Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 8

Two Days Later

Hokage Training Ground 4

Konohagakure no Sato

Sarutobi Hiruzen was standing in the training ground where he had seen many important legends perfect their signature techniques. His teachers both Shodai Hokage and Nidaime Hokage had helped in the creation of this ground and its compatriots. It boasted of a large ground covered by many terrains and seals to make it perfect and more realistic. Barrier and silencing seals that were powerful enough to mask several S rank techniques inside the grounds. Also a very strong aura dampening seal had been applied by Lady Mito when more than half the village had been scared into submission by her when she had gotten angry at Tobirama for wrecking her garden.

The grounds could be opened by using a specific set of hand seals that were known only to the Hokage, ANBU Commander and Head Medic along with a few special persons. Also, it was known only to the Hokage and the Commander that the grounds could be accessible to only those who had been added to the seal matrix.

He had woken yesterday morning early when he had felt a spike of huge chakra for a moment originating from near the Uzumaki Clan Temple. He had rushed off thinking it was some kind of attack on Naruto. He had failed Naruto once and looked at that moment as one of his greatest failures and regrets. The sight of a filthy, malnourished boy with wearing only rags and searching amongst the trash for food had been seared into his mind forever.

However, when he arrived near the clearing, he found that he couldn't remember the area and the location of the temple. He was greeted with Naruto and Hinata emerging from the tress making him jump. He had talked to them about the chakra spike and the fact that he was unable to find the temple or the surrounding area. Hinata had giggled and Naruto and smiled that minimal smile of his and told him the answer in one word -Seals.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had been stumped that two children in their early teens could create such a complex array that could hide the entire estate from his senses and that was no mean feat. He had expected Naruto to be a middle level seal user not a high class master unlike Lady Mito after his return. That woman knew her seals and he was terrified of what her mind could cook up with those seals. He had returned to his home more than a little intrigued and a lot deal sceptical about the challenge Anko had thrown- the fact that both of her two students were going to wipe the floor with the ANBU. Hiruzen had smiled and told her that if that happened, he would teach Anko a few of his personal collaboration jutsu. Though, the fact that both Kurenai and Anko had been so much sure of their victory had brought a lot of wool gathering for him.

The Third Hokage shook his head to clear the thoughts and looked back at the training grounds to see that there were two teams of ANBU he had requested along with the ANBU commander. Also, Danzo and the two Elders, Koharu and Homura were present. Danzo had changed a bit after his sealing. He had begun to understand that his methods at several junctures were questionable and wrong. But, still he maintained his rigid unforgiving persona in front of all. Sarutobi hated making Danzo his puppet but he had steeled his heart and soldiered on.

He arrived with a classic Leaf Shunshin between the elders making them all smile at his dramatics. Even the hard ass Danzo gave a ghost of smile to him. Sarutobi knew that was the most he was getting out of Danzo now. And speaking of the devil, Danzo tapped his cane on the ground and spoke," Hiruzen, I have a proposition for you for today's match or you can say recruitment. I have a ROOT team on standby. I wish for these two upcoming Genins to be tested against my ROOT with your approval, I might say." Surprising both the Elders but Hiruzen barely batted an Eye.

Anko and Kurenai had arrived till then and Anko being the brash, normal self spoke out," That is fine. I might say it good enough for them. If these two are to go out then they should know the situations where the odds are heavily stacked against them." Hiruzen stopped himself from denying the request to Danzo and was a bit worried at Anko's confidence or as he felt-overconfidence.

He made a show of thinking deeply before nodding, "Granted! No killing or life threatening situations though." Danzo smiled and nodded to the shadows. A team of four Root shinobi arrived wearing white porcelain masks and carrying tantos.

After a few minutes both Naruto and Hinata arrived in the clearing in a shunshin, getting a raised eyebrows from everyone. Both of them were wearing their Warring Clan Era Armour and both cut a striking picture with their striking dresses. It is not every day you see a pair of children yet to be Genin using a Chunin level technique and dressed for war. They bowed their heads slightly and nodded to the Sandaime making him smile.

Sarutobi moved to another part of the training ground along with his entourage while making hand signs to seal the training ground. He straightened up and faced the audience, projecting his voice to be easily heard, "Ladies and gentlemen of Konohagakure no Sato, today we have a special attraction for all of you. You will get to see some of the most prominent ANBU in this village pitted against two lone students in today's battles."

He pointed out to the tree where Naruto and Hinata had long since stood up and begun loosening up, "The students in question are Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga!"

A chorus of gasps rang out among the audience until Anko used the technique Sarutobi had used, to project her own voice, "Aww shut the hell up! You miserable bastards… Yes, he is back and he is not dead. Show some respect and faith in the Sandaime's and the Yondaime's knowledge and wisdom."

Hiruzen sweat-dropped at Anko's method of the crowd control, "Right… Well then, the rules will be as follows. A Team bout between these two and one of the ANBU teams to be selected by Danzo out of the thirteen teams present here. If they can defeat the opponent they are matched with they will be matched up with the next team and last there will be a surprise team, until they are either defeated or run through them all." He finished with a smirk.

He motioned for someone to walk over, "The proctor for the bouts will be Nara Shikaku and Inochi Yamanaka." Both the men came from the back looking at the ANBU whose fights they would be refereeing. Inochi turned to look out at Naruto, who was still stretching, 'Alright Uzumaki-san, you've been the talk of the Shinobi since you have returned and Sandaime seems to trust you, let's see what you've got.'

Naruto and Hinata stared back at the first ANBU team in front of them. Naruto could sense the scepticism and the barely hidden glee from the team members. Hinata looked at him and he nodded slightly. She gave a minimalistic smile and her face turned into the Ice Cold mask that raised an eyebrow from Sarutobi and Danzo, while Naruto's face looked as if carved from stone. Both of them allowed their pure chakra to leak and mix in the environment. Inochi felt something in the atmosphere due to him being a sensor but he didn't see or feel anything.

"Hajime!" he spoke and both of them leapt back. Naruto and Hinata unleashed their combined Killing Intent and pressure on the ANBU. To others it felt as if a cold wave of death had slammed down hard into the ground, making all the shinobi and other ANBU teams tense visibly. Naruto's and Hinata's faces had hardened and their entire bodies were leaking a murderous aura that was pulsating menacingly. The ANBU team looked ready to drop as the visible strain on their masks showed, from the oppressive aura in the air. And as soon it was there, it disappeared just as quick. Several of the Shinobi present glanced nervously at each other, disturbed at how easily two twelve year olds could unleash such thick killing intent.

Hinata disappeared from position and arrived between the paralysed team members. She lashed out with her hands and almost all of the team scattered except for a lone member who wasn't fast enough to dodge Hinata's nimble fingers. He gasped as his entire left shoulder became numb from the glancing blow and soon the feeling spread to his hand. He leapt back with a strangled cry and another appeared in his place to cover his retreat. The second ANBU used a bokken to attack the girl who weaved in and around his strikes dodging them completely. He turned around as he heard someone come behind him only to receive a powerful punch that broke his bokken and jarred the bones in his arms and sent him rocketing back due to the force behind the punch.

The now arrived Naruto looked at Hinata who nodded and he did ten hand signs at a blistering pace," Suiton: Baku Suishouha" he called out and expelled out a large volume of water towards the startled ANBU member. Before the ANBU could do more than blink, he was being swept away from the duo in the torrent of water. Hinata went through ten hand seals of her own and spoke," Raiton: Gian" and spat out a strong beam of electricity from her mouth into the flowing water.

The ANBU member could only watch in horror as the crackling water swept him into its embrace and his body sizzled as the combination attack fried his entire body and his nervous system. His screams rang out in the training ground making all the spectators wince. The rest three members of the team winced in sympathy and the leader looked at both the children with calculating eyes behind his mask. He went through his own hand seals and unleashed his own technique at them, sod the holding back, he wasn't going to get humiliated in front of all the top brass of Konoha," Katon: Gouryuuka no Jutsu". Several of the dragon head fireballs with enough strength in them to punch through concrete were launched towards the two children who did nothing but disappeared into thin air. The leader cursed and all of the three members entered into a triangular formation with their eyes shifting from one point to another.

Naruto and Hinata appeared into their formation startling the three ANBU and everyone watching the beat down. All three of them leaped back from the two definitely dangerous ninjas. It was a wise decision as both of the children had punched through the places two team members were standing leaving craters in the ground. Hinata leapt in the air using Naruto's back as a stand before going through five hand signs and unleashing her own jutsu," Suiton: Sensatsu Suishou". A veritable rain of water needles were launched towards the grounds peppering the ground with minute holes making the hidden ANBU leap out of their hiding places. She arrived back on the ground gracefully like a dancer. Naruto leaned his head back as a fist passed where his head had been. He used the Goken to deal with the person attacking him. He improvised and used non telegraphed moves instead of the textbook moves his opponent was using.

Naruto's use of Goken did not unnoticed by anyone. He won points for using improvised katas of the taijutsu and both Danzo and Hiruzen noticed that Naruto was much better than the ANBU he was fighting with. Naruto ducked and unleashed a powerful combo that broke through the hasty defence that his opponent had put up. At the last moment before touching his opponent he intoned softly," Raiton: Hirashin". The ANBU had frozen on hearing the name of his technique and his body seized up after it was socked rather painfully. The last sight of the fallen ANBU member was that of the blonde haired boy being overlaid by the image of the Yondaime Hokage. He only managed out a weak sorry before unconsciousness overtook him.

Danzo looked at the state of the ANBU teams and asked Hiruzen," Don't you think it is a little boring? How about adding the second team too? It will certainly give them a challenge at the very least." Hiruzen nodded slightly at the ANBU commander who motioned for the second team to enter the ground. The second team entered the ground and were immediately attacked by the both Hinata and Naruto who saw the two teams together as more danger.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" both of them intoned softly getting more than a few raised eyebrows and dropped jaws at two academy level students using an A-rank kinjustu. Six clones materialised into existence, two from Hinata and four from Naruto. The clones leapt directly in front of the teams to engage them and bring the pressure on the ANBU. Naruto looked at Hinata with a smile and asked her in his cold, melodious voice," Shall we end this, Tsukihime?"

Hinata flushed a bit and nodded," Hai! Naruto-kun"

Both of them drew out two kunai's each launching them at their chosen targets and went dashing at high speeds towards the team leaders of the ANBU teams. The leaders cursed and moved forward to confront the originals.

With Hinata and the ANBU leader of Team 1

Hinata drew herself in the opening kata of her personal taijutsu style. She then channelled her Lightning Chakra into her fists, making them take the shape of two lion heads. Without giving the time for her opponent, she launched herself at him and began attacking him using powerful yet precise strikes at his chakra network making the obviously unprepared man to leap back in order to prevent getting pummelled. For a few minutes both of them danced, well more like Hinata danced and her opponent tried to hop around like a frog to prevent getting hit but it was futile.

Every movement he made seemed to allow the young Hyuuga girl, new opportunities and openings to exploit and he winced when her hands made contact with his body, shocking him and making that part numb. He tried every trick and trade but the girl was relentless in her pursuit. She never allowed him to create a distance between them and allow his hands to be free except to try to block her attcks with his own kunai.

Hinata knew that her opponent was getting tired and she was also getting tired of this fight. She wanted to go home and snuggle with her Naruto-kun and now she was being forced to fight for others like a performer. Flaring her Byakugan, she noticed the man trying to channel chakra into his hands for some genjutsu. This, she was not going to allow to happen. Channelling her chakra to her legs, she arrived in a burst of speed that left her opponent wide open for her attacks. Switching her Raiton chakra for her more favoured Chakra scalpels, she drew them over his right shoulder and across his stomach. The effect were instantaneous.

The ANBU released a breath in relief that he had been holding when he noticed the girl appear in front of him but without her hands covered in the Chakra that had literally shocked him at every interval, she touched him. He smirked behind his mask. The girl was talented but she had small chakra pools. Now, he would show her the strength of a Konoha ANBU. So lost in his thoughts that he absentmindedly raised his hand to parry her next strike and never noticed the slight glow of her hands showing the usage of Chakra no Mesu. However, Koharu who had become very interested when the girl began using ninjutsu, noticed it immediately due to her own little training as a medical ninja and was mightily impressed by the young girl's ability to use medical techniques and change her attacks on the fly, in between her strikes. She began watching even more carefully to see what happened next.

Back in the fight, the relief and smugness that the ANBU member was feeling turned to panic when he felt as if someone had cut the strings of his right shoulder as the muscles failed to respond to his commands. As he felt the girl, brush her hands across his stomach, he felt first nothing and then suddenly he was struck by the most powerful pain in his abdomen that he had ever felt. As if someone had charged every nerve clusters in his stomach to burst open at once. He dropped to his knees with a strangled cry and then proceeded to vomit the contents of his stomach on the ground. Hinata took her chance and with a twirl appeared behind him and knocked him out from a simple chop to the neck, thankfully using only her bare hands and not the chakra scalpels, otherwise she might have beheaded him internally. The man dropped unconscious into his own vomit, getting chuckles from many present.

With Naruto and the ANBU leader of Team 2

Naruto arrived in the ground with the ANBU member following him without taking into account that she might be going into an ambush. The team commander allowed ten Doton Bunshin to form as soon as the boy stopped and then dispersed in a poof of small smoke signifying a Kage Bunshin. "Shit! I have walked into a trap." The ANBU cursed to herself and then stiffened as a cold melodious chuckle was heard and the boy whom she was seeking, emerged from the shadows looking calm and unruffled. The woman watched him carefully as well as paying attention to her surroundings in case this was part of the set up. Naruto paused in his stride when he felt that the woman could all see him well enough. However, the clones and the woman all stiffened as he made a swift movement and bent at the waist.

"Good morning, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, please treat me well," he raised his head and smiled his cold emotionless smile, "and for this fine morning I shall be your opponent."

The woman looked at him as he took out his chain and Sickle and got into the Whirlpool stance. The woman blushed to herself thanking the gods that her face was hidden behind the mask as she knew without a doubt that her face was cherry red. The boy had removed his face mask and allowed her to get a glimpse of the now handsome face of Naruto Uzumaki, resident Jinchuriki of Konoha who had disappeared two years ago. She never hated the boy, only she had been indifferent to his existence. The smile made her feel all mushy inside as it drew attention from his piercing blue eyes that looked like frozen glaciers. For a moment she thought that he was a ROOT ninja as he hadn't shown any emotions since the fight began.

"Do you mean to tell us that you are going to fight me and my clones alone?" Naruto nodded his head, "hahahaha, what kind of confidence you have?"

He was not fazed one bit as he continued to wait for the woman to draw out her sword.

"Whatever," said the woman who laughed again, "are you here ready to fight and loose?"

"As you wish, Let us begin!" Naruto spoke and vanished from the eyes of the woman and her clones.

He arrived directly into the formation shocking the woman by his action, before she could react he was already on the first group of four clones. They split up as they had confirmed that there was only one enemy, and that he was a foolish one. How stupid can one man be if he charged straight into ten persons with nothing but a Sickle and chain? She would show him the error of his ways and then maybe have some fun with him later.

Naruto reached the first clone, as she swiped at Naruto's face with a kunai he ducked under the weapon and swung his Sickle around the clone's wrist, and as soon as the manoeuvre was completed, he shifted at the same time the clone swung the kunai again and slashed around the clone's chest in a manner that the chain at the end came back at the clone as he flipped over another offending opponent who was approaching from the back only for the Sickle to plunge into her gut, disembowelling her as Naruto pulled on the chain also cutting the last clone in half and taking off her hand. He did not stop there as he brought up the chain to block an incoming downward strike with a sword and in the next instant used his left foot in to tension the chain to block a kunai strike from his left and whip the other end to deflect shuriken from the right and with that same movement he whipped it around his head as the Sickle at the end tore into the throat of the clone wielding the sword and with a flick of his wrist wrapped the chain around the neck of the last clone in the group who he blocked at his left taking her head off in a swift jerk.

The remaining five clones disengaged and regrouped as Naruto settled in a different stance, this time the chain was on the floor behind him still connected to the Sickle as he held it upside down in his left hand at his hip and the chain over his left shoulder as his fore arm shielded his face with his body turned so that only his side was shown to the enemy.

"What the hell is this?" commented the woman "we can't get at him from any direction or angle and if we attack in groups it makes little difference."

"Alright listen up," said one clone, "I have an idea. His chain is not long enough for a long distance..."

"Get down!" shouted the other clone when she heard something humming through the air.

The Sickle that rotated through the air barely missed them as it harmlessly made its way back to its owner who effortlessly caught it and reconnected it to his chain.

"Damn," exclaimed the first clone as she got up of the ground and got into a defensive stance, "he can detach that sickle and throw it?"

"Shit, that means he can cover close, medium and far range," Said the Original.

"Heh, I guess I underestimated his strength," admitted the first clone, "he can fight at far, close and medium range."

"So what do we do?" asked the last clone while hopping over Sickle, "He has already killed five of ten clones."

"We attack at all three distances."

"What?"

"His attack is flawless with those things, but they don't allow for much defence."

"I see, if we attack from all three distances and at all directions he can't possible defend against all the attacks."

"Right," the original acknowledged in a whisper, "reform on me."

"May I ask you a question, Naruto-san," The Original to but more time for her manoeuvre.

"You may, but depending on the question I may not be able to answer."

"That is fine," said the ANBU, "Where did you learn such skills? I have never seen a person change in two years that much unlike you."

"I am an Uzumaki." He answered simply while smirking on the inside.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I cannot answer that."

"It was worth a try," she said under her breath, "That's fine," she smirked, "now get ready to lose you fool."

A stone dragon came flying from a far distance off behind him and at the same time the woman who was speaking with him launched a flurry of kunai and shuriken at him. From the left and right came simultaneous stone covered fists and from above a shower of tennis ball size stone. They were timed so that they would arrive on targets mere moments before one another.

Quicker than the eye could see Naruto went down on one knee and began going through one handed seals shocking the woman who was watching everything with wide eyes. He channelled his own chakra as four clones simply stepped into existence without any hand seals and spoke softly," Shishi Enjin". The four barrier clones created a rectangular box made of violet flames. Once it had been created, the formation simply allowed all the ninjutsu to be disintegrated and the clones to be burned by the walls of flame. The woman could only watch as her strategy failed.

"What the hell is that," said the Woman stopping her assault , "It looks like it is a Barrier type ninjustu."

"What will you do, there are only two of us now." Naruto said ignoring the question.

She threw down a smoke bomb to cover her hasty escape and managed to make a few distance away until a Sickle halted her progress while the chain erupted from the ground wrapping her up and anchored her to the spot.

"Please accept my apologies, but until this is over you are my prisoner," he said walking up from ahead of her, "You shall remain harm free if you refrain from struggling and comply with my words"

"How did you get here before us?" she asked as she tried to get out of the chain futilely.

"There is no mystery," he said, "Just a simple substitution. Now sleep." He knocked her out and allowed one of his clones to take her away.

Danzo nodded to his team who immediately jumped into the fray. Hinata looked like she was expecting them a bit earlier. However, before anyone could even move Naruto arrived between both of the parties with a shunshin. Over his shoulder he looked back at Hinata and whispered a few words at which Hinata nodded And then turned to look back at Danzo's men. Their clones had managed to defeat their targets and till the ROOT shinobi reached the grounds, it had been very late for the ANBU teams. The clones then looked at their creators and then dispelled just like they were never there in the first place, giving back their memories to their creators.

Naruto knew that these ROOT shinobi were more dangerous than the regular ANBU. His sensor abilities told them that almost each one of them were at mid Jounin levels and from the emotions he could sense from them, well versed in working with each other. He decided to end the fight immediately and then go talk to the Hokage for an idea that had appeared in his mind last night.

"Kanashibari no Jutsu!" he whispered and the ANBU were suddenly paralysed. Hinata on the other hand went through few hand seals and called out," Nehan Shoja no Jutsu" getting impressed looks from everyone by using an A-Rank advanced Genjutsu. Since all the ROOT ANBU had been paralysed by the Kanashibari, they were unable to dispel the genjutsu and fell asleep ending the exam. Naruto had intentionally put a heavy amount of pure chakra augmented by his own Uzumaki chakra making it impossible for any normal ninja to break out of the technique except for the Sannin or Kages and a few other exceptions.

"Winners are Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga!" spoke an awed Inochi while Shikamaru let out a quiet Mendokusai from beside him but was watching both the so called prodigies with narrowed eyes.

"Well done! Excellent! You two have made me very proud, Naruto-kun and Hinata-san. Come stand here in front of me." Called out Sarutobi Hiruzen in a very happy voice and obvious pride colouring it. Everyone looked amazed, stunned and even awed at the skills showcased by two yet to be shinobi. Anko looked really happy and ecstatic if her beaming was anything to go by. On the other hand Kurenai was making a small pouty face at the abrupt end of the match. She was hoping to see more of her students in action.

Hinata and Naruto vanished and arrived in front of the Third Hokage making him chuckle at their antics. Others were not so much able to hide their surprise at the strength of these two.

Koharu was interested in knowing how much they increased their growth with only two years of training. Homura was also on the same boat but was more worried about the civilian council's asinine demands. Danzo on the other hand looked almost in deep thought and not angry at his team loosing that fast. The ANBU commander was interested in making them join the ANBU corps. Morino Ibiki was studying both of the children with deep concentration and was interested in their behaviour. Whispers went around the present ANBU teams about the skills and abilities that these two must possess so as to beat three ANBU level teams so easily. This much was certain that the reports of their performance would be known to all by mid noon.

"You have made me and your teachers proud, both of you. I hereby declare you two-" Hiruzen stopped speaking as Danzo Tapped his cane on the ground and disrupted whatever Hiruzen was going to say.

"I would like that our Hokage may confer on them the title of Elite Genin and permission to either skip academy and maybe join ANBU. It will be a waste of such talent to be squandered in Academy." He spoke getting raised eyebrows from everyone at his favouring the not so new genins. Both the Elders, Koharu and Homura also nodded in agreement of Danzo. The ANBU commander also nodded. While both Anko and Kurenai looked at them as if they were insane. Jounin level or not, young children should not be put on battle lines at such a young age. Itachi was an example of this kind of stress.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at Danzo and wondered whether his old friend was making a play for these two. Danzo seeing the stare of the Hokage simply shook his head no making others look between both of them at their non verbal talk. Hiruzen sighed and then nodded to himself, even though Danzo was Shinobi no Yami, his reasoning was correct.

He nodded but gave a look at Danzo that basically meant that they would be talking later. Danzo noticed and nodded back with a slight smirk.

"Yes, I agree with Danzo. Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga, both of you are granted the title of Elite Genin and may choose to skip academy and join the ninja forces. Also, both of you can apply for apprenticeships under any person but after consulting your guardians. You may inform me of your decisions next week. Till then, I believe that you had something for me, Naruto-kun." Spoke Sarutobi. Naruto nodded and spoke while the ANBU teams began moving back, all talking about this latest development. Koharu, Homura and Danzo all moved out but Danzo gave an almost quizzical glance at both Naruto and Hinata.

"Yes. I and Hinata would like to welcome you to our new clan compound and add you into the seal matrix. So will you be willing to join us for a late lunch today?" spoke Naruto in his cold voice.

Hiruzen smiled and nodded at them," Lead the way, Naruto-kun." Anko, Kurenai and Hinata were just behind them, talking to each other with in whispers. Kurenai looked a bit put out for some reason. Naruto ignored them and vanished in a Shunshin with others following their movement with their own shunshins.

Uzumaki's Clan Compound

Konohagakure no Sato, Outskirts

Naruto arrived with Sarutobi Hiruzen behind him by a few seconds. The venerable Third Hokage looked around the surroundings and tried to remember where they were but was cut off from his own observations when Hinata, Anko and Kurenai arrived after a few seconds.

"I would like a sample of your blood and need you to pump your chakra into this seal." Spoke Naruto, while bringing out a large scroll from a seal on his forearm. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over the kanji and saw that it was a small key that would key him into the Barriers of the clan compound. He nodded and compiled with his pseudo grandson's demands and further watched as Naruto nodded seemingly satisfied before making several one handed seals at a very fast pace that looked like a blur even to him. A dome of chakra was visible for a few moments which pulsed and flashed three time alternatively and then briefly glowed. The Third Hokage felt a shivering sensation pass through him and then was gone. And suddenly like a veil getting lifted from his eyes, he could see pass the trees towards a high wall and a set of large gates with the Uzumaki Clan symbol on them. He looked around more closely and then felt the powerful barriers of the Clan Compound. Not even the Hokage mansion had such powerful barriers and they seemed to be extremely complex. Naruto smiled at him and then spoke formally," Welcome Hokage-sama, to the Uzumaki Compound, my own home!"

Chuckling at the formal tone that Naruto was using, he walked forward with Naruto and entered the clan compound. Just when he was starting to think that he'd seen enough, he came to a halt when he suddenly realized that there were not many trees in front of him. He was now looking out over a beautiful forest clearing, dominated on one side by a large crystal clear lake, and in the centre by a sprawling clan compound surrounded by high walls, another fairly large building at another end along with several large training yards and a small sheds nestled in several different corners of the vast grounds, Dotted by various trees of rare and exotic variety and that of fruits. There was also a garden that looked like it had just been planted. All in all the entire place was very warm and welcoming, even the buildings seemed to have an allure of their own. It just looked like a place where one could just arrive and chill, letting out one's tensions and all burdens at the entrance. Unconsciously the Hokage had relaxed himself instead of the usual, high strung and worried countenance that he was used too.

This place was almost as large as the Hyuuga and the Uchiha compounds! And there at the door was Naruto whom he'd been following all this time. He did something to the door, and unless his eyes were playing tricks on him he was positive that the entire compound had just shimmered,once the phenomena had passed Naruto opened the door and disappeared within the large place he called home. Naruto was extremely paranoid because he looked to have even more security than ANBU HQ. He definitely needed to talk to him. And maybe get few security barriers for his own office too.

Moving deeper into the house, Sarutobi Hiruzen soon found himself admiring the traditional decor, both Naruto and Hinata definitely had good taste at the very least. When he found himself standing in a large sitting room, he immediately took notice of the large paintings that seemed to be from the Uzumaki lands, if he guessed right. Naruto gestured at the large cushions and asked him to be seated and then excused himself with Kurenai following after him.

When he did as instructed and took a seat in a pile of cushions only a few paces from both Kurenai and Anko and engaged them in small talk. He noticed that both the women were sitting in Seiza and looked extremely comfortable. A glance at the architecture showed the building to be well designed and created to provide an atheistically good look. Naruto arrived and the Hokage shifted his position to observe his pseudo grandson closely.

Naruto was wearing a high collared crimson and white streaked coloured kimono with a mesh undershirt and white pants. He cut a striking figure and was carrying a tray with several cups and few bottles of what appeared to be sake. Behind him was Kurenai wearing a bright crimson Chinese dress (Cheongsam) with a high cut up to her pelvis drawing one's eye towards her beauty. She was also carrying a tray with what appeared to be tea. Both of them sat down and silence fell on the room. Naruto smiled and offered them all tea first and then sake.

Hiruzen took the tea before seeing both Naruto and Hinata following his examples, while Kurenai and Anko both took up a saucer of sake each. He took a sip and his eyes widened at the particularly special flavour that Lady Mito was so fond of. He looked at Naruto with questioning eyes and the boy in question smiled before gesturing to Hinata, who looked regal and every bit of a royalty sitting amongst them. Her eyes were glittering with happiness and she looked really relaxed while looking at Naruto who was also smiling not as openly as when he was young but still much more widely than before. This was a far cry from a young girl with frozen lavender orbs for eyes and an attitude colder than ice. Sarutobi had a epiphany that maybe these two were made for each other as he could oversee the images of Lord Hashirama with Lady Mito and Minato with Kushina over the present young couple. A few minutes passed in relative silence before Naruto spoke," Thank you Jiji for giving me a chance."

To which Sarutobi replied it was no problem and he owed it to his parents.

"I and Hinata would like to get enrolled as secret ANBU working underneath you only for the next three years. We know that you are against the idea of child soldiers but we both need money for our new clan treasury. I know I have a lot of inheritance money from my parents and clan savings but I would like to earn my upkeep. Same is the case for Hinata. What do you think of it, Lord Hokage?" he spoke getting a bit pained look from Sarutobi and ignored it.

"Don't you think, it is too early for you to know blood and guts, Naruto-kun. I know that I might be speaking a bit harshly but I would like you to have a bit of childhood. You should be making friends and playing with children. Not making career influencing conditions. I do not deny your request but I would like you two to consider my words. " He spoke sadly.

Naruto smiled and Hinata Giggled into her sleeve. Seeing the Hokage looking at them strangely, Anko spoke up," It is not that Hokage-sama but both of these two are going to join the academy and also work as ANBU. I know it will be a bit hectic but these two will only do twenty missions per two months and they can decline or accept the missions. Also, no report of their activities as ANBU are to be known to anyone. They are going to be your personal shadows and assistants. Naruto has often told you that he wishes to be Hokage. This is how he will be trained for the job, by observing you and learning to emulate you. Hinata has wished to be an advisor and she will be helping you as an Advisor while she is learning about politics from you. These activities can be hidden as Clan Issues just like the Uchiha and Hyuuga do. Last two years were eye opening for us. This is our decision for what you have prepared for us. And we are ready for our presence to be felt."

Sarutobi looked a bit astounded but immediately caught on to what they were saying. Since Naruto was not well liked by civilians, he would have to work hard to earn their respect. But that would take time and large effort, which they did not want to waste. Naruto and Hinata were preparing for their future. It astounded Sarutobi that he never thought of that for his own son and grandson. He recognised the benefits of their planning and far sight. Now a days, everyone made hasty and unprepared decisions. But these four had already thought about their future and their responsibilities. Looking at them all, he could see the Will of Fire burning brightly in them. He looked back and saw that they come a long way from their problems. This is what he always wished to see in his ninjas. He thought a bit more about it and then said in a commanding voice," Hai! Permission Granted!" at which all of them simply smirked.