Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and this is just a fanfic based off of someone else's hard work and ideas.

"Speaking"

"Thought"

"Kurama Speaking"

"Kurama Thought"

A/N: I want to thank you for the comments. I have been pleased with the support and the general enjoyment of my story. I would like to send a special thank you to lockdown00 for the suggestions and additional info.

Chapter 15

Flashback: Naruto's Training

"GOOD MORNING, my Lord." Yelled Jaga. "It is time for your first day of training. Here put on this belt."

"YAWN….Uh what is this?" as Naruto tied the belt to his waist without looking at it. Sometimes we do stupid stuff when we are sleepy in the morning.

"That is your new training belt for the next month. As you will notice there are two big slabs of steak attached to each side and there are 3 very hungry and very fast Jaguar's right outside your room waiting for you. The goal...speed and evasion. You may not leave the compound. Good luck." Said Jaga as he pushed Naruto out of his room.

"YOU CRAZY OVERSIZED HOUSECAT!" was heard from everywhere all over the compound and all knew that the Namikaze clan heir had begun his training. All morning as Naruto dodged and ran there were chuckles and sniggering coming from where ever he ran. However, as time passed he kept getting better and had to use less movement in order to dodge.

Thus went his training for the next month. He would spend from dawn to breakfast running from the hungry jaguars. He spent his early morning in lessons from his clan history, to politics, shinobi tactics and theory, and even the basics that he should have received in the academy.

He then had lunch and spent his afternoons doing physical exercise to build strength and learning the basic Namikaze katas. After dinner he would spend the evenings before bed doing various chakra control exercises such as wall walking and water walking until exhaustion took him out.

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was during lunch when Jaga finally got to talk about his plans for his young lord. "Lord Naruto, it is time to discuss some of your clan's jutsu's. You have proceeded nicely over the last couple of months and we need to discuss your bloodline."

Naruto stopped his chewing and looked right at Jaga. With is mouth full he began to speak when Nilu bonked him on the head. "Remember your manners Lord Naruto." She admonished.

He gave her an irritated look, but complied non-the-less. After swallowing he looked at Jaga. "I have a bloodline?" he asked.

"Yes you do, it is not a typical bloodline like most clans now days from what we have learned. Yours is a jutsu based bloodline. Your clan created barrier jutsu's. These barriers can be erected from anywhere on your body. They can stop a blade from piercing your heart or strengthen your fist or feet when punching and kicking. The limit to these jutsu's is that of your chakra capacity. This is why I was excited about you being a jinchuriki. The clan had always hoped to have one because the ultimate jutsu requires an insane amount of chakra. That is the limit to your bloodline. To keep a barrier around any one part of your body isn't too tuff, but it does drain your chakra. To complete a full body barrier has always eluded your clan due to that limitation. Most of your clan learned to concentrate and create a barrier where needed at will but just for long enough to carry out whatever task they were attempting. The foxes chakra added to your own would make you the ultimate Namikaze. Therefore, we will be cutting down your early morning routine and your physical strength routine and the lions will start to teach you the clan jutsus ranging from general jutsu's to your bloodline. My suggestion to you is that you start trying to build a relationship with the fox. You need to become partners to do this."

"Don't you think I have tried? The oversized fuzz ball keeps me at arm's length and never converses with me." Replied Naruto.

Jaga continued. "Think about him for a minute. A larger than life entity who used to be free to do what he wants when he wants is not trapped in a 'lowly' human. How would you feel? To be locked up for who knows how long. I would be angry. I would want my freedom too. However, I would be lonely too. Try to find some common ground and build from there."

After several minutes of thinking Naruto relented. "I will try."

"Very good. Now lunch is over, let's get back to training." Replied Jaga.

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was finally evening and even though Naruto agreed to try and talk to Kurama he wasn't sure what to say. Naruto went into a meditative state and after what seemed like hours he finally found himself at the foot of the cage.

Kurama knew he was there but did not acknowledge him.

Naruto walked back a forth thinking about how he was going to start his conversation. He finally started where he would want someone to start if he was in the opposite situation. "Kurama, I'm sorry." Naruto finally said and bowed to the large fox.

Kurama raised the proverbial eye brow and then spoke. "Why do you apologize to me?"

"I am sorry for how you are stuck in here. I'm sorry for taking your chakra when I wanted without permission. I'm sorry I don't come to visit and give you company. And I'm sorry you have to put up with an idiot host who never considered your feelings."

"What makes you think I have feelings you whelp. I would crush you and not feel sorry. I do not want your apologies."

"You may not want them, but you are getting them." Naruto looked the giant fox in the eye "we are stuck together now so we both might as well get comfortable. However, I believe there is more to you than what you want me to see. However, we should become friends and work together."

"The only reason you come here offering friendship is because you want your clans powers and need me to get it for you."

Naruto couldn't deny it and to do so would only prove to the fox that he wasn't being honest. "You are half right. I do want the abilities your chakra would provide me regarding my clan jutsu, but there is more. I do want to be friends. I do want to us to be partners. Think about it for a minute. Imagine what we could do working together. The name would could make for both of us when working together. If you give me a chance we can make this world better not just for me but for all the other tailed beast. Also, wouldn't it be nice to have someone to talk to on a regular basis that at least might understand where you are coming from. I was in a prison of hate back in that village and now I'm going back eventually. We could confide in each other and build a partnership like no other. What do you say to that?"

It was quite for a long time. The fox didn't care of the confiding in each other, but having some friendship would be nice. If this human was being honest. "Maybe he can be trusted" Kurama thought.

"Leave me."

Naruto took a deep breath and began to leave. As he was fading back to the land of the living he was sure he heard Kurama say "I will think about it."

Xxxxxxxxxx

It had been another several months and Naruto had progressed well. By utilizing his clones he increased his study time to all areas of knowledge from Jutsu's in the family library, politics, and other general study's that the snow leopards were giving him. He used his clone's non-stop of chakra control and even began to read his study material while practicing chakra control.

His physical endurance and strength was at an all new high however, he remained lean like a proper shinobi so he didn't lose any flexibility or mobility.

He began working with Nilu on joint combinations in the family taijutsu style which was a mix of Aikido and Savate (Thank you Lockdown00 for the suggestions, the fighting styles go to you). He would use Aikido to divert his opponent's attacks and then use the Savate style to deliver devastating attacks on his opponent's. The best part about the fighting styles was Aikido allowed him to react to attacks and Savate allowed him to initiate attacks. Once he mastered these styles he would be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

A/N: Link to savate on youtube: ( watch?v=IXNs9ARsNFU)

Xxxxxxxxxx

It had been several more months and now Naruto was becoming all his ancestors could hope for.

Now was the time for him to start working with his summoning animals. He started out trying to summon various sizes and style of the Panthera Clan. He worked on developing relationships with messengers, fighters, and even the larger summons not just the boss. He even worked on multiple summons in a day to build up his own already increase chakra and to develop fighting styles on the fly with his various summons.

Xxxxxxxxxx

During the time Sessho and Yakihyo were gone he had been developing a relationship with Kurama. It had been a slow process but he was earning Kurama's trust.

He had managed to gain access to 5 tails of the fox's chakra without losing control, but there wasn't enough trust yet to allow for the cage to be opened to allow for a fluid partnership.

What Naruto had done was to recreate his mindscape and instead of a sewer and jail it was now like a zoo with a lush forest for Kuama to walk through and sleep in with a viewing area for Naruto to converse with Kurama. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than a cage in a sewer.

Xxxxxxxxxx

About the time that the council meeting was going on where Danzo would be taken care of the elder lion came to meet with Naruto.

"Good evening my young lord. How are you doing?" Choro asked.

"Elder Choro, it is a pleasure to see you." Naruto bowed in respect.

"ha ha, I see your manners have improved." Chuckled Choro.

"Yes, well one could say they were beat into me…literally" Naruto thought the last part in remembrance of the bonks on the head from the snow leopard tutors when he didn't use proper manners.

"Well, putting that aside, I have come to take you to our summoning realm. It is time for you to learn the Lion Sage techniques." Commented Choro

"The sage techniques?" asked Naruto

"Yes, it is where we teach you to harness the energy around you and use it to give you additional strength, battle awareness, and/or speed. Every sage we have had has gained one or any combination of the three skills. We don't know what you will gain until we try, but the sage mode will undoubtedly make you stronger in battle." Choro lectured.

"zzzzzz" Naruto snored.

"I lost him already, this is going to be difficult" thought Choro.

A small lion cub poofed next to Choro and spoke into his ear. Choro then turned to Nilu.

"Lady Nilu, please send a messenger lion across the sea to a 'Wave Country' and deliver a message to a Tazuna. Tell him that Naruto will need a new home in Konoha and we are hiring him to build it. Sessho and Yakihyo will be waiting on him.

"Very well Elder Choro" Nilu inclined her head.

And just like that Choro and Naruto vanished to the summoning realm.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Tazuna was sitting down to dinner when there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it." Inari jumped up and ran for the door.

Several minutes passed "Moooom, Grandpa, come here please."

Tazuna and Tsunami got up and walked to the front door. Inari was staring at a lion with a messenger bag hooked to his back hanging off the side.

"Greetings, are you Tazuna?" asked the lion.

The three humans stared at the lion for a rather long time. They had never seen a talking animal before. The lion picked up on this and decided to give them a quick explanation.

"Hello, I'm a summoning animal that is typically used by ninja. We have the ability to speak your language. I was sent her on behalf of Naruto and I was told you could help."

At this they all jumped out of their stupor's "Naruto! Is he ok? What has happened?" asked all three at the same time.

A little shocked, but pleased they seemed concerned about Naruto decided to be quick about his task. "Lord Naruto is just fine, but I have been sent to retrieve you Tazuna. Naruto will be returning to the Konoha and will need a new home. There is two other of my clan there waiting on you and they will pay you and make sure to answer all your questions. Do you accept this job?"

Tazuna clicked his tongue. "Why is he returning to that place." He said with venom in his voice.

"That would best be explained by Lord Sessho whom you will meet in Konoha." The lion commented.

"Of course I will help him, I would do anything for that boy. When should I leave?" Tazuna asked.

"At your earliest convenience. Your family is welcome to come as well and will be taken care of while you complete your work." The lion commented.

"Very well, we will pack up tomorrow and leave the next day." Tazuna said.

"Thank you and safe travels." The lion turned and left in a blur of speed.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Nilu had been waiting for some time. It had been 3 months a couple of days ago and she was wondering when Naruto would return. In the time she has been with Naruto she had come to believe that she truly found a friend and partner. They had worked really hard to on their teamwork and combo's. Once he mastered the sage mode of the lion's they would be a force to be reckoned with. However, at this time, she wanted to know if he was ok.

POOF

Surprisingly at that moment right in front of her eyes there stood Naruto and Choro. He looked different. He now wore the Namikaze family style of clothing. It was black and orange with leather armor. The pants were similar to anbu style cargo pants, but matched the style of his shirt and armor with the leather armor covering his hips. The leather armor was laced with seals for added protection (as explained by the elder the seals were added so long ago that none of them know how the seals work, but that they just do). He had let his hair grow longer and now wore it in the Namikaze family style and wore a plain headband with no village symbol on it. The final thing he wore were leather greaves on his wrist and ankles. They had seals on them to simulate weight to help with his training. (A/N: see the story picture that was obtained via google images).

"My Lord, it has been too long. It is good to see you." Commented Nilu.

"It is good to be back, I enjoyed meeting all of the Panthera Clan in the summoning realm, but it is nice to be back. Shall we continue our training tomorrow?" Naruto asked.

"On the contrary. Things have been settled finally. It is time to make the trip back. We have sealed everything in storage seals and sent them ahead of use to Sessho. Lady Tora has already left so she can finalize the building of the clan compound and Lord Jaga as well as Lord Hyo have left as well to make their way to Konoha. We will sleep here and leave in the morning." Nilu spoke.

"I see." Naruto said, but the tension would be felt.

"Lord Naruto, I know you are not happy, but please trust us. This is what is best for you." Nilu chided.

"I have already agreed to let you make these decisions, but that doesn't mean I have to like them." He shot back.

"I understand, Elder Choro, please let everyone know and I bid you good evening." Nilu bowed her head.

"Good evening to you both, Lord Naruto, please trust Nilu and the others. We will take care of you." The elder commented.

"I know, I know. Good evening." Naruto replied still not happy.

It was how things were left, Nilu told Naruto about the Chunin exams and what to expect, and Naruto went to sleep not looking forward to the next day.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The gate guards at Konoha were as board as ever. They never see any action and the constantly complain about it on the outside, but on the inside they were quite happy about it. It was just another typical day until they had some guest walk up to the guard station.

"Ahem, we need to check in." came a voice.

They both looked up and were surprised. "Mr. Tazuna? Please forgive me, but what are you doing here? I though you swore to never come to Konoha and that Konoha was not welcome in wave." One of the guards stated.

"Yes, well that seems to have changed slightly. I have been hired to build a new compound for a clan here in Konoha. Please inform the Hokage we will be at the 'Burning Leaf' hotel." He commented and after signing the log book he took off.

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was a rather eventful week. As promised the Panthera clan received just over 80 acres of land right next the Nara Clan. They shared the same forest and would have to work out a deal in regards to the forest on each of their respective land.

Tazuna had built a wall with a single gate and per the instructions from Lord Sessho a meeting house was to be built right next to the gate inside the wall. After Tazuna completed the meeting house he was to proceed to the main compound building for the family and then he would move on to build other minor amenities such as a bath house and training grounds.

The village was astonished at the news that Naruto was a clan heir and the son of the fourth. The news spread quickly and many questions were raised about how this was left out of public record. The villagers felt nervous because they knew they had treated Naruto unfairly and were hoping to make up for it in the future.

All of the rookies minus Sasuke and Sakura didn't really care about his status. They just wanted to have their friend back.

Knock, Knock

"Yes?" asked the Hokage.

"My Lady, Lord Sessho is here to see you." Shizune's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Please send him in." responded Tsunade.

As Sessho squeezed into the office he sat on his hind legs. "Greetings Lady Hokage."

"Greetings Lord Sessho, how may I help you today?" she asked.

"I don't need anything. I simply have come to let you know that Naruto will be here 1 week prior to the Chunin exams."

Tsunade could hardly believe it. It will have been over 3 years since she had seen her Naruto and she couldn't wait. With some tears in her eyes she responded "Thank you…for everything" she said.

"I bid you good evening." And Sessho squeezed out of the office and left.

Xxxxxxxxxx

-Next Time-

Naruto returns to the Konoha and is greeting by the Heads of the Panthera Clan, Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Hinata.

I hope this goes well.