Hei guys, this is… a very long, long update. It has been more than a year and the reason for not updating… is because I was hooked up by the game, League of Legends. I was introduced by a friend and I just… well forgot… Not to mention University work, I simply forgot to continue the story.
Oh and I'm sure you'll notice a change in how I manage the dialogue. Keep note, due to some reasons, I had to write this way but I'll write normally for the dialogues like how I did in the previous chapters. Just this once, I had to write it in this manner.
Rest assured, I will continue this story regularly now but it will be some time.
Next chapter, "The truth revealed"
CHAPTER 55: TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
A week had passed since the recovery mission of Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto was busy packing whatever he might need during his training with the toad Sannin. Although Jiraiya had said they would be leaving some time soon, due to recent events, Jiraiya had moved it earlier and hence, today was that day.
Naruto packed the last item into his backpack and zipped it up. After that, he checked his apartment thoroughly to make he had not forgotten anything he might later need in his journey. Satisfied, he walked out of his apartment, locked the door and left the apartment building.
Outside, Jiraiya was already waiting for him.
Jiraiya: You all packed yet, brat? *Ruffles Naruto hair*
Naruto: Stop doing that! *Pushes Jiraiya's hand away* And yeah, I'm done. When do we leave?
Jiraiya: Soon… But first, I need to speak with the Hokage first. You should go ahead and say your goodbyes to your friends before you leave. You won't be seeing them for more than two years."
With that, Jiraiya jumped off to a rooftop and headed for the Hokage monument. Naruto watched the old man sprinting away for a moment and then walked off. Naruto was supposed to leave in two weeks' time and the sudden change in plans of their departure was too close. He decided to head towards Konoha hospital, where Sakura and Ino would be.
His girlfriend, Haruno Sakura was chosen by the current Hokage to actually be her apprentice to become a medic-nin. It was obviously a huge honor and Sakura immediately accepted the Hokage to be her master.
As the blonde made his way towards the hospital, he ran through his head on how in two years' time, he would have to battle ninjas that were going to be around the level of his pink haired teacher or maybe even far stronger than him. He saw Maki as someone that would be difficult to defeat due to his shadow clones but it seems that this 'Akatsuki' would have no problem taking on his teacher. That was why he had to surpass his teacher in his training for the next two years.
Naruto entered Konoha hospital and made his way to hospital archive, deciding on giving his goodbyes to Ino first. He knew she spent most of her time there now, researching on the large number of herbs found by Konoha that could help in creating medicine and others.
It took him a minute when he found the archive and entered it. It was quiet and Naruto easily found his former team seven team mate on a table, reading a thick book with three other books by the side. Naruto gulped, never liking to read words.
Naruto: Hei, Ino! *Approaches her*
Ino: Naruto! *Turns to face him, startled* you scared me there. What brings you here? You aren't the kind of guy to actually come into these sorts of places.
Naruto: *Laughs* well… I'm leaving Konoha today…
Ino: Oh? For how long?
Naruto: Two years… *Sighs* I'm leaving on a special training mission with the perverted Sannin…
Ino: You… mean Jiraiya-sama? Naruto! That is such a huge honor! But wow… *shakes head* two years huh…? I'm going to miss you, Naruto.
Naruto: Heh… Me too…
The two chatted with one another for at least another minute before they gave their farewells, Ino telling Naruto to work hard and also be careful. Naruto left the archive and then made his way to the wards. The fact that Sakura was already learning with Tsunade and already had some basic healing techniques, he heard that she would be here tending to the patients as part of her training. He finally found her in one of the wards.
Naruto: Sakura-chan!
Sakura: Naruto? *Smiles* Wha-what are you doing here?
Naruto: *Gives a light peck on Sakura's cheek, causing her to blush* I wanted to see you… before I leave…
Sakura: Leave? Aren't you supposed to leave in two weeks or so…?
Naruto: *Shakes head* Change of plans. We need to leave sooner than expected since perverted sannin feels we shouldn't waste any more time than necessary.
Sakura: I see… And you won't be able to stop by for a visit in the two years?
Naruto: I don't think so.
Sakura: Well… It's for the best. I'm going to miss you, Naruto. *Sad smile*
Naruto returned the smile and then the two shared one last kiss before they would have to depart. Sakura would have loved to say goodbye to her boyfriend at the gates but she had to finish this part of her training. After all, she was training to become stronger for Naruto's sake also.
Naruto left the hospital after giving his goodbyes to Sakura and proceeded to find his rival and best friend, Sasuke. He knew he was probably somewhere in the training grounds being trained personally by Jounins as per the instructions of the Hokage. After all, he was still wanted by Orochimaru and so, Konoha will have to increase his skills in case they would try to take him again like the Sound Four had.
It took Naruto another ten minutes before he arrived at the training grounds and he headed for training ground seven. Even before he arrived, he could hear a battle going on and he had no doubt it was Sasuke. Naruto leaped to the nearest tree and spied on Sasuke.
From what he could see, the Taijutsu specialist, Maito Gai was present and he was spectating the fight between Sasuke and two other sparring opponents, Shikamaru and Lee. Naruto was surprised that Shikamaru was actually here since he thought the Nara genius would be cloud watching.
Sasuke: Not that damned shadow again! *Sees Shikamaru's shadow coming at him*
Sasuke hopped back to avoid the shadow but it was all a diversion as Lee appeared from above, landing a spinning kick right on Sasuke's face. Sasuke was thrown into the air like a rag doll before he crashed hard on the ground, a small line of blood crawling by the corner of his mouth.
Gai: Be more aware to your surroundings! You must always think ahead. Do not think of simply avoiding one attack. You need to think at least three or even five steps ahead!
Sasuke nodded from where he laid, slowly getting up and thankful for the advice. The young Uchiha activated his Sharingan once more, watching his two opponents. When Lee disappeared due to his speed, Sasuke charged for Shikamaru.
The Nara genius immediately sent forth his Shadow Bind technique but Sasuke retaliated by releasing a wave of shurikens towards Shikamaru. Shikamaru cursed and rolled to his right, cancelling his technique. In an instant, Sasuke was before him and just as he was about to attack, Lee appeared, throwing a thrust at Sasuke.
Sasuke evaded the thrust and counter-attacked, going for Lee's open stomach with his kunai. Lee backed away at the right moment and with such a close range, Shikamaru immediately used his Shadow Bind technique. Sasuke leaped back before the shadows could connect and quickly formed seals.
Sasuke: Fire release! Grand Fireball technique!
Sasuke released a large fireball aimed at Shikamaru. Shikamaru jumped away from the fireball and threw a kunai tied to a smoke bomb. Sasuke could see that Lee was coming at him for him. If he evaded the kunai to not activate the smoke bomb, he would be open for Lee's attack but he knew Shikamaru wanted him to deflect the kunai and open the smoke bomb. Sasuke decided to go with the latter.
Sasuke drew out a kunai and parried the kunai, the smoke bomb immediately exploding and covering the area with smoke, blinding both Sasuke and Lee. Shikamaru took this opportunity to use the Shadow Bind technique, planning on capturing Sasuke and Lee at the same time. Once the smoke cleared, he would then release the bind on Lee although he was sure Gai would call the fight off since Sasuke was defeated.
After a moment, Shikamaru caught two figures and smiled to himself, certain it was victory. When the smoke cleared, he was shocked to find that he had caught Lee and a log.
Shikamaru: What…? Replacement technique?
Sasuke: I got you this time…
Sasuke had appeared from Shikamaru's behind with a kunai placed close to his throat. Shikamaru shut his eyes and chuckled, feeling outplayed. Shikamaru released the technique and Lee immediately gave a thumbs up.
Lee: YOSH! That was a good fight, Sasuke-kun! I could feel the spring time of youth flowing throughout the fight… Oohh, what a truly great battle it was! *Continues rambling*
Gai: That was a good fight, Sasuke! *Thumbs up with a smile, his teeth flashing*
Sasuke and Shikamaru simply sweatdropped at the two Taijutsu users, shaking their heads. It was at this moment that Naruto made his appearance, jumping off the tree branch he was on and approaching his friends.
Shikamaru: Oh, Naruto? What are you doing here?
Sasuke: *Smirks* what brings you here dobe?
Naruto: Heh, thought I'd say goodbye to some of you before I leave. *Reaches Shikamaru and Sasuke*
Sasuke: *Confused* I thought you were leaving in two weeks' time?
Naruto: *Shrugs* There's a change of plans. That's why I'm here, got to say goodbye to my rival before I leave. *smirks*
Sasuke: *Laughs* well, by the time you return, I'll be kicking your ass.
Naruto: We'll see who will be the one that's going to be doing the kicking.
Sasuke and Naruto laughed. Before they could continue conversing, Gai informed Sasuke that his training with him was over for the day and excused himself along with Lee. Shikamaru also followed suite as he wanted to continue his hobby. That left the two male Gennins at the training grounds.
Sasuke: For two years huh?
Naruto: *Nods head* yeah, I'll be training with the perverted Sannin while travelling around to avoid the Akatsuki.
Sasuke: I understand why Orochimaru is after me… But what about you? What is it that this Akatsuki… One where my brother is in… wants from you?
Naruto remained silent and Sasuke concluded that the blonde ninja did not wish to reveal to him. Despite being rivals, they were also close friends and Sasuke knew that whatever it was, it must be something he would tell when the time was right.
The two chatted for another couple of minutes before Naruto decided he had to go. Jiraiya would be waiting at the gates for him and he shouldn't waste time.
Sasuke: Alright, just make sure you come back stronger in two years. I'll be waiting to fight you to show you that I'm the better one in team seven. *smirks*
Naruto: *Chukles* right, I'll keep that in mind. You take care of yourself now.
Sasuke nodded and proceed to resume his training. Naruto stood there for a moment before he leapt on a tree and began his journey to the main gates of Konoha.
When Naruto arrived at the gates, he could see Jiraiya, the Hokage and his pink haired teacher already there. Jiraiya and Tsunade were conversing with one another but Maki was waiting for Naruto to arrive. When Maki spotted him, his teacher smiled.
Maki: You packed everything you need?
Naruto: *Nod* yup, everything I'll need.
Maki: That's good. You better not slack in your training, alright? I'll see you in two years.
Naruto: Heh, I'll be training so hard that by the time I return, I'll be ready to take the Hokage's seat!
Maki: *Laugh* well, I hope so. We're going to need you to be that strong when the Akatsuki makes their move.
Naruto: *serious* yeah, I know…
It was at this time that Jiraiya finished their discussion and prepared to move. As Naruto headed out of Konoha, Jiraiya called Maki and the elite Jounin obeyed, approaching the Toad Sannin.
Jiraiya: I hope you remember not to slack off. We're going to need you and Kakashi to be stronger in two years. Especially since Akatsuki are comprised of S-rank ninjas.
Maki: I will, Jiraiya-sama. For Naruto's sake.
Jiraiya nodded and headed off to join Naruto. Tsunade and Maki stood at the gates as they watched the departing nine-tailed fox container with the Toad Sannin. Maki knew that his student was in safe hands but he was still worried. Then again, if there was anything, Jiraiya would send a messenger toad to Maki. That was what they had agreed upon.
When Naruto and Jiraiya had disappeared from their line of sight, Tsunade headed back to the Hokage tower and Maki also left for the training grounds, not wanting to waste any time he could use in improving his skills. In two years time, the Akatsuki will be on the move.
