"NARUTO WILL BE BACK TOMORROW?!"
The Konoha 12 collectively said with surprised expressions. It's been 3 years since the blonde boy left the village to travel with Jiraiya
During those 3 years, all of them were hearing all sorts of battles and what not that were related to Naruto. It's basically a well known fact all around the land about his monstrous achievements and fights that he had created for himself over the past 3 years
Moreover, the event called the "Hidden Market Purge" is what started it all. The Five Great Nations couldn't ignore this type of ruckus that a boy would do anymore, and had set their sights cautiously
A lot of the population were either on the side of Naruto, and many were also in the opposite after the event was revealed to the world. Many high ranking rogue ninja's desperately tried to take Naruto's head, as he had a high bounty, but failed. Often times just giving up when seeing his presence
Though they might've retreated because of the presence of one of the Sannin with him, but, that was always not the case
On the other hand, The Akatsuki has been laying low for the past few years. Naruto and Jiraiya haven't had a chance to encounter at least one member in their journey. Though they were still scheming from the shadows, for Naruto, it was simply because they feared his presence.
===
[Flashback.]
"I'm surprised, no news of the Akatsuki. It's been too quiet, even for them"
Naruto said. Often times he would be able to sense Zetsu close by, but it has stopped for a while now
"You never know what they are planning kid. I'm not even sure yet of their motives so far, but as far as I know, they're really dangerous. They could be planning something elaborate that the world doesn't know about"
Jiraiya said, to which Naruto just scoffs at. Almost like he knew exactly what their motives were
"You overthink too much old man. They're probably just scared of me. And didn't I tell you to stop peeking at girls? They mess with your brain, that's why you are what you are right now"
"You brat!! Get the hell over here!"
Jiraiya was about to smack Naruto's head, but Naruto dodge. He face Jiraiya and flashed his tongue in a mocking way, as he started to skidaddle away while Jiraiya followed behind with an annoyed expression.
[Flashback End.]
===
But after so long, they were finally going to see Naruto for the first time since he left. They all were excited of the return of their blonde friend. Their reaction clearly shows this
Though Hinata has it a bit different. Her eyes wide open in surprise. She knew he would be back, but truly hearing the news that he would come back tomorrow. It's quite a shocker to her
She forgot to keep tabs on Naruto's arrival since she became a bit more bussier than usual. It also reminded her that she hasn't been sending much letters to him anymore. Though she did explain in one of her letters that she sent to him a while back, that she was busy. But for her, she's a bit guilty that she hasn't been updating and checking up on him since her last letter
'Naruto... I'm sorry. But, I'm glad you're coming back. I hope you're not too mad at me, I'll repay you for every time I didn't check up on you...'
She thought, her hands clasped together in her chest. Almost everyone in the room took notice of her expression. Pretty much everyone knows the relationship between the two of them, so seeing Hinata blush is quite a site to behold. They haven't seen her blush like that in years
'Wow, it's been a while seeing Hinata like this again... I guess, maybe one thing hasn't changed about her, after all'
Kurenai thought, as she smiled seeing her student feel this way once again
"Now that you know, I have some orders for all of you... Do you all remember when I...Um"
Tsunade said in an embarrassed tone, scratching her head a bit as everyone in the room remembered the incident way back
Everyone laughed outloud remembering the event now. Tsunade began to be embarrassed as she bit her lip
"Stop laughing! It was an accident I swear! I didn't know. And so that's why I'm giving you a mission for today. It's to compensate of what happened"
Tsunade said, as everyone calmed down and nodded at her
"Good, so here's the plan..."
Tsunade then started to instruct the Konoha 12, as they nodded. All of them leaving the room together with a joyful atmosphere
Kurenai also decided to leave for today, as only Shizune and Tsunade were left in the office. Tsunade opened the bottle of Sake, and started to dig in
"I must not let Naruto know what happened that day... Who knows how precious it was too him! Right Shizune?"
"Oh uh, yes, Tsunade-sama..."
"Ah! Now that hit's the spot! Come and drink with me Shizune. This calls for a celebration!"
===
[Early Morning.]
"The suns about to rise"
I said, looking up into the sky, as I saw the sun's ray starting to rise. The moon began to slowly descend, as it let the star handle the rest
"Yeah, but we're not even close yet to the village. At this rate, we'll make it back by afternoon"
"You worry too much old man. How about let's speed things up. Unless your body is too old to go into full throttle. I don't want to carry you either, so... Just try and follow behind"
I said, giving him an encouraging thumbs up sign with a cheeky grin
"My age will not affect my speed you brat. It's your fault for being too monstrous. I should blame you as far as I see"
"Yeah yeah. Anyway, I'll start speeding up, so try and keep up pervy sage"
*Whoosh*
Without wasting a millisecond, I disappeared in front of Jiraiya. Already covering kilometers worth of distance in that short amount of time
Jiraiya widened his eyes seeing my sudden burst of unprecedented speed as I smirked
"Damn brat! Just you wait! I'll show you what a Sannin like myself can still do!"
Jiraiya said, as he also sped up. Starting to recover some distance between us.
===
"Is everything prepared?"
"Yes Tsunade-sama. It's all ready for him. Even Kakashi-sensei took part in the operation"
"Kakashi? Well, I'm not surprised that he did. Now then, shall we head to the gate? Is everyone already there?"
"Yes, though I think Hinata is still getting ready"
"Then let's join them now too since everything is settled"
Shizune said as both of them headed towards the gate of the village
As they arrived, they were delighted with the sights of the Konoha 12 gathered again. But it was not just them. Kakashi, Kurenai, Might Guy, and Asuma also joined in. Wanting to see the arrival of the two as well
"Hey Sakura, it seems you're quite jumpy today"
Kakashi, while reading his Icha-Icha Paradise, said to Sakura. Noticing that his student was very much anticipating Naruto's arrival since yesterday
"Oh, it's nothing Kakashi-sensei. It's just that finally seeing Naruto back after 3 years, makes me interested to see if he changed or not"
"Knowing Naruto, he doesn't fail to surprise us in any situation at all. I want to see what he has grown into these past 3 years"
Kakashi said, as he was also here to see his Sensei's son, his student, back after 3 years travelling around the world. Especially his achievements that he obtained, it made him even more curious to the man he his starting to become
"Naruto's finally coming back today huh"
"Yeah, and apparently made a ruckus out there too. He's still a troublesome even after all these years"
Shikamaru said, stretching his body and yawning a bit
"Well I'm curious to see just how much he has progressed. With how strong he already was 3 years ago, it's kind of hard to judge what he is right now"
Ino said, recalling the events back then, or more specifically, the Sand Invasion during the Chunin Exams, and going toe to toe with Orochimaru at the time as well
"We'll have to wait and see if that kid really is something to not be messed with. I would also like to see his progress under Jiraiya-sama"
Asuma said, interested by Naruto's growth spanning a few years now
"Naruto is coming back! I wonder what the power of youth has done to him! He must be much stronger now!"
Lee said, praising the way of the youth he cherished much
"Lee, pipe down, it's early in the morning"
"But the power of youtu burns within him!"
Lee said enthusiasticly, his fist clinched into the air
"I wonder how much stronger he has become... Maybe, I'll challenge him if I can"
Neji said, thinking about Naruto's strength and how much powerful has he gotten compared to their last match against each other
"Naruto will for sure surprise us! He had already surprised me way back! He is such a youthful child!"
Might Guy joined Lee in their praising the power of youth. Fantasizing how strong Naruto has become
"Kurenai-sensei, where's Hinata? I was expecting her to be here the first, but she isn't here"
Kiba asked Kurenai about Hinata's whereabouts, confused a bit and Shino agreed as well
"Yeah, I assume she'd be here with us waiting for Naruto and Jiraiya-sama"
"Relax you two, she's just preparing something. Though I don't know what it is but she informed me earlier. She should be here on time of their arrivals"
Kurenai explained to her students about Hinata's absent. Even she doesn't know what exactly is she preparing, but she knows better than to meddle in with her love for Naruto.
"I see that everyone has gathered up for those two to arrive. It's only a matter of time now. Keep your eyes out everyone"
Tsunade said to them, as they awaited the return, of the child that denies prophecy itself.