"Naruto, I need you to head to the dead forest pass the Nara woods. Team 10 and Kakashi have set out to counter Akatsuki forces, you are to provide backup and possible disengagement."

The last month can only be described with craziness. Gaara had been kidnapped and had Shukaka removed from his stomach while Asuma got killed by two Akatsuki members in Fire country. I had not been a part of either those missions unfortunately, or they might have gone differently. Gaara was still alive due to a new jutsu that brought him to life. I would have to send him a gift soon.

"Anything else I should know grandma?"

"The two men of the Akatsuki are Hidan and Kakuzu. Hidan is deemed immortal and Kakuzu has multiple hearts. Hidan has the ability to injure opponents through himself. Kakuzu lived a battle against the first Hokage. Both will be hard to kill. Is your new jutsu ready?"

"It is, I guess we can see how effective it is on a live target."

With that I set out the office to make neck breaking speed towards the location of my allies.

"Kakashi-sensei, how are we going to beat him?" Ino, Choji, and Kakashi stared down the man Kakuzu who was going all out right now. The group was worn down, their chakra low.

"I do not-"

"Leave him to me." The three looked in the sound of the voice to see me standing there, my signature armor donning me.

"Naruto, you finished-" I turned and nodded at Kakashi as I stuck my hand out.

"Just watch."

Ino and Choji were confused by what Naruto was talking about. "Kakashi-sensei what did he finish?"

"Like he said, just watch."

I stared down Kakuzu as I got ready for my jutsu.

"The Kyuubi brat, you being here now saves me the trouble of finding you myself."

"You will not be taking me, now, feel this."

I held my hand as a Rasengan started forming, next thing everyone heard is a screeching sound. Four white blades started whirling around the Rasengan.

"Fuuton: Rasenshuriken!"

I took off towards Kakuzu who tried to avoid it. He however was unable to with a little clone trickery. I laid the jutsu into him as his body was shredded internally by the wind chakra of the Rasengan.

"Woah." The trio closest to me looked at the massive dome of chakra as it continued to swirl.

'What level is Naruto on now?!'

'Seems he has surpassed me once again. You would be proud Minato-sensei.'

'This guy...'

Eventually, the dome dissipated as Kakuzu fell into the large crater. I shunshined down to the center to find him lying there, broken.

"Your time has long been up old man, return to ashes."

With that, I dropped a Rasengan to his chest, finishing off his last heart. I grabbed his head and left the crater as I met up with the rest of the team.

"Where is Shikamaru?"

"Right here."

I turned around to see the lazy Nara, walking out of the shaded tress back toward the rest.

"I guess you took care of the one called Hidan?"

He nodded as he took a breath of a cigarette. He threw it down to the ground and stomped on it.

"He has been avenged now."

The group got a little somber at the thought of the fallen sensei.

"Let us return now."

Kakashi leaped off and let the rest of Team 10 and I follow in suit. Once we got in the trees, Ino decided to ask a question, however.

"Naruto what was that jutsu?"

"The Rasengan was created by my d-, the Fourth Hokage. It was incomplete, however, and I finished it. The Rasengan is the pinnacle of shape manipulation but lacked elemental manipulation; by adding the wind element, it achieves the pinnacle of jutsu creation."

Ino and Choji focused on the fact that Naruto had made a super jutsu that the Fourth did not while Shikamaru focused on a different thing.

'He almost called Lord Fourth something else...sounded almost like he was about to say dad. If this troublesome blonde is the son of the Fourth...there is an uncanny resemblance...it almost makes sense. The Fourth sealing the Kyuubi into his own son makes the most sense too! This guy gets more troublesome by the second.'

"Naruto, is your father-"

I looked at Kakashi as my sensei made eye contact with me. A silent conversation happened in an instance.

"Yes."

Ino and Choji looked confused at Shikamaru and I as we continued tree hopping. I looked at Kakashi-sensei who just shrugged in my direction.

"Naruto who is your father, I thought you did not know?" I sighed as I knew now the cat was about to be out the bag.

"It was hidden from me due to my father being a legend. A legend that people hated so much that they would do anything to kill his offspring. My dad was the Fourth Hokage."

The trip back was mostly quiet with a few words being said. The shock of my ancestry surprised Team 10 rendering them unable to speak. I just talked to Kakashi sparingly about various shinobi things. We eventually arrived in the village where Kakashi said he will report to the Hokage.

Shikamaru left saying he needed to go play Shogi while Choji said he was hungry leaving Ino and I together by ourselves.

"Naruto, you want to go eat together?" I was a little confused as me and Ino have not spoken in a while at least in the last month I have been back in the village.

"Sure, where at Ino?"

"Why not Ichiraku, I have not eaten there so I guess I need to see the hype for myself."

"You will love it Ino!"

I led her towards the stand, it being a little awkward as we walked in silence. We arrived there to see the stand empty for dinner.

"Old man, two miso for me!"

"Got it Naruto." Teuchi walked out from the cooking kitchen in the back to see Naruto and a female friend next to him. "Say Naruto who is the girl? Your girlfriend?"

Ino blushed while I chuckled as I shook my head no.

"Nope, but she is a new customer. Her name is Ino, she graduated with me from the Academy. We just got back from our mission." Teuchi nodded as he introduced himself to Ino who did the same.

"I will have a miso myself Mr. Teuchi."

Teuchi nodded leaving Ino and I alone again.

"Naruto, how did you get so strong?"

I got out of my thoughts at Ino's question to look at her. She seemed very curious about it.

"There are people that out to get me. I have to get stronger to survive."

"Is it scary knowing those monsters are out to get you Naruto?"

The concerned look Ino gave me sparked a feeling in my chest I did not know.

"Sometimes, but I cannot just roll over and let them kill me. I have to foil their plans or else who knows what."

Teuchi brought our food out after that which ended our conversation early. We got into a more comfortable silence as we began eating.

"You are right, this is very good Naruto!" I nodded enthusiastically as I continued slurping my food.

"Naruto-" I looked over at Ino as I saw her looking down at her food. "-thank you."

I got confused as I did not know what she was thanking me for. "For what Ino?"

She raised her head for me to see tears on the edge of her eyes. "We had a chance of dying today. We probably would have died, Choji and I. We were in over our heads and on the brink of chakra exhaustion a-a-and you just showed up and wiped the guy who almost killed us out with one jutsu! I felt totally...useless."

Ino had small tears falling from her eyes by the end. In truth, I did not know what to say. They were in over their heads and if Kakashi was not there, they would have died immediately. I do not know what came over me, but I grabbed Ino's hand as she looked at me in surprise.

"Ino, all that matters is you did live. Maybe it was a bad idea, yes, but nobody died or get seriously hurt. The positive of the missions outweighed the negatives. You have the chance to get better still, I have faith you can Ino." I gave her a thumbs up and a wide grin as I tried my best to reassure you.

"Thank you, Naruto."

Ino looked at me now with a small smile as she squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"HOW CUTE!"

Ino and I whipped our heads around to see Ayame looking at us with hearts in her eyes, the thought of her little brother getting a lady filling her heart with joy. Ino and I let our hands go and coughed with a blush on our faces. We looked at each other furthering our blushes.

"When are the babies coming? I want to be an aunt!"

With that, ryo was tossed on the counter as me and Ino were gone in a blur.

Teuchi and Ayame laughed at the response of the two teens.

"Let me walk you home." Ino and I were walking through the streets at night as we left Ichiraku.

"No, it's okay Naruto." I rolled my eyes as I flicked her on the shoulder.

"Do not argue, just lead the way. How could I not walk a woman home after she makes me company, especially if it is a friend."

"Look who is such a chivalrous gentleman, guess the trip spent not only made you stronger but a better man. You might get a really good girlfriend if you act like this." I just scratched the back of my head at the praise. I did not get praise growing up much, so this was just a tic I developed.

Ino and I walked for a bit, at a leisure pace as we just talked about times. It was nice. Eventually, we arrived at a decent size house with the lights still on. We arrived on the doorstep when I said something that made Ino laugh as the door opened up before we knocked.

"You know Ino, I was wondering why you arrived at the village a few hours ago you were taking a while to get home."

Ino pales while I look into the face of the head of the Interrogation department, Inoichi Yamanaka.

"D-d-dad I can-"

"Naruto, great to see you again. I assume you took good care of my daughter."

I nodded as I saw the man I had talked to through my childhood. "I hope she found my company good enough."

Inoichi and I grinned as we shook hands. "Bye Ino, see you around. Great to see you again Mr. Inoichi." I bowed as I left the premise.

"Seems like our daughter is growing up Inoichi."

Inoue's voice could be heard behind Inoichi as the man nodded.

"Dad, Mom, it was not a-"

"He is a lot better than Sasuke for sure. I approve, do not mess this up."

"DAD, I do not like him like that! We are just friends, and we were just hanging out together after a mission!"

"Then why are you blushing sweetheart?"

Ino's blush got even darker as she stormed inside past her parents.

"You always liked Naruto, right dear?" Inoichi nodded as he looked at the spot of where Naruto previously stood.

"I did, I always wanted Ino to be closer to the boy growing up, he did not have anyone his age close to him until recently. I will trust him with my daughter's hand if it comes down to it. After all, that boy has been a kind boy ever since he was born."

"Then I will trust him too, you always could read people pretty well." The two of them returned inside as the two teenagers both settled into their beds for tonight. The previous hours spent going through their minds. Two separate trains of thought.

'He is hot, and actually wanting him was supposed to be a joke, but could I really fall for the guy?'

'Ino has always been nice to me, likely due to Inoichi. Sakura was my crush and still kind of is, but being with Ino was nice and she was nice to me when Sakura was not. Plus, she is cute.'

With that, the spark of something began to blossom.

"Naruto."

I turned around from my training ground behind my house to see an Anbu standing there.

"Yes Mr. Anbu?"

"Lady Fifth requires your audience. Please head over to her office soon as possible."

I nodded as the Anbu left and I left in a shunshin to meet Tsunade in her office.

I knocked on the door to hear a "Come in."

"I am glad you did not pick up Jiraiya's window habits."

I shrugged as I stood at attention to Tsunade.

"We received intel of the Akatsuki." My expression grew immensely serious at that.

"They now have as we know, 6 Tailed Beast. The only ones left are you, the Eight tails of Kumo and the Six Tails."

I sighed as I understood what that implicated. The Akatsuki had enough power now to destroy nations with just the tailed beasts alone.

"They are getting too powerful now." Tsunade nodded at that.

"Can you stop them if they try to capture you?"

"No, not if they are in pairs. I do not think I am quite S-rank yet."

Tsunade just sipped her tea as she resumed her thoughts.

"You need to get S-rank. Jiraiya did mention something."

I raised an eyebrow seemingly asking what.

"Sage mode."

The Konoha 11 sat there in the home of Naruto.

"Ay Naruto, when did you get this?"

Kiba and company looked around the space they occupied as it was a house none of the Konoha 11 expected. All of them either still lived at their parents or in apartments, the concept of owning a house foreign to them.

"I bought it when I got back in the village."

The group looked around the living room as Naruto was almost finished cooking. He invited them all over for the first time since they all were in the village at the time. I was going to busy soon. Akatsuki on the horizon meant that I would have to improve fast, in time for me to be able to protect the village.

"Why did you buy it?"

Hinata surprised me, before I left for my trip, she was a real shy girl, I figured out that she had feelings for me after I described it to my sensei. Since I have been back however, she has been a lot more outgoing around me. 'She might have moved on, that is good.'

I shrugged as flipped over a steak. "Got tired of my rusty old apartment, decided to switch things up." The group nodded in approval.

"Say Naruto." I turned towards Shikamaru as I finished cooking and was plating the food. "Want to play Shogi? It has been a while since we have."

"Naruto play you in Shogi?!" Kiba looked back and forward between the two males.

"You are about to be surprised Kiba." Ino smirked at the Inuzuka as she winked at me. I blushed a little and returned to the food. Sakura saw this and raised an eyebrow at Ino. Ino just gave a sly smile towards her longtime friend.

"Sure Shika, after we all eat of course. Speaking of which, you have been served!"

I served plates of steamed vegetables, assorted meats, soups and salads, homemade bread, and sushi.

"Woah Naruto! Since when you could cook?"

I looked at Sakura as I scratched the back of my head. "I had to learn on our trip, could not eat out every single time. I actually enjoy it, and I would like to think I am not half bad."

The whole group eyed all the food as they took it in their eyes appreciatively.

"NARUTO! This is splendid. Great job friend." The Akimichi gave me a thumbs up as the rest of them all voiced their agreement. I blushed slightly at the praise as we all ate. The dinner was full of laughter and light conversation as we all appreciated the company of each other in the house. It was nice to have all of us together.

After dinner, we broke into smaller groups. Shika and I played Shogi, while the ladies went to the hot tub and the guys went on the practice field.

Laughter filled the night as gossip and bonding ensued. One by one, friends left, in the end the last two were me...and Sakura. Sakura and I were out on the field under the stars as we gazed upon them.

"Thank you for having all of us out here Naruto. It was nice."

I nodded as I resumed looking at the sky. "Of course, I was glad we could all get together again."

Sakura nodded as we went into a comfortable silence.

"Do you miss our old team? Do you miss him?"

I looked over at Sakura to still see her looking at the stars. I looked at them myself to see a comet fly by.

"I miss the family we had. Of course I do. But Sasuke." I turned to look at Sakura who was looking intently at me. "Can we forgive what he did to our family? The bonds he broke for the sake of vengeance. He was a brother to me yet tried to kill me." I sighed as I looked up again.

"The man was opening up to us and suddenly got colder. This is the path he knew he was going to walk. We just tried to ignore it, in favor of looking towards a potential future of him leaving that path. We did all we can to try to get him to stay. In truth, I miss the guy, but he is walking down the path he wanted. I will not miss him for who he was, but what he was."

Sakura took all that in, and seemed to speculate on that thought a little more.

"Team 7 was the best was it not?"

I looked at Sakura to see a soft smile adorned on her lips.

"It was."

My smile matched her as we once again looked up, content that the night was good enough.

"Jiraiya-sensei, you sure?"

I looked at my godfather who had been taking care of me the last three years of my life. The man looked at me with serious eyes.

"I am Naruto."

"But I am about to leave for-"

"Exactly why we need to do this now. Means you do not have to deal with it." I just eyed the man strangely as we both stood on top of one of the buildings, overlooking the crowd in front of the Hokage Tower.

"Everyone, listen up."

All eyes turned to the Hokage as she started speaking to the crowd.

"In this village of Konoha, which I sorely love, as your Hokage I have a huge announcement to tell you. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, was a man we all heralded as a hero, who saved us from the tragic ravaging of the Kyuubi 16 years ago. The beast was going to destroy us all if not for the man defeating it himself. Many know this story."

Shikamaru started smiling as he figured out where this was heading.

"What many do not know is that Minato's wife, Kushina Uzumaki, was pregnant at the time. On that night, a baby was born to the two." The inhabitants of the village Hidden in the Leaves started whispering to themselves about what was going on. Among the crowd a few knew the person being spoke about. Kakashi, who was grinning under his mask, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio of both generations, various Anbu, the former Hokage guard squad consisting of Aoba, Genma, and Raidou, Teuchi the ramen god, and various shinobi who were not dumb.

"He has become a very valuable asset to the Hidden Leaf Village. A now man who has risen to the top through sheer dedication and has a dream to be my successor, which I really hope he does."

"Showtime kid."

I shunshinned behind Tsunade and walked up to show myself to the crowd. Several people blanched while a small round of applause began to erupt.

"I PRESENT, THE CHILD OF MINATO NAMIKAZE AND KUSHINA UZUMAKI, NARUTO UZUMAKI!"

The crowd erupted as they all went wild. Growing up, life had not been easy for me. I was isolated and shunned, looked down upon as a demon; however, a few people were there to help. First, it was the Sandaime, who gave me an apartment and spent time with me, teaching me things a parent would. Inoichi was my own little therapist, who would come and listen to me, when the whispers got too much. Kakashi, who I now know was the Dog Anbu, protected me, and brought me food when I needed it. Grandpa Teuchi, the first man to let me eat in his food establishment and was a real guidance in my young years. When I became a shinobi, less of the hatred was seen, and by the Chuunin exams, I had started to be seen in a positive light, especially when my feats of beating Neji and beating Gaara came to light.

Now, I was not highly respected, but I was seen in a positive light. My spar against Kakashi and role in taking out two Akatsuki members have ridded the village of its hatred towards me. Now I looked down on the crowd, who 8 years ago would have wanted me dead, instead of cheering for me. In that moment, I felt a presence. An inkling of a feeling like I had long ago.

'Was this how you felt, old man. If so, for you, this village will not fall under me.'

I raised my fist as the crowd roared to new heights. The Will of Fire burned in everyone in the crowd. A prince, who was an outcast, had been brought to society. With terror sparking around the world, a light had been found.

Author Note

Been a while on this chapter, just really struggled when writing it. I would say this story is getting close to being finished, this story follows canon, however there is some AU elements. That being said, I am going to finish this story off where I want it to end, and eventually I will write the sequel. I know where it is going to end, and that will be before the big canon divergent event. Just stay tuned. I also want to mention, I skipped the Gaara and Asuma missions, because Naruto really has no impact in either. Kakashi could have taken care of Deidera himself really so there was no point in including Naruto and writing about it. Naruto also just shows up at the end of the Akatsuki assassination mission and just one shot Kakuzu so I really just tried to move on with the story by keeping it canon. Anyway next chapter is getting worked on. Hopefully will come quicker than this one.