Teuchi chuckled as he replaced the ramen bowl easily around the blonde's stack of emptied ones, slurping continued at he stuffed his face over and over. Naruto wasn't exactly hungry he was just embarrassed, he's completely done things out of the norm lately such as reject offers of promotions and cry for red-headed friends or save crazy powerful enemies from the dark path they walked down. Okay so maybe it wasn't that different from before but Naruto would like to think so. A grunt startled the blond from his ramen bowl and he peaked out its side to see his sensei sitting down beside him, oh kami.

"How did you know?" Kakashi stared at the blond who looked at him from the corner of his bowl, obviously hiding something. Slowly putting his half empty bowl on the counter, with as much dignity as the blond could pull up, he wiped his mouth and swung around to meet his sensei.

"I may have err… helped Gaara with control over a specific beast and he may have felt guilty about what Oto and Suna were going to do to Konoha after that. Gaara asked his Father to organise a treaty with Hokage-jiji which we we're mostly prepared for after that." Naruto tried to keep to half-truths, it was with difficulty that he stayed calm when the Jonin scrutinised him.

Kakashi stared, like for real? His genin decided to approach a very unstable jinchuuriki and by some miracle gain his trust while helping him stable himself as well as gain the upper hand for the entirety of Konohagakure in the process? What kind of therapy did this kid have? Belatedly Kakashi realised that Gaara hadn't been suffocating with his killing intent lately and wondered if the seals he saw had anything to do with it. Surely not, Naruto couldn't be that talented already he only just got introduced to the subject. Naruto continued nervously, trying to fill in the void with weak explanations.

"Jiraiya-sennin showed up too and helped with holding off Oro-teme and with Anko-sensei's training I felt ready to get into action and then everything was happening and we had to keep the army at bay as well as deal with Kimimaro and it was all hectic…. Im Sorry for not being able to warn you properly." Naruto trailed off when he saw Kakashi focus on him again, the Jonin shook his head, it wasn't Naruto's fault he was late and unable to be warned surrounded by unknowing genin and enemies alike. However, another thought occurred to the silver-haired man during Naruto's explanation.

"So, Naruto… why did you save Orochimaru's protégé?" Now Naruto had literally no explanation for this, unless he was going to reveal his amazing future-seeing powers he had no way of swaying the man's suspicions.

"Well you see, he was talking about not having any purpose but to be used for Orochimaru's desires" Naruto became more passionate as he recalled all the times this problem had showed its scars to the world, his first experience being Haku. Belatedly he wondered about Haku and how he was with Zabuza right now, probably not very good but fine enough for the time being.

"People are not tools or objects for others to use or step on, everyone belongs to their own person and they shouldn't be obligated to lay down their lives and give up for someone who doesn't respect them for it anyway" Naruto knew that he was revealing too much knowledge on his part but he was frustrated at the world, at everyone who does this to others. Naruto sighed as he stared at his bowl, Kakashi instead stared at him in wonder. He was far more noble than Kakashi ever had been at his age, in fact it bordered being wise and dare he say experienced. Kakashi had the feeling again that Naruto was an unending and impossible puzzle that just gave him more confusing information the more he understood.

Naruto blushed, Kakashi was staring. Coughing, Naruto placed down the money for his food and made to leave but paused when all Kakashi did was watch.

"Are you coming sensei? We have to inform the rest of the team about the upcoming mission."

"You put us up for finding the new Hokage with Jiraiya?" he asked as they walked down main street towards Sakura's house.

"Yeah, I can't go running off when being with the team is more important at the moment, simple solution was to get Team 7 to join me, and Jiraiya-sama has some incredible lessons I'm sure he will teach as well, wouldn't want you guys to lag behind now would I?" the blond sent a mischievous fox grin his way as they reached the porch of Sakura's place. A tired and ruffled pink-haired genin answered.

"Ne Sakura we're meeting up for mission details at the training ground" Naruto said scratching the back of his neck, it wasn't usual to see Sakura so exhausted after a fight, in fact future Sakura was exceptionally good at hiding when she was tired, the training of medic jutsu's required patience and a fortified overall look, they were everyone's support on the battlefield and were trained to be strong for others. Either way it was refreshing to see Sakura's down side sometimes, she probably only stopped looking strong in her own privacy in the future. The genin nodded at the two spritely beings at her door and rubbed at her eye's.

"mmm-k Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, I'll meet you guys at the grounds after I freshen up." Naruto grinned and Kakashi waved as they started to head further passed town towards Sasuke's residence.

Naruto stopped their lazy walk as they approached the compound gates, the walls with the famous Uchiha fan symbols were suffering in disrepair at old age and the place looked quite depressing, buildings creak as the wind races through the lonely streets and an utter quiet seems to have settled permanently over the Uchiha's legacy, not even the peeps of lively insects or animals could break it. Naruto felt sorry for Sasuke in this moment as the boy was still living in the shadows of his clan and Itachi's massacre and now it had just been revealed that it was the clan's fault in the first place.

Maybe he should ask Sasuke to move in with him somewhere else for the time being, and maybe later Sakura could join them. Kakashi watched Naruto's expressions throughout the day, his genin kept getting lost in his own thoughts which then spilt through with the raising of an eyebrow or a reminiscent smile, sometimes even a pitying look and his azure eyes. Naruto's eyes held unlimited amounts of expressions, the opposite of himself when he looks in a mirror, his eyes were dull and had the ever tiredness of a shinobi with plenty of regrets.

They found Sasuke training his fire-techniques over the clan's river, sweaty and tired but still rearing with life as he executed his technique.

Naruto waved as Sasuke turned around in defence at hearing the purposeful twig-snap sound Naruto made in approach.

"Mission briefing at the usual place teme, go freshen up." The Uchiha tsked at being ordered around but was too preoccupied to argue and so he nodded silently at the duo and made to do just that.

"Ne Kakashi, are there much places that would be willing to have a tenant like me paying their rent?" Kakashi looked at him in interest before looking at what Naruto was seeing, the abandonment of the Uchiha clan and the atmosphere that remained around the compound was very much not a good place for a teen or kid to grow up alone in.

"Well I may know a few who are detached towards the whole kyuubi invasion, one in particular is a foreigner who probably doesn't care who you are as long as you pay up rent and don't cause any trouble." Kakashi replied, the man was crude and didn't very much like anyone however he was passionate about selling the perfect cups of coffee and Kakashi wouldn't lie that after a particularly rough mission he would side-track to his small café and have a lovely cup. The man was perfectly content to leave his clients to drink in silence, in fact he wasn't overtly friendly at all but the man was loyal and has kept many secrets for Kakashi after stressful or heart-wrenching missions. There was no one better he could have recommended for Naruto.

"His name is Sojiro, he owns a small café that has units connected which he gives tenancy to, he wouldn't mind a ninja who used an alternate way to get into their apartment so as not to be seen have a tenancy there." Kakashi casually droned on about the strange man and Naruto grinned. It wasn't common to get such useful help in his early years without constant questioning as to why and what and how's. Kakashi was very astute and probably already figured out what he was up to but nevertheless he didn't ask, just provided and that's exactly the man he needed right now.

"Alright team, it has been decided that after the invasion a new hokage should succeed the third. The Sandaime has a successor in mind and has decided team 7 plus 1 should attempt to retrieve her." Sasuke looked at the jonin with a raised eyebrow,

"'Attempt?' what does that mean?" Sakura followed him up with concern,

"'Plus 1?'" Naruto just grinned as Kakashi sighed.

"We are attempting to retrieve Konoha's slug princess Senju Tsunade and we will be accompanied by Jiraiya-sama." Sakura was shocked, Senju Tsunade left the village and had promised never to come back. However, it would be logical that she be an appropriate successor especially compared to Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

"I need all of you to be prepared for a long journey where anything could happen, pack plenty and bring your own studies for training. We leave in a few days, meet at the hokage's office before we leave. You're dismissed team." Kakashi then promptly disappeared. The three genin looked at each other blankly but Sakura finally decided to break the ice.

"Hey Naruto, how come you weren't promoted to chuunin? Finding the Hyuugas weakness would probably warrant a raise." Sasuke leaned in with a brow raised, clearly suspicious.

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Ahh, I rejected the offer." Both recoiled.

"What! Why?" Sakura questioned loudly, suddenly lively that she heard unbelievable information.

"Ne I decided that it wouldn't be unfair on you guys for me to get promoted", Sasuke looked at Sakura in confusion and huffed.

"You're an idiot, Naruto" The blond looked at him confused, not understanding their disapproval.

"Yeah Naruto, you won that promotion fair and square. You should have taken what's yours because you earned it" Sakura crossed her arms along with Sasuke.

"But Sakura if you're not ready then I don't want it, and Sasuke didn't even get a chance. We can't be a team without you." Naruto edged back.

"Don't be silly Naruto, you can't break this team apart with one promotion. We'll be together until the end whether you like it or not." Naruto looked at Sasuke who grunted in agreement and let a soft smile appear. It was amazing what a few changes could make to this team.

That night Naruto cried for the team he lost and sat confused between his feelings for the new team he created and quickly became attached to, he made an ideal team but his old team was his family no matter how dysfunctional it was.

Naruto met his team plus 1 at the front gates of Konoha, they were to head to the last gambling place Tsunade was rumoured to be at, and were to try and convince her to take the Hokage position. Naruto wasn't so sure he could convince her again with Rasengan since he already knew it however he was sure some other bet would suffice, Tsunade loved betting and Naruto would get her to re-join Konoha one way or another.

With a glance everyone set forth on the trail towards the Slug Princess, Naruto however lost in his thoughts he may have been could not help but feel eyes on the back of his head watching him. Naruto peeked to see Jiraiya watching him thoughtfully and some concealed suspicion in his gaze, Naruto gulped. He had no idea what he did to warrant it but he hoped he hadn't slipped up too awfully otherwise it might blow his whole cover.

It wasn't until they made it to an inn on day 7 that he was cornered but the toad-sannin, Jiryaiya made quick work of a privacy jutsu in Naruto room before towering over him as if to interrogate him.

"So Naruto, since when have you had a toad summoning contract?" Naruto panicked. He had totally forgotten that he wasn't taught anything by Jiraiya in this timeline, breaking out in sweat Naruto freaked out when he thought of anyone else who may have noticed. As if reading his thoughts Jiraiya grabs his attention.

"As far as I can tell no one else had noticed what with the invasion but I find it funny that Gamabunta had no issue over you summoning him, it's as if he already knew you. Not only that but you have seal work that is masterful for someone who has only just started. You may have pulled the wool over everyone else's eyes but I'm not as easy." Jiraiya smirked when all Naruto could do is gape in horror and then he really stated to panic, going into overload Naruto's thoughts raced as he tried to explain this one off.

An uncomfortable shuffle and a huff resounded through his head, the fox was also thinking.

'Kurama help me! He's too good!' Naruto pleaded toward his furry friend. The red slitted eyes narrowed before considering Jiraiya. Maybe he could help Naruto, it would help cover a lot of implications and any slip ups that Naruto makes in the future, not only that but if Naruto could share the burden of his knowledge he would have more perspectives and ways to carry out plans. Jiraiya did have an extensive spy network to boot.

'Kit, you're going to have to tell him' Naruto gaped at him wider than he did at his toad-sensei.

'WHAT?!' the Kyuubi shuffled in annoyance at his yelling.

'Tell him everything, this is the time to do it, he's got a lot of power and can help you in the long run, we can pretend that the slip ups you had were because you had Jiraiya teach you.' Naruto considered it for the moment, staring at the water under his feet in concentration. Kurama got antsy and so was Jiraiya, abruptly Kurama asked him simply.

'Do you not trust Jiraiya? With the future where he dies, do you not believe he can help you bring peace to the shinobi world, like he so dreamed and entrusted you with?' Naruto's eyes watered as he huffed, of course he trusted him. Jiraiya was one of his precious people but Naruto was scared, of how he would react, would he berate him? Laugh at him for telling such a tall tale or would he execute him, believing him to be an imposter and trying to bring harm to the village?

Naruto decided and returned to the toad-Sannin who was looking at him bored, but still in his way of moving anywhere to run, there was no getting out of this without a worthy explanation and the only worthy one he had was the truth. Naruto breathed in to steel himself before looking into his sensei's eyes with his own watery ones.

Hey there guys, I've finally picked up where I've left off. Sorry it's been so long and I don't have excuses for this one but I know you've all been eager and I'll try to provide from now on.

Ja ne~