Chapter 34: The Brief Return before the Long Departure

With the new Hokage willing to take the seat, Team 7 led the two remaining Sanin and Shizune back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Shizune had Kabuto in shackles and they also had a pair of carts that carried Orochimaru's remains for Tsunade to study. Kabuto knew better then to try and get away with his master dead and two of the Legendary Sannin watching him. He had no desire to escape. There was nothing but confusion in him now. He had been solely dedicated to Orochimaru, now there was nothing for him, but a life in prison. The Hidden Leaf would have him staying there for life no doubt. He'd been a spy, and that made him a traitor to his home village.

They arrived at the front entrance where the two guards stationed there looked in surprise as they saw the two Sannin, three genin, Shizune, Kabuto, and Orochimaru's remains.

"Is that…" one of the guards said.

"It can't be…" the other said.

"Say hello to the new hokage!" Jiraiya said indicating Tsunade before turning to Naruto as well. "And the genin that killed Orochimaru!"

The two guards sweatdropped and were silent for a moment before exclaiming. "WHAAAAT?"

…

Word of Orochimaru's death at Naruto's hands spread around the Leaf like wildfire. Kabuto was put in a prison cell with at least two guards watching him at all times. The Sound Ninja might still be a threat, but without Orochimaru's leadership they'd lack as much organization and knowledge of the Hidden Leafs defenses, hopefully.

But in the Hidden Sound, four strong shinobi had felt their masters death thanks to the curse marks on their necks.

"Our master has fallen," a man with blue hair and a body on his back said.

"We should go and hunt down the one that killed him!" a woman with long orange hair and a helmet on her head said.

"It was those two other Sannin that did it! We'll never be able to beat them!" the largest of them said.

"Shut up Jiribo we're strong, I could probably handle both of them myself!" the woman said.

"Fine Tayuya if you want to get killed!" Jiribo said.

"We accomplish nothing by arguing!" the first man said.

"Yes, we must be smart about this. To catch our prey we must become stronger then them," a man with four arms said. "We are strong now, but not enough to defeat a Sannin, much less two. We must wait, and become strong. We'll lead our village against the Hidden Leaf one day! But we'll need someone to lead us. Kabuto is still alive from what I've heard, probably back in the Leaf by now. He'll be imprisoned, but we'll break him out. He is from the Hidden Leaf, he's our only chance to learn about it and bring it down. We'll get him out soon, then we'll begin plotting our revenge for Lord Orochimaru. Kimimaro might be our best chance, he doesn't have long anyway, but he would want to do his best to help us at least set the stage to avenge Lord Orochimaru, and that's what we'll do."

"Right!" the Sound Ninja Four said.

…

After putting Kabuto in jail, Tsunade took Orochimaru's remains to the medical lab next to the hospital to study. She then made her way to the hospital where Kakashi had been moved. Putting her hands on the Jonin's chest she concentrated as the three genin watched. Chakra ran from her palms until finally, Kakashi opened his eyes. Both his eyes, his headband had been removed but the bed sheet still covered his lower face.

"Uh, well that was a nice nap," he said before looking around and seeing who was standing over him. "Huh, I must be hallucinating cause I swear you're Lady Tsunade."

"Been a long time Kakashi," Tsunade greeted.

"Oh it is you, I can only assume then that I have you to thank for being awake. So thank you," Kakashi said.

"Sensei we're glad you're alright!" Sakura said.

"Yeah," Naruto said.

Sasuke merely nodded and gave a small smirk in agreement.

After a break checkup, Kakashi was released from the hospital and Team 7 decided to go for ramen together. As they did so, they told Kakashi about their encounter with Itachi and the journey to find Tsunade that ended up causing them to cross paths with and (in Naruto's case) kill him.

"Well, that is certainly quite an adventure. I'm glad you all survived. You're very lucky," Kakashi said. "You'll soon be hailed as hero here most likely Naruto. I'm sure the Third Hokage would be proud of you."

Naruto smiled and looked up at the monument mountain above them. "I feel like going back up there after this."

They did so, once they ate their ramen they headed to the monument overlooking the village and gazed down on the Hidden Leaf Village. Their home that they were sworn to protect, for they were Hidden Leaf Shinobi.

"Well with Orochimaru dead, I think we can have some rest for a while," Kakashi said.

"No so fast," a voice said behind them.

They turned and saw Jiraiya looking at them.

"Hmm?" Kakashi asked.

"Well its true that Orochimaru is dead, there are still plenty of rogue ninja out there," the Sannin said. "Like the Akatsuki for one. I don't know when they'll strike, but they will come for you Naruto. So I would like to personally take you under my wing and train you for when you must face them. You may have killed Orochimaru that was only because he was dealing with both me and Tsunade as well, add to that you had three tails from the thing inside you."

Naruto looked down, knowing that he probably wouldn't have been able to kill Orochimaru on his own. Maybe with another tail or two, but would he have become a monster in the process?

"So… you're taking Naruto away?" Sakura asked sadly.

"Afraid so," Jiraiya said. "Sorry to cut your time together as a young couple short. It might be a long time, a couple years perhaps. But I should be able to make a real shinobi out of you."

He then turned to Sasuke and Sakura. "And I'd recommend you both train hard with Kakashi."

"I think I can manage that," Kakashi said. "I have been meaning to perhaps experiment with new lightning style jutsu and perhaps Sasuke can join me. Though I'm not sure Sakura would be suitable for that."

"I can train with Kurenai Sensei perhaps," Sakura said, still a little sad Naruto was going to be going away. "But maybe…"

There was something else on her mind. She thought back to her team had been injured in the recent battle against Orochimaru, as well as Tsunade healing Kakashi and Shizune doing the same for Sasuke.

"Maybe I can start looking into medical ninjutsu as well," Sakura said.

"A medical ninja and a genjutsu user," Kakashi said. "Sounds like a dangerous combination."

…

A few weeks passed, Tsunade was named the Fifth Hokage, though Konohamaru wasn't happy about it for a while. But he soon cooled down once he heard she had been his grandfather's student and would make sure the village would remember him. Jiraiya also learned from his spy network that the Akatsuki intended to begin moving in about two years. That gave him that much time to train Naruto. The same went for Kakashi and Sasuke. Sakura meanwhile had approached Tsunade and asked to be her apprentice so she could heal and support her teammates should they need it. Also, Naruto and his team received a promotion when they were summoned into Tsunade's office alongside Shikamaru.

"You three all performed admirably in the Chunnin Exams, not to mention prevented the enemy Jinchuriki from destroying it, as well as fought Orochimaru," Tsunade said to Team 7 before turning to Shikamaru and you received recommendations from the judges for your superior strategy that is necessary to be an effective leader. Therfore, all four of you are hereby promoted to Chunin."

"Yeah!" Naruto shouted with a jump of thrill.

The joyful mood at their promotion was cut short when they remembered the next day would be the one Naruto would leave on.

Sakura didn't sleep well that night as she thought of how long she and Naruto would be separated for. The Rookie 9 as well as Rock Lee, (who had been healed by Tsunade from his injuries with Gaara after a risky operation) Neji, Tenten, Iruka, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and many of the villagers gathered by the front gate to wish Naruto goodbye and good luck.

"I'm gonna miss you Naruto," Sakura said looking at him.

"Me too Sakura," Naruto said sadly.

They hugged, and Naruto kissed her forehead while Sasuke looked away. He stood next to Ino the two of them had gone on a date, Ino had done a lot of talking on it and Sasuke had answered her questions at least. Naruto then turned to Sasuke.

"Well see you, Sasuke," Naruto said.

"See ya, loser," Sasuke said with a smirk. "You may have a big bad thing in you, but you still can't beat me without it."

Naruto frowned. "Just you wait! I'll become so strong you won't stand a chance against me even when I don't use that power!"

Same old Naruto.

"We'll see," Sasuke said.

They smirked at each other. Then Naruto looked at the others. He looked at Team 8 first.

"Hinata," he greeted.

"N-Naruto," she greeted with her usual stutter. "I know you will become strong."

"Thanks," Naruto said. "And I hope you find someone great out there!"

She managed a light smile while still blushing. They might not ever be together, but they would still hold a special admiration and care for one another. Naruto then looked at her teammates.

"Take care, Kiba, Shino," he said.

Kiba grinned while Shino had no visible expression change under his concealing jacket and shades. Then it was onto the others.

"Shikamaru, you are one smart guy," he said. "Maybe not strong but a smart ninja, just like Sakura and Sasuke. Chojii, don't eat all the Ichiraku ramen by the time I get back. Ino, hope you drive Sasuke crazy… in love!" he added after a moment.

Shikamaru sighed, Chojii smirked, and Ino's mouth fell open before she giggled.

Team Guy next.

"Bushy Brow, I know you'll be one of the strongest Shinobi. Neji, I know we didn't get off on right foot but don't go back to bullying Hinata. Tenten, well… I don't know you well enough to say something."

Rock Lee gave him a thumbs up, Neji nodded softly, and Tenten gave a civil smile. Finally it was time for Naruto say goodbye to the adults that had come.

"Iruka Sensei, Kakashi Sensei, thanks for everything," Naruto said. "And that goes for all of you as well."

He saw Tsunade, Asuma, Ebisu, Kurenai, and Might Guy who all smiled at him. Lastly, he turned to Konohamaru.

"You become a genin Konohamaru," Naruto said. "Then a Chunin like me, and someday you might it up to Hokage."

"You got it boss!" Konohamaru declared. "By the time you'll be back I'll be a genin! If not Chunin!"

"Take care, Naruto," Kakashi said.

"I'll think of you everytime I eat ramen," Iruka said. "When you get back I'm treating you!"

"I'll hold you to that," Naruto promised.

Finally, he turned back to Sakura, the girl of his dreams. She smiled at him, her smile that he loved seeing everyday, which was finally meant for him instead of Sasuke. He'd gotten the girl.

"I love you, Naruto," Sakura said.

"I love you too, Sakura," Naruto said.

They leaned in close and kissed one another for one final time. There would be another time, in around two years as Naruto trained. But they would both have grown by then into teenagers. Their lips stayed locked for a few seconds of bliss that made it feel like an hour. Then they parted and Naruto heard Jiraiya call him from behind.

"Naruto, time to go!" the Sannin said.

"Right Pervy Sage!" Naruto said.

He looked at Sakura one last time, tears starting to form in his eyes knowing he wouldn't see for a long time. She formed a similar expression. Then he slowly stepped away, their hands slowly parting as they let go of each other, and Naruto walked away.

After a few steps he heard…

"Naruto!"

"Naruto!

"Naruto!"

"Sannin Killer!"

"Snake Slayer!"

"Fox of the Leaf!"

Naruto looked back, seeing the villagers behind his closer friends and comrades cheering for him. He smiled, he'd won so many of them over, and just months ago they'd hated him with all their being. One day he would return there and live the life of a legendary ninja who would one day be Hokage and hopefully marry the girl whose heart he'd won. But that day was not today.

The End

Author's Notes: Well this has been a good run, some might have felt it was rushed but ah well. The sequel by Freedomringer should be out soon and I'll provide a link if that works or at least say its name and you will probably find it in my favorites when it comes out.

Whoops! Accidentally attached the document when I hadn't saved it in its compete version yet.