Chapter 16

Jiraiya was still running on adrenaline from capturing that scumbag. He felt unable to settle his nerves and found himself wandering the streets of Konoha. As he wandered, he was riddled with a deep sense of defeat, seeing the village through Naruto's eyes; it was a lonely place with many hidden secrets. His feet lead him to the bath house where he had many fond memories of his encounters with Naruto.

"You looked just like Minato when I first saw you, trying to walk on water. How did I fail you so badly." Jiraiya mumbled to himself as he entered the bathhouse and prepared himself to bathe. He decided to look into their first encounter through Naruto's journals. He wanted to believe that Naruto was glad to have met him and that it was a positive moment.

Today was weird. All I wanted was Kakashi to give me some attention but as always, he chose Sasuke. He palmed me off on a resentful pervert named Ebisu who wanted me to work on my chakra control by walking on water. I could tell he didn't like me, he looked at me the same way they all do, like scum. I think he enjoyed watching me fail at it. But that's pretty normal, Kakashi never wants to work with me and the other jounin despise me. What was weird was meeting Jiraiya. He didn't look at me like I was a monster. I know he didn't want to train me but he didn't hate me either. He was curious about me and looked at me like I was an old friend. It made me feel something in my chest. When he agreed to train me, I felt a sense of warmth embrace me, like a hug from the parents I never got to meet. I don't wanna get my hopes up, I know I can't trust anyone but maybe he can give me some guidance, show me how I can improve my life. Maybe he will take me away from this village or maybe he will give me a mission that will kill me. Either way, he seems like someone that can show me something new...

Jiraiya was conflicted about how this entry made him feel. It wasn't as negative as the others he had read but Naruto felt like he couldn't trust him. Maybe that had changed over the course of their relationship, maybe Naruto started to trust him but obviously not enough. It was comforting to know that he felt a sense of warmth when they first met even after having a morning full of pain from his sensei. Jiraiya was determined to figure out a way to help his God son. He knew the answers were in these journals.

Naruto was experiencing mixed emotions after sharing that fragment of his story. Initially he felt relief and then he felt vulnerable before finally feeling raw and ravaged. Iruka was a silent presence during this episode and Naruto was grateful that he didn't expect any more talking. In truth, Iruka was not willing to push his trust any further and recognised that this secret had destroyed him and he needed time to start healing.

They had breakfast together before Naruto retired to his room wanting to rest. He fell asleep almost immediately and was welcomed to his dreamscape by a very relieved Kurama.

'I'm proud of you Kit. I know how hard that was for you but this is the start of your journey to heal. I know you are strong enough for this.'

'Thanks Kurama. You are generally right now that I think about it.' Naruto gave him a weak smile before curling his mind up within the foxes embrace.

Kakashi, Iruka and Jiraiya were summoned by Lady Tsunade around midday. Iruka left a clone in case Naruto woke up and needed someone. He was incredibly worried about him but knew he couldn't crowd him. He was proud of the progress he made but he knew it would be a slow process.

"Ok, I've called you here for an update. First of all, know that Otesuya has been charged and punished to the full extent of my power. Never again will he hurt anyone in this village." Tsunade spoke in an emotionless voice as Jiraiya and Kakashi nodded grimly. Iruka looked confused momentarily until he connected the dots.

"So that's the man who..." Iruka felt unable to finish his sentence and felt a wave of anger wash over him. He had known Otesuya, spent time with him and never thought he would do anything like that.

Kakashi and Jiraiya gave him puzzled looks. "Naruto told me. He was having nightmares about it."

They all were stunned that Naruto had shared that secret with anyone. "That's great Iruka, It means he is ready to start healing. Have we learnt anything else?" Tsunade asked, holding back happy tears.

Kakashi piped up "He wishes I didn't save him from his fight with Sasuke but we had a nice chat about my father's suicide and he agreed to try."

"Nothing new from me but I think as soon as he is physically capable, we should take him to Sunagakure. Maybe some time with the Kazekage would do him some good."

"Alright, I'll send the correspondence and arrange for a visit. I'm sure the Kazekage will be happy to see his friend but I think we will keep Naruto's condition a secret and let him decide how he would like to tell his friend. I do not believe it is our place. Those two share a special bond. If anyone can understand his pain, it would be Gaara."

All three agreed. Naruto's pain is not theirs to share, he needs to have control of his own journey otherwise he will not continue on it.

"When the time comes, Kakashi you will escort him along with the rest of your team. We will make it a sort of mission so that Naruto doesn't feel like we are pressuring him to reach out to his friend. In the meantime, Iruka, you keep working with him, I think since you were his first connection, you will be the one he confides in the most to begin with. He needs to work through the wounds from the academy while he is here before he can go to Sunagakure. Maybe take him for a walk around or even outside the village so he knows he is not being held prisoner.

Kakashi, I need you to prepare Sai and Sakura for the upcoming journey without really letting them know what is going on. We can't have them push him over the edge, but they don't need to know the details. Understood? Depending on the timeline, Iruka might accompany you as well. You two are dismissed. Please continue reading into Naruto's past and bonding with him as well."

Kakashi and Iruka left, knowing they had important missions to tend to. They both walked back to Iruka's apartment with the intention of having a sort-of family dinner.

Lady Tsunade continued once the other two were out of range.

"Jiraiya you will be checking out another threat in the meantime. A group called the Akatsuki are collecting the Jinchuuriki. I know this is a hard time, but you are the most qualified to deal with this task. The group is comprised of rogue ninjas including Itachi. I believe you have already fought them once before. I need you to gather information on them, whether that means sending in your spies to begin with or going yourself I don't mind but we need to know what threat they pose to Naruto, especially given his state of mind."

"I'm on it. The other two will be fine. I'll see Naruto tomorrow and meet up with them in Sunagakure in a few weeks. I wish I could be there for him more, but I'm not what he needs right now. I gave that monster access to him during our travels. I was so blind; I should have noticed. I can't fix that wrong but I can keep him safe now. You have my word Lady."