Two years later...
The morning sun cast long shadows across Mount Myōboku as Naruto stood in the center of an enormous sealing array, his hands pressed against the ground. The complex pattern sprawled out nearly fifty meters in diameter, glowing with a mixture of golden sage chakra and Kurama's crimson energy.
"Almost there," Naruto muttered, sweat beading on his forehead as he channeled chakra into the final components of the seal.
Jiraiya watched from the sidelines, his expert eyes widening as he recognized elements of the Hiraishin, the Uzumaki clan's signature sealing techniques, and something entirely new - chakra patterns he'd never seen before.
"This is incredible," he whispered to Yamato. "He's managed to create a reverse-summoning seal that works with Tailed Beast chakra. Even Minato never attempted something like this."
The seal pulsed with energy as Naruto made the final adjustments. Inside his mindscape, Kurama grinned. "Ready, kid?"
"Let's do it, partner!"
With a surge of combined chakra, the entire array lit up like a miniature sun. The light shot skyward in nine distinct beams, each a different color representing the Tailed Beasts.
When the light faded, nine small seal marks appeared on Naruto's forearms, each corresponding to one of the Tailed Beasts.
"It worked!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping up with excitement. "Now any of the Tailed Beasts can summon me if they're in danger! And with the chakra markers I left with each of them, I can flash to their location using a modified Hiraishin!"
Jiraiya stepped forward, shaking his head in amazement. "Kid, I hate to admit it, but you've surpassed me in sealing techniques. This is beyond anything I could have taught you."
"Want to test that theory?" Naruto grinned mischievously, dropping into a fighting stance. "We haven't had a proper spar in months, Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya matched his grin, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. The last time they'd sparred, Naruto had nearly overwhelmed him. "Alright, but no sage mode!"
"Fine," Naruto agreed, then vanished in a yellow flash.
What followed was a display of speed and power that left Yamato slack-jawed. Even without sage mode, Naruto moved like lightning, combining his father's Hiraishin with his mother's chakra chains in ways that seemed to defy physics. His taijutsu had improved dramatically, and his seal work in combat was revolutionary.
Jiraiya found himself constantly on the defensive, barely able to keep up with his student's unpredictable fighting style. When Naruto managed to trap him in a web of chakra chains while simultaneously preparing a Rasengan, the Sannin knew it was over.
"I yield!" Jiraiya called out, chuckling as Naruto released the chains. "You've gotten scary strong, kid."
Naruto helped his godfather up, grinning broadly. "I had good teachers!"
"Teachers who you've now surpassed," Jiraiya admitted proudly. "You're ready, Naruto. Ready to face whatever's coming."
Kurama's voice rumbled in agreement. "He's right, Kit. You've grown stronger than any of us expected. The Akatsuki won't know what hit them."
Naruto looked at the seal marks on his arms, each one representing a bond of trust with the Tailed Beasts. Then he glanced at Jiraiya and Yamato, who had helped him reach this point.
"Thanks, everyone," he said softly. "I couldn't have done this alone."
"Of course not," Jiraiya smirked, ruffling his hair.
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "Now that you've mastered what you set out to learn here, there's one more thing we need to do. Tsunade's been waiting to teach you the Yin Seal."
Naruto nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I've been looking forward to this! With my chakra control now, I should be able to handle it."
"We'll meet her at one of our old ANBU outposts," Yamato added. "It's secure and far enough from the village to maintain your cover."
"And after that," Jiraiya continued, "we'll focus on expanding your elemental affinities. With your chakra reserves and control, you should be able to master the other four elements given time."
"Plus ramen!" Naruto exclaimed. "Ichiraku's been sending special deliveries to the outpost. Old man Teuchi made sure of it!"
Kurama chuckled in his mind. "Always thinking with your stomach, kit."
"Hey, I've been eating nothing but bugs and weird toad food for two years!" Naruto protested. "I deserve some real ramen!"
"The Yin Seal training won't be easy," Jiraiya warned. "Even though you've already started storing chakra like Tsunade suggested before we left, forming and controlling the seal is incredibly complex."
"I know," Naruto replied confidently. "But after creating the Tailed Beast summoning seal, I think I can handle it. Besides, combining the Yin Seal with sage mode could be amazing!"
"Always thinking ahead," Jiraiya smiled proudly. "Alright then, let's pack up. We'll head out tomorrow morning."
As they walked back toward their living quarters, Naruto couldn't help but feel excited. Learning the Yin Seal would be another huge step forward, and mastering the other elements would make him even more versatile in combat.
"Hey, Pervy Sage," he called out. "Think we can stop for ramen first?"
Jiraiya and Yamato both laughed. Some things never changed.
One year later...
The hidden ANBU outpost buzzed with an electric tension as Naruto stood at its center, his eyes closed in deep concentration. A diamond-shaped seal glowed on his forehead, pulsing with stored chakra. Tsunade and Jiraiya watched intently, their expressions a mix of pride and awe.
Suddenly, Naruto's eyes snapped open, blazing with determination. "Let's do this!"
In a blur of motion, he formed hand seals at lightning speed. The air crackled with energy as he called out:
"Earth Style: Terra Shield!" A massive wall of stone erupted from the ground.
"Water Style: Raging Rapids!" A torrent of water crashed against the stone barrier.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" A barrage of fireballs hissed as they met the water.
"Lightning Style: Thunderbolt!" Arcs of electricity danced across the battlefield.
Each element flowed seamlessly into the next, showcasing Naruto's newfound mastery over all five chakra natures. As the display ended, he released the Yin Seal on his forehead. Purple markings spread across his body as an enormous surge of chakra flooded his system.
"Incredible," Tsunade breathed. "He's not only mastered the Yin Seal but combined it with his sage mode and Kurama's chakra."
Jiraiya nodded, grinning. "And those elemental techniques... he's come so far."
Naruto turned to his mentors, his eyes shining with excitement. "I think I'm ready. Ready to go back and face whatever's coming."
Tsunade stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've grown into a fine shinobi, Naruto. Konoha will be proud to have you back."
"Speaking of which," Jiraiya interjected, "I've received word from my spy network. The Akatsuki are on the move. It's time we returned to the village and prepared our defenses."
Naruto's expression hardened with resolve. "Then let's go. Konoha's been without its Number One Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja for too long!"
As they prepared to depart, Naruto couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. He was returning home, stronger than ever, ready to protect his precious people and face the challenges ahead.
The future of the shinobi world hung in the balance, and Naruto Uzumaki was prepared to meet it head-on.
One year before Naruto's return, in the Hokage Tower:
Tsunade stood on the Hokage Tower's balcony, addressing the gathered villagers of Konoha. Her voice carried across the crowd with authority.
"Citizens of Konoha! Today, I reveal a truth that has been kept secret for seventeen years. A truth about two of our greatest heroes - Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and Kushina Uzumaki!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"On the night of the Nine-Tails attack, they not only saved our village but also left behind a legacy - their son, Naruto Uzumaki!"
Gasps and shocked whispers erupted from the crowd. Many villagers' eyes widened as the pieces began falling into place - the blond hair, the blue eyes, the incredible chakra reserves...
"For his protection, this information was classified as an S-rank secret. Naruto is the son of the Yellow Flash and the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero!"
The villagers began talking all at once: "The Fourth's son?" "That explains his resemblance!" "All this time..." "We treated the Fourth's son like..."
Tsunade raised her hand for silence. "Naruto is currently away from the village, training to protect all of us. When he returns, I expect him to be treated with the respect befitting not only the Fourth's son but also the hero he has become in his own right!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, many feeling a mixture of pride and shame - pride in having such a legacy in their village, and shame for how they had treated him in the past.
Now, one year later, as Naruto approached the village gates, the guards and villagers nearby watched with new eyes. They no longer saw the troublemaker or the demon vessel - they saw the spitting image of their beloved Fourth Hokage, returning home after becoming stronger to protect them all.
He noticed something... different. The villagers weren't giving him their usual cold stares. Instead, they were...smiling.
"Welcome back, Lord Fourth's son!" a merchant called out cheerfully.
Naruto froze mid-step, his blue eyes widening. "Wait, what did you just say?"
More villagers gathered around, their faces beaming with respect and admiration.
"You look just like Minato-sama," an elderly woman said warmly. "We should have seen it sooner."
"Huh?!" Naruto's jaw dropped. "How do you all know about...?"
"Lady Tsunade announced it last year," a chunin explained. "That you're the Fourth Hokage's son. The whole village knows now."
"WHAT?!" Naruto shouted, his voice echoing through the streets. "BAA-CHAN DID WHAT?!"
Without another word, Naruto disappeared in a flash, leaving behind a cloud of dust as he sprinted toward the Hokage Tower.
"TSUNADE-BAA-CHAN!" he burst through her office door, pointing an accusing finger. "You told everyone about my dad?!"
Tsunade looked up from her paperwork, smirking. "Ah, so you've noticed. Surprise?"
"But... but... when? Why?" Naruto sputtered.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her expression turning serious.
"The village needed to know the truth," she said simply. "And it's part of the plan to help change the future you saw."
Naruto's eyes widened as understanding dawned on him.
Tsunade continued, "It hits two birds with one stone. First, it improves your reputation, which gives you a better chance of becoming Hokage. Second, it's a way to mislead Danzo and the other elders."
"I get it," Naruto said, his voice low. "They'll be focused on me being the Fourth's son, not on..."
"Something like it," Tsunade nodded. "They'll be too busy dealing with the effect of the revelation to notice other... preparations we're making."
Naruto grinned, his earlier shock replaced by determination. "That's pretty clever, Baa-chan. I guess I underestimated you."
"Watch it, brat," Tsunade smirked. "I'm still the Hokage. Now, are you ready to start the next phase of our plan?"
"You bet I am," Naruto replied, his fist clenched with resolve. "Let's change the future, dattebayo!"
Tsunade nodded, "Good. As Temari is here, you'll be heading to the Sand Village tomorrow. If the future hasn't changed much, Gaara should be about to face an attack from the Akatsuki. Your job is to prevent his capture and, if possible, capture one of the Akatsuki members."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Gaara? They're after him already?"
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed. "Our intelligence suggests that Sasori of the Red Sand and Deidara are on the move. They're likely targeting Gaara for the One-Tail."
Naruto's fists clenched. "They won't be able to get Gaara or Shukaku this time."
"Remember," Tsunade cautioned, "your abilities have grown significantly, but don't underestimate them. And try not to reveal too much about your future knowledge or powers. We don't want to tip our hand too early."
Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. I'll be careful."
"Good," Tsunade said. "Kakashi and Sakura will accompany you. They've both improved greatly over the past three years as well. Temari will guide you to Suna."
"What about Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. "We're still monitoring his movements. For now, focus on protecting Gaara and gathering intel on the Akatsuki. We'll deal with Sasuke when the time comes."
Naruto took a deep breath, centering himself. "Alright. I'm ready."
"Then go prepare," Tsunade instructed. "You leave at dawn. And Naruto..." she added as he turned to leave, "be safe."
Naruto flashed his signature grin. "Don't worry, Baa-chan. I've got this, dattebayo!"
As Naruto left the office, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and concern. The hyperactive knucklehead she'd met years ago had grown into a powerful shinobi, but the challenges ahead were greater than ever.
"Good luck, Naruto," she whispered. "The future of the shinobi world may well rest on your shoulders."
Naruto approached his apartment, lost in thought about the upcoming mission. As he neared his door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Instantly alert, he relaxed when he heard familiar humming from inside.
"I'm home!" he called out, pushing the door open.
"Welcome back, Naruto-nii-chan!" Konohamaru spun around, duster in hand, his face lighting up with a huge grin. "I've been keeping your apartment clean while you were gone! Though it was super dusty!"
Naruto couldn't help but smile, memories of the future flooding his mind - of a grown-up Konohamaru, strong and reliable. His grin turned mischievous.
"Oi, Konohamaru!" he declared, striking a dramatic pose. "As your boss and eternal rival, I need to check your progress! Show me your ultimate technique, dattebayo!"
Konohamaru's eyes sparkled with determination. "You got it, Boss! SEXY JUTSU!"
POOF!
A cloud of smoke filled the room, and when it cleared...
"How's this?" a feminine voice called out.
Naruto crossed his arms, nodding sagely like a professor evaluating a thesis. "Hmm... the proportions are better than before, but the pose needs work. Remember, it's all about the presentation! This is an S-rank technique that even worked on a goddess!"
"A goddess?" Konohamaru transformed back, eyes wide. "No way!"
"Yep!" Naruto grinned, then caught himself. "I mean, theoretically! Anyway, go get Udon and Moegi. Your boss has decided it's time for some special training!"
"Really?!" Konohamaru bounced with excitement. "You're gonna train us?!"
"You bet! The Konohamaru Corps needs to get stronger, and who better to teach you than the future Hokage himself? Now scram! Meet me at Training Ground 3 in an hour!"
As Konohamaru rushed out, shouting with joy, Naruto's expression softened. "This time, I'll make sure you're even stronger, Konohamaru. All of you."
Inside his mind, Kurama snorted. "Are you going to start their training with the Sexy Jutsu?"
"Hey, don't underestimate it! Besides," Naruto grinned, "sometimes the silliest techniques can save your life. You saw how it worked against Kaguya!"
"I'm trying to forget that part," Kurama grumbled, but there was amusement in his voice.
Naruto chuckled, starting to prepare for the training session. He had a lot to teach them and not much time before his mission to Suna. But first things first - they needed to perfect their ultimate technique!
Naruto approached his apartment, lost in thought about the upcoming mission. As he neared his door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Instantly alert, he relaxed when he heard familiar humming from inside.
"I'm home!" he called out, pushing the door open.
The rest of the scene continues as previously described, with Konohamaru greeting Naruto and the subsequent interactions. Thank you for pointing out that detail. Naruto, with his ninja abilities, would indeed not typically use stairs to reach his apartment.
Naruto chuckled, starting to prepare for the training session. He had a lot to teach them and not much time before his mission to Suna. But first things first - they needed to perfect their ultimate technique!
In a yellow flash, Naruto appeared at Training Ground 3, leaning against a wooden post as he waited for his students. His mind wandered to potential improvements for his "ultimate technique."
"Maybe if I adjust the transformation matrix and add a bit more..." he muttered to himself.
Kurama snorted in his mind. "Still obsessing over that ridiculous jutsu?"
"Hey, it's not ridiculous if it works!" Naruto defended. "Besides, you can't argue with results!"
His thoughts were interrupted by approaching footsteps. Konohamaru burst into the clearing first, followed by Udon and Moegi.
"Boss! We're here!" Konohamaru shouted excitedly.
"Welcome back, Naruto-nii!" Moegi called out cheerfully.
"It's good to see you again sniff," Udon added, adjusting his glasses.
Naruto pushed off from the post, grinning broadly. "Alright, listen up! Before we start, I need to know what kind of ninja you want to become. Your dreams, your goals - they'll help me decide what to teach each of you."
He pointed at Konohamaru. "You, I already know. You want to be Hokage - though you'll have to beat me to it! So I'm going to teach you the Rasengan and Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Konohamaru's eyes lit up. "Really?! Your signature moves?!"
"Yep! But first..." Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out three small scrolls. "These are weight seals I designed. They'll help build your physical strength and speed. Now," he turned to the other two, "Moegi, Udon, what about you?"
"I... I want to be a medical ninja!" Moegi declared. "Like Lady Tsunade!"
"And I sniff want to specialize in tactical support and intelligence gathering," Udon added.
Naruto nodded approvingly. "Perfect! Moegi, I'll teach you some chakra control exercises I learned from Tsunade-baachan. And Udon, I've got some special techniques that'll help with analysis and strategy."
He created three shadow clones. "Each of you will train with one of my clones. But first..." He grinned mischievously, "Let's work on your stamina! Twenty laps around the training ground with these weight seals!"
"WHAT?!" they shouted in unison.
"Better get started!" Naruto laughed. "And remember, this is just the beginning! By the time I'm done with you three, you'll be the strongest genin team in Konoha, dattebayo!"
As the three groaned and started their laps, Naruto watched with pride. "This time," he thought, "they'll be even better prepared for what's coming."
Inside his mind, Kurama chuckled. "Getting soft, are we?"
"Nah," Naruto replied mentally. "Just making sure the next generation is ready. Besides," he grinned, "wait until they see what else I have planned!"
Naruto was focused on instructing his students when he sensed familiar chakra signatures behind him. Without turning around, a grin spread across his face.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, Tsunade-baachan, and Ero-sennin! What brings all of you here?"
"Can't we check on our favorite knucklehead ninja while he plays teacher?" Jiraiya chuckled, stepping forward.
Tsunade crossed her arms, watching Moegi struggle with chakra control. "I heard you're teaching them specialized techniques. Not bad, brat."
"Naruto," Sakura said, observing the training with interest, "are those weight seals your design?"
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in amusement. "Maa, looks like my former student has picked up a few teaching tricks. Though I hope you're not planning to teach them that... particular technique of yours."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Of course not, Kakashi-sensei! I'm being responsible, ya know!"
The three genin, noticing their audience, stopped their training and stared in awe at the legendary ninja before them.
"The Fifth Hokage!" Moegi squealed.
"Master Jiraiya of the Sannin sniff," Udon adjusted his glasses.
"Kakashi of the Sharingan!" Konohamaru exclaimed.
Naruto beamed proudly at his students. "Hey, keep training! You won't become strong by standing around staring, dattebayo!"
"Yes, Boss!" they chorused, quickly returning to their exercises.
Tsunade stepped forward, her expression serious. "Naruto, we need to assess your teamwork with Kakashi and Sakura. You'll face them both in a demonstration match."
Naruto nodded, understanding the importance. "Sure thing, Baa-chan! But what about my students?"
"Your shadow clones can continue their training," Jiraiya suggested with a knowing smirk.
Kakashi stood relaxed, but his eyes showed focus. Having glimpsed Naruto's progress during his training, he knew this wouldn't be an ordinary spar. The boy who once struggled with basic jutsu had grown into someone who could potentially overwhelm all five Kage combined.
Sakura, however, felt a wave of uncertainty. Despite her confidence in her growth - training under Tsunade, sparring with elite Jonin, and working alongside the other rookies - something about Tsunade's tone made her nervous.
"Both of you will face Naruto simultaneously," Tsunade announced. "And Sakura... don't hold back. You'll need everything you've got."
Naruto created several shadow clones - some to continue training Konohamaru's team, others to spread throughout Konoha. "It's been a while since I've seen the others. My clones can catch up with everyone while we do this!"
As his clones dispersed, heading off to find Shikamaru, Kiba, Hinata, and the rest of their old classmates, Naruto turned to his former teammates with his signature grin.
"Ready when you are, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan! Just... try not to destroy too much of the training ground when I beat you, dattebayo!"
Sakura cracked her knuckles, trying to mask her apprehension with bravado. "Don't get cocky, Naruto!"
Kakashi simply lifted his headband, revealing his Sharingan. "This should be interesting."
Tsunade and Jiraiya moved to a safe distance, both knowing they were about to witness something extraordinary.
"Begin!" Tsunade commanded as the air itself seemed to crackle with anticipation.
Naruto braced himself, expecting Sakura to charge with her monstrous strength. Instead, she quickly formed hand seals, slamming her palms on the ground. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A massive wall of stone erupted from the ground, catching Naruto off guard. "Whoa! Since when did Sakura-chan learn earth jutsu?" he thought, momentarily distracted by this unexpected development.
In that split second of surprise, both Kakashi and Sakura's chakra signatures vanished completely. Naruto's eyes widened, "Dattebayo! They're masking their chakra!"
As Naruto stood his ground, anticipation building, Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged knowing glances.
"Well, well," Jiraiya chuckled, "seems our knucklehead ninja has grown up a bit."
Tsunade nodded, a smirk playing on her lips. "He's not charging in blindly anymore. That's progress."
But when they heard Naruto's enthusiastic "Dattebayo!", both Sannin couldn't help but grin.
"Then again," Tsunade sighed, shaking her head fondly, "some things never change."
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "That's our Naruto! All that power and he's still the same brat at heart."
Back on the battlefield, Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. His Emotional Perception, a gift from his friendship with Kurama, allowed him to sense the determination and slight nervousness emanating from both Kakashi and Sakura.
"Kakashi-sensei's cool as ever," Naruto thought, "but I can feel a hint of anticipation. And Sakura-chan... she's fired up! This is gonna be awesome, dattebayo!"
As he waited for his former teammates to make their move, Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of nostalgia mixed with his growing excitement. He may have become incredibly powerful, but the thrill of facing his old team brought back memories of his genin days.
"Alright, you two," Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles, "let's see how much we've all grown! Bring it on!"
The air crackled with tension as Kakashi and Sakura prepared to launch their coordinated attack, while Naruto stood ready, his blue eyes shining with determination and that unmistakable spark of mischief.
With explosive force, Kakashi burst from the ground, his Chidori crackling with intense blue lightning. "CHIDORI!" The sound of chirping birds filled the air.
Simultaneously, Sakura's fist connected with her earth wall, "SHANNARO!" The wall shattered into deadly projectiles, while her other fist slammed into the ground, creating a spider web of destruction.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Naruto grinned excitedly, golden chakra chains shooting from his back, anchoring him to stable ground. "Not bad, you guys!"
In a flash of orange, he formed two Rasengans, one in each hand. "Take this, dattebayo!" He spun them rapidly, using them like shields to pulverize the incoming rock fragments.
"But you'll have to do better than that!" With incredible agility, Naruto twisted his body mid-air, avoiding Kakashi's lightning-charged strike. In the same fluid motion, he swung his leg around, aiming a powerful kick at his former sensei.
From their observation point, Tsunade whistled appreciatively. "Look at him go. Using the Rasengan as both offense and defense."
"That's our unpredictable ninja," Jiraiya nodded proudly. "Always finding new ways to use old tricks."
The training ground echoed with the sounds of their intense battle, Naruto's face split with his trademark fox-like grin as he continued to hold his own against both his former teammates.
"Man, this is fun!" Naruto shouted, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "But I'm just getting started, dattebayo!"
The battlefield erupted with chaos as Naruto's signature move filled the area. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A hundred Narutos appeared, their orange outfits creating a sea of movement.
"Let's go, dattebayo!" they shouted in unison, engaging both Kakashi and Sakura in rapid-fire taijutsu exchanges. But when his clones' attacks landed, both opponents burst into smoke.
"Shadow clones?!" Naruto's eyes widened.
Suddenly, Kurama's voice echoed in his mind. "Kit, above you!"
Looking up, Naruto spotted Sakura plummeting from the sky like a meteor. His first instinct was to catch her, but Kurama growled, "Don't be an idiot! It's an attack! Find Kakashi - he must be the real threat!"
Scanning the area, Naruto detected Kakashi's chakra signature in the trees. "Got you!" He charged with a Rasengan, only to realize too late he'd fallen for their trap.
"SHANNARO!"
The real Sakura, her Strength of a Hundred Seal activated, delivered a devastating kick that sent Naruto skidding backward. As he steadied himself, Sakura noticed something familiar on his forehead - a seal mark identical to hers.
"Naruto, is that... the Strength of a Hundred Seal?!" Sakura gasped.
Before he could answer, Tsunade appeared between them. "That's enough for today," she announced, looking at the night sky. "It's getting late. Good work, all of you."
As they caught their breath, Sakura couldn't stop staring at Naruto's seal. "When did you...?"
"Hehe," Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Surprise, Sakura-chan! Guess we both learned from Granny Tsunade, dattebayo!"
"But how?" Sakura asked, still stunned. "The Strength of a Hundred Seal takes incredible chakra control and years of training..."
"Hehe," Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Well, with Kurama's help and my huge chakra reserves, I managed to store up enough chakra pretty quickly. Though I gotta admit, the control part was super tough, dattebayo!"
Sakura's eyes widened with curiosity. "Kurama? Who's that, and how can they help you with chakra control?"
Naruto's grin widened, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, that's right! I forgot you guys didn't know. Kurama is the Nine-Tails' real name. We've become friends now, and he's been helping me train, dattebayo!"
"Friends... with the Nine-Tails?" Sakura echoed, disbelief evident in her voice.
"Yep!" Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "And let me tell ya, with Kurama and me working together, there's no one who can beat us now! We're unstoppable, believe it!"
As Naruto continued to boast, Kakashi, Tsunade, and Jiraiya exchanged worried glances.
"He's getting a bit overconfident, isn't he?" Jiraiya muttered, his brow furrowed.
Tsunade nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "It's true that his power has grown immensely, but this level of arrogance..."
"Maa, maa," Kakashi sighed, his visible eye creasing with concern. "He might be right that there are few if any, ninja who could match him now. But if he gets too cocky..."
"He'll leave himself open to defeat," Jiraiya finished, shaking his head. "We'll need to keep an eye on him."
Meanwhile, oblivious to their concerns, Naruto continued to ramble excitedly about his newfound powers and friendship with Kurama, his voice carrying through the night air. "Just you wait, everyone! Naruto Uzumaki and Kurama are gonna protect the whole world, dattebayo!"
**Let's rewind and go back to the scene with Naruto's clones**
The clones cheered in unison, pumping their fists in the air.
"Listen up!" Naruto continued, grinning from ear to ear. "We're gonna surprise all our friends and show 'em how awesome we've become! You know the drill - transform and scatter!"
With a chorus of "Yosh!" and puffs of smoke, the clones transformed into various civilians and ninjas, dispersing throughout the village.
One Naruto clone, disguised as a ramen delivery boy, headed straight for the Nara compound. "Oi, Shikamaru!" he called out, finding the lazy genius cloud-watching. "Special delivery!"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "I didn't order any-" But before he could finish, the clone burst into smoke, revealing a grinning Naruto. "Surprise attack!"
Meanwhile, All across Konoha, Naruto's clones were revealing themselves to their friends in increasingly ridiculous ways. Ino found one hiding in a flower arrangement, and Choji discovered one inside his bag of chips.
After the initial surprise, Shikamaru let out his signature "What a drag" sigh, but a small smirk played on his lips.
The Naruto clone plopped down next to him on the grass. "So, Shikamaru, whatcha been up to?" the clone asked, folding his arms behind his head and joining in the cloud-watching.
"Hmph, besides avoiding troublesome missions? Just thinking," Shikamaru replied, his eyes fixed on the drifting clouds.
Shikamaru's expression suddenly turned serious, his eyes shifting from the clouds to Naruto. "But seeing you arrive means troublesome things are about to start, doesn't it?"
He paused, then continued with a more intense gaze. "Naruto, I've been waiting to ask you this but haven't had the opportunity. You said you saw the future until you were about 32, and you saw our kids. But did you see who we're going to marry?"
Naruto's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "Eh? Well, uh..."
Shikamaru pressed on, his voice low and measured. "And what about your memories? You mentioned something about going crazy, but it seems like that passed quickly. Do you know why?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, his trademark grin faltering slightly. "Man, Shikamaru, you don't pull any punches, do ya? That's a lot to unpack, dattebayo!"
He took a deep breath, his blue eyes growing distant as he recalled the future he'd seen.
"Well, I know that..., but I think I saw everything"
Shikamaru studied his friend for a moment, noting the mix of emotions playing across Naruto's face. "Naruto what the problem."
Naruto stood beneath the towering trees of Konoha, his usually bright eyes clouded with uncertainty as he faced Shikamaru. "I... I don't remember, dattebayo," he said, his voice unusually quiet. "It's like trying to catch smoke with my hands. I saw my wedding, but the bride's face is just... gone. There were these incredible things, machines, and powers we've never seen, but now..." He clutched his head in frustration. "Everything after the Fourth Great War is just shadows, except for these enemies we're gonna face. What's happening to me, Shikamaru?"
His brow furrowed as he retreated into his mindscape. "Oi, Kurama?"
Shikamaru's sharp eyes analyzed his friend, his genius mind already connecting invisible dots. "How troublesome," he muttered, folding his arms. "These aren't normal memory lapses. Either time itself is rejecting these future memories, or..."
"Or what?" Naruto leaned forward, tension visible in his shoulders.
"Someone's deliberately tampering with your mind," Shikamaru finished grimly.
Inside his mindscape, Naruto stood before Kurama's massive form, the ethereal space rippling with tension. The fox's crimson eyes gleamed with an ancient wisdom that made Naruto's heart beat faster.
"Kit," Kurama's voice resonated through the space, "you've been asking the wrong questions. Instead of wondering what happened to these memories, you should have asked how you got them in the first place." The fox's tails swayed like massive shadows behind him. "Think about it - prophecy exists in our world, but you've never possessed such abilities."
Naruto's eyes widened as realization began to dawn. "Then how...?"
"The truth is, Naruto," Kurama's voice grew heavier, "at the Final Valley, during your battle with Sasuke... you died."
"WHAT?!" Naruto's shock echoed both in his mindscape and the physical world, causing Shikamaru to instinctively reach for his kunai.
Kurama continued, his voice unusually gentle for the mighty beast. "In that moment between life and death, something unprecedented occurred. A foreign soul - weak, but carrying knowledge of possible futures - attempted to inhabit your body. But your soul, stubborn as ever, hadn't left. Instead of being possessed, your soul absorbed the intruder, and that brief moment was enough to jumpstart your healing."
Naruto staggered back, his mind reeling. "So these memories... they're from this other soul?"
"Precisely," Kurama nodded. "That's why I chose to cooperate with you so quickly. I witnessed everything you saw, Kit. I understood what was at stake. Though I still had to test your resolve, of course." A hint of his old mischievous grin showed through.
Back in the physical world, Naruto quickly explained everything to Shikamaru, whose expression grew increasingly serious.
"Troublesome doesn't even begin to cover it," Shikamaru muttered, his brilliant mind already formulating strategies. "But it makes sense. Your soul couldn't maintain all that foreign information - it's like trying to pour an ocean into a cup. Only the most crucial details remained."
Naruto's fists clenched, his determination burning bright despite the revelations. "Then we'll work with what we've got! Even if I can't remember everything, we know enough to protect everyone, to change things for the better!" His voice carried that familiar strength that had inspired so many before.
Shikamaru smiled slightly, recognizing the return of his friend's indomitable spirit. "Yeah," he agreed, "and this time, we'll be ready for whatever comes our way."
After their conversation about the memory revelations, Naruto and Shikamaru sat in contemplative silence for a moment.
The weight of their knowledge hung heavy in the air. "Shikamaru," Naruto finally spoke, his voice serious. "There's something else. The Akatsuki will make their move soon. They're going after Gaara first."
Shikamaru's eyes sharpened. "already"
"Tomorrow. I'm heading to Suna with Kakashi-sensei and Sakura-chan." Naruto stood up, looking toward the horizon. "But this time, we'll be ready. I won't let them take Gaara or Shukaku." "You've gotten stronger,"
Shikamaru observed, "But don't get overconfident. The Akatsuki aren't just powerful - they're cunning. We need a strategy."
Naruto grinned. "don't worry, You're the smartest person I know. And we come up plan 3 years ago dattebayo!"
Shikamaru's "Ah, It's been a long three years."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!"
"Right, but don't get careless because of that," Shikamaru said.
"And don't forget about my secret weapon!" Naruto grinned mischievously.
Shikamaru smirked. "You mean that ridiculous jutsu you've been working on? The one that combines your Sexy Technique with Sage Mode?"
"Hey! Don't underestimate it, dattebayo!" Naruto protested. "It'll catch them completely off guard!"
"Just don't get carried away," Shikamaru warned. "Stick to the plan. And Naruto... be careful out there. These aren't opponents you can just talk into changing sides."
Naruto's expression turned serious. "I know. But I've got to try. Everyone deserves a chance to change, even the Akatsuki."
As they finished discussing, both friends felt a mix of anticipation and determination. The future they had prepared for was finally at hand, and they were ready to face it head-on.
Meanwhile, the main body of Naruto returned to his apartment, ready to get some rest before the big day tomorrow. As he flopped onto his bed, he couldn't help but grin at the memories flooding in from his dispersed shadow clones.
"Man, everyone's gotten so strong, dattebayo!" he chuckled to himself, remembering the surprised faces of his friends.
Stretching out on his bed, Naruto closed his eyes and focused. "Release!" he called out, dispelling all the remaining shadow clones he'd created that morning.
A rush of information and experiences flooded his mind, making him wince slightly. "Whoa, that's a lot to process," he muttered, rubbing his temples.
Inside his mindscape, Kurama snorted. "You overdid it again, kit. How many times do I have to tell you not to create so many clones at once?"
"Aw, come on, Kurama!" Naruto whined. "It was fun surprising everyone!"
The giant fox rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the hint of amusement in his voice. "Just get some sleep, you knucklehead. We've got a big day tomorrow."
Naruto nodded, pulling his nightcap over his messy blond hair. "Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, Kurama!"
As he drifted off to sleep, Naruto's mind was filled with thoughts of the upcoming mission. Protecting Gaara, facing the Akatsuki, changing the future - it was all so exciting and terrifying at the same time.
"Just wait, Akatsuki," he mumbled sleepily. "Naruto Uzumaki's gonna show you what real strength is, dattebayo..."
And with that, Konoha's number one hyperactive ninja finally succumbed to sleep, snoring loudly as he dreamed of epic battles and bowls of ramen.