After months of intense training and survival experience across the continent, Naruto returned to Konohagakure alongside Jiraiya.
Half a year had passed since they'd left Mount Myōboku. The sun bathed the Hidden Leaf in golden warmth as familiar streets came into view. Naruto stood in the middle of the road, inhaling deeply as if trying to absorb the air of his youth, arms spread, head tilted toward the sky.
This is where it begins, he thought. The true path forward.
His mind no longer burned with the blind optimism of a child. He had a plan and the strength to execute it. The reincarnated soul within him, merged with Uzumaki Naruto's memories, had grown sharper, colder, and far more calculating. He had seen firsthand what raw power meant—from Jiraiya's sage techniques to the terror of Kurama's rage. Now, with the Nine-Tails under his full control, he could sense it clearly: the ceiling of this world wasn't as high as it once appeared.
In the future, he'd surpass even Kaguya. But for now... low-profile. He couldn't afford to draw the eyes of those who watched from the shadows—Akatsuki, Danzō, and worse.
As Naruto lowered his arms, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
"Big Brother Naruto!" Konohamaru shouted with bright excitement as he dashed down the street, flanked by Moegi, Udon, and Sakura.
Naruto turned, smiling faintly. "Konohamaru, look at you—you've grown taller."
"You too!" Sakura chimed in, stopping just short of him. "You've changed."
Naruto chuckled, placing a hand on his hip. "Can't let a man be shorter than the woman, can I?"
Konohamaru puffed up with pride. "I've gotten stronger, too! Look, watch this!"
He weaved hand seals rapidly. "Transformation no Jutsu!"
Poof!
A cloud of smoke burst, revealing a voluptuous, poorly dressed woman. Jiraiya immediately shot backward with a nosebleed, collapsing to the ground with a blissful groan.
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to sigh. "Konohamaru… I'm not a kid anymore."
The transformation dispelled in an instant, and Konohamaru looked deflated. "…Big Brother Naruto."
Naruto placed a firm hand on his little brother figure's head. "Train hard. I'll teach you something better later. Something real."
Konohamaru's eyes lit up like fireworks. "You mean it?! Yes!"
The three kids turned and ran off, waving wildly. "See you later, Brother Naruto!"
Sakura lingered a moment longer. Her eyes searched his face. "You've changed," she murmured.
Naruto looked back at her calmly. "That's the idea."
As they walked toward the Hokage Tower, Sakura told him stories about her new training under Tsunade—her progress in medical ninjutsu, chakra control, and her dreams of becoming even stronger.
Naruto nodded, listening quietly, throwing in the occasional comment about his travels and training. Jiraiya laughed here and there, modestly deflecting praise when Sakura gushed over his teaching skills.
"Don't sell yourself short," Sakura insisted. "Naruto's come a long way. That's all, thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head. "Ah, well, maybe a little. But the kid's special. Half the time, I feel like he was the one dragging me forward."
Truthfully wasn't exaggerating. After the incident with Kurama, Naruto's growth had exploded at an alarming pace. He no longer needed his hand held. There were moments, even now, when Jiraiya wasn't entirely sure if he could win in a real fight against the boy.
They arrived at the Hokage Tower. Shizune met them just outside the office and gave a quick bow before opening the door.
Inside, Tsunade looked up from a mountain of paperwork. Her expression softened at the sight of them.
"You two made it back in one piece. That's more than I expected."
Jiraiya smirked and thumped his chest. "Don't underestimate me, Tsunade. I've been doing this since before you could hold a kunai."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "And you're still as insufferable."
Then her eyes shifted to Naruto. She studied him for a moment—his posture, the weight in his gaze, the quiet confidence that hadn't been there before.
"You've grown up," she said.
Naruto grinned. "Of course I have, Granny. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, remember?"
She snorted. "Good. I was worried you'd come back as loud and foolish as before."
Jiraiya stepped forward. "You'll be surprised, Tsunade. The brat's already at Jonin-level, and that's no exaggeration."
Tsunade raised a brow. "We'll see. For now, I'm reinstating Team 7. Officially."
Naruto's brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing.
"And," Tsunade added, her tone growing sharper, "we'll be running a practical test to assess both you and Sakura."
She leaned back in her chair, tapping her pen against her lip thoughtfully.
"Get ready. I want to see just how far you've come."
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A/N: I have revised the chapters from the start, so I recommend you re-read the fanfic