Naruto: Path of a Legend
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story. All characters mentioned are sole right of the Author of the Naruto Manga, Masashi Kishimoto.
Summary: Naruto enters the Chuunin exam again he encounters problems from with Akatsuki, Orochimaru and Sasuke.
Timeline: The story is set post time skip, after the Gaara Retreival Arc.
Chapter 1
Naruto along with Sakura and a Kakashi in a wheelchair arrive at Tsunade's Office. Tsunade says "So Sakura can you give me a brief report on the Kazekage Retreival Mission".
Kakashi responds "Even though in the end we were able to save the Kazekage, we still have a serious problem on our hands". Tsunade raises here eyebrows and looks at kakashi. Kakashi continues "Even though we saved the Kazekage, the organisation Akatsuki got want they wanted... they obtained Shukaku".
Tsunade presses her elbow on the table infront of her and leans her head on her hand. Tsunade says in a concerned matter "This is indeed troublesome". Tsunade stays silent and Kakashi talks again "We also managed to get some information on the whereabouts of Orochimaru".
Tsunade removes her elbow from the table and says "Kakashi what sort of information did you get?". Kakashi says "We got intelligence by the Akatsuki member Sasori of the red sands that he was to meet with Orochimaru's subordinate Kabuto. You see Kabuto is really a subordinate of Sasori who was used as a spy by him to gain information on Orochimaru and his various activities. Also Sasori was formerly Orochimaru's partner during Orochimaru's time in Akatsuki".
Tsunade thinks 'this could be some sort of trap, how are we to beleive Akatsuki'. Tsunade asks Kakashi "how can we be sure Sasori was telling the truth?". Kakashi glances towards sakura and says "Sakura would explain this better to you". Sakura says "Tsunade-Sama, Sasori was already dying when he gave the information and it was freely given after he chose to not dodge the attack that eventually kill him. With all this I think their would have been no need for him to lie at that given moment"
Tsunade says "ok, you have convinced me but I don't think its wise to assume Kabuto is fully under the control of Sasori. At most we should create a team to capture Kabuto and bring him to Konoha for questioning on the activities and various hideouts of Orochimaru. Still Akatsuki should be our number one priority at the moment."
Naruto butts in rather angrily "What about retreiving Sasuke". Sakura casts him a concerned glance. Tsunade folds her arms and says "Even if the information we got is deemed to be correct. We can't be fully certain Kabuto is still under control of Sasori or whether this is a deliberate ploy by Orochimaru to kill off his former partner. I understand your concerns Naru...". Naruto butts in angrily "What do you understand?. We have got to save Sasuke".
Tsunade rolls her eyes and says in a loud tone "The safety of Konoha ninjas comes first. We can't just send precious Konoha ninjas on a potential suicide mission". Naruto says loudly "Send me, I don't care if I have to lose my life trying to save a friend". Sakura joins in and says "I will also have to go with Naruto on this as well, I also wont stand back when this is our closest link to locating Sasuke".
Tsunade looks angrily at Naruto and Sakura as she gets to her feet from her seat. Tsunade says in a loud tone "Fine, I will send a team that is experts at capturing enemies and assign them to capture Kabuto, whilst in the mean time you stay in Konoha, Naruto. "Naruto says "I am not staying here when I have a chance to help". Tsunade gives Naruto a piercing look and says "I have already compromised with you by giving this mission the go ahead. But Naruto your not going, this has been decided".
Naruto scowls at Tsunade and he jumps out of the window. Sakura looks to Naruto jumping out of the window and thinks 'Naruto don't do anything stupid. I want to help rescue Sasuke but... I am also confused in what to do'. Kakashi thinks 'geez these kids sure know how to get me into trouble'.
Naruto jumping from roof to roof thinks 'That damn Tsunade, I will follow my own way. I don't care if I get caught. I am leaving Konoha to get to Kabuto whether she likes it or not'.
SUNSET THE NEXT DAY
Naruto carriying a large travelling bag on his back opens the door to his apartment. As he is about to leave he sees a familiar figure poof right in front of him. Naruto looks up surprisingly at the big figure as he stutters "Er... Er... Ero Sennin".
Jiraiya says in a serious voice "Naruto what are you planning on doing". Naruto with beads of sweat rolling down his face tries to re-collect his composure as he regains his shaky but firm stance. Naruto says "Don't stop me Er... Ero Sennin, I am leaving Konoha to go save Sasuke. I wont sit back and let a team of unkowns do something whilst I am useless".
Jiraiya sighs and says "Naruto, you still wont let go will you. Sasuke wont come back and if you force the issue it will only result in a deathmatch between the two of you". Naruto shouts out "Do you expect me to stay here whilst my best friend gets killed". Jiraiyah says "We have had this discussion before. I might as well explain to you fully. Naruto you are strong but if you have noticed you have lost your way. Even if you want to be hokage and want to save your friends, you should know being Hokage means doing whats best for the hidden leaf village".
Naruto says angrily "I don't care about that. How can I be hokage if I can't protect my friends". Jiraiya scratches his head and remembers the talk he had with Tsunade the previous night.
Jiraiya poofed in a cloud of smoke just outside on the balcony next to Tsunade's office. Tsunade peered out of the window. "So Jiraiya your here" said Tsunade. "Yeah, I guess we have to stop Naruto from leaving because it is highly likely" said Jiraiya. "Make sure he doesn't leave Jiraiya and use force if need be" said Tsunade. Jiraiya's head dropped after Tsunade's latest statement and he replied with "understood". Jiraiya jumped away.
After the flashback Jiraiya thinks 'I better convince naruto, or this could get ugly soon'. Jiraiya says "Look Naruto, Sasuke has already chosen his path it is up to you to accept it. Your getting weaker and you are too blind to see it. The sooner you realise Sasuke is an enemy of the Leaf, the better. What would you do if Sasuke comes back and attacks the Leaf?" Naruto pauses and says "but... I... "
Jiraiya says "look Naruto, you are loosing your way. You want to be strong and acknowledged and to you that also means protectng your friends. But the fact is their is no need to save a traitor, Sasuke had all the chances to come back peacefully. Not saving Sasuke doesn't mean you would have failed and you wont be able to be the Hokage. In fact Sasuke doesn't need has already declared his loyalty to Orochimaru. He went on his own free will, it is now up to you to let go."
Naruto clenches his fists and faces towards the ground and says in a defeated manner "well at least let me be able to capture Kabuto for the sake of Konoha". Jiraiya smiles a bit and thinks 'So he is starting to come around now. I guess he is putting the sake of his true comrades before his own'. Jiraiya says "It is still unsafe for you to go out of the village with Akatsuki after you." Naruto says loudly "but I still can't sit back and do nothing and be useless like in the rescue of Gaara". Jiraiya "Says well don't worry for now, the alleged meeting is six weeks away from today. When the time comes we will cross that bridge but for now, I think it is long over-due that a certain Genin is in need of a promotion".