AN: As you can tell I changed Tsunade's age a little bit; she is a tad bit older in this story; other questions about other characters will be explained in due time. Edited.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

ITALICS – thinking

BOLD – jutsu/demon talk

Chapter Three: The Legacy Returns

It was another 10 minutes until the ANBU awoke Hiruzen from his slumber; Naruto did not mind as he was sitting on the chair by the desk smiling waiting for him to get vertical again. Mizuki was already taken to the T&I to be interrogated though after seeing Naruto, it should be easy to break him.

A groan is heard as Sarutobi grasps his head then looks to see Naruto being calm and collected like he always was.

"So, it wasn't a dream." Naruto shakes his head then laughs as he gets slapped across the face "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!"

"Now, now, I would settle that old heart of yours, we may be the same age but our bodies tell otherwise. Please, take a seat my friend and let me discuss why I had to seal myself in my father's scroll."

Sarutobi nods and signals his ANBU back to their posts then sets up a barrier seal so that no secrets could be spilled.

As Sarutobi takes a seat he asks a question "Why did you not tell me what your plans were, why let me wallow in my guilt for so long?"

Naruto smiles and brushes aside one of his bangs and begins his tale.

"Four years before Mito passed, both she and I made a mistake on a seal array that would eventually seal the Kyuubi within myself. This mistake proved to be a blessing in disguise as the seal managed to let us peer into the future to an extent and what we saw made us realize that in order for the Elemental Nations to live on that I would need to retain my youth; due to this both Mito and I worked tirelessly to figure out how to do so. As you can tell it worked and now here I am a set amount of years later but still looking like I am 18 years old. Tobirama and I discussed this before I sealed myself into the Scroll of Seals and he was saddened at the fact but knew it was for the best. How is Tobirama, Uzu, and the others; how many years has it been as you have not answered that question yet.

Sarutobi sighs "You and Mito always had a knack for making the most interesting seals and I will not question you on how your seal is holding as I know you became an expert in seals at age fifteen. Now, to answer your questions it has been fifty years since you disappeared and sadly, Tobirama died in battle just like Hashirama did. As for Uzu, it still stands and Tsunade wishes to see you again. You know she prayed every day for your return; she is currently running our hospital if you want to meet her."

Naruto bows his head in sadness "I would not mind seeing Tsunade again but I will do that later; as for Tobirama, it seems another bright flame has been extinguished and the cycle continues even as I slept."

Sarutobi nods "Unfortunately so."

Naruto sighs deeply "Can you get me up to speed on how Konoha is holding up; I would like to see if what Mito and I saw came to fruition."

Sarutobi smiles sadly at Naruto "Konoha has been going downhill I am afraid and its mainly because I grew soft over the years and let the Civilian Council and my old friend Danzo gain power over me. My advisors, Koharu and Homura, and I have attempted to gain back what is mine but I cannot seem to do so; maybe you can give a morale boost to this old village."

"Interesting, the images Ka-san and I saw were vague but I see that Konoha is not well." Naruto sighs "Drop the seal Hiruzen and call a council meeting as Tobirama gave me much to do when I was sealed and know a thing or two about politics, that and both of us were trained by my father."

Sarutobi does as told and laughs "The council is going to shit themselves seeing you again Naruto though they might see you as a young Hashirama from the history books. Oh and this might piss you off but here is what the academy teaches nowadays."

Sarutobi picks up a piece of paper from his desk and hands it over to Naruto who grabs it and reads over it then squashes the area with KI as silver chakra escapes from his body; the ANBU and Hiruzen drop to their knees at the overwhelming pressure.

Naruto lets up on it after taking a deep breath to stay calm "My father and Tobirama would be rolling in their graves if they saw this. What in the hell does learning history have to do with the ninja world; yes it is important to learn but focusing mostly on it and only having three jutsu to pass. This sickens me to no end and I fear for what the genin of today have become."

Sarutobi tugs on the collar of his robes letting air get through as he was sweating from Naruto's KI.

"Um, the genin death rate is about fifty percent and I have noticed that the jonin tend to play favorites sometimes and usually don't train themselves to stay at the level they were promoted to."

Naruto growls "THAT IS IT! Hashirama's legacy is back and I will show everyone what the Will of Fire truly is and will rekindle that flame that everyone used to have." Naruto rips up the paper in his hand in frustration "Come Hiruzen, we have some house cleaning to do."

Sarutobi signals the ANBU "Call the council to order and tell them if they are not here in 10 minutes they can forfeit their seat!"

"Hai Hokage-sama!"

10 minutes later –Council Chambers

Everyone was seated around the table and was muttering about why this meeting was called; the room goes silent as Sarutobi enters with a gleam in his eye which the advisors and Clan heads catch.

"Seems the God of Shinobi is back but what made him change?" They thought

"Hokage-sama, may I ask why this meeting was called?" Koharu questions

Sarutobi nods then proceeds to sit down "Recently, an old friend of mine came back from being missing and would love to chat with you especially the civilian side on matters that pertain to how you are undermining my authority which my advisors and I have worked to get back."

A civilian member sneers "Of course we usurped your power, as civilians you listen to us, plus we grow tiresome of having all these ninja around getting all these benefits and such while we get shit."

The clan heads and advisors are astonished with his man's brash and uncouth remarks to the Hokage who just looks at him and smiles then proceeds to speak.

"So you confess to your crimes then, good that will make it easier on me and my friend which would love to introduce himself. ANBU let him in."

The ANBU guarding the door open it and Naruto walks in making everyone gasp, Danzo, who was seated on the civilian end, was in fear for the first time in many years. The Clan heads and advisors all gasp out one word.

"Hashirama-sama!"

Naruto chuckles lightly "Come now, I may look like my father but I am not him. No, I am his son Naruto whom disappeared fifty years ago; you should remember that Koharu and Homura as you were under the guidance of Tobirama himself."

Both the advisors smile "Well this is most surprising, it seems that Hashirama's legacy lives; I see that you have his necklace still." Homura responds

Naruto palms it and closes his eyes "Yes, his spirit lives on in me and with this necklace he always will be by my side when I fight my enemies."

"Can someone explain to me what is going on? This man supposedly died fifty years ago?!" Tsume yells out

Naruto turns to her "And who might you be fair maiden?"

Tsume blushes "I am Tsume Inuzuka, clan head of the Inuzuka clan Senju-sama."

Naruto bows "Pleased to meet you, now can I get the names of the others?"

Hiashi stands and bows "Hiashi Hyuga of the Hyuga clan."

"Shikaku Nara of the Nara clan."

"Inoichi Yamanka of the Yamanka clan."

"Shibi Aburame of the Aburame clan."

"Choza Akimichi of the Akimichi clan."

All bow and chorus "Welcome Senju-sama."

As Naruto was about to talk another civilian member screeches in annoyance "I demand that you stop ignoring me and the civilians this…"

She cannot continue as she finds herself trapped by tree branches that erupted from her wooden chair and floor keeping her mouth shut; everyone was in awe at the subconscious use of Mokuton.

Naruto glares at the civilian side and glares at them "You do not demand anything in this village run by a Hokage and its Shinobi civilian-sans; you may grow weary of having them around but you forget that they are the ones that protect you in a time of war or invasion. The Hokage makes sure those Shinobi are strong and ready to fight for the village and its inhabitants; the benefits given to them are well deserved as they lay their life on the line every mission they go out on."

The clan heads, advisors, and Sarutobi nods in approval; Naruto continues.

"Now, since you thought it was wise to take that power away, our academy is weak, our genin have a fifty percent chance of dying and our whole system of Shinobi has grown weak as a result. I fear for the security of this village and the virtues my father built this village upon but I digress. Tobirama's law states that a civilian council is only needed in a time of war and we are not in one at the moment so as the clan head of the Senju I will motion for you to give up your seats and even you mummy man. I feel the darkness ooze off of your very body and can tell that it was you who has been diminishing this Will of Fire that my father built this village upon. Do not cross me, do not attempt to bring this village down because I will find you and I will beat what virtues my father lived by and passed onto me into that thick skull of yours."

Danzo scowls "Damn that Senju…all my plans might be ruined because of him!"

Sarutobi smiles and claps "Well said Naruto-sama now, who here votes to have the civilian side as well as Danzo be cleared of their seats on this council?"

The clan heads and advisors raise their hands; it was unanimous leaving the civilian side and Danzo in a bad mood.

"It's unanimous, the Civilians and Danzo will now be escorted out never to attend a meeting again; ANBU!"

The ANBU escort them out the door while Danzo takes another look at Naruto and growls which said person catches; he knew he would have to keep an eye on this man.

After the annoyances leave Hiashi voices his concern "What will you do now that you are back Senju-sama?"

Naruto smiles "Why, I plan on bringing this village back to its heyday with the help of my dear friend Hiruzen of course."

Everyone smiles but Shikaku looks at Naruto with a quizzical look "This is troublesome to ask but why return after all these years and how do you look so young; you have to be about Hokage-sama's age."

Naruto laughs and takes a seat at the table "Well then, since I plan on bringing this village back up to par, I have to trust you all with some secrets ne?" All nod "Well, I will give you a watered down version as every ninja has to keep his secrets."

Naruto tells what he told Hiruzen in his office; from Mito sealing the Kyuubi into him, the seal mistake, and how he sealed himself into the scroll of sealing so that the future generation would prosper. Everyone minus Hiruzen was in shock and actually smiled at the ingenuity of it all.

"Well Mito was the best when it came to seals, when did you get so good at them?" Koharu asks

Naruto taps his chin "I became a seal master at age fifteen and continued my progress when sealed in a limbo like state so I guess I can call myself a seal god."

"Troublesome." Shikaku states while everyone chuckles

"It would seem illogical to put you in the academy or test you Senju-sama." Shibi intelligently states "May I ask what you would like to be rank wise?"

Naruto smiles "I would not mind being Jonin with travelling rights; I want to travel from team to team if that is possible Hiruzen."

Said person smiles and nods "No problem at all, in fact graduation and team placements are tomorrow if you wish to attend. One thing though, how will you announce your return?"

Naruto laughs "Why, I will just walk around the village like my father did. This will give me the chance to see how security is, the state of the village, and help fellow citizens out with their problems."

Everyone nods and accepts the simple but fool proof way of introducing himself back into Konoha and its populace.

"I see nothing else that needs to be done so we are all dismissed." Sarutobi states and all rise and leave the chamber.

Hiruzen and Naruto however decided to catch up on old times and walk around the village reminiscing about the days of old; once they were done Naruto decided to check up on the hospital to see Tsunade for the first time in 50 years.

Hospital

Naruto walks into the waiting room making people gasp as he hears whispers of 'Is that Hashirama?' or 'Hashirama's son has returned but why does he look so young?' These remarks make him chuckle a bit and he goes up the the receptionist and asks to see Tsunade. The lady agrees and Naruto waits for the proverbial tongue lashing he would get.

The sound of high heels is heard on the white tile floor and then a gasp as Tsunade looks upon Naruto for the first time in 50 years; that gasp soon turns into anger and she attempts to pound the daylights out of him.

"NARUTO! HOW DARE YOU LET ME SUFFER!" Tsunade yells as she throws a punch; everyone waits for the impending crash but it never happens and become shocked at what they saw.

Naruto catches her hand like it was nothing and does not get pushed back one bit; he starts laughing "Well it's good to see you too Tsunade…how have you been?"

Tsunade puts her fist down and gives the tongue lashing "You come back for this first time in fifty years and THAT is what you ask?! And look at you; I age to an old grandma while you retain your 18 year old self…so unfair. I wonder if I should use an aging jutsu on you to make you look like Hiruzen is now, you are technically 68 years old."

Naruto laughs and puts his hands in the air in defense "That will not be necessary my surrogate sister, let's go in your office to discuss what happened as we have seemed to cause a disturbance for these folks."

Tsunade peers over Naruto's shoulder to see the smirking faces of the people in the waiting room as well as others trying to hold back a laugh; she blushes and grabs Naruto's hand.

"Fine, come on, and it better be a damn good explanation too you uncouth little shit!"

The people in the waiting room couldn't hold it in any longer and they burst out laughing at Tsunade and Naruto's expense.

The Following Day

After Sarutobi and Naruto did their rounds in Konoha everyone soon spread the news that the son of Hashirama was back which warmed people's hearts and soon the flame that dwindled over the many years found a new spark; in time though it would grow into a blaze. While walking around Naruto noted that the village was in need of some structural repair but it was adequate; the security however was laughable and Naruto knew he would have his hands full on that job.

Hiruzen let Naruto look over the academy records and curriculum whom was not impressed as he found that teachers played favorites and even went so far as to sabotaging others education; what the genin were taught was laughable as well. Naruto questioned this and Sarutobi went into the long explanation of the Uchiha massacre which both grew suspicious as parts of the story did not add up. Naruto and Hiruzen vowed to keep a close eye on Danzo's activities from now on. We reach the present and find Naruto and the other Jonin in the Hokage Office ready to take their teams for the test but also to discuss a new training plan courtesy of Naruto.

"Hello all, I would like to welcome my old friend Naruto Senju back into the land of the living; for those who don't know, he sealed himself in the Forbidden Scroll for a reason I will not explain at this time."

The Jonin look at Naruto who is bearing Hashirama like armor and bow which he returns.

"Now, I know all of you have the test to give to your students but Naruto has vowed to bring back the glory days of Konoha like it was back when his father was Hokage and as such, has devised a training regime for the ones who make it. He also is restructuring other things in the village to get us back to the strength we were at many years ago."

Kakashi looks over at Naruto and asks a simple question "May I ask what you have planned Naruto?"

Naruto nods "Yes but Hiruzen lied to an extent; this training will not only apply to genin but to all ranks. I have devised a training regime for all ranks to follow as they get promoted to further their strength; each ninja rank has a different regime which gets harder as the rank increases."

Asuma nods "That is a sound plan as I feel that some of our Shinobi has become lax in their training and if I know my history right your father was a slave driver when it came to training."

Hiruzen and Naruto laugh and both reply "You have no idea."

"And this training will entail what exactly?" Kurenai asks

Naruto looks at her "Well my fair lady," a blush adorns the woman's' face "I will use the same method my father taught Hiruzen and I. Physical exercises till you almost pass out, chakra control until your reserves diminish to almost nothing, training in their elemental affinities once they learn them as the academy decided to skip that part. Hell, Hiruzen and I trained with ours since age seven. Anyway, I will ask the Genin to pick a specialty that they want to learn and lead them to talk to their clan head. Of course the level of exercises and such gets harder as rank increases."

Everyone minus Hiruzen and Naruto pale when Guy decides to make his presence known.

"Senju-sama is filled with YOUTH! YOSH!"

Naruto laughs "I see that some of you still carry the Will of Fire Hashirama wanted to see in all of Konoha."

The Sandaime clears his throat "As you can tell this training will produce very strong Shinobi in time and before you ask why such a harsh regiment you have to realize what era Naruto and I lived in."

"The Warring States." Kakashi interrupted

Both Naruto and Hiruzen nod with a sad smile on their face as the he continues.

"Yes and as such both of us had to do things we still regret to this day, how you think Naruto got that scar on his face. It is a reminder of how close we came to death during that era and it still baffles me how he and I survived through it."

"About our teams Hokage-sama?" Kurenai asks

"Sorry, I seem to be telling my past more often with Naruto around." Cue laughs from the Jonin and a smirk from said person "Kakashi, you will take Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai. Kurenai will take Hinata, Shino, and Kiba. Asuma, you will take the Ino-Shika-Cho…"

The Hokage gives the other Jonin their teams and dismisses them but before Kakashi can leave Naruto stops him.

"Hello Kakashi, I have heard about your chronic lateness and I will be trailing your team as I will rectify that as well as the last Uchiha's smug attitude. I will not be having you play favorites; I know what's under that headband of yours. Do not dwell on the past Kakashi as it only leads to regret, focus on the future as the path is much brighter. Now come, let's meet our team shall we."

Kakashi smiles underneath his facemask "Yes let's and thank you Naruto-sama; I can see Hashirama in you and can tell you will bring Konoha back to its previous strength."

Naruto nods and sinks into the floor while Kakashi poofs into smoke; all the while Sarutobi shakes his head at Naruto's calm yet stern attitude much like his father had.

Academy

"Those are your teams; your Sensei shall be in soon." Iruka states and was about to sit down when the floor to his right ripples and a man comes up from the ground.

"Greetings Senju-sama!" the class choruses making him chuckle

"Naruto is fine as I grow tired of hearing the honorific."

"Are you going to make us strong!" a student asks

"That depends, why did you decide to become a Shinobi?"

The boy thinks and replies "I did it to protect my family and Konoha."

Naruto smiles "The Will of Fire is strong within you and with my training may it grow ever brighter."

Other questions go out and Naruto answers them to the best of his abilities and soon senses Kakashi coming in.

"Team seven with me, meet me on the roof. My first impression of you…is that you suck." Kakashi poofs out of the area as Naruto laugh at his antics.

"Come along now, I will escort you to your Sensei." Naruto states as he waves over to Sakura, Sasuke and Sai whom follow him out the door

"Naruto, although young in body, is as wise as Hokage-sama; such a blessing to have Hashirama's legacy back." Iruka thinks

It was a day after the teams were made up and now everyone had to administer their own test to see if these Genin were worth keeping in the ranks or sending back to the academy. Naruto decided to use his wood clones so that he could watch everyone take their test; the real Naruto was with Team Seven as he wanted to break Sasuke's hatred as he did not want to see another Madara.

"Kakashi, do you mind if I administer the bell test of yours?" Naruto asks

Kakashi eye smiles "Not at all seeming that your father came up with it."

Naruto grabs the two bells Kakashi hands over and ties them to a back plate on his armor then describes the bell test to the Genin as Kakashi sets an alarm clock down set to go off at noon; 3 hours from now.

"Now remember, come at me with the intent to kill and don't worry about me, I can handle myself just fine. Your test starts…NOW!"

All three rush into the forest and hide though Naruto can sense all three he is impressed thus far. "At least they have an idea of how to stay hidden, to bad I'm a sensor and they cannot lower their chakra signature."

Naruto decides to sit in the clearing waiting for them to make a move; for everyone watching him they were baffled.

In the forest, Sai finds Sakura and voices his thoughts "You know that we cannot take on Hashirama's son solo so why not help me get the bells."

Sakura bites her lip "But what about Sasuke?"

Sai sighs "Sasuke this, Sasuke that…look, has he ever once looked at you with love or gave a damn when you asked him out?"

"Well…no not really." Sakura says dejected

"Good, I think you now see that he will never care for you and hanging around him will make you weak in the long run; all of us need training and that is what Naruto intends to do but we need to show drive or else he might reject us."

Sakura, with tears in her eyes, nods "Yah, your right, Sasuke can fend for himself since he thinks he's so mighty."

Sai smiles and pats Sakura's back "Good, now let's get those bells."

Naruto smiles seeing Sai and Sakura close together trying to formulate some plan but then hears a roar of fire heading his way and subconsciously brings up a wooden wall to block the fireball coming at his right side.

"Sasuke, how nice to finally show up."

"Give me a bell, as an Uchiha I demand it!"

Naruto lets the wall sink back into the ground "I will get rid of your hate Sasuke, I will not have another Madara form in my time. Make friends Sasuke, let your brother Itachi go and look to the future as it is much brighter."

"Fuck you Senju, I will get strong to defeat Itachi and my hate will lead me there and make me strong!"

Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai gasp at the blatant disrespect to Naruto and are curious to see what he does. Naruto stands and brushes the dust off of his armor then stretches.

"Well then, if you think you are so mighty then come, attack me but I will not move from this spot. In fact I will only beat you with one finger."

Naruto lifts up his right pointer finger into the air making Sasuke bristle with hate and anger; he rushes towards Naruto intent on beating him to a pulp but for every punch or kick he makes, Naruto dodges them. After five minutes Sasuke breathes heavily and jumps back and snarls then rushes again but before he could get there Naruto flicks Sasuke in the skull making him fly back and crash through a couple trees shocking everyone who is watching. Sakura and Sai knew this was the chance to act; Sai whips out a scroll and draws on it then adds chakra as Sakura rushes towards Naruto.

Super Beast Imitation Drawing

Four massive tigers made of ink rush towards Naruto whom smirks and starts to dodge and punch them so that they would dispel; while doing this Sakura rushes in and starts to try and throw deceiving punches and kicks at Naruto so that she could get a grasp on the bells. Said person smiled at the plan as he dodged in a way were the bells would not be in reach; he senses another beast drawing come at him and kicks backwards dispelling it then turning as Sai rushes forward.

Both Sai and Sakura halt what they are doing and try to come up with a plan but one look at each other and they knew it had to be made up on the spot; as they rushed forward a cry rang out followed by a massive wave of many fireballs.

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique

Naruto knew he couldn't dodge as Sakura and Sai would get hurt so he rushes over and grabs both then encases himself in a dome of wood protecting himself and the ones he grabbed; the fireballs soon hit and Naruto feels the nervousness Sakura and Sai are giving off.

"Don't worry you two; you both pass in my books but now, I have to teach this Uchiha a lesson in humility."

Both nod and chorus "Thank you Senju-sama."

The dome recedes and Naruto stands glaring at Sasuke whom is standing 30 feet from him "You disgust me Sasuke, using your teammates as pawns for your gain."

Sasuke sneers "They should be honored to be sacrificed by me."

Naruto shakes his head and looks at Kakashi "Take Sakura and Sai away from here a little ways though enough to where they can watch; I am about to beat a lesson into Sasuke's thick skull."

Kakashi nods and eye smiles "Have fun Naruto!"

He grabs Sakura and Sai and Shunshins them into the tree line so that they could watch.

Naruto takes a deep breath "First Lesson Sasuke: hate does not bring strength only darkness and hinders your abilities."

Naruto rushes forward in a blur that even Kakashi's sharingan had trouble keeping up with; the sound of Sasuke gagging is heard a second later. The three watching look in awe to see Naruto's fist plowed in Sasuke's gut making him bend over gasping in breath; Naruto removes his fist and Sasuke collapses on the ground breathing heavily.

"Lesson Two: Those that protect and have the Will of Fire will gain strength and the drive to attain new heights in their strength.

Naruto drops his elbow on Sasuke's back planting him to the ground making a small crater in the process. He picks up Sasuke by his hair and looks into his eyes which radiate hate then looks at the blood seeping out of his mouth.

"Final Lesson: Never underestimate an opponent and never let anger consume you."

Naruto throws Sasuke into the air and does one hand sign producing a small but powerful water dragon out of thin air and launches it toward him; it connects sending Sasuke flying through a couple trees and landing onto the forest floor unconscious, bloody, and broken.

"Truly amazing, to create a water jutsu out of the water particles in air itself, how strong are you Naruto Senju?" Kakashi wonders

"Is this the power of a Senju?" ponders Sakura and Sai

Naruto blurs out of existence and comes back two seconds later with Sasuke in tow; he sets him down on the ground and starts applying healing chakra to his body. After two minutes Sasuke groans as Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai come out to greet them.

"Let's hope that lesson sticks ne?" Kakashi says making Naruto chuckle

Sakura puts her fingers together and shyly asks "Can you train me Senju-sama, I want to be strong like you and I will take what you told Sasuke to heart."

Naruto walks over to her and pats her head making Sakura giggle "You will go far Sakura, all you have to do is believe in yourself and I won't train you."

Sakura's shoulders slumped and looked downtrodden but brightened as Naruto finished.

"I won't just train you but all of Konoha's Shinobi; I already have a regiment in place for all of our forces at different difficulty levels. Now, Kakashi and I have to give our reports; please see it that Sasuke gets home alright."

Sakrua and Sai nod and thank Naruto and Kakashi then go check on Sasuke to see if he was alright. Naruto and Kakashi look at each other and nod knowing their job is done. Kakashi vanishes in a swirl of leaves while Naruto uses an Uzumaki Whirlpool Shunshin to get to the tower. As they vanished they left Team 7 to contemplate on their future, to contemplate why exactly they became Shinobi in the first place. Sasuke was an exception as he still clung onto his hate but something in the back of his mind was trying to come forward but alas, poor Sasuke could not hear it. Naruto was about to start changing Konoha for the better and in time the great tree would rise again.