Laughter echoed throughout the village of Konoha as children began running out to play. Classes were all cancelled for the day for unknown reasons. Normally, this wasn't a situation to be taken lightly, but children didn't notice.
The sun hung low in the sky as morning broke. Listening to the sounds outside of children learning of their holiday and adults setting about their daily jobs, Naruto rose from his bed, slowly opening his eyes. Quickly, he threw on his usual clothing and grabbed a light breakfast before running out the door. I have a lot of training to do… he thought as he made his way to the forest where he usually did his training.
He stopped short, just before he reached his clearing. Someone was waiting for him; he could feel it. Dodging behind a tree, he peered around. He let out a sigh of relief as he realized that there was no danger in this intrusion. He walked into the clearing, grumbling, "What are you doing here, Perverted Hermit?" afraid that he was going to be dragged away for more research.
Jiraiya subtly rolled his eyes at the title, but smiled down at Naruto. "I've got a task for you," he said, awkwardly cheery. Hearing the moan before it even came, he added, "No, not my usual research. Don't worry. I've been asked to…meet up with a couple of travelers, and figured there wouldn't be any harm in taking you with me."
"A mission?" Naruto asked gleefully. He had been kept from going on any missions recently, his elders fearing that the Nine-Tailed Fox inside his was just one more battle away from being freed. It always seemed so close, and they weren't willing to take chances.
Jiraiya shrugged. "I guess you could call it that. Now hurry up and follow me." He turned and walked away into the trees, Naruto following closely.
They walked silently for several minutes before Naruto looked up at Jiraiya and asked, "Do you know why everyone's classes have been cancelled today?"
The Perverted Hermit looked down and shrugged. "That's what we're finding out. They wouldn't be closed unless there was some sort of threat detected." He saw Naruto's uneasy look and added, "I doubt it's much. They're just being careful. They know two travelers are headed into the village, that's all. We're just gonna check things out." They stopped shortly after the conversation at Konoha's boundaries and waited.
…and waited…
and waited……
and…well…you get the idea.
Naruto, who had wound up sprawled on the ground, turned his head so that he could see his trainer's feet. "Jiraiya," he moaned, "how long are we going to wait here? I'm getting hungry." As if to emphasize this statement, his stomach let out a large grumble.
"Oh, be quiet. They'll be here soon enough."
"That's what you said two hours ago, Perverted Hermit."
Refusing to start up an argument with the kid, Jiraiya just grumbled and continued to stare down the path.