The gates of Konoha were exactly as he remembered, but the view was definitely better.
Naruto Uzumaki stood at the entrance, stretching his arms. He was taller, broader, and wearing a modified version of his old orange and black outfit—but the zipper was a little lower, showing off the muscle he'd built.
"Ah, the air of Konoha!" Naruto took a deep breath. "Smells like... ramen. And perfume."
Jiraiya stood beside him, smirking. "I taught you well, kid. First rule of recon?"
"Check the terrain," Naruto recited, his eyes immediately locking onto a passing civilian woman. He subtly adjusted his headband. "Especially the mountains."
Jiraiya wiped a tear of pride from his eye. "That's my boy."
Suddenly, a terrifyingly familiar chakra spiked in front of them.
"NARUTO!"
Kushina Uzumaki appeared in a flash of red hair. She looked furious, but relieved. She marched right up to him.
"Mom!" Naruto grinned, spreading his arms wide. He dove in for a hug, but instead of a normal hug, he buried his face straight into her chest, nuzzling deeply. "I missed you so much! Especially these!"
Bonk!
Kushina smashed her fist onto the top of his head, sending him into the dirt. "You little pervert! Did Jiraiya teach you that?!"
"It was an accident!" Naruto whined, rubbing the growing lump on his head, but he flashed a thumbs-up to Jiraiya behind his back. "I just tripped into your love, Mom!"
Kushina sighed, trying to stay mad but failing. She grabbed him by the ear and hauled him up. "You're lucky I missed you. Now get going. Lady Tsunade is waiting. And behave yourself, or she'll hit you harder than I did."
"Tsunade-baachan..." Naruto drooled slightly, a dreamy look in his eyes. "Right. On my way!"
The Hokage's Office
Naruto didn't knock. He burst through the door with a dramatic flair.
"The future Hokage has returned!"
Inside, Sakura and Shizune jumped. But behind the desk, the Fifth Hokage didn't flinch. Tsunade Senju looked up from her paperwork, her expression unreadable.
She was wearing her standard grey kimono top, the one with the very generous neckline.
Naruto's eyes instantly zoomed in. Target acquired.
"Naruto," Tsunade said, her voice commanding. "You're late."
"I got lost on the road of life," Naruto said smoothly, walking toward the desk. He stopped right in front of it, leaning over so his face was level with hers... and her assets. "But I found my way back to the best view in the village."
Sakura gasped. "Naruto! You can't talk to Lady Tsunade like that!"
Tsunade, however, didn't yell. She leaned forward, challenging him. She knew exactly where he was looking. "Is that so? And what view is that?"
" The... uh... Hokage monument," Naruto stammered, sweating, but his eyes didn't move from her cleavage. "It's very... inspiring. Huge. majestic."
Tsunade smirked. She stood up, towering over him slightly. She walked around the desk. Naruto stood at attention, but his eyes tracked her every movement.
"You've got guts, kid," she murmured, stopping right in front of him. She grabbed his chin and forced him to look her in the eyes. "But guts won't save you if you're weak."
"I'm not weak," Naruto said, his voice dropping. He looked at her with genuine adoration now, mixed with his pervy desire. "I trained hard. So I could be strong enough to protect you... and maybe get a hug?"
He opened his arms, aiming for a waist-level grab that would land his face right in her chest again.
Tsunade caught his forehead with one finger, stopping him cold.
"Earn it," she whispered, a dangerous promise in her eyes. "Bell test. Tonight. You and Sakura against Kakashi. If you win... maybe I'll give you a reward."
Naruto's eyes turned into hearts. "A reward? Like... a kiss? Or a motorboat?"
"Don't push your luck," Tsunade warned, but there was a playful glint in her eye. She liked his boldness. It was different from the terrified respect everyone else gave her. "Get out."
"Yes, ma'am! Love you!" Naruto shouted, saluting and sprinting out of the room before she could change her mind.
The Uchiha District
Naruto walked home, whistling a tune. He felt great. He had seen his mom (and hugged her), and he had flirted with Tsunade (and survived).
Passing the Uchiha compound, he saw Mikoto. She looked sad, staring at the ground.
Naruto paused. Sad beauty alert.
"Auntie Mikoto!"
She looked up. "Naruto-kun?"
He walked over, sitting next to her. "Why the long face? A woman as beautiful as you shouldn't be frowning. It causes wrinkles."
Mikoto blinked, then a small blush appeared on her cheeks. "You... you've become quite the charmer, haven't you?"
"Just telling the truth," Naruto grinned. He scooted a little closer. "Is it Sasuke? Is he being an emo brooding jerk again?"
"He is," Mikoto sighed. "He trains so hard... he forgets to live."
"I'll handle him," Naruto said, puffing out his chest. "I'll beat some sense into him. And then maybe you can cook me dinner as a reward? Your cooking is way better than instant ramen."
Mikoto giggled. It was a light, airy sound. "Is that all you want? Dinner?"
Naruto looked at her—really looked at her. She was soft, maternal, and undeniably hot in a "forbidden fruit" kind of way.
"For now," Naruto winked. "But I have a big appetite."
Mikoto shook her head, smiling properly now. "Go on, Naruto. Good luck with your test."
Naruto took off running. He had a date with destiny. And by destiny, he meant passing this test so he could go back and claim his reward from Tsunade.