Hello everyone! I welcome everyone back in this new decade. I apologize for the wait, but I have a lot going on. I was hoping to place these updates during the week of my birthday, but I was stuck in a rut that caused my writing and productivity to slow down to a screeching halt. Thankfully I have gotten out of it. So I ask everyone to please bear with this as updates will be slow. I am not going to stop writing. It's just that I have other priorities that need my attention and I only have small occasions to write. Also please be on the lookout for a poll that will appear on my profile.

This is not my best work, but it was the best I could do. I hope you enjoy the chapter!

New Bonds formed under the Crescent Moon

"I hate this damn heat," Naruto grumbled. The sun blazed from the skies above as the disguised blonde and his companions trekked along their path as large carriages passed by them.

"Oh don't be such a prude Naruto-kun. I gave you those cooling seals to help against the heat." Ahri playfully retorted.

"Even seals seem to have their limits when fighting off the natural rays of the sun," Naruto replied.

The vixen rolled her eyes. "Quit your complaining, kit. We need to keep your identity a secret for now. Besides remember you are doing this as a favor to Gaara."

"Yeah I know," Naruto replied as he replied.

Things had been going rather smoothly after the infiltration of Konoha. Naruto and everyone discussed everything they found and agreed its best to keep this information tight lip until they build Uzu back to a strong enough force to reply to the backlash that will result from this information coming out.

It was just about a week ago that Gaara sent a message that he has a mission for him. It was a simple escort mission to bring the crown prince of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, Michiru and his son, Hikaru, back to his home country. Michiru had agreed for Gaara to choose his escorts and to form a legal alliance between the Sand Village and his allies. It was not an opportunity that could be passed up to gain another ruler and country on their side.

Michiru was rather polite and friendly when they first met, though his son was rather cold and distant towards them, especially Naruto (Menma). The first thing the brat did was try to shoot a toy arrow at his forehead, but Naruto caught it before it reached his head.

The kid was surprised before scoffing before telling his dad that they were somewhat useful. Needless to say, Naruto and the others were not amused. Naruto especially had to fight the urge to groan that he had to deal with another spoiled brat. Why did this keep happening?!

"Heads up, Naruto." Naruto looked up to see several bandits traveling across the rock structure they were passing.

"Let's take care of them," Naruto ordered as he and his team disappeared as they engaged the bandits.

The following few days were relatively simple with Naruto and the girls guarding the prince and his carriages while fighting off random bandits. Naruto and the girls were rather bored as hell as the enemy bandits were laughably weak. Hell, an experienced genin team similar to Team Guy could handle off these bandits without much trouble.

The group had stopped at a rather large town to watch an animal circus show. Naruto was actually curious to watch as he had never been to a circus before in his life. So he was interested in seeing the show. The other girls had no issue with this and they could still keep an eye on the prince while also enjoying the show.

Naruto was completely enthralled by the show as he had never seen anything like this before. The girls giggled as they saw the look in his eyes from his mask. He looked so adorable in their eyes.

"And now the moment you have waited for has arrived! May I introduce you all to the stars of our dear circus! The fierce sabertooth tiger, Chamu and the majestic white tiger, White blaze!" exclaimed the announcer to the audience.

The spotlights landed on the two new arrivals. One was a light gray sabertooth tiger with a bright red vest. The other was another feline that was similar in height, but slightly bigger. It was a breathtaking tiger with fur as white as snow with ebony black strips going across its entire body. Naruto's entire body stiffens the moment he saw the white tiger.

"And now their beloved partner Kikki!" The announcer shouted as a small monkey appeared on top of Chamu's head. The girls giggled at the cute monkey, not noticing how quiet Naruto had become next to them.

"Woah they're amazing." Hinata complimented. The other girls nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, they really are," Tayuya said. "What do you think, Naruto? Naruto?" Tayuya turned to her crush and saw him continue to stare at the white tiger. Tayuya turned to the other girls to see them just as confused and worried.

"Naruto?" Ahri asked. However, Naruto continues to ignore them as he continued to stare at the white tiger. He flinched when he felt a hand to his cheek. He turned to see Hinata and the other girls looking at him in concern.

"Naruto-kun, are you okay?" Hinata asked in a worried tone.

Naruto shook his head. "Sorry, it's just I got a weird feeling from that white cat."

This caused the girls to look at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" Ahri asked.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, just that I feel connected to it somehow."

The girls decided to drop the conversation for now and watch the show continue as the tigers and chimp continued their team performance. Then Hikaru got into it as he shot an apple off of Kikki's head.

The announcer was surprised but decided to improvise and include the act into the show. He proclaimed a challenge for Hikaru to shoot the apple off Hikaru's head while Chamu is moving him around. The announcer promised a wonderful prize. White blaze stood in the middle as he watched the events unfold. Unsurprising Hikaru managed to shoot the apple, much to the joy and applause of the crowd. Even Naruto had to clap at Hikaru's accuracy.

"That was amazing, young lad!" The announcer exclaimed.

Hikaru nodded. "Thank you."

"Now, how can I reward you?"

Hikaru pointed at the tigers and monkey. "That," he said.

"What?" The announcer asked in confusion.

"I want this circus," Hikaru said in a resolute tone.

Everyone blinked a few times before their jaws collectively dropped to the ground. "EHHHHHHHHHH?!"

[Sometime Later]

"I still can't believe he bought the whole circus," Tayuya said in shock and annoyance.

"I guess this is what it's like to be rich and spoiled huh?" Naruto replied.

"Glad I never turn out like that," Hinata said out loud.

"Us too." Everyone said in unison. The group looked on as they noticed Hikaru approaching Chamu.

Hikaru lifted an apple to Chamu's jaws. "Here." Chamu glared at Hikaru as it growled. Hikaru flinched in fear as Chamu rose and lunged at the boy.

"Watch out!" several people shouted out. However, a black quickly grabbed Hikaru just as Chamu swiped his claws. Chamu and everyone turned to see Naruto holding Hikaru. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but Chamu growled in anger, but one quick wave of KI from the masked Naruto caused the saber-tooth to stop his current actions.

"I apologize. Chamu has never been very close to any humans." The head carny tried to explain before he lifted by his collar by a very angry Michiru.

"What the hell were you thinking of allowing him to be free if he's so aggressive!?"

"I promise, I will take care of it. I will put him in a cage and have him constantly monitored."

Naruto sighed as he looked down at Hikaru. "You okay?" he asked. The aforementioned boy blushed a bit before pushing away from Naruto and running off.

Naruto shook his head in disappointment. "Baka, did you think they would like you just because you bought them."

"Hm?" Naruto turned to see Michiru approaching him with a worried expression."Hello, Menma-san."

"What's wrong, Michiru?" The crowned prince scratched the back of his head before replying, "I would like to make one more stop before taking the boat back to my country. The stop is in the same town where the ships will be docked.

Naruto raised his eyebrow at this. However why the request in the first place? "Where will you like to stop?" Naruto asked.

"I would like to stop by the home Hiakru's mother." So, that was the reason. "I see. That is fine. As long as it doesn't delay us too much."

Michiru nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Menma-san." Naruto nodded as he and his group walked to their campsite, but the masked blonde noticed a certain white feline watching him.

[A Few Days Later at the port city]

Naruto held back a flinch from the slap Michiru received from his former wife, Amayo and slammed the door to his face. "Well, that could have gotten better," Naruto muttered.

"Yeah. I kinda feel sorry for him you know." Hinata said in sympathy.

"Sadly his married life isn't part of the mission, we should focus on getting them home," Tayuya replied as Naruto and the others nodded as they turned to get back on the carriage as they continued their route to the port.

[A few hours later out in the seas.]

"Go, prince! Go!" one crew member shouted.

"Haha! I'm so happy! This makes me forget every negative thing that's happened to me right now!" a red-faced Michiru cheered.

"Well, he seems to be in a cheerful mood now," Naruto said aloud. "The wonders of alcohol." he proceeded to take a bite out of his ham dinner. Thankfully Naruto could remove the bottom part of his mask to allow him to eat.

"Alcohol has always been a comfort drink. Why do you think Tsunade drank herself silly of it?" Hinata asked in amusement with the others chuckling in response.

"She got that from her grandfather. Along with his obsession with gambling. Though Hashirama was at least good at it." Ahri explained.

Everyone looked surprised by that revelation. "Huh. That's something new to learn." Hinata joked.

"Never expected that from the second man to be called the second God of Shinobi," Tayuya said in a stunned tone.

"Expect the unexpected," Naruto replied. the girls nodded. "Point."

Naruto chuckled at the conversation as he was about to take another bite, he saw Hikaru following Kikki to the cages. The disguised shinobi decides to ignore it for now. Later that night, Naruto was patrolling the exterior of the ship, he paused at the bow of the outside deck.

He saw a large number of cumulus clouds as thunder rumbled with lightning flashing from the black heavens. A shiver went up Naruto's spine. "A storm." he murmured. He quickly turned and rushed back into the ship to warn everyone. "We need to prepare."

It took Naruto a few minutes to warn everyone of the storm as the carnival workers quickly got up to move most of the animals to safety from the storm. Michiru was stuck in bed with seasickness, so he was no help.

Naruto grunted as he was slammed into the wall by the ship tilting to the side due to the strong waves hitting the haul of the ship. "Shit this storm is strong. I need to do something" Naruto muttered as he got up.

"Who cares about them." Naruto turned to the voice speaking. Hikaru looked down with a frown on his face.

"Excuse me?" Naruto asked. Hikaru looked at him. "They're just some dumb animals. Who cares about them. I don't. They can just go away." Hikaru then quickly felt himself being lifted into the air by an angry Naruto.

"You literally just bought them and now you don't want them just because they weren't being nice to you? And you're not willing to do anything to change their mindset?" Naruto growled as he looked at the kid in disappointment. He expected more, but this kid and his dad simply think they could get anyone to like them if they throw them gifts and money.

He sighed as he let go and began to walk away. "How much?" Hikaru finally asked.

Naruto turned to look at him in confusion at his question through his mask. "What?" Naruto asked. "How much will I have to pay you to make you, my friend?"

Naruto shook his head as he looked at Hikaru "You are too naive and blind to the world, Hikaru. You can buy objects. But you can't buy people's friendships and make them instantly like you. You have to work for it. Something both you and your father need to learn."

Suddenly another crash causes Naruto to rush outside to see everyone hectically trying to get all the animals to safety. Naruto quickly summoned several clones to help everyone. Naruto then noticed Hikaru rushing towards Chamu and White blaze, whose cages were beginning to fill with seawater.

Hikaru managed to reach their cages and open them to let the two giant cats leap out. However, the fierce storm slammed another wave onto the boat and nearly caused Hikaru to fall overboard as he saved Kikki from being washed away. Thankfully, Chamu managed to grab Hikaru before he fell off the ship.

However, the strong breeze caused Chamu to lose his grip and begin falling into the dark waters. Naruto, acting quickly, managed to get to Chamu and grabbed him by his tail and began pulling with White blaze also helping pull his fellow feline.

Naruto sighed in relief to see the three safe. Naruto looks at White blaze to see the cat watching him intently. Naruto quickly creates a few clones to keep the four safe, while the original Naruto goes to the bow of the ship as he raised his arms to the air and used his chakra to keep himself in place.

"What is he doing?!" a worker shouted. Hinata being the closet realized what Naruto was about to do. "Trying to stop the storm!" Hinata exclaimed.

"HOW?!" the worker shouted. "YOU'LL SEE!" Hinata replied back.

Meanwhile, Naruto felt his chakra envelop his body in a dark blue aura as it rose into the air. 'This is the first time I have tried something like this. I hope I can handle this.' Naruto thought as he began to close his hands as if he was trying to squeeze something.

Suddenly, the workers began to notice that the waves began to slow down and the powerful gusts of wind began to get weaker. Naruto's face under the mask began to contort in pain as the strain of manipulating the weather was taking its tow. Blood oozed out of his nostrils, eyes, and ears as he clenched his teeth in pain. A loud ringing echoed across his ears, his stomach was doing backflips, and he felt as if his body was spinning as he felt dizziness envelop his senses.

Naruto refused to let the pain set him back. He will accomplish his goals and a storm will NOT stop his ambition! He gave a mighty roar as a final blast of chakra erupted out of his body as it rose into the air as a shockwave across the black stormy heavens. Soon the heavy rain and thunderstorms began to stop as the winds died down and seas became calm again. The clouds began to depart as the rays of the sun began to pierce through the disappearing dark clouds.

Everyone looked on in awe at what they had just seen. "He actually did it," Tayuya said in amazement. She never expected that to work as Naruto had never tried to control something as big as a storm. It took manipulating the wind, water, and lightning elements at the same time. An incredibly difficult task to accomplish, but Naruto has a knack for doing crazy shit.

"He's amazing," Hikaru said in awe as he stared at Naruto's back. Meanwhile, the disguised blonde was panting heavily as his body shook from exhaustion. "Well, what do you know? I did it." Naruto murmured in a pleased tone before darkness began to overcome his vision as he fell flat onto the ship.

"MENMA!" everyone exclaimed as they rushed to his side. Ahri was the first to reach him as she checked his pulse and vitals.

"How is he?" Ahri sighed as she looked at everyone. "He's fine. Just REALLY exhausted."

Everyone nodded in agreement. "I can imagine. This was the first time he's done something like this." Hinata said.

"Let's get him inside so he can rest these next few days," Ahri explained as Hinata and Tayuya help lift Naruto and walk him to his cabin room. In the next few days, Naruto would remain in bed as the girls took care of him until they reached their destination. On another note, Chamu and Kikki became very attached to Hikaru, while White blaze was rather affectionate towards Naruto. This event also led to Hikaru and Naruto becoming friends as the group finally reached their destination.

"Welcome to my home!" Michiru exclaimed happily as the group unloaded from the huge ship. But something was off. The streets were completely empty. No one was outside, walking around and the only voice they heard was from an ad for the island's famous casinos.

"This place looks deserted," Naruto said out loud.

"How odd. People are usually walking around during this time of the day." Michiru commented from his carriage. The four ninjas took notice of several individuals watching them from afar.

"Something is very wrong here," Naruto muttered as he looked to see that the girls were just as tense as he was. The four continue to stay sharp as they trekked along the path to the castle.

[A Few Minutes Later]

"Kill them!" Shabadaba ordered.

'I hate being right.' Naruto mentally groaned as he and the others were surrounded by castle soldiers. Apparently, the minister was attempting a hostile take over and had gotten rid of the current king, Michiru's father. Now he was going after him and Hikaru and extinguishing the royal bloodline. Naruto felt like pulling his hair out in frustration. How does he keep getting dragged into these situations?! This the fourth or sixth time he had to fight a tyrant or someone starting a coup! Seriously why does that keep happening to him?!

"Girls hit them hard and keep them away from Michiru and Hikaru!" Naruto ordered. "Hai!" they replied.

Each girl attacked one side of the surrounding soldiers as Naruto kept close to Michiru and Hikaru. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Around twenty clones of Naruto appeared as they lunged towards the castle soldiers.

One foolish soldier tried to cut down Naruto to get to the prince and his son, but Naruto was not someone to underestimate. The masked ninja brought out his Raijin no ken and pumped chakra into it as a light blue beam of chakra hummed to life in the shape of a blade.

With one swing Naruto cut through the blade and the arm of the unlucky. The soldier was about to scream in agony as blood oozed out of his wound if Naruto had not quickly slit his throat to silence him for good.

"AGHHHH!" Michiru shouted in terror. Naruto took the stunned look of the soldiers to quickly take them out as he turned to the prince, or was he the king now? "You need to get out of here Michiru. Get into the carriage and GO!" Naruto roared. Michiru flinched before nodding quickly and getting himself and his son into the carriage.

"GO NOW!" Naruto ordered the driver as he cut another soldier down. The carriage nodded rapidly as he turned the horses back to the front gate.

"Argh!" Naruto turned to the shout as the carriage driver was thrown off the carriage and the soldiers were breaking into the carriage. Naruto glared at the soldiers. "Get away from that! Fuuton: Wind Scar!" Naruto roared as he slashed the air with his blade and causing a powerful torrent of wind blades that ripped the soldiers into chunks of sliced flesh and clothes.

"AHHHHHHHH!" the woman next to the minister screamed in horror with the soldiers looking just as disgusted and horrified. Naruto quickly got to the carriage as he turned to the disturbed audience.

"If you want them, you'll have to go through me. But anyone that comes near them, better be ready to die." Naruto warned darkly as chakra erupted out of his body in an aura around his body as he released a potent amount of KI that caused many of the soldiers to falter and move back. No one made a move until….

CRASH! BOOM!

Everyone turned to the gates to see them torn down as a black, reinforced carriage charged in as a man in his mid-thirties jumped from the carriage and charged to the carriage holding Michiru and Hikaru.

"Korega?! Kill the traitor!" the minister shouted. The now named Koega paused as he was about a foot away from the carriage as he glared at the minister. "You dare call me a traitor?! The traitor here is you!" Korega growled. Naruto turned to the man as the group had found a potential ally.

"Take the carriage and go! We'll cover for you." Naruto ordered. Korega quickly nodded as he got on the carriage. "Understood!" Korega said as he began driving the carriage out of the palace. Naruto turned to the girls, "Time to go, girls!"

"Hai!"

"Stop them!" Shabadaba ordered just as the two carriages reached the busted gate with the girls on each side of the carriages. Naruto was bringing up the rear as he stopped to turn and see the approaching mob of soldiers.

He performed a few hand signs and shouted, "Fuuton: Daitoppa!" A powerful blast of wind erupted from Naruto's lips as the gale blasted the soldiers down and giving Naruto and the others time to leave.

"Ho. They are impressive." said a man watching the events unfold before him and his allies.

[Meanwhile with Naruto's group]

"I am glad that we have powerful allies such as yourself," Korega said in gratitude to Naruto's group.

Naruto nodded. "You may call me Menma. Now tell me, where are we going now?"

"We're heading towards the mountains. That's where my allies and I have settled into as a base."

The group traveled for several minutes until they were near the mountain ranges of the island. They stopped at the entrance of a small cave. Michiru and Hikaru got off the carriage and rushed into the cave to find another soldier guard and an elderly man laying down on a makeshift bed.

"Papa/Grandpa!" the prince and his son shouted. Korega and the others entered to see the two crouching down at the now identified king of the kingdom. Naruto turned to Korega.

"Korega-san, may you explain what exactly is going on?"

Korega nodded. "The Chief Minister, Shabadaba and the king had recently clashed over future policies between our kingdom and other countries. The king hoped that they could come to a peaceful understanding." the castle soldier sighed in anger.

"Sadly the ministers had no such intention and secretly plotted to overthrow him. We overheard their plot and warned the king. His majesty was distressed things had devolved to this, but had decided to deal with the ministers."

He then looked at Michiru and Hikaru. "As a precautionary measure, he sent prince Michiru and Hikaru out of the country on the pretense of visiting other countries and improving relations with them."

Michiru looked at his father in distraught. "That's….."

"We were hoping to settle before you arrived back, but the chief minister had planned ahead and hired mercenary shinobi to reinforce his power. We barely managed to get out safely, but the king….." Korega gritted his teeth as the guard near the king's bed lifted his blanket to show the king's wound.

Everyone's eyes widen in shock and confusion. "What the hell?" Naruto whispered. Somehow, the left side of the king's body was turned into stone. What kind of jutsu could turn a person into stone. Naruto's eyes narrowed. They needed to be careful for whatever these shinobi may have.

The group turned to the king as he began to groan.

"Grandpa/Papa/Your Majesty?" Michiru, Hikaru, and the soldiers asked in unison.

The king opened his eyes as he looked at his son and grandson. "Michiru. Hikaru," he said slowly. Korega then explained the current situation to the king.

The king nodded in understanding. "I see. I must thank you for protecting my family," he said to Naruto and his group as they nodded towards the king.

"At this rate, our country will fall to the rebels," Korega said in regret.

King looked up to the ceiling in sadness. "I see."

"Michiru." the king said as his son looked at him. "What do you think of your country?"

Michiru looked confused before he answered. "It's my home. It's prosperous and beautiful thanks to you being its leader."

The king hummed in thought. "I see. Sadly I don't think that alone will ensure its survival."

"What do you mean?" Michiru asked in confusion.

"Smiles. Hope. Dreams. A land overflowing with compassion, peace, and kindness. That is the country I envisioned creating. " the king sighed in regret.

"Regrettably, Shabadaba did share my vision."

Michiru shook his head in frustration. "I don't understand what you mean. You sound like Amayo."

"You went to see her?" the king asked as Michiru nodded. "Hai."

"She says I don't understand what is truly precious," Michiru explained.

The king chuckled. "As shrewd as always. I hoped that her constant harping will get through to you. Little did I know she would tire of you first. I have caused all three of you so much grief. And that will be my biggest regret. How sorry I am for that, Michiru. Hikaru." he said in a regretful tone.

"Michiru. I wish for you to hear my last request."

"Wait, papa!" Michiru shouted with tears in his eyes.

"Grandpa!" Hikaru said with tears also flowing down his face.

"Michiru you must inherit the throne," King said as he turned to Naruto. "Menma-san." Naruto walked close to the king.

"As my last request, please protect my son and grandson."

Naruto nodded as he intended to settle this for good. "You have my word."

"Thank you." the king looked at Michiru one last time as his eyes began to close. "Michiru. I am counting on you."

"PAPA/GRANDPA!" Michiru and Hikaru screamed in pain and sorrow. The soldiers all bowed their heads as tears fell down their cheeks. Naruto and his crew bowed their heads in respect of the now-dead king.

[Later that Night.]

Hikaru and Naruto are sitting on a rock as they looked up to the breathing night sky that was filled with hundreds of stars.

"My grandfather was always kind to me. He was the one to get me into archery." Hikaru said after a bit of silence.

Naruto hummed in thought. "Did you understand your grandfather's words?" Hikaru shook his head.

"Then let me give you my best interpretation. The heart of a nation is not the location itself or its king. It's the people. The people are what make a country and without them, a country is nothing. A ruler is the same. For a nation to prosper, then the people must be happy. Hope, dreams, love, compassion. These are things that the king should be able to fill all his people and vice-versa. Together in perfect unison, they can help the country grow and become a prosperous and beautiful place." Naruto explained as he pointed at Hikaru's heart.

"It's about the heart, Hikaru."

"I had someone that was like a grandfather to me. Though I have my issues with him, he left many things to me and the people of my former village, or at least the ones that will follow his ideal. I believe your grandfather wants the same for you and Michiru."

"Can I really follow the ideals that my grandfather tried to pass on to me?"

Naruto nodded. "You can, but to do so you must believe in yourself to do so."

"But can I?"

Naruto stuck his pinky out to Hikaru. "When I have my country and you are king, we'll still be friends. I promise." Hikaru looked at the appendage before he shook it with his only pinky as he smiled up to Naruto as he chuckled in amusement.

Sometime later the group is discussing their plans to take down the minister.

"Sadly our military is too weak to fight the minister. We don't have enough soldiers to fight the army." Korega explained.

"We have to evacuate Michiru and Hikaru from the country. So long as they are alive, the throne will still exist. Once they're out, we'll bolster our forces to attack the minister."

Naruto did not like the plan but knew he would be overruled and it was better to get Michiru and Hikaru out of danger before getting rid of the minister. The group traveled to the shores of the island to get the prince and son to a boat to get them off the kingdom and to a safer location.

"I still don't like this," Naruto muttered quietly. Tayuya smacked his shoulder. "We'll have to deal with it, Naruto." Naruto nodded, but he still didn't like this plan as it could easily fail.

"Anything yet, Korega?" Naruto asked before the commander raised his arm to stop everyone.

"There!" Just near the shore, a boat could be seen approaching. "There's the boat. Let's move!"

Korega rushed to the boat as another castle soldier got off the boat.

"We have a boat waiting for them just outside the bay." the soldier explained. Korega nodded as he sent a message to everyone that was hiding. Everyone began to quickly rush to the boat, but Hikaru began to slow down as he turned to see his dad falling behind.

"Come one, papa!" Hikaru cried out. Michiru was panting and wheezing as he tried to catch up to everyone else. "Wait." he cried out before falling onto the sand.

"Come on, Michiru." one of the soldiers said to the wheezing prince.

Naruto shook his head in exasperation. "We're so putting you on a diet after this is over, Michiru." Suddenly Naruto and Ahri heard something flying through the air before a kunai landed near them.

Both of their eyes widen. "MOVE!" both shouted as everyone jumped away with Naruto grabbing Michiru.

BOOM!

When the smoke cleared, there were three shinobi just a few feet away from him. "You guys are really stupid. Did you really think you sneak away like that?" a short woman with long spiky hair called Kalenbana said.

"The coast is heavily monitored at all times. We also know about that boat outside the bay area." the shinobi to the left known as Ishidate lectured.

"Hand over the kid and his father." Ishidate ordered. Naruto growled as he stepped forward.

"You won't have either of them," Naruto swore.

Ishidate seemed to find this amusing as he began to chuckle. "Ho? Don't get too cocky, brat." Ishidate suddenly disappeared in a blur. Naruto's eyes widened as he quickly turned around to block a punch from Ishidate. The man then followed up with a swift roundhouse kick that sent Naruto skidding backward a bit.

Naruto looked to Ishidate gone again and then appeared right above him. He began to unleash a flurry of punches and kicks, but Naruto was able to dodge or block each hit. However, Naruto noticed something was off. His attacks were too sluggish and his body felt heavier than before.

Naruto jumped back as Ishidate grinned at him. "So you have some skill. At least this won't be boring," he said in an amused tone.

Naruto growled. "You three won't live to see another sunrise."

Ishidate chuckled. "I wonder about that." Naruto narrowed his eyes. Suddenly the brute known as Kongou borrowed in and slammed a fierce haymaker that sent Naruto flying back.

Ishidate was chuckling before jumping back to dodge a surprise attack from Ahri. "You won't be laughing for long."

Ishidate smirked. "We shall see." Meanwhile, Hinata and Tayuya were fighting off Kalebana.

The other members of the team began to feel the same issues that Naruto was noticing.

Naruto coughed as he got up. "Damn it. Poison," he growled in annoyance as he was slammed into the rock wall near the shore.

"The explosion released an odorless poison you all breathed in. You won't be able to fight at your best for some time." Ishidate explained. The team narrowed their eyes at the inconvenience they were feeling at the moment.

Ishidate lifted his right arm that had some kind of glove on it. The back of the glove opened to reveal a blood-red eye. He quickly dashed towards Ahri who barely managed to dodge as a piece of her clothing was caught.

The vixen's eyes widen as she saw her clothes began to turn into stone. She quickly cut it off before it spread any further. Ahri's eyes narrowed as she saw the clothing that was turned to stone. That was no genjutsu and it was likely this was how the king was killed.

"This is no genjutsu. And just like the king, you will have a similar fate." Ishidate said. Suddenly Korega tried to attack Ishidate with his sword, but the hired shinobi easily dodged it.

"You won't touch the prince or his son," Korega swore. Ishidate chuckled in amusement.

"I wonder about that, Korega." Ishidate pointed at something behind him. Korega turned to see Michiru surrounded by armored soldiers on horseback.

"Someone help!" Michiru cried out. "Prince Michiru-GAH!" Korega began to shout before he was captured by Ishidate as he was turned to stone. Everyone's eyes widen in horror.

"CAPTAIN KOREGA!" everyone screamed. Kongou took this opportunity to jump towards the boat that Hikaru managed to get to and knocked out the soldiers that were there.

Kongou gave Hikaru a creepy smile. "Your mine now, kid." Suddenly an incredible blast of chakra caught everyone's attention. From the sand and rock, Naruto walked out covered in a black and blue aura as lightning danced around his body. One thing was clear in the mind of the girls: Naruto was PISSED!

The masked blonde disappeared in a blur and appeared right above Kongou and sent him flying back to the shores with a strong roundhouse kick. "Kongou!" Kalenbana screamed in concern for her fellow shinobi.

Kongou was crawling away in fear, but something suddenly grabbed him by the back of his head and lifted him up. It was Naruto with his other arm crackling with electricity. "Where are you going?" Naruto asked darkly. "You're not leaving. Chidori!" Naruto plunged the lightning jutsu through his back and out his chest. Kongou was dead instantly.

"That's for making Hakiru cry," Naruto said darkly as he ripped his arm off and flicked the blood off his arm.

"KONGOU!" the two mercenaries shouted, but Ishidate had no time to react as Ahri quickly lopped his head off his body.

Kalenbana used a shunshin and began to surround Naruto in a giant torrent of petals. Naruto growled as he began to get cut in different areas of his body. "You can't touch me!" Kalebana mocked.

Naruto growled as he performed a few hand signs. "Fuuton: Daitoppa!" Naruto's gust of wind blasted away all the petals and sent Kalebana landing hard on the ground. Before she got up, Naruto appeared right in front of her and stabbed her through the head. "Now we're done.

Naruto turned to see the girls approaching him with Michiru trailing behind. "Done there as well?" he asked. They all nodded. "Though you killed our opponent, Naruto. Those soldiers were too easy for Hinata and me. Not cool." Tayuya whined with Naruto and the other two girls chuckled in amusement.

The four then turned to a sullen-looking Michiru. "You know what comes next right, Michiru?"

The prince nodded. "Now I must take back my kingdom." Hikaru nodded in agreement.

"I have a plan." Naruto said as he began to explain his plan. One of the loyal castle soldiers grabbed Naruto by his collar. "Are you insane, you would endanger our prince like that?!" he roared with Naruto not even flinching.

Michiru stayed quiet for a few more seconds before looking at Naruto. "Let's do it."

The soldiers looked at the prince in shock. "But Michiru." the prince raised his hand. "We need to end this soon. I can't anyone else suffer anymore from Shabadaba's actions."

[Sometime Later.]

Shabadab was forcing Michiru to walk a plank so he could fall and hang himself. Ishidate and his crew explained that Hikaru was killed, along with the hired shinobi. All that was left was for Michiru to die and no one could oppose the minister.

As Michiru walked towards the edge of the plank, he could practically see the entirety of his kingdom as it was bathed by the beautiful rays of the sunset. Michiru's eyes widened as the words his father spoke came back to him. "Its beautiful papa." he murmured.

"What's the point of all this?" Ishidate asked. "It feels like a waste of time."

Shabadab scoffed at his hired shinobi. "Entertainment. I couldn't kill him right away." The minister would have continued if he did not begin to hear something. He looked outside to see the animal circus approaching the front of the castle. Leading the circus was a young woman with raven hair in a bun with a long white scarf covering her face as her clothes consisted of a black and white yukata.

"What's this? The circus bunch. Who let them in?" Shabadaba asked before looking at his hired help. "Ishidate! Do something!"

The red-haired shinobi shrugged. "As you wish." Ishidate quickly used a kunai to cut Michiru free before knocking out the minister's wife with one chop to the back of her neck. The minister looked at the man as if he had lost his mind. "What are you doing?!" he shouted at him.

Ishidate began to chuckle. "Why stopping you," Ishidate said as he was covered in a plume of smoke and out came a masked Naruto. "You've lost Shabadaba." The minister began to walk back in fear as he turned to Kongou and Kalenbana, but both revealed themselves to be Tayuya and Hinata.

"I won't-WHAM!" The minister was cut off as he was slugged by Naruto and knocked out cold.

Michiru and the disguised woman, who happened to be Ahri with Hikaru in hand appeared to the group. "We have won," Naruto announced.

Michiru and Hikaru bowed in appreciation. "Thank you, Menma-san. I didn't understand everything my father was trying to teach you. But I think I am starting to understand what it means to be a king and to govern a country."

Naruto smiled towards the prince...no the new king of the kingdom. "Well, its a start."

"I won't forget today. What everyone did for us, they did their best for us. We all joined forces to protect what's important to us. Our friends. I won't ever forget." Hikaru said as he extended his pinky which Naruto happily shook along with Michiru as everyone looked on with smiles.

[Several Days Later]

"Ahhhhh. This is life." Naruto said as he sat on a chair in his swimming trunks as he enjoyed the view of the beautiful ocean. Naruto and his group decided to take a mini-vacation as they thought it was time to sit back and unwind a bit. Michiru said they were happy to stay as long as they liked and bring as many people as possible. So Naruto decided to invite all of their allied clans and friends to the island resort kingdom.

Needless to say, everyone jumped at the chance of going to the crescent moon kingdom. Juugo was enjoying the tranquility along with Honoka. Tazuna was drinking and having one hell of a party. Some members of the Leviathan and Sitri clans were playing some volleyball. Karin, Suigetsu, and nearly everyone else was enjoying the beautiful seas.

"I am so glad we get a few weeks off to enjoy this." Kankuro sighed as he sat in his chair. The puppeteer then turned to see Naruto staring at something with drool coming out of his mouth. He turned and immediately understood why. All of the girls in Naruto's current harem were wearing some very sexy swimwear. Hinata was in a one-piece orange and black suit that complemented her body quite well. Ultear was wearing a violet and black two-piece, Serafall had similar wear that was black and blue, Toki was in a violet two-piece, Koyuki was in a sky blue swimsuit, Haruna was in a white two-piece swimsuit and finally Ahri wore a black and crimson two-piece.

"I see you enjoying the view, Naruto." Kankuro teased. Naruto blushed as he shook his head and glared at the sand ninja. "Shut up Kankuro." Kankuro chuckled as he turned to his younger brother to see him staring at a familiar sound shinobi from the Fuma clan. Naruto also noticed this and both smirked.

"Looks like I am not the only one enjoying the view, eh Gaara?" Naruto teased. The sand wielder's eyes widened as a faint blush appeared on his face as he glared at the snickering duo.

"Say anything and I will bury both of you," Gaara warned and Naruto waved that he'll keep quiet….for now anyway. Suddenly Naruto noticed a familiar white cat approaching him.

"White blaze why are you so attached to me?" he asked in wonder as to why he and this cat felt so connected. When Naruto patted the tiger's head, he suddenly jolted as a vision suddenly flashed before his eyes. A vision of the Inferno Armor.

Naruto's eyes widened as he shook his head as he looked at the tiger staring at him. Just what was the connection between White blaze and the armor? He'll have to ask Ahri and see if there are any records that could tell him. For now, they'll enjoy the peace they have now.

[A Few Days Later.]

It was time for everyone to get back home. Gaara and his siblings had already left as they had business to return to. Michiru shook hands with the unmasked blonde. "I hope you are fortunate in your endeavors….Naruto." Naruto smiled as he had explained his plan with Michiru who said they would have his full support.

"Likewise to you, Michiru," Naruto said as he looked towards his son. "I'll see you again soon, Hikaru."

"Promise, nii-san?" Hikaru asked as Naruto nodded. "Promise." Naruto stepped back as he put back his mask as everyone disappeared in a flash of light.

Michiru, Hikaru, and the guards were left staring out into the deep blue ocean. "I was thinking that after things have settled down, we go get your mother, Hikaru. I finally understand what is truly precious and fighting for what matters most. And to never give up and never lose sight of it."

Hikaru looked stunned before smiling in excitement. "YEAH!"

[Later that night in the Land of Waves]

"Hello again, Hikari." Yami Naruto said to Naruto.

"You haven't spoken to me in a while. I thought something happened to you." Naruto replied.

"Aw, Hikari is worried about me. How sweet." Yami said in a false happy tone.

Naruto gave him a blank stare. "Piss off. Now, what do you want? I doubt this is a social call."

Yami's mischievous face became a serious scowl. "No. It's not. The time has come to settle things Hikari."

Naruto blinked in confusion. What do you mean?"

"I mean it's time we fight, Hikari. I will give you one month to get ready. In one month we'll have our fight and we'll see if you are ready to have access to the other half of your power."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "And if I lose?" Yami shrugged.

"You won't get access to the rest of your power. And I may take over your body. Simple." Yami said.

"You won't take my body," Naruto promised. Yami gave Naruto a very chilling smile. "We'll see about that."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Were you surprised by Naruto controlling the weather? Well, they explain that won't be happening again for a while. As you saw in the chapter, Naruto basically blew a blood vessel to stop the storm. Naruto has the reserves and with the clones, he may be able to speed up his elemental training, but he still doesn't 100% control or mastery, hence his exhaustion. It will take him a few more years before he can stop/create a storm without feeling side effects.

I hope no one minds the speed up of the third Naruto movie but based on how the characters are in this story, not to mention they wouldn't drag things out and try to settle this as soon as possible. Please remember to look for the upcoming poll and please favorite and review.