(Welcome back to the next installment.)
A day passed since Naruto and his whole group took off for Konoha upon completing their mission. By the afternoon on the second day they had reached the village gates.
"Home sweet home." Kushina said in nostalgia seeing the village again.
Zabuza and Haku looked at the village, "It sure looks peaceful." Haku noticed.
"Yeah." Zabuza agreed.
"Well let's get going." Kakashi ordered as they entered the village.
As they headed for the administration building Kushina took in her surroundings, "This place hasn't changed a bit."
As they made it to the administration building they entered it and made it to the Hokage office. Kakashi knocked on the door and Sarutobi called, "Enter."
Squad seven entered wanting Zabuza, Haku, and Kushina to remain behind them until all was resolved, "Squad seven reporting back from mission." Kakashi explained.
"I assume the mission was a success?" Sarutobi asked.
"Oh it was a success al right Jiji," Shredder Naruto answered, "In more ways than one."
"How so Naruto?" Sarutobi asked.
"Well Hokage-sama, we've made some new allies." Ino added.
"Allies you say, Ino?"
"Yes, in fact they followed us home." Kakashi added.
Sarutobi looked and saw entering his office was Zabuza and Haku. At the sight of Zabuza Sarutobi's eyes widened, "You, you're Momochi Zabuza the demon of Kiri!"
"Correct you are Sarutobi Hiruzen." Zabuza nodded his head.
Sarutobi motioned to the boy beside him, "And you are young lady?"
"Jiji, this is Haku, and he's a boy." Shredder Naruto explained.
Jiji felt awkward after hearing that, "My mistake. My sincerest apologies, Haku."
"Don't worry. I'm planning to do something about this anyway." Haku said running a hand through his long hair.
"Now please tell me why two ninja from Kiri have decided to join forces with us?" Sarutobi asked.
"Well you see sir," Zabuza began, "Originally I was hired by Gato of Gato Industries to dispose of Tazuna the bridge builder, but when I heard that someone dressed as the Shredder was with the squad hired to protect him. I had to see it for myself if it was true. When I discovered it I had to make sure this Shredder was no wannabe. I figured out he wasn't the real Oroku Saki, but nevertheless his skills would be on par with the old Shredder."
"Zabuza you give me too much credit." Naruto said being humble until Haku and Ino shushed him.
Zabuza continued, "I've always wanted to fight side by side with the Shredder, but since he was dead I thought that dream would remain a dream. During my spar with him I thought this could be a chance to do some good in my life to make up for all the crimes I've committed. That's when my adopted brother Haku and I decided to go against Gato and help Naruto and his squad."
"I see." Sarutobi answered.
"And Haku has a Kekkei genkai giving him the ability to use Hyouton jutsu." Kakashi added.
"Hmm, and seeing how Kiri has loathed bloodline families I can assume life in Kiri wasn't good for you." Sarutobi looked at Haku.
"It wasn't." Haku answered, "My father killed my mother because she was born with the bloodline, and I ended up killing him and a whole mob."
Sarutobi looked surprised by Naruto quickly came to Haku's support, "Don't think badly of this Jiji. It wasn't Haku's fault."
"I don't blame him Naruto. That's the way things have been done in Kiri." Sarutobi replied.
"Well we were hoping you would see if you can try to instate Zabuza and Haku as Konoha ninja," Naruto began, "I know Zabuza has a huge bounty on his head, but if he would do a lot of good for the village here couldn't that make him a free man?"
"That cannot be promised Naruto, however I would be more than welcomed to instate them both so long as they abide to the law of Konoha." Sarutobi ordered the two.
"You have my word Hokage-sama." Zabuza bowed his head along with Haku.
"Now then Hokage-sama, while we were in Wave we've also come across someone who's anxious to see you again." Kakashi explained nervously.
"Sarutobi-sama!" a female screeched his name.
Sarutobi's eyes widened and turned pale knowing that all familiar scream, "Oh Kami!"
Marching into the office was Kushina looking incredibly pissed off, "Remember me?" Kushina asked frowning at the old man.
"Kushina? You're alive?!" Sarutobi gasped.
"Yeah. No thanks to that decrepit war hawk Danzo!" Kushina shouted.
"Danzo?" Sarutobi gasped, "What's he done now?"
"Hokage-sama, apparently the night Naruto was born one of Danzo's Root Anbu Black Ops posed as one of our own and told her that Naruto and his father died." Kakashi explained.
"What?" Sarutobi frowned remembering it was another Anbu that told him that Kushina committed suicide.
"Yes. Believing that my own child died I left the village heartbroken!" Kushina growled before calming down.
Sarutobi looked at the woman that was said to have been dead, "I'm sorry that Danzo has deceived you. When we find him we will make sure he is punished for his crimes."
"That's all I ask, I don't care how long it takes." Kushina answered.
"So Jiji, what positions do you feel Zabuza and Haku should be placed under?" Shredder Naruto asked.
"Well seeing as how Zabuza was a Jonin in Kiri and part of the Seven Swordsmen, I think he would best be suited under the title of Tokubetsu Jonin." Sarutobi answered which got Zabuza smiling signaling he was comfortable with that, "As for you Haku. Seeing as how you possess a bloodline, along with a strong mastery over it, I'd recommend you for Chunin."
"Arigato Hokage-sama." Haku bowed his head.
"And don't worry you two. Your both welcomed to stay with me and my mother until you can find a place of your own." Naruto added.
"I'd like that." Zabuza admitted.
"Naruto isn't your place kinda small?" Ino asked.
Naruto smirked knowing she didn't know of his new pad, "Ino have I got something to show you."
Soon enough, Naruto, Ino, Kushina, Zabuza, and Haku were in the Namikaze mansion looking amazed.
"Not bad Naruto and I thought all the good compounds were in Iwa." Zabuza joked.
"I like what you've done to the place Naruto." Kushina admitted while admiring the Foot clan symbols put up.
"Thanks mom." he smiled.
"I still can't believe it you're the son of the Yondaime Hokage?" Ino gasped having been told about this before they made it to the mansion.
"Yup, surprising isn't it?" Naruto asked.
"Sure is." Ino said.
"Well we'll let you and Zabuza get settled in mom, me and Ino are going to do something about Haku's appearance." Naruto said.
"All right, but make sure to be home by dinnertime." Kushina ordered Naruto and Haku.
"Yes mother." Naruto said in a child tone. This caused him, Ino, and Haku to laugh before heading out.
"So this is what having a son is like." Kushina sighed but giggled.
Naruto who was out of his Shredder armor and in his regular white robe was walking with Ino and Haku through the village. As they walked Haku was getting looks at from the boys who had blushes on their faces.
"They're looking at me." Haku whispered to his friends.
"Can't blame them," Naruto reminded him why boys would look at him with his appearance, "Don't worry once we're finished with you, the girls will be looking at you."
"And it's a good thing you got me with you boys," Ino added, "When it comes to wardrobe and makeovers it's always best to have a woman with you."
"No argument there." Naruto admitted.
Ino brought the two boys to a clothing shop where they were having Haku try on numerous outfits. And after an hour they came out with an armful of bags.
"Now that your wardrobe has been taken care of, time to do something about that hair." Naruto told Haku.
"Just so long as you don't intend to buzz me." Haku said not wanting all his hair to be shaved off.
"Don't worry." Naruto calmed him.
Soon they stopped at a hair salon where Ino brought Haku to the hair stylist which was a woman roughly thirty with an hourglass figure with long black hair, and smooth skin.
"Afternoon Akira-san." Ino greeted the stylist.
"Ino darling, what brings you here today?" Akira asked.
"We've got a new patient for you in need of a good makeover."
"Well let's see the subject." Akira said until she sees Haku. She studied him carefully theorizing what she could truly do for the boy.
"Well Akira-san, what do you think?" Ino asked but Akira was still pondering.
"Hmm?" Naruto wondered what Akira's answer would be.
"I love a challenge. I'll do it!" Akira agreed.
Naruto and Ino smiled as Akira took Haku and brought him over to first get his hair washed, and soon dried it. So for an hour Akira's been snipping away at Haku's hair making sure it was the right length for a boy his age.
"Well Haku, I've done all I can." Akira said showing Haku a mirror.
Haku noticed his hair has been cut to shoulder length, "I like it." Haku smiled liking how much better it looked compared to before.
"Akira-san, you've outdone yourself again." Ino smiled.
"Naturally, it's what I do." Akira smiled back with pride.
Soon a few hours later Naruto and Ino brought Haku back to the Namikaze mansion where Haku was in a room changing into some new clothes.
"You done yet?" Naruto called from outside the room.
Soon the door opened and out stepped Haku dressed in regular ninja sandals, blue jeans, a white shirt, and a blue vest.
"Looking smooth Haku." Naruto commented.
"Arigato." Haku smiled that they approved of his look as much as he did.
Soon it was evening and Kushina, Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku were in the dinning room having dinner which was a widespread of food.
"Well everybody dig in." Kushina smiled.
Soon they all started chowing down along with their eyes lighting up, "Delicious!" the boys cheered. So they continued to eat away while Naruto spoke up.
"So mom I was thinking if you'd like to become a member of the Foot Clan." Naruto offered.
"Really?" Kushina gasped at her son's offer.
"Of course. I mean you were a strong Kunoichi weren't you?" Naruto asked.
"You bet your father's good looks I am." she replied.
"So then how about it, wanna train in the Foot Clan art?" he offered.
"I'd be honored son." Kushina smiled.
"Good, however I will be the leader meaning you should treat me like a leader and not as a son." Naruto ordered his mom not wanting her to embarrass the new Shredder.
"Deal." Kushina answered not wanting her son to look like a momma's boy in front of his one day assembled Foot ninja army.
Soon it was late, and Naruto was already in his nightwear heading for bed but saw his mom in the room, "Oh hi mom, I guess now that you're the adult here you'll be taking the master bedroom huh?"
"No Naruto. You're the man of the family now, it's rightfully yours." Kushina answered.
"Thanks mom." Naruto smiled.
Kushina then appeared behind Naruto, "Well come on son, its way past lights out." Kushina said scooting her son to his bed. As soon as he got in she covered him and tucked him in.
"Mom, what're you doing?" Naruto asked feeling this was a bit awkward.
"Since I've missed out on being a mother for the last thirteen years I figure now's a good a time as any," Kushina answered and kissed her son's forehead, "Goodnight sweetie." She said before leaving the room.
Naruto smiled at this but still felt awkward, "Something tells me I'm going to be dealing with this for awhile." He feared.
(There you go.)