the Uchiha himself he received no recognition what so ever. Well, he really wasn't expecting any parties or some grand ceremony; Sasuke was a missing nin in their books. But what hurt the most is Sasuke was welcomed back with open arms. He was now back to "Uchiha san" and "that poor Uchiha boy". If it were Naruto…you know what? Forget it, it wasn't even worth thinking about. So, after one year of Sasuke leaving the evil clutches of a perverted psychopath Naruto decided to leave with a pervert of his own.

"Are you sure this is what you want kid? We won't be back for a few years once we leave, you know." The white-haired man slurped up the rest of his ramen.

"I'm sure, Jiraiya sensei, I think the time away from the village will be good for me. Time to clear my head, I guess. Besides, some things aren't that appealing to me like they used to." Naruto picked at his own untouched bowl of ramen. He had sought out the older author a few months in hopes of leaving with him the first chance he got. At first Jiraiya had cracked up laughing and scolded the blonde in his "lame attempt in humor". But, when Naruto further explained his reasoning he immediately shook his head. "You should think about it first Naruto. I'll tell you what, I'm going out of town on an errand for Tsunade san and I'll be back in a few months. Why don't you take the time to think about it and let me know when I get back?" So Naruto thought long and hard about leaving and as soon as he felt the sage's chakra back in the village he made haste in dragging him back to Ichiraku's.

"All right, but this doesn't mean I'm gonna let you slack off either. You're gonna train long and hard so when you get back you'll be ready to become Hokage."

Naruto beamed in delight. "Tsunade-baabaa's letting me become Hokage?"

"She has to run it by the council first, of course…"

"But she chose me as her successor?"

"Yes she did, but before you get all excited, she also wanted me to train you in other aspects of the Hokage?"

"Which is?"

"Etiquette, politics, and the like. It's really boring if you ask me."

Naruto was nearly glowing with pride. "I'll have to thank her when I get back."

"Leaving so soon?"

The blonde sighed and fidgeted in his seat. It wasn't like he was desperate to leave or anything. He wanted to grow up and he felt he couldn't do it in Konoha. Sighing he stretched and turned his attention once more on his sensei. "The sooner we leave the better. Besides, I don't think I could handle saying goodbye to the old hag anyway. I'll miss putting ink in her sake." Naruto smirked lightly. Jiraiya stared incredulously at his pupil. "That was you?" The younger only grinned before the elder broke out in laughter. "All right, go get packed and meet at the village gates in an hour. I need to tell the Hokage we're leaving." They both stood up and were gone in a puff of smoke.

When Naruto arrived at his apartment he stopped at the door, hand poised over the knob as if to open it. Did he really want to leave? What was in it for him in leaving? Was becoming Hokage really that important? Why was he suddenly questioning himself now when he was so close to leaving this hellhole? Damn his last minute insecurities. He opened the door of the apartment and snorted when he took a good look inside. This was why he couldn't wait to get out. Expired milk and empty ramen packages. Oh yeah, this was the life. Note the much used sarcasm.

He shuffled around and picked up what little clothes he had then stopped. Looking at the many pieces of orange clothing he cringed and sneered. Why did he like so much orange again? Oh yeah, he didn't. But it was his own fault, he guessed, that he decided to put up fool mask ever since the academy. When and why did he become to be so…fake? Again, with the "oh yeah", he had a monster living inside him. If none of the villagers were willing to give him attention, he'd seek it and grab it like the greedy little kid he was three years ago at thirteen. Tossing aside the orange fabric he went to his closet and picked out the clothing that was shoved all the way in the back; his secret stash of clothing. He smirked as he felt the smooth clothing. It took him a while and a whole lot of high-ranking missions but he was finally able to buy some nicer clothing other than the god-awful orange mess. Fishnets, silks, nylons, and some other materials he couldn't name, all light and tight, just how he liked it. Shoving the clothing into a black backpack he changed into a black, tight-fitting, spandex jumpsuit and long, black, cargo pants. He pulled combat boots over his black-socked feet and picked up his bag and headed towards his closet in the other room.

Opening said closet he scanned the contents. Decisions, decisions. Which weapons should he take? He knew he'd take his sword, that was a given, but which kunai and which shuriken should he take? Grabbing four black pouches, gunpowder, wire, and some other things before picking up his weapons. Putting them in their designated pouches Naruto ticked off the mental list in his head. Again, he picked up his backpack and headed to the door. Glancing at his clock he decided to run by the academy to say goodbye to his old mentor then shut and locked his door.

Umino Iruka wasn't having a good morning. His students were being uncooperative and unbearable. He managed to send them off to lunch and recess without smashing a tiny head against the chalkboard. He almost wished Naruto were his student again; at least he knew when enough was enough and just left. He just finished his lunch when the subject of his last thought walked through the door. At first he didn't recognize them and was about to demand who it was when he recognized the chakra signature in the air. He had to admit, Naruto was a very good-looking young man when he cleaned himself up, and now he was very glad to admit it. Though, he stopped those thoughts immediately; this was Naruto. Now if it were Kakashi… he then mentally slapped himself. Focus Iruka! He smiled as Naruto approached. "Naruto, to what do I owe the please. Nice outfit by the way. It's nice to see you in something other than orange, though, the black is kinda weird, even for you." Iruka gave his "adopted son" a brief hug.

Naruto grinned. "I know, but I still look dead sexy. Anyway, that's not what I came here for and I'm afraid I don't have much time."

Iruka frowned. Naruto always made time for him. "What is it Naruto?" He could see the worry lines forming on the blondes face when he suddenly looked down at his black boots.

"You see, Iruka sensei-"

"I told you to stop calling me that. I'm no longer your sensei and you know how I think of you."

Naruto laughed lightly. "Right. Sorry Iruka. Anyways, ano, Iruka…I'm leaving."

Iruka's eyes widened. Now this was a shock. Naruto, his Naruto, leaving? No, he couldn't. He's only sixteen and he's leaving me! Why? Naruto…is it because…no, he'd never let that get to him. He knows that wasn't his fault. I think it's time he learned about his father but I'd have to take it up with the Hokage after. Damn, I'll be penalized big time for this. Iruka sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes. "Sit Naruto, you need to hear this before you leave." The blonde studied him for the briefest of moments before sitting down at a bench behind one of the long desks.

"What is it Iruka?"

Here goes nothing. "It's about your father."

"My otousan? What does he have to do with anything?"

"Just listen for a moment and you'll be able to hear everything. Now I'm sure you know all about Kyubi by now-"

"But-"

"Don't interrupt! As I was saying, you should know all about Kyubi by now and how he was sealed into your body by the fourth." Naruto nodded. "The fourth Hokage was very powerful in order to seal the Kyubi away in your body. In doing so he sacrificed his life." Iruka saw the sadness and grief washed over Naruto's eyes before they disappeared. "What people didn't know, besides the Hokage and his predecessor, was that he had a son. It came as a complete surprise to him as it was announced to him the night of the Kyubi attack."

"What does that-?"

"I told you not to interrupt, Naruto, I'm getting to that." He heard Naruto mumble a sorry before continuing. "As it were the fourth couldn't very well destroy the nine-tailed fox so he needed to seal him away into a vessel. There were many volunteers of course but the Hokage couldn't trust to seal the demon away in someone he wasn't sure was strong enough, mentally and physically. So, he sealed the Kyubi away in someone he knew would be powerful enough, when he became older, to withstand Kyubi's advances of escape."

Naruto held up his hand, stopping Iruka. He was thoroughly confused. "Wait…just wait…how did he know that I would be strong enough when I was older?"

Iruka took a deep breath and sighed heavily again. "Because Naruto," Naruto was on the edge of his seat, "he sealed Kyubi away in someone who shared the same strong blood that once ran through his veins."

"Iruka…"

"He sealed the Kyubi in his own son, you…"okaHH