AN: Hey guys. I do apologize for not updating this story for so long. I will be trying to update all stories as equally as I can. However, my newest story, Trails of Chained Steel, is my primary story currently. It is from the Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel series. Check it out if so desire. Now I want to thank everyone for your support with this story despite the hiatus. 213 followers and 159 favorites is amazing. So, thank you very much.
Onwards to the Story!
"Talking"
'Thinking/mental communication'
"Kurama talking"
Jutsu/Bloodline
No More Lies
Chapter 4: Training and Meeting Tsunade.
[Land of Waves]
After the information dump from his godfather, Naruto excused himself from everyone so that he could read his parent's wills. Ayame asked if he wanted her to come within case he needed some comfort, but he declined to say he wanted to read alone getting a sad nod from her and made his way upstairs.
Once in his room, he placed a privacy seal on the door and windows but allowed for the chakra to be detected by Jiraiya and Yugao if he was in trouble. He unsealed the wills and saw the blood seal on them, pulled a kunai, cut his thumb, channeled his chakra, and chose to read his mother's scroll first.
To my darling baby boy,
This is your mother, though I guess you knew that from the scroll ya know? I want you to know that I love you very much and have from the moment I found out that I was going to have you. So, please never doubt that.
I'm sure you've grown up to be a strong, yet kind shinobi, despite your father sealing the fox inside you. This is something I fought with your father about as much as I could with the strength I had left after having it ripped out of me. I didn't want you to bear the burden of being a Jinchuriki. Your naïve father seems to believe that the village will honor his wish for you to be seen as a hero, but I know better.
As I'm writing this and holding you in my arms, I can hear the fox attacking and destroying the village and I know the villagers will resent the fox and if the information that the fox is going to be sealed into you is leaked, and knowing your father, in order for you to be seen as a hero for containing it, he'll leave instruction for your status to be announced to the entire village, the people who lost loved ones to the fox will resent you, maybe even hate you.
So, while I hope that you remain loyal to the village, I will not fault you if you leave due to the hatred. After all, there is only so much that someone can take before they snap. What you decide to do in life you have my full support, even in death.
Now, I am entrusting my sword, scrolls with the katas for our clan's sword style, scrolls on our clans fuinjutsu, (which is leagues above standard fuinjutsu), and name you heir to the main branch of the Uzumaki clan and the fortune that comes with it. I know that there must be others that survived. So, if you do go searching for our family, know that we are known for our red hair and massive chakra reserves. It may be hard for them to believe that you are an Uzumaki, but blood seals will help with that.
I don't have much time left, so I will leave you with a warning, beware of the man with the orange spiral mask with a Sharingan in his right eye, which was the only eye the mask revealed. He is the one who removed the fox from me after the seal was weakened from childbirth.
You're loving Mother,
Kushina Uzumaki.
Naruto just stared at the letter left by his mother, tears in her eyes. His mother loved him, fought his father to keep him from being a human sacrifice, even didn't have any delusions of the village accepting him. She even said she'd be proud and support him, no matter what he did. Learning that there may be other Uzumaki scattered around the world, he decided that while he wouldn't actively look for them, but he will keep an eye out for them during his travels. After taking a moment to calm down. He repeated the process for his father's will, bracing himself for the idiocy his mother mentioned.
To my son,
I want to start by apologizing for sealing the Nine-tailed Fox inside you. I didn't have any other choice. Your mother was weakened from childbirth and having the fox extracted from her and wouldn't survive the re-sealing. That and I couldn't very well ask another family to give up their child if I was unwilling to so myself. However, I trust this village that I love so much to treat you with the respect and reverence you deserve for dealing with this massive burden.
Now, do not think that I don't love you, because I do, from the moment your mother told me she was pregnant with you. I spent no expense to make sure that you and your mother were safe. I had my best ANBU watching over you both. One of them is my only surviving student, Kakashi Hatake, and one volunteer, who seems to look up to your mother, Yugao Uzuki. Both worked tirelessly around the clock only taking a break when I was at home with her.
On to your inheritance, I leave you scrolls on my own jutsu, the Rasengan, and my improved notes on the Hiraishin, which Lord Second developed, I only improved it. I also leave you the money I made over my ninja carrier. I have nothing more than that I can leave you. I would name you my successor as Hokage, but you are only a newborn.
It is my hope that you work hard and become Hokage one day to further your respect that the village no doubt is showering you with. However, be wary of my sensei, he may be incredibly strong, but he's a major pervert. Don't let him corrupt you into a pervert, treat women with respect and not as objects. I leave you with one final piece of advice: Should you ever get married, remember these words, "a happy wife, leads to a happy life." But this does not mean bend over backward for them, there must be some give and take. Once again, live a long life, get strong, and make me proud.
Your Father and the Fourth Hokage,
Minato Namikaze.
Naruto just scoffed. His mother was completely right. A naïve fool. Maybe if his heritage was revealed from the start then yeah, he may have been treated as his father wanted, but it was not to be. He was an outcast. However, having the jutsu that made his father famous would be a great boon. But his thoughts went back to his mother's last words, the spiral masked man with the Sharingan. The man was responsible for his parent's death and Kurama's attack on the village.
'Kurama, do you remember anything from that night?' Naruto asked his partner.
"Nothing besides that damned Sharingan before I blacked out, and then coming to with my claw impaled in your parent's stomachs." The Fox replied.
Naruto nodded before saying 'I will find this man and kill him, he is responsible for the attack on the village, and the death of my mother... and my fool father I suppose.'
"Just remember what I said about revenge. Don't let it consume you." Kurama said carefully, knowing Naruto's temper and patience had shortened greatly.
'I know that alright! But I need some sort of motivation to move forward!' the ravenette screamed.
The fox said nothing and let his host calm down. 'Hey, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you about... Are my iris permanently slitted?' Naruto asked.
"It is a side effect of using my chakra to change your hair color, I used too much chakra and it affected your eyes, and I can't fix... I'm sorry. I should say you are lucky not to have turned into a half-demon with the amount chakra I used, so foxlike eyes are the least of your worries." Kurama replied with a scoff.
Naruto admitted his partner has a point. He could live with foxlike eyes instead of being a half-demon. All though it really didn't matter now. He didn't care what other thought of him, he had been called "demon" his entire life, turning into a half-demon would have been bitter irony.
'Hey, do you know where the Uzumaki clan's village was? Because mom said "survivors," that means it was attacked and destroyed at one point.' the former blond asked.
"Hmm, I am not sure... both of my hosts before you have only been within the Leaf. Maybe ask that perverted godfather of yours." The grumpy fox said before grumbling. "I'm going back to sleep. You shouldn't need me anytime soon."
'Damn lazy bastard...' Naruto thought to himself before dropping the seals and making his way downstairs.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Ayame was the first to notice him and his tear-stained cheek before drawing him into a hug.
'Once again I swear that girl loves him more than a brother... She's always the first to greet him with a bright smile, the first to comfort him, and always gets the most upset when someone hurts him. Not that I'd mind him dating my daughter, despite his responsibility to that all-female village leader.' Teuchi thought with a smirk. Most of the same thought was shared by every other adult in the room.
"Alright Ayame, let your boyfriend breath before you smother him to death." The ramen chef said teasingly getting his daughter to let go of the ravenette with a full-body blush and earning an embarrassed "FATHER!" from her.
Naruto had a small blush himself but thought it was weird to be calling him Ayame's boyfriend, especially when he considers them both family. "Yeah, I'm fine Ayame. Thank you for worrying me." He said before turning to Jiraiya and Yugao. "I want to start training tomorrow, starting with the Rasengan and since we are on a time constraint, Kenjutsu as well."
Both nodded but Jiraiya decided to ask a question. "Before that Naruto... You've been using the Shadow Clone Jutsu for three to four months now... Have you noticed anything when they dispel?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Naruto asked, confused about what the old pervert meant.
Yugao and Jiraiya sighed 'Using a Kinjutsu for months and not knowing its full capacity... or even noticing it after this long... only a dense fool like Naruto...'
"Naruto, make a clone for me and follow one of my own out of the house." Yugao said as she summoned a Clone of herself. Naruto nodded, did as instructed and the clone followed the off-duty ANBU.
Outside C. Naruto and C. Yugao made their way to the forest that Kakashi took Naruto for training. "This is should be good enough." C. Yugao said before noticing C. Naruto looking around with a sad smile. "Is everything alright?" She asked.
"...Yeah. This just happens to be where Kakashi taught Team Seven the Tree Climbing technique." He said, his voice filled with sad nostalgia.
"I see, well that should make this even more impactful. I want to ask you one question then I'll dispel us both." She said keeping her disciplined persona up, but she wanted to comfort the young man. He's been through so much in the last week, but she supposed that Ayame took on that job as his "sister."
C. Naruto nodded, waiting for the question. "What do you plan to do now that you are technically a freelance shinobi?"
"That's easy, get Pervy Sage to properly train me in stealth and infiltration, as well getting my combat skills up to protect myself that organization that is hunting me and people like me. Probably take solo jobs, bounty hunting jobs, maybe even assist other ninjas with major jobs that get out of hand. However, I do not plan on joining any other villages or going back to the Leaf." He said with pure determination and conviction.
C. Yugao just looked at him with awe. To be so young and have such conviction, she honestly shouldn't be surprised, leading the life he has, it's only natural he'd be forced to grow up quickly, and that happy-go-lucky persona was just a mask.
"Then, I'll help you as much as I can within the time that I have." She said as she gave the ravenette clone a bonk on to the top of his head, dispelling the young man's clone, and releasing the jutsu herself.
Back at Tazuma's house, everyone was enjoying a conversation to catch up about everything when Naruto's head shot up. "Huh? What was that?" He asked.
Yugao looked to the ex-leaf genin and asked, "Well, do you remember everything that happened?"
He nodded, holding his head trying to recall everything. "We went to the forest where I learned Tree Walking, and you asked my plans for the future..." He said before going silent to think.
Yugao and Jiraiya stayed quiet letting him figure this out himself. Ayame was about talk before her father stopped her, figuring this was important, so did Tazuna's family and kept quiet.
"Wait, you mean that this happens every time one of my clones dispels? I never noticed because either I was distracted or in the middle of a fight and didn't have time to process this. But what does this have to do with anything?" He asked, clearly confused.
Everyone, even the civilians, sighed, having figured it out. "Naruto... think carefully, if you get the knowledge and experience that your clones do every time they pop, what would happen if you use that for training or espionage?" Jiraiya asked.
Naruto's eyes widen. "Wait, you mean it can be used to speed up training?" He realized but asked for confirmation.
"It COULD be used for that yes. However, it's dangerous for NORMAL people. Someone like Yugao or I can make what...? Five... maybe ten clones before getting exhausted?" The Sannin asked while looking to the off-duty ANBU who nodded.
"Even then we couldn't use it for training effectively, since chakra is divided evenly between each clone. So, we'd only be able to make one or two for training, speeding up our training by maybe two or three times. Whereas you, who can make literally a thousand clones, as you did with that traitor, Mizuki, could speed your training up drastically, like two to three hundred times it would normally take." Yugao finished the explanation leaving an awestruck Naruto and equally awestruck civilians.
"Then let's get started!" Naruto said excitedly.
"Hold up Naruto, while you get the information back from your clones, you still need to physical things, like bodybuilding or kenjutsu training yourself." Jiraiya said, trying to reign him before he gets too lost in his fantasy.
"Well, that kind of sucks... but I guess it makes sense... but what about muscle memory? Can I use it for that?" He asked trying to figure the finer details of his trump card.
Jiraiya and Yugao look at each other before shrugging. "I... suppose? But if you're thinking of using it for your kata's, I wouldn't. With muscle memory comes muscle growth. Speaking of which, we need to work on your diet. You can't be eating Ramen breakfast, lunch, and dinner." The Sannin said earning an alarmed look from the ravenette.
"He's right Naruto, as much as we appreciate you eating our ramen over the years if you want to get stronger, you need a proper diet. That includes veggies!" Ayame said, getting a nod of agreement from her father.
Naruto sighed. "Fine... doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Now, we should discuss your training, aside from the Rasengan, is there anything else you wanna work on?" His Godfather asked.
"Well Kenjutsu obviously, and fuinjutsu, oh... and Chief Toad said for you give me the key to my seal." Naruto listed off, ending off with a pointed looked at Jiraiya, earning a flinch from the toad sage.
"Listen Naruto, I don't think that's a good idea-" Yugao said only to interrupted.
"You didn't read the letter yet, have you? Let me fill you in on something... I'm already friends with Kurama aka the Nine-tailed Fox. He HATES being locked up. He's promised not to leave the seal, and will even work with me, I just need to open the seal." Naruto said, not being one hundred percent honest, but they didn't know that he already tore off the paper seal within his mindscape.
"...Alright, I'll give it to you tomorrow." Jiraiya said reluctantly before getting serious and continuing. "However, Naruto, the most we can stay here, and train is a week. We need to find Tsunade and convince her to be the fifth Hokage before the elder get impatient and appoint Danzo, which is bad news not just for Kohona, but all the Elemental Nations. Danzo is a man that lives for war. In his mind, Konoha should be the strongest village and will stop at nothing to make it happen. He also believes that ninja should be soulless and emotionless, that emotions get in the way of getting what needs to be done."
Naruto just shrugs. "What happens back at Konoha is not my problem anymore, and before anyone interrupts me, I will help you find Tsunade, but I will not help you convince her to go back. That would hypocritical of me since I have no intention of going back, as my clone said to Yugao in the forest."
Jiraiya just sighed. He had been hoping Naruto would be able to convince Tsunade to become Hokage, but he guessed that was a long shot. But then he realized he didn't know what their clones did talk about. "What exactly was said between you two by the way. I think that should be shared with all present." He asked.
Yugao nodded in agreement but looked to Naruto for confirmation. All she got was an exasperated sigh and a shrug of his shoulders suggesting he didn't care. She sighed herself, hoping for more of a definitive answer but went ahead and told everyone that Naruto's clone said to hers. To say that everyone but Yugao and Naruto were shocked would be an understatement.
"You... want to learn proper espionage on top of everything else, and all while taking solo jobs, bounty hunting or otherwise, as well as assisting other villages with major jobs? How much thought have you put into this before leaving the village? Because it's clear you've been thinking about this for a lot longer than the few days since you left." Jiraiya asked, shock clear in his voice.
"...That's right. I do want to learn all that. As for how long I've been considering all of this, it's probably been on the back of my mind for a long time, maybe even most of my life, but it's come to the forefront of my mind ever since I met Haku, and then, even more, when I was introduced to you for the first time Pervy Sage. You're so strong and yet you're hardly in the village at all. That's the life I want to live, one of freedom without being tied down." Naruto said with the same determination and resolve as his clone before getting sullen, and continuing to say "But I guess being free isn't meant to be, what with me being practically engaged to this leader from that all-female village."
"Naruto..." Ayame said, looking at her brother figure with admiration and a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Haha! I like your spirit kid! All right, I'll teach you everything I know. I just hope you're ready for the pain, cause the espionage training isn't going to be easy. But first, let's focus on your Rasengan and Kenjutsu training as well as work on that abysmal chakra control of yours." Jiraiya chuckled.
"Alright, alright, before any training is done, I think we should all get some rest. It's been an emotional day for all of us, even if some of us are bystanders in the whole affair. But not before some food, Ayame, would you help me in the kitchen please? I'd like to talk to you about something." Tsunami asked, hinting at something more.
"Umm sure." The girl answered nervously, catching the hidden meaning, and made her way to the kitchen with the older woman.
In the kitchen, Tsumani started with supper, trying to create enough noise to inhibit Naruto's sensitive hearing. "So young lady... You care for Naruto more than just a brother, don't you?" She asked the ramen apprentice without looking back, already knowing the answer.
"Wh-what do you mean? Yes, I've known him all his life, have treated his wounds on occasion, and even listened to him when he needed someone to talk to, but even if I did love him that way, I can't have him... As he said, he's practically engaged... Not to mention it was him who started calling me sister... I doubt he feels the same way." Ayame said starting off embarrassed at being caught, but ended in a dejected tone, showing her depression.
"I see. Well, don't get too downtrodden, even if he's practically engaged, it's not set in stone. If I understand what Jiraiya said, Naruto and this girl still must fight. Even should he win, I have a feeling that Naruto won't accept it unless this girl is a real looker. So, keep hope, there is still a chance." The older woman said trying to comfort her.
"Thanks, but even if I did get to be with him, I'd need help. I'm certain that his stamina translates into the bedroom." Ayame said with a full-body blush.
"Oh my, I didn't know you wanted him that much, and I'm sure you're right." Tsunami chuckled with the same blush of her own. "Anyway, let's finish up. I know Naruto doesn't like to be kept waiting when it comes to food."
"Oh, trust me, I know that better than anyone. He complains about the three minutes it takes for instant ramen." the younger girl chuckled.
Back in the living room, Tazuna and Jiraiya were enjoying some booze while Naruto and Inari laid back waiting for the food, only Naruto had a blush on his face, having overheard Ayame and Tsunami despite their attempts to drown out their conversation. 'Ayame...loves me...?' He asked himself, not believing that anyone could love him that way on their own accord. He didn't know what to think about it, he always thought of her as a sister, his best friend, the one person he could always count on to be there for him.
'Hey, Kurama, are you awake?' He asked his partner.
"As much as I wish I wasn't, yes I'm awake and know what you want to ask... but it's up to you to decide what you do with this information. I will say one thing though, she's right about one thing, you'll need multiple mates to satisfy you." Kurama said as monotone as always.
'NOT HELPING!' Naruto thought his blush spreading to the rest of his body. The only response he got was a dark chuckle from the fox within. 'Damn furball.'
[6 days later]
Abusing the secret of his clones, Naruto mastered the Rasengan within two days and be able to do it one-handed. The rest of the time he spent working on his Kenjustu with clones studying and practicing Fuinjutsu, he was surprised that he took to seals like a fish to water. Jiraiya was amazed but then he remembered what Uzumaki's were known for and what the reason for three villages teaming up to destroy their island. His chakra control also greatly increased thanks to the Rasengan training and his continued Water Walking dueling.
Now, in the forest two hundred clones were all studying advanced level Fuinjutsu scrolls while he, himself was practicing the katas from his mother's scroll. Yugao was close by, watching his form, ready to correct any mistakes.
Jiraiya, however, was not in town now. He was off meeting one of his contacts in hopes they have some information on Tsunade's location. He had told them he'd be back tomorrow so that they may head out and begin the physical search, but with any luck, the informant will have her location, and all they'd need to do is make haste to her location and try to convince her to go back to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage.
"Alright Naruto starts dispelling your clones, it's getting late. You know how Ayame and Tsunami get if we aren't back by supper time." Yugao said looking at the position of the sun.
Naruto nodded and put away the practice sword Yugao bought him and dispelled his clone in groups of five. "Alright sensei. Go on ahead, I need to meditate and sort through all this information. Tell them I'll be there soon." He said and sat down with his legs crossed.
She sighs and nods. "Just don't be too long. Remember, tomorrow we're leaving to look for Tsunade. You'll want to be well-rested." She says as she heads off to the house.
'So Kurama, how close to you think I'm getting to being able to start training in the Hiraishin?' He asked the grumpy fox within.
"Not for a long-time brat. It's not just Fuinjutsu, you need to learn space-time theory, work on your physical strength and speed. It could be years yet." Kurama growled. All he wanted was to get some sleep and for this damn gate to be reopened and opened properly, maybe even get his host to change up the scenery in his mindscape.
'Alright, geez, I'll open the gate once Jiraiya takes Tsunade back to Kohona. After all, He knows I will not be going back there at all. Which reminds me I need that pervert to teach me how to summon messenger toads to keep in contact with those I care about while I'm on the move.' The ravenette promised the fox while reminding him of the promise he made to Iruka to keep in contact.
Not getting a response from his tenant, Naruto got up and made his way back to Tsunami's place. "I'm back!" He called out.
"Welcome back! Go wash up, supper will be ready soon. I received word that your godfather will be back by nightfall." Tsunami said from the kitchen.
"Thanks! Supper smells wonderful as always by the way." He said before he made his way to the bathroom to have a shower. After a quiet dinner, there was a knock at the door.
"Huh? Who could that be? Takumi, can you get the door?" Tazuna said, using Naruto's alias just in case.
Naruto nodded pulling up his facemask and hood, then went to open the door. However, when he opened the door, he tensed up. At the door was a Leaf ANBU. "Can I help you sir?" He asked trying to be polite as possible.
"Is Jiraiya of the Sannin here? I've been sent with a message from the elders." The Anbu with a tiger mask.
"No sir, but he will be back by nightfall if you'd like to leave the message here?" Naruto asked as Yugao walked up to the door sensing her student's nervousness.
"Tiger? It's not like you to accept messenger duty." She said curiously.
"Ahh, so this is where you disappeared to... the commander wasn't happy with your sudden leave of absence." He said, disdain his voice but before turning to masked youth. "As for your inquiry young man, I was instructed to give this message to Jiraiya personally."
Naruto had to keep himself from growling hearing the disdain when talking to his sensei. "Let me ask the man of the house if he's alright with allowing you to wait."
"No need to fetch me Takumi. I would have to ask you to wait at the tavern Mr. Anbu. The people of Wave have heard of the celebration of our village hero's death, and as the mayor, I can say we are not pleased." Tazuna said sternly. "And if you need to ask who that hero is, the bridge you crossed was named after him."
"Tch, very well. I will wait there as requested. Please tell Jiraiya to meet me there as soon as he arrives, I don't want to be in this tainted backwater village any longer than I have to." Tiger spat as he walked away.
It was indeed true that Jiraiya received word from Iruka that most of Kohona were celebrating Naruto's death, namely the civilian population. The Shinobi clans and rookies did not appreciate it, Especially the Hyuga clan, namely due to Hinata's mental and physical health declining daily. It is like she lost her will to live. Especially after the second kidnapping attempt during the invasion.
To have an ANBU from Konoha show up at his home unannounced was disconcerting to Tazuna, especially so soon after Naruto showed up. He looked and saw the same thoughts running through Naruto's and Yugao's mind if their faces were to say anything about it. Did Jiraiya say something to the Council about having a student staying here? If he had, it was a very risky and stupid thing to do.
After closing the door and making sure Tiger had done as he was requested to do, everyone gathered around the table. "This isn't good. Especially since he didn't seem to be one of your biggest fan." Teuchi said, having overheard the entire conversation. Naruto just nods, still trying to calm down.
"Not to mention that it seems the ANBU division does not seem to appreciate you taking the leave of absence so soon after the invasion." Jiraiya said, coming out of a toad's mouth.
"Ok one, that's disgusting. Two, how long were you listening for old man?" Naruto asked, clearly irritated.
"Just long enough to hear the disdain in his voice. I had the toads go back to the village to check on the state of things. The celebrating has stopped for the most part, and the Hyuga heiress has seemingly found a way to keep going after your opponent in the finals as well as her team, the Inuzuka, talked to her. What was said, I don't know but she's found her reason to fight." The Toad Sage said, earning a sigh of relief from Naruto.
"Now, as for Tsunade, she's in Tanzaku Town with her apprentice and ward, Shizune. However, Orochimaru was been seen headed that with his right-hand man, Kabuto." Just as those words felt Jiraiya's lips, he felt an overwhelming amount of KI (killing intent) rolling off Naruto at the Orochimaru, with his eyes flashing between red and blue.
Tsunami, Irani, Tazuna, and the Ichiraku's were struggling to stay conscious under the pressure, Yugao was brought to her knees, with Jiraiya holding himself up against the wall as he called out to his apprentice. "Calm down Naruto! You'll alert that ANBU! Not to mention you're scaring everyone!"
The Jinchuriki snapped his head at Jiraiya before looking around the room seeing everyone's state and taking a few deep breaths to calm down enough to talk. "Go to the ANBU and see what those old bats from the council wants then we leave immediately. I promised myself to make that snake pay for what he did to the Third Hokage. He must be going to Tsunade to get his arms healed." He said with a deep growl barely being suppressed, leaving no room for argument as he stormed his way upstairs to get his things.
After a minute afterward, everyone regained their composer, although the civilians of the group were still shaken from what they just witnessed. "I-I've never felt or seen him that angry before..." Ayame said looking at the stairs Naruto went up.
Teuchi could only nod in agreement, however, Tazuna didn't. "I've only felt that once before, if only a larger scale. It was on the bridge during his mission. It was when he thought that his teammate, that Uchiha, was killed by that ice shinobi, Haku I think his name was. I was scared out of my wits; I thought my heart was going to explode." The Bridge Builder said.
Jiraiya nods, knowing that was the first time Naruto unknowingly tapped into the fox's power, or so he read according to the report he read. "Sounds like something he'd do after feeling he lost a comrade." He said as he got up. "I should get going and do what Naruto said. I'm already on thin ice with him as it is. Knowing him, he won't want to stop till we reach our destination, so you should get ready yourself Yugao."
All she could do was nod and follow her after her student and grab her things from the room prepared for her and Ayame.
[30 minutes later]
Jiraiya returned from the pub with a grim look on his face. One Naruto and Yugao noticed. "I take it you didn't get good news?" Yugao stated.
"You're right. We have ten days to convince and retrieve Tsunade or they will name Danzo Hokage." The pervert said earning a snarl from Naruto. "There's more. The Council and your commander seemed to know you'd be here Yugao since they sent something extra for you." He said handing a red scroll to the off-duty ANBU.
Taking it and reading it, she fell to her knees in shock. "...I've been removed from ANBU and would have been removed from the Shinobi roster if they had the authority. My fate will be decided after a new Hokage is selected and sworn in." She said with disbelief in her voice.
The ravenette clinches his fists, growling even more. "...Let's go. We have even more reason to get Tsunade back to the Leaf now."
Jiraiya too, was angry, "Yeah, If Danzo is made Hokage, it's likely he and the council will target your supporters next, especially the Hyuga heiress. I can't imagine what they'd do to her."
"Why Hinata especially...?" Naruto asked, clearly confused why he's single out her like that.
Yugao and Jiraiya looked at him with deadpan expressions. "Seriously? That's the best worst kept secret in the village. That girl was so head-over-heels for you that the only things that kept her from jumping you and claiming you for were her family and by extension her self-confidence. Everyone back in Kohona knew, well other than you because you're a dense idiot." Jiraiya stated in the same tone as their expressions.
"Wait, what...?" Naruto was a stupefied expression.
"Seriously brat, did you seriously think she turned red, only in your presence mind you, and fainted anytime you acknowledged her?" Kurama said with an exasperated sigh that was unknowingly shared by the two adults. "She wasn't sick, she was blushing and fainted because she had a massive crush on you, and your acknowledgment was too much for her."
"Wait... Hinata actually likes me, like I used to like Sakura...?" the dense ravenette asked.
"No Naruto. As Master Jiraiya, said this girl was truly in love with you. She would have been happy to be your girlfriend even if she had enough confidence and her family allowed it, which is highly unlikely, even if you are Lady Kushina and Lord Minato's son. And before you ask why, it's because she is the Heiress to the main branch of her clan." Yugao said
"Not only that but the Hyuga pride themselves for their pure bloodline so she'll likely be pushed to marry something within the clan." Jiraiya further explained.
"I think I get it, but wouldn't Hinata be safe due to her heiress title?" The teenager asked.
"Normally, yes, but she has a younger sister that, according to my friend and Hinata's sensei, the Hyuga clan feels is better suited for the roll, and would give it to said sister at slightest disappointment... wouldn't surprise me if after she heals from her injuries from the Chunin Exams that her father placed her into the branch family with Neji for having lost to him." Yugao said solemnly.
"So, if she's put in the branch family like that fate loving asshole, she won't be safe from Danzo anymore?" the dense idiot asked, slowly putting the puzzle together.
"YES!/YES!" Shouted the adults and Kurama, not believing how slow he was.
Naruto took a step back at three yelling at him. "Well, let's going to Tanzaku Town then. You two have Tsunade to convince, and I have a date with Orochimaru."
Everyone nodded, knowing now that he knew the importance of the mission, even if was a roundabout way, that he was focused on the two targets and nothing would stop him from completing his objective. After all, he was the most stubborn and unpredictable shinobi they knew.
"Be careful Naruto, you better come back alive!" Ayame said with a clear concern for her crush.
"I agree with my daughter, after all, it wouldn't be right if you weren't here for the grand reopening of our ramen shop and had the very first bowl." Teuchi chuckled, hiding his own concern for the young man he considered his son.
"And even though 'Naruto Uzumaki' is officially dead, this town wouldn't be the same without its hero coming back from time to time." Tazuna said, joining on the farewell. While Tsunami and Inari both merely nodded in agreement.
"Heh, who the hell you think I am? I may have given up on my dream to be Hokage by abandoning Konoha, but I'm not gonna die while I still have people precious to me waiting for me. Besides, even if I didn't ask for it, I have a duty to duel this new leader of that all-female village, I need to live until I fulfill that duty." Naruto said while sending a brief glare to his godfather.
Jiraiya just shrugs, while everyone else laughs at Naruto's usual attitude. "Alright! Alright! Let's go, we can get to our destination by daybreak if we leave now and go full force without stopping. If we don't get a move on now, there is no guarantee that Tsunade will be there when we arrive."
Both Yugao and Naruto nodded and took off out the door with Jiraiya following close behind. "What does Tsunade and this Shizune look like? We're gonna need that information if we are to locate them." Naruto asked.
"While I'm not sure how old Tsunade will appear to be since she uses her healing jutsu to keep herself looking young, she had blonde hair, brown eyes, and a purple diamond seal on her forehead with the largest chest I've ever seen!" Jiraiya said perversely before noticing the glares from both his companions, he cleared his throat. "As for Shizune, she's a young woman, jet black hair, and onyx eyes. She's usually not far from Tsunade or their pet pig Tonton."
His companions nodded and silence fell upon them as they traveled.
[Daybreak, Tanzaku Town]
The three travelers from Wave arrived at the gates to the gambling town of Tanzaku, with the two adults exhausted and dripping with sweat, the teenager with them only looked slightly winded but otherwise perfectly fine, looking as determined as ever.
"Alright Takumi, time for you to put those clones of yours to use. Summon about fifty and spread them out throughout the town. That is their original purpose after the jutsu, infiltration. Meanwhile, we will go find an inn so we can get some rest." Jiraiya said tiredly.
Naruto nodded, knowing his godfather was using his alias while in public, and did as requests, making fifty Shadow Clones and had them spread out. "I can help with the search, I'm still good to go." He said stubbornly.
"Listen Takumi, Jiraiya and I are exhausted, and we won't know if your clones find our injury if you're out on your own. So, please come along with us. We're gonna need the rest if we're going to be going against that snake." Yugao said, trying to reason with the blockhead.
Naruto nodded at that reasoning. "Alright fine. I could use something to eat anyhow."
[Elsewhere in Town, an hour later]
We find Tsunade and Shizune in a pub with slot machines, with Tsunade playing on the machines winning a lot of cash, with her young ward smiling excitedly about being able to pay off some of her Mistress's debts, completely forgetting about her bad luck and the bad omen that winning brought also.
"This is amazing Lady Tsunade! You should stop while you're ahead. We can pay off some of the debts we have with this!" Shizune swelled.
Tsunade remained silent after the tenth win around. 'this is bad... something is going to happen and it's gonna be really bad.' She thought to herself. "Shizune, we're leaving!" She told her young companion.
"Umm... ok!" The ravenette said nervously following the older blonde out of the pub, only for a ravenette with red streaks to run into them.
"Hey watch it!" The teenager said.
"You ran into me brat! You watch where you're going!" Tsunade growled.
"Huh...?" C. Naruto said now getting a close look at who he ran into. "Heh. I apologize but can I ask for your names? I'm Takumi. I am sorry for bumping into you."
"Why do you wanna know brat?" Tsunade said putting her guard up.
"Lady Tsunade..! You're being rude." Shizune said in a hushed tone before addressing the young man before her. "I'm Shizune, nice to meet you Takumi."
C. Naruto smirked subtlety. 'gotcha!' "The pleasure is mine Shizune." He said with a gentleman like a bow.
"What do you want kid? We're busy." Tsunade said, clearly not trusting 'Takumi'. 'This kid thinks he can fool me? This is clearly a Shadow Clone. Someone is looking for us and using this kid to do it.' Tsunade thought.
"Oh, I'd just like to escort you ladies, as payment for running into you." Takumi said hiding his nervousness, having seen the look from Tsunade, meaning she caught on that he was a clone.
"You can drop the act brat... tell whoever sent you to leave me alone or they will regret it." Tsunade said before she flicked the clone's forehead, Shizune spoke up when the boy in front of her disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"A Shadow Clone?!" Shizune realized. "Who do you think is after us?!"
"I don't know... but if I had to guess, it's either the Leaf or Orochimaru, debt collectors wouldn't hire a Shinobi, they're too expensive for their wallets." Tsunade surmised. "Either way, it's not good, let's head to the hotel and grab our stuff and leave as soon as possible."
"But if it's Kohona, we should see what they want at the very least. What if something has happened and they need our help as medics?" Shizune tried to reason with her Mistress.
"You know as well as I do that I will not go back to there even if they summoned me back. I'd rather be labeled a Missing Ninja." Tsunade stated fiercely.
"Lady Tsunade! That's going too far! My uncle wouldn't want you to become a Missing Ninja! He wouldn't even want you to grieve this long either..." Her apprentice said solemnly.
"DON'T BRING DAN INTO THIS!" Tsunade said and slapped the ravenette, sending Shizune flying into a building, knocking her out.
"Damn it... I lost control of my anger and strength." The Slug Sannin said as she went to check her student's vitals. "Shit, I broke her jaw. Even with my skill with Mystic Palms Jutsu, it's gonna take her a few days to recover. Even then I'm gonna have to apologize to her." She said and picked her up, mentally kicking herself for losing her cool.
On a rooftop nearby, another Naruto Clone saw the whole thing and decided to follow Tsunade from afar to get the exact location so the original can lead his companions to their target.
[With Naruto and Party]
Jiraiya, Yugao, and Naruto all decided to share a room to lower costs however, they could only get a room with only two beds. Naruto insisted on giving Yugao one of the beds, while he took the couch, even if Yugao accepted reluctantly. Truth be told she was flattered at the gesture. Jiraiya was given the only other bed, due to him being an old man, despite his protests.
Yugao and Jiraiya were currently resting their eyes, knowing it likely wouldn't take Naruto's clones long to find any information, while Naruto was chowing down on a beef sandwich that he ordered from the kitchen. "Found them." Naruto said feeling the headache from his clone dispelling. "And Tsunade knew she was talking to a clone."
Both adults open their eyes and asked him what happened. After telling them what happened and that he had his clone go in pairs, they decided to rest more and wait for an exact location. "What should we do though? Tsunade threatened Takumi's clone." Yugao asked.
"We have our mission. We need to talk to her and try to convince her to come back to the village or we can kiss our days of peace will be over, war will reign, shinobi will become nothing more than machines, and women will be used as breeding stock. Not to mention that your carrier is on the line and the first place Danzo would target, would be Wave for retracting their trade agreement they had with Konoha over them celebrating Naruto's death. We have a lot riding on this mission." Jiraiya said sternly.
"...I'm starting like this Danzo even less and less. I'm half a mind to go back with you and kill this fossil myself." Naruto said trying to contain his anger, his eyes flashing between red and blue.
"As amusing as that would be, Danzo has his own task force, even if he denies it, that protects him from all threats. Even if you were to get past them, you'd be put at the top of the most wanted list and hunted for the rest of your life, even you made it out of the village alive." Yugao said, speaking as now former ANBU.
Naruto just shrugged and went back to his sandwich while Jiraiya looked at his apprentice with worry that he would mention taking life so casually. He decided to keep an eye on him and make sure he wouldn't go too far down the road of darkness.
Suddenly Naruto tensed and said darkly, "He's here. One of my clones spotted Orochimaru enter through the east gate and headed for that castle."
"I see... So, things are about to get interesting. Let's wait and see what happens. We don't enough of what's going on." Jiraiya said, already knowing Naruto would protest.
"...Fine, but the second that snake tries to make contact with Tsunade, we move in and make him pay for killing the Third Hokage." Naruto said in a huff then holds his head again "Speaking of, I know where her hotel is. Seems something happened that caused Tsunade to lose her temper and slap Shizune, throwing her in a wall and breaking her jaw."
"Damn, must have been something serious for her to hit Shizune. She considers that girl her own daughter, even if she may not show it." Jiraiya frowned before continuing. "Let's go, while now may not be the best time to talk to her, she's going to need our help especially since she'll be treating Shizune and at a disadvantage. She wouldn't risk any more harm befalling her apprentice."
Naruto just nods. "Hurry up, I'm done sitting around." He said making his was way to do the door with making his sensei's following behind quickly.
[At Tsunade's Hotel]
Tsunade was hunkered over Shizune, using the Misty Palm Jutsu to heal her jaw feeling horrible for losing her temper. She knew that her fallen lover was a sensitive subject, but she thought she had gotten over his death enough not to lose her cool like that, but apparently, she was mistaken.
"I promise, I'll make this up to you Shizune..." She said, her voice full of regret before she heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?! I'm busy!" She said irately
"Tsunade, it's Jiraiya, mind if I come in?" The Toad sage said through the door.
"Jiraiya? How did you find me?" The Slug Princess asked.
"I believe you ran into my new student earlier today." Jiraiya stated.
"Student...? That Shadow Clone brat!" She realized
"Oi! I'm out here too y'know!" Naruto shouted, then covering his mouth after his verbal tick came out. 'Damn it! That always comes out when I'm worked up!' "And I'm not a brat!"
"So that's how you found me, he had more than one clone out there. Fine! Come in. I can't open the door right now." The older blonde said.
"Please forgive us for intruding Lady Tsunade, but we are here on urgent business." Yugao said as they entered the room.
"And who are you? Judging from you're attire; I'd say you're an ANBU from Konoha." Tsunade said, putting her guard up, but never once losing her focus on Shizune.
"Former, sadly. I'm Yugao Uzuki. I was recently removed from my position in ANBU for part of the reason we've come to find you, Ma'am." The former ANBU said, trying to keep her professionalism.
"Alright... so what is that you want?" Tsunade said, finished her treatment of her ward's jaw.
"Getting straight to the point huh? Very well. Tsunade, I've been sent by the old buzzards on the Council to bring you back to the village to be the fifth Hokage. Hiruzen Sensei was killed when Orochimaru used the Chunin Exams to have Suna and his new village, Oto, to attack The Leaf." Jiraiya started to explain before Tsunade interrupted him.
"That snake killed sensei?" She asked with a growl.
"Yes, but not before he sealed Orochimaru's arms, taking away his ability to Jutsu." Jiraiya stated getting a nod from his former teammate. "Now, I know this is going sound like I am trying to coerce you into coming back with me and Yugao, but if you don't come back and take the hat, Konoha as you know it will die. Danzo will take this opportunity to take control and destroy the belief that your grandfather built the Village upon, the Will of Fire."
Naruto growls, "Not only that but if what I heard about this bastard, war will return to the elemental nations, and shinobi will be turned into mindless, emotionalness, drones."
Tsunade remained silent, thinking things over. "Give me one good reason why I should go back to the village, where there is nothing but horrible memories and regret. Besides, Being Hokage is a fool's job. Hiruzen Sensei got lucky and lived a long life, but all the others, my grandfather included died at a young age. Being Hokage is a death sentence." Tsunade coldly.
Naruto growled. "You would disrespect the Hokages of your village, your own grandfather, knowing that they died protecting the populace of the village from threats that would have otherwise reduced it to ruin?"
"Takumi, calm down." Jiraiya said sternly then turning to the Slug Sannin. "As for a good reason, other than what my apprentice has said, what about Danzo not having any qualms about labeling you and Shizune missing ninja's, or turning every shinobi with a bloodline, regardless of gender, into breeding stock, regardless if they are from the village or not."
"If I might be selfish in throwing in a personal reason, I would be stripped out of my status as a Kunoichi could be revoked. You see, I requested a leave of absence due to my fiancé being killed during the exams. I needed time to grieve, despite the village being in shambles." Yugao put forth her reasons.
"I can understand needing time to grieve, but why did you leave the village? Why are you here?" Tsunade asked.
"I left because I overhead Jiraiya's apprentice needed a Kenjutsu teacher, and Hayate, my fiance, would have wanted me to pass on what I know, so I accompanied him to where Takumi was staying." She explained being as vague as possible, earning a discreet, appreciative nod from the young man in the room. Tsunade nodded, accepting her vague answer.
"There is another reason we are here. Orochimaru has been sighted within this village, and we have reason to believe he's here to convince you to heal his arms." Jiraiya said sternly.
"And what's in it for you, aside from bringing me back to somewhere I never wanted to return to, to warn me about my ex-teammates intentions?" She asks, looking at all the angles.
"Payback." Naruto growls, trying to keep his anger in check, "He killed someone precious to me, I intend to make him pay."
"Takumi!" Jiraiya scolded. "It was my intention to give you a head's up, and possibly, team up with you finally put that snake behind bars, or in the ground, should arrest not be possible."
Tsunade nodded, taking down Orochimaru for Hiruzen did sound appealing, but she was curious about the masked teen in the room. "Before I give you my decision, I've been meaning to ask who this, Takumi was it?" She paused getting a nod from everyone else in the room. "Who is he, why is his face covered, and why does he want to avenge sensei?"
This shocked the adults, even if they tried to hide it well, Naruto on the other hand simply asked, "Who said the Third Hokage was the one he took from me? He's killed thousands of people for his experiments after all."
"That's true, but how angry you got when I said being Hokage was a fool's job, and your obvious hatred for Orochimaru, I can assume you were close to him. Though to what extent, I do not know, but the timing is too convenient." The Slug Princess countered.
"You want to know who I am?" Naruto growled, his eyes flashing between red and blue, while Tsunade nods while Jiraiya and Yugao simply watch, knowing they couldn't stop him without raising more suspicion. "You're the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Mito Uzumaki, meaning you're at least a quarter Uzumaki, so you should recognize this blade." He said, unsealing his mother's sword.
"Benihime..." Tsunade gasped. "How do you have this sword?! Enough beating about the bush! Who are you!?" She demanded.
Naruto pulled on his mask revealing his fox-like whiskers. "I am the son of Kushina Uzumaki, and begrudgingly, the naïve fool, Minato Namikaze. I left the leaf after learning that Hiruzen kept the truth of who my parents were from me, despite me asking constantly once a month since I was old enough to talk. Making me wonder if I was loved, or if I was abandoned. Do you have any idea what does to a kid?" He said in a deathly quiet voice that held the purest malice and hatred. "However, he and a select few were the closest things I had to family. He was like a grandfather to me, and that snake killed him, while he was doing his duty as Hokage, protecting the village."
Tsunade was stunned, waiting for this boy to continue since she could tell he was taking a moment to calm down but was completely floored by his next statement. "And while I have given up on it when I left the village, I once dreamed of taking the Hat from the old man and become an even greater Hokage than any who came before me."
'Dan... Nawaki...' Tsunade thought. "Even so, isn't it a bit hypocritical that you are trying to get me to go back to somewhere you, yourself, have left behind?" She asked hiding her sadness.
"To be clear, I'm only here to help my Kenjutsu instructor here from being dishonorably discharged and to keep this Danzo from turning the elemental nations into a warzone. I still have people that I care about back there and elsewhere that will be in danger if you don't go back and become Hokage. The rest of the village can burn in the darkest circle of hell for all I care for what they did to me all my life. I will die protecting those precious to me. After all, as a friend once said to me, 'I believe that if someone has someone or something precious to protect, that is when they will be truly powerful.'" Naruto said sternly.
This kid just kept shocking her. While he may have left his home, he still wanted to protect the people he cared about. "I understand the reason you left, and that you want to protect those you care about. Hell, I get why you were defending the Hokage name. But you do realize that if I do go back and take the job that I'll be forced to label you a missing-nin, right?"
"Actually Tsunade, you wouldn't, not unless you wanted to ruin not only my reputation but Kakashi Hakate's as well. Naruto is, for all intents and purposes, dead as far as the village is concerned. You see, despite the village hating Naruto's very existence, they would never let him wander free for the same reason they hate him. He holds the Nine-tailed fox within his gut. Therefore, they wouldn't want to lose their 'precious weapon.'" Jiraiya said, saying precious weapon with such disdain, you could tell what he thought of that idea.
"I see..." Tsunade said. "I assume it's the council that saw him as a weapon, and the civilians saw him as the fox itself?" She asked only to feel unfathomable KI, and to her surprise, it was coming from the Jinchuriki in the room.
"Don't mention that again." Naruto said in a deathly quiet, demonic voice that promised pain if pushed anymore.
"Enough games! Give us your answer! You've given us the run around since we stepped through that door! Will you go back to the leaf and help us fight Orochimaru or are you sit back and let Danzo take control, destroy what Konoha is supposed to stand for, and be labeled a missing-nin along with your apprentice there!?" He said, his patience has run out.
"Naruto, calm down!" Jiraiya said before Naruto snapped to look at him.
"Stay out of this! I don't care if you have the biggest hard-on for her or not! She's been dodging giving us an answer, while we've been honest! I've even put my neck and my freedom on the line in order to try and do YOUR job to convince her to go back before the council gives Danzo the Hat and everything goes to hell!" Naruto retaliates.
Jiraiya flinches, with Yugao flinching as well, knowing her student was right. They needed an answer. Especially with Orochimaru likely looking for her right this moment.
Taking a deep breath to calm his anger, and stopping the flow of Kurama's chakra, he returns to looking at the Slug Sannin. "Well?" Was all he said.
She just stood there, shocked that some kid, young enough to be her grandson, who reminded her of her deceased lover and her brother, despite his rough and callous attitude towards her right this moment. She knew that he was right as well. She was buying time hoping Shizune would wake up and talk it over with her.
"I'll help you fight the snake, but I need to discuss going back with Shizune when she wakes up. That involves her too and I won't make the decision for her." Tsunade said firmly, getting a nod from Naruto and a sigh of relief from his companions.
"That's fair. Oh, and before you ask, I used to be a blonde before I had the fox change my hair color and Takumi is the alias I am using to keep the illusion that Naruto Uzumaki died defending civilians during Orochimaru's invasion. So, I hope you know that I'm putting my trust in you to keep that secret, regardless of what choice you make." Naruto said making his way to the door. "Let's go."
"Wait! I can't just leave her unattended." She said looking at the unconscious woman that she honestly considers to be her daughter.
Naruto just sighs and makes a seal-less clone to stand guard. "There, I've put enough chakra into this clone to be able to take a few hits. She'll be fine. Now let's go. We have a snake to skin. I have a couple of ladies that I'm sure would love a snakeskin purse."
Jiraiya and Yugao chuckle at that. They knew he was talking about Ayame and Tsumani. Tsunade looks confused but decided to talk about it after they dealt with the said snake. "Ok. Let's go."
AN: And that's it for this chapter. Sorry for the cliffhanger but I've been having trouble getting it this fair, and with it over 10k words, I figure it's a good place to stop. Next time will be the fight against Orochimaru, as well as deciding Yugao's fate. Will she resign and continue training Naruto? Will Tsunade betray our young hero and force him to return to the village along with her? Find out next time. Also, please leave a review, let me know what you think. But please, no flames. Reviews would help motivate me to write this story more often.