Nanashi walked through Konoha, remembering this life's childhood. Jumping about playing pranks, laughing, carefree. The Hokage tower wasn't to much farther when Nanashi saw an old friend he had missed the most.

Blue eyes met brown, as the group of Uzushio nin walked by Team Ten.

Nanashi smiled under his mask. Shikamaru was okay. He looked away from the brunette, feeling the Nara's eyes trailing after them.

Walking into the Hokage tower, Nanashi felt the welcoming air of the Kage's chakra. They walked up to the office, and were soon  called in.

"Uzushio nin, correct?"

Nanashi nodded. "Takeshi Uzumaki."

Kimimaro stepped forward. "Yukioh Jinzou." He bowed shortly.

Haku remained a step behind Nanashi. "Hikaru Jinzou." He too, bowed.

Tsunade regarded them with a sharp, analytic stare. "What is your business in Konoha?"

"Lord Uzukage," Nanashi held back a snort as he continued. "has asked us to come here in hope of forming a treaty with our old sister village."

Tsunade leaned back, hand twitching as though reaching for her sake bottle. "A treaty? hmm..... I suppose we can work on it. Come back in a week, I must speak to the council first."

Nanashi nodded. "Of course, Lady Tsunade. Just remember. The Kage makes the final decision."

He turned and walked out. "Come on Hikaru, Yukioh. We need to find a hotel to stay in. I would also like to see the sights of Konoha."

Nanashi wandered around Konoha, taking in familiar sights. Hiasu walked next to him, playing escort. He bumped shoulders with Nanashi.

"Miss it?"

Nanashi smiled. "A bit. But Uzushio is my home, where my heart thrives."

Hiasu just laughed. Then his face became blank.

"I saw a Hawk beneath a tree. A rather odd place to be, no?"

Nanashi kept the act of tourist up as he responded. "A Hawk under a tree? I've seen that sight only once, and days later the Hawk laid tangled in the uprooted roots, dead."

"Is that right? Maybe I'll check on that Hawk I saw."

"You probably should, but not for a while. See if it survives."

Hiasu smiled grimly. "But what about the Roots? Won't they-"

"Don't worry. The Roots will become a stronger part of the Tree, and shall be just a equal as the Leaves. Fire won't burn it, for the diseased Foundation will have fallen off."

Hiasu sighed. "Good. It's my favorite Tree."

Nanashi just smiled. They stepped into Ichiraku. Brown eyes met blue.

"Pardon me."

"Nah. That's my bad. You're the ambassador for Uzushio, Uzumaki Takeshi, Right?"

Nanashi nodded. "That I am...."

"Nara Shikamaru. Just Shikamaru though, not all that interested in formalities."

"Then just call me Takeshi, Shi-ka!"

"Then just call me Naruto Shi-ka!"

Click.

"You're an Uzumaki. Would you by chance have more Uzumaki in your village?" Lazy eyes scanned every movement.

"Yeah, There's around Twenty of us."

"Would one go by the name Naruto? He has whisker marks and blond hair."

"Hmm, Whiskers and blond hair..... No Uzumaki in our village are blond, and none have whisker marks, Sorry."

"It's fine. I just knew an Uzumaki once. He was loud...annoying at times... but he never failed to bring a smile to my face."

"Sorry. But hey! Cheer up Shika, the greatest Uzumaki around is standing in front of you!"

"Cheer up Shika!  The greatest Uzumaki around is standing in front of you!"

Click.

"I know I can't replace that Uzumaki, but I can be your friend. After all, we soon will be allies."

Shikamaru just nodded. Nanashi pulled up a stool. "Can I get a Miso Pork?! with Narutomaki and Menma in it?!" he called. His mask shifted just a little.

"Hey Jiisan! Can I get a Miso Pork wit Narutomaki and Menma in it!?"

Click.

It was like a game of shogi he knew he was going to win. He could see every move after their first, But there was always one move he never saw until they pull it. He needed one more move.

Nanashi used a genjutsu to eat, having stole it from Kakashi-sensei.

"How do you do that? Jonin Hatake Kakashi does it, and he won't tell."

Nanashi swallows, and then laughs. It rings through the suddenly silent air. After calming down he says.

"Genjutsu."

It was that simple? Nanashi burst into laughter again and Shikamaru froze. That laugh. He hadn't heard it in seven years.

"Takeshi-san? can you take off your mask... and let down your hair?"

"That's a rather odd request."

"Humor me."

"hmm. Okay, but not here. I don't want to have fangirls swarming me." Nanashi knew this was coming. He couldn't hide it from Shika. He was too familiar with the lazy Nara.

He took Shika to the hotel they'd be staying. He opened the door.

"I'm back!"

"Great. Nanashi-sama, I was about to....shit. Sorry Nanashi-sama." Kimimaro bowed in apology.

"Nanashi huh?"

Nanashi rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. Tsunade doesn't know. Uzumaki Nanashi, Uzukage. But I'm also Uzumaki Takeshi."

"Now, for my request?"

"Oh yeah. Nanashi pulled the hairsticks out, and his hair flowed out of its high tail. He then jerked down the mask and smiled a foxy grin.

"As I thought. Naruto." 

Nanashi doubled over as Shikamaru punched him.

"I missed you dumbass. I thought you were dead."

"Nanashi." Nanash coughed. He regained his breath and stood straight. "I'm not Naruto anymore. I am Nanashi, Third and Fourth Uzukage."

"No. You are Naruto. Uzumaki Nanashi was the Third Uzukage. Uzumaki Naruto is the Fourth."

Naru-Nanashi frowned. "No, that can't be right. I'm Nanashi."

Shikamaru frowned as he realized what was going on. He grabbed Naruto and pulled him close, wrapping his arms around the redhead.

"My best friend is Naruto, Yondaime Uzukage, his past is that of Uzumaki Nanashi, Sandaime Uzukage. Remember, but don't lose yourself."

"But my son, my nephew.  Nahiko and Haku."

"They are still yours, but you are Naruto."

The scent of the ocean flooded his senses as an ocean breeze lifted his doubt.

My Child. Follow your heart, for it knows the truth, but trust your mind or all shall fall. both must work together in order to function.

Nan-Naruto smiled. Thank you.

"Your right. I am Naruto, was Nanashi, and will go by both."

Shikamaru smiled, and kissed Naruto before shunshinning (tf that looks weird) away.

Naruto promptly blew up, face red. "SHIKAAA~" He yell-whined.