Chapter 9
AN: As I'm writing this I'm watching the Naruto movie, Stone of gel whatever (too lazy to look it up right now). Anyway, thanks for the reviews and ideas everyone! Keep them coming if you have any advice or whatever.
P.S. I'll say it again, go check out the Kingsofsarutobi 'The Orphan'- I adore the new chapter and each one gets better.
Next day…
"You call this an advanced storage scroll?!" Jiraiya mocked his student. Level three in sealing was such a milestone because it consisted of not only learning the basics of silencing seals and prisoner scrolls but expanding on everything levels one and two taught. That meant that once mastered one could make storage scrolls any size- not just the fixed amount from level one- and exploding tags with larger blast radius's. After level three, the next milestone was six, but at the rate Naruto was going- according to Jiraiya at least- he'd never get there.
"Jiraiya-sama, it looks fine" Naruto tried to say calmly. This was the fifth try that appeared perfect but Jiraiya tossed in the 'fail' pile.
"YOU'RE AN UZUMAKI- TAKE PRIDE IN IT!" Jiraiya yelled back. In truth Naruto's seals were above average and would pass in the shinobi stores- but Jiraiya wanted perfect so he'd continue to berate his student. "Look, just try again- and faster! No seal master should need more than fifteen seconds for matrixes this simplistic."
"Yes, Jiraiya-sama."
"Call me sensei gaki. I'm your sensei"
"You lost that right after yesterday's 'spar'" Naruto growled as he ran through another attempt. His leg was still fusing itself back together from Jiraiya tossing him into a cliff.
"You're healed…almost. And no pain no gain!"
"Whatever, you just wanted a punching bag."
"Tsch, even so- make another one! That try took twenty two seconds."
As the two continued to banter and throw several more enlarged storage scrolls in a pile, they never noticed Dragon pocketing them. After all, ANBU budget could always use more storage scrolls and he'd teach his young subordinate torture resistance or something as payment.
By the end of the day Naruto could finally make any size scroll within the time limit, over a hundred had been discarded. Of course when the pair looked over they found the pile empty, much to their confusion. A happy Dragon meanwhile was already back in his office with the haul.
Two days later at dawn Naruto and Angel were with Jiraiya in the Forest of Death, Nothing but Naruto's sword and several spare explosive tags with them. Jiraiya had snuck into the apartment and dragged him out to the Jinchuuriki's least favorite place in the village.
"Jiraiya-sama, what the hell? My squad comes here often enough already, I hate it here"
"And that's a problem, gaki. You're scared of this place"
"Damn right I am." Naruto cut in without remorse. Angel nodded along, having spent a fair amount of time in the place as well.
"I won't have my student scared of some measly forest! Your captain will be ready to resume your Jinchuuriki training in two days- until then you will stay here with Angel. To make it more interesting if you succeed I'll let you sign the Toad contract!" All opposition died in both cat and boy's throats at the promise- to sign such a contract was worth more than almost anything!
"Prepare to have that contract ready for us- we'll survive for two days!" Naruto declared.
"Yeah! There's no way we'd be killed here creepy man!" Angel chorused.
"Heh, but there's not just surviving. You two have to defeat the northeast hive of wasp spiders- don't die, okay?" And the sage was gone with a cackle.
"We're going to die, aren't we?" Naruto asked as the pair set off. The northeast hive was the largest of the five groups of wasp spiders (AN: made them up but that would be horrible if they were real- imagine human sized flying spiders with wasp stingers…shivers), said to be the size of a grown man with a wasp like lower body and spider fangs on the front. True monsters, Naruto only fought a couple at a time in the past while Anko and him gathered their venom for her more lethal poisons. They weren't particularly deadly alone but in a mass hive…
"Probably."
"On the bright side, if we do stay alive we'll have the venom of over two dozen wasp spiders- enough to make Anko pay our next Ichiraku feast I'll bet." Angel snorted.
"Think bigger Naruto- I bet she'll finally teach us that really powerful neurotoxin- I could coat my claws in it and watch my enemies twitch to death!" The hell cat gave a demonic laugh. Naruto sweat dropped.
"You know you scare me some times."
Up in the trees a clone of Jiraiya used his transparent escape technique- the advanced version of the chameleon jutsu taught to ANBU- to observe. He obviously wouldn't let the two actually die, just experience near death in a controlled environment. It would be good practice for the wars to come. Reports showed a possible 'queen' in this hive- a nice warm up for fighting another Jinchuuriki.
"Good luck, my godson."
Another pair of eyes followed the young ANBU on his task, and they weren't human.
Entrance to the Wasp spider cave…
Both gulped as the putrid scent permeated from the entrance. Looking at one another the two nod resolutely. Stepping inside Naruto makes four clones to scout ahead and the real one sends chakra to his ears, Angel already preparing her claws. However, the clones keep getting taken out by lone bugs.
"We'll have to go confront them ourselves seeing as clones won't work to draw them out and I only have a few explosive tags." Naruto informed as the third group of four met doom. Not for the first time Naruto contemplated the merits of murdering Jiraiya for his stupidity. Angel bristled.
"Don't you fuinjutsu guys just use blood to write seals?!" The cat hissed slightly, mostly brought in by fear of the cave. Naruto felt anger and shame fire up.
"Creating seals from blood is level five! I can't just whip up a bomb from blood yet!"
"Hmmph, some seal master you are." The cat gave her human friend a smirk.
"Let's just go. Stupid cats and their expectations!"
Half a mile through the caves and six dead ends later they find it, the main hive.
"SCREECH" Thirty wasp spiders scream at once.
"Shit! Shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto says and ten clones pop forth as a shield. "Retreat!" He commanded as the enclosed space spelled certain death. As the pair ran with bursts of chakra Naruto attached his tags to the kunai. Reaching the outside once more Naruto threw the kunai in the air. "Release!" And they all exploded at once, creating a cloud of smoke to prevent the buggers from flying too high.
What started was a fight for survival, and this time it wasn't a spar and no team was there to back them up.
Dodging a pincer strike Naruto shunshins to avoid a shot of poison. Angel had grown to a panther sized, already having three of the hive underneath her form.
Twelve of the creatures dive bomb him, taking out the clones he'd made.
"Wind style: drilling air bullets!" Naruto said and six bursts of wind fly outwards, decimating the horde. "Take that, you bastards."
"Idiot! We need them intact somewhat to extract the venom!" Angel shouted from nearby.
"Oh yeah, oops. Kenjutsu it is then."
Inside the forest the trees were massive but interconnected, making a shunshin battle with unintelligent bugs not that difficult. The real danger came in their poison: one sting, or thrown glop and you were paralyzed for days, meaning you died. Even Naruto wasn't immune.
Blade met stinger from one of the larger ones in the trees. Summoning wind chakra the stinger got cut in half, Naruto being careful not to damage the venom sack stored near the upper thorax.
"Screech" Was the warning and a kawarimi with a clone saved him from a three wasp dive bomb.
"Now, Angel- attack move twin death cats!" Using Naruto's ability to transform two hell cats leapt high into the air and pounced on the trio of wasp, tearing through them with claws. Eventually the move would include jutsu but for now the claws were enough.
Use my power.
I don't need it though- there's less than five left
Just take it! Kurama sounded frantic. Worried Naruto drew on have a tail's worth.
KABOOM. The forest floor exploded with chunks of rock hurdling through the air, a stray one taking out Jiraiya's startled shadow clone.
"Crap! Angel" Said cat was flung against a tree. Rising from the dust was a wasp spider- half the size of the legendary Gamabunta. Covering the entire body was a hard shell that not even the tons of earth could impale."That's not good" Naruto muttered as he caught his unconscious partner, gashes apparent and a broken hind leg garunteed. A shadow clone appears next to him. "Take her to Hana quickly" he ordered. As the clone took off he turned to his opponent, obviously the queen. The wasp spider spurts a volley of the toxin at him.
Weaving in and out of the globs a familiar orb forms.
"Rasangan!" He shouts, unable to stay quiet in his rage as red chakra bubbles around his form and eyes slit. It hits a steel hard fang, breaking it off before Naruto is blown off. Using the momentum he bounces back off the tree and barrels through a wing- a known weak spot- cutting it in half. Pivoting, he bares his claws at the armored back of the queen trying to take off.
Yokai enhanced claws meet the shell, tearing into it with feral rage though it doesn't penetrate. Another Rasangan grinds into it to create a hole that claws immediately impaled the opening.
An inhuman scream fills the forest and echoes into the village. Dragon had already activated an ANBU squad the moment he felt the Kyubi chakra burst forward suddenly- he knew Jiraiya's idea was foolish when he heard of it not an hour before and they would have words later- and quickened his own pace at the roar.
"Heh, take this!" Naruto snarled and did a downward slice with jagged wind chakra flowing cut the beast deep on the thorax. Unfortunately the sword struck the sack, and a river of the toxin doused Naruto. Falling off the dying beast's body, unable to move, Naruto passed out as Kurama's chakra went away, hurdling headfirst towards the ground. His sword clambered off to the side.
NARUTO! Kurama yelled as his chakra faded.
When ANBU arrived minutes later though, they didn't find their comrade in a bloody smear on the floor.
He wasn't anywhere. No scent led away or chakra signature to light a path. ANBU agent mouse had just…vanished.
"Search the forest-now!" Dragon commanded, he himself aiding. Jiraiya poofed next to him.
"Damn, gaki did great, to take out a queen by himself. Knew he could do it" He was stopped when he looked at Dragon's eye holes boring into him as if he was an insignificant bug.
"Leave this forest before I kill you- and I assure you I could as every ANBU would back me up on this. I will deal with your incompetence later." And the ANBU commander was gone, leaving a gulping toad sage behind.
Next morning…
Naruto groaned, his whole body numb. He couldn't even open his eyes. What happened?
You took enough of that creature's venom to kill boss summons. I don't even know how we're alive as it cut me off from you.
It doesn't smell like a hospital. I can't sense any human chakra signatures.
No negative intent is directed towards you either. Kurama added. Naruto did a mental take back, unaware that Kurama could do such a thing.
"I'm surprised you're awake so soon, young one." A male voice filled with age spoke somewhere to the side of him. He couldn't move, but found his voice worked.
"Where am I?" He asked the darkness. The voice chuckled good naturedly.
"In the Tiger and Panther territory- our healers sucked the poison out before it could absorb into your body. Your tenant took care of the rest." Naruto stiffened at the last part. "Calm yourself, I mean you no harm."
"You said 'Tiger and Panther'. What does that mean?"
"Child, you're in the summoning realm- my granddaughter brought you here, impressed with your battle while on her routine patrol of the area. Defeating a queen, even one hindered by the environment and still in her infant stages, is quite a feat. As for what it means…well, the council is deciding that now."
"Habiki-sama, the council made a decision: the boy is deemed worthy." A younger voice cut off Naruto's question.
"Ahh, excellent."
"What do you"
"You'll find out when you next awaken. For now, sleep" And an overwhelming tiredness took him. Sleep jutsu. Naruto realized, not strong enough to stay awake. "Now that he's asleep…what about the toads?" Habiki looked at the young panther in front of him. Habiki, known for his genjutsu that focused on confusing his opponents back in his youth (AN: still shudder at that word lol), was a rather stern elder. The young feline shifted.
"The council decided we would fight to the last cat on both clans for the boy. He's been marked as our summoner." Habiki nodded in approval.
"Good. Anyone who tries anything can answer to me." The younger cat shuddered slightly; nobody wanted to mess with Habiki the 'Echo death', even Manda was wary of the unusually small but deadly panther.
Twelve hours later…
When Naruto awoke again he felt almost normal.
"Nice to see you're awake again." Habiki said. Naruto looked over: a panther speckled with grey though the size suggested a teenager, stared back. Naruto recognized the voice again.
"Habiki?"
"Yes, it is I."
"And I'm the one who saved you, blondie!" A rather female voice joined in. Another panther the same size piped up, sitting next to a rather large white tiger.
"Ummm…thank you?" Naruto tried. He was still trying to process the situation. As he sat up he realized his shirt and mask were missing. Habiki noticed.
"Your torso was soaked through with the queen's toxin- they're currently burning in a bonfire. Now, I believe it's time to get down to business."
"Business?"
"Yes, child, you've become our next summoner." The tiger lifted a banner saying 'congrats!' at Habiki's praise.
"Welcome to the clan, I'm Akira and this is Hisoka. He doesn't talk much. Or really at all now that I think about it" The newly named Akira greeted. Hisoka bowed his head, eyes lazy like a certain cyclops.
"Oh. Well I was going to sign the toad contract"
"Too late! We already claimed you- just sign your name in blood" Akira said much too cheerfully for Naruto's taste. She reminded him of his Hyuga teammate, and that wasn't a complement: one Hikaru was enough.
"B-but I should get a say in this!" He cried indigently. A tick appeared on Akira's head.
"I saved you from an un cool death by falling. You will sign this and me and Hisoka will be your familiars. Or else." The voice was sweet but Naruto understood the underlying tone all females mastered at an early age: surrender or die. Hisoka sat silently and attempted an intimidating gaze but failed miserably.
"I-I'd love to be the Tiger and Panther clan summoner."
Heh. Whipped by every female- pathetic.
Shut it!
"Good! Before you go back to your village you need to understand the joint clans' history."
"Why do I feel like this will be worse than Tenzo's lectures?" Naruto muttered.
Later, Hokage tower…
The panthers reversed summoned him in front of the tower hours later in a cloak, Hisoka and Akira next to him. They'd already checked on Angel who'd be released tomorrow morning.
"Well Naruto, make sure to summon us often. I expect you to let me play at the next poker night you told us about." Akira said.
"Right. I thought summoners were the boss?"
"Silly. Where did that stupid notion come from?" Even Hisoka sweat dropped at that. Naruto shook his head and waved goodbye. With a gulp he stepped into the tower: going missing for two days wasn't exactly protocol for both a Jinchuuriki and ANBU. There was probably a small panic, he mused.
Turned out there was a massive panic in the council room. On his way to the Hokage's office Yugao dropped down in ANBU gear and gave him a crushing hug.
"Thank God you're okay- where were you! Your chakra couldn't be sensed and your scent disappeared." Naruto gasped.
"Sempai…need…oxygen." She let him go and he sighed. "Sorry, but I kind of got saved by a summoning clan and"
"Save it Mouse. You're needed in the council chambers" Dragon's voice came from nowhere. Nodding the pair followed the commander.
Dragon wouldn't admit it but he was relieved. If Naruto hadn't shown up when he did Dragon would have killed the Toad sage where he sat in the chambers. Most of the clan heads and the elders felt the same way. Dragon couldn't remember a time where the Hokage had to hold himself back so much to keep from killing somebody.
As the trio entered- reentered in Dragon's case- the shinobi council chambers everyone visibly relaxed, even if Naruto still looked pale and was in a tattered cloak. Jiraiya gave a sheepish grin and wave.
"Hey gaki, glad you survived. Nice outfit by the way, very rugged."
"It came from my summons- my shirt and mask were doused in the toxins and I almost died. Three times according to Habiki-sama." Naruto added the last part and Jiraiya winced.
"Yeah, sorry. I guess you weren't ready to fight a queen yet, though no harm done, you're alive!" He chuckled. "Wait- summons?! You're only allowed to sign the Toads!"
"I signed the joint Tiger and Panther contract and there's nothing to be done. They saved me and they're well versed in genjutsu, medical jutsu, and combat, all things I could use." Jiraiya huffed.
"I've never heard of them. I'll bet they're second rate. Your father would want you to sign his contract- annul your contract now." He ordered. Naruto grew a tick mark but it was the Hokage who snapped.
"Jiraiya, need I remind you that you're on thin ice? Putting a Jinchuuriki in unneeded harm without supervision so close to the village"
"I had a shadow clone watching"
"That popped before it had a chance to help. Now, you left him and his feline companion who isn't ready to fight genin yet, much less a queen wasp spider, alone without all his equipment or back up. There were plans to deploy two chunin squads to clear the hive out safely before the exams and Naruto could have joined in there for experience. But you decided that setting him loose there was an acceptable course of action without informing anyone until after he entered the cave! Jiraiya, that folly could be called treason by some. And then demanding him to break a sacred bond with a new clan that could benefit Konoha simply for pride?" The clan heads glared daggers at the sanin. Konoha had around ten contract, and adding an eleventh one that was so well balanced would be a boon, especially when Naruto one day took on a student or had a family and passed it to them. Jiraiya had the intelligence to look apologetic.
"If the Jinchuuriki had died we'd have a Biju to fight on our door step within five years" Danzo added.
"Sorry, it's just his father"
"Is dead. My father is dead, Jiraiya-sama, and while I enjoy learning from you the same things he did, I am not a carbon copy that you seem to want despite your claims. The Toad contract should go to another worthy Konoha ninja- I can think of several in ANBU already, or you could chose one of the soon to be academy graduates. I didn't question you on dropping me in the forest, but from what I just heard I should have." Naruto was disappointed in the man supposed to be his godfather; why had his parents thought the guy would make an acceptable replacement family? Almost killing him for 'training' by having him take an A-rank level unofficial mission? Talk about irresponsible.
"Well said, Naruto. Why don't you tell us exactly what happened in the forest and beyond?" Sarutobi interlaced his fingers as he said it, hiding the pleased smile. Naruto had willingly told his old student to pick another Konoha ninja- that spoke of his character, as some would try to gain a second contract or just leave the matter to fester.
"Heh, well it all started when Angel and I were dragged out of bed and given ten seconds to grab our gear- though Jiraiya only let me take my sword, some kunai, and a few explosive notes."
"Speaking of which it was recovered and repaired- that last cut cracked the metal hard as it is to believe." Sarutobi interjected. Naruto beamed then continued, the council becoming more impressed by the minute.
"So let me get this straight: the 'Tiger and Panther' clan-which merged less than twenty five years ago after centuries of bloody conflict that almost wiped them out but now work side by side in flawless teamwork- saved you from certain death and decided you would be the first summoner since they became one clan. And this was after you beat a queen through luck and circumstance and before that wiped out just about the entire hive of the northeast sector." Sarutobi stated dryly an hour later. Naruto hadn't dived into the intricate history or abilities of his summons, but that was allowed to protect the summons and summoner from enemies that might uncover the intel. Besides, he already planned to fill in Dragon for the ANBU only archives- all of those files were harder to steal than the Hokage mountain it seemed.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. My summons look forward to allying with Konoha while my familiars insist on joining in the next poker game." Some chuckles echoed at that, but many nodded the okay. "And Kurama says I'm practically immune to the wasp spiders now, not that I want to test it." Some of the minor clans looked a bit scared at Naruto being on first name basis with the beast but Sarutobi didn't bat an eye.
"Of course. Take tomorrow off. In two days Tenzo will re start your mastering of your Jinchuuriki powers. In the mean time read this scroll before our next meeting" and a thick scroll appeared out of nowhere and bonked the blonde on the head. Not reacting as his commander was next to him and might take offense to him cursing their boss, he bowed before shunshining away.
Sarutobi then dismissed everyone else but the elders, Dragon, and Jiraiya.
"Am I still his teacher?" Jiraiya asked with some hope. Koharu slid her eyes over to him, and Danzo wished the man had let some one sign the toad contract- he could kill him then.
"Yes, but!" Sarutobi stopped the grin on Jiraiya's face. "We'll discuss additional punishment but for now you are to have your sessions with Naruto monitored by either Dragon, Tenzo, myself, or anyone I deem trustworthy. You have no say in what you teach him besides fuinjutsu- though I trust he'll be at least a solid level four by the chunin exams- even his mother's few jutsu that you know." Jiraiya looked indignant.
"I was going to start him on the hair jutsu this week" He started.
"No, I won't allow that until this mess with Suna and Oto is taken care of. Until then continue to work on his Rasangan- I know you can create it quicker so he can too- the five element seal, and your transparent escape technique. The taijutsu training you put him through is useful but focus on fuinjutsu, chakra control, and ninjutsu for now." Sarutobi put his no nonsense voice on that Jiraiya hated since his genin days causing the S-rank sanin to meekly agree like he was six again and just got schooled for his attitude.
"Yes, sensei."
"Hiruzen, is it really wise to show Naruto the five element seal? He is a Jinchuuriki after all and the seal is useful to subdue him." Koharu pointed out.
"Ah, but he won't be learning the unsealing method yet. Once he masters the entirety of the fox's chakra I'll allow him to know the unseal jutsu." Mullified, the elders gave curt nods. "Now Jiraiya, you have a year to pick out a new Toad summoner." Sarutobi warned.
"But sensei, Naruto is the child of prophecy, I can feel it!"
"That doesn't mean he needs your summoning contract. I am well aware you view him as an apprentice"
"If only you'd make it official" Jiraiya griped. The Hokage refused to sign off on the paper work for some reason. Sarutobi chuckled a bit.
"It's not me you have to convince, but his captain and commander: they have say over Naruto as he's in ANBU operative and having an apprenticeship could take away from his duties after the exams."
"You're the Hokage! You could sign off"
"But I won't! Jiraiya, I have let you, all of my students, become whiny brats that get slaps on the wrist for major infractions! If you were anyone else tonight you would be at the very least in Ibiki's company. Be grateful that isn't the case."
"Jiraiya-sama, you will never be Mouse's mentor if you insist on acting like you are with a genin! I spy on your sessions, and you waste precious time joking around and peeping."
"It's research and I am bonding with my godson!" Jiraiya shot back to the man. Dragon looked at him, and even the mask seemed to send a cool expression.
"You're an instructor first; if you can't maximize your time with him, I will have you write the jutsu on scrolls and let him learn them himself. There are plenty of guard rotations he could fill up. My men are valuable, and wasting his time when the village needs every body is fool hardy." Sarutobi and the elders nodded, Danzo especially agreeing with the ANBU commander. While they still had a too soft handle on the Jinchuuriki, the boy was at least progressing reasonably fast. Danzo found himself wandering what could have happened if the boy had always been properly trained- so much time wasted for 'childhood'. At least he was a solider now.
"Fine. I will find another summoner the toads will accept." Even if he really just wanted to have his toad eat Dragon.
Next day, Inuzuka clinic…
Gazing fondly at his partner Naruto bowed again to Hana.
"Thank you so much, Hana-san. I know cats are not your favorite" This was the third time he thanked her but still felt it wasn't enough: Angel had a punctured lung that could have killed her had Hana not been a competent vet.
"It's fine! I told you, it was my pleasure. It's the least I could do after how you helped me that night, though I didn't expect you of all people to be Mouse. Just remember pup that your feline can't train for a week and bed rest for two days. Be safe, Angel. Don't go fighting wasp spiders anytime soon!" Angel didn't answer as the drugs to dull the pain were keeping her under. She wouldn't be answering for at least a day.
"Well, thanks anyway. And please don't spread it around? The council just found out themselves a while ago- I'd rather less figure it out."
"Of course. Your ANBU identity won't be compromised by me, though if Angel is going to go on missions you'll have to think of something." Naruto winked.
"Already on it once my fuinjutsu skills are adequate."
The masked boy cradled the cage with the snoozing hell cat as he strolled back into the village. He'd take the roof tops or shunshin but the jostling could harm her. Putting on a henge while passing an alley, the now black haired brown eyed Naruto blended into the crowd. With the slightly dark thought about how a simple henge made him 'human' to the civilians he clenched his fists and made his way back home.
After Angel was set up on the couch with a sun beam Naruto made two shadow clones and began to comb through the water jutsu scroll the Hokage hit him with. Huh, 'Moving Whirlpools' eh? Creates four defensive whirlpools that can absorb attacks and acts as a barrier. Defensive, A-rank…what?! I can't even do C-ranks without wasting too much chakra until that damn waterfall is controlled.
It's an Uzumaki jutsu. Your mother used it- it's mainly for fuinjutsu users to be given respite while crafting seals but she managed to make it offensive. Naruto's furry friend yawned at its container.
Wow, Kurama!
Though you might want to hold off on that one. Instead, read the next one. Kurama offered lazily.
Water Wild wave. C-rank, water comes out in a burst from the user's mouth? And it doesn't need a set amount of chakra, the user controls the size! That could work!
I'm a wise fox- of course it will work!
As the real one continued on reading all about his chosen next jutsu to learn his other selves were busy. One clone sat with sealing supplies Dragon had dropped off with a note of 'make as many of the expanded exploding tags as you can with these by tomorrow'. So far, the number was in the fifties with no sign of running out. The other clone sat opposite counting the money they had saved up.
Like most shinobi, Naruto didn't trust banks. He could easily rob one so he had no reason to trust one with his money. Instead he kept them in storage scrolls- one in his locker at HQ for missions, one in his apartment locked under floorboards and traps with the bulk of his money at his captain's place for safe keeping. His gama-chan was just pocket change, hardly a dent in his savings from all the missions lately. After he checked on Tenzo and they went over how his battle with all the wasp spiders went Naruto had requested it back for the afternoon.
Now said clone was counting carefully, adding the double A-rank pay for his extermination of the hive and payment for letting Anko harvest the poison herself, and whistled at the result.
"Boss, we have enough to last six months without missions and still go restock our stuff!" The real Naruto breathed a sigh of relief at that: he had enough then to pay for more fuinjutsu paper and ink, and still have left overs for new clothes. An improved diet finally resulted in a growth spurt, even if it was a measly inch. His uniform still fit for the most part and those were free issue though.
*knock, knock* went the door. Setting the book down he leapt over the growing stack of tags and answered the door, surprised when Jiraiya and Dragon are there.
"Jiraiya-sama, Dragon-sama." He greeted with annoyance; wasn't this supposed to be his day off?
"Mouse/gaki" they answered simultaneously. Dragon seemed to send daggers at his fellow visitor before taking over. "Jiraiya-sama is going to give you fuinjutsu lesson as he has free time. I am here to supervise and collect the tags I ordered." Naruto looked from his commander to his tutor/bad role model/ sort of godfather and realization dawned.
"You got caught peeping again, didn't you?" he deadpanned. Jiraiya looked affronted.
"It's research! Spell it with me, r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h, research research research!"
"Hokage-sama thought since he had so much free time he'd have no trouble continuing your lessons. That, and I threatened to send Guy on him otherwise." An involuntary shudder went up Naruto's spine. As Jiraiya pushed past and went into the apartment Naruto's expression became curious.
'Guy is on a mission though'
'I know, but its too much fun to tell him that' Dragon signed back and amusement was obvious. Suppressing a snort Naruto turned towards his tutor.
"What are we learning today?" His excitement for more fuinjutsu surpassed his need to tease Jiraiya for his cowardice- no matter how well founded.
"Oh, just how to make those prisoner scrolls you keep hammering for" Stars formed in Naruto's eyes. Finally, team Ro's hard earned budget wouldn't suffer!
Prisoner scrolls- the preferred way to transport enemies for incarceration and interrogation across large distances- was a combination of a stasis seal and advanced storage seal that would freeze the body's functions for up to a week by running on the user's chakra, though it used such a small amount that even enemies on their last legs could be sealed, and comrades could be put into it to, though the cost prevented that. For every scroll cost a small fortune and could only be used once or twice depending on the length of stay before it had to be tossed.
"Yatta!" he cheered. Jiraiya looked fondly then puzzled.
"Wait, why are you so interested in this particular seal when it's cumbersome and time consuming to make?" Prisoner scrolls took over ten minutes to write even for masters, and thirty for those of Naruto's skill level- technically a level three, many just went over the theory of it and didn't bother to create them before level five.
"Ever since Oto has bared its fangs ANBU's already meager budget for individual teams has been reduced to fund the preperations for the exams. For the price of one prisoner scroll- which may I remind you the black ops uses a lot- I can make ten out of fuinjutsu supplies. Lives could be saved as transporting both injured squad members and clients through enemy territory is dangerous and sometimes the squad member has to use our suicide technique as most squads carry one at any time. With me, I can have my clones make enough for each team to have at least three at any time." Jiraiya looked impressed and proud.
"You'll make a killing off of it I'll bet." He joked though. Naruto shook his head though.
"No, Hokage-sama will designate enough for my cost of supplies and I'll be given a c rank pay for every thirty I make- won't be hard with clones. It'll give me experience and help out the corps until the budget is back to some normalcy." Using this method could save several agents as they wouldn't have to decide before missions whether more kunai, medical supplies, or expensive but life saving seals should be bought.
Contrary to civilian thought, each permanent squad be it a genin team to the top ANBU team, was allotted certain funds from the village each month for supplies. This would theoretically cover the cost of mission specific supplies and most of the basic gear- in theory. However, since the kyubi attack the civilian council has gotten more influence over taxes and pricing, making the allotted budget become less and less all inclusive. More and more ninja were having to dip into their mission pay just to get the needed supplies to survive the various missions outside the village- thus Dragon's plan to use Naruto's ungodly amount of clones to outfit the corps in the needed seals, even if it was only until after all this mess with allies turning traitor with Orochimaru blew over.
"Not to mention all the one on one training you'll get from me as payment" Dragon pointed out, much to Naruto's horror. The commander chuckled at the ghost white of his subordinate/ punching bag/ student.
"Well that's noble gaki. Now the first thing one must know about prisoner scrolls are the combination ratios of the ink, chakra, and space between each character." Jiraiya began. Naruto took notes studiously. As the pair drawled on Dragon found himself relegated to the couch with Angel, though the feline was no help and snoozed. Man, if only Hikaru wasn't playing sensei with Kakashi's brats today- I could be catching up on the Icha Icha or sparing with the Hokage. Sigh, the things I do for the village. Course, Dragon would stay until the Toad taught Naruto the scroll- he couldn't have him attempt to run off after giving a basic explanation after all. Though if fuinjutsu wasn't so boring to normal people Dragon might not find it tempting to pull his hair out while perusing through a budget report.
"Gaki! Not so much chakra- do you want to blow up your table?!"
With Team seven…
Hikaru was ready to slit his 'team's' throats. Or rather, just Sasuke's.
"I should be learning jutsu, not stamina exercises!" The Uchiha fumed. Hikaru rolled his eyes, while Sakura practiced healing bruises on Sai from training. Both ignored their team mate, whose attitude had soured worse since Hikaru took over again. Kakashi was due back any day however, and then the ANBU agent would be free for awhile! If only the cyclops would hurry.
"No. You are not ready'" loyalty and stability wise "for more jutsu and basics kill. Your 'rival' Naruto uses primarily the shunshin, weapons, and a couple of other jutsu to fight" That and his Rasangan but the brat doesn't need to know that. "Continue the basics, apply teamwork, and you'll beat the strongest of opponents" Sasuke glowered at him but resumed the obstical course they had set up. If he would just prove he wouldn't defect at the first signs of power I and many others would love to teach him scores of jutsu. However, until that day he isn't even allowed to have access to genjutsu or ninjutsu over C-rank. Not even his family library gives him them as its controlled by the Hokage.
"Let's take a break." Hikaru offered as Sasuke failed the fourth time to finish the course as his anger took over. Just two more days or so.
End! Naruto got his summons (they'll be useful later) starts helping out his comrades, and Jiraiya got schooled! The Toad sage was always irresponsible, but now he'll have to watch over Naruto's training- and as a result, he'll find he bonds better with his godson when half the time isn't spent looking at women. I wanted to add in another Kabuto scene, and the next mission, but decided to cut it off as other wise I might not get it out before Saturday (really depends but I don't want to make y'all wait so long). Hope you enjoy, next time is more build up, a certain guard rotation I've wanted to add for over a week, and a twist in the invasion plans!
Ps. For those that think Jiraiya got off too harshly for his negligence, remember that in canon Naruto probably wouldn't have needed so much help after he returned for Shippuden if Jiraiya just sat down and trained him properly. With a babysitter looking over his shoulder, Naruto's time can't be wasted because lets face it: they're prepping for war, and training should be serious.
