In the years that followed their meeting with the king of the dragons, both Naruto and Naruko had been pushed to the utmost of both their physical and mental abilities. For Naruko gone was the shy little girl who always hid behind her brother. She was now far more outgoing and talkative. She had also begun working under the tutelage of Tsunade. She was just learning the basics but Tsunade could already tell she had an unusually high level of mastery in the field of medical jutsu's. It would still be many years before she was on the same level as her but, for once in Tsunade's life she was sure she had a worthy successor in the sole daughter of the fourth Hokage.

For Naruto gone was the boy who allowed his emotions to get the better of him. He was now a much calmer person overall and able to form backup plans in mere seconds. He had also been tasked with many survival exercises over the past few years and with each, he would be given less and less to work with. Nevertheless, Naruto had always found a way to succeed. A fact that made Hisao quite proud of the boy.

But like all good things the time had finally come for them to once again return to the village of their birth. Their dragons who were still quite small sat peacefully atop their shoulders. For now, all they could do was blow small and mostly harmless clouds of smoke. But in time they would be a force few if any would dare face in battle.

"Naruto you're nearing your 13th birthday. As such it's high time you had your very own sword". Hisao said. But it was clear to the two Uzumaki siblings that his old age was finally catching up to him. It had been many long weeks since their last spar with the man and he was slowing more and more as time passed. Naruto was sure it was nothing too serious. Naruko, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. But seeing as Tsunade hadn't said anything about it she dismissed it. For now anyway.

"Come on you two the Land Of Iron is nearly a week's journey". Tsunade said as she lightly pushed the two on their backs making them move up the hill. It wasn't long before the three were hidden by the many hills that dotted the nearby landscape.

"Kushina I have something I must tell you. It is of the highest importance". Hisao said turning to face the woman.

"What is it, lord Hisao"? Kushina asked unsure what this could be about.

"I didn't want to say anything before. Hisao began before eyeing the very same hill the two had entered and now had exited the village by. Memories flooding back to him of their training. He would miss them both very much. But this had to be done and he knew it. So with that in mind, he slowly removed the greenish/blue hat from his head before lightly placing it in Kushina's hands. "I'm dying, Tsunade has done all she can but odds are high that I'll be gone this time next year. You're to be the newest Kage of Uzushiogakure".

Kushina for her part could say nothing. The revelation that she was to be a kage. To her own home village at that made her unable to say anything. It was only when she felt the hands of Hisao that her mind returned to the here and now.

"You will do great things for this village I just know it. Hisao said before pulling the woman in for a long hug.

"But what about Naruto and Naruko"? Kushina asked as she buried her face into the older man's neck.

"They will be fine. I sent a few of our people over to keep an eye on them for you. If anything too bad happens the dragons could have them back in less than a day's time. Besides that, you know as well as I do that the king of dragons likes them. He'll make sure the two are safe. It's why he was given his son".

"Naruto has Algone's son"? Kushina asked eyes wide at the very implication of that one statement.

"Yes. That boy is filled with surprises. You should be proud you have trained them both well". Hisao said before ending the hug and walking slowly back inside the village.

"Wait when will this become official"? Kushina asked holding the hat of the kage in her hands. The feeling was both odd but at the same time giving her overwhelming joy. She would soon be fulfilling one of her dreams. Becoming the kage of her village. But in the end, she would be the kage not of Konohagakure but of its sister village Uzushiogakure.

"It already is my dear. But your kage duty's will officially begin first thing tomorrow at 0600". Hisao said before being lost in the sea of people.

-

Tsunade, Naruto, and Naruko had stopped in a small inn on the outskirts of the Land of Fire. The small fire had helped in warming themselves up from the cold wind that blew across the land this time of year. The room itself was small housing three beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom but Tsunade knew that was one bed too many. Naruko always slept alongside her brother. The two were already asleep. Naruto's arms pulling Naruko's own form in closer to his.

Their dragons could be seen sleeping peacefully near the fireplace in a ball. As Tsunade mindlessly picked at the fire her mind was going over the past few years. She still had a family. Sure it wasn't her clan par say but the Uzumaki clan was related to her's going as far back as the time of the sage of the six paths. She guessed in the end that was good enough. She did hate what the leaf village had taken from her over the years but at the same time, she couldn't help but want to train this girl. She had such promise in the medical arts. So much so that the very idea of letting it all go to waste was simply unacceptable to the skilled medic. No, she would train this girl, and then she would be gone. At least that was her plan.

-

By the time the trio made it to the edge of the Land Of Iron's capital city the sun had already started its slow descent to the horizon. The foot-high snow slowed them but they were no mere civilians. They were ninja. They would find an inn to rest for the night and then they would press for the office of general Mifune first thing tomorrow.

-

Naruto and Naruko both eyed the capital city of the Land of Iron as they walked ever deeper into the snow-covered land. It wasn't nearly as big as Konohagakure or Uzushiogakure but still, it was quite a sight to behold. The samurai all eyed the three ninja at first with suspicion only to soon realize who they in fact were. Upon this realization, the many samurai all gave a deep bow. They were honored guests after all and so only the very best would do.

-

It wasn't long before the three were taken to meet with general Mifune. The undisputed leader of the Land Of Iron.

"Hello, you two I'm, Mifune. I helped in saving you from whatever that Danzo fellow was planning for you two". Mifune said as he extended his hand to the pair. Tsunade, for her part simply nodded at him. He would have normally been upset with such a disrespectful action but upsetting this woman was a poor decision on the very best of days and her face said today was not such a day. Still, he would make note of that should she have a need to see him again. However unlikely such a thing would be. Naruto and Naruko however gave the man a deep bow to which he returned with a smile. It wasn't long afterwards that the meeting was over and the trio were once more out in the cold walking towards Ashina's small blacksmith shop.

-

Ashina was many things. A loving father to his daughter Yuna, A skilled swordsman, and a sucker for a good game of cards. However, his mind wasn't on the bit of metal that now lay atop his table nor the icy wind that would always find it's way into his shop ever so often. But of whom now stood not ten feet away from him. The prince and princess of the Uzumaki clan. One of whom was to have a sword made by him. His dragon was quick to inform him who now ruled his home village. Their mother. The demon of the leaf. The red phantom alongside many others he knew full well had all been earned over her many years as an ANBU captain.

"I'm honored to have you two in my shop Naruto-kun and Naruko-chan". Ashina said happily before approaching the boy and looking him over. Hisao had done his utmost to make the boy the very best he could be and by log he had. He could find no baby fat on the boy whatsoever. Only lean muscle and the confidence to make full use of it.

"Do you have an idea for your blade Naruto-kun"? Ashina asked before being handed a scroll. Upon opening it he saw a complex-looking schematic.

"By the gods' boy, you aim high. This sword may as will be sentient given what you want to be done to it". Ashina said after memorizing the specifications.

"Can you make it"? Naruto asked unsure if he could, in fact, do what he wanted to be done and for that, he was given a hard look.

I'm Ashina Uzumaki the best blacksmith in the world. If I can't make it nobody can". Ashina proclaimed quite proudly.

-

Meanwhile back inside Konohagakure, another blacksmith sneezed waking up his daughter from her nap.

"Father are you ok that was a big one"? The girl asked handing the man a box of tissues.

Yes, dear, I'm fine just that time of year I guess". The man said before once more returning to the task at hand. For a time the girl said nothing before she nodded her head and went back to sleep. The genin exams were in less than a week and she needed to be ready.

-

Hours passed as Ashina hammered upon the metal. Sparks flew through the air but at long last the sword was ready.

"Wait, before you finish can you please add this"? Naruto asked as he pulled out a small container of blue blood.

"You want to add dragons blood to this"? Ashina asked.

"Yes. My dragon gave me the idea. You don't mind...do you"? Naruto asked worried the older man would say no.

"Your...dragon"? Ashina said out loud unsure if he had heard that right.

"Yes why"? Naruto asked. Ashina said nothing before just taking it and adding the blood to the sword. If the boy's dragon was fine with it who was he to say no.

The blade itself was nearly a foot long and decorated with complex designs. It was truly a masterpiece. A lethal masterpiece but still. Giving it a few test swings he found it felt almost weightless.

"Can I try brother"? Naruko asked before being given the sword. At once the sword hit the floor.

"It's... too... heavy". Naruko cried out as she tried and failed to pick the sword up from the floor. Naruto eyed his dragon who almost looked to be laughing.

"Miko, stop it now"! Naruto said and at once the sword was once more weightless again.

"I don't understand this at all". Ashina said. He had never seen such a thing in his life.

"Miko can feel who has the sword. If he deems the holder unworthy he makes it weigh a ton. That's what he says anyway". Naruto replied.

"So why did the sword fall when Naruko-chan was holding it"? Ashina asked completely confused.

"He likes to prank people". Naruto answered.

"I...see will now that's done with my time in this cold land is now at its end. I'm coming with you two. Good news my dragons bigger. We'll enter Konohagakure with style". Ashina said before striking a pose.

"You're kind of a loser uncle". Naruko said making the man deflate.

"Why so mean Naruko-chan". Ashina said with his head low but nobody paid him any mind.

-

As both Naruto and Naruko rode upon Ashina's dragon one thought, in particular, was at the forefront of their minds. How much had the village changed over the past few years? After all, they had been both gone for the better part of seven years. Would any of their classmates even remember them? Would they even care that they were back? So many questions without any clear answers.

"Kids we're just about a mile out. The village gates should be coming up in just a few more seconds"! Ashina yelled back as the wind made it hard to hear what he was saying. True to his word the two massive wooden gates soon came into view. The Uzumaki clan symbol clearly displayed on each.

"Nekki let's give them a show". Ashina said telepathically. Nekki simply nodded before adding a bit more speed forcing the two kids to add even more chakra unless they wanted an unplanned trip to the ground below.

-

At that very moment, Ino was walking down the main road of the village when the sound of something made her turn her head to the sky. What she saw blew her away.

"That's a dragon. Why would a dragon be over...could it be that he is back"? Ino asked herself before turning around and running after it as best as she could.

"This is my stop guys". Naruto said before jumping off the dragon scaring the ever-loving shit out of Ashina who was only able to see the boy fall to the ground nearly 1,000 feet below them. Naruko, for her part, could only roll her eyes at this.

"Show off much". Was her thoughts before enjoying poor old Ashina losing his mind over nothing.

"500, 400, 300, 200, 100". Naruto counted down before firing a kunai into the ground at just 75 feet above the uncaring forest floor below him. Soon after he was safely on the ground if however a little disorientated from the stunt he had just pulled only seconds before and just in time for Ino to run right into him.

"I'm so sor...NARUTO-KUN". Ino yelled out in pure joy before giving him the biggest hug possible.

"Ino-chan...can't...breathe...your...killing...me". Naruto said as his face turned blue. Upon seeing this she let the poor boy go. Once he had regained color in his face he looked at Ino and what he saw blew him away. Ino had always been cute. Even his six-year-old self knew that much but now she was beautiful. Her hair, her eyes, her everything really.

"Naruto-kun now that your back maybe you may want to go on a date...with me". Ino asked fearing that he would say no and break her heart.

"A...date like a date date or a social date"? Naruto asked unclear what she was asking. At this Ino's face turned red in embarrassment.

"A date date". Ino replied.

"Oh um...I can't today I have to meet the Hokage and deal with paperwork. I'm technically not a citizen of the village yet so can't buy anything". Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh... I see that's fine another time". Ino said before falling in line with the boy as the two walked to the Hokage tower talking all the while.

"Oh, will Sasuke is dating a girl named Karin. Haven't met her yet but she is said to be really good. Sakura is doing fine she is the top student now at the academy. You not being around allowed others to gain that". Ino said elbowing the boy in his side lightly. At this Naruto rubbed the back of his head.

"It wasn't all that hard Ino-chan. You did well in my time at the academy I'm sure you can take her place if you train". Naruto replied as he looked at the village. It was mostly the same. A few new shops and the sights and sounds of construction told him the village was growing.

"By the way, I left before the Hokage was named who is it"? Naruto asked looking at Ino.

"Shikaku, he is Shikamaru's dad. He was the guy who talked about having backup plans and the importance of strategy and tactics in battle". Ino replied just as the tower came into view. Once the two got to the doors Ino said her good-byes and turned to leave but before she could take even two steps Naruto took hold of her hand.

"Ino...about that date. I'm free in two days. Today I'll be busy with paperwork and the day after uncle Ashina is training me in the use of this". Naruto unsealed his sword.

"My god Naruto that thing must have cost a fortune". Ino said blown away at the level of craftsmanship such a blade would entail.

"It cost me nothing really only 1.5 million$". Naruto replied as if such a thing was nothing.

"How much money do you have"? Ino asked eyes wide at such a large sum of money being used on a sword.

"Will my mother is in the royal family of the Uzumaki clan and dad was Hokage so once I hit 16 and can become clan head about $100 million. Naruko being next in line would have around 80 million$". Naruto said answering her question.

"How? My whole clan only has around 10 million$ and we own most of the farmland.

"Ino half my family owns a village and the other half were assassins. It's why he could move so fast. That was the bloodline. Lightning-fast speed and an overall higher IQ level. I and Naruko are the only ones left of dad's clan". Naruto said as tears formed. Ino pulled the boy into a hug as she allowed him to let it all out. Once he was done Naruto entered the tower and signed the paperwork. As for Ino, she had a date in two day's time and she planned to make it a good one.