Ossu! This is my first Naruto fanfiction, though not my first fanfiction! When upon hearing about Naruto's mother, Uzumaki Kushina, I've wanted to do a fanfiction like this. You can say I am partially inspired by Popeye, and you'll see how! The main basis of this story centers on the question, What if Kushina was alive???

Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-san.

Opening theme: You-You-You(5th theme of Sgt. Frog)

The Quest for Mama

Chapter 1: Kawazaki

It all began in the Hokage's office in the Village Hidden in the Leaves…

"Whaddya wanna see me for, Gramma!?"

That was how it all started. All it took to set the most perilous adventure for the Leaf's No. 1 Maverick Ninja was a rude question for the Hidden Leaf's Village's 5th Hokage.

Tsunade felt a vein about to pop as she tried not to lose focus on why she sent for the most exasperating shinobi in the Village and simply punch him into the wall. (There was a wall labeled, Reserved for Uzumaki Naruto. The opposing wall was labeled, Reserved for Jiraiya!)

"Listen, brat," Tsunade began, shifting slightly, making her notable physique more noticeable, "According to Kakashi's last report, the Ninetails' chakra leaked out during the mission…when there was no need for it."

Naruto made an uncomfortable expression as he rubbed the back of his foot with his other foot's toes. "I don't know how it happened," He muttered apologetically, "But it was only for a minute, I barely remember it happening…except for that patch of grass getting burnt."

Tsunade sighed and straightened up, looking Naruto directly in the eyes. "Naruto, if that demon's chakra is coming out without your consent, then there's something seriously wrong with the seal the 4th Hokage used to put the Fox into you." She said pointedly. "That's why for the sake of your safety- if not the world's- I've called in for a specialist."

"Huh??" Naruto asked, squinting, "You mean there are people who specialize in this sorta stuff?! Who aren't Ero-Sennin?!"

"Yup," Tsunade nodded, grinning at Naruto's reaction. If anything, Naruto looked cute when he scrunched his face like.(Not that she'd tell him that…) Getting serious, she said, "This seal master comes straight from Mt. Oinari, the nexus point of all supernatural activity in the world."

"Mt. Oinari?" Naruto wondered, making a 'look, I'm thinking' arm position. "That sounds familiar…"

"Mt. Oinari is where the Fourth learned to seal the Fox." Tsunade answered.

Naruto brightened up. "Cool! When's he get here?"

"Actually, he's already arrived. He just went to the bathroom while we were waiting for you." Tsunade saw the door open and close. "And he's back."

Naruto turned around, but couldn't see anybody. He then heard a well-to-do voice say, "Behind you, good fellow."

Turning around, Naruto didn't see anything- save the vine-green frog that was now sitting on Tsunade's desk. This frog was the size of small dog(Half of Pakkun's size), wore a well-tailored jacket, a wooden rain hat, and had a japanese pipe, like Gamabunta's, sticking out of his mouth.

"Salutations." The frog said. Naruto facefaulted.

"It talked!" Naruto cried from the floor.

"Naruto," Tsunade said, keeping a straight face. "This is Mr. Kawazaki. He's going to fix your seal."

"B-but, he's a frog…" Naruto said weakly. Realizing that Tsunade was serious about this, he looked down at the frog as the amphibious one puffed his piped. "Nice to meet you, um, Mr. Kawazaki."

"Likewise," The frog said, tipping his hat. He glanced at Tsunade, and said, "He does resemble Minato, doesn't he? But his face is rounder, like Kushina's." Kawazaki began to look around. "Where is Kushina, anyhow? I haven't sensed her presence once since entering the village."

"Wait!" Naruto said hoarsely, "Who's Kushina? Or Minato?!"

"They're the names of your mother and father," Tsunade answered somberly, "And they're dead."

"What?" Kawazaki looked confused. "I don't see how that is possible. I know that Minato died 15 years ago from using that technique, but there's no way for someone like Kushina to be dead. Let me see…"

As Kawazaki closed his eyes and took a meditative stance, a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through Naruto's head much faster than he felt comfortable.

I have a mom…? My mom's alive!?

"Aha!"

Naruto was shaken out of his stupor by Kawazaki's triumphant yell.

"I have her! No wonder I couldn't sense her! She wasn't anywhere near the Village!" Kawazaki then frowned. "But what is she doing there, of all places? That area is fit for neither man nor beast…"

Tsunade reached down under her desk and took a long draft of sake. "Kawazaki," She said, wiping her mouth, "Are you saying that Uzumaki Kushina is still alive? After all this time?"

Kawazaki nodded. "Yes, I'm sure of it."

"Where?"

The frog and the 5th looked at Naruto. His face was pointing down so they couldn't see his eyes past his blond bangs, and his hands were shaking.

"Where is she?" Naruto asked again, his voice trembling. "Where's my mother?"

Kawazaki cleaned his pipe for a moment. (Get it ready for next time…) After putting it away, he pointed one webbed hand toward the office window. "The island is in that direction."

Then everything went crazy.

DATTEBAYO (That's the scene change)

In the hall, Shizune was on her way to deliver some documents for Tsunade to sign when she heard a loud crash from within the office. Dropping the papers, Shizune rushed in. Crashes weren't an uncommon sound coming from Tsunade's administration, especially when Naruto was around(She wondered if insults and physical abuse was their way of exchanging affection), but there was something off about this ruckus.

Her fears were well deserved. Tsunade's desk had been knocked over, papers were all over the place, Tsunade herself was on the floor, looking like she had been thrown there(And that wasn't easy to pull off!), and there was a person-shaped hole where what was used to be a window once was.

"Lady Tsunade, what happened?!" Shizune cried, rushing to her mentor's aid.

"Naruto's what happened!" Tsunade snapped, gripping her turned over desk for support. Her mind was racing.

Even for this, I can't believe that brat would charge off like that…!

"Shizune!" Tsunade barked, and Shizune quickly stood to attention. "I want you to bring me the following shinobi for an important mission! Now!"

"Yes!" Shizune ran out after being given the list, leaving Tsunade alone with her thoughts.

An island fit for neither man nor beast…? Naruto, be careful…

DATTEBAYO

Outside the village, leaving a trail of ruin behind him as he ran, Naruto charged down the road, Kawazaki tucked under his arm. As he sped off, he saw for a brief moment in the darkest and deepest recesses of his memories a bright smile and mane of beautiful red hair.

I'm coming, mom! Whoever you are!

DATTEBAYO (Notes this time)

Kawazaki is a combination of kawazu, a Japanese word for frog and Yoshizaki, manga-ka of the Sgt. Frog series.

Mt. Oinari is where the original Naruto pilot began.

Ero-Sennin means, loosely, perverted hermit. It's sorta like Kame Sennin, Turtle Hermit.