Time passes, and Naruto feels more distant with Konoha, and the tug on his soul grows stronger. They had just arrived back from Nami, a defeated and broken ice user following, eyes broken and dead, with no hope left in them. Naruto hated it. He felt a connection with this boy, deep seated and nearly familial. If it weren't for hm finding a single crimson lock of hair bleeding from beneath his now obviously dyed hair, he would have passed it off for being friends with one of the kids ancestors.

But no. This kid was an Uzumaki, or at least partially. He couldn't sit by and leave a clan member to suffer like that, so he immediately worked his way into the kids life, telling him of his clan. he learned that this boy, Haku, was his younger brothers grandson. He was Haku's granduncle. 

The Chunin Exams come around, and Naruto passes the first exam easily, as well as his teammates. Naruto became suspicious before the second exam began. He could sense the power of the one tails, and three tainted presences making their way through Konoha. Two felt like snakes, the other, a serpent's egg, slightly different. He spotted vibrant red hair, and recognized the presence. It was the snake egg. But it was another Uzumaki. Uzumaki Karin. Fitting. He caught sight of her arms, and nearly growled at the sight of bite marks circling her wrists. They probably covered most if not all of her arms.

So, he approached her calmly, told her of his origins, and felt immense sadness at the teas that gathered in her eyes. He could feel a snake like chakra on her, similar to one he had felt moments ago, from a Kusa Kunoichi.

He had found two Uzumaki, both willing to follow him. He wasn't planning to stay any longer, and during the second exam, when the Kusa Kunoichi sealed his beast, he let his shirt rip through the kunai Sakura had thrown at him in hopes of saving him. He fell, and only when out of sight did he release his henge, Nanashi sprung through the trees, barely avoiding Team 8. Brown eyes watched him from the trees, wide in surprise. He leap over the large fence, and Karin and Haku fell into step next to him. They made for the Hyuga compound, where Nanashi slipped in the window to Hiasu's room. Hiasu stood waiting, Outfit on the bed, and turned so Nanashi could change. He slipped into His old familiar uniform, and turned to his old friend.

"I'm counting on you. Keep Konoha safe, and try to visit. I'll be off the map for a few years, but you know how to find me. Uzushio needs me, and Konoha needs you."

Hiasu nodded, and his eyes were sad. Hiasu gave Nanashi a hug, before Nanashi flew out the window, slipping into henge, hiding Chishima, and looking like a dejected Naruto. The trio landed in front of Iruka's house. all of the lights were off, but the brown haired man would be home soon so they had to hurry. Naruto made a clone, which henged itself into a mouse, and scampered under the fridge. Naruto then released the henge, placing another that made him look like a nondescript chunin out for a mission. Karin did the same. Haku had already been registered, so no questions should arise.

They exited Konoha easily, and made for Uzushio, henges slipping off. Nanashi could already smell the scent of home. They took their time, cautious of any followers. They had removed their headbands, and merely looked like nomads, travelling towards Kumo, or maybe Kiri. For a week they walked, and were in the midst of crossing Suna's desert, when they came upon the Kazekage and his guard, as well as Orochimaru, A familiar silver haired nin, and a sickly looking Kaguya.

The trio hid behind a dune, and watched carefully as Orochimaru turned and attacked the Kazekage. The Kazekage just stood there, and a wall of golden sand rushed up. The speed knocked off the Kazekage's hat off, and short red hair sprung to life in the harsh wind.

Nanashi's breath caught in his throat, and Chishima hummed sadly. He stared at the Kazekage, not realizing that he had walked out from behind the sand dune. His blue eyes shone with tears, as startled eyes a shade paler than his met his eyes. The golden sand slowly dropped, and even Orochimaru halted in his assault, interested in what was going on. Nanashi drew Chishima, and the seals glowed, and for a moment, a family stood, chakra melding, reuniting.

"Dad?" his normally smooth voice cracked.

Nanashi hadn't heard that voice in years. it was aged, tempered, but was still his son's.

"Nahiko?!"