Years Later

(Location: Uzushiogakure; Uzumaki Clan House)

Many years have passed, and the Uzumakis are living peacefully. Takeo had found a baby girl not long after Naruto found Hope. Her name was Joy. Joy and Hope were now eight, Inari and Aki were now sixteen, Gaara, Naruto, Yuu, and Takeo were now twenty, and Hiroki and Hiroshi were now thirty four.

"Naru! Come play!" Hope's calls echoed through the house. "Hope, quiet." Joy hissed. "Why?" Hope asked. Naruto and Gaara leaned on the wall as they watched the two bicker. "It's not polite to yell." Joy said. Gaara chuckled. "She's right, Hope." He said, picking Joy up and placing her on his hip. "They're still children, Gaara. It is okay if they break a few rules." Naruto said, picking Hope up and placing her on his hip.

Aki walked downstairs. "What's with all of the racket?" He asked. "It is not a problem anymore." Naruto said. "Where's Cousin Inari?" Hope and Joy asked. "He's in the Wave country, visiting his Kaa-san and Oji-san." Aki said. "Ah. I might join him. I haven't seen Tazuna-san in years." Naruto said. "Let Tou-san know. He will be angry if you don't." Gaara said.

Aki nodded. "Yeah. He flipped out when we told him Inari left unannounced." He said, laughing at the memory. "I remember, it was quite funny." Naruto said, chuckling at the thought of his father flipping out. "Well, I best be packing. I will see you in a week." Naruto said, handing Hope to Aki. "Bring Inari back when you come back." Gaara said.

"Yes, Nii-san." Naruto said. He walked upstairs towards his and Gaara's room. He packed shirts, pants, shorts, and sandals. He packed his other necessities and walked downstairs. "Bye Naru~" The girls called. "Goodbye, imoutos, Aki." Naruto said.

Naruto closed the door of the clan house and made his way to the Shiokage's Tower. As he walked the streets, many villagers greeted him. "Naruto-kun!" A lady, Carol, suddenly called. "Yes, Carol-san?" Naruto asked politely. "I apologize for stopping you, but I can't find my daughter anywhere!" Carol said. The eight year old's name was Kiki.

Naruto placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No worries, Carol-san. I will find her." He said with a kind smile. "Thank you, child." She said gratefully. He nodded and walked around the village. Kiki wasn't anywhere in the village. He looked in shops, restaurants, and the usual hangout places. 

Naruto stopped and thought for a minute. 'Didn't Kiki say she wanted to become a ninja? Maybe she's training.' Naruto thought. He walked to the training grounds used for Taijutsu and weapon training. "Kiki?" Naruto called, hearing quiet sobs in the area. "Leave me alone!" Kiki yelled.

Naruto eyes softened as he looked at the eight year old. "Kiki, what's wrong?" Naruto asked. "No matter how hard I try, I will never be as good of a ninja as you and the rest of the main family." Kiki said. "That's not true. Joy and Hope just started ninja training two years ago." Naruto said.

"Still, they are prodigies already. They always get high scores in the academy because they are talented. They also brag about how powerful they are. It makes the rest of us feel bad. It makes us feel like we have no talent whatsoever." Kiki vented.

"They brag? I am very sorry, Kiki. I will make sure to scold them and punish them. They will no longer be like this, I promise." Naruto promised. "Thank you, Naruto-sama." Kiki said. "It's nothing, Kiki-chan. Now, your mother is very worried. Let's get you back to her." Naruto said. He picked Kiki up and placed her on his hip.

They conversed as they walked back to Carol. When they reached her, she scolded her daughter lightly. "Kirol, don't ever leave the house unannounced until you become a Genin. Even then, you must leave a note. Do I make myself clear?" Carol scolded. "Hai, Kaa-san." Kiki said.

"Thank you, Naruto-sama. How can I repay you?" Carol asked. "It's no problem, and you don't have to repay me." Naruto said. Kiki ran inside of her house. Naruto and Carol looked at Kiki with curiosity. "Silly girl." Carol muttered, watching as Kiki emerged from the house. She handed Naruto a small, rectangular piece of paper.

"This is a coupon for free ramen." She said. "Thank you, Kiki-chan." Naruto said and turned to Carol. "You can repay me by accompanying to ramen. On me, of course." Naruto said. "Hai, Naruto-sama." Carol said.

(Location: Uzushiogakure; Shiokage's Tower)

Naruto continued his journey to the Shiokage's Tower. The ANBU guards bowed to the Uzumaki as they opened the door to the Shiokage's office. "Shiokage-sama." Naruto addressed formally. "What is it, kid?" The Shiokage, Hiroki, asked.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Tou-san." Naruto chuckled. "You will be to me. So, care to tell me what you cane to my office for?" Hiroki asked. "I heard Inari is currently in Kiri, and I was wondering if I could go and visit Tsunami-san and Tazuna-san." Naruto said.

Hiroki pondered on it. "Sure. Bring Inari back while you're at it." Hiroki said. "Hai. Say, where's Uncle Hiroshi?" Naruto asked. "He is visiting Konoha. The Chunin Exams will be held there." Hiroki stated. "Hai. Am I allowed to bring Shino along with me?" Naruto asked.

When the question left his mouth, a knock on the door was heard. The door opened and Shino walked through. "Lord First, our mission is complete." Shino said. Shino was a Jounin sensei of a Genin team.

Amelia Hertz; red hair and red eyes.

Jayni Dmitry; white hair, one red eye, one green eye.

Semiko Adrine; brown hair, brown eyes.

"Shino, good work." Hiroki said. "Say, Shino-kun. Wanna ho to Kiri with me? We have to bring Inari back." Naruto said. "What about my team?" Shino asked. "Tou-san?" Naruto asked.

"Team Nine, you will be getting your first C-Ranked mission today." Hiroki said. "Yosh!" Jayni yelled happily. "Quiet, you baka!" Amelia scolded. "Stop acting like you don't have any manners. We are in front of Shiokage-sama." Semiko also scolded. The three Genin started arguing. "Quiet!" Shino yelled. Team Nine quieted down instantly.

"Sorry, Shino-sensei." They said.  "Lighten up, Shino-kun." Naruto joked. Shino rolled his eyes behind his glasses. "Pack up and meet at the front gate." Shino ordered his students. "So, what's the probability of this mission turning into a B or A-Ranked mission?" Shino asked.

Hiroki put his hand on his chin. "Fifty, fifty." He said. Shino sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why did I agree to this?" He asked Naruto. "Because I thought you would be a great Jounin Sensei. Plus, don't you think that it's great training for the future?" Naruto asked.

"What do you mean?" Shino asked. "I heard that Hannah wanted children." Naruto teased. Shino turned a bright red and bonked Naruto's head. "I'm twenty years old. I just got out of my teens. I'm not ready for children, and neither is Hannah. She just wants them in the future. Not now." Shino said. "Whatever you say." Naruto said.

Shino glared at him. "I'll see you at the gate." He said. Naruto nodded and watched as Shino walked out of the door. "Are you packed?" Hiroki asked. "Hai." Naruto said. "I didn't want to tell you now, but you might run into a Konoha team." Hiroki said. "Who's team?" Naruto asked.

"Kakashi's. They have temporary teammate that is supposed to take your place." Hiroki said. "Who?" Naruto asked. "An undercover Root ANBU named Sai." Hiroki said. "Is he dangerous?" Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes. "No. But do keep an eye on him. Dismissed." Hiroki said. Naruto nodded and walked out of the room.

(Location: Uzushiogakure; Main Gate)

Naruto and Shino waited at the main gate for the Genin of Team Nine. "Are your students always this late?" Naruto asked. Shino sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, yes." He said. "Seems like they're another Kakashi, don't you think?" Naruto asked.

"I must say, you're right." Shino chuckled. "We might meet my old team. They temporarily replaced me with an undercover Root ANBU." Naruto said. "Root ANBU? I've heard of them before, but I never looked into them. What information do you have on them?" Shino asked.

"Root is an officially disbanded branch of Konohagakure's ANBU training subdivision founded by Danzo Shimura. After his death, however, it is unknown what has become of the group. Root carries out missions that Danzo believes will benefit Konoha. Because of its core views as 'the unseen ones who support the great tree of Konoha from the depths of the earth', some of these missions may be less than respectable, such as eliminating individuals that are considered potential threats simply for their expressing detestation for Konoha, despite not actually having done anything against the village.

The organisation's top priority is its secrecy, and most of its missions are carried out in the dark - autonomous of Konoha's authority. Root was officially disbanded after the Uchiha Clan Downfall due to Danzo spearheading the tragedy, but remained active as an underground organisation until Danzo's death. Despite Hiruzen's orders to disband the group, the members remain loyal to Danzo, his orders being the highest priority over even the Hokage's.

Root is an extremely strict, and secretive group and as such each member of the organisation has a cursed seal imprinted on the back of their tongues by Danzō, which when activated, will paralyze their entire body if they try to speak anything about Danzō or the organisation, rendering them unable to speak or move.

Danzō has also trained its members to lose their emotions by growing up as brothers from a young age, only to later be made to kill each other. This is done to kill any sense of sentiment or emotional attachment. This method was extremely similar, if not identical, to Kirigakure Academy's former graduation test. Each member has a code name; even the members themselves apparently do not know their original names. Unlike normal ANBU, they carry a tip-less tanto instead of a katana. Also unlike normal ANBU, members of Root take orders only from Danzō instead of the Kage, unless ordered to otherwise.

Another specialty of the organisation was slow, long-term brainwashing. In the case of one of their members, Nono Yakushi, was brainwashed through a series of photographs starting with photographs of — one of her former wards at orphanage showing him growing up. Eventually, they slowly switched the person in the photographs entirely and then gave her the order to kill the actual Kabuto. This resulted in Nono not recognizing the young man in their final confrontation.

Though the members wear the standard cloak and mask of the Konohagakure ANBU, they don't have an actual standardized uniform like the others. Underneath the cloak each Root member wears a personal attire. The only single distinguishing garment they all wear is a short, black, midriff jacket, with red straps over the shoulders along with the tip-less tanto." Naruto explained.

Shino blinked at Naruto. "How do you know all of this?" He asked. "I signed a fox contract. Foxes are sneaky and are very good at stealth. I had one of my foxes investigate Root." Naruto said sheepishly. Shino stared at him and then shook his head.

"Where are they? I hope they haven't gotten into any trouble." Shino said. In the distance, the Genins ran towards Naruto and Shino. "Sorry we're late, Naruto-sama, Shino-sensei." Amelia said. "Jay made us stop to eat some ramen." Semiko said, glaring at Jayni. Said boy sheepishly scratched the the back of his head. "Sorry!" Jayni said.

Shino sighed. "Naruto, Jayni is like another version of you when you were younger." He said. "You mean when I was putting up the act?" Naruto questioned. "Hai." Shino said. "Well, let's get going. Is everyone ready?" Naruto asked. "Hai!" The Genin all yelled. Naruto smiled warmly at the young Genin. "We will rest once we get there. It's not that far." Shino said.

(Location: Unknown)

Naruto nodded, and they ran to Kiri. Shino in front, the Genin in front, and then Naruto. A kunai then landed in front of Shino. He stopped abruptly, making the Genin run into him. "Quiet." Shino said. "I will find out who it is. Stay up here, okay?" Naruto asked. "Hai." Shino said, nodding to his friend.

Naruto quietly made his way towards the kunai. He looked down and saw his old teammates and his replacement. "I'm pretty sure I felt chakra signatures up there." Sakura muttered. Kakashi sighed. "Looks like you're not a sensor ninja." He said. "She wasn't wrong though. There were chakra signatures in the trees." Naruto said, still hidden in the leaves.

"How we know? Because we're the chakra signatures." Shino said, hidden as well as the rest of the Genin. "Come out already." Sasuke called. The Genin walked out first. "W-We're sorry. D-Don't hurt u-us." Amelia stuttered out. Naruto and Shino looked at the young Genin.

Semiko put a hand on Amelia's shoulder. "Don't worry, Amelia. Those are Naruto-sama's old teammates." He said. "Naruto-sama?" Sakura asked. "Yeah! Naruto-sama is the son of the First Shiokage, Hiroki Uzumaki!" Jayni said happily. "Who's your Sensei?" Kakashi asked. "Shino Aburame." The Genin said.

"Then where are they?" Sai asked fake smiling. "Right here." Shino said, jumping out of the trees. Naruto landed beside him. "Naruto!" Sakura said happily. She threw her arms around me. "Could you lease remove your arms around me?" Naruto asked. Sakura detached herself from him and frowned.

"Why are you so mean, Naruto? I mean, we haven't seen each other in eight years." She said. "Don't worry about it." Naruto said. "Why are you guys going to Kiri?" Shino asked. "We have a mission. Gato's sister, Nato, is thinking about finishing what Gato started. She's thinking of tearing down the bridge." Kakashi said.

"The same bridge we fought on?" Naruto asked. "Hai." Sakura said. "We'll be going with you then!" Amelia said. "Yeah! Inari-sama left Uzu to visit his Oji-san and his Kaa-san!" Jayni said. "Dobe." Semiko said. "Teme." Jayni retorted.

They glared at each other. Naruto bonked their heads. "Behave." He said sternly. "Hai, Naruto-sama." They said sadly. "We might as well travel together." Shino said. "I like that idea." Kakashi said. As they walked to Kiri, no one talked.

Amelia sharpened her kunai and looked around. "I'm hungry." She said. "We'll be in Kiri soon." Kakashi assured. They made it to the bridge and looked at the name. "The Great Naruto Bridge." Sakura read out loud. Naruto casually shrugged and walked across the bridge. The Genin and Shino did the same. "How are you not phased by that?" Sasuke asked Team Nine.

"We've been to Kiri countless of times." Amelia said. "Mainly because Inari is originally from here." Naruto said. Sasuke nodded and they continued on. "So, how's Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked. "He retired soon after you left. Jiraiya retrieved Tsunade and a month later, she became the Fifth Hokage. She retired two years ago, though." Kakashi said.

"Who's the current Hokage?" Shino asked. "Kakashi-san." Sai said. "The pervert?" Jayni asked. "Hush, Jay." Amelia said, bonking his head. "You're my replacement?" Naruto asked Sai. "That is correct." Sai said fake smiling. Naruto and Shino narrowed their eyes at him. "What are your names?" Sasuke asked the Genin.

"My name is Amelia Hertz."

"My name is Jayni Dmitry."

"My name is Semiko Adrine."

The three Genin grinned and held out their fists. "And we're Team Nine of Uzushiogakure, fear us!" They yelled. Shino sweat dropped at his team. "Naruto, why did you make me Jounin Sensei again?" He questioned. "Again, it's preparation."

(Location: Kirigakure; Tazuna's House)

Naruto knocked on the door of Tazuna's house. Inari opened the door and dead panned at the sight of his brother. "What are you doing here, Naruto?" He asked. "Tou-san wanted me to come and bring you back. You're probably going to be grounded for a month." Naruto said, walking inside the house.

Inari sighed. "I'm sixteen years old! I'm not a little kid anymore, he should know that." Inari grumbled. "Whatever you say, otouto." Naruto said. "Naruto-kun?" Tsunami called. She came and hugged Naruto and planted a kiss on his forehead. Naruto had to lean down, though. He was roughly six feet.

"Hello, Tsunami-san." Naruto greeted. "Dinner will be ready soon." She said. She walked back to the kitchen. The nine shinobi sat at the dining table. "What's with all the ruckus?" Tazuna grumbled while walking downstairs. "Are you drunk, Oji-san?" Inari questioned. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Now tell me why all of these brats are in my dining room?" Tazuna asked.

"Nice to see you too, Tazuna-san." Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke said sarcastically. "Gakis." Tazuna muttered. Inari rolled his eyes and got up to help his mom in the kitchen. "I'll help, Inari." Shino said, following after him. "Amelia, Jayni, Semiko. Shino wanted me to train you. Come, follow me." Naruto said, walking out of the door.

"Kakashi-sensei, will we be getting Naruto back?" Sakura asked. "I don't know. I don't want to force him. It's his life." Kakashi said. "But, Naruto is our jinchuuriki. he belongs in Konoha." Sasuke said. "Naruto-kun can choose whatever he desires." Sai said. "You don't need to be in this conversation." Sakura said coldly.

"Sakura, that is no way to treat your teammate." Kakashi scolded. "He isn't even our teammate. He's just a replacement." Sakura said. The sound of a hand hitting flesh was heard in the room. Tsunami, Inari, and Shino came out to see what the ruckus was about. "I get it already. I'm not wanted. I am just a replacement for Naruto-kun, but it isn't like I had a choice." Sai said.

Sakura held her cheek, tears rolling down her face. "Y-You slapped me." She said dazed. "Yes, I did. Forgive me, Hokage-sama, but I will be joining Uzushiogakure after the Chunin Exams." Sai said. "Great going Sakura. You seem to make all of our teammates leave." Sasuke said. Sakura's eyes widened in realization. "I'm going to find Naruto." Sai said.

He stood up and walked towards the door. "Same." Sasuke said. "I'm disappointed in you, Sakura." Kakashi said, walking out of the house with Sasuke on his trail.

(Location: Kirigakure; Unknown Forest)

"Fifty laps around the forest, twenty five push ups,  crunches, and squats. After that, you will run up a tree, up and down, fifty times. I then want you to practice punches and kicks, separately, fifty times. Then practice water walking." Naruto instructed. "He's even worse than Shino-sensei." Amelia muttered as they stared at Naruto in disbelief.

Naruto's facial expression turned emotionless and his eyes were cold. "What are you waiting for, brats?! Get to work!" Naruto yelled. The Genins instantly started on their training. "N-Naruto?" Kakashi stuttered out. "What?" Naruto asked coldly. "Don't say anything. He's in training mode." Shino said.

"What does that mean?" Sai asked. "It means that he is strict and cold. He makes sure to push you to your limits. One you reach it, he trains you even harder." Inari said. "Have you experienced it?" Sasuke asked. "Of course I have." Inari said. "The Uzumaki clan all have it. That's one of the reasons everyone in Uzushiogakure worship them." Shino said, watching his Genin team train.

They just finished their laps and were taking a break. "Oi! No breaks! Get to  work!" Naruto yelled. The Genin instantly started their push ups. "The other reason they worship the Uzumakis is because they're caring and they are very good leaders. Lord First is still thinking whether to let Naruto and Gaara go back to their villages and become their kages." Shino said.

"I would gladly give Naruto my hat." Kakashi said. The Genin were now running up the trees. "I remember this training, but we didn't go up and down." Sasuke said. "It's a way to perfect chakra control." Sai explained.

Sasuke nodded and turned to Naruto and the Genin. They finished and started on the punches and kicks. They were sloppy, though. "Sharpen up those kicks! What kind of Uzu shinobi are you?!" Naruto yelled. "We're Genin!" They yelled. "But, if you keep training like this, you can become a Chunin sooner, or even a Jounin." Naruto said sternly.

Something clicked inside of their heads, and they punched and kicked harder and sharper. "We will become Chunin! We will make our village proud! Because that's our nindo! Our ninja way!" The Genin yelled. "We." Amelia said. "Will." Jayni said. "Shino-sensei." Semiko said. "Proud!" They all said. They punched through their tree and then kicked it, making it a stump.

Naruto smiled at the young ninjas. "Start on your water walking." Naruto said softly yet sternly. They nodded and started water walking. "Great job, Naruto." Shino said. "No problem, Shino." Naruto said. He wrapped an arm around Shino and grinned at him. "Look, they're water walking!" Inari exclaimed.

The Genin were walking slowly, but they were water walking. "Great job everyone! Go wash up and get ready for dinner. The Genin were startled and fell into the water. Naruto and Inari started laughing at them. "Not funny, Naruto-sama, Inari-sama!" Amelia yelled. "Yeah!" Jayni and Semiko yelled.

(Location: Kirigakure; The Great Naruto Bridge)

Naruto, Shino, Kakashi, Sai, Sasuke, Sakura, Amelia, Jayni, and Semiko walked onto the bridge. "This feels like De Ja Vu." Sakura muttered. "I swear, if another version of Zabuza and Haku jumps out, I will throw myself off of this bridge." Naruto said seriously. "I'm sorry for saying those things to you eight years ago, Naru-nii." Inari said.

Naruto ruffled his hair. "No problem, otouto." He said. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the 'heroes' that killed my brother." A feminine voice rang through the air. The ninja turned to the other side of the bridge. Nato, a woman with an hour glass figure, stood in front of a thousand goons. "So, who takes on Nato?" Sai asked. "I will." Naruto said.

"We'll clear a path for you." Inari said. "Thank you." Naruto said. Inari nodded to him ad the ninja brought out their kunai. "Charge!" Naruto yelled. Everyone, except Naruto, ran at them. Naruto stood their calculating how to kill Nato. 'I want some fun. Maybe I can play with her for a while.' Naruto smirked at the thought, and dashed towards Nato.

Plenty of goons tried to stop him, though Naruto or the others stopped him. Naruto kept going until he reached Nato. She brought out a kunai. "I see you don't want the same fate as your brother, Gato." Naruto said. "Obviously. I trained in Taijutsu and weapons, seeing as I don't exactly have the right chakra reserves." She said.

Naruto rolled his eyes, and ran at her. Nato threw her kunai at him and the ducked to dodge him. Naruto brought up his leg and kicked her back. When she started to fall, he grabbed her hair and slammed her face on the ground. He pushed her over and stabbed her in the heart. "Looks like you'll join your brother in the Devil's Place." He whispered.

Her eyes and mouth were wide open, a silent scream that was never to be heard again. He turned to his friends, who were still fighting off goons. "Get away from the goons!" Naruto yelled. They nodded and jumped away. Naruto did the right hand signs and whispered, "Satan's Flames."

They watched the goons burn to death, a sight to make anyone to release the contents in their stomach.

(Location:Unknown)

"You didn't have to burn them in front of the Genin. They are going to be traumatized!" Sakura said. "Naruto-sama! Will you please teach us that jutsu?!" Jayni yelled excitedly. "Please Naruto-sama?" Amelia asked. "We'll do as many D-Ranks as you would like." Semiko promised. "I will teach you the jutsu, though you don't have to d the D-Ranks." Naruto said.

The Genin nodded their heads in excitement. "Yay!" They cheered. A ninja dropped down in font of them. Shino pushed his students behind him and looked at the ninja. "Naruto-kun, I finally found you." The girl said. She pulled down her hood. Her short, mint colored hair waved as a breeze passed by. "Fuu-chan."

(Location: Unknown)

"With Orochimaru-sama dead, the experiments will just be useless." Kabuto said grimly. "Oh? Well, we'll change that." A shadow smirked. "I liked the way you think," Kabuto smirked. "Danzo-sama."

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Moonlight0628

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