Started on January 1, 2017| Philippines| 21:23 hours

Alright, so… I read the recent reviews. Apparently this had promise, but I ruined it. For that, even though I have a feeling you guys might not be reading it anymore (although a few still are), I'm sorry, but I can't thank you enough for having supported it until you couldn't stand it. Anyway, hopefully I can wrap this up here. It might seem rushed, but… well, I guess it's because of the negativity, but at least they weren't flames and for that, I'll do my best to pace things out as smooth as I possibly can.

Also, the reason why I'm not sure on making a Naruto x Hinata is because it's already cannon. I might, but it has a less of coming true unless I make it an incestuous family with Naruto x Himawari and Hinata, then Bolt x Hinata and Himawari as well. And I must say, a few good fics of those are out.

Anyway, onto the story.

(Finding Love)

Naruto walks down the streets of Konoha after coming from the Konoha Hospital. It's already been a week since he spoke with Kakashi and since then, he visited Ino more often. Their relationship was still shaky, sure, but it was getting better. Naruto walks to the gate and smiles at who he sees. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry, I got lost on the road to life."

"Well, tell that to Kakashi."

And not an hour later, one could see Kakashi and Obito crying in each other's arms in the Hokage office. They were best friends, and Naruto left them alone knowing they had some much needed catching up to do.

Naruto's face darkens, however, as he remembers that Orochimaru was still at large. He heads into the ANBU HQ and is greeted by the guards with respect. "I want you to contact every available ANBU immediately. Today, we finish what Sandaime-sama didn't. Bring back those on reserve as well. We will need them."

"Hai, Naruto-sama." One ANBU guard says before leaving.

It took less than three hours, but it was worth the wait as everyone was there. Underground stood 2000 ANBU agents, all present in their battle gear, all wearing their ANBU cloaks. The former captains were present with their pale yellow ANBU cloaks and they were in formation with the rest of their team.

Naruto nods in acknowledgement before speaking. "As you all know," his voice booms, "Orochimaru is still at large. Danzo has escaped and is most likely trying to reach him. Today, we take one of them down. I will not split our forces. No, today, we all go to Oto. My instructions are simple! Any civilian or Shinobi willing to surrender, let them live. If they fight, kill them. We are ANBU, we are the true Shinobi. Do what must be done, but do not abandon anyone. Now, this is the plan."

For the next hour, Naruto and the 2000 ANBU plan their attack on Oto. After that came Naruto's final instructions. "Now that you know the plan, I give you a week in the wild to sharpen your skills. We will be outside Oto's borders during this time, and we will be surrounding it. Your retraining must consists of hunts, espionage, and the like before we invade."

"Naruto-sama, do we have a signal from Hokage-sama?"

"No."

That answer caused whispers and murmurs amongst the ANBU but Naruto raises a hand to quiet them down. "You wonder why? The answer is simple. Danzo still has a few spies here and there, and this is my only sure way getting the upper hand. No doubt, by the time we attack, Orochimaru will get wind of this, but by then it will be too late. Now, the retraining timeline starts now. Should you fail in it, go home. Not because I don't trust your skill, but because I want to play it safe. If you choose to stay, go in as the second wave."

"Sir, with all due respect, we are only 2000."

"And you have me. Do not forget who I am, soldier. This. Is. War."

A week passes and out of the 2000, all had somehow passed Naruto's standards. They rested for a day before Naruto finally gave the order to invade.

Back in Konoha, Ino was standing by the window of her hospital room when she felt a presence behind her. She turned in surprise and then surprise turned to anger as she saw Danzo stand there with his damn smug look on his face and cane in his hand. "No wonder Naruto had a thing for you. I guess even a demon would fall into human lust." He says with a dark smirk.

"You honestly didn't expect me to go there myself, did you, Danzo?" Naruto asks as he steps out from the shadow of the man.

Danzo's lustful look is replaced by shock as Ino bursts into smoke to reveal another Naruto. "How—"

"I knew you had some ROOT inside ANBU. However, even with them to warn Orochimaru, 2000 ANBU and my clones combined are unmatched in battle." The real Naruto says with dark smirk. "As for Ino… well, she's safe. I knew you'd come after her. I knew you were listening to me and Kakashi in some manner."

Danzo grits his teeth.

"And as for Itachi?" Naruto laughs before he looks at his clone and nods. The clone poofs and then it transforms into Sasuke. "I lied. Shinobi deal with deceit, you out of all people should know that. Itachi died fighting Sasuke when I secretly replaced the real Sasuke with a clone. When Sasuke heard about it, well, as you can see, I'll leave you to it." Naruto laughs as he walks away with Sasuke giving a dark smirk.

"Naruto."

"What is it?" Naruto asks with an equally dark smirk.

"After this, I'm leaving. Also… thank you." Sasuke says before he performs cuts Danzo's bandaged arm in a flicker. He then says to the old war veteran. "Now, only one eye left. What will you do?"

Naruto chuckles before leaving.

That night, he goes to his apartment and is greeted by Ino in only his shirt which was very loose for her. "Hey… get some rest." He whispers as he and Ino share the same bed again. It was a good feeling. One that both missed.

Ino smiled a soft smile before pecking Naruto on the lips. "Oyasumi."

Naruto hugs Ino closer as a response. "Oyasumi." He says and a warm smile finally forms on his face. How could it not? After a month of planning, a month of bending his story for his return, he finally got rid of two of Konoha's most wanted men, and as for Sasuke, Naruto didn't feel the need to kill him. Sasuke loved Hinata, and he didn't really care. Hinata would be leaving with Sasuke, oddly enough. He nearly chuckles at the thought of him and Hanabi. Hiashi did propose it to him in secret, but his response was the same he gave to Sakura.

"Maybe in another life."

Naruto smiles as he and Ino sleep while his clones and ANBU take Oto down. He knew that with the forces he created, Orochimaru and Kabuto couldn't escape. He only had one last string to tie up, but before that, he'd sleep.

And just before sleep took hold of him, he had one thought.

"I made it through this."

(TBC)

As I said, rushed. How'd you like the twists though? Interesting, stupid, both? I'll go with both, but it was worth it. Just to show how badass Naruto could be without even drawing a sword.

Anyway, one normal chap to go, and one "Special chap" (to be posted at the same time). And as I said, no lemons.

Anyway, hope those of you who still support this liked it.

Also, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Finished on January 2, 2017| Philippines| 19:35 hours