-AN-

Took some time to catch up on my other stories and now we're back full steam ahead here. A bit of a short skip through time here. But we're making progress.

-Story Start-

A month was a long time, Naruto decided. At the least, a month was a long time when one was constantly busy. They had enjoyed their vacation, thoroughly, but had put their noses to the grindstone ever since they had returned to their ever growing city. Today found him in his office entertaining a guest of sorts. Behind him at his shoulders stood Tayuya and Neji who had a long wrapped bundle on his back. Both were to be his guards for today and both were paying close attention to their single visitor from Kiri. On the other side of his desk stood a man who introduced himself as Ao, hailing from Kirigakure and on a mission from the Mizukage herself. Ao had first ended up in Wave, and had been directed to Naruto by Tsunami, having been given updated orders from the teen regarding anyone from elusive village. Naruto wanted this meeting as it could speed up their eventual announcement of their village's revival. So here they were, Naruto having asked just why Ao had come to their village, while the older man explained his mission.

"My duty is to forward my Kage's desire to meet with you. She's heard rumors of the infamous Maelstrom and the Uzumaki clan village." Ao made a show of looking around the office and out of the large windows behind them, "We never would have imagined this city that has grown on the bones of the previous Uzumaki clan." Ao locked eyes with Naruto himself, "It takes a strong man to make such a thing come to life."

Naruto nods in a relaxed manner, "Of all of the remaining villages I haven't had a chance to speak with yet, Kiri was next on my list. Do you have an idea of when your Kage would be able to meet with me? I'm sure they would love to see the village for themselves." It was only polite, plus it would be the first real outsider that would have the chance to see the city in all its glory.

"Two weeks will be enough time, we've been clearing our schedule to allow for such a meeting." Ao wouldn't bring up that Mei had become rather desperate to meet with the other leader, that might make negotiations odd later on.

Pulling a calender book from his desk, naruto rifles through it a bit before he comes to the upcoming weeks, seeing nothing major annouced or planned, Naruto turns to Tayuya, "Make sure we don't schedule anything for that week, it's already clear."

Tayuya bows lightly, "Yes Uzukage-sama. I'll pass the message along to the staff." Inwardly she smirked as she just knew it ruffled Naruto a bit to be addressed as such. Well, unless it was in the bedroom. Karin and Kotohime had an odd talent for it.

Getting the response he needed Naruto turned back to the waiting Kiri ninja. "Do you need accomadations? I'm sure it was a long journey. We can put you up for a time."

Ao raised a hand slowly while shaking his head, wary of the sharp eyed teen at Naruto's shoulder, "I wasn't meant to stay so I'll be returning to Kiri immediately. I appreciate the thought." Ao internally was curious however, how did a Hyuuga end up all the way out here? Or was there another clan that bore their vaulted eyes?

"Then I wish you well, Ao, my ninja will escort you back to Wave." Naruto watches as Ao takes the dismissal and bows again before turning to leave. Opening the door he is met by a pair of ninja from the Chinoike clan, who both nod to Neji before escorting Ao out. Releasing a deep breath, Naruto sagged a bit in his seat, able to relax with the two who knew him personally at the least. "Man, at least that went well and we have an in with Kiri."

Tayuya was quick to relax, a hand on her hip as she shifted her weight a bit, "Yeah, to bad they sent someone so old fashioned and uptight though. Guy was a real man's man."

Neji nods, "They probably sent someone who could handle themselves on the off chance something went wrong. You could tell he's from their more bloody period."

"Yeah, he felt more like someone fit for the battlefield than a messenger. We'll need to make plans to entertain our guests for a few days at the least. Let's make use of that condo we used as a diplomat home while they are here."

It is Neji who bows this time, "I'll make sure general affairs is notified." The Hotaru clan had quickly focused themselves as more of an in border force than anything else. They weren't quite a police force yet, but it was telling that the populous was beginning to trust them as such so quickly. The Chinoike were happy about it, the previously reclusive clan was all too eager to take missions abroad.

Everyone looks up as the door opens again, a smiling Karin walking in calmly. Whirlpool forehead protector proudly in place, she stops just at the end of his desk, "I have a reguest."

"Is it for time off? Cause I'll approve that in a heartbeat." Naruto still couldn't get the girl to slow down much, she worked just as much as he did sometimes. Her research had of course, born some major fruit, but he still wished she would relax. He'd have to smack some loving sense into her later.

Karin however grins, "My water scout golem have been pinging odd signals towards the north, in the disputed area close to Lightning country. I'd like to go and take a look. And before you ask, I've already had Isaribi go out and check for herself too. There aren't any ninja, but even she could tell something odd was going on around the volcanic island."

Sighing, Naruto's hopes were dashed. But this gave him a chance to force her to relax, "How long do you plan to be gone?"

Shrugging the red head thought about it for a second, "Two days tops, travelling there doesn't take long. I'm going to take Unagi."

Naruto shuddered at the thought of that thing being used as transport. He had learned to hate anything vaguely snake like. Damn Orochimaru. "Alright. You know the rules though, when you get back it's a mandatory two days off." Here his eyes harden a bit as he looks at her, "First sign of things going wrong or trouble, you either high tail it out of there or you summon me. Got it? I can't send Jugo or the Fuma girls with you cause they're gone with Ino to Konoha." He was sure Ino was just having a blast right now, probably equal parts messing with Shikamaru and running Tsunade ragged.

Karin is still grinning, "Between my seals and my golem, I think I'll be just fine." Here her grins softens into a more genuine smile, "But I promise. First sign of trouble and I'll activate my seal and call you. Honest." She knew he worried, so she would ease him as she could.

"Fine. Go on then, two days. If I don't hear from you in two days I'm coming for you anyway." Naruto grins as Karin nods quickly and retreats out of the door with a bounce in her step.

Left with no distractions from his paperwork, Naruto sets about it while complaining. "It really sucks sometimes being stuck in the office. Even if it's just half a day."

Tayuya shakes her head, "Aren't you like, constantly doing something? Like right now, don't you have your gravity seals on?"

"Besides the point." Naruto looks back at Neji as he adjusts his bag, "How's the new weapon working out? The Hotaru adjusting to it alright? Do ya'll like it?"

"It is a brutal piece of equipment. It still needs a little refinement, but it does its job very well." Smiling as he thought about some of the recent tests with the Spring engineers, "Our eyes are well suited for it."

"Good and remember, this first generation are test types. Make sure to let the Spring engineers know asap if you find problems or have ideas for improvements." Getting a promise from Neji that he would do just that, Naruto looks up as his door opens yet again. Happy for the distraction, he watches as a new team from the Chinoike walk in. He plasters a smile on his face and settles in for a busy morning. Maybe he and Tayuya could get something good for lunch later.

-b-

Nestled somewhat safely within Konoha in the Land of Fire, Ino is settling into her visitor hotel suite while Jugo and the Fuma girls set about checking things over and unpacking bags. By some stroke of luck Temari was visiting Konoha at the same time and decided to visit her, though she had her own plans to enact that had nothing to do with Konoha.

Seated at a couch while Temari sits in a chair off to the side, said older girl is grinning, "Oh come now, You know I can be a lot of fun."

Ino rolls her eyes, "Uh huh. That might work on Naruto, but us girls of Foxden are very selective. What do you bring to the table that we don't already?" She wasn't being petty but all of them loved Naruto deeply. That meant, any other girl looking for a taste needed to at least have feelings for him as well. While they all knew Temari was attracted to Naruto, feelings were a different matter.

Temari motioned a hand down her body, "I mean. Ninja girl with wonderful curves and a sharp mind?" She knew she was hot. She also knew she was smarter than most and that Naruto valued strength and brains in equal measure which was a major point in his favor. She wasn't pushing for this just because it would get under her brothers' skins. She was genuinely attracted to the troublemaker, though she wasn't sure yet if it was more than that. "Have a heart. Think he'd enjoy a romp with two sexy blondes?"

Ino knew for sure he would in fact enjoy such a thing. That didn't mean Temari got to join Foxden, yet. "A roll in a sack doesn't mean you get to join the Den."

Temari nodded, "I know I know, but hear me out. The sister of the Kazekage, who finds strong men insanely attractive? Think of the political alliance potential." Temari could see however that this line of thought wasn't working so much as she thought. So, she let her normal walls down a bit with the mind walker and sighed, "How about, as a thank you for giving me my little brother back? Just once." That a tiny smirk etched its way onto Ino's face told her she might have opened up a bit to much. Damn mind walkers.

Ino however nodded and said nothing about it, "Well we can talk more about it later. Because trust me, if I dragged Naruto here it probably wouldn't take much convincing if we both went on the attack." Ino looked up idly as Jugo posted himself on the balcony, watching the horizon calmly while Kin was walking out to join him. Sasame was sitting at the kitchen bar with a book, a new scroll holstered at the small of her back. "Beyond that, what's the situation between Suna and Konoha?"

Leaning back with a sigh the fan wielder idly played with her weapon that was leaning against her seat on the floor, "Frosty at best. Konoha knows why Suna was so desperate, but isn't making many moves to help the problem. We're getting more support from you in the Whirlpool Islands than here in the Land of Fire." They were already beginning to talk about potentially setting up another rail line between the villages. It would be the first between major villages, if Uzushio came out as one in the future.

Ino sighed, "Wish we could help in some way. Maybe if we could find and bring in Orochimaru's head?"

"I think a lot of people want that man's head on a pike." Temari wouldn't say she was bitter about her father's death. The man had done horrible things to her younger brother and treated her and Kankuro more like tools than children. But he was still their father. Some part of her still wanted blood. "If you ever get wind of him and need a hand, feel free to call us."

Ino nods, "Trust Naruto, if he needs a hand with that snake Gaara will definitely get a message." Thinking about it, Sasuke and Sakura might get a warning as well, the Sannin having tried to capture and taint the Uchiha once upon a time. Looking back at the tense Sasame, Ino sighed, "Sasame, you can relax a little. Konoha isn't about to send assassins after us or anything." At least not with her. Her father would certainly do a bit more than just raise a stink if something happened to her within Konoha's borders.

Sasame was shaking her head in the negative, "No can do Lady Ino. No Naruto or the rest of the group means we've decided to be more alert. We want to stay as ready as possible." Puncuated by her statement is a knock at the door. Standing abruptly the girl is already walking towards it. Behind her the balcony door opens and Kin and Jugo are walking inside to stand behind the couch at Ino's shoulders. Ino sighed, wondering if this was how Naruto felt about the overprotective group.

Sasame is quick to open the door after checking the peep hole. Waiting on the other side are Tsunade, Shizune and Hiashi who is as stern faced as ever. Said man's mood does not improve as he spots Ino instead of the head Uzumaki. Sasame bows to the three, "Welcome, please, right this way." Escorting them inside to the couch opposite to Ino within the room, Sasame leaves once they are seated to prepare tea and snacks.

Temari decides it might be best to wander off and wait, taking her fan with a wink to Ino and making for the balcony. She'd hang out and read a book while she waited for her fellow blonde to be done.

Tsunade grins as she gets comfortable on the couch, "I hope your trip was easy enough."

Ino nods, "Easy enough for a ninja, can't wait for our next project to be done so we can travel a bit more in style." She had heard a bit about the airships. She wondered how that would work for villages that didn't use them. A question she'd have to bring up with Koyuki and Naruto later.

Sasame was offering tea to the visitors after placing a tray of snacks on the coffee table. Tsunade and Shizune accepted with no problems, though Hiashi held up a hand, refusing as his mind was focused only on one task. "To get things rolling, I would like to start."

Knowing it was coming and doing her best not to sigh heavily, Ino nods, "Of course, what would you like to begin with Lord Hyuga?"

Hiashi frowned, "I'd like to lodge a formal complaint with the Uzumaki clan head."

"Okay. That's unfortunate but I can forward any complaints you have." Taking a moment to unseal a scroll and a pen, Ino focused completely on the Hyuga clan head. "Please, tell me your grievances."

Hiashi nods, "It is a matter concerning both vandalism of private property and theft."

Ino jots that down before smiling sweetly, "I need more specifics however, this is fairly loose. First what was supposedly stolen?"

"Technique and reference scrolls." Hiashi couldn't come out and say verbatim that it was Uzumaki property that was stolen, though that was all that was missing. That was a one way ticket to a new meeting with the Daimyo. He was sure the brat didn't know what he had actually taken.

Again writing that down, Ino's smile doesn't leave her face, "Still rather vague but I'll look into it and bring this to Naruto's attention." Not that she and everyone else didn't already know that they hadn't taken anything other than Uzumaki property. "And what was it specifically that was vandalized? In what manner was your property damaged?" Now it was time for the fun part.

It takes some real effort to fight down the blush that threatened to break on his face, "My desk and office suffered damage."

"What sort of damage was it?" Ino was fighting hard to prevent the giggles that wanted to burst from her lips. It was hard work. Nearly impossible. But she managed it.

"It was broken beyond repair, is that not enough?"

"Not really, anyone could have broken your desk, what makes you so sure that it was an Uzumaki?"

Hiashi finally looses his patience, hand slapping down on the table and making it rattle.

Everyone pauses as Sasame reacts harshly to this, scroll at the small of her back unrolled and a weapon bursting into life. A long and wicked looking Kusarigama with its chain floating ominously behind her was in her possession. Her eyes were locked onto Hiashi who watched her with some concern. Ino herself sighs and shakes her head. "Sasame, Hiashi just has a bit of a temper, there is no threat." Sasame takes but another few breaths before her weapon is sealed away again and she bows deeply to Ino. Without a word she turns and removes herself to the kitchen once more. It is a suddenly sweetly smiling Ino who turns back to the Hyuga clan head, "Please limit your outburst Lord Hyuga. My guard team is very jumpy."

Hiashi sniffs and makes as if he hadn't been concerned about the unknown woman with the weapon with the bladed chain. "I'll keep that in mind." Taking a breath he starts again from where he left off, anger still present in his voice though he kept his hands fisted in his lap. "That boy Naruto and my daughter fornicated on my desk, soiled it thoroughly and left behind a pile of half eaten cinnamon rolls as a calling card!" Breathing heavily, he missed Tsunade and Shizune fighting hard with their own giggles. "I had to burn everything! The smell, the smell just wouldn't leave my office even after multiple cleanings." It of course wasn't until after the fact when his rage had faded that he realized he should have saved some of the…emissions. Several people would pay very good money for Uzumaki DNA.

Ino however just makes notes in her scroll, doing her best to give off a professional aloof demeanor. "Right. Was there anything else?" Oh she was so giving Naruto and Hinata a hug and a kiss for this one. Seeing Hiashi blow his top was completely worth it. Never mind the face he made when he nearly pissed himself thanks to Sasame. She'd be thanking the girl for that later.

Hiashi wants to bring up the missing Hyuga branch family, his gut telling him they were with the Uzumaki as well. That however he couldn't prove without a shadow of a doubt. Everyone in the village was of the mind that the branch family had finally had enough and had up and left. Not many suspected foul play with how the main family treated the branch. Instead he calmed himself and chose a different route, "In the interest of being good allies, I'd like to request that if the Uzumaki run into any of our run away clansmen, that they will either give Konoha word of their location or capture them for us instead and return them. There will be a reward for such activities." Everyone was willing to bend morals for money, Hiashi was hopeful Naruto could be persuaded as such.

Making another note in her scroll and knowing Uzushio would never part with the Hotaru clan, she continues to smile sweetly, "If we do run into any of the run away Hyuga, Konoha will know of it." To bad they were the Hotaru now. Uzushio wouldn't have to lie at least, they hadn't run into any Hyuga.

Bowing lightly Hiashi settles himself that at least he got something concrete, "That will suffice for now."

Rolling her eyes, Tsunade extends a hand to the younger girl, "With that out of the way. Do the Uzumaki need anything to get the ball rolling towards a more peaceful relationship?"

Ino made a show of thinking about that for a bit, scroll and pen sealed away with a practiced motion. "Well, Konoha beginning to make payments towards the Uzumaki would help that a lot."

Tsunade chuckles weakly, "Both the council and the Daimyo will be pitching in to do just that and pay off the debt. No worries there." For once she was glad it wasn't her facing debt collectors.

"Great. Well other than that as far as the Uzumaki are concerned our relationship is stable with the Leaf. We're allies, in so much that if Konoha is threatened we will send help and aid." Ino however relaxes back into the couch, "We aren't, however, at Konoha's beck and call. We are our own clan and people, not yours."

Tsunade nods, "Of course we wouldn't expect that. Now, about bridging our gap a bit more. The Uzumaki are great with seals and-" The meeting would continue for a bit from there, Ino going back and forth with the Hokage for a long while. At least she had information that would send Naruto and Hinata into fits later.

-b-

Naruto had decided after spending yesterday in the office and sending Karin off to parts unknown, he would spend today on official business that took him out from behind the desk. So, today found him on the next island project. Touring high fortified walls with Tazuna, the older man was leading him along on a tour of the slowly growing ninja fortress. All around them work crews and clones were bustling back and forth, hurrying to move the construction along. The very Earth seemed to rumble.

Tazuna is all grins as they walk, the high stonework wall they were on gave a great view of the sea while the wide walkway could support several people walking abreast, "We've made the walls much thicker than before to accommodate the new experimental armaments the engineers from Spring are coming up with. We'll begin installations once your clones finish treating the walls with their seals." Tazuna looks around and waves a hand out, "Most of the walls are complete, so we're turning our attention to the main central building." The walls formed an octagonal design, while the main building was the metaphorical ninth point. Every now and then everyone like to consider nine as their lucky number as a tribute both to Naruto and to Kurama. At least, those in the know, who Tazuna was a part of. "It won't be long until the main building is complete, but we do still have a ton of work to do." He directed Naruto's gaze above them, where the center building stretched another 30 meters at least. "I plan on four airship landing platforms, the roof is a cleared space that also has space for more of the experimental cannons." Tazuna shook his head, apparently Naruto's love of explosives had carried over to the Spring engineers. It was terrifying what they had been planning out.

Naruto again felt the ground under them rumble, "I'm guessing you connected a train on this loop already?"

Tazuna shook his head, "Not a full train no. We've set up trolly cars instead, since this is mainly just for ninja. This line is for transportation between the main island and the fortress island, so no civilian traffic was considered." They were already sectioning things off so it was only accessible by ninja in the future. There would be no accidental civilian activity here. Or outsiders.

Naruto nods and grins, "Good. It's mainly going to be a reserve force and active members here on a rotation. A clan or two might want to inhabit the fortress full time, but I'm going to stress that I'd rather them occupy the city full time or at least the main island full time."

Puzzled, Tazuna turns to the boy as they pause at a stone bridge leading to the center building, "Why's that?"

"Well, the main island needs to be defended yes, but ninja do need their own space. The fortress would give them that while still giving them access to their homes at the end of the day." Plus, he wanted his ninja to always keep sight of just who and what they were protecting,

Tazuna grins, "Good idea, of course that's your area of expertise. Also, in case you've wondered at the screaming back at the tower, we've installed a landing platform on the observation deck of the Uzumaki tower. We still have a lot of time before any testing will be done, but I thought it best to get it out of the way." He had personally seen to it that it was finished quickly, wanting it to be out of the way and done so he could focus completely on the work here.

"By the time the first airship floats in we should be ready to bring Uzushio onto the world stage." Naruto takes a deep cleansing breath as they begin walking over the long connecting bridge. The air was so crisp and clean here, the island not much more than rocky terrain and sturdy pine forests. The fortress was easily the tallest structure by far. Offering views of the entire small island. The sun is beginning to set and Naruto begins to think about ending his day, a bath and dinner sounding perfect right about now.

Tazuna looks out over the sea as well, pointing towards the main island of Uzushio, "Eventually I'd like to connect all of the islands via tunnels and or bridges. We might as well use all of the land that we have."

Naruto can agree with that as well. "When this project is finished I'll set about getting on that. It might be a good idea to set up several outposts so-" Naruto pauses as a tingle works its way from a seal on his chest. One of the girls was in danger. His demeanor instantly changes as he unseals his sword and searches for who exactly is calling him. "I've gotta go, someone's calling me, I'll send a clone if it's serious alright?" Seeing Tazuna nod he focuses and locks onto the signal. So Karin's marker was active. With a thought, he was gone.

In the next breath, Naruto is half kneeling while his sword is resting on a shoulder ready to swing. Eyes searching the cavernous space he found himself in, he could see Karin on the ground, hands splayed out while her chains were attempting to hold back some type of monster. More a chimera now that he watched it for a moment, multiple animal traits seemed to be present in it. Another breath, and he noticed another red haired woman next to Karin, sweating and obviously very tired. Another breath and he was next to Karin while several clones burst into existence, "What's going on?" Naruto unseals a v3 bomb scroll and tosses it to a clone, which immediately jumps to the ceiling and anchors itself with chakra. The remaining clones are holding up their hands to the chain barrier, adding chakra to it as he has yet to be able to use the fabled sealing chains.

Karin shakes her head, sweat beginning to pour down her forehead, "Short version. Weird signals were coming from another Uzumaki using her sealing chains. This lab is making summoning creatures with the goal of creating the ultimate beast." She grit her teeth and motioned to their opponent, "Big and gruesome here went nuts and started eating the research team. Honoka did her best, but was nearly out of chakra before I showed up."

Naruto turns to the other Uzumaki and nods to her, "Anyone else still here?"

The older Uzumaki shook her head quickly, "No one was spared." She had so many questions and no time for answers. Why she had cried out for help, grieving that she would never find her family, she hadn't expecting one to literally drop through the ceiling.

Naruto grins and reseals his sword, "Good, I only have to worry about us Uzumaki then." He walks forward to place a hand on each of the girls' shoulders. "Let's get the hell out of here."

Honoka was confused, "Who are you? How are you going to save us?"

Karin just sighed and removed her hands from the barrier, Naruto's clones able to hold it up for a few precious seconds, "Hope you don't get motion sickness."

"Wah-" Then they were gone, the false summon beast finally released and lashing out at their previous location but coming up empty.

The clone tasked with the scroll frowned, actually feeling pity for this thing. It began to feed chakra into the scroll, "Sorry big guy. I know you didn't ask to be born into this world, but the least I can do is take you out of it quickly and painlessly." Drawing the creature's attention with a sad smile, the clone drops the scroll and watches it flip through the air with a ominous glow. "May your next life know peace." And then there was light.

Dropping to the ground just outside of the Uzumaki shrine, Naruto and the Uzumaki girls are left in a heap. Naruto is the first up, helping Karin to her feet first before holding out a hand to Honoka. She looks at him warily for a moment before taking in his cheery grin. Rolling her eyes with a heavy sigh, she takes the offered hand and lets him help her up. They all feel the tremors in the ground a moment later, but Naruto isn't worried at all. The populous was pretty used to his antics by now and would most likely attribute them to him. He does however create a clone quickly which dispels in order to let the others know he has returned and to share the information. Finally settled and knowing things were safe, Naruto turns and hugs Karin tightly, happy that she listened to him. "Kami I'm glad you're alright."

Karin nodded as she returned the embrace. She wouldn't admit just how close it had been, that would only worry him more. So for the moment she would enjoy his warmth and love. Pushing away after a minute with a blush on her face, the young woman however motions to the older Uzumaki standing off to the side awkwardly.

"Well um, like I said, this is Honoka."

Said woman, Honoka, bowed deeply to Naruto. She was dressed in a blue and grey hakama with yellow trim and blue pants. She was barefoot, with a white hairband holding her bangs out of her face. "Thank you. Without your intervention I surely would have perished back there." Here she looks around slowly, gaze wandering to the very clear Uzumaki built shrine near them. "Who are you? Where are we?"

Naruto bows as well, "Naruto Uzumaki at your service and this…" Naruto motions behind her, pointing towards the city, "Is the rebuild Uzushio."

Honoka freezes as she catches sight of the massive buildings and even taller tower at the center of it all. This wasn't the ruined landscape she had seen as a child, sent adrift by one of the elders in a fishing boat in the hopes she could make it out alive. She had, alone. "This. It's impossible."

Naruto had Karin by the waist, walking down the road towards the city center, "Follow us and I'll explain." Seeing Honoka do just that, Naruto smiles, "I'm actually originally from Konoha. But because of how I was treated I decided to strike out on my own."

Honoka racks her brain as she thinks about that village. Were there Uzumaki in Konoha? Wait, Mito was there, wasn't someone else sent…"Do you know big sis Kushina?"

Naruto nods hesitantly, "Not so much know her as know of her." He turns to her with a more emotional smile, "She was my mom. She died when I was born."

'Sorry Naruto.'

'Not your fault Kurama, we've been over this.'

'Still sorry.'

"That means." Honoka is quick to bow deeply to the boy, "You were…are of the main line then. My mother told me stories of the Uzumaki royal family. That Kushina left to provide a great honor to Konoha to seal the Kyuubi. To think I would even meet more Uzumaki, and royals at that. Having a royal Uzumaki male is a great boon to the family." She, like a few others she had met along the way, had dreamed of a day the Uzumaki could reunite and rebuild their home and clan. This, this was an actual chance for them.

Karin waves a hand dismissively, "I'm not royal blood, just him, not that you'd know it with the way he acts."

Naruto resists the urge to swat her butt, "I'll remember that." By her shiver he knew he'd have an opportunity to get her back later. "But yeah, I'm not big on the titles and whatnot. My goal right now is to unite as many of the remaining Uzumaki that I can find and rebuild however we can."

Karin giggles as she leans into him a bit more as they're passing further into the city proper, "You're certainly working on the rebuild part of that."

Failing to fight down a blush Naruto motions to the main square and the tower they're reaching the base of. "Once more, Honoka, welcome to Uzushio. The tower doubles as the Uzumaki clan compound on the upper floors. We have extra rooms. Hopeful that we would find more family members. You're welcome to stay with us if you wish. Or we can find a condo or apartment for you if you'd prefer to ease into it." He was trying hard not to gush over the woman while also trying to make her feel welcome. They've paused their walk as they've come before the Uzumaki monument, the obsidian construct drawing Honoka's attention for bit.

Honoka isn't quiet sure what emotion to settle on. Overwhelmed by all of the people, the majesty of the city around her, and now, the monument and its message for the future. She doesn't stop the tears that slide down her cheeks. Finally letting reality wash over her. "It's real. Our home. It's alive again." Turning, she pulls the stronger and taller boy into a tight hug, letting out nearly two decades of stress and anguish. She's grateful that no one seems to worry or bother them, and more so when the Uzumaki clan head embraces her in return. For the first time in a long time she felt safe, comforted.

Naruto doesn't do anything else other than hold the woman tightly, a soft smile on his face while Karin watches with tears in her own eyes, "You're home, Honoka. None of us are alone anymore." And as long as he drew breath, they wouldn't be ever again. That was a promise. Believe it.

-AN-

A surprise discovering by Karin and Uzushio is progressing at just as rapid a pace as ever. Hiashi is still made about a desk and the Hotaru seem to be experimenting with new ninja tech. So much to figure out, plenty of time to do it. And dear Mei, you've got your invite, time to woman up.

-OMAKE-

High in a tower in Rain, Konan is standing across from Nagato and giving a report about the rumored Uzumaki village. She explains about their hopes for a more stable peace, not the fantasy that the current villages seem to want to maintain. Nagato remains quiet and calm through it all, again working through his Yahiko body, not his own.

"Hmmm, this means Uzushio will have to go public soon. Which when they do will allow us to observe them more closely." A hand comes up to his chin as he thinks it over. "It's one thing to spout off about peace, but another to actually follow through." Nagato does have his own concern however. If there was a chance someone was building a peaceful nation, that could mean there was a chance a group like Akatsuki wasn't actually needed in the future. Did that mean his belief was wrong? Was his mission false? Had he of all people taken the wrong path?

Across from him Konan watches her long time friend quietly, hoping that maybe in a small way this nudges him even a small amount back towards the light. He had been in a dark place for so long. Maybe seeing his supposed clansmen re-surging and making a new life for themselves could bring him hope. Something none of them had had for a long time.

Nagato subtly shakes himself, deciding that there was no need to rush or make decisions now. He would be patient and observe. He knew without a doubt this world was rotten. All of Akatsuki knew that. But. If there was a chance things were healing without them interfering. Well. He wasn't above joining forces with those looking for peace. "Alert the others, for now we shall instead move towards mainly bounty hunting and information gathering on the various biju containers. But no collection as of yet."

Konan bows deeply, "Your will be done." Standing and turning away to find the others, Konan smiles tightly. Maybe there was some real hope for her friend yet. Small though it may be.