Legion of Naruto

by DarkWolfy

He knew his clones were solid but someone finally clues him in that he can learn with them. Armed and ready, a simple idea would lead to a child's understanding of what a badass really could be. Cause if you can spam suicide clones, why not make it fun?

40. Chapter 40

-AN-

After a short break I have returned, refreshed and ready for a new week. Maybe. Hopefully. I haven't won a lottery yet, so I still have to work. Boo. Thinking about it, as I submit this chapter 40, I looked back at my original outline when I started this story. I had only outlined it originally to like, 15 chapters. Now that I'm double that and looking to go even further. Huh. I gotta thank you lot, everyone one of you who reads or reviews my work. It's been a blast. Thank you.

-Story Start-

It is a warm but slightly overcast day that finds Naruto, Ino, and Kotohime visiting with Tsunami and her family in Wave. It was still relatively early, just before lunch time, but everyone had set about their own plans for the day. Tayuya and Hinata both had taken a few requests within Uzushio itself, somehow both helping out with some of the local civilian schools. Karin was still sequestered in her lab in the Uzumaki tower basement, swearing that she'll finish her work soon. Jugo, Sasame, and Kin are out on a mission, something minor that'll see them back quickly, much to Naruto's relief.

Seated around the living room while Tsunami has finished serving tea, Tazuna jokes with Naruto and the girls. "Sooo, we gonna get some little Uzumaki's around here soon or what?"

Naruto rolls his eyes, "Focus on your own grandkid would ya?"

Tazuna ruffles Inari's hair, much to the younger boy's protests, "Oh I do. But the more and merrier!" Laughing and ignoring the flat look Naruto gives him, Kotohime just smiles and sighs.

"You never know, little feet might be coming along sooner or later."

Tazuna pumps a fist in the air, "That's what we like to hear!"

Deciding that if he could roll his eyes any harder he might break something, Naruto leans back with a heavy breath, "Yeah yeah, you called me here about the fortress remember? Wanna talk about that instead of our love lives?"

Tazuna leans forward, hands on his knees as he focused on his life's passion. "Yes yes. You said one of the other islands used to have a fortress but you want to rebuild it essentially from scrap?"

Naruto nods, "Yeah, it's the eastern most island of our island group, it's the second island to the north east of Uzushio now. I've already started a tunnel to bridge the space and from there I figured I'd let you at it." Naruto gains a thoughtful look, "I'm thinking high walls, weapons emplacements, annnd something new."

Tazuna is really interested now, "Something new?"

"Yeah. See Spring had been working on airships, but they didn't really have a need for them." Naruto gains a sinister look, "I'd like to add airship landing platforms, both for the fortress and for the civilian sector. Koyuki figures the airships would attract wealthy sightseers who want to travel in style, so on the civilian side it's a good money maker, while on the ninja side it's an easy way to move and deploy ninja safely and in numbers. There aren't any other nations that I know of right now who can fly after all."

Tazuna's mind is already whirling, "I'll need to meet with the Spring engineers about landing platform specifications but otherwise I can get to designing as soon as you finish the tunnel." Tazuna stares the boy down, "Have you given any thought to expanding to the other islands yet?"

"Not yet. The main island can still support a much higher population. The Island to the northwest is kinda small and close to the Land of Hot Water, and I think there are some natural hot springs there, so we could develop it in the future. But I'd like to get our military up to snuff first." Naruto was trying to balance practical applications with attractions. Countries ran on both man power and money after all.

"Okay." Tazuna relaxes again back into his seat, retrieving his tea and taking a sip. "I'll start assembling crews and supplies at the tunnel branch off point then. I assume you've already started at the Uzushio terminal?" Seeing Naruto nod Tazuna continues, "Great, then I'll visit a few times over the next couple days to brainstorm and build a design. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect."

Tsunami sees the break in the conversation and raises a hand with a smile, "I hope you've remembered, but that ninja is still here. She seems to be content to enjoy herself."

Naruto sighs, "We should go and find her though since she requested a meeting. Guess we can do that after we leave ya'll."

Ino however is edging closer to Tsunami, "You know. I hear there's this really cute boutique in the city now."

Tsunami raises her eyebrows, "Oh is there? Everything changes so quickly I almost can't keep up."

Kotohime nods, "We should make a trip soon, get you away from working all the time, make Naruto pick up the slack for a day."

Said boy rolled his eyes and turned to Tazuna, "Should I just get used to being volunteered to do things by women?"

Tazuna crossed his arms and nods sagely, "Often and with a smile. You'll live a happier life that way."

Inari raises a hand, "You can always come work with us when you wanna escape."

Naruto faked crying, theatrically wiping away a tear, "You're a saint Inari, the best little brother ever." Chuckling and joking with the pair, the two groups chat and catch up for a short while. Ino and Kotohime doing their best to convince Tsunami to join them for a girls day, while Naruto hashes out a design ideas for the Ninja fortress.

Soon however Naruto and his girls are standing and making preparations to leave, thanking the family for hosting them. "Once the tunnel is finished I'll make sure to let you know."

Tazuna nods, "You better, this'll be the last major hurdle before we can really start making a name for ourselves."

Naruto grins and give's the older man a thumbs up, "Count on it. A week tops and you'll have all the time you need to work on it."

Kotohime bows to the group and turns to Tsunami, "We'll come and visit as well, you need to relax."

Tsunami waves the girls off, "Go on now, I'll be just fine." She was enjoying the responsibilities. It kept her busy and plenty active.

Naruto's group sets off, walking down the road and towards the town. Naruto however is already frowning not even a few minutes from Tazuna's home and the girls can see that. Kotohime nudges him.

"You're thinking, loudly."

"One of my clones checked the chakra sensors. There's a large signature wandering alone along the beach. Think that's our visitor?"

Kotohime nodded, "Has to be, shall we go?"

Naruto linked his hands behind his head as they subtly switched directions but kept a slow pace, "That's why we're here, let's get to it."

Kotohime leans around to poke Ino as Naruto pulls ahead a bit. Leaning in, she whispers a bit, "Sooo, I've been meaning to ask, are you and Hinata okay?"

Ino's eyebrows raise at the question. Nothing had changed lately and no one was fighting as far as she knew. "Yeah. Things are okay. We trade barbs for fun sure, but we're not fighting or anything like that."

Kotohime shook her head, "No I meant. With Naruto. I've noticed, you both haven't really been asking for time alone with him lately."

"Ah." Ino thought about that one. "I guess, at least for me, we've been so busy and between the work, training, and missions…"

Understanding what the problem might be, Kotohime realized that the former Leaf ninja seemed to have a life balance issue. "Do we need to lock you three in a bedroom for a few days?"

Chuckling the pony-tailed blonde shook her head, "No." Ino however did become a bit self conscious, pulling at her hair a bit, "Has…has Naruto said something?"

Kotohime waved her hands quickly, "No never. It was me, I was just curious and wanted to make sure you were okay. I don't want any of us to feel left out."

Sighing with some relief, Ino let her hair go, "Well I'm good. Now that I think about it, I'll make sure to get some alone time with Naruto soon. It would be nice to go on a date that didn't revolve around work."

Kotohime smiled brightly, "Good."

Ahead of them and oblivious to the conversation, Naruto smiled as the path they were on opened up to a wide and clear beach. There was a scattering of people, mostly locals since this was some distance from town and the port, but he could just make out a blue haired woman a few hundred meters at the shore. "Looks like we found our visitor." While not a sensor type like Karin, he had been practicing with her a bit. He could pick out some signatures but they had to be larger than normal. Ino and Kotohime rejoined him at his sides as they walked down onto the beach itself, still taking their time. Ino leaned into Naruto with a smile who wrapped an arm around her with a squeeze, "I've been meaning to ask, how goes the poison conditioning?"

Ino sighs, "Slow going, but there's progress. Shizune gave me some really good notes and ideas"

"That's good, between your earth chakra training, the mind walking techniques, and your abilities with senbon and poison, you're a force to be reckoned with." Naruto praised her as he would any of the women in his life. They were all powerful kunoichi.

Kotohime had her hands linked behind her back, "What about yourself Naruto? Any new or crazy ideas that you've been experimenting with? The training area beyond the forest has gotten quiet lately."

Naruto grins, "Sort of. Been playing around more with the space/time functions of the hiraishin." Feeling both girls shudder next to him had him looking between them both, "What?"

"The thought of you playing with time is scary." Ino admitted with no hesitation.

It took some thought of his own to come to the conclusion that it was a scary thought to anyone who didn't know seals like he did by now. So Naruto just nodded, "I get it. The hiraishin is a space/time jutsu in the end and we use it so often we forget that it's sort of reality bending. I'm just, breaking a little bit of it is all."

Shaking her head Kotohime begins to fall back along with Ino as they're coming within range of the ninja, "I'm with Ino, the thought of you breaking reality more than you have already is a little scary."

"I'll keep it to a minimum, honest."

Ino nods before remembering a promise, "We haven't visited Koyuki in a while, she's probably pissed."

Naruto remembered a quiet night in the bath with said Daimyo, "Once this week is up we'll go see her, or set something up so she can come to us." He should have figured Koyuki wouldn't have had time to visit with any of the others. He'd have to smack her next time.

Kotohime thought of their trip to Konoha, "What do you think of the odds of the Hyuuga joining us?"

"Pretty good honestly. You don't know how the main house treats the branch family. It's shitty." Coming with a now healthy distance of the blue haired older woman, Naruto focuses. The woman was dressed conservatively in a long sundress over dark blue pants and a long sleeved blue shirt. A paper rose adorned her hair on the left which was done up in a bun. Naruto kept his distance, but joined her on her right at the water's edge, "The beach is always a good place to clear one's head, isn't it?"

Konan gives the group of younger teens the side eye and almost dismisses them out of hand. Seeing his left side and more specifically the purple eye that was turned to her with a single ripple around a pupil gave her pause. Who was this boy? Turning to them a bit more, Konan bowed politely, "It certainly is peaceful, calming. Are you locals?"

Naruto shrugged, "Something like that." He turned to her as well, a grin on his face, "I enjoy the peace."

Konan nodded as she understood now, "Just a hunch, but are you the elusive leader that I've heard about?"

Naruto bows, one arm out for theatrics, "You catch on quick. I sure hope you aren't here to cause trouble, I'm trying to build a peaceful nation here after all."

Konan smiles in return while shaking her head, "Myself and my friends dreamed of such a goal once. Long ago." The smile becomes something smaller, more bitter, "Betrayal runs deep in ninja however."

Naruto turns again, looking out across the sea and watching the waves, "Peace really can only be maintained by constant effort."

"Constant effort hmm?" Konan motioned that she wished to continue walking and Naruto nodded, joining her as Kotohime and Ino followed along behind them. "I'm more of the thought that peace can only be maintained through fear." Sure that was Nagato's belief, but she believed in him. Plus it might get a good response from this younger man.

Naruto however had other thoughts on the matter, "That sort of peace is temporary. When the threat is gone the peace will fade. No one lives forever and so neither can any threat of fear be forever."

Konan was quiet for a moment, thinking it over. She turned to look at the teenager, "What would you do, if you had the option to choose."

"I said it didn't I? It's constant effort. It's communicating. It's following through with promises. It's resolving conflicts and grudges non-violently if possible." Naruto did know that in the end force was sometimes necessary. Not everyone had peace or harmony in their heart.

Konan didn't know his inner thoughts however, "But what will you do, when violence is the only answer?"

Naruto shrugs with a real look of apathy for anyone or anything who could only respond to violence. "You'll have to remove the threat. Completely, to the last." His eyes hardened a bit as he fell into his thoughts for a moment, "Peace is constant effort. Not all of that effort is non-violent. Non-violence is the first option but not the only option."

"Hmmm." Konan nods as she smiles and stares ahead, "I admit, you remind me a lot of my good friend, my own leader. Maybe one day you two could meet, discuss your beliefs."

"Maybe. I'm never opposed to meeting someone."

"I'll keep that thought in mind." Konan turned to look at Naruto again, "What're your plans for the future then, mister peace builder?"

"I want to band as many of the smaller villages together under one banner. I want to build something that can last even without ninja villages, to give other options to resolve conflicts besides war." Here a dark chuckle bubbles up from his throat, "I'll always have a big stick ready for those who don't answer to anything else though. I want peace, yes, but I won't be pushed over by tyrants or conquerors."

Konan links her hands in front of her as they walk, "Our group wants much of the same. We desire peace, but…well we've been fighting for so long we've only been able to see obtaining that through pain. Shared pain and anguish of the masses." The woman sighs as she looked up to the sky, possibly looking for some guidance from the Kami themselves. "I hope your dream comes true. And maybe, if yours proves correct, we can join forces in the future. Show the major villages that there are other methods to peace besides endless cycles of war and death."

"That'd be nice. We're always looking for new friends after all." Naruto pauses, holding out a hand to her, "I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki. These are Ino and Kotohime Uzumaki."

Konan stuck her hand out and shook his firmly, "My name is Konan. I will, pass along your thoughts to my leader. Of course, I can't make any promises."

Naruto took his hand back from the warm hand of Konan and shrugged, "As long as my message for peace spreads I'm not to worried. I hope you enjoy your visit here to Wave."

Konan bows to him again as Ino and Kotohime come to his sides, "I'm sure I will, you've built a beautiful country here."

Naruto grins, "Hopefully next time I see you it can be as allies and friends. And then you can see the rest of it." With that he and the girls flash away, leaving Konan alone on the beach. Smiling softly, she turns to make her way back to town. She'd have to talk to Nagato about this, perhaps try to convince him that there was a better way. Uzu was real it seemed and they were hoping for peace, a real peace. But she found that they weren't completely idealist, willing to make the hard decisions. They had hope however that they wouldn't need to. Maybe…just maybe this would bring Nagato back from the edge she had felt like he was teetering on.

-b-

The week is up and Naruto has sent off clones to the Uzumaki temple while in Uzushio he, Hinata and Karin are towards the end of a residential district at the end of one of the city's spiral arms. This district wasn't as developed, the farmland here sparse because of heavy rocks were making tilling difficult. It was however, good land for future residential development which the group of three was putting to use now. The particular section they found themselves in was at the edge of a housing district that was mostly empty while Naruto was walking and marking off a giant squared space on the ground. Several clones were helping him in laying down scrolls and drawing seals, an intricate pattern that eventually linked four wide corners before linking all together at the center with a large scroll naruto unsealed and placed upright. Around all of the work that he had done Hinata was placing her own seals a few feet out from his, taking care not to interfere with his work.

As he and Hinata were finishing up their work while Karin watched on, Tsunami and a small team from the aid station came and joined them from the main road, all patiently waiting without a word. Naruto was the first to bound over, grinning and standing in front of everyone, "Just got a clone dispel, looks like things are ready over there."

Karin nodded, "Good, I'd like to see what they decided."

Naruto's grin held, "You just might be surprised." Naruto turned to Hinata who was kneeling down at a corner, "You ready?"

Hinata nodded, "Yes!" Pumping chakra into her seals, a bright blue barrier burst into life around the site.

Naruto nodded, making the beginning seals of the summoning technique before placing his hands down on a seal drawn onto the ground. Pumping in the required chakra, there was a large eruption of smoke from within the barrier. Getting gasps from the onlookers, Naruto keeps grinning as with a gust of wind the smoke is cleared and the Uzumaki shrine stands before them. Well, mostly. The abandoned temple would need some renovations and rebuilding before it looked like its former glory. Several clones are standing around the front of the temple, catching sight of Naruto and the group before dispelling themselves. Naruto turned to Hinata, "You're good Hinata, you can drop the barrier."

"Okay!" Doing as she was asked she released the chakra and let the barrier drop. Sighing with some relief, she walked to rejoin Karin as Naruto walked up to the temple steps.

"Yo!" Naruto raised a hand as from inside the temple first came Neji, and soon dozens and then hundreds of people made themselves known. "Looks like you did as you said."

Neji nodded, coming up to Naruto and bowing deeply, "The branch family, given a better option, decided unanimously to leave the leaf behind." Neji stood tall, "We are yours, Lord Naruto."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Just Naruto would ya. Now." Naruto turned to motion to Tsunami and her group of workers, "These people are here to help you all get registered in our system and get settled. There is a plot of land here with several large homes that we've set aside for you until you decide if you want to build a new clan compound or if you're fine here."

Naruto turned back to them all with a confident smile, "I'll be making clones as well, and I'll begin removing seals once you've registered." There were mutters among the crowd, but he could tell none of them seemed negative.

"We're really going to be freed?"

"No more seal?"

"The Uzumaki really have returned!"

"We can, we can be ourselves."

Naruto turned away, waving towards Tsunami, "Like I Said, you all get settled and we'll talk more about things later." Naruto began to walk back towards Hinata and Karin, the Hyuuga family coming down the temple steps behind him to queue up before Tsunami and her group, following orders with little protest. Neji followed Naruto for a moment.

"Naruto." Said boy had reached the other girls, but turned back to address Neji properly. "I. Want to thank you again. You've done more for us that anyone else I can think of in a long time. We're in your debt."

Naruto shrugged, "I'd do it again Neji. Your family needed help and I could provide it. Honestly, if you had decided not to leave Konoha, I still would have found a way to remove your seals I think. Slavery isn't something I could ignore."

Neji nodded, bowing deeply again, "Regardless, for what you've done, I am at your service, for now until eternity."

Naruto sighs, it really was Jugo all over again, "It's really not necessary. Enjoy your freedom, take care of your family."

Neji shook his head, "That's precisely why it's necessary."

Karin was the best at stating the obvious, nudging him in the side, "It's Jugo all over again."

Naruto groans, "Look. Go. Enjoy time with your family and get settled together in your new home. I'll come visit in a few days, alright?"

Neji stands and nods, acknowledging the order and turning to return to the rest of the former branch family members. "By your order, Lord Naruto."

Naruto sighed and made hundreds of clones with a thought, setting half about the task of rebuilding the temple, while the other half went to help with the Hyuuga. Turning away, he just caught sight of the shade of Mito Uzumaki at the temple's entrance. She had a smile on her face, before his view of her was obscured and she was gone again. Ah, he remembered that he had a job to do with her as well soon. Guess he could get to that after rebuilding the temple.

Karin watched the proceeding with a neutral look, "So what's the plan now?" He really had gotten the entire branch family it looked like.

Naruto smirked, "We're gonna relax for now. We won't be doing much until I remove all of their seals as we take care of registering them as Uzushio citizens."

Karin nods, moving to join Tsunami and her team with registration paperwork, "Guess it's in my best interests to help out. That vacation sounds better every day."

Naruto turned to the girl, "How's that project with Isaribi? Didn't you finish it?"

Karin grins, "Oh absolutely. Poor Gosu sure seems to like the look of the healed Isaribi. She has her Kaima form much like Amachi did now, able to transform back and forth at will."

Naruto nods, "Well that's great to hear. Guess we're all done here."

Karin waves and jogs away, "I'm gonna go help out then."

Hinata takes a more sedate pace towards Tsunami and the others, "I believe I will help out as well." She leans back to kiss the boy softly before retreating, "You should take it easy."

Naruto shook his head, "Not yet. Think I'll stick around, show my real face, answer questions and the like." The girls would be nagging at him to take it easy no matter what he did. At least with this it was something people related.

Though hours later and the sun long set, Naruto found himself relaxed and on the roof of the Uzumaki tower watching the stars. Breathing deeply and enjoying the cool sea breeze, his attention is taken in by shuffling. Looking over towards the roof access he's met with the smiling face of Ino. "Yo."

Ino pulled herself the rest of the way up, "Yo yourself." Come out she settled herself in to sit next to her love quietly. "Are you okay?"

Naruto nodded, "Of course. Things are great. Uzushio is shaping up, things are peaceful and nothing crazy has happened in a while."

Ino nods at that, her gaze turning up to the stars with him, "I wanted to ask. Your eye, it's changing."

Ah, so she noticed, which meant the others most likely had as well. "Yeah. I noticed too. Don't know what it's about, but Kurama mentioned that I should have access to some new abilities soon. I'm gonna start trying to train with it when I have more time."

Ino chuckles at that, "How many clones do you have out there working right now? Like the tunnel to the next island?"

"A thousand. At least."

"You're supposed to be taking it easy."

Naruto agrees with her, "I know. Tunnel construction is easy though."

Ino shakes her head, looking down towards him with a gleam in her eye, "I'm going to have to paralyze you and tie you to your bed."

Laughing with a snort, Naruto shakes his head, "Okay okay, I get it. I'll really take it easy soon, honest."

Ino nods, "You better buster, you can't wear yourself out." Here she lays down with him and cuddles close, "That's our job."

"Hai hai, and you do a great job of it." One arm wraps around the girl as he continues to watch the stars.

Ino however snuggles deeper into him, "You know, I wouldn't mind a repeat of our trip to the Land of Hot Water. We could take everyone."

"That's a pretty good plan actually."

"I know it is, I came up with it."

"Oh she's so modest too."

"Stuff it whiskers." They chuckle together before settling down and letting the silence fall over them. The sounds of the city rise up to serenade them, things winding down as the night goes on. They hear a bell from a rail car transporting people, several rings telling them this was probably one of the last ones of the day. Enjoying the time alone, Ino smirks as she rolls over onto Naruto's chest, "You know. It's just you and me up here."

Naruto rolled his eyes, hands already on her hips and massaging them, "Oh really, what's that mean?"

Ino leaned in, chest pressing against his, "Could mean a lot of things." Softly she pecks his lips with hers, "Or it could mean nothing." She moans as he pulls her into an actual kiss, her own hands coming up to caress his cheeks. All of the girls had figured out that his whisker scars were in fact very sensitive and usually the best way to make him puddy. Pulling back with a smile, Ino rocks her hips a bit, "How bout it. Out here under the stars?"

"I mean, I'm not opposed to-"

From the roof access a grinning Tayuya pops her head up, "Hey hey everyone's looking for you-" Trailing off, she takes in the scene before her. Her grin becomes absolutely feral, "Oh ho, Nevermind, I'll leave you two alone then." She was happy for the other girl, even Tayuya had noticed Ino hadn't been getting as much alone time with Naruto.

Ino giggled but shakes her head, "I'm trying to get a vacation out of Naruto."

Tayuya nods, saluting the girl, "Get to it then! I'll let the others know I found ya." Then she was gone, voice echoing out for the others.

Ino turns back to focus on Naruto. "So, back to what we were talking about."

Naruto shakes his head, rolling them over so he has her pinned under her. "So, a vacation then?" He has her hands trapped in his own, though she's locked her legs around his waist.

Ino nods, a light blush on her face, "It'd be nice you know. For everyone. Hinata and I got to experience it. They should too." Her blush intensifies as Naruto leans closer to her. "What?"

Naruto kisses her hotly, tongue entwining with hers as they both grind against each other. With a sigh and a moan, Naruto pulls away to see the young woman under him panting and blushing heavily. "Then we'll hit the Land of Hot Water again. That's my promise."

Ino nods, "You better keep that promise."

"You know I will, believe it."

"You're so corny."

"You love it." From here he kisses her one more time before getting up and helping her up in turn. It's a few moments before they're down through the roof access and back inside. Joking with each other and holding hands, they come out to the living room where everyone else is present. Naruto puts his hands on his hips and he gains their attention. "So. In case anyone doesn't know, I said we'd take some time off. So I'm confirming, after the Hyuuga are all settled in, we're going on a vacation. We're headed to the Land of Hot Water."

Hinata giggles and claps her hand, "Oh you all will just love it there!"

Tayuya and Karin cheer while Kotohime smiles, "This will be an experience."

Ino latches onto his arm, "I'm calling first shot though."

Tayuya is already over the couch, "Wait a minute!

Naruto was quick to substitute himself with a pillow as Ino and Tayuya went at it. He'd let them hash out girl things, suddenly he felt like he needed to sleep, probably for a week straight.

-b-

In the morning Naruto found himself on the tower's fifth floor. His office was situated here, a long bank of windows that stretched from ceiling to floor behind his heavy wood desk gave him a view of the city beyond. Along one wall were bookshelves slowly filling with research notes and personal books he had been putting together, while on the opposite wall was a slowly growing collection of weapons both found and built. The Chinoike clan was having fun with some of their creations and it was beginning to give him ideas. He had thought about maybe making special weapons much like the swordman corps from Kiri. He'd have to think more on that later. Today his focus was on the Hyuuga clan, now that they all were registered with Uzushio, he was sure to see some of them begin requesting to be added to the ninja roster. Hearing a knock on his door, he raised his voice.

"Enter!"

The door opened and in walked Neji, just one of the people he had been thinking of. Closing the door behind him, Neji walked up to Naruto's desk, standing instead of taking one of the three chairs placed in front of it, "Good morning Lord Naruto."

"What's up Neji?"

Neji bows lightly, "First, an update. The clan has decided collectively to change our name. We no longer wish to be associated with the Hyuuga clan."

"I hadn't paid attention to the registration forms, that's Tsunami's area. What are you calling yourselves now?"

Neji is smiling now, "We had decided to call ourselves the Hotaru."

Naruto nods, making a mental note to call them the Hotaru from now on, "Right. Well if you're here I'm assuming you're looking to register as an Uzu-nin?" Neji nods, ready to defend his choice by the looks of it before Naruto cuts him off by throwing a headband at him. Neji catches it easily enough, "There ya go. You're an Uzushio ninja now. Wear it with pride and honor."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

Neji looks at the whirlpool symbol etched into the metal plate held onto the dark blue cloth headband. He ties it to his left arm slowly before turning to stand at attention in front of Naruto. "I shall not fail you, Lord Naruto."

"Just Naruto is fine, I've told you that." Naruto tents his hands in front of him as he rests his elbows on the table. "We're going to operate much like Konoha. Three man cells, four man cells if we're including a teacher or a superior on a mission. Though we like to do mandatory break periods between out of country missions."

Neji nods at the information and bows, "Most of the Hotaru are not ninja trained, but more than a few are and will be joining the ranks soon as their families settle in."

Naruto nods, "I hope they settle in easily and wish them luck. Uzushio is full of people much like them, looking for a place to call home." Naruto waves towards the door, "If you want to take a mission you can head down to the fourth floor and take one for inside the city for the day. You're alone so you won't have a lot of options until we can put together a team for you or add you to an active one."

Neji turns to leave, "I'll do my best until then. I'll do my family proud." Clear eyes held high, Neji opened the door to leave. He had to step back however as Karin was there, her own forehead protector proudly on display in its proper place. "Oh, after you Lady Uzumaki."

Karin bows to him lightly, "Thank you Hotaru-san." She had no problem making the switch their new name. Walking inside she watched him leave and close the door behind him. "They're already trying to get to work huh?"

Naruto nodded as he watched her walk up to him, "Yeah. No rest for the determined."

Karin comes up to his desk, "There's a project I'd like to show you, think you have some time before we leave on vacation?"

Naruto nods, "Absolutely. I'll come down and see it later."

Karin nods, coming around his desk and taking up a position at his right shoulder, "So how does it feel, to finally be in your office. To be in a real position of power?"

Naruto sighs as he sets about working through the light amount of paperwork he had, "It's both stressful and highly boring. I have clones out working and training sure, but I'm stuck here for today. I think I'll alternate between leaving a clone here or not from now on."

Karin giggles, shaking her head, "I think I could help the time go by faster."

"Oh really? And how's that?"

"Oh you know, a girl has her ways." Karin adjusted her glasses with a glint and a smirk on her face.

Naruto motioned towards the door, "Tsunami and Hinata are on their way, I can feel em. I know you can too." He turns his chair to her and pushes back a bit. "Whatever funny business you have in that head will have to wait."

Karin's grin widens as she dives under the desk and pulls his chair back into place, "Don't underestimate me, Uzu-Kage-Sama~" Voice trailing off, Naruto isn't given time to protest as the door to his office begins to open. Well shit. Forced to keep a straight face, Naruto greets the pair as the door opens completely and they walk inside.

Tsunami is all smiles, a clipboard held in one hand as she and Hinata walk up to his desk and each take a seat. "I wanted to inform you, the Hotaru are all registered and seem to be settling in nicely. Though, they seem to have taken it upon themselves to keep watch over the Uzumaki Shrine when enough of them are available, working on rotations."

Naruto groans, "What could have possessed them to start that up? I had clones rebuilding the place."

Tsunami adjusts the clipboard in her lap, "Well, the general sentiment among the clan is that they are beyond grateful to you. It borders almost on worship. But they seem to be integrating well with the populous and I have no doubt they'll adjust to life here with no problems."

Naruto nods, "That's good news then."

Hinata leans forward a bit, "While I agree with Tsunami, I know that the Hotaru would appreciate a visit from you personally."

Naruto twitches but agrees all the same, "I'll make sure to visit then. Think you'll have time to come along with me?"

"Of course, I can always make time."

Tsunami nods, "As well, just some minor updates. Father says most of the trolly car network is complete, so expect to see more of the carts begin to enter service. As well, Spring has mentioned adding the public transport system to their own port city."

"So it's working out for the normal citizens then?"

"Oh yes, perfectly." Tsunami is still all smiles. As Naruto seems happy about the development, Tsunami slowly stands, "That's it for now, I have to get back to Wave." Her gaze turns to Hinata, "Will you be joining me?"

Hinata shakes her head, "No yet, I have something else to bring up with Naruto."

Tsunami nods, bowing to Naruto and Hinata before making her way for the door, she had noticed a flushed but determined look in Hinata's eyes, "Ah the flames of youth." She missed the flinch from Naruto as she opened and left through the door, leaving the teenagers alone.

It is here that Hinata stands, stepping forward to sit on the edge of his desk with a smirk, veins bulging around her eyes, "I wondered why you seemed twitchy." Hinata's eyes shift down and then up to him again, "Karin sure seems determined."

Naruto's eyes cross as Karin proves that in fact she is, "Very determined."

There's a slurping sound and Karin's voice calls out from under the desk, "You're welcome to get down here and help me out. I think this is a two girl kind of job."

Hinata flushes but stands, walking around the desk and making eye contact with the red head. She leans in to whisper into Naruto's ear, "I think that's a marvelous idea." Slipping down under the desk as well, she leaves Naruto to shake his head.

"Well I'm not getting any work done today." He wasn't going to complain however. Being a Kage sure had its perks.

-AN-

And we give birth to the Hotaru clan which can only mean there's chaos currently in Konoha. Hiashi can't be taking this well. And Naruto's eye is changing, which can only mean more nonsense is on the horizon.

-Omake-

It's been a long and difficult journey, but Kurotsuchi and Suzumebachi find themselves in the Land of Hot water. Having traveled from the Land of Rice to nearly the southern tip of the current country, they had no luck finding their target. The man was like a ghost, a true shadow. The stories they had found had ranged all over the place as well, from the Maelstrom had destroyed a palace to some man they instead called 'The One Who Sees the Truth' had liberated a long thought dead clan. It was confusing the pair and with that confusion was coming anger. Suzumebachi was good at hiding hers as she was still treating this as one massive vacation while Kurotsuchi is dead set on finding this asshole at this point and stomping a hole in his ass. Today however found them at a rest stop, a group of tanned skin ninja hanging around relaxing, must be a group from Cloud then.

Kurotsuchi and Suzumebachi sat themselves at the only other table, knowing better than to cause problems in this country. The Land of Hot Water was very big on peaceful and neutral interactions within their borders and went to great lengths to keep it that way. With that in mind, Kurotsuchi decides to strike up a friendly conversation. "Must be good to come down from the mountains from time to time huh?

The Lightning group of B, Yugito, Samui, Karui, and Omoi idly watch the two Iwa nins with trepidation. Yugito however shrugs, because why not. It was time off. "A vacation is always nice. What about yourselves? Long way from home."

Korutsuchi nodded, "We're taking a break ourselves, it's been a long journey and I wanna refresh myself."

Samui nodded as they boys set about ignoring the women, "I know what you mean, it's hard to get quality rest on the road."

As the girls talk back and forth, Omoi's eyes furtively dance from Suzumebachi to the surrounding area. His usual muttering begins, low at first, but eventually draws attention. And it's Suzumebachi who notices his looks.

"He alright?"

Karui nods, "Just ignore him, if you don't interrupt him then hopefully he won't go off the rails with some new but weird tangent. Crazy shit comes out of his mouth all the time."

Suzumebachi however is curious, wondering why the other ninja keeps looking at her, "Why do you keep looking at me?"

Omoi almost can't help himself, answering before really thinking about it. "It's just. Hot Water is a neutral place, but how do we know you aren't with another group? Two woman traveling alone? Suspect. No, she could be signaling another group. That forehead is so large it reflects light at the perfect angle."

Suzumebachi can feel her blood pressure rising, "What was that?"

"You're forehead could be used as a signal flare?"

"MY FOREHEAD ISN'T THAT LARGE YOU ASSHOLE!"

Kurotsuchi begins to laugh up a storm as Suzumebachi just barely holds herself back from throttling the other ninja while his teammate shakes him back and forth to make him shut up.

B however takes the time to point at the laughing Kurotsuchi, "Guys should be nice to their comrades, laughing at women isn't nice."

That shuts down the granddaughter of Onoki instantly, "What do you mean by that?"

B senses danger, but powers through anyway. Whoever this guy is he won't be much of a threat. Only the kyuubi container would be an issue to him. "Just, you know, as a man you should be more mindful."

Ah, not weeks of frustration and rage at travelling and just missing their mark apparently time after time, this sent her over the edge. Kurotsuchi stands, "I'm a woman damnit!" Ripping open her shirt, she points at her chest, "See! Boobs! Boobs!" There's silence between the two groups, before Omoi opens his mouth again.

"Karui's are bigger than that. Are you sure you're a woman?" The pounding he received from Karui was honestly probably deserved, in retrospect.

Kurotsuchi herself is being held back by a cackling Suzumebachi, "You can't kill the guy for stating a fact!" From behind them the proprietor of the outdoor rest stop is coming over to calm things down, hopefully to avoid violence.

"Please ninja-san, don't be so brazen in public!"

Ignoring it all, Yugito and Samui are both enjoying a cup of tea. This vacation really was turning out really well, Their bodies had never been more relaxed. They wondered what new Hot Spring they would find next.