AN: Hello again everyone. First allow me to apologize for such a long wait on this chapter. I had a bit of writers block on how to go about parts of this and in the end I am rather pleased at how it turned out. I also have had some rather unpleasant upheavals in my life lately, including losing my home. I am currently staying in a hotel for the time being and will do my best to update as regularly as I have been. Now enough about me, lets get on to the replies.
NeroYagyuu: I am well pleased that you left so many reviews in such a short time. It's always nice to know that I have managed to gain another reader. I hope that this chapter doesn't disappoint.
Guest: The reason that Tsunade hasn't is because she is still trying to bring back Naruto, so he can one day take her place. Also after all the work that Naruto went through to get her back to the village she feels that she has to stay.
firetemplar415: It was kind of random for the movie that they just showed up out of the blue. Besides I needed to have a good show of how dangerous Yugure would be with the airships before the invasions began.
dbtiger63: I do agree about the whole Orochimaru being more dangerous then the Akatsuki, however Naruto has known about Orochimaru a lot longer and has made a ton of plans to deal with him if he were to attempt to sabotage their plans in any way. As for the whole Hinata thing, well just wait and see.
Eh: I thank you for your understanding. But again, this is mainly an adventure story, the romance is kind of a side thing, so you won't be missing too much. Plus I don't plan on hitting the NC-17 since this site seems to have it out for the people that do like to toe that line.
KHARAKI TAKAN: Ok, granted that is true for the canon. However this is fanfiction for a reason, meaning we can make alterations as we see fit. As should be pretty obvious it was Hinata's possible last chance to see Naruto, and when it is the last chance you have to make your mark you will likely take it. I know I did when I was younger.
Alexander Reaper: I am glad that you enjoyed how I added in the movies, It was something that I planned very carefully. I honestly don't plan on adding any more of them, simply because I haven't seen the others and from what I have gathered most wouldn't be easily added in like these other ones.
Alright, now here is the next chapter and this one is the longest so far. So enjoy.
Students of the Toad
There was a thick mist rolling in as Tsunade, Jiraiya and Hinata crossed the Great Naruto bridge and entered Nami no Kuni. Naruto had told them to meet him here at the end of the bridge, saying that he would be there at 9. As they crossed they stopped and waited a moment as the mist thickened. It wasn't long before they saw two figures coming towards them through the mist and it only took Hinata a moment to figure out who it was.
"Naruto-kun." Hinata called out to the taller of the two figures. Naruto laughed as he finally got close enough for them to see him properly and gave Hinata a hug.
"Great to see you too Hinata-chan." he laughed as he stepped back and Yuki moved in and hugged her too "This is Yuki, the little stray that got attached to me the last time I was here."
"So I heard." Hinata smiled.
"Still can't believe you have a kid." Tsunade sighed as she looked at Naruto "It's good to see you again."
"Same Baa-chan." Naruto nodded before looking at Jiraiya "Ero-sennin."
"Gaki." Jiraiya chuckled as he patted his sholder.
"Well come on, let's get something to eat." Naruto nodded as he motioned for them to follow him. He soon led them into town where several people shouted their greetings to the blonde who nodded to them and returned the greeting.
"Naruto-kun is so liked here." Hinata thought as she looked at all of the happy people "He did so much for them, and when he tried to do this for Konaha he gets banished..."
It wasn't long before Naruto took them into a restaurant and the owner nodded at him before flipping the closed sign. Naruto took them to a booth in the back, letting Yuki slip in first, then Naruto and Hinata on the same side while Jiraiya and Tsunade sat across from them.
"So shall we get straight to business?" Naruto asked.
"Might as well." Tsunade nodded "I was hoping you could convince Kitsune to give us some more time to meet the condition he set for not attacking us."
"I can give you a month, however there are some conditions." Naruto warned.
"What might those be?" Jiriaya asked.
"The first two conditions are if you manage to revoke the banishment. First the civillian council will be disbanded and the Elders will be moved back to an advisory position. This is to ensure that shinobi matters are settled by shinobi, not some power hungry non-combatants." Naruto started "Second, upon my return I am to be given the rank of jonin. The last condition must be met in order for me to confirm this delay. Senjutsu training."
Jiraiya sighed in relief at his conditions and Tsunade nodded as well.
"You'll understand if I don't inform the civillians and the elders about those first two conditions." Tsunade remarked.
"Yeah." Naruto nodded as he looked at Jiraiya "So do we have a deal?"
"Gaki all you had to do was ask." Jiraiya chuckled "It's your right as a summoner for the toads to learn how to become a Sennin."
Naruto smirked at this and soon a waitress walked towards them, setting down several cups of tea and bottles of saki.
"Thank you." Naruto nodded as the waitress smiled and walked off "Well we might as well enjoy this."
There was a general nod of agreement as they started drinking and after a few more minutes food was brought to the table as well. As they ate they talked with Naruto about what he had been up to since he had left the village.
"I wandered around for a few months before I decided to go to Uzu." Naruto explained "That's where I met my sensei."
"Your sensei?" Jiraiya asked with a frown.
"Hao Asakura." Naruto replied as Jiraiya's jaw dropped in shock and Tsunade did a spit take.
"WHAT?!" They both exclaimed.
"Who's Hao Asakura?" Hinata asked confused at their reaction.
"He's a legend." Jiraiya began "He's a shinobi of such power and skill he's been compared to the Rikudo Sennin. No one knows where he came from but he owes his alliegance to no nation and is known to avoid the conflicts of the world, instead spending his time learning all the lost secrets of the world."
"That's putting it lightly." Naruto chuckled.
"How on earth did you become that man's student?" Tsunade asked in shock.
"Well it started about seven months after I was banished." Naruto started.
*Flashback*
Naruto had just finished tying up the small boat that he had used to sail to the island, thankful to the fisherman that he had bought it from. He had been wandering for some time, using his shinobi skills to help out various villages that seemed to be having problems, from bandits to simply too much work to be finished in the time they had left, and in return Naruto earned money, lodging and food. Now he stood on the land of his ancestors, the ruined home that his mother had come from. Naruto walked slowly through the ruins of the nation, seeing that the destruction caused during the war had really finished off this nation. As he wandered he came to realize that the village had the same layout as Konaha and this brough a smile to his face. Stopping his gaze fell upon the ruins of what was likely the Uzukage tower. Entering it he found several destroyed mosaics depicting different scenes from the history of his home, including how the alliance with Konaha had been formed. As he stopped he heard a voice coming from a ledge behind him.
"It has been some time since a traveller has come to the ruins of this great city." the person stated. Naruto turned, his hand gripping Geiru as he stared at the man.
"Who're you?" Naruto asked.
"Name's are powerful things young one." The man chided as he ran an eye over him "But you seem to be a very interesting one."
"Thanks..." Naruto nodded as he kept his grip on the blade not quite sure if he was a threat.
"That blade is very interesting, if I am not mistaken that blade is known as Geiru, once the blade of the founder of this village, a sword that was forged with the aid of the samurai of Tetsu no Kuni and said to be nigh indestructible. Last I heard it had made it's way to Konaha." the man nodded "Though it is obvious that you have learned precious little about the art of kenjutsu judging by your stance."
"Yeah... This was given to me before I was able to learn any kenjutsu."
"Why might that be?"
"I was banished for doing my job..." Naruto growled. The man frowned now and ran another cursory gaze over Naruto and then nodded at what he saw.
"The son of the Yondaime Hokage banished. The village of leaves has truly become lost." the man sighed.
"You knew my father?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Just in passing. We met once when he was still a jonin. His Hiraishin technique was impressive and his work on creating the Rasengan was ingenius." the man replied "I had great respect for Minato Namikaze."
"Thanks..." Naruto nodded "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I often search the remnants of the lost to find their hidden secrets." he replied "This place may very well hold lost secrets."
"Why are you so interested in that?"
"Knowledge is power." he replied "But it is a greater crime to forget our own origins. I seek to keep that knowledge alive by finding the lost secrets and making sure that they are preserved and brought back."
"So you're like an archeologist?" Naruto asked.
"Something closer to a treasure hunter." the man chuckled "Would you care to join me in searching these ruins? We might find something truly interesting."
Naruto nodded as he moved out of the fighting stance and the man leapt down, standing well over Naruto. Soon the man led him through the ruins as they walked, the man tapping on the walls here and there as they walked, seeming to take note of different things as they went.
"So what should I call you?" Naruto asked.
"Hao will do." Hao replied.
"Ok then Hao, Are we looking for anything in particular?" Naruto asked.
"Item wise, no. However what we are looking for are secret doors and passages that have been overlooked. These will often lead to something interesting or give us a better understanding of the place we are searching." Hao explained as they walked and he tapped on another wall and when Naruto followed his example a little further on there was a hollow sound. Hao stopped and looked at the blonde with a smile as he tapped on the same place.
"Very well done." Hao laughed as he rapped on the wall, finding out the dimensions of the dooway and once he had that he moved his hands along the wall, seeming to be looking for something.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked.
"Looking for the doorknob." Hao replied "The Uzumaki clan were well known for their abilities as shinobi and thus they would trap the door in the case someone tried to break it down, so by opening it the way it was intended we can avoid the trap and keep progressing."
Naruto nodded as he stepped back and let Hao work. It wasn't long before he pressed something and the door opened and Hao nodded for them to proceed. The passage went down at an angle and led spiralled down so as to stay close to the center of the village. The passage grew dark and after a few moments Hao removed a small scroll and unsealed an item that emitted a steady green light.
"You're a shinobi?" Naruto asked.
"I am." Hao nodded "However I owe my alligence to no village as I do not wish to involve myself in their petty squables."
"Really?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, I was trained in a shinobi village but after my brother was killed I left." Hao explained "Since I just disappeared I am not a wanted shinobi."
"I see." Naruto nodded as they continued in silence until they reached the bottom. They found that it was a crypt, containing the remains of each of the leaders of the village. The pair walked amongst the dead until they stopped before one body that held a scroll in it's hands. Hao crouched down and examined the remains and nodded at this before gently removing the scroll from it's grasp.
"This was likely the last survivor of this city, and he took the secrets of the village and hid in the one place where he would be safe." Hao nodded as he opened the scroll and read over a few items "Would you care to see what you helped uncover?"
"Yeah!" Naruto grinned as he moved over and looked at the scroll, seeing that it gave a detailed list of kenjutsu forms along with several Suiton techniques "This is incredible."
"Indeed it is." Hao nodded as he looked at Naruto with a smile "You said that you were banished from your home. What is your rank?"
"I was a genin." Naruto replied with a sullen look.
"I see. Since you have no where else to go, and you seem to have a good heart, why don't you become my apprentice? I will teach you all I know and we will help mold you into an amazing shinobi." Hao offered.
"You'd do that for me?" Naruto asked in shock.
"I would. I like the look of you, you seem like a good honest young man. I will teach you everything I know and who knows, maybe one day you will carry on in my footsteps." Hao offered with a smile. Naruto could only smile as they returned to the surface and began travelling together.
"It wasn't long after that that we met Kitsune and we came up with the idea to form Yugure. Hao liked it, and helped us make the first crucial steps." Naruto explained with a smile. Hinata looked at Naruto with a smile of her own, enjoying seeing Naruto in this kind of setting, and seeing him look so happy.
"You are one lucky gaki." Tsunade sighed "Hao Asakura is a SSS rank shinobi, and if he is to ever enter a war he has a flee on sight order."
"I know." Naruto nodded "He's what helped me and Kitsune become A rank shinobi, and he says we can become stronger still."
"I'd say you're probably higher ranked then that." Jiraiya nodded "If you are as strong as Kitsune you are easily S rank now."
"Still have a ways to go to meet Hao-sensei as an equal." Naruto noted with a grin.
"Why do you always call him Hao-sensei but Jiraiya Ero-sennin?" Hinata asked.
"That's because Hao-sensei earned my respect by living up to some of the highest standards of life. While Ero-sennin over there is the lowest of the low, but he is still a good guy." Naruto explained, earning a laugh from the two women and one child while Jiraiya just fumed. It was another twenty minutes when Tsunade finally stood up.
"I better get back to the village. I only have a month to try and make the council see reason." Tsunade sighed.
"I better get going too." Jiraiya nodded "I need to get you set up with the toads for your senjutsu training."
"Jiraiya, one more thing." Naruto began, causing Jiraiya to blink at the serious tone in Naruto's voice "Stay out of Ame. You're on their radar now."
"What?" Jiraiya asked.
"I managed to get some intelligence from some Akatsuki defectors and they told me that the last time you were in Ame you were noticed by Nagato. He's going to try and kill you if you go back." Naruto warned.
"Naruto, I have to go get more intel on these guys. If Tsunade does manage to convince the councilors to let you come back then the Akatsuki are going to be coming after you, possibly through the village and we need to be prepared." Jiraiya explained.
"That's what Yugure is for. Even if I do come back I still have responsibilities with them. Please Jiraiya, don't go back there." Naruto pleaded. Jiraiya looked at his godson and he knew that he should listen to Naruto's warning but he felt that the information that could be gained was worth the risk.
"I'm sorry gaki, but I have to get the intel." Jiraiya replied. Naruto frowned at this before taking something out of the coat and handing to Jiraiya.
"Then take this. If you get yourself into trouble I'll be able to help you." Naruto explained. Jiraiya simply nodded as he took the seal and left with Tsunade.
"Are you staying?" Yuki asked Hinata.
"For a day or two." Hinata replied with a smile "I have plenty of days off saved up."
Naruto chuckled as they all stood up, Naruto leaving money on the table for the bill and soon they left and were sitting out on the beach relaxing with Hinata curled up against Naruto while Yuki was building a sand castle. Naruto and Hinata lay there, just enjoying the others company when Yuki finally finished building her sand castle and then walked out into the shallows and Naruto suddenly had a bad feeling about what the tiny shinobi was about to do. Before he could voice his worries Yuki finished her jutsu and a giant wave crashed down on him and Hianta. The pair were sputtering as the wave receded and Yuki started giggling. Naruto stood up with an evil grin on his face as he disappeared and picked up Yuki and then threw threw her out over the water, watching as he saw her land on top of the water before raspberrying at him. Naruto only chuckled as he flashed through handsigns and got her with a wave of his own.
"Naruto, Yuki, play nice." Hinata sighed as she saw where this was soon going to be heading.
"But Kaa-chan..." Yuki complained as Naruto stopped and looked at her before laughing, while Hinata tuned a deep shade of red at Yuki's complaint. Soon Yuki joined in with the laughter while Hinata managed to retain what dignity she had by going up to Naruto hugging him before throwing him into the water as well, earning a cheer from Yuki. This soon led to an all out water war with the three and by the time the sun had set they were all soaked.
"Ok, that was fun." Naruto laughed as shook some water out of his hair.
"YEAH!" Yuki cheered as she leapt onto his back. Hinata smiled as they walked towards the bridge and stopped.
"Well grab my hand Hinata-chan." Naruto stated.
"Why?" Hinata asked as she did, she didn't mind holding Naruto's hand but she was confused as to why he had asked. Suddenly she was wrapped in an orange light and they were standing in a room.
"Welcome to Yugure." Naruto smiled as he set Yuki down "Ok Yuki, got to your room and shower, need to get all that salt water off of you."
"Right." Yuki smiled as she ran out of the room while Naruto looked at Hinata and smiled.
"This is your room in Yugure?" she asked.
"No, it's yours." Naruto replied as Hinata blinked "I told you before, you are more than welcome with us."
"But..."
"You're still a Konaha shinobi? Hinata you can leave all that behind if you want." Naruto offered.
"I can't." Hinata sighed "I want to but I can't bring myself to break my word."
"Caught between a rock and a hard place huh?" Naruto nodded as he walked towards the door "Hinata, I understand why you don't want to leave the village, but in truth what is really keeping you there? Your word, or your fear that I'm in the wrong on this one?"
With that Naruto walked out to leave Hinata to change into dry clothes and think about what he had said. As Hinata went through the wardrobe and found plenty of shinobi gear that would likely fit her she thought about what Naruto had said. She did love him with all her heart but she was afraid that Naruto might be biting off more then he could chew. She was afraid that he was going to get himself killed. She did place a lot of value on her word but in truth she didn't want to leave because she was scared. Sighing she sat on the bed and thought about her choices and her mind went back to the day she had left the Hyuga clan.
*Flashback*
It had been a year since Naruto had left and Hinata was now finished with all of her preparations. Neji had helped her out as much as he could with getting ready for the decisive move she was going to make by helping to research the clan laws and once they had everything in order Hinata approached her father.
"Tou-san." Hinata stated with the cold voice that she spoke to almost hte entire Hyuga clan with.
"Hinata, what is it?" Hiashi asked with a frown. Hinata didn't say anything, simply handing him a form for him to read. Once he read over it he blinked and stared at her.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked "You intend to leave the Hyuga clan?"
"I do not wish to be part of any family that would force an innocent boy to leave simply because they thought he was a bad infulence." Hinata replied as Hiashi blinked at her words "You have read the notice, and there is a precedent so I am within my rights to do this."
"However I am within mine to set a condition." Hiashi stated "Defeat your sister in combat and I will allow you to leave."
"Very well." Hinata stated "I will be waiting in the training hall." Hinata turned on her heel and was soon in the training hall, letting her anger flow inside of her, to make and keep her resolve like iron. It took only ten minutes for Hiashi to return with Hanabi and several of the elders who had examined the letter and informed Hiashi that she was within her rights to do this.
"You are here Hanabi to test your sister, who wishes to leave the Hyuga clan." Hiashi explained "This will be a standard match. Begin!"
Before Hanabi could move, Hinata had crossed the distance, unleashing a deadly rain of jyuken blows that had her sister pinned against the wall as she continued the strikes,making an impression of her younger sister on the wall as she did so, and kept going until finally there was a cracking sound and the wall gave out and Hanabi fell into the other room, disabled and barely conscious.
"That should settle the match." Hinata stated as she turned and walked out "I am no longer a part of this clan, and due to the condtions of my leaving I am not trapped by the cursed seal either."
Hiashi blinked at this as did the elders who looked over the terms of the leaving and found that she was right, and they were none to pleased. Before they could move a kunai landed in front of them as Neji, a newly promoted jonin, cut them off.
"I will not allow you to harm Hinata. She is no longer a member of this clan and therefore is no longer bound by our laws. If you attempt to lay a hand upon an innocent free shinobi you will bring shame upon this family." Neji stated calmly as the elders and Hiashi stared at the teen. By this time Hinata had already picked up her things and was walking out the front gate where Kiba and Shino were waiting to help her get everything set up in her new apartment.
Remembering that day Hinata realized that she was in the same situation again, and this time it was to choose between her home, or the love of her life. Sighing she finished getting changed and walked out of the room where she found Naruto walking towards her.
"Was just coming to get you." Naruto nodded as Hinata held up a hand to stop him.
"Naruto-kun..." Hianta began "I'll join."
Naruto blinked at Hinata's statement and once it was said he started to smile.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes. I'll need to go back to Konaha, get some things together and let Tsunade give me a passable cover story so the council won't come after me." Hinata explained. Naruto only smiled as he hugged her and took off her headband, and then took her hand as he soon led her out and gave her to tour, letting her stop and see different things and meet some of the people that were about the buildings, including a new face for Naruto.
"So you're Utakata." Naruto smiled as he finally met the last Jinchuruki.
"That I am Naruto-san." Utakata nodded to the blonde "Your colleague found me camping in the woods not too far from the border of Kaminari no Kuni. I have heard much about Yugure and it my pleasure to join you."
"The pleasure is all mine. This is Hinata Hyuga, another new recruit and my girlfriend." Naruto smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Hinata nodded to the dark haired man. Utakata nodded to Hinata before saying his farewell and walking off. For the rest of the day Naruto gave Hianta the grand tour and soon it was time for dinner and they were soon sitting in the dinning hall with various people shouting greetings to the blonde and to Hinata as well as they soon took a seat sitting by several other shinobi who all seemed to be discussing different things. Hinata ran a gaze over the various people noting the various nationalities and how many of their homelands were not on good terms with one another, yet here they were sitting and talking to one another like they had known each other their whole lives.
"It's amazing." Hinata said to Naruto "This is what you want the world to be like?"
"Yeah. I mean Yugure has had it's infighting at times I will admit, but for the most part we all get along." Naruto chuckled as he started eating. By the time they were finished Naruto walked Hinata back to her room and kissed her goodnight, telling her that he would get her back to Hi no Kuni in the morning. Walking off to the main office he found Hao and A sitting there looking over a form.
"What's up?" Naruto asked as he walked over to them.
"Bad news." Hao stated as he handed the form to Naruto. It was a detailed account of several of their shinobi being killed in Iwa. Apparently Onoki had somehow found a few of their spies and had them publicly executed for treason.
"This wasn't supposed to happen." A noted.
"No. I didn't give that old bastard enough credit." Naruto growled "Change of plans. Once the month has ended we are going to Iwa first."
"Are you sure?" Hao asked with a frown "Changing your plans this late in the game could be disasterous."
"It should be fine. The only shinobi there capable of flight is Onoki himself and I will deal with him personally." Naruto replied with a dark grin "For what he did to our comrades his village will suffer a hundred fold."
Hao only nodded at this, knowing full well that Naruto's resolve was beyond question. A grinned at this and soon was writing down the order to be given for them to begin preparations for their attack.
"We will have to change our strategy a bit, but the same general plan we have to use against Konaha should work." A said as he passed the blonde a new sheet of paper "Problem is that without our spies we are going to have to rely on the airships alone."
"Yeah. And with that old bastards ability to disintergrate mountains I don't think that's the best idea." Naruto nodded as he read over the plans "We can discuss this more when I return. The toads should be reverse summoning me for senjutsu training soon, so when I return then we can finalize our plans and strike."
"Of course." Hao nodded "Train quickly Naruto, while it may seem leisurly to stay on the peaceful mountain, the events of the world will be moving apace."
"Don't I know it." Naruto nodded as he walked off to his room. The next morning he Hiraishined Hinata to the outskirts of the village and kissed her goodbye.
"Be safe." Naruto smiled "You have a little more then a month to get out, have Tsunade help you if neccesary."
"I know. I'll see you soon Naruto-kun." Hinata nodded as she kissed him again and then walked off toward the village. Before Naruto could leave he felt the reverse summoning hit and he was soon sitting on Mount Myoboku with an old toad sitting across from him.
"So you're Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze." he nodded.
"Yes. And who might you be?" Naruto asked.
"I'm Fukasaku, one of the sages on this mountain." he replied "Jiraiya said you were coming here to learn senjutsu."
"Yeah, Ero-Sennin said he would tell you guys." Naruto nodded. Fukasaku blinked and then started laughing.
"Ero-Sennin!" he roared in laughter "That does fit the boy."
"I know it does." Naruto smiled as he ran his gaze over the scenery "Not to sound rude Sennin Ji-chan, but I'd like to get to work. I already had my sensei explain to me the idea of senjutsu so we can get straight to work."
"Not wasting any time eh? Alright then Naruto, let's get started." Fukasaku nodded as he took Naruto to a fountain that was dispersing an oil. He then explained that this oil would open him up to the natural chakra in the air, but if he let it overwhelm him he would turn into a toad statue like the hundred around him. Naruto nodded his understanding and sat, letting the oil fall on him as he tried attain perfect stillness. His first few attempts went badly, with Fukasaku having to use the staff to stop him from absorbing too much. It was after the first dozen failed attempts that Naruto brought up using Kage Bushin to help.
"No more then four of you. I won't be able to keep up with anything more then that." Fukasaku replied as Naruto created the clones and soon was back to work. They trained for the rest of the day, and Naruto had made great progress but still wasn't quite there yet. That night they went to Fukasaku's home where his wife Shima, another sage, was finishing dinner.
"You're late!" she shouted at the older toad.
"No I'm not, you're finishing early!" he shouted back. This led to an argument between the two of them and Naruto only smiled as he crouched through the house, sitting down near the table.
"So you're Minato's boy. You have his looks." Shima nodded as she set a bowl in front of him, filled with all sorts of insects. Naruto stared at this and was trying to decide if this would be a bad idea to refuse, but in the end his hunger won out and he dug in, surprised that it didn't taste as bad as he thought, in fact it was better then Shion's attempt to make dinner for him last week, which had resulted in a blackened mess and they had just gone out to eat.
"Yeah, but he has a lot of his mother temperment." Fukasaku replied.
"Got the best of both." Naruto replied as he finished what was in his mouth. This earned a laugh between them as they continued eating, and the next day they were back to training.
It had taken Naruto two days to move past the oil, having stopped it at the point where only his eyes were changing, and then they took him to a series of stone spikes where Naruto was to balance on a stone platform, that was sitting on top of one of the spikes and maintain his senjutsu. As Naruto sat up there he found that this was far harder but not to the point where it was impossible. He sat there for close to a full day before he was able to sit without moving the platform, and he then refused to come down as he said that he wanted to get this right. Naruto sat up there for a whole day before he was able to maintain his Sennin mode and Fukasaku was very impressed.
"The boy has talent. He has already surpassed Jiraiya in this." Fukasaku thought to himself.
They then moved on to the technique portion of the training, with Naruto learning the Frog Kata and with the help of Kage Bushin he mastered it in ten days. This left only one last thing to learn as Fukasaku leapt onto Naruto's sholder and explained that in order to use this in combat he was going to need to fuse with him and that way one of them would be still while the other moved and fought. As the older toad tried to fuse with Naruto he felt an angry force hit him and red chakra struck with it, forcing him to stop.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.
"The Kyubi won't let me fuse with you." Fukasaku explained "Because of this senjutsu won't be able to be used in combat."
Naruto frowned at the explanation and was soon trying to think of a way to use it without running into a problem. Naruto thought on the problem all night when it suddenly hit him. The next morning he created three clones and had them gather the natural chakra while he trained, shocking the older toads.
"That is ingenieous." Shima noted.
"No kidding." Fukasaku nodded as he watched the blonde work. Before anything else could be said the pair were summoned and Naruto had the feeling like something bad was about to happen.
"Gamabunta!" Naruto shouted as he ran to find the boss toad.
"What is it gaki?!" the toad asked as he smoked his pipe.
"Fukasaku and Shima were just summoned! Where exactly is Jiraiya?!" Naruto roared.
"Ame." the toad replied as he saw Naruto pale "Why, what's wrong?"
"It's the leader of the Akatsuki. He's attacking Jiraiya!" Naruto shouted as he honed in on the seal that he had given Jiraiya and once he had it locked in his mind he warped to it, just in time too.
Jiraiya was on the ropes as he dodged the three bodies trying to kill him and he felt like he owed Naruto an apology if he got out of this situation. There were only three bodies up against him and he could barely hold them off. Just as the Deva Body was heading for him there was a flash of yellow and Naruto was standing there blocking the fist that had been heading for Jiraiya. In a heartbeat Naruto countered the attack and pushed back the body who stared at him before placing it's hand on the ground and summoning the rest of the bodies.
"Naruto." Jiraiya panted.
"Ero-sennin you are an idiot." Naruto sighed "I told you that they were on to you but you just had to come back here."
"I know. You can gripe later." Jiraiya replied as he looked at the six foes in front of them "We've got to be careful, they can use each others sight so there are no blind spots."
"Then we just overpower them. Two Sennin against the Six Paths of Pain, I think we can win." Naruto replied as he entered sage mode.
"So you figured out a way to use it without us." Fukasaku nodded "Good to know my boy."
"How on earth did you do that?" Jiraiya asked.
"Kage Bushin. Left a few of them on the mountain to remain still and gather the chakra while I fight." Naruto explained as he took a fighting stance "Now less talking, more fighting."
Jiraiya and Naruto both moved, each taking a side while created a Rasengan in his hand and moved in towards the Human Path, who leapt away but Naruto wasn't done as he leapt up after it and smirked as it went right into the path of Jiraiya's attack and was smashed in the back with his Odama Rasengan. Turning they saw that the Animal Path had summoned several beasts to attack them and the pair leapt away as a multiple headed dog tried to eat them.
"Got any bright ideas?" Naruto asked.
"One." Jiraiya replied as he came to a stop "Cover me."
"Can do." Naruto replied as he created several clones and had them draw their blades, holding off the various summons that were heading for them. It took Jiraiya a few moments to finish whatever it was that he was doing and shout for Naruto to get out of the way. Leaping back by Jiraiya he heard the two older toads start croaking a song that soon was paralyzing the beasts and several of the paths. Naruto smirked as he charged forward, creating two Rasengan and leapt over the beasts before smashing into the Animal path and letting the two Rasengan destroy it's head. Naruto prepared to keep going when he was blindsided by the repaired Human Path. Skidding away from the attack Naruto picked out the body that was doing the resurrecting.
"Jiraiya, we need to take down that one." Naruto shouted as he pointed to the Naraka Path.
"Little busy here!" Jiraiya shouted as he dodged the Asura Path's taijutsu attacks. Muttering to himself Naruto charged in but was met halfway by the Ptera path and the Deva path that moved to block him, and try to defeat him. Dodging around one attack from the Deva Path Naruto smirked as he rammed a Rasengan into it's side when it was open, giving him the opening he needed to head for the Naraka path before he could get to the Animal path and revive it. Naruto soon started fighting hand to hand where he showed that he was far more skilled then he had been as a genin, using a form of taijutsu that met any resistance with little force and instead redirected it so he could attack with his own force. It wasn't long befor he had his opening, but he knew that the Human path was watching it's back and would let it know what he was about to do if he was to slow, moving in close he made a punch that it was able to dodge, but not what attached to it's cloak. Before it could remove the seal Naruto Hiraishined close and rammed a Futon: Rasengan into the path, sending it flying and ending the resurrection that it could do.
"How you doing?!" Naruto shouted over to Jiraiya who had managed to destroy the Asura path.
"Not too bad." Jiraiya nodded "We took out two of the fighting ones it looks like."
"Yeah, but what can these other one's do?" Naruto asked as he glared at the three remaining bodies. Before they could move the Deva body held up it's hands and they were sent flying back by a sudden burst of gravity, smashing them into the wall behind them.
"Ouch." Jiraiya grumbled as the pressure stopped.
"Well that's one of them." Naruto noted as he created a few clones and had them start helping him "But let me give this a try." Soon Naruto had a RasenShuriken in his hand, shocking Jiraiya with the technique as he threw it at the bodies. It was then that the Ptera body stepped forward, holding his hands up as he absorbed the attack, draining the chakra out of it.
"And that says what he can do." Jiraiya nodded as they realized that long range was out of the question while the Ptera path was still fighting. Naruto simply smirked as he drew Geiru and stared at the three.
"Jiraiya, buy me some time and I can take down that chakra absorber."
"If you can do it, then go ahead." Jiraiya nodded as he preapred to fight off the Human Path. Naruto charged forward moving in towards the Ptera Path who met Naruto halfway and dodged the inital slash but not Naruto's fist rising in an uppercut that the other paths couldn't see due to the angle. As the body was airborn Naruto unleashed his attack.
"Uzu no Ken: Kanketsusen hikisa(Tearing Geyser)!" Naruto roared as he slashed at the body, unleashing several dozen slashes while he was airborn and letting the severed pieces of the body fall to the ground. Turning he looked at the Deva body and simply sheathed Geiru.
"Looks like things are falling apart for you." Naruto stated as he stared at the body.
"Perhaps, but all I have to do is call for the shinobi of the nation to come aid me and you will be overwhelmed." the Deva body replied calmly.
"And they will see that their leader, a supposed god, is on the ropes by two shinobi." Naruto noted with a smirk. The Deva body frowned at this and soon Jiraiya had finished off the Human path and was standing next to Naruto, preparing to fight the last body.
"We got him on the ropes now." Jiraiya noted.
"Yeah, but this body can't be roughed up too much." Naruto stated as he stared at the body.
"What do you mean?" Jiraiya asked.
"Yes, what do you mean?" The Deva body asked.
"Kitsune has told me to make you this offer." Naruto began "You seek to end war, a cause we have in common. We wish to offer you a chance to join us in Yugure and aid us in creating an ever lasting peace."
"I will have my peace, by monopolizing war." he countered.
"That only makes it more challenging for war to occur, it doesn't stop it." Naruto replied "And besides, all of the Biju are with Yugure now, there is no way that you can capture them without risking massive loss of life. Nagato, I am offering you a chance to come out of that dark place you have been in since Yahiko died, I am offering you a chance to do some real good to the world like Jiraiya taught us to. And I can give you back your best friend."
This last statement caused everyone to blink in shock. Jiraiya stared at the blonde with clear confusion while the Deva body frowned at his statement.
"You lie." he finally answered.
"No. I have been doing research into the powers of the Rinnegan and I learned that you can bring back people to life, but it will cost you yours. However I discussed my plan with Hao Asakura and he agreed that it would work, but all of our movements involved and everything that we do will have to be perfectly timed. It will be dangerous but I can help you bring back Yahiko." Naruto explained.
"Gaki, do you have any idea what you are messing with?" Jiraiya asked.
"I know that this is taboo, but it's to right a wrong that should never have occured." Naruto countered before staring at the Deva body "Which will it be Nagato? Jiraiya and I can continue this fight against you and finish off Yahiko's body, possibly destroying it beyond repair and then come find you. Or you can surrendur now, join Yugure and I will help revive Yahiko. The choice is yours."
Konan was standing a few feet away from them and she felt just as conflicted as her friend was. They both missed Yahiko, as he was the driving force behind much of what they had done these past years, but they had to be cautious that this wasn't a trap just to kill Nagato and herself.
"I want your word that you will do these things you have promised me." Nagato finally said "I know enough about you that you will always keep your word. Swear it on your life."
"Agreed." Naruto said without a seconds hesitation "I swear upon my life that I will help you bring back Yahiko."
Jiraiya frowned at this development but in the end he knew that Naruto knew what he was doing. Naruto smiled as he approached and offered his hand to the Deva body. There was a moment of hesitation before they finally shook, but before anything could be said Naruto tensed and and pulled the body with him as he avoided an explosion.
"HA! I knew you were going to turn traitor!" Deidara shouted as he flew by overhead.
"Oh boy." Jiraiya grumbled as he leapt away from more explosions "This guy is going to be annoying."
"Hey Ero-sennin?!" Naruto shouted as he dodged another blast.
"What?!"
"Think you can hold him still for a few seconds?!"
"Just give me a bit!" Jiraiya exclaimed as he started talking with the two toad sages and soon he was standing still while the pair emitted a powerful croaking song that soon paralyzed Deidara. Naruto only grinned as he created two clones to help him and made the RasenShuriken and sent it flying into Deidara who only screamed as the attack hit him and then fell to the ground dead. Jiraiya blinked at the damage before walking over and and examining the body before looking at Naruto who was talking to the Deva body again.
"I'm taking the body!" Jiraiya called over to the blonde who looked at Jiraiya and only nodded. Soon the older sage had the body sealed up before seeing that the Deva body was leading Naruto up into the highest reaches of Ame.
"Jiraiya." Konan nodded to her former sensei "Please leave the way you came. We will not fight with you anymore but for the time being there are appearances that need to be kept."
"Of course." Jiraiya nodded as he started to leave "If Naruto does succeed in bringing Yahiko back to life, let me know. I'd like to see all three of you again someday."
"Of course." Konan smiled as her sensei left and she turned and followed the two to the highest point in Ame. Once there Naruto finally met Nagato face to face, and he nodded to the man that had such a similar goal to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet face to face." Naruto said as approached the handicapped man.
"I am not certain I can say the same just yet." Nagato replied "I still do not fully trust you, but you have given your word and I am willing to let you try to do this."
"Thank you." Naruto nodded "If we are to do this though I will need to take you to Yugure's main base. I already have a seal placed in the room that we will be performing the revival."
"Very well." Nagato nodded as he let Naruto place a hand on his chair, and then Konan and the Deva body both placed hands onto Naruto. There was a brief moment before they arrived in the room and Naruto sent word that he needed Amaru and Shion. It didn't take long for the two women to arrive and Konan looked confused as to their presence.
"These two are essential for what we are going to need to do. Shion has a very special chakra that can either separate a soul from it's body or replace it. Once Yahiko's soul has entered this plane she will place it in his body, stopping you short of killing yourself Nagato. Amaru is here to help heal him just as his body is revived some of his old injuries may return." Naruto explained as he motioned for the body to lay down. It took a few moments for them to remove all of the chakra recievers in the body and then once it was laying down he nodded to Nagato who opened the seventh path and started to look very pale as the soul finally appeared, and Naruto snapped him out of it as Shion took over. Her charka soon grabbed onto Yahiko's soul and was pulling it into his body and once it was in Amaru's hands were glowing green as she started healing injuries that were appearing. It took another half hour to heal all the injuries and as they finished Yahiko's eyes shot open and he looked around panicked until he saw Konan and Nagato.
"Guys..." he panted "Where are we?"
"Yahiko..." Konan gasped as she soon hugged him.
"Easy on him now." Naruto chided as he walked over.
"Who're you?" Yahiko asked in confusion.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. Another student of Jiraiya." Naruto smiled "I'm also the one that helped you return to the world of the living."
"Return?" Yahiko asked as he frowned and then his eyes widened "I was dead! Hanzo killed me!"
"Relax." Nagato sighed "We brought you back to life."
"But how?"
"A lot of research on my part." Naruto replied with a grin "I held up my end of the bargain."
"So you have. You returned our friend to us, and risked much in doing so. We will join Yugure." Nagato nodded.
"Yes." Konan nodded as well.
"Yugure?" Yahiko asked.
"I'll explain everything soon." Naruto replied as he helped the young man up "Let's get you all situated."
In Konahagakure Tsunade sighed in frustration as the council once again turned down her request to bring back Naruto. She had one more day left for the agreed ceasefire and she knew that it wouldn't help in the slightest.
"Hime!" Jiraiya called as he entered the room.
"What?" she asked with a frown as he motioned for her to come with him. Jiraiya soon had her in the medical area where the dead body of Deidara laying there.
"I need you to examine this guy." Jiraiya explained "This guy was taken out by Naruto."
"How?" Tsunade asked.
"A variation of the Rasengan. He finally finished it." Jiraiya smiled "He did what Minato couldn't."
"He added an elemental release?!" Tsunade exclaimed.
"Yeah. And he made a second variation that he used to take this Akatsuki member down. Killed him in one shot." Jiraiya explained. Tsunade frowned as she started examining the body and then paled at what she saw.
"He destroyed this guy. The nervous system has been severed at the cellular level. Whatever hit him did massive damage quickly and killed him before he even had a chance to react." Tsunade sighed "If Naruto did this he is in possession of an S rank kinjutsu."
"No kidding. He showed up in Ame to help me out when I got caught by my former students. He helped me fight them off and he soon managed to convince Nagato to join him... by reviving their dead friend."
"WHAT?!" Tsunade exclaimed.
"He said that he found a way for them to bring Yahiko back to life, and that Hao Asakura had agreed to it." Jiraiya sighed "He is just shattering all beliefs that we have had."
"I know." Tsunade sighed "And things aren't looking good here. The council has refused to bring Naruto back, and I have tried multiple times and explained to them what will happen if we don't but they won't listen, just saying that we have a large enough shinobi force to handle anything that they could do against us. Add in the fact that Hinata has left as well, things aren't looking good."
"Hinata left?!" Jiraiya exclaimed now.
"Yeah. She finally told me that was going with Naruto. I gave her a long term mission so the council has no idea yet, but they are going to catch on eventually, which means that I will have make her a missing nin." Tsunade explained.
"I'm more surprised that she left now instead of sooner." Jiraiya chuckled. The pair stood there for a moment before walking back to the tower, neither sure of what they can do to avert the situation that the council seemed to be dragging them into.
