Episode Two

Flashback

"So, we meet again?" Naruto froze upon that familiar voice, appearing at a distance behind him. "No, we didn't… you've been following me since I beat you back in Mizu no Kuni." glancing back over his shoulder into the shadows from which Shizuka stepped out, with an attempt of a blank face. "You knew?

"You aren't very subtle. What do you want? I'm about to get shit faced." Naruto thumbing towards the bar he was standing in front of, "To fulfil our agreement, naturally." The brunette girl states stepping towards the roguish man. "I thought I told you already…" shifting his stance threateningly causing the Nadeshiko princess to stop. "I have no intention to…"

"Quite the opposite in fact." She states cutting him off, him raising an eyebrow at that, "I will be joining you in your journey." speaking as if her statement was fact like the weather. "oh?" he remarked somewhat annoyed as she calmly nodded "I know I promised to return to change my people after my defeat but…"

"You gave up?"

"No… not exactly." She sighs head dropping for a moment, but upon raising her head once more with her jade eyes hardened with uncompromising determination "…but I have decided my path and upon that road I want to join hands with you." Naruto nods at that, acknowledging that look with a smirk "Is that right?"

"I hope to learn how to be strong like you." Shizuka states before bowing. "Please. Let me at least try and become…"

"Fine. Let's drink to our new friendship, neh?" Naruto heading into the bar, Shizuka running up behind unbeknownst to either this was the beginning of a relationship that would shake both the Land of Water and the Land of Fire, naturally the whole world would shift in response..

Flashback end

Nagi Island - Present/A week since Outpost 12

Sitting on the closed window, Naruto looks out over the small village his party has stopped in thinking of what to do now. His wife and daughters, yes, he knew Shizuka was expecting even though its early days but having it confirmed as a girl may be a bit of projection on their part, but that isn't neither here nor there.

His worries are largely around Kushina and how much the queen will try to twist her mindset. Looking back into the room where his son is, moving silently and quickly he climbs in beside him and brings him into a hug despite being asleep.

"Hopefully you'll forgive me for not being strong enough, Shirin. To protect you from her machinations." Naruto whispered to himself as the tears finally ceased on his little boy who gripped him tightly. Letting out a wary breath before his eyes meet his fellow outcasts figure sleeping soundlessly on the other bed opposite.

Then again, she may be lucky that the two men were exiled at the same time as her or she'd no doubt suffer a fate worse than death. So many things that can go wrong has so, his thoughts running rampant with no end to this downward spiral. "Keep it down, kit. Some are trying to sleep…"

"Kurama…" Naruto cracks a slight smile at his tenant, said fox has become far more docile since his banishment and had become a parent or sibling figure for the blond when no one else was there during his darker days. Naruto would never admit that though, not even to his own mind as it wasn't his alone. "…what's your take? Thinking on going back to demon. Check the situation then...?"

"Like we have much choice." The fox sighs with a single eye open. "A stable life would be best. What about your vixen? Not worried about her?"

Naruto snorted at that mentally. "You know as well as I do, she's more than capable of taking care of her side of things." Eyes narrow, cobalt blue eyes gleaming in the moonlit room. "She will no doubt do what must be done for our kids before making her way to us. If not, then her dream. We'll find out when we reach demon."

"No doubt." The chakra construct nods in confirmation as he closes his one open eye "Though, what about that Hidden Village? Surely…"

"They won't be an issue once we cross the border. As good as their spy networks are, we know them too, avoiding them will be a challenge, sure, but I doubt its unmanageable." Naruto responds as he looks down to see his son finally sleeping comfortably "Besides, if it's for my son…" his eyes flash golden for a moment earning a smirk from the kitsune within. "You have my support… after all; the kit of my kit is my family too."

"He's your godson too, ya'know…" Naruto irritated at still be referred to as a child but calms down with a soft smile "You should get some sleep too. Things are…"

"Can you keep watch then?" going through hand signs and surely enough a Labrador sized Nine-tailed fox appeared from a summoning "Sure kit. Rest up." The now summoned Kyubi no yoko responded as he moved to the end of the bed and curled up "Thanks." As Naruto slipped beneath the sheets.

The sound of a scream woke Naruto from his dreamless slumber, jolting to defensive stance in speeds seasoned Jonin would be jealous of as he scanned the room to find Kiyota with her blade out, Kurama standing at attention growling back. "STAND DOWN!" Naruto all but shouted, clearly unamused at the sight of two allies of his about to strike down one another "Told you." Shirin stepping in from the bathroom "This is my uncle, Kurama."

Kiyota stammered out. "…but… but…"

"Kiyota…" drawing said kunoichi's attention to Naruto "…he's my summon." Before gesturing to his whiskered cheeks. "These are the sign of our contract."

"…umm, uh, but… toads…" she stutters causing Naruto's eyes to darken somewhat. "Haven't been my summons for a long time. Almost a decade in fact." Whispering that last part as he stretched out before moving towards the bathroom "Now, with that all sorted – I'm cleaning up then we'll grab some food before we move on."

"Move on? Where?" Kiyota somewhat regaining her sanity as she slowly replaces her blades "Home." Was naruto's curt response as the door shut. Shirin perked up at that, a grin on his face hoping it would be where he hoped, "You mean we get to…"

"We were exiled though…" spoke Kiyota again unsure of what he meant. "Papa probably meant the land of Demons, where me and my sister were born." Shirin states causing the woman to nod slowly, "Ah, I see."

A short pause before trying to recall some information "Though, I don't know where that is exactly…"

"It's off to the east." Naruto returning to the room. "Far east."

"How far?" the lone woman now sitting on the beds edge, affixing her combat boots to her feet "Depends. If we cut through the Land of Water, two weeks maybe three…" this earned a startled gasp from Kiyota, but Naruto's brows furrow in concentration "…though, Nadishiko has influence within their borders and I am not to keen on risking you both going through there."

"Then…?"

"The only other way is to cut through the Land of Noodles, hope and prey that the Leaf catch wind, then a risky stop in Wave to catch a boat to Hotsprings." Pulling his mesh armoured shirt down, "Then, we'll have a straight shot to get to either Sky or Wolf countries."

"I understand not wanting to go near the Land of Water but…"

"I was Banished from the Land of Fire." Naruto informs, cutting Kiyota off, her eyes wide. "Umm… why…?"

"Long story." Naruto snipped as his black ode katana was affixed to his back, him adjusting his straps for a more comfortable fit, before turning to his son. "If things go bad."

Shirin shrugs, "Stay behind you," causing all eyes to turn to the young shinobi in training who looked confused. "What? That's what mom always said to do."

A snort from the fox broke the silence, "Sounds like her." Naruto chuckled hollowly, seriously missing his other half but unwilling to let it show in front of his very impressionable son. "Either way, once we get to the port in Hotspring, we will be home free."

Earning nods from the group "Then let's move out."

After Kurama puffed away, returning to the seal, they headed out toward the Inns dinner hall.

After nearly clearing out the Inns food stock and leaving a very tidy tip as thanks, the group of three headed out to the town, unaware of their stalker. After leaving the gate though, both Naruto and Kiyota did notice the stare on their backs but not sensing any ill intent, both ignored it as they vanished into the trees. This sighting would be one of many for the forces of the Hidden Leaf.

A half hour of tree jumping led the trio to the small port on the island, with two soft landings and a harder assisted one and the group slowly stroll in. This town was small and barely on the edge of township, but it was it the only other way off the island without the authorities looking too closely. "This place isn't on the maps." Kiyota commented causing Naruto to chuckle, head shaking, side eying his companion. "No it's not. Problem, Kiyota?"

Kiyota replied dutifully. "Sixteen."

Naruto nods, understanding her rather naive outlook. "Ah, you've only been off the island a year…?"

Upon her nod, Naruto continued. "The academy and trainers always forget to remind their students that we, as shinobi, are always on the edge of societies laws. Many hype us up as the noble protectors of our home villages, defending from the fiends who seek our ruin…" the sarcasm in his voice was oozing, clearly now self-aware of his own rather naive younger self. "…but in truth, we shinobi are just better trained mercenaries with national backing."

Naruto looks to her firmly, battle hardened eyes that had seen war and strife on full display, as he continued. "You may think we have honour, but we don't, we aren't samurai." gesturing around to the people, shops, and smugglers ahead, he continued. "These people are little better than we are as we do have our own morals. Though those two can be a bit skewed."

Kiyota looked uncomfortable at acknowledging that, seeing herself above these roughens though unable to outright deny her seniors description of Shinobi at large.

Arriving at the docks is when Kiyota noticed that Shirin hadn't so much as battered an eye at his fathers rather bleak outlook on their profession thus concluded that he had probably been drilled on reality by his parents. She wasn't wrong. Both Shirin and Kushina had been sat down by their parents who explained that as Shinobi, life is hard and not all glory and rescuing princesses. Though, their mother did joke that their father currently held the record of six princesses rescued if she counted herself among them.

She tuned back in just as Naruto handed over a stack of Ryo to the captain of a smuggling vessel. "…then, I'll see you at midday, captain." Earning a nod from the man as Naruto returned to the duo. "Let's go."

Shirin followed silently, just as he was told by his father during training on how to act within hostile environments. Remain focused on your surroundings, remain silent, and remain close. Words he was repeating constantly within his mind as he walked beside his fathers intimidating frame as they pass by several warehouses of various goods, loud shouting, and cries of the innocent.

From what his mother and uncles have told him, his father was always trying to help everyone he could but since the Mist War, something changed. He still tries to help but his family was his priority. Yet his eyes caught a girl in the corner, trapped in a cage with dead red eyes; he stopped and stared yet for some reason his sister's visage super imposed atop the young girls who must be a year or so older than himself. "Shirin." His fathers call broke the trance, snapping his head toward him, Naruto asking though he suspected what was going throuh his son's head. "Something wrong?" if he was alone, he would have saved her and her fellow slaves, but they are on the run right now.

Shirin was in a conundrum, he wanted to help but his father had already said things were tight enough as they were but, "Papa, can we…?" earning a sigh from the man who looked to the caged children. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"

"Don't act like you weren't already planning on saving them?" snorted the beast within his mind "I know but still, this is going to be troublesome."

Out on the borders of Fire County, a certain Nara sneezed before looking to the east. "Troublesome."

Naruto strolled passed his son, ruffling his hair as he passed, stepping onto the docks toward the cages and his approach did not go unnoticed as the stump of a man eyed him up than down, noticing the large Katana on his back. Shirin swore the man paled several shades lighter from his tanned complexion, hearing his father speak up coldly. "Say, ol'man. How much for the lot?" gesturing to the five cages of children on the edge of the platform. "Hmm… why is a shinobi…"

"Here. Fifty thousand for the group." Naruto pulling out said amount and shoving it into the man's silk suited chest, who quickly grabbed it then signalled to his guards to stand down as he counted the Ryo. Stopping before them, Naruto glared at the guards "Release them." Spoken so coldly, even the ocean seemed to fall silent at it. Promptly all five cages were open and handed over to which Naruto maintained his glare before ordering the children to follow. And they did, silently.

"Consider this your first mission." Naruto spoke as the group stand in a clearing just beyond the town perimeter, arms crossed in front of his son who stood at attention before him. "These five are now your responsibility. If they have any problems, your job is to solve it." Kiyota actually gaped at that, an eight-year-old caring for five former slave children. That's absurd isn't it. Naruto continued. "Am I understood?"

"Yes Father!" Shirin responds, resolve filled with a new purpose that Naruto noted, everyone in that clearing would be unaware that this was the very beginning of a group of S-Ranked Shinobi that will bring the downfall of the Land of Fire, and Land of Lightning in the next decade. Their name would be etched into the annals of history simply known as the Geiru Team, their leader Shirin Uzumaki the S-Ranked, Fifth God of Shinobi.

Hidden Leaf

A frog suddenly appears within the Hokage's office, dropping a scroll that was promptly picked up by Lady fifth who was even quicker to read it's contents. "SHIZUNE! Get me Team Gai, Team Asuma!"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade…"

Ten minutes later…

"Team Gai and Team Asuma reporting as ordered, Lady Hokage." Gai speaking in his formal tone, not shouting nor imposing before the fifth fire shadow. "This is an urgent mission to recover Naruto again." Tsunade spoke swiftly not leaving any chance for interruption, "Jiraiya's spy network got a hit on him leaving to a port on the west side of Nagi Island. His contact suspects he is heading to the hidden port there as the official port is on the opposite direction to which he was heading."

Shizune pulled out a map of the area and places it down on the desk, "As such, he will likely be heading to a port along the cost we share with the Land of Tea and Noodle. Unofficially of course."

"Naruto has been avoiding us for the last decade." Shikamaru began stepping forward to inspect the map closer, "His unpredictability makes him difficult to track without a doubt."

"So, he'll be using the least likely route for us to inspect." Ino surmised causing her teammate to nod. "That could be anywhere though…" Tenten advised. "No. Not really." Neji speaking up this time, stepping forward to the map, "If I know him as well as I do…" pointing to the map, the border between Noodle and Fire Countries, "…the most likely place he'll end up is here."

"…and with Lee and Gai here to keep pace with him." Shikamaru continued from there, "We only have to worry about running down his stamina." looking to Choji, "We'll be relying on you, big guy." Said big guy nods "Yeah, leave it to me."

"Between Gai, Lee, and Choji we should be able to whittle him down bit by bit." Shikamaru states with a nod "Good. You have your orders…" Tsunade states as Shizune rolls up the map, "…depart immediately and retrieve Chinin Naruto Uzumaki, and return him to the village. Use of force is permitted within reason. Dismissed."

"Ma'am!" all vanishing in a storm of leaves and wind.

Land of Noodles

Two days later...

"Thanks captain." Called out Naruto waving off the ship as it passed by a cliffside beach on its way into the Land of Fire, still within the Land of Noodles as to not cross paths with anyone from the Leaf. Delay them at least. Stepping onto the beach from the water, Naruto looks at the kids his shadow clones were carrying with a smile seeing as Shirin was being as diligent as ever. Though he did sweat drop when one of the girls slapped him for saying something, no doubt inappropriate. 'Seems he inherited my denseness.'

"You've only just noticed?" the snort from within his mind. "Oi oi! I wasn't raised among a family unit. Didn't learn social ques until I was already a teen." Naruto bashful reply causing another snort from the fox within. "I still remember how long it took you to propose to your vixen."

This earned an external snort from Naruto that caught everyone's attention. "Alright everyone. Let's get up the cliff and set camp…"

"I thought we were in a rush?" Kiyota questioned with a raised eyebrow to which Naruto nodded at, "yes we are…" he confirmed with a nod , which cconfused Kiyota as she asked."Then why aren't we…"

"Because that is what is expected of us." Shirin stated sagely, which his father smirked and nodded. "Exactly. You felt it too, right? Someone watching us from the shadows in the last town." To which she nodded slowly "Thus, whoever they report too will be rushing to intercept us. By taking our time, they'll overshoot their interception, and we'll sense any set ambushes ahead of us so…"

"I never thought of that." Kiyota murmurs to which everyone nodded in agreement. "Then… Let's get a third of the way up then set camp within the cliff."

"Right!"

Twenty minutes later…

New Cliffside Retreat

Kiyota would never admit it aloud, but she was constantly being taught new things, new ways of doing common actions, and moving around but this clearly taking the preverbal cake. Looking around, you'd be hard pressed to believe that this three-story home was inside a cliff, nor exist more than a few minutes ago. It had the feel of a classy log cabin, no signs of the bedrock that previously inhabited the space before.

The fine wooden furniture, the calm soft glowing seals, and the carpet was completely divine. Kiyota was left gobsmacked, yet Shirin was taking it in his stride as if this was all normal. The hell. The other kids were joking and laughing as the two Uzumaki were casually making food for the others who were sitting at the long table. Children easily adopted to the changing situation Kiyota muses.

With the food served and children being fed Naruto decided to speak up "Now that we're all settled in…" drawing the rooms attention "…we'll stay here for two weeks getting you all up to a decent level of stamina and chakra levels. Then we'll move on to the next hideout which is just outside the bay of the port in the north."

"What about this place, papa?" Asked Shirin, head tilted aside "It'll stay put so if any of use need to return, it'll be here." Naruto explained earning nods from everyone. "It's hidden from "It's hidden from outside observers, I'll finish up the last of the security seals tonight, so tomorrow we start training…" looking to Kiyota "Though we need to have that talk we've put off thus far." causing the kunoichi to gulp, subconsciously rubbing her stomach.

"As for you kids; I think introductions are in order, no?" Naruto looking at the former slaves who all look to Shirin who nodded before standing and facing Naruto who just sat on the coach. The first was "My name is Kozato Harumi, eight years old." bowing at Naruto who noticed his white hair and hazel eyes and rather scrawny.

"Tada Skien, nine." Short black haired, dark eyes and taller than most. "Amano Isoko; Ten." The girl whit dark blond hair similar to Shirin but her eyes were grey in place of blue, she wasn't particularly tall but clear signs of her budding womanly figure on the clasp of puberty. "Hirori Yura; Nine." Was the girl Shirin spotted in the cage, tall for her age with pale blonde hair with red eyes that had enchanted the young Uzumaki. "Ayao Uzuki…" this caused Naruto to pause on her a moment, having heard that surname before, "…eight." Purple hair and eyes, now traditionally Uzuki like features of pale skin and toned, even for a child, build. Naruto will make a swordsman out of her.

Naruto clapped his hands, "Good to meet you all. To be clear, I am Naruto Uzumaki; Father of Shirin Uzumaki and your new current guardian." Before they could 'correct' him he raised his hand to stall their response "Guardian, yes; You are not slaves anymore. Consider yourselves family."

The kids asleep in their individual rooms allowing the two 'adults' to talk a talk that neither really wanted to partake in. The two sat in the living room, the low light masking the nervousness, "You keeping it?" was his opening statement to which she nodded slowly "It's an innocent in all this."

"True." The blond nodded at the greynett "Just know that this; the path you are taking is the harder of the two but only you will be able to decide whether or not it was worth the trouble."

"I know but…" she sighs "…by doing this… I will never be aloud home." Running her hand over her still flat and tone stomach "Neither of us will."

"Again…" Naruto sipping his green tea "…only you can decide if this is worth the effort." She nods hesitantly but he flashes her his trademark wide grin, "But you aren't alone. We're all here. I have your back and when we get to demon, I'm sure Shion will take you under her wing too. We're family now." This caused, for the first time in the discussion, looked up into his brilliant baby blues directly and finding nothing but warmth and comfort from her fellow exile.

Unable to stop the growing torrent of emotions, Kiyota began crying silently yet before she realised that fact strong firm arms wrapped around her as she was pulled into a warm firm hug preloaded with comfort and security. She latched on to it, saving herself from her self-loathing and impending darkness of panic that was closing in on her. At that moment, Naruto had filled the support pillar and sole man within her heart. Naruto would only figure this out much, much later.

Naruto awoke the next morning via knock on his door, his normal jerking at the sudden noise was muffled by the body clinging to him. Glancing down at the sight of grey hair in place of black caused him pause for a moment, allowing his mind to fully engage before his memories of the night before came back to him. Creating a shadow clone to answer the door, allowing himself to relax a bit more, and the clone went to tend to the children.

A half hour later Kiyota yawned and stretched but halted upon feeling said stretch stunted as the warmth was suddenly reduced. Eyes snapping open, she looked up to find Naruto with an amused smile filled with comfort "Morning sleepy head." her cheeks heating up, flush exploding upon her flawless pale skin "…M…morning."

"Breakfast is being served so…" trailing off as she simply nodded and before getting up, avoiding his eyes out of embarrassment. Naruto just continued to grin foxily as he got up, still dressed though with a lack of jacket.

After breakfast Naruto took the party toward the lowest floor, deep beneath the earth and sea level, reaching the new training grounds. With the door closing behind them and the walls of the basement four football fields wide and deep, one tall, "Now then…" Naruto turning to the group with a smile, a smile far too sweet "…time for boot camp."

Hidden Leaf

A day later...

"Where have you been, Jiraiya?" Tsunade spoke softly, not looking up from her paperwork as the toad hermit sat on the window seal. "Gathering information, naturally. It may be a cold war, but…"

"Have you found any leads?" his commander cutting him off to which he sighed out heavily at, knowing she was only intrested in one thing right now "No new sightings, unfortunately. Though I do have an update on his group." This caught the bustiest Kage's attention as, before she could even ask, several photos appear on her desk showing Naruto and his party about to board a ship "This is…"

"Naruto Uzumaki, 22, banished genin. Hero of Mist, Eighth Swordsmen of the Mist, Nadeshiko Shinobi." Jiraiya explained to which earned a raised eyebrow from the Kage, swearing that village was a female only one. Jiraiya continued anyway. "The grey-haired woman, I suspect that she's another Nadeshiko Kunoichi. No name thus far."

Tsunade nodded as she switches to the next photo and the small blonde and black-haired kid, whiskered cheeks among the group of them, asking. "Is that…?"

"I think so; his name is Shirin. As we suspect though, he is likely Naruto's son and an Uzumaki by his father. Considering his company and previous affiliation, we can consider his mother is a Nadeshiko kunoichi." The white-haired man states as he flicks through his notepad, "The others were slaves purchased at the behest of the gaki's gaki. Knowing him though…"

"He's freed them." Tsunade finishes as she stares at the small kid, voicing her thoughts aloud. "He looks about seven or eight, healthy weight and height. Those whisker marks though… Family trait maybe?"

"Perhaps." Jiraiya comments, shrugging casually. "The kids names are Kozato, Tada, Amano, Hirori, and Ayao."

"Moving with such a group would be taxing yet for the last two months we have not been able to locate them." Tsunade groaned signing the group of paperwork, "Can we just…" a knock at the door interrupted her train of thought.

"I'll keep you posted." Jiraiya before puffing away in a pillar of smoke.

Cliffside Retreat

Two months later...

Moonlit streams in through the sea view window currently occupied by Naruto who was looking towards the isle his family currently lives, but he can't return to at the moment. With everyone asleep, he finally let his mask of strength and smiles lip as tears flow like a waterfall, "…Shizuka-hime. I wonder how you are doing. Are you fine? How's Kushina? I know you both will be taken care of well, but I still miss you."

He pressed his hand against the glass pane. In moments like this only the moon could hear and consol the wary shinobi, one who has lost his home twice over, but he cannot give up on the last one. Blue eyes harden, his words spoken beneath a breath, "I have to remain strong," before even the moon lost sight of the blond.

The following day Naruto stood across the six children that have impressed him beyond his expectation over these two months. The fact they remained in this makeshift homestead, for two months instead of weeks indicated as much and with their growing skill he had no doubt they'll all grow expeditiously. As for supplies they have gone to the port a few kilometres up the coast, so they were all now notiably well fed and all previous signs of malnutrition had all but faded.

"Now then, let's see how far you've come." Naruto grins pulling out his matt midnight black ode Katana, its bohi lined scarlet matching its ruby covered guard that seemed to gleam with flaming intent.

Shirin always felt in awe at the sight of his fathers' blade only knowing that it was a blade from his clan, their clan Uzumaki. His father hasn't told him much about it beside the fact that only a handful of them remain, that they traditionally had red hair, and were experts on sealing and swordsmanship. Gripping his own practice blade tighter, making a silent vow to do his father and clan proud as he glared at his father with pure determination that his father silently nodded at.

"Let's start…" Naruto taking up a defensive stance as the kids all take up their positions. Shirin's matched his fathers, Uzumaki Swirling Sword Style, although his dad did not that there were a few flaws as he has yet to perfect it. Kozato had twin kunai, a perfect complement to his narrow frame, with his build more fit for speed as per his current training regime. Tada held up his fist, his tijutsu and growing strength made Naruto smile as he stood at the vanguard ahead of Shirin with Kozato on the opposite side.

The three charged with Tada up front trying to distract their sensei as both flankers cut in ahead of him as he faints a haymaker. Just as Shirin throws out a strike intending to let it be parried to draw attention away from Kozato. Their swords clash, and Naruto parries the other two blades with a single kunai in his off hand.

With both hands occupied, Tada appeared before his sensei ready for an overwhelming dynamic entry. Ducking Naruto spun out of the double blade lock, dropping his held kunai before kicking it into the oncoming arrow fired from Amano's bow, an unusual weapon for shinobi but it worked for her. She seems to be working on her own style of fighting with it.

Sidestepping a fireball, directly into an upward strike to deflect another arrow before clashing with his son, he grabs Tada before throwing him at Amano then leaping towards Hirori. Before he reached her however, he noticed the slight flicker, causing him to smile. "Nice Genjutsu."

Stopping abruptly as Shirin and Tada slam into his back, hard, knocking them both down as he catches up to the hidden duo with his blade appearing at their necks "Game." Called out Kiyota as more than half were on the floor or at blade point.

The kids regroup on the side, a little banged up but not to badly as Kiyota stepped up with her blade drawn and the atmosphere immediately grew ten times more tense. The kids all gulped or took steps back as the two trained shinobi take front and centre, both supporting blank faces as they stare at one another though this time, Naruto's sword was lowered and crossed in front of him, barely two dozen centimetres off the ground.

Kiyota held her blade out front before her, traditionally a kendo like ready stance with eyes unshifting from her opponent's frame, taking in everything from his shimmering blue orbs to the pulsing vain on his left hand, even the lose strap where his blade normally resides. She twitched upon noticing it looked worn out and only barely made it to block the horizontal slash that was reversed just as quickly as the first and she narrowly avoided the sparks that flashed from their blade's kiss.

Regaining her footing, her blade went left, then up clashing then forcing the much larger blade up, stepping forward, slipping in a twirl only clipped by the shoulder check that led into her back hand swing that was ducked beneath, just as the overhead slam was deflected. Blocking that would be folly. Hop back, gaining space is counter intuitive as his blades longer but a breath was needed to slow this down, he beats her in reaction speed. No need to play into that.

One deep breath sword raised up, stance in tight and to the side as the blade see's the ceiling but level with her greyish blue eyes gleaming in mirth but a cold shiver down her spine as the blondes, blues turned arctic taking up the same stance.

Before anyone could react, a scream was ripped from the woman's throat, her blade clattering against the concrete floor, its handle covered in her own blood. As she looked up over her cut arm and shoulder, the tip of the black katana was at her throat. His voice could have sent hell into an ice age. "Never again. Understood?"

With all the pain shooting up her right arm and shoulder, Kiyota just nodded biting back her cries of pain. Retracting his sword, slashing her blood from his blade, "Clean yourself up then head up for dinner," turning his back on her, tone still icy, "Remember your laundry."

"Yes sir." Kiyota clipped response not wanting to anger the one person she needs now more than ever. Perhaps copying his clan's sword style so blatantly without permission wasn't exactly the best idea. Naruto passed by the kids like a spectre, silently and they parted but Shirin who too looked a little annoyed at his aunties blatant use of clan secret arts.

The ocean breeze moved gently through the blonde locks of Naruto, who sat beneath the redwood oak on the cliff's edge. This secluded meadow, which he had discovered during one of his supply runs, quickly became his meditation spot to maintain his sage mode training. After losing the Toad Contract, he was naturally offered the Kitsune contract, though he had to search for it. The Uzumaki Leviathan contract, however, he found in Uzu no Kuni.

His Sage Mode came from the kitsune, however, the leviathans had not slacked off and gave him the unique water-breathing ability. Thus, on land, his Sage Mode markings matched Kyubi's, with even his whisker marks darkening and thickening, adding to his sensitivity, much to the amusement of his tenant and his summons.

He was not surprised when a red headed woman, standing four-foot ten, in a purple sleeveless kimono blouse coming from the treeline strolling hesitantly and she stops two metres away "Umm…" was uttered as he opens his eyes slowly open and looks towards the new arrival. Naruto speaks softly. "Yes… I am an Uzumaki too."

Cutting her off with a soft smile causing her to visibly relax. "I'm glad." She whispered to herself. Naruto chuckled lowly, asking. "Not going to ask about the hair?" his raised eyebrow that caused her to blush, "Umm… I thought… umm… it would be rude."

"Yeah…" snorted Naruto, this woman was so un-Uzumaki but then again, her chakra is thick, dense, and very Uzumaki. A slight pulse, pass over her and she stiffened briefly at the unexpected surge but relaxed upon realising that he had done that to dispel any altering seals, or illusions. Naruto asks. "So, why did you seek me out, miss…?"

"Honoka. Uzumaki Honoka. Well, you see… I was running away from a laboratory when I sensed you nearby as I passed."

"Laboratory?" Naruto questioned earning a nod from the woman who was unaware of a third party who had began to pay attention too, one lazy eye opening "They, are trying to create the ultimate summoning creature. When I realised this, I ran…"

"Are they still…?" she nodded cutting him off, and she was treated to a string of curses from her blond clansmen. Several moments of silence before he finally stood up, dusting himself down "Well, we'll have to deal with that before they cause any issues." Then turning to his new clansmen "So, Honoka, what will you do now? You're welcome to stay with…"

"Please!" bowing her head causing him to sweat drop 'She really isn't a typical Uzumaki.' His thoughts upon then noticing the mesh armour beneath her top, the traditional like obi was battered and somewhat frayed along with the unkempt bow holding it closed. "Let's get you somewhere safe. No doubt you are exhausted from your trip." She just nodded, her dark eyes locked on the floor as they both vanished in a smokeless shunshin.

Appearing within the safe house's living room, Honoka was surprised at the number of people before her that had just suddenly appeared in her sensory perception. She hadn't sensed any of them before and a quick glance around though told her why. Almost imperceptible carvings into the walls, barely illuminated with natural chakra masked this complex and now realised just how lucky she was to spot Naruto's signature as his chakra was masked by this place, despite its depth.

"Everyone…" Naruto began, drawing Honoka from her thoughts and back into the room of seven occupants beside her and, now that she realised something, she never got his given name "…this is Honoka. Honoka Uzumaki." She bows in response "I hope to get along with you all."

"REALLY!" Shirin beamed, rushing over to the short woman who maintained a pleasant smile "I'm Shirin Uzumaki, Papa's son. I never thought I'd meet another!"

"I see. Well, I don't really know much about the clan as a whole as I am an orphan." She explained "Oh…" the boy looked crest fallen causing a sense of panic within "Not to worry…" Naruto stepping in, drawing boths attention "…I made a promise to find any and all survivors and educate them in the clans' ways." His smile was enticing and warm "I'll set up the library so you can study things there."

"I thought this was a temporary abode?" this time it was Kiyota who spoke up, hesitancy in her voice that Naruto knew came from her advancing condition. "It was…" Naruto confirmed with a nod, confidence waning into experience "…though, with all the new developments. I have been thinking about the next course of action."

Naruto looked at the expectant mother, Kiyota, the blonde spoke. "Things have changed here. The kids, no matter how you cut it, aren't able to travel far for too long whilst remaining unnoticed by trained shinobi. Your current condition will be far too along by the time they get anywhere close to ready to move, preventing us even further."

He continued to reason to which none could fault him for as he then gestured to Honoka, "and now we have a new situation to deal with that requires my attention."

"Oh…" muttered Kiyota causing him to nod before turning to face Honoka "I'll show you to the rooms and allow you to settle in. Then when you are rested and fed, we can discuss this problem we now have." She wordlessly nodded before following after him hesitantly, eyes locked on the floor, this action was nothing like what Shirin expected of a fellow Uzumaki as she was far to meek in his very humble eight-year-old opinion.

Late that night Naruto was again sitting on the closed window edge, the crescent moon hanging above the horizon reflecting on the calm seas, deep in thought that even had his partner in crime concerned as he has never been this insightful. Perhaps it's the distance from his vixen that's causing this, but his mask was off, and he was allowing his own tension to recede during only these moments which is why he did not sense Honoka's approach "You're alone too…" breathing out deeply to stifle his surprise, Naruto didn't turn around "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I couldn't…" her soft reply appearing at his side, also staring out at the ocean that seemed so tranquil "…so, are you not going to…" Honoka began only for Naruto "No." she didn't press any further as the two bathed in the crescent moons light.

Land of Noodles; Kal Port

Approximately ten kilometres from the hide out in an undisclosed direction, naturally, Naruto arrived for his bi-monthly supply run with Honoka at his side. Using specialized Uzumaki hinge seals, powered by senjutsu chakra battery charged by the Uzumaki sage himself.

Speaking of which, Naruto paused outside a clothes shop, "You sense them too, right?" his whisper carried upon the wind and his redhead turned brunette heard him anyway and nodded, the disguised Honoka replied just as lowly, "I've had to evade them multiple times. I don't know who they…"

"They're called Root." Naruto explained as the two continued to act intrested in the dress as if a couple out on a date as said shinobi pass by them in the shadows, overlooking them completely "The hidden darkness of the Leaf Village."

His eyes narrow in thought, "It makes sense. Think about it, kit." Kuruma speaking up now as he finally put two and two and found four "The retrieval team from back then?i" the kitsune nodded. "Makes sense if you think about the rumours of War approaching. They want their weapon back."

"The summoning monster must be there doing too."

"Umm…" Honoka grabbed Naruto's forearm which drew his attention. "Let's finish up here." His soft response with a smile that didn't suit his dark midnight blue hair, and light grey eyes that were reminiscent of a certain Hyuga heiress. "I may have figured out the puzzle at large." A simple nod earned from his clanmate.

After a few hours of acquire the foodstuffs, the two were heading for the gate with backpacks on, swords on their waist the two disguised Uzumaki arrive at the towns gate. After waving the guardsmen with a cheery goodbye, they have however came face to face with a search team of leaf shinobi, namely "Team Kurenai…" was whispered from the former colleague of said team as they pass one another by it was no surprise to disguised blond that it was the ninkin that stopped and sniffed toward him.

Bark.

"Hey! you," was called out by a particular dog using shinobi, with the duo turning back to see the entire team surrounding them "Yes?" spoke the male of two travellers.

"Can we see some ID?" the shinobi with fang marks donning his cheeks, "No." Naruto responds cooly, replying with. "Why would ninja need our papers? This isn't fire country."

"Yes. We have no authority…" the soft spoken Hyuga stepping forward confidently, "it is just…"

"You have similar features to someone we are looking for." Spoke the hooded shinobi.

"Does that work with everyone?" Naruto placing his hand upon his katana's handle, a clear civilian level threat.

"We don't want any trouble." The Hyuga raising her hands up placatingly, the civilian woman steps closer to her partner, a careful ploy to show nervousness.

"Have you seen this man?" the hooded man pulling out an photo of Naruto from the Nagi Island port, this caused a growl from the black haired man out of irritation but misunderstood by the Leaf shinobi. Kurama speaking up, "Kit, you can use this… they think your angry, right?"

It took a second for Naruto to catch on to his partners wavelength before he grinned foxily, internally at least which his friend picked up and matched it, as Naruto fell into character surprisingly quickly, bellowing out. "Yeah! THAT BASTARD TOOK MY WALLET!"

Honoka may not act like a typical Uzumaki most of the time but she still inherited that prankster spirit, buried beneath the shiness as it is, thus immediately caught on the wavelength with a scary level of efficiency that surprised Naruto as she broke in tears, "It had our wedding rings in." sniffling as she hugged Naruto, who caught the pass he was given.

The Leaf shinobi were stunned. Stunned their friend would stoop so low as to swipe a wallet from civilians, and not even return their wedding rings. The dog duo actually growled at that. "When I catch him, we'll beat him down and recover them for you!"

"Indeed." The hooded one responded and the Hyuga bowed profusely. "I am sorry for his actions. I'm sure there was a reason, so please don't hate him. I am sure when we catch him, he will apologize and return them."

"He better…" the man growled whilst comforting his now clearly distraught wife, "You ninja always causing us normal folk issues." He whispers softly, pretending not to see them share a look "We have a lead now. We should get moving." the feral looking ninja declared rushing toward the town. The one with glasses simply gave chase but the last lady turned back and bowed again before running off.

The huddled duo had matching foxy grins, as they moved off, trying their hardest not to laugh despite Kurama busting a gut in Naruto's head with said shinobi hearing something along the lines of 'Stupid mutts…' and 'Just like a fox…' between his wheezing.

Beneath the night sky, Naruto sat in the shallows on the beach below the hideout when Honoka suddenly sat beside him. The two shared the ambiance for a long ten minutes before she broke it, "why are the leaf…"

"War." Naruto cut her off lowly, his voice just loud enough for her to hear causing her dark eyes to lock on to his form awaiting an explanation. Naruto sighs hard again, as he continued. "It explains both our pursuers - The experiments you were helping with is probably stalled until you return right?"

Honoka nods, thus he continues on, "as for me; I am their ultimate weapon. Their trump card of strategic importance," He finally looks at her with a defeated gaze to watch her dawning comprehension, she muttered out. "A human sacrifice…"

"Jinchurki of the strongest tailed beast." Naruto nodded as his eyes look back out beyond the horizon, "Word on the grape vines within the darkness says that the hidden villages are arming up for war number four." He breathes out heavily, "No doubt, my siblings of circumstance are being prepared to duke it out with one another on orders of old crones safe behind legions once more."

"Then… my project…"

"Seeing as Root is involved." Naruto speaking his thoughts aloud, "No doubt my absence from the village has made the elders somewhat twitchy." Offering a side glance to her. "They wanted a backup plan."

"Ultimate summon." Honoka whispered to which he nodded too. "Then again… if they realise that you are a full Uzumaki…" his face grew a tight frown. It took Honoka a moment before it dawned on her. "They wouldn't…"

"They would." Naruto cut her off as she began trembling as he looked down into his reflection, she stammered. "…but…"

"Honoka." Naruto cut her off, as she snapped to him with tear-stained cheeks that glisten in the dark, his night vision locking in on it, "As shinobi, we are soldiers; tools for the village to use fit. Some see this more literal than others, but it is pretty universal."

"…"

"Now that I'm older, been through two wars, taken lives in the name of others, and had a family…" Naruto takes a deep breath with a longer breath out,"…I've seen just how naive I was growing up. Sure, I ate up the propaganda like a wet sponge. I was needy and desperately wanted recognition and didn't care how or from where it came from. Perfect to mould to one's desire."

Naruto's smile was hollow as he looked to his clansmen. "Now though, I have responsibilities…" looking up at the seemingly blank cliff face that hid their current abode, "raising my children, protecting my loved ones…" gently side bumping her, drawing her attention to his blue luminescent eyes. "Which includes you, and hope that I live long enough to see my grandkids. Maybe even help our clan revive and become an elder." He snickers at that as she blushes a more vibrant scarlet that made her hair look pale.

"The point is…" Naruto regaining her attention, "I have no intention of going back. First, I need to get these kids damn near across the entire continent, figure out a way to reunite my family under the same house, and kill a certain man. After that…" he shrugs casually, "I'm free for anything after that."

Honoka smiles at the light heartedness at the end of that, her thoughts running rampant, though he brought her back posthaste,. His words. "What about you, Honoka? Since you've found me, you haven't really spoken much."

"There isn't much…" she began after some time to recompose herself, ignoring the end of his little monologue "Dad died when I was six, lived on the streets for a few years, found by the scientists at aged ten. Stayed with them until a few weeks ago. Been running until I sensed you."

"I see."

"I have another question."

"Sure."

"Have you… ya'know…? Found any others?"

"Yes. Her name's Karin. A total nerdy type. Full on researcher; glasses and lab coats and everything." Naruto laughed as his hands went through the motions of glasses and tugging on a non-existent lab coat. "Is she alive?! Where is she?" Honoka barely containing her excitement, he nods with a soft smile. "Last I saw, Nadishiko Village."

"Nadishiko?"

"It's a kunoichi only village beyond the Land of Water. Between Nagi and O'ozu Islands."

"I see. Is…?"

"She's safe, yes." Naruto confirms with a slightly stiff nod, "In fact, I suspect she may be watching us from there."

This caused Honoka to look at him incredulously "How…?"

"You know your sensory ability?" Naruto asked to which she nodded, and he continued, "It's an Uzumaki thing. It took me a long time to unlock mine as I have a lot more chakra than most and it was imbalanced most my life."

Naruto explained and Honoka looked at him with a raised brow. "Tell you later; but yeah, from what I've read, it wasn't uncommon for some clansmen to have mutated versions of clan abilities. My mothers' chains; thicker, denser, and inherently coated in sealing effects. My mutation, enhanced regeneration, boosted by the fox."

Honoka nods along, understanding things thus far, and asks. "What about me?"

"Your stealth is scary." Naruto spoke flatly causing her to look to him blankly. He explained futher. "If were not for my sage mode, I would never have sensed you coming, and even then, it wasn't effortless like most."

"Really?"

"Yep." Naruto nodding repeatedly. "Without a doubt, it has probably been how you've survived against Root. They can't locate you."

"I see."

"As unpredictable as any Uzumaki." Naruto grinned at that for a moment before it dawned on him. "Oh, actually…" going through hand signs but paused upon sensing approaching signatures. Honoka too narrowed her eyes and upon the crashing of the next wave, the beach was left bare of human life, if only briefly.

"I swore I heard…"

"Hey! Anything?"

"Nah, must have imagined it." Jumping off leaving his shoe print behind.

Cliffside Retreat

A few months later...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" the house cheered as Shirin beamed in joy at the cake, a beautiful triple layered Orange Velvet cake. Everyone cheered and shared the orange juice and Kiyota was broken from her glaring at her, unbeknownst to him, life partner by Honoka who promised that this was all in accordance with Shirin's wishes.

This pacified the bulging kunoichi whose hormones were flaring constantly, it was become a bit of a headache for the kids especially, but it added variety to the normally bland days. Naruto dubbed her cravings as C-Ranks, the kids helped, and they were marked on their 'Records' with chores being dubbed as D-ranks, also recorded.

The party took place on the beach, enjoyed by everyone, including the growing six-month infant apparently as Kiyota was constantly rubbing her baby bump with a soft frown murmuring something about over excited babies not letting their mother have any fun. Kyubi snorted something else about damn Uchiha arrogance being genetic.

All in all, it was a great day as Naruto had even summoned both Kuruma and his personal Leviathan to join the festivities. His leviathan is the daughter of the current boss, just like Gamachi was, and was a brilliant white with dark green scales upon her dragon like snout that back over her face like a helmet and partially down her back following her spine spikes though the scales on her stomach are somewhat soft with a blue hue to them.

Her name Ritorupāru but everyone just calls her Pāru, or Pearl for humans, with only Naruto knowing her actual given name whilst the others call her Pearl.

Manning the grill, Naruto watched as the now nine-year-old Shirin laughed and played with his friends from a distance, feeling like an old man though his thoughts while flipping the fish, were clearly with his daughter. He had gotten her a present, naturally, and the shadow clone he had sealed within had since popped so now she was the newest summoner of the Leviathans.

Naruto sighed covered up the lone tear he swiped away as he plastered a massive smile upon his face and cheered another victory for his son on the makeshift, shinobi extreme volleyball field.

Despite this being a day of celebration however, he was keenly aware of the growing number of Leaf Patrol teams snooping along the roads this side of the border. He had faith in his sage powered barrier fields to mask their location but even he knew they weren't perfect. All it would take is one lone kikaichū bug to find its way in and they'll be exposed. For now, he'll grin and allow the kids to be kids. Even if only for a day.

It would come to bite him later.

"We have to move, right?" spoke Kiyota, rubbing her growing stomach "Yeah." Naruto states glaring at the map with numerous crosses on "We have three patrol camp within fifteen kilometres of our location. They know we're here, just trying to narrow in on us…"

"Their net is closing in. If we don't leave now…" Honoka states from the kitchen, "We'll have to get the kids packed up by tomorrow dusk. We'll slip out using my leviathan, Pāru can get us at least to Wave before returning back home." Looking to his clansmen "That is if we don't have to fight."

"If we do…?" but all Honoka got was a tight smile, "Well it's better than sneaking through the Land of Fire."

"…and we'll never make it to the capital either." Kiyota adds as she slips onto the sofa, "So, it can't be helped, right?" earning two nods, "Let's get moving. I'll start packing the unrequired." Naruto spoke, "I'll start on the library." Honoka moving off "I'll just nap here." Kiyota spoke.

The following morning the kids were treated to a baren home, with breakfast prepared, "Dad?" spoke Amano speaking up first, that was another thing that developed in the last few weeks. All the kids had one on ones with Naruto at one point or another, and he had allowed them to call what they wanted, and she had chosen he was her father figure. "Kids, eat up. We're leaving as soon as you finish."

"What?"

"Consider this you're first A-Rank mission." Naruto stated and all the children stiffened at that, A ranks were said to be high combat, politically driven level missions to which they had all wished to partake in. They all perform a very basic salute "Sir!" seeing that didn't fill the lone shinobi with pride but fear, dread, and a bit of self-loathing. The world of shinobi is something he wished these kids wouldn't have to face but by association with him, he knew better; they all did.

Perhaps he could delay it but not indefinitely. He could not shield them forever. Breathing heavy as he sips his black coffee, juiced up with chakra replenishment herbs for the day ahead. Most would say he wouldn't need it with the beast of chakra housed within but for this to not lead back to him, he can't allow any of his chakra out.

After washing the up, the dishes were sealed, with the sensitivity of the mission he had placed a temporary seal atop his eight trigrams to completely seal off Kurama's chakra from his own.

This was make or break.

Standing on the beach, the lock down protocol now in place which even air sealed it in its totality. It was completely isolated space undetectable from the outside unless, Naruto looks to his left arm an extensive tattoo running up it that was actually multiple seals. Naturally he would give them to his son when he was older, if he proved himself.

The looming shadow appearing broke him from his thoughts, raising silent as a crypt from beneath the waves was Pāru who wordlessly opened her giant maw, her head was about twenty metres tall in this full-size form of hers, so it wasn't much of a surprise they fit as they all stepped in. With that they were gone beneath the eyes of the watchers.

A/N: Been worked on this, almost obsessively so, unable to work on my other stories except my crossover, not sure if I was to continue it though.

Reworked A/N: Going through the whole story to clean up any loose ends of scrapped ideas and the like. Needed a break from my writers block.

o7