Disclaimer: It is most obvious I do not own Naruto

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Neko was patrolling through the streets of Konoha. As a veteran ANBU member, she was used to observing the village from the shadows, finding unusual behavior, and if needed, taking action.

Neko's most important mission has been watching over the village's resident jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki. Ever since the 'incident', the Hokage realized how far the villagers were willing to go for their revenge, and had the ANBU keep watch of the young orphan. Much to Neko's, and everyone else's surprise, Naruto held no negative feelings towards the villagers, even after what they had done to him. This, along with the young boy's expertise in miraculously evading them after his pranks had gained the Uzumaki a decent reputation within the ANBU.

She was in the middle of her duty when she heard a deafening 'BOOM' sounding throughout the area. Neko instantly became alert and jumped to a rooftop, noticing a great plume of smoke arising from one of the buildings nearby.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was standing atop the hokage monument, smoking his pipe. He was grateful for these little breaks in between his hectic schedule, where he could simply relax and enjoy the peace of the village.

He looked towards the stone head of the fourth hokage, Minato Namikaze. It was Naruto's favorite spot to sit, and chuckled internally at the irony of it. He had considered many times to tell the boy of his parents, two of Konoha's greatest shinobi, but had found a way to deny the thought, and hoped it would do good to young Naruto, as to not regret another decision of his, like many others he had before.

Suddenly, a thundering boom reached the old man's ears, followed by a great plume of smoke several times larger than the one arising from his pipe. He recognised the origin of the explosion and raced towards it in worry.

Naruto's apartment.

Both Neko and Hiruzen arrived at the scene simultaneously. Smoke was flowing out of the windows, but there was no fire to be seen.

"Someone's still in there!" A sensory ANBU made the report as he arrived at the premises.

Hiruzen quickly channeled some chakra and blew out a burst of wind.

'Wind Release: Breakthrough!"

The breeze was just enough to push the smoke out of the building without causing any damage to it.

The three of them entered the building to find Naruto in the center in a coughing fit. Neko rushed to support the boy and handed him a bottle of water, which he promptly began to drink.

Hiruzen looked at the scene in front of him. Beside Naruto, there were brushes, a spilled bottle of ink, and a scroll in the center, with an intricate design on it. Fuinjutsu. However, despite the intricacy of it, the design didn't really have much use, and Naruto applying chakra to such an odd seal was most likely the cause of the smoke as it malfunctioned.

Hiruzen wondered why the boy was trying to create a seal in the first place when he remembered a conversation the two of them had a few days ago.

Flashback

Naruto barged into the Hokage office. The Chunin outside looked dumbfounded as the fresh genin had completely evaded them and entered the room without them even realizing. They went to apprehend the boy, but Hiruzen stopped them and told them to return to their posts.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Naruto?"

Naruto put focus onto his forehead protector by adjusting it and said, "Old man, I'm now officially a shinobi of Konoha, right? So now you've got to tell me who my parents were. Last time you said it would be dangerous if I knew because I was not strong enough. But now I am! So you've got to tell me now!"

Hiruzen had nearly forgotten the conversation over 6 years ago and thought Naruto had dropped the subject of his parents a long time ago. He replied, "You may have become a ninja, but you are far from being strong. I hope you can trust me that I'll tell you who they are when the time is right. Just know that they would be proud of who you have become."

Naruto paused in thought until a new question formed in his mind. "Then, can you tell me about the Uzumaki clan?"

Hiruzen was slightly surprised at the question. "Did they not teach you about them in school?" Naruto shook his head and Hiruzen realized he would have some investigating to do in the Academy. But that will come later.

Hiruzen beckoned Naruto to sit on his lap and he obliged. "The Uzumaki clan were from Uzushiogakure in the land of Whirlpools. They were a great ally to Konoha, and because of that, their clan symbol is on all shinobi vests, to symbolize our friendship. They were a powerful clan, who were known for their incredible life force and chakra reserves, just like you. They were also masters of fuinjutsu, and developed techniques that could even seal the great tailed beasts. If you think all this is amazing, they were also powerful sensors. However, other villages feared their power, and during the 2nd Ninja War, they teamed up to wipe out the entire clan. Not being able to help Uzushiogakure in time is one of my biggest regrets. You're one of the last Uzumaki's in the world."

After Hiruzen finished the history lesson, Naruto put his hand on his stomach, "Fuinjutsu, hmm… But wait, if the Uzumaki were so closely linked to Konoha, how come we don't learn about them in the academy?" Naruto knew Hiruzen had his doubts about the academy and its workings, but he really wanted to ensure that he could set the Hokage in the right direction to get rid of the corruption in Konoha. It was one of the things he couldn't do as a mere child.

"Yes, I will be taking a look into that myself. Don't worry, young Naruto. Now you get going, I have to get back to work."

Flashback End

"So he decided to try out fuinjutsu…" Hiruzen then scolded Naruto and began to lecture him on the dangers of the improper use of fuinjutsu. He magically pulled out a book on fuinjutsu basics and handed it to Naruto, before patting him on the head and heading back to his office.

Naruto was in utter confusion. He was a master of fuinjutsu, and it was supposed to be the one skill he could rely on in his smaller and weaker body. 'How did it mess up?'

Naruto then began to panic internally. He opened the book the Hokage gave him and began to read it, and each word increased his fear even further.

These symbols. These patterns. They were nothing like the fuinjutsu Naruto knew.

They were completely different from what he was used to.

Naruto could not use his fuinjutsu.

He would have to relearn the entirety of what he knew, all over again.

Even in this young body, his knowledge was the one thing he could rely on. But now, it has been proved worthless. What else could be different about this world?

For the first time since he came to this world, Naruto didn't know what to think.

I hope this is a decent enough way to nerf Naruto in the aspect of fuinjutsu. This story is supposed to be of him working his way to becoming stronger, it wouldn't work if he could use one of the most powerful tools in the universe, fuinjutsu, as soon as he got sent back.

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