Your mad, I'm back sup y'all. its been a minute, I know. its been so long though. Last time i was with you guys there was no such thing as Covid-19. I mean Damn. For a while i just wasn't interested in writing than when I wanted to get back i was struggling with the most severe bout of writers block. but I woke up yesterday morning and something just clicked. Here it is guys. Chapter 7 of 'King of the Forest'

Chapter 7: Aftermath

The sound of the leaves rustling in the wind accompanies that of footsteps on the dirt path. The large green gates of the Hidden Leaf, wide open, are clearly in sight for the returning Team 12.

Fugaku watches taking in his surroundings, as his squad walks ahead of him towards the Leaf Village, the scene bringing back old memories. He resists the urge to sigh as he thinks about how he's going to explain all the events that transpired concerning his teams mission. He's not worried about Minato, he can handle the Hokage. It's his wife he's concerned about. When she hears he persued a mission above his team's assignment grade and potentially put their daughter in danger...

The Wave ordeal hopefully though had done some work in opening his teams eyes to the realities of the Shinobi World. It had certainly opened his up a bit to a reality of his own

'I cant believe it took me so much trouble to take down Zabuza' the Uchiha patriarch says, inwardly scoffing to himself.

'Minato was right. I am rusty. Unacceptable' He shakes his head.

Ino in contrast to the contemplative frown on her sensei's face has a smile on her face as she lays eyes on the entrance to her birthplace, elated to be back home.

"Wait till the others hear that Team 12 successfully completed an A rank mission. They're gonna be so jealous" she says looking to her left at her fellow female teammate. Satsuki gives no response, clearly not even having heard Ino's words, her eyes glued to one thing.

The Yamanaka raises her eyebrow and looks ahead to Satsuki's current focus. Her eyes narrow in thought as she looks back to see Satsuki still staring at Naruto.

'Did something happen while I was knocked out?' Ino asks herself

Satsuki doesn't spare the village a glance as her eyes stay on her blonde male teammate, her mind on what she had witnessed from him. An enemy ninja, no doubt High Chuunin level atleast, had overwhelmed both her and Ino to the point of toying with them and he had shown up and in a matter of seconds, defeated Haku and nearly killed her.

She wasn't sure before but she is now. Naruto is surely the strongest Ninja in his graduating class. He must be. No one her age in the village is capable of such things.

It baffles her how he was able to hide such strength for so long, known widely as a hopeless dunce who lacked the talent all others in his family had. That was yet another thing that confused her. Her immediate assumption was that if Naruto is this strong it's surely because of training he received from his parents but upon closer inspection it seems less likely that's the case. Naruto doesn't fight like Menma, Mito or Yayoi at all. He doesn't use the same taijutsu style as the three and doesn't have the same jutsu in his arsenal they do. it's looks as though he was trained entirely diffently.

'Just where is all this strength coming from and why do you seem so desperate to keep it hidden' she asks watching as the blonde walks ahead of his teammates opening up a water bottle.

'I will find out just who you are Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze.'

Naruto takes a sip from his water bottle well aware of the two pairs of eyes on him. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. One pair has only just begun staring but the other has been on him for what seems like ages now.

He can't be sure why Satsuki is staring at him. He can only guess. She had seen him unleash his power, take down and try to kill Haku and kill all those mercenaries on the bridge during the mission.

'Is she scared of me now?' he asks himself. He hopes not. What a pain that would be. He'll have to try read her body language later when face to face with her.

Dirt path becomes stone as Team 12 step back into the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

"Team 12 reporting back from..." the teams leader doesn't finish his sentence as he is met with an unpleasant sight. The two gatekeepers of the village fast asleep.

"You guys pick up the pace and make your way to the Tower, I just need a few moments" Fugaku says to his students. The three Genin comply, taking to the rooftops.

Fugaku steps forward to stand right in front of the sleeping Chuunin, one of them clearly snoring. He slams his fist onto the wooden desk their heads rest on.

Kotetsu jumps in a startled panic from the sudden awakening falling off of his chair onto the floor. Izumo wakes up in a fright to come face to face with a frowning Fugaku Uchiha.

"Lo-Lord Fugaku. I see you've returned from your mission. W-what took so long?" Izumo nervously chuckles. The Jonin doesn't respond simply frowning at him for what seems to be ages.

Fugaku looks down at the chair Izumo is sitting on and back at the Chuunin. The boy takes the hint and jumps to his feet.

"Uuugh" Kotetsu moans as he gets up. "What the hell man? What's the big i...dea?" he finishes slowly finally seeing who gave him his rude awakening.

"Lord Fugaku. Welcome back." he says gulping standing upright and to attention like his partner.

Fugaku looks both of the Chuunin up and down as they sweat bullets. He reaches over the desk and grabs both the chairs they were sitting on and looks both of the young ninja over before finally speaking.

"If I ever catch the two of you asleep on duty again" he says in a low menacing tone. The Jonin Uchiha dissapears in a poof of smoke not bothering to finish his sentence.

Outside Hokage Tower

Naruto Ino and Satsuki's sensei appears in a poof of smoke before them. The three raise their eyebrows at once seeing the two chairs in each of Fugaku's hands before realisation dawns on them. The three chuckle to themselves.

"Sensei" Naruto says shaking his head while chuckling.

"What?" Fugaku says smirking " What's got you three amused? Lets head inside"

Inside the Hokage's office

Minato sits back in his chair as Team 12 stands before him. The four man squad had been assigned an escort mission, C rank, and was scheduled to be back a while ago.

"Team 12 reporting back from the Land of Waves" Fugaku says.

"Welcome back Team 12" the Hokage says. He looks at the teams Jonin once again seeing the two chairs in his hands.

"Um Fugaku, what are the chairs for?" the village leader asks confused.

"Consider them gifts. Your office seemed pretty bare last I was here. Figured you need more furniture" Fugaku says placing the chairs down in front of the Hokage's desk while his genin shake their heads.

" Oh well thank you. You were scheduled to be back some time ago. I imagine some complications arose during your assignment" Minato says leaning forward.

"Yes. Due to unforeseen circumstances including the involvement of Chunin and Jounin level ninja the C rank mission assigned to us escalated into an A-rank level assignment" Fugaku says causing Minato's eyes to widen in shock.

" I see. Why is it you were unable return to the village sooner to blacklist the mission requester?"

"Because I took the decision to continue with and complete the mission" Fugaku says calmly.

The Fourths eyes narrow.

"You chose to persue an A rank level mission with a team of genin, newly promoted at that? How could you be so irresponsible?" the village leader asks raising his voice in his last sentence.

Fugaku doesn't flinch or show any emotion.

"Lord Hokage" Naruto says directing the attention of everyone in the room to himself. " it wasn't Fugaku sensei's decision alone to continue with the mission. I was-"

"Silence Naruto" Fugaku says interrupting the blonde. " The two of you aswell" he says glancing at his daughter and Ino who also look ready to spring to his defense. He turns back to face Minato.

"I'm the Jonin commander of this squad. The decision to continue with the mission was mine and mine alone." Fugaku says calmly his eyes locked with Minato's. The two stare at each other for what seems like an age to the other three in the room.

The Hokage sighs finally breaking eye contact with Team 12's leader to look at the Genin.

"The three of you are dismissed. Excuse us" the village leader says. The three don't move awaiting the instruction of their teacher.

"Leave" he says giving it. " Go home and get some rest".

The three reluctantly leave the room, the only sound in the office being that of their feet. it is only when the door shuts and footsteps down the corridor are heard that words are spoken again in the office.

"Explain" Minato says.

With Naruto Ino and Satsuki.

"Do you guys think sensei's in trouble?" Ino asks worriedly looking to her left at her teammates as they walk down the corridor.

"I don't know" Naruto says. "There's nothing we can do about it".

Elsewhere in the village

A man looks about himself nonchalantly hands in his pockets. He is dressed in the standard attire for shinobi of the leaf. An obvious difference however is the navy mask on his face that hides the lower part of it. The only visible part of his face is his left eye, the right obscured by his head band titled over it, which also somewhat holds in place a shock of white spiky hair.

Kakashi Hatake should be with his team of genin right now but he isn't. A shadow clone is instead. One that no doubt took its time getting to his students. Instead here he is standing in front of the fridge in someone else's home. A few items are here including a few bowls of ramen and pasta. Unsurprising. He'd taken sometime to examine the kicthen cabinets and the individual who lives here has a clear fetish for these foods.

He closes the fridge and walks back into the living room. He sits down on the sofa and lounges back flipping out a bright orange book with the words 'Makeout paradise' on the cover, opening it and quietly giggling to himself. Having already given himself a tour of the place he'll make himself at home while he waits for his 'host' to arrive.

With Naruto.

Naruto flies forward jumping from tree to tree. He's not heading home. Not yet. He jumps down onto the ground in a clearing. His training ground. Once word had spread he was using this place people quickly began to stay away from it. As a result no one is ever here. He walks towards an isolated tree in the clearing his surroundings filling him with nostalgia. He relishes the feel of the wind on this hot clear day. He stands in front of the tree which has grown to be very large. An inscription has been carved onto it. A single word.

'Growth'

He runs his hand over the word. Everytime he came here before he ever had anyone he left having grown. Grown just a little stronger, just a little more resilient.

And when he found himself alone once again this is where he came to grow once again. He'd spent many a night here. When he was younger and found himself not wanting to go 'home' this had been his shelter. His refuge. On warm and cold nights. On calm and stormy ones.

Naruto sits down and leans back against the tree, sighing to himself and shutting his eyes.

"Hello old friend. It's been a few weeks. Good to *yawn* see y..." Naruto's head turns as he falls asleep.

Hokage's office.

Minato sits back, Fugaku having given him his full report, trying to process all this information. One word plagues his mind.

'Naruto'.

"Naruto really did all that?" he asks staring at one spot on his desk not looking up at Fugaku.

"He sure did" responds the Uchiha who is now sitting back casually in one of the chairs he'd brought in. He looks at his childhood friend closely seeing him deep in thought.

"Minato. I think you owe me an explanation." Fugaku says causing the Hokage to look up at him.

" When you first told me to watch Naruto closely and report back to you I thought it was because you simply wanted to be kept updated on his progress. Since you already have Kushina watching over your other three kids. But all I've seen from him and the way you're reacting to me telling you about his strength tells me you didn't know at all what your son is truly capable of" Fugaku says. Minato frowns and looks down again in response.

"That boy. I thought at first that his immense ability was because of you and Kushina training him. But after seeing more of him I'm sure it isn't the case. He doesn't fight like either of you. He moves and strikes differently. Even his ninjutsu aren't the same as yours. It's like he was taught by someone else entirely. Tell me Minato why was Naruto not trained by you and Kushina? How is it that despite this he's likely the best genin in the entire village? And why is it you don't know what you're own son is capable of?" Fugaku asks.

Minato stands up from his desk, turning and walking over to the window of his office, looking over the entire village.

"Thank you Fugaku. You can leave now"

The Uchiha patriarch frowns at this response. He stands up and departs without another word.

Yamanaka clan compound

Ino gulps nervously as she sits in the living room of her home watching her father sit in silence after having told him all about her mission.

Inoichi stares at the ground clenching his fists so tight his knuckles turn white. He stands up and makes his way out of the room.

" Tell your mother I'll be back in time for supper" he says exiting.

"Wait Daddy! Daddy, Where are you going?" Ino exclaims.

'Oh no' she says putting her hands in her face. ' I should've just kept my mouth shut'

Outside Narutos apartment.

Naruto walks towards the entrance to his apartment. The rays of the setting sun shining on him. He yawns having woken up from his nap of a few hours not long ago. As he's about to open the gate he notices fresh dirt on his welcome mat. He infuses chakra and senses it. A foreign chakra in his apartment. The blonde narrows his eyes and flips out a kunai.

Uzumaki Namikaze clan compound

The members of the Uzumaki Namikaze family sit in silence as disbelief stuns them. Minato had arrived not long ago and informed them about Naruto being back in the village and the events that had transpired in the Land of Waves, namely Naruto going toe to toe with one of the Seven Ninja swordsman, defeating his closest accomplice and killing a crime boss to free an entire nation. Fugaku had also told him about the naming of the bridge which he'd heard about from other travelers on the way back.

"No way. Big brother really did all that" Yayoi says in disbelief. She knew Naruto to be the weakest of his entire class and yet here her father was telling her he faced one of the Seven Ninja swordsman and held his own. A feeling of pride swells up in her as she smiles.

'Big brothers stronger than before. How?'

Mito shakes her head in disbelief and recognises the burn of a little jealousy. Naruto, the dead last, had faced one of the most feared men in the shinobi world and made a hero of himself. So there is more to her brother than she first thought.

Menma scoffs to himself inwardly. No way. There's no way the deadlast, the loser Naruto went toe to toe with one of the seven ninja swordsman and saved a whole nation. And yet here his father is saying he heard it from Sasuke's Dad himself. Menma frowns. Perhaps it must have been chance, luck. Or perhaps not...

'So the loser's actually improved for the first time in his life' Menma chuckles inwardly. Naruto can enjoy doing something of note for once in his life, doesn't matter to him. He still doesn't compare to someone like Menma who's the best damn genin in the whole village and the the best leaf shinobi of his generation.

'I dont care what he did. He still doesn't hold a candle to me'

Kushina's hair begins moving moving as though it has a life of its own as rage overtakes her. The others in the room, seeing what this means grow nervous.

"Whaaaat? You mean to tell me that bastard Fugaku put my baby boy in danger?!" Kushina exclaims. She begins to make a beeline for the door, intent on making her way to the Uchiha clan compound.

"Kushina, calm down" Minato says standing in her way.

"Get outta my way Minato. I'm gonna give that smug asshole whatfor" she yells raising her fist. Minato gulps nervously at this.

" Calm down. I've already spoken to Fugaku. Naruto is perfectly fine and safe Nothing like this will ever happen again" Minato pleads. Kushina sighs deeply as her hair straightens out. All others in the house breath a collective sigh of relief, potential disaster having been averted.

Uchiha clan compound.

"Come in" Fugaku utters

The sliding door of his office slides open there stands Satsuki and Inoichi.

"Lord Inoichi to see you Dad" she says as the Yamanaka walks in.

Inoichi closes the sliding door behind him and turns to Fugaku with a frown on his face. Fugaku is about to ask the Yamanaka to sit but his guest speaks before he can.

"I think you know why I'm here" Inoichi says in a low menacing tone.

" No actually I don't" Fugaku responds calmly.

" Don't play dumb with me" Inoichi says his voice rising.

" I'm not. I'd find no enjoyment in it"

"You persued an A-rank mission with a team of newly promoted genin Fugaku. You recklessly endangered the lives of your students!" he says now shouting.

"And this is your business because?" Fugaku questions.

" It's my business because one of those genin is my daughter!" the Yamanaka clan head responds.

Fugaku takes a sip from his glass before speaking.

"Your daughter is a shinobi, Inoichi. She could die at any moment. If you're not prepared for that possibility you never should have allowed her to become one" he says calmly.

"I am. What I'm not prepared for is the possibility of her losing her life because of the gross negligence of her own teacher!" Inoichi yells.

Fugaku gets up and walks towards the Yamanaka patriarch, standing face to face with him.

"Ino is my student and I'll protect her with my life. She might be your daughter but she's my soldier. I'll order her as I see fit" Fugaku says still as calm as when Inoichi first walked in.

The blonde puts his finger on Fugaku's chest clearly becoming more enraged.

"You listen here pal, if anything happens to my daughter because of you I'll-"

"You'll what?" Fugaku says in a lower tone his eyes narrowing and his face revealing real emotion for the first time in the interaction. Inoichi continues to frown but removes his finger from Fugaku's chest.

"Didn't you hear what I just said? I'm about to have dinner with my family so unless you plan on joining us, leave." Fugaku says plainly.

Inoichi scoffs and leaves, pushing the sliding door open and leaving it open as he departs.

Inside Naruto's apartment.

Kakashi feels the cold steel of a kunai knife press against his neck.

"It's about time" Kakashi says calmly his eyes still glued to his book.

Naruto takes the knife off placing it back in his weapons pouch.

"Kakashi Hatake. How nice of you to clean your feet before breaking into my house." Naruto says menacingly.

Naruto walks around the sofa to come face to face with the famed Copy ninja who continues reading his book a bit before looking up at Naruto as though there's nothing strange about the situation.

"What do you want?" Naruto asks.

Chapter ends.

That's it. Review please. Tell me what you thought about it. Whether you liked it or not. Flame if you must, just tell me what you thought! That's all folks! Take care of yourselves, those around you and have a great day/night.