Return to Konoha

The air in Mount Myōboku was crisp and cool, carrying the lingering scent of rain from the night before. Naruto stood at the edge of a massive stone pillar, gazing out over the sprawling landscape of the Toad Summoning Realm. His new body felt foreign yet familiar, each movement heavier, each step more controlled. It had been weeks since his transformation, and though he had made great strides in mastering his newfound power, there was still much to learn.His knuckles cracked as he flexed his fingers. Even the air around him seemed to tremble slightly at his presence.Behind him, Fukasaku and Shima watched quietly, their expressions unreadable. The elder toads had spent their long lives training powerful shinobi, but Naruto was something else entirely. The boy they had taken in was no longer the same person who had arrived.Fukasaku broke the silence first. "Ye sure ye wanna head back now, Naruto-chan? Ain't no shame in trainin' a bit longer."Naruto let out a small chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "I can't stay here forever, Pervy Sage wouldn't want that. Besides, the village… I have a bad feeling." His hands curled into fists. "Something's coming."Shima sighed, shaking her head. "Aye. Ye always were one with strong instincts. Can't argue with that."Fukasaku nodded solemnly. "Alright then, brat. We'll send ya back." He raised his hands, gathering natural energy for the Reverse Summoning Technique.The air shifted as the Reverse Summoning Jutsu activated, and in a swirl of smoke, Naruto felt his feet touch solid ground. The scent of fresh stone, wood, and the ever-present warmth of home hit him instantly.He was back in Konoha.The village stood tall and strong, bustling with life as villagers moved through the streets, unaware of the storm that had just returned to their midst. But as Naruto adjusted his footing, taking his first step forward, he noticed something immediately.Everyone was staring.Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. Eyes widened in disbelief, people turned to their neighbors, murmuring in hushed voices."Is that… Naruto?""He looks different.""Wait… look at his face! He looks just like—"Naruto frowned slightly. Okay… this is weird. He had expected people to notice he'd grown a little, but their reactions felt… off.His first few steps sent tiny tremors through the ground, forcing him to focus hard to control it. Gotta be careful… don't want to accidentally break the road.Then—"YOSH! NARUTO-KUN!"A green blur shot toward him at inhuman speed.Naruto barely had time to react before a muscular arm wrapped around his shoulders, crushing him in an iron grip."You have returned, my youthful friend! I can feel the flames of power BURNING within you!"Naruto wheezed. "G-Gai-sensei… can't… breathe…"Maito Gai released him with a hearty laugh, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You seem… different, Naruto-kun. Your energy is vast, even greater than before. Have you finally ascended to the realm of TRUE YOUTH?!"Naruto groaned, rubbing his ribs. "Something like that."Before Gai could launch into one of his legendary speeches, a new voice cut through the noise."Naruto?"He turned.Standing a few feet away was Sakura, her arms crossed, green eyes wide in shock. But she wasn't glaring, nor scolding him like she usually would.She was staring.Her breath hitched slightly as she took in his new form. Naruto was… different.He wasn't just taller. His once-round face had sharpened, his jawline stronger, his features eerily similar to a certain Hokage carved into the mountains. His shoulders were broader, his physique leaner but undeniably powerful. His golden hair, still wild, had a slightly longer, spikier edge to it. Even the way he stood had changed—more confident, more composed.Sakura felt heat rise to her face.No way. No way. This is still Naruto, right?She clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus. "What… happened to you?" she asked, voice more unsteady than she wanted.Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Long story. Where's Granny Tsunade?"Sakura swallowed, trying to shake off the way her stomach flipped just looking at him. "She's in the Hokage's office," she muttered, turning quickly so he wouldn't see the faint red tint on her cheeks.Naruto blinked at her weird behavior but shrugged. "Cool. Let's go."⸻The door to the Hokage's office swung open with force, nearly making Tsunade spill the sake she had been pretending not to drink.Her irritation died instantly the moment she saw who had barged in.Naruto.For a second, she didn't recognize him.She had been expecting the same loud, reckless brat she had sent off to train. Instead, a man stood before her.Her golden eyes narrowed sharply as she examined him."You're taller.""Yeah.""You look different.""…Yeah.""Your chakra… no, it's not chakra, is it?"Naruto hesitated. Tsunade had always been sharp.He exhaled. "No."The room was silent.Tsunade leaned forward, elbows on her desk, eyes sharp with analysis. "Explain. Now."And so he did.He told them everything—about Sage Mode, about his awakening, about the tremors and raw power that didn't rely on chakra.When he finished, Tsunade let out a slow breath, rubbing her temples. "Of course you awaken some kind of absurd new ability that no one has ever seen before."Naruto grinned. "What can I say? I like keeping things interesting."She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, her expression turned serious."This power… is it stable?"Naruto nodded. "For the most part. I can control it better now, but I still need practice."Tsunade drummed her fingers against the desk. "If this power isn't chakra-based, then that means it's something entirely unique to you. That could be an advantage… or a target on your back."Shizune, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke. "There's something else." She frowned, looking at Naruto's face carefully. "You… Naruto, you look a lot like—"She didn't get to finish.Because at that moment, the door burst open again.Sakura's voice rang out, louder than she intended. "Shizune, are you thinking the same thing I am?!"Tsunade groaned. "Do you people not know how to KNOCK?!"Sakura ignored her. She stormed toward Naruto, staring straight into his face, eyes darting between his features.The realization hit like a kunai to the chest."Naruto," she started, voice almost accusatory. "You—your face… your HAIR… even your freakin' EYES."Naruto blinked. "Uh… yeah?"Sakura's stomach twisted. "You… you look like the Fourth Hokage."Dead silence.Naruto froze.Shizune looked panicked.Tsunade's jaw tightened.For years, Naruto had never questioned it. His blonde hair, his blue eyes—he had been told he just happened to look like some random people in the village. But now, Sakura saw it clearly.She wasn't the only one.Kakashi had once hinted at it. Jiraiya had always known but never said anything. And now, even villagers had started whispering, connecting the dots.Naruto took a step back, suddenly uncomfortable. "Wait… are you saying—"Tsunade stood up suddenly, cutting him off. "That's enough."Her tone was firm, final.Sakura looked at her, confused. "But Tsunade-sama—""I SAID that's enough."The temperature in the room dropped.Tsunade's eyes bore into Sakura's, sharp and unwavering.Sakura hesitated… then swallowed and backed down.Naruto stared at Tsunade, his mind racing. Why did she stop the conversation?But before he could press further, Tsunade sighed, changing the subject. "Listen, brat. Rest today. Tomorrow, we discuss the next steps."Naruto, still unnerved, nodded slowly."…Yeah. Got it."As he left, Sakura followed, still stealing glances at his face, her thoughts running wild.

End of Chapter 3