"Ah!" Shikamaru halted his steps, causing Naruto and Sasuke to turn back and looked at him confused.

"What's the matter Shika?" Naruto asked, his eyebrows raised questioningly.

"This...I almost forgot about my dad...our chakra control is a mess, for one. I can hardly mask my chakra properly, for two. With our large chakra reserves that we brought from the future...my dad will notice," Shikamaru realized too late. Naruto hummed thoughtfully as he resumed walking towards the Nara compound. Shikamaru and Sasuke following suit closely behind.

"Well, Shikaku-san is definitely as smart as, I mean almost as smart as you, Shika. I have actually considered telling him and Old Man everything since the beginning. But refrained due to various reasons," Naruto stopped and glanced at Shikamaru over his shoulders.

"But I want to hear what you two think, especially from you Shika. He is your father after all," said Naruto as he turned around and face Shikamaru completely.

"In my opinion, with our chakra alone is enough to invite suspicions not only from Shikaku-sama, but other Jounins as well, not forgetting Lord Third. However, it is best if we just keep quiet about things for as long as possible. First, they don't know us well enough as they did in the future. It is hard to determine where their loyalties will lie. I doubt they will readily listen to Naruto because to them, Lord Third is their hokage. I don't want our plans to have uncertain factors that will jeopardize our mission. We should divert the subject if questions come up, until we can no longer hide the truth," Sasuke analysed as he tapped his chin in thought looking down intently at the ground. Sasuke looked up and could only sweatdropped. Naruto was having that wide grin on his face while Shikamaru was blinking owlishly at him, his eyes widen slightly.

"...what? And why are you always smiling at me, dobe?" Sasuke asked, puzzled by their reactions.

"Because, Suke! You speaks more now! I am just happy! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed with a closed eye smile. Shikamaru smirked.

"...Hnn," grunted Sasuke but you could subtly see his lips curved in a small smile. Shikamaru continued to shake his head, amused by the interaction.

"Oi, Shikamaru!" a familiar voice called out. The three time travellers turned towards the voice. Shikamaru gulped. His eyes darted around in frenzy, not really prepared to see his dead best friend, alive and kicking again.

Akimichi Chouji. That was the owner of the voice that called out to him.

Various emotions flashed in Shikamaru's eyes for a moment before he was snapped out of his trance forcefully by a jab at his ribs, courtesy of a certain Uchiha. Naruto and Sasuke themselves were slightly stiff to meet one of the konoha 12. They knew they will be meeting them again in this timeline, but the images of their deaths kept playing in their minds, causing them grief and regret. They hardened their resolve once more. Right now, at this time, they are alive. And they want to keep them alive from now on too.

"H...Hey, Chouji. What's up?" Shikamaru greeted. Naruto and Sasuke simply nodded acknowledging him.

"Oh! It's Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun," Chouji tilted his head to the side, paused in thought for a moment, took a handful from his bag of chips and stuffed them in his mouth. He hummed. Shikamaru, Sasuke and Naruto could only look at him, frozen at their spot. They waited for Chouji to say something. Oddly, they didn't know why...but they waited nonetheless, feeling uncomfortably nervous. Is Chouji being suspicious of them? They couldn't help but thought as such. Then, Chouji smiled gingerly and said,

"I didn't think I'd see you guys together in one place. While Shikamaru is too lazy to care about whoever he hangs out with...most of the time...I didn't think Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun would," Chouji concluded, not entirely bothered by them being together. It was a carefree remark, which Shikamaru was thankful for. They all sighed in relief. Well, this is Chouji after all. They all thought, and smiled.

"Hey, Chouji! Nice seeing you! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Hnn," Sasuke grunted. Chouji chuckled and continued to munch on his chips. He turned towards Shikamaru again.

"Anyway, where are you headed, Shikamaru?" Chouji asked good-naturedly.

"Ah, I was just heading back to my house for lunch after a...stroll. I bumped into these bickering idiots on the way," Shikamaru said as he gestured towards Naruto and Sasuke.

"Hey!" Naruto protested at the comment. Sasuke scowled. Inwardly, they were thankful for Shikamaru's quick and clever excuse. Chouji nodded slowly and hummed.

"I see, well then. See you tomorrow at the academy, Shikamaru. You too, Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun," Chouji did not bother to linger around too long and bid them farewell. The three soon-to-be Genins inwardly sighed in relief. Naruto turn towards the other two and spoke,

"You know what, I doubt we could save our asses like that with Shikaku-san. Let's get some ramen at the Ichiraku's then go for chakra control training. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we could mask our chakra and avoid unnecessary and unwanted attention," Naruto elaborate to which Shikamaru and Sasuke agreed. Hence, they made their way to the Ichiraku's and had their fill. Afterwards, they went to the training ground 43 to begin their training.

It didn't go well at first, but they soon mastered it by going off muscle memory. They imagined they were once again in the future, at the battlefield, fighting, feeling their lives in danger. When they succeeded, Naruto whooped happily as they kept running and jumping along the trees, looking at their feet once in a while to check their control.

After that, they proceeded to enter training ground 44, or The Forest of Death to train their taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, shurikenjutsu and kenjutsu to ensure that they got their abilities down. The three 12 years old nodded in satisfaction that they are in top condition. They frowned at their younger physical body strength however. Seeing the coming dawn, they concluded that it's the end of their training for the day and headed back to the village after some good rest, not forgetting to mask their chakra.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's buy some stuff that we need!" Naruto exclaimed happily. They went to many shops and bought various things. While there were some weird stares and glares coming their direction, it was toned down somewhat, especially when the villagers saw that two clan heirs, the Nara's and the Uchiha's are accompanying the Jinchuuriki. They couldn't afford to overcharge the Jinchuuriki at their presence either. The ones that are bold and rude enough to do so got some serious threats coming at them by none other than Shikamaru and Sasuke. In the end, Naruto had to smack their heads to make them stop and dragged them out of the shops. The shopkeepers would have fainted or even shit their pants if they continued to emit killing intents to the villagers that treated Naruto poorly.

Naruto harvested some scrolls for his seals, weapons such as Kunai and Shuriken, two pairs of combat boots, black ANBU pants, some hooded jackets and long-sleeved black V-neck shirts. Naruto noted that he will get some more stuff back at the Namikaze compounds like his fathers' Hiraishin Kunai. Shikamaru and Sasuke decided to return to the Namikaze compound with Naruto since their clones are still intact, taking their place. Yeah, it's not that they wanted to stay with Naruto and protect him. That's not it at all. (Notes the sarcasm).

Before that, Naruto placed a Gate Seal that enables them to travel to and fro from the compound to Naruto's apartment, Sasuke's house, and Shikamaru's room so if anything should happen, they can return quickly to replace their clones. Of course, the gate seals were made from blood seals to ensure that not just anyone can randomly pass through them. After the seals are placed around the Uchiha compound and the Nara compound, which include barrier seals and silencing seals, the young ninjas went to the Namikaze compound, where Naruto opened the gate using his blood. Since the compound is protected with genjutsu that concealed the compound from view, as well as other protection and other types of seal, it is the safest hideout or safe-house. But they decided to have a proper hideout, or a bunker at the Uchiha's since they got lots of tunnels and secret rooms.

"I want a bunker! Yep, it is decided!" Naruto gingerly affirmed. Shikamaru sighed and shook his head at his hokage's antics while Sasuke grunted in response, a smirk plastered on his face.

"A bunker? Fine, but then what? What will we even use it for? We can just meet up at your house or apartment," Shikamaru questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

"He he he, that's where everyone can have a place to stay at this village!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Every one?" Sasuke asked this time.

"Yup, I plan to recruit strong and reliable people, allies and friends to do secret missions for us! You know, throughout the elemental nations, and save the world! Believe it!" Naruto explained happily.

"Like Itachi?" Sasuke suggested, hopeful.

"Yup, like Itachi. And Nagato too, as well as the rest of the Akatsuki," Naruto affirmed.

"The Akatsuki? Are you serious? They are S-rank criminals," Shikamaru inquired incredulously.

"I don't know about Zetsu, but the rest of the members simply wished for a place to belong...and acceptance. I believe that we could offer them both a place and acceptance," said Naruto.

"I don't know about this. Is it wise to let dangerous S-rank missing-nins reside in Konoha? And their attitude is a bit..." Shikamaru trailed off unsure of the idea.

"Lord Third and the rest of Konoha population will probably disagree with it. I don't think they will trust the Akatsuki. Not to mention the Council. They will be a huge blowout," Sasuke observed.

"I am not saying it will be immediate, but I want to give them a chance. Nagato is also my cousin. He meant well, he wishes for world peace. It's just that his method is wrong. If I can talk to him earlier then we can definitely change things and save a lot of people's lives. Asuma-sensei's especially, and a few others," Naruto elaborate. At this, Shikamaru's ears perked up in interest. Sasuke also seemed keen on the idea of having his brother, Itachi back.

"Let them settle down slowly. For a while, they might not have a choice but use transformation Jutsu for their daily needs at the village. But even so, eventually...I hope that they can return to society, meet new people who will become their precious persons and have a place that they can return to, a place they can call home," Naruto continued all the while cleaning the Namikaze compound. Sasuke and Shikamaru smiled as they look at their hokage with respect and admiration. That's their hokage alright. Then a frown took place as they remembered a certain someone.

"What are you going to do about Obito? And...Madara..." Sasuke asked the dreaded question. Naruto's complexion changed slightly.

"For now, I am not sure. I am going to have to think more about that. Anyway, by having Akatsuki at our side will impede their plans by a huge margin. But I doubt they will stop just as easily," Naruto said as he immersed in his thoughts.

"They are not going to stop capturing the Jinchuurikis just by losing their chess pieces. But if we succeed in allying ourselves with the Akatsuki, the future will change drastically. We ought to be ready for whatever may come our way," Shikamaru analysed. Both Naruto and Sasuke nodded at this. Naruto sighed and brighten up.

"Let us focus on our hidden enemies inside the village first, yeah?" Naruto concluded. It's no use to worry about it so early in the game after all. First, they have to deal with Danzo and ROOT, the Council must be taken down to their feet, replaced with more trustworthy persons, and not to forget, Orochimaru. They also have to avoid the invasion from the Sound Village and Sand Village from happening and prevent the Third's death. Naruto have to make a trip to see Gaara as soon as possible. Maybe he could ask the hokage for a mission at the Sand Village. There are other things that they have discussed but these events are the most notable ones in the next few months.

After cleaning up the Namikaze compound, Naruto did everything he needed to do as he previously thought at the compound. He renewed the seals around the compound and inside the house too. After everything sorted out, they began to cook for dinner and continued to discuss their plans for the upcoming threats. As they were eating, Naruto took note once again at the poor state of their physical bodies. Being young has its disadvantages too. They needed to start training their bodies to recover their former strength. Hence, Naruto placed restriction seals and gravity seals on themselves. One, to train their body and build their muscles. Two, to make it look like they are Genin in terms of strength and speed. If things gone awry and they needed to use their real strengths, they can swiftly release the seals. Naruto placed a seal to hide their huge chakra reserves as well. Any onlookers will only assume them as genin level. Like this, they don't have to put effort to mask their chakra all the time, unless they needed to hide then they will mask their chakra completely. No other shinobi would be able to sense them then.

After dinner, they discussed a bit more before heading to sleep. They braced themselves for what's coming tomorrow, the academy. They will meet their lost comrades again.