For the next five days, the group tree-hopped at their fastest speed to Konoha, arriving earlier than expected.
"Hmm?"
Gate guard, Izumo Kamizuki, blinked as he saw the dust being kicked up along the path to the gate, smacking Kotetsu awake before they both jumped up and stood at the entrance.
"What do you think it is?"
Kotetsu asked, Kunai slipping from his right sleeve down into his hand as Izumo grabbed a handful of shurikens in his left and a kunai in his right.
"A large wild animal or many ninja running together."
Izumo made a signal that was responded to by an Anbu team.
The Anbu didn't need a briefing, seeing the dust cloud get closer and closer by the second.
"They'll be on us in under a minute. Get ready."
"Yes, Captain."
Three Anbu replied in unison, unsheathing the tanto on their backs.
As the dust cloud neared and parted enough for them to see, the captain gave a signal, and they all stood down and sheathed their weapons.
"It's Lady Tsunade."
The Captain said in shock, having not expected to see the Legend healer ever again.
"Lord Jiraiya and Namikaze are with her, too. And I think I recognize the young woman. Shizune Kato."
A younger female Anbu spoke.
"Lizard, go inform Lord Hokage; the rest of us will remain here and greet them."
The Captain ordered, and the female anbu, Lizard, vanished in a body flicker.
The group handed their identification to the guards, and once verified, the Anbu escorted them all to the Hokage's office.
- Hokage's office -
Tsunade walked in, the door groaning as it was slung open; the only reason it didn't snap was that she controlled her strength, and the door was made from Hashirama's wood release.
"You have a lot to explain."
Hiruzen sighed, readying himself for another scolding from a Senju, the other just standing there awkwardly while Tsunade interrogated the Hokage.
By the end of the lengthy and scary interrogation, Hiruzen is puffing on his pipe, smoke billowing out like the steam from a train, as Jiraiya opens both office windows, noticing Tsunade ready to punch a hole in the back wall to get some fresh air.
"Now that that's done with, you should go prepare, Tsunade. I informed Madam Oriko to expect you, so go get measured for your cloak. After that, you need to see Master Kan so he can get to work carving your face onto the Hokage mountain."
Tsunade nodded, though she wanted to say more; she'd leave it until she was Hokage to tear into the rest of that Root base, and if she found anything incriminating about the other Elders, then they wouldn't be let off as Hiruzen would likely prefer.
"Fine."
Tsunade swept out of the office.
"Let's go, Shizune."
Hiruzen sighed in relief once she was gone, holding a hand out and taking the mission scroll from Jiraiya, stamping and handing back the mission reward that was to be split between Naruto and Jiraiya, but before that, Hiruzen reached into a drawer and pulled out a Chunin vest and tossed it to Naruto alongside the updated identification papers.
"You're strong enough to be a Jonin, Naruto, but I don't want the other nations panicking any more than they already are. You'll likely be promoted within the year at the latest, just do your best to keep getting stronger while the village, Sensei, and Godfather continue to shield you."
Naruto took the vest and identification papers, listening to each word with utmost seriousness.
"I'll continue to train, I promise."
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied as he split the money, Naruto getting a higher share now that he's a chunin.
"This will go down as an S-Rank mission, although you didn't encounter danger, escorting the next Hokage is counted as a high-risk mission."
They accepted their money and left the office after being dismissed, separating as Jiraiya left to do some 'research,' and Naruto went back home, sliding the door open.
"I'm home."
Walking in, Naruto paused as he noticed a red-haired girl sitting at the living room table surrounded by scrolls. The girl stared at him, and he stared right back, having not met Karin as he was with Jiraiya from the third round exams until now.
'His chakra is so warm…. He's cute too.'
Karin only blushed a bit as she was trying to find her voice. She knew this was Naruto based on Kakashi's stories and explanations, opening her mouth to introduce herself when she felt it, a darkness so deep that she felt like it could consume her whole and still take more.
'What is that?'
She tensed, not sure why this warm boy had such a darkness within him…. No, this was what Kakashi had explained: this darkness isn't his, but it belongs to the one sealed within him, the nine-tails. Karin relaxed considerably; the malevolence was a bit too much all at once, and she briefly lost her ability to recall what Kakashi had told her.
"Are you ok?"
Although Naruto wished to know who this girl was, he could tell she wasn't an enemy; heck, she looked terrified of him for a second, only to seem to reach a conclusion and relax.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I'm Karin Uzumaki. Kakashi saved my life in the forest of death and spoke on my behalf to the Hokage so that I wouldn't have to go back to the Grass village. I've been staying here ever since the 2nd round of the chunin exams."
She explained, a little nervous and hoping Naruto wouldn't show any negative reactions to her living in his house.
"An Uzumaki?"
Naruto's face brightened, thinking he was the only Uzumaki left in the world, happy to find someone who belonged to his clan.
"I'm glad Kakashi was able to save you, and don't worry, I'm not upset about you being here. I'm Naruto, by the way, not sure if you know my name or not, but I'm half Uzumaki on my mother's side."
Karin nodded.
"Kakashi told me all about you while you were gone, preparing for the finals. I heard you did well. It's a shame I couldn't show up to see."
Karin genuinely complimented, having heard whispers from many villagers in the evacuation shelter during the invasion.
"He did?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head with a tinge of embarrassment.
'Cute'
Karin wanted to tease him a bit more, but she decided to give him a break.
"Yeah, Kakashi explained a lot, the clans, village structure, and my favorite, Fuinjutsu."
The mention of Fuinjutsu piqued Naruto's interest, sitting down at the living room table next to her.
"You're already starting? Have you had practice with Fuinjutsu before Sensei taught you?"
"No."
Karin shook her head.
"I'm just very interested in Fuinjutsu; it's a lot of fun."
Naruto smiled a bit, liking her obvious enthusiasm for Fuinjutsu, gesturing to the caligraphy scroll in a silent question.
"Oh, sure, here you go."
Karin handed him the scroll and silently watched him go over each line of the dried ink with his finger, following along each stroke as if he were holding a brush.
"This is very good, you must have started with seals now, right?"
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei started me on them yesterday."
"Speaking of Sensei, where is he?"
Naruto asked, figuring that Kakashi would be nearby, considering Karin was working on Fuinjutsu.
Karin shrugged.
"He was here an hour ago when we were working on Fuinjutsu, but I'm only doing calligraphy right now. I enjoy it a lot, it helps me relax."
Naruto hummed.
"I'm the same way with plants."
"The ones in the backyard, right? I've been watering them when Kakashi is too busy to do it himself."
"Thank you, I was a bit worried about them while I was away, didn't want to have to pluck up a bunch of dead plants when I got back."
Karin nodded, and the two sat together in comfortable silence, Naruto picking up another calligraphy book and practicing as well, having not had the time to practice lately.
After an hour, there were occasional small questions or advice Naruto would give concerning Fuinjutsu, but Karin did speak up with a curious expression.
"So, how did your mission go? I know you probably can't tell me the sensitive information, just the basics."
Naruto chuckled a bit, shaking his head.
"Once it's announced, you'll see."
Karin hummed, trying to bore a hole through Naruto's head and see everything for herself.
- Chapter End -
Double upload. Sorry for not posting the last few days, everyone in the family have been volunteering me for everything under the sun. Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter, more interesting ones are close.