Disclaimer: I am just a fan. I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 9: Konoha: Long Time No See Return of the Missing Nin
Two weeks have passed since team Kakashi and team Gai left Konoha to aid Suna, and they are eager to return home with their newest member in tow and the intelligence Sakura had been able to retrieve from Sasori before his death. They only stayed long enough to pay their last respects to elder Chiyo-Baa-sama.
"Are you sure you don't want to rest a little longer? Especially with the condition you are in Kakashi-san." Temari asked respectfully.
"Thank you for the offer but I am fine. I have very reliable friends, besides we need to return home as soon as possible, there are things which must be discussed with Hokage-sama. I will find time to rest along the way." Kakashi replied.
Temari and Kankurou escorted them out thanking them for all they had done. Gaara followed silently behind them. Naruto uncertain of how to proceed exchanged an awkward moment of farewell with Gaara who finally ended it with a handshake. Smiling warmly at his Suna friend Naruto turned and began his journey home to Konoha with Kakashi and the others. Naruto would spend the rest of his day silently contemplating all of the events which have transpired. Covering over a quarter of the journey both teams decided to eat and rest before continuing home. Naruto found a spot away from the others so he could continue to sort through his rediscovered memories and the overwhelming emotions they invoked privately without interruption. He couldn't help but think of Master Yoshikawa and how he would have subjected him to some type of extreme training as punishment for losing the very control he promised to keep. Naruto missing the wisdom of his Master decided to honor his teachings and found a clearing out of sight; creating as many Kage Bunshin as he could, he paired them up one doing handstand pushups while the other sat balancing on top of their legs and practiced their breathing techniques. He started his training with pushups as both he and his clones meditated on the reason for his loss of emotional control during his battles. They would switch between positions once two hundred handstand pushups where reached. He would continue this for one and a half hours before stopping to eat and rest, their pit stop only being four hours long.
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Sakura thoughts drifted to Naruto and his well being and she left in search of him. Sai was propped up against a rock and reading a book when he noticed Sakura leaving; feigning disinterest he continued reading.
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"I have set it up so that you will be a member of team Kakashi. Not only are you about the same age as Uzumaki Naruto, but you are also the strongest amongst your peers your skills second to none. Until your mission is complete your name will be Sai. Danzou said with authority.
"Sai?" The Anbu Root agent said smiling.
"Don't make insincere smiles like that in my presence." Chastised Danzou.
"Forgive me. I read in a text that the first step into someone's heart is through a smile, but I am still having trouble displaying emotions properly even after practice." Sai said in an attempted apologetic tone.
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Naruto sensing someone's approach dispelled all but one Kage Bunshin which he left meditating in the clearing while he hid himself and thought of the best strategy to deploy should his uninvited guest prove to be hostile when Sakura stumbled into the clearing.
"Naruto here you are. You shouldn't be so far from the camp site, especially after recent events. It is best if we all stay in a group. Sakura said looking for a way to break the ice.
"I came out here for a little privacy so I could think, and we are not that far away from the camp; you know, you shouldn't let your guard down especially after recent events." Naruto said exhaling and opening his eyes.
"Who says my guards lowered?"
Naruto crept up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. Poof, the Kage Bunshin disappeared.
"Me."
"When did you…" Sakura asked after jumping up and spinning around in a defensive position startled.
"Doesn't really matter. I think we should head back; we only have a short time before we have to take off again. Let's go." Naruto said cutting her off.
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Their small repose finished. Tenten and Sakura taunt Gai for moving so slow while supporting Kakashi; irritated and at his limit, Gai threw Kakashi on his back piggy back style which everyone found uncomfortable and weird except for Lee who was ecstatic about his Masters new idea for training to the dismay of his peers. "Ha, ha, ha, the springtime of youth knows no fear, which of you dares to take up my challenge and defeat me in a race to Konoha. I will do one thousand laps around Konoha should I lose." Gai said as he took off in an unimaginable burst of speed. The gate guards heard what sounded like a stampede and searched for the cause when Gai sped to a halt as he passed the entry way.
"Ha, ha, ha, first" came Gai's cry.
"SECOND!" yelled Lee exuberantly.
"I am very proud of you my most beloved student, but I have some sad news for you Lee. You miscalculated; you did not come in second. Instead, you came in THIRD!" Gai said dramatically. Lee's jaw drops and his eyes bulge anime style as he screamed "NOOOO!"
"Kakashi came in second." Gai continued. "You were very fortunate to have me carry you Kakashi-san. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I suggest you take this lesson and allow it to motivate you to become stronger. Now go my pupil, and let your spring time of youth flow freely so that you may gain the strength to never let this happen again. Gai said giving him a thumbs up and a Colgate smile.
"Hai!" Lee yelled enthusiastically as he sped off to begin his training laps around Konoha for losing to Gai and Kakashi-sensei.
"Yosh, now to report to Hokage- sama."
"Gai-sensei, shouldn't we take care of Kakashi-sensei first." Sakura said to the excited and absent minded Gai who nodded his head and sped off to the infirmary.
Naruto stood before the gates listening to echoes of the past as his comrades passed him by in search of a well deserved meal and rest, only Sakura noticed his absence. Naruto gazed off into the distance as his mind relived the life he had forgotten. All the joys, all the pains, and the determination that sprung forth because of it. What happened to him; how could he have ever forgotten? Why could he still not recall everything?
"He would know what I can't remember. I need to find him, but where do I begin?" Naruto thought to himself. Sakura's voice brought him out of his trance "Naruto what are you waiting for?"
"To wake up. I have lived my last six months without a past and now….it is like a dream. I have a home. I have friends. I have an identity…. My memories are still a little shattered Sakura will you show me to my place so I can freshen up and then to the Hokage tower. I am guessing that she is going to want to speak to me and I just want to get it over with."
"Sure." Sakura said quietly taken aback at Naruto's request, but it was more than that she was suffering from a mild state of shock over his presence, his demeanor, and mostly over his personality; he had changed so much since last they met. When she found out the news that Naruto had disappeared she had thought the worst and felt guilty for not being vigorous enough to help. She knew he was pushing himself to the limits. She knew he felt guilty over not having the strength to stop Sasuke from running off to Orochimaru, and she had made it worse by crying and begging him to bring Sasuke back. Why did she have to go and add that extra bit of pressure? She knew Naruto would go after Sasuke they were team mates, and more than that Sasuke was almost like a brother to him. Why had she been so weak? If it wasn't for Tsunade-sama accepting her as her student, and the distraction provided by her Master's extreme training regime she would have broken down completely, but those demons belonged to the past. Who she was then was not who she was now. She used those negative thoughts as fuel to transform herself into a more than adept medical ninja with still evolving, and almost above average ninja skills even if she said so herself. She vowed to grow even stronger in order to protect all those precious to her.
While walking Naruto home Sakura realized that with all that had happened she had never really taken in his visage as a whole. She discretely peeked at his profile and noticed that he was taller than her by four or five inches. The countenance on his face was one of calm mingled with fatigue and he carried a make shift pack of some sort slung cross bodied from his right shoulder to his left hip. He was wearing dark brown moccasin style shoes. The rest of his features were too well hidden underneath a slightly worn heal length mud colored travel cloak to notice. Reaching the apartment door, Sakura stepped to the side. "Here you are. I will meet you out front in one hour. You are not the only one who needs to freshen up. "
"Sakura…."
"Yes Naruto."
"Urgh…Thanks."
Sakura smiled then turned and left for her own home. Naruto opened the door and peered into the small one bedroom apartment. Before entering the place he once called home, he watched the phantom of a boy in an orange jump suite pass by the door on his way to the small make shift kitchen. Stepping in Naruto saw the phantom at a table where scrolls on all types of ninjutsu were opened and strewn about covering it like a mosaic. As the images faded, Naruto made his way to the closet, and opened the door. Smiling he pulled out a loud orange jacket, it was hard to believe the lengths he went to just to gain attention. Placing the orange jacket back in the closet he retrieved a clean set of clothes from his pack laid them out on the bed and found his way to the bathroom for a long over do shower.
One hour came and went in the blink of an eye and Naruto stood outside his apartment waiting for Sakura. Before they left to Suna, Master Yoshikawa had Naruto pack one set of tactical yet casual style clothing which he now wore. It was navy blue kung fu style clothing with black moccasin style shoes. The outfit was given to him by Yoshikawa in recognition of his achievements. "Appearances are important in certain situations." was all he said as Naruto made room for them in his pack.
During his years spent as a wanderer Yoshikawa learned many things from many different people and had spent hours creating the outfit Naruto now wore. The pants had a hidden pouch wrapping around the inside waist line like a belt which was sectioned into four separate pockets each able to hold a decent amount of projectiles as well as other things without being noticed. The jacket had hidden pockets also. Naruto asked his master what the reason was for all the hidden pockets and was told "Naruto, just because fortune smiles upon you, doesn't mean you won't run across a devil waiting to take that fortune away. Always be prepared my boy."
Sakura finally arrived, rounding the corner she spotted Naruto and inhaled softly at how handsomely he was dressed. Naruto walked over to her. Matching her pace he asked rhetorically "Shall we?"
Blushing, Sakura nodded her head and lead the way to Hokage tower where they were greeted by Shizune who silently appraised Naruto as he walked in.
"Wow, that's Naruto, I can't believe it! He has changed so much. The Naruto I remembered was so loud in demeanor as well as dress. It is almost as if I am staring at a completely new person" was all Shizune thought ushering them into the Hokage's office.
Tsunade was standing by the window gazing out upon Konoha with Jiraiya, who being one that enjoyed a grand entrance was waiting outside on the window ledge like a stage actor awaiting his cue.
"Tsunade-sama, Sakura and Naruto are here." Shizune said waking Tsunade from her thoughts.
Tsunade slid her eyes from Sakura to Naruto and stood with her arms crossed silently inspecting him. He had grown taller she thought. Continuing her inspection, she also noticed that that growth was not relegated to his body alone but also extended to his choice of dress as well as his discipline and restraint which she saw in his posture. She allowed herself a small smile as she noticed his unruly hair had remained. She knew from listening to Jiraiya's constant recollection of Konoha's number one hyperactive ninja that this new Naruto was a product of the six months he had gone missing. Gazing upon him after all these many months she was struck with the urge to leave the Hokage façade and dote over him. She had been truly worried for his welfare and missed him sometimes she thought a little too much. His innate ability to have even total strangers come to care for him as if he were their own blood never ceased to amaze her, and upon reflection she new along with wanting to bet everything on his determination to succeed it was a part of Naruto's uncanny charm.
When he went missing, for a little while she regressed to the Tsunade of old. Thinking herself cursed she dulled her pain and self pity with sake bottle after sake bottle. Thank God for Shizune, if not for her diligent and loyal disciple keeping things running smoothly, her fall would not have gone unnoticed. The only argument she lorded over Shizune's much appreciated coddling was that she had been a little too efficient, which forced Tsunade to endure the constant harassment of the old geezers about her recent decrease in proficiency.
Naruto squirmed uncomfortably under Tsunade's gaze, even though he had regained much of his memories including those of the bonds he had formed with people over the years he could not help but feel apprehensive. Perhaps it was all the time spent isolated in the mountains with no one for company but Master Yoshikawa or maybe he still hadn't come to except the reality of the recent events which had transpired. Whatever it was that was keeping him from relaxing, he hoped it would pass with time. Konoha was after all his home and these people were not strangers but friends.
Naruto wished Master Yoshikawa was here with him so he could seek his advice, but present circumstances required that his presence remain a secret to all save Naruto for whatever reason he did not know but Naruto would not betray the Master he owed so much too and whom he had grown very fond of. Until he was otherwise told, Naruto would take that particular secret to his grave. His thoughts drifted to the cavern in what was his mountain home for six months and to the well being of his Master when he was snapped out of it by Jiraiya who took the uncommonly long silence as his cue to enter.
"Yo! Long time no see, Naruto. It appears you managed to survive, but I would expect nothing less from my apprentice especially if he has a skull as thick as yours."
Although Jiraiya maintained a demeanor of neutrality he could not help but inwardly admire his snazzy dressed apprentice, and compared the man before him to the boy of old. Now he knew the reason for the uncommon silence. All those months of tension built spent fearing the worst only to have Naruto relieve them in a way only he could. Jiraiya had to laugh at how Naruto never failed to disappoint. Walking up to Naruto, he slapped him on the shoulders and held him at arms length.
"You sure did take your sweet time coming home. Did you decide to take the scenic route?" Jiraiya asked humorously.
Naruto, face to face with the person he hoped could fill the small gaps in his memory smiled as he said, "Something like that old man."
Entranced by the nostalgia of the moment, everyone watching smiled at the pair. Pupil and Master reunited against all odds. Hopefully this bit of good fortune was a sign of positive things to come and not the calm before the storm Tsunade felt looming whenever she peered out over Konoha threw the window of the Hokage's office. So many perils surrounded them these days it was good to have fortune smile upon them if even for a brief moment.
The time for nostalgia over, Tsunade dismissed Sakura so that she and Jiraiya could question Naruto privately about his whereabouts over the last six months and the reason he failed to return. Being true to his word and not revealing anything of his Master or where he resided all Naruto would tell them was that he was found badly beaten and unconscious by a kindly old man who nurtured him back to health in a remote place somewhere around River country, and how the old man allowed him to stay with him after they discovered Naruto suffered from amnesia. He finished the story, recalling their need for supplies and their journey to Suna which lead to the events that harbingered his reunion with Konoha. After spending hours answering questions and being screened by Tsunade to ensure he was at optimal health, Naruto was finally allowed to retire for the night.
"I am sure with all that you have been through you'll want to rest and recuperate" came Tsunade's dismissal.
"I am a little tired, but I would like to ask Master Jiraiya some questions if I could. Although I have regained much of my memory there are still some holes. I believe he is the only one who can fill them."
Jiraiya sat in silent astonishment over the fact that Naruto had not once called him pervy sage throughout the whole interrogation. He kind of missed it, but was still glad to be rid of the horrible nickname given to him by a young Naruto when he was discovered doing research for his books. Inwardly he laughed as he thought to himself "It only took a near death experience and a bout of amnesia for him to finally show me the proper respect I deserve."
"There will be plenty of time for us to talk later Naruto. For now, I think you should get some rest. I am sure with all that has happened to you, you have more than enough to think about." Jiraiya said roused from his thoughts.
"I suppose you are right. Good night Hokage-sama, Master Jiraiya." Naruto said deciding not to press the subject. Knowing that he would eventually find the answers he sought Naruto respectfully bowed and left the Hokage tower for his apartment and the bliss of a good night's sleep.
"He has improved much that was no mere façade I saw, but the genuine article. What do you think?" Jiraiya said thoughtfully.
"I think I would like to meet this old man Naruto refuses to elaborate on."
"Yes, he does seem interesting, but unless Naruto is ready to trust us with that knowledge I doubt even Ibiki could pry it from him."
"True enough, and you are right that was no mere façade, from Sakura and Kakashi's accounts of the events that took place it would seem Naruto has immensely improved in the ninja arts, and inconceivable as it might sound, from what Kakashi reports after witnessing a battle between Naruto and an imposter Itachi perhaps even his skills in genjutsu have improved, but he could not definitively say. I am sure some of that improvement is due to your two years spent training him, but I am certain the rest was learned from are mystery man." Tsunade recounted.
"Perhaps after he has had sufficient time to rest a test might be in order, just to see firsthand how much he has improved." Jiraiya said smiling before leaping out the window.
"I think that would be enlightening." Tsunade thought to herself.