Return to Konoha

Shikamaru gazed on in shock and slight awe as he saw the figure before him. There was Naruto a red cloak with flames covering his normal training uniform with a gigantic scroll strapped to his back. Not to mention the two little toads perched on each of his shoulders, Shikamaru was curious as troublesome as it was. They seemed to be having an in depth conversation or argument, shikamaru couldn't tell. Complaining that it was troublesome he walked out of the guard booth to greet Naruto. The sage in training glanced over at the gate checkpoint and saw Shikamaru. His face brightened and he gave a happy wave to his long time friend. Ino slightly spaced out took a few seconds realize it was Naruto. She greeted him with a loud yell

"Hey, Naruto!". The young sage in training walked over to the checkpoint.

"Hey! Ino, Shikamaru" he exclaimed.

Before they could proceed he glanced around at some of the destruction Konoha had experienced at the hands of the Akatsuki leader Pein. Not skipping a beat he looked Shikamaru directly in the eye and asked with a firm voice.

"What happened to Konoha, while I was gone..?"

Shikamaru hesitated; he knew he couldn't lie to his friend, especially not about something like this.

"Akatsuki attacked, they were looking for you" he said his eyes downcast. The blonde seemed to absorb those words rather quickly and looked up sadness and anger evident in his eyes.

"Little Naruto, we'd better report to Tsunade" the elder frog on his right shoulder said. Before the two of them could say anything further he nodded and in a whirl of leaves shunshined away. Standing in silence for some time Ino decided to venture a question, "Hey...Shikamaru"

"Yeah? Ino" he enquired wearily.

"Do you think he's okay, should we go and check on him after?" she enquired worry laced in her voice.

"Check on who?" another familiar voice enquired from behind. The two turned around to see sakura walking up towards them her pink hair flying in the wind a concerned look reflected in her stunning green eyes. Shikamaru was about to give an excuse but was cut off by Ino with a single hand.

"Sakura... Naruto has returned to Konoha". Instantly her aqua green eyes flared to life

"Where is he?" she demanded. Ino shocked by the emotional outburst pointed at the Hokage tower. Without a word Sakura ran off towards the large red building in the distance.

"Wonder what that was about..." Shikamaru murmured while Ino just sighed that Sakura just couldn't make up her mind about... certain issues.

Godaime Hokages Office, Hokage Tower

"Come in" bellowed Tsunade buried amongst a pile of paperwork as she heard the knock on the door. Next to her buried in a similar volume of paper was the Hyuuga Heiress Hinata frantically scrambling around trying to get the pile of paper organized for the Hokage. The Hokage heard three words "Yo Baa-sama" before the vein on her head throbbed and she punched him into the adjacent wall cracking it. This caused a shocked "Eep!" from Hinata, unused to such acts of violence by Tsunade. As Naruto was extracting himself from the wall he was about to apologize but before he could he had the life squeezed out of him in a bone crunching hug by Tsunade. Struggling to move he gasped out three words

"Youre! Killing!Me!". Laughing she released her hold on the poor boy just glad he was safe and that he had eluded the wrath of the Akatsuki for now. She saw him as her grandson, or something similar and despite her facade as an easily tempered woman really cared for him. Hinata who had been watching the entire scene giggled, she had never seen the Hokage so liberal with her feelings or strength before. It warmed her heart that Naruto was okay and she had been worried about him ever since he had left for Myobokuzan. Looking around the room after being crushed to death by baa-san Naruto noticed another presence in the room that had been the source of the giggling earlier, Hinata. She stood there

"Heyyy hinata!, howve you been?" he exclaimed smiling at her. Turning red at the attention he was giving her she could only manage a stuttered reply

"I-I-Im g-good n-n-naruto Kun" she replied before squealing and hugging him. Stunned at the sudden display of affection naruto found himself beginning to turn red as well for a reason he could not fathom.

"I'm glad you're okay" she whispered. Smiling he assured her with a single phrase

"I won't die until I become Hokage!". Reassured by that she broke off her hug and slowly withdrew embarrassed at her public display of affection in front of the Hokage herself. Smiling Tsunade decided it was time to get down to business.

"Report" she ordered. The elder frog Fukasaku and his wife Shima hopped up to her desk and began explaining the training Naruto had undergone at Myobokuzan and his current progress. While the elder sages were reporting Naruto noticed was just standing quietly so he walked over to her and began talking.

"Ne Hinata.."

"H-h-hai? N-n-naruto-kun" she stuttered inwardly cursing herself for not being confident.

"How are you?, I haven't seen you in ageees!" he exclaimed a smile gracing his previously somber face.

With a determined smile on her face she gave the first confident answer she ever had to him

"I am very well thank you, I have been working hard with the restoration of the village"

"You're a Chuunin now right?" he enquired curiously awed at the fact that this was the first time she did not stutter in when talking to him.

"H-hai, I was promoted in the field" she nodded looking downwards thinking of her progress over the time he had been away.

Over the three years she had grown into a powerful shinobi of her own right, she was affirmed as the true heir to the Hyuuga clan by her father the clan head and the Hyuuga elders by creating her own unique Jyuuken based technique the Shugohakke Rokujūyon Shō. This technique was noticed asan extension of the Rokujyuuyonsho and the Kaiten techniques to create an absolute defence that was not reliant on rotation. Impressed by her technique her father began to slowly take part in her training eventually training her alongside Neji as equal ninja in their own right. That coupled with her field promotion to chuunin in a B-rank mission with Kurenai sensei started to create her own distinct destiny as Neji would call it. Also her relations with the branch house had improved with her constant kindness and refusal to discriminate between members of the same clan. A soft voice broke her current train of thought.

"Thats amazing Hinata-chan" Naruto whispered his face filled with pure happiness for her still careful not to disrupt the progress report. A sharp knock was heard on the door causing Tsunade to groan. More complications she thought. A slender woman with pink hair walked in worry evident in her green eyes. Tsunade looked up in surprise as her current apprentice walked into the room. Naruto turned around

"Sakura chan!" he exclaimed happily. She turned and smiled softly at him

"Naruto, why didn't you tell me you were back?" she enquired, implying some danger if the answer was undesirable.

"Gomen, Sakura chan, I had to make the training report to Baa-chan here and thats all I've done so far.." he was cut off as she closed the distance between them and hugged him.

"I was so worried that Pein found you and y-you were going to be sealed" she murmured tears forming at her eyes. Stunned at her display of affection he smiled.

"It's okay Sakura chan" he said stroking her pink hair. For the second time Tsunade was shocked, while Hinata just looked on with a curiously. He brightened

"So what brings you here?" the young sage enquired

"I was coming to check on you you baka" she exclaimed

"Shikamaru and Ino were worried about you as well, you just ran off without a word"

"Ano.. Gomen Sakura chan, I'll go apologize after" he said sheepishly his hand rubbing the back of his head. Reminded of Konoha's current predicament Naruto asked quietly with a sad tone in his voice

"Hey baa-chan, How many people died because of me?". Tsunade, Sakura and Hinata looked up in shock; they never expected him to take the responsibility for the attack. A second later he got a slap in the face from none other than Sakura.

"DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT AGAIN" she screamed furiously. He looked at her in disbelief his hand over the place she had slapped him.

"It's not your fault you had that thing sealed into you, nor is it that Akatsuki are after you, and don't you DARE blame yourself for the deaths of the people who protected this village in the face of an attack". She took a deep breath tears pouring down her face.

"You've protected the village countless times, just let them do it for you once in awhile" she finished softly.

For the third time that day the Hokage of the village hidden in the leaves looked on in shock. This was getting more confusing by the minute. Hinata looked at Sakura with a kind eye though Tsunade detected a suppressed sense of jealousy being emitted.

The Godaime Hokage sighed and turned to her three subordinates.

"You're all dismissed, have a day off"

"But baa-chan" Naruto protested.

"I HAVE A HEADACHE, COME BACK LATER!" she shouted. The others in the room looked at her in surprise.

"I have some papers I want you guys to pick up later today; they are your admission forms for the Jounin exams".

"NANI?" the three exclaimed. She sighed and began explaining

"I am entering three two man teams in the upcoming Jounin exams in Sunagakure in two months time; I have chosen you three as part of the six chosen to showcase konoha's power at this dire time"

"Tsunade sama" Sakura questions

"Yes Sakura?"

"Who else is joining us and what are the team designations?"

"Hmm good question, the teams are as such. Listen carefully"

"Naruto, since you've proven very solid teamwork within Team Kakashi you will be paired with Sakura, Hinata is being paired with Shino since they have worked together extensively and Shikamaru will be paired with Rock Lee". She smiled

"You six have been chosen as the strongest your your generation, do not let me the Godaime Hokage or the Village hidden in the Leaves down!"

"Hai" the three replied in unison.

"Dimissed" she shouted, and with a nod the three disappeared from the office in a spiralling of leaves. Murmuring to herself she motioned for the concealed Jounin who had been observing from the window to come inside. He climbed through the window lazily a green book in his hands.

"So Kakashi, what do you think of my decision?" she enquired, curious to know the copy ninjas opinion on her team choices.

With an eye smile he said "Hai Hokage sama, I couldn't have picked them better myself, I have a question though". Tsunade nodded for him to go on.

"Who is going to train Naruto, now that Jiraiya sama is not with us anymore?"

At hearing her former teammate's name she looked down in sadness, Jiraiya had been the most perverted but no doubt the strongest of the three sannin. His death hit both Tsunade and Konoha hard.

"The elder sage Fukasaku agreed to train Naruto for the Jounin exams in combat and use of his senjutsu chakra" she replied still downcast about Jiraiya's death.

The cyclopean Jounin sighed "I don't really compare to one of the great toad sages"

"You can train him in strategy, command and formations" Tsunade said with conviction in her voice. Kakashi looked up in surprise and smiled at her

"Hai Hokage sama" and while saluting her disappeared in a puff of smoke

Ichiraku Ramen Stand

"One Miso ramen please ojii-san" Naruto shouted loudly.

"Would you like any ramen Sakura chan? Hinata chan?" he enquired to his two companions.

H-hai, one miso ramen for me too" Hinata piped up

"Same here!" Sakura said. Ayame who was taking the orders winked at Naruto knowingly

"So who are your girlfriends?"

Blushing madly Naruto introduced each of them to Teuchi's young daughter.

"This is Hinata chan, she's the heiress of Hyuuga clan" pointing to the beautiful timid girl sitting on his right.

"And this is Sakura chan, Baa-chans medical apprentice" he said gesturing to his left. A rustling was heard as someone entered the ramen stand. Naruto looked around and was greeted by a masked silver haired man in a green flak vest his nose stuck in a green book.

"Yo" Kakashi said to his former student.

"Kakashi sensei!" he exclaimed happily.

"Want to join us for ramen?" he asked his former sensei.

"Sure, why not I guess" the older man replied before placing his order. While his ramen was coming Kakashi explained that he would be responsible for filling in the gaps of knowledge required for jounin, such as command, strategy, formation knowledge and silent hand commands. After hearing that Kakashi was going to teach him Naruto was overjoyed that he had a sensei once again that cared about him and his progress. While teacher and student discussed training plans Sakura began talking to Hinata about her plans for the exam, shopping and other matters. After an hour of friendly discussion between the four of them Kakashi had to leave to draw up a mission report and prepare for his new genin team. Sakura left soon after and said she had to supervise a surgery at the hospital leaving Naruto and Hinata there at the ramen stand. After some awkward silence naruto enquired

"Nee Hinata?, it's getting late. Come on I'll walk you home"

"H-h-hai N-n-naruto kun" she stuttered. As they walked to the Hyuuga compound with the sun setting they discussed various things, her life as a heiress of a esteemed clan in Konoha, her aspirations for the future and her opinions on the upcoming Jounin exams. As they approached the gates of the Hyuuga compound Naruto's expression widened in awe.

"Wow Hinata, this is an amazing place to live" he shouted slightly shocking the Hyuuga guards stationed at the entrance.

She smiled shyly and modestly replied

"I-I-It's o-kay, D-do y-you want to l-look around?" She enquired.

"Gomenasai Hinata chan I can't, I have to train with Kakashi sensei early in the morning" he said

"Oh, O-Okay" she murmured her eyes downcast.

"But I'll make it up to you!, how about we go out of ramen sometime?, and you can show me around the Hyuuga complex after" he suggested brightly. At hearing those words she smiled.

"N-n-night N-n-naruto kun" she said as she entered the Hyuuga compound.

"Night Hinata, I had a great time today!" he exclaimed making her blush furiously. He walked into the evening waving at her before disappearing in a whirlwind of leaves.

Deep in Kiri no Kuni (Mist Country)

The tall imposing Akatsuki swordsman known as Kisame of the hidden mist sat meditating his sentient weapon Samehada lying next to a rock beside him seemingly silent. Many thoughts were flowing through his mind but the most prominent one was WHY they were late. Growling in frustration the Swordsman picked up Samehada from its position on the ground and swung him hard at a nearby tree. There was about a one second delay as the tree exploded sliced cleanly in half by the blunt trauma of the slice. His annoyance slated for the time being he resumed his meditation by in the small clearing, a medium sized waterfall behind him flowing into a gentle lake.

Hearing a very loud explosion the female member of the group muttered

"Shit, senpai must be pissed that we're late"

Eyes widening in shock the other five figures rapidly increased their pace until they finally sighted their 'senpai' patiently as ever meditating with his bandaged sword next to him. The six figures halted in front of him in a semicircle, and one by one starting from the left they bowed and mumbled 'senpai'. The shark man's face turned into a grin when he saw they had finally arrived, he handed a sealed scroll to the female member of the group before saying a few simple words

"This is your next mission" and in a splash of water the mysterious leader of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist disappeared. Sighing at her leader's mysterious antics the swordswoman known simply as Miruko read the scroll taking in all of the necessary information before glancing around at the rest of the swordsmen under command. Her eye twitched in annoyance when she saw one of them, a young dark haired youth in his late teens sleeping. Her face turned into a maniacal grin as she rolled up the scroll and threw it full force at the sleeping idiot. Acting like he had been hit by a freight train the swordsman known as Haiku jumped up and before any of the others could say a word sliced the scroll in half with a slice of his longsword the blade glowing blue. Glaring at his commander he shouted

"What the hell was that for?" to which he got a just as obvious reply

"Sleeping on the job you idiot" the womans eyebrow twitching in fury. He backed off not wanting to anger Miruko, which he knew wasn't her real name. Aged in her mid twenties and standing roughly 5' 6" in height she had long brown hair that framed her face and two distinct paint markings on each side of her face. She wore a large black coat with a long sleeved shinobi outfit and the standard shinobi trousers with bandages on her knee. The young swordsmaster knew by firsthand experience both her coat and shoes contained an arsenal of nasty weapons.

With deep brown eyes and a stunning figure she was also the person that he feared the most. Unlike most of the other swordsmen nobody, not even Kisame-senpai the man who had introduced her to the organization knew anything about her true identity. She had simply either lost her memories or was extremely talented at suppressing them so she could achieve her goal. And then there was her battle prowess, he shuddered at the thought.

There was a reason why she was second only to Kisame senpai and the only swordsman in the seven not to wield a physical sword. Her previous training as a medical ninja and her natural affinity for the wind element brought a new type of swordsmanship style. By using her left hand to form a chakra scalpel that could extend up to 3 ft long as a weapon combined with a Kaze no Yaiba (wind blade) in her right hand she simply did not require a sword. Using intangible blades she could incapacitate her opponents before they could make the first strike, and if that didn't work her medical training ensured plenty of nasty hidden poisoned senbon and her ability to breathe poison from her mouth too. Kisame senpai had muttered tsunade when he had first seen her fight; his thoughts confirmed that she had been trained by the slug sannin previously in her life.

Dazed by this nostalgia her saw her lips were moving, quickly he brought himself back into mission mode hearing the most important part of the briefing.

"We have been ordered to attack and destroy the ninja village of Kumogakure in Kiminari no Kuni (Lightning country) in two months, make your preparations and we meet exactly one week before in a location I will notify you with Kyrie-san" indicating to her little mouse she had summoned previously. With a nod the five swordsmen disappeared from the area in a flash. Gazing down at the waterfall one could see her deep brown eyes held more sadness and despair than one her age should have to bear. Tears falling from her face, she muttered "If only you could see me now Kakashi...", after she had finished her outburst she walked through the waterfall and disappeared from sight.

In the hidden village of Amegakure

One of Peins bodies, the summoner girl lay lifeless on the ground all her metal piercings and chakra receptors receivers removed, as the other five bodies worked quickly to prepare the replacement, the body next to it. The body was still wet as Akatsuki had only had a chance to recover it earlier. Forming a seal God-pein used his shinra tensei ability to manipulate gravity to embed the chakra receivers in the new body. Carefully placing the new body in the middle of a room wide seal the five bodies took up respective places on each part of the 5 pointed seal. With a nod the five bodies formed a tiger seal the Rinnegan eyes of each flaring in unison as chakra poured from each of them into the seal.

The body began to resonate, the receivers synchronizing to the chakra flow that was being channelled from the five other bodies. Slowly and deliberately the body rose from the stretched it had been placed on, the other five bodies quickly placed a spare Akatsuki cloak on their new companion masking his face but still showing traces of his spiky white hair. Declaring to himself more than anything god pein shouted to the cavernous chamber "With you as my sixth body I will finally be able to make the world feel my pain!". Watching from a distance concealed by his space-time ninjutsu manipulation Uchiha Madara frowned at the scene his Mangekyou spinning as he gathered his thoughts about what to do with his current predicament.

On the border of Fire country

Rikuto Samui signalled her team with a single motion to stop, frowning Killerbee halted as well. Sensing an ominous presence they halted their advance to Konoha their intuition proving them correct as the one and only Uchiha Sasuke appeared in front of them with his taka backing him. Smirking at the Cloud team he glanced over at Killerbee and his eyes went wide with horror

"Hmm...this is an interesting development!" he stuttered shocked by the presence of the jinchuuriki he had captured. Smirking, the Hachibi Jinchuuriki just began the slow process of drawing one of his many swords when Sasuke realized they were in deep trouble. Karin, Juugo and Suigestsu were nowhere near recovered due to their sacrifice of their abilities to save him from death close to three times. Before he could signal the escape he felt a presence behind him, none other than the cloud team's leader Rikuto Samui with her short sword at his throat, her teammates moving to cover the others. Smirking at the stupidity of this ninja Sasuke breathed deep and in a flash changed the nature of his chakra to an electric current, discharging it around him he yelled his move Chidori Nagashi!, the electricity crackled shocking the woman who had her sword at his throat, before he realized something was wrong. The Chidori current instead of discharging into his opponent grew more violent and backfired, severely electrocuting Sasuke. Around him his teammates were knocked unconscious by the use of the Raiton Bunshin (Lightning Clone). Falling into unconsciousness Sasuke screamed in frustration.

Having outmaneuvered any possible danger blocking their path to Konoha the four lightning shinobi rocketed through the trees at an insane pace desperate to reach the village hidden in the leaves. Their leader Samui could not help but manage a smirk as to what they managed to execute against team 'taka'. By knowing of his lightning affinities from the bingo book she had acquired from Konoha she had developed a technique which allowed her to manipulate the nature of lightning without seals through her short sword. By inverting the current of the chidori nagashi and simultaneously synchronizing her lightning natured chakra with it she had doubled the lethality of the current and taken the Uchiha avenger by surprise at the same time due to his arrogance in underestimating her skills.