AU - I figured out how to do a line break when I was writing this chapter and messing around with the doc manager, so it should be easy to tell when a scene changes. I am too lazy to go back and do that to chapter 1.

Naruto stood amid the cratered battlefield, his gaze sweeping over the destruction— rocks and debris scattered like memories of the fierce battle fought. As he looked about the destruction he remembered something, or someone. Where's the masked man! He had completely slipped from his mind because of The Pale Man.

He looked to where he thought he should be, but he wasn't there. Naruto's heart quickened.

"Naruto, what's with you? Do you have ants in your pants or something?" Kakashi asked, eyebrow raised.

"I… I don't know where the masked man is!" Naruto said, alarmed.

Kakashi sweated-dropped at that, giving Naruto a dubious look. "Umm, Naruto, he's right there… you're standing on him. He dropped there when you stopped using Kyuubi's power."

Naruto looked down and, surely enough, he was standing on him, and his eyes were bulging out from his head from Naruto trying to find him.

"I knew that!" Naruto said, a pout marring his face, "I was just testing you guys!"

"Obito started to stir from being trampled upon. 'Get off me… brat." Obito all but just got out.

"You guys watch over him. I need to talk to Kyuubi." and with that he started meditating.

As Naruto focused in, delving into himself, he found himself in his mindscape, the Kyuubi's hulking form towering right in front of him, looking as unimpressed as usual.

"Are you okay after using that much chakra?"

The Kyuubi rumbled, almost as if laughing. I am fine, we tailed beasts have ways of regenerating chakra faster than humans do.

"How?"

We were once part of the Ten-tails, the living representation of the land—a being made purely of nature-chakra. And we tailed beasts were created from the Ten-tails, so we can, to some extent, replenish our chakra by using natural energy.

Naruto's eyes widened, "So that is why you can use sage mode better than me!"

Kyuubi smirked. Of course I can use sage mode better than you, I am 1000 years older than you.

"That doesn't mean anything." Pouting while saying this.

Cheeky brat. He muttered, but a hint of amusement fluttered in his eye.

"At least I'm not a grumpy old fox!" Naruto shot back, grinning.

Keep Dreaming Kid.

A comfortable silence filled the mindscape. It was broke by Naruto.

"What should we do with the masked man, and Edo Madara?" Naruto asked.

Since Madara is essentially immortal from him escaping the Edo Tensei, all we can do is hope sealing him would work—something I might be of help with, but the masked man has no chakra, on account of us draining it when we picked him up and held him with our tails.

'Oh… Right he can't do anything." Naruto put.

All we can now is wait for the rest of the army to get here.

All around the battlefield, everyone could finally move again because Naruto was not in Baryon mode anymore. When Edo Madara could finally move, he started running toward the pressure to figure out where it came from.

He was shocked by the pressure; nothing had ever made him freeze like that before. But, in his arrogance he dismissed it. I tamed the Kyuubi, unlocked the Rinnegan, the first since the Sage of Six Paths. I pulled giant rocks from space! What could be stronger than me? I, Madara Uchiha!

In a matter of minutes he got there and saw a peculiar scene in a destroyed crater: The Jinchuriki meditating, two weirdos Arguing, and his apprentice lying on the ground. Madara leapt toward Naruto.

Naruto opened his eyes, sensing Edo Madara, and in a snap of a finger was in Baryon mode. And Madara felt he could not move again.

"Why are you here?" Naruto spoke authoritatively towards Edo Madara.

It was the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi that made this pressure! If I just do what I did to Kyuubi he will be under my control. His eyes turned red and black, his Mangekyou sharingan spinning to life as it activated and looked directed into Naruto's eyes and cast a powerful genjutsu. One able to render the Mighty Kyuubi within his grasp. Nothing came from this attempted mind control on account of Naruto being a perfect Jinchuriki now and him just having more chakra than Madara in this form.

Naruto extended his hand towards Madara thinking about what Kurama had told him.

Flashback

Naruto, this sealing jutsu is very powerful. So power in fact, that it can only be used when you are in baryon mode.

"Why is it so powerful?"

It erases what the seal touches from existence.

Naruto fell face first onto the sewer floor and sprung right back up. "How?!"

The Sage said he found the technique in his mother's library, Kaguya, The Mother of All Chakra, after he and his brother killed her. All it said was, "This technique is called Fūinjutsu: Mugen no Inshō, meaning Sealing art: impression of infinity. It is named this because it suggests that once one is erased, nothing remains." That is all the tablet said. The Sage thought what it did was that the caster had to overwhelm the other person's chakra and soul leading to them getting destroyed, leaving no trace. And no seal can counter this one.

"Well, how do I cast a Fūinjutsu?"

I'll do it for you.

"Oh, umm, can I ask you a question?"

Kurama raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. What is it, brat? You don't usually hesitate to blurt out your thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto mustered his courage. "I know you're more than just the Nine-Tails. You have a history, a past… and I want to know your real name."

For a moment, Kurama was silent, the weight of the question hanging in the air. His eyes softened slightly, a gesture that surprised Naruto. You truly wish to know?

"Of course!" Naruto exclaimed, excitement bubbling within him. "You're my partner now. I want to know everything about you."

A low, rumbling chuckle escaped Kurama's throat, shaking the ground beneath Naruto. Very well. My name is Kurama. It means 'the nine tails' in the ancient tongue, but it is more than that. It represents the strength of my spirit and the bond we share.

"Kurama…" Naruto repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue. It felt significant, almost like a promise. "That's an awesome name!"

Kurama's expression shifted from amusement to something resembling warmth. You have come to see me as more than just a beast. This is a new beginning for us both.

Naruto's heart swelled with emotion. "Yeah, it is. I promise to honor our bond, Kurama. Together, we'll protect everyone!"

Kurama's eyes glinted with approval. "You've changed, Naruto. And for the better. Together, we will forge a new path."

As they locked eyes, a profound connection formed between them, a silent understanding that transcended words. In that moment, Naruto felt the weight of his past lift, replaced by the strength of a newfound friendship.

Go, Naruto together we shall not fail.

End Flashback

He attempted to cast the Fuinjutsu Kurama had told him about, but when he was to release it, a black hand reached out for Madara From behind, trying to reach its target.

Naruto vanished, reappearing right where the hand was, capturing it in an iron grip, draining its chakra.

"How have you become so powerful?" Black Zetsu asked, alarmed.

Naruto stared sharply at him as he tried, and failed, to get out of Naruto's vice-like grip, his chakra, quickly ebbing away.

Naruto continued to stare sharply at him, feeling Zetsu's strength slowly draining away.

"You underestimate the people you try to manipulate." Naruto declared calmly, but with a hint of finality,

Zetsu's black mass writhed in Naruto's grip, attempting to twist free. "How… My plan was full proof… you are a Jinchuriki… Someone with stolen power!?"

"I fight to protect, not to control," Naruto declared firmly, his resolve hardening. "I refuse to underestimate those who can threaten my friends. Fūinjutsu: Mugen no Inshō." And with that, white markings spread over Zetsu's body.

As the sealing marking spread Black Zetsu started writhing, "NO… THE PROPHECY… KAGUYA—SHE WILL RETURN… YOU ALL WILL BOW TO HER…" his voice desperate. Trailing off as the seal took hold.

"Not as long as I live." Naruto fastly declared. A bright flash of light happened to Zetsu's body and he vanished, never to be seen again. With Zetsu gone the battlefield felt lighter, but there was still business to take care of.

"Now to deal with you." Naruto declared as he set his sights on the Edo Madara.

Madara sneered, unbothered by the fact that he couldn't move due to Naruto's aura, and seeing Black Zetsu fazed out of existence "What do you think you are going to do to me!:"

Naruto teleported behind him, casted the sealing jutsu on him, causing him to turn into white light, vanishing without a trace.

Naruto deactivated Baryon mode, emotions bubbling in him chest, he looked to his left and he saw over the horizon the allied shinobi forces, who had just witnessed his battle, as they came closer you could see the awe in everyone of their eyes—especially the company led by Gaara, who had been utterly crushed by Maara.

Naruto gave a tired smile. "It's over now… but we'll always need to stay ready."

The tension slowly eased into relief, and one by one, the shinobi began to cheer, the sound echoing across the battlefield, a chorus of hard-won victory.

As they were cheering for him, thoughts began to wander leading to him getting lost in thought. What am I going to do with all this power… what will people think of me? I have erased the existence of two people—killed two people—doesn't that go against my whole ideology of not killing people? What if I could have reasoned with them?

Brat, Black Zetsu has been around for longer than I have. There was no saving him. All he wanted to do was revive Kaguya. Madara wanted to cast Tsukuyomi on the world, capturing people and slowly killing them. By killing two people you saved the entire world. They are cheering for you right now—they love you—and they all felt your power, they also could not move. Kurama reminded him.

Naruto felt a warmth spread in his chest as he watched all the admiration across everyone's face. I guess you're right, I have what I always wanted—recognition—and from all of the shinobi of the Five Great Nations, as well as the Samurai. And all these people would not be here if they did not die. This was more than just achieving a goal to Naruto, he had achieved his life's work. Everything he had ever done in his life was to get recognition from his fellow people.

At this, tears streamed down Naruto's cheeks, a mix of joy and relief flooding his heart. I won't let this power go to waste—I will use it to protect the people of this world from threats! Naruto declared in his mind.

As the people wondered why he was crying, he opened his eyes—and smiled—his first true smile in all his life. And people cheered with renewed vigor, their voices a rising chorus of admiration and hope.

Naruto stood tall, feeling a profound connection to everyone around him. In that moment, he understood that true strength came not just from power, but from the bonds he had forged and the lives he aimed to protect. This was a turning point, not just for him, but for the entire shinobi world, united in their fight against darkness.

It had been only days since he had saved the world, while defeating 3 high-threat-level ninja/people in the span of an hour. He was currently sitting in front of the 5 Kage narrating what happened during the war.

"... and that's about it." Naruto happily declared.

"So, what you are saying is 1) You and the Kyuubi are friends now, his name is Kurama, and he isn't a mean fox wanting nothing but destruction in the world. 2) That white light was a sealing jutsu Kyuubi told you about that makes whatever the sealing diagram touches erase from existence with no counter-seal. And 3) You can use both 'Baryon mode' and this seal whenever you want?" Tsunade posed toward Naruto.

"Yeah."

Tsunade sighed. "Well… it's not like we can stop you. All five of us could not stop Madara, let alone that Pale Man. You, by just being in this mode, made it impossible for him, and everyone on the battlefield to be able to move." Tsunade said.

"Well it isn't like I will destroy the world. I still have to relieve you from your job right, Baa-chan?"

"Yeah, I guess so, but it will be a long time until you take that chair from me." Tsunade said sarcastically.

"Well, I can wait. I have already achieved one of my life's goals anyway." Naruto said Happily.

"I thought your goal was to become Hokage."

"That and being recognized for being myself and not the fuzz-ball."

Kakashi suddenly walked in the room, as hip as ever, "Lady Hokage, we have to go back to the village."

"I guess you're right Kakashi. Come on Naruto, and bye fellow Kages." Tsunade turned and walked out of the room with Naruto in tow. They had a lot of walking ahead of them, considering they were back in the Cloud Village.

As they were discussing what their plans for the future were, Naruto had a renewed sense of purpose. Naruto realized that this would be a new chapter, not for himself, but for everyone in the hidden leaf.

As they made their way back to the hidden leaf they had 1 Jonin lead 6 Chunin back to the village, so it would decrease the time it took to get back. Increasing efficiency and causing less delay if someone needed a bathroom break. Lucky for Naruto, being the savior of the world had perks. Like traveling with the Hokage.

The landscape around them was beautiful. They were somewhere in the land of hot springs, a board state between the Land of Light and Fire. It had beautiful trees, grass, and flowers. And right now, the sun was setting, making a picturesque view of the sky.

Naruto was traveling back with just Tsunade, Kakashi, Guy, and Sakura. Sakura had hounded them with questions all the way from the cloud village, wanting to know everything.

Naruto sighed. It was getting quite annoying listening to Sakura drone on about his accomplishments when all he wanted to was get to his apartment and sleep for 3 weeks. Wait a second… Am I actually finding Sakura annoying?

That might be a side effect from baryon mode.

How?

Baryon mode mixes both of our chakras, causing both of us to gain characteristics from each other. Making you smarter, less irritable, and many more traits from myself and others befitting natural energy. Since the method we were using uses none of your chakra, I get none of your traits.

Is it you or natural energy making me find her annoying?

Me. That howler monkey is so loud. It hurts my ears whenever she talks. A picture of Kurama holding his paws to his ears popped up in his mind. He snickered.

She may be loud and annoying, but she isn't a howler monkey.

Tomato, tomahto.

Naruto rolled his eyes at his and Kurama's banter trying to ignore how annoying Sakura was being right now.

"Sakura, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I didn't save the world for a fan club," Naruto replied, a grin pulling at his lips despite his annoyance. "Can't a hero catch a break?"

"Well that doesn't take away from the fact that what you did was amazing Naruto." Sakura said, her face softening.

"It isn't everyday you save the world from Madara Uchiha after all." Kakashi added, agreeing with Sakura.

"Still, I don't know what happened to the Pale Man. He and Black Zetsu were the only people that were still capable of moving when I was in Baryon mode. He was hiding something. A great power. One that might rival mine." Naruto said grimly.

"WELL THEN, WE WILL HAVE TO ENTER OUR SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH TO KEEP HIM AT BAY THEN." Guy exclaimed in his usual enthusiastic tone.

Tsunade chuckled, glancing back at Naruto as they jumped through the trees. "You have changed a lot, Naruto. Just months ago you would have been bragging to everyone about what you did, but now, you are getting annoying at people singing your praises. Wasn't your goal to be recognized and now you are telling people to stop recognizing your accomplishments. Isn't that a bit hypocritical?" Tsunade narrated.

"Yeah, but it is annoying." Naruto said flatly.

"Maybe you just need to get used to it," Sakura suggested, her voice lightening. "You've accomplished something incredible! It's okay to let people celebrate that."

Naruto sighed. "I guess… it's just that I've always wanted to be acknowledged for who I am, not just for what I do. I don't want to become this 'legend' who can't connect with people anymore."

Kakashi nodded. "That is an important realization. It is easy to get lost in people's expectations, but remember, it is your friends and bonds that matter the most."

"YOSH, As stated by my youthful rival. We will help keep you grounded." Guy adds enthusiastically.

Tsunade smiled at Naruto. "You are already on the right path naruto. Just be yourself and you will make it."

As they continued to Konoha, their bonds all strengthened. As they began to enjoy the journey through the trees Naruto finally began to appreciate the praise, rather than be burdened by it.