Author Note: None
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter X-
As soon as the preliminary tournament is over, Naruto immediately heads over to the hospital to look for Kakashi, trying to get the jounin to train him. Running into the lobby, Naruto starts screaming at the receptionist to find out where Sasuke is. He almost goes ballistic when the receptionist refuses to tell him which room Sasuke is in until Kakashi walks out to meet Naruto.
"Relax Naruto, this is hospital. Even if you are in a hurry, there is still no excuse for you to make all these ruckus."
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Before you start, I know exactly why you are here. Sasuke has a… condition that I must keep an eye on. That's why I found someone to oversee your training."
"Is this the student you were talking about Kakashi?" a voice says behind the two.
"Oh, you're here Ebisu."
"Him? You're asking him to train me?" Naruto says, incredulous.
"Ebisu is the personal trainer for temporary Hokage. You always said how you are going to become the next Hokage. I thought Ebisu would be the perfect trainer for you," Kakashi says, scratching his head.
"I've already defeated him before, why did you ask him to train me!"
"Defeated him before?"
"Don't mind what he's saying. It was just a childish bet."
"I see. Well, I think you two should get going then."
"I'd rather train with Zabuza then this guy!"
"Well, unfortunately, Zabuza is currently out on a solo mission," Kakashi says.
"I'd rather train with Haku-chan than him!"
"I don't think you would want to. If Tenten stumbles onto you two training, nothing will get done. Beside, I am sure that Ebisu will be able to make you an even better ninja."
"…Are you sure Kakashi-sensei?"
"Why the doubtful tone? When have I ever lied to you?"
"Every time the team has a meeting."
"…Never mind that. I am absolutely positive this time."
"That's what you told us the last time you announced the time of a meeting. You were late by two hours."
"OK, fine… Ebisu, can you take him to the hot springs town nearby? I will send a letter to him and ask him to meet Naruto there, but it'll probably take a couple of days until he gets there. If you set out today, he should be there by the time you arrive."
"Very well. I will take Naruto there then."
"Now who are you two talking about?"
"Well, I guess you can all him my sensei's sensei. You know that my sensei is Yondaime-sama himself, so how about it? I'm letting you train with someone who taught the greatest Hokage… not to mention that he is also the student of Sandaime-sama."
"Jiji's student? Yondaime's sensei?"
"That's right."
"Fine! But if I find that this is a trick… there is no telling what I would do…"
"OK, OK, don't worry. I'll make sure that he is there."
"Then I'm going home to pack."
"Meet me at the gate in two hours," Ebisu says.
The two Jounins watch as Naruto walks out of the hospital, grumbling all the way. Sighing, Kakashi starts toward Sasuke's room again until Ebisu stops him.
"Are you certain that it's wise to leave him in someone else's hand? I thought that you would want to train him yourself."
"I did, but something came up. Orochimaru tried to abduct Sasuke, I need to stay close to Sasuke to make sure nothing happens. It's not fair to either Naruto or Sasuke if I can't focus on either of their training."
"Very well, I just hope that he agrees to train Naruto."
"He'll show. He would want to see Naruto for himself."
As soon as Naruto gets home, he rushes up to his room to pack, completely ignoring Haku, who was waiting for Naruto to get home so she can ask him about the Chuunin exam. Following him up to his room, Haku watches in amazement as Naruto starts throwing his clothes about haphazardly. She waits until Naruto calms down before approaching him.
"Naruto-san."
"Oh hi Haku."
"What's going on?"
"I have to leave on a one month training trip."
"Why?"
"The third phase of the Chuunin exam is one month away."
"I see… Is it possible for me to go with you?"
"Huh?" Naruto looks up from his packing, "I… guess so… if you want to. But what about Zabuza? He'll be worried if he can't find either of us."
"He will return from his mission in about a week. I can just leave him a note."
"You have to promise me one thing Haku. If you see Tenten-chan, please don't get into a fight with her."
"I will if she doesn't bother me."
"Well… I guess it's OK."
"Then I shall pack as well."
Two hours later, the two ninjas are standing at the gates of the village, getting ready to leave with Ebisu who was waiting for them when they arrived. As they set out, Haku and Ebisu can hear the muttering of Naruto that sounds something like finally seeing a Jounin who's actually on time. Knowing Naruto's tendencies, Haku decides to keep her mouth shut to avoid adding fuel to the fire, but Ebisu, not knowing what he's getting himself into, asks Naruto what he's muttering about. It takes Haku and Ebisu half an hour to finally shut Naruto up from his ranting. The next morning, the three ninjas enter the quiet town. Suddenly, there's a loud scream coming from one of the hot springs. A white hair man runs pass the group with a group of women chasing after him with pitch forks and kitchen knifes.
"Hmm… he looks familiar…" Ebisu mutters.
"Let's go after him! Whatever he did, it must be really bad for so many people to be chasing after him."
"I'll stop him Naruto-san," Haku says.
"Hmm… isn't that… hey wait! Don't!"
Before Ebisu can stop her, Haku fires off her senbon and pins the white hair man to the wall. After very painful beating, in which Ebisu is too scared to step in and save the poor soul, the three ninjas finally move in when the women returned to their business.
"Ji… Jiraiya-sama. Are… are you OK?" Ebisu asks, concerned.
"This… this is just a minor set back… in my research…"
"Jiraiya-sama, this may not be the best time to ask but… did you receive the letter from Kakashi-san?"
"What? You mean this pathetic old man is the one Kakashi-sensei was talking about?" Naruto screams.
"I am NOT a pathetic old man! I am one of the great Sannin of Konoha, the Gama-Sennin, Jiraiya," he screams, miraculously recovered.
"If you are such a great ninja, then why would you be caught so easily, old man."
"That is only because I was surprised by these senbons. And I am NOT an old man!"
"Jiraiya-sama, why were they chasing after you anyway?" Ebisu asks, trying to stop the argument.
"It seems that one of them spotted me while I was researching."
"What kind of research would cause them to go after you?" Haku asks, confused.
"Why research for my new book of course. Would you like to model for my new book young lady?"
"What book are you talking about?"
"This one of course!"
Reaching into his pocket, Jiraiya pulls out a book and shows it to Naruto and Haku. It doesn't take them long to recognize that the book is the one that Kakashi reads all the time. While Naruto is trembling with rage, Haku seems to be as calm as an ice block. In fact, Jiraiya and Ebisu notice that it has gotten a bit colder all of a sudden. Before they even knows what's going on, a large cloud of steam surrounds the two adult ninjas and turns into ice as soon as they make contact, leaving behind two frozen ice cubes each housing a ninja.
"Let's go home Naruto-san. We should not waste time with these two. Zabuza-sama will be returning from his mission soon and we can train each other until then."
Before she can even take a step, Haku faints into Naruto's arms. When she wakes up, she finds herself on a bed in a hotel with Naruto talking to the now defrosted Ebisu and Jiraiya, both of whom are huddling next to the fireplace. Hearing a groan from Haku, Naruto immediately rushes over to check on his friend.
"Haku-chan, you're up!"
"What happened? Where am I?"
"We are still in the hot spring town Haku-chan. You fainted from chakra exhaustion."
"Chakra exhaustion?"
"It surprised me when I saw it myself. Taking the excess steam in the air of a hot spring town and turning them into ice with you chakra. A move like that would be suicidal for someone with any less chakra," Jiraiya says.
"I… did that?"
"I guess you were so angry that you don't even know you did it. That's all right. It seems that Kakashi sent me a couple of interesting prospects."
"Well, my job is done. So I guess I'll be heading back to Konoha. Don't let his looks fool you two, Jiraiya-sama is ruthless in training his students. Make sure you two come back stronger. A lot of people are waiting for you to put on a show in the Chuunin tournament Naruto… I know Konohamaru would," Ebisu says.
"There… there is no way Naruto-san and I will train with such… such a pervert!"
"Yeah! Who said that I want to train with this Ero-Sennin!"
"E… Ero-Sennin?" Jiraiya says, shocked.
"Yeah, you said you are the Gama-Sennin, and only a pervert can come up with what Kakashi-sensei reads all the time! So you are an Ero-Sennin!"
"I agree. That seems to be the perfect name for him Naruto-san."
"I'm not thrilled to train you either you ungrateful little punk! You want to leave? Fine! Go! All the better! It gives me more time to do my research!"
"Fine! Let's go Haku-chan."
Ebisu watches the scene in silence, as he's shock at the friction in the group. He starts fidgeting when Naruto starts helping Haku out of bed. Suddenly, he has an idea to convince Naruto and Jiraiya to coexist with each other.
"Wait a minute Naruto."
"What do you want Ebisu?"
"Did you forget that Kakashi is training Sasuke? You are going to need someone as powerful as Jiraiya-sama to train you to defeat Sasuke. Yes, Zabuza is strong, but he's not on Kakashi's level."
"And who says I want to train the kid!"
"Jiraiya-sama, please. Can I have a word with you in private?"
As Jiraiya and Ebisu leaves the room, Haku notices that Naruto is completely frozen in place, contemplating what Ebisu said. No matter how much he dislikes Jiraiya, if he is as strong as Kakashi said, this might be the best chance for him to find a good teacher. No disrespect to Zabuza, but what Ebisu said is true. If not for Haku, Zabuza probably would've died at the hands of Kakashi back in Nami no Kuni. In the hallway, Ebisu is also trying his luck in convincing Jiraiya.
"What do you want Ebisu."
"Jiraiya-sama, please reconsider. It was Hokage-sama's wish for Kakashi-san to train Naruto, but after a run-in with Orochimaru, Kakashi-san has to stay with Uchiha Sasuke to prevent Orochimaru from getting his hands on him. Before I came to this town, I've already reported to Hokage-sama about the change of plan, and Hokage-sama agreed that you are the best candidate. He would be very disappointed if you were to refuse."
"I know all that. Kakashi told me everything in the letter. It's not that I don't want to train him. He and that girl are the ones who are giving me problems. In fact, I want him to agree because I want to take him along with me to find someone."
"Are you talking about… Tsunade-sama?"
"The old man sent me a letter asking me to bring her to Konoha before the battle. It's not like I can say no. The old man is right in a way. I was shocked at the resemblance when I first saw him… both to her brother and… the kid."
"Then would you…"
"I'll agree to help the kid if he wants my help. I think I can shape him enough to stand a chance in the Chuunin tournament in a month."
"Thank you Jiraiya-sama."
Naruto and Haku looks up toward the door as it opens. While Ebisu and Jiraiya were talking outside, Naruto and Haku had come to an agreement to train under Jiraiya, and they tell him as much when the question is raised again. Satisfied that he has done his job, Ebisu leaves the three ninjas and reports back to the Hokage.
For the next week, Jiraiya takes Naruto and Haku on a trip to various towns around Hi no Kuni. Whenever they complain about the lack of training, Jiraiya would ignore them and proceed to every bar and casino in the towns. Finally, after all the travel, Jiraiya decides to allow Naruto and Haku to stay in one particular town but he has yet to agree to train the two. Instead, he leads them to a nearby bar as soon as they checked into an inn. Grumbling, they follow the old man reluctantly until he stops at one particular booth where two young women in their twenties are sitting.
"What are you doing Ero-Sennin? I need to train for the Chuunin tournament. I don't have time to follow you around on research trips!"
"May I kill him now Naruto-san?"
"Be quiet you two. This is important."
Sending a weird look at the two kids, one of the women turns her attention on Jiraiya before the young girl does what she asked permission for.
"What do you want Jiraiya?"
"Tsunade, it's been a while hasn't it?"
"Just hurry up and tell me what you want then get out of my face."
"The old man wants us to go back. He said that our old friend has set his eyes on the village."
"No. You may leave now," Tsunade says, turning her attention back to the bottles of sake.
"Hey Ero-Sennin! You mean we came all this way just because we have to look for her?"
"Quit your whining kid. The Hokage asked me to do this."
"Fine!" Naruto says as he walks in front of Tsunade, "I didn't waste a whole week for you to tell me no! You're going to come to Konoha with us no matter what!"
"Show some respect to Tsunade-sama! Do you even know who she is?"
"Listen nee-chan! I don't care who she is! The old man wants her to come back to Konoha and then wasted a week of my training time. I don't care if she's dead, I'll drag her corpse back!"
"So what are you going to do? Beat me up and force me to go back?"
"Don't encourage me."
"Let's take this outside."
Jiraiya and the other young women sigh as they watch the two storm out of the bar. They wanted to stop Naruto and Tsunade before things get out of hand but none of them can get a word in before the the two blondes decide to use their fist to settle the matter. As Naruto and Tsunade take their position in the streets, Haku walks up and stands next to Naruto with a bottle of water in her hand.
"Please allow me to assist you Naruto-san."
"Thanks Haku-chan."
Tsunade watches as Naruto and Haku get into their battle stance. Forming a hand seal, Naruto creates a number of Kage Bunshin and charges at Tsunade while Haku prepares her technique in the cover. Raising her right hand, Tsunade strikes the ground with her right index finger, creating a shock wave that takes out all the Kage Bunshin. When the smoke clears, all Tsunade sees is Naruto trying to pick himself off the ground. Looking up, she sees that Haku had leaped up and is pouring water out of the bottle.
"Hijutsu! Sensatsu Suishou!"
Tsunade is shocked by the rain of ice needles coming down upon her. She barely escapes the weapons by leaping backward at the last moment. Looking down just in time to see Naruto charging toward her, Tsunade grabs Naruto's arm and throws him at the descending Haku. Slamming into each other, Naruto and Haku land on the ground in a heap.
"Not bad kids, but not good enough."
"That's enough Naruto. There is no chance you can win against her," Jiraiya says.
"…Naruto huh. So this is the kid."
"That's right Tsunade."
"Jiraiya, you got your answer, now leave me alone."
"Tsunade, you know you owe Sarutobi-sensei at least that much. You know Orochimaru would be going after him."
"If the old fool is willing to die for that stupid village, that's his problem."
"You take that back!"
Jiraiya and Tsunade turn their attention toward Naruto. Their eyes widen from the stance Naruto is taking, as well as from the red chakra swirling around him. Haku had seen this power in action at Nami no Kuni before, but Jiraiya and Tsunade recognize it from another source.
"Naruto-san! Please calm down!"
Letting out a loud roar, Naruto charges at Jiraiya and Tsunade. The young women with Tsunade moves in front of them, trying to protect the two, but was pulled aside by Tsunade as she and Jiraiya jump to the side to avoid Naruto. Before Naruto can charge at Tsunade again, Haku moves behind him and wraps her arms around Naruto's shoulder, ignoring the slight chakra burns appearing on her arms for coming into contact with the red chakra. Moving behind Naruto, Tsunade knocks Naruto out with a well-placed strike.
When Naruto comes to again, he finds himself inside the room he, Haku, and Jiraiya checked in at earlier. Looking around the room, he sees Haku asleep laying her head on her arms on the desk next to his bed. Jiraiya and Tsunade are nowhere to be seen but the young woman who was with Tsunade is fast asleep in another chair in the room. Feeling someone is stirring next to her, Haku wakes up and looks toward Naruto with tired eyes.
"Naruto-san, you're awake!"
Waking up from Haku's scream, the young woman walks over and holds her hand over Naruto's forehead with Haku watching intently.
"Umm… nee-chan, what are you doing?"
"I'm checking to see if you have any internal injuries. Looks like everything is fine. My name is Shizune by the way."
"Haku-chan, Shizune-nee-chan, where are Ero-Sennin and the bitchy woman."
"Please don't call Tsunade-sama that. She was having a tough time and I admit that her words were a bit harsh. I'll apologize for her."
"You don't need to apologize Shizune-nee-chan. It was her fault, you didn't do anything wrong. But where are they?"
"Ero-Sennin and Tsunade-san headed out for a drink a while ago, Naruto-san. Tsunade-san told us which bar they were going to so we can find them once you wake up," Haku says.
"Well then let's go. I still need to get Ero-Sennin to train me."
While Naruto, Haku, and Shizune are heading out, Jiraiya and Tsunade are sitting in a bar talking between themselves.
"Why did you have to bring him here Jiraiya?"
"The old man asked me to. He knows that Naruto will convince you to come back."
"What about you? You left Konoha for a reason too."
"Yeah, but I think it's time to settle the score with our old teammate. So are you coming back or not?"
"I still have three weeks, don't I?"
"Yeah, but I figure I should start training Naruto, especially after seeing what he did today. I was hoping you could help the girl."
"Why?"
"She has a lot of potential. She froze Ebisu and I in an ice cube just from concentrating steam."
"An ice kekkei genkai?"
"Yeah… Looks like she has some medical knowledge as well. Naruto mentioned that she has a pouch full of herbal medicines that she gathered herself."
"I haven't done this for so long. I don't know if I can still…"
"You're still helping Shizune, aren't you?"
All Jiraiya gets as a response is a sigh from Tsunade before she picks up her bottle of sake and puts it to her lips. Just as Jiraiya wants to speak again, Naruto, Haku, and Shizune arrive at their booth. Naruto takes a seat next to Jiraiya while Shizune sits next to Tsunade with Haku sitting between them around the semi-circle table.
"Tsunade-sama, have you reached a decision yet?"
"What's the rush Shizune? Well, I guess it depends on how much the girl can impress me."
"What do you mean Tsunade-san?" Haku asks.
"Jiraiya told me that Naruto mentioned you have a pouch of herbal medicine. Let me see what you have in there."
"It's just some simple herbs that I picked up during my travel. Here you go."
Taking the pouch, Tsunade opens in and fingers through all the different herbs inside. Chuckling, she hands it back to Haku before leaning back and taking another drink from the bottle.
"…Tsunade-sama?" Shizune asks.
"Your name is Haku right? Tell me, how do you intend to use those herbs?"
"They only treat minor cuts and simple poisons. I don't have the medical knowledge to do anything more advanced."
"Yet that's good enough to save your teammates' life in a mission. If you want to learn more… I can help you with that."
"Does that mean you're going to come with us Tsunade?"
"I don't have much of a choice if Sarutobi-sensei is basically ordering me to go back," Tsunade says, raising her hand to stop Jiraiya before he can interject, "don't tell me he isn't Jiraiya. He wouldn't have sent this kid along if he isn't."
"About time you agree ba…"
Haku and Shizune jump at Naruto and cover his mouth before he can finish the sentence, knowing full well what that last word would be since Shizune told Naruto about Tsunade's henge. Tsunade and Jiraiya look at the three with a confused look on their face while Naruto is struggling to get out of the two female's grasps.
"OK, we'll begin your training tomorrow. Order what you want, cause it's going to get tough from now on," Jiraiya says.
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.