I don't own Naruto and I never have, probably never will. Can never tell for sure though.

Nightfall!

Chapter 29: Three Year Plan

The celebrations had begun and Naruto was right at the center of them. While Mei had killed the Yagura, Naruto was being praised once again as a hero. Those that had witnessed the final moments of the fight were saying it was a power unrivaled by anything less than higher Bijuu.

Naruto attempted to distance himself from these rumors but to little success. And soon people could be heard singing songs about Naruto and Itachi's work in saving the Land of water along with those in celebration of Mei as the leader of the resistance.

The members of the Yoinokuchi slowly made it back to the village which had been badly damaged in the fight. It looked as though more than half the village was gone but the people of the town who had returned once they were given word that Yagura was dead were all in high spirits and joyfully beginning the reconstruction of their town.

A few hours later Naruto had managed to escape the party that was still raging on and was now sitting alone on top of the wall. "Is that it? The war ends just because one man died? Surely it can't be that simple... Can it?" he asked himself.

"That really depends on how the enemy forces react" came the voice of Jiraiya as he arrived by Naruto's side and took a seat.

"Well what do you think?" Naruto asked.

"I think it is done. Not only is Yagura gone, but also the five generals that would have been in the running for the next Mizukage are gone as well. Right now the word is spreading and we have already received reports of the vast majority of the remnants of the loyalist army laying down their weapons and pledging loyalty to Mei" Jiraiya said.

"Still, there will be those that hate Mei and the resistance for what they have done even though it was the right thing. Eventually that hate will fester and they will strike back against them" Naruto said.

"Yes that is always a possibility. Complete success and peace seems almost impossible. But to not even try, is the same as letting the people that want to see the world burn win. It is true there is far too much hate in this world of ours and it is building into more wars. I want to do something about it, but finding the right answer is difficult. That's why I write my books, I hope that day my books would bring everyone together and true peace would be possible" Jiraiya said.

"For that to happen you would have to get women to actually read them. And while all you write is smut I don't much like your chances sensei" Naruto replied with a smile.

"Harsh kid. But in the end you may be right, I haven't been able to figure out how to bring peace. Maybe it is impossible, but that doesn't mean that I can't try" Jiraiya replied.

"Then it's my job as your student to help and carry on your work" Naruto said.

"Well then, do you have any ideas?" Jiraiya said.

"No not yet, but I will find them. You said hate breads hate, then I guess stopping that circle if our goal then" Naruto said.

"Well you will need to become stronger if that is your goal you know" Jiraiya said.

"Yeah I will do anything I need to in order to help you succeed" Naruto replied.

"Good, because I have a training trip planned for you" Jiraiya said.

"Training trip?" the blond asked confused.

"You are strong there is no denying that. However you are not strong enough to complete your goals. If you want peace then you need to fight for it. Stop those that endanger it. Give the people someone to believe in. The Sage of Six Paths did just that, and the world was at peace. You need to become a symbol of hope to those that need it" Jiraiya said.

"How long do you think the training you have planned will take?" Naruto asked.

"Three years" Jiraiya said.

"Three Years! What about the Yoinokuchi and everyone else, I can't just abandon them" Naruto replied.

"Itachi will be running the group in our absence but he will also be helping in your training from time to time. After the three years are over we will return" Jiraiya said.

"But why that long, and all in one go? couldn't we do it in six month periods. Sure it would end up taking twice as long but I wouldn't be away for three whole years in one shot" Naruto said.

"I wish we could. But there is another reason why we need to do this... The Akatsuki, are starting to move. They're hunting the Bijuu and you need to be ready to defend yourself against anything they throw at you" Jiraiya said.

"But what about the other jinchuuriki... What about Fuu and Gaara? They need the training just as much as I do" Naruto said.

"I agree, and they will be trained. Itachi, Zabuza, and Akaru will be overseeing the training of Akimi Gaara and Fuu while we are gone" Jiraiya said.

"I see... So when are we leaving?" Naruto asked.

"Not for awhile yet. I just wanted to tell you now so you have enough time to say goodbye when the time comes. I know that Akimi will be especially upset if that you are going. And I would say that Fuu will be highly disappointed as well" Jiraiya said with a sly smile that Naruto didn't catch.

"What's that supposed to mean?" the blond asked in confusion.

"Nothing never mind" Jiraiya replied. 'Damn he still hasn't realized that Akimi likes him, and I would bet the total profits from my next book that the Nanabi jinchuuriki does as well. Oh well he's only thirteen, in time he will notice women' he added as an afterthought.

"So where will we be going on our three year trip?" Naruto asked eventually as he stared out into the now empty field that just hours before was the sight of the fight with Yagura.

"There are lot's of places. But more importantly people you need to meet. We need to go everywhere that might have a connection with the Rikudou Sennin. I also need to introduce you to the great toad elders and of course continue our training" Jiraiya said.

"It will be strange, most of the group I have only known for a few months. Even Akaru and Akimi have only been with us for two years. To leave them for three will be weird" Naruto said.

"You will adjust. Dealing with hardships is how you become a man... Use the fact that it will be awhile before you see them all again as a motivator to work had to become as strong as possible" Jiraiya said in a fatherly tone.

The master and his apprentice sat talking for awhile until Jiraiya left to go work on his novel.

'Well there is no use staying here, I think I will go get some sleep, we are planning to enter Kiri tomorrow, and I need to be prepared in case there is any resistance on the way' Naruto thought.

The blond stood up and he made his way around the village so as to avoid the continuing celebrations and quickly sneaking inside his bedroom window.

'Parties are not really my thing after all' The blond thought as he decided to go to sleep early to recharge after the battle that day.

(Meanwhile)

The party was still in full swing in the village, and the Members of the Yoinokuchi were for the most part enjoying themselves. Itachi was rediscovering the horrors of fan girls that he had managed to escape upon leaving Konoha, but the others were sitting at a table talking amongst themselves.

"Did you see Jiraiya-sama's weird transformation during the fight? He had two really old toads growing out of his shoulders" Akimi said.

"That was Jiraiya-sama's Sage Mode, it is the reason he is considered the strongest of Konoha's Sannin" Akaru said.

"What does it do?" Fuu asked.

"In truth, I do not know. It makes him faster and stronger, but that is as far as my understanding goes. Itachi might know more" Akaru said.

"Well those two toads that he summoned were amazingly powerful even if it was a rather unique way to use summoned creatures" Zabuza complimented.

"Speaking of Unique things, I didn't know you could fly Fuu" Akimi said.

"Oh yeah, well my Bijuu is a little different to Naruto and Gaara's. Rather than have seven tails it has six wings and a long horn tail for the seventh. It means that as long as I am using at least two tails worth of chakra in my Bijuu cloak I can fly" Fuu explained.

"Does the Nanabi give you anything else?" Akaru asked.

"What do you mean?" Fuu replied.

"Well Gaara can control sand freely and Naruto heals at an amazing rate. I was wondering if you were gifted with anything like that?" Akaru said.

"Oh, yeah I am immune to all poisons and can change my breath into a poison mist as well as saliva into acid if I want to" Fuu answered.

"Talk about a kiss of death. You must be glad to no longer be part of a village" Zabuza said.

"What are you talking about Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked.

"Well it is common practice for kunoichi with skills like that to be given assassination jobs that involve seduction. For example, with Fuu, a kiss from Fuu could be deadly if she chooses it to be. A rare skill to have and one that most villages wouldn't ignore" Zabuza said.

"Huh, well I think it was a good thing that the leader in Taki wasn't that smart. Fuu was only being trained as a weapon for war, isn't that right?" Akimi said.

"Yeah, they saw no value in me as a shinobi at all" Fuu replied.

"Well it would appear that their loss is our gain, you were of great help in this battle and I am sure you have been a great asset to the war" Gaara said.

"Thanks Gaara" Fuu replied.

"You know I haven't seen Naruto or Jiraiya-sama for awhile... where did they run off to?" Akimi asked.

It was Itachi who responded, after shaking off his fan girls... for the moment anyway. "Naruto told me he was going to the eastern wall, but that was a few hours ago, Jiraiya followed soon after to talk to him about something"

"Why hasn't he come to join in the celebrations?" Fuu asked.

"Naruto has spent most of his life avoiding large groupings of ninja to avoid people discovering his Rinnegan. I guess he doesn't really feel comfortable being the center of attention" Itachi said.

"That's stupid, he deserves more praise than anyone" Akimi said.

"I agree, we should go drag him back here" Fuu said.

"You are certainly free to try, but I don't think you will have much success" Itachi said.

"It will work... anyway, your girl friends are back" Akimi said with a smile.

Itachi's eyes widened and subtly glanced behind him to see that there were indeed several woman and kunoichi heading in his direction. Itachi slowly dissolved into a murder of crows that flew away leaving a group of rather disappointed women.

"Knowing Itachi he will have gone to a place without anyone around that overlooks a large area" Akaru said to one of the women.

"Oh I know where that might be!" another said and they all ran off.

"That was a rather cruel thing to do to Itachi Nii-san" Akimi said although found it hard not to giggle at the thought of all the women catching Itachi.

"I was hoping at least one of them would stay" Akaru said with a sweat drop.

"You should go out and find your own girlfriend, instead of trying to steal Itachi's" Akimi laughed.

"Well, I could but everyone seems to be either after Itachi or Naruto, and as they cant find the blond they are all looking for him" Akaru said.

"What!" both Fuu and Akimi yelled standing up. They both had the same image of Naruto being dragged away by a group of fan girls. And were too preoccupied with that thought to realize that they might not be the only person in there group who had started to develop feelings for the blond.

"Where did Itachi say Naruto was again?" Akimi asked.

"Eastern wall I think" Fuu replied.

"I'm going to find him" Akimi said.

"I'm coming too" Fuu said and they both ran off much to the amusement of the other members of the Yoinokuchi.

"Is there really a Naruto fan club?" Zabuza laughed.

"There is but they are all far too young for me, I just wanted to get under Akimi's skin, although I didn't see Fuu joining in" Akaru chuckled.

"Do you think they even realize that the other also likes the kid?" Zabuza said.

"I don't think so, give it some time, I bet they figure it out before Naruto does" Akaru laughed.

Fuu and Akimi ran over the rooftops towards the location Naruto had previously been sitting.

"I can't see him? Can you?" Akimi asked.

"No, and I can't see any groups of people out looking for him either" Fuu said.

"I think Nii-chan tricked me. I'll make him pay for that" Akimi said.

"What should we do?" Fuu asked.

"I still want to find Naruto. So I am going to continue on towards the wall. Try to convince him to join the party" Akimi said.

"Well I am coming too" Fuu said and the pair continued searching for the blond. However when they made it to the wall they found nothing.

"He's not here... I wonder where he went to?" Fuu said looking around.

"Who knows. Knowing him he could have moved on somewhere else" Akimi replied.

"What if a bunch of fangirls found him first?" Fuu replied.

"He wouldn't let that happen... Let's keep looking" Akimi said.

(The Next Morning)

Naruto awoke early and went to search for some breakfast. It was still early so there were not many places that were open yet but he eventually found a small dango shop and entered.

After a small breakfast Naruto exited the store only to be tackled by an exhausted looking Fuu and Akimi.

"Uh hi" Naruto said in shocked confusion as he lay on the ground.

"Where the hell have you been... we have been looking for you all night" Fuu said.

"Um, I guess I was asleep... did you try my hotel room?" Naruto asked dumbfounded.

The two girls looked at each other and both hung their heads in embarrassment. "Uh no we didn't" they both admitted.

"You didn't sleep at all did you?" Naruto asked.

"No" Akimi sighed.

"And we have to walk to Kiri today as well" Fuu moaned.

"That is exactly why I went to bed early" Naruto said.

"Oh kami, do you know when we leave?" Akimi asked.

"About three hours then we will be marching to Kiri and Mei will become the new Mizukage" Naruto said.

"Well wake me up in two and a half hours... I'm going to get some sleep while I can" Akimi said before blurring off.

"And what about you?" Naruto said turning to Fuu.

"I'm fine, I can go a few days without sleep, it doesn't bother me at all" She replied.

"Oh okay well do you want to do some training or something then?" Naruto asked.

"Nah I would rather save my strength, how about we just go somewhere and talk for awhile" Fuu suggested.

"Yeah alright... and it is a good idea to save our strength, there could still be some resistance to Mei becoming Mizukage after all" Naruto said with a smile.

The pair walked for awhile until they came to a small empty park.

"This place looks nice" Fuu said as she took a seat beside a small pond.

Naruto sat down next to her and they both sat together not talking for a few moments.

It was Fuu who spoke first. "What was it like fighting against another jinchuuriki?"

"Tough, he was strong even when he wasn't using his Bijuu. His manipulation of Suiton was amazing almost as good as the Nidaime Hokage's. I had to go all out to beat him down, and even then it wasn't enough. I needed to use the Kyuubi" Naruto said.

"I suppose that is to be expected from one of the five Kage" Fuu said.

"How are you able to control your Bijuu so well? I was just barely conscious while using three tails of Kyuubi's power" Naruto said.

"It is very difficult. Bijuu are entities that feed on negative emotions if there is any personal conflict within someone they can take over. And then for full control I was told I would have to fight against the Nanabi and defeat it. I'm not ready for that yet. I cant use more than three tails of Nanabi's chakra without beginning to lose control" Fuu explained.

"Still more than me, I start to be effected the moment the cloak appears and it is a struggle to hold back" Naruto explained.

"But you are far stronger than me without the Bijuu so it's not as though I am in anyway stronger than you. Besides I had to go through special mental conditioning to get even this far" Fuu said.

"Jiraiya sensei told me that he wants me to start learning how to control the Kyuubi, but it's difficult. I just can't stay calm while I use it's power" Naruto sighed.

"Jiraiya-sama has really taken an interest in your development huh, although I guess its not really a surprise considering that you said that he raised you. What was it like being brought up by someone like Jiraiya-sama?" Fuu asked.

"It was a lot of hard work really, he wanted me to be strong enough to defend myself. When he was training me he was mean and made me work everything out for myself, said that struggling to achieve something gives it more value, and I guess it does. Still we traveled around so I could learn new skills and we began searching for anything that had to do with the Rikudou Sennin. We were looking for clues about the power of these eyes. Over all growing up with him was good. And we weren't alone, Itachi sensei was there as well" Naruto said.

"Sounds like you have been to quite a few unique places. Have you been able to find much on the Rikudou Sennin?" she asked.

"Not really, and most of the stuff we found was really old. But we haven't stopped looking eventually we will find something useful I'm sure of it" Naruto admitted.

"Yeah, so do you know where we are all going after we leave the Land of Water?" Fuu questioned.

"Nah, it's up to Jiraiya sensei really" Naruto said.

"I hope we can have some time off... Continuous fighting is rather tiring after all" Fuu moaned.

"Regretting joining us?" Naruto asked.

"Not at all, just some time off would be nice" Fuu said.

"Yeah I know what you mean" Naruto replied.

The two sat talking for awhile longer until the time came around and Naruto went to wake up Akimi.

Arriving at the hotel Naruto knocked on her door still accompanied by Fuu. There was no answer so they tried again.

"She's not answering" Fuu said.

"Well I better go in then" Naruto said.

"You can't go in there... she might not be decent... Or are you a pervert?" Fuu said with a small smile.

Naruto blushed at what she was saying and stepped away from the door. "I'm not a pervert. You go wake her up" Naruto said.

"Alright I'll be back later, you can go tell everyone that we are on our way" Fuu replied.

"Okay I guess I will see you both at the gate" Naruto said before turning and jumping out a nearby window.

End Chapter!

Okay bit of a nothing chapter really, a bit of a come down from the previous battles. Kinda short as well I'll make the next chapter longer.