Vallavarayan: If she only bothered to even find out Naruto existed after meeting him with Jiraiya in canon, why would she bother getting close to Naruto here when she's only healing him at the request of Sasuke and Sarutobi? Tsunade won't be close to Naruto in this story, not until much later when he really gets his act together.
paracuties: I don't mind. The seal idea was a basic one along the lines of a modern homes security system, like the seal doesn't recognize their chakra the same way people have to put in a password for our electronic ones. Go ahead and use it, it's not major. I don't even have a name for it.
Larry: Eventually I'll explain why Mikoto never did her god-motherly duties and raised Naruto. As for Karin and Suigetsu, they'll make an appearance in the second part of the story. I'll admit, Juugo, Karin, Suigetsu and one other character were really hard for me to find a place for in my story so instead I'm giving them each one major part and then I'll be killing them off right after. This way they'll at least get some screen time and there will be an explanation why they never show up in other parts. Juugo just got his big part first.
Authors' Note: I've decided that since this story is really the biggest one on my mind right now, I'm going to keep writing for this one until I finish part one. That means there are only a few chapters left before I finish this and begin part two. Like less than ten chapters total. So enjoy and look forward to the next one.
26 – Refusing Reality
"Why have you come here traitor?" Naruto demanded of the older teen across from him. He had just gotten his promotion to chunin, had a nice date with Hinata, and now he gets home just to have Yakushi Kabuto, a known traitor, in his home. And to think that everything else had been going so well.
"I just came to talk. Really." Kabuto explained as Naruto scowled at him. He lowered the Kagirinai Buyou but didn't put it away as he jerked his head to his kitchen table. Kabuto inwardly frowned, having hoped for a slightly warmer reception but understanding why it didn't happen.
"Then talk. And know the only reason I'm not taking your head right now is because we were friends." Naruto ordered, placing an emphasis on were to let Kabuto know how angry he really was to find out the teen was a spy the entire time they knew each other. Kabuto sighed but sat down with Naruto sitting across from him, still holding his weapon close.
"Alright then, I can understand all of this and it doesn't bother me so much really." The silver haired teen muttered before getting down to business. "I've come with an offer for you Naruto. Orochimaru-sama would like for you to join him as an Oto shinobi. He'd like for you to help him achieve his goals." At this Naruto scoffed and shook his head.
"I'm not going to help him destroy Konoha Kabuto. You should know that already."
"I do, but Orochimaru-sama has other goals you can help him with. Especially with your jinchuriki status and your heritage." Kabuto told him before giving a light smile. "But he's not stupid enough to think you'd betray the village just to help him so he told me to give you a few offers." Naruto raised a brow at this but stayed silent as his former friend continued. "One is he'll train you up into an even stronger shinobi than you are now."
"I refused training under one Sannin already. Why would I go to another?" Naruto cut in as Kabuto chuckled lightly.
"I'd heard about that, very independent aren't you?" When Naruto didn't rise to the joke he sighed but got back to business. "The other is one I know you want. He's offering to help you destroy Iwagakure."
"What?" Naruto gasped as Kabuto nodded.
"That's right. Unlike Konoha, which is always trying to make you give up on your dream of vengeance, Orochimaru-sama will help you achieve it. In fact, he approves of it. While no longer a loyal Konoha shinobi, he's had his own problems and his own grudges against that village. He hasn't been able to take his own vengeance against them yet because as strong as he is, he knows he needs more resources and power before he can. With you at his side, the two of you will be so much closer to your goal." Naruto was silent as he looked down and thought.
Help in destroying Iwa? It was something he knew he'd need as even if he had full control of Kyuubi's power it would be near impossible to destroy an entire hidden village on his own. Not only that but Kabuto was right in that Konoha, specifically the Sandaime, his sensei, and his godfather, were trying to make him give up on Iwa's destruction. They didn't want the village to be destroyed, even with everything that happened to him or others over the course of history.
Watch. Watch and see what you failed to protect.
Itachi's words echoed through his mind again as his thoughts flashed on Koji jumping in front of him to take a kunai barrage for him and Sakuya shoving him out of the way an earth spike only to take it herself. Iwa took them from him, took the first two people near his age to ever care for him away. And going back in history they took countless other loved ones from the rest of the village over the course of the three wars the Elemental Nations have been caught in. Why were they still allowed to exist? Why weren't they crushed in a justified attack?
Almost as if he could read his thoughts Kabuto spoke up. "Konoha is a pacifist village Naruto. They are very strong, of that there is no doubt. And their belief in the Will of Fire is only adding to their strength as everyone looks out for one another. However, Konoha never attacks. This village is always defending, always protecting. While that stance makes it seem kind and welcoming, drawing in more customers from all over for missions and trade, it has a drawback to it. One you yourself are caught in. Konoha will never sanction the destruction of another, never truly punish those who deserve it. Look at the history of the Nations and the wars we've fought. Every time Konoha came out on top. And yet, were the others punished for starting the violence? Punished for the lives they took from us? Punished for the innocents they claimed?" Kabuto asked as Naruto's hands shook under the table as he gripped his weapon tighter. "No they haven't. And they won't. Konoha always just lets it go, just lets it happen again before stepping in to stop it. If you stay here, you'll never get your vengeance against Iwa. Koji and Sakuya will never rest in peace knowing their killers are still safe and sound. You'll have to live knowing that you've failed them and everyone else that wished the same as you." Naruto flinched at that, not knowing how to answer or what to say in response.
"I… I don't want to hurt anybody here in Konoha. I'm finally starting to get some recognition. I was just promoted to chunin. I even had a date earlier." Naruto muttered as he tried to deny Kabuto's words, despite having thought them himself and even believing some of it.
"Congratulations then, but tell me a couple things. Are you getting recognition for yourself or for your heritage?" He asked as Naruto stayed silent. "And as for this date, what would Sakuya think considering you loved her?" Still silent, Kabuto sighed and stood up while placing a scroll on the table. "This scroll has instructions you need to follow if you decide to join Oto. To prove you're willing to help Orochimaru-sama, he'd like for you to do something for him. He's also made a couple requests and promised a favor or two of your choice if you'll complete them as well." He explained before walking to the door and casting a Henge (Transformation) on himself to disguise his appearance. "Think it over Naruto and then make your decision. The offer stands for one week." He promised before leaving, the door closing behind him as Naruto silently stared at the scroll on his table.
Everything Kabuto said struck him to his core. He knew the village would never approve of his dream to see Iwa burn. That was why he had been trying to find another way to crush the enemy village. As for the villagers, he was starting to get recognition from some of the shinobi population true, but outside of the Ichiraku's the civilians would praise him as 'Namikaze-sama' and nothing else showing him that it wasn't him they were seeing but the shadow of his father. And then came his date with Hinata. How would Sakuya have reacted to that? He could only guess but even those guesses caused him pain in his heart.
It wasn't fair. None of it was fair! Why did everything have to happen to him? Why was he the one cursed to bear such a burden? A horrible childhood, some slight happiness, and then the greatest tragedy he could think of. Why? Why him? And why couldn't he claim any justice for his comrades? Why did their killers get to go free and live happily while he was tortured by their memories?! It wasn't fair!
But now he was being given a chance to make it fair…
Naruto sealed the Kagirinai Buyou back into his glove as he stood up, still staring at the scroll. Orochimaru was offering help, and while he wouldn't trust that snake in the slightest, it was still more than anybody else in the village could claim to have offered him. Slowly the blond grabbed the scroll and walked back to his room. Before he decided if he would take the offer or not, he'd have to see just what Orochimaru wanted in return first.
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The next day found Naruto being called to the Hokage's office to speak about something. He didn't know as he wasn't told. Arriving though showed him only the Sandaime and Kakashi were there waiting for him. "Ah, Naruto, good morning."
"Is there something you need from me Jiji?" Naruto asked as he stood in front of the Hokage's desk and Kakashi put away his book that he had been reading.
"Yes. I'd like for you to brief me on everything you did during the Invasion. All I have on your actions are second hand reports from everyone else, but I'd prefer the source directly when possible." Naruto nodded as Sarutobi told him why he'd been called.
"Alright. When the genjutsu was first cast on the civilians in the arena, Sakura and I broke it easily before rushing up to Kakashi-sensei here for orders. She subdued a good number of enemies with her genjutsu while I took out a shinobi that was trying to strike sensei from behind. Sasuke was quick to show up so sensei gave us our orders. I was ordered to go and take care of the shinobi that had gotten into the village at large. Sensei also gave me free reign to use up to two tails of Kyuubi's chakra if I needed to. I quickly ran out of the arena and into the village and then began attacking any non-Konoha shinobi I saw before being confronted by a large team of mixed Oto and Suna nin that claimed I was a capture target. Using one tail of Kyuubi's power I defeated them and continued on until the snake summons broke through the village walls. I noticed Jiraiya take one down so I moved onto the closest to my position, which was the three headed one. With a clone and some fast blade work I managed to bring it down when I was attacked by an orange haired teen older than me." Naruto paused here as he narrowed his eyes, thinking back on that fight.
"He had some kind of weird jutsu I'd never heard of before. It didn't require any hand-signs or even any sign of him focusing on it; it might've even been a Kekkei Genkai." He admitted. "His skin would turn this sickly purple color and then his limbs would mutate. Like he made his fist into a giant spiked fist that looked like it came from some kind of demon. He also turned his arms into blades to attack with and even shields for defense. And the most dangerous thing I saw was he could make these tubes grow out of him that could fire off attacks of pure chakra, which he used to either increase the momentum of his attacks or attack directly. I was already pretty exhausted from facing down Gaara in the arena as well as running through the other enemy shinobi in the village so I was losing pretty badly before crashing through a building. That's when I ended up meeting with Sakura, Sasuke, Hinata, Shino and Kiba while they were doing whatever it was they were doing. I warned them to run but then that teen came back and tried to attack me again while they jumped in the way to protect me. It didn't last long and I realized I didn't have any real choice if I wanted to save them so I pulled on three tails of Kyuubi's chakra and then put him down with my Katon: Rasengan (Fire Release: Spiraling Sphere). After he was taken care of I cut the chakra but succumbed to my injuries and collapsed. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital."
"I see." Sarutobi muttered as Naruto finished. "Thank you for explaining everything as well as everything you did in the Invasion. There's no knowing just how different things could have been had you not acted. From the Suna prisoners we have, we know that the original plan in the Invasion was for Gaara to unleash the Ichibi in the village to rampage around however thanks to your victory they had to go with a back-up. That teen you fought, apparently he was that back-up and hearing of his abilities I'm well inclined to believe it." The man explained as Naruto nodded. "I think you should know that currently he's in our I & T department being worked on by Inoichi and Ibiki. Tsunade even checked him over and found that your attack had burnt him beyond her capacity to heal him. You should be proud of that strength my boy, only the best have managed that feat." Naruto only nodded his head in response.
"Why didn't you mention you finished the Rasengan Naruto" Kakashi cut in as Naruto shook his head.
"It's not finished. At least not in my mind."
"What do you mean?" With a slight sigh Naruto held a hand up and formed a Rasengan above it.
"The Rasengan is the highest level of shape manipulation possible right? Well it takes so much focus as it is for me just to hold it together. I couldn't add an element to it right now even if I wanted to. However when I'm using enough of Kyuubi's chakra to form a cloak, I can delegate the shape portion of the Rasengan to the cloak while I focus instead on the power and element. Essentially, I'm only filling a circular shell in the cloak with spinning fire. It has the appearance of and operates under the same principles as the Rasengan, but until I can do it without a crutch like my jinchuriki powers I don't consider it complete."
"I understand. Still, that is an impressive workaround Naruto. You should be proud." Hiruzen praised as Naruto only smiled lightly. "That said, there is a small problem here Naruto." He stated, getting serious. "You were ordered not to go above two tails, by your own admission you acknowledged this order and then disobeyed it."
"I'm sorry, but I didn't have a choice. I could hardly move my body after the fighting and the exhaustion. If I wasn't running at least three tails through my system then I wouldn't have been able to even move." Naruto defended while Sarutobi sighed.
"I get that, which is why we're letting it go this time. However you need to be more mindful of your orders. Especially any orders regarding your tenant. He ordered you to stay away from three tails for a reason Naruto and you know it." Naruto frowned and nodded his head stiffly.
"I understand Hokage-sama. Will that be all then?" He asked in a neutral tone making the aged man inwardly sigh but outwardly nod his head. Naruto gave a nod to Kakashi before turning around and leaving the office without another word. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck before turning to his leader with a sigh.
"That went about as well as expected."
"Agreed."
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"Hey look, it's Namikaze-sama."
"Good morning Namikaze-sama!"
"Hey Namikaze-sama, how about a meal here? My treat!"
"Namikaze-sama would you go out with me?"
"No with me!"
Naruto ignored the shouts people were sending him as he walked down the street. People had come to accept his heritage easily enough since apparently while he was out from Itachi's genjutsu the Hokage had made an announcement confirming what he had slipped during his match with Gaara. Now everybody was kind to him and some tried to make up for earlier treatment by offering him things while many of the woman around his age, and a few older than him, tried to ask him out on dates and such. But Naruto couldn't care less about it.
Kabuto's question last night had only confirmed what he had been thinking and even known, even with him trying to deny it. This recognition and acknowledgement… it wasn't really for him. They might as well have been talking specifically to the deceased Yondaime for all it mattered. The no longer saw him as Kyuubi, true, but now they saw him only as the son of their hero. Only the very few actually saw him as who he was, just Naruto. It was better than the hate and glares, but not by much. In fact, Naruto actually preferred the negative treatment. At least that was honest while this was lying to themselves to try and kiss up to him and his father's memory.
"There you are Naruto." Jiraiya called out as he came up alongside the blond. "Been looking for you for a bit. Wanted to talk to you about a couple things." The man told him so Naruto shrugged as the two turned down the street. Naruto led them to Ichiraku's as he was getting somewhat hungry and the Sannin didn't mind where they went. What he wanted to talk about wasn't entirely a secret either.
"What do you need Jiraiya?" Naruto asked after telling Ayame he'd like his usual order. The man gave Naruto an easy grin as he propped his chin in his hand.
"Well first off, how was the date? Enjoy yourself with the Hyuuga heiress?" Naruto was silent for a second but then nodded.
"It was… fun."
"Can I get any details?" Jiraiya prompted and Naruto glared at him, recognizing where he was going with the conversation.
"Nothing happened perv. Is there anything else?" He demanded so Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
"Yeesh, try a little teasing and you try and bite my head off. Lighten up kid, I was only joking around." The Sannin replied as their orders came up. Both thanked the brunette as they began to dig into their meal and eat in a somewhat comfortable silence until Jiraiya finished his bowl and Naruto finished his second. "Anyways, I did come for some actual important business as well." The man said, getting the blond's attention. "With Akatsuki starting to make their move, it was decided by sensei, me and Tsunade that you need to be whipped into shape pronto. So I'll be taking you on a training trip for a couple years to do just that."
"No."
"Excuse me?" Jiraiya asked, not expecting that response.
"I said no. I've been doing just fine training on my own without you so I can keep doing that here. Besides, I'm not putting my career on hold just so you can drag me around the Nations."
"Naruto-"
"I've said my piece Jiraiya and that's final. I've got things to do and running around the world with you is not on that list." The blond stated getting Jiraiya to sigh and run a hand down his face.
"Okay Naruto, I didn't really want to do this but you don't have a choice."
"What?"
"I said sensei and Tsunade decided this with me. We even spoke with Kakashi on it and he agrees with it. Once Tsunade steps in as Hokage in a couple days, this is going to be one of the first things she does. You can either just accept it, or you can bitch about it while she makes it an official order. You need to get stronger, and as the strongest currently in Konoha I'm the best one to train you up to our level. As such, you're training with me whether you like it or not." The man admitted, making Naruto grit his teeth in anger.
"I don't get a choice? What gives you the damn right?!" He growled as Jiraiya just narrowed his eyes.
"You wanted to be a ninja, so you should know that ninja don't always get to do what they want. Like it or not, we technically are weapons for the Hokage to use as they see fit. If two Hokages want to refine and polish a specific weapon, that weapon better do as it's told. That's the reality of your situation. Pack your stuff and say your good byes to your friends because we leave at the end of the week in three days." The man ordered as Naruto stood and paid money before storming off, leaving a half-eaten bowl behind. Jiraiya just sighed and shook his head while Ayame stepped up to grab the bowl.
"That was harsh Jiraiya-sama."
"Yeah it was, I won't deny that. But Naruto knows that's just how it is. And he needs to man up and get over it. He knows better than most that things don't always go the way you want them too. He may hate me but even he'll admit I'm currently the best Konoha has, so if he wants to get stronger then I'm still the best he'll have as well." The man gave the teen a kind smile as he stood and left himself. "Thanks for the food and treating the kid kindly for who he is and all. He may come around again before we leave so you'll be able to say good bye. Don't worry."
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'Again. My life is being decided by others again! They always have my best interests at heart my ass! See how that shit turned out the first time? My life was horrible for their best intentions and now that it's getting good again they have to fuck it up some more! I am not going to travel the Nations with that bastard and that's final.' Naruto ranted in his head as he stormed down the street, hardly paying attention to where he was going. It was only understandable then that he spun around with his gauntlet aflame when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Whoa, calm down Naruto." Sakura said as she stepped back raising her hands in a calming gesture. Seeing her Naruto sighed and let the flames go out before apologizing. "Don't worry about it, you looked really mad about something and I was wondering what was up. I mean we're friends right? Anything I can do to help?" She asked as the blond shook his head.
"Not unless you can change the minds of both Hokage-sama and Tsunade since she'll be Kage in a couple days." The girl gave a regretful smile but shook her head so Naruto rolled his eyes. "Then you can't help me much here Sakura."
"Well I can keep you company and give you an outside opinion on whatever they decided. Someone to talk to right? Keeping everything bottled up isn't really healthy you know?" Naruto just chuckled lightly and jerked his head in the direction he had been walking as an unspoken request to follow him so the girl shrugged as they began walking again. "So what did they decide that's gotten you so angry?" She asked as Naruto debated telling her for a second.
"Their plan for my next couple years." He began, deciding it would be fine telling his teammate about it. "There's a group out there of S-ranked criminals after the biju and as the Kyuubi jinchuriki, I'm on their hit-list. Sasuke's brother Itachi is even part of the group. As such, they decided with Jiraiya to send me on a training trip with the man for a couple years to toughen me up so I can fight against them." The blond explained as they reached Naruto's apartment and walked inside. After a small bit of Sakura looking around, as it was her first time visiting his place, she sat on the couch while Naruto took the chair next to her. "I know I'm not S-rank yet and that with Jiraiya I could likely reach that level on the trip but I just can't. I'm not putting my career on hold for two years just to train. I also know the man very well and know he'll spend more time perving on women than he will training me, it's just the kind of bastard he is. I may get stronger but I am not spending two years alone with him going around the Nations. It's not worth it." Naruto finished as Sakura nodded her understanding.
"Well what if it was Kakashi-sensei? I mean he's S-rank as well and you're used to working with him on your own since you had been doing it already before Sasuke-kun and I were placed with you. Maybe you could just ask them to switch your teacher for the two years instead? I mean it doesn't sound like it's the trip really so much as who it's with that you're against. If you're worried about your career then Hokage-sama or Tsunade-sama could just send you missions while you're gone to complete." Naruto slapped his forehead as that possibility completely slipped his mind while Sakura chuckled. "Didn't think of that huh?"
"No…" He admitted as she chuckled again. "But as for getting sensei, I know that won't happen. Sensei is one of the best the village has for missions; they won't take him off the active roster just to train me around the world. Plus I may not like admitting it but Jiraiya is stronger than Kakashi-sensei. Not only that but sensei has taught me pretty much everything he could. He's really been a glorified sparring partner these past couple months, not really a sensei. Outside of a few tactics and exercises to help me, he doesn't have much he could really teach me anymore. I just need experience to reach his level. Jiraiya though has much more, and when he's actually focused he is a good teacher. That's just the problem though." The blond sighed before continuing. "I may be big for the village, especially considering my performance in the Finals and my revealed heritage but in the end the village can take me off the roster for this trip without much consequence right now. Plus as a Sannin, Jiraiya's always operated under different rules than us regular ninja so he's not even on the regular roster to begin with. He could make this trip a decade and the village wouldn't be any worse off for him taking the time off."
"Then… then I guess you're right." Sakura stated after some thought. "Sorry Naruto but it seems like you'll really have to just deal with this."
"I know…" He growled lightly before shaking his head. "It doesn't help that Jiraiya is the biggest opponent in my way about taking out Iwa." Sakura raised a brow at that but Naruto didn't notice and unknowingly elaborated for her unasked question anyways. "He's always preaching peace and while I'm fine with that, not everyone deserves to go to the peace he wants. Iwa's done so much against Konoha as a whole, not just me, that they have to go but he doesn't care about that. He wants me to forgive them and reach out to them in friendship." Naruto scoffed and shook his head at that. "Never going to happen."
"Naruto…" Sakura muttered before going over everything in her head and quietly speaking. "I think he's got a point."
"What?" Naruto coldly asked as Sakura flinched a bit at his tone but steeled her nerves and continued. She'd come a long way from being terrified of him.
"From what you told me and Sasuke-kun, you killed all the Iwa ninja in those exams plus others right afterwards. You already got your vengeance on them. It's not like Sasuke-kun's where the villain is still out there, yours is dead and gone. You're just angry with the village now even though those left in it haven't harmed you in the slightest. I… I think that's wrong." She admitted as Naruto narrowed his eyes. "I'm not saying forgive them because I know that'll never happen for you but… I think it would be better if you stopped agonizing over and planning their destruction. You should move on and look to the future, not the past." Sakura had put her head down as she kept talking but when she raised her head she found the blond shaking with a glare aimed straight at her.
"Get out."
"Naruto-"
"Get out!" He shouted as the girl flinched but then stood. With one last look at him she silently left the apartment leaving him alone with his anger. The blond growled and Sakura's words replayed in his head, joining Jiraiya's and his own anger and resentment towards the man and his opinions.
Watch. Watch and see what you failed to protect.
Iwa had to be destroyed. It was all that mattered.
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"Hey Sakura. Something the matter?" Sasuke asked as he saw her slowly walking by with her head down. In his hand was a bag of groceries while his sword was nowhere to be seen, having been left at his house.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura chirped and smiled at seeing him before his question hit her and she sighed. "I… it's Naruto. I just spoke with him and… and well he's not in a good mood. Apparently Hokage-sama and Tsunade-sama have made a decision he's not happy with and then the conversation turned to Jiraiya-sama and Iwa and I said some things that angered him."
"You got him mad about Iwa and he didn't attack you?" Sasuke quipped and Sakura rolled her eyes while falling into step with the Uchiha on his way home.
"I'm being serious here." The dark haired teen only grunted with a smirk.
"Then you might want to tell me everything from the beginning." So she did, going over everything Naruto had told her and then what she had said at the end, getting Sasuke to shake his head. "Sakura, that was stupid of you. Yes, you're right that he technically got his vengeance but he doesn't fell like he has. I get how he feels kind of because of my own vendetta against my brother but you couldn't possibly understand since you've never lost anyone or anything close or important to you. Personally, I hope you never do either." He added and Sakura rolled her eyes this time.
"Oh joy; I'm the only person on our team without a tragic past. Sensei lost his team and sensei, Naruto lost his team and you lost your family. Yay, I'm normal." She blandly commented getting Sasuke to grunt again. "I get that's a good thing but seeing all three of you occasionally get depressed or brooding over it… I want to help but you'll all say the same thing; you don't know and we hope you never do. How am I supposed to be a good friend and help if none of you will let me?" She asked as Sasuke sighed. The pair had reached the Uchiha district at this point and were closing in on Sasuke's home.
"By being there and doing what you're doing. Just giving us someone normal to talk to and spend time with helps, trust me." He admitted as he shook his head slightly. "You can't understand it yet and again hopefully you never do but we need normal to help us get back to it. I didn't have that after my clan was killed until I was placed with you and Naruto. I was like him in that I was forced to live with my reminder, this entire empty district. That really messed me up, I can see that now, but you and Naruto helped. Naruto showed me how to focus myself and keep it out of everyday life and you helped give me something normal to turn to when the dark thoughts became too much. Trust me Sakura, you pissed him off earlier but he's not going to turn you away forever now. Just give him some space and let him calm down and he'll be back to his normal in a day or two." The girl smiled gratefully as Sasuke gave her a light smirk and opened his door. As he walked in he saw her turning to leave and made a quick decision of his own. "You don't have to go you know." He said getting her attention. "It's not like you can't come in. And I'm pretty sure you've got more you want to talk about."
"Really? Thanks Sasuke-kun." She replied with a large smile as the boy just turned around and kept walking further into his house.
"Hn."
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"So that was his response to the trip? Refusal and anger?" Sarutobi mused as Jiraiya had come by to talk and the conversation turned to Naruto and the upcoming training trip. Jiraiya had told the Hokage what had happened and while disappointed the man could say he wasn't really surprised that much by the blond teens' response. Jiraiya and Naruto together always had an undertone of 'bad idea' since the boy hated the man. It's just that there wasn't anybody of a high enough level to really train the boy up in the village save for himself or Tsunade. However Tsunade would both be too busy as a Kage and her fighting style didn't work with Naruto so she couldn't help him at all. As he was first too busy himself with the Kage position, even though he was retiring in a couple days he'd still be busy helping Tsunade adapt to it, and then his style of combat also wasn't really meshing with Naruto that well. Better than Tsunade's for sure but he didn't have much more to give Naruto other than stories of his own experiences for Naruto to take lessons from about what to do in certain situations.
"Yep. I told him he doesn't really have a choice since Tsunade will make it an order if she needs to but that just pissed him off so much he stormed away." The man finished before sighing. "Sensei… Minato's kid really hates me. I thought during the month before the Finals he might have forgiven me or at least be willing to work with me but I guess he was just taking what he could get. As soon as the Exams and Invasion were over he went right back to being cold and spiteful towards me. Then when he woke up from Itachi's genjutsu we managed to share a civil conversation as I gave him some advice for that little date he went on but today…" Jiraiya shook his head and sighed again as he looked down. "Every time I think I'm making progress in getting his forgiveness it blows right back up in my face. I wasn't there for him when he needed it and he won't let me forget it and he refuses to let me try and make up for it."
The Hokage was silent as he took in Jiraiya's words. Truthfully he'd like to help the man and wanted Naruto to get along with him, both because of his status as godfather and because Jiraiya was truly a likable and helpful guy to know. However he couldn't order Naruto to like him anymore than he could have ordered the villagers to like Naruto in the first place. Another reason for this training trip was to try and get Naruto to open up to the Sannin, but so far that looked like an impossible task as Naruto was refusing to even go on it and would have to be forced. Hiruzen even respected Naruto's choice to not become a Toad summoner as Naruto had free reign in how he wanted to train himself as a shinobi. While Jiraiya was disappointed and would occasionally ask him again, always mentioning that the offer still stands, Naruto would always refuse and change the subject.
"You know… the Toads told me this prophecy one time. I forget if I mentioned it to you or not." Jiraiya started. Sarutobi knew what he was talking about as he had heard it before but decided to stay silent and let Jiraiya speak as he understood that was what the man needed right now. "I would become a pervert without equal and would teach the one that would go on to one day save or destroy the world. At first I thought the prophecy was talking about that Nagato kid back in Ame since he had the Rinnegan but then he went and died. Then later I came to believe maybe it was talking about Minato but he gave his life to stop Kyuubi. But more and more I'm becoming convinced it has to be Naruto. The kid can change people for the better, he's strong and talented, and he truly does want to help people. If he could just get over his grudge against Iwa then he'd be perfect." The man ranted lightly as Hiruzen agreed with him, giving a nod and slight smile. "But more and more he seems to be sliding back to that hate, especially when people try to help him move past it. He's started getting over his teammates thanks to his new ones but still holds onto the hate. It's like he wants to be miserable and angry all the time, like if he lost his hate then he'd lose what makes him who he is. I hear that's how the Uchiha kid used to be but Naruto snapped him out of it which makes me wonder really; why is it Naruto will help others move past their problems but wants to suffer in his own?" Jiraiya asked rhetorically as Hiruzen shook his head from lacking an answer. They'd both met others that held onto their pain but neither understood why they refused to move on.
"I'll speak with him tomorrow after Tsunade takes over this job. Maybe I can get him to lighten up and accept the trip. If not then Kakashi will be talking with him anyways to say goodbye. Hopefully he can help Naruto."