Naruto was sitting down to a nice relaxing lunch with Kurumu and Yukari at one of the outdoor tables. His appreciation for his friends had only grown in the last couple days. Just about everyone else was treating him was though he might be contagious. Even the teachers seemed to be wary of him now. It was a real relief to be able to sit down with the two of them and actually be treated like a normal person.

"So when do you think Moka-chan will be back?" Yukari asked.

"Well hopefully either today or tomorrow." Naruto said.

"Naruto-kun, why were you placed on the Student Police Committee?" Yukari asked. "From what I can tell they don't really like people like us. Not only that but normally they only accept the most powerful students as members."

That was a difficult question. "Well it's really sort of an honorary thing. Kuyou was asked to protect me and this was his way of doing so."

"Asked by whom?" Yukari wondered.

"All I can say is it was someone very powerful." Yukari frowned; she was obviously not buying it.

"Say Naruto-kun," Kurumu suddenly spoke. "What do you call that thing you wear on your forehead again?"

"This is a hitai-ite, why?"

She pointed. "Because there's some weird old guy heading this way wearing one too."

Naruto turned around to look. Sure enough, there was an old man with spiky white hair and a red and beige outfit heading straight towards them. He had on a hitai-ite, but it was not a leaf one. The symbol on it read, 'oil.'

The weird guy came straight up to him, though his eyes seemed to be focused on Kurumu's chest. "You're Naruto." He said. It wasn't a question. He held out a sealed envelope to him. "Read this."

Naruto quickly took the envelope and opened it. The letter inside was short and to the point. It also bore the signature and seal of the fifth Hokage. When he was done he looked up at his visitor with surprise. "You're Jiraiya? One if the Sannin?" He remembered Iruka's lessons on the exploits of the Sannin.

"I sure am kid. I'm the one and only Jiraiya, famed Toad Sage and author, as well as a legendary lover of women." Though addressing Naruto his eyes remained locked on Kurumu's yellow sweater.

Naruto quickly got up to stand in front of Kurumu. "Hey! Could you at least be a little less obvious you pervert? She's only sixteen."

Kurumu giggled. "Oh you don't need to be upset Naruto-kun. I take it as a compliment. And if he causes me any trouble I'll just charm him and turn him into my slave."

Jiraiya leered at her. "Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend." He gave Naruto an approving grin. "Not too bad kid, you've only been here a few months and you've already got three girls."

"Three?" Naruto was surprised and slightly alarmed. How did he know about Moka?

Jiraiya nodded towards a nearby trash can. "I'm counting the little honey over there who is stalking you."

All eyes turned to the garbage can. A purple haired head popped up from behind it. "Hi."

"Mizore-chan," Naruto said. "What are you doing back there?"

"Having lunch," she answered tranquilly.

"I've got to give you credit kid," Jiraiya said admiringly. "I didn't get my first stalker until I was nineteen." He gave him an obvious wink "So are you dating all of them?"

"No," Naruto said sharply. "I happen to have a girlfriend." At that statement Kurumu looked annoyed, Yukari looked pleased, and Mizore looked very disappointed.

"You've got a girlfriend on top of these three? Nice!" Jiraiya chuckled but then finally seemed to become a bit more serious. "Any way kid, as that letter says I'm here to evaluate your situation and take whatever steps prove necessary. Now we need to go somewhere private where we can talk."

"We can go to my room." Naruto said.

"Fine," said Jiraiya.

"But Naruto-kun lunch is almost over," said Yukari. "What about class?"

"This is an order from my Hokage; it takes precedence over everything else."

XXXXXXXXXX

Alone together in Naruto's room and away from any pretty distractions Jiraiya became all business. He pointed to Naruto's hitai-ite. "Take that off, you're not a ninja and it's a crime to wear one unless you are."

Naruto crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly. "Iruka-sensei gave this to me and said he considered me to be a ninja. Any way, it might be a crime for me to wear it in Konoha but it's not against the law here."

Jiraiya gave him an annoyed look. "Fine then, wear it if you want, but remember it doesn't change your status in the village. Now let me get to the reason why I'm here. We just received a report that you used the Kyuubi's chakra. I'm here to confirm whether or not that was the case and to get an oral report from you on exactly what happened."

"I see," Naruto answered warily. "Well it's true; I did use the demon's chakra during a fight. I had to, if I hadn't I'd have died."

Jiraiya nodded and took out his notebook. "Go ahead and tell me everything that happened."

Naruto knew that Jiraiya was right and that technically he was not a ninja. But in his own mind he'd been one since the day Iruka gave him his hitai-ite. From that time on he had consciously tried to act as a ninja. Despite the bad memories and hard feelings he was still determined to return to his village and be a fine ninja. His dream was to earn respect. Not from the village or from the Hokage or his fellow ninjas. He wanted to earn Iruka's respect; he wanted Iruka–sensei to be proud of him. That was his dream. His duty as a ninja was to report everything that had happened involving the Kyuubi.

However as Moka had pointed out just a few days ago, trust was a precious thing and not easily earned. Naruto did not trust his village or the Hokage or the stranger standing in front of him (even if he was Jiraiya.) Everything that touched the Kyuubi was dangerous to him and needed to be handled with the greatest of care. There was also the matter of Moka's involvement in the original fight. He would not do or say anything that would put her in danger.

His decision was to tell Jiraiya most of what had happened involving the Kyuubi. He described in detail the effects of the transformation and of gaining the red chakra. He admitted to making contact with the Kyuubi and gave a fairly accurate description of the conversation. But in his version the Kyuubi agreed to aid him directly, he made no mention of Kuyou. Likewise he did not mention Moka at all.

The Sannin listened to everything Naruto had to say while scribbling notes down. When Naruto was done Jiraiya looked him in the eye. "You left some things out didn't you? Tell me everything kid."

"I already have." Naruto said calmly.

"Don't even try kid; I've been interrogating people since before you were born. I can spot a lie a mile away and you story doesn't ring true. What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

"This isn't a game kid; the Hokage needs to know everything. Now what aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing," Naruto remained calm. "I'm sorry if what I've told you isn't what you want to hear."

Jiraiya frowned, he was certain Naruto was leaving something out. "I can arrest you and haul you back to Konoha for interrogation."

"Fine, I'll pack my things."

Jiraiya stared at him and Naruto stared right back. Finally it was Jiraiya who broke eye contact. "All right, but if you should happen to remember something later send a letter out to your old address in Tokyo, we'll receive it. Now take off your coat and shirt."

Naruto looked at him suspiciously. "Why? You into boys too you big pervert?"

"Quiet kid! I happen to be the world's top seal master. I am going to inspect the condition of your seal, and I'm going to give you a second one that will help you in drawing the Kyuubi's chakra."

"You're kidding! You mean the village is actually going to give me some help?"

"That's right kid," Jiraiya said solemnly.

"Well it's about time," he eagerly began removing his clothes. "Maybe you can help me with learning jutsus! I…"

"No," Jiraiya said sternly. "I'm not going to teach you anything about any jutsus or give you any information. My mission was to collect your report, check your seal, and add the second seal if you really had accessed the Kyuubi's chakra. That's it; I'm not here for anything else."

"But…" Naruto was eager to tell him about Yukari's book and about the fact that he was learning jutsus on his own.

"No buts kid," Jiraiya cut him off. "The Hokage doesn't want you learning any jutsus until you come home."

"He doesn't?"

"No he doesn't, he wants you to try and develop your ability with the Kyuubi's power but he doesn't want you learning any additional jutsus or ninja techniques. Your ninja training will begin again once you're back in the village. Until then just concentrate on your school work and on developing your demonic abilities, that is why you were sent here after all."

"I see." Naruto was very glad that Yukari's book was well hidden.

Once Naruto's shirt was off Jiraiya did a thorough examination on the seal. He finally nodded in satisfaction. "The seal is holding just fine. Now," he took out a jar of ink and a paint brush. "I'll add the second seal."

XXXXXXXXXX

The Yondaime's seal had been placed on his belly. Jiraiya's was being carefully drawn on his chest. It was intricate and Jiraiya went about painting it on slowly and carefully.

"Say pervert," Naruto said idly.

"Damn it kid call me Jiraiya, or better yet call me Jiraiya-sama."

"So pervert," Naruto continued. "I want to ask you something."

"What?" Jiraiya continued to draw carefully.

"You were the first one offered the position of fifth Hokage, right?"

"That's right, what about it?"

"I was just wondering, why'd you turn it down? The Hokage is recognized as the most powerful ninja in the village; I can't imagine why anyone would turn that down. I sure wouldn't if it were ever offered to me."

"I turned it down because I damn well knew I wasn't fit to be Hokage."

"But you're a Sannin! Who could be more powerful than you?"

Jiraiya shook his head slightly as he dipped his brush in the ink jar. "Being Hokage isn't just about raw power and fighting ability. It demands something that I was lacking."

"A sense of morality?

Jiraiya grinned, actually appreciating the dig. "No, though that was the excuse I gave the Council. What I lacked kid was the necessary and vital ability to harden my heart."

"Huh?"

Jiraiya sighed and tried to explain. "A Hokage is not only the strongest ninja in the village. The Hokage is also the one who is responsible for the safety and well being of the entire village. He must make decisions that are for the best for the village as a whole. That often means having to make some cruel choices, sacrificing individuals for the greater good."

Naruto immediately thought of his father and the decision he had made.

"The sad truth is the Hokage must be willing to do terrible things if they lead to a greater good."

"You mean like plant a demon into an innocent baby?" Naruto said dryly.

"That is one example," Jiraiya said quietly. "There are many others. One of the terrible facts about being Hokage is that you must be ready to sacrifice the individual for the greater good. Destroy an innocent man if it saves a thousand others. That's a part of being Hokage and I knew it wasn't in me. I knew the third and fourth Hokages very well. One was my sensei and one was my student. They were both good and decent men. But they both had the ability to harden their hearts when it was necessary. That was just one skill I never managed to pick up. I could never give that sort of order." He added a few more brush strokes. "Though I've done terrible things when receiving such an order." He added quietly.

Before too much longer he was finally done. He put away his ink and brush. "Seal."

Naruto felt a slight burning sensation as the ink was made into a permanent seal.

"How's it feel kid?"

"Not too bad," Naruto rubbed the spot on his chest.

Jiraiya looked at him sadly. "I want you to know something kid. What I did I did under the Hokage's orders. I had no choice. Please forgive me." He made a simple hand sign. "Pain."

"Ahhhh!" Naruto screamed as it felt as though a sword had been slammed into his chest. He collapsed to the floor clutching where the pain was, below his new seal.

Jiraiya ended it after only three seconds. Naruto was still on the floor gasping. "I'm really sorry I had to do that kid. But my orders were that I give you a demonstration."

Lying on the floor Naruto looked up at the old ninja. "Wha… what did you do me?"

"That seal I placed over your heart, I'm afraid I lied about what it was for." Jiraiya answered. "It has nothing to do with gathering the Kyuubi's chakra. It's a variation of the Hyuuga caged bird seal. It can be used to stop your heart as I just did, to inflict pain. It can also be used to destroy your heart and kill you instantly."

Naruto stared up numbly. The sheer betrayal of what had just been done to him… "Why?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Why do you think kid? You've just started to access one of the greatest powers known to man, a power that almost destroyed the village. The Hokage decided that this was the best way to ensure your loyalty."

"I was already loyal! I was going to return and serve the village! Why couldn't I have been given the same chance to prove myself as any other ninja?"

"Because kid none of those other ninja have the power to wipe out the village. Maybe you would have been loyal, but the Hokage decided he couldn't take the chance. And since he uses seals to control members of his own clan it's not really surprising he would decide to use one on you."

Naruto slowly got back to his feet. "Why don't you just go ahead and kill me now then?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "You don't get it do you? The Hokage doesn't want you dead! He really does want you to learn how to access the Kyuubi's power while you're here. He wants you to return to Konoha and become a ninja and serve the village. You can become the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. You alone could guarantee Konoha's safety and supremacy."

"And if I ever step out of line you kill me," Naruto said bitterly. "I won't be a ninja; I'll just be a tool or a slave."

"It won't be that bad, you'll get to have a good life. You'll be treated with respect and be really well paid! I'm sure that before long people will see you as a hero."

"A hero?" Naruto laughed cynically. "Heroes act out of their own free will. I've just had mine taken from me."

"Look kid, I'm not asking for your forgiveness or even your understanding. Maybe those things will come in time, but for right now you have to accept this is how things are. Now that new seal is an S-rank secret, you're not to tell anyone about it. Given what it can do you don't want people knowing it exists. Only three people will know about it, you, me, and the Hokage. Not even the Council will know. The Hokage and I will be the only ones who will know how to activate your seal. It will only be used as last resort. So long as you are loyal you have nothing to be afraid of."

"Nothing to be afraid of?" He began laughing.

Jiraiya looked down. He wasn't proud of this and had tried to argue the Hokage out of it. But Hiashi's mind had been set. He relied on seals to maintain the loyalty within the cadet branch Hyuuga. He would rely on one to guarantee Naruto's loyalty.

"If it means anything to you kid, I really am sorry." He turned to go.

"Wait a minute!" Naruto shouted. "Since you've done this to me can you at least do me one small favor?"

Jiraiya turned back. "What sort of favor?"

"Can you give me just five minutes to write a letter to Iruka-sensei and then deliver it to him? I won't mention what just happened to me or anything else that is supposed to be a secret. You can read the letter and make sure there's nothing dangerous in it. I just want to tell Iruka that I'm all right and about how my life is going now."

"Your old sensei really matters to you doesn't he?" Jiraiya felt an old ache as he recalled Sarutobi and how much the old man had meant to him. He shook his head sadly. "All right kid, I'll do one thing for you that I shouldn't. I'll share a piece of information with you." Jiraiya took a deep breath. "Iruka is dead, I'm sorry."

"Wh… what? How… when?"

"Ever since the attack on the village we've been short handed, we've needed everyone to do all that they could. Iruka died on a mission to Wind country a little over two years ago."

"Two years?" His voice echoed. "I couldn't even be told and allowed to mourn for him?"

"The Hokage thought…"

"Go to hell," he turned away from Jiraiya.

Seeing there was nothing more to be done Jiraiya quietly left.

XXXXXXXXXX

'This isn't official Naruto; technically you are only a citizen of Konoha and will not become a ninja until you return to the village. But, so far as I am concerned you are a ninja. Be strong and remember everything I have taught you and I know we will meet again one day.'

After Jiraiya's visit he had blown off the rest of his classes as well as club and would not be meeting Kuyou. He was standing on one of the academy's roof tops staring at the setting sun. He had his hitai-ite in his hands and was remembering the last words Iruka had spoken to him.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He thought. I was going to be a great ninja and you were going to be proud of me. How did it come to this?

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear the door to the roof open or the steps approaching him. The first he noticed was when he felt two arms wrap around to embrace him.

"Naruto-kun!" A sweet voice shouted his name. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Why weren't you in class or club?"

He turned around to look into the face of his beautiful girlfriend. She was in her teenage form with her long flowing pink hair and innocent green eyes. Smiling he wrapped his arms around her and returned the embrace pulling her tight. "Sorry about that Moka-chan, I just decided I needed some time alone. How long have you been awake?"

She pressed her face into his neck. His delicious scent set her mind at ease. "About two hours, I've been looking for you this whole time."

"I'm sorry if I made you worry Moka-chan," he said tenderly.

"It's all right," she said and pressed her self against him. "Now that we are together again everything is all right."

He held her for awhile in a warm comfortable silence.

"Moka-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember asking me about my future plans? How I told you I was going to return to Konoha and be a ninja?"

"Mmmm, yes, what about them?"

He let go of his hold and held out his hitai-ite to her. "This is a symbol of my loyalty to my village." In his other hand he took out a kunai. In a clean and certain slice he cut a deep slash right along the middle of the metal plate, cutting the leaf symbol almost perfectly in two.

"What are you doing?" She wondered.

"This is what ninja do when they decide to go rogue and become missing nin. It means I no longer bear any loyalty to Konoha."

She was not upset by this sudden change of heart, but she was surprised. "What's changed?"

"I had a little visit today…" He opened up his shirt to reveal the new seal that was over his heart. He told her everything. And as he did so he saw a look come over her face that he hadn't seen there before. Though he'd seen it on the adult Moka more than once. It was a look of pure fury.

"How could they do that to you?! How could they be so faithless?" She looked and sounded absolutely livid.

"It's because they don't really want me as a ninja," Naruto said dully. "They want me to be an obedient slave."

"I hate them!" She said suddenly and with real passion. "I hate that they could hurt someone as kind and decent as you Naruto-kun, and do it so callously. I really do hate them."

"Good," he slowly nodded. "Because I hate them too." He gave her a wicked, and slightly fox like grin. "And one day I swear I will pay them back everything I owe them."