Naruto and Yugito ran through the trees until they arrived at a flower field. They turned to the source of chakra and saw a girl with a pink kimono. Naruto and Yugito nodded at each other before approaching the girl. "Excuse me?"

The girl looked up at them and smiled. "How may I help you?'

"We felt a source of chakra and found you here. Who are you?" Yugito said, surprising Haku.

"Well, I'm Haku and I'm a war orphan. I'm just picking flowers because my friend feels sick." Haku answered.

Yugito and Naruto studied her and shrugged their shoulders. They could tell she wasn't lying. "Would you like some help?"

"I'll appreciate it." Haku said as the three began to pick flowers. Do you mind if I ask you two something?" Both blondes looked at her and nodded. "What do you fight for?"

"Huh?" Both jinchuuriki responded.

"Why do you fight? You're shinobi, right?" Haku asked.

"I fight so I can be strong enough to protect my homes and the people I care about." Naruto answered. "I have important people I want to protect."

Yugito blushed. "I do too. I want to protect my village and friends." Yugito said, putting her hand on Naruto's.

"That's good, I believe you can truly grow strong when you fight for someone else." Haku said, standing up with her basket. "It was nice meeting you two and have a pleasant day."

"What do you think, Naruto-kun?" Yugito asked.

"She is well trained and a sensor. When we approached her, she had senbons ready. Could be the hunter-nin mentioned. But everything she said was true, honestly. I don't want to kill her." Naruto said.

"Well we won't have too. We know where Gato is, we can wait til Zabuza leaves and destroy the pig. Come on, let's head back to the house." Yugito said, earning a nod from the blonde. When she was about to walk away, Naruto grabbed her hand and pulled her into a kiss. Yugito's eyes closed as she moaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around her fellow blonde, as Naruto put his hand on her waist. After a minute, Yugito pulled away with a hazy look. "What was that for?"

"The conversation made me realize how important you are to me." Naruto, grabbing her hand. "Come on, let's head back to the house." Yugito just followed while touching her lips.

"Way to go kit." Kuruma commented.

"Wow, you must really mean something to Naruto-kun." Matabi commented, Yugito blushed. "Now you're guaranteed to take his virginity-" Yugito cut her off.

"We're back." Naruto called. Sakura jumped up and ran to give him a hug.

"Welcome back Naruto-kun." Sakura said. "Guess what, we have reinforcements."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, stepping away from the pinkette.

"Well, when we encountered those two Kiri nins, Kakashi-sensei called for reinforcements before we met up." Sakura said. They heard noise coming down the stairs and turned their gaze towards to see the new reinforcement but when Naruto's eyes landed on one of them, he glared at them.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto snarled, startling Sakura and Yugito. Yugito looked towards the jonin he was glaring out. It was a woman with raven black hair and red eyes.

"Naruto-kun, why are you glaring at Kurenai-sensei?" Sakura asked.

"Naruto?" Kurenai repeated, looking towards the Kumo nin and gasping in surprise when she saw him. She was about to approach but saw he was glaring at her. "I see you remember me." Kurenai said with guilt, remembering their last encounter.

"How could I forget, you were one of the ones who treated me like a monster." Naruto said. When Yugito heard this, she narrowed her eyes at team 8 sensei.

"I know but I would like to apologize." Kurenai said sincerely.

"Why? Is it because you know who my father is? No thanks, I don't need your pity." Naruto responded.

"No, it's not because of that. Can we just talk in private?" Kurenai asked with a sincere tone. "Please, I'm begging you."

Naruto looked at, waving his options. "Kit, do it. Just hear her out." Naruto was shocked to hear it but nodded. "Fine, follow me." Naruto said as he led Kurenai outside. He leaned against a tree and folded his arms. "Talk."

"Naruto-san, I'm sorry. I never attacked you but I was wary of you but I had a good reason. You see, when I was a little girl, my father was crushed right in front of me." Naruto's eyes widened but didn't say anything. "He was reaching out to me, begging me to be safe. When I saw the paw that crushed him, all I saw was red eyes looking down at me." Kurenai explained.

"Kit, let me speak with her." Naruto nodded and closed his eyes, confusing the genjutsu mistress. When he opened it, it was crimson. "Greetings Kurenai Yuhi. Naruto is allowing me to speak to you."

"What do you want?" Kurenai asked in anger.

"To apologize to you, I'm not sure how much you know but I was put under a genjutsu when I attacked your village. I caused so much pain and destruction." Kuruma said, bowing to Kurenai then lifting his head back up. "With that said, you villagers owe the kit a bigger apology. With the way they treated him, you thought you were harming me but you were dead wrong. You attacked an innocent child and had the nerve to call me a monster, playing the victim role. I'm glad you apologize but don't expect the kit to just forget what happened in Konoha. He experienced trauma no one his age should have. I said what I had to say but let me warn you, I care about the kit. So if I find out the kit is in danger, I will kill you and anyone else I deem a threat to him."

"I understand and thank you." Kurenai said. Naruto's eyes closed and turned back to their cerulean color.

"Kurenai, I'm glad you learned from your mistake and I understand why you disliked me. And since you never attacked me, I'll forgive you." Naruto said, earning a smile from the jonin.

"Then.." Kurenai started but Naruto raised his hand.

"But I'm not returning." Naruto said, shocking her.

"Why not, the village learns and sees the difference. They won't harm you anymore." Kurenai said.

"Like the fox said, I can't forget what they did because their views are different. I was chased out of the village while they hurled weapons at me. I was attacked on my birthdays and sold rotten food. In Kumo, they treat me as their equal and even know of my burden. I'm happy there." Naruto said.

"What about Anko?" Kurenai asked, making Naruto freeze. "Ever since you disappeared, she hasn't smiled once. She's cold to everyone and she's the target of most people's hate. I can't get her to open up to me at all and she told me she won't be happy until she sees you again."

Naruto thought about his friend and started to cry a bit. He never realized he would have this much of an effect on the snake mistress and he missed her. The first friend he had and who actually tried to take care of him. Kurenai analyzed the blonde, seeing the conflict he was facing. "I missed Hebi-chan, I really do but I can't turn my back on Kumo. I'll talk to oldman Raikage and ask about being a liaison but I'm sure if Hebi-chan was in my shoes, she would understand."

Kurenai looked down in sadness. "Is there anything I can do to convince you to return?" Kurenai pleaded.

"His answer is no." Kurenai turned to see Mabui approaching the two alongside Samui, who looked a little beat up. "The Raikage already gave Naruto-kun the choice to leave if he desired. He's not holding him at the village and still decided to train him. I understand you care for your friend but in the end it's Naruto-kun's choice."

"She's right, Kurenai-san. They became family to me and I won't turn my back on him." Naruto said.

Kurenai sighed and gave Naruto a weak smile. "I understand and I'm sorry how the village treated you." Kurenai said. "If you ever need anything from me, just ask." Kurenai said before walking in the house.

Samui walked next to Naruto and grabbed his hand. "Are you ok?"

Naruto turned to his fellow blonde and gave a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Naruto then turned to Mabui with a determined look. "Sensei, with the other Konoha team. What's the plan?"

Mabui thought about it. "Considering that our mission is Gato. I think we should divide ourselves. Naruto-kun and I will aid Konoha to make sure Zabuza doesn't return to Gato. Samui and Yugito will track Gato down. It's not our job to protect Tazuna, we were hired to kill Gato. we'll leave protecting the family to Konoha."

Naruto frowned at this. "I know it's not our job but…"

"If you want to protect them, I'll allow it, Naruto-kun." Mabui said with a smile, knowing how Naruto is.

Naruto gave her a small smile. "Thanks, I'll leave a clone or two and go to the bridge."

"Good, I guess we all agree." Mabui said, earning a nod from the genin.


It was the next day, Naruto and Mabui were with Team 7 and Kurenai(Kurenai is not with her team). Naruto left a clone with Tazuna's family. Mabui was with Kakashi and Kurenai, while Naruto was with Sai, Sakura and Sasuke. Kakashi informed them that Zabuza had an ally and was unsure on how skilled they were. "Are we really ready for this?" Naruto heard Sakura ask.

"Don't worry, we have numbers." Sai answered.

"I won't need any help. I'll handle everything myself." Sasuke said. Naruto didn't say anything and was trying to sense the enemy. He picked up on two jonin level signatures and narrowed his eyes.

"There here." Naruto said as mist started to surround the bridge.

"Well, well, well. It seems you brought reinforcements. I recognized the illusion mistress, Kurenai Yuhi but the other." Zabuza said, turning to Mabui.

"It doesn't matter, just know that if I enter the fight. Your life is forfeit." Mabui said in a calm tone.

"Please, you might be a jonin but you don't look much older than the brats." Zabuza said before turning to the genin and landing his eyes on Sasuke. "Look, even one of them is quivering in fear."

"You're wrong, I'm shaking with excitement." Sasuke said. Zabuza made three water clones and they charged the genin. Sasuke smirked and in a blink of an eye, he took out the clones. Sakura was in awe but Naruto was unimpressed and so was Mabui.

"Looks like you have a rival in speed, Haku." Zabuza said, turning to his tool.

"Maybe but not in him." Haku said, looking at Naruto. "That boy is dangerous, he was not impressed by the Uchiha, which indicates he is stronger."

"Well, take care of the Uchiha and take out the blonde." Zabuza ordered. Haku nodded and charged forward.

"Go Sasuke." Kakashi ordered Sasuke charged forward and the battle began. Naruto observed the battle and frowned. Haku surprised Sasuke but doing one hand signs jutsu, not only that. Sasuke was using chakra to match Haku's natural speed and he knew soon Sasuke was going to get tired.

"He's going to lose if this keeps up." Naruto said, shocking Sakura.

"How? They look even." Sakura said.

"Sasuke is using chakra to match Haku's movement and soon he'll get tired and run out. If he awakens his Sharingan, he could have a chance but Haku was better trained." Naruto said. "I'll step in if things get too close but only after Sasuke is knocked out."

Sasuke turned to the fight with a worried look. "Sasuke-kun.."

Naruto narrowed his eyes when he felt a build up in chakra coming from Haku. Soon Sasuke was surrounded by Ice mirrors and Haku walked in one of them. "I guess I should get ready." Naruto said, walking towards the fight.

"Are you going to save Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked.

"No, I'm going to save everyone." Naruto responded, walking forward with hands in his pocket. Naruto was outside the ice dome, looking at a punctured Sasuke. "Hey, Uchiha. Do you need assistance?"

Sasuke turned to Naruto and snarled. "I don't need your help."

"Ok, I'll stay here and watch you die." Naruto said, making Sasuke scowled.

"Only an Uchiha can beat an Uchiha." Sasuke said, struggling to stand.

"You need to do some research, there were multiple people who defeated an Uchiha outside your clan. Stop being stupid." Naruto said. "You're too arrogant to be a shinobi, you'll die if you keep this up."

"Shut up, you know nothing. I'm of royal blood." Sasuke yelled.

"So am I! And you don't see me being an arrogant punk." Naruto retorted. "You have a teammate who cares for you, Kami knows why."

"Enough, if you don't require assistance, I'll end this." Haku said as she prepared to throw senbon at the Uchiha.

"If you want to help, fine." Sasuke said with a smirk as he substituted himself with Naruto. Naruto shook his head as multiple senbons surrounded.

"Kuruma.." The fox nodded and sprouted four of his tails out of Naruto's backside and covered him, protecting him from the onslaught. "Thank you."

"No problem, kit. I want to end the Uchiha for that stunt." Kuruma said. Naruto chuckled and surprised Haku.

"That won't work, so why don't you come out." Naruto said.

"What was that?" Haku asked.

"Something you don't need to worry about unless you continue to oppose me." Naruto charged forward to one of the ice mirrors but Haku wasn't worried since it was hard to break but that changed when Naruto's eyes turned red and shattered the mirror she was in. Haku jumped out a piece of the mirror and went for a kick towards Naruto. Naruto grabbed her ankle and tossed her to a mirror but instead of slamming into the mirror, she went into it. Naruto searched around for her until he sensed her above him, diving at him with a senbon in her hand. Naruto backflipped away, dodging the attack. Haku got up and her sense of danger went off. She looked up to see Naruto in front of her. "Hi." Naruto said before he uppercutted her and kicked her towards a mirror with so much force, the mirror shattered. Haku bounced on the bridge and rolled on it, not getting up. Naruto stopped using the kyuubi's chakra and walked towards the girl. "Are you done?"

Haku slowly got up. "Yeah, go ahead and you can kill me. I lost, which means I have no purpose."

"Haku-chan, you are my friend. I could never kill you and besides, our target is Gato." Naruto said, making the girl's eyes widened.

"You knew it was me?" Haku asked.

"Of course." Naruto said, holding out her hand. "And don't worry about the mummy, my sensei will make sure Kakashi doesn't kill him." Haku's eyes widened and she hugged the blonde.

"Thank you." Haku mumbled in his chest. Naruto hugged her back before he turned his body and blocked a kunai from Sasuke.

"What are you doing? She's an enemy." Sasuke said.

"Not to me. And don't think I forgot about your switcheroo." Naruto said, releasing some ki towards the Uchiha. Sasuke started to sweat and backed down. Naruto touched a seal near his ear and channel chakra into it. "Mabui-chan, make sure you keep Zabuza alive, I defeated Haku."

"Affirmative Naruto-kun, I'm watching closely." Mabui said. Naruto nodded and channeled more chakra into the seal for the long distance call.

"Samui-chan, Yugito-chan? How's the hunt going?" Naruto asked through the seal.

"Gato left before we got here but he had a lot of treasure and scrolls. We put them in some sealing scrolls and heading to your location." Yugito said.

"It's uncool but I think he's going to try and kill you guys. But he's a fool thinking numbers matter." Samui said. Naruto nodded and looked down at Haku.

"Gato's headed here to kill us. He probably thinks you and team 7 are tired from battle but he doesn't know we're here." Naruto said. Haku separated from the blonde and nodded. "Alright, let's head to our sensei location." The two ran to their sensei's.


Zabuza was surprised, not because he was pinned down by dogs or because Kakashi was about to end his life. He was shocked because the kumo nin was protecting him "move out the way, Mabui-san."

"No, I have my reasons." Mabui said.

"And would you like to inform me?" Kakashi asked.

"It's because of Gato." Naruto said, appearing next to Mabui alongside Haku. "He's on his way here- scratch that, he's already here." t

"Wow, look at this. The demon is nothing but a puppy." Gato said, walking out the mist.

"Gato? Why have you come?" Zabuza asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Missing nins are so expensive but these guys are reasonable and since you are weak from your fight, your bounty will be a great reward for your sacrifice." Gato said as 50 thugs appeared behind him. Zabuza was about to speak but Naruto stepped forward.

"It's too bad you're about to die." Naruto said, as Yugito and Samui jumped up to the bridge and landed next to Naruto.

"Brat, do you have any idea who you are talking to?" Gato said, glaring at Naruto before he turned to Haku and smirked. "Well, well, it seems he is actually a she." Gato said. Haku was confused and looked down and saw the straps were undone. "And we have a lot of beautiful women who we can break."

"What was that, you over-bloated pig?' Naruto asked.

"That does it, whoever kills the blonde brat gets first pick at the ladies but I want the tanned one." Gato said, making the four Kumo nins angry. Soon the whole area was covered in killer intent. Kakashi and Zabuza's eyes widened when they felt the ki from the kumo nin. Haku fell to her knees and the Konoha genin passed out.

Naruto's eyes head was down and he slowly looked up at Gato, eyes crimson red and slit. "Gato, I will not let you touch my girls!" Naruto said as he got on all four like a fox.

"And I will not let you kill my mate." Yugito added, getting on all for with her eyes gold and slit.

"Rapist is uncool and you will die." Samui said, activating her lightning armor.

"Prepare for your end, you'll pay for threatening Naruto-kun." Mabui said as she activated her thunder armor. Naruto and Yugito were covered in a red cloak with one tail. Gato slowly backed away.

"What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Gato yelled.

"Kill them all, girls!" Naruto ordered.

"Hai!" The four charged the group of mercenaries and slashed through all of the mercenaries, creating a bloodbath all over the bridge. Kakashi was startled by what he was witnessing and Zabuza felt pride. Sai wasn't sure what to feel and Haku was blushing when Naruto said his girl. Gato fell to his butt and was scared. He just witnessed all his hired help being slaughtered. Naruto appeared in front of the business man and grabbed him by the throat. "What now, Gato? You're all alone."

"Please, don't kill me. I'll give you anything you want." Gato begged.

"Sorry but it's our mission." Naruto said as he tossed Gato in the air. "Kitsune Crimson Flare Bomb!"

"Neko Scorching Mouse Missile!" Yugito said.

"Laser Circuit!" Samui said

"Thunder Spear." Mabui said as all the Kumo nin unleashed their jutsu at the falling man, blowing him up. Naruto and Yugito's chakra cloak receded inside of them and they took a deep breath as Samui and Mabui deactivated their armor. "Missing complete." Mabui said with a smile.


"What, you're leaving?" Kakashi asked as he stood in front of the Kumo team. It's been two days since the death of the tyrant known as Gato. Kakashi was able to teach the blonde his signature jutsu and they helped repair the bridge a bit, Zabuza and Haku left to help Kiri in the war.. They were outside of Tazuna's house currently with Kakashi, Tsunami, Tazuna and Inari standing in front of the kumo nin.

"Yeah, our mission is complete and we have a long way home." Mabui said.

Kakashi sighed and looked at Naruto. "Well, will you be attending the chunin exam in Konoha in a month?"

Naruto turned to Mabui and she gave him a nod. Naruto looked at Kakashi and smiled. "Yeah, plus I do miss jiji."

"That's good." Kurenai said. "Anko will be happy to see you again." 'and so will Hinata.'

Naruto gave a sad smile. "I miss Hebi-hime. Hope she's not mad at me."

"Don't worry, she understood your situation." Kurenai reassured the blonde.

"Cool, let's keep it a surprise for her. I might have to treat her to some Dango and I miss Ichiraku's." Naruto said. Yugito and Samui smile at Naruto. Seeing their favorite fellow blonde happy was good considering what happened to him as a kid.

Kurenai smiled and nodded. "Sure and Naruto-kun. I'm still sorry." Kurenai said with guilt.

"It's water under the bridge." Naruto said. Kurenai approached the blonde and pecked him on the cheek, making him blush.

"Naruto-kun is ours." Samui said, pulling the blonde towards her. Yugito nodded and wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck from behind.

"Team, it's time to leave." Mabui said as the team headed back to Kumo. Naruto turned his head and waved at them before the team disappeared.


"Good job, missing success." A said. He turned to Naruto and frowned. "Naruto, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." Naruto said. A nodded and leaned back in his chair.

"Now that we know that the chunin exam is coming. I'm going to have you and the other three train but you'll train with your partners. Naruto and Samui, Fu and Karui and Yugito and Omoi. Also Naruto and Fu need to learn to sustain their bijuu forms." A said.

"Of course, we'll train until we sweat." Samui said.

"Yeah, we'll be the strongest team there." Naruto said.

"Good but Naruto, there's one man I want you to be wary of when you enter the exam. Naruto raises an eyebrow and listen to A.


"What? Naruto-kun is in Kumo?" Hiruzen asked. Kakashi and Kurenai gave him the report of the mission and to say he had mixed feelings was the truth. He was happy the blonde was alive but was afraid because Kumo has another jinchuuriki and they was known to trained them well.

"Sir, considering the situation. Why not invite them to the chunin exams? If we can get them as allies, Naruto will be free to visit." Kakashi suggested.

Hiruzen thought about it and nodded. "I'll send a letter to Kumo and Kiri, maybe we can start anew."


A month later:

Team Ragnarok and Team Aegis arrived at Konoha, Naruto didn't want to admit it but he was feeling kind of nervous. His former home he ran away from and the memories that were coming back to him. "Naruto-kun, it's alright." Naruto turned to Fu, who held his hand. "We are in this together, after all. You're my first friend."

Naruto gave Fu a warm smile and hugged her tightly, giving her a deep kiss. Fu was entranced by the kiss and couldn't focus.

"Ok enough." Karui said, folding her arms in jealousy. Naruto noticed and decided to give her a kiss, shocking the redhead. When Naruto pulled back, Karui was in a daze with a small smile.

"Man what am I going to do? What if a lot of girls fall for me and want me to stay here and I'll end up breaking their hearts, making them suffer and want revenge." Omoi began.

"Omoi, you're being uncool." Samui said in a cold tone.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road, show how mean this team can be." Bee said, making everyone groan but Omoi and Naruto. When they approached the gate, they saw two chunin standing there.

"Halt, passports." Bee and Mabui walked forward, handing the chunin their passports. After looking at it, their eyes widened and they looked up at the students until their eyes landed on Naruto. "Naruto, you're alive."

"Um, yeah…" Naruto said.

"Do you mind if we head in?" Mabui asked.

"Sure, everything checks out. Hope you enjoy your stay." Kotesu said. The Kumo teams nodded and proceeded into Konoha. As they walked through, the villagers were staring at them but mostly Naruto in shocked.

"It's Namikaze-sama." "He's alive." "the 4th's legacy." "He's kinda cute." The villagers whispered back and forth.

"Here's the plan, I'll go book us a hotel. Naruto-kun, you can go see the hokage and your other friend." Mabui said. Naruto gave her a warm smile and proceeded to the hokage tower. Naruto ran on the roofs of the building and jumped up to the hokage's tower. He climbed through the window and saw multiple jonin leaving the room. "Hey jiji."

Hiruzen's eyes widened and turned to the window. When he saw Naruto, tears began to build in his eyes. "Naruto-kun, you're here." the hokage said, getting up and walking towards the blonde. Naruto hugged the oldman and it was returned. "I'm glad to see you again."

"Same here jiij, sorry I made you worry and left." Naruto said.

"I understand why it happened and I do not blame you." Hiruzen said. "So how's life in Kumo?"

Naruto gave him a foxy grin. "It's great, I made some friends and I'm one of the strongest genin there."

"I assume there's no way to convince you to stay in Konoha, the village changed their views on you and they won't hate you anymore." Hiruzen asked with hope.

"Sorry jiji but I won't abandon them." Naruto said.

Hiruzen patted the boy's shoulder and shook his head. "I understand, they gave you the love you always wanted and I can't blame you."

"Thank you, by the way do you know where Hebi-chan is?" Naruto asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do. She's at the dango stand. She's in charge of the second stage, so I told her no missions." Hiruzen said, sitting at his desk. Naruto nodded and walked towards the window. "And Naruto-kun, welcome back."

Naruto gave Hiruzen a small smile. "It's good to see you again." Naruto said before jumping out the window. Naruto landed on the roof of a building and headed to the dango stand to see his first friend. 'Hebi-chan.' Naruto thought. After a few more seconds of running, he saw the restaurant and landed on the street. He walked through the curtains and scanned through the room until he saw lavender fan-haired. "Hebi-chan!"

Anko's eyes widened and she dropped her dango before turning around. She gasped when she saw her blonde friend waving at her and she did the first thing she could think of, which was tackling the blonde and hugging him to death.