Later.
Exterior: Land of the Mist, rebel base, morning.
As he, a small squad of Anbu, and Galen arrived with Haku who wore black hunter-nin gear and her headband, Zabuza, in Anbu commando gear and his headband, informed, "We seek an audience with General Mei Terumi."
"Well, well, Zabuza Momochi: Demon of the Mist," mused a gorgeous, slim, voluptuous, busty woman with auburn hair, "Hello, handsome."
With a slight bow of respect, Zabuza greeted, "My Lady."
"You have a lot of guts showing your face around here," sternly said Mei as she stood face-to-face with Zabuza, then unwrapped his bandage mask as her expression softened, and kissed him, "Glad you're back, love."
Gesturing to his companions, Zabuza introduced, "Mei, meet Haku, Tenzo, Crow, Starkiller, and Talon."
"Haku? As in our little Haku?" asked Mei as she studied the young Kunoichi, and embraced her, "Our baby's all grown up," making Haku blush.
"Mum, not in front of everyone." protested Haku as she hugged her surrogate mother.
"General Terumi, shall we prepare to coordinate our battle strategy?" asked Tenzo.
"We shall." agreed Mei before there was a commotion.
Appearing, a scout reported, "General, we have news from the main prison strongholds and its surrounding camps holding the bulk of our imprisoned people and civilians suspected of having bloodline powers.
The prison's fallen, and all of the stationed loyalists were incapacitated by one man."
"Who?" demanded Mei.
"That would be me, Miss," answered Naruto.
He appeared in a black shirt and Anbu pants, a personalised headband, fingerless gloves with orange armoured plates on the back, a black, short-sleeved, and a haori with orange flames at the bottom.
Naruto's sword was sheathed diagonally across his back, held in place by a buckle shaped like the Uzumaki swirl in orange.
Accompanied by thousands of rebel troops, civilians, mercenaries, pets, and children, Naruto informed, "I believe these good people have decided to return to and enlist in your cause."
Stunned upon having deja vu, Mei asked, "Minato?"
"Naruto," corrected Naruto, "His son." shocking everyone within earshot.
Mei mused, "You look so much like him.
But you have your mother's eyes.
I'm guessing Kushina?"
"That's correct, Miss Mei."
Later.
Exterior: Hidden Mist, battlefield, early afternoon.
As he arrived to reinforce 300 rebels pinned down by an army of 100,000, Naruto used the kunai multi shadow clone jutsu, turning 2 tri-pronged kunai into 2000 before he utilised the Hiraishin to single-handedly took out the enemy army down in a flash.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Naruto as he approached the rebel squad.
"The Yellow Flash!?" gasped one of the rebels.
"Orange Flash," corrected Naruto before performing medical jutsu on a wounded rebel.
"Thanks for the help." replied the squad leader.
"What do we have here?" asked a young voice, "a new member of the resistance?"
"Yagura," deduced Naruto, "I'm here to stop you, and free you from whatever mind control you're under,"
"You really think you can defeat a Kage?" taunted Yagura.
Entering Kurama mode as he drew his sword, Naruto assumed a Soresu stance, and infused his blade with wind chakra, "I'll do what I must."
A week later.
Interior: Konoha, Hokage tower, Hokage's office.
Hiruzen informed, "I have an A-rank mission for you, Naruto,"
Namikaze nodded, "I'm all ears, Grandpa."
"I need you to deliver some important documents regarding the Chunin exams to our friends in Kumo,"
Naruto's eyes lit up, "Anything I should know before I go?"
"The Raikage's brother's the eight-tails Junchuriki,"
"Kirabi also known as Killer Bee," stated Naruto, "I've met him, and he could probably give me a few pointers in teamwork with Kurama.
And maybe I'll get to catch up with Yugito, since she's Bi's student."
"Yes, I almost forgot about your penpal."
Later.
Interior: Konoha, Hokage tower, meeting room.
The village council, the local daimyo, and the Fire Lord himself were gathered.
"Any recommendations besides yourselves?" asked the Fire Lord, curious to see who'd be on the list of possible successors to Hiruzen.
"As one of the newest fully fledged members due to coming of age, we should give Naruto Namikaze the privilege of offering the first candidate." stated Rin.
"Agreed."
Carefully contemplating, Naruto formally declared, "I, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, representing both the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans, hereby nominate Tsunade Senju of the Sannin for the position of the Fifth Hokage."
The entire room was silently pleasantly surprised.
"Gotta be honest, we all thought you were going to nominate yourself," laughed Tsume.
"I appreciate your gracing our ears with the beautiful melody of your laughter, Tsume, however I stand by my recommendation."
"Your dad was a charmer too.
And I second the motion."
"I also recommend Tsunade." agreed Hiruzen, Hiashi, Rin, Shibi, the classic Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and the clan heirs in attendance.
Later.
Interior: Kumo, Raikage tower, Raikage's office.
Opening an envelope, the Raikage, Kirabi, and Yugito found a necklace attached to a note signed with the Uzumaki swirl.
Putting it on, Yugito channelled some chakra into the necklace before her old friend appeared in the middle of the room in an orange flash.
"Hello there." greeted Naruto who was holding a folder.
"Naruto!" greeted Yugito who hugged him.
"Missed you too," replied Naruto who returned the embrace.
As the hug ended and the two Jinchuriki stepped back from each other, Naruto approached the man seated at the desk, "Lord Raikage, I've been dispatched by Lady Hokage to deliver these documents regarding the upcoming Chunin exams.
And Konoha's invitation for Kumo to participate," then held out the folder.
"Lady Hokage?" asked A as he was handed the documents.
"Tsunade Senju has been named the Fifth Hokage."
Taking a good look at the Konoha shinobi, A inquired, "And who might you be?"
"Genin Naruto Uzumaki."
"You look like my friend and rival, Minato Namikaze,"
"He's my father, and Kushina is my mother," stated Naruto, earning surprised looks.
"He ain't trippin', but don't start hittin'." rapped Kirabi, "keep the peace, he's with a tailed beast, fool, ya fool."
Naruto extended his hand, "Now business is out of the way, I am honoured to meet you, Lord Raikage."
"Your old man was one of my best friends, and my greatest, most respected rival," informed the Raikage whilst shaking Naruto's hand, "If you're anything like him, you're a good man."
"Thank you, and I was wondering if you would allow me to stay in Kumo for a few days.
I've heard a lot about Kumo, and I'd like to see your great village with my own eyes if you'll permit it.
I'm also not due back until late next week since my trip here was meant to take a few days instead of a second via the Hiraishin."
"He can stay with me while he's here." insisted Yugito.
"That is acceptable," agreed the Raikage.
"I take it I'd best not wear my headband while I'm here?" asked Naruto, "I know there's still tension between our two villages.
Although my bingo book entry might cause a stir."
"We have no bounty on you here, so you won't have to worry if you're with Bee and Yugito.
They'll be your escort." answered the Raikage.
"Yes, Uncle A."
"What did you just call me?"
"Any family and friends of a fellow Jinchuriki are family and friends of mine."
A turned to Kirabi, "I like this kid."
