Chapter 2 Returning to Ones Roots
Naruto and Jiraiya walked down the road as they came across a small village fifteen minutes from the Leaf. Naruto glanced down at his attire and shook his head. He had forgotten how much orange he had worn. He looked to Jiraiya to see the man staring absent mindedly at the sky.
"Hey, sensei?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we make a quick stop at a clothing shop? I kinda think it's time to move past orange."
"About time. I have been saying the same thing for two years." Jiraiya looked at him, smiling.
"Yeah. I guess it finally sunk in. Anyway, I'm going to get some new clothes."
He turned to leave but stopped. Spinning around, he hugged Jiraiya, and let go.
"Thanks for everything, sensei." Naruto said as he took off to the nearest clothing store.
Jiraiya watched him, shocked as the blonde dissappeared onto a nearby clothing shop.
"What the devil happened to him?" He asked confussed before he noticed a nearby hotspring.
He giggled like a school girl and cast his stalking no jutsu. Naruto watched, snikering. He had cast a genjutsu on Jiraiya, making the man think that he was peeping on women when all he was doing was looking through the hole in a barrel.
"He still thinks I can't cast a genjutsu to save my life. Thank god for Kyuubi." Naruto sighed and entered the store and began to browse.
After fifteen minutes, he settled on a black jacket with a dark blue shirt. He wore dark green Ninja pants and dark blue sandels. He left his jacket open to expose his undershirt which fit him tightly. He frowned when he realizxed that he could see all the muscles he had developed. He shook his had and walked over to a giggling Jiraiya. Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder and released him from the genjutsu.
"What the?" Jiraiya looked up to see a grinning Naruto.
"Like barrels, sensei?"
"Huh?" Jiraiya looked back to the hotspring only to see a barrel infront of him.
He stood up and looked around before his eyes settled on the blonde.
"I thought you couldn't do genjutsu."
"Kyuubi showed me how. That reminds me. I came across a term I don't understand. What is a Hanyou?"
Jiraiya motioned for Naruto to follow him. They walked out the village before he spoke.
"Naruto, Hanyou's are part demons. They look perfectly human, but under times of great stress, they beging to show their demon side. They are immortal to a point and stop ageing around their twentith birthday. They are incredably hard to kill. Why the sudden intrest?"
"Nothing. Just something Kyuubi mentioned to me a while back. Something about us fusing."
Jiraiya sighed.
"I had a feeling that would happen. Naruto, you will eventually become a hanyou."
"Really? On well. Things could be worse."
Jiraiya stared at him. Before he could say anything, they reached the gates to the Village Hidden in the leaves. Naruto's grin widdened as they walked into the village. The guards on duty greeted them, Naruto walked with slow, delibrate steps. He eventually came across Sakura and the Konohamaru corps. He smiled as he walked up behind Sakura, surpressing his chakra.
"And then the cat attacked Naruto for no reason." She was saying.
"Not true. I kinda squished it, remember?" He said, smiling.
Sakura jumped in fright and turned around to come face to face with a six foot tall Naruto. What was even more shocking was the lack of orange clothing. She looked him over, not daring to believe it was him. He simply grinned.
"So, Sakura. I see you have become more womanly." He said, remembering clearly the beating he recived for saying she hadn't changed at all.
She blushed pink as she looked down.
"Thank you, Naruto. You have become more manly."
Naruto chuckled as she looked him over again, her eyes resting a moment on his rock hard abs. Before she could say anything, a bang and a poof of smoke proceeded the apperanced of a beautiful brunette. She gave Naruto a sexy wink before dissapearing, only to be replaced by a grinning twevle year old boy. Naruto patted the kid on the head.
"Well done, Konohamaru. But, don't use that technique any more. Kay?"
The boy looked at him, amazed. He could only nod hie head as Naruto turned to Jiraiya.
"We should get going. Tsunade-sama isn't a patent woman if memory serves."
"Who are you and what have you done with Naruto?" Sakura asked, joking.
"Jiraiya-sensei managed to teach him how to be respectful." He said grinning as they headed for the Hokage tower.
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Naruto and the Toad Sage walked intro the tower. Naruto knocked and waited for her to tell them to come in. Jiraiya beamed as he bounded happily into the room.
"Hey, Tsunade! Long time no see!"
Tsunade looked up and glared at him, making him halt mid step.
"Uh..bad time?" He asked, fearing for his life.
"Very. Where's the knuckl head?"
"Right here, Tsunade-sama." Naruto said, bowing deeply.
Tsunade looked at him in amazement as he stood tall and maintained eye contact.
"Naruto? My, you've grown. And become more of a man." She said, blushing slightly as she looke him over.
Naruto let out a frustrated sigh. Why in the world did every woman he came across want to check him out?
"Yeah. It's alll because of Jiraiya-sensei."
"'Jiraiya-sensei'? Whoa, you've deffinatly changed. Tell you what? Why don't you go ahead and look around and Jiraiya will give me the debriefing."
"Sounds good." He said.
He got up and walked to the door. His hand was staring to go to the knob when Tsuande shouted out "Hey, brat! Catch!". He truned quickly and snatched a set of keys out of the air. He looked at them, than back at her.
"It's a welcome back presant. Also, your apartment complex was demolished a few months ago. You stuff is boxed up in your house."
"Thanks, Hokage-sama." Naruto said, cheerily as he left the room.
Tsunade turned to Jiraiya.
"You did a number on him. Good job."
"Actually, he woke up that way yesterday. I guess he finally decided to grow up."
"We can only hope."
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Naruto was walking peacfully through the village, taking in the familar sights.
Hard to believe that in three years, Orochimaru'll attack again. He almsot got us too, if it hadn't been for Sasuke fighting back against Hebi.
Naruto's face fell into sadness as he remebered how Sasuke had struggled to regain control of his body, only killing them both as he plunged the Chidori into his own chest. Unfortunatly, Hebi managed to escape and ellud capture.
Not this time. This time, I'll make sure you live, Sasuke.
Naruto hadn't even been paying attention to where he was going and ended up colliding with Lord Hiashi Hyuuga. Both fell on their butts. Naruto looked up and immidatly sunk into a low bow.
"Lord Hyuuga. I apologize for not watching where I was going. Please. allow me to help you carry your bags."
Hiashi looked at the boy with intrest. He had always been neutral to the young man, mainly because he had never shown a tenduncy to attack the village. The boy had always tried to help the leaf village. Even though he liked the boy for the most part (Hiashi had laughed like a lunatic when he saw what Naruto had done to the Hokage Monument) He was still aprehensive about the fox. Hiashi gave the boy a quick look over and nodded.
"Very well. Apology accepted. You will follow me and carry the bags."
Naruto nodded and lifted up the two bags of groceries.
"Hey, Lord Hyuuga? How come you don't send some one to do this for you?"
"Because I feel the need to do my part to help keep the clan well. That includes the occasinal trip to the market."
"I see. I guess that is the reason your clan looks up to you so much. You have a great philosphy."
Hiashi looked back at him, curiously. Maybe the boy was more than he appeared. He went back top leading him to the Hyuuga compound where he lead Naruto to the Kitchen. Naruto set the bags down and began helping them put the groceries away. It took them ten minutes to finish. Hiashi looked at him gratfully.
"Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated."
"No sweat. After all, I knocked you over on accident anyway. Um, Lord Hyuuga?"
"Hm?"
"Is Hinata home?"
"No. She is on mission. Why?" He asked suspisiouly.
"No reason. Just wanna catch up is all. Good day Lord Hyuuga." Naruto bowed again and left the building respectfully.
Hiashi watched him leave with a thoughtful expression.
Hm. Perhaps I should consider him as a possible husband for Hinata. Afetr all, she is infatuated with him.
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Naruto walked down the darkening streets of the village, heading for Ichiraku Ramen. He entered and was surprised to see Sakura sitting at the stall, eating a small bowel of what looked like pork ramen.
"Hey! If it isn't Naruto! Long time no see!" Teuchi, the owner said, smiling as the blonde sat down.
Ayame looked out from the kitchen and blushed severly. Naruto saw this and knew what she was thinking. He had learned over the years the reasons why women blush. Now, he kinda wished he didn't. Ayame shook her head and smiled at him.
"Hello, Naruto-kun." She said, emphasising the honorific.
Teuchi rasied an eyeborw as he saw Naruto go a little red.
"Hey, Ayame-chan. How have you been?"
"Fine. Thanks to you, I was able to go to collage. I'd be willing to pay you back anyway you want." She said, flirtaiously.
Teuchi hoped to God he said no. He would have a word with her later.
"Um. No thanks nesecessary. Beside, you guys deserved my service. After all, your the only ones who knew about ky-um, who knew of my problem and stil treated me kindly." He mentally cursed himself.
He remebered that that wasn't public knowlage yet. And he had almost let it slip. Teuchi noticed it and sighed in relief.
"Yes well, what can I get ya?"
"Hm...I'm not really to hungry. How about a bowel of miso?"
"A single bowel? Alright." Teuchi looked at him skeptically.
Sakura turned to Naruto.
"So. What have you been up to?"
"Not much. Just learining some new things. You?"
"I learned alot of medcal ninjutsu and also learned how to use super human strength like sensei."
Naruto nodded, remebering the first time she had used her emense strength. It had scared the living shit outta him. But that wouldn't happen untill tomarrow.
"Good. Say, Sakura? Have you been seeing anyone? I mean, just so you know, I'm over my crush now. I just wanna know."
Sakura looked at him skeptically. But seeing that his eyes betreayed nothing, she believed him.
"No." She said softly.
Naruto lowered his head. He knew she was still missing Sasuke.
"Hey, Sakura? Why don't you give Lee a chance? He's a great guy. Smart, funny, and a kind person."
She looked at him and realized he was saying things she already knew.
"I don't know. It's just that..." Her voice trailed off.
"Sakura. I know your waiting for Sasuke. But, I think it's time to move on. Even though I promised to bring him back, I might not be able to. And it isn't healthy for you to just wait for him. As your self proclaimed older brother, I don't want to see you hurt. Just give Lee a chance. You won't regret it."
"'Older brother'? Since when?" She asked, smiling.
"Hm. Since now." He said, grinning.
Teuchi set the bowel in front of him. Nauto began to eat at a normal pace. Normal as in how fast normal people eat. Sakura just smiled at him.
"Well. I guess your right. Besides, if my nii-san approves of him, why shouldn't I?"
"Always listen to you older bro. He knows his stuff. For the most part." Naruto finished his bowel and pushed it away, thanking them as he tossed a few notes on the table.
"Alright. Oh. That remonds me. Hinata wanted me to tell you hello just incase she wasn't here when you arrived."
"Yeah. And it'll be a week before they get back too." He said miserably.
"How would you know?"
"Easy I read the mi-I mean, Hiashi told me this morning when I ran into him. Litterally."
Sakura laughed at the mental image of the powerful Hiashi hyuuga knocked on his ass in the middle of the street.
"Oh.We should get to the Hokage before it gets to late." She said, checking her watch.
Naruto nodded and they headed off to the tower.
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Naruto stood respectfully in Tsunade's office as she looked at him over her folded hands, eyes pericing into his own. He simply smiled and waited.
"Naruto. I have been talking with Jiraiya. We have agreed on three things. One: Due to the skill and promise you have shown, along with your new found maturity, I am promoting you to chunin." She pulled a green vest otu and tossed it to him.
He tanked her and put it on over his black jacket, rolling up it's sleves up past the elbow.
"Second: I want you to head to Suna. Their getting a little antsy about a certain organization."
"Akatsuki." He growled.
Tsunade sent Jiraiya a questioning look. He shook his head, letting her know he didn't say anything. She pursue how he knew at a later date.
"And thrid, we want to inform you of your parents."
"I know who thay are already. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki."
"How the devil did you know?!" Jiraiya asked, looking at him flabbergasted.
"Well, for one, I knew I was the fourths son because lets face it. Not to many blonde haired blue eyed shinobi running around the village. Also, I have been called the Legacy of the fourth. As for how I know about my mother, that's simple. Kyuubi told me."
Tsuande cursed the fox silently.
"Well, that's everything. You'll head to Suna the day after tomorrow. Your going alone, mainly because I don't have the resources to send more than one shinobi. So, get some rest. When you get back, we also have to talk about some of the things that were left for you."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." He bowed and vanished in a swirl of leaves.
"What the hell? Did you teach him that?!" Tsunade rounded in Jiraiya.
He rasied his hands in a defensive position.
"I swear, I didn't teach him that!"
"What is going on with that boy?"