It was 9 in the morning, the sun was blazing hot, few people were seen while eternal chunin were dying of boredom while guarding the gates. Suddenly Kotestu being dramatic raised his hands towards the sky saying

He was hit on his head with entrance register by Izumo, who then dragged his idiot & reckless partner back with Kotetsu crying save me! save me!.

He was pouting when they saw silhouettes of two people approaching. As they neared the gates both the chunin were frozen stiff.

Jiraiya approached the guards trying to get himself & Naruto checked in but was unable to bring the chunin back to reality from there frozen state. In the end he himself checked them in and continued on towards the hokage office.

The chunin were snapped out of their frozen state and just whispered he looks so much like Yondaime.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naruto & Jiraya were outside the hokage's tower when they were stopped by Iruka sensei who just told Naruto not to be surprised with what he sees.

Naruto didn't have the time to think and was nudged towards the hokage's office. On entering the office he saw Kakashi who was reading his book having finished paperwork, with Sarutobi sulking in the corner with stormy clouds on his head, and Shizune was standing by Kakashi smiling and sweatdropping.

Naruto slowly turned back and closed the door. He turned towards Jiraya and said that he thinks he had just entered a twilight zone. He was ignored and pushed by Jiraya in the hokage's office.

Jiraiya cleared his throat and all the attention in the room, snapped to him.

Naruto was quickly apprehended by Sarutobi clones.

Naruto was confused and asked

Sarutobi clinged to his grandson figure and wept saying

Naruto just sweatdropped and told that he thought that Sarutobi liked doing paperwork.

Sarutobi released Naruto & thought when he gave the idea of loving paperwork.

While everyone in the room were amused by the Professor's action.

Kakashi then welcomed his student back and gave him Konoha's jonin vest saying he was approved if his actions during the journey and was then dismissed.

Kakashi then asked Jiraya about his secondary mission. Jiraiya then informed that he was relayed by his spies that the new group arising call themselves Akatsuki, they are after bijuu and their jinchuuriki but their purpose is unclear. He was then dismissed and told to keep his eyes open for any information.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 people were seen standing in a cave wearing their cloak and hats.

The leader stepped forward and told them that they have collected sufficient funds now they will stop lying low and proceed towards the goal.

In the shadows the human bijuu; Kisame got excited to shed blood, he lived for violence.

The masochist; Hidan began to curse excitedly about how he gets to sacrifice many for Jashin.

The bomber; Deidara started rambling about his art and showing Onoki the old stupid geezer his prowess.

The puppeteer; Sasori expressed his annoyance at Deidara by saying art is eternal beauty.

They were silenced by their leader who had weird obsession with hearts; Kakuzo. He assigned them observation mission. Sasori & Deidara were going to keep an eye on jinchuuriki of 1, 2, 8, 4 & 5 tails. While Hidan and Kisame are going to keep watch for jinchuuriki of 3, 6, 7 tails. The jinchuuriki of 9 tails he already had a lot of information.

As the members left. He withdrew himself within the shadows of the cave till only his eyes were visible. He travelled underground for some distance till he reached the secret underground base that he found few years ago, where he found plan on world domination, unknown to him the plan was a small piece of bigger picture left behind by Obito & Zetsu. This was were he began the idea of getting the hearts of jinchuuriki, since they have the most healthy heart capable of amazing regenerative powers that they obtained from the tailed-beast within them. After taking the hearts and the tailed-beast for himself he will be the most powerful man. Just thinking of it made him salivate. His goals were now within his grasp.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere afar all the jinchuuriki felt a shiver going up their spine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rookie 12 were having a get together celebrating Naruto's return. Stories and skills were shared. They had a great time together.