Naruto decided to sort through his thoughts. He felt older, and had an, admittedly short lifespan of knowledge. He has died far too young, born just after the second war ended, and killed shortly after the third started.

Uzushio. What did it look like now? He mused. He felt a pang of loss and homesickness and utter grief, knowing that his people were gone, and the only survivors, if any scattered. No one made it to the underground vault, not that he knew of.I

Taika. He knew she was dead, having killed the traitor himself.

Uzumaki Taika. Married to Sandaime Uzukage Uzumaki Nanashi. And traitor to her village, her people, and it broke Nanashi when he found out she was the reason that Kiri and Kumo were able to get past the barrier. He could still remember, fighting the enemy, and whirling around in time to see-

Taika! What is she doing here! She is supposed to be home with Nahiko!

He watched how she weaved between the enemy, never cutting them down. She weaved her way over to him.

"Taika! What are you doing here! You need to protect Nahiko! Our son!" He was frantic, and hurriedly turned and cut through another enemy, and sent a flash of chakra to the defense seals.

"Nashi-kun, you're a fool." He turns, and Taika has her Katana Akai Ao no Kami (Red Blue God) pointed at him.

"Taika?" He asks. She smiles. "Uzushio has been falling, with you as their Kage. I will rectify your mistakes, by destroying it, burning it to the ground. Then I will raise it up to be greater than anything in the Nations!"

Betrayal raced through him. It was law to kill any traitors to Uzushio. Hesitance was not permitted. So he pulled out his Chokuto, Chishima (Bloody Island), and lashed out.

They began a dance, one they'd danced many time before, but never with an intent to kill. The tempo increased, and finally, Nanashi got the hit he needed. He jumped back, and activated the seal he had subtly created beneath their feet.

"I wish it hadn't come to this Taika!" He shouted as the seal lit up, and Taika stared at him in fear. She knew his skill with Fuinjutsu was surpassed by none other, and wondered what would happen.

"Forgive me." He whispered, to both Taika, and Uzushio.

A scream was ripped from Taika, as a blue energy came flying out of her, and was sucked into Chishima.

He exited the battle, torn and bloody, but with a firmer resolve to protect his people.
Hiasu ran up to him, cheeks smudged with dirt and a cut on his brow.

"Nanashi! I'm heading back to Konoha, I'll bring reinforcements!"

Nanashi nodded, and hugged Hiasu. "Watch your back. And promise you won't die." He said.
Hiasu nodded. "Hai. But only if you promise the same."

Nanashi dipped his head, and Hiasu streaked off, heading through the barrier, and fighting the whirlpool.

Naruto blinked as he felt a hand waving in front of his face. He looked up, and saw a familiar pineapple headed genin, trying to get his attention.

"Shikamaru? What are you doing here?" He asked.

Shikamaru pulled his hand back. He sighed.

"Saw you in the window. I was wondering what you were doing in here."

Naruto blinked. Oh.

"Iruka-sensei is getting checked. He got stabbed in the back by a Fuma Shuriken."

Shikamaru looked slightly alarmed. "How?" He asked.

Now it was Narutos turn to sigh. He wondered if he should be telling Shikamaru this, but, he had a feeling. Shikamaru was trustworthy.

"Mizuki betrayed the village, and me and Iruka-sensei were there trying to stop him. He had an important scroll. Mizuki said some things that shook me, and Iruka took a blow meant for me. I then killed Mizuki."

Shikamaru was surprised, but didn't let it show, yawning and plopping down next to Naruto, and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

So, Naruto and Sensei, were out in what was likely the forest, and happened to find a traitorous Mizuki? Why were they in the forest? And why do I feel as though I don't have the entire truth? He inspected the blond through his eyelashes, and sensed the barely perceptible layer of chakra coating his skin, indicating a henge. I

Why is he wearing a henge?

  Naruto had noticed Shikamaru watching him discretely, but said nothing. If he had questions he wanted answered, he would have to ask them on his own.

Naruto saw an ANBU in a cat mask, staring at him. When they noticed they had his attention, they beckoned to him. He nodded and they faded back to the shadows.

He looked to Shikamaru. He hadn't noticed the exchange.

"Hey. I gotta go do something. Do you mind staying here for here for me? And if Iruka comes out and I'm not back yet, tell him Jiji had to talk to me. And ask him to meet me a Ichirakus?"

Shikamaru nodded lazily. "Sure." What are you hiding?

Naruto felt relief flood him. "Thanks." He breathed before walking out the door, and running in the direction of the Hokage tower.

He dipped into an alleyway, and performed a Shunshin, disappearing in a swirl of wind.

He reappeared in front of the Hokage tower. He placed his hands in his pockets and strolled past the glaring secretary, smiling pleasantly.
He didn't bother knocking, and just plain opened the door to see not Jiji, but the Shinobi no Kami staring at him, aged face holding grin determination.

Shit.

.

.

.

Naruto stretched as he exited the office. The conversation had been... Interesting, to say the least.

"State your name and rank."

"Uzumaki Naruto, Genin."

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"I was a fool and believe the words of a traitor, and stole the Forbidden Scroll, fleeing to the forest to complete the task."

Hard eyes examined him, looking for any tells.

"Did you learn anything from the scroll?"

" Yes. I learned the Kage Bunshin, and Gale Whip." That last part was a lie but he didn't need to know that.

The Third relaxed slightly, and continued. "Did you kill Mizuki?"

"... Yes." And he held no regret.

"Why?"

"The better question is why not? He was a traitor, and traitors have no right to live. I don't like killing, but if it protects my village, I'll do it." Those words felt wrong in his mouth. Was Konoha his village? He was born here , yet received hate. In Uzushio, he was loved. No, Konoha wasn't his village, was only an ally, but it was The only home he had left.

The Third drooped suddenly. "Naruto. You are dismissed. Enjoy your evening."

It was certainly strange. Naruto decided to head to the Hospital to see if Iruka had been released. He sighed upon seeing Shikamaru dozing in the same chair, and Iruka just beginning to exit the Hospital.

"Sensei!" He called. Iruka turned and smiled. "Will you be okay?"

"Yeah. The medics patched me up. I saw Shikamaru in there. Is he waiting on someone to finish an exam or something?"

Naruto shook his head. "I asked him to wait for me. I told him that if you came out before I got back to go to Ichirakus. I should go get him."

He looked to see Shikamaru nodding off. Iruka nodded.

"You go. I'll head on to Ichirakus. You bring Shikamaru and we'll see that he has dinner."
Naruto nodded and ran into the hospital. He stopped in front of Shikamaru, and shook him. "Oi! Shikamaru! Wake up. Sensei and I are gonna go to Ichirakus and you're coming with!"
Shikamaru groaned and opened his eyes slowly, blinking as the lights blinded him. He yawned and stood, stretching before slouching lazily.

He followed Naruto to Ichiraku where they ate and went home.

(Author-chan is too lazy to write awkward dinner.)

That night Naruto dreamed.

Raging waves crashed against the shore, winds howling, as jutsu roared by and blows were exchanged. Bodies littered the ground, as they made their final stand. If they could not win this, they would die. Uzushio would fall, and her secrets exploited.

  Nanashi swirled around, raging across the battleground like a whirlwind, one eye glowing a pale blue.

  He jumped in between two enemies, and spun, he channelled chakra to his hands.

"Zesshō: Hachimon Hōgeki! (Last Resort: Eight Gates Crumbling Attack)" He said, and weaved around them dancing and striking, weaving and bending. Soon they fell dead to the ground, joining the mass of bodies who fell in a similar stature.

He turned, and suddenly Chishima was out, blocking a strike from a weathered Bo staff. He stared into the eyes of the Mizukage, pushing back, and calling up his chakra.

  "Whirlpool style! Raging Current Storm!"

A big torrent of water rose from the sea, and it dove down on the pair. The Mizukage went to get away, but Nanashi latched on to the Bo Staff, and let go just as the water pounded down.
  He summoned wind and lightning, cloaking himself in the wind, and charging the water.

  He heard a gurgled scream, before the Mizukage came flying out of the water, intent on killing him.

Blow for blow, Nanashi began pushing him back, when the Mizukage jumped back. Nanashi followed his gaze to see a four year old Nahiko hiding behind a fallen tree.

His eyes widened.

The Mizukage smirked. And lunged.

He wouldn't make it! He had to stop him! He flew forward.

  "NAHIKO!!" A flash of sun bleached hair.
Shink.

"N-NANASHI!!"

His vision faded to black.

'Rest Child, you will return, and we will rise once more.'

He woke, and all that was on his mind throughout the day was the dream, Uzushio, and old regrets. Even when teams were announced, he just sat, deep in thought.

He only roused from his thoughts when he heard his name, and looked up to see who he assumed to be his sensei, asking for an introduction. He stared blankly as he introduced himself.

"I am Uzumaki Nan- ruto. I like ramen, and my village, I dislike traitors and war. My hobbies, sealing. My dream for the future, to be strong so I can protect my friends."

He turned out the rest, only catching a time and a location before wandering off, going to scope out the training ground they would meet at.

He found himself in front of a stone slab. It was a memorial. All those who died for Konoha were marked down here. He read each name, looking for any he knew.

Uchiha Kagami. There were two, and one he had known. They were friends, but not too close. He didn't see Hiasu, which meant he was probably still alive.

He released the henge,  and crimson hair flew free, not yet long enough to be pinned up. He channeled chakra to his cells, causing them to turn and regenerate rapidly, causing his hair to grow.

Soon it reached mid-back, and he stopped, panting. He had directed the dead cells to his head, and he now had a lot of eyelashes scattered across his face.

He wiped them off and  henged a kunai into a brush and ran it through his now long hair. He had nothing to pin it up with, so he grabbed a senbon, and used that.

He decided to walk around Konoha like this, and marvelled at the nods of respect as a shinobi he gained, instead of the glares. The villagers didn't recognize him. He strolled past the Nara compound, missing the wide eyes of a certain lazy Nara.

He stopped by a amnistu vendor and bought some, and sat on a nearby bench to enjoy the fresh treat. Soon though, he finished, and continued walking, nodding greetings to the villagers.

He was walking past the Hyūga compound when he stopped, frozen.

'That chakra....' Tears filled his eyes as he turned around.

"Hiasu." He whispered.