It had been two years since Naruto battle with Pain. The last anyone had seen of Konohagakure's hero was when he had running off to face the real Pain. No one knew what to think, his body or the bodies of the two Akatsuki members were never found but everyone else who had died during the battle had been brought back to life. During and after the recovery they had sent many search parties to look for the hero but every time they came up empty. Soon they gave up trying to find the lost hero. His friends never gave up hope of finding their friend but with the passing of time it seemed less likely they would ever find him.
One peaceful day a very girly scream filled the air. It was Kakashi was holding a copy of the newest Icha Icha. His eye gleamed with tears of joy as he picked up the book. He had a mission with Sakura but he was sure she wouldn't mind waiting an hour or two while he started reading what must be literature master piece to be worthy of the title Icha Icha. After he paid of his book he was getting ready to go home to read his book when he came face to face with last student she stood in a threatening manner.
"Kakashi-Sensei…what are you doing?" she asked sweetly.
"I am getting ready to meet you for our mission," he said slowly hoping that was the correct thing to say.
"Then we can head to Tsunade-Sama's office together since that is where you were going anyway," Sakura said smiling.
"Hai…" he said his head falling in defeat. He wanted to read his book but he couldn't in front Sakura anyway. Now that Naruto was gone her violent tendencies had turned on him and it would come out when he would read his book. He was determined to read this book no matter the cost, even if it cost him his life. If he had learned one thing from the Number one hyper active knucklehead Shinobi, it was never give up no matter the odds. A firry passion burned in his eye.
"Whatever you are thinking…stop," she said not even looking at him.
"Sakura-Chan," Kakashi whined as they stopped in front of Tsunade's office. Sakura ignored him as she knocked on the office door.
"Enter!" they heard Tsunade called out, they entered into her office and a look of surprise came over Tsunade's face," Kakashi you are early."
"You told us to be here at this time Tsunade," Sakura said.
"But I never expect Kakashi to be here…he must not know…"
"He knows I found him at the store," she said glaring at her Sensei.
"I would hate to disappoint you Hokage-Sama… so I will return in let's say…an hour or three?" Kakashi said hopefully.
"Fat chance you are here so the quicker you finish the mission the sooner you can get to your porn," Tsunade replied.
"It is not porn…it is art from Kami himself," Kakashi said his eye lit with the fires of his passion.
"One of Jiraiya's spies has contacted his publisher telling him he has another book that will be in a few days, you are going to find him and bring him back here," Tsunade said, handing a picture to Kakashi, "Sai will be accompany you but like I said I didn't expect you to be here yet but he will be at the main gate in three hours."
Kakashi's eyes widened, "three hours," before either of them could say anything he was gone. He was back at his apartment.
Three hours later, Sai was already at the main gate waiting for, "Hello Sakura," he said as she approached with his fake smile, "hello Kakashi-Senpai."
"Yo," he said reading his book.
"Kakashi-Sensei…I thought I told you don't read those books in front of me," she said cracking her knuckles dangerously.
"What happened to the days when my students respected me and thought I was so cool?" Kakashi said putting his book away.
"Kakashi-Sensei," he turned to see Hinata running towards him, "I want to go with you…they might know something about Naruto-Kun."
"Hinata why do this to yourself, no one has seen him in two years…if he was alive don't you think he would have returned?" Sakura said unable to look at Hinata. She wanted to believe that Naruto was alive and they would one day find him, but the pain of each lead running them into a dead end to much to bear. She couldn't handle pain of allow herself hope that they might find him only to have it snatched from her.
"I don't care, I have to find him," she said tearing down her face, "I can't abandon him not when there is the slightest chance that he is still alive, he would never give on us so I will never give up on him."
"Hai…hai…please don't cry," Kakashi said, patting her on the shoulder, "you can come with us."
"Shouldn't we get Tsunade-Sama's permission first?" Sai asked smiling.
"Let's not worry about the finer details," Kakashi said waving him off.
"I think that is more than a finer detail," Sakura said in undertone but she didn't argue she knew it was no use. They made their way to an outpost that the informant was rumored to be. A place Jiraiya often frequented because of the hot springs.
It took about twenty minutes for them to reach the outpost, "is that him?" Sakura asked pointing at a man who had his arms around a couple of women. He didn't seem to notice them either.
"Was this easier than you guys though it was going to be?" Kakashi asked a sweat drop appeared on the back head, they all nodded in agreement.
"I don't know if I will make it back alive, tomorrow I am leaving on a dangerous mission," he said dramatically.
"Why wait until tomorrow?" Kakashi asked appearing behind him. The spy froze and turned slowly.
"Please excuse us, we need a word with our friend," Sakura said placing her hand in his shoulder and began squeezing.
"Ladies it seems I have run into something unavoidable," he said wincing in pain. Sai smiled at the two girls and they quickly walked away. They looked back to see if Sai was still watching them.
"He is watching us walk faster," one of them hissed at her friend.
"What…what…are you doing here?" he asked looking terrified.
"Why have you been contacting Jiraiya's publisher?" Kakashi asked.
"Because I was told too," he said terrified.
"By who and who gave you the writings?" Sakura asked squeezing his shoulder even tighter.
"JIRAIYA!" he cried out in pain.
"Jiraiya-Sama is dead," Kakashi said frowning, "he died two years ago."
"I…I…thought so too…but he contacted me about a year ago…and told me to send get the Icha Icha into publishers on a certain date and…he is supposes to meet me here tomorrow for a new book…"
"Another Icha Icha already?" Kakashi asked his eyes wide with hope.
"No…a prequel to…Tales to a Gutsy Shinobi…it will be a three part series…I can't feel my arm please let go," he said tears running down his face.
"What about Naruto…do you know anything about Uzumaki Naruto?" Hinata asked.
"Well I might be able to tell you something…if I am properly compensated, if you know what I mean," he said smiling Hinata turned bright red.
"I am sure ANBU can get him to talk," Sai said with his fake smile.
"Alright…alright, there is no need for such harsh measures… I know Naruto…he was a good kid I haven't seen him in about three years, how is the Gaki doing?"
"He is missing," Hinata said softly.
"I wish I could help you but I don't know where he is."
"Do you know where Jiraiya is?" Kakashi asked.
"No…but he will be here tomorrow," he said rubbing his recently freed shoulder.
"You are sure Jiraiya will be here tomorrow?" Hinata asked.
"Hai," he replied, "like I said he supposes to have me send the next book to the publishers."
"And you are sure that it is Jiraiya?" Kakashi asked.
"Hai…he knew things only Jiraiya could have known."
"Kakashi-Sensei, what do we do?" Sakura asked.
"We stay here and see if this is really Jiraiya who call our friend here or if it is someone else," Kakashi replied. As they walked away Kakashi whispered to the others, "we need to keep an eye on him just in case."
That night the spy was stumbling from the bar when he bumped into someone, "you look like hell," the voice said. He looked up into the face of Jiraiya.
"It looks like your publisher contacted Konoha about you," the spy said.
"Give this to the publisher…and this to the Konoha Shinobi," he first gave an envelope then a book title A Tale of a Shinobi's Worth. He looked down at the book studying it for a moment.
"Why do…" he started but Jiraiya was gone, "those Shinobi aren't going to be happy.
Jiraiya was on the road heading away from Konoha when he found his way blocked by Kakashi. He just smiled at the sight of Kakashi reading his newest book, "So you have come to take me back to Konoha."
"It looks that way," Kakashi said coolly.
"But why go thru the motions if we fight who knows what I will divulge like what happens at the new of my new book…which happens to be my best work so far," Jiraiya said nodding his head.
"Hai, hai," Kakashi agreed.
"Where is the Naruto?" Kakashi asked calmly.
"That would ruin the story you wouldn't want that would?" Jiraiya replied. Kakashi frowned at his words, "until next time Kakashi," and with that he was gone in a puff of smoke.