Author's Note: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter II

Leaving

"Naruto Uzumaki, the council has come to the decision to banish you from Konoha for fear of letting the Kyuubi out." Danzo said sternly yet smuggly. "Please, don't send me away. If I get sent away, then those who want the Kyuubi will have an easier time." Naruto pleaded. "Too bad brat." Danzo said. "You have until nightfall to leave."

Naruto, dejected turned and left the council chanber. Though there was many murmurs and happy remarks in the room, a few handful of council members were displeased with the decision. One of these was Hiashi Hyuga and he knew that the young boy just wanted a home. He turned to the young man beside him. "Neji, the decision is yours. If you choose to leave with him, then feel feee to do so."

Neji nodded and said one thing before standing to leave. "I will protect him till my last breath." Neji said as he handed his headband to his uncle and left. A little farther away, three other young men stood up and left the chamber. These were Shikamaru, Lee, and Konohamaru. All three chose to leave with Naruto.

Naruto was finishing packing his bag when he heard a knock at the door. It wasn't any banging or soft knock. It was just a knock. He would've prepared himself for the worst, but he sensed his friends were there so he opened it.

To his astonishment, Neji, Shikamaru, Lee, and Konohamaru all stood there with bags over their shoulders and resolve on their faces.

"Neji? Shikamaru? Lee? Konohamaru? Wha-What are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked dumbdounded. "We're coming with you Naruto. We all had the same thought when the council banished you." Neji said rather flatly. "There's something better and more youthful elsewhere Naruto." Lee said energically. "My grandfather would rather me come with you than stay in this quickly turning Hellhole." Konohamaru said matter of fact. "Naruto, it will be bothersome for the journey ahead, but it will be more bothersome staying here." Shikamaru said lazily.

Naruto couldn't contain the streams of tears he had rolling down his face. He quickly gave all of them the biggest hug he could and said "thanks guys, no one had ever told me that before."

"Don't mention it, but we have to get going." Neji said as he saw the sun begin to set. "Can I atleast grab one more ramen?" Naruto asked whiningly. "Already was one step ahead of you on that one. We stopped by Ichiraku and got you your favorite in a to-go. Tuechi also said it was on the house." Neji said smiling genuinely for the first time.

Naruto's eyes lit up with stars and did backflips through the apartment.

The quartet of boys left the village shortly after they managed to get Naruto out of Ramen Ichiraku. He insisted on saying goodbye to Teuchi and Ayame before leaving and Teuchi gave him some ryo and a bunch of instant ramen.

That would turn out to be a blessing for the journey to come. Especially when they would get hungry.

They were sixteen miles away from the village when they made a small camp. "We'll need sleep especially for the journey ahead." Shikamaru said as he sat down.

Suddenly, Neji activated his byakugan and yelled "GET DOWN!" A kunai with an explosive tag on it landed in their camp and exploded. Naruto turned to see ANBU were attacking them. These weren't ordinary ANBU though. These were ROOT ANBU Danzo's personal ANBU units.

He had sent them out to kill Naruto and those that were accompanying him. They charged into the camp hellbent on killing the boys. During the chaos unfolding a sharp whistle broke the air. ANBU and the boys looked up into a tree to see a glowing red visor.

"What is that?" Naruto asked before the visor moved. A black figure was flying through the air and landed on the ground. The figure stood to his full height. He had daggers on his belt, a retractable sword gauntlet on his left arm, and three swords on his back.

This warrior wasted no time and literally destroyed the ANBU before they had a chance to escape.

When the smoke cleared, the warrior stood where had just slew the last ANBU before turning around. "Forgive me for not intervening sooner. I needed to rest a little." The warrior said. "Who are you?" Naruto asked. The warrior turned to face him. "My name is Falcon. I come from the western continent." He said casually as he took off his helmet.

"You seem...off. Like you have no chakra network at all." Neji said suspiciously. "I was born without one, hell pretty much all of the people from the western continent have no chakra networks." Falcon said. This stunned the boys.

"If no one has chakra on the western continent, then that might be the best place to hide." Shikamaru said. "I'm not sure about that, the western continent is plagued with war and bloodshed. But I need some help anyways." Falcon said calmly.

"What kind of help?" Naruto asked. The group pretty much realized that Naruto had hidden leadership skills that made him much more cunning than originally thought. "My home city of Taloga is under the rule of a tyrant daimyo. His name is Grandor and he recently banished me and my last few resistance fighters. We are taking that city back!" Falcon said darkly.

That brought the boys' attention really quick. "Can we have a moment?" Naruto asked. "Of course!" Falcon responded.

The group of boys huddled close together. "This might be stupid, but I think we should help him because he helped us already." Naruto said in a hushed tone. "We just met this guy, how do we know he is trustworthy?" Neji asked. "He does have a point, however, his intentions seem good." Shikamaru said.

"He's probably going to use us to win his agenda and execute us when he's done." Neji hissed. "I trust him, he has an aroura around him that makes me think otherwise." Lee said.

"What makes you say that?" Neji asked frustrated. "I have a feeling he didn't come to our shores for nothing. He came for us. He knows we play a huge role in the world today." Lee said distantly.

All three stood still in silence pondering the same thing. Naruto looked around at each of his companions. In turn, each nodded their heads. Naruto nodded last and turned to face Falcon. "We will come with you and help you retake your home city." Naruto said with the air of command.

Falcon nodded. "Very well, come with me. It's not safe out here." He said as he began to walk out of sight. The boys followed suite.

"We will head for a city called Kiyoto first. It's north of Taloga and I have some friends there." Falcon said as he walked through the foliage. "Kiyoto? I didn't know the Western Continent had names like what we have." Shikamaru said rather intrigued. "Believe me the Western Continent is full of cities that have all kinds of names. Taloga for example." Falcon said as he truged through the forest.

They were two days away from Konoha when they reached the shoreline. A ship was moored off the coast. It had three masts and a mighty penant.

Falcon waved to a man who was on the main deck. The man waved back and soon a rowboat was heading their way.

When the rowboat landed, three men stepped out. "Falcon! I'm glad to see you not injured!" Said the one at the head of the trio. "Trajan, it's good to see you. How are Kiro, Mizu, and Gohan?" Falcon asked as he shook hands with his life long friend. "They are doing well. Though Gohan has got sick a little."

Trajan said as he turned to face the young men. "Who are these boys?" "These are our reinforcements." Falcon said. "Reinforcements!? Falcon you have to be playing a joke! These are young boys they can't take on the full force of Daimyo Drekan!" Trajan said exasperated.

Falcon stood his ground. "These boys are more than meets the eye. They have a purpose that none of us can fully see Trajan. Especially the blonde one. His destiny is far greater than what he first realize." Falcon said firmly.

Trajan was going to speak but knew better not to argue with Falcon. Falcon was incredible at predicting the future and what Falcon says came true. "Very well, to Kiyoto?" "To Kiyoto!"

Naruto, Neji, Falcon, Shikamaru, Konohamaru, and Rock Lee all got into the boat. It rowed out to the ship, and the ship in turn lowered its sails and headed west.

All of this however, didn't escape the watchful eye of an old pervert that had been watching Naruto's departure.