I took a deep breath of the earthy fall air, opening my eyes to see what I've been missing for two years. Back here again, finally. And I'm able to protect myself, finally.

For the past two months, I've been traveling alone. Jiraiya went back to Konoha, with information about the Akatsuki. He told me to continue my training for a couple of months, and then return to Konoha soon after. 

But, it's now the end of that two month period, and I'm almost to Konoha. I'm only a few miles off now. 'I'm so excited to see everyone! I'm gonna have to fight Kakashi-sensei and my teammates, and give Naruto crap, and annoy Izumo and Kotetsu... So much to do... It's going to be hard to squeeze any sleep in there, but I can make it work.'

When I got to the village, my eyes widened, a mile off, I could see the destruction of the gate. It was being rebuilt, but it was still in horrible condition. I sped up, making it to the gate, only to be stopped by Kotetsu. "What is your business here?"

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. I can't let a strange character like yourself through this gate without Identification. Certainly not now. We're on high alert." He stated, firmly standing his ground.

I clicked my tongue, "Catch me if you can, Hagane."

"Izumo! Inform the Hokage! We have an intruder!"

"Right!"

I jumped through the familiar buildings, avoiding the angry Chunin on my heels. I also happened to physically lose him in an alley. I was pretty sure he was pissed by now, which gave me a strange sense of accomplishment.

"There you are!"

"Here, I am not!" I jumped atop the buildings once again, evading the Chunin on my tail. I happened to find a great way to embarrass him while sprinting across rooftops. 

Jiraiya.

I stopped in the street near Jiraiya, who happened to notice me, and Kotetsu landed behind me. "You're under arrest!" He said, landing behind me, trying to grab both of my wrists, but I moved one before he could, and placed my hand on the side of his neck, as I leaned back into him which kinda made his face red.

"I'm terribly sorry, Hagane-san... can we talk it out?"

"Who the hell are you? You know what, you can talk it out...With Ibiki."

"Heheheh... You may not want to arrest that one, Kotetsu. I know she's a lot different, but you may want to take a closer look." Jiraiya said.

I looked up at Kotetsu's face, where he stood behind me, letting it sink in. I placed my hand over the lower half of my face since I wasn't wearing a mask.

His eyes widened, "(Y/N)!!??"

"The one and only." I sighed, "I'm disappointed that you didn't recognize me sooner, Kotetsu... I thought we were friends..." I averted my gaze, feigning disappointment. "Even Izumo didn't know who I was..."

He sighed, releasing my arm and stepping back. "Something tells me you've turned into somewhat of a trouble maker. I knew that all that time spent with Naruto was bound to do that to you... and then two years with Master Jiraiya... there's no telling how you may act."

"Hillarious." Said Jiraiya, unamused.

"Yeah, it's really funny, Hagane." I eyed him. I grabbed his collar, pulling him down to my level because he was a few inches taller than me, "Why don't we take this to the training grounds, and you can see just how much I have changed." His eyes were wide, not expecting my confident attitude.

"You're on. But I have to go inform the Hokage about your arrival."

I released his collar, and he straightened up before dashing off toward the Hokage residence.

As soon as he was gone, Jiraiya bust out into laughter, "I told you not to dye your hair! Hahaha!"

I turned toward him, "Honestly, it kinda made my day. You should've seen his face when I ran off. He was so pissed."

"Well, I'm glad you're having fun, but how'd your training go? Anymore control?"

"Afraid I haven't got it down quite yet, but it's advanced slightly more..."

"Heheheh... You'll have to test it on Kakashi."

"Yeah... Where is that ol' white hair?"

"He's out on a mission... He just got out of the hospital. Sasuke, too. And then Sasuke and Naruto also had a fight."

"What? Why?"

"Uchiha Itachi stopped by for a visit. It riled Sasuke up."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Yes. They were after Naruto, but I was with him, so he was fine."

"You were with him, or you jumped in last minute to save him because you engaged in research?"

He blushed, "Well, no, I mean..."

I shrugged, "I'm going to find Kotetsu."

"Hey, one more thing... I assume you heard about Sandaime?"

"Yes... do we have a new Hokage?"

"We do... It's Tsunade."

My eyes widened, "Hahah! That ol' bat? I'll have to pay her a visit later! If she isn't drunk."

He laughed, "She's probably buried in paperwork... she just got in a few days ago."

"Good to know... Later, Jiraiya!" He nodded.

I ran off toward the Hokage residence. I was so excited to see all my old friends after so long. Especially since Kotetsu didn't recognize me... I wonder if all of the others will... I know Kakashi will recognize me, he's one of Konoha's smartest, but the others may not... That leaves room for some fun.

"(Y/n)." Kotetsu said, Izumo landing behind him. 

"Wow, it really is you-" He stepped forward to give me a hug, presumably, but I held my hand out, and cut him off.

"Hold it, Kamizuki... Kotetsu and I have something to settle before we visit." I stepped closer to my crazy-haired friend, "I can't believe you didn't recognize me. For shame. You were the one to find me in the forest all those years ago... I can't believe you'd forget me like this."

"The huge grin on your face betrays your words."

"Hahaha! Nah. Not really. I'm not disappointed... I'm just excited to mess with you." Izumo chuckled. "Beat you there!" I jumped off.

"Yeah, right!" He followed, pressing toward the training grounds at an equally impressive pace.

"Sure you can keep up, Kotetsu?"

He smirked, "Don't worry about me." He sped up, and I did too, leaving him behind.

"I'm not!"

When we made it to the third training grounds, he said, "You're a lot faster than you used to be...but are you stronger?"

"You're about to find out." I slid the long leather jacket from my shoulders, tossing it to the side and revealing all of the scrolls attached to my torso. "You can ask Izumo for help if you want."

"Tch. Am I supposed to be intimidated?"

"You're a Chunin. You better not be scared yet."

He gave an eye-roll, a small smirk playing at his lips, "Please..."

"Are you two done with the foreplay yet?" Izumo asked.

"Hush, Kamizuki."

"Ladies first." Kotetsu smirked, drawing his Kunai.