Chapter Twenty One: Know Pain
"ARGH!" Juugo shouted in pain as he was pinned to the wall via four chakra rods, one through each shoulder, a third through his left hand and the last through his legs through both thighs, twisting and tearing at his body as he tried to focus so that he could mold around the sharpened chakra sapping rods, but the pain was to great.
Human and Naraka leaped back from him as Neji spun quickly, destroying Animal Path's two summoned animals before he turned and leaped towards Human, turning his back to Animal.
Animal Path's eyes narrowed at that before it felt a shuriken stab into it's lower back unexpectedly, "SHINIGAMI SHURIKEN!" Naruto shouted as he fell past Animal Path from above, the shuriken exploding and destroying all but it's head, shoulders and part of it's leg.
Naraka and Human's gaze snapped to Naruto as Neji pushed out his chakra, splitting the two of them apart before leaping up towards Juugo, Naraka following to attack.
Human path dashed at Naruto as the blonde dashed forward, flicking out a handful of shuriken on his approach. Human path dodged the first two before hitting the third with his own shuriken, though he quickly dove away as it expanded in a small black hole, sealing away Human path's left hand.
Naruto smirked from behind his Fox mask, whipping out his scythe in one hand before forming a hand seal.
Four Naruto clones appeared in strategic positions around Pein the blonde smirking as he knew that his enemy couldn't see at least two of them, 'And after this I'll be able to help out Neji.' He thought as he leapt forward.
Human path leaned forward and kicked out with one leg while holding a chakra pole from it's sleeve on an odd angle, blocking all but one of the Naruto clones that it barely got scratched in the shoulder by before it lashed out and destroyed two clones, turning and swinging again to clash with the real Naruto before the last two clones managed to slash through it's chest and neck, killing him before the two clones ran to help Neji with his one opponent.
Naruto glanced over his shoulder on instinct, making eye contact with the morphed and broken face of Animal Path, still staring at him and blinking, 'That one's still watching me...' he thought before looking at the head of Human path which had just rolled to a stop, the head turning it's gaze to look up at him before looking over to Neji, Naraka and Juugo.
Naruto frowned in thought, 'That's weird... and how did this guy even see all of my clones anyway?' Naruto in thought as he stomped on and obliterated Human's head and eyes, 'Remember that for later.' Naruto thought before leaping up into the air.
Neji and Naraka clashed in a struggle for power, Naraka smirking as Neji suddenly gasped in shock at what his enemy was doing.
Naraka suddenly leapt back, barely dodging Naruto's slash with his scythe before he and Neji stood side-by-side on the wall above Juugo, Naruto's two clones removing the rods from him slowly and carefully.
Naruto and Neji glanced at each other, "There's something special about his eyes, and his rods sap chakra if they hit ya." Naruto said.
Neji nodded, "They share the same chakra as well. And they all seem to have very specific skills other then being over Jonin level in strength in Taijutsu and basic Ninjutsu," Neji reported. Naruto nodded as the two looked ahead at Naraka Path, "I'll take the high road." Neji said with a smirk.
Naruto chuckle, "And I'll take the low." he said as the two ANBU leapt forward at the last of their three Paths of Pein.
"SHINRA TENSEI!"
Naruto and Neji flew through the air, slamming into the wall next to the unconscious Juugo as Jiraiya and Choutai barely managing to land on their feet, "Jiraiya-sama! You have to run now!" Choutai shouted.
For the first time since the fight had begun, Neji and Naruto looked at Jiraiya, their eyes widening as they noticed his sorry state, "Ero-sennin!" Naruto shouted in fear.
Jiraiya's eyes snapped to Fox, "Naruto?!" he exclaimed in shock as he held his largest wound. He had lost his right arm and was shaking with the effort to stand, his chakra nearly gone, his blood flowing out just as fast, and the Nature Chakra having left his system.
The ANBU looked up as Naraka, Deva and Asura stared them down, "Naruto Uzumaki is it?" Asura asked as it's head rotated, showing a new face with a malicious grin, "Jinchuuriki of the Nine Tailed Fox."
Deva aimed an arm towards him, "It must be, Jiraiya-sensei has only taught the Jinchuuriki since the Yondaime Hokage died," Deva said as a wind began to shake his cloak, "You will come with me, BANSHO TENNIN!"
Naruto gasped as he was yanked forward through the air all of sudden, flailing around before Choutai gripped his ankle and began to be pulled along with him, "Fox! Spin!" Choutai shouted as he began to roll into the shape of a ball.
Naruto moved as fast as he could, throwing Choutai forward as he expanded, "HUMAN BOULDER!" Choutai shouted.
Preta appeared out from nowhere, catching Choutai and sapping the chakra from the technique, only for Choutai's enlarged arm to fly out from the Boulder, slamming into Preta and throwing it into Naraka.
Naruto grunted as he slashed his scythe at Deva the moment he got close, only for Asura to step forward and block the attack, it's tail flicking out to cut off his arm.
POOF
Naruto disappeared in a plume of smoke, revealing he was a clone.
Deva and Asura looked up as Naruto and Neji helped Jiraiya and Juugo out of sight, the mask of Death's Touch reappearing a moment later as he leapt down to help Choutai.
BOOM
Deva leapt up and caught Preta as Asura caught Naraka, the four Peins retreating from Choutai as the man shrunk down to normal size again.
"What do you need me to do?" Neji asked his superior.
Choutai looked across the four Peins before glancing beside him at Neji, 'These guys defeated Jiraiya-sama AND Tsunade-sama's ninja before taking on us, and their two strongest are still able to fight... and now they even know Naruto is their target.' Choutai thought before sighing and standing tall.
Neji glanced at Choutai as he watched the large Akimichi man reach into his pouch with one hand and reach up to take off his mask with the other, "Choutai?" Neji whispered in shock.
Choutai passed Neji his mask as he took out three food pills in a glass case, "I'm signing out Death. Make sure the others get out of here, especially Jiraiya and Naruto, we can't let one of our Sannin die and we definitely can't have the Akatsuki get another Jinchuuriki." Choutai ordered as he opened the case.
Neji looked at Choutai's face for a moment of silence before nodding, "Hai Choutai-sama, it's been an honor." Neji said before leaping away.
Choutai leapt up after him, battering away a thrown chakra rod with his expanded fist, "The honor is mine, can you pass my Will of Fire on to my nephew? He'll need it for the war coming." Choutai said before landing and running at the Peins.
Neji landed and lifted Juugo, "Fox! Grab your Sensei, we're moving now!" he ordered as they began to dash away.
Naruto glanced over his shoulder after a minute, "Wait, where's Boar?" Naruto asked.
Neji was silent for a moment before lifting up the mask of ANBU Boar, "He's been compromised, he's holding them off." Neji explained.
Fox slowed for barely a moment before turning to run back even though Jiraiya was on his back, though before his eyes, Choutai suddenly expanded to massive proportions, grabbing a building from the ground and swinging it like a bat, throwing two small shapes away from him before a shockwave rung out, throwing Choutai through a few buildings before a blue glowing missile suddenly hit his chest.
BOOOOOOOM
"Move Naruto!" Neji shouted as they began truly running, fleeing the massive explosion behind them and avoiding the flying debris from the many exploding buildings.
##########
"Sakura..." Cat said as she stepped back, "I think we have to move now." she said shortly as she turned to Sakura.
The pinkette looked up from the unconscious and tied up Konan, seeing Choutai's massive body slam through the outer wall of the Hidden Rain village in the distance, "Oh my Log..." she mumbled in awe.
"Now Sakura!" Cat said as she knelt and began to pick up Konan.
The medic ninja quickly knelt, letting Cat set Konan on her back before the two began to run slowly.
"Taicho!"
"Go ahead!" Cat ordered Sakura as she slowed, whipping out her sword as she scanned the approaching ninja for any faults, confirming it was them before she nodded, "Status report." She ordered as she looked over the group.
"Heavy injuries to Jiraiya and Juugo," Death's Touch said, "Choutai was compromised, he's stalling for us."
Cat nodded before running ahead, "Follow me," she ordered as they raced to catch up to Sakura, the group beginning to leave the Land of Rain at full speed, "Sakura! Swap with me, stop Jiraiya-sama's bleeding then help Juugo's wounds." Cat ordered.
"Hai Taicho." she agreed as she ran running beside Fox, taking action as they continued to run into the darkness of the rising night.
##########
Midnight, the Hidden Leaf Village
##########
"ANBU Team Cat checking in Shikaku-sama." Yugao said as she stepped into the office with her and the late Choutai's masks in hand.
The in-village active Hokage looked up and nodded, "Good, Tsunade-sama filled me in on everything up to your return and I hear you had not only one of our new allies but Jiraiya-sama and even an Akatsuki member?" Shikaku clarified.
Yugao nodded as she placed the Boar mask on his desk, making him frown, "Yes, but Choutai stayed back to fight off the people Jiraiya and Juugo were fighting, Boar is open again." she said with a steady voice and a still face, staring down at the mask her late friend of twelve years had been wearing only hours earlier.
Shikaku sighed and nodded, "How long til you can fill the spot?" he asked.
Yugao sighed, "Since it's war times I'll try to do my best, but considering almost every active ninja will be in constant use I wouldn't bet on it being as fast as finding our last two members." she said.
Shikaku nodded and sighed again, "In that case I'm swapping out your team for one of the four man ANBU squads we have here in village. You'll be taking every second day off because on your working days it'll be twenty hours straight work doing scans of the immediate area and doing individual guards for council members on alternating days... though we will need one of your squad on starting midday with your designated member of the council." Shikaku explained.
Yugao nodded, "Who will we be swapping out with? And where?" she asked.
Shikaku sighed and leaned to the side of the desk, grabbing a few sheets and sifting through them before laying out the three options, "Right after a council meeting on the bottom floor is where... but..." he paused as he put his finger on the furthest left of the three options, "Since you're one of our guerrilla teams I'd recommend Danzo's ANBU protection, though he is a bit boring since, well y'know, officially speaking, he barely leaves his home." Shikaku said.
Yugao sighed, 'Personally I kinda hate the prick... but if it's for the good of the village...' she thought before shrugging and putting her mask back on, "I will take the first watch then. We'll be alternating every six hours or so." she said.
Shikaku nodded, "Sounds good. I'll need you to be looking out for one extra thing though," he said as he sat forward seriously, "We think... no, we are all but positive that Danzo had something to do with the late Hiashi Hyuuga's passing. If you see any evidence of this act, take it and bring it to me immediately, regardless of the mission or risk." Shikaku said.
Yugao nodded, "Hai Shikaku-sama." she said before leaving out the door.
##########
Naruto smiled as the bushes seemed to make way for him as he walked down the footpath to his home, 'It's good to be back.' he thought as he took off his mask.
Naruto entered the clearing in front of his house and looked up, smiling at the quiet and serene area before he noticed a slight gleam from the far side of the roof. His eyes narrowed before he raised a brow, 'Yugito? What's she doing up there...' he wondered before glancing up at his balcony.
Seeing there was a light on inside, he smiled at the thought of just one of his girls being awake, but before he could do that, he turned before disappearing in a blur thanks to his Transparent Escape Technique.
Sakura ran into view panting as she looked up in determination, "Okay," she began out loud, not realizing Naruto was just to her side, "If he's here, then that couldn't have been him in the ANBU... unless he beat me here... but either way..." She mumbled as she began to jog up to his front door.
Naruto's eyes widened as she knocked, 'Oh shit.' he thought before dashing up to his balcony.
Temari turned with wide eyes as Naruto suddenly appeared on their balcony opening the door, "Naruto!" she exclaimed with a grin.
Naruto dashed up to her and kissed her quickly before holding a finger to his lips, making her pause in confusion, "Listen quietly, Sakura is the one knocking, let her in, pretend I've been on a mission but I got back yesterday and since then I've only been here with you, got it?" Naruto asked quickly.
Temari blinked before smiling and nodding, "ANBU thing right?" she asked, earning a nod, "No worries, get changed into your training clothes, that's always a good excuse for the smell and your umm, state of cleanliness." she said with a smile.
Naruto pouted, "Do I stink that bad?" he asked.
Temari laughed as she pushed him away, hearing Sakura at the door again, "Yes, now go." she said as she walked downstairs.
Taking the long way down, Temari paused for a moment as she closed her eyes and placed a hand on her stomach, "Oh..." she groaned, not feeling too well as she continued on her way.
Getting to the door, Temari stepped back with a weak grin, "Hey Sakura, what's up?" she asked.
Sakura opened her mouth, about to ask about Naruto when she noticed Temari's pallor and state, "H-hey, are you alright Temari?" Sakura asked.
Temari nodded, "Yeah, just, my morning sickness likes to come every like, six hours or so." Temari said with an obviously forced smile.
Sakura stepped up and helped her towards and up the steps, "Where's Naruto? He should be here looking after you." she said as they climbed the steps.
Temari nodded, "He was, but since I woke him up so late he's decided to do some training as well." she lied.
Sakura paused as they got to the top, letting Temari rest against the kitchen bench, "You mean... he's here?" she asked.
Temari raised a brow as they both heard Naruto's footsteps, coming down the hallway to the bathroom, "Of course he is." she said as they looked up.
Naruto stepped into the room with his shirt half-pulled over his head, he was actually pulling it on when he noticed Sakura and pulled it down quicker, making it look as though he was about to strip until he thought better of it, "Oh, hey Sakura, what's up?" he asked as he glanced over his shoulder, seeing his pile of clothes tossed into a dark corner of one of the empty rooms.
Sakura blinked up at him before shaking her head and looking down, 'Right... I knew it couldn't be him.' she thought, not noticing as Naruto quickly shot out a tendril to close the door to the room with his ANBU gear in it.
She looked back up as Naruto came down the steps, "So, what can we do for ya? It's a bit late y'know?" he asked with a smile as he wrapped his arms around Temari from behind.
Temari smiled as she leaned back into his grasp, Sakura sighing at the display before she shrugged, "Well... I've got some news about Jiraiya-sama..." she said sadly.
Naruto's eyes widened, 'That's right... I never did find out what happened after we got him to the hospital...' he thought as Temari raised a brow.
"Jiraiya-sama? What's the old perve want?" she asked.
Sakura looked between them before gesturing over to the couches of Naruto's, "Maybe we should sit down..." she said.
Temari began to show worry as Naruto lead her over to the couches, the two of them sitting on the couches opposite Sakura, "Sakura, just tell me, what's he done now?" Naruto asked with a forced smirk.
Sakura sighed again, "Jiraiya-sama... fought the leader of the Akatsuki and nearly died because of it." she said, dropping that bomb on Naruto and Temari.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, "But... he's alive right?" Naruto asked.
Sakura nodded quickly, "Yes of course, it's just that... he's lost an arm and has taken permanent injuries to his chakra network. He can't do any high level Ninjutsu any more and is currently in a forced coma until he's fully healed, then we'll wake him." Sakura said.
Naruto sat in silence, truly shocked at his sensei's fate, "So... he can't really be one of the Sannin any more..." he mumbled, trying to think of the situation as an impartial party.
Temari looked up at the side of Naruto's face for a moment in worry, 'He looks so vulnerable...' she thought as she easily saw through Naruto's façade.
Sakura nodded, "Yeah... that's why we need you to summon one of the Toads so that we can talk to them, Jiraiya-sama managed to leave a message with them apparently." she said.
Naruto stood up, "Right now?" he asked, about to form hand seals.
"No," she said, making him pause, "Tomorrow there'll be a council meeting at midday, you've been asked to do it there." she said as she paused, glancing around, "So... what've you two been up to?" she asked.
Naruto walked up towards the balcony as Temari distracted Sakura, "Naruto was on one of the war missions up until yesterday morning. We've just been..." she said with a coy smile, "Catching up."
Sakura closed her eyes, obviously wishing she hadn't asked, "Well... good for you two." she said before looking up to see Naruto looking out his open balcony door into the night's sky, "...I know you're the pregnant one Temari, but can you look after him? Or just call me around if you or him need help." she said.
Temari nodded, "Yeah of course," she said before standing up herself, "I think we're gonna head back to bed now so..." she said, hinting for Sakura to leave.
The pinkette nodded, "Yeah no worries, I'll leave you two to it then. Goodnight." she said before walking up to Naruto.
Temari sighed as she moved over to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water, watching the two from a distance as Sakura approached Naruto.
Sakura hesitated as she stopped at the foot of Naruto's bed, looking at the man she had known since they were kids as he stared out into the darkness, "...Naruto?" she asked softly.
The blonde sighed, staring out at the stars for a second before turning, "Yeah Sakura?" he asked only to step back from the force of her suddenly hugging him around the chest.
"I'm sorry," she said to him softly, "If I was a better medic I'd be able to do more but I just can't, there's nothing on healing physical damage to a chakra network."
Naruto sighed and hugged her back, "..Don't worry... Ero-sennin will pull through, I know he will." Naruto said before letting go.
Sakura nodded as she let go as well and walked through the open door, "I'll see you another time then..." she said softly before moving out to his balcony and leaping away.
Naruto stared after her for a moment of silence before looking down, 'Is this one of the dangers of nature chakra he told me about? Is that what happened to you Ero-sennin?' he thought before Temari's arms wrapped around his waist.
Temari kissed the side of his neck, "I'm going to start up a bath for us, I think you need it." she said softly.
Naruto smiled, "I think you're right, but let me start it up," he said as he turned to her and picked her up bridal style, making her laugh as he nuzzled her neck, "You just sit here and rest." he said as he helped her back onto the bed.
Temari smiled and shared one more kiss with him before he went to move off, though just before he turned down the hallway, Temari noticed something on the wall opposite her, "Naruto-kun?" she asked.
Naruto paused and turned back to her with a smile, though after seeing her staring across the level at his wall he moved back up the steps curiously, "What is..." he trailed off as he followed her gaze.
The Dead Foundation Seal, an extremely high level seal created by Jiraiya that rendered whatever seal it was laid over to become unusable and invisible until the user died...
...or apparently, when there chakra couldn't handle such a high level technique any more.
Temari looked up at Naruto as he took a step towards the handle on his wall and the seal that begun to stretch out from it as he got closer, "I'll give you ten minutes Naruto, the bath will be ready then and I expect you to come in. Take a quick look but please, you need rest." she said before standing and walking away.
Naruto hesitantly took a few steps, reaching out as he channelled his chakra through his arm and into the palm of his hand, 'Please work...'
He gripped the handle.
POOF
##########
POOF
Naruto opened his eyes and smiled slightly as he looked around his father's office, "Well... the private office of Minato Namikaze..." Naruto mumbled as he walked to the middle of the room.
White walls, white floors and a white window. The ceiling looking like it was open up to the clear blue sky as the only furniture in the room stood out as normal items. Naruto looked at the two shelves opposite each other, one of them having scrolls, tri-pronged kunai and other assorted items of interest while the other was full of books. He passed between them and walked around to the office desk, taking a seat and glancing between the scrolls Jiraiya had left in the room and the two piles of books on the desk.
Naruto slid the chair in and opened the one book sitting in front of him, his body freezing as his eyes took in the contents of the first page.
There was a photo of two people, a pregnant but beautiful red haired woman and the famed Fourth Hokage, the two of them looking towards the camera in apparent shock as they had been interrupted at a picnic of some sort.
Naruto took the photo out and placed it on the table, staring at it in silence for a time until he looked back at the book and read the title on the first page.
"'The Reasons We Fight, Tobirama Senju'..." Naruto began before turning the page and seeing reference numbers next to the chapter titles, "Water, twenty one...?" he mumbled in confusion before sitting back in the chair and looking around again.
Naruto spun in the chair, coming to a stop facing the two dressers at the back of the room. After a moment of contemplation he stood and opened the top draw of the one to his right, seeing more scrolls. He frowned and opened the second, third, fourth and fifth draws of the right dresser, finding different colored scrolls before he moved to the dresser on the left.
Naruto paused as he opened the first draw, reaching in slowly to lift out a long white cloak. He held it up, letting it unfold and letting him see the robe of the Fourth Hokage, the words 'Yellow Flash of Konoha' written in kanji down it's back.
Naruto turned and placed the cloak on the desk before he looked back in the draw and raised a brow at the next cloak.
Lifting it out, he held it by the shoulders and let it unravel, making him gasp at the dark version of the Hokage robe, black with gray flames around the hem as the kanji for 'Flash of Death' was written down the spine.
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment in thought, 'To instil that much fear into the Land of Earth... it wouldn't surprise me if he wore this to turn that fear to his advantage...' Naruto thought before lifting up the cloak and walking to the middle of the room, standing between the two shelves.
Throwing on the robe over his clothes, Naruto ruefully chuckled before sighing, "It's a perfect fit, of course." he mumbled as he closed his eyes.
His face began to scrunch up as the emotional pain got to him, he took of the cloak before throwing it to the ground while panting, forcing himself not to cry.
His gaze moved back to the closer shelf making him pause as he noticed what some of the items were.
There was a partially destroyed Tsuchikage hat, gems, gloves and headbands from other villages, all looking as though they had just come out of battle and been left on the shelf like a trophy...
...a trophy for each time he had caused a massacre.
Naruto picked up one of the tri-pronged kunai angrily, "He was the monster... he's more of a demon then I've ever been..." Naruto mumbled as he tossed the kunai lightly through the air while looking at the Hirashin Seal, "The Fourth Hokage... killing millions to protect thousands... was it worth it?" he pondered before tossing the kunai so that it stabbed into the picture on the desk, the point having pierced Minato's chest so that it stuck up.
Naruto looked at the kunai for a moment before the one thing that could distract him from his hatred was heard.
"Naruto? Are you in there?"
Naruto turned and looked at the handle, hearing the echo of Temari's words and her knocking almost as if it was a real door.
"The bath is ready, Naruto? Please you're making me worried..."
Instantly Naruto smiled softly, walking away from the desk and gripping the handle-
POOF
-making him appear in front of Temari as he lifted her into a hug, "Sorry for making you wait Temari-chan." he said gently.
Temari smiled as he put her down, "You're forgiven, now come on, I think we both need this." she said as she began to pull him after her towards the bathroom.
Naruto glanced over his shoulder at the handle on the wall, 'Some day soon, I'm going through all of that.' he thought, promising to himself to do so.
##########
The next day, noon
##########
Naruto stood in his orange trousers and blue t-shirt, letting his Chunnin vest hang free as he wore his forehead protector loosely around his neck, his eyes closed as he felt the breeze move through the doorway.
"Hey Naruto-san."
Naruto opened his eyes and smiled as he stood from his place leaning against the wall, "Hey Juugo, right?" Naruto asked.
The large man nodded, "Yeah, I suppose you're here to find out Jiraiya-sama's message right?" he asked.
Naruto nodded, "Yeah, that's why you're here?" he asked.
Juugo nodded, "To tell what I can about the fight, yes..." he said as he leaned against the wall opposite Naruto, "Sasuke mentioned you once." he said.
Naruto froze at that, "...What?"
Juugo glanced up and down the mostly empty hallway, "Sasuke, I traveled with him after he rescued me. You are the only one he has mentioned other then his brother," Juugo said before looking towards the far end of the hall, "Who were you to him?"
Naruto just stared at Juugo in shock, 'He... knows Sasuke? Does that mean Sasuke's... here?' Naruto thought in silence, not moving until the new arrival spoke up.
"Hello Naruto, and you must be Juugo." Kakashi said as he walked up to the two of them.
Naruto smiled as Juugo bowed slightly, "Hey Kakashi-sensei, what're you here for?" Naruto asked, trying to forget about Sasuke and focus on the now.
Kakashi eye smiled, "I'm to give a basic overview of how the front lines look as well as the results on a special interrogation on the Akatsuki member you defeated Juugo," Kakashi said, making Naruto stare at Juugo with wide eyes, "I'm very impressed."
Juugo blushed slightly at the praise before nodding proudly, "Thank you sir. I'm glad to be of use." he said honestly.
Before any more could be said, the double doors to the council room opened up, "Juugo, if you could enter please." Iruka said with a smile.
Juugo nodded as he stood, "Yes sir." he said respectfully before following her inside, the door closing behind them.
There was a few moments of silence before Kakashi sat down on the floor, "So Naruto, I hear your time in ANBU is going well." Kakashi said.
Naruto smirked and nodded, "Yeah I'd say so. I've met all the requirements and even managed to make a little something that I think may just impress you." Naruto said with a chuckle.
Kakashi chuckled as he eye smiled, "And what might that be?" he asked.
"My new personal seal, the Shinigami Shuriken." Naruto said as with a flick of his wrist he was holding one of his black shuriken.
Kakashi blinked as he looked at them, "Shinigami?" he asked.
Naruto nodded and grinned, "I'll fill you in later... do you think you could help me train tomorrow? I got something special in mind that I think you can help with." Naruto asked.
Kakashi nodded, "Gladly, I'm not needed anywhere just yet, I've got another week before I'll be leaving the village again." he said.
Naruto nodded happily, "Awesome!" Naruto exclaimed.
The door to the council room opened up and Iruka stuck his head out, "Okay Naruto, we need you now."
Naruto nodded and waved goodbye to Kakashi, following Iruka inside the room and bowing upon arrived, "Good day Konoha Council." Naruto said loudly.
The room was quiet other then Shikaku who nodded, "And to you Naruto-san, now, thanks to Juugo-san's report we know that Jiraiya had resigned himself to losing just before the back-up arrived and had left a message with the toads he had fighting alongside him," Shikaku said, "Since he's currently in the hospital, you are the only one we can turn to to try and learn what this message is."
Naruto nodded, "No problem," he said as he began forming hand seals, "SUMMONING JUTSU!" Naruto exclaimed as he placed his hand on the ground.
POOF
Naruto's slight smirk faltered as instead of Gamakichi arriving, a much smaller and older toad arrived with a cough at the smoke, "Bout damn time," the toad said as he waved the smoke from his face, "So, you're Naruto right?"
Naruto nodded, "Umm, yeah... and you are?" he asked.
The old toad turned proudly, looking over everyone in the council room, "My name is Fukusaku, and I am one of the Elder Toads and I bare Jiraiya's message for Tsunade..." he said as he noticed that she wasn't there, "...Where is she then?" he asked.
Shikaku stood, "She appointed me acting Hokage here in the village while she is out on the war front." Shikaku said.
The old toad shrugged, "Who cares? I'll only talk to Naruto-boy here and Tsunade-chan." he said before looking up at Naruto, "And you need to come with me Naruto-boy." Fukusaku demanded.
Naruto and Shikaku blinked in shock, "Hold on, what was Jiraiya's message?" Shikaku asked urgently.
Fukusaku frowned over his shoulder at the acting Hokage before looking up at Naruto, "So, I hear you've passed all the requirements to begin Sage Training am I right?" he asked.
Most of the council stared in stunned silence either at the fact that Shikaku was being ignored or the fact that Naruto was at such a level, "Umm... Ero-sennin did mention that once I make my own seal I was ready by your standards...sir..." Naruto said, trying to be polite but just a bit too confused to make it realistic.
The Toad nodded before looking around and sighing, "Is that guy really who he says he is?" he asked, gesturing up to Shikaku.
Naruto nodded, "Yeah, Tsunade-Baa-sama put him in charge, for real." Naruto said.
Fukusaku nodded and hummed before turning back to Shikaku, "Look, you go swap with Tsunade-chan, then I'll give ya the message. Once I do that, I gotta talk to Jiraiya-boy about Naruto-boy here," he said as he looked around the room, "Where is he anyways?" he queried.
Shikaku frowned as he spoke, "His chakra network is damaged and until we find a way to repair at least some of it, we need him to stay in a medically induced coma." Shikaku explained.
Fukusaku frowned, "That's pretty stupid, who thought that was a good idea? Jiraiya could just tell you what the problem is without this code nonsense." Fukusaku said.
Naruto blinked in sudden realization, 'Hey... he's right...' he thought curiously.
The was a moment of silence in which Shikaku turned a glare to one of the council members, "Yes... but Danzo's movement for this action to take place instead was voted for over my decision to wake him."
Naruto scoffed, "Idiots." he couldn't help but mumble, thinking back on his fool of a father who did many actions of the same stupid nature for the 'good of the village.'
Danzo was about to defend himself from Shikaku's accusatory words when he noticed Naruto's mumble, making him quiet as he sat back and relaxed, 'Hmm... this boy seems a bit more... shaded, then I thought...' Danzo thought to himself as he decided to sit back and observe.
"Hold up a sec!" the old Toad shouted, "Whaddya mean his chakra network's damaged? It wasn't even in use after Ma and I left." he said out loud.
The council seemed to collectively look over at Juugo as the man spoke, "I arrived soon after you where forced to leave his side. Since he could handle Nature chakra I gave some of mine to him so that he-"
"Hold up!" Fukusaku exclaimed again, causing Naruto to smirk slightly while the others seemed less then impressed, "You put Nature Chakra in Jiraiya-boy's system when he still needs us to filter it for him just so he can kinda achieve Sage Mode?" he asked as if the action was commonly known as a bad idea.
Juugo looked slightly shamed as he nodded, "Yes sir... it's the reason he made it out alive..." he said.
The old toad frowned for a moment, "Well... ya shouldn't of done it... but I'm glad ya did," he said before hopping up onto Naruto's head casually, "Take me to Jiraiya-boy so I can filter his chakra again. Then his network will be stable and you can wake him up right?"
Shikaku glanced around the council, expecting Danzo to speak up against him, though to his surprise, the bandaged man just looked to him calmly, obviously accepting the idea, an action that Shikaku was very happy to see, "Correct, Naruto, you are dismissed. Please escort Lord Fukusaku to Jiraiya and make sure you have medics with you." Shikaku ordered.
The council all nodded in agreement as Naruto bowed slightly, "Hai Shikaku-sama." Naruto said before turning and walking out the way he had come with Fukusaku on his head.
Iruka opened the door for him, waving in Kakashi as he and his student high-fived on their way past each other, though just before the door closed, an ANBU appeared from the council room as if out of thin air.
"Naruto, hold on a sec." ANBU Cat said as she stepped out of the shunshin.
Naruto paused and smiled at his ANBU captain, making the old toad on his head raise an eye brow, "Who's this one?" the Toad asked.
Naruto glanced up and down the empty hallway, "This is an ANBU captain, does Fox have any orders you want me to pass onto him?" Naruto asked.
Cat nodded, "Tonight at 10pm his watch over Councilman Danzo begins. The swap-over point will be at the Autumn Pines Restaurant. Will Fox remember the protocol?" Cat asked.
Naruto nodded, "Yep, since it's guard watch he'll scope out the restaurant for any threats for up to an hour before the agreed upon time," Naruto said from his memories of his studies in ANBU, "And the next swap-over point will be revealed upon meeting right?"
Cat nodded, "Very good," she said as she took out a small slip of paper and passed it to him, "Let no one see this and destroy it when you can." she said before stepping back into the shadows and fading away with the Transparent Escape Jutsu.
Naruto smirked as he turned away, 'It's kinda funny, I used to think the ANBU looked so bad-ass doing that... and now I'm one of them.' he thought before Fukusaku bopped him on the head.
"Hey Naruto-boy," Fukusaku said, "Let's get going ya hear?" he basically ordered.
Naruto nodded as he began to jog along, sealing the small piece of paper into one of his many seals on his wrists as he began to speed up, "So, what do I call you Geezer Toad?" Naruto asked with a grin.
The old toad laughed, "I'm not that old yet boy, I guess you can just copy Jiraiya-boy and call me Pa is ya want, he's always into them nicknames." he said.
Naruto nodded as he got outside, "Well then Pa, we have a pervert to wake up!" he exclaimed as he aimed his palm up towards the top of the Hokage building.
Pa's eyes widened as Naruto's Tendril shot out, gripping the very tip of the rooftop before it pulled Naruto up through the air at high speed, flinging him up into the sky above the village before he formed a single handed seal.
The old toad smirked as Naruto began making and dispelling Shadow Clones, leaping through the air before he dropped the hand seal almost a full minute later, falling through the air until he landed against the tall wall of the hospital, using his chakra to safely slide down to the level three balcony, "Here we are Pa!" Naruto exclaimed with a grin as he walked inside the building to one of the sign in desks.
The Toad nodded as Naruto walked through the building, heading directly towards the ICU as he knew both Jiraiya and Shizune or Sakura would be there, "Where're we going?" Pa asked.
Naruto turned a corner, glancing in a room and noticing Hanabi was there getting her arm looked at, 'If she's back... that means the new team 10 is back.' he thought as he looked up at the sign and turned right, coming to a large area which acted as a waiting room for the ICU, "Here, Ero-sennin is over there." Naruto said as he pointed through the glass doors at the unconscious Toad Sage.
Fukusaku sighed, "Damn... well, how will you get me in there?" he asked.
Naruto looked around and noticed Shizune was inside looking at a chart of the patient she was standing in front of, "I'm gonna walk in and get there attention, sneak in behind me but stay hidden until they're all looking at me and then get to Ero-sennin."
The Toad chuckled, "Hmhmhm, 'Ero-sennin.'" he mumbled.
Naruto straightened his vest and kicked open the doors, making everyone look at him, "Shizune-nee! Where is Ero-sennin?!" Naruto shouted.
Many of the nurses began to shoosh him as they all were sufficiently distracted as he walked across the room to Shizune, letting Fukusaku sneak in and dash off to the side of the room.
In moments Shizune had ushered Naruto back outside, the nurses covering for her and calming the conscious patients back down, "Naruto, you can't just barge in here like that!" Shizune exclaimed.
Naruto grinned, "Sorry Nee-chan, I just needed two things, can you help me?" he asked.
Shizune sighed, "Make it quick, I'll see what I can do." she said.
Naruto nodded, thinking quickly on what he wanted to say taking a deep breath, "Well, I was wondering if you can tell me the extent of Ero-sennin's injuries, what are the odds he'll be okay?" Naruto asked.
Shizune frowned for a moment and looked down, letting Naruto glance over her shoulder and see Fukusaku land on the pillow above Jiraiya's head.
"He's got permanent damage to his chakra coils Naruto, it's not likely he'll ever be able to do jutsu properly and if he does regain the ability to do so again, then it won't be anything more then a C-rank or low level B-rank." Shizune said, "Not to mention that with the scarring his control will barely be average."
Naruto blinked in shock as he nodded, "What about his arm? Any chance of anything happening there?" he asked.
Shizune nodded, "We've already measured out a Puppet Arm Prosthetic if he wants one and then we'll order it from the Sand Village." she said.
Naruto nodded, about to be sad until Shizune glanced over her shoulder at Jiraiya, making both Naruto and her eyes widen in shock as they saw Fukusaku pull out a stick.
"WAKE UP JIRAIYA-BOY!" Fukusaku shouted as he smacked Jiraiya across the face.
To everyone's shock, as Jiraiya fell off the bed, his eyes snapped open and he rolled so that he landed on his ass, "Ow! What the hell... Pa?" Jiraiya asked in confusion as he blinked and looked around, seeing all of the hot female nurses in what he considered to be sexy outfits, "Oh baby! Did I die and go to heaven?!" Jiraiya exclaimed.
Shizune rushed into the ICU, Naruto following behind with a grin as Jiraiya stood shakily, "You idiot! This is what happens if you burn out with Nature Chakra!" Fukusaku shouted as he smacked Jiraiya's head again, "Apologise for worrying these people!"
Jiraiya groaned as he sat back on the side of his bed, frowning down at his lack of arm, "Yeah, sorry for..." Jiraiya began before turning to those in front of his bed, mainly Shizune, Naruto and two hot nurses, "Hey wait a minute, didn't I almost die? Why am I apologising?" he asked.
Shizune couldn't help the tears that built in her eyes, to her, Jiraiya was one of the father figures she had after her own father died and saw him as an uncle, she hugged Jiraiya, "Just be quiet and lie back down okay? I need to check over you." she said as she went to step back.
Jiraiya grinned pervertedly as his hands moved lower in the hug, cupping her butt for a moment as he chuckled, "Yes ma'am!" he exclaimed.
BAM
Even Naruto flinched back as Shizune's punch knocked Jiraiya back as he clearly got a concussion, "Restraints for the old perve now!" Shizune said angrily as she stormed off.
Naruto chuckled as he watched Jiraiya get tied down while Pa leapt up to land on Naruto's head again, "So Sensei, how're ya feeling?" Naruto asked with a grin.
Jiraiya smiled weakly giving up as his ankles were ties down and his chest strapped to the bed, leaving only his one arm that could barely reach his help button and not much else, "I've been better kid..." Jiraiya said before smirking at Naruto, "Though I guess you're doing much better, ANBU aye?" he asked.
Naruto nodded, "All thanks to your recommendation." Naruto said.
Jiraiya grinned at that, "Yeah, true I guess..." he said as he raised his gaze to Fukusaku, "And you Pa? What're you doing here?" he asked.
The Toad nodded, "I had to knock the leftover Nature Chakra out of ya system, everything else is fine ya whiner," he said before pointing down at Naruto, "But Jiraiya-boy, it looks like it's time to pass on the torch of the Toad Sage just like you predicted."
Naruto raised a brow at that before looking at Jiraiya questioningly, though before he could ask, Jiraiya spoke up, "Trust me on this Naruto, go home and rest, you'll need your energy tomorrow." Jiraiya said.
Naruto frowned at that but as if sensing the topic was important, Fukusaku hopped onto Jiraiya's bed, "Get going Naruto-boy, by the look on his face he's right." he said.
Naruto blinked in confusion before a thought occurred to him, reminding him that Team 10 – meaning Ino – was back in the village.
Naruto pouted as he looked between the two on Jiraiya's bed before he shrugged, "Fuck it, later." Naruto said as he turned and walked away, trusting Jiraiya and Fukusaku to sort out everything.
Naruto sighed as he marched out of the ICU, one very specific location in mind as he disappeared in a Sand Shunshin.
##########
Naruto arrived in front of his house, one step behind Yugito as the woman was walking away from the house, "Hey, Temari said you're back." Yugito said as she turned to him.
Naruto nodded as he glanced over his shoulder at the Jinchuuriki, "Yeah, how's it going? You settled in here?" he asked.
Yugito nodded, "Yeah it's been pretty good, though I gotta ask," she said with a smile at Naruto, "This Chunnin fella, Kiba Inuzuka, what's he like?" she asked.
Naruto raised a brow, "Umm, he'd a bit loud... but nice for the most part... also really likes dogs." Naruto mumbled.
Yugito pouted slightly at the last fact, "Hmm... well, I won't hold that against him," she said before grinning, "Turns out I still got a couple of fan boys even as far as the Leaf and this particular fan boy seems to be worth it." She said before strutting off.
Naruto chuckled at her for a moment as he shook his head, turning back towards his house as he smiled up at the sunlight, 'It's good to be back.' Naruto thought to himself as he entered his home.
Coming to the top of his stairwell, Naruto smiled as Ino and Temari looked up at him from their places sitting on his bed, "Naruto-kun!" Ino exclaimed as she quite literally leapt from the top level towards him.
Naruto's eyes widened as he moved to catch her safely, earning a laugh from Ino as he barely managed to do so in time, "Geez Ino, give a guy a warning next time would ya?" he asked jokingly as he smiled at her.
Ino wrapped her arms around his neck as the two shared a kiss, though Temari clearing her throat had them pull apart after a moment, "Ino-chan, back to bed with you. You're supposed to be resting." Temari said sternly.
Ino pouted, "I know... but with Naruto-kun in ANBU we haven't seen him for ages..." Ino complained.
Naruto stepped back as he looked Ino up and down, seeing that her normally bare stomach was wrapped in bandages, "What happened?" Naruto asked in concern.
Ino brushed him off as she stepped back to Temari, the ex-sand Jonin smiling and nodding as Ino whispered in her ear and began to walk towards the bathroom.
Naruto raised a brow as he looked at Temari, "What is it Temari-chan?" he asked curiously.
Temari stepped forward into Naruto's embrace, "Y'know, this is the first time we've had the house to ourselves in a while... and Ino has been told to spend time in bed..." Temari whispered seductively into his ear before pressing herself against him.
Naruto grinned as his arms wrapped around Temari, "Well then I guess we should make the most of it shouldn't we?" he asked airily across her neck making her shiver before he suddenly picked her up and the two began to make out.
Naruto began to walk Temari towards the bed, passing the hallway before she shook her head and pulled back, "No wait, down here." she said with a secretive smile.
Naruto raised a brow, "Down here? But aren't these rooms cleared out other then the bathroom?" he asked even as he walked her down the hallway.
Temari let him carry her down the hallway, he slowed at the bathroom door only for her to shake her head and point further down. Naruto sighed as he kept walking, raising a brow at her as they got to the deeper parts of the hallway that the light from the main room didn't reach, 'Should've turned the lights on...' he thought as he got to the one corner that bent around to the Private Steam Room of those in the main family's house.
"Stop here," Temari said as the paused in front of the steam room.
Naruto raised a brow, "Really? I haven't cleaned the place out yet..." he confessed.
Temari nodded as Ino suddenly opened the door from inside, butt naked, "Yeah, but while you two are out on missions I have all day here, so I did!" Temari exclaimed as Ino ushered the two inside.
Naruto was clearly distracted by Ino's state of dress until he noticed the recently healed scar across her tummy, "Was that serious?" Naruto asked with a worried frown as he placed Temari on her feet.
Ino smirked and stepped up to Naruto, placing her hands on his shoulders as she leaned up to kiss him, "Not really, and I healed it myself so it's nothing more then a scratch now Naruto-kun." she said as she pressed her body against him.
Feeling two more arms wrap around his waist, Naruto looked down to see Temari undoing his Chunnin vest from behind his back, "That's great hun..." Temari said to Ino before she took off Naruto's vest completely, turning him to her with the movement.
Naruto's eyes widened as he noticed Temari had undone her robe, letting it fall to the ground around her to show her nude form as Ino began to take Naruto's shirt off over his shoulders, the steam in the room building up enough to begin to fill the lower half of the room.
From outside, one could hear Ino and Temari's giggling as they flung Naruto's clothes piece by piece out into the hallway, the blonde male sticking his head out as he dropped his shoes on top of the pile. He glanced up and down the hallway before grinning, "I love coming home." he mumbled before closing the door behind him, the steam fogging up the only window on the door as they three celebrated their time off.
##########
Chapter End.
Heyy, hope ya'll enjoy this chapter, next one will be coming out soon :)
Please R&R, more reviews = more motivation = faster + better updates!
Love ya and leave ya, Alky out!