"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want." - Ben Stein

Chapter 29- The Third Sannin?

Naruto was acutely aware that there was an intruder in his house the moment he felt himself rise from his sleep into a semi-aware state. Lately, he had been neglecting his sensor while he was within Konoha and he had berated himself about that. As such, he took a moment, with his eyes still closed, to study the chakra he assumed the entity had. He was slightly surprised when he realized that he couldn't feel much in his search of the chakra presence.

This meant one of two things, the first "and most likely" Naruto thought to himself, reason behind this would be that a civilian had picked the lock and was ransacking his apartment quietly. While this wasn't a common occurrence, in fact only an occurrence that would happen once every few months, it was not something Naruto could completely disregard.

The second would be an assassin with the same capabilities in hiding his chakra signature as Jiraiya. This was an alarming thought, the thought of an assassin capable of matching Jiraiya's, as of yet unmatched, spying capabilities would be a cause for worry for not only Naruto but all of Konoha. There was a reason Jiraiya was Konoha's spymaster. Of course, if it was an assassin on such a level, it would be questionable about why Naruto had managed to detect him before he reached his bedroom.

Naruto hoped that it was the civilian whom was in his house but he couldn't afford to act as if he weren't in danger. Naruto subtlety shifted himself as he gripped the kunai underneath his pillow. When he heard the person approach his bed, Naruto quickly flipped himself off of his bed, allowing himself to land behind his intruder and lunged at the person's back. Naruto felt a thrill of fear rush through him as the person in front of him quickly turned and grasped his hand, kunai inches away from the person's chest as the person stared down at him.

"Hello to you too, Naruto." Jiraiya's voice floated to Naruto between his haze of adrenaline and fear. Naruto's eyes quickly jumped up, and through the darkened room, picked out the spiky hair and shining eyes of his master. He quickly fell limp, his guard dropping as he let his kunai dangle in his grip.

"Morning, Jiraiya." Naruto said as he looked at his master through the dim light of his room. Naruto quickly narrowed his eyes as he looked over at the clock on his nightstand, "What the hell are you doing here at six in the morning Jiraiya? I doubt you don't know about my party last night!" Naruto asked a little incensed at how early he had been woken from his peaceful sleep.

Jiraiya frowned, this immediately let Naruto know that this meeting was not a friendly checkup but that Jiraiya had something to tell him or he needed him for something. Naruto knew this because if it had just been Jiraiya trying to annoy him the man would have acted like a pervert, most likely alluding to some dream he had interrupted, the thought of which caused Naruto to twitch when images from one of those dreams floated across his mind. Though he was no closer to figuring out exactly why he had those dreams, he did know that he had them occasionally.

"I have a mission Naruto." Jiraiya finally said.

When Jiraiya did not elaborate Naruto scoffed as he took his hand from Jiraiya's grip, "How long you gonna be away?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I don't know, probably longer than a month." He said as he looked at Naruto, noticing his apprentice's frown, "I'm tracking someone very slippery down." He explained. Naruto waited again, expecting Jiraiya to explain further why he had told him this but Jiraiya just stood there, still looking at him as if he were waiting for something.

"Well? What did you need to tell me for?" Naruto asked, "I knew this was what was going to happen with your job as Konoha's only Sannin, I'll have to wait until you return to get more training." Naruto sighed, "I'll work on refining my Genjutsu a bit more."

Jiraiya blinked, "Gaki, I told you because you're coming with me." He said as if it was the most obvious thing. Naruto himself blinked in surprise before he felt a flash of annoyance.

"Again?" he asked exasperatedly, "I haven't had a break in almost two weeks." Naruto said as he thought back, "The Chuunin Exams, the invasion, that bandit camp, and now this. Is Jiji trying to kill me by overworking me?" he asked rhetorically.

Jiraiya chuckled, "As much fun as it is to see you complaining Naruto," Naruto glared at him, "I'm taking you with me to train you a bit while I travel. I won't be traveling fast so we'll have some time." He explained, Naruto calmed slightly, "Plus, the actual threat on this mission is probably less than if you stayed in the village, so I think I'm giving you a vacation." He said as he stuck his nose in the air as if he was worthy of praise. Naruto scoffed lightly before grinning.

"Fine, Fine. I get it Jiraiya. When do we leave?" he asked, though he was loathe to part from Kurenai after his recent brush with death, he knew he needed to get stronger. Besides, he couldn't always stay with her even if he was in Konoha. He had also planned on reacquainting himself with his friends and, now former, team, unfortunately, this took precedence.

"In an hour, get cleaned up and meet me at the gate packed for a month." Jiraiya said. Before he disappeared, Jiraiya leaned down, grinning wildly at his apprentice, "Say bye to Kurenai-chan for me." He said as he wiggled his eyebrows, disappearing in a shunshin to avoid Naruto's fist. Naruto huffed slightly as he grinned.

Naruto had been surprised when Jiraiya hadn't batted an eye at his relationship with Kurenai, at least, when Jiraiya revealed he knew about it anyways. Naruto had been trying to keep it hidden but Jiraiya had quickly picked up on the young man's feelings and known that Kurenai did nothing to stop his glances, even returning a few when she thought Jiraiya hadn't been looking. Jiraiya had told Naruto, simply, "If you two think you can work out, I hope you do." He then proceeded to train Naruto as before. It was a reprieve for Naruto to know he could ask Jiraiya about his relationship if he was desperate. Only if he was desperate, as Jiraiya was still a perverted man. Still, smiling slightly, Naruto set about getting ready for his next mission.


Naruto and Jiraiya were entering a town about five hours travel away from Konoha. The two had traveled as shinobi for close to three hours before taking a more sedate pace on the dirt road they now entered the town upon. Naruto had sent two kage bunshin to inform both Kurenai and Yoshino about his departure. Needless to say, neither had been happy, leaving both clones of Naruto to a stern talking to about accepting missions without any downtime, from Yoshino, and about how Kurenai wasn't happy he wasn't resting after his recent mission. He winced slightly when Kurenai had told him they would "talk when he returned" before curtly dispelling his clone.

"Alright Naruto, I think I should warn you about one of the three vices of shinobi." Jiraiya said as they stopped just inside the village's limits. Naruto could see many signs like the ones on the places near his apartment in Konoha along with signs that pointed to casinos. Naruto was wary about what Jiraiya was saying, it already reeked of some plan for Jiraiya to pull a fast one on him, "Now, how much money do you have on you?" he asked.

Naruto twitched lightly before pulling out his wallet and checking his money, "About 5,000 ryu. Why?" he asked.

Jiraiya grinned, Naruto narrowed his eyes, "Good," all of a sudden Naruto felt his wallet disappear from his hands before 3000 ryu appeared in Jiraiya's hands. "This will teach you to honor the first vice of shinobi, greed. I expect you to have at least 1500 ryu once we are ready to leave." He said as he turned and headed away from Naruto, towards one of the glaring neon signs. "I'm going hunting for information. Meet me here in three hours." Jiraiya said as he chuckled perversely before disappearing into the crowd.

Naruto glared at the nonexistent back of his master, looking at his depleted wallet sadly, he sighed before walking into the town. Despite Naruto's slow walk because of his bad mood, it didn't take Naruto long to reach the other side of the village. He blinked when he realized that he was now looking into an empty plain with one dusty road on it leading out of the village. When Naruto turned around, he was met with the glaring neon sign of a ryu note with the name of "Silver Kunai Casino," underneath it. Shrugging his shoulders, Naruto headed into the establishment.


Half an hour later, Naruto stepped out of the Casino, looking at his wallet with a dumbfounded look on his face. Naruto slowly looked back at the casino before a wide grin split his face as he turned back and counted the 50,000 ryu now inside his wallet. Naruto had lost his money quickly at the beginning of his trip, losing close to 1200 ryu before he understood the game well enough and turning his luck around and was now rolling in more money than he knew what to do with.

Deciding to feed his empty stomach, Naruto headed to the closest restaurant he could find. Taking his time and enjoying his meal, Naruto enjoyed his dinner and a leisurely walk back towards where Jiraiya had left him.

Naruto was counting his winnings after having spent some on his lavish dinner; Naruto was still wealthier than he ever remembered. Naruto heard giggling coming from his left and he looked up with a curious expression on his face as he saw women, many of whom looked like the ones from Konoha that live around his home, giggling while pointing at him. He looked down at his clothes, wondering if he had dropped something on his clothes. When his inspection was finished, and he determined he was free of spots, he looked back to the women. His confusion only increased when he noticed that they were now looking at him with a shy look.

It confused Naruto but he couldn't understand their actions; so, he scratched his head as he decided he would ask these women if they knew where Jiraiya was since he was supposed to have been around this area. Walking over to them, his confusion increasing as they seemed excited about the fact he was now coming over to them. "Excuse me, but have you seen a tall, white-haired perverted old man walking around near here?" he asked politely. He figured those were the traits of Jiraiya that others would notice.

Three of the women giggled as they crowded around him quickly isolating him from the other women looking at him. He gave them a small smile as he waited for an answer to his question. "Ohhh, you know Jiraiya-sama?" one of the women asked. Naruto blinked in surprise at the tone of the woman's voice but nodded in confirmation.

Naruto felt slightly uncomfortable as he felt the three of them raking his body over with their stares. He had always been capable of feeling the stares of others when he had been in Konoha, and despite the fact that he was familiar with hateful stares, or even indifferent ones, he felt these stares held something he couldn't quite understand. If Naruto had to explain it, he felt more like a piece of meat than Naruto, the pariah. "Well, follow us young master," again Naruto was struck with an uncomfortable feeling as he listened to the other woman speak and the three women entwined themselves into his arms, "and we shall take you to the master." She finished as she batted her eyes at him from under his arm.

Uncomfortable, but unable to think of a way to extricate himself from the women now standing close to him, Naruto was led into the establishment and through a hallway near the back of the open room they entered initially. It was eerily silent down the hallway Naruto was walking but the women around him constantly flattered their eyelashes at him as they led him further into the building, running havoc across his mind as he tried to comprehend what exactly was going on. Naruto felt he was missing something but the sound of giggling brought him from his introspection.

He looked forward, noticing that one of the women had opened a door. He stepped through the doorway, thankful that the doorway didn't allow for him to bring any of the women under his arms as they quickly let him enter first. When he walked into the room; however, Naruto frowned as he looked at his obviously drunk master. Jiraiya was surrounded by three women of his own, his hands were obviously busy as one was resting on one woman's leg while another was rubbing one woman's breast on top of her kimono. Naruto took about one second to contemplate the situation that Jiraiya was in before leaping forward, "Pervert!" he yelled as his hand came down on top of Jiraiya's head.

Jiraiya's reaction was just as fast; his hands left the bodies of the women surrounding him as he turned to his attacker. He grinned blearily as he saw Naruto, "Ah! Naruto! There you are!" he said drunkenly.

Naruto paid no attention to him as he looked at the women Jiraiya had been fondling, "Are you okay miss?" he asked, concern in his eyes and voice evident as he shot a glare at Jiraiya, "I'm sorry for him. I'll just take him home now." He said.

Unfortunately for Naruto, he was only confused as the woman in front of him giggled disarmingly and her eyes twinkled as she looked at Naruto, "Such a gentleman." She said lightly. The rest of the women giggled as well. Naruto blinked again before looking around, now knowing he was missing something.

"Damn Naruto!" he said as he looked at the roll of ryu now sticking out of his apprentice's pocket, "I didn't know you could score such money so fast," he commented, all traces of drunkenness gone from his voice as he leered perversely at the three women he had entered with, "Nor that you were such a player… don't you have Kurenai-chan at home you naughty boy?" Jiraiya teased.

Naruto blinked, looking at Jiraiya with confusion, "What are you talking about?" he asked as he stood and folded his arms in frustration, "They were just taking me to see you." He missed the look of disappointment that flashed across the three women's eyes.

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes at Naruto, looking at him critically, "Don't play around Naruto, these young ladies were sure to give you a good time." He said jovially, his eyes lighting up with a perverse look, "Even with Kurenai-chan at home, I didn't know you had it in you."

Naruto stomped the ground almost like a petulant child, "I told you! I wasn't doing anything but finding you. What the hell do you mean a good time?" he asked, looking at the women he had arrived with, "They were just being nice to me like all the women around my house in Konoha." He explained.

Jiraiya looked at the women, understanding their shocked looks and sighing deeply, "Damn Naruto, are you serious?" he asked, all traces of jolly erased now.

"Of course I'm serious. What the hell are you talking about?" Naruto asked angrily.

Jiraiya shook his head as the women looked on in confusion and slight disgust, "Have you never had the health talk in the academy?" Jiraiya asked.

Naruto shook his head, "I was kicked out of the class. I'm sure you know why." He said, "I still don't know what this has to do with anything." He said as the looks of disgust turned to shock and pity.

"Come on Naruto, leave these women about 12000 ryu for what you just did and I'll explain it in our hotel room." He said as he stood up, to the slight disapproval of the women near him. Naruto was even more confused but, seeing Jiraiya's expression, he peeled the bills from his winnings and handed 2000 ryu to each woman before following Jiraiya out of the room and then the building.

When the two had made it to their hotel room, Naruto opened his mouth to interrogate Jiraiya about what he was talking about when Jiraiya spoke, "Sit down on the bed Naruto, you should have received this talk almost 2 years ago at this point and the fact that the Academy nor Kakashi nor Sarutobi-sensei has rectified this mistake is abhorrent, I will be speaking with all of them to fix this. If I hadn't caught onto this and assumed you were just playing ignorant then you would have been a serious security risk. Do you understand Naruto?"

Naruto nodded, having rarely seen such a serious look on Jiraiya's face, "Now then, what do you know about the birds and the bees?" Jiraiya asked. Such began the most embarrassing talk Naruto would ever have with his new master. Although, the discovery of 'wet dreams' and 'morning wood' being a healthy occurrence of his body was a welcome relief. Naruto was blushing thoroughly by the time Jiraiya had been finished.

Though Naruto didn't know it, Jiraiya had not been acting perverted during this talk, knowing that what Naruto was learning would play a big part of his future relationship, or relationships, he had stuck to most of the facts but had not been trying to hide anything like a normal parent might. He had told Naruto everything he needed to know and some information that he didn't but would find useful. Once Jiraiya was satisfied Naruto knew what he needed, "Now, I know this is embarrassing Naruto, but it is and will become a part of your life at some point if you wish to have a family. I know that you don't know everything so if you have any questions, at any time, don't hesitate to ask, okay?" he finished with a gentle smile.

Naruto nodded, "Thanks for the talk Ero-sennin." Naruto said as he sat on his bed, thinking and remembering how often he had wondered what people were alluding to and how he now understood many of the things that had been implied. While he was terribly embarrassed about the talk and the resulting revelations, Naruto was thankful Jiraiya had informed him of what was happening before he had done something embarrassing for Kurenai or himself.

"Well, I couldn't find any information on who I'm looking for here so we will move on tomorrow. Get a good night's sleep." Jiraiya said as he prepared for bed himself.


It had been three weeks since Naruto and Jiraiya had left Konoha and Naruto's subsequent adult education. Naruto was quickly growing tired of the constant moving around; they hadn't stayed in a town longer than two days so far. To top it off, Jiraiya had yet to teach him anything new while they had been walking and Naruto had only been training his chakra control as they walked.

There was one upside to this traveling; however, because Naruto was now sporting a very thick scroll filled with all the ryu he had won from the casinos. Turns out he was incredibly lucky and almost never lost a bet he made. He had quickly started to amass ryu so as to make sure he would be capable of paying for anything he wanted when he returned to Konoha.

"Alright, let's take a break Naruto." Jiraiya said as he walked to the side of the path and sat down on a log. Naruto let the leaves moving around on his body to fall away and land on the path as he sat down next to Jiraiya. Jiraiya pulled out a few rice balls for them to snack on, handing two to Naruto, and they sat in comfortable silence. It was after they had finished their rice balls that Jiraiya reached into his pack again, "I've decided to teach you another technique Naruto." He said to Naruto's gleaming eyes, he chuckled.

"I promised you a new jutsu if you trained hard while I was away. I'd planned to be gone longer but this mission came up and, after your recent mission mishap, I figured you could use a power jutsu." Jiraiya explained as he pulled out a bag of something that sounded like water. Naruto cocked his head in confusion.

"What're you going to teach me?" he asked.

Jiraiya smirked as he stood, moving over to a thick tree that was wilting, "Watch closely." He said as he held his right hand out. Quickly, almost so fast Naruto couldn't see it; strands of chakra seemed to coalesce in Jiraiya's palm. All of these strands combined into a circular sphere as a thin layer of chakra appeared around them, the ball of chakra was glowing a bright blue. When the light of the ball stabilized, Jiraiya grinned as he brought his hand around, placing the ball of swirling chakra against the tree, "Rasengan! (1)" he said as the ball of chakra quickly ate away at the trunk of the tree before it completely destroyed it.

Naruto's eyes went wide at the destructive power of such a jutsu should it connect with his opponent. On top of that, the jutsu seemingly used no hand signs, a plus if he ever fought a doujutsu user. Jiraiya was smirking at Naruto as he tossed a balloon filled with water at him, watching Naruto catch it. "The first phase to learning this is popping that water balloon; get to work as we walk." Jiraiya said, "A hint is to think about how the Rasengan formed." He supplied as he began walking away.


Five days later, Naruto grunted in his hotel room as he tried to pop the water balloon. They had arrived in this town earlier the same day. So far, he had only managed to get the water to push against the edges of the balloon, stretching it obscenely one way or another. He had even managed to get the water to look almost like a disk but the balloon never broke. He grumbled lightly about how Jiraiya was being such a pain about telling him anything else about this jutsu, claiming Naruto had to 'learn it for himself.' Despite Jiraiya's initial hint, Naruto was still stumped about it.

Sighing in frustration, Naruto thought about the Kyuubi and how odd it was that it hadn't made any comments since right before his bandit mission commenced. It had been eerily quiet as of late and Naruto was beginning to worry that something might be wrong, either with the seal or the Kyuubi itself, neither of which boded well for Naruto. "Hey Kyuubi!" Naruto exclaimed as he had a few times before on his most recent trip. Waiting a few minutes, Naruto shook his head as Kyuubi failed to respond.

His thoughts quickly turned back to the water balloon still sitting in his hands. He glared lightly at the offending ball of water inside the balloon, cursing it and wishing he knew how to make it pop. As he glared he thought about the most destructive water he could think of, in an attempt to make the water burst from its confines. His mind wandered to his cup ramen and the boiling water he poured into it to become the food he had thought of as heaven for most of his life.

It was this thought that brought an idea to Naruto. He quickly remembered the way the water was constantly shifting when it was boiling, rolling and shifting inside the pot before being removed from the heat. What would happen if he managed to create those many swirling patterns within the water himself? Would that cause the balloon to pop?

Grinning excitedly, Naruto stood, moving to the center of the room, and put his thought into action, quickly swirling chakra into the balloon to get the water moving. He almost held his breath as he kept the chakra swirling while adding in another thread of chakra to swirl the water against the current now running through his balloon. Naruto waited, with baited breath, as he watched the balloon suddenly start spiking in different directions across all of its surfaces before exploding into a shower of water and rubber. Naruto blinked before a very wide smile spread across his face, "That's it! I did it!" he exclaimed as he grabbed another balloon and popped it using the same method. Exhilarated laughter rang out from his mouth as he popped another balloon, soaking the floor underneath him.

Naruto wanted to quickly find out the next step to the jutsu, so he dried himself of the water that had splashed onto his skin before heading towards the door. He was going to search for Jiraiya to learn the next step, which meant he would probably be going to the nearest brothel. As Naruto approached the door; however, a knock on the door alerted him to possible visitors. Confusion was his initial response until he sensed the chakra signature of someone standing outside his door.

He stepped back in surprise as he realized that this person's chakra felt odd. As he focused on the person, Naruto realized that the man was compressing a pool of chakra so big it made Jiraiya's and his own seem normal in comparison. Naruto had never felt such a large chakra pool before; the obvious feel of water was coming from it, marking the man as a very powerful water nature. To top it off, this man was obviously experienced in hiding his massive chakra signature as Naruto hadn't sensed the man until he actually concentrated on him. A myriad of options ran through his head, trying to figure out what he would do when the knock sounded again.

Naruto knew that the man outside knew he was in here because of his laughter mere moments before. Deciding quickly, Naruto slipped his sandals on as he pulled the door open, "Yes?" he asked as he quickly looked over the two men standing outside his room. "Shit, I can't even sense his partner!" Naruto thought to himself as he looked at two men in black cloaks with red clouds on top of them.

The first was taller than his counterpart by a full head and the man's skin was an unhealthy shade of blue. The most obvious part of his face was the gill-like slits that covered his cheeks like Naruto's own whisker-marks. This man also had a spiked blue hairstyle that made his hair look like a shark's fin. His beady little white eyes scanned Naruto and the surrounding room with a deceptive perception.

The second was almost an older copy of Sasuke. The man had his sharingan active, all three tomoes swirling in his eyes as he stared at Naruto intensely. His black hair fell down to his cheeks, framing his face as the rest of his hair was in a ponytail behind him. The biggest difference from this man and Sasuke, however, was the black tear troughs that were below his eyes. Naruto immediately knew who this man was and a thrill of fear ran through his body as he whispered the name that most in Konoha equated to the power of one of the Sannin, "Uchiha Itachi."

"Ah, he knows your name Itachi." The big blue man said as he grinned, "But, is this kid really the Kyuubi?" he asks as he stares at Naruto.

Naruto immediately took a step back, a defensive stance coming to the forefront of his terror-ridden mind. "Naruto-kun, we would like for you to come with us." Itachi said in a monotone as he stared at Naruto with an intensity Naruto had yet to meet. When Naruto didn't move, Itachi spoke again a slightly hypnotic tone to his voice now, "Step out of the room."

Naruto's eyes narrowed as he fought off an unquestionable urge to do as Itachi said. Through his muddled brain, Naruto managed to figure out that Itachi had just tried using those hypnotic powers of his famous doujutsu. Naruto quickly broke eye contact with Itachi, focusing on the big blue man. "Now why would I do that Itachi-san?" Naruto asked rhetorically, his voice speaking of a courage he didn't feel.

"We don't have time to waste, maybe I should just cut off a leg so he can't run away." The big blue man said as his arm came up, grasping the hilt of the massive sword on his back. Naruto trembled slightly but didn't back down.

"Try it fish-face." Naruto taunted with a grin. Naruto idly wondered if he had gone insane when he realized there was no escape and now he was antagonizing someone who could obviously rip him apart.

"Don't let him get to you Kisame." Itachi said in monotone, "Remember he was trained by Kurenai-san and should not be underestimated." He warned.

Kisame grinned, and Naruto had a sinking feeling in his gut, "Ahhh, that red-eyed Genjutsu using bitch that you kicked around?" he asked as if that were perfectly normal. The big man noticed how Naruto stiffened when Kurenai was mentioned. "Why should I be so afraid of someone trained by a bitch that couldn't even put up a fight when you beat the shit out of her Genjutsu?" he asked with a chuckle. He noticed Naruto's body shake once. "Is the little midget upset that your bitch of a sensei was hurt?" he taunted.

Naruto's eyes were covered with his bangs; the hallway had fallen deathly silently as Itachi watched with a small amount of amusement in his eyes, "You hurt Kurenai-chan?" Naruto broke the silence.

Kisame mistook the shaking of Naruto's body as fear as he smiled widely, deciding that tormenting the boy was more fun, "Of course we hurt the bitch, she tried to stop us from taking you!" he said as he laughed darkly. Even Kisame's incredible reflexes couldn't save him from the burst of power that knocked him back and through three walls to fall the three stories onto the street behind the hotel they were in.

Naruto's foot was still outstretched to where Kisame's stomach had been before. Itachi was watching his target closely as Naruto breathed heavily, an orange glow surrounded the young man. Naruto's eyes suddenly locked with Itachi's own and two snarling foxes appeared next to Naruto, leaping at Itachi without hesitation. Naruto himself wasn't far behind, his kunai was ready to strike Itachi, but the man was not an S-rank shinobi for nothing as he easily evaded the two beasts before evading Naruto. Down the hallway the four beings moved, Itachi dodging and sometimes blocking the attacks that Naruto and his conjured beasts launched.

Naruto was quickly becoming frustrated with his lack of a hit on the man whom had hurt Kurenai when he felt Kisame appear down the hallway; his white eyes were shining with a murderous vengeance. Naruto, despite his enraged state, knew when he was beaten and silently hoped his plan worked. Apparently, Naruto was lucky as Jiraiya picked just then to appear in the hallway as well.

It took but one moment for Itachi to notice the Sannin now preparing for battle as he turned to Kisame, whom was on the opposite side of the hallway from Jiraiya. "This battle is no longer in our favor, come Kisame." Itachi said as he turned, heading away from Jiraiya and towards Kisame.

Naruto wanted to run after the man but knew that he was obviously out of his league, as his quick battle had confirmed. The foxes and orange glow disappeared from Naruto as Kisame's chakra signature disappeared from his sensor. He sighed in relief as he collapsed onto his ass in the middle of the hallway, his hands shaking.

Jiraiya walked up next to him, looking down at him, "Good thinking Naruto." He complimented as he allowed the toad in his hand to return to the summon world, "Sending a toad to warn me was the right plan, though I can't say I'm happy you used Kyuubi's chakra so readily."

Naruto nodded, "Damn, what a way to wake up. Looking into those cursed eyes again." Kyuubi commented from inside Naruto. Naruto blinked in surprise.

"Kyuubi? Where the hell have you been! I almost died and you were sleeping?" Naruto asked outraged.

"Shut it brat. It isn't my fault that you summoning me into a shadow clone drained me more than I thought and that I needed to rest while you were on that mission." It replied without any remorse. Naruto scoffed, letting the matter drop as he did have an explanation as to why Kyuubi hadn't been responding.

"What about Kurenai Jiraiya?" Naruto asked, "Kisame said that Itachi hurt her!" Naruto's voice was tinged with urgency and worry.

Jiraiya frowned as he looked at Naruto, "This may be hard to accept Naruto, but the mission takes precedence. As you well know." He said as he fixed a stern stare to Naruto. Naruto opened his mouth to retort and then closed it, slowly nodding. Jiraiya sighed sadly. "I know this isn't easy but you know what Kurenai would say if you abandoned a mission simply to check on her." He said. Naruto nodded again.

"Besides, despite how powerful Itachi is…" Jiraiya winced slightly realizing that his choice of words probably wasn't the best, "I have confidence in Kurenai's skills, don't you?" he asked.

"There's no way Kurenai-chan was taken down by someone who ran away from you!" Naruto said with a small smile. Jiraiya chuckled slightly, but could tell Naruto was still a little worried.

"I suppose I should tell you that the woman we're tracking is one of the best healers in the Elemental Nations." Jiraiya mentioned. Naruto looked up, interested and Jiraiya grinned knowingly as Naruto's worry was replaced with excitement.

"I finished the first stage Jiraiya." Naruto said.

Jiraiya blinked in slight surprise before, "Alright, I'll teach you the second step on our way to the next town. I have a lead that should allow us to find our target soon. Let's go." He said as he headed back towards their room.


It was hours later, as the traffic on the road increased indicating they were approaching another town, when Jiraiya pulled out a red ball from his traveling pack. Naruto eyed it warily, as Jiraiya held it out to him. Naruto took the ball into his hand, tossing it up and cocking an eyebrow, "Rubber this time?" he asked.

Jiraiya nodded, "The first stage, as I'm sure you have figured out now, was all about rotation. Taking your chakra and swirling it around a central point." Jiraiya explained as Naruto nodded, "This step is focused on power, you need more power and concentration to be able to break the rubber ball than the… water… balloon." Jiraiya trailed off as he watched the rubber ball explode into bits of rubber, a grinning Naruto looking back at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya twitched lightly before handing Naruto another rubber ball. Naruto immediately destroyed that ball as well, leaving Jiraiya well and truly dumbfounded as he looked at Naruto. "Well." Jiraiya cleared his throat, "I guess you managed the second stage… I don't have the materials to teach you the third stage but just combine the first two and make a shell of chakra around it. I'll get you the training materials in town." Jiraiya said before mumbling to himself as they continued to walk into the town.


It was close to dinnertime when Naruto and Jiraiya entered the outskirts of the village. With a simple glance, Jiraiya and Naruto decided they were going to eat before heading to wherever Naruto would be sleeping for the night, as Jiraiya was undoubtedly going to do some more 'research'. It was as the two were approaching a combination bar and restaurant that a thought struck Naruto. "Hey Jiraiya, you must have a picture of this healer we're looking for, right?" he asked.

Jiraiya's answering grin almost made Naruto wish he hadn't asked that specific question. Reaching into his own wallet, an action which surprised Naruto as the man had yet to pay for anything himself instead allowing Naruto's outrageous casino winnings to pay for all of their expenses so far, Jiraiya slowly revealed the slightly worn picture almost as if it was a personal treasure. The picture showed a woman with blonde hair, light-brown eyes, light skin, a purple diamond on her forehead and, if Naruto were being honest with himself, one of the prettiest faces and largest breasts he had ever seen, in pictures or with his own eyes.

Naruto started when he noticed her breasts so readily but chalked it up to Jiraiya's recent explanation. Oddly enough, this woman's bust reminded him of that busty Genjutsu user from Kumo, Samui, whom he remembered because of how he couldn't seemingly tear his eyes away from her breasts. Back during the exams, he had wondered why he had become slightly distracted by her at first, but again, Jiraiya's explanation seemed to give him his answer. He sighed lightly, realizing he was going to have to discipline himself slightly as Jiraiya had warned him that most women hated to be stared at because of their looks.

"Whatcha think?" Jiraiya asked with a grin as if he knew what Naruto had been drawn to.

To Naruto's credit, he didn't blush in embarrassment, "She's pretty." He said, to which Jiraiya beamed, "Kurenai-chan's better but she's pretty." He said with a smirk. Jiraiya fell to the floor as if he had just been kicked in the back. Naruto chuckled slightly as he opened the door to the restaurant they had been walking towards, waiting for Jiraiya to pat himself off and send a glare in his direction as he walked past him. "What's her name?" Naruto asked as he walked into the restaurant himself, looking at Jiraiya's back.

"Tsunade?" Jiraiya stated in shock. Naruto raised an eyebrow in question, that didn't make any sense, why would the woman in the picture have the same name as Jiraiya's team…mate.

"Dammit, I'm an idiot. Of course we would be searching for the legendary third Sannin as a healer. Though, I wonder why he sounds so shocked, and why we are searching for her." Naruto thought to himself.

"Jiraiya?" said a melodious female voice from further in the restaurant. Naruto blinked as he stepped around his master to face the woman whose picture he had just been presented. He blinked again as he saw that she was much younger than he expected, looking almost like Kurenai's age. She was wearing a grey kimono shirt, which he couldn't help but notice didn't hide her cleavage much nor the green diamond-like necklace hanging from her neck, with a green robe covering her arms and shoulders.

Sitting next to her was another pretty woman. This time the woman had black hair and eyes, wearing a bluish-black kimono with white trimmings. Naruto didn't recognize her from any pictures he had ever seen. "Finally found you." Jiraiya said next to him as he motioned for Naruto to join the two kunoichi sitting in a booth.

A tense silence fell across the table as the food was ordered and delivered. Naruto watched as Jiraiya and Tsunade seemed to have a staring contest and the lady sitting next to Tsunade looked between the two anxiously. Deciding he couldn't do anything, Naruto proceeded to eat his ordered food with a quiet dignity.

"Another shows up to remind me of bad memories." Tsunade finally commented as she lifted her sake saucer to her lips, smacking them after she had drained the liquid.

"Orochimaru? What'd he want?" Jiraiya asked, intrigued.

Naruto saw the black haired lady twitch, her eyes flickered over to Tsunade. Naruto barely caught the answering stare from Tsunade, as quick as her eyes flashed to the lady then back to Jiraiya.

"Nothing important, just to chat." She replied as she waved her hand as if that were a common occurrence. Thinking back, Naruto shivered slightly as he thought about being in the snake summoner's presence for too long. "Why'd you come see me?" she asked back as she set her sake dish down on the table.

Naruto glanced at Jiraiya, in hindsight; Naruto realized he hadn't been told anything about why they were actually retrieving Tsunade. Of course, he hadn't even known they were tracking the third Sannin until over three weeks into the mission so Naruto didn't know much about the mission from the beginning.

Unfortunately, Naruto knew that something was going to be happening if Konoha was finally recalling its third most powerful shinobi, most powerful kunoichi, and by far, its best and most knowledgeable healer. So far as Naruto knew, Tsunade had been free to stay away from Konoha for close to twenty years. Now, the village was recalling her, something must be going on.

"I wish I could say this was just a pleasure visit…" Jiraiya trailed off as the suggestiveness left his voice, "But, Sarutobi-sensei is recalling you to Konoha." He said with all of the authority that Naruto knew he possessed as Konoha's second most powerful shinobi and spymaster.

The surprise on Tsunade's face was as easily readable as Jiraiya's apparent perversion when the man wasn't being completely serious. Naruto noted that the other woman was obviously surprised as well, the question why was floating on the tip of Naruto's tongue but he kept his mouth shut as he waited for an answer and the outcome of Jiraiya's words and mission.

"Why?" Tsunade finally asked.

Jiraiya leaned forward, his fingers laced together as he fixed Tsunade with one of the most serious gazes Naruto had ever seen his master use, "He told me not to say why but it's undoubtedly because he is getting older…" he trailed off as if uncomfortable with that thought, "He was almost killed by Orochimaru during their fight and the fact that the Raikage didn't take advantage of that is a miracle." He said as Tsunade scoffed in what seemed to be derision.

That phrase also hit Naruto hard as he realized how close his Jiji had been to becoming one of the casualties of the Invasion, short as it was. Naruto hadn't even considered the fact that, even if the Raikage had been fighting with the Hokage to defeat Orochimaru, as it seemed they had been; that the Raikage could have still turned around and killed the Hokage if he had been fit enough. He had made that same mistake with Yugito, albeit on a smaller level, yet he had still made that mistake. Naruto resolved that he would not trust a foreign shinobi so easily again.

Jiraiya continued speaking as Naruto's revelation took place, Naruto barely heard the man, "I'm rather sure that he wishes for you to become the Godaime. He's getting too old for the job and he knows he can't hold the position until someone of my apprentice's age can take the hat. The two generations after us were hurt by the Kyuubi's attack and we're the only ones left with the potential." Jiraiya explained as he waved at Naruto. Naruto blinked slightly and realized that Jiraiya and the Hokage were indirectly indicating that his generation was the strongest since the Sannin themselves.

Tsunade, for the first time, looked at Naruto with slight curiosity, "And? Who's this Gaki?" she asked as if he hadn't been sitting there since Jiraiya had sat down.

Though Naruto loathed using a line Sasuke had before, he couldn't help but to put a little bit of spite into his words as he looked at the half-drunken gaze of Tsunade. He cut Jiraiya off before he could respond, "It's polite to introduce yourself first you old hag." Naruto responded glaring slightly at the jab to his age. Naruto always got rankled when his age or height was mentioned, something Jiraiya noted he was going to have to work on.

Tsunade returned his glare full force despite her drunkenness. "What did you say you blonde-haired shrimp?" she said despite his recent growth spurt. Naruto twitched himself but Jiraiya cut in before the two could get too far into their verbal banter.

"He's my apprentice, Uzumaki Naruto." He said, Naruto noticed the look of recognition that passed across Tsunade and her accomplice's face. He also noticed that the other lady was now looking at him with slight pity. He quickly schooled his face so the displeasure he felt could be hidden as he sat back, deciding he was no longer hungry. "But, what is your answer Tsunade? Will you come back to Konoha?" Jiraiya asked.

That tense silence was back as soon as the words fell from Jiraiya's lips. Naruto watched as Tsunade seemed to consider the offer; her eyes were unreadable to Naruto so he flicked his attention over to the dark haired lady and she was pretty easy for him to pick out the worry and slight fear that laced her eyes as she watched Tsunade closely. As the stretch of silence continued, Naruto could see that fear increasing as well as a hint of confusion appearing in the woman's face as Tsunade took her time in answering Jiraiya.

"So?" Jiraiya finally said as Tsunade took another saucer of sake to her lips.

Tsunade drank her saucer and smacked her lips before fixing Jiraiya with a stare, "Impossible. I refuse." She said to Naruto's surprise, Jiraiya's sigh, and the other woman's obvious discomfort.

"I remember you answering me the same way when I used to ask you out." Jiraiya said as if he hadn't just heard her refuse a direct order from the Hokage. Naruto glanced at Jiraiya, who looked incredibly relaxed as he smiled lightly. "Such memories." He murmured.

"You know Jiraiya," Naruto said, bringing the attention of the table to himself, "You shouldn't act as if she hasn't just refused to listen to the order of her commanding officer." Naruto mentioned quietly.

Jiraiya shot Naruto a look, "And you definitely shouldn't be the one lecturing me or Tsunade about that." Naruto did have the sense to look slightly mollified by that but he still held Jiraiya's gaze, "Don't worry Naruto, she's going to come back because she knows, and so do you, that she's the only one who can be the Godaime." He says as he glances back to Tsunade.

Tsunade scoffed, "I wouldn't return for the job of a fool." She said derisively as Naruto's head whipped to her.

"What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked, his voice had gained that frosty tone that Jiraiya was now familiar with. Jiraiya smirked slightly behind his laced fingers.

Tsunade took another drink of her sake before responding to Naruto's glare, "I mean, that the Hokage's position is one which requires you to gamble with your life." She said as she stared right into his eyes with a glare of her own, "Only a fool gambles with their lives so recklessly like my Grandfather, Granduncle, and the Fourth. They all tried to bring peace and died before they could reach their dreams, just like all of the other losers." She took another drink of the sake. "Even Sarutobi-sensei is risking his life when he should be retired."

Naruto felt his anger flare as he glared at the last Sannin of Konoha. He couldn't believe this was what Tsunade thought of the Hokage position he thought so highly of. "You've changed Tsunade." Jiraiya commented as Naruto continued to glare at her.

"Well, I'm in my fifties Jiraiya, age changes people." Tsunade answered flippantly. Naruto could feel Jiraiya was as incensed as he was, especially with that comment about Sarutobi. "I'll say it one last time so you'll leave me alone, the Hokage is a fool's job and only an idiot would become Hokage." She said forcefully as she slammed her saucer down on the table.

Naruto wished nothing more than to jump across the table and attempt to strangle Tsunade, but he managed to contain himself as he glared at the woman he had read was one of the greatest kunoichi to have ever graced the Elemental Nations. "You're lucky we're in a bar oba-san." Naruto said; heat was rolling off of his voice as he saw Jiraiya turn to regard him and Tsunade's eye twitched. "Because you would find yourself in a world of hurt if I could attack you right now." Naruto's voice was low, threatening and it held an undertone of power that had Jiraiya and the dark haired lady blinking in slight surprise.

"Oh?" Tsunade said as she smiled in amusement from Naruto's words. "You've got some guts to be saying shit like that boy." Tsunade said as she returned Naruto's glare.

"And you're a coward who can do nothing but badmouth dead men or men who're forty years your senior." Naruto retorted. Tsunade's face colored slightly.

"Let's take this outside." Tsunade said and Naruto didn't wait more than a second as he calmly stood from his seat, heading towards the door with his back to Tsunade.

Jutsu List:

Rasengan- Spiraling Sphere

A/N: Well, Naruto finally gets the birds and bees talk, and we meet my Tsunade. Hope you enjoy this chapter, the next one is full of action, I promise.