A month later.
Exterior: Konoha, Uchiha compound, evening.
As they arrived at the gates, Naruto and Sasuke gripped each other by the forearm whilst smiling.
"Mum's gonna be so mad at how late I am, but it was worth it,"
"I've seen your mum mad, and she doesn't scare me half as much as an angry Grandma Tsunade.
Or Aunt Anko when she's in brutal interrogation mode,"
"Fair enough,"
As Naruto clutched his forehead and gasped, Sasuke asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I sense something terrible has happened,"
"Define terrible?"
Observant, Naruto noted, "All the lights are off, and nobody's waiting for us.
Usually your mum, Shisui, Izumi, or Itachi meets us here if we're late,"
"Yeah, this is strange,"
"There's something not right… I feel cold," shivered Naruto, "I've got a very bad feeling about this,"
"Me too." agreed Sasuke.
"How about I walk you to the door, and wait outside for an all clear?"
"Why do you want to wait outside?"
"So I can check the perimeter and the police station since it's nearby,"
"Fair enough."
As Sasuke went ahead, Naruto released a concealing Genjutsu, revealing corpses all over the compound, then he sensed a sinister presence.
Turning, Naruto was face-to-face with a darkly robed man with long, black spiky hair, wearing a yellow one-eyed mask with black flames coming from the left side.
"Well, well, haven't you grown, Naruto Uzumaki?
You were only a newborn when last I saw you, and your parents,"
"Who are you?" demanded Naruto as he drew his sword, and assumed a defensive stance.
"I am the Ghost of the Uchiha…" answered the masked man, in a deep and ominous voice.
"You've wiped out your own clan, haven't you?"
"Since the days I lived among them, the Uchiha clan has grown corrupt, arrogant, stagnant, entitled, complacent, and treacherous.
But like the phoenix, it will rise from the ashes, and emerge stronger than before.
Only through this crucible of blood shall the Uchiha clan's sins and treason be washed away so those who survive may begin anew, flourish and prosper."
"With a speech like that, you must be evil," scoffed Naruto.
"What I am is necessary evil,"
"Are you Madara Uchiha?" asked Naruto whose only reply was sinister laughter.
Moments later.
As he tripped backwards whilst Itachi loomed over him, Sasuke froze.
Itachi narrowly avoided an orange flash which appeared between him and Sasuke.
"Naruto!" exclaimed Sasuke, both relieved and horrified as his friend arrived.
As his Sharingan changed whilst staring into the eyes of both boys, Itachi whispered, "Mangekyo Sharingan: Tsukuyomi."
Interior: Tsukuyomi world.
As the two kids bore witness to Itachi's part of the Uchiha massacre down to the most explicit details, the raven haired Anbu agent loomed over them before there was a near blinding light.
Shielding his eyes, Itachi faintly saw a beautiful woman, with fair skin, long red hair which was defying gravity, and violet eyes, whose enraged fist collided with his handsome face.
"You fucked up the moment you messed with my baby!" shouted the woman, "Ya know!"
Exterior: Konoha, Uchiha compound, evening.
Breaking the genjutsu as the impact of the punch knocked his body to the ground, Itachi got to his feet, and thought, "What just happened?
Was that Aunt Kushina?"
Forming a sleek, cloak-like aura of red chakra as he readied a taijutsu stance upon being freed, Naruto growled, "Step away from my brother!"
Fascinated by the crimson cloak, Itachi asked, "What might I ask is this you've activated?
As my sharingan cannot read or copy it, I would assume it's a form of Kekkei Genkai?"
"Don't you have any original jutsu?" scoffed Naruto, "or does your Sharingan just steal everyone else's?
That's what it's for, right?"
"I am no thief."
"I saw the bodies of the fallen Uchiha, and their injuries even before you used your genjutsu.
Only someone with elite Anbu Commando or similar training could've been so precise and accurate, but they couldn't have been working alone." stated Uzumaki, "The killers knew the Uchiha fighting styles, how to counter them, and had to have the clan's trust.
With the current tension between your clan and the village leaders, they'd only trust their own."
"How perceptive."
"How much help did the Ghost of the Uchiha really give you?" questioned Naruto, "Did he kill the Uchiha military police force by himself while you dealt with the civilians?
Or was taking out the ones who could fight back first a team effort?
Did you kill the children, or was it him?" earning a raised eyebrow.
"So, Madara has revealed himself to you… interesting."
"We've met before, this was a reunion."
Still frozen in horror from the genjutsu, Sasuke thought, "What's he talking about?"
Raising his sword, Naruto demanded, "Are Izumi and Shisui dead too?"
Itachi shed a tear, "It makes little difference."
Doing a single hand sign, Naruto created ten thousand shadow clones.
Naruto inquired, "Any chance you're going to give a speech or monologue about why you've done this, like the other guy did?"
"No," dismissed Itachi, who engaged the clones in a close-quarters duel, "and you will soon be at your most vulnerable from chakra exhaustion,"
"Then I guess I'll have to hold out long enough for backup."
"Is this really Naruto?" thought Sasuke, amazed, "how is he doing this?
Where's he getting all of this chakra?
He doesn't even have enough to do a clone jutsu in class."
As the fight intensified upon another thousand shadow clones being summoned, Sasuke realised, "Wait, not having enough chakra for the clone jutsu isn't the problem!
It's how vast, powerful, dense and potent his chakra is."
"Fire style: great fireball jutsu." quietly said Itachi before exhaling a massive fireball.
As the clones dispelled before impact, the real Naruto, thankful for there being a nearby pool, combined a water wall jutsu with his Rasengan, protecting him and Sasuke whilst extinguishing the flames.
As he noticed Itachi was gone upon the smoke clearing, Naruto dropped his sword, and collapsed to the ground whilst his cloak faded.
Slowly regaining consciousness as Sasuke turned him onto his back, Naruto weakly asked, "Are you okay?"
"Right now, I'm just glad you're alive," Sasuke sighed, then he flicked Naruto's forehead.
"Ow!" groaned Naruto, "what was that for?"
"For trying to fight Itachi by yourself, you idiot!" answered Sasuke, "What were you thinking?"
"That my brother needed me," exhaled Naruto, "we may not be blood, but you are my brother."
"Thank you, Naruto." appreciated Sasuke who asked, "where did all of that red chakra come from?"
"I have no idea where it came from.
But the Uzumaki are known for having insanely high levels of extremely potent chakra reserves, and accelerated healing."
"I can tell you're lying about not knowing where it came from.
But I'll respect your privacy, so you can tell me your secret when you're ready."
"Thank you."
"Who was that woman that showed up when we were under the genjutsu?" wondered Sasuke.
"It was my mother."
"Naruto! Sasuke!" called Anko as she arrived, with the Hokage, Jiraiya, and a handful of Anbu, and hugged the two boys, "are you alright? What happened here?"
"Itachi killed them, and not just the men, but the women and children too." sobbed Sasuke as he broke down.
"What? How?"
"He wasn't acting alone, he had help." answered Naruto who was encased in a green glow.
"Oh, for the love of," muttered Sasuke who wondered, "What's happening to him now?"
"He may be using chakra to accelerate his considerable healing capabilities even further," replied Hiruzen, "quite clever,"
"Does he have another personality?
At school, he's all fun, games and pranks.
But the Naruto I saw tonight was like an entirely different person."
"Because of Naruto's treatment at the hands of the villagers and even some shinobi, he hides his true abilities, intelligence and capabilities from them.
He wants people to see him as a human being, not as a living weapon or monster.
Around his friends on the other hand, he can be a bit of a showoff even if he's not using the more advanced moves he's mastered."
"What about the personality change?"
"He knew he was in a deadly situation, so he took it seriously.
He's shown you a glimpse of the Shinobi he really is inside," answered Jiraiya, "at school and during daily life, he's free to just be a kid, and not worry about the dangers he'll face as a ninja.
But tonight, he showed you a warrior carrying the will of fire,"
"I almost feel sorry for his future enemies, and he must have hidden sensory skills because he knew something was off as soon as we got here."
As the glow faded, Naruto, whose chakra reserves were fully replenished and then some with his injuries completely healed, mentioned, "I'm hungry."
The present company sweat dropped in disbelief.
"Naruto, only you could be hungry and making humour after being forced to watch a family's massacre via genjutsu." muttered Sasuke.
Placing a gentle hand on Sasuke's shoulder, Tsunade informed, "Starting next week, both of you are getting counselling and trauma rehab to help you through this.
And there's to be no argument or excuses, it's for your own health,"
"Okay," exhaled Sasuke, "why does Naruto seem so calm?"
"He has more experience hiding how deeply trauma and pain affects him.
He may seem like he's shrugging tonight off, but he's actually using all of his self-control not to have a full breakdown.
He's trying to be strong for you right now, so you can properly grieve,"
"Oh."
"We have another problem," informed Naruto, "Itachi was working with someone calling himself the Ghost of the Uchiha,"
"What can you tell us about the bastard?" asked Anko.
Using a henge, Naruto answered, "I've concluded he's either blind in his left eye, or it's missing, hence his mask having only one eye hole."
An Anbu asked, "Could it be Kakashi?"
"How dare you? As his comrade, you should know him better than that!" scolded Naruto as he dropped the henge, "Also, there's no motive for Kakashi to do it, and he's standing behind you."
Kakashi gave a two-finger wave, "Yo."
Meeting the Hokage's sympathetic gaze, Sasuke asked, "What's going to happen to me now?"
"We'll discuss these matters in the morning.
For now, you and Naruto, as witnesses of the massacre, will be staying together under protective custody."
Sasuke nodded in acceptance, "Yes, Sir."
"Is there anything either of you wish to tell me?" asked Hiruzen, gentle and calm.
"We were put under a Mangekyo Sharingan controlled genjutsu called 'Tsukuyomi,' but we were freed from it by a third party." informed Sasuke.
"Third party?"
Naruto elaborated, "It was my mother."
"How is that possible?"
"I don't know, but I'm glad it is."
As two more Anbu arrived, they removed their masks, and tightly hugged Sasuke.
"Izumi? Shisui?" asked Sasuke, relieved, "how did you survive?"
"We've only just arrived back from our latest mission," answered Izumi.
"Itachi and his accomplice killed everyone.
We're all that's left of our clan."
"He did what? How did you survive?"
"Naruto saved me."
Noticing something as Shisui knelt down to him, Naruto placed his hand over the older boy's eyes, which were bleeding, and healed them.
The Uchiha speedster felt a wave of relief as the bleeding stopped, and his eyes were perfectly restored. "What kind of healing jutsu was that?" asked Shisui, "You didn't even need a hand sign."
"I think it might be a bloodline ability, but I don't know if you'll still have your Sharingan since I've never healed someone's eyes before.
Let alone eyes with a dojutsu."
Taking a minute to make sure his normal eyes were working properly with the help of Tsunade, Shisui activated his Sharingan, "That answers that question," then deactivated it, "Great job, little brother,"
Naruto mentioned, "I'm still hungry, but however I healed you didn't drain any of my energy," earning surprised looks.
Fascinated and curious, Hiruzen thought, "Intriguing, is Naruto subconsciously using Sage chakra?"
Later.
Exterior: undisclosed location, rendezvous point, evening.
"What did you do?" demanded Itachi, "We agreed only to eliminate those directly involved in the coup d'etat, nobody else."
"I have altered the deal." replied the Ghost of the Uchiha.
"You murdered innocent children."
"Innocent children?
Am I to understand some of them were guilty?"
"There are some lines even we must not cross."
"If we had not done this on our terms, someone else would have on theirs.
We left survivors so our clan could eventually be restored, while he would not have done so."
"You're still a bad ol puddy cat!" exclaimed a cloaked man, in an orange mask with a swirly pattern, who held up a spray bottle, and squirted the Ghost of the Uchiha's masked face several times, "Bad Madawa, bad."
Itachi raised an eyebrow, "And you are?"
"Who, me? I'm your new best buddy, Tobi!" excitedly self-introduced the orange masked man, "Tobi is a good boy." before Madara vanished, "Ahhhh! He's a ghost!
Who ya gonna call?
Ghostbusters!"
Itachi sweatdropped.
6 months of rehab later.
Interior: Konoha, Academy, classroom, morning.
Concerned, Naruto asked, "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
Sasuke, sitting next to Uzumaki, poked his forehead, "It's a bit late to ask, isn't it?"
"Depending how things go, we can always ask to leave early if we're not coping,"
"Let's see how it goes," decided Sasuke who hugged Naruto, "and I'm grateful for all of your support, and for being there for me.
Thank you, Naruto… for everything."
"We're family, and I'll always be there for you."
"I don't know what I would've done or become without your support, and that of the new family you've given me.
Even before we met, we were family,"
"Don't forget we still have Shisui and Izumi too,"
"Maybe so, but they're always so busy with the Anbu,"
"And they'll answer if you call with your Uchiha bat-signal." assured Uzumaki, earning a chuckle from Sasuke.
"Alright, everyone, let's evaluate your transformation jutsu skills.
Each of you will select four people to transform into," said Iruka, starting the class as he entered.
As Naruto gave an especially cheeky grin upon standing at the front of the room, Iruka met his gaze, "And please don't use that inappropriate Sexy Jutsu,"
"Would I do that to you in class?" innocently asked Naruto, "Now you'll want to step back so my excess chakra doesn't hit you again."
Forming the hand signs as blue chakra surrounded him, Naruto called, "Transform!"
The class's jaws dropped when the smoke cleared, as before them stood a perfect duplicate of Hashirama Senju.
"Lord First? That's a great choice, Naruto," approved Iruka, "now move on to your next one."
Uzumaki accurately henged into Tobirama Senju, followed by Hiruzen Sarutobi in his battle armour.
"He's turning into the Hokages.
Not surprising since he wants to be the next one," mused Chojji.
"Then we know who's next," sighed Kiba, "he's gotten really good at transformations, but he's still struggling with clones,"
"It's because the clone jutsu we're taught in class is a basic E-rank jutsu." explained Sasuke, "It's too weak to handle the Uzumaki clan's extremely vast and powerful chakra levels and potential."
"What do you mean?"
"It requires very little chakra as it's one of the most basic techniques.
However, Naruto's chakra levels are at least equal to those of three Kage level shinobi at the height of their power." replied Shino, earning dropped jaws from those who overheard.
"Lucky last, Naruto," informed Iruka.
"Here it goes,"
With a puff of smoke and a flash of light, Minato Namikaze: The Yellow Flash stood before the class in place of Naruto, making half the room fall off their chairs from a gust of wind.
"Impressive, most impressive, Naruto," said Iruka as he got to his feet, "Although you may have used a bit too much chakra since it looks like there was a tornado in here,"
"Sorry about that, Iruka Sensei.
Guess I got carried away charging it."
When the class finished the task, Iruka asked, "Now for the clones.
Naruto, since you seem to be on a roll with your jutsu, would you like to go first?"
Naruto nodded, "I know a far superior and more advanced clone jutsu than the ones taught here since I have extremely high levels of chakra even by Uzumaki standards,"
"By all means, demonstrate for us." invited Iruka.
"I bet he's bluffing about knowing how to do any kind of clone jutsu right!
He's too much of an idiot!" shouted Sakura, earning glares.
"Shut the hell up, Haruno!" snapped Sasuke, "you're not making any friends by being a bitch!"
"Nobody asked for your opinion or commentary, pinky," Sai deadpanned as he looked at Sakura with a false smile.
Hinata added, "And don't insult Naruto!"
"What they said, and I'll take that bet," interjected Ino.
"Naruto has ridiculously good luck, so it's troublesome to bet against him." added Shikamaru.
With a smirk, Naruto called, "Shadow clone jutsu!" and created so many perfect duplicates it was violating the fire safety rules, to the shock of the class.
Several of the shadow clones were standing atop desks and hanging upside down from the ceiling like bats.
"Still think we're bluffing?" asked a shadow clone who caught a punch from Haruno, "you really shouldn't gamble," and gave a misleadingly sweet smile as he pushed her fist away, "ya know?"
Sakura snarled, "Naruto, I'm going to-" before freezing as several Kunai pressed against her, with a katana held to her throat.
"I believe the phrase you seek is 'checkmate,'," quipped Sai.
"Get fucked, Sai!" snapped Sakura.
"Are you volunteering to do the fucking?
If so, I decline as I don't know who or what else has been inside you." casually replied Sai, earning stunned silence.
"Naruto, you performed an A-rank technique!" exclaimed Iruka, proud of the blonde, as the clones vanished.
"Way to go, Naruto!" cheered Kiba, Hinata, Karin, Ino and Choji.
As he returned to his seat, Naruto mentioned, "I've actually known it for years," earning raised eyebrows.
"My clan sometimes uses shadow clone jutsu for intel gathering.
But it takes a ton of chakra." thought Shikamaru, "and Naruto can create who knows how many at once if he was in an open space.
How troublesome."
"That was amazing, Naruto," praised the Hyuga heiress.
Meeting Hinata's gaze, Uzumaki smiled, "Thank you, my fair Princess.
It truly means a lot coming from one as incredible as yourself." making her deeply blush.
Observing Naruto and Hinata, Sai opened his sketchbook.
"How much chakra do you have?" inquired Ino.
"I have no idea, but it's probably broken a record,"
"Cool."
Exterior: Konoha, academy, sparring ground, mid-day.
Readying a stance with the class watching from the sidelines, Naruto asked, "Shall we show off, or stick to the basics so the audience can keep up?"
"Let's save our chakra for later," replied Sasuke, "We don't want to waste it by showing off all our best moves, and make our peers jealous."
"That's what the inter-village shinobi tournaments, martial arts competitions, and the Chunin exams are for.
Believe it."
"Okay, you two, begin." said Iruka.
Parrying a combo, Naruto countered, then used a substitution jutsu to evade a pressure point strike, then Sasuke countered with a series of attacks which were blocked.
Then the two stepped back, drew training swords which they imbued with chakra, took ready stances, and engaged in a fierce duel.
"Woah, Naruto's really been practising," observed Shikamaru, from the sidelines, "I didn't peg him for a swordsman."
With a bucket of popcorn, Choji mused, "I'm glad I'm not facing either of them,"
"They're amazing," mused Ino, "I wish I had a video camera,"
"The moves they're using look familiar," observed Shino.
"What an excellent display of skill," mused Lee, "They fight with such passion and dedication.
Their flames of youth burn as bright as the sun."
"Whiskers wields his blade well." praised Sai as he sketched another drawing.
"Sasuke's using Ataru, an especially physically demanding, offensive, and aggressive style," informed Tenten, "On the other hand, Naruto's using Soresu.
A purely defensive style intended to protect the practitioner, and outlast their opponents.
A true master of Soresu, like Master Kenobi, is basically untouchable,"
"And someone with seemingly infinite energy like Naruto can last a very long time," stated Shikamaru, "How troublesome."
"Fire style: Fireball Jutsu!" called Sasuke as he did hand signs.
"Water style: Water Dragon jutsu!" countered Naruto before the flames were extinguished, and Sasuke was knocked onto his back by the counterattack.
"You okay?" asked Naruto, ignoring the scowls of the Uchiha fan club.
Getting up with a chuckle, Sasuke mused, "That was a great choice to counter my jutsu,"
"Thanks, and it was my first time using it.
I've only read the instructions once,"
"Impressive."
"Okay, you two, that's enough for now." said Iruka who turned to the class, "Next match, Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka.
Taijutsu only please.
And Sakura, if I find out you've been using those illegal strength enhancing drugs again, you'll be suspended."
A month later.
Interior: Konoha, academy, classroom, late morning.
As the class waited, Naruto observed, "Iruka Sensei's never this late,"
"We all have late days, you idiot." scoffed Sakura.
"Naruto's not an idiot," defended Choji, "his grades are higher than yours by a long shot.
He knows some really advanced techniques.
And his pranks take a lot of time and careful planning,"
"Shut up, fatass!" replied Sakura.
"What did you just call me!?" roared Choji, furious.
"Enough!" intervened Sasuke who scowled at Haruno.
"Apologise to my friends right now, you troublesome girl." advised Shikamaru.
As one of the instructors entered, Naruto gave a concerned look, "Excuse me, do you know where Iruka Sensei is?"
"He was on a mission, but we've lost contact with him," explained the teacher, earning indistinct murmurs of shock.
"What kind of mission?" demanded Naruto.
"Not that it's any of your business, demon brat," hissed the teacher, confusing the students, "but a traitor stole a scroll with village secrets, and Iruka went after him,"
"There is a law against speaking of such things." thought Sai.
"If Iruka Sensei's pursuing the thief, instead of letting someone else handle it, this must be personal for him.
So Mizuki has finally revealed himself as a traitor," exhaled Naruto as he rose to his feet, whilst his peers murmured to each other, and approached the door.
"Sit back down, brat!"
"You're not my Sensei, family, or the Hokage, so don't tell me what to do!" snapped Uzumaki, "Now I'm going after my Sensei, and I'll bring him home even if I have to go through entire armies to do it."
The first to break the silence as Naruto disappeared in an orange streak of lightning, Shikamaru sighed, "Troublesome,"
"Someone's about to have a very bad day," stated Sasuke, with a smirk, "They messed with the Sensei of the number one hyperactive unpredictable ninja in training."
"Why is Naruto allowed to just skip classes whenever he wants?" whined Sakura, "If I did that, my parents would be furious.
But Naruto doesn't have to answer to anyone."
"That's not true!" protested Hinata.
"Naruto answers directly to the Hokage, Lady Tsunade, Master Jiraiya, and the head of the Anbu interrogation and torture division." added Shikamaru.
"A class can't begin without a teacher," pointed out Shino, "There are no available substitutes to oversee today's tests in Iruka Sensei's stead.
One cannot skip classes that have been cancelled."
"Think he'll find Iruka Sensei in time to bring him back alive?" asked Kiba, "And will he be okay by himself?
I feel like I should've gone with him."
"Naruto will be just fine," assured Hinata, "He's training under Master Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade after all."
"If I know Naruto, he'll have done some amazing feat by the time he gets back," mused Ino, "Also, those whiskers and his eyes make him look adorable."
Interior: Land of Fire, private shipping dock, warehouse.
As he punched Iruka, who was bruised, beaten, bloodied, and bound to a chair, Mizuki smirked, "Had enough, Iruka?"
Umino spat blood, "Why did you betray the village? Why, Mizuki?
We were friends, comrades, broth-"
Mizuki cut him off with a punch to the gut, "You are nothing to me but a tool.
I've always hated you, and I'm going to break you.
I'll take every piece of information you have for Lord Orochimaru.
And make your death slow and painful.
Then I'll send your corpse to that nine-tails brat you care about so much."
"Oh, c'mon, Zuki," chuckled Iruka, trying to ignore the pain, "you know I'll never betray my village."
Exterior: Private shipping dock, warehouse.
In a yellow flash, Naruto, with his sword drawn, single-handedly slaughtered a sizable army of enemy shinobi, mercenaries, and guards, having combined Hiraishin with the kunai shadow clone jutsu and shadow clone jutsu.
Interior: Private shipping dock, warehouse.
As Mizuki stepped back, he went to throw a large shuriken before a yellow flash struck him down.
To the shock of Iruka whose vision was distorted, what he thought to be the one and only Minato Namikaze had come to his rescue.
Picking up his unconscious teacher, Naruto, wearing the scroll on his back, was about to leave when a fair skinned girl, 14 years old, with shoulder length blonde hair, in a ponytail, and brown eyes, wearing a Kumo headband, purple pants, black t-shirt, boots, and fingerless gloves, appeared.
"Hey, is your friend okay?" she asked.
"He's hurt, can you help him?" replied Naruto before they laid the Chunin down upon a table, and cleaned, sanitised and patched up his wounds, and used medical jutsu to heal him.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, by the way." self-introduced Naruto, "What's your name?"
"My name's Yugito Nii, and that's a nice name."
"You're very pretty, and I like your name too,"
"Thanks, and was it you or him that did all of the fighting outside?"
"Me because they kidnapped my Sensei, and I came to rescue him."
"Genins keep getting younger." she solemnly sighed.
"Oh, I'm not a Genin yet.
I haven't graduated from my local academy yet.
And I'm planning to go to shinobi high school before taking missions."
"We don't have something like that in Kumo, but it sounds like a good idea.
Maybe I'll mention it to the Raikage,"
"I've never been to Kumo before.
Apparently I look too much like the late Minato Namikaze for there not to be a misunderstanding,"
"Wait, the Yellow Flash is dead?"
"He has been for almost 12 years."
"Hey, if you're not a shinobi yet, where's his extraction team?
Wouldn't they send a Jonin or the Anbu black ops?"
"It's just me, since I skipped class to save him."
"You're from Konoha?"
"Is that going to be a problem?
I hope not because I'd like to be friends instead."
"Then let's be friends."
"Gladly."
"Spill, who's your real Sensei? An academy student couldn't just tear apart an entire army."
"The Pervy Sage." blurted Naruto, earning melodic laughter.
"Pervy Sage?" giggled Yugito.
"My nickname for Jiraiya Sensei of the Sannin."
"You're adorable, Naruto." she mused.
"As are you, and you have a very beautiful laugh,"
"Thanks."
"You're a Jinchuriki," observed Uzumaki.
Yugito tensed, "How do you know?"
Naruto answered, "Because I'm one too.
May I see your seal?
I'll show you mine,"
Seeing no harm, Yugito raised her shirt above her belly button, revealing her seal, and he did the same, "Who did your seal?"
"Minato Namikaze and my mother, Kushina Uzumaki.
But I'm not supposed to tell people she's my mum because she has a lot of enemies, so that stays between us."
"Agreed."
"Would it be weird if I asked your permission to touch your seal?" he inquired, "I promise not to mess with it or anything,"
"I'll let you if you let me touch yours," she replied.
Gently tracing along the seals on each other's bellies, the two Jinchuriki soon burst into innocent laughter as they were both ticklish.
As their hands retreated and their shirts fell down, they smiled.
"My tailed spirit's Matatabi, commonly known as the two-tailed cat," informed Yugito, "Who's yours?"
"Kurama, the nine-tailed fox, and I've never met another member of our family before."
"Our family?"
"I believe Jinchuriki are and always will be a family even if we don't know each other."
"That's a really sweet sentiment, and I'll share it with you."
Beaming, Naruto hugged her, "I already know that I love you, Yugito-Neechan,"
"Awww, I love you too, Naruto."
"If you don't mind me asking, were you a Jinchuriki from birth?
And how did you come to be one?"
"My mother was the previous one so it was kind of inevitable that I would be the current one, and I take it the same goes for you?"
"Yeah."
Awakening, Iruka's vision came into focus, "Huh? Naruto?
What are you doing here?
What happened?"
"You have quite the protective student," chuckled Yugito, "I don't know what you're teaching him at your academy, but I think he's at least Special Jonin level right now,"
"I'm sorry to say I can't take much of the credit.
Master Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, and several of my village's finest have made his training a group effort despite how the civilians treat him."
"If I'm ever in Konoha, I'll be sure to visit Naruto."
As he entered, a tall, muscular man, with dark skin, blonde hair and sunglasses, approached, "Kirabi and Gyuki in da house, yet it's quiet as a mouse."
"You missed the party, DJ Sensei." quipped Naruto, earning a laugh from Kirabi and Iruka.
Interior: Konoha, Shinobi hospital, waiting room.
As he appeared in a flash, with Iruka, Naruto informed, "Iruka Sensei needs medical observation."
As Shizune took Iruka to a recovery room, she asked, "What happened?"
"He got the crap kicked out of him, and I had to rescue him," answered Naruto.
"How'd you find me before even the Anbu?" asked Iruka.
"On day one at the academy, I put a tracking seal on you which I hoped I'd only be using to evade you when I'm doing pranks."
Shizune and Iruka laughed.
"I also met two members of my other family.
A really pretty Kumo Kunoichi named Yugito Nii, and the Raikage's brother, Kirabi."
"Other family?" asked Shizune.
Naruto whispered into her ear, "The Jinchuriki family.
Her tag-team partner's Matatabi, the two-tails.
And Kirabi's is Gyuki, the eight-tails."
"How did you encounter each other?"
"She was tracking a rogue shinobi, aka Mizuki, who'd stolen village secrets and abducted Iruka.
I got there first, but she arrived in time to provide medical aid.
Now Iruka Sensei owes her a favour, and me a few bowls of ramen.
We're also staying in touch.
Uncle Kirabi arrived afterwards and entertained us with some of his rapping."
Interior: Konoha, Ichiraku ramen, mid-day.
Appearing out of thin air, Naruto greeted, "Hi, may I please have an extra large miso pork ramen?"
Teuchi passed over a huge bowl, "Coming right up, and is that blood on your face?"
"Don't worry, none of it's mine," assured Naruto as he cleaned himself up with a wet wipe, "I might have skipped school to go rescue Iruka."
"And what's with the scroll over your shoulder?" asked Ayame before Kurenai entered.
"Naruto, sweetie, the Hokage sent me to retrieve the scroll from you," informed Kurenai.
"Prove who you are first," ordered Naruto as he jumped to his feet, hand on his hilt, "tell me something between us that only the real Kurenai would know,"
Into Naruto's ear, Kurenai whispered, "The first time we met, you used my breasts as your pillow,"
Handing over the scroll, Naruto confirmed, "Yep, you're definitely the real Aunt Kurenai."
"When you're finished eating, the Hokage will want your report."
"Okay, and the scroll needs better security if it's so important."
"Agreed."
"Also, have you been treating Anko well?
If not, I'll put you over my knee, and spank you."
"I believe you, dear." chuckled Kurenai who kissed his cheek.
Later.
Exterior: Konoha, Tenten's house, back yard, afternoon.
Naruto wore a black t-shirt with a red swirly circle and jeans.
Tenten wore black pants and a short, white qipao top that stopped above her belly button.
"Are you sure that's practical for training?" asked Naruto.
Tenten countered, "Says the boy who used to wear a baggy, orange and blue jumpsuit."
"That was one time."
As they practised sparring together, with Naruto holding back, Tenten pinned him beneath her on the soft grass whilst sitting on his thighs, "Got cha, Naru,"
"Is that so, Panda?" asked Naruto who escaped her grip, and tickled her midriff, making her burst into giggles, fall off of him as he pinned her, and squirm beneath him and a trio of shadow clones who assisted in tickling her.
"Hahahahahaha Naru, hahahaha you hahahaha know hahahaha how hahahaha ticklish hahahahaha I hahahaha am hahahaha," laughed Tenten whilst squirming as he and his clones tickled her midriff, sides, ribs, underarms, legs, and feet, "Kami hahahahaha, Naru, hahahahaha my hahahaha belly hahahaha button hahahaha is hahahahaha my hahahaha ultimate hahahahahaha weakness hahahahaha."
As he paused, and released her whilst dispelling the clones, Naruto grinned, "Good to know, and your laugh is so adorable,"
"Thanks," appreciated Tenten whose cheeks flushed, "and tickling me was a cheap move.
Also using shadow clones to help? So unfair,"
"I didn't hear any complaints or requests to stop." replied Naruto before laughing himself as she tickled him back, initiating a tickle fight which she soon lost.
As he stepped outside with a tray of snacks and refreshments, Tenten's father set them down upon a table, and called, "Princess, when you and your boyfriend are done, afternoon tea's ready!" causing the two kids to blush as they paused, then Naruto helped Tenten to her feet.
"He's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend who's a boy." protested Tenten.
"Sure he is," teased Tenten's dad, "he's just a friend who you kissed upon his arrival."
Taking a seat, Naruto smiled at the man, "Thank you for the food, Sir."
"Thanks, dad." added Tenten as she sat next to her friend, and her dad went indoors.
"So, what are some of your goals for the future, Panda?"
"I wanna be a badass kunoichi like Lady Tsunade.
She's a personal idol of mine,"
"Grandma Tsunade is pretty inspiring and amazing,"
"Grandma? Is she your grandmother?"
"The Senju and Uzumaki clans are closely related since Hashirama Senju's wife, Mito Uzumaki, was the Queen of the Land of Whirlpools.
Tsunade and Jiraiya, being my godparents, adopted me as their grandson after a near death experience when I was four years old."
"You know, if you take away those whiskers of yours, and grow your hair long, you'd be the spitting image of the Yellow Flash,"
"The Hokage and Jiraiya agree with that so much, they sometimes call me Minato by mistake.
They've also advised me not to grow it long in case I go to another village, and cause a scene from mistaken identity,"
"By the way, why do you call me Panda?
Is it my hair buns?"
"Pandas are adorable, kind, strong, enduring, loving, stealthy, and they protect others, just like you,"
Her cheeks flushed, "Thanks, Naru."
"Anytime."
Several weeks later.
Interior: Konoha, Ichiraku ramen, early afternoon.
Sitting with Sasuke, Hinata, Shikamaru, Kiba, Tenten, and Choji, Naruto sensed something before there was an explosion in a nearby building which was set ablaze.
Getting to his feet as he finished his bowl, Naruto donned his goggles, "I'll be right back,"
"Wait, Naruto!" began Teuchi but the orange-clad boy was gone, "one of these days, he's going to give me a heart attack,"
"Be safe, baby brother." prayed Ayame.
Exterior: Konoha, street, burning building, early afternoon.
Naruto raced past bystanders and the fire brigade personnel, into the building.
Within moments, dozens of formerly trapped civilians, men, women, children and pets alike, were safely evacuated by an orange flash, much to the frustration of a young man with long yellow hair in a ponytail, wearing an Iwa headband, who quickly fled from arriving Anbu.
"Nobody appreciates my art." muttered the bomber.
Having evacuated everyone from the building which ceased burning, Naruto stopped to catch his breath, and lifted his goggles up to his forehead as a search and rescue team's worth of shadow clones vanished.
"You've certainly gotten fast, haven't you, my youthful friend?" asked Gai as he arrived.
"Please excuse me, Gai, but there's a bowl of ramen with my name on it,"
"Tell you what, it's on me today,"
"If a wallet could talk, those would be its famous last words."
Interior: Konoha, Ichiraku ramen.
Returning to his seat to see his friends sigh in relief, Naruto asked, "Can I have the biggest bowl of ramen on the menu, with extra everything?"
Teuchi nodded, "And shall I keep them coming?"
"Yes, siree, it's on me today." answered Gai as he walked in.
As she threw her arms around Uzumaki, Hinata tightly hugged him, "You scared me by running into danger like that, Naru,"
"I'm sorry for scaring you, Hina," apologised Uzumaki, "how can I make it up to you?"
"K- kiss me," replied Hinata, her voice barely a whisper.
"As you wish," whispered Naruto, with a small smile as he gently kissed the lavender eyed heiress.
