AN: Hiiiiiiiii… so yeah, I'm back? I know everyone it's been a year since I last updated but the truth is I just ended up losing interest in the fanfiction realm. Plus I'm now working forty hours a week, most of the time, at work and that combined with friends and family takes up a lot my time, but enough with the excuses. I'm going to try my best to continue writing and the way that I am going to do that will be only focusing on a single story at a time until I get to a good place to stop I guess. So because I know most of my fans have forgotten about me, I couldn't put up a poll to have people choose so I decided to continue the one that I wanted and as you can all see I chose With My Own Eyes. So without further ado. Oh yeah and for those that asked why I had Naruto promoted is because even though Naruto at the time isn't exactly in a Chunnin mentality it's because Tsunade knew that Naruto would mature, when fighting and making life or death decisions, greatly under Jiraiya. Who most of the time is usually goofy and carefree, was a candidate for Hokage. So when it came down to it, Naruto would be more than prepared mentally and physically for the position of Chunnin when he returned.

Story Start!

Chapter 3: The Long Awaited Return

Two people walked down the beaten road that led them to the great village that is Konohagakure. One of the figures was a tall man of 6'2 with spiky silver hair in a ponytail that reached down to his back. He was wearing his usual attire of a green long sleeved kimono style shirt, a black mesh shirt underneath it, with a red vest over both shirts. He also wore green pants in similar style and color as his kimono style shirt. Wooden sandals on his feet and his infamous oil haiate holding his two long silver bangs to the sides of his face. This was the world famous shinobi Jiraiya the Toad Sage, a man of immense strength and an even more immense reputation for his perverseness for his world renowned erotica series 'Icha Icha Paradise'.

The second figure was a bit shorter standing at an impressive height for a sixteen year old at six foot even. If anyone had been walking by they would have to do a double take and would be a little shaken as to how much this young man resembled the former Fourth Hokage of the strongest village in the Elemental Nations. His bright sunny blonde hair now in a similar fashion as his fathers' he looked ahead to the familiar wooden gates and the giant wall surrounding his beloved village.

"It's only been three years and yet it still feels like I've been gone a decade." Said the younger one. (AN: I extended the training trip to 3 yrs instead of 2 ½ but nothing has been changed to affect canon events.)

"Oh c'mon gaki don't be getting sentimental on me now, wait until you've been through a war or two, then you can get sentimental about being away from the village." Said Jiraiya.

Naruto looked at his teacher with a small glare before turning his gaze back onto the approaching village gates. He couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of the chunnin vest on his chest as he looked down and gave himself a once over.

"Everyone is going to freak when they see me." He thought to himself.

Over the three years Naruto had changed quite a bit, especially fashion wise. His blue ninja sandals now black with crimson tape wrapped around his ankles similar to his genin sensei's white tape. The infamous orange jumpsuit now gone and replaced with black ANBU style pants with more crimson tape around his left thigh where his tan shuriken pouch is. His shirt, now the black version of the chunnin uniform, with his chunnin vest on top with the First Hokage's necklace resting on his chest. Black fingerless gloves with silver steel plates like Kakashi's now on his calloused hands; his mother's sword strapped to his back, the hilt being visible over his left shoulder. A nice cool breeze rustled the leaves on the trees as Naruto felt the now longer cloth on his haiate blow gently behind him, the once blue cloth that Iruka-sensei had given him now replaced with a black one, the older one being completely destroyed during his intense training. His almost all black color scheme got him called emo by his sensei many times since the wardrobe change.

Finally reaching the gates his excitement could no longer be contained as he raced forward in an impressive burst of speed. The eternal chunnin duo of Izumo and Kotetsu both looked surprised as the papers on their desk went flying everywhere as a blonde and black blur sped past them. Looking at each other.

"Was that?" started Izumo.

"No it couldn't be, have you ever seen that knucklehead where any color other than orange?" answered Kotetsu.

"You right." Replied Izumo nodding his head in agreement.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, the brats a lot different than what he used to be like." Said Jiraiya placing down both his and Naruto's papers.

"Jiraiya-sama? You're back?! Wait, so that was Naruto?!" finished the duo together looking at each other in disbelief.

Jiraiya just laughed and collected their papers after they'd been stamped, he looked at the direction at which Naruto left and couldn't help but shake his head, "His impatience is still something we're working on." He said before heading towards the Hokage tower waving goodbye to the two as he left.

WITH NARUTO

Running through the village, memories of his time in the academy and all the pranks he pulled and the trouble he got in assaulted his mind. Running up a post he reached the top and gazed down at his village. He smiled as he saw that it hadn't changed much, kids running along the dirt roads, the merchants hard at work, while the other citizens went about with their daily lives. Looking towards the rooftops he saw all his fellow shinobi running around getting their duties done, his grin got even wider as he finally laid eyes on the new addition of the Hokage Monument, seeing his Obaa-sama there made him want to work even harder for his goal.

"Naruto?" said a voice hesitantly, snapping him from his thoughts and making him freeze. Slowly looking down a familiar head of pink hair made the grin on his face practically shine. Jumping down he landed smoothly and looked at his first, and still ongoing, love.

"Hey Sakura-chan." He said his now more angular face devoid of baby fat made her quickly realize how handsome Naruto had become.

Sakura couldn't help but get a little red in the face as she gave Naruto a once over and took in his new outfit and quickly concluded, she loved it, a lot. His voice now deeper and what surprised her even more was the intense growth spurt he seemed to have gone through as he now towered over her now 5'7 frame.

Naruto on the hand was left breathless as he looked into those same beautiful jade green eyes and saw just how much his crush had changed. No longer did she look thin and weak, but now her figure now fuller and curvier in all the right places, as he predicted, not that he'd ever tell her unless he risks a probable case of death, she hadn't really grown in the chest area but she was a little bigger than what he expected. Taking in her now sharper features he noticed that she kept her hair short and like him, had changed the color of her haiate, from the blue to a red placed in the same position as before he left.

Her outfit had also changed as she now wore a sleeveless red vest with a zipper going down the middle. He definitely noticed that she now wore tight black biker shorts with a light pink ninja apron covering her front and back. He kept his eyes glued to her legs as he looked them up and down, smirking a little at noticing that her hips were now wider and that her butt was now a lot nicer. Snapping out of his leering he quickly looked up to her face and she was thankfully looking away, a small blush on her face.

"So do I look any more womanly?" she asked, the blush on her face amplifying how cute she looked.

Not knowing what came over him he got close to her making her take a step back with her back hitting the wall behind her. He put his hand up against the wall above her head and caressed her face with his right, brushing her hair out of the way, looking her in the eyes he said.

"You have become even more beautiful than what I had imagined, much more womanly, and much more breath taking. Especially that wide and charming forehead, so wide and beautiful that I just want to kiss It." said Naruto moving his lips closer to her forehead, not noticing the atomic blush on Sakura's face.

The last words he said made the blush disappear instantly as shock and realization made its way onto her face as she looked at Naruto with wide eyes. Before his lips could connect with her forehead the screams of a child in pain made both of the chunnins snap their heads to the direction of the sound. Standing there with blushes and dumbfound expressions on their faces were two of the members of the Konohamaru corps, Moegi and Udon, both now fresh genin. Looking down they saw the leader himself trying to wrestle a pissed off cat off his now scratched up face, he and his friends had accidentally come across the two older teens as they were on their "mission."

They were shocked however to not only see that their boss was back, and looking like a badass in their humble opinion, but also putting the moves on the Hokage's apprentice! So shocked that they got really into what was going on and had just stood there silently and watched, Konohamaru was getting so into it that he had accidentally squeezed Tora the demon cat too hard when he saw the boss about to kiss the girl. Which is how he had ended up in this predicament.

Naruto noticing how close he was to Sakura and what he had just done made him jump back in horror as he looked at her ready to run just in case she went berserk. To his surprise however she was currently a blushing mess and was pulling a damn good Hinata impression with the way she was avoiding eye contact and was poking her index fingers together.

"Hey Sakura-chan, are you okay? Do you have a fever?" said the oblivious Uzumaki as he approached her and put his forehead to hers.

"Wow you're really burning up, you should be in bed." Said Naruto feeling just how hot she was, not noticing that Sakura had gotten even redder by his actions.

Moegi looked at the scene before her and sighed at the denseness that her boss was showing and shook her head. Konohamaru who had managed to get the angry cat off his face had jumped up and finally decided to give himself a cooler impression for his boss. Putting his hands together he yelled, "Transform!" and quickly turned into a busty pig tailed beauty with her modesty being covered up by the smoke from the technique.

"How was that boss? That one had a lot of uumph, huh?" said Konohamaru as he released the technique not noticing the pissed off look on his teammates face.

Naruto smiled at his apprentice/rival and his two other 'minions' and finally noticed that all three of them had gotten bigger, "Kono, I'm more mature now, I don't need to resort to such childish techniques anymore." Said Naruto as he put his hand on his shoulder, Sakura on the other hand was proud to hear her cru- teammate say that.

Leaning in Naruto whispered, "I'll show you my more improved sexy technique later." He said winking at him.

Konohamaru who had been a little disappointed was quickly cheered up by that last sentence, but that cheerfulness soon morphed into pain as he was punched into the fence adjacent to where they were standing by a now very angry Moegi. Udon just shook his head and looked at their leader with sympathy.

"What did I tell you about using that stupid jutsu Kono-baka!" yelled Moegi, her chest heaving in anger, Sakura looked on proud that the girl was still bringing order to the boys of the genin groups.

Naruto just sweat dropped at the scene before turning back his attention to Sakura.

"Hey Sakura-chan, you off today?" asked the Uzumaki.

Sakura just nodded, now nervous all of a sudden as memories of what had just occurred kept replaying over and over in her mind. Naruto just smiled again before saying.

"Cool, you want to hit Ichiraku's after I'm done meeting with Obaa-sama? You know catch up with what has been going on with the village? I mean the last messenger toad I sent you was like six months ago." Finished Naruto looking at her expectantly.

Sakura tilted her head to the side, her nervousness forgotten and now replaced with confusion.

"Who's Obaa-sama?" she asked.

"Well you know Tsunade-Obaa-sama, I figured since she made me chunnin that I would at least start showing her a little respect." Replied the blonde, making Sakura once again wonder just how much has Naruto changed during his training trip.

Nodding her head and smiling Naruto let out a little cheer before, going over to the Konohamaru Corps and ruffling all of their heads.

"Congratulations on making Genin you three, as a reward when I have some time later I'm going to show each of you a new jutsu." Said Naruto giving them his trademark foxy smile.

The trio let out a cheer before saying their thanks and running off, excited that their boss was going to teach them a jutsu. Sakura on the other hand had just realized something as she looked down and saw the stack of papers in her hand.

"Oh shit! I forgot that shishou told me to give these papers to the front gate and report back!" screamed Sakura before taking off in a sprint and jumping up to a rooftop and quickly made her way to the front gates.

Surprised Naruto quickly went after her and easily caught up in just a few seconds, making Sakura look at him with surprise on her face.

"Was he always this fast?" thought the pink haired girl.

Deciding to test out her theory she decided to start going faster, to her surprise Naruto easily kept up. Getting a little annoyed she began running as fast as she could, surprising Naruto with the sudden acceleration before he smirked and once again caught up with her easily.

"You've definitely gotten faster Sakura-chan but the speed training that Pervy-sage put me through was hell itself, dodging him at full speed for twelve hours a day while he kept throwing every jutsu he knew at me, plus the summons, and the explosive tags. Thinking back now, I think he was actually trying to kill me." Finished Naruto adopting a thinking pose as he still continued to easily match Sakura's speed.

Sakura could only nod her head in understanding remembering the same type of hellish training Tsunade-sama had put her through.

"Anyways this will be faster, so hold on tight or I'll drop you!" yelled Naruto as he appeared behind her and picked her up in a princess carry.

Letting out a yelp in surprise Sakura instinctively put her arms around his neck and leaned her head into his chest. A small blush of embarrassment came on her face before she looked ahead and was awed at how fast Naruto was now going, it had to be at least mid-jonin speed! Watching as the village sped past her in a blur she relaxed a little and made herself a bit more comfortable, deciding to just enjoy the ride instead of uselessly protesting against one of the most stubborn people she had ever met.

Naruto was in bliss at the moment, he was ninety percent sure that Sakura would punch his lights out for picking her up like this, but amazingly enough she instead just went with it, no protests or nothing. What the hell was going on? Finally reaching the gates Naruto walked up to the guards, Sakura still in his arms as he set down the papers.

"Delivery from the Hokage, thank you for using Uzumaki Post as your first choice of delivery." Said Naruto giving them a mock bow before jumping away, his and Sakura's laughter being the last thing they heard before the duo looked at each other for the second time that day with dumbfounded expressions. Shaking their heads they just smiled to themselves and got back to their boring as fuck job.

In the Hokage's Office

Currently in the office was Tsunade Senju, the fifth Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. With her was her former teammate Jiraiya the Toad Sage and her daughter in all but blood, Shizune Kato. Looking at the clock on the wall she sighed in annoyance.

"Where the hell are those two idiots?" said Tsunade out loud.

Before anyone could answer her, almost as though they were cued the two said idiots appeared within the office. Out of breathe and a little red in the face from both the running and the laughing they had just done. Seeing her apprentice in the arms of the mini fourth made Tsunade simply raise a brow while Jiraiya smirked at how quickly his apprentice worked, Shizune just held her folder in front of her mouth trying to hide the happy grin on her face as she saw the two young love birds interact.

Sakura after realizing just where they were quickly jumped out of Naruto's arms, gaining a groan of disappointment from the blonde and quickly bowed to her surperiors.

"I apologize for being late Tsunade-sama, also welcome back to the village Jiraiya-sama." Finished Sakura as she turned to Jiraiya and gave him a bow.

"Finally someone shows me the respect I deserve, being stuck with this rude gaki for three years started to make forget how important I was." Said Jiraiya as he stuck a thumb in Naruto's direction an annoyed expression on his face.

"Well if you had stopped being so perverted all the damn time then I would show you a little more respect you perverted old bastard." Retorted Naruto sticking his tongue out at his sensei.

"Why you little brat, you want to get your ass kicked again gaki?" came the rhetorical threat from Jiraiya glaring at his disrespectful apprentice.

"That last win was just a fluke Pervy-sage, the next time we fight I'm going to finally kick that old ass of yours." Replied Naruto glaring back at his teacher, sparks seemed to fly between the two as they continued glaring at each other.

"Oh hi Naruto how've you been? Me? I'm doing great thank you for asking. What was that? You want me to punch you into the damn stratosphere for being such a rude little brat? Why you've grown up so much Naruto." Said Tsunade having a mock conversation with herself and ending it growling out Naruto's name at the end while a deadly aura surrounded her as she glared at the now shaking Naruto.

He was instantly in front of the blonde kage his head bowed low to ground before standing up straight and started rubbing the back of his neck, a sheepish look on his face.

"I'm sorry about that Obaa-sama, but it wasn't just me! The Pervy-sage started it!" yelled Naruto pointing an accusatory finger at said sage.

"Oi! Leave me out of it gaki!" came the author's response, a panicked expression on his face.

Tsunade cracked a smile before her face softened as she looked at the young Uzumaki. Naruto noticing this and smiled softly back at her before he walked around her desk, standing up Tsunade let the now taller Naruto pull her into a warm embrace. Shizune and Jiraiya looked on at the scene with smiles on their faces while Sakura looked at it with a very confused expression.

"Did I miss something?" asked Sakura quietly, her question however wasn't answered as Tsunade and Naruto separated from their hug and Tsunade slammed her fist on top of the blonde's head.

"Ow what the hell was that for!?" questioned Naruto, tears at the corners of his eyes as he looked at the woman he saw as a mother.

"That was for completely ignoring your Hokage when entering her office. What did you think that little tender moment was going to get you off the hook?" said Tsunade, hands on her hips as she looked down at the crouching Naruto, very reminiscent of a parent scolding their child.

Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time today, Tsunade took a seat as she began studying Naruto. Her eyes instantly gazing at his now longer hair and looking at the picture of the fourth on the wall. The sword poking over his left shoulder gave her many memories as she continued staring at it with a nostalgic look on her face.

"You really have grown up haven't you?" she said quietly making Naruto grin widely at her. He then walked over to Shizune and pulled her into a tight hug as well.

"I've missed you too Nee-chan." Said Naruto making Shizune smile widely as she gladly returned the hug.

A knock on the door got everyone's attention as the Hokage told them to enter. Walking in was a now taller Shikamaru Nara dressed in the standard chunnin outfit and accompanying him was the beautiful older sister of the one tailed bijuu jinchuriki, Temari no Sabakou. Now a lot more bustier and wearing a black kimono style battle dress with a red obi, her haiate now on her forehead instead of around her neck as she used to wear it.

Shikamaru raised a brow at the sight in front of him, his mind quickly deciphering who the blonde in black was after seeing Jiraiya-sama. Smirking he said;

"So who's the emo?" pointing a thumb at Naruto who just flipped him off in response.

"Nice to see you too you lazy prick." Said Naruto who smirked back at him before stretching out his arm fist bumping the lazy Nara.

Temari was just appreciating the eye candy in front of her before finally asking, "No but seriously, whose tall dark and handsome here?" she said looking Naruto up and down a flirty look on her face as Shikamaru just sighed.

Sakura just glared at the sand ninja before moving closer to Naruto, something that everyone but Naruto noticed.

"That pains me to hear that Tema-chan, I know it's been two years since I last visited you guys but to forget me that quickly is just plain mean." Said Naruto holding his chest in mock pain.

Temari's eyes widened before she smiled widely at him and embraced her fellow blonde in a hug, making Sakura's eye twitch wildly as she saw the little reunion between the two.

"Naruto-kun, it's been so long. Damn you've grown up so much, look how tall you've gotten! Gaara and you used to be the same size, but now you've both gotten so big, and not to mention puberty hit you like a train! Look at you!" praised Temari as she studied him more intently, while Naruto did his signature embarrassed pose.

This time however Shikamaru finally got tired at seeing his cru- pain in the ass female friend get along so well with Naruto and cleared his throat to gain the two's attention.

"So Naruto what are you doing after this?" asked Shikamaru.

"Well I was going to go to Ichiraku's with Sakura and catch up but do you got something else on mind?" asked Naruto back.

"Everyone is currently home at the moment so I was thinking that we could all have a get together at the BBQ place tonight." Said Shikamaru.

"That sounds great! Yeah that sounds awesome! Hey Sakura-chan, it's okay if we do the Ichiraku thing later right?" asked Naruto looking at Sakura.

Sakura was a little disappointed about not having some alone time with Naruto but she nodded, she just couldn't say no with the way he was looking at her.

"Sweet what time?" said the giddy blonde.

"I was thinking somewhere around six." Replied Shikamaru.

"Alright cool, hey Tema-chan you're going to come right? I want to catch up with you and hear about what's been going on in the Sand since I left." Said Naruto giving her a charming smile.

Temari nodded her head and said, "Yeah sure it sounds like fun. It's okay if I come right lazy ass?" looking to Shikamaru.

"Do whatever what you want you troublesome woman." Replied the sighing Nara looking away from her direction.

Naruto watched the two interact with an amused smile on his face, "Oh? Do I smell a blooming love?" thought the Uzumaki, a mischievous gleam in his blue eyes.

Shizune saw the look on Naruto's face and couldn't help but face palm, he can notice when other people have interest in one another but he can't notice when someone shows interest in him. She looked at Sakura with sympathy in her eyes, it's going to take a while before she can expect nieces and nephews it seems.

After making plans Shikamaru and Temari took their leave and went to gather the rest of the rookie twelve. Sakura also handed in her report before telling Naruto that she was going home to go get ready for the party. Once she had left the room Naruto turned to Tsunade as she had just called his name.

"Naruto, you missed the jonin exams by a month, but given your situation I can pull some strings to get you a private exam. Interested?" proposed the busty kage.

Naruto quickly nodded his head excitedly, "Hell yeah, just you wait Obaa-sama after I get that promotion it'll only be a matter of time before you finally decide to give me the hat. Dattebayo! Shit, I thought I was done saying that!" Said Naruto, a little embarrassed about how his cool moment was ruined by his embarrassing verbal tic.

Both Tsunade and Jiraiya's eyes widened before laughing at the energetic chunnin.

"You know you're mother used to have that exact same reaction whenever she would say her verbal tic." Began Tsunade, a nostalgic look on her face as she remembered her cousin.

Naruto looked at her and smiled, "What was the verbal tic, she didn't want to specify in the letter that she left me."

"Ha, what was it again Jiraiya?" said Tsunade with a large smile on her face.

"It was 'dattebane'. God how she hated it whenever it would slip out in conversation, I remember that she used to pray that you would never inherit that little quirk of hers but it seems that wasn't the case." Finished Jiraiya looking at his apprentice with a smirk.

"Alright, enough with all the reminiscing. Now Naruto, I want you to be here at my office the day after tomorrow, okay? There's going to be some changes and some other matters to attend to but for the meantime go and have some fun tonight." Said the fifth, finishing her sentence with a grin.

Naruto thanked her before bowing to her and giving a quick goodbye hug to both her and Shizune before leaving through the window. That little stunt quickly got the Hokage annoyed before looking at Jiraiya with a glare.

"That better be all he inherited from you because if he starts peeping on women's baths, then so help me Kami that I will end your perverted ass." Said Tsunade, a menacing look on her face.

Jiraiya just laughed sheepishly before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.

"Now that they are all gone, you need to get back to work Tsunade-sama. Thanks to all that you have fallen behind on your paperwork." Scolded Shizune as she got her teacher back on track. Tsunade groaned before picking up a form and began to read, a small smile on her face.

BBQ Place: 6:00 P.M

Naruto approached the meeting place, a little nervous as he was about to see everyone again after so long. A single person however kept crossing his mind, and it wasn't Sakura, just what had happened to the teme? So caught up in seeing his crush and mother figure that he had completely forgotten to ask of what had become of the last 'loyal' Uchiha. He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of footsteps as he looked to his left and saw his long time crush walking up to him.

Sakura was currently wearing a simple pair of high heeled black ninja sandals on her feet, following from their Naruto's eyes trailed up her bare legs reaching the white short shorts she was wearing. Her top was a black t-shirt with a pink cherry blossom tree design on it, her forehead protector was currently tied around her left arm, leaving her hair free. (AN: I'm not good at outfits so forgive the boring choices. Also everyone else is wearing their usual casual outfits, it would take too long to describe all of them so I'm not going to. Hope you all understand.)

Naruto just gaped at her little before composing himself and smiling at her, a slight blush on his face as he said, "You look beautiful Sakura-chan."

Like usual the small blush that came across Sakura's face went unnoticed by the oblivious Uzumaki. Looking at him Sakura couldn't help but appreciate the fact that Naruto had decided to leave behind the orange, though it did make her a little sad, she was happy that he was more mature and grown up. Naruto was currently wearing a black t-shirt with a red outline of a toad design on the front, and with the Uzumaki swirl on the back at the base of the neck. His haiate was currently tied loosely around his neck allowing his now longer hair frame his now much more handsome features. He was also wearing tan cargo pants with black ninja sandals, the first Hokage's necklace resting proudly on his chest, the jade green gem shining under the setting sun's light.

"So should we go inside? I think everyone else is inside already." Said Sakura trying not ogle the blonde too much.

Nodding the two chunnins entered the restaurant and headed to the back where the party section was located. Naruto though was a bit confused, he could see that the lights were on but he couldn't hear music, or sounds of anyone back there.

"Did that lazy bastard give us the wrong time to meet? I swear that I'm going to kick his ass from here to the Sand Village if he did." Complained the Kyubi jinchuriki.

Sakura just smirked and said nothing as she just walked behind him and shoved him through the doors.

"Oi! What the hell was that f-!" yelled the Uzumaki.

"SURPRISE! WELCOME BACK NARUTO!"

"AHH WHAT THE FUCK?!" came the scared reaction from Naruto as he looked around wildly as all the rookies popped out of nowhere and scared the shit out of him with their surprise.

Laughing at his reaction the rookies then began walking up to the still surprised blonde.

"Look at you Naruto-kun! Looking good." Cooed a now curvier and taller Ino Yamanaka, her hair now long enough to reach the back of her thighs. Naruto just turned to the side a little to hide the slight blush on his face, Ino had developed very nicely and that was something that Naruto had quickly noticed. Sakura just stared at her best friend with a frighteningly blank look, scaring the Yamanaka for a second before she smirked at her and stuck out her tongue.

"Doesn't he look really hot now Hinata-chan?" said Ino looking at the girl with a teasing smile, making Tenten glare at her.

Naruto's eyes followed Ino's and he was surprised as hell to see the now longer haired Hyuga looking away the second he made eye contact with her. His eyes fell to her body and his eyes just about bulged out of his head from seeing how busty the shy girl had gotten.

"It's been a long time Ino, Hinata. It's good to see you both again." Said Naruto making everyone stare at him.

"What?" came the confused response to their stares.

"Who are you and what the hell have you done to the short hyperactive idiot?" came the question from a now hoodieless and taller Kiba Inuzuka and his now giant ass dog Akamaru who barked loudly in agreement.

"Holy shit he got fucking huge! What the fuck have you been feeding him Kiba? Akamichis?" came the shocked exclaim from Naruto pointing at the now much larger Akamaru.

"And there he is!" came the drawled out answer from the resident lazy man himself Shikamaru, closely accompanied by a snickering Temari.

"IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO GRANDPA AKAMICHI!? DID YOU LET THAT DOGZILLA OF A MUTT EAT HIM YOU BASTARD?! GIVE HIM BACK YOU SON A BITCH!" came the angry yelling of a now, also larger and with longer hair, Choji Akamichi.

"CALM DOWN YOU CRAZY BASTARD, HE DIDN'T REALLY MEAN IT! THEY FOUND HIM YESTERDAY REMEMBER? HE GOT LOST IN THE WOODS! ALSO LEAVE MY MOM OUT OF THIS!" shouted back Kiba as he was currently being shaken like a ragdoll by the insanely strong big man.

"Calm down the both of you." Said a hooded man by the name of Shino Aburame as he placed a hand on both of their shoulder and calmly separated the two.

"Shino! Long time no see buddy, you start talking more?" said Naruto as he put an arm around the taller boy.

"Oh for fuck sakes!" said a now angry Kiba as he handed eight hundred yen to Choji.

"Told you that he would remember him Kiba." Said a now content Akamichi as he counted his money before pocketing it.

"Actually I am a little surprised that you actually did remember me Naruto, given how contact between us has been so minimal." Said Shino as he looked at the grinning Uzumaki.

"How can I forget about a guy who uses bugs to kick people's asses? That a pretty cool bloodline you have." Responded Naruto making Shino smile under his hood.

"This has been great and all but can we start ordering the food? Gai-sensei had us train with him today and we are starving." Said Tenten, now taller and a little more curvier, holding her stomach trying to keep it from growling, not that it helped as a loud growl made her turn red in embarrassment as everyone laughed at the poor girl.

"I'm inclined to agree with Tenten, plus I'm sure that everyone else is pretty hungry by now." Said the only jonin in the room, Neji Hyuga.

"Oh hey Neji! Did you get that stick out your ass now? Good for you buddy." Said Naruto as he teased the Hyuga prodigy, making him glare at him.

"YOOOUUTH! THE FLAMES OF YOUTH STILL BURN BRIGHTLY WITHIN YOU I SEE NARUTO-KUN! JUST BY LOOKING AT YOU I CAN TELL THAT YOU WOULD BE A MOST EXCELLENT SPARRING PARTNER MY ETERNAL RIVAL!" came the screaming of none other than the beautiful blue beast of Konoha himself, Rock Lee.

"I thought Neji was your eternal rival? Oh is it because I kicked his ass in the chunnin exams? Yeah that's most likely the reason." Said Naruto trying to piss off the stoic Neji and get him to react.

"Says the only one of us who's still a genin." Said Tenten laughing at Naruto. "Neji is the only one of us who has made jonin, and you think you can still beat him?" she added, teasing Naruto back in Neji's place.

A poof of smoke got her attention, as well as everyone else's, as Naruto had just channeled chakra to a small seal in the shape of the Uzumaki swirl on his left hand. Appearing in Naruto's hand was a slightly worn down chunnin vest.

"Who's a genin now? Because if I am not mistaken this vest in my hand is a chunnin vest, and not any chunnin vest, my chunnin vest." Said Naruto as he smirked smugly at Tenten's shocked face.

"Tenten, Naruto was the only other person besides Shikamaru who had gotten promoted in the chunnin exams three years ago." Said Sakura patting a downtrodden Tenten on the back.

"How the hell did you get promoted?" asked Kiba.

"Well shit, after kicking Neji's ass, then managing to summon a boss summon, and then going on to stop a rampaging bijuu, more like the question is, how could I not get promoted?" retorted Naruto, making all of the other rookies, except Sakura, Shino, and Shikamaru, realize how much Naruto had actually done in the invasion.

"Shit you right." Said Kiba nodding in agreement.

Sweat dropping at Kiba's odd answer Naruto looked at everyone else before heading over to the table, "So should we start ordering? I am starving, and this BBQ better be worth missing going straight to Ichiraku's like I had planned." Said Naruto slightly angering a certain big man with his ignorant words. It seems another needs to be shown the ways of BBQ.

"You will soon discover how great BBQ truly is Naruto, be prepared to be enlightened." Said Choji in sagely manner as he appeared out of nowhere next to Naruto.

"Holy hell, where the fuck did you come from!" yelled the frightened Uzumaki.

Choji looked at him with a serious expression on his face and said, "I don't fuck around when it comes to BBQ Uzumaki. Now watch a master at work." Finished the hefty Akamichi as he began to expertly lay down the meat they had just ordered and began to season them accordingly.

Naruto watched in awe as Choji would flip them after listening to them sizzle on the grill. Finally after most of the meat was done, and everyone's mouths were watering, Choji picked one up with his chopsticks and handed it to Naruto.

"Normally I would never allow someone else to have the very first bite of BBQ, but to enlighten you on your ignorance and also to welcome you back home from your trip. I want you to have the first bite." Said the Akamichi with a serious look on his face.

"Are you sure Choji?" asked Naruto, after seeing him nod he carefully received the BBQ'd piece of meat and gently blew on it to cool it down.

With all eyes on him Naruto opened his mouth and began to chew on the savory beef. The second he began to chew, an explosion of flavor invaded his taste buds. Eyes wide and pupils dilating Naruto finished chewing before quickly appearing in front of Choji, on his hands and knees.

"Forgive my rude words master, for I know not of what I speak." Said Naruto in regal manner making everyone sweat drop at the scene as Choji nodded and began to eat.

"It is alright young one, now you know the true power of BBQ." Replied Choji.

"Ooookay, but can we eat now?" said an impatient Ino, finally tired of seeing Choji convert another person to the BBQ side.

Everyone agreed and quickly the feast began, the night was filled with laughter and the loud voices of his friends as Naruto looked around at all the happy faces, a serene smile crossed his face. Drawing the attention of a certain smitten Haruno and of course the meek Hyuga, both mesmerized by the look on Naruto's face, Hinata quickly looked away too embarrassed to continue looking. Sakura on the hand was almost in a trance, her mind going a thousand miles a second, why was she like this? When did she start feeling this way for the blonde idiot? Why did she keep acting like Hinata when she looked at him?

"You're forehead looks so wide and beautiful, it makes me want to kiss it."

That sentence struck her like lightning as it flashed into her mind, as though giving her the answer to all her questions. The sentence that had made her fall in love with Sasuke, God that still left a horrible taste in her mouth when she thought of him, was then repeated by the one who had been occupying her thoughts for the past year. It had been in the back of her mind all day and it was driving her crazy, was it actually Naruto who had uttered those words? Or had he simply over heard them that day? Deciding to not keep quiet about it she snapped out her little trance and looked at Naruto, who was currently drinking sake straight from the bottle while all the guys cheered him on.

"What's going on?" she asked out loud a confused expression on her face.

Ino who had been sitting next to her smirked at her, "Well while you were fantasizing about Naruto, Kiba ordered some sake and it somehow turned into a drinking competition."

Sakura glared at her best friend, the only person to know that she now has a slight crush on her Uzumaki teammate. Before she could say anything else however Naruto now took a seat to her right, his face, as well as all the other guys but Lee's slightly red.

"Here Sakura-chan have a drink, Kiba ordered the good stuff." Said Naruto pouring her a cup and offering it to her.

Deciding to wait for Naruto to be a bit more sober when they had their talk, she complied and accepted the drink downing it in one go.

"Haha, I knew that you'd probably end up inheriting Obaa-sama's drinking habit, you downed that shot like you've done it before." Said Naruto, smiling at her.

Shaking her head as she smiled back at him, the party soon get on once again as they all started to drink. A little while later, Naruto, who had sobered up thanks to the power of a certain nine tailed demon fox, was still sitting next to Sakura when Ino, a noticeable blush from all the alcohol she had consumed, knelt next to him. She said nothing as she leaned in very close to his face and stopped two inches short and began studying his features.

"Hey Naruto, has anyone every told you that you kind of look like that fourth Hokage?" said Ino, squinting at him as she now started to look him up and down.

Tenten who was across the table had overheard what the Yamanaka had just said and nodded in agreement, "You know she's right Naruto, you look like a younger version of the Fourth."

Naruto just smiled at them and saw that three people were currently trying to pretend that they weren't listening. Neji just slowly put the piece of meat he had just grilled into his mouth and began chewing slowly, trying to pretend that he was interested in what Lee was saying. Shino had faltered for a second while raising his cup to drink some more sake, he then continued and drank it down slowly, tuning out what Kiba was rambling on about. Shikamaru on the other hand just continued to lean on his hand as one of his eyes opened to a half lid and looked to their direction.

"Would any of you three care to explain to them why I resemble the fourth?" said Naruto smirking at them as they all sighed, gaining the attention of everyone at the table.

Never being one to be shy Shino finished his cup before looking at everyone,

"You were born on the tenth of October, the same night as the Kyubi attack, and we all know that you are the jinchuriki for the nine tailed fox."

"The person to perform the sealing was no other than the Fourth Hokage himself, dying in the process." Added Neji.

"Finally from what we have all heard, while a shrewd man the fourth was very kind. Everyone who knew him would describe him as one of the nicest people they have ever met, meaning that the fourth wouldn't ask any of his shinobi or the orphanage for a child to perform the sealing." Finished Shikamaru as everyone shook their heads and began connecting the dots, circulating chakra to help rid themselves of the buzz they were all feeling.

"Meaning, ladies that it is only natural that the kind Hokage would never use someone else's child, besides it's only natural for a child to resemble their father." Said Naruto grinning at the now stupefied expressions on everyone's faces.

"YOU'RE THE SON OF THE FOURTH HOKAGE!" screamed everyone but, Sakura, Shino, Shikamaru, and Neji.

Naruto continued to enjoy their amusing, and expected, reactions before his eyes widened in shock as he was enveloped into a tight hug.

"I'm so happy for you Naruto, you finally found out who your parents were." Said a tearful Sakura, Naruto just smiled softly as he hugged the pinkette back. Letting him go, something she found a little harder to do than she had thought, she looked at him.

"Have you found out anything about your mother?" she asked making everyone look at Naruto intently.

Naruto just unsealed something from the seal on his right wrist and surprised everyone when he pulled out a sword.

"This sword belonged to my mother, Kushina Uzumaki the Red Death of Konoha." Said Naruto proudly as he held out the sword.

All the girls in the room instantly knew the name, Kushina Uzumaki was one of the biggest inspirations for many young girls to become kunoichis. Tenten though reappeared next to Naruto with a speed that even made Lee jealous as she ripped the sword out Naruto's hands and started drooling while she examined the exquisite craftsmanship that went into making this legendary sword.

"Your mother was the Kushina Uzumaki? The legendary swordswoman that was said to be respected by all members of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist? The woman who made every Kumo shinobi tremble in fear at the mere mention of her name during the Third Shinobi World War?" rambled on Tenten before she was finally stopped by Naruto as he slowly took the blade out of her hands.

"I'm sorry Tenten but you keep drooling on it and I just cleaned it this morning." Said Naruto making Tenten blush crimson red in embarrassment as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

"To answer your questions, yes. That Kushina Uzumaki was my mother, she left me a letter for when I made either chunnin or turned eighteen. She then also told me that the fourth was my father, and I confirmed all of this with Jiraiya-sensei." Said the blonde gaining a bit of a faraway look as he recalled when he first read the letter.

Flashback

Naruto was now nine months into his training and was currently alone, laying down on his sleeping bag next to the crackling fire. Jiraiya had left just a short while ago to go and grab some food from the nearby village. Naruto reached into his bag, which was next to him, and pulled out the letter, he had been contemplating whether or not to read it now or later. He was just scared to read it, scared that his own mother had left him a letter calling him a monster, the trauma growing up as the village pariah rearing its ugly head as the growing fear kept gnawing at him.

He sighed and took a breath before slowly opening the letter, pulling it out he unfolded it and began to read.

"Dear Naru-chan,

If you are reading this than it means that I really did die that night. The first thing I want to say is congratulations on making chunnin or happy birthday if you are reading this on your eighteenth birthday. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to witness it, or anything for that matter. (Tear marks could be seen on the paper.)

I'm sorry for not being there to witness your first words, your first birthday or your first steps. To not witness your first day of the academy or see you graduate, not being able to be there for when you got lost, scared or confused. Not being able to give you a kiss goodnight or teach you how to wield a sword. I am so sorry my little Naru-chan, I am so sorry for me or your father not being there for you. I'm holding you right now as I write this letter, you look so cute, your little hands, your beautiful blue eyes and that blonde hair that reminds me so much of your father.

You keep looking at mommy with what looks like worry in your young eyes as you watch me cry, the realization that I won't be in your life finally sinking in. *Coochie coochie coo* I just tickled you, oh your little happy baby gurgles are so precious. (Reading that part Naruto couldn't help but feel a sudden warmth come over him as he laughed softly through the tears streaming down his face, he could almost feel his mother tickling him, making him cry harder.)

Tonight is the day you were born, it was also the day both your father and I passed on from this world. Your father by the way is none other than Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. Now before you get mad, Mina-kun didn't have any other choice. He had to seal that overgrown angry fur ball inside of you. We were attacked by a man claiming to be the presumed dead Madara Uchiha, who released the Kyubi from me, the second jinchuriki of the nine tailed fox. Yes you are the third jinchuriki of the Kyubi, I was the first with Mito-obaa-chan, the First Hokage's wife, being the first. A female jinchuriki's seal weakens when she is giving birth and that bastard used it to his advantage. Sadly he used you as shield to stop your father from killing his bitch ass, but then Mina-kun rasenganed his ass so damn hard, take that you old bastard dattebane! I hope you don't inherit that little verbal tic of mine, it ruins so many cool moments. (So that's where that came from, was Naruto's thought as he laughed at his mother's words.)

After releasing the fluff ball and making it go on a rampage, he ran away like a little bitch. Your father then went and had to seal him into you, but before it was completely sealed the Kyubi tried to kill you but your father jumped in front of its claw and took the blow. I'm only alive right now because of my Uzumaki genes, I probably only have about an hour left, I don't even think that Tsuande-chan could save me now. So here I am, writing this letter for you while I spend my last hour with you, your father's dead body right behind me. Kami, he's only been gone for twenty minutes and I already miss him so much.

Once again Naru-chan, I am so sorry for leaving you alone, for not seeing you grow into the great man that I know you'll become. I just want you to know that mommy and daddy love you. We love you so damn much, we can't apologize enough for being ripped away from you so early. Mommy wishes she could hug you right now, can you feel it my little fishcake? I'm hugging the baby you right now as I write this, I hope that you can somehow feel it, feel the love mommy has for you through these words. (Naruto's eyes widened in shock as he felt that warmth grow stronger as felt as though he were being embraced, as though his mind was allowing him to remember that hug his mother gave him, his crying soon turned into sobbing as he finally read the last words his mother left him.)

I hope that one day we can meet again my little fish cake, but it better be far down the road! I also want grandbabies so you better find a girl just like mommy and make her your wife! If you're anything like your father than you'll need a strong woman to keep you in check. Well it's finally time to say goodbye Naru-chan, I want to spend a little more time with you before I go. Kami looking at you I just don't want to go, I don't want to leave you here all by yourself, why did it all have to be like this? I'm sorry for saying these things Naruto, but I can't lie to you, even if it makes it harder for you. Once again my little baby boy, I am sorry for not being there, I've said that so many times but it's so true. Always remember, that mommy and daddy love you with all our hearts, we'll always love you no matter if we were there or not.

To my little fishcake,

Love mommy"

Naruto sobbed as he clutched the letter to his chest, the pain and sorrow just being too much as he cried his eyes out. Jiraiya, who had come back with a bag full of food saw his crying student and knew that he had just read the letter. He walked up to his student, placing the bag of food on the ground, and put a hand on his shaking shoulder.

Naruto just shrugged him off as he got up and ran into the woods as he charged a rasengan and destroyed tree after tree, trying his hardest to kill the horrible pain in his chest. His screams of sorrow and frustration echoed throughout the forest as he continued destroying the landscape. Finally falling to his knees he looked to the heavens and screamed, his pain resonating clearly in his wails.

"Why damn it! Why did they have to be taken from me? Why me! Why couldn't I experience the love of parents, have my mom hug me and my dad tell me how proud he is of me, why!" screamed the wailing Uzumaki as he pounded his fist on the ground.

Jiraiya walked up to his apprentice's son but was stopped in his tracks as Naruto's head snapped up and looked him in the eyes. His eyes burning with hatred and sorrow.

"I swear the day I meet Madara Uchiha that I will make him suffer. I am going to make him beg for the death he should've gotten back when he fought the first." Said Naruto as he felt his hatred grow stronger and stronger before he was covered in the vile chakra cloak of the Kyubi.

"With this power he forced onto me and the power that I gain training under you sensei I will make him regret they day he took my family from me." Finished the pissed jinchuriki.

"I won't teach someone who will only use his power for revenge, if I were like that then I would've made that Uchiha brat my apprentice." Said Jiraiya glaring into the demonic eyes of his student.

"Then am I supposed to just let it go! Forget that he took my family away from me?! Made me live this lonely life!" yelled back Naruto, his anger being more intense thanks to the Kyubi's influence.

"No, but if you devote your life to revenge than you'll become exactly like that brat of your teammate. The one you tried so hard to stop from falling into that horrible cycle." Retorted a now deathly serious toad sage.

Naruto looked away in shame, his chakra cloak now burning less intensely.

"Instead, grow strong to stop it from happening again. There was a reason that Madara released the Kyubi from your mother, he'll come back for it so you need to be ready. Hatred can only make you strong to an extent. The will to protect others however, the way that you have always fought, the way of fighting that you inherited from both of your parents, is the way to truly get strong." Said Jiraiya, making the cloak disappear with his words.

"Don't worry kid, you'll be able to avenge them one day, but with a heart full of hatred won't be the way your parents would want to be avenged." Said the toad sage, he was surprised when Naruto hugged him tightly.

"I never met either of them yet I miss them so much." Said the Uzumaki quietly, making Jiraiya smile softly as he hugged the short blonde back.

"That's natural kid, I know for a fact that they miss you too, and that they would be proud of you." Those words made Naruto start crying again as Jiraiya picked him up and carried him back to camp. The mental and physical strain finally being too much for the young boy as he fell asleep in his teacher's arms.

"Don't worry Kushina, Minato, I'll make sure that he'll be strong enough to defeat anyone that comes his way, that's a promise of a lifetime." Said Jiraiya as he looked up at the stars, a lone tear falling down his face.

Flashback Over

Snapping out of his memory Naruto found everyone looking at him with a bit of a sad expression on their faces, he just smiled at all of them as he put the sword on his shoulder.

"C'mon people it's a party let's not let the mood go away." Said Naruto making them all smile at his upbeat attitude.

Before they could get back to their drinking a voice made everyone freeze.

"A party with everyone here and I wasn't invited? Now that's just cruel. Hey, nice sword there Naruto, want to go one on one and see who's a better swordsman?" said the man as he pulled out his blade and placed it as Naruto's neck.

Looking down at the blade at his neck he studied the silver sword and Naruto realized that it was a chokuto. His eyes continued going up until his eyes found the pale hand on the hilt and followed it up further until blue and onyx eyes clashed. Sakura who was still sitting next to him glared at the man, her jaw and fists clenched.

"Sasuke/Sasuke." Said the two together, one with a blank look on their face and the other a pissed off one, as they looked into the face of their other Team 7 teammate, Sasuke Uchiha.

"Welcome back Dobe." Said Sasuke smirking at Naruto.

AND SCENE! HOLY SHIT THAT WAS A LONG CHAPTER!

SO NOW I KNOW THE QUALITY DROPPED A LITTLE BIT BUT HEY, I HAVEN'T WRITTEN ANYTHING IN A YEAR. SO BEAR WITH ME PEOPLE AS I GET BACK INTO THE GROOVE. NOW I AM NOT IN ANY RUSH TO UPDATE, THIS FANFICTION THING IS A HOBBY FOR ME, NOT A JOB. SO DON'T EXPECT ME TO TREAT IT LIKE ONE. FOR THE TIME BEING I WILL BE WRITING FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT I STILL HAVE THAT URGE TO WRITE. I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING A BETTER AUTHOR.

SO AS ALWAYS!

READ! REVIEW! RECOMMEND! AND? THAT'S RIGHT!

ENJOY!