A Hero's Welcome

I'm exhausted.

Extremely exhausted.

I'm surprise I made it this far.

Finally my body gave out as I was about to fall.

However, instead of hitting the ground, someone grabbed me.

I look up and see it was Kakashi-sensei.

"Kakashi-sensei…" I responded.

"You did a good job Naruto," Kakashi told me.

"Yo Naruto!" Akagitsune greeted me.

"Akagitsune!" I greeted.

Kakashi helped me up on Akagitsune.

We headed toward the leaf village.

…

I was in for a shock.

A real shock.

Everyone: Ninja and civilian, in the leaf village, was at the gates waiting for me.

"Welcome back!" a villager yelled.

"We believed in you!" another yelled.

"You're a hero, Naruto!" a third villager yelled.

"Thank you!" a fourth villager yelled.

"Welcome home!" the fifth villager yelled.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"They've all been waiting for your return," Kakashi explained.

"I told them everything that happened," Katsuya explained.

Akagitsune let me off his back.

The villagers started running and nearly tackled me.

Everyone greeted me.

Kurama Shima Fugaku and Shippo watched with a grin on their faces.

Kurama watched me with a smile on his face.

Suddenly, Sakura came out of nowhere and hit me in the head.

"Why are you so rash!" Sakura yelled.

The hit almost caused me to fall but Sakura grabbed me.

"Thank you," Sakura told me.

The villagers picked me up and started tossing me in the air.

…Normal POV…

Kuroda watched Naruto be tossed in the air.

He remember something when they met.

…Flashback…

Naruto explaining about his training

"I'm currently on a training journey. I've always done only bad things, so nobody trust me. So finding a friend that I can share trust with and bringing him back to Mount Oinari is my training," Naruto said, "Stupid, isn't it?"

…Seeing Takashi's Grave

"I was trusted for the first time ever too. Takashi made it happen," Naruto said.

…End of Flashback…

"He gained the trust of the villagers, and now he's seen as their hero," Kuroda thought, "Takashi probably smiling while watching this from where ever he's at."

…

An anbu came up to Minato.

"Lord Hokage," the anbu said.

"I know," Minato responded.

…

A cloud village squad came to the village hidden in the leaves.

"What happened here?" the tanned girl with with long hair responded.

"Karui, what have you done?" a boy with white hair and a sucker in his mouth asked.

"Come on guys!" the woman with blond hair said.

…Naruto's POV…

I wanted to tell lord Hokage what I learn, but he ran off to a meeting.

So I decided to go talk to Tsunade.

After meeting the First Hokage, and hearing what Nagato said about a man with the sharingan, I thought I should learn more about Madara and the First Hokage.

And who better to ask than the last relative of the First Hokage.

Unfortunately, she was in tent, in a coma, and her skin was shriveled up and wrinkled like an old lady.

Yeah, I know, she's in her fifties.

But right now she look as if she's older than even Jiriaya, and he never tried to use some kind of ninjutsus to look young.

"She used Katsuya to protect the village, and she's been unconscious ever since," Sakura explained, "I don't know when she'll wake up."

"Lady Tsunade," I responded.

…Normal POV…

Minato along with Danzo, Koharu Homaru and Shikaku.

They agreed on putting funs on rebuilding the Leaf.

"I got a suggestion," Minato said, "I want to promote Naruto Uzamaki and Shikamaru to full Jonin Rank."

"Is that wise Lord Hokage?" Homaru asked.

"Both boys proven themselves that they were ready for the promotion," Minato responded.

"I agreed," Shikaku responded.

"I second," Danzo responded.

"Very well," Koharu said.

"We'll give both boys the promotion," Homaru said.

"I'm surprise you're agreeing Danzo," Minato responded.

"I have my reasons for everything, lord Hokage," Danzo responded, "Speaking of which, considering Tsunade's in a coma, have you decided on a new second in command."

"I'm not going to get a new second in command, just because Lady Tsunade is in a coma," Minato responded.

"But if something happens to you while Tsunade is in a coma, we might face trouble," Koharu said.

"That's right," Homaru agreed.

Minato sighed in annoyance.

"Fine, I'll agree to a temporary replacement until Tsunade comes out of the coma or she dies," Minato responded, "But it has to be my choice. And that person won't be third in command unless Tsunade agrees to it."

"Fine," everyone agreed.

"So much for my plan, but there are otherways," Danzo thought.

"Danzo, will you be temporary replacement?" Minato asked.

"I'm surprise you ask me," Danzo responded.

"I am too," Shikaku responded, "I would think you choose Naruto, or Kakashi or your wife."

"I have my reasons," Minato responded.

"Very well," Danzo agreed.

"I can't trust Danzo. But by giving him this position, I can at least take time to figure things out until things clear out," Minato thought, "Meantime, Naruto and Shikamaru will get the promotion they deserve."

…Naruto's POV…

Well, Yamato has finally returned.

Sakura filled him in on everything.

I got a lecture from Yamato for letting my instincts out control again.

Kuroda had to leave, but wished me luck.

Now the reconstruction of the leaf began.

To my surprise, we got help from both the Sand Village and Land of Waves.

Lord Hokage must have send word to Gaara for help, as well as the feudal lord of the Land of Waves.

Anyways, I was with Sakura near some construction wood.

She made me tell her everything that happened during my battle with Yahiko (I know, he was Pein, but I want to call him Yahiko) after I lost control.

"You actually met the First Hokage?" Sakura responded.

"Yeah, I was surprise too!" I responded as I held out my necklace, "He said that this necklace was sealed with his chakra so that if it is passed down to someone with the tailed beast's chakra and they loose control of it's chakra, his chakra would stop them. But since I was already a Tailed Beast, it summoned him."

"You must be the luckiest person I know, Naruto," Sakura responded.

"Yeah, but I'm curious about his past that I'm sure only a living relative of his would know about," I responded, "Unfortunately…"

"The only one left is Lady Tsunade," Sakura agreed.

I was about to cheer her up when I caught onto a familiar scent.

Actually, two familiar scents.

Scents of two people I haven't seen in years.

"Well, it been a long time guys!" I greeted turning to who it was.

"Who are you talking too?" Sakura asked.

"Your scent is as strong as ever," someone said.

Sakura turned to see it was 4 years older Tazuna and Inari.

"Tazuna! Inari!" Sakura responded.

"Wow! Look at you Inari! You sure have grown," I told Inari.

"So have you," Inari responded.

"I take it you guys are here to rebuild the village?" Sakura asked.

"That's right," Tazuna agreed.

"I'm a carpenter too! I'm here helping my grandpa build your village," Inari explained.

"Lord Hokage send a message to me and told me what happened and that he needed carpenters," Tazuna explained, "After what you guys did for my country, how can I say no?"

"So what ranks are you guys?" Inari asked.

"I'm a Specialize Jonin," I replied.

"I'm a Chuunin," Sakura responded.

"Specialize Jonin?" Tazuna asked.

"It's a rank given to Chuunins who worked themselves passed Chuunin Rank, but isn't exactly ready for Jonin," Sakura responded.

"Oh, Tazuna, Inari, long time no seek," someone said.

We turned to see it was Kakashi.

"Oh, hey Kakashi," Tazuna greeted.

"I heard you were in the village," Kakashi responded.

"Yeah," Inari agreed.

"What about Sasuke? I haven't seen him around?" Tazuna asked.

Sakura and I grew depressed hearing the name of our lost comrade.

"Did I say something wrong?" Tazuna asked.

"It's a long story," Kakashi responded, "That reminds me. Naruto, Lord Hokage has send me to get you."

"Huh?" I responded, "What for?"

"You'll see," Kakashi said with a chuckle.

I really hate when he does that.

"Sakura, you're allowed to come with us," Kakashi responded.

"Um okay," Sakura responded.

…

We came to the main tent that was the first Hokage's temporary office.

Yamato and Sai were there too, along with Team Asuma.

Shikamaru was using crutches, due to his leg.

Okay, this is weird.

"Hey Sai! I thought you were still on mission!" I said.

"I was called back. Don't worry. There are replacements for me and Yamato," Sai responded.

"I thought that it should be fair that Sai and Yamato both be here since they are members of Team Kakashi as well," Minato explained.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Shikamaru Nara! Naruto Uzumaki! You both have worked hard since becoming Specialize Jonin, and now you have proven yourselve worthied for the next rank," Minato said.

Is he telling us what I think he's telling us?

"The council and I have finally agreed on this. Naruto, Shikamaru, you both are now officially Jonin Rank Ninjas," Minato responded, "Congrats you two."

"Wait! We're promoted?" I asked.

"That's right," Kushina agreed.

"Wait! I understand Naruto, but why am I promoted?" Shikamaru asked, "I barely did anything."

"You helped me when I needed it," Kushina responded, "You put your life on the line for a comrade against all odds. That's what it takes to be a Jonin."

"That's right," Minato responded.

"Thanks," I responded.

Kushina handed Shikamaru and me a new vest for Jonin rank.

Everyone clapped for us.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Minato responded.

Shizune came in.

"Sorry, but there are some Ninjas from the Village Hidden in the Clouds here," Shizune said.

"Cloud Ninjas? Why are they here?" Minato asked.

"It has to do with Sasuke," Shizune responded.

Sakura and I look at each other.

Something tells me, this isn't good.

Next Time: Sasuke has captured the 8-tails Jinchuriki. I'm now the last thing that stands in the way of Akatsuki's plan. Not only that, but Sasuke is wanted in the Cloud Village, and the 4th Raikage has called a meeting of the Kages. Wait! Why does Lord Hokage want to talk to me about something? What is Minato's final decision about Sasuke? Read to Find Out...