The bridge did not take long to complete. Once the whole town was behind Tazuna, its construction went much faster than he could have ever hoped for. The time had come for Naruto and his team to bid farewell to the Land of Waves and its inhabitants. Before they left they gave their respect to the two shinobi that had undoubtedly changed their lives. While Kakashi was used to the life of the shinobi, having lost his own fare share of comrades, the rest of the team was still fresh and the experience was an eye-opener. They could be in real peril and they would have tough decisions to make. Once they said their good-byes they headed back to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Naruto had left such an impact on the people he encountered, that they named the bridge in his honor. Was he initially made aware of this and it might have gone to his head, but at the time he wasn't. Moreover he had something much more important on his mind.

"Kakashi-sensei…"

"Yes?"

"What can you tell me about the Fourth Hokage?"

"What an odd question at this time."

Kakashi perked up at the mention of his former sensei. He knew much more about the Fourth than most people. He also knew of Naruto's true origins, but that information was an S class secret in the village. It was also punishable by death. Naruto did not know this. In truth he knew next to nothing before this mission, but now he knew more than enough. He just wanted to probe Kakashi for a little information on his father. Naruto knew the stories. He looked up to the Fourth, he idolized him, and now that he knew of his lineage he wanted to know more.

"What do you want to know? He was a shinobi in a class of his own. He was known to defeat armies on his own, and even fought with the Raikage and his brother, and bested them both"

"Ohh. I already knew that stuff. I was just wondering, since ya know, you were alive when he was maybe you got to meet him or something"

"Meet him? Naruto he was my sensei."

There was no way Kakashi could have known how hard those words hit him. If he was his sensei then he had to know his master had a child. There was no way he couldn't have. Right? His frustration built. How many people knew. How big was this secret.

"Oh really. That's cool I guess."

Naruto knew if he probed further he might not be able to contain himself. So he seemingly dropped the topic. Sasuke and Sakura on the other hand were now intrigued by the revelation.

"You really trained under the Fourth Hokage? I find that hard to believe."

Naruto could sense the contempt inside of Sasuke. Naruto couldn't believe it either, but for another reason altogether.

"That's so cool sensei. What was he like?"

Sakura on the other hand was ecstatic. Her face shone bright as she hungered for details. Maybe Kakashi could teach them what the Fourth taught him.

"Well, when he was my sensei he wasn't Hokage yet so he was a lot more easy going then you might imagine. You might not even initially suspect he was a shinobi capable of being Hokage.

He had everything going for him. He was a natural talent and he even had one of the best masters one could imagine. He was trained by the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya-sama."

With those words Sasuke and Sakura's mouth hung open. they knew of the Jiraiya and the Sannin. Who didn't (Naruto). They were a group of shinobi trained by the Third Hokage himself and were kage level in their own right. Sasuke and Sakura now saw their sensei and team in a new light. There was so much to be inherited from Kakashi. A legacy of some of the strongest shinobi the Hidden leaf had ever fostered. Naruto heard Kakashi and his teammates speak. He took it all in but it really didn't mean anything to him at the time. He was still caught in his own thoughts. It didn't take Sakura long to notice that Naruto wasn't being as annoying as always.

"Naruto, what's the matter"

"Nothing Sakura. I'm just a little tired."

'Odd, Naruto is never tired, and he hasn't called me Sakura-chan in a while. Must be the mission. It finally got to him. Better let him have some space.'

They continued on their way. The journey back wasn't as exciting as the initial expedition, so it was hard to keep busy and unbored especially with Naruto not being as energetic as usual.

"It seems we have finally arrived."

Kakashi spoke to his pupils as he saw the great walls of the Village Hidden in the Leaves inch ever closer.

"I want all of you to come with me to see the Hokage when I present the mission report."

With that they all headed to the Hokage tower. The Hokage received them all happily. Their mission had been a long one but he didn;t expect them to take as long as they had. He noticed something off as soon as they entered the room. Naruto was different. The way he walked, looked, and even spoke. Something had changed in him. Hiruzen hoped that it would be for the better. His happy feeling quickly turned sour when he received the mission report. It was a miracle that they hadn't lost anyone. Zabuza was a feared member of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist. He would have given any jonin a cause for alarm, and then there was the young boy with the kekkei genkai. There was reason that the Mist slaughtered anyone with such a talent. Those techniques were feared and incredibly powerful. Had any other team gone on that mission there would have been casualties. An odd stroke of luck considering how Naruto goaded him into giving them that mission. After all the details had been relayed to the Hokage he stood and gave the team the praise they deserved. They were all a part of the mission's success and would be rewarded accordingly. The final trace of doubt about the decision he had just made was erased. He would soon relay the information to Kakashi but until then the team needed rest.

"You are all to be commended for the amazing guts and determination you showed on this mission. I will reclassify the mission in our records from C to A rank and you all will receive credit accordingly."

All three of the young genin looked at the Hokage startled. An A rank mission was a big deal. They would likely not receive another for a long time, so gaining credit for one so early spoke volumes for their capabilities as shinobi.

"Sadly since it was not charged as an A rank your pay will remain the same, but the prestige you will receive for an A rank so early will look marvelously on your records. Now, you all deserve some much needed rest. Take today and tomorrow off. Kakashi will decide where you will all proceed from here. You are all dismissed."

"Wait old man!"

The look on Hiruzen's face told the whole story.

"Naruto, you know how you should act. Don't make me take back all the praise I just gave you. Sakura and Sasuke you free to leave."

With that the both began to walk out of the room. Naruto could feel Sasuke's disgust and Sakura's frustration with him but he didn't pay them any attention.

"What is it Naruto?"

"It's about the thing inside me."

Naruto pointed at his stomach. Hiruzen grew sullen.

"Okay. you have my attention,, but can you please wait outside for a second. I have one quick thing I have to discuss with Kakashi."

Hiruzen was caught off guard with Naruto's apparent obedience. He quietly walked out of the room.

"Odd. I have never seen him so calm and obedient. The effects of this mission seem to have changed him the most. Only time will tell if it is for the better though.

As Hiruzen began to relax he lit his pipe. It had been a long day and this mission was going to be a nightmare in paperwork.

"What do you wish to speak to me about Hokage-sama."

"You know what's coming up don't you."

"The exams Hokage-sama."

"Yes. Yes indeed. Do you believe they are ready?"

"With all due respect I'm not sure. In my heart I believe they are but they are still so young."

"You were pretty young when you participated in them yourself Kakashi."

"You are right Hokage-sama, and with their performance on this mission I truly believe they might even have a chance to move on."

"That's great to hear. This year I believe they will be especially challenging. We must provide a good showing for the Feudal lords and the other shinobi villages."

"Thank you for the praise on my students, and if that is all Hokage-sama may I take my leave?"

"Yes of course…. Come in Naruto!"

With that Kakashi disappeared with the Body flicker technique leaving only the Hokage and Naruto to speak. Nothing could prepare Hiruzen for what he would be told by the young hyperactive knucklehead ninja, or how it would be told. Naruto had been harboring so many emotions in secret since the mission that he didn't exactly know how to let them all out.

"Naruto any information about the fox is S class and you can only speak to me about it so please be a little more careful when you bring up such a delicate topic."

"..."

Naruto's expression was impossible to read. There were a million different emotions going on in his mind. He gave up in a flash and let it all go. The emotions finally manifested themselves in the form of tears. He began to weep uncontrollably. Hiruzen had never seen Naruto so much as complain about the fox or his life, let alone openly weep. He approached him. Hiruzen was a father and he had an idea of how to calm him,but he was unaware of why now he was letting all of this raw emotion out.

"Why... did... he do it?"

"Excuse me? Who are you speaking about?"

"Why did the Fourth Hokage seal the fox inside me. WHY DID MY FATHER SEAL IT INSIDE ME!"

Hiruzen took a step back. The rage in his voice was enough to even make the Hokage shutter. But there was something else. There was pain. He was in pain.

"Naruto you need to calm down and tell me how you found out about his information"

His request was easier said than done, but in time Naruto regained his composure and told the Hokage about the events in the Ice Prison. These details were not in the mission report because Naruto had kept them a secret from Kakashi. He told him about his loss of control over his inner demon, the chains, his meeting with his father, the Sharingan in his right-eye, and the shards of ice in his fist. How could such a tale even be conceivable. Every word was more outlandish than the previous, and yet Hiruzen could see the genuine look in Naruto's eyes. He was speaking the truth. Once he finished speaking Hiruzen took a pause to process all the information.

'Minato, your genius knew no boundaries."

"Okay Naruto. What I'm about to say is an SS rank secret. The only person you can tell about this is Kakashi for reasons you might already know. Your father was in fact Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. We concealed this information from as many people as possible to protect you. Your father had plenty of enemies, and many of them would've liked to see you dead if they knew you were his heir."

"I guess I can understand that. But what about my mother? Who was she?"

"Naruto what is your surname?"

"Uzumaki."

"That is not the name of a mere ward. The Uzumaki were once a grand clan to the east in the Land of Eddies. Great calamity struck them and they were dispersed across the continent. Your mother was one of those survivors. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki. For the same reason you were kept a secret so too was she. If people knew she was married to Minato they would have tried to pursue her to get to him. Thus, not very many people knew of her connection to Minato. When the nine-tails disaster happened both of your parents sacrificed their lives to keep him under control. The seal on your belly is the result. Your parents would not have asked any other parent to do something to their children if they weren't ready to do it themselves. You and your parents are heros."

Naruto was so engrossed in the information he was receiving, that he didn't notice Hiruzen's sporadic walking around the room. He was deep in thought.

"Now to move on to the powers you exposed during your battle. If you wish to know more about your parents speak to Kakashi in secret please. As I said secrecy is of utmost importance. You said you think you can feel negative emotions."

Naruto simply nodded as he listened. He was speechless. So much information had come so fast, that he was trying to take it all in at once.

"That is indeed a power of the nine-tails jinchuriki, but not originally. That power originally came from Mito Uzumaki, the first nine-tails jinchuriki. She was a very respectable women and she was the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama-sama. When she passed the ability did not. It remained with the nine-tails and it's jinchuriki to come. The chains are a little different. They are a power of not just one person but of your Uzumaki Clan. They are almost like a kekkei genkai, but are a little different. They don't come from your chakra but from your own life force. Your essence in a sense. They are a part of you. Since the Uzumaki Clan is almost extinct it is unknown if it is a common ability but we do know that your mother was able to wield it. The Uzumaki Clan was known for its great knowledge of fuinjutsu (Sealing Jutsu). That is where the chakra chains themselves come into play. They have sealing capabilities in them. That is where I believe your eye came from. While I'm not sure, and this is just a theory. I believe when you struck Sasuke and the Mist shinobi with your chains you extracted some of their DNA with them and sealed it inside your own body. This might be why you have access to both of their kekkei genkais. Although they apparently seem to be weaker. You only have one sharingan eye and small amount of ice power. Maybe later you'll be able to unlock them further with practice, but I'm ordering you not to tell anyone about the sharingan. It might cause problems for you if the people start trying to connect you to the Uchiha. I am not barring you from using it. I just do not wish for anyone to find out about it. I believe we have covered everything we needed to. Before you leave I will show you a genjutsu to use on your right eye to cover it when you wish to use the sharingan. Again for this matter you may only confide in Kakashi. He can help you learn to use your new gift. Naruto with these new developments I believe you may have the potential to be one of the strongest shinobi this village has ever seen. Stay true to who you are and your ninja way and you may yet be Hokage one day. Please go home rest, and prepare yourself for what is to come."

With that there was nothing more to say. Naruto simply took his leave and ran all the way to… Ichiraku Ramen to help himself to as much ramen as he could. Hopefully he would meet Iruka there and tell him of the parts he could of the mission. Things are finally starting to looking up for Naruto, but on the eve of the Chunin Exams there are more challenges on the horizon.

'I hope Naruto stays true to who he is. He will be a fine shinobi one day, and maybe even Hokage as well. I don't believe I have to change my prior plans for the teams in the exams but with the new information on Naruto I believe we will have a strong new set of chunin.'