-AN-

Forewarning, this chapter will have some Lime content, but nothing crazy or explicit. There'll be a question from me at the end of the chapter about it, so buckle in, enjoy some chill Uzumaki time, and let's roll!

-Story Start-

Settling into a routine again, Naruto decided that some time off would be good to alternate relaxation and training over the next few weeks. That found him today out on the fields near the cliff side behind the mansion, field full of clones working through nature chakra manipulation while several at the cliff's edge were practicing throwing the rasengan further and further distances. His idea about the chakra thread finally starting to pay off. Now he would just need to work on adding wind chakra to it. Slow going, but he knew it would happen.

He himself is sitting and ready through a scroll covering some of the more esoteric seals the Uzumaki had to offer. Some of the barriers and time space methods they had developed were crazy complicated. One of these however was giving him ideas. But it required a super heavy metal that was hot to the touch, just where would he find something like that?

Kurama gains his attention, mentally voicing a question, 'What are your plans with the other half of my chakra?'

Naruto shrugged, 'I want us to be balanced so that we can use everything we have freely. But I think it might be a good idea to go through sage training first before attempting to reseal the other half of your chakra in me.'

'Your father was a crafty one, he probably left instructions with those toads just for this. You need a key to modify the seal after all.'

'Yeah I noticed that, I could probably make one however if I was pressed.' Naruto had explored his own seal a bit, but if there was an easier option he would take it. Focusing back on the scroll in front of him, he paused again as he remembered something he had been meaning to ask for a long time. 'Kurama, what's the real reason my eye turned purple?' He just knew there was more to it.

Mentally Kurama laid down behind the bars of the seal and lazily moved his tails this way and that, 'Well, I may have played around with your blood a bit.'

'What?' That was new. Though at least the ancient being was admitting to it. 'What did you do?'

'Keep in mind I was in a bit of a hurry. But well, I had the idea that your Uchiha friend was there and his blood was available. So I took some and molded it inside of you. Not much, but enough to maybe awaken an ancient eye in you. Which it did, even if it isn't fully complete yet.'

'Okay, new rule, some heads up before modifying my body.'

'I tell you I've given you an ancient nigh unbeatable dojutsu and you're worried about consent?'

'Uh, yes?'

Kurama grumbled, 'Fair enough. The eye I gave you is called the Rinnegan. Known as the eye of Six Paths. It is the eye of my creator. As such, it has many abilities and techniques allowed only to it.'

'Didn't you say however it's not complete?'

Kurama nodded, 'Correct. I think considering you've only used it once under great stress, there's something you still need. Maybe a chakra requirement or maybe just time. Try adding some chakra to it, maybe that'll help it along.'

Naruto sighed as he leaned back and looked up into the blue sky, 'Shouldn't you know what it takes?'

'I'm a chakra construct that was never human, how the hell would I know?'

Naruto chuckled, 'Okay, fair.' He did however do as the bijuu said, adding some real chakra to his eye and seeing if anything changed. Not feeling any different, he let the chakra level drop down to something he could maintain for a long period of time with a sigh. Like Kurama said high stress got it going. So maybe there was some condition he was missing. Adding it to the list of things to worry about later, Naruto returned to his scroll study.

From the direction of the mansion Hinata is walking and waving to the blonde. Hair starting to grow out and jacket long gone, Hinata was enjoying a wardrobe change. Keeping her capri length pants but making them blue while her sleeveless top was orange to match Naruto's own. In her hands was a basket which she sat down between them as she sat down with the boy she loved, "I figured you probably haven't eaten yet. Do you realize it's past lunchtime?"

Naruto shook his head, "Completely lost track of time. We can go eat inside if you like."

"Out here is fine." Leaning back and looking up into the sky, Hinata was content, "Leaving with you was probably the best decision I made. I never thought I could have this kind of freedom in my life."

"I'm glad you came too. It wouldn't have been the same."

Giggling Hinata smiled and leaned into him, "Of everything however, I'm looking forward to fully being an Uzumaki." He knew her feelings and she knew his. From there nothing else mattered to her. The rest of the world could fade away, as long as she had him by her side.

Naruto however had a somewhat different view at the moment, "You know. Out here, outside of Konoha I mean, no one knows you aren't an Uzumaki. You could take the name now if you really wanted." Blushing and refusing to look at her, he's forced to anyway as the girl tackles him and straddles his hips. "Uh…"

"You mean it Naruto?" She watches as the boy nods slowly. Sitting up but not moving, Hinata thinks about it quietly. "Hinata…Uzumaki." Muttering it a few times, she eventually grins and nods, "Then that's who I'll be, Hinata Uzumaki from this day forward." Leaning down she lightly kisses the young man she's in love with.

Feeling her pull away, Naruto lets her roll off of him and they set about eating lunch together, "You know, the others are going to want to do the same."

Hinata shrugged, "That's mainly just Ino. Koyuki can't yet. And Tayuya and Karin are already Uzumaki. Kotohime is new to the group and we haven't had our talk yet. So not yet for her."

Naruto nods, knowing not to get involved with that, "Okay okay. Well, you're out here, wanna train for a bit?" It didn't take him long to finish off the food she had brought out for him.

"Sure thing." Hinata was soon up and bouncing lightly on her feet, Naruto slightly distracted but soon focusing and cleaning up their mess. Task done, he faced her with a grin.

"I'm taking you down today."

Hinata smirked, something that would usually be at home on Naruto's face, "Oooh, you want me down Naruto? Maybe on my knees?"

Caught flat footed, the boy's eyes were wide, "I uh. Wait a-" He stumbled away from the glowing palm headed his way. "No fair!"

Hinata laughed and continued her assault, "You need to keep on your toes beloved." Setting the pace, the girl spent the rest of the day training with her love. Naruto considered it more Hinata spent the day beating his ass, Hinata would however giggle and claim it was training. Behind them the clones continued their own self imposed missions, the rasengan beginning to fly further and faster towards the end of the day.

At the end of which, tired and sore, Hinata had Naruto by the hand and was dragging him away. Naruto was dispeling clones a few at a time while laughing at the suddenly very insistent girl, "What's the rush Hinata?" He just barely remembered to grab the picnic basket she had brought for lunch today.

Hinata however was focused, "It's been a long day, time for a bath."

"Is this one of our collective baths again?"

Hinata nods, "Whenever we're all together we should take a bath together. It's our bonding time."

"I'm guessing that's going to be our new family thing?" Turning eery eyes to the boy she nods without saying a word. Naruto just holds up his hands and surrenders, "Got it. Want me to send clones and round everyone up?"

"No need, they know the schedule." Somehow Naruto knew he should have known better, but let himself be dragged along. Again, why would he complain about taking a bath with several beautiful women? Jiraiya would probably cry tears of blood our of frustration if he knew.

Not even a full 20 minutes later as the sun began to set, Naruto sat chest deep in the hot spring waters, soaking and enjoying the fatigue seeping from his muscles. Next to him Jugo was much the same, relaxing back with a heavy sigh and enjoying the natural feel of the outdoor bath. Both young men had towels covering their eyes, while around them the various women all chatted and gossiped back and forth. Neither is going to complain about the women telling them to join them or the introduction of alcohol and the quickly becoming rowdy group. Jugo relaxes further, sinking deeper into the hot waters.

"Like you said my Lord, this land is very peaceful. Everything I could ask for really."

Naruto nods, ignoring what sounded like a bath towel sailing over his head, "If we weren't rebuilding Uzushio, I would happily stay here permanently. It's a nice place, way out of the way. Peaceful."

Jugo hums, "I'd like to see Uzu one day, if possible."

"I want to go check up on things soon, maybe before the week is up. Wanna see if maybe Tazuna needs help again. All my clones are good for lots of things, construction included."

Ino and Tayuya are wrestling while Karin cheers them both on, "C'mon c'mon! Do the Uzumaki name proud!"

Koyuki was cheering for Ino, face flushed from the heat, "Don't bow down Ino! You're an Uzumaki as well aren't you!"

Cackling as Ino blushes but gains the upper hand, Tayuya resorts to the Uzu seal, "No fair!" Ino calls out as she's slowly overpowered.

Tayuya just smirks, "No one said I couldn't use it!" Groaning however, she continues to forget Ino has an affinity for Earth nature chakra. Which she was now using to boost her strength. "Shit."

Ino is back to smirking, "Hell yeah!" She's back to slowly overpowering the taller girl.

Hinata however is smiling and calling out to Naruto, "Naruto! No work talk! We're having fun! Fun!"

Kotohime slides up next to the pale eyed girl, "I'm sure we could convince Naruto how to have fun properly." She had no qualms about bathing naked in the group, even with Jugo here. Hugging the shorter girl and pressing their busts together, Kotohime calls out to her Lord, "Naruto! Hinata and I have a proposal for you."

Naruto waves her off, "Somehow I get the feeling that's a danger flag, so I'm good. I'll take something to drink though."

"Oh poo, no fun."

Karin however had swam around and handed Naruto a small bottle of sake to which he thanked her, "You know, you don't have to cover your eyes, we invited you. This is all family or friends."

Naruto shakes his head while Karin offers a bottle to Jugo who declines, "I, well...maybe later."

Tayuya finally had Ino up and above her head, holding the struggling girl face up by her midsection, "We could always set up a truth seal again!" She wasn't ready for Ino to increase her weight via chakra, "You cow!" Tayuya collapsed and Ino reversed their positions, riding on the older girl's back while pulling her arms. If Naruto had been looking, he might have commented that it did interesting things to Tayuya's chest.

"Who're you calling a cow? I'm not plump at all!" Ino however did take a look down at herself, just in case, "Well, unless we're talking about those, I might be behind Hinata, but I'm not to shabby if I say so."

Karin shook her head and went back to egging the two outspoken girls on. One of these days they would finally have a distinct winner. Kotohime however had floated over to Naruto, a thought in mind. "My Lord?"

Taking a sip, he turned to where he could hear Kotohime, "Huh, yeah what's up?"

"I, wanted to thank you. For everything. My clan, myself, my sister. You've done so much and…it's a debt I'll never be able to repay." She was being honest here and everyone else was pausing and paying attention to the heartfelt moment.

Naruto however just waves her off, "I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My goal is to save everyone I can. If you ever need me, I'll be there."

Kotohime nods, knowing by now that was just how he operated. It was the greatest reason why she had chosen to join him. He was a man truly of his word. "Then, at least, I can do what I do." Reaching forward she plucked his towel away from his eyes.

Suddenly staring at the sky, Naruto panicked, "Wait a mi-" Vision suddenly full of a very naked and very well equipped Kotohime, she pulled him in for a very steamy kiss. This of course set off everyone else behind them.

"No fair!"

"Big titted hussy!"

"I'm next!"

Kotohime just smirks and let's him go after a moment, letting him sink back into the water with a happy but dazed look, "I'm yours, Lord Uzumaki, from now till forever." And then she's pulled away while laughing, Hinata and Ino trying to get in first while Karin grills the older girl for details and Tayuya tries and fails to look like she doesn't want to join in. Behind them all Koyuki is cackling.

Jugo himself has scooted a safe distance away, "Note to self, master has a way of making his deeds seem effortless. This is an endearing quality. Insure he doesn't overdo things in the future."

Koyuki claps her hands to gain everyone's attention, possible saving Naruto from suffocation via lip lock with Ino and Hinata. "So there's been talk about forming a group name, something about Riptide?"

Jugo raises a hand, "Something we were thinking about while travelling through Rice."

Karin thought about that one, "What, something that could be like our Uzu elite squad?" Seeing Jugo and Kotohime nod, Karin liked the idea, "Riptide huh? Has a nice ring to it."

Tayuya agreed, "But that only applies to ninja, we need another name too." Seeing the girls raise eyebrows, Tayuya suddenly becomes bashful, "Well for um, just us girls in general. Plus, Koyuki isn't a ninja but she shouldn't be excluded."

Hinata and Ino thought about that together, each still holding onto Naruto by his shoulders. He wouldn't be moving for some time anyway, mind in lala land as it was. "Something powerful then or related to something powerful." Ino figured all of the women together could do a lot of damage. They'd all be a force to fear one day.

Hinata nodded, "But it has to be related to just Naruto, not Uzu."

Koyuki snaps her fingers, "How about the Fox Den? You know, because of the Fox?"

Hinata thought about that one, "We could take something usually thought of a negative and turn it into something positive for ourselves."

Ino nods, "We could get matching tattoos as well!"

Inside Naruto's mind, Kurama is grinning, 'My visage on your female's bodies! Yes! I approve!'

Still out of it, Naruto sighs, 'Of course you're all for it.'

'Get something named after you then talk to me.'

'I have a bridge?'

'Nothing compared to my face on your woman's backside! Muahahah.' Naruto had to tune him out and focus, someone's hand was gripping his thigh.

Tayuya was happy to see everyone getting on board with another name, "Yeah yeah!"

Kotohime was slightly confused, "Fox?" Karin nods at her confused face and pulls her aside.

"Let me bring you up to speed if you really plan on staying."

Next to him Jugo as well questions Naruto, "How are you related to a fox? Is it your facial scars?"

Naruto shakes his head, answering though his focus is certainly on the two women taking up space in his lap, "Long story short, I have a mythical beast sealed in my gut by my father that if released would ravage the lands to dust."

"Oh." Jugo thought about that one, "Well, you are my Lord. I trust you."

"That easy?"

"Yes my Lord."

"You're probably my second best male friend now Jugo." Sasuke was still the first, he'd have to write another letter to the boy and his girlfriend soon. Relaxing and finally settling his gaze back towards the stars as the night wore on, Naruto smiled. This was what having a family meant. This was something he would fight tooth and nail for.

-b-

The next morning found Naruto again back out and training, today's project being infusing wind nature chakra into the rasengan. Nearly a thousand clones set to that task, he set about unsealing his sword and working through forms and physical training. Or at least that was what his plan was. That was slightly derailed as a training ready Ino, Hinata, and Tayuya all joined him on the field.

"Looking to train with me?"

All three girls nod, "We know how you train though, so we'll be taking shifts." Tayuya is up first, grinning and pulling metal backed black gloves from somewhere and putting them on. "Ready to get rocked?"

Naruto just grins and holds his sword high, "I think I'll be doing the rocking here Tayuya."

"That's the spirit!" Launching herself at him, they begin a light spar. Well, light to Naruto, but Tayuya didn't know that.

Hinata and Ino sit off to the side as they wait for the red head to tire out. Ino speaks up loud enough for Naruto to hear her, "I'm thinking soon we might have to find a way to visit Konoha."

"Oh yeah?" Grunted as he blocks a kick from Tayuya with his sword, he backs away and swings hard to blast her away with wind, "I've actually been thinking of that myself too."

"Well, I was thinking about it because through letters back and forth, Koyuki found out the Fire Daimyo is going to be there soon and for a while. We might have a chance to sneak in with the chaos."

Naruto nods and dodges away from a suddenly appearing demon spirit, Tayuya beginning to use her flute, "I'm thinking maybe two months we can go. Hopefully by then I can see the Leaf council without wanting to burn them to ashes." This time away had been good for him. Giving him time to focus and just relax. Be with people he loved. He knew it wasn't enough time away, but things had to get done and he was looking forward to confronting Danzo.

Tayuya flips away from a blade made out of wind, forced for once to have to stop playing. Summons pausing, Tayuya huffs, "You could just destroy the place and be done with it. Nothing but bad shit comes from there." Playing again, she started a new song, sending her doki into a mad frenzy that Naruto had no problem holding off.

Hinata speaks up now, "There are still good people in the village. I'm sure, if we could convince them to leave however…" She left the rest unspoken. She herself wouldn't wish ill on anyone. She also wouldn't mind if the Konoha council received an exploding tag enema. Hmm, maybe she was spending to much time with Ino and Tayuya.

Ino however was beginning to stretch and prepare, at this rate she might have to join in on the fight if they wanted a chance to tire Naruto out, "It would take something crazy happening to get some of our friends to forsake the Leaf." Like someone would have to die type of crazy.

Hinata leaned back and watched the clouds float by, "It would be good to visit though. I could update my team, let them know I'm taking the Uzumaki name effective immediately-"

"Hey, I thought we were going to do that at the same time?" Ino wasn't really upset, just playing it up for fun. Mostly.

"I had time and Naruto was the one who convinced me really."

Ino however was turning to said blonde, "Hey there explosion boy! I'm taking your name as well, believe it!"

"That's my thing!"

"You haven't said it in forever! And you better talk to my parents and make nice! I plan on staying Ino Uzumaki for a long time!"

"Your dad is going to kill me!"

Tayuya snorted as she dodged sword slashes while her doki tried and failed to protect her, "You can punt around literal sannin but you're scared of her dad?"

"Every guy is scared of his girl's father."

Hinata hummed at that, "Are you scared of Hiashi then?"

"Oh no, fuck that guy!" Naruto grinned as he again blasted Tayuya away with a great breakthrough. Ino however jumped in, a wall of earth launching him away. Hinata giggled at his answer but shook her head. Leave it to him to be scared of Inoichi but not HIashi.

The day went on, the girls doing their best to tag team and wear Naruto out, while Naruto himself directed his clones and focused on running circles around the girls. This however led to the eventual conclusion of Naruto left with three worn out girls and a field full of clones that he slowly began to dispel. Sorting through memories, he grinned as he was well on his way to having the improved rasengan ready for use.

"Tired? Maybe we should head back for the day." It was a little early still, but a few hours from now the girls would normally be bugging him about food and a bath.

Ino and Tayuya were the first up, grabbing his arms and indeed, dragging him away. Hinata trailing along behind them, low on chakra and weaving as if she was drunk. "I want a back rub." The shortest girl moaned out.

Ino agreed with Hinata, "We're getting back rubs in the bath."

Naruto sighed, "What about everyone else?"

"It's early, we'll have the bath to ourselves." Ino looked over at Naruto and winked, "Unless you're complaining about having us to yourself for a bit?"

Shaking his head Naruto denied that right away, "Your wish is my command."

"Good boy." Naruto himself smiled. While he might be the leader of their group, it certainly was starting to feel like the girls were more in charge than him. He wouldn't complain but it was something to note. Giving himself up to another night in the bath with beautiful women, this time giving out back rubs and who knew what else, Naruto decided that maybe this was karma paying him back for the shitty stuff he had to put up with before.

-Lime Content Ahead-

True to what Ino had said, the four of them had the hot spring to themselves. Standing before the waters with his hands on his hips, he turned as Hinata gently touched his arm while Ino and Tayuya eased themselves into the waters. "Yo."

Hinata giggles and leads him towards a towel laid out on the water's edge, "I'm first."

Tayuya called out from the water, "We decided the order while you were changing."

Naruto just watched Hinata lay herself out on her front, only a smaller towel around her hips, "I'm not complaining."

Ino relaxed back, "Better not. I'm looking forward to a back rub."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "I could just make clones."

Hinata shook her head, "It's different when it's actually you, so just go along with us." Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at him, "Please?"

Naruto grinned and saluted, "Yes ma'am." Coming forward and sitting down on Hinata's hips, he tentatively began to rub his hands into her back. Earning a pleased moan from the girl, he started to work in earnest.

Tayuya had floated over, smirking the whole while, "Feeling good there Hinata?"

A groan escaping her lips, Hinata nodded, "Oh yes…"

Ino came to join Tayuya, "You're gonna fall asleep at this rate."

Naruto begins working his fingers into some of the tighter knots of muscles along her back, "I'll take it as a compliment if you do."

Another moan and Hinata wiggled her hips a bit, "You should…You're very go-good with your hands." Breath hitching as he found a particularly sensitive spot, the girl relaxed fully into the towel under her and enjoyed his hands on her.

Tayuya raised herself up a bit, exposing her chest to Naruto's view, "Maybe if you're good I'll let ya do the front too."

Ino of course, not to be outdone, mirrored Tayuya with a wink towards Naruto, "That's not a bad offer."

Naruto blushed heavily while continuing to work, "Might be a bad idea…the others."

"Don't be a spoil sport whiskers, live a little." Tayuya was still smirking, with her elbows on the floor.

Ino however was looking up at the sky, "We could always do this again another day too."

"True." Tayuya watched the blissful face of Hinata for a moment longer before sighing, "I never thought I'd be able to have such a peaceful time, ever."

Naruto had broken out the healing cream from a subtle seal and was working it into Hinata's lower back, "As long as I'm able, I want you to have all the peaceful times you can take."

"I might get spoiled this way."

Ino nudged the girl, "As if you aren't a big enough brat as is."

"Don't start blondie, we still haven't settled our match."

"Wanna have another go?"

Naruto ran his thumbs along Hinata's spine as the girl arced her hips into him slightly, "You start wrestling again and I really won't be able to give ya your back rubs."

"Oh poo. Later then."

Ino agrees, "Later." Sitting quietly for a moment, they both watch as Hinata finally relaxes completely. Surprisingly she does in fact doze off and Naruto stands and motions to the pair in the water.

"Who's next?" He's already moving to get another towel to lay out next to Hinata.

Ino raises a hand, "That's me."

Tayuya grumbles, "You both cheat at ja ken po."

Ino is out of the spring, water dripping off of her form and drawing Naruto's attention, "You just suck."

Tayuya leered at Naruto, "That I do…"

Naruto rolled his eyes as Ino laid herself down and he started work on her own back, starting at her shoulders and working his way down. He was doing his best to ignore her squished breasts being pushed out to her sides like he had with Hinata, but Ino was much more of a tease, hips wiggling and moving with every opportunity.

Tayuya was pouting but waiting as they had all agreed. "You know, Naruto, with all of us, you could have a really large family in the end. That what you want?"

Naruto thought about that as he worked the healing cream into Ino's back, now working lower on her spine in circular motions, "Well. I didn't have any family growing up, so my main worry would be if I could take care of a family properly in the first place."

Ino moaned out before looking at him over a shoulder, "You have us though, we'll be there to guide and support you just as you do us." Not that she was looking for kids anytime soon. But later, maybe around 19, she'd be all for it. At least 2 she considered.

Tayuya gave a nod of her own, "I mean. I didn't have much of one either, so, maybe we could learn together?" Tayuya was kind of scared of the thought of giving birth or having children. She'd spent most of her life as a tool to be used, and as a kunoichi that included sex and child bearing if it meant achieving a mission objective. That she now had a choice and with someone she was in love with? It was changing her perspective a bit.

Naruto was doing his best to focus hard on just his hands and his work, willing his little brother not to react more than it already had. Another moan and wiggle from Ino had him nearly ripping his hair out, "You're back is really tight Ino."

"It's all the physical exercises. Since I was behind everyone else in that I've been working out extra hard." Ino was mentally grinning at the length of heat growing at her butt. If only they were a little older…

Naruto could tell, her muscle definition was amazing. "You look amazing."

"Mmmmm, thanks Naruto." Relaxing completely, Ino raised a hand to wave him off, "Might as well get to Tayuya before the others show up and demand their own back rubs."

Nodding, Naruto finally stood and turned away from Tayuya, trying to hide his little problem from the last girl on his back rub list. Tayuya noticed of course, and blushed a bit as she made her way out of the water and towards Ino's other side.

Naruto returned, placing down one last towel and letting Tayuya lay down next to Ino. All three girls lined up like this was giving Naruto ideas and he shook his head to clear it. Back to Tayuya's hips, working a new helping of cream onto his hands, he set about kneading and working the older girl's back into metaphorical goo.

Of course for Tayuya, ending up bashful when she finally had Naruto here was not how she wanted this to go. So looking over her shoulder much as the others had, she brought out her bravado a bit, "Make sure to get the sides as well, I was stretching and think I pulled something high up."

Naruto was half on autopilot, hands automatically following her orders and rubbing into her ribs before his fingers sunk into some of her softness. "Uh."

Tayuya moaned in approval, "That's the spot…" Blushing up a storm and facing down into the towel, she could no longer bring herself to look at him. Damn hormones and emotions.

Naruto however just did as asked, working all along her upper and lower back while intermittently working on her sides. She didn't seem to mind his minor brushes, and he certainly wasn't going to complain.

Ino however just smirked, "I should have thought of that."

Tayuya nodded, "Snooze you loooooose." Groaning as he did focus on and knead out a particularly stiff section of her back, she could admit this was pretty close to heaven. It took her a minute to focus and realize he was poking her in return, but she took that as a compliment. She was making him react to her. Perfect.

Naruto looked up as the sun began to set a bit, "In the future we're going to have to compromise with some clones."

Tayuya gasped out and nodded, "As long as we get the real you often enough."

Soon Naruto, Ino and Tayuya were relaxing in the hot waters, both girls snuggled into his sides and pressing themselves into him. Hinata was asleep behind them, out like a light on her towel. Naruto would absolutely never complain about back rub duty. Ever.

-End Lime Content-

-b-

A few days later found Naruto and most of his group deemed now Riptide flashing away to Wave. Koyuki had of course stayed behind to run her country while a recovering Kin stayed behind to recover and rest. Naruto had offered for Kotohime to stay but she admitted that her place was at his side, plus, she had untold amounts of days to spend time with her sister now.

So here they were, Naruto leading the way into a large warehouse where he was hoping he could find Tsunami and get an update from Tazuna or maybe just head over to the island themselves. Spotting the woman talking to a group of other woman near a stack of crates as around them hundreds of people moved goods or helped more ragged refugees within the space. Naruto raised a hand as the woman looked their way, smiling and waving at her.

Tsunami's eyebrows raised as she made her way over, "This is a surprise. With all the work you have been doing I didn't expect to see you back for some time still."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, "Well, you know me. Can't sit still to save my life. Decided we could check in and maybe offer to help out for a while."

Tsunami thinks about that for a moment before nodded and motioning for the group to follow her, "Let's see something real fast." Everyone trailed along as towards the back of the warehouse the wooden floor opened up into the tunnel they had all worked on and helped prepare months ago. The space was much more detailed now and the running lights were brighter, more permanent looking. Ahead of them a group of 50 or so people were loading a train car and boarding another car ahead of it, though there were multiple tracks that had rail cars both large and small waiting. Tsunami pointed off to the left where a single rail car waited with a bored looking conductor, "You should head over yourselves and see how things are going. I'm sure father would be delighted to see you."

Naruto looked around in wonder before turning to Tsunami and smiling, "Will do. What should we expect?"

Tsunami shook her head, "I don't want to ruin the surprise." And then she was gone, walking back up the ramp and disappearing back into the warehouse to help out where she could.

Naruto shrugged as they walked up to the large single rail car. The conductor saw them approach and some form of recognition lit up his face because he ushered them all on board, "Good morning sir! I'm sorry for the spartan transport, but until we get the full sized trains it's just a no go for now."

Naruto chuckles while the girls all board and wait, "I'm sure this is fine. How long is the trip?"

"About 20 minutes."

Ino leans on the wall of the low walled box they were all standing in, "That's about the same as full speed ninja travel. This little thing can get that fast?"

"Yes ma'am."

Naruto finally jumps on and grins, "Well let's get going then." Getting a nod from the conductor, without any fanfare they're off, rail car rolling down the well lit tunnel.

Hinata is looking around with interest, "The lighting is much better than when we started, and I'm happy the wind seals are holding up."

The conductor nods, "We've had a lot of extra hands willing to help out, so everything we could think of doing has been getting done."

Tayuya and Karin were looking around in wonder as well, though the bumpy ride of the rail car took some getting used to. Soon the group settled in for the short ride, Naruto answering questions from Jugo and Kotohime and telling them about how he helped with construction with his clones and explosions.

Soon their journey begins to arc upward and everyone rouses themselves for what they're about to see. However they're all met with darkness as they end their journey in another warehouse. Wondering at the warehouse much the same as the one they had entered before, they all leave the rail car and wander past multiple other cars and full trains within the space. Here however one side of the warehouse is open and they head towards that, Naruto in the lead. Walking out into the morning light, they are all surprised by what they find waiting for them.

Before them first are freshly tilled and planted fields, most already starting to grow some type of produce or grain, while others were just getting started. The group found the main road, stone for now by the look of it, and started to walk alone as they took in the town or rather city ahead of them. Already they can see buildings two to three stories high while something much larger is being built a bit further away. Around them as they walk villagers young and old are rushing about back and forth. Most recognize Naruto and either one or more of the girls walking with him, they bow or salute as they pass before continuing with their work.

A group of children run by as the group begins to pass out of the area with farmhouses and farms, now as they come into a more urban around. All of the children rush by Naruto, all laughing.

"Good morning Lord Uzumaki!"

"It's good to see you Mr. Uzumaki!"

"Good morning!" And then they were gone, racing away to who knew where.

Naruto didn't know how to feel about it, not used to the praise of random strangers. Ino however nudged him as they kept walking, "You saved them, you should expect at least some thanks don't you think?"

"I didn't do it for that though."

"That's what makes you special." Ino latches onto his arm and drags him forward as Tayuya and Karin are all smiles, they themselves getting greetings from several villagers as well.

Kotohime is looking around as they begin passing through a section of the town that was building much higher than the others. Most of these buildings weren't finished but the few that were had people using them to full affect. "We've passed agriculture, suburbs, and now we're in what looks like a commercial district. Someone has planned this out."

Hinata nods, "We all had some input when we initially contracted Tazuna to help with reconstruction. This however, this is a much grander scale than we initially thought." None of the original group had though they would have gathered enough people to warrant all of this. Hopeful sure, but for sure not this fast. As they walk they come to a large open main circle space where an even larger tower is in the midst of being constructed. And there, at it's base in front of them they can see Tazuna ordering around a crew of men while hundreds more busy themselves over the structure like ants.

Naruto raises his voice with a bright smile on his face, "Tazuna! You've really been at it!"

Tazuna turns to the voice, surprised but excited to see Naruto and his group here. A few new additions as well it seemed. Next to him he nudged the boy tagging along and learning all that he could, Inari smiled as well as he saw the older boy. "Naruto my boy! Welcome back!" He turned and motioned for everyone to get back to their stations while he left to address the boy and his group. "What do you think so far?"

Naruto looks around with wide eyes at the large space, people rushing back and forth doing who knew what. The center area was ringed with smaller buildings that all looked like shops or restaurants, but the main street they had come from was only one of many that they hadn't noticed walking in. "This is amazing, I didn't think you would have gotten this far at all."

Tazuna nods, "We told you drumming up people willing to work wouldn't be a problem, especially when they're building a new home for themselves." He saw Naruto's attention to the other roads and motions with a hand, "It's being built in the likeness of a spiral. Here, c'mon I'll show you." Tazuna leads them all to a wall of several blue prints and drawings. At the center of several boards however is what the group assumes is an aerial view of the city. It was a great spiral with the eye of it being the space that they were in with the large tower at the very center. "The admin combo Kage mansion will be here at the there radiating out we have commercial and warehouse, suburbs, and then farms. The commercial district will have a smattering of high density living spaces like apartments and condos while there will also be allowed smaller home based business in the residential area. Underground we are going to start building concentric rings that connect and can funnel everyone to emergency shelters. We're going to learn from Uzushio of the past and make sure the citizens are protected 1000%."

Naruto nods as he considers the design, most of it was exactly how they had brainstormed it, though a few modifications had been made that Tazuna probably needed to make. He was the expert builder after all. Ino however was still looking around in wonder, "It's all so fast though, have that many people really come here?"

Tazuna waved a hand out over the space they could see, "It's been a struggle actually. Just between the raids you've made we had close to three thousand people show up. Then with some careful word of mouth and well…we're actually closer to a population of almost 7 thousand."

Naruto's eye began to twitch, "Seven-"

Tazuna pats the boy on the shoulder, "Yup, 7 thousand eager and hungry people. Thankfully we've been able to be creative about the food situation, being an island nation. But it's going to be a problem soon, something we'll need to address. It'll be easier once we finish the tunnel to Spring, which is another thing we need to talk about. We need the head engineer's here for a visit so we can get direction information and start a tunnel from our end. It's part of why the tunnel exit on this side is covered, we plan to do two things with it. One, extend it to eventually meet up with the spring ground, and two, we're going to connect it to a tram system for the city itself. Mass transit is going to be a must."

Naruto looks around to the others who have nothing to say at the moment, much to overwhelmed with everything. Naruto takes a real deep steadying breath before turning back to Tazuna, "I can bring the engineers anytime. Plus we all have some spare time, so we're gonna help out around here. Like before, if we can speed up tunnel progress, we're going to do it."

Tazuna nods and starts to walk away from the work area, motioning for everyone to follow him, "One last thing to show you for now." Walking around the construction sight that was half walled off, eventually a large obsidian spire came into view. Ten meters tall, at it's base was a large Uzumaki crest. "You asked me to make a monument for the dead. And while we recycled much of what we found of old Uzu into the new construction, this was made purely out of material we found here." Tazuna motioned them all forward and waited at a respectable distance.

Naruto, Tayuya and Karin all stepped forward first, flanked by their friends. At the Monument's base in gold lettering was an inscription.

'Laid to rest are the bones of the betrayed, but their dreams of peace live on. We are a people of resilience, of strength, of love. For the peaceful future we all wish for, never forget the fallen.'

Tayuya and Karin both lean into Naruto for a moment, Tayuya being the one closest to tears out of the three. Naruto is firming his resolve to indeed protect their new home and their people.

Hinata wipes a tear from her eye, "It's a beautiful gesture."

Kotohime agrees, "Your man Tazuna is an amazing craftsman."

Naruto nods, turning and pointing at said man, "You've got us for maybe two months, we're gonna get everything we can done in that time. You better be ready to work us to the bone old man!"

Tazuna bows with a grin, "Wouldn't work you any other way. Go get those engineers boy, I'll set up your group with workers and crews where they can help out. Leave us some clones while you're gone, we can put them to work right away."

Nodding Naruto is fired up. Seeing the rising city was more motivating than anything else before. Making his cross seal, he might have overdone the job this time. "TAJU KAGE BUSHIN NO JUTSU!" As the main square, circle he guessed, was filled with clones to the astonishment of the citizens, the main Naruto flashed away while Tazuna began yelling instructions. They had a city to build, and apparently to Tazuna, a happy Kage to satisfy.

-AN-

Okay ya'll, so I need some opinions. This is teen rated so I was thinking of including some lime content. However, I wasn't sure about lemons. I could do it like I've done with my other story, have the lemons in a separate outtake story with the proper rating, or just not worry about them at all. I don't like the idea of changing/upgrading my story rating for sexual content just for a few people when most enjoy the story as is. Maybe I'll make a poll for it on my author page, so you all can vote on it.

Anyway, we're going to have a little skip for a chapter or two, we'll be focusing again on other teams or villages in the meantime while the Uzu group get's their stuff together. ALSO to everyone who caught me having a Moon Moon moment and naming Naruto essentially the Shadow (Kage) Shadow. Look, I was tired, possibly a little drunk, and wasn't thinking. However, because some mentioned I essentially named him Moon Moon I find it to hilarious to change it. I might go back and correct it, OOOR I might work it into the story, maybe take the angle the other kage don't take him serious because of it or something. Welp, glad you're all here for the long haul hopefully. Till next issue!