The Golden Fox [Naruto Fan-Fic]

Chapter 2: Going Back

Chapter 2: Going Back

"Shikamaru, you can let me go now. I wasn't going to hurt your friend here. Also tell Shino, Neji, and Tenten that they can come out now." Soon enough, Neji, Shino, Tenten and Shikamaru came into view. They lifted up their mask so I could see their faces. Shikamaru released the Kage Mane.

I decided to speak to the ninja I was behind, "You can remove your mask as well, Ino." She complied. Yumi and her mother came from the house to see if I was ok. Shikamaru spoke,"Tsunade-sama had asked us to track you down. I told her how troublesome it would be but she had insisted that we find you.

Neji stepped forth to speak, "Naruto, Tsunade-sama has requested that you return back with us to Konoha."

I looked at Neji and laughed, "She requested that I come back? Tell her I am no longer a shinobi of the Leaf and I am not obligated to do as she says."

Ino decided to speak, "Naruto, she asked us to bring you back. Please come back with us."

"Tell me, Ino, what could she want from me? She didn't want anything the past six years, why now all of a sudden?"

Shino spoke in his usual tone, "Uzumaki Naruto, Godaime-sama wishes for you to assist us in this war with the Cloud."

I walked past the ninjas from Konoha and headed to the doorway towards my fiancée who was looking worried. I stopped and spoke, "Instead of trying to get me to fight Konoha's battles, you should be preparing for attacks from Cloud-nin. Tell Obaa-chan that I said good luck defeating the Cloud."

"Naruto, how could you turn your back on your home? It's your duty to protect the Konoha." Tenten said desperately.

"It's not my home, it never was. That place was hell to me. I was hated by every villager in that village. I was also banished by the council. So tell me, Tenten, would you consider a place that exiled you a home?"

There was complete silence.

"I thought so."

"Tell Obaa-chan that the only way I will fight for Konoha is if she's willing to pay for my services. My going rate isn't cheap though. Tell her I want 70,000,000 ryou for my services and an additional 20,000,000 bonus. Take that offer to her and come back to let me know her decision."

"That's an outrageous figure, Naruto." Ino stated.

"Well, I told you I don't come cheap. I'm sure the Cloud will have no problem paying the bill."

Shikamaru sighed. "If that's all you request, then pack your things Naruto. We want to get back to Konoha ASAP."

Ino spoke, "Shikamaru, you can't be serious? That is too much money for ...."

Neji interrupted, "Well, Tsunade-sama did say no matter what it took."

"Do you actually think that's what she meant, Neji?" asked Tenten incredulously.

"Our mission states that we bring Uzumaki Naruto back with us to Konoha. After that, it is no longer our responsibility." Shino stated.

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, "So are you coming or what?"

"Naruto fixed his gaze on Shikamaru, "On one more condition."

"What is it now that you demand?" Ino spat out.

Naruto turned to the door, where his fiancée and his mother-in-law-to-be were standing.

"They come with me. When word gets out that I'm fighting on Konoha's side, the Cloud will send nins to use them as bait against me. At least in the Leaf, I know that they will be safe."