Somewhere in a dark cave stood five people. They wore black cloaks with red clouds on them. "They failed, what a bunch of losers, should've sent me instead." A blonde man said with crossed arms.
"Quiet Deidara, Itachi and Kisame have not returned yet, they will report what happened and then we will judge." A man with orange hair and purple eyes said, His eyes had many black rings around his pupil.
"Tobi should get to, Tobi is a good boy." A man with a mask and black hair said as he waved his storms getting the man with orange hair's attention.
"Pain, what will we do, if the Jinchuuriki are being protected then do they know of our plan?" A woman with blue hair asked.
"I don't know Konan, but until we figure out what they know, we will be extra careful. Kakazu and Hidan may not have been the strongest but they were valuable assets. I have confirmation the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki will be going to The Hidden Leaf along with Jiraiya and the One Tails. The Raikage will also have extra eyes on the Two Tails so we will wait." Pain finished talking.
While that was happening a blonde-headed shinobi was rubbing his eyes as he walked up to a large gate. It read 'The Village Hidden In The Clouds'. Naruto scratched his head as he saw a group of people waiting on him.
"Naruto you're finally here, we can get going now." Jiraiya turned around and started to go, Gaara was right behind him. Naruto continued to walk as he nodded to The Raikge as he passed him, but was stopped by Yugito.
"I-I just wanted to say thanks..." Yugito blushed and backed up. Naruto smiled but looked down as it disappeared.
"Don't mention it." Naruto said as he continued. Walking past them he soon caught up to Jiraiya and Gaara.
"Something wrong Naruto?" Jiraiya asked as he glanced towards his student.
"No." Narito said as he raised his head and smiled. "Just disappointed about how long this walk will be." Naruto stopped smiling as they walked down the path.
----
The sun shined brightly over The Hidden Leaf, villagers were walking, talking, selling different types of things, and right outside of it was a recognizable trio.
Naruto, Gaara, and Jiraiya arrived at the large gate and were welcomed in by the guards. They continued down the street. Naruto looked around, noticing little differences, but not many. There was one though, the Uchiha compound seemed to be burnt and damaged.
Naruto sighed when he thought about a certain residence that previously lived there. He rolled his eyes before he opened his mouth. "I've got to pick something up, you two go see the granny, I'll catch up soon." Naruto said as he took a right towards a store.
It was a weapon shop, he walked through the glass door and was welcomed to the sight of many different types of shinobi equipment. He then looked left and saw a brown-eyed, haired woman standing there. She had two buns in her head, Naruto remembered her as Ten Ten.
"I need need a sheath made. Here is the sword I need it made for." Naruto rose his shirt revealing the tightly muscle-packed body he hides under it, he then raised his hand to a kanji that stood for love and placed his hand on it, a sword popped out, or more specifically his mother's reformed sword.
He looked back up to see a blushing Ten Ten, but she quickly looked down and took the sword. "Yes, what would you like, any details?" Ten Ten asked.
"Make it black and I want it to be in my waist, but out a kanji on it that stands for nine, and make it orange." Naruto finished as he turned around, as he did a blonde-headed woman came out, Naruto instantly recognized it as Ino but continued out.
"Who was he?" Ino asked.
"I don't know." Ten Ten sighed, but then used again.
"He looks familiar, maybe it's the hair." Ink thought as she walked back.
Over with Naruto, he just arrived at the Hokage Mansion. He walked in and found a desk with a woman sitting behind it, she looked up.
"I need to see the Hokage, Jiraiya got here a little before me." Naruto said.
"Just up the stairs, they should be waiting outside her office." The woman said as Naruto began walking up the stairs and soon walked down a hallway that lead to Jiraiya and Gaara.
"Let's go in then." Said Jiraiya barging in the room.
Tsunade frowned as she saw who walked in, but it got a little lighter as she saw who was with him. "I'm glad you're finally here, Naruto and Gaara." Tsunade said as she nodded to them. Gaara waved back as Naruto was silent.
"I'll start immediately then, as you know The Akatsuki have started their move, and Gaara has already defeated two of them, while Naruto chased off two, but I regret to say that some reports have been coming in that people have seen Sasuke Uchiha with Orochimaru. How they relate to each other is Sasuke Uchiha wore a signature cloak known to the Akatsuki."
Naruto balled his fist as he tightened it turning his knuckles white. "Where were they seen?" Naruto asked.
"Between The Hidden Cloud and Amegakure." Tsunade said. Naruto balled his fist again.
"He was so close." Naruto thought.
"We will let you know if any more are seen, but if you have time Naruto, I would like to have a conversation with you." Tsunade asked.
"Of course, but can I go see the old man first?". Naruto asked. Tsunade nodded, " Down the hall to the left and the door that reads 'resting' Tsunade answered. Naruto nodded and walked out, he began the walk but heard a familiar tap on the floor as someone approached him.
It was as who he thought, a man with a bandaged arm and eye. Danzo approached him walking away from the Third Hokage's room. Danzo eyed Naruto as they passed each other.
Naruto kept walking finally entering The Third Hokages room. Hiruzen looked to see who the visitor was and his eyes almost popped out. "Naruto?" He said weakly.
"Yeah old man, it's me." Naruto said walking up to Hiruzen's bed.
"What are you doing here?" Hiruzen asked, breathing weakly.
"Tsunade wanted to fix some bonds, after all, I do have a village now." Naruto said as he stood beside the bed.
"I'm sorry Naruto." Hiruzen said.
Naruto's hair hung over his face casting a shadow hiding any emotion he would be showing.
"I tried to stop them, but I was overruled, I didn't have a choice." Hiruzen said as he blinked slowly.
"It's ok old man, it's wasn't bad, out there by myself." Naruto said.
"I'm not talking about after you stole the scrill, I'm talking about before." Hiruzen weakly interrupted Naruto. "I promised your father I would take care of you, yet you knew nothing but pain at such an early age." Hiruzen said as a tear began to form.
"It was bad, but it wasn't that bad, you still came around some, and even let me start training early." Naruto began.
"That wasn't by choice, the council deemed it smart for you to start training so you could be strong and used as a weapon, but I didn't want that to happen, so I used the excuse of training you so Danzo didn't take you, I'm glad you got out of here sometimes." Hiruzen said.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"Do you really think a kid could sneak in the Homage mansion and still one of the most important scrolls known without anyone noticing?" Hiruzen revealed. "I'm not telling you to forgive me, but will you try to understand?" Hiruzen asked.
"I know, my father was a famous man, a lot of enemies." Naruto said as he looked up. "I...forgive you." Naruto said as he turned around.
"And please, even I know I don't have long, but please look after Konohamaru for me." Hiruzen asked.
"Of course, I promised a long time ago I would." Naruto said exiting the room. He then walked back to Tsunade, but speak of the devil.
Naruto heard a set of footsteps running as he turned he saw the kid he just swore to look out for...Konkhamaru.
"Naruto!" He shouted as he dived for him, stretching his arms for a hug, but Naruto sidestepped making him face plant.
"Is that how you welcome your sensei after so long apart?" Naruto asked. Konohamaru rubbed his head but bowed.
"Welcome back Naruto-Sensei!"