Mhmm, chapter three, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 3: Becoming Pervy Sage

"C'mon, Gaki. C'mon C'mon C'mon," came the voice of Jiraiya as he stood over Naruto's shoulder. "I need this. You have to come through for me. Don't mess this up!"

A tired yawn came from Naruto as he rubbed his eyes. Naruto smacked his lips twice before looking at the sheet of paper Jiraiya handed him. A few blinks, and Naruto realized what it was. The jinchuriki shook his head as chakra coated his thumb before he took it to the paper. Naruto rubbed it across a few times to reveal two numbers.

"Yes, just one more," said Jiraiya before Naruto scratched off another. Jiraiya's eyes widened as he snatched the slip of paper from Naruto and looked at it greedily. "GAKI! If I haven't told you yet, you're golden! The exact opposite of Tsunade when it comes to gambling. Your luck is ridiculous." continued Jiraiya looking at the three 100,000s Naruto revealed. It was a winning ticket. "I knew you were going to be helpful coming along on this trip. 100,000 ryo from a 100 ryo scratch-off. Hot damn, what a way to start the morning. Now get your ass up. Time for training."

Naruto yawned again as he took off his frog nightcap and looked around for a shirt to wear.

"Meh, I'm training," said Naruto, deciding to go shirtless. Naruto went to brush his teeth as he prepped to get his day started. His stomach growled when he grabbed his toothbrush as Naruto sighed. "Stupid clone ate my dinner last night. Ero-Sennin wouldn't cook again."

Stupid clones. They'd been getting more liberal with their orders since Naruto started this trip. He'd need to speak with them soon to make sure they knew the rules. One, listen to the original—obvious first rule. Two, don't eat his food. That was all. More rules would come eventually. Naruto would and could make them as necessary.

"Alright, let's get the day started," said Naruto before his stomach growled again.

He'd need a bite to eat before he got to work.

(Sometime Later)

"So nothing I do will change that?" asked Shizuka, overlooking a squadron of clones.

The clones each had a leaf in their hands as they were trying to complete the first stage of wind manipulation. That stage is splitting the leaf in half with wind chakra.

Jiraiya found out Naruto's elemental affinity was wind and couldn't be happier. Jiraiya didn't have a wind affinity, but Jiraiya knew how good wind was as an element. And it fit the gaki so perfectly. It was slow-going learning since Jiraiya couldn't help, but progress was being made, and that was the whole point in the first place.

Shizuka heard a chuckle come from the Sannin seated beside her. She turned to see Jiraiya sitting there with a smile on his face.

"No, me and the kid may parallel in a lot of ways but, he's not as committed to his first 'love' like I am. You could potentially get him to go off and marry you," said Jiraiya as he looked over to see the real Naruto doing laps around the clearing. Laps while he dragged an enormous boulder strapped to his back. "It's going to take time, is all. You can't expect him to be okay with the whole marriage thing, let alone being together." continued Jiraiya, watching Naruto struggle to keep the boulder moving. If he stopped at any point, he wouldn't be able to get it going again by himself. And he knew that if he stopped, he'd have to start all over. "The thing he has for his teammate will probably end the moment he gets back. Kid's stubborn but, he's a lot smarter than I was and am. Give it some time."

"How much time? It's already been two months, and I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere."

"You haven't," said Jiraiya getting Shizuka to frown. He said that way too quickly. "I'm sure you have a guy trying to win your hand in marriage? Anybody knowing your village's rules probably tries to beat you in a fight. They're quite annoying. I'm willing to bet?" Shizuka gave a head nod. Thus, Jiraiya continued his point. "Well, you're doing the same to Naruto. He probably feels the same way about you as you feel about those who try to win your hand in marriage."

"Naruto-kun thinks I'm annoying?"

"I don't know what the gaki thinks. He may not be annoyed. But, I'd guess he's tired of the marriage thing," said Jiraiya seeing Naruto slow down a bit before growling and going a bit faster. That got Jiraiya to smile, seeing the boy's determination to finish. "If you're so adamant about your destiny, fine. But don't throw it in the kid's face every conversation you both have. You might get somewhere if you didn't."

Shizuka nodded her head in understanding. She usually brought up the marriage thing to Naruto when they spoke—gauging to see if he'd changed his mind. And every time she did, he would shake his head, and either end the conversation or change the topic. Shizuka felt bad not realizing that before looking at Jiraiya with a heartfelt smile.

"Thank you for that," said Shizuka getting a thumbs up. Shizuka looked at the original Naruto straining himself and took a moment to admire the muscles working to keep that boulder moving. He was working extra hard today. "Is he trying to get a new jutsu again? Naruto-kun looks like he's about to pass out."

"Nah, kid's fine. But yeah, I got a new jutsu for the kid," said Jiraiya alluding to Naruto needing to overtax himself physically to earn a new trick. It's why he was dragging that boulder. Jiraiya may have hinted to him about it when he started. "It's a good one too. He's going to love it. One from my collection. The first he'll learn from it to boot!"

"Hmm, so the teacher is teaching his pupil his tricks?"

"Pfft, no. The kid is decades too early before being able to claim to be my pupil publically," said Jiraiya as his smile grew bigger. He could see Naruto pushing even harder than earlier. Almost like Maito Gai or Rock Lee back in Konoha would. "But he's going to get there. Kid's got what it takes. Definitely has what it takes."

The dozens of clones in front of Shizuka and Jiraiya all groaned at the same time, catching the two's attention as they all messed up in unison. A small laugh came from Shizuka before she smiled. Shizuka's smile then turned into a smirk before she stood up.

"Time is on my side in this case. It's my destiny to marry the student of Jiraiya, and I aim to accomplish that."

"Good, remember. You can take a horse to the well. That doesn't mean it has to drink from it."

"Got it. And I can help the clones with that wind exercise. I refuse to train with the original. I can't keep up with Naruto physically," said Shizuka getting Jiraiya to giggle perversely. Shizuka ignored the gutter-minded Sannin and prepped to jump down and help the clones. Before leaving, she figured she could give Jiraiya some sage words in return. "By the way, you know if Naruto-kun uses up to a thousand clones a day during his training. He's doing about 41 days of training per hour that those clones are." continued Shizuka getting Jiraiya to furrow his brow. Shizuka knew her math was correct and smiled, seeing Jiraiya realize what that meant. "He's been flying through those decades with his year of teaching under you using that method. This means, by your logic, Naruto is your pupil Jiraiya-sama. Be proud."

Jiraiya did the math in his head and realized she was right. Naruto was doing months of training every week. The two of them have been together for a year. Fifty-two weeks in a year multiplied by-oh, Shizuka was a cold piece of work for dropping that knowledge on him. She smirked, seeing his face as she jumped down to help out the clones.

"Damn, the brat might be my pupil," said Jiraiya looking at Naruto. He saw Naruto finish the last of his fifty laps and drop face-first in the dirt. The kid looked near death, but Jiraiya wasn't having that. He had something he needed to confirm. "No, can't be. I have to test this. Time for another spar. Gaki!" shouted Jiraiya, getting the sweaty and exhausted Jinchuriki to look at him. "Time to face the music again."

Naruto groaned, but he still managed to stand and face his sensei. He had a little bit left in the tank. A little bit in his tank meant he had plenty more energy to burn.

(With Shizuka and the clones)

"This stupid leaf is impossible to cut," groaned one of the clones as the others all agreed. All but one of them who was whispering with Shizuka, who'd joined them not a few minutes ago. A clone noticed this, and his jealousy was palpable immediately."Oi! How come you get to talk with Shizuka-chan? Boss made me the head clone today."

"Who made you head clone?! Boss didn't say anything outside of telling us to split the leaf. He didn't make you head clone," said another clone as more and more clones began to argue with each other.

Their arguing escalated as several poofs of smoke went up due to clones dispelling. An all-out brawl was going down between the clones fighting over who was the top clone. Rasengans were swirling to life as jutsu started to fly all around. The clones were getting particularly violent with one another. It was chaos that Shizuka was seeing as she shook her head.

"Hey clones," spoke Shizuka stopping the fighting clones in their tracks as they looked at the pretty kunoichi. One clone got in a cheap shot during the stoppage, dispelling the clone, as Shizuka ignored it to pick up a discarded leaf. "Now, watch and learn."

The clones all sat googly-eyed at the Nadeshiko kunoichi as she held the leaf between her palms. A second went by as Shizuka opened her hands and showed the perfectly split leaf. All the clones gave a "wow" and admired her.

"See? Not impossible. Now let's get to work. I'll be helping from now on."

"Hai Shizuka-sensei!" spoke the clones in unison, getting a smile from their 'teacher.'

Shizuka walked around and helped the clones as they needed it. They'd get this by the end of the day if it were up to her.

(With Naruto and Jiraiya)

"Hmm, you are getting stronger," said Jiraiya, actively needing to block all of Naruto's strikes now with a tinge of effort. Naruto smiled at his sensei as he went through the Taijutsu for Frog Fu against him. He was noticeably better after months of taijutsu kata practice by his clones. Jiraiya's eyes widened when Naruto added chakra to augment his physical abilities. "Oh ho! This is a bit of fun. I may not fall asleep like before."

"Don't worry, you'll get some rest, sensei," said Naruto lashing out with an elbow that Jiraiya caught cleanly between his hands. "I'll let you get some rest when I knock you out."

"You couldn't put me to sleep even if I were already dozing off," said Jiraiya before hearing the familiar swirl of a Rasengan.

Jiraiya wasn't expecting that as the Rasengan connected and blew him away. Naruto smiled, seeing the clean hit he'd scored before frowning. The Jiraiya he hit turned to one of his clones that dispelled in a poof of smoke.

"A clone? You switched with one of me," said Naruto scanning the area for Jiraiya. "You made me commit homicide. On myself. Is that suicide then?"

"Definitely suicide," said Jiraiya standing behind Naruto before whipping into a spin kick. The kick turned Naruto into a poof of smoke as Jiraiya's eyes widened. Jiraiya quickly found the real Naruto holding the tiger seal. A shuriken was halfway between them and closing in on Jiraiya. "Little brat moves fast."

"Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)," said Naruto as that one shuriken multiplied into dozens. Naruto frowned when Jiraiya's hair grew to surround him. "Oh, come on. I had you that time."

"Hari Jizo (Needle Jizo) says you didn't," replied Jiraiya as the kunai bounced off the shield that was his hardened hair. Not a second later, Jiraiya appeared before Naruto, who looked up surprised. The heel of Jiraiya's geta sandal planted itself into Naruto's sternum as the kick sent the boy through several trees. Jiraiya put his foot down as his hair shrunk back to its regular length. "I thought you'd be able to dodge that. I wasn't even moving that fast."

"Ouch," said Naruto standing up out of a tree he sat in.

"What? Not only didn't you dodge my kick but, now it hurt you? It was a love tap."

"Duh, that kick was weak. I barely felt that," said Naruto standing up, genuinely unaffected by the powerful kick. Other than the fading red mark on his chest, Naruto looked no worse for wear. Jiraiya nodded, seeing that, but that didn't explain why he got hit? "I'd have caught that weak ass kick but, I just beat the hell out of myself not 10 seconds ago over who was the head clone. All the memories just hit."

"Ahh, thank goodness. I thought you had got weaker. But wait, your clones fought over who was the head clone?" questioned Jiraiya with a smile forming. Naruto's clones were getting more aggressive and violent the stronger Naruto got. It was amusing to see and hear about. Especially considering they all came as split personalities of the original. "Who won in the end?"

"Ha, I did," said Naruto getting Jiraiya to laugh. Naruto chuckled too before putting his hands in the ram seal. Jiraiya's 'Oh Shit' senses went flaring up when Naruto glowed in a red cloak of oppressive chakra. One tail of the Kyubi's chakra swished behind him as Naruto marveled at how he felt. "Wow, that was easy to bring up. That took no time at all."

Kyubi Naruto was a problem to contend with.

"I thought you weren't going to use the Kyubi's chakra until you were a badass?" questioned Jiraiya getting ready in case the boy rushed him. "I might have to get serious."

"I've been badass since I came out the womb, Ero-Sennin. You know that," said Naruto making sure he was still in complete control. Since he was, he allowed a second tail to sprout. As his features became feral, Jiraiya could see Naruto's whisker marks darkening. "Hmm, even the second tail was easy to bring up. I did wonder if I could control this better."

"And?" questioned Jiraiya before holding up his right arm. He blocked a powerful kick as his hair blew from the force generated. Jiraiya's heel dug into the ground as he nodded his head. "I'm guessing you can control that better?"

"Oh yeah. At least one tail. The second one is tough already," said Naruto before dropping the shroud immediately. Jiraiya rose an eyebrow while Naruto stepped back to reset their spar. Seeing the question on his sensei's face, Naruto explained. "I still don't want to use the Kyubi. I did want to see how it felt again. It's way easier to control than a year ago but, I'm not badass until I can put you on your back. Until I can do that, no Kyubi." continued Naruto getting a challenging look from his sensei. Jiraiya liked what he was hearing. "I'm going to kick your ass as Naruto. If I can do that without the Kyubi, I should be able to kick anybody's ass in the future when tapping into that power. Don't you agree?"

"I like the idea," said Jiraiya before shifting through hand seals at the same time as Naruto. "Too bad you'll never get to use it. Because you'll never put me on my back."

"We'll see about that!"

And with that, the student and teacher began anew. Jiraiya was starting to like Naruto. He could keep up in their fights now. Jiraiya would get a workout fighting him finally. At least he hoped.

"Don't disappoint me!"

"I won't!"

The two's shouts preceded an explosion that rocked the area. Yeah, Jiraiya would need to work for this one.

(Sometime later)

A look of intensity was on Naruto's face as he stood with a tongue out. He concentrated hard as he had both palms pressed tightly together while funneling chakra through them. He stopped after a second and stood up abruptly. Standing right next to Naruto was Shizuka as she waited to see the results. She was still working with the clones, and this one didn't want to show her how he'd done.

"Show me," said Shizuka impatiently as the clone shook his head.

"I'm scared," said the clone as he closed his eyes. The clone opened his hands and waited with bated breath. After a few seconds, when he didn't hear reprimanding, the clone opened his eyes to see Shizuka smiling. The clone looked down at the leaf in his hands as his eyes widened. "Almost 90% of it! Yatta! I'm the greatest-"

The clone dispelled as Shizuka blanched at the abrupt disappearance. Shizuka watched the rest of the clones begin to dispel in smoke clouds that confused her. A fast-moving object answered Shizuka's unasked question moments later as the original Naruto came flying into the clearing. He landed roughly in front of her and was blackened like he'd been in a furnace. Shizuka saw him twitch in the fiery crater he'd created with his body and grinned.

"How close this time?" questioned Shizuka as Naruto groaned. That groan meant he still didn't land a clean blow on Jiraiya. "He is one of the best shinobi in the world. It's no doubt he'd win."

"I'm going to kick his ass. No worries. Stupid toad oil and stupid fire," said Naruto before rolling over and sitting up. Naruto began to pat the soot off him as he looked up at her. "At least I earned a jutsu. He said he'll teach it to me after I wash this 'ass-whupping' off me first." continued Naruto before kipping up. He stood before Shizuka and gave her a heartfelt smile. "Thanks for the help on the leaf thing, Shizuka-sensei. I appreciate it."

"We're not done. Your clone only got 90% of the way finished," said Shizuka as Naruto groaned again. She was taking this sensei thing to heart, it seemed. "No clones this time. Show me you can do this."

Naruto picked up a leaf and held it between his palms. Forcing chakra through his palms, Naruto opened his hands to show the leaf 90% of the way cut just like his clone did. It made Shizuka shake her head that it was that simple for him.

"That is phenomenal. It took me years to do this, and he's already that far in such a short amount of time." thought Shizuka as she looked at Naruto. She could see him frowning because he didn't get all the way through. Shizuka could help with that too because she hadn't given him this bit of advice yet. "Well, let me show you how to get the final ten. Put your hands over mine and close your eyes. Just feel the chakra flow through."

Naruto put his leaf down and placed his hands over Shizuka's. Naruto closed his eyes and focused intently on the chakra he could feel flowing within Shizuka's body. He couldn't help but notice something about her hands.

"So soft." thought Naruto before refocusing on the way her chakra was moving. "Okay, let it rip, no pun intended," said Naruto causing Shizuka to bite back a giggle. Ah, her laugh was so cute. Naruto felt Shizuka's chakra shift quickly before returning to normal. Shizuka opened her hands to show Naruto the perfectly cut leaf. "Hmm, how come you can cut the whole thing? That doesn't seem that different from what I was doing."

"It isn't. And I'll tell you how since it's your turn," said Shizuka as they switched hand positions. Naruto's hands were inside, and Shizuka's covered his to check his chakra flow. "No need to rush it. Take it slow and this time, think sharp and thin. Chakra sharp and thin."

"Mhmm, sharp and thin," said Naruto closing his eyes and prepping to slice through the leaf. "Alright, here goes."

"His chakra is so warm." thought Shizuka feeling the heat from his body. He was usually warm, but his chakra made him even warmer. The warmth was comforting as she looked up to see a smirk. "You did it that fast?"

"Oh yeah," said Naruto opening his palms to show the leaf split all the way through. He felt it the moment it happened. Shizuka's eyes lit up with excitement as she looked at Naruto, who only smiled back. "You're the best Shizuka-sensei."

Naruto then found himself wrapped up in a hug from the black-haired girl. A very nice hug that he eventually returned.

"I'm so proud of you!" chirped Shizuka happily, squeezing him. It was now she realized what she was doing and blushed. She leaned her head back to look at him in their hug. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I mean, I was excited and-"

"It's fine," said Naruto with red tinting his cheeks too. Shizuka's eyes widened, hearing that before realizing the two of them hadn't released the hug. Eventually, Naruto ended it before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Thanks again. I do appreciate the help." continued Naruto before looking up. Shizuka's attention was entirely his as he coughed into his hand. "Hey, if you're not busy later. Did you maybe want to, uhh..."

"Want to what?" questioned Shizuka, blush heavy knowing what Naruto wanted to ask her. Naruto looked at her with his blue eyes. She never fully realized how pretty they were until she saw them this close-up. They were mesmerizing. "He looks really-"

"Shizuka-sama."

Shizuka blinked as she and Naruto looked to the right to see a woman standing there. She had short brown hair and a stern expression on her face as Shizuka knew who she was. And she knew that their moment was over, considering who this woman was.

"Tokiwa."

"Yes, Shizuka-sama, I didn't mean to disturb you, but," said the woman with a sad look on her face. "Leader-sama's health is waning. She doesn't have much time left and wishes to see you. Please, return home."

"Of course, I'll go grab my things now," said Shizuka before turning to see Naruto looking at her. She wanted to confirm what she felt a few moments ago. She knew what he wanted to ask but, she needed him to say it. "Naruto-kun did you-"

"I'll save it for the next time I see you," said Naruto rubbing the back of his head again. He took a few steps back before waving to her. "I am going to see you again, right?" Shizuka smiled and nodded, getting Naruto to smile in return. "Good, I'll say it then. Nice to meet you, Tokiwa-san. I'll excuse myself."

Naruto vanished in a shunshin to leave as Shizuka nodded.

"I'll return when I can, Naruto-kun." thought Shizuka before heading to grab her things. She was sad hearing about her leader but, they'd known this day was coming soon. Still, she needed to return, and she would. Her thoughts would lead back to Naruto the entire time she was away. "I'll be back. I promise."

Shizuka wouldn't break that promise.

(2 weeks later)

This morning, a yawn came from Naruto just like every morning as he sat up in his tent. A scroll smacked Naruto across the face the moment he rose from his slumber. The scroll didn't even faze the awakening Kyubi Jinchuriki. He didn't even register the scroll as he smacked his lips twice to wake up some more.

Several minutes passed before Naruto came walking out of his tent. He had on his chunin vest, unzipped, and his forehead protector on. It didn't look like he'd be training today. He had a mission to do.

"Baa-chan making me do more missions?" questioned Naruto as Jiraiya sat with breakfast cooking over the fire. Jiraiya nodded his head as Naruto groaned. "I'm training. I've almost got down your jutsu too."

"Do you now? Good but, you still got a mission to do. Hime's gotta keep you in the flow of things," said Jiraiya letting the fire die down as the food was finished. "You were the one getting all smart saying you didn't want to focus on the Kyubi. Tsunade liked that and decided to add garnering mission experience apart of becoming a better shinobi. It doesn't help that you're a machine knocking them out left and right."

"Damn right I am but, this is another missing-nin. And the guy's only a C-rank," said Naruto getting Jiraiya to shiver. Naruto saw it and continued his point. "See, I feel exactly how you do. You know I'm too strong for this. You made it so."

"I know I did. And I agree. You're a Chunin," said Jiraiya sitting down on a tree stump. He had a plate before him as he looked at his student. "Become a Jonin, and she can't hand you those small fries. Well, she could, but she wouldn't. Also, why are you complaining? Didn't that last C rank guy kick your ass?"

"No, he got lucky. I was dehydrated, and my chakra was low because I trained before going to face him," said Naruto, a bit miffed at that. He'd almost lost to a bum. That would have hurt his pride. "Your fault, by the way. And his stupid Genjutsu's fault too. I hate Genjutsu."

"You and me both," said Jiraiya taking a big bite of his food. Naruto looked at the fire to see no other food there. Jiraiya kept munching on his breakfast before feeling Naruto stare at him. "What's on your mind?"

"I thought you were making breakfast?"

"I did. For me. You were supposed to be gone an hour ago. Chop Chop gaki. You're burning daylight."

Naruto shook his head before leaving. Jiraiya was a jerk sometimes.

(Konoha - Same Time)

"I thought we weren't going to do this?" questioned Tsunade to the girl over her shoulder.

"I know. But it's hard not to?" questioned Sakura back as she stood behind the busty blonde.

"Yes. Yes, it is," said Tsunade before pulling out a folder. Opening the folder, a big picture of Naruto was on the paper inside as she smiled at the younger Naruto. The one she met back in Tanzaku Gai who came to bring her home. "Look at him. So innocent. I miss this version of the brat." continued Tsunade with a smile. "He couldn't bust a grape back then. And now he's a chunin taking C-rank and B-rank missions solo like they're nothing. Ah, where did the time go?"

Sakura smiled before spotting his stats posted at the bottom.

"Oh wow, he was so bad back then. Is this accurate?" questioned Sakura as she read the stats out loud.

Name: Uzumaki Naruto (Chunin Exam)

Age: 12

Gender: Male

Clan: Believed Uzumaki Clan

Affiliated with Konoha

Ninja Rank: Genin

Physical Description: 4 feet 9 inches tall, 88 pounds. Has blue eyes and spiky, golden, blonde hair with six whisker-mark-like scars, three on each cheek.

Elements: No known elements.

Rank: C-rank.

Special Talents: Proficient in the use of Kage Bunshin. Can even use the forbidden version, Tajuu Kage Bunshin. Summoner of Mount Myoboku Toads. Has a mysterious second source of powerful chakra.

Bounty: Not available

Stats: Ninjutsu: 3 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Intelligence: 1.5 Strength: 3 Speed: 3 Stamina: 4 Hand Seals: 1; Total: 18.5

"Wow. He was awful," said Sakura as Tsunade could only nod her head.

"You weren't much better if I remember Sakura. If you were better in the first place. He at least took out the Ichibi," said Tsunade as the pink-haired girl twitched a bit. Naruto was also the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi, the mysterious second chakra he has. That was a secret though so, Tsunade didn't want to dwell on it and get Sakura curious. "But from what I've heard, we'll be thoroughly shocked when he comes back. Jiraiya's confident I'll be amazed at his return. Said the kid has already passed his expectations."

"Well, he'll be shocked when he sees me too," said Sakura as Tsunade turned to Sakura. Sakura noticed the stare and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, shishou?"

"You're right. He will be shocked. And we'll be sure of it. Time for more training." said Tsunade as Sakura groaned internally. "Not going to let that pervert beat me."

(With Naruto - 5 miles from camp)

Munching on a rice ball, Naruto walked around a small battle site. Naruto saw craters in the ground and signs of a short conflict. This was in line with what his shadow clone's memories gave him.

"Hmm, I just missed him. He beat my clone and even managed to get away before I could get here," said Naruto polishing off his breakfast. Naruto jolted when he heard footsteps behind him. "He's still here?!"

"Look alive, chump!" said a hulking man behind him. The man double-handed smashed Naruto into the ground with force. A crater formed with Naruto's body that looked distinctly like the others in the area. The man simply smirked at his easy win. "Better yet, look dead. Your clone was much better."

Naruto poofed away in a smoke cloud getting the man's eyes to widen. Had he been a clone too? The man heard a swirling noise from behind him as he felt pain moments later.

"Rasengan," said Naruto while planting the jutsu in the man's back. The Rasengan carved through the man's plated armor and shirt as it sent him right into the crater he created moments earlier. Naruto's crater was much bigger. "Yeah, buddy. Mine's bigger. As if anyone didn't already know that." continued Naruto with a nod and smirk. Granted, he carved his crater with the man's own as a base but, that was irrelevant to Naruto's pride. Winners didn't have to worry about that. Naruto's eyebrow rose though as he looked over to see Shizuka smiling at him. "Shizuka-chan! You're back. And you followed me? Without me knowing? Someone's gotten sneakier."

"Hi, Naruto-kun. And it wasn't hard. You should check behind you some time," said Shizuka walking over to Naruto, who only smiled. Shizuka loved the excitement on Naruto's face when he noticed her. Too bad she couldn't be just as excited. "I have some news. I'll be staying in Nadeshiko for a little while longer." Shizuka saw Naruto's eyebrows raised as she nodded. "I'm becoming the next leader of Nadeshiko. Can't lead my village when chasing a boy, can I?"

"Would make that a bit difficult," said Naruto picking the missing-nin up. Naruto frowned a bit but, he replaced it with a smile quickly. He didn't want to be doom and gloom with the girl he wouldn't see again for a while. "That sucks. I could have used your help with the next stage in wind manipulation. And, I'll miss my lunch buddy and sparring partner."

"Is that all I was?"

"No, you're a little more."

"A little more like what?" questioned Shizuka, eager to know.

"Stay, and I'll tell you." Shizuka smiled but shook her head at Naruto's condition.

"Next leader, so I can't but, you could come back with me to Nadeshiko. I'll show you more of the wind stuff, and we can keep eating lunch together," said Shizuka as the two began to walk together. Naruto laughed with the large man slung over his shoulder as Shizuka smiled sweetly at him. "You know you want to. You missed me, didn't you?"

"A little bit. But, next time, perhaps. I won't let you trick me into marrying you when I get there," said Naruto as Shizuka merely shook her head.

"No marriage," spoke Shizuka getting Naruto to look at her. He could see a devious smirk spreading across Shizuka's face, and it raised Naruto's curiosity. "This time, I was going to take you prisoner. I know more about you now, Naruto-kun. AKA Jinchuriki of the Kyubi," said Shizuka as Naruto quirked an eyebrow. She did see his seal once before and probably put two and two together from there. Clever little thing she was. Jiraiya's fault more than likely. "You'd be a very valuable barter if I were to capture you. What would Konoha give up for your safe return? Quite a bit, I'd like to think."

"Husband material and probably very valuable to one of the strongest villages in the world. Wow, I should add those to my resume now that I think about it," said Naruto as Shizuka nodded her head.

"You got a nice butt too," said Shizuka glaring at Naruto's backside. Naruto blushed hearing her state that so unabashedly. He turned to the girl, and his blush deepened seeing her checking him out. "I got a good view of it while I was following you here."

"I'll add that too, then."

Shizuka perked up and turned to see another Naruto there. Shizuka looked to the blushing Naruto beside her to see him no longer blushing, only grinning heavily. Had she been duped? Shizuka turned back to the real Naruto behind her and saw him smiling at her.

"I followed you following me. You should check behind you some time, Shizuka-chan."

Shizuka looked up at the real Naruto closing in on her as the clone Naruto next to her kept walking forward with the captured missing-nin. Shizuka saw Naruto smirk as he passed her stunned frame. Oh, Naruto was good. A little too good considering his following line.

"You got a nice butt, too."

Shizuka smiled before giddily following after the blonde. She'd missed him as well.

(2 hours later)

"She's a big girl Ero-Sennin. Why do we have to walk her back? She'll be fine."

"My pupil, which I'm not saying you are, is chivalrous just like me. We are going to escort that lady back to her village because it is the right thing to do," said Jiraiya as Naruto shook his head.

"You want to walk her back because you want to do some pervy 'research' on the Nadeshiko Kunoichi again," said Naruto accusingly as he pointed at his sensei. He then turned and pointed at the smiling Shizuka. "She's going to make me marry her. I can't go back there."

"No marriage Naruto-kun."

"Oh, right," remembered Naruto. Shizuka did say she didn't care about the marriage. It didn't make the other option she gave better. "Yeah, no marriage. She's going to take me prisoner instead! I can't go there."

"You act like either of those are a bad thing," said Jiraiya lecherously. Naruto frowned at his pervert of a sensei and watched him clap his hands together happily. "Now's let's hop to it."

Shizuka stood at the edge of the clearing with a smile on her face. She watched Naruto begrudgingly walk toward her with a defeated look. Jiraiya walked up to the two right after with a big smile on his face.

"Let's get this show on the road-" started Jiraiya before he vanished in a poof of smoke.

Shizuka looked up in surprise at that as she turned to Naruto. Naruto didn't have any reaction to the man's disappearance. Unlike Shizuka, Naruto had seen this numerous times.

"He got summoned by the toads. He'll be back eventually," said Naruto as he turned to the Nadeshiko kunoichi. She looked to be wondering what the game plan was. Sadly, Naruto would have to follow through with Jiraiya's. "Welp, let's get you back home. Ero-Sennin would kick my ass if I let you go back alone."

And like that, Naruto and Shizuka were headed back to Nadeshiko. About a day's walk from where they currently were.

(Mount Myoboku - with Jiraiya)

Arriving in the paradise land of the toads, Jiraiya looked around before seeing a tiny green toad wearing a cloak.

"Fukasaku-sama, I am honored to be here. Is there something I need to hear?" asked Jiraiya as the small toad smiled.

"Of course, Jiraiya-chan. The Elder Sage has a new prophecy for you to hear, my boy," said Fukasaku with a smile.

The toad led the white-haired man through the paradise valley. Jiraiya and the small toad continued along a path as they came upon an enormous throne-like chair. Sitting in that chair was a giant toad with wrinkles and pronounced eyebrows to add to his elderly appearance.

"Ahh, yes. I knew you would be coming," said the toad as he looked at the white-haired man he summoned here. "Who are you again?"

A palm found its way to Jiraiya's face as the sannin drug it down in exasperation. Jiraiya looked up at the sage and, just before answering, heard a loud snore come from him.

"It's going to be a while," said Fukasaku as Jiraiya frowned.

Jiraiya sat in a lotus position while waiting for the elder sage to wake up. Naruto would be okay without him for a little bit. He always was. And the kid better have taken Shizuka back to Nadeshiko.

"I'll kick his ass if he doesn't."

(With Naruto and Shizuka - One Day Later)

"It's just the gentleman thing to do," said Naruto as he was walking along a path with Shizuka that was headed to Nadeshiko. "Ero-Sennin told me I had to do it as well. I'm not getting closer than a mile."

"Aww, you've said that already. Are you that scared, Naruto-kun?" questioned Shizuka looking at the Jinchuriki.

"No, I'm not scared," said Naruto before Shizuka jumped at him. She only twitched but, Naruto jumped back with a kunai appearing in both hands. He stood at the ready until he saw Shizuka laughing at him. "Hmm, at least you know I'm ready."

"Yeah, I also know you're scared. Even if it's a little bit," said Shizuka walking ahead of Naruto.

"And here I thought you were nice all this time."

"I am nice, but-"

"Agreed," cut off Naruto. Shizuka perked up, hearing him say he agreed, and turned back to see his eyes looking at her. Shizuka wondered what Naruto meant before turning back forward to continue her point. Naruto's eyes returned to where they were. On Shizuka's posterior. "Really nice butt."

"Glad you like it." Naruto saw Shizuka smack her bottom, which got him to stop perving. Naruto was caught as Shizuka shimmied her bottom, knowing where Naruto was looking. "Nice but, nice butt. You're not sneaky Naruto-kun. You pervert."

"Huh? I wasn't perving. I appreciate your hard work," said Naruto getting Shizuka to smirk at him. Naruto frowned. He thought he was getting away with his perving. "I need more lessons. Ero-Sennin never gets caught when he does this to baa-chan. I should have-"

Naruto suddenly stopped before sniffing the air. Shizuka noticed his shift in demeanor and wondered what was going on.

"Naruto-kun? What is it?" questioned Shizuka getting on edge at Naruto, taking off in a dead sprint. Shizuka took off behind Naruto as he disappeared through the woods. Shizuka's nose began to pick up the eerie scent Naruto could smell as her heart began to sink. "Oh, please no..."

Shizuka came bursting out of the woods next to Naruto. The pungent stench of blood was heavy in the air as bodies of Nadeshiko kunoichis lay about. All of them dead from first impression, considering the blood covering their bodies.

An arm around her waist kept Shizuka from rushing in. She wondered why Naruto was stopping her, and he answered it by silently pointing a little distance away. Shizuka looked up to see two men in black cloaks walking through the slain Kunoichis.

"Akatsuki," spoke Naruto softly, getting Shizuka to understand.

Akatsuki, a group of S-rank criminals that were targeting Jinchuriki. These were the people after Naruto. It was the explanation Jiraiya had given her when she asked why Naruto needed to leave Konoha to train. Also, how she concluded that Naruto was a Jinchuriki considering he was being targeted. And it seemed two members were enough to assault her village.

Shizuka didn't care who they were. They'd killed her people. She couldn't stop the furious tears coming to her eyes before she broke out of Naruto's hold. Naruto panicked, seeing the girl take off, charging toward the two members of Akatsuki.

"You bastards!" shouted Shizuka getting the two men's attention.

When they turned to her voice, there was nothing there but the slew of Nadeshiko Kunoichi they'd run through.

"I thought the ones we didn't kill had evacuated?" questioned one of the men.

"Guess someone didn't get the memo!" shouted the other one.

Naruto sat with Shizuka wrapped up tighter this time as they hid. The old Naruto probably would have been all aboard fighting the Akatsuki for what they did to Shizuka's village. But this wasn't the old Naruto. This was a Naruto with over a year of actual tutelage in the shinobi arts. One of those was knowing when you were in over your head.

Naruto had been given a rough guideline on who made up the group from Jiraiya, and he did not like his odds with any member he knew about. Not only was Shizuka not in the right mindset to fight but, the two they were going against were S-rank criminals. Jiraiya said anyone of them could potentially take him down, and Naruto knew, from the repeated beatdowns, that he couldn't even hit Jiraiya cleanly yet. They would lose and lose hard.

So he kept Shizuka quiet with a hand around her mouth and the other snugly around her waist. They couldn't be found. It would not end well for them.

"Found you." Life just couldn't give him a break.

Naruto looked to see the two members of Akatsuki standing before he and Shizuka. One had tanned skin and interesting green and red eyes. The other had fair skin and a wicked triple-bladed scythe in his hands.

"Wait, those stupid ass whisker marks," spoke the one holding the scythe. An evil grin rose to his face remembering who this was. "Kyubi Jinchuriki. Oh, this day can't get any better."

"It didn't get better," spoke the other one looking at Naruto and Shizuka. He looked a bit impressed at Naruto. "You're not the real one, are you? Neither of you."

"No, the real me is long gone," said Naruto letting go of Shizuka, who turned to another Naruto with a poof of smoke. The two clones stood up opposing the Akatsuki members. "Why did you attack this village?"

"Because we could." Naruto turned to the fair-skinned member with slicked-back silver hair.

"What is your name?"

"What do you want to know it for?"

"Because I'm going to kill you first," said Naruto, and the look in his eyes was quite chilling.

"Hah, I'd love to see you try," replied the man grinning at Naruto. The look was scary but, the man before Naruto only found it amusing. "I'll be waiting for you, Kyubi."

"Good."

And like that, the two clones dispelled. The real Naruto was sprinting with Shizuka on his back. After stopping the girl a second time, Naruto took no chances and knocked her unconscious. He then created two clones, one transforming to Shizuka, before taking off with the girl on his back piggyback style.

He didn't want to run but, there wasn't going to be a good outcome no matter what if they'd confronted the Akatsuki members. So, Naruto fled. When the memories of his clones hit, Naruto growled primally.

"I'm killing him," said Naruto before looking at the sleeping Shizuka. Naruto settled her head on his shoulder and could see the marks her tears had stained on her face. Naruto doubled down on that earlier statement as he turned back to keep running. "I'm killing them both."

Naruto ran in silence from that point forward. He had another goal to work for now.

Thanks for Reading.