~Naruto~<br/><br/>I looked upon the gates of Konohakura no Sato, The Village Hidden In The Leaves with an odd mixture of excitement and trepidation.  It has been nearly four years since I had set foot in the village of my birth, and I am excited to be home - nothing could ever change that - but I know what waits or me on the other side of those walls.  I love my village and its people, but so long away from it has shown me just how different life can be outside of its walls.<br/><br/>I sigh, wearing my folders in determination and closing the distance from the lush forest to the gates of the village.  These would be different from now on, I tell myself so what feels like the 10th time today; and they will because I will make sure of it...  Look out Konoha, because Uzumaki Naruto is back things are going to change - Believe it!<br/><br/>" Halt, identify yourself!," Kotetsu Hagane exclaims as I leap over the gate officially entering.  I grin at the guards, knowing them well of course, as everyone does. Kotetsu Hagane and his best friend Izumo Kamizuki - known as the "Eternal Chunin". I smirk - it's not a matter of skill, to be sure, but rather motivation. Nara Shikaku would be impressed, I'm sure.<br/><br/>"I'm hurt," I respond in mock exasperation and cluch my chest as if wounded. "It's only been a few years!" Although, to be fair, I imagine some of the village would be happy to forget about me. Although, admittedly, I have changed. "Genin Uzumaki Naruto, 9425386-Delta," I quote my Name, rank and serial. Protocol is protocol after all, even if it is a bit hypocritical. I can't remember the last time Hagane had asked team 7 to ID themselves.<br/><br/>The lightbulb went off in their heads and they faultered, faces showing amazement and shock before it disappeared again. I have to chuckle; to be fair it was quick, but the tell was enough. Izumo's lips had twitched, nearly forming the words, "Yondame-sama..."<br/><br/>"Nice to see you guys," I flash them a genial smile. "We'll catch up sometime!" I say to them before racing off to the center of the Village.<br/><br/>"Need to see Hokage-Obaa.." I tell the secretary without pause as I reach the Hokages office. I hear her huff, affronted. Its hard to say what she's more offended by, but I ignore it of course - I've always come and gone from the office freely; first with Saru-jii and still...<br/><br/>Still, I do step in quietly and come to attention as I see another Nin in the room. Familiarity is fine, but she's still the Hokage. "Uzumaki Naruto reporting, Hokage-sama!"