Hey guys! This is my first fanfic. You are going to see a completely different Naruto in this story. This story is dedicated to one of my friends who is a die-hard fan of Naruto and couldn't contain his excitement when the Naruto-II's first chapter got released.

Anyways, without further adieu, here is the first chapter

Chapter 1: Naruto Returns

It had been 4 years.

It was one of those quite, dark nights in Konoha 4 years ago when that awful incident happened.

So it came as a huge relief as well as surprise to 3rd Hokage when an ANBU brought him the message.

"May I enter Hokage-sama?" asked ANBU

"Enter" replied Sarutobi without even caring to look at the visitor.

ANBU came inside and bowed to the Hokage.

"Hokage-sama, Izumo and Kotetsu had sent a top priority message from their mission in Land of Waterfalls."

That gained the attention of Sarutobi. After all, no such top-priority message comes from Chunins attempting a C-rank mission. Besides, every top-priority message usually brings bad news of death or mission failures.

"So what does the message say?" Sarutobi asked, counting for the worst news possible.

The ANBU took a deep breath before he replied.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, has been found!"

-X-

At present, 3rd Hokage was standing on the terrace of his office building looking at the gate of the village. It had been 2 weeks since he got the news he had been dying to hear for last 4 years. Without any further delay, a 'Naruto Rescue team' was dispatched, consisting of the best medical-nins of Konoha and 4 of his trustworthy ANBU, to the Land of Waterfalls.

From the last message he received yesterday from the rescue team, Naruto is OK and they will most likely return today morning. To say that Sarutobi was relieved by the message would be an understatement. Only he knew better about how he felt when he learned that his grandson like kid was alive and good. Just thinking about that night when Naruto disappeared was painful.

He still remembers when he was forced to wake up due to the loud noises and banging of doors outside his residence. And that's when he was informed that the village is at war. Some ninjas which were classified as S-class criminals had invaded the village. So Sarutobi too joined the fight and all of them were killed in a few hours. But the real shock came when it was realized that they were all under some Genjutsu. And after some quick checking, it was found that Naruto was missing. Even more, the condition inside the apartment clearly showed signs of struggle. So it was finally deduced that the attack of S-class criminals was just a distraction and the real purpose was to kidnap the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki.

And with that began a mini-war to find Naruto. At first, Sarutobi suspected that it might be the work of same masked man who was responsible for Kyuubi's attack on village 7 years ago, but it was quickly dismissed when one of the informers told that a person was seen on the border of fire country whose description matches with the person Sarutobi told. So it was sure that even criminals are looking for Nine-tailed Jinchuriki.

All the 5 great nations and other villages also sent their teams in search of the Jinchuriki, each wanting to capture the Kyuubi for them. Battles happened when 2 teams of different village encountered each other. This continued for more than 2 years. Hundreds of shinobi were dead and political tensions were on peak. After 2 years, slowly bit-by-bit, the search team lost all hopes and mission was abandoned. Even Sarutobi himself went all over the Fire Country in search of Naruto. But Naruto was nowhere to be found. Not a single clue was available of the kid. So finally, with a heavy heart, Sarutobi had to mark Naruto as dead. Though the search missions were never stopped by Sarutobi, the officials and Elders started calling back the teams.

And when even the Hokage had lost all hope, Naruto was found.

Sarutobi was interrupted when an ANBU landed on the terrace behind him.

"Hokage-sama, the Naruto rescue team has arrived. What are the orders?" ANBU asked bowing to Hokage.

"Where are they headed?" Sarutobi asked, releasing some smoke from his cigar.

"To the hospital"

"Very well, Tell another 2 of the ANBU to guard Naruto's quarter, while you four may go and rest. You are dismissed."

"Yes sir"

With that the ANBU left.

"Finally… Now I suppose it's time I do some work.

-XXXXXXXX-

That brings an end to the first chapter. I know it's pretty short but I am working on future chapters and hope to bring longer chapters soon. Till then, it's a good bye from NBD. Please review. See ya!