Trials of Ice and Fire

Legend:

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Jutsu

"Boss Summon/Tailed Beast Speaking"

'Boss Summon/Tailed Beast Thoughts'


Chapter 2: Truth and Lies

The Next Day, At the Waterfall

Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)!

A puff of smoke appeared and a small messenger toad appeared in front of Jiraiya.

"Please tell Shima-sama to return Naruto please."

The toad nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

'First things first I'm going to have to talk to Naruto. Explain to him what is happening and what I'm planning. Hopefully he will go along with it.'

Another puff of smoke signaled the arrival of Shima with Naruto.

"Hello, Jiraiya-chan," was heard as the smoke cleared.

Bowing in respect Jiraiya addressed the elder toad sage, "Hello, Shima-sama. Was there any trouble with Naruto back at the mountain?"

Shima sighs and says sadly, "Not much but let's just say the toads are not very happy with Konoha right now."

Resting Naruto against a nearby rock, Jiraiya responds, "Yes, I figured they would not be. What happened?"

"Yes. Well you see..."


Flashback! Yesterday, Mount Myōboku

A puff of smoke signaled the arrival of elder Shima and Naruto to Myōbokuzan, the home of the toad clan. Appearing in the bedroom of the small cottage home, Shima laid Naruto down on the bed and tucked him in. Entering the room shortly after was a small green toad with balding gray hair visible on the top and large grey eyebrows extending around his face to the sides of his head. This toad was Fukasaku, husband of Shima and the other elder toad sage.

"Hey, Ma, who is this? When you were summoned earlier we had no idea what was happening. Some of the toads were getting worried."

"Ah, Pa! Don't startle me like that you old goat! This is young Naruto Uzumaki. I brought him here as a favor for Jiraiya."

Fukasaku's eyebrows shot straight up when he hear the name.

Surprised, he asks, "Minato's tadpole? Why did Jiraiya have him brought here? Ican sense he has not signed the toad contract. You know that anyone who hasn't should not be here."

"I know, Pa, I know. I can assure you Jiraiya had valid reasons for him being here. Things have gone very bad for Naruto in Konoha. Please assemble the clan in 30 minutes because they all need to hear this. It could affect our future partnership with Konoha. "

A bewildered look crossed Fukusaku's face as he nodded and then left, no doubt wondering what could possibly happen to cause this.

As he left, Shima's face crumpled in sadness as he stared at the child sleeping peacefully. With tears running down her face she caressed his face and said in a soothing tone, "Don't worry, young tadpole. You are safe here."

30 Minutes Later

The toads gathered in the clearing are confused. A little while ago they were all asked to assemble here to discuss something that could affect their relationship with Konoha. In the front group were three very large toads: a red toad with a scar over his left eye wearing a blue jacket and tanto with a pipe in his mouth, a purple toad dressed in a battle kimono and mesh wielding a sakazuki-like shield and sasumata, and an aquamarine toad wearing an orange sash around his stomach and wielding two huge katanas. These toads were Gamabunta, Gamaken and Gamahiro.

The one with the katanas asked, "Elders, what is going on? Why have you assembled us?"

"Patience, Hiro. Ma will explain what's happening in a minute."

The purple toad then said: "I may be ungraceful, but may I assume that this has to do with the young tadpole currently sleeping in your cottage, Elder Shima?"

The rest of those gathered were now listening to the conversation with interest.

Nodding, "You would be correct Gamaken."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that Minato's son, the jinchūriki?"

"Yes, 'Bunta, it is."

Turning to address everyone, Shima then starts to speak.

"Everyone listen to me. Something terrible has happened in Konoha. You all remember young Minato, Jiraiya-chan's first apprentice. You all know how he died facing the Kyūbi no Kitsune 13 years ago by sealing it into his child. His last wish was that his son be treated as a hero. Thanks to Jiraiya who encountered young Naruto, he learned the truth and what a terrible, tragic truth it was!"

Flashback End!


"I told them all that you told me and needless to say they were furious. We had to use Gamahiro and Gamaken to restrain 'Bunta from going to the portal to this world and attacking the village in a rage. He loved Minato like he was his own tadpole. To hear how his only son and heir was treated here caused him to fly into a rage. He's now drinking himself into a stupor to drown his sorrow away and refuses to be summoned until this is fixed. The rest of the clan is of similar attitudes. I'd recommend not summoning them unless it is an absolute emergency."

Jiraiya sighed in dejection. "I understand, Shima-sama. I will respect their wishes."

"It's probably for the best, Jiraiya-chan. Did you discuss what will happen with young Naruto with your sensei?"

Looking determined now, "Yes we did. We've got a plan to help protect him from now on and give him some happiness in his life."

Jiraiya then informs Shima of what he and the Hokage planned: his taking Naruto as his full-time apprentice and guardian, his plan to have the Hokage talk to the sensei of Naruto's classmates who will then talk to their students, his plan for training for the finals, his inheritance and then leaving after the exams are done.

Nodding in agreement while chuckling, "You could always get out of the stickiest situations Jiraiya-chan. It's brilliant."

Smugly, "It's not too bad if I say so myself. Thank you for taking care of Naruto Shima-sama. I am in your debt."

"Think nothing of it, Jiraiya-chan. Ja ne." A puff of smoke and Shima was gone.

'I suppose I better wake him up and get started.'

Kneeling in front of him, he taps Naruto's forehead and mutters "release".

Naruto starts stirring and opens his eyes, a dead look in them. Upon seeing Jiraiya he groggily Naruto asks, "Ero-sennin was yesterday a dream? Did all that happen?"

Kneeling down to look Naruto in the eye, "No, it wasn't a dream and yes, all of that happened."

Looking cautiously hopeful, "And what you said! Did you mean it?"

Giving Naruto the most solemn and serious look he could muster, "Yes, Naruto, it is all true."

Light returns to Naruto's eyes and giving Jiraiya a smile, not the fake one to mask his pain, but a true, genuine smile that brightens the room.

"So what is going to happen to me now? Are we still training?"

"Yes, we are but first let me tell you what happened after you fell asleep. Then we can get started."

Mood rising by the minute as Jiraiya gives a recap of all that has happened and what he plans to do, Naruto is overjoyed by the end of it all.

Already knowing the answer but needing to get all the formalities out of the way, "So, Naruto, will you accept?"

Jumping to his feet and bowing deeply at the waist Naruto says with utmost respect and adoration in his voice, "I have only known you for one day and already you have done more for me than anybody ever has in my life. I am honored by your decision to train me as your successor and I humbly accept. Thank you so much, Jiraiya-sama."

Clapping his hands together and returning the bow, "No, Naruto, the honor is mine. I look forward to teaching you to the best of my abilities."

Both standing up now Jiraiya starts cracking his knuckles and says, "All right, Naruto, it's time to get started. I plan on training you into the ground every day until the finals. We need you to get as strong as possible, as fast as possible. I've got a training schedule in mind for you. However, it will be grueling. Expect to go to sleep every night with chakra exhaustion because that is how hard I'm going to work you. There is no turning back now because certain events have been set in motion that will require you to be strong enough."

"Yosh! I am ready to get this done! Let's do it."

Suddenly remembering the Gogyō Fūin, Jiraiya halts Naruto's celebrating. "Wait, Naruto, I almost forgot about the seal Orochimaru gave you. Come here and lift up your shirt so I can remove it."

Naruto does as told and raises his shirt. Fingertips glowing blue Jiraiya slams his hand into Naruto's stomach with a cry of "Gogyō Fūin Kai!" (Five Elements Seal Release) and then it all goes dark.


My second chapter for the story. Shorter, but I felt that was a good place to end.