DISCLAIMER!: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! Thought you'd know by now...

(A/N): Hey hey hey! What's up guys, I'm here with another Chapter!

Without further a due, TO THE STORY!

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Chapter 23: Journey

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Cole smile widened as he ruffled Naruto's hair. "That's great! Why don't we go celebrate at Ichiraku's?" Naruto jumped up and yelled "Yeah!"

The father and son duo were laughing as they went out to celebrate.

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Naruto and his father were making their way to the Ramen stand when they came across three other new Genin. "Hina-chan!" Naruto called happily.

Hinata who had been walking with her two new teammates turned and smiled, "Hey Naru-kun." Her teammates turned when they heard their quiet member actually say something. "Ah, great, the idiot is here." Kiba grumbled when he saw the happy blonde. "Didn't he get better scores than you Kiba? I don't think it would be logical for you to call him a idiot." Shino said to his grumbling partner.

Kiba turned to him with a deadpan look and said, "You know, I think that's the most you've said since I met you..." Shino shrugged his shoulders and went to join Hinata and Naruto in their conversation.

"Hey guys, so I take it that you passed the real Genin test?" the blonde asked. Kiba rolled his eyes. "Of course we would, only idiots wouldn't be able pass the test. I bet you guys didn't pass," he said while glaring at Naruto. Naruto grew a tick mark on his head, "What's your problem dog breath!?"

"Dog breath huh!? How about I-"

"Kiba-kun!" Hinata stood between the two. "No fighting! We are comrades! Why are you antagonizing Naru-kun?" Kiba just growled and walked away. Akumaru whined and followed his master with his ears tucked back. "Man," Naurto said. "What was his problem."

Shino decided to speak up and change the subject. "So, congratulations on passing the test Naruto-san. It is also good to meet you Uzumaki-sama." Cole turned to the young Aburame and smiled. "It's nice to meet you too Shino. Hinata, how have you been?" Hinata let out a slight blush. She had forgotten he manners and only said hi to Naruto and not his father. "I-I'm doing well Seinaru-sama. How have you been?"

Cole chuckled and said, "You know, I'm doing pretty well myself. I had a heck of a time testing Naruto's teams ability earlier today." Hinata quirked a eye at that. "I thought Kakashi-sensei was the instructor of team 7? Why were you testing them?"

"Oh, I was just testing their abilities for myself. Kakashi already passed them when I passed them. I am actually pretty impressed with how good they are." Cole replied.

"Am I correct to assume that you are not a normal civilian, Uzumaki-sama?" Shino asked. "Yes indeed Shino. If didn't already know, to be considered a official 'Clan Head' you must be of Jonin rank in Konoha. I am just of duty so I can be clan head." Cole replied. Shino only gave a understanding nod to the elder Uzumaki. They continued to walk and Naruto asked if they wanted to join them. Shino and Hinata both said yes so they walked on to the stand. When they got there Cole handed Naruto the money for food and said, "Hey, I need to go talk to Hokage-sama for a little bit, you guys have fun. I'll see you at dinner Naruto." With that he turned and left. Naruto had a eyebrow quirked but just shrugged it off and went in to enjoy his food.

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Cole walked down the streets of Konohagakure with a serious look on his face. Naruto was finally on his team and would be with them for most of his time. He told Kakashi to focus heavily on getting Sasuke and Sakura up to Naruto's level, he woud need the back up. He continued on his way to the Hokage tower thinking about what his next move should be. It wouldn't be that long before Team 7 went to Wave, so he need to get something out of the way.

He walked into the Hokage's office. "Hokage-sama, I would like a word with you...in private." Hiruzen looked up from his mountain of paperwork, actually relieved to have a distraction form his old enemy. "Seinaru-san, what can I help you with?" he said as he signaled his Anbu guards to leave. Once they were gone he activated his privacy seals. Cole gave him a serious look. Hiruzen, was just a bit worried. He rarely ever seen Seinaru serious, unless it involved his son or his job as Oracle. "I need to leave the village for a while." Cole said. Hiruzen raised a concerned eyebrow. "And why's that? Where are you going?"

"Mizu," Cole replied. "Their bloodline purges have been going on for far too long, and, I have a few things I need to look into concerning the Mizukage and who is pulling his strings."

Hiruzen looked miffed. He hadn't expected the Oracle to worry about the goings on in Mizu, let alone want to go there himself and solve the issues there. "I don't know if I'd be able to stop you from leaving if you wanted to, so yes you may leave. But we do have a small issue on what the council will think of your absence." Hiruzen said. Cole thought for a moment and said, "Just say I have a political meeting in Mizu about the remaining items in Uzu. Since Uzu has fallen into their boarders, and I bet there are still items there, I could say that I would be there to request getting the items back to the Uzuzmaki clan...Anko can take my seat while I'm gone, she is my legal replacement anyway."

Hiruzen thought about it for a minute. He eventually nodded and said, "that would. But how long are you planning to be gone?" Cole scratched his chin and said, "Maybe a month? It'll take me some time to get in and out of Mizu undetected, and I also plan on actually visiting Uzu, just to see if there is anything actually left there. I also have to take care of a certain puppet master that might be able to guve me trouble." Hiruzen had a grave look on his face. Anyone that could give the Oracle, the man with the strongest doujutsu in history, problems. Would be a serious threat. Cole continued, "I'll be leaving tomorrow." With that he stood to leave the office. "By the way Hokage-sama, you should use Kagebunshin to handle your paperwork, it'll give you more time to handle the more...important...issues." With that he left the room. He smirked when he heard the Hokage banging his head on his desk yelling out that he was a idiot for not thinking of that.

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That night in the Uzumaki house, Naruto was sitting at the table with a annoyed look. "Hey kid, what's up with you?" Anko asked as she took her seat. Naruto let out a sigh, "It's Kiba, Mom. I don't know who put that stick up his ass but he pisses me off. I was just saying hi to Hina-chan and went off at me like I took his chew toy." Anko snickered at the image of the Inuzuka playing with a chew toy. She then smirked and said with a mocking tone, "Maybe he L-I-K-E-S her?" This caused Naruto to freeze and a slight look of rage came to his eyes.

But before he could go off, Cole walked through the front door. "Hey, I'm home." Naruto and Anko welcomed him home, but saw a tired look on his face. "What's up?" His wife asked. "Anko I'm gonna need you to take over for me in the council for about a month."

"WHAT? you didn't do something stupid to get another house arrest again did you?" She asked. Naruto raised his eyebrow at that. He didn't know his father had ever been in trouble with the law before. Cole just shook his head and had a serious look in his eyes. "No, I'm going on a month long mission. I can't say much about it, S rank and all. But I can say it'll be a little dangerous, and might involve Mizu." Anko looked worried and Naruto looked surprised that his father was going back into the field. "What's up with Mizu?" he asked.

Cole sighed and said, "Can't tell you yet. I'll tell you once I get back. I leave tomorrow."

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The next day, before the sun rose over Konoha. Cole walked out the front gates. He took a look behind him at the monument. He sighed and continued walking on, "Anko, Naruto...I'll be back. I swear I'll be back."

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(A/N): Who's ready for the first major ark of the story? I AM!

Remember to review and as always, I'll see ya next time!