Episode Three

Ocean off Waves

"This is as far as I can take you…" Pāru spoke as they surfaced, "We planned as much." Naruto spoke stepping onto the ocean so casually, one might forget that they were at sea, before making a number of shadow clones to carry each member save for Honoka, who insisted on carrying her own weight. "Thank you again for your help, Pāru. You saved us a bunch of time and prevented us from putting the guppies in danger."

"All the better than. Until next time, Naruto." Before puffing away, no doubt to report her mission success. Looking forward toward the horizon, they could clearly see Wave not far off, so it was safe to say no more than an hour or so before they got there

Land of Waves

Stepping onto the sand, they group sighed finally safe for now, yet Naruto continued on with a soft smile as he slowly turned back to his group, "Welcome to the Land of Waves. My first conquest." with a proud smile upon his face as he begins to lead them towards the post, "Oh?" spoke Kiyota with folded arms, "Yeah…" his melancholy looks upon the bridge in the distance, "…this is the place I learnt what true strength is; what shinobi sacrifice in this world of hatred."

Looking to his son and his adopted kids "It something I had forgotten briefly but was reminded about it by my other half…" rubbing his wedding ring, "so take this to heart; True strength comes to those who are trying to protect those who love." This earned contemplative looks upon the looks of the young ones, starry eyes from Kiyota and Shirin though a soft smile from Honoka who nodded at that.

In the town, Naruto was greeted by the older generation who were all smiles as he smiled back as he reached the ol' mans house. A knock on the door of a very familiar house, and a very familiar lady opened the door to find herself smiling. "Well, isn't this a surprise…"

"Tsunami… how have you been?" Naruto with a soft smile, "Well… come in! Come in!" she ushered the group in and then noticed the advancing state of one Kiyota, six months along, and grew concerned. Naruto would never bring trouble to her, but this is clearly a new situation that required her touch, gaining her a smile.

Arriving to the table with a tea in hand, she finishes pouring her own as she joined the others, "Naruto, you came for a reason, no?" Tsunami announces whilst remaining surprisingly graceful, "Not that I believe you would only visit for a reason, so don't pout like that…" as said man removed his growing frown, "You're scary, you know that…"

"Ara… ara…" the older civilian woman with a slight flush tint to her cheeks, her free hand cupping her face. "…your praise is always welcomed."

A growing smile that caused Kiyota, and Honoka to sweat dropped, though they also noticed Naruto was nervous. Very nervous. He was recalling how close Shizuka and Tsunami had grown as they often visited Wave and stayed with the old family, at this point they were family too. Shizuka had taken tips and such from the older woman which is why he always felt so nervous around this woman despite being an S-class shinobi in his own right. She damn right terrified him.

"Papa was wondering if we could stay here for a little bit." Shirin taking up the attention of the room, he knew just how much his father felt about his auntie Tsunami who smiled softly at him.

"Well of course. It's been so quiet around here lately." Sighing at that. Tsunami continued, "Since my father died, kami bless his soul, and Inari moved in with his wife, I've been a little lonely." Her smile returns upon looking between the blonds, "I've missed my god children. You are always welcome here, Naruto." looking from the younger than to the older, Naruto speaking up with a smile. "Thank you, Tsunami," before looking to his son, "Go show everyone to their rooms…"

"You can use any room besides my own. Inari has taken all his own stuff and my father…" she trails off for Naruto to take up her hand at her side, he speaks lowly, "It's fine." Earning a smile in return as everyone steps out, following Shirin up the stairs in silence.

Now alone, Naruto and Tsunami sat with their beverage "I'm sure you're wondering where the girls are?" Naruto broke their silence, "I am but she did tell me there was a chance of this happening." The woman confirms with a smile, "Which is why I didn't push the issue."

"I see." Naruto sighs hard at that, "I was unsure but as you can see, we can't really move too fast with our current company."

"You aren't cheating on Shu-chan, are you Naru-chan?" a smile so sweet, honeybees would get sick causing Naruto to go pale, a certain snake sannin would look tanned. "No… never… it's just…" he takes a second to break the flustered state he was in. "She's a fellow Nadeshiko. Her mission went belly up and according to the rules and traditional, she would have been banished at best…" this time he couldn't finish earning a nod and a smile from Tsunami. "After all these years, you still have the habit of rescuing those in need."

"Can't help it. This hero damn complex…" Naruto growled at himself before downing his tea, a chuckle from one of his oldest friends.

That night Naruto slowly opened his eyes and saw a figure moving in through the darkness, but felt no malice, no hesitation only wariness. A cold wariness which told him exactly who this was. He lifted the blanket and the figure slipped in, they were clothed, and nothing would happen as both were married to others, but this was a comfort she would only be afforded whilst he was here. She would not pass it up.

Two weeks. That's how long it took for Inari to finally notice our presence with his mother. He introduced his family, his wife and daughter, and Naruto would ruffle his hair saying how proud he was of him. They shared stories whilst Kiyota and Honoka spoke with Yukiji, the daughter of a nearby village fisherman. Shirin and company were playing with their daughter as Tsunami brought in a massive lunch, and a small party unfolded before anyone knew it.

After hearing about the situation, Inari discreetly spread the word among the townsmen and the local settlements to prevent anyone from speaking about the hero's return with his family. He also noticed that his mother seemed to be in high spirits, an extra spring in her step, which caused him to stare at his brother in all but blood with narrowed eyes.

A cold glare from his mother stayed his actions however and he knew his brother could very well smack him into next week if he accidentally angered his mother.

Three months later...

The cries of a baby broke the silence as the Uzumaki group crowded around the door until the door parted and Naruto appeared with a smile "It's a girl." and the cheers and the following party echoed through the night.

Naruto would sit all night at Kiyota side, sitting sentry, whilst holding the newest member of their group, Koki. The baby was almost a splitting image of her mother though her nose was definitely from that bastard, ears too, though it was too early to judge the rest.

He looked out the window and could see the lights, hear the cheers and the laughs from the group. "Just another happy day… in paradise, huh." The only words he would speak until dawn, helping keep the baby calm, fed and changed effortlessly and allowing the exhausted mother to rest fully without worry.

His thoughts however were on their next step, hoping over to the Whirlpool chain of islands would be dangerous but the safer option as he could turn the tides off and on using the hand signs his mother had showed him. The downside however was that their arrival might trigger a silent alarm in the Hidden Leaf, if not having an Anbu stationed the area already.

On the other hand, if they went straight to Hotspring Country, they could resupply then move on the disrupted island then go on to Kami no kuni before moving on to Sky then perhaps take the long journey through bird then Forest and Vegetable leaving a straight shot back to Demon.

It was straight forward plan but keeping so close to Fire country would allow their enemies to track them, intercept them at some places and perhaps an ambush when they resupply. Then he would have to hold them at bay, whilst resupplying, then go on trying to slip away from them. He sighed. "Going back to our roots would be the better choice."

"…really…?" Naruto didn't show it, but he was surprised that Kiyota was up already and yawning widely, her dark grey eyes slightly glassy. It was just before dawn though so maybe she had rested enough. Naruto smiled softly, "Yeah… it's the best idea. I don't think there's much of a choice," handing over the baby to her mother, who lit up in joy upon seeing her little bundle of joy, "I trust you." She spoke softly before looking back up at Naruto, smiling warmly. "You are far more experienced than me as my sempai." Earning a smile from the blonde who gave her a half hug.

Hidden Leaf

The council was in full attendance, new news had arrived that promised a change to the status quo that they had found themselves in. "Silence!" declared the blond kage earning as such as her eyes glance around. Taking a second to get her breathing level, Tsunade continues. "We have confirmed, through our alliance, that Rice and their hidden village are in a state of civil war."

This earned amused smiles and chatter as that basically meant that the Sound were no longer in a position to fight which meant that only the Stone, and maybe Cloud, left to threaten them. The Kage continued. "With that said, our forces have stepped up their training and are prepared to defend our remaining fronts."

"Lady Hokage…" spoke up another councilman, earning a nod they spoke up, "we have received word that a larger group of our trackers were dispatched towards the southern border with Noodles. Can we ask why?"

"We had received word that a suspicious individual was scouting out the coastline. In the current climate, I decided to be pro-active and ensure that our enemies failed to gain any foothold," Tsunade responded casually clearly hiding their true intent, none needed to know they failed to track down a lone shinobi, or that said shinobi had children with him.

Small murmurs as discussions broke out but just as Tsunade begins to wrap up, the elders spoke. "Tsunade, any word about our missing Jinchuriki?" Hamura questioned causing the room fall as silent as a crypt.

It didn't last.

"WE DON'T NEED THAT MONSTER!"

"IS IT NOT DEAD? SEND THE HUNTERS TO FINISH IT!"

"SEND THE ANBU, MAKE SURE IT'S DEAD FOR SURE."

"SILENCE!" roared the Kage, unleashing her potent killing intent that caused more than a few civilians to leak between their legs. Upon regaining the attention of the room, she continued "Naruto Uzumaki has been sighted several times however, Jiraiya has his spies out in force, yet we have no leads on his current location."

"Have we swept through any known locations he is welcomed?" Shikaku asks, yawning as his hand supporting his head. "Wave, Tea, Spring…?"

"We've dispatched two recon teams, but nothing has turned up. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to act careless with Kumo breathing down our necks." Tsunade clarifies to which he nods back. "What we do know, however, is that he had been operating in the Land of Water at some point."

"THEN HE'S A TRAITOR!" one councilman yells only to be hit by the collective killing intent of the clan council and the kage. The poor bastards heart failed him.

"We believed he fought in their civil war extensively." Tsunade clarifies, "Jiraiya has uncovered a few of his monikers such as, the Eighth blade of Kiri, Eighth Swordsmen of the Mist, and Hero of Fang and Wave. He also has ties to the Water Daimyo along with Spring, Grass, Wind, and Tea." listing off causing many eyes to widen. "Isn't that…?"

"Half the…"

"Yes." Tsunade confirms, her gaze sweeping. "He has been very busy."

"That can't be true." another councilman murmurs, "This, however, is only the tip of the iceberg," Jiraiya says appearing into the centre of the room, the smoke from his arrival dispersing swiftly, gaining and the rooms full attention. The spy master continued. "He has been working in the shadows during several conflicts, cutting their lengths down noticeably, and then left with his partner."

"Partner?" Tsunade questioned having not heard that before causing Jiraiya to shrug, speaking up. "They never gave their names. What I have heard though, she was a beautiful kunoichi with raven black hair, brilliant green eyes and a well-toned figure."

"Is she…?"

"Yes. I believe that she is also the mother of his child." Jiraiya reveals causing the air itself to tense.

"That demon had a spawn?!" one random councilman asks causing the white mainned man to growl, "We know he has a son, around seven or eight, and is travelling somewhere around. Where? I don't know…" cutting off their responses in their throat. He continued. "…but last we heard was on Nagi Island. Since then, he went dark again."

"What was he doing on Nagi island?"

"We suspect it was a mission, or a base of some kind… " Jiraiya appeared to be talking to himself in questions before a throat clearing brought him back to the room, "…right…" chuckling to himself nervously, "…anyway, what I do know is that he seemed to have purchased a bunch of children from a smuggler…," seeing the anger and shouts of indignation forming both sannin raised their hands to stall their outbursts. "It was at the behest of son, then, knowing him, freed them and now moving with them but they haven't shown up."

"How is that possible?" Shibi questioned, the toad sage just shrugged, "He's always been sneaky." Shikaku recalls nodding, "He's gotten better."

"Clearly." Jiraiya comments flatly, "Then, we have to send out search parties…" Tsunade was cut off, "Yes, find the boy and we can restore the Uzumaki clan back here in Konoha." Danzo announced causing murmurs to rise within the room only for a potent blast of killing intent stunning them all. "I sure hope you mean you wish to recover Naruto… and not his son, right?"

The silence was telling.

Land of Waves

Naruto and Shirin finish their sneezes causing the room to look at them with the latter looking confused, former with narrowed eyes "What was that?" Amano called out, who has since grown rather outspoken after her level of comfort had grown to a cordial. Honoka smirked, almost coyly asks, "Someone talking about you?"

Naruto nods firmly once, "More than likely," the blond states in his now focused, narrow dark blue eyes. "I don't get sick due to… other factors."

"You haven't told them?" Honoka whispered to which Naruto shook his head, "Too young for it," He sighs. "Feel like a hypocrite. Anyway, we'll be here for another week or so before we move on…" Naruto continued. "…we have to be ready to move."

"What about me and Koki?" Kiyota questioned still breastfeeding said baby, "You will be carried." Naruto informs the group who all nod. Shirin asks. "Where we going next dad?"

"Either Hotspring or…" Naruto trailed off his response to the door opened and "Nii-chan, I got a ship to take you to Sky Country." Inari announced causing the Uzumaki patriarch to smile, finally some good news. "Thanks, Inari. I owe you one for that."

"Nah… it's fine…" Inari waving him off as he accepted a kiss from his mum, "…thanks."

"Then, we'll leave the day after tomorrow."

"Okay."

None would know that day would be the day that world would finally understand what an Uzumaki father could do when backed against a wall. The day the Hidden Leaf would understand the depths of their mistakes and the folly of their actions; the Konoha-ten would understand exactly the darkness of the shinobi world, at the behest of the black blade of Nadishiko origin.

Hidden Leaf

In a briefing room within the Hokage tower stood Naruto's graduating class, known by most as the Konoha Ten, previously Twelve but the banishment of Naruto, and abandonment of Sasuke had reduced their numbers. They were joined by a Jonin and Chunin teams, raising their number up to twenty four shinobi, standing before their Hokage and her former teammate Jiraiya, "Thank you all for coming so swiftly." Tsunade breaking the silence of the room. "We have a priority mission for you all."

"One of my contacts have located the former genin Naruto Uzumaki and his party in Wave Country." Jiraiya announces earning the entire attention of the former rookie twelve, Tenten voicing her inquiry. "Naruto? He made it clear…"

Tsunade raised her hand to stall the protest, stating flatly. "We need him back. It is far too dangerous for him and us to allow our enemies to try and tempt him to their sides."

"He's our Jinchurki, right?" Shikamaru states with an underlying tone of steel that matched his narrowed eyes. Tsunade didn't flinch at the unsaid accusations of the Nara heir, adding. "We also have reason to believe he is travelling with his son. No doubt he'll be an easy target and weakness. We must protect them both at any cost."

This actually has the opposite effect as the Nara actually growled at the underlying message, "What are you saying?!" as he began stepping forward but the two sannin remained blank faced. "Are trying to capture him, or…?"

"Jonin Nara. Your mission is to retrieve Naruto Uzumaki and return him to the Hidden Leaf village." Tsunade orders firmly, burying her own feelings on the subject. "Yes ma'am !" spoke Kenji, the leader of the Jonin squad, saluting his kage before leaving along with the other regular Chunin.

The Konoha Ten all looked to Shikamaru, who nodded at them and all vanished in body flickers as he glances back to his kage, "This is a mistake…" his parting words, as he vanishes into a vortex of leafs.

Letting out a deep breath, Tsunade hangs her head with watery eyes, "I know it is but…" a hand on her shoulder, an offer of comfort from her oldest friend. "It'll be okay, Su-hime. This is Naruto we are talking about. What's the worse that could happen?"

Jiraiya would later come to regret those words, as he to decided to provide back up, "I'll go keep watch, just in case, okay?" upon her nod he smiles before vanishing in a plume of smoke.

Land of Waves

The next day, Naruto and Tsunami would make breakfast along with Inari and the entire family spent the morning together. As one big family. The atmosphere was cosy and even Kiyota was sitting peacefully, Koka sleeping in arm, and was doing far better having recovered from the birth of her daughter.

Honoka was reading a book of journeyman level sealing, Shirin peaking over her shoulder every now and then. Naruto had just finishing cleaning his sword when a knock on the door broke the peaceful air.

Inari answered the door, a brief exchange and his happy mood evaporated earning the full attention of the adults with Naruto moving forward "Thanks. Tell them to get ready now." Inari then closes the door as he turns to his brother in all but blood "Naruto-nii. We have trouble."

"Explain."

"One of the cooks in the Bar was caught giving information to a toad yesterday by his wife." Inari states with a frown. This sent alarms to the eldest Uzumaki present. "We have to leave." His voice cold, sharp, and very dangerous that caused the others to straighten up. Inari nodded. "The ship is almost finished preparing. I suggest you all get there now. The whole town will work to get it away as soon as possible."

"We'll be there in a few." Naruto than turns back to the room as a whole, Inari slipping out as he does, and is faced with the hardened gaze of his kids, who despite being so young looked ready for action. It was both a prideful moment but a sense of guilt as he never wanted this for them but for now it helps "Listen up. We're moving out in five minutes. Gear up!"

"Hai!" They all chorus and the six children rush off as he approaches the young mother, and clansmen "Honoka, stay with Kiyota and defend the group from afar. Your sole objective is defence. Protect our family please." His tone was no better than pleading at this point and Honoka hugged him on instinct, "Consider it done. You've done so much for me already. I will save our family."

"Thank you." As they broke apart, he looks to the baby and her mother eyes still soft but firm "Stay back with the kids. You sole objective is to protect yourself and your daughter. Let us deal with the enemy."

"I can…"

"Kiyota." Naruto cutting her off, forcing her eyes to his "Please. You aren't fully recovered yet. Koko-chan needs her mother, now more than ever. Don't let her down." His soft tone was unfair in Kiyota's honest opinion as she was forced to simply nod and accept sitting out this battle.

The docks were a bustle of activity, of the three ships tied up there, only one was being made ready for sail. The crews of the others helping move supplies and conduct any outstanding repairs at the behest of the dock master. This is what Naruto arrived too, his party being ushered towards the final dock. Just as they reach the final peir, the whole area froze, as this is when the Hidden Leaf shinobi land all around the docks, atop buildings and crates, a half circle around their target and his party.

All activities ceased momentarily, broken by one Jonin approaching Naruto who promptly pulls a set of kunai out, whilst ensuring his family was shielded behind him, defensive stance, "Naruto Uzumaki…" was called out as now the kids also took defensive stances, swords and kunai as they slowly and carefully backed up. Honoka too was preparing her chakra chains whilst keeping an eyes on Naruto's blind spots.

Kiyota may have promised to keep herself on the rear line but she'd be damned if she wouldn't at least provide fire support with her kunai. Holding her daughter close, she holds four daggers in her free hand whilst watching out in case of an encirclement. The Leaf Jonin continued, eyes staring at the blond before him. "…by the order of the Council, Hokage, and the Fire Daimyo', you are hereby ordered to return to the village for reintroduction as a leaf shinobi."

Silence would have followed had the ship crews not returned to unhooking the ship. Naruto remained motionless, eyes fixed on the ninja before him but his senses began to expand as nature energy began to fill him. This allowed him to count all twenty-five enemies, yes he picked up that disgrace of a sannin hiding in the rear but was slowly working his way round towards to his back. Toward his family.

Naruto flung out two kunai to the side, that exploded on impact forcing the toad sage into view, and out of the shadows. Naruto glanced back to the kids, ordering them. "Get to the ship," as his sage marks fade into view, eyes glowing golden, reminiscent of a certain fox's. The leaf shinobi misread this and assumed he was entering his Jinchurki cloak and charged. "Wait…!" a certain sage called but was ignored.

Naruto did not want to fight. His family was behind him, their protection was paramount, and thus was hoping to escape before conflict could happen. Surely he has matured since his exile, his wife has done wonders on his psyche and turned him into a more mannered and forward thinking man.

This translated into his fighting, not wanting to cause too much damage in this fighting retreat, he needed enough power to fight against a numerical superior enemy whilst maintaining the precision to work between allies and non-combatants.

Subsequently, this eliminated Kurama's chakra as it is corrosive to everything that wasn't him, and to some extent his blood, so sage mode it is. As an added bonus, this also enabled him to keep track of everything around him with perfect clarity as if held the eyes of a Hyūga.

This meant he was fully aware of the fact his former classmates were among the attacking force, this meant he would have to lock away his excess thoughts and emotions as again he didn't want to cause unnecessary damage but his family is his priority thus cannot hesitate here.

This was also the reason he went for kunai in place of his sword. Quicker defensive action can be attained with them and far easier to incapacitate instead of killing outright. This way he won't be hunted by the leaf as a rogue ninja, even if his isn't one of them anymore, and is classed as a ronin, or mercenary shinobi, it could cause more issues politically if word got out. This will no doubt begin to put pressure and attention on the family as a whole.

So with a steady heart, eyes void of anything but action, Naruto Uzumaki counter charged in defence of his precious family against this familiar enemy.

Battle of the Waves

With speed the Leaf forces didn't predict he had, Naruto kicked the first Jonin dead centre, the sound of his ribs cracking could be heard, his sage chakra enhancing his strength. This blasted the man back clean through a building. Without missing a beat, Naruto swirled like a tornado, the three Chunin's nearby got their legs cut open before a blast of wind knocked them aside.

Rising to his feet, Naruto spoke lowly, though the wind carried his words, as if commanded too, in order to force all those nearby to hear. "This is my only warning. Leave now, or I will treat you all as hostiles along with all the rights affording the title."

A shaky silence as many gulps were had. A stillness that was broken by the brashes of people.

"Fang over fang!" Two twisters came flying from both sides of the blond, causing him to glance both ways, but before they could hit. Bang. Both Kiba and Akamaru found themselves at the receiving end of a drop kick, face first into a crater, no one able to tell the real from the clone of Naruto as they stand over each of the new holes.

Both Naruto's growl, deep and menecingly, glancing up at the preparing shinobi, their gaze sweeping, "Fine." Naruto states, "Have it your way." The clone adds as they glare at the remaining twenty, so coldly his former friends couldn't believe this was their knuckle headed ninja.

Swarms of bugs cloud the sky, blocking the sun, charging towards the two blondes that began to go through hand signs before taking deep breaths. 'Vacuum style; Void sphere.' Internally spoke Naruto as he and his clone spit out a barrage of compressed air bullets around a void of nothing. Upon contact with the swarm, the blasts erupt into razor sharp spikes of wind blades that shred the bugs in seconds.

A volley of kunai shred through the air, Naruto and his clone ducked and weaved, using their own weapons and enhanced agility to avoid the sharp storm of kunai, though he did take a few nicks and the like, his armour did not give out on him. The razor sharp barrage halted, just as his whole body became rigid, "Kage main, success!" was heard just as four Hyūga move in as well as a big-boned Akimichi. Two of the Hyūga however went after the group at the rear, their intent darkening.

Naruto noticing this and just as both sets of Hyūga enter their stances, the two Uzumaki broke out their own clan techniques, Uzumaki sealing chains. Without warning five chains erupted from Naruto's back, one speared directly into the dirt beneath disrupting the shadow paralysis, breaking the Nara's hold on him. The four others wrapped up the Hyūga heir and her cousin, at speeds they didn't know existed. Their chakra sealed immediately upon contact with their restraints, both being lifted into the spair before being slammed into the dirt in short order.

The Uzumaki turned to see both Hyūga who had passed him by, suffering a similar fate as Honoka's near twenty chains over around with four subduing the two aggressors. "Dymanic Entry!" was yelled and Naruto, thinking just as quick, moved the two Hyūga still in his chained grasp into the way. That collosion as not pretty. "How unyouthfull."

Darting aside, Naruto came face to face with another barrage of sharp objects, without even flinching at the sight, his chains shot forward in defence, knocking the stardard issue weapons a side with little effort. Their master then flips over the giant hand that attempted to grab him, but two of the chains wrap around the apendage that was promptly crushed by his chains as Naruto himself took up the defensive kunai deflection duty.

Upon landing he glances around briefly to judge his spacing, just in time to block a high kick from a green spendex wearing Chunin. Said shinobi was about to open his mouth to talk but Naruto was having none of that, stepping into his guard and landed two jabs, that felt like a rhino stomped upon him each, then a knee to the gut, that lifted him from the ground despite the added weights he always wore, before being grabbed by his arms and flung out across the ocean.

Another situation check and he watches Honoka's chains dismantle two fire balls with her chains, Amono firing her bow at the Nara on the building not too far off, forcing his shadow to retreat. Suddenly, his danger sense, honed after years of conflict, triggered forcing the blond to leap clear to find none other than Jiraiya with a suppression seal in hand.

That was close.

Whilst mid flip in the air, Naruto notices that Kiyota and the kids were aboard, the sailors were pushing off, but the Akimichi was standing in front holding it down. He'll have to be dealt with. As he lands, a seamless shadow clone appeared briefly, vanishing in the next, "…mind body switch…" Naruto heard, it only took two seconds to recognise the technique, track its launch position, the transmitted soul, and the target. Honoka.

Standing up from his crouch, ignoring his fellow sage's monologue completely, he launched towards the clashing shinobi on the dockway. "Incoming!" was called and those ahead turned to see the blond, blank faced and glaring, rushing them. But before their weapons clashed, Naruto leaped up and 'caught' the mind of one Yamanaka Ino, before it reached his cousin who has no solid defence against such an attack.

Naruto's Mindscape

Ino landed on a beach front, superman style, the tree line was thick ahead and the water a vibrant blue behind her. Looking around she notices who rough the sea seemed, the sun was out but offered no warmth for her as she finally noticed the small sea front house further down the shore of this bay.

Running across the hot white sand, she reaches the house, more like mansion, and enters it carelessly, "This must be where his consciousness resides…" stepping in finds a very comfortable villa, an open plan kitchen into this living area, comfortable looking sofa's surrounding a tea table. An unused fireplace sat beneath a flat screen television.

As soon as the door shuts she hears it lock behind her, stunned, she tries to yank it open "That won't work." A voice from behind stunned her again as she swirls to find a man, standing six foot six, bright red hair and eyes, wearing a fluffy white nightgown and slippers. He looked like he was just awoken from a nap of some kind, which makes no sense from her point of view, yet he just strolls around like he owns the place. She asks. "Who are you? Your not that girl."

"Girl?" the man with a raised brow, which is when Ino noticed the crimson slit eyes and whisker marks on his cheeks which reminds her of only one person she knew, "Naruto?" clearly unsure about wheter it was a question or a statement. The man drops down on the sofa with a low chuckle, reaching for the popcorn and remote that Ino swore wasn't there a second ago. "You wish."

This caused the hairs on the young mind walkers neck to raise, "Then… who, or where am…?"

"Just sit down and watch. This should be good! The Kit very rarely gets this serious these days." The man states as he kicks his feet up on the black marble low table, smirking that shows his elongated teeth and feral nature of the man.

Battle of Wave; Engagement Two

Naruto lands in a crouch among the whipping chains of his clansmen, everything just stopped as he slowly raises up and takes notice of the eagle eye on him from a certain Nara currently supporting his friends limp body. Another quick glance around shows that the leaf forces are being tended too by both the pink haired and Hyūga medic with midnight hair and rejoining the battle.

The dog boy is now hounding the kids, who have drawn their weapons in defence of Kiyota and two others were rounding up the sailors, to prevent them from setting off. Clearly trying to preserve life and only knocking them out has not worked, their medical personnel are just waking them, patching them up and sending them back into the fight.

A deep breath is taken, the air shifts noticeably, and the blank glint is replaced with cold indifference. Every single veteran shinobi sensed it, his intent before was empty and lacked anything that could be considered hostile.

That however has now changed.

His entire presence was now screaming danger, forcing those nearby to leap clear from the patiently standing shinobi swordsmen.

Naruto slowly, carefully, methodically, and somehow menacingly, pulls out his black katana on his back, it's scraping against its scabbard somehow felt like a death sentence to all whom earned its wielders wrath. Naruto whispered, "Honoka," so lowly, you might have mistaken it for a passing breeze. The woman straightened up immediately, listening to her leaders words that followed promptly. "Defend the kids."

This change of instruction may not sound like much to the common folk, but to those keen on tactical games and procedures know the difference between protection and defence.

Honoka's black eyes seemed to become pools of void, nothing within them but a cold detachment from the material world, and this reflected in the chains that were so calmly swaying in an imaginary wind become stock still for a moment. The next they became coiled rattlesnakes, ready to strike.

Another deep breath followed by a dense exhale.

The natural energy laced chakra seemed to explode out of him, radiating out that forced those against him to leave or face its wrath. Naruto's eyes narrow on the enemy before him, counting positions, locations, roles, and required actions needed. All within the space of a second, all twenty enemies ahead of him were marked. Honoka will handle the others.

He takes a single step, the air grew tense as with the step following after, he was gone.

Those on the gangway, sliced in half, before they even realised they were dead. Those left were helpless but watched as Jiraiya aburptly appeared before the Hyuga medic. A shockwave of wind and chakra exploding out, forcing eyes to be covered breifly.

Looking back, the sage's armoured bracers had been cut into lightly despite the natural chakra flowing over them, and was forced down to a knee from the sheer amount of force used in that downward slash. The sound of a building crumbling drew many eyes to the cut through warehouse behind the toad sage, causing a chocked gasp from the hyuga heiress who was the original target, currently in the old Jonin's shadow. Her eyes wide in fear.

Jiraiya, through gritted teeth, looked up at his former student, his blank face revealing nothing to read, and just as he was about to speak, he finds a roundhouse kick knocking him aside, directly into the path of a flung Kiba Inazuka, who himself had two puncture holes in his side. Hinata watched as Naruto continued his spin, with his sword coming for her neck, and was frozen in terror that she was about to be killed by her Naruto-kun.

"Eight trigrams; Sixty-four palms…!" drew the attention to her cousin, Neji, who was already in stance and postion to strike. Naruto, knowing this move as every Hyuga fights the same, did not even flinch at the prospect of this clash. Sakura tackled Hinata down, beneath the arching ode katana, that was promptly pulled into a defence position as the hyuga jonin began his attack.

Naruto's defence held a strange beauty to it, his sword was a blur to most, as Neji's finger thrusts met the its flat-end regardless of how fast he moved. Just as he reached the final set however, his byakugan watched his opponents chakra form into a seal-less shadow clone that appeared on his left and move to strike.

Luckily for him, his teammate Tenten appeared and parried the strike set to bisect him. Suitably distracted on the clash, Neji almost missed the roundhouse Naruto himself launched from his right, but his guard was not prepared for the truckload of a strike that Naruto called a kick, thus his block crumbled under its strength.

Twirling into Tenten, Neji barely escaped the slash from the clone, though he did not escape unharmed as Naruto's follow up slash him down his chest and left leg. It wasn't dangerous enough to be life threatening, but certainly dehabilitating and enough to keep him out the fight any further or risk death.

Sensing the danger, Tenten too attempted to disengage but the clone was pushing her down to her knee. The shadow over her caused her heart to skip a beat, as he sword was being oushed lower and lower, tears pooling in her eyes as the blank faced Naruto. Death by a friend, echoed in her mind. That was until the clone abruptly went Poof. The clone suddenly dispersed, in its place was a swarm kikichu bugs humming above her and Neji. Tenten was in tears, having seen her death in that moment, by a former friend no less.

Landing on another unnamed chunin, sword through his gut, Naruto raises to his feet gracefully near the runway down the docks again. With never before seen reflexes, Naruto cuts through two flung kunai, and their explosive tags, before spinning on his heel and clashing blade with his katana against Jiraiya's odoma resengan.

The toad sage continued to push deeper, harder, with more power pushed into the technique, but the blade Naruto is using wasn't standard issue in Nadeshiko until he joined them after his wedding. His mastery of his clans expertise has only gotten better since then, and his gift to his new home were these black katana's that resonates with the chakra of their wielder, and only their wielders.

Right now, Naruto's nature enhanced, dense Uzumaki chakra was following the will of its owner to protect his family. At this point, nothing could or would break his blade and so no matter how much power was being used.

Jiraiya had hit the preverbal unmovable object. Thus, Naruto knew he would be fine, but needed to cut off his opponent's strength which ws rather stright forward in this case, as his chains erupted from his back once more in anger.

"Behind, Jiraiya-boi!" came too late as three chakra chains slammed into his side, two chipped off his sage chakra enhanced armour and the final punching into his side.

Immediately his sage mode shuts off, the toad elders ejected from his persons, the resengan sliced through in short order by the black blade, cut in half and explodes around Naruto, who was sheilded by his sage cloak, the resultant rush of wind pushing the ship out to sea from the shockwave. Before anything else, the toad sage is heard muffling his pain as he looks down at the severed forearm of his right dominant arm. A perfect cut. Looking up at the slit dull yellow eyes of his former student, it is then he realises their initial error. "…fox-sage"

Naruto suddenly jumps back, avoiding the gloved fist of his old teammate, Sakura Haruno, who up until now has been on medic support but can't take sitting this out any longer. Naruto is her teammate. She'll be the one to bring him in even if she has to break every bone in his body.

Skirmish Seven

The Waves dock yard had finally been evacuated, Honoka had leapt onto the departing ship, acting as the defender whilst Naruto was acting as rear guard. The leaf forces had been beaten back, forcefully, but now the last loyal member of Team Seven was confronting her banished counterpart.

Since their last meeting, Sakura has had a complete turnaround in attitude which has ultimately altered her way of thinking about the past interactions with her fellow members of Team Seven. She will admit, in private and with her inner circle, that her treatment of Naruto was appalling.

His heart was always in the right place, and not once ever truly stepped out of line which made the face he made of her betrayal of him hurt all the more. It caused many sleepless nights, though did wonders in her training, and now here she is, the object of her obsession cutting through their fellow leaf shinobi with a face so cold, so lacking its normal overwhelming sunshine. Sakura growled, taking up her stance, similar to her master, before bellowing. "What the hell are you doin', you baka?!"

Naruto Uzumaki, of Nadeshiko, used to be rather naive and beloved that ninja's were the ultimate force of right in the world. The bad ones just needed to be beat down and reminded of precious people to become good again.

How stupid he was back then.

The first time he clashed against Yagura was by pure chance, the two clashed out at sea and this was also the first time he and Kurama worked together upon the latter noticing something wrong with his little brother. The second time, the two clashed and during the fight Yagura openly went out of his way to cause death and destruction in mass , destroying innocent people who were trying to run.

The evil in his cackle enraged both he and his beast, Kurama knowing full well that Isobu was the calmest and most gentle of them all. He knew this was wrong. Someone was using his brother's power against his nature. The battle ended shortly after that in a completely one sided beat down, of the visciously feral type as it was proven again that Kurama, even when split in half, is still the strongest tailed beast.

That was only one example of the cruelty of man. The massacre of the capital of Water country, the innumerable slave rings he and Shizuka had broken up. The children. Nothing ever prepared him for that. Were it not for his wife, he is sure he'd have a much darker outlook on life.

His slit eyes narrow to thin lines as he glares at his pink haired opponent, the Leaf was no different as he has found more than a few of their finger prints on these things. Honoka being proof of this. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that they need him, for the nine tails, his son as a 'Replacement' for him. His clansmen to breed more Uzumaki as only one of his clan members can hold out against the dense, corrosive chakra of the strongest beast.

Not happening.

All these thoughts happened as Sakura made her declaration, which also brought him back to the task at hand and how to block the Leaf's attempt at gaining power at his families expense. His eyes responded to that as they narrow completely, his body tenses, adrenaline production skyrockets, heart rate increases, and his chakra coils ripple in anticipation.

All this was seen by the remaining shinobi as he was ready to attack, including his former pink haired comrade who was surprised at the reaction to her question, the guilt swelling within her but before she could voice that she ducks aside then leaned from the follow-up slash.

Jumping back she noticed her side had been cut open, it was shallow and not a problem right now, but again she narrowly avoided a cut across the cheek, blood dripping, as she lunged forward with a fist. Naruto step aside, his opponents air shuddering punch, the shockwave tore the air apart.

The twirling swordsmen continued to do so before slashing mid to ground. Sakura's back snap kick, pulled the loose dirt behind the shockwave it caused. Naruto sliced up that leg as she jumped clear. Though it was followed by another slash, that cut her medium length hair down to her shoulder blades, her head barely moved out of range.

Sakura throws wide hook, Naruto sped back, her follow up jab deflected with the flat of his sword, the uppercut avoided, her kick avoided but the shockwave ripped the fabric over his thighs, a bruise forming in its place. He slides to the left, for the others saw the after image as he flat out, dodged the snapped elbow strike from the medic, then for anyone watching the two began to blur but it was evident that it was one sided.

The growing slashes of blood on the floor created a rather gruesome sight that only highlighted a smacking sound as Sakura stumbled backwards, a handle embedded in the solar plexus forcing the med-nin to her knees coughing and wheezing, her blood leaking from the numoerous shallow cuts that now littered her pale skin.

What caused he breath to hitch though, was the feel of cold hard steel on her neck. Her mind locked up. Naruto wouldn't. He wouldn't kill her. She's his Sakura-chan, right?

"Papa!" Was called out and the silence that followed was deafening, the med-nin felt that she was awaiting judgement. For the sword to drop through her neck, for the transgressions against her old friend, yet for that moment that stretched on for an uncomfortable minute.

The air fell still until the cold steel left.

The sound of his combat boots against the ruined gravel was music to her ears as the pinkette who shakily looks up, again watching the back of her teammate walk away again which broke her renewed will then he vanished in a twister of water and wind. She whispered. "…Naruto."

Hidden Leaf

A week later…

"As you all know, I dispatched a squadron of shinobi to the Land of Wave, to retrieve one Naruto Uzumaki, our banished genin." Tsunade spoke opening the council meeting, causing everyone to sit up straight. "They had returned a few minutes ago and of the twenty four, plus Jiraiya, only fifteen returned under their own power with the others were killed."

Gasps came from the room "He killed them?" Shikaku questioned with a raised brow, Shikamaru who had just arrived for the debrief stepped up. "For the first half of combat, it was clear he was on the defensive and only countered our offensive actions but as Kiba's team began to apprehend his kids, and Ino's attack was about to neutralise the other chain user,"

"Chain user?" Tsunade questioned earning a nod from the only shinobi who attended the mission and could walk, "Naruto was using them to, he had six at one point but she had about twenty-four."

"That's an Uzumaki bloodline ability; solid chakra manipulation." Tsunade explained earning nods from those who knew a certain red head, "So, he found another Uzumaki then. What can you tell us about her?" asked Danzo earning a raised brow from many, Tsunade however narrowed her eyes instantly knowing why he was curious about her.

Shikamaru responded promptly. "No hiete, stood at around five-foot-six, straight red hair and black eyes. Used and manipulated chains to defend and attack. After Ino's attack, the two shared a word and they changed their attack plan offensively."

"So, your saying they held back until they were cornered?" Shikaku questioned sitting forward, Inoichi follow suit with fingers interlocked. Shikamaru nods once. "Yes. If we had attempted to negotiate at the beginning, instead of going in jutsu blazing, we might have been turned down but at least we could have tried again, but seeing as we've proved a threat to his kids and clansmen…" trailing off earning nods from the shinobi side.

A defeated sigh from the Hokage as she knew that now her little brother would not be allowed back having killed leaf shinobi. "According to village rules, Naruto Uzumaki will placed in the bingo book as an S-rank threat…"

"Retrieve on sight. His son too." Danzo announces along with the Council somewhat split this decision, so much so that four of the five nations would come to blows over the discussed shinobi and his allegiance would be hotly debated. Many friends and foes will change sides, and things getting a little hot.

Jiraiya sat on the edge of the medical bed, with Tsunade running tests to see if fhe reattachment of her teammates arm was successful, and to what degree. Sighing hard, Tsunade looks to her oldest friend, "What happened out there?"

Still flexing his limb again, the toad sage responded airly, "Those squads you sent were over eager, jumped the gun. They straight up threatened the gaki, then moved in on the gaki's gaki trying to take them as hostages."

Tsunad sighed at that, Uzumaki are similar to Inazuka on that sense as both take the defence of their young above all else so tha twas likely the wrong move. Nodding, Tsunade asks, "Then what? Did you not..?"

Jiraiya stared at her, "Did you know he had the chains?"

Tsunade shook her head, "I thought he wouldnt as it's typically the women of the clan who get them."

Jiraiya sighed, shaking his head, "He got me with them in the side," gesturing to the wounds she was patching up earlier, "Force me out of sage mode."

Tsunade nods at that, "Makes sense, though, I am also intrested in this other Uzumaki. If twenty-four chains are her limit, then she is just below Naruto's mother. If we can get them back in the village."

Her teammates long, wary, drawn out sigh, cut her off, and Jiraiya looks at her dead in the eye, "I doubt, he wants anything to do with us. Though, I will keep an eye out for things as I too want him here, but it will not be easy, Su-hime."

Tsunade nods minutely, a tight frown on her face, "Still. How was he? Health wise?"

Jiraiya chuckled lightly, as he looks down to his wrist again, "If his fighting style is anything to go by, he's fine."

Tsunade perked up, "What kind of style is he using?"

"Sword user." Jiraiya started and Tsunade grinned widly, seems Naruto was taking after his mother in place of his father, despite the looks. Jiraiya, knowing what was going through his medic friend's mind, continued on. "Though, he only brought his sword out when he was going for the kill. Before that he was using kunai like his dad was known for."

Tsunade frowned, "So, what Shikamaru said was true? He wasn't going all out in the beginning?"

Jiraiya nods, "Yeah. His attacks were shallow but painful. Debilitating but that was all," he sighed, before looking at his arm again, "Then, when they cornered the kids, Naruto mumbled something to the redhead, and they both changed," he looked up at the serious visage of his hokage, "Tsunade, if I wasn't there, Hinata Hyuga would be dead. His opening strike literally cut a building in half. I only managed to deflect it above the both of us."

Tsunade was about to speak, But Jiraiya continued, "Then, he hit me with a roundhouse kick so damn hard, it was on your level of super punches," the sage grumbled at the end, rubbing his chest recalling the absolute strike Naruto gave him. Tsunade chuckled, "A kicker huh?"

Jiraiya grumbled and nodded, "Stupid gaki," as Tsunade chuckles whilst putting the clipboard down, "Well, either way we're done here. Take it easy on the arm for a bit before you head out."

Jiraiya nods, though speaks up, "You - uhh... might want to check on that apprentice of yours," causing the senju to look at him with a raised brow, "Oh?"

He sighs, "She fought him one on one, and he almost killed her. It must have shaken her up or something."

Out at sea...

Under the calm moon light, Naruto sat on the ship's prowl, staring up at the sky above. Thanks to Inari, they leaped frogged a lot of issues and are almost home free. Getting to Demon will solve all their issues in the short term. Hell, just getting to Sky Country will solve more than a few. He let out another heavy breath when his clansmen dropped down beside him. Had he been less of a shinobi, he might of flinched at her abrupt arrival. Her stealth is truly unrivalled.

Honoka had watched Naruto for the last hour. It was clear that he knew those people they fought back in wave, yet he treated them like another enemy and fought back regardless. It must have been tough. So when he let out that heavy sigh, she approached and set beside him, opening up with. "Did you know them? The people back there?"

Naruto continues his observations of the horizon, though he did nod once, "Yeah. My classmates,"

Honoka nodded, "Is that why...?"

"Yes," Naruto cut her off, "it isn't easy fighting people you once thought of as friends. So, i gave them a chance," he shrugged, though Honoka noticed the eleveated pitch of his voice. It was slight, but she knew he must have hated it. Every minute of it. Only one thing came to mind, and she hugged him. "Thank you,"

A/N: The leaf keep pushing Naruto towards fully becoming their enemy, threatening his family, but now has shown that he will strike with lethal intent against them if needed. In the next chapter, an epic show down between the oldest of friends and only one walks away from it. the Rookie Ten suffer their first fatality.

Reworked A/N: Should read easier, and cleaned up the various fight scenes. My work is getting better so thanks!

o7