So, I started this acknowledging that this was incomplete and, based on the time frame in which it was published, that it would have divergences from canon, although I wasn't positive of which ones. Still, even if you never come back to this, can I say how much I enjoyed reading even this much? I tend to read Sakura fics, so it was really refreshing to read Naruto and Sasuke in on the time-travel shenanigans together, as well as the suspicions piling up in believable ways: Mikoto being suspicious first but saying nothing since she had no one to tell; Itachi catching on that Sasuke was lying; Kakashi only being suspicious with the Sharingan during the fight because, let's face it, in order to keep things as they had been, they HAD to fight to the past's script and that leaves openings for mistakes, as is what happened.

There's a lovely balanced feeling to the progression of the story, where Naruto and Sasuke are succeeding where they have the advanced warnings (Haku and Zabuza) but gambling where they have to handle things that catch them by surprise (the suspicions, Gaara and the unnamed Uchiha in the forest). But they're also learning about things that they hadn't noticed before, like Sasuke realizing the atmosphere in the clan. If you do continue this story to include a partially canon Itachi (one where he didn't ask Shisui for help/Shisui didn't learn about the coup, I haven't actually finished reading canon Naruto, so I'm not sure which it is), you could theoretically still work in an Uchiha coup, although they'd have to have rallied around someone else. Naruto busted them out of a meeting which COULD have been about the coup that would have progressed but for Fugaku's death but was delayed without a clan head. With Sasuke's removal, they could officially choose a new leader to rally around. (They might have tried to instate Shisui, but given his retirement, I wonder where he's placed in the clan now.) A coup during the invasion or following the invasion would have been really interesting, since that could blindside Naruto and Sasuke, and not just in the coup itself but also those questions about Itachi, not to mention how devastating such a thing would be for the village at such a time. And although Sasuke had been kicked out of the clan, who knows what sort of an effect that would have on him in the eyes of the villagers, if/when the coup fails and is brought to light? Or would that just preserve him better if a second order is put out to massacre the clan beforehand? Hm, questions, questions.

To be honest, I thought the direction with Sakura was going to be her getting pushed out of the loop and her sort of taking the "missing-nin" role by leaving the group due to being crushed by constant exclusion, but this was a pleasant surprise. And it's kinda fitting to have a genjutsu mistress on the team not just with her untapped talents but because of the two people trying to live the biggest illusions of all, that they're everything they're not. I would have loved to have seen how you developed Sakura, especially since she's already showing signs of her canon enhanced strength. Mikoto intrigued me, though, and not just because she's not Uchiha in this fic. Getting kicked out of the clan blindsided me, but it would have been really cool to have seen her in action as a jonin. Not to mention Zabuza-the-informant and Haku-as-Kin were really cool.

Anyway, I know it's been ten years since the last update, but I just wanted to say that, if you ever had a thought about coming back to finish this but life has moved on and the interest is gone, hey, that's okay. BUT if it was because of insecurities, which are understandable, then please have none, because there's so much in here that's wonderful. What is here has been an absolute pleasure to read, and if you ever had the time and desire to return, it would be phenomenal to read the conclusion. Thank you for a fantastic 22 chapters, and I hope that life is treating you well. Best of luck on whatever you're doing now~

I’m just wondering but did you finish Naruto Shippuden?

Omg I just found this and am so happy I did. I read through it in a day. :D
Thanks so much for writing this; it made me chuckle so much. I love your take on all of the characters

mikoto is sasuke's mom's name

Oh and now I literally just read the authors note on the last chapter oops. Sorry! Ignore me XD

I bet a bajillion people have reviewed and told you this, but it does tell you Sasuke's mom's name: it's Mikoto. Uh, I'm 99% you've heard that like, a hundred times already, but just an fyi if you still don't know lol.

Mereading and enjoying this story*

Also meTries to scroll to the next chapter only to find out that, not only did she finish the story, but the story is incomplete as well and was last updated in 2010*

Also meincoherent sobbing and screeching*

I thought Mikita was friends with Kushina and Minato. So why doesn’t she know who Naruto is and just assumed his the Fox?

Good story, greetings, we read, bye!

This story is amazing.

Looks like kakashi and third Hokage knew about Haku and Zabuza being alive.

Please update.

This is surprising I never thought Sasuke and Naruto fight in the second around.

Amazing.

Who is the mysterious person following team 7.