Sorry for the long wait but my time is being eaten up by everything else. I'll still continue to write, but it might be a couple months before I can regularly put out chapters.

***New chapter replies. Sorry it's taking me long to update btw (TwT)

Groggy and tired eyes squint opened, and the fluorescent lights beaming down into his retinas made the task all the more difficult. 'Damn, wish they had a light switch close to me so I can actually see something when I wake up.'

"Oh, I wish I knew how I could help Naruto-kun." He heard a girl whisper.

"I do too… I wonder what the hell happened to this idiot." Another one whispered. Naruto squinted his eyes harder, forcing his eyes to quickly adjust themselves to the lighting. Just as he could see who was in the room, Ino spoke up again. "Ugh, why do we both like this idiot?"

"Gee, thanks Ino." Naruto mumbled, his voice coming out all scratchy. While Ino began to blush heavily, Hinata carefully handed Naruto her canteen. She always carried it on her, ever the worry wart that she was. "Thanks Hinata," He softly handed back her water before turning to face the blonde girl. "For the record, I like the both of you two."

Two things happened in that instant.

Hinata froze up and dropped her canteen to the floor.

And Ino faced Naruto, blushing scarlet red.

She looked at him in the eyes for a few seconds before she crossed her arms and began to pout. "Don't say words you don't mean, you idiot."

Naruto, still partially out of it, tilted his head. "But I do mean it. I like the both of you a lot."

"Re-Really?" Ino squeaked.

"Of course!"

Hinata began to tap her fingers together, this whole conversation was making her dizziness reach a level she didn't think was possible. "Even me?"

"Why wouldn't I? You like me too, right?" Naruto nervously grinned, hoping that he wasn't misunderstanding something and jumping to conclusions. He really thought they were friends, did they not think the same?

"Do I like you too? Well, I, umm, well of course I would. I mean, what's there not to like about you? Right, Ino?"

"Hey! Why'd you go and drag me into it!?" The blushing girl cried out.

"So I'm taking that as a no?" Naruto chuckled in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

"What? I didn't say that! It's just that, I just…" Ino's face scrunched up before she nervously looked away. "I just want you to like me the same way I like you…"

Naruto, still unaware of what the two girls were meaning, felt a gentle warmth wash over him. He smiled brightly at his newly confirmed friend. "Well, I can tell you that I do."

Ino fixed on Naruto with a bashful look. She smiled before she lunged forward and hugged Naruto, who was surprised by the sudden action. After a second, he returned the hug.

'Ahhh, this is nice. Wait… is this my first hug? No, there was… well I guess it was.'

Naruto felt a sudden bolt of fear strike him when Ino jerked back. He parted his mouth, preparing to throw out apologies when he was surprised once again.

Ino kissed him.

She couldn't help but feel a spark of electricity at that moment. He felt it too. They looked into each other's eyes, knowing that something special had just happened. She quickly looked down at her lap, her confidence and boldness leaving her as she just realized what she's done.

Naruto himself felt as if he was falling several stories below. His heart dropped when he realized what had happened.

A sudden clarity struck him. All at once, he had a complete picture of what had just happened.

'Oh fuck.'

"Oh, I'm very glad to hear that you like me back because I would be crushed if I found out that you didn't like me back or if I were turned down by you. You're just like my perfect boyfriend to me." She laughed.

'Oh, fuck.'

As Hinata gets closer to them, Ino sits in Naruto's bed. "Actually, it's the same here." She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized that Naruto felt the same way about her. She had been worried that he might not return her feelings, but now that she knew he did, it made her heart swell with joy. "Being turned down would be heartbreaking to me... so, thank you for liking me back."

'Oh, fuck!'

Hinata kisses Naruto's cheek and Ino can't help but smile. She knows that Naruto and Hinata have a special connection and it's comforting to see them so close. She feels even more secure in her own feelings for him now.

'OH, FUCK!'

'…Well, it's far too late to tell them what I actually meant… I'll just try to be the best boyfriend I can be to them… fuck. I don't have the money to be a boyfriend… I'll have to bug Kakashi-sensei for more missions… maybe I can ask for just me and Kakashi-sensei to do missions together… That actually sounds pretty cool. Hey, that sounds awesome! I got TWO girlfriends! Ha! Take that Kiba! Who's the idiot now!'

"ACHOO!"

Kiba looked around, seeing if anyone was close to him. "Man, some girl must be talking about how much of a hunk I am."

"Naruto, why is your face so pale? Are you okay?" The girls were worried, and Naruto could see it in their faces. They asked him if he was okay, but he knew he couldn't tell them the truth.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I just got a little dizzy." Naruto lied. He was trying to hide his true emotions from the girls and instead was putting on a brave face and asking them to come back and visit him later.

Eventually, they decided to leave after fussing and worrying over him for a few minutes. As soon as they were done, Naruto released a breath, and his hud opened up.

Naruto Uzumaki

Clan/Bloodline: Uzumaki Clan

Title(s): Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Genin, Hero of the Akada Village

Mode: None

Level: 23

Affiliation: Konoha

Health… 330

Stamina… 280

Chakra… 203,424/203,424

Stats:

Intelligence… 7

Strength… 22

Speed… 21

Fortitude… 22

Luck… 15

Points Available: 4

➤Jutsus

➤Chakra Control

➤Modes

Title Quest: Completed

Title:

Hero of the Akada Village

Grants 10% increase in Health and Fortitude.

*Effects are permanent*

Emergency battle: Defeat Hamura Completed

"Oh, yeah. That guy did say his name was Hamura."

Reward:

A) Earth Style: Rock Bullet

B) 10 points

Naruto immediately sat up, excited at the prospect of learning a new jutsu that he can use as he saw fit, but then he relaxed his body and actually thought about it for a bit. It was hard to get points inside the village, Naruto tried to but quickly figured out that points were only rewarded after he took out opposing enemies. Jutsus, he could ask his senseis to teach him or to get him jutsu scrolls.

B) 10 points

'It's better that I have spare points rather than having another jutsu in my arsenal.' He sank back into his bed before the door opened, revealing his master. "Pervy Sage?"

"Oi, it's Jiraiya-sama when we're in public." He walked over and sat down in the chair next to Naruto's bed. After sitting down, he turned to face Naruto with a serious look. "Naruto, after you finish the chunin exams, I'm taking you as my official apprentice."

"Really?!"

"Yes. That Hamura guy said that he was going to help you grow stronger when the time is right and that you had to grow stronger until then. Whether that guy was telling the truth or not, I'm not taking the chance that what he said was a lie. Besides, if that guy wants to fight you again then he'll have another thing coming."

Naruto excitably grinned but soon looked at his lap. 'Kakashi-sensei was looking forward to working on me with the gamer potential.' He faced Jiraiya and gave him a nod. "Alright, but I want to hold off on that. I want to learn more under Kakashi-sensei. When I'm ready, we can go."

Jiraiya grinned and ruffled the kid's hair. "Alright, kid. Since we still have a week and a half left, I'll round out your basics a bit more and then I'll let you rest two days before the finals."

"Why two days? I should be training with all the time I have left!"

"Kid, your body needs to rest after training. Otherwise, your body will fail when you need it most."

Naruto opened his mouth to argue back but then closed it as he had to admit that Jiraiya was right. "Alright fine."

The Sannin chuckled as he ruffled the kid's hair. 'He's still a kid. I'll let him enjoy being a child for as long as possible.'

Hiruzen was walking through the hospital corridor. It was the afternoon and he had heard from one of his shinobi's gossip that Jiraiya was back in the village and in the hospital. After pulling aside a nurse and asking for his room number, he was now approaching the door.

Knock knock knock

'...come in…'

The door slid open to reveal Jiraiya doodling on his notes. "You know, you'll never finish your next installment if you're always preoccupied with something else."

"Oh, it's just you Sarutobi." The Sannin responded, not once looking up from the paper.

"Glad you could make it." Hiruzen stated. He knew Jiraiya was still short with him. "So, I heard you took over young Naruto's training?"

"Yeah. I did."

"Well, I'm sure you'll train Naruto into a fine shinobi someday."

"That's the plan." He said as he quickly erased a pencil stroke.

A few moments of silence played out before Hiruzen spoke up again, trying to get his old student talking to him as he did once before. "Oh, as you know the finals are approaching and the Kazekage sent me a letter saying that he'll be a few hours late to the finals and asked if I could push them back a bit. Can you believe it?"

"Yes."

The Third Hokage frowned at his student's dismissal answer. "What's wrong with you?"

Jiraiya put the pencil down. He crossed his arms as he turned to look his teacher in the eyes. "I'm pissed at how Naruto was treated."

"Jiraiya, you know I can't force people to act a certain way."

"Bullshit. You're the Hokage."

"You think Minato would've done that?"

"No."

"I'm acting in his-"

"I wouldn't think Minato would've forced them to treat him right, because Minato would've raised Naruto. If you weren't going to raise Naruto, then at least make sure that villagers treat him right."

"Well, believe it or not,-"

"I don't believe it."

"Jiraiya,-"

"He was his son, and you let him be treated like that."

"It wasn't my fault."

"Of course it was!" He exploded. "Of course it was! You're the Hokage! Do something with that title!"

"I've done many-"

"No you haven't! You've done nothing with the title!"

"I helped usher in an era of peace!"

"That wasn't solely you! Every Kage wanted that! You just piggybacked off of the Third Kazekage's plea for peace!"

"I-"

"No! Just shut up for once! You failed in raising Naruto like his parents wanted. You failed at killing Danzo when he showed his true colors. He was only dead because Itachi killed him when he snapped. And, speaking of which, you failed Itachi. The Uchiha clan nearly all died because of your spineless actions. What kind of Kage even begs their citizens not to perform a coup d'etat?"

"I didn't want to eliminate the Uchiha, Jiraiya." Hiruzen coldly stated, regaining some of his younger self.

"Did I say to eliminate the Uchiha?"

"How would you have done it then?!" He yelled, his frustration finally reached it's limit.

"Killed all of the people responsible for the idea."

"You'd be cruel enough to kill your own people?"

"If they were planning on forcefully taking over the village by killing me, then they aren't really my people. Just wolves in sheep's clothing."

Hiruzen frowned at Jiraiya for a few seconds before he let out a sigh and bonelessly plopped on the seat close to his old student. "Why are you always like this? You've been like this since-"

"Since you let Orochimaru free."

"Is this really what it's all about?"

"You let him go after he EXPERIMENTED ON YOUR CITIZENS!"

"I-!"

"You what! You couldn't?! After what he did! After what you saw! You couldn't?"

"He was my student Jiraiya! What would you have done if Minato turned out like Orochimaru!"

"I would've killed him!" He said with tears beginning to fill his eyes. "I wouldn't have liked it! But at least I would have!" After a few heavy breaths, he calmed down and spoke softly. "Sarutobi-sensei, I know I wouldn't want to do it, I'd want to look for another way, a way that he lived… but deep down, I know he wouldn't have changed. When people go as far as Orochimaru, they won't change. They've gone too deep to come back out."

Hiruzen nodded his head with a stone-cold face. "Well, I believe that everyone is capable of change."

Jiraiya's face once again grew stern. Sarutobi just didn't get it. "He did change. He changed for the worse."

The two were left in a tense silence. A few minutes passed when suddenly Hiruzen stood up. "Visiting hours are up." He opened and closed the door after he stepped out.

People cleared out of his way as he walked back to his office. As he sat down on his chair, his anger fizzled up, leaving him a tired old man once again. 'He's right.'

His fist tightened with anger and resolve. He would not let this continue any further. Jiraiya was right. He was no Hokage, but that changes now. He'll get back into shape and prove to everyone, and most importantly himself, that Hiruzen is and will always be, the God of Shinobi.

A feeling of eternal fall pervades her.

When she learned Naruto had been admitted to the hospital, she went to his room. Currently, he was sleeping in his bed and Sakura had dropped by to give him a flower.

Upon seeing his sleeping face, Sakura realized that she had not been paying attention to her other teammate and soon felt guilty about it. She had been so preoccupied with her feelings towards him that she had neglected her other teammates. This made her realize that she had to be more mindful of her actions and how they affect others in order to create a more harmonious environment.

As she walked out the door, she let out a sigh and let her arms fall to her sides. It was in that moment that she began to feel the fire within her to be at her teammates' sides all the time.

She was determined to work together with her teammates and be a better teammate, friend, and leader. She was so sure of her goal, she was determined to put her new-found commitment to the test. She was so focused on her new mission that she didn't even notice her female friends sneak past her to seek out Naruto's attention.

Gaara stared at the ceiling mindlessly. He was bored out of his mind but was prohibited from leaving. Despite the fact that he snuck out before, when Baki found out, he yelled that he could jeopardize the mission and get them all killed if he did so. He emphasized that this plan had to go smoothly, or else Konoha was going to swiftly kill them all without hesitation.

So now Gaara is forced to wait in this room… with nothing to do.

The sound of a ratchet cranking soon assaulted his eardrums. He furrowed his brows before he sat up. Gaara made his way to Kankuro's room. "If you don't stop being loud, I'll kill you."

Kankuro froze, turned around, and scowled. "I'm tinkering with my puppets. Just go in another room or back outside. Just leave me alone."

"Baki said I can't go outside."

"And? When has that ever stopped you before?"

"I don't want to leave now."

"Well, I need to have this ready at a moment's notice, so I need to do this."

Gaara stood there and watched Kankuro for a few seconds before Kankuro suddenly noticed that his ratchet went silent. He quickly smacked it against his palm and saw bits of sand pour out.

Kankuro stared at Gaara incredulously, his voice rising in anger. "Why would you do something like that? You knew I needed this ready now!"

Gaara remained emotionless, not showing any remorse for what he had done. He simply said, "I made it quiet."

"But it's not supposed to be quiet!" Kankuro yelled. He tightened his fist and bit his lip. It'd do no good if he yelled at Gaara. He wouldn't get it nor would he care.

"You're puppets are useless anyways."

SLAM!

"That's it!" Kankuro had had enough. He had put up with Gaara's indifference for long enough. Slamming his fist onto the table, he declared, "I've had enough! I'm not putting up with this any longer!"

Kankuro's face twisted in rage. Old and buried emotions were now shooting to the surface, similar to an inflated ball rocketing toward the surface of the ocean. "You killed my mother!" he yelled with the anger he tried to bury years ago. "If it wasn't for you, she would still be here! You are the reason she's gone!" Tears streamed down his face as he continued to yell at Gaara, his voice shaking with anger. He wanted to hit Gaara, to make him feel the same pain he felt when he heard the news of his mother's death. But he knew it would do no good. Gaara didn't understand emotions or how his actions affected people. He was an emotionless void, and no matter how much Kankuro yelled, he would never understand.

'It's not Gaara's fault that your mother is gone.' Kankuro's mind whispered back. Deep down, Kankuro knows that Gaara is not responsible for her death and that yelling at him will not bring her back. He tightened his face and faced down, trying his best to no longer cry. Kankuro needs to accept that his mother is gone and move on.

On the other hand, Gaara may have been capable of understanding emotions and his actions' effects on people, but he simply did not care. He was an emotionless void because he chose to be, not because he was unable. Kankuro's mother's death was a tragedy, but it was not Gaara's fault.

At least that's how he wanted to act.

In the punch Gaara landed on Kankuro, the anger in his heart that was triggered by the words spoken by his brother was reflected in the brief and sudden action. He outstretched his arm, making tendrils of sand instantly shoot out of his gourd before rocketing off to wrap around the boy.

As Kankuro watched the scene, his eyes widened in horror. He realized the consequences of his words. He had crossed a line and he knew it. He had never seen Gaara so angry before, his aura radiating danger. He locked eyes with Gaara's left hand, watching it close as if it was in slow motion. He felt every grain of sand slowly tightens around him. His gut was churning at the realization that this was it. This is how he dies. By hurting his one and only brother.

But just as the sand was about to crush him, he heard a voice. It was a voice he hadn't heard but deep down he knew the owner of that soothing and gentle voice, his mother's voice. The sand rocketed back at Gaara, making the redhead flinch in fear as he saw the sand come his way.

But he soon felt a hand press softly against the back of his head.

It was as if he was standing still as a statue. His eyes were locked on his older brother, whose eyes were wide and his skin was white as a ghost. His eyes finally focused on his peripheral vision, letting him partially see what was embracing him.

It was a woman.

It was his mother.

The sand was able to form into a clone of his mother and engulf Gaara in a hug, but as soon as it had come out, it crumbled apart. While Gaara and Kankuro were left stunned by the moment, the sand briefly battled itself before it died down. As Kankuro tried to apologize for what he said, Gaara cut him off. "I know what you said came from deep down. I'm going to try better to control my anger, but never talk to me like that again."

Kankuro sighed and mumbled, "Alright, whatever." Gaara turned away and walked away, leaving Kankuro alone. Kankuro looked after him, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. He knew he had gone too far.

Kabuto noticed something about his master.

There was no doubt that he was slipping.

He could tell his master was losing his edge. He wanted to help, he needed his master to regain his composure and cunning mind... but that would need Orochimaru to miss the invasion, so he had his answer.

He watched from behind as Orochimaru's sweat glands slowly opened up, creating the tiniest amount of sweat on the back of his neck. 'He's stretched too thin.'

"Orochimaru-sama, the report of the latest curse mark bearers." A woman said. He could see that the stress of the situation was getting to Orochimaru, even the smallest amount of sweat was enough to tell him that Orochimaru was feeling overwhelmed. The woman's presence and her report of the latest curse mark bearers only added to that stress.

He watched the Sannin silently skim through the paper. He watched his master ask more about the test subjects, but Kabuto couldn't hear a word. His ears slowly began to ring. He felt himself being pulled away from the conversation. He was back in his own world, and all that was left was the ringing in his ears. He felt a strange sense of comfort in the sound, as if it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

'That's right,' he recalled. 'This was my place of solace whenever I needed it. I haven't used it much since I met Orochimaru, but I suppose I will need it once I am sure that he will not be with us much longer.'

Pale fingers snapping shot Kabuto back into reality. "Kabuto, I'm heading back to Konoha. The exams are starting within the next three days and the old monkey finally decided to grow a spine."

'What terrible timing for Orochimaru-sama.'

"So I'm leaving you here to clean up. Hurry up so you can make it back before the exams start."

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." He watched his master body flicker away, leaving him with only one thought that was repeating in his mind. "It was an honor serving for you. I just wished it lasted longer."

A sigh escaped his lips before he set about, doing the last task Orochimaru asked him to complete.

'...who...?'

'...why...?'

'...when...?'

There were a number of questions racing through Kabuto's mind at this moment. The question of who this person was was enough to throw a wrench in his master's plan, causing him to fall from grace.

His hand froze in place, hovering just above a piece of rubble that buried a child.

Kabuto had long since stopped feeling empathy, and his cold heart was only further cemented in place by Orochimaru's teachings. He put aside his questions and got to work, determined to complete the mission his master had set for him.

He silenced his mind and mindlessly began moving the bodies of the dead civilians. He was unfazed as he went about his task, methodically and efficiently. Humans were just pawns to him, tools to be used in his master's grand design. He felt no guilt or remorse, but only a cold sense of determination to see the deed done.

But his mind soon began thinking. Running through his current predicament over and over again. Trying to see a different outcome, a way he could influence the situation to a desired derivative.

Normally, Orochimaru isn't like this.

It's usually him who's on top of everything, making sure it's just how he wants it.

He's slipping, though.

Orochimaru was so giddy about killing Hiruzen that he was blind to his own mistakes.

There were cracks in his own plan that he had not noticed.

Kabuto did, however.

He saw all of the cracks in Orochimaru's plan.

A portion of his mind was occupied by thoughts of the Jugo clone and of a squadron of Oto shinobi that had been wiped out as they approached Konoha.

Orochimaru pipes up and asks, "Kabuto, tell me about the squadron that was terminated here."

The earlier interaction they had was playing over in his mind.

The two had just entered the Akada village. In a fit of rage, Orochimaru decimated what was left of the saved village.

In the midst of burning debris, Kabuto let out a sigh and informed him of what he knew.

"Well, it was Squad D, the one that Failure Kawano was leading, and they were in Akado village. A day behind D's path, Squad J happened to stumble upon the town which was partially burned down but otherwise in good condition. They decided that it would be better to walk around it rather than waste any more manpower just in case."

As Orochimaru's mind was stretched thinner, he hummed.

Seeing his world crumble before his eyes, Kabuto watches helplessly.

To him, Orochimaru was exactly the same as Kabuto, so he followed him as his right-hand man.

The epitome of a shinobi.

Taking care of themselves and considering all possibilities.

Taking advantage of people as they see fit.

On a whim.

Nevertheless, Orochimaru made a mistake.

Thus, Kabuto felt betrayed.

"...savior..."

The sound of a gentle voice he had just heard froze Kabuto once more. He turned around and scanned the surrounding area for the owner of the voice.

"...help..."

Seeing the body of a woman buried under rubble, Kabuto walked over to her and gently moved a piece of rubble that was interfering with her breathing. "What did you say?" He asked after she thanked him, his curiosity piqued.

"...our savior, he helped us during the first attack... but he was taken just after he saved us."

"Can you describe the person who saved you?"

"There were two of them... a man with spiky white hair and a boy with spiky yellow hair wearing an orange jacket."

The news surprised Kabuto.

He held up his index finger and transformed into Naruto Uzumaki.

As her eyes widened, she gasped. "That was him!" she exclaimed.

It took Kabuto just a few seconds to release the transformation jutsu as the woman's eyes went heavy. "Thank you for telling me. Here, I will help you in return."

After letting out a sigh of relief, the woman closed her eyes. Just as she was about to thank him, he swiftly sliced her throat.

"There, now you do not have to suffer in this world any longer."

Suddenly, Kabuto rose and headed toward Konoha. 'So, Naruto Uzumaki, this was your fault...'

Kabuto tapped his fingers together, silently contemplating the next step.

'No.'

After scrapping those plans, he decided for once to sit in the passenger seat.

'Show me how you will grow, Naruto Uzumaki.'

Somewhere far out of the galaxy…

Large twin doors designed out of gold and cushioned with red velvet suddenly burst open.

"Your majesty! We've gotten word that one of the half-breeds has landed on Costrion 84N!"

Whispering soon erupted with all of the gathered people.

"Costrion 84N? Wasn't that where the queen ran off to?"

"Isn't one of the True Royalty's still there?"

"Maybe it was her-"

"Silence!"

All the chatter in the room ceased immediately. Loud and sharp clacking echoed throughout the room.

Clack

Clack

Clack

The echoing of high heels walking down the hardwood stairs was raising the tension in the room. No one dared to make a sound, most even slowed their breathing so as to not be noticed.

The Queen wore a black, high-collared, silk kimono which has white-colored tomoe running down the center. The edges of the gown were adorned with intricate white and purple lines.

The clacking from her heels stopped as she stared down at the red alien servant.

"What did you say? I couldn't hear you over all the chatter."

The servant gulped before he nervously repeated his answer. "A half-breed, the one that infiltrated the castle a few weeks ago, has been located on Costrion 84N… your majesty."

"And do we know who the half-breed is?"

"Hamura Otsutsuki. He placed his karma onto one of our troops after being mortally wounded before he escaped."

Whispered chatter once again began but was cut short as the Queen's aura strengthened. "You said he fled back to his homeworld, correct?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Then what seems to be the problem?"

"It's just that-"

The servant was suddenly impaled through the chest. He let out a silent cry of terror before he disintegrated into ash. The Queen stared at the pile of ash with disdain before she turned around and began walking back toward her throne.

"Excuse me, your majesty."

Everyone turned to see who spoke up, all laying eyes on one Momoshiki Otsutsuki.

"What is it, Momoshiki?"

"I don't mean to intrude or anything, but are you sure it's wise to let a half-breed run amock? Why not put it down before it could cause a problem for-"

"Are you questioning my judgment, Momoshiki?"

"...no. I'm just precautious and a worry-wart. My apologies for intruding."

The Queen nodded her head before she walked back to her throne. After taking a seat, she looked down from her seat. "If I recall, a few members of the True Royalty has had more than a few half-breeds. Yes, I made a lapse of judgment and had two of my own, but now I stand before you as your Queen. Is that not enough to prove that I no longer care for that godforsaken planet?"

"Yes, you're right. Many apologies, your majesty." Momoshiki replied again.

"Good. For now, we'll let them and the rest of the half-breeds be. However, if they prove to be a thorn in our side…" The Queen stood up and created a pitch-black orb in the palm of her hand. "We'll exterminate them, and their planet as retaliation. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Queen Kaguya-sama!" They all chorused.

Criticism Review Replies:

JJafan: Thanks for the reminder! I honestly didn't plan on it being poly. I, at first, wanted NaruIno with Hinata just being a sister to the both of them, but then I was like eh fuck it.

Yusuke Urameshi 10: I said I would reveal it throughout the story, but might as well reveal it here.

Where do bijuu come from? Still by Hagoromo. After his mother was taken, he had to deal with the ten-tails that the God Tree turned into. He sealed it and separated them into the bijuu like canon, but in this story, the ten-tails is only chakra, just like all the other tailed beasts. Meaning no Gedo Mazdo.

Who freed Kurama from Kushina? No one did. Minato just overestimated himself. He stretched himself too thin and therefore didn't have the strength to completely suppress the Nine-Tails. The risk was always there, that's why they went to a secluded place in canon. I just had the threat actually happen. He was stretched thin because he was already trying to deal with the Uchiha's resentment, politics, etc. The mind of a kage should always be thinking IMO so that's how Minato was. That was the reason Kurama escaped here. Minato wasn't at 100%, he was at least 98%, but not 100%. Kurama got out when the seal was the weakest, right after Naruto was born and when everyone relaxed prematurely. He was still sealed the same way as canon, but he got out on his own.

what are Madara, Obito and Black Zetsu doing? Madara is dead. Super dead. He actually died back in his fight with Hashirama. Black Zetsu... never created. Or at least yet. Might include him later in the story, might not. Leaning towards not but who knows.

Thank you for the criticism and questions!

***Doing new review replies here because the next chapter is not done yet XD

errobotter: Yeah, this story is tough to write, especially since I'm basically taking what's already established and rebuilding it to how I want.

Hagoromo's power: Hagoromo is basically funneling his chakra into Naruto. Kind of what the seal was doing with Kurama's chakra and slowly funneling into Naruto's own. So since it's being funneled into Naruto, the second something messes with Naruto's chakra, it messes with the hud since it's kind of already his. The hud is basically just a genjutsu that's showing the progress of Hagoromo slowly pouring his power and himself into Naruto. Hagoromo's goal is to die but giving this world a savior to protect it while he's finally gone. Since Hagoromo was a half-breed, his chakra is sentient. His body died but his chakra is alive, which is why he is able to do anything at all. Kind of like Momoshikki in Boruto. He's dead, but his chakra and will are still alive.

How is the hud possible if it's now Naruto's chakra? Because Hagoromo is a master at ninshu. In the manga, it's stated that Ninshu was a power that links individuals. So I took that and tweaked it. Hagoromo is using Ninshu to create the hud, linking both him and Naruto together through a way that young Naruto understands. Videogames XD. Naruto is unaware that Hagoromo is the creator of the game hud, but he knows that it's there to aid him so that's the where the understanding part comes in from Naruto's side. He's still unsure of why the gamer ability is helping him, but he's just riding it out until he finds out everything.

Ino's crush: Yes. It was very sudden and rushed. But sometimes that's how crushes/relationships are. I've had like two relationships like that and plenty of crushes that were just because they were a good person. There's nothing that's more attractive than someone who's good natured after all. Especially in a world of the exact opposite of them too. Not all relationships develop from a "bigger demonstration". And that Kiba implying that everyone could see Ino's attraction was just childish exaggeration. Nothing more since who really cares about children's love story while their living their own lives? I always,(or try to), keep in mind that every single character in this story is in their own world.

Kabuto's feelings: Yes! I wanted to show what would really happen if a renowned leader would become a former shell of themselves. The citizens would be more accepting but the soldiers/military side of it would be displeased. They would still follow orders, obviously, but they would feel negatively about it. And I shoed Kabuto's emotions in because I have some plans for him and if I just left him alone until I needed him, it would've felt rushed as his personality would've jsut suddenly changed. Realistically, Kabuto would want Naruto dead for causing Orochi's death, but now Kabuto is just watching him grow for now and then do something later down the road if he wants to. Might go against Naruto or might help Naruto, Idk yet.

Chakra level: It was high because he's an uzumaki and a jinchuriki. Progress in a videogame is slow at first but then it at certain level, it can just explode to really high levels depending on how you play. Or at least that's how this will play out in the fic. It will start slow since Hagoromo can't ease in much of his chakra without being noticed by Otsutsuki scouts, but later in the story Hagoromo will be able to pump a ton of his chakra into Naruto at once. Logically it would make sense, at least sort of, that it would harm Naruto if Hagoromo pumped a ton of his chakra into Naruto at once as that would harm Naruto's chakra system due to the larghe amount being forced in.

Limiting stat menu: Yes, thank you for the advice! I was actually contemplating on lowering the amount of times the hud is included unless its necessary.

Finally, thanks for the kudos man! Writing stories becomes more fun to write if the audience truly cares for a story! And with that long review, I can tell you liked it enough to comment your opinions on how I can improve the story! Thank you for that! Also if I came across as rude or harsh in the earlier part of my reply, I'm sorry. I just meant to explain my view of the story and everything.

NaruCrazy: Thanks for the feedback! I just wanted to show off the Otsutsuki and what they're planning/think of Earth since I didn't want to include them last minute like Kishi did. Just want to show that they were the true final villains and what their goal is for Earth so that way it's not just suddenly sprung on you guys. It cheapens the story imo.

atengawchok: I'm trying TwT, but actually I didn't think about that! Thanks for the idea to include that in the next chapter! Hopefully I'll do your idea justice!