Hey all, not gone, and not done yet! It's taken a YEAR, but we are back baby! Woot! All right. Here's a bit of what's going on if you haven't kept up with the other stories: I am sick, I am tired, and I always am so I didn't and don't have the energy to continue writing nearly as much, but thankfully a friend I meant here on Ffnet has agreed to help where she can, as a beta and co-author. She is Einjeru Hatake. She is a great author and currently has a pretty cool OC by the same name in her HP/Naruto cross. Make sure to check out her stuff too. It's a must-read. :D
Let's do something I haven't done in a minute... let's review some reviews. :)

Einjeru Hatake, I blame you for this new chapter.
, Looks like it won't be abandoned after all!
Fanofthisfiction, thanks for the support. As for a rematch... one day perhaps. ;)
Driftingonlooker23, I understand your concerns. Naruto does become extremely OP, but you'll see his team has rarely won so far. It's meant to show just how far they have gotten, and how far they have left to go.
Orein123, Sorry about the grammar. It is hard when you don't have a beta, and want to get chapters out as fast as possible... back then. They do get better post chapter 15 or so I believe.
KailosNamikaze, Thanks for the lesson on mixology. :)
Henry Vaudreuil, you brought up a LOT of good points. I hope they were all answered as you read further into the story. :)
Roxie.88, Hinata will get her due. ;) as your review for chapter 30 itself... um... hi... back... after a year... still not done... just yet... 'I' sowwy!
Darth Caedus2, Thank you!
Monster King, Thanks!

Make sure to show some love with a fave/follow/review. They make me and my new tag team writing partner happy!

Sorry for the slightly short chapter.

Now... on with the show.
The Ryu Shinobi: Chapter 30. The Sad Trek Home

It was a long, and silent trip back to Konoha... knowledge of Hinata's new transformation and Neji's own were going to paint a target on their backs eventually. Akatsuki would not move too quickly, however. They had learned over the years that Konoha had assistance from an unseen, yet very powerful force, and whoever she was, she was not to be trifled with. Fortunately, they did not know she was still relatively out of commission.

Having arrived at the front gate, all checked in, the genin with defeated looks written across their faces with no attempt to hide them. Naruto's own hands bled slightly from digging his nails into his skin from frustration. A tiny moment of silence during the walk to the Hokage's office gave him the slightest insight. He sent a quick thought to his partner in crime who had been very quiet during the trip back as well. Kurama sensed Naruto's mind touching upon his own in a unified thought... It was an Uchiha who was teleporting. They saw his singular eye, but did not fall prey to genjutsu... why? Kurama stood up eyes wide and also realized... 'I was not taken over, or summoned. That Uchiha bastard didn't sense me otherwise he would have tried to use me against Naruto and the others.'
He immediately called out: "NARUTO!"

Naruto stopped a few steps outside of the Hokage tower. Everyone glanced at him. "I'll be up in shortly. Please give my apologies to the lady Hokage... and Hinata. Something sounds to have upset Kurama, and he never gets freaked out."

Inu nods and the rest follow his lead while Sasuke and Sakura give slight nods to their teammate and defacto leader.

Naruto walked into the first open empty diplomatic office, closed and locked it. He double checked to make sure he was alone. After verifying, he sat seiza position on the floor and entered his mindscape.

To Naruto's surprise, the first thing he heard upon entering his mindscape was, "KUSHINA, GET YOUR REDHEADED ASS OUT HERE TOO. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO NAP!"

Kushina's fiery temper would have let loose if Naruto had not placed a hand on her shoulder when she materialized. She looked at the fox with a scowl and said, "I don't have much time fox, so this had better be the end of the world, else I am taking you with me when I go again.

Kurama ignored her as this was too important. He, a being of chakra felt as though his heart was about to explode in fear, and hope all at once. He also realized he owed Uchiha Itachi a great debt. The seals placed which prevented teleportation, but also curtailed some of the techniques of the more advanced Mangekyo Sharingan. Naruto did not know of those seals yet but did know that the Uchiha head did as they were a gift from Kushina many years past to Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha. The former clan head and of the Uchiha, and by happenstance, the mother and father to Itachi and Sasuke.

"Kushina," Kurama started. "I believe that bastard who took over me and ripped me from your seal was whom we fought today. It just became apparent to me. Naruto realized something was off as well, I'm sure, but didn't know it was that... that..." Kurama bit back a roar. "He claimed to be Madara back then, but I KNOW the true Madara. As powerful as this poser is, he is NO Madara." Kurama spat.

Naruto was stunned. So stunned he almost fell back into the waking world. Naruto sighed. He wanted to wage war. He wanted to 'rally the troops,' and let his youthful anger shine through, but remembered his place. He was daimyo, but not officially Konoha's... yet. He allowed a tiny mischievous grin despite the situation.

He took a deep breath, hugged his mom, and then walked over to Kurama and did the same and said to both; "Don't worry about it. We've got this. I'm going to need a few months now that I know what we're up against. My Uzumaki fierceness is as torrential as the storms and my blazing determination will not allow me to fail." Kushina was about to scold him for trying to do everything on his own, but Naruto saw this coming and smiled as he dodged a light smack and said, "I never said I was doing it alone. But we really do need to confer with your full soul mom. Ready to get to work?"

Kushina's grin matched her son's, and Kurama's matched Kushina's.

One moment later Naruto walked into the Hokage's office with a devilish grin on his face.

Tsunade stopped her rant mid-way and tilted her head at Naruto's near cocky expression. She then asked after nearly a half minute.

"That look on your face tells me this day is not a complete cluster pluck?"

Naruto resisted a chuckle at the bad pun. His smile widened as he sat down on Tsunade's new sofa and said: "Two things. One: Give me six months and we will have the Akatsuki by the balls if things go according to plan. Two: We just survived against the one who took on my father 12 years ago and sent Kurama into a rage."

"WHAAAA?!" Was the general response from everyone including Team Ro.

Naruto's grin died down and he looked directly into Tsunade's eyes and said, "Now that we know who he is and a lot of what he can do, and how our esteemed Yondaime Hokage wrecked his day, and we see he can be hurt by my techniques, and some of them can be... utilized by an extremely limited select few," Naruto stated carefully, "I have a very fun, very ambitious plan to end Danzo and this...Wannabe Madara. But first...: His eyes narrowed very dangerously. "We need to find out what happened to Celeste-nee-sama, and we need to speak to my mother and father. If possible, It's time the Yellow Flash returned to the hidden leaf... even if it's a new Yellow Flash."

The last two parts caught everyone's attention once again. Naruto clarified, "It seems that this Madara imposter has used the original's name to spread fear. He is no doubt powerful, but he is no Madara Uchiha. My... other home is fearsome, but not quite up to this task... yet, but in the meantime, It's time we reminded him and rest of the world why Konoha is considered the most powerful hidden village on the planet!" Naruto roared. Those in the room couldn't help but smile. There is little doubt that this is their future Hokage. Especially if he follows through on saving the village.
MANY MILES AWAY IN A CASTLE UNSEEN BETWEEN THE CLOUDS AND STARS

"Where are they?!" a curly-haired madman raged. "Where are those two pieces of fecal matter. Those metal monstrosities that are surely no better than goblin waste?" slapping the youthful looking woman once again who was now tied to her bed and a smile on her face every time he hit her. She would not be broken. Could not be broken and knew her swords were now in good hands.
He struck again, knocking her out again. This only angered him further. "Awaken Celeste" he tried to command with his magic," but realized, he must have hit her one time too many and nearly killed her in said rage. He didn't want her dead. Anything but. He wanted her to submit. He waved a hand over her and her wounds started to slowly heal. He then walked out of the room and locked it. Although he might have forgotten to do something when he began to heal her.
Celeste groaned slightly, but was healing, was awake, and thanks to her captor, the son of Morganna Le Fay, Mordred was moving further and further from the room, her mystic bonds were loosening.

After a few moments, she managed to free herself and reached under the bed. Her hand found what it was looking for. An ancient artifact once wielded by one of the champions of the planet Earth ten times over. A staff which is nimble, yet nigh unbreakable. She rubbed her hand across it, and felt it's magic which was different from her own, but still unaffected by the room. Celeste knew the door would be locked from the outside now, so now was not the time... but the time was coming. She knew she would either have her freedom after these years or death. She knew what her choice was going to be.