Chapter 6

The squad had just returned from the planet below with Tali Zorah nar Rayya the Quarian who had been there at the very end with Shepard and Garrus at the citadel. She had matured in the last two years a lot and was only twenty years of age. When Shepard and her group had first shown up she was utterly shocked, she had no idea they were coming to recruit her but she was happy that they did, she missed her old friends aboard the Normandy even if she had to work along side Cerberus she was not going to let Shepard down. They walked down to the briefing room together Shepard and Ashley were laughing at Garrus who had started to talk with Joker but was dragged down the corridor by Tali who wanted to catch up with everybody together. The door to the briefing room opened and inside was Jacob and Miranda, Ashley glared at both of them before going over to the other side of the table.

"Welcome Tali." Jacob greeted.

"If you wouldn't mind I would like to catch up with my friends." Tali replied. Jacob nodded and left the briefing room along with Miranda. "Shepard I thought that even you wouldn't work with Cerberus I even went as far as believing that you were trying to infiltrate them and if that's the case ill hand you a grenade." Tali continued.

"Don't worry they will get what's coming to them." Ashley told the Quarian with a smirk.

"What were you doing down there Tali?" Garrus asked.

"I was researching the planet's stars they have aged to much in to short a time that's why the heat was intense down there. That was one of the worlds that my people colonized when we were out of our suits."

"So you were trying to figure out how your people could re-colonize a world then?" Shepard asked and Tali nodded.

"It would take generations for the Quarian's to breath oxygen without a mask but yes that is what we were trying to do." She replied.

"Ah Commander you may want to go see what Naruto and Grunt are up to. They're having a friendly spar down in the engineering room and it's getting a little bit out of control."Joker's voice came over the radio.

"You mean Naruto is going hand to hand with a Krogan?" Ashley asked.

"yeah he likes to test himself." Shepard replied, Tali and Ashley looked to there commander with shock how could anyone go up against a Krogan hand to hand.

XXXXXXXXXX

Half an hour earlier before the arrival of Tali and after Naruto had finished speaking with Miranda he went back down to the engineering deck, he had contemplated on whether to go annoy Jack again but decided that getting shot wasn't on his list of things to do today. So he went to go and get a spar out of Grunt.

"Grunt, ol' buddy ol' pal how's things?" He asked as he walked into the Krogan's spot on the ship. "You up for a spar now or do I need to come back later?"

"Now is fine meet me in the training room in fifteen minutes and get armored up." Naruto nodded to the Krogan and left the room. Fifteen minutes later the two arrived in the training room Naruto with a big grin on his face and Grunt as stoic as usual but he was eager for a good fight you could easily tell. "So Naruto shall we use weapons or just hand to hand?"

"Hand to hand and blades only." Naruto replied as he started to stretch.

"Do you have your own blade?"

"Ah no can I borrow one?" He asked as he chuckled while rubbing the back of his head. He caught the blade that Grunt had tossed him and looked it over. It was a rather simple blade different from the kunai back home it was one sided and had groves near the red hilt. He placed it on his armor where there was a spot for a knife and got into a battle ready stance.

"You ready?" Grunt asked. Naruto looked around the room and stood up straight again.

"Hang on a sec ok." Grunt nodded. "Joker! We need some music down here!" He called with a smile on his face.

"Ill see what I can do Naruto." Joker said back over the radio.

"Alright now I'm ready." He grinned. Grunt charged forward with his head down like most Krogan did but Naruto was able to predict this as he had faced several Krogan before. He jumped up and placed both hands on Grunt's head and flipped over or was meant to but Grunt had grabbed both of his legs and started to swing him around by his feet. He was tossed half way across the room before he was able to get his head straight and was able to land on his feet and rolled out of the way just as Grunt passed by him in a charge.

Naruto turned to face Grunt but was kicked in the chest and sent backwards and grunt charged at him again. Naruto pulled out his knife and swiped at him but Grunt jumped backwards out of the way and delivered a punch to the blonde's face. His face turned to the side and he spit out some blood as he did so. Naruto kicked out Grunt's legs with incredible speed to fast for the Krogan before he knew it he was sailing through the air after a forceful five punches from the blonde. Grunt landed on his side and rolled out of the way before Naruto's leg landed where his head would have been. He stood up and they stood facing each other both with grins on there faces and blood coming out of there mouths. Grunt pulled out his Knife and Naruto did the same and both charged at each other, they swiped at each other aiming for the most dangerous parts of the body which would kill in seconds but were unable to land a hit on each other.

Grunt made a downward arc and Naruto parred it with his own blade and he lost grip and they both went flying to the floor. He delivered a punch to the Krogan's head and Grunt stumbled backwards before he grinned and punched out at Naruto who ducked under the punch and delivered another set of punches to the Krogan's chin but Grunt didn't budge. Grunt looked down to the blonde and head butted him before grabbing his shoulders and kneeing him in the gut several times before kneeing him in the head making him fly back. Grunt didn't see the change on Naruto's features.

"He is holding his own pretty well." Ashley said from the viewpoint of the training room which looked down onto the room.

"I'm surprised that he has even come this far." Tali said with a little excitement in her voice.

"He has given the same treatment to other Krogan, but Grunt is a genetic super soldier that's why he is having a hard time." Shepard replied as she watched the fight not noticing Naruto's changes in the fight and his actions which became more brutal.

"He is really something Shepard." Garrus said as he walked up behind the group. He looked over the railing and looked down to the two fighting and saw that Naruto get kneed in the head. "Do you think he can win against Grunt?"

"He took down the massive machine back on Horizon he took down a gunship single handedly I think he can take on Grunt." Shepard smirked back at him. Garrus nodded and looked back down to the fight going on.

Grunt was smirking at the blonde who was on the floor face down. His grin faded when Naruto seemingly floated back to his feat his head was hung down in front of him his hair was covering his eyes making them covered in darkness. His back was turned to the Krogan. Grunt could see him flexing his fingers in and out of making a fist.

"Naruto, tag out?" A voice said from Naruto in a deep voice as he lifted his head up and it fell to the side revealing his red slitted eyes.

"Just for a few seconds, Fox. We can't kill Grunt. He's an ally."

"What is happening?" Grunt thought to himself. But was unable to think any more as Naruto charged at him with incredible speed and attacked the Krogan with massive amounts of force. Grunt was back handed by the blonde and he went flying through the training room but to his shock Naruto was waiting for him where he was headed and punched down on his gut sending the Krogan to the floor. Naruto lifted the Krogan up by the neck of his armor with one hand showing how strong the blonde was and started to punch him in the face. Grunt tried to fight back but his arms were just swatted away from the blonde. The door slid open and the room filled with the audience that was watching from above.

"Tag back out, Kurama."

"OK, Kid."

"Naruto!" Shepard yelled. Naruto looked over to the red head and her eyes opened wide as she saw the changes once again. "Calm down Naruto." She ordered. Grunt fell to the floor with a thud and Naruto returned to normal. He crouched down next to Grunt.

"You OK Grunt?" He asked.

"If... you ever need anything... Naruto. I would happily follow you... into any danger." Grunt said just before he passed out.

"Let's get him up to Dr Chakwas, Naruto." Garrus said as he came and helped Naruto lift the Krogan and haul him out the door of the training room. Tali watched as the two left and turned back to Shepard and Ashley.

"I think he's cute." She said with excitement still in her voice. Shepard tried to continue smiling but was having a hard time at it and Ashley saw this and laughed at the red head.

"Naruto we need to talk about a few things." Shepard said as she walked into his room only to find him asleep on one of his couches. "I guess it can wait then." She smiled as she walked out of the room and headed up to the bridge to see Joker. She left the elevator and bumped into Kelley as she walked past.

"Good Evening Commander I hear that Naruto was able to take down Grunt in a one on one spar." She smiled.

"yeah he seems to have worked himself out as he is asleep at the moment." Shepard replied.

"Not having a sleep over again Shepard?" Kelley asked with a slight grin. Shepard's eyes flew open after hearing that and she looked dead at the Cerberus officer. "I was the one who sent Garrus down, I knew that he wouldn't react like some others would." She smiled.

"It would seem appropriate to give him a morning to wake up by himself don't you think?" Kelley nodded.

"But he has been complaining that he doesn't have a bed maybe you could share yours with him Commander I mean if you two have slept side by side before what would the difference really be? I should get going Commander I have duties to attend to." Shepard nodded and headed up towards Joker.

"Good evening Commander did you get me some pictures of what Naruto did to Grunt?" Joker asked with a grin.

"Sorry Joker didn't have my camera on me." She smirked. "You could always hobble down to the infirmary and see the damage yourself."

"And break a hip maybe next time." He replied.

"How are we doing?"

"It's great to have members of the old team back on board, EDI is still pestering me over some random crap and I still don't trust the Illusive man. But hey we don't all get what we want do we." He smiled. "We're heading for Naruto's home world?" Shepard nodded.

"We are staying there for a few days, then we will head to Ilium to get Thane and Samara."

"An Assassin and a Justicar, couldn't you collect coins or something." He smirked and she waved over her shoulder as she headed back to her quarters. Before she got to the elevator she got a devilish grin on her face and went back down to the crew deck. Ashley was walking by the Elevator when it opened up to reveal a grinning Shepard.

"What are you up to Commander." She asked.

"You. Me. Kitchen. Now." Was all she got as a reply as Shepard grabbed a hold of her and pulled her into the kitchen.

"What's this all about?" Ashley asked again.

"Prank time, now get me a pair of scissors." She smirked.

Naruto awoke with pain in his arms and in his legs from where he was hit during the sparring session. He looked around the room and headed for where he had stored his scroll and looked through it. He pulled out a kunai and looked it over, he would have to get some more if he kept using them. He smiled as he remembered he would be able to see some of his friends again soon. He walked to the door and headed out and went to the kitchen. He sat down at the counter and could see that Rupert was smiling.

"Why so cheerful?" Naruto asked. Rupert just pointed behind him and he could see that there were a few women behind him with deep blushes and when he looked over his shoulder her could have sworn that they looked away. "What's going on?" Rupert laughed a little.

"Boy you got it bad, you and Garrus have got it coming you know that." He smiled.

"Huh?" He looked around again and looked down and most of his pants were shredded but you could make out some lettering. WAR "Son of a bitch!" he cursed. Rupert laughed and went back to work and Naruto ran back to his room to get a new pair of pants.

Shepard and Ashley were laughing while Garrus came down.

"What's so funny?" He asked the two.

"GARRUS!" Naruto yelled out. "Your consulting with the enemy!" He continued to shout at the Turian.

"What are you going on about?" Garrus asked.

"They are the enemy they ruined a pair of my shorts when I was asleep and I walked out with them on and made a complete fool of myself. Ladies this is War!" He continued to rant. He grinned when he left and it made the two girls shudder in fear of what was to come Garrus followed in after him.

"Commander we are almost at our destination." Joker's voice came over the radio.

"Ash go get Naruto and get armored up." Shepard said with a smile.

"Where are we?" Ashley asked.

"Naruto's home." She continued to smile.

Naruto stood on the bridge with a smile on his face as the Normandy entered the planets atmosphere, he could even see Konoha in the distance out of the front windows.

"Man there all going to freak when they see this baby." Naruto grinned. "Does this thing even have landing gear?"

"Top of the range for the Normandy, now we just go to find a place big enough to land." Joker replied.

"To the south of that gate there should be a big enough area to land." Naruto told him and Joker nodded as he followed the blonde's instructions.

"I see it, all right we will be down in a minute go tell Shepard."

"You tell Shepard all you have to do is press a button!" Naruto argued.

"I'm busy landing the ship just go to the armory and tell her would you!" Joker argued back.

"EDI! Tell Shepard were almost down."

"Of course Mr Namikaze." EDI replied.

"That's a first." Joker mumbled.

"Open the doors Joker!"

"What! Why would I do that in mid air!" Joker yelled.

"I'm going on the roof now unlock and open the doors." The blonde smirked and Joker nodded and opened the hatch and watched Naruto exit the Normandy.

"That kid is going to get me in trouble one day." He smiled as he went back to his terminals. Naruto stood atop the ship chakra holding him in place his arms spread out and wind rushing past him. He smiled as the ground became closer. He could hear the landing gear come out as they hovered just a kilometer over the ground and start to descend and came to a halt when they landed. He heard the door open and something mechanical begin to unfold and cursing about slow moving machines when Shepard and most of the crew came running out and Jack walking out with a huge smile on her face until she looked up and saw that the blonde was still alive.

"Why the hell aren't you dead!" Jack yelled.

"Because I would miss you far to much." Naruto laughed. He ran down the side of the Normandy and landed next to Shepard. "Shall we go?"

"After you." Shepard said with a smile and followed the blonde who was walking with Grunt and Garrus.

"Alright Grunt I'll tell you who he is as soon as we see him ok, he is always up for a good fight and you will hand his ass to him on a god damn silver platter." Naruto smirked and evil smirk as they walked along.

"Good, I will have to test your friends strength."

"Friend." He laughed. "yeah even though this guy has tried to kill me plenty of times, we're still friends." He continued. They had been walking for an hour until the gates came into view. The aliens were in the middle of the group so that any passer by wouldn't be able to get a clear look at them. Naruto was flirting with Shepard and was seemingly making her blush. Jacob and Miranda were at the back and the rest of the crew were walking along. "So they already sent Anbu out huh...since when is Hinata Anbu?"Naruto thought.

"Naruto what's wrong?"

"Just thinking about something." There was movement to there left and they all readied there weapons except for Naruto.

"N-Naruto!" Hinata yelled as she ran at the blonde. The female's of the group were quite self conscious of there bodies when she made herself known for her large assets that she had. "You're home Naruto." She said as she clung to him.

"Only for a few day's Hinata but then have to go again." He told her.

"W-what b-but why?" Hinata asked looking into his blue eyes.

"My mission isn't done yet, there were just some things that I need to do here before we complete the mission." He told her as she pulled back from his embrace.

"Man Naruto, girls here are just hanging off you." Garrus said as he walked up to them. Hinata's jaw dropped and her eyes opened wide as she looked on at her first alien before she fainted in Naruto's arms.

"Damn bitch probably did it on purpose." Shepard thought.

"Never fails, does it, Kid?"

"The more things change, Fox, the more they stay the same. I doubt Hinata will ever quit fainting around me. Even after all the talks we've had about just remaining friends."

"Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze!" A voice from some bushes came out followed by four Anbu members.

"yeah what is it!" Naruto barked back.

"Please let us escort you to the Hokage." One of the members said.

"This is different from the first time." Miranda said.

"What do you mean?" Garrus asked.

"As soon as we walked though the front gate he was pinned to the ground with a sword at his throat." Jacob continued.

"I can find my own way thank you very much!" Naruto growled at them making them all take a step back from the blonde. "Let's go, we have to go see if Hinata is alright, I'll take her to the hospital, Jane do you mind taking the squad up to Granny Tsunade, the crew can probably stay here with a few Anbu guards." Shepard nodded her head as she took the crew and headed for the village while the Anbu members stayed to look after the crew and Naruto jumped into the tree's with an unconscious Hinata in his arms.

Hinata's eyes fluttered open and she could see that she was in a hospital room, she couldn't remember why she was in the hospital she was just getting back when she saw...Naruto. She instantly leaped out of the hospital bed and looked around the room to find that there was no one in the room and she calmed down and sat back down on the bed. She felt like crying, was she imagining that her long time love had returned and that she was just sever;y injured on the mission and dreamt the last few hours. But she spotted something on the table beside her and she could see that it was a note.

Hinata

Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. Grandma Tsunade

wanted to talk to me about some things. But we'll talk again before I go.

Keep the next few days clear I'll try and see you in the next three days ok.

Naruto

All throughout the hospital you could hear a loud girlish scream that would rival ten screaming pink haired banshee fan girls.

XXXXXXXXXX

"So Naruto you just came back to pay your respects to Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked the blonde while looking over the aliens in her office.

"yeah Pervy Sage deserves it for everything that he did for me, if it wasn't for him I would of never got my sage training done or never beat the Akatsuki. I just thought that it would be good to say hi before I go." He smiled back at her.

"And the others Naruto?"

"There here on temporary shore leave from the mission, I thought that it would be alright if they stay here in the village." Naruto said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

"And who is going to pay for there expenses Naruto?" Tsunade grumbled.

"I thought that I could do a couple of S-rank missions while I'm here and the money from that can go into the bills that they have." Naruto continued and Tsunade was shocked the the usual idiot blonde had thought it through for once.

"Alright Naruto I think that two S-ranks will be sufficient you will be paid in advance so that your crew can have the luxury of spending your money." She smirked. "One today and another one after tomorrow. You know what tomorrow is so you can have the day to yourself." Naruto nodded his head. "Jane may I speak with you in private for a moment?" Shepard nodded and signaled for the rest to leave the room.

"What did you do to Naruto!" She ordered.

"What do you mean?" Shepard asked.

"He is somewhat smarter then usual." Tsunade said standing up from her desk. "I mean he was always smart in his own way but I mean he takes things into account now."

"He doesn't seem to smart to me all he does on the Normandy is play pranks." Shepard mumbled. Tsunade laughed and Shepard raised an eyebrow at her. "What?"

"Of course he would play pranks he is the number one most unpredictable ninja that the elemental countries ." Tsunade smirked.

"So how do I play a prank on him?" Shepard asked with a glint in her eye.

"I don't have a clue he is a master at pranks, see the Hokage monument?" Shepard nodded. "He painted that and nobody even noticed until he was done and he did it in a orange jumpsuit in the middle of the day." Shepard went pale after hearing that.

"So there is no way to win." She mumbled.

"What do you mean win?"

"He sad that we were at war with the pranks." Tsunade went pale also much to Shepard's shock.

"Get on his good side do anything you have to do, I have heard some stories of what he has done and there was never any proof that he did it." By now both woman were starting to panic when Sasuke got thrown through the door.

"Naruto he wasn't even a match." Grunt argued with the blonde.

"I told you that you would hand his ass to him on a silver platter." Naruto laughed. Sasuke mumbled something incoherent and passed out on the floor of the office.

"Naruto your back!" Sakura screamed as she ran at Naruto who looked over his shoulder at her with a smile on his face. "Naruto?"

"Sakura look, I'm only back for a few days to pay my respects to Pervy Sage," Naruto told her, "If I get a chance, I would like to catch up with you and Sasuke, and discuss a few things that I've noticed, and my possible plans. Until then, I have something to do. Grandma?"

"OK Naruto, here it is. Be careful tho and try and be back in a few hours Gaara will be here this afternoon." Shizune smiled at the blonde and he lit up.

"Really, what's he coming here for?" He asked.

"He has some business with Tsunade so make sure you catch up with him OK." Shizune smiled and he nodded his head.

"Granny Tsunade where are we staying?" Naruto asked.

"I'll have Shizune take you to the Uchiha compound there should be sufficient amount of room there since it's only Sasuke." Tsunade replied. Grunt smirked at that hoping he would be able to get a decent re-match.

"Jacob, go with Jack to get the rest of the crew." Shepard ordered and both of them nodded and left the office. Naruto looked over the mission he was given and he smirked an evil smirk.

"Is this right Granny Tsunade?" Naruto asked and said woman nodded her head in agreement.

"Ever since your heritage has been known Iwa has been getting more and more suspicious lately, you have to take care of that for us." She smiled. Naruto nodded and headed for the door.

"Ill be back just before sunrise, make sure Gaara is still here alright." Tsunade nodded her head and he disappeared.

"Where is he going?" Shepard asked.

"Just to blow some stuff up." Tsunade smirked. "It would be easier for him to go on his own as it would be quicker for him to use chakra to enhance his speed where you would still have to travel on foot." Shepard nodded her head in agreement. "Shizune would you please take this group to the Uchiha compound and get a few Anbu members to get Sasuke off of my floor." She sighed. Shizune giggled and nodded her head.

XXXXXXXXXX

It had been just over five hours and Naruto was still pumped for the mission and he was only a few hours out, he was still in his armor and had checked over his guns before he left to make sure that he had enough ammo for what he had planned. He hadn't even used up half of his chakra in the last few hours as he had so much, he was glad that this was the mission he was going to do what his father couldn't, to destroy Iwa once and for all. He knew that he had to do it in secret and make sure that the civilians got out and any that could get out but he had to destroy the actual foundation of Iwa itself. He was tree jumping when he felt that he was being followed so he landed on the ground and took out one of his pistols when a group of Iwa nin dropped down behind him.

"Y-Your a Namikaze!" One of the ninja shouted.

"Yeah, and I'm here to see old man, Tsuchikage. He should remember me from the war, especially the battle with that resurrected Madara Uchiha," Naruto told the Iwa nins, "Get him, for me, and I'll spare all of you."

Twenty minutes later, Oonoki, the Sandaime Tsuchikage, came out with his grand-daughter, Kurotsuchi. "Naruto-kun. It's been too long."

"Tell me about it, Old man," Naruto replied, "what's this I heard about Iwa raising a ruckus about my parents being revealed?"

"Long story short? Your father killed about 500 of my men in a matter of seconds, in a battle during the 3rd Shinobi war. My council wanted to call for your head, but I'm doing my best to keep them back."

"It's not working like you hoped, is it?" Naruto inquired

"Not even close."

"OK, tell your council this, for me," Naruto advises, "I'm even stronger than my father. Not only am I a Namikaze, but I still have Kurama on my side. That's right, the Kyuubi. They'd be doing good to keep the war-time alliance going, and stop making a ruckus about me, or I could come back, and raze this village to the ground with little than a thought."

"I think that would work," Oonoki responded, "Wait here." He then left, leaving Naruto time to catch up with Kurotsuchi, who he had met during the war.

An hour later, Oonoki came back. "The council will not raise another word about you, Naruto-kun. I think just the threat of having to face the Kyuubi and you had them about to mess themselves."

"That would do it, Kid,"

"Tell me about it, Fox." Naruto thought back, laughing mentally, "Just the threat of you, and they're already shitting their pants. Perfect." He then addressed the Tsuchikage, "Ok, old man, thanks. I'll tell Grandma everything's ok with Iwa now. While I'm thinking about it, there's something you need to know." Naruto then went on to describe the situation with the Reapers.

"I'll send a message to Tsunade and the other Kage to strengthen the alliance, so we can help when needed."

"Thanks, Oonoki." Naruto then left Iwa, and headed back to Konoha.