A/N: The plan is to update once on Friday and once on Saturday, however, I accidentally made two typos for the date in the last chapter. I'm pretty sure fixing that sends a notification out, so, instead of annoying everyone with a fake notification, I pushed another chapter out earlier.

{January 3rd, 068}

"Are you seriously this upset about going to the academy again?" Naruto sighed. "It's only your third year!"

"So? You and Itachi graduated after just one! I bet you anything that it's because I'm a girl. Sexist assholes," Anko grumbled.

Naruto just sighed again. The three friends were now eight years old and Anko was starting her third year at the academy, while Itachi and Naruto were starting their second year as Genin.

Itachi, with some significant help from Shisui, managed to awaken his Sharingan some months ago on a rather precarious C-ranked mission and had become rather proficient in its use. His Genjutsu was so potent that he was able to defeat nearly all Genin and even some Chunin just by looking at them, as they weren't able to tell they were in an illusion fast enough. Alongside his Genjutsu, Itachi was becoming much better with Ninjutsu, and had his usual prodigious skill with shuriken, notably being able to hit targets around corners, walls, and under other obstacles.

Hayate, under Kenzo-sensei's direct tutelage, was getting much better with Kenjutsu. Oddly enough, Itachi only had a mild interest in learning the basics, while Naruto had no interest whatsoever. It was largely because of this that Kenzo-sensei was closer to Hayate than the other two, but he was still the weakest of the three Genin. That's not to diminish his skill, as Kenzo-sensei predicted he would become a master of leaf-style swordsmanship within ten years or so, but it is difficult to shine alongside two prodigies.

Speaking of which, Naruto was no slouch either. While not having the skill with weaponry as his other two teammates, the redhead was more of a juggernaut-type fighter. His speed now rivaled Kenzo-sensei's, though he was one of the lazier Jonin, and his Taijutsu was above average. The only issue he had with it was that he was so fast he only really had experience against Itachi, as no one else could really keep up. He had recently discovered his primary element was wind, with a secondary element of fire, and was beginning to stockpile various jutsu of those elements. He still hadn't begun any nature transformation training, but he was gaining experience and know-how with the techniques regardless. In addition, he had managed to make significant progress in the past year on his Fuinjutsu. Unfortunately, significant progress meant he was almost finished mastering his calligraphy skills on all the basic symbols. He still had speed, basic seal development, seal placement, and seal weaving before he could be considered a master of the basics, let alone a true master like the Uzumaki were said to have been.

All-in-all, the three-man squad was easily Chunin level...unfortunately, Kenzo-sensei was rather lazy and still didn't feel like entering them into the Chunin exams anytime soon. As he said, 'maybe once you're old enough.' Naruto insisted that Kakashi became a Chunin at seven, but, frankly, Kenzo didn't care. He was, in the immortal words of the Nara clan, troublesome.

Today would be a rather interesting day, though, as a visitor would reintroduce himself to Naruto's life.

"Or," Naruto countered. "It's because you stopped training seriously after Itachi and I left and focused on hanging out with Hana."

"Wha-I have no idea what you're talking about!" she huffed. "I do so train!"

"Yeah, you do train, but not as hard as you did when we were with you. If you did, you'd be a genin already." Naruto shook his head and smiled. "But who cares? Graduate at your own pace, Anko. You'll be a great ninja whether you graduate this year or at twelve like standard."

"Sh-shut up!"

"Aww, is Anko blushing?"

"I AM NOT!" Anko shouted. "GET OVER HERE AND LET ME BEAT YOUR ASS!"

"Have to catch me first, Apricot!"

"DAMN YOU, STUPID FISHCAKE!"

The two ran out of the house...directly into a ninja who was standing outside the gate and staring wistfully at the home.

"Ow~!" Anko whined. "Watch where you're going, Naruto!"

"Hey, it's not my fault! You ran into me!" Naruto shot back. "Besides, it was this guy that was-"

It took him a moment, but when he turned back to look at the person he'd ran into, Naruto's eyes widened. "Uh, yo!"

"KAKASHI!" the redhead exclaimed with a smile before decking the white-haired man in the gut. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, ASSHOLE?"

"I guess I deserve that," Kakashi grunted in pain. "...sorry…"

"Who's the cyclops?" Anko asked.

"That's Kakashi. He was my Dad's favorite student," Naruto sighed. "Kakashi, this is Anko."

"Well, looks like you have a girlfriend at an even younger age than your father did, Naruto," Kakashi gave a smile...well...it was probably a smile. The only part of his face that was showing was his right eye.

"I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!" Anko shouted indignantly and punched him in the gut as well.
"Ow~," Kakashi groaned, falling to his knees. "What was that for?"

"Who knows? If you did something to fishcake that was bad enough for him to gut punch you, you probably deserve it. I've got class to get to. See ya later, fishcake."

"Later, Apricot."

"DON'T CALL ME APRICOT!" Anko shouted as she ran off to the academy.

"She's certainly...interesting," Kakashi winced. That second punch would bruise. "Hell of a punch."

"You got floored by an academy student…"

"In my defense, I let her hit me."

"Why are you here Kakashi?" Naruto sighed. "I haven't seen you since they died."

"That's why...I figured I owed you at least as much as an apology."

"You owe me more than that, that's for sure," Naruto grumbled, glaring slightly.

"Right…"

"Naruto? Kakashi? Is that you?" Itachi asked, approaching the duo.

"Yo, Itachi," Kakashi waved slightly. "You're not gonna...hit me too, are ya?"

"Do I want to know?"

"He got floored by Anko," Naruto explained.

"Ah," Itachi nodded. "She packs quite a punch."

"You don't say…" Kakashi deadpanned.

"Itachi and I have a mission today, Kakashi, so you'll have to come back later," the redhead told him. "How long did Kenzo-sensei say we'd be gone?"

"He grumbled about having to reschedule three appointments, so probably almost two weeks," Itachi commented.

"Appointments…?" Kakashi questioned.

"Kenzo-sensei is a man-whore," Naruto explained.

"Uh...right…"

"Listen, I know what I want from you to make up for leaving me alone for three years even though I thought of you as my older brother."

"When you put it like that, it makes me sound like a terrible person."

"Gee, I wonder why," Naruto rolled his eyes. "I want to see Jiraiya again. The last time I saw him was my third birthday. He's supposed to be my godfather or something, right? Asshole abandoned me, too."

"Jiraiya?" Kakashi seemed surprised. "Why do you want to see him?"

"Well, not only is the asshole my godfather, so he should probably, I don't know, be a part of my life!" Naruto said indignantly. "I'm also getting closer to mastering the basics of sealing. Probably another year or so before I can write my own explosive tags. I want him to help and I have a few questions as well. He was my father's sensei."

"Why would you think I know where he is?" the Jonin asked. "I mean, couldn't you ask Lord Hokage? You two are close, aren't you?"

"Close enough to where I can call him Old Man, but not close enough to see each other outside of mission assignments more than once a month," Naruto sighed. "Besides, he likes you just as much as he does me. If you ask too, I think I have a better shot."

"I'll see what I can do," Kakashi sighed. "And really...I am sorry. I'll try to come visit when I can."

"Good," the redhead gave a small smile. "I missed having an older brother around, you know?"

"We should hurry up if we don't want to be late, Naruto," Itachi said. "Even though Kenzo-sensei is usually late, we shouldn't follow his example in this case."

"Right. Next time you come, Kakashi, we'll have a spar. See if I'm closer to kicking your ass!"

With that, Itachi and Naruto ran off towards the Hokage tower to get their mission. "See ya, Naruto."

{April 14th, 068 - Naruto's Mindscape}

"Let me guess, I'm supposed to rebuild your playpen?" Naruto sighed, quickly fixing the village. "Better?"

"What's got you in such a foul mood, human? I haven't even said anything yet," the fox huffed. "If you're going to sound like my previous containers, you can leave now."

"Sorry," Naruto apologized, actually looking sort of ashamed. "It's not your fault, I've just been having a rough week."

"..."

"..."

"...Well..?"

"I thought I gave you a giant television to watch-wait, you actually want to know?" the redhead asked, bewildered.

"Not particularly, but you can only destroy a village so many times and sleep for so long before it becomes rather tedious," the fox answered disinterestedly. "Besides, you didn't hook up any sound. I can't hear anything."

"I'm such an idiot…" Naruto slapped his forehead. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"Like I care enough to want to see what's going on in your life, human."

"But you're asking now…"

"I did no such thing."

"Whatever, fox." He rolled his eyes but formed what looked like two giant speakers next to the screen. "Better?"

"If me experiencing the sound of your life is your idea of 'better,' then yes."

"You're unbelievably difficult, you know that?" Naruto chuckled. "You really wanna know why I'm in a 'mood'?"

"No, but perhaps your human problems may amuse me. Carry on, human, you have my permission."

"I'll take that as a yes."

The two spent a few hours chatting with each other, Naruto telling him of how Kenzo-sensei told them they wouldn't be able to take the Chunin exams until next year, as he thought they were still too young, how Kakashi had only stopped by once in three months, and how he still hadn't seen hide nor hair of Jiraiya. The fox told him that all his problems would be solved if he started to rip the flesh and meat off of his enemies' bones, but the redhead gently informed him that such an idea may not pan out quite so well.

"So, are you finally going to tell me how to come in here on your own?"

"To be honest with you, I thought you'd figure it out on your own. Where are we?"

"Uh...my mindscape?"

"How does one get in touch with their mind?"

"...I'm an idiot…"

"Yes, yes you are."

"Shut up…" Naruto sighed. "Well, I guess I'll be here more often. Do you understand friendship yet?"

"Your silly human term for stealing my power?"

"Sure, that one," he rolled his eyes. The fox could be quite difficult.

"I suppose I see more of who you are, human."

"And?"

"You are...less detestable than my previous containers," the fox admitted.

"Coming from you, that's high praise. I'll take it. Does that mean you'll call me by my name?"

"I can't seem to recall what it is, nor can I seem to care."

"It's Na-"

"I don't care what your name is, kit, nor do I want to know."

Naruto gave a genuine smile. "Thanks, Kyuubi. We'll be friends yet, just you wait!"

"You may continue to have your human dreams, kit. I have a village to destroy."

{April 2nd, 069}

"So, I've decided it's about time I entered you three in the Chunin exams," Kenzo-sensei sighed. "It's a pain in the neck, but you three have finally-"

"IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Naruto yelled. "What were you waiting for? A shiny gold invitation? I can kick the ass of every Chunin in the village and Itachi can give most Jonin a run for their money, especially if they aren't proficient in Genjutsu! Heck, even Hayate is nearing high Chunin with Kenjutsu!"

"I feel like [cough] that was supposed to be offensive, Naruto," coughed Hayate. "But he does have a point, [cough] Kenzo-sensei."

"I thought I told you to call me master?" Kenzo cocked an eyebrow.

"I remember saying [cough] that I would call you master when you earned my respect [cough] outside of the Kenjutsu ring."

"I'm perfectly respectable."

"You're rather lazy, sensei," Itachi commented.

"And you're a man-whore," Naruto pointed out.

"Kids these days," grumbled Kenzo. "Anyway, the exams start in a week. If you want to participate, then be at the academy at 12 o'clock sharp. I think there's some secret test where if all three of you don't go, you can't take the test because it shows a lack of teamwork or something, but I really don't care about all of that. So show up or don't."

"You're as excitable as always, Kenzo-sensei," the redhead sighed.

"Yeah, well, when you have to teach a bunch of nine-year-old brats how to be ninja, you let me know how excited you are." Kenzo rolled his eyes. "Good luck to all three of you. I'll see you there. I have high expectations and have no doubt that all three of you will make Chunin."

"Did...did he just…" Naruto's jaw dropped as their sensei Body Flickered away.

"Yes," Itachi nodded, equally shocked. "I believe Kenzo-sensei just gave us genuine praise."

"If only he could do that [cough] during our Kenjutsu training," Hayate commented. "So, you two are [cough] ready for this?"

"I've been ready for years! We're gonna kick ass at those exams!" Naruto grinned.

{May 9th, 069}

"What'd I tell you?" Naruto grinned, holding up his Chunin vest. "We kicked ass, didn't we?"

"I heard Lord Hokage say that we were the first full team in the history of the Leaf to have all of its members make the finals of the third round together. Even the Sannin didn't accomplish as much," Itachi nodded, putting his own vest on.

"Can't say I'm [cough] surprised. We're a pretty damn good team," Hayate nodded.

"Were a pretty damn good team," Kenzo drawled. "All three of you are Chunin now. You'll be going on higher-ranked assignments and occasionally leading Genin squads when their Jonin sensei are otherwise unavailable."

"So our team is being dissolved?" Naruto asked, fairly surprised at that.

"For all intents and purposes, yeah. All three of you are Chunin. The four of us may work together again, but you're not brats who need their own personal sensei anymore. I'm just Kenzo now, a fellow ninja of the leaf. Except to you, Hayate. That's Master Kenzo to you."

"Not [cough] a chance, Kenzo-sensei."

"Wait a second," Naruto narrowed his eyes. "So, now that we're no longer your Genin team, what are you gonna be doing?"

"Oh, uh, me?" Kenzo scratched his head awkwardly. "I'll just be...er...doing normal Jonin things. Anyway, good work you three. See you around!"

"DAMMIT!" Naruto shouted as Kenzo Body Flickered away.

"Naruto, what's wrong?" Itachi asked.

"He just waited so long to put us through the Chunin exams so he wouldn't have to get a new team!" the redhead shouted indignantly. "The lazy bastard!"

"That sounds a lot like [cough] Kenzo-sensei," Hayate agreed.

"Yo!" came a new voice, approaching them with a wave and a small book in the other hand. "I heard you made Chunin, Naruto. And team, of course."

"Of course I did, Kakashi! If Kenzo-sensei wasn't such a lazy bastard, I'd have made it years ago," Naruto grumbled.

"Looks like someone else will have to beat my record," Kakashi shrugged.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Naruto rolled his eyes. "Anyway, Kakashi, Itachi and I were talking about something…"

"Oh?" the white-haired bookworm raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"Both of us were interested in applying for the ANBU Black Ops," Itachi finished.

"I see," Kakashi closed his book, which, for those who knew him, was rather surprising. "And why is that?"

"I wish to protect the Leaf," Itachi said simply. "I believe the ANBU is my place."

"And Naruto?"

"I want the challenge and to continue working alongside Itachi," Naruto said. "Working my way up to Jonin is fine, but I can do more. Remember the incident with the Hyuuga a few months ago? Maybe if the ANBU had some fresh new blood on patrol, we could have avoided the incident altogether."

"Well, it just so happens that I'm here for that reason," Kakashi gave them one of his patented eye-smiles. "ANBU recognized both of you and has an open invitation, should you wish to accept. Hayate, you have the skill, but unfortunately with that cough, the stealth and secrecy required elude you."

"That's [cough] ok, I didn't want to be there anyway. I still need [cough] more training under Kenzo-sensei," Hayate waved him off. "Good luck to you two, though. Always knew [cough] you'd both be doing great things for the Leaf in the [cough] future."

"Thanks, Hayate," Naruto grinned, giving him a firm handshake. "Good luck in the field."

"Indeed. I'm sure your swordsmanship will continue to flourish," Itachi nodded.

{October 10th, 069}

"Weasel, Dog, Fox, you may remove your masks," Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, ordered.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," they answered simultaneously, removing their masks, revealing three familiar faces. A ten-year-old Uchiha prodigy, a now ten-year-old redhead, and a white-haired, one-eyed ANBU captain.

"Naruto," the old man smiled. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks, Old Man," Naruto grinned. The small, yet ruthless, ANBU contingent were all dressed in standard ANBU attire; sleeveless, skin-tight black shirts, gray body armor, black pants, arm guards, and a tanto strapped to their back. When on duty, Naruto wore the fox mask, while Itachi wore the weasel, and Kakashi wore the dog.

"Your present should be arriving shortly as well."

"What am I, a package? Give me some more respect, Sarutobi-sensei," a new voice grinned as he climbed in through the window. "Hey, kid! How's it-OOOF!"

"ASSHOLE!" Naruto shouted, decking the white-haired old man in the stomach. "You're my godfather and I haven't seen you in six years! Where the hell have you been?!"

"Calm yourself, kid! I have a perfectly legitimate excuse this time!" Jiraiya sweated nervously.

"If you say anything about those books Captain Kakashi reads, I'll deck you again," he warned.

"Damn, for a nine-year-old kid, you're ruthless," Jiraiya chuckled.

"I'M TEN!" Naruto shouted as he decked him again.

"Perhaps you should calm down, Naruto," the Third suggested awkwardly.

"Right, sorry," the redhead sighed. "It's just...I didn't have anyone but Itachi for three months after they died and Anko only became my roommate a few months after that. I just...I was alone…"

"Listen, kid," Jiraiya sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just hard, ya' know? Not only am I the spymaster for the Leaf, it's hard to see you and not Minato. He was like my own son."

"That's what Captain said as well. I understand that...I just...I needed someone," Naruto admitted quietly.

"I'll make it up to you someday, kid."

"That day is coming soon, Jiraiya," the old man smiled.

"And what does that mean?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.

"It means I'd like you to take Naruto training with you."

"WHAT?" they both shouted.

"I can't do that! The kid's ten! He's too young!"

"I can't leave! Anko would kill me!" Naruto shivered. "I was on a mission for her birthday once...never again...never...never again…"

"I'm afraid Naruto may be relapsing," Itachi said, calmly walking up and slapping the redhead.

"Ow!" He rubbed his cheek. "Thanks. I needed that."

"Of course."

"I'm sure you'll have time," the Third waved him off. "After all, you don't leave for two weeks and the trip should only be about six months."

"Six months? I thought your daughter was having a kid soon! I'm gonna miss it?" Naruto whined. "And two weeks from today is Anko's birthday! Are you trying to get me killed?"

"Listen to the kid, old man, the places I go aren't for kids!"

"BOTH of you will stop complaining!" Sarutobi ordered. "Naruto, you are a shinobi of the leaf. I'm ordering you to train with Jiraiya. Your personal ordeals can be settled in the next two weeks up until your departure. The week preceding your departure your team will have off. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Naruto sighed.

"And you, Jiraiya, will agree to help mentor your best student's son. He's becoming better at Fuinjutsu by the week and within a few years will need someone of your caliber to help him out. If anyone has a chance to surpass Minato, it's Naruto. And I mean in all ways, not just the inheritor of that jutsu."

"Alright, alright, you've made your point," Jiraiya sighed. "I'll be back. Until then, here. Happy birthday, kid."

Naruto caught the tossed object and looked at it. It was a small, toad-themed wallet with some cash inside, and a keychain that held a small tri-pronged kunai. The redhead smiled softly, reminded closely of his father by the gift. "Thanks…"

"Don't mention it, kid. See you in two weeks! Don't let your girlfriend kill you," the white-haired sannin giggled perversely before taking off.

"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" Naruto shouted after him.

"Icha Icha Anbu," Kakashi giggled perversely.

"SHUT IT!"

"Lord Hokage, are all Jonin perverted?" Itachi asked as if trying to figure out the meaning of such a strange commonality.

"What was that?" the old leader replied, quickly hiding the small orange book he'd been reading and wiping the blood off his nose. "I must have missed it."

"...never mind…"

{That evening - Naruto's Mindscape}

"Kit," the fox said in his usual deep, growling voice.

"Oh, hey, Kyuubi," Naruto sighed and waved. "What's up?"

"Are you angry because of what that strange human said earlier or are you just indignant at having to rebuild the village again?"

"A little bit of both, I suppose," Naruto chuckled, quickly reforming the village for the Kyuubi to destroy again. "So, what's up."

"Today is the day you were born."

"I know that, what's-" Naruto's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Are you wishing me a happy birthday?"

"What? No. I'm a tailed beast, we don't have silly human customs like that," he huffed.

"You are, aren't you? Thanks a lot, Kyuubi!" Naruto grinned. "That made my day, you know?"

"Think what you want, kit," the fox growled.

"Didja get me a present?"

"Don't push your luck!"

"Sorry, sorry," he chuckled. "I'd get you something if you told me your birthday."

"When I was born, your human days didn't exist yet. It was long before then, since the dawn of chakra…"

"So, will you tell me where you came from? That sounds like a good birthday present?"

"Not a chance, kit. I do, however, have a request."

"Well, that seems backward, but what's up? Other than letting you destroy my village over and over again, you never ask for anything."

"I'd like you to let foxes return to prominence once more. Let the world fear our power. It sickens me that you puny humans worship those vile creatures like toads and slugs, and, god forbid, snakes. Filthy peons...foxes are far stronger."

"Uh...right…" Naruto deadpanned. "And...how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"Must I explain everything to you?" the fox sighed. "Do you know what contract summons are?"

"Well, yeah. You have one for foxes?" Naruto looked surprised.

"Where do you think they came from, kit? Animals don't just start talking, growing to the size of mountains, and training in human ninja techniques, you know."

"That...is a very good point."

"Idiot…" the fox sighed and began to explain. "After we were created, the nine of us decided that imparting our will on things started to get boring. Being all-powerful, we run out of things to do rather quickly."

"Of course," the redhead rolled his eyes.

"So, many of my fellow tailed beasts, the weaklings that they are, started to create other chakra constructs with consciousnesses. They simply imparted a piece of their will onto a piece of their chakra and sent it into an animal and that animal started a clan."

"That's awesome!"

"Those clans grew larger and eventually founded their own territories. In many cases, the original sacrificed their lives to create a separate plain for them to live in. That was the case for the toads, the slugs, the snakes, and several others, including the foxes."

"So that's why they have summoning contracts? In exchange for being allowed out into the normal world again, they offer their fighting services?"

"In essence, yes, though I'm surprised you didn't ask how they were able to create their own planes of existence."

"My father invented instantaneous teleportation that bent the fabric of reality to get from point A to point B just from touching something. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if chakra could raise the dead and change the very fundamental nature of physics."

Somewhere in the Land of Rain, a crippled redhead sneezed.

"You have a fair point, kit. So, do you understand my wish? Those foolish humans have let the great name of the foxes die out. I want you to bring them to heights so great, they fear and worship my kinsmen."

"So, my birthday gift is a summoning contract? That's awesome!" Naruto grinned. "Where is it and how do I sign it?"

"I believe I left it in my old cave. It shouldn't be far from your puny village."

"That's descriptive…"

"Foolish kit…" the fox grumbled. "Head north and search until you find a cave big enough to fit me and has a demonic chakra signature so dense that anyone else entering would die."

"Point taken. Why has no one tried to take your chakra yet?"

"A few have and one succeeded. Fools...without my consciousness there, only my will remains, which is rage incarnate!"

"So the one person who succeeded…"

"Is no better than a raging, angry, demon fox, albeit a pathetically weak human one," the Kyuubi grinned.

"Ugh…"

{October 24th, 069}

"Happy birthday, Anko!" Naruto grinned, as the purple-haired kunoichi-to-be walked into the kitchen.

"Not much of a birthday when my best friend is leaving on it…" she grumbled.

Naruto sighed. It'd been like this all week. He knew she would be disappointed, but what could he do? It's not like he set the departure date! "Oh, don't be like that, Anko! When I get back, you'll be a genin and we can start going on missions together! Besides, we spent the last three days celebrating!"

"No, we can't," she snapped. "Because you and Itachi are in ANBU, remember?"

"Ok, Anko, what's really wrong?" Naruto demanded. "I know you. You'd get mad that I'm missing your birthday but then get over it. Something else is wrong."

"Nothing's wrong! I'm just pissed you're leaving on my birthday!" she huffed, turning away.

"Bullshit, spill! What's wrong?"

"Alright, fine! You wanna know what's wrong? You and Itachi are never around, that's what's wrong!" Anko shouted, stomping slightly. "It's always 'sorry, Anko, I can't get dango, I have a mission,' 'sorry, Anko, I can't train with you, I have a team meeting,' 'sorry, Anko, Shisui's got time off and Itachi and I are visiting him.' What about me, huh? You two left me behind!"

"Anko…" Naruto whispered and walked up to her. His mind was halted and he was horrified, as memories of exactly what she'd said flashed before his eyes. It was true...he'd abandoned her... The one thing that he hated more than anything else, as it had been done to him by so many, he'd done to her. "I...I'm sorry."

"Yeah, of course, you are," she rolled her eyes. "Not sorry enough to-"

"No, I'm really sorry," Naruto cut her off with a hug. "You're right. You're absolutely right."

"Y-yeah, of course, I'm right," she huffed, blushing but making no moves one way or the other in the hug. "I'm always right."

"No, not always," he chuckled, as she hit him in the head before he let go. "But this time you are. I'm sorry...we did, didn't we? We just...god...I'm sorry, Anko."

"You'd better be sorry," she glared, but it lost most of its heat from the red on her cheeks.

"I...I wish I could make it up to you before I leave...but I…" he hesitated.

"Yeah, go run off with Jiraiya," Anko huffed again. "I'll spend time on my birthday with Hana. We're gonna stay together, even if we aren't on the same team when we pass the exams."

"Anko," he protested. "Please, don't be like that."

"I'll see you in six months, Naruto," she went to leave the house, but was stopped again by Naruto.

"No, Anko," he looked at her again. "I'm not leaving with you pissed off at me like this. It's my fault, ok? I left you behind focusing on my own future and not helping you with yours. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone."

"Nice speech."

"Please, Anko, just...tell me how I can make it up to you."

"I'll tell you when you get back," Anko said.

"Wait, Anko, I don't want-" he was cut off by Anko.

"And when you get back," she told him, still blushing bright red after giving him a kiss on the cheek. "You owe me more dango than you could possibly imagine."

"R-right," Naruto stuttered.

"I have the academy to go to," she turned to walk out again. "Bye, Naruto."

"U-uh...right...see you, Anko. Happy birthday."

Naruto went back to sit down, still in a bit of a daze, until he heard perverted giggling from outside his window.

"What the-JIRAIYA? WHAT THE HELL?"

"Oh, hey, kid!" the Sannin waved, still scribbling down notes. "That was perfect! It'll be perfect for my next novel; Icha Icha ANBU! The young and supple Ko teases the ever-busy Ruto and puffs her lips out sadly before he leaves. 'But wouldn't you rather stay here with me...and have-'"

"JIRAIYA! YOU PERVERT!" Naruto yelled.

"Hey, I'm no pervert!" he defended, before striking a pose. "The Legendary Toad Sage Jiraiya is a super pervert!"

"Alright, Pervy Sage," Naruto glared. "Should we go?"

"Wha-hey! Don't call me that!"

"Don't write a porn book about my friendship with Anko."

"Right," he giggled perversely. "'Friendship.' Does this 'friendship' include-"

"I GOT ENOUGH OF THAT SHIT FROM KENZO-SENSEI, I DON'T NEED IT FROM YOU!"

{December 1st, 069}

"YOU GOT THE WHAT?" Jiraiya shouted.

"The fox summoning contract. The kyuubi told me about it," Naruto shrugged. "See?"

Sure enough, Naruto unsealed a massive scroll as tall as he was and showed it to the older man. In fact, it looked near-identical to the scroll that Jiraiya carried around on his back all the time.

"You talk to the fox? And it told you to get this?" Jiraiya was bewildered. "Start from the beginning, kid. My head already hurts."

So, Naruto told the old man about all the encounters they'd had so far, and of the various things he'd done for the fox. "And then he told me where to look. I found it on my week off. I was hoping to surprise Anko, Itachi, and Kakashi with it."

"So you're telling me the toads are remnants of tailed beast chakra?" Jiraiya asked, collapsing on his knees in shock.

"I thought that was the easiest part to understand. I mean, come on, isn't the chief toad the size of the nine tails? Toads don't just get that big, you know." Naruto rolled his eyes. "I wonder which one the toads came from...be right back!"

"No, wait-!"

{Naruto's Mindscape}

"Yo, Kyuubi! Which tailed beast is the-what are you doing?"
The fox froze as it was caught in a somewhat embarrassing position. It was currently rolling around in the grass, scratching its back on the ground and humming contentedly.

"One word out of you I'll rip you apart and feed you to the Shinigami."

"Oh, you owe me big time for that," Naruto grinned. Jackpot! "Anyway, which tailed beast did toads come from?"

"Dolphin-horse, five tails," Kyuubi answered. "Don't give me that confused look. How are you supposed to summon a dolphin on dry land? And as for horses, they were used so much they all died out. And let me tell you, it's difficult to kill a summon animal. Very difficult."

"That...makes no sense, but ok. See ya!"

"I'll rip you to meat and bone if you say a word, kit."

{Outside}

"-don't talk to him now!" Jiraiya finished.

"He said it was the Five-Tailed Dolphin Horse."

"That was...faster than I expected," the sannin admitted.

"Anyway, will you just teach me how to summon?"

"Look, kid, I'm still having trouble trusting the fox."

"You know he can hear you, right?"

"I'd suck up to him if I could, but I feel like that wouldn't matter…" Jiraiya deadpanned, practically sensing the fox's laughter at his dilemma.

"Besides, Dad told me to befriend the fox."

"Minato did WHAT?"

"Well, kinda," Naruto chuckled. "He said something about ending the hatred and not blaming the fox since he was controlled by Madara."

"Even when Sarutobi-sensei told me that, I didn't believe it," the Sannin shook his head. "But if even Minato thinks it was him...I don't have much of a choice."

"So, will you teach me to summon?"

"Alright, alright, kid, calm down. I figured you'd want to learn some of your old man's jutsu."

"Like the Flying Thunder God? I doubt I can get that far in sealing in six months, regardless of how good you are, Pervy Sage."

"Don't-" Jiraiya just sighed. "Honestly, kid? Even I don't know that technique. I might be able to figure out Lord Second's version, but your dad made it incredible and I could never master it. I meant this."

"Whoah," Naruto breathed out, eyes wide at the thick ball of pure, rotating chakra in the old man's hand. "That's the Rasengan!"

"Looks like you know your stuff, kid," he grinned. "So, wouldn't you rather learn that?"

"We've got six months," Naruto grinned cheekily. "Summoning first, then that."

Jiraiya just groaned.