Mei slowly woke up in her hotel room, the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow on her surroundings. She stretched lazily, her head throbbing slightly from the effects of last night. As she rubbed her eyes, she noticed Zabuza sitting on the couch, his Kubikiribōchō resting across his lap. He was meticulously sharpening the massive blade, each scrape of the whetstone echoing in the quiet room.
Mei sat up, brushing her hair back as she tried to recall the events of the previous night. "Zabuza," she murmured, a teasing smile playing on her lips, "how did I end up back here? I don't remember making it to bed."
Without pausing his sharpening, Zabuza glanced at her, his expression as stoic as ever. "You drank too much at the barbecue. Passed out before we even left. I had to carry you back."
Mei chuckled, amused by the image of the usually fearsome Zabuza hauling her through the streets of Konoha. "Well, aren't you quite the gentleman? Who knew you had such a soft side, Zabuza."
Zabuza snorted, his focus never wavering from his blade. "Don't get any ideas. I'm no gentleman. I just did what needed to be done." He paused, giving the blade a final scrape before looking up at Mei with his usual stern gaze. "I'm responsible for protecting you as Mizukage. You pass out in a foreign village, it's my job to make sure you don't wake up in some ditch."
Mei smirked, clearly enjoying Zabuza's gruffness. "You say it's just your duty, but you've been looking out for me since before I became Mizukage. I appreciate it, Zabuza, even if you won't admit you care."
Zabuza shrugged, his rough exterior never quite cracking. "Believe what you want, Mei. But you're the Mizukage now, and that means keeping you safe is all that matters. Especially with everything we're dealing with—the alliances, the Akatsuki… and now Danzo's scheming."
Mei's smile faded slightly at the mention of Danzo. "Yes, Danzo… I've heard of his reputation. He's not one to be trusted. We'll have to keep an eye on him, especially with how he's been eyeing Naruto and our village. We can't let him interfere."
Zabuza nodded in agreement, his expression darkening. "That old war hawk is always looking for an angle. But don't worry, Mei. I'll handle anyone who tries to mess with you or the Mist."
Mei smiled softly, feeling a sense of reassurance in Zabuza's presence. Despite his rough demeanor, she knew that behind it was unwavering loyalty and strength. "Thank you, Zabuza. It's good to know I have someone like you watching my back."
Zabuza simply grunted, turning his attention back to his blade. Mei watched him for a moment, feeling a rare moment of calm amidst the political tensions and the challenges ahead. With Zabuza by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.
Naruto and Haku left the Hokage's office, feeling a mix of emotions as they walked through the familiar streets of Konoha. Despite everything, Naruto's thoughts drifted back to his favorite comfort food. He looked at Haku with a grin. "Before we go, how about one last bowl of ramen? You gotta try the best ramen in the world."
Haku smiled softly, nodding in agreement. "I've heard so much about it from you. Lead the way."
They made their way to Ichiraku Ramen, where the warm, inviting scent of broth and noodles filled the air. The old shop felt like a piece of home, and for a moment, Naruto let himself relax. As they walked in, Teuchi, the owner, immediately recognized the familiar blonde hair.
"Ah, Naruto! It's been too long!" Teuchi greeted, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "I was wondering if you'd forgotten about us."
Naruto smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, old man. Things got… complicated. I was here the other day but only ayame was here so I wanted to come back to see you" He took a seat at the counter with Haku beside him. "But I couldn't leave without getting one last bowl."
Teuchi nodded, quickly setting to work. "You've grown, Naruto. And I see you've brought a friend." He smiled at Haku, who returned his smile politely. "Anything for you two today—it's on the house."
Naruto and Haku ordered their ramen, and as they ate, Naruto's face lit up, savoring the familiar taste he had missed so much. Between bites, Naruto looked at Teuchi and Ayame. "I wanted to let you know, I won't be staying in the village. I'm with the Mist now—it's where I've been since I was banished. That's my home now."
Teuchi paused, his expression bittersweet as he absorbed Naruto's words. "The Mist, huh? I heard some things, but I didn't know you ended up there. Well, Naruto, wherever you go, you're always welcome here."
Naruto finished his bowl with a contented sigh, patting his stomach. "Thanks, Teuchi. I'll miss this place, but I'm glad I got to have one last bowl before heading back."
After Naruto and Haku finished, they said their goodbyes and left the shop. Teuchi turned to his daughter Ayame, who had been quietly listening the whole time.
Ayame, wiping down the counter, looked thoughtful. "He's really not coming back, is he?"
Teuchi nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Doesn't seem like it. He's got a new home now." He paused, considering their options. "You know, Ayame, Naruto was one of our best customers—always kept this place lively. If he's living in the Mist now… maybe we should think about setting up shop there. Imagine it—a little Ichiraku Ramen, just for him."
Ayame smiled at the idea. "You really think we could make it work? The Mist is pretty far."
Teuchi chuckled. "For Naruto? I think we'd find a way. Besides, he's like family. And if the Leaf doesn't appreciate him, we can bring him a taste of home no matter where he is."
Ayame nodded, feeling inspired by her father's resolve. "Alright then. Maybe it's time for a new adventure—just like Naruto."
The two shared a smile, quietly making plans to bring the heart of Ichiraku to a new home in the Mist, ensuring that wherever Naruto went, a piece of Konoha would always be with him.
Back at the hotel, Mei was taking a shower, enjoying the warmth of the water after the long and eventful day. Zabuza sat on the couch, left to his own thoughts as he rested. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted the silence. Zabuza glanced up, setting his sword aside before heading to the door.
He opened it to see Naruto and Haku standing there, both looking eager and ready to leave. Naruto had a determined glint in his eyes, still buzzing from his recent visit with Tsunade and receiving his parents' belongings. "Hey, Zabuza," Naruto greeted with a grin. "Are you and Mei ready to head out? I got my parents' legacy, and I can't wait to start learning those techniques."
Zabuza gave a rare smile, nodding approvingly. "That's good to hear, kid. Those techniques will definitely make you stronger. I'm sure you'll put them to good use."
Haku leaned closer, giving Zabuza a teasing smile. "So, Zabuza, how was your date with Mei? Heard it was quite the night."
Zabuza scoffed, crossing his arms. "It wasn't a date. Just a regular meal—nothing more." He tried to sound nonchalant, but there was a hint of defensiveness in his voice that didn't go unnoticed.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Mei stepped out, fully dressed and ready to go. She had caught the last part of their conversation, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Oh, it was definitely a date," Mei corrected, her tone playful as she gave Zabuza a teasing look. "And if you're still denying it, Zabuza, then you clearly need some lessons in romance."
Zabuza grumbled, averting his gaze, but couldn't hide the faint blush on his cheeks. Mei then turned her attention back to Naruto and Haku, smiling warmly. "I'm all set. Let's get going. We've got a long trip back, and I'm sure Naruto is eager to start training with his new scrolls."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I can't wait to see what I can learn. Thanks for waiting on us."
Mei nodded, linking her arm with Haku as they walked. "Of course. We're a team, after all. And besides," she added with a wink, "I couldn't leave without making sure Zabuza and I were on the same page about our little 'date.'"
Haku giggled, while Zabuza sighed, resigned to the teasing. Together, the group made their way out of the hotel, ready to head back to the Mist Village, where new challenges and training awaited.
Kiba, Shino, Hinata, Sakura, Lee, Neji, and Tenten were determined to track down Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, hoping to tell them the news about Naruto. After some searching, they found the trio leaving the Hokage's office, looking a bit tired but curious.
"We heard something interesting," Kiba said, trying to keep his excitement in check. "Naruto's back in the village! We were thinking we should all go meet up with him."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Naruto? Really? That's great news, but… where is he?"
Sakura nodded, still eager despite the long day. "We saw him earlier as he was telling us he was going to see the hokage about some important business. He's been with Tsunade and Jiraiya most of the time but now we're trying to look for him."
Ino's eyes brightened. "Then let's hurry up and find him before he leaves again! It's been so long; we need to see him."
With a plan in mind, the large group of friends made their way to the village gates, hoping to catch Naruto before he disappeared once more. However, as they neared the entrance, they noticed one of the guards in charge of the gates speaking with a Jonin, handing over a letter. The Jonin glanced at the note and nodded in understanding.
Curious and a bit anxious, the group approached, trying to catch some of the conversation. The guard noticed their approach and quickly folded the note, but not before Kiba's keen ears picked up a few words.
"This was left by the Mizukage with her guards," the Jonin explained. "They've already headed out early this morning."
Hinata's eyes widened, and she quickly looked at the others, her heart sinking. "The Mizukage… that means Naruto's already—"
Lee, who had been so excited to reunite with his friend, clenched his fists, feeling the sting of disappointment. "So Naruto left with them already?"
The guard nodded, a bit apologetic. "Yes, they were in a bit of a hurry, it seems. Left this note behind just to confirm their departure."
Everyone fell silent, the realization hitting them hard. They had all hoped for a chance to see Naruto, to catch up and share stories, but now he was gone, slipping away with the Mist before they could even say hello.
Sakura bit her lip, trying to hide her sadness. "We missed him… again. I can't believe it."
Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Troublesome… but it's not like he's gone forever. He's with the Mist now, and it's probably where he belongs for the time being."
Choji nodded in agreement, though he couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes. "Yeah, but still… I wanted to at least see him. It's been way too long."
Neji, ever calm, tried to reassure everyone. "Naruto's on his own path now. And even if he's not with us in the village, he's still our friend. We'll see him again. We just have to be patient."
Despite Neji's words, the group couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. They all had so much they wanted to say, to catch up on, but now it would have to wait. As they stood by the gate, watching the bustling village around them, each of them silently promised that next time, they wouldn't let Naruto slip away so easily.
Kakashi met Iruka at their usual spot, a quiet corner of the village where they often exchanged news and updates. Iruka looked troubled as he noticed Kakashi's expression, sensing something was on his mind.
"Kakashi, you look like you've seen a ghost," Iruka said, half-joking but concerned.
Kakashi nodded, glancing around to ensure their conversation was private. "I was on a mission recently, and I'm almost certain I saw Naruto… but he wasn't alone. He was dressed as a shinobi of the Mist, alongside the Mizukage's entourage. I didn't get a chance to confirm it then, but something about his demeanor and the way he carried himself… I need to speak to Tsunade about this."
Iruka's eyes widened in shock. "The Mist? That explains why we haven't heard from him. If that's true, it's no wonder we lost track of him all this time."
Kakashi nodded, his thoughts already racing as he turned to leave. "I'll let you know what I find out."
Arriving at the Hokage's office, Kakashi was met with Tsunade's stern but slightly weary expression. Before he could even start, Tsunade spoke up, knowing exactly what was on his mind.
"Kakashi, I'm guessing you're here about Naruto." She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You're right. He was here in the village with the Mizukage and Kazekage. We've secured an alliance with both their villages."
Kakashi blinked, surprised by how much he had missed. "So it really was him… Naruto is with the Mizukage?"
Tsunade nodded, a hint of a smile appearing. "Yes, Naruto has been staying in the Mist this whole time, under the care of Mei. He's been training and finding his place there. It's why he's become a shinobi of the Mist."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, trying to process everything. "I knew he'd find his way, but the Mist? That's the last place I expected him to end up. It's good that he's in safe hands, but this changes things."
"It does," Tsunade agreed, her tone becoming more serious. "But there's more. Danzo, of all people, told Naruto about his parents while we were in a meeting. It caught everyone off guard, including Naruto."
Kakashi's eyes widened, concern flashing across his face. "Danzo? Of all people… I can't believe he would reveal something like that, especially when it's such a delicate matter. How did Naruto take it?"
Tsunade sighed, remembering Naruto's reaction vividly. "Surprisingly well. Naruto was more focused on reclaiming what was his, Minato and Kushina's belongings, rather than being overwhelmed by the truth. He demanded everything that belonged to his parents, stating that the Leaf didn't deserve to keep it. I think he's processing it all, but in his own way."
Kakashi crossed his arms, deeply impressed by Naruto's resilience. "He's grown stronger in more ways than one. I'm glad he's handling it, but I wish it had come from someone who cared about him, not from Danzo."
Tsunade nodded in agreement. "Naruto's path is his own now, and though he's not with us in the Leaf, he's still connected. We'll see how things unfold, but for now, we should respect the choices he's made. He's not that same kid we used to know—he's forging his own way."
Kakashi smiled faintly under his mask, proud of Naruto but also feeling the weight of his absence. "He's always been full of surprises. I just hope he knows he's not alone, no matter where he calls home."
Tsunade nodded, sharing the sentiment. "He knows, Kakashi. He always knows."
Kakashi left Tsunade's office, his mind still processing the whirlwind of revelations about Naruto. As he stepped outside, he saw Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, Anko, and Iruka gathered together, each caught up in their own conversations about missions and daily duties. When they spotted Kakashi approaching, the group's attention quickly shifted toward him, sensing that something significant was on his mind.
"Kakashi, you look like you've got some heavy news," Asuma remarked, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Kakashi nodded, his expression grave. "Yeah, I do. It's about Naruto."
Everyone's eyes widened, and Anko's face lit up with excitement. "Whisker boy's back? About time! Where is he?" She grinned, biting into her dango stick.
Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a heavy sigh. "Naruto was here, but he's not staying. He's a ninja of the Hidden Mist now."
The news hit everyone like a shockwave. Anko's dango stick slipped from her fingers, clattering to the ground as her smile quickly faded. "What? No way. Naruto, a Mist ninja? How did this happen?"
Kurenai and Iruka looked at each other, equally stunned, while Asuma's cigarette nearly fell from his lips. Guy clenched his fists, visibly troubled.
Kakashi continued, trying to give them the full picture. "Naruto's been in the Mist ever since he was banished. He's been under the Mizukage's protection and care. Tsunade has secured an alliance with the Mist and the Sand Village, so Naruto's status is officially tied to their village now."
"Unbelievable…" Kurenai muttered, still processing the news. "After everything he went through here, he's not coming back?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No, he's not. And it doesn't stop there. During the meeting with the Mizukage and Kazekage, Danzo of all people revealed Naruto's true heritage. Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki."
The shock on their faces deepened. Asuma rubbed the back of his neck, trying to make sense of it all. "So Naruto is Minato's son? How could we have missed this? That's… it's huge."
Guy's face turned serious, his usual enthusiasm replaced with genuine concern. "Minato-sensei always talked about protecting the Leaf and building a future here. How did it come to this? His own son, raised to be a weapon for another village… this wasn't supposed to be his legacy."
Kakashi glanced at Guy, understanding his feelings all too well. "None of this was supposed to happen, but it did. Naruto was never treated fairly here, and now, with the alliances in place, there's nothing we can do. Tsunade is doing what she believes is best to keep the peace."
Anko, still reeling from the news, clenched her fists. "I never thought the kid would end up this far away from us. He was always meant for greatness, but it's hard to see him belong to another village."
Iruka, who had watched Naruto grow up, felt a mix of pride and sadness. "All this time, he was carrying the legacy of the Fourth, and none of us knew. I hope he's happy there… but it's hard to think of him as anything but one of us."
Kakashi nodded, his own emotions tangled. "Naruto has found his path, even if it's not what any of us expected. He's stronger now, and he's making his own choices. The best we can do is support him from afar, no matter how much we wish things were different."
The group fell silent, each lost in their thoughts. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that Naruto was safe and growing stronger, yet also realizing that the boy they all knew and cared for was now a shinobi of another village, carving out his own destiny far from the place he once called home.
