Here's the new chapter. Naruto's back.


"Hell yeah!"

He whooped out loud as he stood up high, looking at the whole village. He'd missed a lot of things about home, but this view was close to the top of the list.

"All right brat. It's time to go. I need to report to the Hokage."

"Oh C'mon. Let me look around for a while. It's been years since I've been back."

He made the puppy eyes to be as convincing as possible, and Jiraiya gave in. "All right, I'll go myself. I'll meet you later at Ichiraku Ramen."

Hell Yeah! "All right! See you later, pervy sage. Give Ba-san my regards."

Now, where should he go first. Maybe the park ? Or to the Academy to visit Iruka sensei ? He roamed around at random, still indecisive.

"Hey Naruto."

That voice...

He turned around to see Ino, except she was older. And way more beautiful. Oh crap, he was supposed to say something. "Umm." Goddamit.

"Woah, it really is you! It's been a long time hasn't it ?"

He managed to recover his voice in time, and said "Yeah. It's been a while. Uh, you look good." She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat. "So, Uh, how's everyone else ?"

She smiled even wider, and started talking rapidly. "Shikamaru is the same as always. But the big news is with Kurenai sensei. She finally married Asuma, and they even had a kid. Her name is Mirai, and she's the cutest thing ever."

He smiled, and then frowned. "Wait, Asuma ? Since when was that going on ?"

She rolled her eyes and replied "Wow, you're so oblivious Naruto. It was obvious for a while that Asuma sensei was interested. I guess it's unfortunate you can't sense positive emotions." Huh, really ? Though that would explain why he came to their training sessions to speak with Kurenai sensei, and the fact that he always came with flowers... Wow, it really had been obvious. He smacked his forehead as Ino laughed.

"I'm free now anyway. Want me to show you around ?"

He smiled and answered "Sure."


"The Akatsuki are starting to move."

He was in Tsunade's office, or rather the Hokage room. After updating her on Naruto's training and the level he'd reached, he got on to the main issue.

"The Akatsuki are growing in power. They've already collected multiple tailed beasts. From what I've learnt, only Yagura, Killer B, Gaara, and Naruto are confirmed to still be active. I know for a fact that Han was taken down a couple years ago, though Roshi's whereabouts are still unknown. The issue is that Iwa is incredibly secretive about that information, so there's no way of confirming it as of now. The seven tails was taken years ago, soon after the Chunin exams. I believe the Two tails jinchuriki is still active, though she's from Kumo which hasn't been open about this stuff either. They've largely been dormant the past 3 years, though I can tell they're moving behind the scenes. I've gotten a lead on the whereabouts of the Akatsuki leader, which I plan on looking into. But I can tell that a lot of the minor villages are started to rally behind the Akatsuki. Which makes sense. They provide a massive military strength, and they're willing to work for a pittance. Moreover, they've collected multiple tailed beasts. If this goes on any further, they might just be unstoppable."

He watched as she sighed. He could tell the post of Hokage had taken it's toll on her, judging from the half empty bottle of sake on her desk, and the weariness in her eyes. But there was nothing to be done, for she was the best candidate available.

"So what do we do know, Jiraiya ? The best way to stop them is to strip away their strength. They can't possibly have those many Akatsuki members. There are only so many S rank level ninja running around. But they move in covert pairs, and their network of spies and allies is impressive."

"I don't know yet. If I can take down the leader, we could end this. From what I understand, the others don't quite share the same goals. But in the meantime, we need to prevent them from advancing further. From what I understand, they're making moves to attack all the Jinchuriki left, though it's still uncertain which one will be targeted first. For know we'll have to inform the other villages and warn them about an attack. Well, enough of that. How's everything going on here ? Has Danzo started to stir trouble yet ?"

She gave a sad smile as she answered "Oh, I'm afraid he's no longer going to be a problem."

"What do you mean ?" She looked surprised for a moment, and then said "Right, I haven't told you yet. It only happened recently, but he's dead."


He'd been walking around with Ino, when he spotted Sakura walking with Hinata and Shino. Strangely enough, Sasuke wasn't there.

"Hey guys. Guess who's back!"

They turned to him, and he could see the surprise turn to excitement. Sakura smiled as she said "Woah, Naruto! You've grown. You look more mature now."

"Yeah that's true. You look well, Naruto." said Hinata, in her usual soft voice.

"Indeed. Why you ask ? Because you look less ridiculous."

He scowled at that last line from Shino, but he didn't spit out a retort. He asked, "Hey guys, where's Sasuke ? I've been itching for a rematch."

The moment he mentioned that name, he noticed a deep sadness pop up in Hinata and even Shino. Sakura put her hand on Hinata as though to reassure her. That was strange, why would they have such negative emotions associated with Sasuke ? He asked "Hey, what the hell's going on ? Did Sasuke get injured or something? Why're you guys acting depressed ?"

Sakura answered in an uncharacteristically soft voice, "Naruto, Sasuke left the village a week ago."


A/N

Hey guys. Just settling the story and the different pieces. I expect to be done with this within a month, though it might take longer. I have another fic released, which is somewhat different from this. Please check it out. Also, I've made a new stat system that I'll be using from now on. I personally love stats, it's a predilection of mine.

Neji

Attack: 7.5

Defense: 8.5

Support: 6

Speed: 9

Stamina: 6

Intelligence: 6

Chakra Control: 8

Total: 51

Lee

Attack: 8.5

Defense: 5.5

Support: 6

Speed: 10

Stamina: 7.5

Intelligence: 5

Chakra Control: 4

Total: 46.5

Tenten

Attack: 6

Defense: 5.5

Support: 7

Speed: 7

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 7

Chakra Control: 7

Total: 44.5

Shino Aburame

Attack: 7

Defense: 6.5

Support: 7

Speed: 6

Stamina: 6

Intelligence: 8

Chakra Control: 7

Total: 47.5

Hinata Hyuga

Attack: 6.5

Defense: 6.5

Support: 7.5

Speed: 6

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 6.5

Chakra Control: 7.5

Total: 45.5

Naruto Uzumaki

Attack: 9

Defense: 9

Support: 7

Speed: 7.5

Stamina: 11

Intelligence: 5

Chakra Control: 5

Total: 53.5

Shikamaru Nara

Attack: 7

Defense: 6

Support: 8

Speed: 5

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 12

Chakra Control: 7

Total: 50

Ino Yamanaka

Attack: 6.5

Defense: 6

Support: 8.5

Speed: 5

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 6

Chakra Control: 8

Total: 45

Sakura Haruno

Attack: 7

Defense: 6

Support: 8

Speed: 7

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 8

Chakra Control: 10

Total: 51

Kiba Inuzuka

Attack: 7

Defense: 5.5

Support: 7.5

Speed: 9

Stamina: 6

Intelligence: 4.5

Chakra Control: 6.5

Total: 46

Choji Akimichi

Attack: 8.5

Defense: 8

Support: 6

Speed: 4.5

Stamina: 7

Intelligence: 4.5

Chakra Control: 6.5

Total: 45