NHRK Chapter 52

It took three days by boat to reach Uzu from Kiri, and even still Naruto had no clue where Kurama was nor would be. Yet somehow he knew that they would find each other in some way or another.

He just hoped that Kurama wouldn’t mind having an extra resident sharing the same land that he was.

Then Naruto stopped in his tracks and finally noticed Kushina staring at him like he was missing something.

He was an idiot…sometimes.

He realised that he was an Uzumaki…who now had Uzumaki sensory abilities. He was far from the man who landed on this land over a year ago.

Would Kurama be surprised?

Naruto closed his eyes from beneath his blindfolds and reached his arms out. He concentrated and breathed.

Then he opened his eyes once more and he saw and he felt the world around him.

He knew where Kurama was, or the general direction he was in.

He pointed towards it.

“That way,” he said.

Kushina smiled at him approvingly before grabbing her pack and preparing for the journey once more.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“What the FUCK?!” Ino screeched pointing at Sakura.

Sarada, too, looked shocked whilst Hinata looked deeply impressed.

It was one of their days off from daily missions again and they were in their usual training spot, preparing for the chuunin exams.

Sakura had just shown up…

…as a totally different person than they remembered her as before.

She smiled. “Hey girls.”

“Don’t you ‘hey girls’ me!” Ino continued, “What the fuck happened to you?”

Sakura gave a triumphant, devious smirk that made Ino, Sarada and even Hinata’s heart drop.

“I received…some special training,” Sakura snickered.

Silence.

Then Ino rushed her and Sakura dodged gracefully, moving far faster than they remembered her being able to before.

Sarada, too, began her attack, trying to test out just how far Sakura had come from this…special training.

Hinata simply stayed back and watched.

Sakura proceeded to decimate them within a half a minute.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Kurama sensed the pinging of a familiar chakra signature.

“Hmmm,” Kurama grumbled, “So he finally comes…”

His current residence consisted of an area surrounded by mountains, effectively hiding his ginormous body from view. He’d suppressed his chakra enough to hide himself from those not actively searching for him and even if they were, he would dare them to attack him with the knowledge he had now.

Even Madara would not fare the slightest chance against a bijuu who knew senjutsu. Especially a bijuu with chakra as large as his own.

This signature held no hostile intent and was accompanied by two others.

Another signature he was also familiar with but could not place, whilst the other felt like cold winters and chilling winds.

It only took a few more moments before a figure hovered in the sky directly in front of him.

He had the audacity to poke his magnificent nose.

“Boop, hey Kurama! It’s been a while!” Naruto exclaimed before proceeding to toss himself on the top of his snout.

Kurama did the only thing that was appropriate.

He ate him.

Kurama heard a distant cry of “Naruto-sama!” before he spat him back out.

“You taste disgusting, brat,” Kurama muttered, “go take a bath.”

Then he yawned and proceeded to go back towards his tree-lined bed.

“That’s no way to greet a friend, Kurama!” Naruto spluttered, now floating in front of him once more, though drenched with his spit this time.

The sight made for an amusing visage.

Kurama ignored him. “So? What have you found out? And who is it with you?”

Naruto disappeared in a flash of yellow light and Kurama almost blinked in surprise, breaking his unfazed facade.

Then Naruto brought back his two companions and this time Kurama did jolt a tiny bit upon finding out their identities.

The one with familiar chakra was none other than his previous container before Naruto. Kushina Uzumaki.

And the other…should’ve been dead. He now remembered her too.

Haku Yuki.

“Hmmm…so it’s an alternate universe, I had my suspicions, now it's simply confirmed,” Kurama yawned.

“Wow you are a whole lot less excited to see me than I am you, Kurama,” Naruto said, looking a bit miffed.

Kurama said nothing for a second.

Then he blinked one eye open, staring directly at Naruto.

“You’ve gotten stronger,” Kurama commented.

As if getting his wind back in an instant, Naruto smiled wide. “Heck yeah I did! I didn’t just spend my time lazing around like you, you old grump!”

Kurama huffed. “Freedom makes me tired.”

Naruto rolled his eyes. “I’m happy that you’re doing alright, you old fox, but I came here to make sure that you’re safe–”

“--I can take care of myself,” Kurama interrupted.

“--and I came here for one other thing,” ignoring the fox entirely, which made the giant fox’s ginormous eyebrows twitch in irritation for a second.

“What is it?” Kurama asked.

“I brought you a roommate!” Naruto told him, “So you wouldn’t be lonely!”

“What?!” Kurama yelped, this time jumping up in alert. He finally had regained his independence once again after years of being entrapped, like hell he’d be willing to share this island with–

It was too late.

Naruto released the three tails directly in front of him.

As Kurama stared wide-eyed at Isobu, who looked at him with a similar expression.

“Surprise!” Naruto said, as if making this situation any better.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Did you see the look on his face?” Naruto chuckled as he sat down next to his mother.

Kushina only nodded, looking solemn.

“I honestly didn’t want to believe it when you told me what this…Kurama was like but…” Kushina sighed, “I’m just upset that we’ve demonised these creatures for so long that we thought them all monsters.”

Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder.

“That’s in the past, and now that you know, you’ll learn to cherish these creatures even more,” Naruto comforted, “besides Kurama’s just doing as he always is when being imprisoned anyway. Sleeping. Always sleeping. One would think that a wake up call to a sharingan would be enough from him to learn not to be such a lazy bum anymore.”

Then a fluffy set of tails smacked Naruto on the back of his head.

“Ow!” Naruto yelled before he turned to see who it was that assaulted him.

…Only to find Kurama…a miniature version of Kurama.

He looked utterly adorable.

“What the shit?!” Naruto exclaimed

“Language!” Kushina chided.

“Sorry!” Naruto instinctively apologised.

Then he looked at this miniature version of Kurama once more.

Was it a fox that escaped from Kuzunoha’s realm? Was Kushina playing a prank on him?

Was…

No it can’t be.

“You have a kid, Kurama?!” Naruto yelped.

The miniature nine tails smacked him across the head again with its fluffy tails.

“No you idiot, it’s me!” Tiny Kurama said, rolling his eyes, “Isobu taught me the trick when we were fighting for space. I won naturally.”

Then a miniature version of Isobu joined the fox, rolling his eyes as well, “It was barely a fight. I didn’t even do anything while you scratched and gnawed at my shell, you perpetually angry old fox.”

“Hah? What was that? Did you want another lesson, little Isobu?” Kurama asked.

“No!” Isobu yelped as the miniature Kurama pounced at his shell once more, making Isobu roll onto his back before Kurama began spinning him.

Naruto stopped the sibling play fight as he picked up Isobu, saving him from being bullied.

“Man, you guys must really be happy to see each other, and free for that matter,” Naruto chuckled, holding Isobu in his hands. “It’s nice to meet you, Isobu, my name’s Naruto!”

Isobu nodded his tiny head. “A pleasure, Naruto-kun. Kurama told me about your situation. I am truly grateful that you would go this far to free me and my siblings. Though it still seems too good to be true.”

Naruto nodded while Kurama scowled.

“It’s understandable,” Naruto said, “then I’ll just have to prove to you that I mean to do nothing but help!”

At that, both Kurama and Isobu gave out a small smile.

Naruto placed Isobu back down.

“Though I do need some help in something I’m working on, Kurama,” Naruto said as he got out a scroll from his pouch. “Take a look at this…”

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Who would have thought a knucklehead like you would have the capacity to learn fuinjutsu,” Kurama commented as he was done reading.

“Oi! What’s that supposed to mean,” Naruto argued.

Kushina and Haku had deemed it safe enough to have a conversation with the miniature turtle. The three were chatting in the background.

“Still though,” Kurama said, “Even for me this seems to be a stretch.”

“I think it can be done,” Naruto shrugged. “It’ll take a while to set up but with the Hiraishin, it’ll take a month at most. Then I’ll power it initially whilst you sustain it once it’s done.”

“Hmm…” Kurama contemplated. Then he nodded, growing an excited smile as he looked at his blond haired friend. “Let’s try it!”

Naruto beamed.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Tell me what he did for you to get like this!” Sarada demanded for the umpteenth time for the past month Sakura had returned.

At first, she’d revelled in their jealousy, snickering at their terrible attempts to get answers out of her.

Now it was getting a bit annoying.

Ino’s constant glares.

Sarada’s insistent demands for answers.

Even Hinata’s usual kind self found herself biting at her lip in contemplation more often than not, before taking a look of disappointment and self-doubt at not receiving the training Sakura had.

“I told you that it’s Naruto’s story to tell,” Sakura said, “All I can tell you is that he changed me.”

“Yeah, no shit, Forehead,” Ino scowled, “We’d get answers if he showed up! Where the fuck is he anyway?!”

“He said he was in Uzu to do something,” Sakura muttered, “he wouldn’t tell me though.”

“All while he’s not here to explain what’s going on, it’d be nice if you’d just tell us what happened!” Ino said.

Sakura’s eyebrows twitched irritably, but she turned away.

Sarada glared at her, before using the tactic that she knew from their spars that Sakura was weak to, even in this form.

She poked Sakura at her side before wiggling her fingers.

Sakura tried to bat her hand away but she was too elusive, retreating and attacking from another angle.

Eventually Sakura succumbed. “S–Stop that–that tickles!–Sarada! Hahah–Stop!”

“Not until you tell us,” Sarada stated.

“Nooo~” Sakura moaned and even tickled to death, she sounded so much more…sensual now.

Sarada tickled her harder.

The Uchiha heir would be lying if improved strength was all she was jealous of from Sakura. When her ‘late growth spurt’ excuse had died and drowned in a well, she’d just told them that it was something Naruto had done for her.

It made her stronger.

It also made her ridiculously hot.

Over a year ago, Sarada would care nothing about the second part.

Now…

She poked Sakura again. “Tell me!”

“I–hahah–Dammit, I fucked him okay?!” Sakura let out between her laughter.

Sarada froze.

Ino’s jaw hung open.

Hinata looked beet red and like she was about to faint.

Silence hung in the air.

“Errr, oops?” Sakura said out loud.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

An unexpected chill ran down Naruto’s spine and he sneezed into the air.

“Are you getting a cold, Naruto?” Kushina asked from beside him, taking a look at the fuinjutsu seals one final time.

Naruto shook his head. “Haven’t had a cold since I was born. Someone must be talking shit about me.”

“Language!”

“Sorry.”

Kushina rolled her eyes before chuckling. “Everything should be in order.”

“Then I’ll call the others,” Naruto said before dashing into the air like a bird.

Sometimes Kushina wished she could do that too.

It didn’t take long for the five to gather around the centre of the island, where Naruto marked.

“Alright, here goes,” Naruto said.

He lifted his arms up. “Fuin!”

And the world warped and churned around them.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Mah, I guess you already knew this, but you’ll be elected to the chuunin exams,” Kakashi informed them, “for my first group of genins, I didn’t expect it to be this easy. Must be my talent.”

Sakura, Sarada rolled their eyes whilst Hinata giggled.

They all knew the truth. The three were already practically pre trained in teamwork and individual skills.

Perhaps Kakashi’s next group of genin would be more of a challenge…if any passed his test, that is.

“Are we the only group from this year?” Sakura asked.

Kakashi shook his head. “Team 8 and Team 10”

All three’s eyes widened.

Team 10 they could understand but Team 8?

“Team 8’s elected as well?” Hinata asked, hesitantly, worried for her sister. “Is that wise?”

Kakashi shrugged. “It was Kurenai’s call and she’d decided for it. Perhaps it was because she felt like she had something to prove, being as young as she is but her judgement is final.”

Hinata looked down and nodded. Her worry still remained though.

Then she felt Sarada’s hand on her shoulder and her head lifted up to see the Uchiha’s kind smile. It was so unlike Sarada to do this for anyone but for Hinata, who’d been so patient with her, it came naturally for Sarada to return the kind hearted smile Hinata so often gave everyone else in return.”

“We’ll look out for her,” Sarada said.

Another pair of arms engulfed her in a hug. It was Sakura. “Of course we will! We’ll look out for team 10 as well, though I think Ino can handle herself. We’ll beat anyone who stands in our way!”

Hinata smiled back and returned the hug, bringing a reluctant Sarada into it as well.

Kakashi eye-smiled at their interaction, thinking back to his own team so long ago.

“You three will do just fine,” he said.

Then he disappeared.

…

“Who’s going to tell him that compared to what Naruto does, disappearing like that isn’t really that cool?” Sarada commented.

“Aww, thanks guys!” A familiar voice interrupted them.

All three yelped in surprise as they separated and got into their stances, surveying the new threat.

Then, like always, they untensed their muscles and scowled.

Naruto beamed back at them. “I’m home!”

Sakura was the first one to reach him, engulfing him with a kiss so searing that should’ve left a burn mark on him.

“I’ve missed you,” Sakura whispered into his ear once she separated.

Naruto chuckled.

Then his hands sneaked in a squeeze to her rear, which made her give a sharp intake of breath. She looked back at him with half-lidded eyes, as if she was willing to go at it right then and there.

Then Naruto realised that he had an audience…

He froze and subsequently, Sakura did too.

They both slowly turned towards Sarada, whose eyebrows were twitching uncontrollably, and Hinata, who had a deep blush, but also looked a bit miffed.

“Err, whoops?” Naruto said.

“Hey that’s what I said, when I told them what you did to me,” Sakura mentioned.

Naruto turned and gaped at her.

She immediately clamped her mouth shut and covered it with her hand.

“You didn’t–” Naruto said before turning back to the other two.

He could read it in their eyes that they knew. They definitely knew.

“Alright, Igottagomeettheoldmannow, bye!” Naruto said as he Hiraishin’ed away.

Just in time to dodge Sarada’s grab for his jacket, trying to keep him from running.

“Damn it!” She shouted into the air.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

“Just in time before the Chuunin Exams I see,” Hiruzen greeted as Naruto walked in.

“It took a bit longer than I thought but hey, at least I accomplished my goals,” Naruto retorted.

Hiruzen smiled. “I’ve already read the report Kushina sent me weeks ago. I have no clue what you’ve been up to the past weeks but I hope you are prepared to face what’s next.”

Naruto’s expression turned serious and he nodded.

Hiruzen smiled wider. “Just for your knowledge, I’ve put you up as a proctor for the second exam with Anko Mitarashi as well as the proctor for all the individual duels.”

Naruto almost choked in his spit.

“Of course, you may decline if you want to,” Hiruzen said, “but with Orochimaru’s presence, I thought you’d appreciate a closer access to your friends should he try anything.”

Naruto composed himself. “You–still should have–told me beforehand.”

Hiruzen shrugged. “I would’ve, if I knew where you were and what you were doing the past weeks.”

That reiteration was on purpose and from the smirk on the old man’s face, Naruto knew he was only teasing.

“Fine, I’ll accept. Are there any special duties I have as a proctor?” Naruto asked.

“You can find Anko and go over it with her,” Hiruzen waved off his concerns, as if speaking to one of the most eccentric women in Konoha was trivial, “you have something else for me?”

Naruto nodded.

“Should we do it here or…” Naruto trailed off as Hiruzen held his hand up to stop him.

“We should do it with Mikoto, at her home,” Hiruzen said.

Naruto could only nod once more. “I understand. Should…Sarada be there?”

Hiruzen’s eyes turned calculating, especially with the knowledge that Naruto’s other worldly memories granted to him. Sasuke, Sarada’s alternate self, had turned evil just for vengeance alone. It was the nature of the Uchiha and while Naruto’s presence had somewhat curbed Sarada’s ambitions into something better, it would be wise to end all possibilities of her potential betrayal if she saw the object of her vengeance right in front of her.

“It involves her as well, and she will be chuunin soon,” Hiruzen muttered. “She would appreciate us not hiding this from her.”

“I agree.”

Then Naruto sighed. “I know where Sarada is…I can’t believe I have to get back to her this soon…”

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Naruto’s own eyebrows twitched. “You already know from that crystal ball of yours, old man! Don’t pretend?”

“I’m Hokage Naruto, if you suggest that I spend all my time spying on you and your students, you would be wrong…”

Naruto’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t spend all your time…you spend most of it.”

Hiruzen chuckled before it evolved into full-blown laughter.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-