Disclaimer: I don't own naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto.
The author of the cover image is indy-riquez from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.
Chapter 11: Bittersweet Homecoming
-Gates of Konohagakure no Sato-
The sun shined brightly upon Konoha and it's inhabitants. The afternoon was one of the busiest times of the day in the great village, but despite that, Konoha always had an air of calmness and tranquility and together with its green scenery it was easy to find yourself a quiet spot to lay down and look at the clouds pass you by. Which was exactly what one Nara Shikamaru had in mind to do as soon as he reported back to the Hokage. Shikamaru's team had taken a small escort mission to a nearby town and was just getting back to the village along with his teammates: Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino, which all together were known as Team Ten and the second coming of the Ino-Chika-Chou trio.
Shikamaru had shoulder-length black hair that he kept up in a spiky ponytail and his eyes were black in color. In terms of attire, he used the standard Konoha green and gray uniform with flak jacket. ''I can't wait to give our briefing of this mission and be done with it. Honestly, I don't know why we always end up escorting to nearby villages. The road isn't even that dangerous, I'm sure they don't need a full team of Chunin and we ended up losing the whole day on the trip. Such a drag really.'' Complained the lazy genius.
''I personally find that is a good thing that at least you get to move your lazy ass for a change.'' Said Ino with a frown, reprimanding her teammate for his usual dull mannerisms. Ino was a fair skinned girl with green eyes and long platinum blond hair that she kept in a high ponytail with bangs covering the right side of her face. She wore a purple colored sleeveless top with matching skirt which left her stomach bare and had mesh warmers on her elbows and knees. ''Honestly, I think you are just mad that Temari-san is in the village and you are out here instead of spending time with her.'' Teased the Yamanaka with a sly smirk.
Shikamaru's face got red in embarrassment and looked away from the girl to mask it. ''Don't be ridiculous, woman. I just feel like spending my day looking calmly at the clouds it's all.''
''Sure you are, sure you are.'' Replied Ino with a knowing smile.
''Well, there in no need to dwell on it much longer, is it? We're almost in the village.'' Said the Akimichi while munching on a bag of chips. Chouji was rather large and husky. He had spiky brown hair that reached his waist and had red swirls on his cheeks. He wore a red suit with metal armor on the front of his torso with the Kanji for ''Food''. He had metal platings on his arms and legs and his forehead protector was red.
As Chouji had said, they were already in the village gates, which were guarded by two Chunin named Izumo and Kotetsu, and after spotting the approaching team, both Chunin waved at them in greeting.
''Hey if it isn't Team Ten. How are you guys doing?'' Asked Izumo. He was a fair-skinned man with spiky brown hair that covered his right eye. He used the standard Konoha uniform with the only small alteration being that he used his forehead protector as a bandana.
''Just finishing up some escorting mission. Nothing special really, they feel more like chores than anything.'' Said Shikamaru with a tired sigh.
''I don't think is that bad, Shikamaru. I would rather be doing this kind of stuff than the really dangerous missions, you know.'' Said Chouji while still eating his chips.
''I know what you mean Chouji. I'm always saying the same thing to this guy.'' Said Izumo while pointing at Kotetsu with his thumb. ''He is always complaining about guarding the gate or helping the Godaime with her paperwork, but I tell him that is better to be here than on the field. Plus, this job is still important.''
''I know that, man. But you can't blame a guy for getting bored by doing the same menial tasks over and over.'' Said Kotetsu. He was a man with spiky black hair and dark eyes. He had a strip of bandage running across his nose and had a marking of a vertical black stripe on his chin. Like Izumo, he was also wearing the standard Konoha uniform. ''I just wish that something interesting would happen once in a while.''
Then the conversation was cut short when Kakashi appeared running out of the woods. He was in a rush and he seemed to be carrying someone. They all were surprised to see to copy ninja in such a hurry and raised a questioning eyebrow.
''Kakashi-Sensei?'' Asked Chouji in surprise.
''Hey Kakashi-Senpai, what's the...Ahh.'' Kotetsu tried to ask the copy ninja but was interrupted when he just passed him by through the gates in a rush.
''I'm sorry guys, I don't have time to explain.'' Yelled Kakashi in the distance at the group.
''I wonder what has Kakashi-Sensei all worked up.'' Said Ino in wonder as she and the rest stared in the direction the Sharingan user ran off to.
''Izumo, was it my imagination or Kakashi-senpai was carrying an Iwa Shinobi?'' Asked Kotetsu to his friend with a puzzled expression.
''I saw it too. What's up with that?'' Answered the equally confused Izumo.
''Is a long story.'' Said a voice behind the group.
Izumo, Kotetsu, and Team Ten turned around to find Jiraiya, and just behind him were arriving Team Seven along with team Eight.
''Jiraiya-Sama, you are back!'' Said Kotetsu in surprise.
''And you found Naruto too! What a relief. I heard he went missing.'' Replied Izumo with a smile before turning to the approaching blond. ''Is good to see you in one piece, kid.''
''Naruto, are you ok!?'' Asked Ino as she hurried to Naruto with Shikamaru and Chouji behind her.
''We heard from Asuma-Sensei that you were captured. Is it true?'' Asked Chouji with concern, for once forgetting about his bag of chips.
Naruto put a hand behind his head and gave a nervous smirk as he squinted his eyes. ''Is true that I got into some problems, but everything turned out okay in the end. I'm sorry about worrying you guys.''
''I believe you can thank me and Akamaru for our superb performance in finding this doofus. We were the ones to find his trail first.'' Boasted Kiba with Akamaru soon joining with his barks.
''You weren't the only one giving it his all, you know!'' Said Sakura in indignation.
''I do believe it was a team effort, Kiba.'' The Aburame agreed with the pinkette.
''Please everyone, that doesn't matter right now. Instead, we all should be glad that Naruto-Kun is safe.'' Said Hinata meekly.
''Hinata is right. What's important is that Naruto is okay. But try to not get into such troublesome situations in the future.'' Said Shikamaru to Naruto.
''Right, I'll try not to.'' Said Naruto with a smile. ''But more importantly, I'm glad to see you guys! It's been a long time since I last saw you!'' Replied the Jinchuuriki with excitement.
''You certainly have grown, Naruto.'' Said Chouji amicably.
''Yea, you don't resemble a runt now, at least.'' Said Ino in a slight tease.
''Hey, I never did!'' Replied an upset Naruto to his fellow blonde.
''I'm sorry to interrupt you brat, but we have to report to Tsunade as soon as we can. She is probably worried sick about you. You can catch up with you friends afterward.'' Said the Sannin to his apprentice.
''You are right, Ero-Sennin!'' Said Naruto with urgency. For a moment seeing his friends made him forget about that. Besides, he still needed to check what was going to happen to Kurotsuchi.
''You can go and rest, you earned it. I'll handle the report.'' Said Jiraiya to Team Eight, who just nodded in understanding. ''The same goes for you, pinky.'' Said the man while addressing Sakura, who got a vein mark on her forehead in anger for being called 'pinky'.
''Gotta go, I'll see you guys later.'' Said Naruto to his friends with a wave of his arm as he started walking away with Jiraiya in a hurry.
Now that they were gone, Ino turned to Sakura with a grin.
''Okay, forehead, tell us in detail what happened on your mission. It can't have been so easy to track Naruto all over the elemental nations. And what's the deal with that Iwa ninja that Kakashi-Sensei was carrying?'' Asked Ino. If there was one thing that the Yamanaka loved was to gossip.
''Yea, I would like to know too. If you guys don't mind telling that is.'' Said Chouji curiously.
Even Shikamaru was paying attention. He normally didn't want to indulge in gossip but this time, he couldn't deny that he too was curious to know more about it.
Sakura sighed with weariness. The trip had been tiresome and she had to constantly keep an eye on the Iwa Kunoichi all the way through, but she did, in fact, want to share what she knew as she was interested to know her friend's thoughts on the matter. ''Well, it is a long story as Jiraiya-Sama said, but what happened was...
-Hokage Tower-
Tsunade was restless as she filled her paperwork as best as she could. ever since she knew of Naruto going missing she had been too worried about the blond idiot and her mind was constantly drifting to worry about the boy's safety. So imagine her surprise when the door opened ad said blond Jinchuuriki rushed into her office.
''What is it this...Naruto!'' Said the Hokage, going from frustrated to astonished when she realized who had entered.
''Hey Tsunade-Baachan I'm b-hmmmp!'' Naruto's sentence was interrupted when Tsunade got up so fast to envelop him in a hug that he didn't even see her move.
''you moron! You almost gave me a heart attack when I heard you went missing.'' Said Tsunade trying to sound angry, but her actions and the relieved smirk on her face showed her true feelings.
''I can't breathe, Tsunade-Baachan!'' managed to say Naruto as he was being crushed in the woman's powerful embrace.
Tsunade realized what she was doing and quickly let go of the Jinchuuriki, which proceeded to catch his breath now that he could inhale again. ''Sorry about that, brat. I was just worried about you, that's all.''
''And sorry about that, Tsunade-Baachan. I didn't mean to make so many people worried.'' Said Naruto apologetically.
''Is not your fault, Naruto. That was Iwa's fault, as well as Jiraiya's. The pervert was supposed to protect you and the idiot takes you to the Land of lightning which is too far away from our protection. And speaking of which, where is the old pervert?'' Asked Tsunade glancing around.
''Here I am, Hime.''
Both Tsunade and Naruto turned around to see Jiraiya sitting of the office's window.
''The idiot just couldn't wait to come here, so he went on ahead.'' Explained Jiraiya.
''Tsunade-Sama, I heard you yell, is everything alright?'' Said Shizune as she entered the Hokage's office too. ''Naruto-Kun!'' Shouted the raven haired girl with enthusiasm at seeing her brother figure safe and sound, before also hugging the boy.
''Is good to see you too, Nee-Chan.''Said Naruto with a warm smile.
after a few moments, Shizune stopped her embrace to look him over with concern. ''You are alright, aren't you? No injuries? Because just say the word and I can treat them for you.''
''I'm fine nee-chan, really. It takes more than a few Iwa Shinobi to take down Uzumaki Naruto.'' Replied the blond cheerfully.
''I'm glad to hear it.'' Said Shizune happily. ''And my gosh! You really have grown, you are taller than me now!''
''It's true, now you don't look like a snot nosed brat anymore. Not that much, anyway.'' Said Tsunade with a smirk.
''Why everyone keeps saying that! I didn't look like a snot nosed brat!'' Said Naruto in indignation which only caused everyone else in the room to laugh at his antics.
''And not only that, but his skills have grown just as much, too.'' Said Jiraiya proudly.
''Is that so? Then we may have to test him soon to see if that claim holds water.'' Replied Tsunade.
''No problem, I can handle anyone now! Bring it on!'' Said Naruto with confidence.
However, their little chat was interrupted when someone else entered the room, and everyone turned to look at Kakashi.
''Hi everyone. I see that Naruto is already catching up with Tsunade-Sama. I hope I'm not interrupting by the way.'' Said The copy ninja with his trademark eye-smile.
''Not at all.'' Said Tsunade.
''What about our guest?'' Asked Jiraiya sternly.
''That's right! How is Kurotsuchi, is she okay?!'' Asked Naruto with concern.
Tsunade and Shizune raised an eyebrow in confusion. ''Kurotsuchi? Guest? who are they talking about?''
''She is safe, Naruto. I took her to the hospital and it seems that Sakura was right. They told me that she will need to be kept under watch to see if she recovers properly. And that is after they confirm if she needs further treatment.'' Explained the cyclops. ''Of course, the medics were a bit reserved about having her there, but I assured them that she was sedated and as long as they keep her that way there should be no trouble.'' finished the Sharingan user.
''I see.'' Said Jiraiya plainly while Naruto just nodded both satisfied and relieved.
''Wait a minute! Someone explain to me what are you guys talking about?'' commanded the Hokage and Shizune nodded in agreement with her master.
Jiraiya and Kakashi shared a worried look between themselves before turning to Tsunade again.
Naruto was just about to speak when Jiraiya grabbed him and covered his mouth with a hand to keep the blond from running his mouth before they could properly relay the situation.
''Hokage-Sama, first I think you ought to know what happened. In our mission when we finally found Naruto he was engaged in combat with two Akatsuki members.'' Said Kakashi.
Tsunade and Shizune widened their eyes at the information. Fighting two Akatsuki members!?
''Two of them at the same time?!'' Exclaimed Tsunade as she looked at the Jinchuuriki who was still struggling to free himself from Jiraiya's hold.
''What happened to them?! Did you guys beat them?'' Asked Shizune with worry.
''I'll get to that in a moment. As I was saying, when we found him, me and Jiraiya-Sama quickly worked together to take down one of the members by cutting off his head.'' Kakashi continued to explain.
''So you did manage to get one of them!'' Exclaimed Shizune with relief.
''Not exactly.'' Replied Jiraiya, with a still angry Naruto in his grip. ''turns out the guy was immortal. His head kept talking by itself, it was truly-Ow! don't bite, you idiot!'' Yelled Jiraiya as he brought down his other fist on top of the blond's head.
''How is that even possible?'' Said Shizune, baffled.
''I knew the Akatsuki were dangerous but immortal? The Akatsuki are much more dangerous than we imagined.'' Said Tsunade thoughtfully.
''When they saw us arrive, the other member grabbed his fallen comrade and made a run for it. They probably felt that the battle odds had turned against them with our arrival.'' Explained Kakashi.
''If that was the case then you should have gone after them! If even they thought that they were at a disadvantage then you could have eliminated them then and there!'' Berated their leader.
''That was the idea, and we were just about to, but...'' Trailed off Jiraiya.
''But?'' Repeated Tsunade inquisitively.
''There was someone else in there, an Iwa Kunoichi that previously was in the squad sent to capture Naruto. She was passed out and gravely injured. Naruto vehemently insisted that we should help her, and in the end, we had to let go the Akatsuki to do as such.'' Reported Kakashi.
Tsunade wasn't happy at hearing that, however. ''What were you guys thinking in Letting two members of Akatsuki escape?! I know that Naruto likes to be merciful with his enemies, but you two should know better!'' Said Tsunade in anger which made the males recoil in fear.
''Tsunade-Sama is right, how could you do something like that? especially to help one of the people responsible for almost killing Naruto and Jiraiya-Sama!'' Said Shizune in agreement, which surprised everyone. It was rare to see the usually good-natured Shizune so angry.
''But Hime, she isn't just any Kunoichi, she is Ohnoki's granddaughter.'' Jiraiya explained himself in hopes to appease the angry woman.
''No way... Ohnoki's granddaughter? Are you certain of this?!'' Asked Tsunade in amazement.
''Why was someone like that in that place?'' Asked Shizune just as amazed as the Hokage.
''Beats me. You'll have to ask Naruto for that.'' Replied Jiraiya, still holding said boy.
''You can talk now, Naruto.'' Requested Tsunade to the Jinchuuriki.
At Tsunade's order, Jiraiya finally released Naruto and the Jinchuuriki proceeded to shoot a glare at the toad Sannin before turning to the Hokage. ''Tsunade-Baachan, I'm telling you, Kurotsuchi isn't a bad person, in fact, she was helping me fight the Akatsuki!'' Said Naruto in the girl's defense.
''She was most likely helping herself, kid.'' Commented Jiraiya.
''You don't know that, Ero-Sennin! I got to know her for a bit, and I know she isn't bad!'' Argued a miffed Naruto. ''We traveled together for a while and made a truce, Then we helped some people in need, and then we were gonna go our separate ways when...''
''Brat, that's enough!'' Shouted Tsunade and Naruto stopped his explanation.
''I don't care about any of that, Naruto.'' Said Tsunade with a straight serious face. ''I only want to know one thing: How did she end up with you? And I only want you to tell me that one thing and nothing else.''
Naruto got silent and answered with resignation, knowing that there was nothing he could say now that didn't make the girl look bad. ''She was the one who kidnapped me.'' Finished a depressed Naruto.
A needle falling could have been heard in the room with how quiet it got, and after a moment of everyone waiting for a verdict, Tsunade finally spoke.
''I see. Kakashi, I want you to go to the hospital and tell them to send the girl to one of our cells in our T&I division. She will stay there until we come to a verdict on how we will deal with Iwa as the girl may play a part in the future.'' Declared the Hokage with finality much to Naruto's disappointment.
''At once, Hokage-Sama.'' Said Kakashi with a bow before he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
''Tsunade-Baachan, this isn't right! She already hates us and this will only make it worse.'' Said Naruto insistently.
''Naruto, I don't give a crap about what she thinks of us. She is an enemy and will be treated as such.'' Replied the Hokage while rolling her eyes.
''Just cut it out, brat. Listen to Tsunade, you are talking nonsense!'' Jiraiya reprimanded his student.
''But me and her had already come to an understanding! We were about to go our separate ways when the Akatsuki attacked us! It isn't fair that she is our prisoner after we called a truce!'' Tried to explain the blond.
''Fair?! Fair would be to execute her right now! She was part of a mission that was ultimately going to result in your death! The only reason she is still alive is because she is worth more to us alive than dead!'' Yelled an irritated Tsunade.
''But it feels like I betrayed her trust!'' Complained the insistent Jinchuuriki.
''Enough!'' Tsunade finally snapped and brought her hand down on her desk with enough force to crack it. ''This issue isn't up for debate. At least not with you, Naruto! Tomorrow I'll have a gathering with the council. I'll bring the girl up with them and then we'll decide what to do with her. Jiraiya, please take Naruto somewhere else, eat some ramen or whatever. I just need to be alone to ponder on all this mess. And that's an order!''
The toad Sannin nodded obediently and put a hand on the Jinchuuriki's shoulder. ''Let's go, kid. We can talk about this later.''
the blond Genin frowned but nodded reluctantly as he let his teacher lead the way out of the office.
After both teacher and student left the room, Tsunade sank into her comfy chair and let out a big sigh to try and relieve some stress.
''Ufff, that could have gone better.'' Grumbled the blond woman.
''You can say that twice.'' Said Shizune. She could understand Naruto's frustration, but the boy could be very naive from time to time.
''Shizune, fetch me some sake. I really need a drink.'' Said the well-endowed woman to her protegee.
''Tsunade-Sama, you know that you shouldn't be drinking on the job!''Berated the raven beauty.
However, Tsunade's cold glare left no room for argument. Her mood and stress had made her lose her patience.
''B-But I suppose just one or two glasses won't hurt, hehe...'' Said Shizune nervously as she went for the exit.
''And make it snappy!'' Said the Hokage just as Shizune closed the door behind her. Now that she was finally left alone, Tsunade started massaging her temple with a deep sigh as she tried to fight down a familiar headache that a certain Jinchuuriki was so adept at causing her. ''Yep, Naruto is back, alright.''
-Somewhere else in Konoha-
Kurotsuchi slowly opened her eyes and stared drowsily at the ceiling of the room she was in. Her vision was blurry and her body felt numb. Her stomach was very sore, and on top of that, she found difficult to focus her mind so she realized that she had to be under the effect of some drug. At that realization, coupled with the fact that she didn't know where she was, she started to thrash her legs and arms to try and stand herself, but she found that she was bound in some kind of straitjacket with weird seals on it. She continued like that for a few minutes until she decided that it was useless. So she opted for trying to clear her head. ''Okay Kurotsuchi, think. How could I end up in...wherever this place is?'' She was with the dumbass, and then the Akatsuki showed up, and that silver-haired fucker used some strange Jutsu and she passed out. But that didn't explain how she ended up in this place. Luckily, she was finally starting to recover her vision and now she could have a good look of the room.
The room wasn't very big, just barely big enough to fit the bed she was currently laying at, along with a toilet and sink on the opposite side of the room. She could see a single door with an open window with thick bars of steel preventing anyone from entering or exiting the room through there. Now Kurotsuchi realized in a panic that this place had to be a cell! This bit of knowledge made the girl start to squirm again to try and free herself from the straitjacket she was wearing.
''I would stop that if I were you.''
Kurotsuchi stopped her struggle and stared at the source of the voice. Said person was a man dressed in a nurse uniform. He was staring at her with a glare through the metal bars.
''If you keep doing that you'll just open your wound again. You needed a couple hours of surgery and more than a few plasma pills just to treat you and I would appreciate if you didn't let all that effort go to waste.'' Said the man with a stern voice.
Kurotsuchi glared at the man with hatred and bared her teeth in defiance. ''And who the fuck are you!? And what the hell is this place?!'' Demanded to know the Iwa Kunoichi.
''You are in Konoha, and from now on, you'll be our prisoner unless the Hokage says otherwise.'' Replied the man with severity.
Kurotsuchi widened her eyes in shock before quickly turning into anger. ''Is that so, uh? Don't you assholes know who I am?! If Iwa finds out that I'm here they are gonna turn your pathetic village into rubble!'' Shouted the girl while trying to stand and failing miserably to do it, as the sedatives hadn't completely left her system yet.
''Whatever you say.'' Said the man with a roll of his eyes. ''And by the way, you have a visitor, so you better behave.'' Added the man as he stood aside.
Kurotsuchi's glare momentarily receded at hearing that, wondering who could be visiting her in this place. But her glare came back full force once she saw a familiar face of a blond that took the man's place at the other side of the window.
''Ohh, if it isn't mister back-stabber himself.'' Said the tomboy through gritted teeth.
''Hey Kurotsuchi, How are you? Are your wounds.. emmm... feeling better?'' Asked Naruto lamely, a bit ashamed for not thinking of anything better to say in this situation.
Kurotsuchi's anger just grew at the blond's stupid words. ''How I am? Oh you know, just peachy... How do you think I'm doing, you traitorous cock-sucking bitch?!'' Yelled the enraged girl as she continued trying to stand by herself.
Naruto winced at the girls words, even if he knew that he did the best he could to save her life, he still felt guilty about the position the Iwa prodigy was in right now. ''I know you are angry and I'm sorry. But don't worry, I'll find a way to help you! I'm going to talk with Tsunade-Baachan again and...''
''Save your words, asshole!'' Interrupted the pink-eyed girl, and in her thrashing she fell off the bed and hit the floor hard, and she gave a loud yell when it caused a sharp pain in her still-healing wound.
''Are you okay, Kurotsuchi?!'' Asked Naruto with worry when he saw her fall painfully on her side.
Kurotsuchi just ignored him, however. ''Is my fault. I should have killed your ass as soon as we got out of the Land of Frost. I was a fool to even suggest a truce with you!'' Yelled the girl from her place on the floor. ''You best hope I never get out of here or I'll hunt you down like an animal, you hear me!?''
Upon hearing the commotion, the previous man came back in a rush to check what was going on. ''I'm sorry, boy. But I'm afraid you'll have to leave. You are distressing the prisoner.''
''But...'' Said Naruto reluctantly, but he accepted that is was best to just comply, since Kurotsuchi just kept yelling on the floor, in both pain and rage with no sign of stopping anytime soon. ''Okay, I'll be going. Sorry to have disturbed you.'' Said the blond as he turned to leave.
''I swear I'm gonna make you pay for this, Naruto!'' that was the last thing Naruto heard as he was leaving the place with a heavy heart.
Once Naruto exited the T&I building, outside he found Jiraiya leaned on a wall and patiently waiting for him.
''I'm guessing your little visit didn't go as you wanted.'' Said Jiraiya when he saw Naruto approach him with a sad look.
''I tried to explain myself, Ero-Sennin. But she didn't want to listen.'' Said Naruto somberly.
Jiraiya sighed at his student's downed mood. He didn't want to see Naruto beating himself up for the fate of an enemy that got what she deserved after attacking them. But if Naruto wanted to involve himself, he knew that he wouldn't be able to stop him. So the only thing left to do was to advise him as best he could. ''There is not much you could have done. Obviously, a few kind words won't make her feel better. To be honest, it probably sounds insulting for her considering is coming from a foe.'' Explained the sage.
''I know, but I at least wanted to let her know that I didn't wish for any of this to happen.'' Said the Genin as he looked at the floor, reminiscing of everything that happened to them in their travel.
''Anyway, we should get going. Tell you what, let's go to Ichiraku, my treat. What do you say?'' Offered the Sannin with a grin in an attempt to distract Naruto from his worries.
But instead, Naruto just kept looking at the floor with the same downed look, not reacting at all to the offer of free ramen, much to Jiraiya's surprise. ''Ero-Sennin...'' Started Naruto, and he slowly met Jiraiya's eyes with his own with a completely serious face, an action that completely startled the older man as it wasn't the typical behavior of the boy. ''Tell me what is going to happen to Kurotsuchi. Please be completely honest with me.'' Asked Naruto in a severe tone.
Jiraiya was taken aback by the Jinchuuriki's attitude. This way of acting was very unlike Naruto. But he resolved to honor the boy's request as it was obviously something that greatly concerned him. ''If you really want to know, I'll tell you. But I'm warning you that you aren't going to like it.'' Answered Jiraiya now completely serious himself.
Naruto just kept staring at Jiraiya and nodded his head with resolution. If it was something that he wouldn't like, then in his opinion, he deserved to know it even more.
Jiraiya sighed before he started explaining. ''At this point, anything could happen to her. Well, anything but good things for her anyway. She could be outright executed. She could be tortured for information, maybe even to death too. She could stay in that cell for life. She could even be...'' Jiraiya trailed off, not comfortable to say the last part.
''She could even be what?'' Insisted Naruto with the same serious face.
Jiraiya clicked his tongue before continuing. ''You remember what we talked that other time? About Kumo's attempt to capture Hinata?'' At his question, Naruto nodded and raised an eyebrow, wondering what that had to do with the topic at hand. ''Well, it is to our knowledge that the girl possesses a Kekei Genkai, the Yoton. We confirmed as much when we searched for her in the bingo book. So you remember how Kumo was going to use Hinata to produce her Byakugan in their village? Well, we could have a similar situation in here.'' Said Jiraiya with reservation.
Naruto stayed silent as he thought about what Jiraiya had said, and after a moment, he widened his eyes in disgust when it finally dawned on him what it meant. ''No, you can't mean...we wouldn't! There is no way we would do something like that! We aren't like Kumo or the other villages!'' Said Naruto alarmed.
Now even Jiraiya looked a bit sad when he conveyed the news to the blond. ''We are still a military power at heart, Naruto. Using her to breed the Yoton in Konoha is not out of the question.'' Honestly, the notion disgusted even Jiraiya, but that was how the world worked, and as much as he would like to think that Konoha was above such disgusting tactics he would be a fool to deny that they were capable of it, especially with guys like Danzo around.
Any appetite that Naruto could have had was now gone. ''I see...I'm sorry Ero-Sennin, but I'll have to pass on Ichiraku's. I think I'll better be getting back to my place.'' Replied Naruto with sadness as he turned to walk in the direction of his apartment.
Jiraiya watched silently with concern as Naruto walked away, but still, he still needed to say something to make him realize he couldn't save everyone. ''It would be better that you don't beat yourself over things you can't control, kid. The best thing you can do is to take this as an experience and learn from it.''
Naruto stopped momentarily to hear what Jiraiya had said, but after the message had been relayed he just resumed walking without saying another word.
Jiraiya looked on as Naruto left. After the blond had completely left his sight, he gave a repressed sigh. He hated seeing the boy like that but it was important that he realized sooner rather than later that he couldn't save everyone. But that didn't mean that he didn't feel bad to see the boy go through his struggles. After a moment, he too started walking away, wondering on what to occupy his time as he wasn't in the mood to be peeking on girls right now.
When Naruto finally arrived at his apartment, he stared around the place that had been his home through all his life. It had been a long time since he had been there, but instead of feeling happy to be back he just felt sadness over the fate of the Iwa Kunoichi. He took off his sandals and started walking down the hall to his room. After he entered his small room he took off his weapons pouch and sat on his bed. It was almost night time by this point but he didn't feel like sleeping. He continued to stare at nothing in particular for several minutes until the sun no longer entered through his window when all of a sudden he slammed his hand on the wall with a frustrated yell. ''Damn it!''
He couldn't stand the thought of the terrible fate that awaited Kurotsuchi. Compared to all the options available to the girl it was a saddening thought when a quick death seemed to be the more appealing of the bunch. He knew that Kurotsuchi wasn't a bad girl, sure she was rough around the edges and could be a bitch from time to time, but he had also seen some of her good side too. She was the most concerned of the two when Yuna-chan asked for their help, he could see the fondness she had for her family if the way her eyes lit up whenever she talked about her mother was any indication, and her love for her village was true and she would give it her all to protect her home just like Naruto would protect his. Also, she dreamed of being Tsuchikage just as he wanted to become Hokage. After thinking it through for a while, Naruto finally decided that he was gonna keep trying. He was going to talk to Tsunade again tomorrow and would convince her one way or another to give some lenience to Kurotsuchi. He wasn't known for giving up after all, and he wouldn't start now, not when someone's life depended on him.
Author's note: This chapter was oh so satisfying to write! I've had a lot of these scenes in my head since forever and it feels so good to finally put them into words. Seriously, a lot of scenes in this chapter I had already planned how they would develop since I first posted this story, I'm not kidding. I better start writing the next chapter as soon as I can because I have so many scenes that I planned since forever and I can't wait to finally share them with you guys! And as always, please give me your thoughts on the chapter (or the story in general) on a review if you have the chance. Anyway, I'll see you guys next time!
