Strongest Shinobi

In a room near the main street of Kumogakure.

"Leader, are you certain of the information? You are really called back?"

A man that looked like an ordinary civilian asked. The man was one of the many owners of the restaurants in Kumogakure. He had enough prestige to deliver his merchandise into the headquarters of the Raikage. This was of course under supervision, but he could still wander around nontheless.

This man was bowing down to a teenager of around sixteen years old. The teen was sitting down leisurely, looking out over the many people walking down the streets of Kumogakure.

"Yes, the Hokage had requested my return."

The teen had a dark skin that was common in these parts, straw blonde hair hanging down his back. His pitch black eyes looked out over the pedestrians, seemingly staring at nothing, but would occasionally stare at certain spots longer than usual.

"I see. Then have a save trip. We will continue our information gathering."

The owner of the restaurant bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Looking down at the tiny scroll in his hands, the teen lighted it on fire with a single twitch of the hand.

[You must be happy. It's been a few years since we got back to Konoha. I almost started to wonder when they would call you back.]

Ryuujin said, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.

The teen couldn't help but smirk.

This teen was obviously Izana in disguise.

"If it was up to Danzo, we wouldn't be able to return for even longer. It seems Hiruzen has smartened up a bit."

[We should set out soon. Who knows what kinds of things the old badger has planned to keep you away.]

"Ha! As if he could stop me. Still.... It has been a while since I've seen Naruto and Sasuke. I wonder how they have been faring since my absence..."

Reminiscing a bit, Izana wondered what they looked like now. He couldn't wait to return.

His previous mission was still ongoing.

He had found the group that was moving all around the lands. It was called Akatsuki. Their numbers were still unknown, but so far five individuals had been marked as being part of the group. Their goals were still unclear, but Izana had a premonition it would be problematic should they get free reign.

He could feel it in his gut.

So he tasked the few that were of upper jonin level to keep track of the whereabouts of those members. They should under no circ.u.mstances engage with them, only observe.

If their intentions were clear, they were to obstruct them in any way possible without being found.

Having written down his instructions, Izana summoned more than dozen shadow panthers and handed each of them a scroll with instructions.

"You know where to go."

The panthers nodded and sunk back into the shadows.

"Ah... I almost forgot."

"How is it going, Gamarin?"

The red toad looked at Izana and lounged back in a lazy manner.

"I'm doin' fine."

"Good. Is he ready?"

Gamarin nodded and smacked the ground. A summoning circle appeared on the ground and a man appeared from it.

Seeing he was doing fine, Izana let Gamarin return.

With that done, Izana packed up his stuff and prepared to return to Konoha together with his companion.

***

Back at Konoha, two kids were arguing. They were both dissatisfied by being put into the same team. Well, arguing was a big word. One was stating the facts, while the other was having difficulty making a comeback.

"Come on Naruto! Stop being such an idiot!"

Having enough of the whole yelling at each other, the girl finally raised her voice in annoyance.

"But Sakura-chan! Sasuke started it!"

Sasuke just turned his head away, not wanting to waste another word.

Glaring at Sasuke, Naruto turned his head away as well, but both of them couldn't help but soften. They were friends after all and they couldn't stay that mad at each other because of one thing.

Even if it was too humiliating.

They soon began to talk again, as the trio went in search of their captain. They had a mission to search for a stupid cat and their captain was late. Again.

"Maaann, Kakashi-sensei is so slooooow!"

Naruto yelled, sitting on the wall and kicking his legs back and forth.

"He is probably helping an old lady again."

Sasuke muttered, rubbing his forhead at the contiuous headache this was causing him.

The three of them continued to wait, but Kakashi never showed up. Instead, an anbu came and notified them that their captain was called back to the Hokage's office. The anbu glance at Naruto and Sasuke, and mentioned they should come as well.

Confused as to why the two of them said their goodbyes to Sakura and left towards the Hokage building.

Once there, the usual anbu at the door were gone as the door the the office was wide open. Seeing two people standing in front of the Hokage already, Sasuke wanted to wait to let the finish their talk, but Naruto dashed in.

"Yo, why were we called? And where is Kakashi-Sensei? We were supposed to do a mission?"

Sasuke once more facepalmed.

"Idiot!"

Walking inside as well, Sasuke took a better look at the two people standing before the Hokage. One was a familiar figure.

"Izana-nii!"

Izana looked back at Sasuke and smiled wryly.

'It seems the two of them still get along fine.'

Izana thought as he motioned for Sasuke and Naruto to take a seat.

In the corner was Kakashi as well, though he was about to burst into tears.

The reason?

The other man standing in front of the Hokage.

The man standing besides Izana had conspicuous blonde hair. His blue eyes stared with warmth at Naruto, the tears already filling up his eyes as well.

This man was none other than the Yellow Flash of Konoha, Namikaze Minato, the fourth Hokage and father of Naruto.