I honestly don't know what to say, it's been years since I started this little fanfic and now this chapter will cap off only the first part. I guess thanks to those who have stuck around up to this point without you it's really possible I might have never made it to this point.

Naruto CH72

"Sasuke! What is going on!?" shouted Naruto, next to the raging waterfall

Sasuke was silent, the look in his eyes seeming distant and gloomier than normal, he sighed, shoulders slumping "Naruto I am leaving for a while"

"What? Why? Sasuke what the hell is up with you!?"

"Itachi"

"So he has gotten to you"

"Yes"

"You don't have to listen to him, you want strength? me and Gramps we can-"

"That's not the point! I know I am not weak! It's not about strength, not this time, it's about more than that, it's about my... purpose" Sasuke turned around and hopped onto the water, barely a ripple being made as his reflection looked up at him from the mirror surface "I call myself an avenger but...I haven't done much of that"

"Well, you don't have to do any of that, at least not all the time" Naruto didn't feel like he said anything, right then he felt like he said something just to say something, right now he felt like there was a rift forming between them, one he had no idea on how to cross.

Sasuke looked over his shoulder to him, his expression steady, calm and even warm "It's ok that you don't understand Naruto, you've lost too, but not like me, you don't desire to get justice with your own hands as I do".

Naruto stepped forward, fists clenched "I desire justice-"

"For others" cut in Sasuke as he turned around "more than yourself, you always try to do more right and good, bring more joy into this world than bad, make peoples days a bit brighter, a bit safer so that maybe they won't ever have to be like you...alone" Sasuke smiled truly as he placed a hand on his own chest "you saved me from that and I'm so happy that you did that for me, becoming my friend and brother in all but blood, being next to you I've realised I've been selfish".

Naruto furiously shook his head, golden wild locks looking like a small fire for a moment "no you haven't Sasuke you've done so much for me! You've saved me from being alone too!"

Sasuke smiled "I know but that's not what I mean by that either"

Naruto was lost and frustrated now! What was going on with his best friend "then, then! what do you mean, why are you going to Orochimaru? Why now? What has he offered you?"

Sasuke shrugged "power of course".

The Uzumaki tiled his head "but that's not it?"

"That's not it, what I really want" Sasuke paused as his expression tightened "is to kill him".

Naruto gulped at that "w-what? You want to kill him? Listen dude I get that but...that's nuts, you've fought that guy, we've fought the guy! gramps has fought that guy twice! And not even he managed to do it!"

"He got close and if you remember what he said about what the Third Hokage did to him! He's weakened, vulnerable! And I can get close to him" there was a burning certainty in his tone as he began opening up about his true intentions.

Naruto looked down, worry his mask of the day "too close".

"Naruto, I have to do this, I'm the only one who can" Sasuke browed his head "he's a monster Naruto, in the Forest of Death, the face he wore wasn't fake at least at first it wasn't, Naruto he was wearing someone's face while wearing someone else's body...how many people has he left behind in this world like me, like you, children with nobody left in their life because Orochimaru needed bodies for whatever sick idea he thought up?" Sasuke turned to Naruto "I have a chance to stop him, to avenge those lives and ensure he never harms anyone ever again".

Naruto did not know what to say to that, to this change in his friend, he wants to use his strength not only for himself but now for others, complete strangers who he will probably never know, this was good, great! But...it didn't make him happy as he had expected it would at least not like this because Sasuke was saying goodbye and Naruto didn't want that. "Don't go Sasuke" Naruto knew he was probably crying right now but he didn't care "please".

Sasuke tensed at this and looked away "this is why I didn't tell either of you because I don't want to go, I have to, because if not me then...who?"

Naruto had nothing to say but someone certainly did "I don't who but it sure as hell ain't gonna be you!" declared Hirofumi appearing right behind a startled Sasuke who quickly turned around to be greeted by a completely unexpected backhand that sent him flying and even skipping off the water to the bank where he laid aching on the ground.

"Gramps!" shouted an outraged Naruto "what the hell!? theirs no need for that!"

"No need?" questioned Hiro, his Sharingan glowing behind his bangs "I think not because Sasuke has clearly gone insane if he thinks I'm gonna let him walk right into that snake den!" Naruto was gonna say something that was until Hiro looked at him, his order clear and Naruto felt like the words simply vanished from his throat. Their Gramps stomped over across the water to Sasuke "you fool, what were you thinking huh? What? you were gonna get close and kill him?"

Sasuke rubbed his burning cheek as he inched himself up "that's the idea".

"Don't be snarky with me now Sasuke, my patience with you has worn thin several hours ago! You and this whole idea is fool hearty and that's me being generous about it!"

Sasuke wasn't in a mood to be chastised like this "I have a plan on how to do it"

"I don't care what kind of plan you have"

"I'll be there for a few years and-"

Hiro's whole form tensed up from foot to scalp at the mention of time "years! YEARS! With him! No! Nononono! I've heard enough you are going back to Konoha right now young man!"

Sasuke shot up, Sharingan flaring alive in a red bloom "no" he said defiantly and steadily.

"No?" Hirofumi's tone was that of silent outrage "you have long spent you're no's, no is not an option here today" the Grandfather loomed over him and leaned down, his eyes wide almost looking mad with rage at the young Uchiha, a side of Hiro none of them had ever seen and was honestly terrifying. When next he spoke it was with a void and steady tone "if I have to I will drag you back, even as a bloody pulp if I have to".

Sasuke was shaking, he could feel Hiro was not bluffing, that he was set on taking Sasuke back if that meant doing it with his own hands. Sasuke though was also serious about his mission so he simply responded with "n-" SMACK! Sasuke felt the side of his face erupt in fire as Hirofumi punched him with what seemed no reserve and sent Sasuke falling on his back.

Naruto simply watched slack-jawed as that happened and when he went to take a step forward Hiro gave him that look and he choked. What should he do? Who should he side with?

"You can't stop me!" Shouted Sasuke as he began unleashing the curse mark

"Like hell I can't!" yelled Hiro back as he clenched his fist so tight the veins on the back of his hands showed clear as day.

"you won't even listen to what I have to say!?"

"Because what you are asking me to listen to is your plans for suicide!"

"If you'll just listen-"

"There is nothing you can do that will convince me-"

"I don't care about convincing you I care about you understanding-"

They were now just yelling over one another, Naruto couldn't really tell what was being said anymore, neither truly listening to the other, Gramps especially as he seemed hell-bent on solving this with force and leaving no room for argument.

"FEAR" Naruto heard coming from Kurama "this fear is strong, so overpowering"

Naruto slumped "yeah sorry"

"No not you! You're scared right now sure but not full of fear, one of those two is scared beyond belief"

Naruto frowned and looked at Sasuke but he could tell he was more determined and angry than anything, then he looked at Hiro and seriously focused on him, looking beyond the fists and yelling. "I have to stop this! I think I know how". Naruto stepped firmly forward and made a hand seal "oi Gramps!"

Hirofumi turned suddenly "what!?" when he saw the hand seal his frown deepened "is that? Are you really...threatening me right now?"

The blonde gulped "I think we all just need to calm down and if you aren't going to gramps I will dispel you, I've never had to do it before of my own will but you are technically my clone"

Hirofumi gritted his teeth "you wouldn't" he said about to take a step to Naruto but stopped when the boy tightened his hand seal making Hiro pause.

Now Naruto was sweating "you're not angry" Hiro was about to rebuke that statement until Naruto cut him off "you're scared and I feel really stupid for not seeing that sooner, but this isn't right, trying to force Sasuke to do what you want like this is wrong!"

"Letting him go there is wrong! He could die or...worse" Hiro's voice seemed to break "not die".

Sasuke lifted his head, confusion written on his face"w-what do you mean?" he asked

Hirofumi turned to Sasuke, the fake rage now gone, replaced with desperation and fear "the bodies he takes it's not as simple as putting on a shirt or something, he doesn't let them go, he's not simply a body stealer he keeps their souls and with them it allows him to perfectly control their bodies, do you know what that means for you Sasuke?" Sasuke was still "you won't have a life after death, you could be stuck in him for all eternity"

Sasuke felt cold inside at this new information, a bead of cold sweat crawled down his cheek. He felt a hand being gently placed on his shoulder and looked up into the eyes of Hiro, now soft once again, his Sharingan gone. "That's why you can't go, the risk is too great for you, you would be putting everything on the line for the smallest chance to kill him before he takes your body and soul".

Sasuke looked away for a moment before returning his gaze "I'm still going"

"Did you hear what I said y-"

Sasuke nodded "I heard you clearly but now I understand it's worse than I ever imagined, those people he has taken will never get to see their loved ones again when they die unless he dies...right?"

Hirofumi looked away "yes, most likely they never will unless he dies, truly dies but it doesn't have to be now! We can wait and go after-"

Sasuke cut him of "how many?"

"Huh?"

Sasuke looked Hiro dead in the eyes, demanding only an honest response "how many more people do you think he'll hurt and kill in the time we are waiting until I am perhaps strong enough to kill him"

Hiro wasn't about to let that question go unchallenged "well what do you think's gonna happen if you go to him? that he will stop doing all that because you are there? Are you naïve?"

Sasuke shook his head "no, but I believe me being there will slow him down, take his focus a little off his other hobbies while he attempts to groom me to be his vessel, all the while I can observe, maybe figure out if has any other weakness we don't know of"

Hirofumi balled his fist's and turned to Naruto looking for an Allie "say something to him!"

Naruto wasn't "I won't stop him from doing this if he truly beliefs this to be the right thing"

"What!?" exclaimed an outraged Hiro "Naruto don't you ca-" the deadman stopped when he saw Naruto's shoulders shaking

Tears began to spill from Naruto's sapphire eyes in thick globules "of course I do! I am so freaking scared alright! scared I ain't ever gonna see him again! That the next time we do meet it won't be him in there anymore! I don't want to say goodbye to you Sasuke, I don't want to be alone again!"

Sasuke smiled "you aren't alone, you haven't been for a long, you've made wonderful friends Naruto, even out of enemies, you'll be ok and so will I because well-" Sasuke grinned brightly as a tear spilt from his left eye "I have you" he then turned to Hirofumi "and you, I have both of you don't I? and knowing that I ain't that scared about going anymore"

Naruto worked at whipping his tears away, releasing the hand seal, believing it unneeded anymore "Sasuke"

Hirofumi's shoulder slumped in defeat as he fell down into a crouch "oh Sasuke, what am I do with you" he said with a slight chuckle, he turned to the Uchiha and gently grabbed him by the shoulders coming face to face with him. His tone was stern yet gentle "are you absolutely sure about this? If not then there is still time to turn back!"

Sasuke nodded "Yeah I'm certain, the avenger in me has to do this"

Hirofumi sighed in defeat "it makes me happy to know you are acting beyond your own self-interest but did it have to be such a big fish? Oh well, I guess there is no helping it now, if you're set on your course then you ain't going alone lift up your shirt" ordered Hiro.

Sasuke thinks he knows what is happening and without asking revealed the seal that showed his link with Hiro's garden on his chest. Hiro stared at it for a silent second before doing some quick hand seals and placing his left hand over it. Sasuke bit down a hiss as he felt like he was being branded for a second until Hiro pulled his hand away, the Uzumaki swirl was still fully intact but now the number of Magtama surrounding it had now jumped from three to six. "It's a basic power-up, you'll be able to stay in contact with me over a far greater distance but" he turned to Naruto "but I don't think that includes being able to see Naruto and certainly not Kurama, at a certain distance it stops being one garden and becomes two overlapping ones, me the master of both but I'd probably have to choose who's to be in at the time to talk with you". Hiro scratched his head, sounding slightly tired "Increasing the distance on these has not been easy so I've had to make compromises, I'm sorry"

Naruto smiled "at least he won't be alone, he'll have you with him then when he needs you"

Sasuke sighed in clear relief "I am glad to know I won't be alone in there now"

Hirofumi nodded "ok we are probably running out the clock, the Bone Pulse user has probably long since woken up"

Sasuke looked surprised to hear this "really he's alive? How'd you beat him?"

Hiro smirked and shrugged like it was no big deal "in short, earth Jutsu, barehanded and a lot of pulling apart of his brainwashing, also some Genjutsu to speed up the process, if you play it right you might have an ally in him he's promised me he'll be leaving Orochimaru"

"Wait really? will Orochimaru even let him" questioned Sasuke, doubtful

"Under his circumstances, he very well might, as far as Orochimaru is concerned the boy is a dead man walking and has been fully loyal so he might just humour his request, Orochimaru never found a cure for his sickness so he may not even wonder if he's stumbled on one by accident. So remember if you want his help be careful" Hirofumi looked to think on something else "Jugo, remember that name Sasuke, he seems to be very important to him and he might be the key to getting in good graces with the boy"

Sasuke nodded "Jugo got it".

Hirofumi gripped Sasuke's shoulder, making sure he had the boys full attention ."Now you have to act the part, for all intents and purposes you are going undercover, Orochimaru is keen and probably assumes most of those under him probably want to stab him in the back for one reason or another so you need to tread a fine line with him. You can't be too trustworthy but you can't also where your intentions of your sleeve, you need to hide your motive behind something selfish, make it clear he has something your want"

Sasuke narrowed his gaze as he chewed on what his Gramps had just said "freedom to pursue my revenge without concern, to do what I want without governance"

Hirofumi snapped his fingers "that sounds good, he'd probably like to hear that, even relate to it"

Sasuke stepped back, his head held low, the expression on his face darkening, his tone low and cold. "Konoha has been holding me back, stifling my growth out of fear that they might not be able to control me anymore, even someone I considered my best friend doesn't seem to trust me anymore and that's when I realised those connections I thought so important to me have just been weakening me so now I've come to you to claim my freedom to pursue power" Sasuke turned to them seemingly back to normal "how does that sound?"

Naruto whistled "for a second I nearly bought that"

Hirofumi nodded in acknowledgement "sounds good, he might just buy it but remember to always hide your full intent to kill him but don't be afraid to never show it, it might help him buy into it more if he feels his relationship with you isn't fully secured like you are more trying to keep him at arm's length, make him believe you are weary of him but details like that can come later let's just worry about getting you through the door for now ok"

Sasuke nodded "yeah, thanks Gramps for going along with this"

The Ghost sighed "I am not ok with this but I will make sure you survive to come back home"

Sasuke smiled and turned to his Best Friend "Naruto I-"

Naruto stopped him with a big hug, pulled back and gave him the biggest bravest grin he could put on "see you soon alright!" Naruto quickly turned around, thinking he's cried more than enough in front of him "so get out of here already, the sooner you are gone the sooner you can get back!"

Sasuke smiled softly "yeah, maybe. Tell Hinata, Sakura and whoever else that it's...been fun, nice actually and I hope we'll all meet again soon".

Naruto nodded and a sniffle could be heard "tell them yourself when you get back, you bastard!"

"O-ok" was all Sasuke could say before turning away and taking in a big deep breath before exhaling giving one last side glance to Naruto and Hirofumi.

"I'll be with you" reassured Hirofumi.

Sasuke nodded before jumping running off, across the stream and into the forest past Madaras statue.

Hirofumi sat down, feeling mentally exhausted in a way he hadn't felt in a long time, he heard Naruto move beside him before feeling a weight on his right shoulder and saw Naruto was leaning against him, his face solemn and melancholic. Hiro reached around with his right hand and placed it on the boy's shoulder "he'll be ok, I'll make sure of that, I promise you"

"It's ok, you don't have to do that, it's Sasuke we are talking about here, he's a survivor"

"Well he's not the only one" added Hirofumi as he poked Naruto in the chest with his free hand bringing a small smile back onto the kid's face "it's a shame but I guess I am gonna have to start splitting my time between you both"

"It's ok Sasuke's gonna need you more than m-"

"We are not gonna start doing that" interrupted the Ghost sternly "ok, despite the differing circumstance you are both equally important, we'll just try and keep things flexible, ok?"

Naruto nodded with some enthusiasm "ok!"

Something seemed to catch Hiro's attention "I better go, seems backup's arriving" with that in an eruption of smoke Hiro vanished.

A few seconds afterwards Kakashi appeared, landing with the quietness and grace of a cat "yo" he greeted sounding as casual as always, studying the positively unmarked Naruto with a questioning eye "wheres Sasuke?"

Naruto buried his head slightly between his knees as he stared out over the thin stream "gone"

"Is that it? Just gone?" Naruto nodded "did you let him go?" Naruto nodded again and Kakashi's head tilted to that "why?".

Naruto was silent for a moment before an idea entered his head and he turned his head to Kakashi "can I talk to the Hokage?"

Naruto didn't say a word all the way back to Konoha, not to anyone, not even to Sakura who was frantic, desperate to know what happened between them. The Uzumaki took notice though of the presence of the Sand Siblings who apparently were the saving grace in Kiba and co's fight with the weird super nin's.

When he did get back he was told he'd have to wait until Tsunade was done patching Neji up, he endured even through the desperate for answers looks that Hinata was laying on him, she didn't shout or beg vocally she just looked at him every once and awhile wanting to know the truth. Some hours later Tsunade came out of the theatre and pulled him aside to one of the hospital rooms and ordered for complete privacy between them.

Their Naruto explained what happened, leaving out the details about Hirofumi, Tsunade was surprised to say the least, one lowly Genin hell-bent on killing her former teammate by infiltrating his group under the guise of looking for power. Tsunade rubbed her chin "you're sure he's not playing you?"

"I trust Sasuke, he means what he's setting out to do and I'm talking with you now because I want him to have a home to come back to and not be labelled a deserter, he's doing this for the right reasons, Orochimaru needs to be stopped!"

Tsunade exhaled deeply as she leaned on a nearby wall "believe me when I say I completely understand that but...Sasuke hasn't made it easy, you are asking me to take your word, the word of his close friend, someone who has a bias about him and trust that it's true. What if you are wrong about him Naruto?"

The Uzumaki was quick to jump to his defence to no one's surprise "I am not wrong! Not about Sasuke!"

Tsunade pushed herself from the wall and came to sit across from him, tone soft and understanding "listen Naruto, there was a time when I, Jiraiya and Sarotobi-Sensei felt the same way about Oro-"

"Sasuke is nothing like him! Don't you even try and compare them!" Naruto forced himself to cool down quick "he's not, he's a good guy, he doesn't show it all the time but he is, he wants to get justice for the people that Orochimaru wronged and I don't want him to have to give up his place here forever in order to do that so please Granny! Don't turn your back on him"

Tsunade starred into those pleading blue eyes and sighed in defeat "fine, I'll write up that Sasuke is on a highly secret mission or whatever and you are to take full responsibility that he comes back"

Naruto beamed "Sure will!"

"Ok then"

"You're the best Granny" yelled Naruto about to run out

"Wait!" yelled Tsunade "one, stop calling me Granny or else I'll break you and two, no one can know about this, if this news reaches too many ears it will assuredly find Orochimaru, so keep it tight-lipped, not even your friends can know, this stays between us"

Naruto looked back sheepish "oh...ok"

Tsunade sighed, imagining she just saved Sasuke's life "you can tell Jiraiya and Kakashi if you wish but you don't have to"

That made Naruto feel a bit better "thanks Granny" said Naruto before stepping out and avoiding an earful. As he closed the door behind him Naruto saw, standing across from him back resting against the wall and arms folded was Jiraiya.

He gave Naruto something that wasn't quite a smile as he did a small lazy wave "Hey kid I have an offer for you and only you, I know today has been hard but I'll need an answer from you on this sooner rather than later"

Naruto cocked an eyebrow "what is it Jiraiya-Pervy-Sensei?"

Jiraiya frowned "stop that"

Naruto was all deadpan "no"

Jiraiya sighed, he seemed to at some point put Naruto in an awkward space between still deeply respecting him and also being disillusioned with him "fine, it's still better than what I typically get" he clapped his hands together, refocusing himself "I am leaving Konoha for a while, got some important matters to attend to and before you go sulking" the sage leaned forward slightly, putting a finger out to Naruto to make sure he was focusing "I want you to come with me".

Naruto felt like his nerves were sparking, he wants him to tag along? Was he making him his official pupil? "really? Are ya serious!?"

Jiraiya grinned "sure I'm, of course, that means you'll be away from the village, from your friends, are you ok with that?"

That gave Naruto pause, he won't be seeing Sasuke for a while or perhaps ever, Naruto kicked that thought out before it dug its claws in and now he has to decide whether he's ok not seeing Hinata, Sakura, Shikamaru and everyone else for while. Naruto balled a fist "what's in it for me?" he suddenly asked.

Jiraiya seemed a little shocked by this question "what's in it for you?" Jiraiya started chuckling and then full-on laughing as if it were obvious, he pointed to himself "you get me! One on one time for days, weeks and months, you know I have plenty I can teach you If you're willing to learn, plus you'd get to see the world and all its beauty" Jiraiya put a hand on Naruto's shoulder "you want to be Hokage don't you, well this journey with me might help broaden your perspective on what that might mean for you".

Naruto stroked his chin, the gears turning "you have a point".

Jiraiya groaned, clearly he was not expecting that he'd have to barter with him to come along "you know I assumed that when I'd make you this offer, you'd be packed and ready to go by now"

Naruto shrugged "I got a life ya know"

Jiraiya smirked "well ok" he said before his face got serious "it's getting harder isn't it?" Naruto cocked his head slightly "to control the Kyu- I mean Kurama's power, right?"

Naruto looked away "it was to be expected but...yeah, the power increase doesn't really seem to be a...linear curve and just goes...whoosh" he describes with a rocket-like hand gesture.

"Trying to get to grips with that kind of power inside the village would be dangerous, you know that right?"

Naruto frowned "yeah, you're right" it would be very bad if he lost control inside the village while trying to master Kurama's power but if he were to leave everything behind he'd want more than just a road trip and a good safe place to train. "Ok I'll come with you" Jiraiya beamed "but" the smile fell like a rock "on the condition that you promise to teach me whatever power that was that you used against the Second Hokage"

Jiraiya seemed to tense, colour seeming to drain from his face "I-I promise" he said one arm behind his back, fingers crossed, he internally smirked "sorry Naruto but I ain't going back there to those two old naggers, they would most likely force me to get back on their painful and boringly long training". Naruto smiled and was just about to agree to the false promise when.

"His fingers are crossed" came a gravelly voice.

Jiraiya snapped around then looked down to meet the eternally stone-like face of Garra, then Naruto's head popped in view staring at his still crossed fingers, he then looked up meeting the Sannin's eyes with his now glowing gold ones before a three-tailed cloak enveloped his form, face displeased before he formed a Rasengan in each hand "Jiraiya-Pervy-Sensei!" growled an enraged Naruto.

Jiraiya was sweating bullets and he quickly lifted up each of his hands, displaying his uncrossed fingers "ok ok I promise! I promise! I'll show you the power of Senjutsu!"

Naruto scowled and looked down at Jiraiya's feet to ensure they weren't crossing either, seeing no funny business all the chakra he was wielding and shrouded him receded and dispersed as he grinned radiantly like nothing happened "ok, deal, I'll come with ya".

Jiraiya sighed hard! "ok, meet me at the gate at four, that should give you time to pack what you need and say your farewells" without any further ado Jiraiya disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving just Naruto and Garra.

Naruto looked at the Sand-Nin out of the corner of his eye, uncertain of anything to really say he decided to just go with "hey".

Garra on the surface looked uncaring, like everything and everyone around him were nothing but distant shapeless nobodies, to Naruto it seemed that way but just beneath the surface he was feeling just as awkward "hi" he greeted back, effort sounded in his response.

Silence again.

Naruto made a few silence disrupting noises before landing on a question "sooo what brings you back here?"

"Me and my siblings have been assigned ambassadorial duties with Konoha, to maybe start repairing the bridge that my Village broke"

"Hey that was Orochimaru's fault" stated Naruto firmly.

"No" responded Garra with near-perfect certainty "he was not the heart of the problem, as much as it would be easy to say he was, my village was, is, in need right now, vulnerable and through that we became desperate , yes Orochimaru took advantage of our plight but he was not the root cause of our assault on your village. My village wanted what your's had because if conditions don't start improving back home fast then well, people may start to lose their lives and who knows what might happen then. We have a small force, limited sources of water, food and trade has been lessening over the years"

Naruto was in a kind of awe at how in the know Garra seemed to be when it comes to his villages current state, hearing all that Naruto thinks he can now actually see how the attack on Konoha might have been unavoidable even if Orochimaru wasn't in the picture. The Sand Village sounds like a horrible place to live right now and Naruto feels bad for thinking that and even more so for feeling grateful that he was born here instead of there. Naruto grinned "never heard you talk that much" he commented.

Garra grunted "yeah, well, it's new for me too" he said, rubbing his throat "me and my siblings have been searching for the Hokage, we were told she'd be around here somewhere"

Naruto pointed to the room behind him "I haven't seen her come out of there yet"

Garra looked where he was pointing, turned back to him, nodded, thanked him and started walking to the door but before opening it without turning his head he spoke once more to the Uzumaki. "Thank you Naruto for not being afraid of me and that Sasuke and Haku too, thank you for your sympathy towards me. That day has changed me and will forever stay with me, if you ever come to the Sand Village know that you'll have a friend there, a powerful one, for you see" he turned his head and there was a small almost challenging smile on his face "I am going to be the next Kazekage"

Naruto was shocked to hear this, after all he'd been through with his village he's decided to go for the title that would forever make him responsible for the well being of that very village. Naruto had one question "why? Why are you doing it?"

"Because you were right about me" Garra's smile softened "I do care, about my village, even after all this time and all that pain, right now they need me and I am gonna prove to them that they can trust me, that I am no longer the monster they made me out to be and it's all thanks to that day, that day my eyes were opened" with that he slid the door open and left Naruto's view.

Naruto smiled "I guess I have some competition, well I better go pack and say my goodbyes then"

He had everything packed and ready to go and now he was just staring at it, the yellow box, why hadn't he opened it yet? It's just been sitting there for days now. His feeling were all mixed up when it came to his father an uncertainty he never got when it came to his mum.

He slapped himself, momentarily disrupting his muddled thoughts, time to bite the bullet!

Before anything could stop him he grabbed the lid and yanked it off with his eyes closed! His breath quick and ragged as he steadily opened his eyes and saw the box had only three things inside. A letter, a journal and a photo album. Naruto picked up the letter it was addressed to him, he took a seat and a deep breath before opening it.

"Dear Naruto,

I don't know how old you when you are reading this, hope you and your mother are well, I have difficulty picturing you as anything but loved and happy when you have such an amazing woman as Kushina raising you. I am sorry I couldn't be there with you as you've been growing up and that I left you such a burden to carry afterwards but I had to do it, it had to be you and I am sorry for that. I was so excited when you were born, still am since as I write this you're lying with your mother in the crib I built you. I don't have much time to spare right now, as what is happening tonight will be old news to you. There is so much I wish for right now, the most being more time, time to watch you grow up, time to watch you take your first steps, time to watch you say your first words, time to watch you on your first day of school, time to watch your graduate and choose who you want to be in life, time to watch you make friends, find love, time to hold you, to bond with you, learn about you, to cherish you. I want you to live a good life Naruto, I want you to live the best life you can make, I want you to be happy even if I'm not there. Right now I am happy, happy I got to see you at least once, hold you at least once and tell you I love you at least once.

I love you Naruto, you and Kushina were the best things that ever happened to me and I couldn't be happier in this moment.

Goodbye my son and be happy

Your proud and loving Father Minato Namikaze"

Naruto stared at the letter, the echoes still processing in his head while his eyes ran ahead of his mind and began leaking thick droplets onto the table before forming a small puddle. Naruto wondered after the amount he's wept today he'd thought he be bone dry by now but no, this letter from his father untapped a hidden reserve somewhere deep inside him and made him see that there might be no limit to how much Naruto can cry in a single day when his heart is really tested.

He put the letter down and smiled "dad loved me the day I was born" his smile fell "he was the fourth Hokage and did this to me, his own son but it had to be me, I know that…mum wasn't supposed to die" that part was what really hurt him. Minato, his father, believed his mother would be here with him right now, raising him, loving him and guiding him but she wasn't, she was with his father instead. They both died protecting him from they enraged Kurama that night, Naruto already knew this but now knowing his father never intended for him to be alone only made him envision a world where his mum was around.

Naruto sighed as he let that warm vision slip away, there was no point on dwelling on a fantasy when he should focus on his father's stuff and hopefully learn about him andhow he could make him proud even though he's no longer here. Naruto was about to open one of them when he spotted the time and saw he'd better get a move on, so he packed the box back up and sealed it away in a scroll then bolted out of the door.

When he reached the gate he had an audience waiting, Sakura, Shikamaru, a banged-up Rock Lee, a sad Ino, Tsunade who was currently talking to Jiraiya, Naruto imagined anyone who couldn't attend were in the hospital but Naruto was confused by the fact that Hinata wasn't here.

Sakura stepped forward first, her tone sombre "so you're really going huh?"

Naruto nodded "yeah, there is a lot I can learn and do on this trip that I could never do here, like really push myself as Jinchurriki"

Sakura nodded but didn't seem to really care about what he could get out of the trip "Sasuke's gone and now you're going" she almost whispered, holding herself refusing to look him in the eyes "everyone's leaving".

Naruto almost slapped himself for missing something that obvious "listen Sakura!" the girl snapped her head to him "I am gonna be back, me you and Sasuke will be a team again one day, that I promise! But until then don't be mopping around you've worked too hard and become too badass for that!" with that he threw at a first to her.

She starred at it for a little bit, confused on what to do until it came racing back to her, she'd seen him and Sasuke do this before! And now he was asking her to do the same. She smiled and connected her own fist with his getting a be grin back for it. She gave him a fierce confident look "fine you go out there and learn all you can from the super pervert I'm sure I'll be just as strong if not stronger than you when you get back!"

"you better or you're off the team! We don't accept slackers"

"Hn"

"Hey that's Sasuke's thing"

"Well he ain't around to stop me is he"

Naruto stared at her for a long moment before "hn" and broke out into a barely contained laugh.

Sakura giggled before slapping him on the shoulder striding past him "see you when you get back Naruto"

"Yeah"

Ino approached him next "hey Naruto, I know we've never spoken much but I didn't want to not give you a farewell"

Naruto smiled "well thanks..I guess" silence fell like an iron curtain as Ino made zero eye contact with him "sorry I could get Sasuke back"

Ino tensed at that and slumped "it's ok, I'm sure you did all you could and I could understand not wanting to hurt that perfect face"

"pPunching him really wouldn't have been issue for me, done it hundreds of times but she doesn't need to know that" "thanks for understanding"

Ino nodded and was about to head on her way when she paused, something clearly eating at her "are you and the Kyubbi really separate? do you really not take on any of its primal urges?" she suddenly asked.

Naruto was shocked by these sudden questions "well it's kinda complicated, I can hear him talk in my head and when his power starts getting out of my control I can begin to take on his habits"

Ino was bugged eyed now, had something he said done that? "it, it talks?...it can talk?".

Naruto nodded "yeah, his name is Kurama too"

"This changes everything" muttered Ino before walking off without another word.

"Weird" muttered Naruto

"Not when you really think about her as a member of Yamanaka clan and not as Ino from school, your mental state is bound to be a source of huge interest for any member of that clan worth their salt" commented Shikamaru.

"Really?"

"Really, I can't even begin to imagine how you keep something like that in check while going about your day to day life"

"It's really easy honestly, he sleeps most of the time, he's lazy like that plus the seal that is used is really good, if she wants a case that is in a bad state she should look into Garra, his tailed beast had at one point help push him well over the edge"

"Tailed beast?" asked Shikamaru, not a term he was familiar with.

"Oh, forgot most people don't know this, the Sand Spirit is kind of like Kurama's older brother"

"Huh, is that so" Shikamaru was silent for a small moment "so Garra's has one tail, yours has nine, so there are seven other out there like them?" Naruto nodded and Shikamaru sighed "what a pain to know that your farewell to me was to impart some existential dread, thanks Naruto"

Naruto laughed sheepishly to that "sorry dude"

Shikamaru shrugged "whatever, see ya when you get back….and good luck out there" and with that he left.

Before he could take a step Rock Lee was before him, fire in his eyes, youth fueling his body some might say "good luck out there my friend, I am sure when you return you'll be you but better, a better you, a stronger you! And I can't wait to see how you improve! Farewell I am late for my 50 mile lap of the village, if I start now I can be done before five!" and like that he was gone, leaving a dust trail as he did until he was a dot in the distance.

Naruto awkwardly waved at the receding figure of Rock Lee as he stepped towards the gate, Tsunade turned to him and smiled "only known you for a couple of weeks and already I am saying a long farewell to you, kind of breaks my heart" said Tsunade, Naruto couldn't tell if she was being serious or not.

"Well you better be happy, with me not around you shouldn't have to worry about losing the seat of Hokage to me for a while"

Tsunade snorted at that "sure, sure I am so at ease now, I would prefer my hat be taken sooner rather than later"

Naruto stomped a foot down "hell no! the next one wearing that hat is me don't you go giving it up while I'm gone!"

"Ohhh, I can't make any promises so you better get stronger and get back here fast so you don't miss your chance" Tsunade smirked

Naruto would have smirked if he wasn't feeling so serious right now, he turned to Jiraiya "lets go, sooner we are done the sooner I can be Hokage" with that he began marching out of the gate, Tsunade and Jiraiya gave each other a humoured side glance before he shrugged and began to go after the kid before he gets lost.

Naruto got a few feet out of the gate before Naruto was stopped by the call of someone he'd thought for sure he'd see here "NARUTO!"

He turned and saw her, Hinata coming at him in full sprint and closing in fast, he grinned goofily and waved at her "hey! Where have you been I thought you'd never sh-" he was cut off when she barely slowed suddenly planting a really soft kiss on his unexpecting lips shutting him up faster than anyone has managed yet.

She pulled away, cheeks red, eyes looking like they were struggling to stay locked on his as she said with what seemed like deeply mustered strength "see you when you get back" and with that she turned 180 degrees and marched off like some cute awkward robot.

Naruto was as stiff as a board, brain failing to successfully process what just happened between him and Hinata, the same Hinata he's know since he was a kid and did all sorts of childish things with that same Hinata just kissed him. Naruto felt a pair of hands be placed on his shoulders Naruto looked to his right and saw Jiraiya smiling like a smug baboon and on his left a also very smug Tsunade was smiling at him.

"Was that…"started Jiraiya "your first kiss?" finished Tsunade.

Naruto was beet red, his face a tomato and he now released all his friends hadn't actually left, Ino, Sakura and Shikamaru had witnessed and Hinata was frozen in front of them trembling with embarrassment as they just starred holes through her until she seemed to short circuit making a small eep noise and collapsing. Tsunade sighed, her doctors' code clearly spoiling her fun "I better go see to that" as she along with Sakura and Ino but not Shikamaru, who seemed to shrug and decide that was all for today rushed to help the fainted Hinata.

"Well?" Naruto looked back to Jiraiya "was it your fir-"

"Come on we haven't got all day! Lets GO!" yelled Naruto as he bolted off. As he was running that moment started replaying in his head, the feeling, how soft her lips were, he never thought Hinata could feel that way…his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Hinata, his first kiss, Naruto crashed about a hundred meters out from the gate, his mind still failing to process what happened there, his eyes whirlpools.

Jiraiya laughed…hard at the sight before he picked the boy and threw him over his broad shoulder.

BREAK

Inside Naruto, Hirofumi was chuckling "ahhh young love, always knew that girl had a bit of something for our blonde homestead".

Kurama didn't honestly care and continued to swipe at one of his many tails

Sasuke entered his new room, a dimly lit box with a single bed, candles mounted to the wall, a single draw next to his bed and that was all. It was a far cry from the Uchiha compound, he felt like he'd accepted a life of minimalism in exchange for a chance to kill Orochimaru.

Thinking back to the wicked Sannin Sasuke was surprised by how easily it was to get here, Orochimaru instead of being suspicious seemed to expect Sasuke, expect him to accept everything he offered without fuss, without resistance but instead gleefully, hungrily, like Sasuke was some starving animal and he the bountiful provider. Could Orochimaru really believe that he was someone so consumed by a need for revenge that he'd just walk right into his den with no ulterior motive?

Sasuke felt offended at the thought, despite the Sannin thinking so low of him like that giving him an invaluable edge it still rubbed him the wrong way. Sasuke stopped to imagine a world where he was exactly what Orochimaru seemed to envision him as, as he did he felt grateful that was not him, alone with only his urge for vengeance to keep him warm but even imaging that bleak world he could still imagine Naruto in it, determined to be his friend, unyielding in his mission to set him straight. What would have to be different in order for a world like that to come to pass?

"Ah so you made it in safe and sound then?"

Sasuke was almost startled by the sudden announcement of his grandfather, but he made sure not to show it, who knows if he's being watched or listened in on, he has to make sure to not clue anyone in on his guest. "please don't startle me like that, I don't know who might be listening"

Hirofumi chuckled "just testing your nerves is all" Sasuke didn't know about that but decided to not try and call him out "you are going to need to build those nerves up strong, after all you are a liar now Sasuke, a noble liar surrounded by selfish liars and you need to make them believe you are above them and that they are beneath you"

Sasuke was kind of confused by where he was going with this "what do you mean? what are you talking about?"

"you need to make them believe that you are an honest selfish ruthless single-minded avenger, who is here for one purpose and purpose only, to take what you can from Orochimaru so you may fulfil your lifelong mission of killing your brother and that nothing else in this world matters to you, not home, not your friends, not even your own life all that matters to you is vengeance. That will be your mask, be your armour against scrutiny, that will be what every else sees it must be what everyone else sees or this world will clamp its jaws down on you before you are ready!"

Sasuke took a deep breath to centre himself and nodded internally to his Grandfather "ok, lets build this image"

"understand you may even be tested, act within the morals this other you has, you can't be flippant whatever image of yourself you put out there won't be easily changed"

Sasuke firmly nodded to Hiro "I understand" with that Sasuke set to work on building his mask.

"By the way, Naruto has left the village with Jiraiya, seems you won't be the only one getting special attention from a Sannin for the next few years"

Sasuke chuckled inside "well I better not slack off then huh, like hell I am being left behind by him"

"Yeah…also Hinata kissed him just before he left" Sasuke nearly choked on his tongue hearing that, was his gramps trying to kill him!? "well anyway I'll check on you again soon, gonna need to start making a calendar or timetable or something, you get some rest for now, bye"

With that Sasuke was alone again but not isolated

Naruto groaned as he woke up and saw the ground passing beneath "so you're awake then?" Naruto turned his head and found his face inches away from Jiraiya's who was carrying him over his shoulder like a bag of rice. "she knocked you out good with that little peck on the lips huh?.

Naruto felt his whole face light up like a fire.

Jiraiya laughed at the sight "just like your mother whenever she got flustered"

Naruto scowled at the man until what he said sunk in "wait, you knew my mum?"

Jiraiya face fell and became solemn, he nodded "yeah, I did and your father too. I bet you are wondering why I am telling you this now?" he looked for confirmations and saw it written all over the boys face "well, I could tell something in you had changed, you seemed more aware of who you are, which told me that you must have finally found out that your father is Minato". Jiraiya refocused his gaze to the road ahead "he was my best pupil, before I knew it he'd surpassed me and I was learning from him! Haha, I at least thought I'd be his strapping Sensei he'd come running back to evey once and a while to have me set him back on track but no, no not him, before I knew it he was Hokage, my boss! Hahaha! Oh that kid, he was a one of a kind success story". Jiraiya seemed to fight back a tear, or at least that's how it look to Naruto as he listened intently "the best of the best tend to die young in this world, your father was no exception to that but he didn't leave nothing behind" Jiraiya looked back to Naruto and smiled bright "after all he and Kushina left you behind, their legacy, a big rough, yellow and bright orange jewel with a good heart and loads of untapped potential! I am looking forward to our time together Naruto!"

Naruto smiled "me too Jiraiya-Pervy-Sensei"

"Stop that"

"Nah"

"Treat me with the respect I deserve!"

"Stop writing smut then"

"Never!"

"Then you have chosen your title, better own it Jiraiya-Pervy-Sensei"

"Ahhh!"

Naruto looked to the road ahead, where will it take him? He doesn't know but he was prepared to face whatever may come.

End of Part 1

Let me know if any of you want to see this continue and what you have thought about it so far I always enjoy reading what you guys have had to say even the harsh stuff.

See you all later, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and hopefully a Happy New Year.

Silverknight signing out