Protector's pride
SUMMARY: Naruto Uzumaki fought to save his precious people from harm. But he took things seriously very late. This is what happens when the death of one of his precious persons instigate the change in him earlier. This will be an au but will follow cannon pretty closely.
I don't own the series. This story may have some similarities with other stories with same theme but occurrence of that is purely coincidental. Thanks to all and everyone who have reviewed I really like the support makes me worthwhile.
Previously: Ino has been injured against Gaara and now the matches continue.
Colliding fate
When Naruto returned to the arena Sakura was facing another one of the sand trio however unexpectedly he held no interest what so ever. Even when he sat beside his sensei his eyes searched for red haired sand manipulator. "Sensei when the matches are over I need to train, I need to be stronger a lot stronger." He whispered knowing that Kakashi would hear that but Kakashi remained unresponsive. In the field Sakura was throwing shurikens at the sand genin with a bundle at his back who had yet to begin a move. Sakura seemed much more confident than he used to remember her unless facing Ino for Sasuke. But still Naruto found it hard to care when Ino was injured. Even thinking about her brought pangs of pain in him.
In the field Sakura was going through a string of hand seal and once the string completed she seemed exhausted but Naruto could see nothing occurring. "Don't try to see because you can't see a genjutsu that's not done to you." Kakashi commented still not meeting his eye, he had a lot to think about. Naruto felt his ire rise as Kakashi deliberately avoided his earlier question but he kept silent concentrating on the match for a while it felt like Sakura would win but that changed soon enough as the bundle in the back revealed himself as the true Kankuro and the other one a puppet. A cunning tactics to be sure but Naruto hated to see another one of his friends getting hurt.
"Kankuro wins" Hayate announced the result of the match and as well as the end of the preliminaries. "The winners step up on the arena as I call the names, Neji Hyuuga, Sasuke Uchiha, Gaara of the deserts, Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Naara, Hyuuga Hinata, Kankuro of the deserts, and by the circumstances getting a bye in to the finals is Chouji Akimichi. Now you shall all draw the chits to find out the number you have been assigned to starting from the left."
Neji drew first "six" he read aloud, "eight" Sasuke muttered glancing at the chit he picked up, "seven" Gaara's monotonous voice sounded almost bored "five" Naruto's frustration could be felt openly through the clenched teeth. Up in the podium sandaime hokage felt a deep sigh escape him, despite all his efforts the danger was becoming imminent. He knew very well Naruto would seek revenge against the Sand ninja only hope he had was the kyuubi's chakra wouldn't break free. Sometimes he wondered whether listening to Danzo would have been the correct decision. Konoha needed someone strong with the Uchiha clan gone and Senju blood scattered in the wind the only hope lay in Hyuuga having a fully efficient jinchuriki would have been a major support and he couldn't deny in times like this when his wayward student was looking to attack he wished for the presence so strong.
"Jiraiya, look after Naruto he will need proper guidance in this situation" Sarutobi whispered to the toad sage who gave a curt nod. But what the two veteran shinobi missed was the smile that appeared on Danzo's face. Fate had handed him a golden opportunity and he couldn't wait to take it but he knew the timing had to be perfect or else he will blow his cover. 'You tried old monkey but this time the jinchuriki will be loyal to me and me alone, I will bring the golden age to Konoha.' He thought with fierce determination.
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"I really hate that masked pervert" Naruto spat through gritted teeth, Kakashi had taken Sasuke on a training trip leaving some guy called Jiraiya to teach him. But three hours and he had seen neither hide nor hair of the man, even Roshi was absent for some reason. Quickly skipping back he began raining punches on the tree in front of him, he needed to be agile and precise and if no one would bother to teach him he would learn alone. His knuckles were all ready bloodied as he moved on to the ninjutsu, chakra gathered in his throat as he flipped through hand seals, "wind style: great breakthrough" a blast of wind kicked up dust and debris destroying the tree . "You pump too much chakra yet lack finesse wind element is not about brute strength." A low voice from behind quickly put Naruto to edge, quickly turning around he faced perhaps the most injured shinobi till date. "Who are you old man?" his voice was stern and rough, frustration seeping in without notice or care. "Me, I am no one important, I just used to be a shinobi of this village until the wars came. But do you want some help or not." His voice was plain and devoid of any negativity yet Naruto was torn whether to trust the guy or not but his need to learn far outweighed his aversion. "Yes, I want to know" he responded.
A ghost of a smile flickered in Danzo's face for a split second faster than Naruto could notice, "first you need to understand in wind style the shape manipulation of the chakra plays a much more important role than the rest, the more you mold your chakra in sharper edges the more powerful the attacks become" with surprising agility he performed several one handed seals and released a thin blade of wind. Naruto was really stunned to see the blade cutting through the stones scattered around digging a deep trench around the ground.
"It's now your turn I will keep watch over your progress young Uzumaki" a quick body flicker later Danzo was in his territory his piece now in position and he was relatively certain that in the end he will win. 'Once the nine tail allies with me my root will be unstoppable and that will happen by hook or crook'
Jiraiya stood on top of the cliff overlooking Naruto and his fists clenched reflexively as he saw the relic of shinobi wars approach his god son. He wanted to appear then and there yet he held on knowing full well this was the plan and the only way to lure the war hawk in to the open. 'Time to do the duty I should have done years ago' Jiraiya thought before with a silent body flicker appeared in the clearing a bit away from the practicing teen.
The energy the determination Naruto practiced with was invigorating to watch reminding the sage of his own youth when the only thing mattered was getting strong to prove the world. 'Have I really expected to see this?' if Jiraiya wanted to be truthful the answer was no, he would have preferred the opposite at least then he could walk away but now that option didn't exist.
"I am not impressed brat" Jiraiya uttered the same words his sensei spoke to him when he had been training to become chunin. As expected Naruto quickly stepped back and assumed a battle stance his eyes wearily following everything about the taller man. "Who are you" Naruto was clearly irritated and his voice reflected the irritation all the morning he spent in search of a man who was supposed to be sensei with only a name. He had been ridiculed and laughed at and now when he finally wanted to practice upon the advice that old man provided him a new stranger was blocking him.
Jiraiya was having fun; the irritation of the teen was amusing. Still maintaining his façade he cocked his eyebrow, "it's the common courtesy to offer your name before enquiring of others or do I have to teach that to you as well". Any other day Naruto would have let it slip but the stress and his frustration about his sensei tipped his boiling point really low. "I am Naruto Uzumaki and now who are you?" he hissed through gritted teeth nine tails roaring in his subconscious.
Jiraiya did an exaggerating bow "I am Jiriaya the mighty toad sage from the mount myobaku whose very presence causes the man to fear and women to orgasm and for the month your babysitter." Naruto felt ire rise as he saw the person supposed to be training him acting like a buffoon. "Oi stop it and I am not a baby" he protested loudly his childish nature flaring up slightly "and where the fuck were you I spent hours looking for you."
Jiriaya assumed an even graver aura as he slightly leaked his killer intent, "I wanted to know if you are worthy to be my student and frankly I am not impressed. Still I will give you another chance." "What chance?" Naruto asked this time perfectly serious hiding the nervousness the killer intent was causing, his personal slights didn't matter as long as he could grow stronger. "Well we fight and you will have to land a blow on me think you up to it shrimp"
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Jiraiya had to give points to Naruto for guts; he knew the potency his killer intent possessed and the teen ignored it to the best of his ability. His eyebrow arched slightly as he saw the particular stance Naruto assumed, 'so sensei you handed him a part of his legacy and I doubt he knows it'. He bellowed, "Begin" and like a hawk soaring down to hunt the young Uzumaki moved in to offense.
Jiriaya moved his head to left slightly as a power packed punch sailed through the air. From the corner of his eyes Jiraiya could see the already approaching kick aiming for the jaw, moving his head again was out of option as even then he would take a glancing hit. Showing surprising agility for someone his size and age Jiraiya caught the approaching kick in his grip and threw Naruto back.
Flipping once in the midair Naruto landed on his feet a dozen shadow clones appearing beside him. Three of them ran straight in an arrowhead formation. Jiraiya dodged most of the blows coming at his direction blocking only the ones which would otherwise cause him to use jutsu. So far the display had been purely moderate but suddenly he felt his sixth sense go off and sank down in the ground. Just in time as well as a slash of wind chakra dispelled most of the clones.
Naruto had expected perfectly for the toad sage to evade his wind attack but he had not expected the move used. 'Crap he will be under me anytime' and he knew once caught it will be over for him. Jumping up in the sky he barely dodged the uppercut Jiraiya sent at him. A shadow clone appeared by his side tossing him to the trees.
Jiraiya stood smirking as he saw Naruto take refuge in the canopy nearby, the boy certainly was wily and skillful but the main test was yet to begin. The slight shift of the winds alerted him of the boy's intention and a quick replacement technique with a mud clone saved him from the impact of a rather powerful claw of wind chakra. 'He is agile but the attack had far more chakra than it should have. He needs to learn finesse' the sage gathered fire chakra in his lungs and released it towards the canopy lighting it up.
"Fuck" the young Uzumaki cursed loudly as the older man destroyed his refuge forcing him to drop in the ground once more. Faster than he could imagine faster than his eye could follow Jiraiya battered him with blows after blows but he held on. Tried desperately to block as many of the attacks he could but if he managed to block one ten more battered him.
Naruto could feel his stamina wearing off, the man was better than he had expected. He was better than even Kakashi and the only choice he had was to resort to the red chakra imprisoned within. And with one thought he drew upon the fiery cloak of the nine tails healing his injuries refilling his reserves.
Jiraiya had not expected the turn of events as the bloodlust of the mightiest of tailed beasts saturated the very air. But he could say Naruto was still in control and a strange excitement filled him. Quickly sidestepping the blurred red body he flipped back to create some distance, 'he gets really fast like this too bad it won't be enough to save him against those who hunt'. Naruto let out a spine chilling roar before several chakra appendages erupted from the back of his chakra cloak. Craters were being formed every where the chakra arms hit.
Dodging two simultaneous punches, Jiraiya tried to sweep Naruto's feet from underneath but the boy simply leapt back and assumed an animal like stance. Years of experience allowed Jiraiya to feel the keen manipulation of chakra and he could feel a large amount gathering in Naruto's hand. "Wind style: beast tearing palm" a huge claw of wind came at him in speed he didn't expect and a hastily roll saved him but his eyes widened as he saw another claw just feet away from him. He didn't intend to use jutsus to defend himself he really didn't but this left him with no choice. The hairs fed with chakra wrapped around him like a cocoon saving from the cutting wind.
Naruto panted as his cloak receded back the two simultaneous slashes were his trump card and it drained him. He understood what the difference between the power levels truly was. Jiraiya was yet to use anything stronger than a d rank and yet he was nearly unscathed. He felt a presence behind him and soon the cold edge of a kunai touched him in the neck. "Give up" the voice was commanding and for once Naruto thought of giving in but the face of Ino hooked to the machines flashed and his determination grew.
Jiraiya was surprised as excellently agile substitution jutsu took place and Naruto replaced himself with a clone. He blocked the punch in his palm and saw the fire burning in the blonde's eye. "You pass" he commented off handedly letting go of the boy and finally smiled openly at the gob smacked look on the teen's face. "Boy I am a sage almost a kage level shinobi even landing a blow on me would be impossible for anyone less than a high level jounin like Kakashi. I simply wanted to see if you have the guts to continue against odds" the sentence was unfinished but the smile on Jiraiya's face told the rest and after a long time Naruto felt a twinge of pride in himself. He knew the journey had just began but he was a protector and he would protect those who he loves even it caused his death.
"For the next 27 days you shall report to me in the morning now you may go I have some research to do" Jiraiya waited as he saw the legacy of the 4th hokage leaving. The boy had the stubbornness of his mother and deep down the sage knew with enough training he could very well surpass his father as well. "I am getting too emotional better do some research" he muttered before jumping towards the female's bath house.
One week later
Jiraiya stood in front of a panting Naruto, "again" he commanded. Naruto gritted his teeth he was trying hard for hours to master this task but gaining no progress at all. He gathered chakra once more tried hard to imagine a sharp and thin blade made of chakra and emit it from his palms. A minute passed and the leaf rested on his palms fluttered in the wind as a small cut formed on its edges. Jiraiya nodded with satisfaction he needed the boy achieve the elemental training before he gave him a part of his father's legacy.
"It's so frustrating sensei" Naruto grumbled childishly, his hand outstretched holding a leaf with many cuts but nothing too long. "I know brat but without this you cannot master your wind style so swallow any more complaints" Jiraiya replied he wondered about his next course of action in one hand teaching the boy about the secret or shadow clones would be helpful but without knowing the mental condition the risk might be too big to handle. "All right enough for now", he called out as the leaf finally split from the middle "practice this in your free time; I want you to train your agility and evasive skills."
Naruto bit back the curse he was about to utter, he wanted to rest. Training with the sage had been pure hell he had been forced to wear weights that changed with chakra input meaning if he wished to move normally he would either have to regulate his chakra flow or adapt to the weight. For two days he felt like his body was made out of pure lead thankfully the kyuubi strengthened his muscle mass to a point where he could easily bear the stress.
He barely stood straight when a sharp kunai flew his way only his expert use of shadow clone saved him. "Oi what the fuck at least give a signal" he shouted at his teacher as more projectiles flew at him. The only response he got was two more shadow clones joining the fray. One moved close with taijutsu while the other launched random fire jutsus. Dodging under one particularly close punch Naruto watched in horror as two fire balls raced from two separate sides. Panicked he gathered wind chakra in his lungs and released a super powered great breakthrough the thrust from the attack propelled him high above flames. But soon the momentum was spent and he landed on the ground off balance.
A pair of strong hands prevented him from crashing down however. Jiraiya had a small smile on his lips due to stunt his student just pulled. "Not bad kid you are improving but that move in there was totally idiotic you will die in the field if you pull stunts like that" he said while ruffling the unruly mane of blonde hair. "Are we done for today?" Naruto's voice was small and weak his bones were aching and the tiredness was threatening make him collapse. Jiraiya scrutinized the teen closely, these seven days he had put him through hell and the boy never complained. While he admitted Naruto lacked the analytical mind of his father he was no idiot as long as someone was willing to give him time he would always succeed and by god Jiraiya swore he would not fail again.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I AM SORRY GUYS FOR BEING SO LATE. MY LIFE SUCKED THIS MONTH AND BOY IT SUCKED HARD. I FACED DEATHS AND IT CHANGED ME SOMEWHERE DEEP DOWN. I ONLY HOPE YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND MY PROBLEM I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS STORY THIS MUCH I ASSURE. ON ANOTHER NOTE THE RESPONSE FOR MY LAST CHAPTER MADE ME REALLY HAPPY I LOVE YOU GUYS. ONLY ELEVEN MORE AND I TOUCH THE FIRST MILESTONE.