I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, I'm just a fan I enjoyed the anime but I love the fanfics, even more, they made me fall for the whole franchise. Whether I will have Oc's in the fic or not depends entirely on how the story goes.

Chapter 28

"Hey don't forget what you said old drunk, this bridge is under the Naruto Uzumaki name, soon that name alone up there is gonna keep suspicious characters away then they will know it's under my protection the Great Naruto-Sama!! Hahaha." The exaggeration Naruto Uzumaki was feeding the people of wave was a propaganda, a scam from his own heart.

"Tazuna-San you said this kid was protecting your family while carrying a girl to safety, and at the same time was fighting some big-time ninja from his village but then he was talking it up with these other ninjas all the way here in this exact bridge all at the same time?" Tazuna's friend the one who had helped smuggle them into wave with a boat asked staring at Naruto like he could start a Bible for him at that moment like it was his calling.

"Yes, it's this one, the blonde one." Tazuna was shaking his head vigorously as he pointed at Naruto.

"I'm telling you, he can make like 10000 of himself one even turned into glasses and spied on Gatō and all those big-time ninjas for 1 WEEK!" Tazuna spread the gospel Naruto wouldn't shut up about every day since the events took place not knowing he was making the blond very happy as said blonded nodded in agreement whenever someone would look at him in doubt.

The Konoha ninjas shook their heads at the blonde, he was selling the people of Wave country a legend before it even occurred. He had two spokesmen who were like the celebrities of Wave spreading its quality.

Tazuna had apparently faced Zabuza three times, always getting away with his life. He said it was in the cutscenes of The whole story, and that if you weren't there to see it you missed out. He also told them ninjas made their 'Jutsu' by using chakra and everybody had it, his grandson Inari was learning to be a great ninja from Naruto who has the biggest chakra in the world even more than the Hokage, the strongest ninja.

Speaking of Inari he was standing with the kids of the village. every child there thought he was cool he even whore shades now. Gatō's shades to be exact, like a trophy. He saw a girl who he thought was cute and walked up to her.

"How do you do me, lady?" Inari took the cute teenage girl's hand and gave it a chaste kiss as he gave her his best smile and she blushed red swaying a little at his 'charms'.

"H-he-hello.." The light blue-haired girl with violet eyes stuttered out and Inari grind.

'Naruto-Aniki was right it's not that hard, you just have to jump in but most importantly never give up.' Inari had been at it for four days straight and after every rejection he chanted 'I NEVER GIVE UP!' In the girl's face just like his Aniki told him to do. Inari looked over at Naruto wide-eyed and the blonde winked at him giving him a thumbs up all the kids from 3 to 17 looked at the exchange in awe and Inari saw it in their eyes this was it, the power of The Great Naruto-Sama.

"Let's hear it for the 'Great Naruto bridgeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" All the emotions going through Inari's mind and soul had to be focused on something and he decided there and then it would be to spread his Aniki's gospel. Inari shouted his lungs out putting all his passion into it and when he stopped, everybody knew the song and dance.

"The great Naruto bridge, The great Naruto bridge, The great Naruto bridge, THE GREAT NARUTO BRIDGE." It started with the blue-haired girl whose hand Inari had not let loose and she did not seem to mind. Inari could feel how her hands had fixed themselves so their fingers intertwined.

The other kids quickly followed them, the young adults followed a second later, and the middle-aged to the elderly chanted the name of their new bridge with a promise of protection a promise of a legacy and tourist.

"I think you've done enough damage Naruto-Kun." Hinata came over to the blond who was eating everything up he couldn't believe the 'talk no Jutsu' was such a success in its trial phase.

"Ouch ouch ouch, hime my image my image?" Naruto complained as Hinata dragged him from the crowd by his cheeks some people's chants quieted a little and Naruto's eyes widened.

"Wahahahaha even I Uzumaki Naruto know there is no wrath like a woman scorned. Am I right?" Naruto waited with batted teeth as he checked for the signs or that one person who would understand his comedy.

"His right Hohohoho." There he was and the chain reaction started again man and woman alike laughed. Women because they like knowing even in the ninja world ninjas knew not to play with them and men because it was true their wives were demons when scorned some of them don't have couches at home and have to sleep on a pile of clothes.

"The Great Naruto bridge!" The village of wave shook as its people chanted as one. The people deciding on the name of their new bridge

"You are the lowest of the low dobe." Sasuke told his Blonde teammate with his hands in his pockets.

"It's not my fault you don't know how to advertise duckass. You think people are just gonna pull your name out of their ass one day calling you great?" Naruto was annoyed he couldn't stay in wave longer to hear more about Naruto Uzumaki the stories would be getting good right about now so he spoke bluntly and unapologetic.

"Hn I don't need to advertise." Sasuke's eyes widened when he got slapped in the back of the head by Itachi looking up confused at his older brother-turned-sensei.

"What was that for?" Sasuke asked doing his best not to rub his head and show weakness that such a blow could hurt him.

"You are building a habit, Sasuke-Kun." Itachi reasoned why he felt it reasonable to smack Sasuke behind the head, Naruto was giggling at the scene recounting the event to Hinata in great detail, with added exaggerated sound effects.

"Yeah, Macduckass what are you a malfunctioning generator everything hn …..hn …..hn hn hn hn hnnn hinnnmm hmmm it's stupid!" Naruto mocked his fellow teammate and Sasuke was ready for that one.

"Believe it! Believe it… believe it!" Sasuke mocked Naruto's academy catchphrase with a baby voice moving his hands in front of his eyes and play rubbing them, Naruto ground his teeth in anger, the fucking teme was mocking him.

"You wanna repeat that teme, don't forget what I did to the Hokage monument, it could become you in a giant poster by this time tomorrow morning." Sasuke didn't trust his voice at that threat he didn't want to find out if Naruto could accomplish that threat.

"Hn" Sasuke grunted looking away and facing forward. "I'll be the bigger man." Sasuke replied with a smirk on his face and Naruto's eyes widened, now he looked like the bad guy in the situation. Naruto's mouth hung open as he stopped in his tracks looking at Sasuke's retreating form.

Naruto lost a battle of words, it had to be a lack of 'talk no chakra' he must have used more than he thought to entice the people of wave country. Naruto decided he would bid his time for the coldest revenge in the history of his short life.

"Are you coming Naruto-Kun." Itachi called out and Naruto looked at his sensei but his mind also provided it was Sasuke's older brother at that moment causing him to squint his eyes in suspicion.

'Did he feed Duncan Mac Duckass that comeback?' Naruto wouldn't let it past an Uchiha to do that, there was no tighter bond between those guys like the one Sasuke and Itachi had, it was common knowledge in Konoha that the brothers loved each other very much especially since they became student and teacher.

'Nicely played Itachi.' Naruto nodded his head as though his thoughts were facts. His belief in the matter is if he had a little brother he would do the same, no random brat was gonna diss his brother Scott free and because Itachi is a good brother it would make sense.

"Come Naruto-Kun, sometimes we lose." Hinata went over to Naruto patting his back and showing him pity. The worse possible emotion to show a person who just got burned. Hinata with her good intentions was adding salt to the wound saying it would kill the bacteria.

"I'm gonna prank him so hard." Naruto promised, grinding his teeth. Hinata felt sorry for Sasuke already she even decided to give him a warning during the trip.

Team 7 took an hour walking at a civilian pace to watch the scenery and relax, this was Itachi's idea because he believed as a good sensei he should teach his students how to not just be hard workers but to know when to relax. His little brother seemed to need the exercise.

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"Would you look at that it's little Itachi-Chan?" Every Konoha nin whipped their heads to the voice and the man behind the mask smiled.

He sat comfortably on a tree branch with a leg dangling in the air.

"I remember when we met, you were but a little green rookie look at you now with your own team. Big bad Itachi Uchiha." The masked man laughed like he was talking to a nephew he hadn't seen in a long time and all the genin looked over at their sensei.

"Who are you?" Sasuke demanded in anger the masked man giving him bad vibes all over. Sasuke tried stepping forward but Itachi stopped him with a hand, the older Uchiha leaking killing intent he was doing his best to keep at bay.

"Don't Sasuke-Kun, this guy is out of your league." Itachi told his student but his eyes never left the masked man. He remembered him showing up just like this during his genin team's mission to escort the Fire Daimyō to Konoha. A teammate and friend died at the man's hands saving Itachi's life.

"What do you want ghost?" Itachi schooled his features and stared down the person he had no qualms killing, the only thing deterring him from attacking was his genin team's proximity.

"Tst tst tst young Itachi, why the hostility I thought we were friends I even did you the favor of unlocking your dojutsu." Itachi balled his fists at the reminder of what it cost him to awaken his dojutsu, the memory always a shame in his life. That he couldn't protect a teammate and friend.

Sasuke's eyes widened in shock at what the man said and looked at him with some fear. The man wore an orange mask with a spiral pattern focused around his right eye his body covered by a black full-body cloak finishing off the look with black shinobi sandals.

"You killed Tenma Izumo and my first sensei." Itachi deadpanned at the masked individual and the man shrugged uncaringly as he patted his pure black cloak to remove some wrinkles.

"I guess you are right Itachi-Kun but I killed a lot of people." When the man said that his eyes glanced at Naruto who was watching the exchange in interest but also on guard.

Itachi caught the glance and followed it, seeing that the masked man's interest was in Naruto who was also the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi, and had Itachi withdraw a kunai.

"Oh relax little Itachi." 'Ghost' told the sensei of team 7 as he faced Naruto who the Hyuga girl immediately placed herself in front of. "How have you been Naruto-Kun, oh you've grown I remember when you were so small you could fit in the palm of my hands." The man chuckled at the pure look of confusion that passed the whole team.

"Who are you freak, take off that stupid mask, it's stupid." Naruto only got a chuckle at his taunt and he bared his teeth at the man.

"It seems you take more of your mother's personality but more of your father's appearance." Naruto froze when those words entered his ears, eyes widening to the size of diner plates as he grew pale.

"It was you." Naruto whispered, his heart thundering in his chest. "You are that Uchiha." At his whispered words Hinata's eyes widened at the realization.

"Mmh sorry did you say something?" Ghost asked as he didn't pick up what was said.

"Naruto-Kun don't." Hinata took his hand in her grip only for him to yank it out of her hand shocking her.

"What are you talking about dobe?" Sasuke asked his teammate in confusion it was like everybody had a history with the guy. Naruto of course ignored the youngest Uchiha to stare down who he suspected to be an Uchiha and Naruto would find out.

"Who are you!?" Naruto shouted out at the masked man who leaped off the tree branch and landed smoothly.

"I am no one Naruto-Kun, just a ghost roaming the elemental nations." Ghost replied and Naruto took a step forward pushing past Hinata as his anger soared he wasn't in the mood for games this man in front of him just became suspect number 1 in his mother's murder.

"Answer me dammit!" Naruto was pissed, a vein was bulging on his forehead and his fist were balled so much they turned white. Itachi saw what the masked man was trying to accomplish. He wanted to anger Naruto probably to see the boy's potential as a Jinchuriki. Itachi stepped in front of the blond.

"Stop it Naruto-Kun, he is only trying to rile you up, a fight with him would have casualties if not for your safety think about your teammates." Itachi knew it was hypocritical to use such logic since he himself jumped in head first when he was placed in the same situation with the masked man but he had to be a sensei who could guide his students or he would be failing them.

"He is an Uchiha isn't he?" Naruto growled out but he did stop his advance after considering Itachi's words.

"I don't know Naruto-Kun." Itachi admitted simply eyes locked onto the man trying to peer into the eye hole of his mask but only seeing darkness. Naruto growled at the useless answer.

"Hinata, use your Byakugan on him." Naruto ordered, there was no other way to call it. It was not a request or a question it was an order and Hinata did not think twice before following it.

"Ohhh, so impatient. We will meet again Itachi-Chan, Naruto-Kun, grow strong both of you." As the man spoke a swirling distortion began forming from his eye hole. Itachi thinking it was an attack activated his dojutsu just as Hinata activated hers.

Itachi couldn't see the eyes behind the mask something there wouldn't allow him to see it maybe a seal blocking his eye's ability. Hinata, on the other hand, saw all she needed to see, her Byakugan were not like the rest of the Hyuga her sight was absolute, with nothing able to block its sight.

Hinata caught sight of the man's outline, his pathways, and tenkentsu. She saw the man was like two different people put together down the middle with two chakra types running through his body. When she made eye contact his eyes widened in shock that she could see through the seals of the mask before he was swallowed by the distortion disappearing from sight and Hinata's sensory ability.

"Hinata-Chan?" Hinata looked over at Itachi who was looking at her expectantly then she looked over at Naruto who was looking at her with such calm in his eyes she would have thought he was okay if not for the tsunami of emotions she felt from him, with chakra just as violent in his pathways.

Hinata made her decision, and even though Naruto was angry he still seemed in control enough to not mention his dreams and the secrets behind his birth.

"I couldn't see anything Itachi-sensei except his outline and a blurry chakra pathway." Hinata lied and Itachi sighed figuring it to be true since his own eyes couldn't peer through the man's cloak and mask.

"Let's pick up the pace, we will reach Konoha at nightfall by taking the trees." Itachi told his team and they all agreed, Sasuke was still interested in the masked man but he decided he could ask Itachi about him when they were home.

"I'm sorry Hinata-Hime, you were just trying to help." Naruto told Hinata as he walked up to her with a frown on his face and Hinata shook her head smiling at him.

"It's okay Naruto-Kun apology accepted." Hinata told him and Naruto smiled a little before deciding.

"How about some cinnamon rolls to celebrate your new eyes." Naruto asked with a smile and Hinata began bouncing on her feet ready to go, and go she did dragging Naruto by the arm as she dashed off.

"Hn." Sasuke said only to duck while bringing his hands up to protect the back of his head and a second later Itachi slapped the offending hand.

"I'm telling mother you are building a habit." Itachi informed his younger brother whose eyes widened in shock and fear, he tried speaking but Itachi leaped away.

"Itachi wait!!" Sasuke called out after his brother anything but his mother even his father listened to her, heck Itachi shivered whenever she said his name a certain way with only a spatula in her hands, he of course feared her by association.

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"Tobi's a good boy, Tobi will help you Zabuza-Kun Tobi promise." Zabuza turned around and growled. The fool was back.

"What do you want." Zabuza sat in a clearing in the middle of a forest, next to him lay Haku still covered in ice and unmoving. The ice was melting away but the process was slow very slow it had been 2 weeks since the fight and it was still thick. Zabuza didn't want to imagine that Haku might be dead under the ice.

"Hey, hey Zabuza-Kun you remember Tobi said he knew someone who knew someone who had an uncle who knew someone with special eyes that could help your friend?" The same masked individual who had been calm and controlled while dealing with the Konoha Shinobi was now acting like a fool in front of Zabuza.

"What about it." Zabuza didn't trust the man, that lucky-go attitude he had left him unnerved and suspicious he was hiding something Zabuza could see it in the act.

"Look look his coming. Tobi is a good boy Tobi is a very good boy." Tobi in a high-pitched child's voice patted himself on the back and did a little dance as he congratulated himself.

"Tobi is a very good boy." Zabuza's eyes widened at the voice and he watched with batted breath as a shadowed figure walked out of the foliage and into the clearing.

"Kisame Hoshigaki." Zabuza growled grabbing a hold of kubikiribōchō's hilt as he stood up quickly. Seeing another missing Nin of Kiri and a fellow former swordsman of the mist.

Kisame was a very tall, muscular shinobi. He had a distinctive shark-like appearance, complete with pale, blue-grey skin. He has small, round, white eyes, 3 sets of curved facial markings under his eyes, gills on his shoulders, and sharp triangular teeth, the latter of which is a shared trait amongst most of the other members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. He also styled his blue hair in the form of a shark fin. wore dark-purple nail polish. His Kiri forehead protector had a slash on it indicating his status as a missing-nin and he wore a black cloak with red clouds.

"Long Time no see Zabuza Momochi." Kisame grinned at the demon of the mist while Tobi looked between the two in 'confusion'.

"You know my uncle?" Tobi asked Zabuza and Kisame laughed with Zabuza gritting his teeth in irritation of what he thought were bad jokes.

"You said you could help Haku." Zabuza began. If anything they didn't seem to be hostile and if there was anyway he could help his precious person he would take it, for Haku's sake.

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"Where finally back, I'm going home to crash, it's late anyway." Naruto said stretching his hands as he yawned. The sky above was already dark most of Konoha was asleep except for a few stragglers roaming around.

"You guys can go on home I will report to the Hokage on what we experienced during the mission. Naruto-Kun the sword in your possession you will have to talk to the Hokage if you want to hold on to it." Itachi informed his genin who all looked tired and ready to drop they had been traveling none stop since they met the masked man.

"I will come with you Itachi-Sensei." Sasuke informed his brother and the man nodded not minding the company.

"You wanna crash at my place Hime?" At Naruto's question, everybody's eyes widened even Itachi the request was scandalous a boy and a girl alone with no parents around it was unheard of, and Hinata blushed pink.

"L-like a sleepover?" Hinata asked and Naruto nodded vigorously before replying.

"Like old times." Sasuke's eyes widened at the admittance ready to get to the bottom of it. Sasuke opened his mouth to speak only for Itachi to put a hand on his shoulders and disappear in a swirl of leaves.

"So, you coming?" Naruto asked happily and unbothered. Hinata concluded her best friend had short-term memory problems and had forgotten they were supposed to be in a 'situation'.

"I just want my best friend close after everything that happened." Then Hinata understood that he hadn't forgotten. He just didn't want to be alone after everything that happened and Hinata came closer hugging him and he hugged her back without a thought.

"Sure Naruto-Kun, and I have something to tell you as well." Hinata was gonna give Naruto the information she had gathered on the masked individual including the fact he had a Sharingan

AN

WE HAVE LEFT WAVE AND ARRIVED IN LEAF... Chunin exams will come after some plot lines have been created I plan on following canon events but ill throw some out the window if I feel like it.

WHO IS THE MASKED MAN? And why does naruto talk like his mother was the only parent who died that day?

Find out next time on a different telling chapter coming out on 14 Feb peace.

Where are my comments I need to know whether your enjoying the plot people don't read in a dark corner. EVERYBODY SAY "YEAH!!"

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Tough crowd indeed.