Yup Yup. Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Chapter 7: I'm Yours, You're Mine
"Steak, cooked medium. With vegetables and a baked potato please."
An order spoken by Naruto looking at his menu. Naruto smiled at his order and nodded his head. The waiter standing above Naruto wrote down the order before grabbing his menu.
"Alright, I have the beef sukiyaki for the pretty lady. Steak with vegetables and a baked potato for my man here," said the waiter waiting for any corrections before departing. "I'll have this out in no time. Holla if you need me."
When the waiter walked away, Naruto leaned back in the booth he was sitting in and began drumming his fingers on the table. The first stop on Naruto and Shizuka's date happened to be a rather nice restaurant in the hidden village. And everything had been going to plan until Shizuka decided now was a good time to interrogate him.
Naruto could feel her green eyes looking dead at him. Naruto pretended like he didn't notice as if he could somehow avoid her. She sat right across the table from him. There was no way he could.
"No no no. He doesn't let you get off from answering just because he showed up. Continue anytime Naruto-kun," said Shizuka getting Naruto to look at her through the corner of his eyes. She could see him still on the fence and didn't like it. "Fess up mister."
"Alright, last night I broke into the..." said Naruto gradually talking lower so no one else could hear him. He stopped drumming on the table before looking in Shizuka's eyes "I broke into the Hokage's office. Got into the archive room and found out who my mother was. Baa-chan caught me and I spent a couple hours with her afterward talking about her."
So that was where he had snuck off to last night. He'd left without her noticing but, the bed got cold and she awoke to see him gone. Thus, she decided to ask him what happened and didn't know it was for that. Shizuka placed a hand atop the one he had on the table and rubbed it soothingly.
"You okay?" questioned Shizuka cursing herself for prying into Naruto's absence last night. Had she have known it'd dredge up that heavy of an answer, she'd have let it go. "Way to go Shizuka."
"Yeah, like I said, Baa-chan was there," said Naruto grabbing Shizuka's hand and squeezing it in gratitude. Shizuka noticed Naruto's blue eyes were a bit darker than normal before they lit up right back up. And he effortlessly threw that heavy mood out the window. Jiraiya's pupil was never doom and gloom for long. "Didn't know you missed me that bad? I'd have come back faster if I did."
"Pfft," snorted Shizuka downplaying his accusation. While it was cold without her human pillow and she didn't like him not being there, Shizuka wouldn't let him know that. He didn't need the ego boost. "It was a blessing that you left. You hog the bed too much."
"Aww, Shizuka-chan. You can do better," said Naruto laced with mirth as Shizuka's cheeks grew a tad rosy.
"How do you figure?"
"Well for one, you sleep on top of me so it doesn't matter if I hog the bed. And two, you said you didn't want me to ever leave you again while you were half-sleep," said Naruto getting Shizuka's eyes to widen. "You've done it a lot of times too. Always randomly. I got it on film once if you think I'm lying." continued Naruto as Shizuka's blush deepened. She remembered her dreams and she'd always tell him that. She never knew she was speaking them out loud. "'Don't ever leave me Kajo-kun. I need you' is how I believe it normally goes. I'd like to think you're talking about me. Because you know, my last name."
Kajo(Spiral) had to be talking about Naruto. His last name was Uzumaki and his clan's symbol was a spiral. His signature jutsu, the Rasengan, was a spiral. There was too many coincidences. And Naruto smiled seeing Shizuka's blush.
"All that sleepy babble has me curious. Are you in love with me already?" questioned Naruto getting Shizuka to shake her head.
"No, I only like you."
"Just like? Or like like?"
"Hehe yes, I like like you Kajo-kun," said Shizuka smiling before remembering something. She had her own ammunition. "I'm not as bad as you. You talk in your sleep as well mister."
"Pray tell," chided Naruto in return wanting to know if Shizuka actually had something to counter his.
"Well first, how many princesses do you know?" questioned Shizuka as Naruto looked up in thought.
"Besides you? Well there's baa-chan but, only the elders and Ero-Sennin call her that," said Naruto as he continued. "And there's Koyuki, but she's a queen now and the daiymo of her land."
"So I'd be the only one you'd call princess?"
"I guess. You'd be the only one." He didn't call Shizuka princess to her face but, he always referenced her as Nadeshiko's princess to anybody else.
"If I'm the only princess you know that you'd call princess," said Shizuka continuing unfettered by Naruto's smug look. He assumed so less of her and she hoped her next line would shock him. "Does that make me hime-chan then?"
Naruto blanched as Shizuka grew a smirk. That was the look she was hoping for as Naruto began to sweat at that name being dropped. Shizuka wasn't the only one with dreams. Oh, this was bad.
"How much did I spill?"
"'Oh my Hime-chan, stand behind me. I'll protect you from the evil King Bowser.'" said Shizuka mocking Naruto's voice. Naruto smiled as his own cheeks tinted red. "So I'm this princess and you're my hero defending me from a fire-breathing...dinosaur turtle, I think. Oh, and your day job is a plumber. Don't know why that came up but it did."
Naruto had the decency to look sheepish. It was always a recurring dream for him and there was no way he'd ever live this down if Shizuka's smirk was any indication.
"Touche Hime-chan, touche. More specifically, he's a Koopa. The turtle dinosaur thing. And he's the leader of the Koopa race, their King Koopa," informed Naruto amusing Shizuka with the clarification of his weird dream. "Don't judge me."
Shizuka smiled as Naruto thanked the stars their food was coming and granted him a reprieve from the dream talk. The food didn't stop Shizuka though as she continued to pry into Naruto's weird dream. It definitely carried the conversation through dinner while the two ate.
(Sometime Later)
After dinner, Naruto took Shizuka on a stroll through Konoha. Naruto was pointing out places of interest in Konoha as he walked with the Nadeshiko princess.
Sure Shizuka had spent most of the day traveling with Ino and Sakura but, Naruto's tour contained stories of his childhood. Stories that Shizuka laughed and awed at. She comforted him anytime he told her one that felt a bit lonely. Even with them, Shizuka was thoroughly enjoying herself. And Naruto was effortlessly keeping her smiling all night.
"Eventually, I'll figure out how you managed to steal my jacket," said Naruto indeed missing his jacket as it was currently on Shizuka. Konoha got a bit chilly over the course of their eating and Shizuka hadn't brought a jacket. Somehow, she managed to procure Naruto's. "You can tell me anytime to save me the trouble of searching for the answer myself."
"It was pretty easy," said Shizuka turning her head to look at Naruto. Her hand intertwined with Naruto's larger one as she smiled giddily. "After that painting the Hokages' faces in broad daylight story, you saw me shiver. And since you're so sweet on me, you loaned me your jacket."
"Hmm, it couldn't have been that simple."
"Oh it was, you gentleman you."
"Eh, not like I can get cold anyway," said Naruto alluding to the nine-tailed bijuu that sat within his body. The fox always kept Naruto running warm so, the mild weather didn't bother him at all. Naruto looked over at Shizuka to see her smiling at him. It was an infectious smile as he found himself smiling back. "What's got you grinning so much?"
"You."
"What did I do?"
"You didn't deny that you're sweet on me."
"Of course I'm sweet to my Hime-chan," said Naruto getting Shizuka's smile to widen.
Kami, how did Shizuka ever get so lucky? She couldn't stop looking at him and marveling at how easy it was for him to make her insides mushy. His game probably wouldn't work on someone else, but to Shizuka, it was just right. So focused on him, Shizuka didn't miss the small trail of blood leaking from his nose.
"Naruto-kun, your nose."
"Huh? What?" Naruto tapped his nose and felt his life fluid there.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just a bit nippy out here is all," said Naruto pulling out a handy handkerchief to whip his nose.
Shizuka was confused when Naruto said it was nippy. He'd just said the Kyubi kept him warm no matter how cold it was. So, why did he say it was nippy outside? A little breeze flowed through the air and Shizuka realized why.
"Oh you can't be serious." thought Shizuka with a blush.
While she was wearing Naruto's jacket, she'd never zipped it up. Thus, the front of her dress was still exposed to the elements. So enthralled by Naruto, Shizuka didn't realize that the cold was still on her.
It was simple mathematics at that point. Thin dress, plus cool breeze, equaled hard nipples. Which was why Naruto claimed it was nippy. Oh, he was so not that smooth. That line definitely wouldn't have worked on anybody but her.
"So not funny," said Shizuka trying to sound annoyed. Her smile and giggle couldn't accurately display her wanted emotion though. Naruto laughed at his crude joke as the girl zipped the jacket up to cover herself. "You pervert."
"I apologize, that was perverted," said Naruto turning to see Shizuka looking at him. "Anything I can do to make it up to you?"
Shizuka didn't answer Naruto at first. Just looking at the Jinchuriki before nodding her head.
"Yes, there is something you can do," informed Shizuka as ten minutes later, Naruto gave her exactly what she wanted. "Oh Naruto-kun, right there."
"Right here?" questioned Naruto hitting that spot again as Shizuka nodded her head. The girl's moans and groans were music to Naruto's ears as he marveled at her face. "This is the face Ero-Sennin was talking about. It's way better in person than in theory. She looks so hot."
"Mhmm, right there," groaned Shizuka as Naruto continued the foot rub she asked him for.
Naruto willed another low groan of pleasure from the girl when he added chakra to warm his hands. Being in those heels for the majority of the date, Shizuka was overjoyed when she asked Naruto to give her a foot rub and he agreed. His repentance for his inner-pervert shining earlier. So, when they returned to Naruto's apartment, she took her shoes off and Naruto got right to work.
Shizuka wondered how Naruto was so good at massages. That was until she remembered who his sensei was. Of course Naruto would be good at something like this. She got Naruto to smile when she mumbled something under her breath. He'd heard her because the Kyubi gave him super hearing but, he wanted to hear it again.
"What was that hime?" Shizuka smiled and let him hear it a second time.
"You win."
"I win?"
"You won and you win. You win," confirmed Shizuka while looking at the Jinchuriki through half-lidded eyes. Naruto saw those pretty eyes were looking at his lips and his eyes widened. "No more waiting. I want my kiss now Naruto-kun."
"A kiss kiss?"
"Yes, a kiss kiss," Shizuka nodded and licked her lips seeing Naruto lean toward her.
"From me?" Another nod came from the princess. She could feel her heart beating faster and harder the closer Naruto got. He was close enough now that their noses were touching. "You know what that means right?"
"I do but, show me rather than tell me," said Shizuka watching Naruto lean in. She closed her eyes but Naruto stopped just before their lips touched. He was so close but, he wasn't moving any further. "Kiss me Naruto-kun, please."
"This girl, a very pretty one, once told me that 'great things come to those who are patient'," said Naruto having quoted Shizuka. She was half paying attention to him though because his lips kept brushing against hers in their talking. It was agonizing and Naruto didn't want to tease the girl but, he was kind of forced to. "Sensei is watching us."
"Sensei?" questioned Shizuka before hearing an annoyed groan. Looking over, Shizuka saw the white-haired Sannin perched in Naruto's window with quite the miffed look on his face. He'd sneakily opened the window and was writing in the notepad she could see on his lap. "Oh, ero-sensei is watching us."
"You just had to ruin it huh gaki?" questioned Jiraiya as Shizuka rose an eyebrow.
"He could say the same," said Shizuka looking back at Naruto. Naruto smiled knowingly before the girl smacked the sides of his stomach a few times. Shizuka then stood and smoothed out her black dress before excusing herself to Naruto's room. "Good luck with that. Good night Jiraiya-sama."
Naruto nodded and watched the girl head to his bedroom. Naruto turned to Jiraiya and saw him shrug with a 'sorry' on his face. The man knew he ruined a moment but, how was he supposed to know the kid was getting lucky tonight?
"Hmm, well there went that," said Naruto lowly and annoyed. He frowned at the cause of his blown opportunity before throwing on a wide smile. "So! What can I do for you Ero-Sennin? I thought you left after the spar me and hime had against Kakashi-sensei and Sakura-chan?"
"I did leave. I just didn't go far," said Jiraiya before noticing what Naruto called Shizuka. "And hime?"
"Yeah, she's got a nickname now."
"Oh ho! Getting serious aren't we?"
"Was trying to," said Naruto getting Jiraiya to frown.
"Yeah, that was my bad kid," said Jiraiya actually sorry. He spoiled his student's first chance with the Nadeshiko princess. What kind of teacher was he? "I'll just tell you why I decided to show up so late and be on my way." continued Jiraiya getting Naruto to nod. Jiraiya pulled out a scroll before tossing it to his pupil. "You were supposed to get a few days off but, I need ya for a mission tomorrow."
"Alright."
"..."
"..."
"...erm, yeah," said Jiraiya as Naruto didn't open the scroll and read it. The boy just looked at the Sannin wondering if that was all. Jiraiya told him the mission was tomorrow so he didn't see why he had to read it now. And since he didn't, Jiraiya continued. "Right then. You're apart of Team Seven but, you're also Team Jiraiya." continued the man not getting Naruto to react one way or the other. He was only looking at him. He'd overstayed his welcome. Especially considering he wasn't even welcomed in the first place. "Right, bump uglies with your new girlfriend if you're going to do it. Just make sure you meet me at the West Gate at 6 am."
"Got it Ero-Sennin."
"Alright then, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
"And bring breakfast too, I know I'll be pretty hungry since-" Naruto kicked the sannin off his window before locking it.
"Well then. That's gonna be fun," said Naruto somewhat sarcastic.
Somewhat because while he was miffed that Jiraiya ruined his moment, he loved going on missions with Jiraiya. Because that man only did A-ranks and S-ranks. His toad wallet, affectionately named Gama-chan, was going to be full again.
Walking into his room, Naruto prepared to tell Shizuka about the mission tomorrow. His voice died in his throat as he dropped the scroll Jiraiya gave him. The moment he'd walked in, Shizuka let her dress fall to the floor. Oh, this was mental overload for Naruto.
Willing himself to burn this image into his head forever, Naruto saw Shizuka was wearing a pretty pair of panties. They were colored orange too. Someone knew Naruto's favorite color. And like he guessed from her nippy situation earlier, she wasn't wearing a bra. Kami, Naruto thought this girl was too sexy.
"Finished talking with Jiraiya?" Naruto nodded dumbly without removing his eyes from Shizuka. He would have responded verbally but, no words would come out. "What did he need to talk about?"
Shizuka turned her head to see Naruto eying her and smiled. He probably wouldn't tear his eyes away from her if she stayed like this. Especially since she knew that as a pupil of Jiraiya, Naruto knew how to use reflective surfaces.
Naruto had seen her half-naked before but not this half-naked. Shizuka grinned seeing Naruto's cheeks tint up at what she knew he was really seeing. She did want an answer to her question so, she helped him by throwing on one of his shirts. The shirt fell to just above her thighs as Naruto snapped out of it.
"We have a mission tomorrow with Ero-Sennin. We have to be at the West Gate by 6 am."
"Ah, that's all he had?" questioned Shizuka sliding into bed. Naruto nodded before heading to his dresser and grabbing his nightwear. The man should have sent a toad for just that. Shizuka hid her ire well as she watched Naruto pull out his pajama bottoms and toad cap. She did wonder something. "I thought you had two more days off according to Tsunade-sama?"
"Yeah, he went to baa-chan. We're not just Team 7, we're team Jiraiya too. Team Jiraiya didn't get a break," said Naruto stripping as he spoke. It was Shizuka's turn to be flabbergasted as Naruto was now half-naked before her. A pair of silk black boxers that contrasted nicely against his tanned skin. And those muscles he'd built in his training were looking nice to her right now. "So, that's what we'll be getting into tomorrow."
"Should be fun."
She was liking watching Naruto put on his clothes. His muscles would flex and move across his body hypnotically as he put on his pajama bottoms. He threw on his nightcap before sliding in bed next to Shizuka. Naruto felt Shizuka moving and figured she was just going to lay on him like normal. He kind of wished they'd have continued but, it looked like that wasn't going to happen.
And was he ever wrong! Shizuka definitely wanted to continue and basically did so herself. Shizuka reached over and nabbed Naruto's face to bring him in for a kiss. The kiss she'd wanted for over a year and asked for again not five minutes ago. Naruto's surprise kept him from kissing the girl back for a few seconds until he got with reciprocating. And when he did, Shizuka's eyes opened wide before they slowly fluttered closed.
Naruto planned to apologize for Jiraiya ruining the end of their date. Even going as far as to offer to make it up to her if need be. Apparently, that wasn't necessary since Shizuka was still down with doing what was about to happen before Jiraiya arrived. She was greedily attacking his lips as Naruto allowed her.
Just like with the massage earlier, Naruto was really good at kissing. Shizuka couldn't understand how or why but, she was mightily grateful that he was. It made this much better because of it. She had to stop after a while to catch her breath. She also felt a little bad.
"I'm sorry. I still wanted my kiss," said Shizuka steadying her breath. Naruto smiled with red cheeks that Shizuka knew she had too. He probably didn't mind her actions because of his smiling but Shizuka couldn't stop herself. "I should have at least asked first."
"It's fine hime. You didn't have to ask." Shizuka's eyes widened hearing that.
"I don't?" She really didn't have to ask?
"No, if you ever want a kiss, I'll gladly give you one." Shizuka pulled Naruto on top of her to kiss him right after he said that. He said she didn't have to ask. Like earlier, Naruto was the much better kisser and Shizuka couldn't keep from smiling as his lips moved across hers. Naruto stopped when Shizuka spoke into his mouth. "What was that?"
"You're not that good." Naruto moved back in to kiss her mouth some more.
"Stop smiling then." Shizuka's smile widened further as she continued to make out with the Jinchuriki.
She wouldn't stop smiling, not now, and through most of tomorrow. She got her kiss finally and Naruto gave her so much more than she expected. Not much sleep would be had tonight.
Exploring the other's mouth took precedence.
(Several Days Later)
"You know what Bro. For the record, this is the shittiest summoning so far."
"Trust me Kichi, I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary," replied Naruto as the two were currently in a sewage tunnel.
Being in a sewage tunnel was already bad enough. The added kicker was that they were in a sewage tunnel underneath a recently located Orochimaru hideout. One of his most volatile hideouts and the smell was repugnant.
Jiraiya's mission had been one of sacking Oto bases. And that's why Naruto and his toad companion were currently lying in wait. They were about to destroy this hideout once the signal was given.
"How is me hanging with you under one of these freak hideouts necessary?" questioned Gamakichi incredulously. "You could have easily started your plan and then summoned me out in the open."
"...but you wouldn't have known the plan." A weak reason that the toad properly dispelled.
"The plan is curb stomp the first person I see," said Gamakichi getting Naruto to laugh sheepishly. "It's what it was a year ago. Six months ago. Two months ago. And it's the same one today, isn't it?"
"Hmm, yeah," admitted Naruto before coughing in his hand. "I see your point. But it's too late for that hindsight stuff. You're here and it's almost time to rock and roll." continued Naruto waiting a few seconds before his left behind clone dispelled. Getting that clone's memory, Naruto nodded his head. The signal had been given. "Let's go wild."
"You owe me for this," informed Gamakichi watching Naruto rear his hand back and move it forward.
"Yeah, yeah."
A chakra chain rocketed out of Naruto's hand to stab cleanly through a man above them. Adding wind chakra to the next chain he sent with his other hand, Naruto carved a large hole through the top of the hideout. Retracting the first chain, Naruto created a Rasengan before thrusting it up.
"Intruders!" came the shout of a man witnessing the chains come out of the ground.
The man witnessed the ground open up with a violent and powerful blast. From the smoke of the destroyed ground, Naruto and Gamakichi came flying out of it and into the closest enemies. Gamakichi body checked the first man through a wall while Naruto blasted the other with the same Rasengan he made to open the ground up.
"Duck Kichi," said Naruto as he brought the wind-coated chain down shoulder level. Naruto smiled before spinning just as Gamakichi hit the deck. "Futon: Kongo Fusa (Wind Style: Adamantine Sealing Chains)"
Nearly two and a half years with Jiraiya went amazing for Naruto. With the shadow clone trick, Naruto could train more than anyone else could. And that training went mainly to perfecting Wind manipulation to a level that could envy the Nidaime's Water manipulation.
Naruto was so in tune with the element after decades of perfecting it with his clones. Those decades gave way to his wind manipulation defense. Also to his ability to channel wind charka into nearly anything, especially his own chakra chains. The sharp end of his adamantine chains could pierce nearly anything. Adding wind chakra turned the entire length of the chain into a nearly unstoppable blade of wind.
"Damn bro," said Gamakichi rising back up after Naruto retracted his chain. Seeing an entire stronghold with a large, foot wide chunk of it missing was eye-opening to the toad. He'd never actually seen Naruto really cut loose. "When did you get so badass?"
"Since the womb," said Naruto before 5 Oto shinobi appeared at the end of the hallway.
"There he is. And it's the Kyubi Jinchuriki," said one of the shinobi as the building began to crumble down on itself. "He cut one of the main pillars. Two of you find a way to stabilize the building. The other two with me. Reinforcements should be on the way."
Gamakichi was ready to fire off a jutsu but a hand up from Naruto stopped him.
"No worries Kichi. I got this. You can return home," said Naruto knowing he didn't need help. Several seconds of silence went by before Naruto turned his head to see Gamakichi hadn't left yet. Instead, the toad was giving him an annoyed glare. "What?"
"You really summoned me to keep you company in that shitty sewer for 5 minutes? I haven't even done anything," said Gamakichi ready to fight Naruto knowing that's exactly why he was summoned. He'd basically just confirmed it by sending him home without having fought at all. Luckily, he remembered that they weren't exactly in friendly territory and there were 3 people heading toward them in a structurally unsound building. "I'm sending Gamatatsu next time if you don't make this up to me. "
"I gotcha, no worries."
Gamakichi shook his head before disappearing in a poof of smoke back home. Naruto wheeled around with his forearm up to block a punch thrown at him by the first to arrive Oto shinobi. Bringing his knee up to block a kick by the next Oto Shinobi, Naruto headbutted the third's approaching fist.
"Ah fuck. Stupid metal plating," said the third Oto Shinobi reeling back his broken fist.
Naruto brought his knee back down before moving his forearm block from the first shinobi to elbow the second Oto Shinobi in the chin. Seeing an opening, the first shinobi prepared to strike Naruto but a clone appeared in a poof of smoke. Naruto's elbow moved his hands close enough for him to use his favorite jutsu.
The clone planted a kick in the shinobi's sternum before he could strike at Naruto's exposed back. Another clone spawned, followed by two more clones, as the once '1 on 3' turned to a '5 on 3' in a heartbeat. It wasn't fair at all.
One Naruto was already enough to handle the three shinobi. But with the clones added, the five Narutos incapacitated the three Oto shinobi with ease. Hearing a noise at the end of the hallway, the five Narutos looked to see a dozen Oto Shinobi heading toward them one way. Looking the other way, Naruto saw another dozen heading from the other end as all the Narutos smiled.
"Let's do this!" shouted the original while putting his fist up.
"Hell yeah!" responded the clones before they split up.
More clones began to spawn as Naruto met each group with a steadily increasing wave of clones. He was about to tear this base to shreds. Quality over quantity was the saying. And sadly for this base, a clone Naruto was more quality than most of the Oto Shinobi and he also had the numbers advantage.
There wasn't much you could do against a thousand opponents.
(Outside the hideout - Earlier)
Eating an apple with nonchalance, Jiraiya sat in a tree outside the hideout Naruto was about to attack. The man wasn't even looking at the base. He found his notepad more interesting as he spoke out loud to himself.
"Hmm, I wonder how this next book will do," said Jiraiya looking at the notes he'd written down. He liked what he saw so far. "Kakashi claimed Golden Fox was the best one yet. My last one almost sold 750,000. Maybe this one will get me that vaunted platinum status."
Jiraiya didn't even look up as he snagged a scroll tossed to him.
"Nothing too special I assume?" questioned Jiraiya looking over at Shizuka walking toward him. She'd thrown the scroll and shook her head to confirm Jiraiya's suspicions. "Hmm, I think Roachy just wants to me destroy his bases for him. This is the third one that had nothing in it."
"Why are you here?" questioned a second kunoichi walking up next to Shizuka. A temporary fourth to Team Jiraiya since the man hadn't yet found a third member. She seemed quite angry that he wasn't with Naruto. "I thought you were in there with Naruto? You just sent him in this time alone?" questioned the kunoichi as Jiraiya shrugged. "Are you crazy? Something bad could happen."
"Meh, the gaki can handle it. I think," said Jiraiya looking at the fourth member of his current group. "You should have more faith in Naruto Anko. He's actually gotten pretty good. He could probably tangle with you and win."
Mitarashi Anko is a Tokubetsu Jonin of Konoha and an integral member of Konoha's Intelligence Division. She is a very powerful, respected, and experienced kunoichi of the village who'd earned her stripes. But, those merits weren't why she was chosen by Jiraiya to join them on this particular mission.
There were a handful of other available, more powerful shinobi that Jiraiya could've brought along. He brought Anko instead thanks to her connection with Orochimaru as his ex-student. That made her value nigh impossible to quantify for the mission at hand. She knew how Orochimaru operated, probably better than Jiraiya who was Orochimaru's ex-teammate.
Anko was one step better having been Orochimaru's favorite student before he went crazy. And while the reasons were and still are unknown, Anko was disregarded and left behind by the Snake Sannin. Anko's hate for him was only matched by her fierce love for Konoha, despite people being wary about her in case she could be a sleeper agent.
That sleeper agent potential caused her to become an outcast akin to Naruto. That, in turn, made their bond so special and strong when she saw him during the second test in the Chunin Exams. Both outcasts that were judged unfairly due to things out of their control. And like Naruto, she continued to prove them wrong daily with her actions during her still illustrious career.
So much so that Jiraiya added her to the mission. He'd have done it before when Naruto was training but those Orochimaru missions weren't as abundant due to his teaching of Naruto. Despite wanting Anko at first for the reasons listed above, he was sort of regretting it now due to the glare she was giving him.
"You let my favorite kiddo run into a known Orochimaru hideout with at least two hundred enemy ninjas and potentially enhanced experiments because you think he can handle it?" questioned Anko glaring daggers at the Toad Sage. She was tapping her foot angrily as she spoke. "The only reason I thought it was okay for him to go in there, or any other time, was because you would be with him. I'm kicking your ass."
Shizuka giggled softly at Anko about to attack one of the strongest men in the world. Who didn't seem anywhere near strong due to the placating hands he was holding up to try to stop her. Luckily for Jiraiya, Anko was distracted by the fourth person in the area.
"No worries Anko. Have a little faith," said Naruto with a disarming smile that stopped Anko's aggression cold.
His smile clearly more efficient than Jiraiya's feeble attempts.
"Why does the kid get better reactions from the ladies than me?" thought Jiraiya peeking an eye to his apprentice. Naruto gave Jiraiya a thumbs up before vanishing in a poof of smoke. "I taught the little brat what he knows. How's he better than me?"
Jiraiya knew why but, he refused to acknowledge another man looked better than he. It was why Naruto's perversion was seen favorably by the opposite sex over his. But, that thought was unfathomable. Jiraiya looked better than Naruto. He was not about to get outshined as he did when he taught the Yondaime Hokage.
Seconds after the clone dispelled, the now group of three looked to see a large chain come shooting out of the top of the hideout. The group watched the chain come down before carving through the entire hideout like a hot knife through cold butter.
"Damn gaki," said Anko impressed at the damage he was doing.
The base was shaking and rocking from whatever Naruto happened to be doing inside. The screams and explosions were all over the place because Naruto was terrorizing multiple areas at the same time. Probably thanks to his cloning ability if Anko had to guess. Looking to the right though, Anko saw several people trying to flee. Before she could go stop them, Shizuka's voice stopped her.
"It's okay. Naruto-kun has it under control," said Shizuka getting a confused look from Anko. Anko didn't understand since it didn't look like Naruto had it under control. "We couldn't do anything with that up anyway."
That was when Anko saw the people hit a barrier. A golden barrier, once invisible, glowed from the contact to show there was a massive dome covering the entire base.
"Wow, he made that when he sent that chain into the air, didn't he?" questioned Anko as Shizuka nodded her head. Anko smirked before finally smiling about Naruto being in there alone. He did have it under control. "Go Naruto!"
BOOM!
The entire base erupted in a massive explosion that got Anko and Shizuka's eyes to widen. The whole base went up in flames and they knew Naruto was still in there. Smoke, fire, and debris were headed their way but stopped since it was contained by the barrier. If one were to pay attention, a plume of smoke could be seen escaping the top of it.
"Ouch." came the voice of Naruto causing the group to look to the left. A singed and soot-covered Naruto landed next to them with quite the perturbed look on his face. "Overcharged the explosive seal by accident."
"Ha, they say fuinjutsu is a dangerous shinobi art," said Jiraiya smiling at Naruto trying to move his face away from Shizuka. She didn't like her boyfriend's soot-covered face one bit. Looking over at Jiraiya, Naruto let the girl wipe his face clean as Jiraiya spoke again. "Did that pretty quick gaki. Much faster solo than with me on those other two."
"Figured I could speed it up. Didn't want to keep you guys out here for long," said Naruto as Shizuka pulled his face back to her. She was working on clearing it and he wasn't helping by moving away from her. "With you, we were at least having some fun. Plus, we still have 2 more bases left to hit."
Jiraiya could understand the kid's logic as he tossed the Jinchuriki the apple he had been munching on. Jiraiya began to get his supplies up to prepare for departure as Anko drew Naruto's attention. She was the only one who didn't know what Naruto was talking about.
"Hold on, hold on. What just happened?" questioned Anko as Naruto perked up.
He was happy to explain his point of view to them while finishing off Jiraiya's apple.
(Earlier with Naruto)
Naruto steamrolled his way through the base of Oto shinobi. For every one of them, there were 4 of him. It just wasn't fair at all. Naruto mauled his way to the center of the base without much difficulty at all. Once there, Naruto put his hand to the ground.
"Let's test this Uzumaki in me?" questioned Naruto in his head. While on his training trip, when Naruto learned about his heritage from Jiraiya, he'd requested lessons on Fuinjutsu. If he was to be an Uzumaki then he'd have to learn the art. "Fuinjutsu is what my clan was known for. This is no big deal."
And in his time learning the art of seals, he found out something interesting about himself. Fuinjutsu didn't only come easy to him. Naruto could form seals with his chakra. It was how he could create his sealing chains and Jiraiya said he should be to do the same with any other seal. Having performed it before with storage seals, Naruto decided to try it with an explosive one.
"Boss?" came the voice of one of his many created clones behind the original. Naruto turned his head to see the clone looking at him with a contemplative look. "You're about to really try that?" Naruto nodded his head as the clone nodded back. The clone then stood at attention with a salute to Naruto. "It was an honor to serve you, sir."
"At ease soldier," spoke Naruto back getting the clone to smile cheekily. Naruto held a half tiger seal before channeling his chakra. "Kibaku Fuin (Explosive Seal)."
The kanji for 'explode' appeared right under his palm in perfect black lines. Naruto looked down to see the seal before grinning brightly as it grew in size to cover a decent-sized area.
"I can't believe that actually worked," said Naruto excitedly while turning to look at his clone.
"Uh boss," said the clone noticing something his original wasn't. Naruto hadn't stopped putting chakra into the seal. That meant the seal was growing and growing. The entire floor was covered in the seal before the original noticed and stopped. That simply put the seal into effect as it glowed a lava red. "You might want to run boss."
"Aw shit," said Naruto getting a clone-assisted boost in his jump.
The seal detonated violently and rocked the entire base. Naruto got caught by the explosion as he was covered by the volatile flames. Thanks to a chakra heavy wind shield, Naruto escaped most of the blast. It didn't stop him from getting cooked a little bit by the flames as he blackened from the heat.
The force of the explosion boosted his jump and sent him screaming through the air. Naruto allowed a small opening for himself out of the top of his barrier and kept climbing higher. When Naruto reached the apex of his climb, the jinchuriki front flipped and angled his body toward his team. A wind-slowed descent kept him from breaking his legs with the speed he'd been falling at.
"Ouch. Overcharged the explosive seal by accident," said Naruto seeing Shizuka rushing over to him. Naruto finished telling his side of the story and found Shizuka still working on his burns. He shook his head because the Kyubi had already begun healing him. She was worrying about nothing. "It's nice to have someone fret over me but she has to know I'm okay after all these times."
"Naruto-kun!" shouted Shizuka causing Naruto to flinch at the tone. Finally clearing the smoky Jinchuriki's face, Shizuka had Naruto's point of view register in her head. "YOU BLEW YOURSELF UP?!"
Anko smiled seeing the princess attack Naruto while calling him reckless. Jiraiya walked up to stand next to the torture specialist as she nodded her head.
"I like her," said Anko watching Naruto start running away. Shizuka chased after the Jinchuirki and managed to catch him. She wrestled the teen to the ground before continuing her physical and verbal assault. "Gaki will always be my favorite but she's been moving up my list this whole mission. Sad to hear about her home but hopefully Konoha can become one for her."
"Indeed, I'm sure the gaki will get Tsunade to handle that whenever Shizuka's ready," said Jiraiya smiling at the antics of the two. Somehow Shizuka got Naruto in a noogie and rubbed his head while repeatedly getting him to repeat her saying 'no more explosive seals'. Jiraiya's smile grew lecherous as he nudged Anko beside him. "I bet the gaki will be the one to get her ready."
"Hmm, he does seem to make her happy," said Anko ignoring Jiraiya's lecherous babble. She smiled when Naruto reversed his and Shizuka's positions. He wasn't giving Shizuka a noogie though, he was only kissing her lips chastely every time she told him she was still mad. She saw Shizuka lose her anger from the repeated kisses as Anko shook her head. "You taught the gaki well. He's good at getting out of trouble."
"He follows after his teacher well."
"You wish he did." thought Anko seeing Shizuka giggle. Naruto began to pepper her with kisses when she covered her mouth with her hand. Anko was tired of the love fest though. Especially considering she was getting none of the action. "You keep that up gaki and I'm joining in."
Naruto paused his kissing Shizuka and turned to the kunoichi. Naruto held Anko's gaze even as he moved down to kiss Shizuka again. He saw Anko lick her lips before walking toward him.
"Alright! I'm stopping, I'm stopping."
Anko laughed as Naruto moved off of Shizuka. They had two more bases left to hit. Apparently, Anko was ready to get a move on. So that's what they did even as Naruto stole another kiss when he helped Shizuka up.
Anko would have to get him later. He'd vanished in a shunshin when she tried to grab him.
(Hokage's Office - 1 week later)
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," said Kiba disbelievingly at what he just heard. "Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto? Blond dude, whisker marks, about this tall?" Tsunade nodded as Kiba shook his head. "No freaking way he goes on S ranks? What?! I barely got you to give us that easy A rank after begging for it. So how come Naruto gets to go on S ranks? He's a chunin like me, right?"
"For the umpteenth time Kiba, yes. Naruto is on an S rank mission," said Tsunade finding a folder on Naruto before handing it to Kiba. Kiba grabbed the folder and opened it as Tsunade continued to speak. "Naruto's done many high ranking missions for Konoha during his training period. Perks of being apprenticed to a Sannin."
After his team's week-long mission, Kiba had returned and searched for Naruto. Not finding him or even getting a whiff of his friend/rival, Kiba went to his Hokage to see where Naruto was. Finding out he was on a mission was fine until upon asking when he'd be back, Tsunade told him she couldn't divulge that information because it was S ranked.
And thus you have a jealous Kiba reading Naruto's updated information.
Name: Uzumaki Naruto (After Return to Konoha)
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Ninja Rank: Chunin
Physical Description: 5 feet 8 inches tall, 154 pounds. Has blue eyes and spiky, golden, blonde hair with six whisker mark like scars, three on each cheek.
Elements: Wind
Rank: B-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. Extreme mastery of the Wind Element. Displays the ability to use techniques only teachable in Mount Myoboku.
Bounty: Not Available
Stats: Ninjutsu: 4.5 Taijutsu: 4 Genjutsu: 2 Intelligence: 3 Strength: 4 Speed: 4 Stamina: 5 Hand Seals: 2; Total: 28.5
"Dude! How good of a teacher is Jiraiya?" asked Kiba seeing the previous stats Naruto had before leaving for two and a half years. He was a whole ten points better. And Kiba knew how tough it was to get higher stats. He'd only gotten 7.5 more since his graduating as a Genin. If Kiba took in the same for Naruto, his rival would have 14 points gained overall. Outrageous improvement in Kiba's mind. "I know he's a Sannin but Naruto was terrible. Dead last terrible." continued Kiba looking at Tsunade. Tsunade was curious to see where Kiba was going with this. "But if a Sannin is all it took then Sakura would be this much better too. But she isn't and you're the Hokage. There's no way he deserves to be on that S rank over me. Let alone doing them."
Biting back a snappy reply for Kiba's unintentional disrespect toward her over Sakura, Tsunade merely crossed her hands in front of her before posing a question.
"So you're saying you're better than Naruto?" questioned Tsunade which earned a nod from a non-hesitant Kiba. "Care to place a wager on that?"
Kiba's eyebrows perked up at that as he took a second to think it over.
"Did my Hokage just offer to make a bet with me?" thought Kiba realizing it was true seeing how Tsunade was waiting for his answer. "It is true. This should be easy money. Everyone says she's notorious about losing bets and Naruto can't be stronger than me. This will be a cakewalk."
"What kind of wager?" questioned Kiba as Tsunade closed her eyes.
"A simple one. One over a fight between you and Naruto," said Tsunade with her eyes closed as she spoke. "Winner is decided by who can knock their opponent unconscious or cause their opponent to willingly forfeit."
"Sounds simple enough. What happens if I win?"
"If you win, I'll consider your proposition on receiving higher ranked missions," said Tsunade as Kiba visibly brightened up. He felt he was ready for them. And if Naruto was his only obstacle, this would be easy money. "Lose though and your missions will take a turn for the worst."
"A turn for the worst?" questioned Kiba iffy on accepting now because Tsunade didn't exactly specify what she meant. Tsunade only opened her eyes to ask if Kiba would accept. Eventually, Kiba just shrugged his shoulders because it didn't matter what Tsunade meant, he wasn't going to lose. "You have a deal."
"Great. I'll alert you when Naruto returns. And then we'll set a date for the spar," said Tsunade with a smile on her face that actually caused Kiba to worry.
"Wait wait-" started Kiba but Tsunade was already waving him away. The brown-haired boy bowed to his leader and began to sweat lightly. "Aww shit. What did I get myself into? Sure Naruto's stats are impressive but that doesn't mean he can beat me in a fight." continued Kiba not making himself feel better. Tsunade seemed way too sure of herself just now. "I think he spared Neji before leaving, I'll go gather some information. I won't be losing to him again."
Kiba walked out of the Hokage's office in search of anything to get prepped for his contest with Naruto. It was sure to be a win regardless, but a little information would only help make it a faster win. At least that's what he told himself to quell his nerves.
(Outskirts of Konoha - 5 days later)
"Could that really be considered an S-rank mission though?" questioned Naruto walking in stride with Shizuka, Jiraiya, and Anko as they neared Konoha. "Not to say I don't mind the pay but that was relatively easy compared to the others I've gone on."
"Well, you know how those missions are ranked, right gaki?" said Anko stretching her arms out in joy seeing Konoha at the edge of the horizon.
"Ow! It's a healthy appreciation Hime," said Naruto getting Anko to look at him curiously. He was rubbing his arm and frowning at Shizuka. "I saw you looking too."
"Hehehe." giggled Shizuka getting pointed looks from Jiraiya and Anko. She, like Naruto, couldn't help but admire Anko's assets during her overhead stretch. "What? She's hot and we all know it. Don't judge me."
Naruto smiled at Shizuka before turning back to see Anko with a shit-eating grin. Not allowing Anko to comment on Shizuka and his staring, Naruto moved the conversation back to what she said previously.
"What was it about the mission ranks Anko?" questioned Naruto as Anko turned to him and wagged her finger. Ah, he'd forgotten. "Sorry, Anko-chan."
"I prefer Anko-sama."
"I'm not calling you that."
"You should. Anyhoo," said Anko returning to her line of thought before Naruto and Shizuka's little episode. "Going from D to S, missions get tougher as we all know. D-ranks are usually given to Genin. The grunt work stuff that Konoha forces all baby ninjas to do because it provides little to no risk and is usually within Konoha's walls. C-ranks are a little riskier because the ninjas may leave the village but there's rarely any chance of combat against other ninjas." continued Anko turning to Naruto as she spoke. "B-ranks and up are when you start receiving potential ninja danger and based on the importance of the mission or the level of the opposing ninja, it increases the mission rank status."
"So even though we didn't meet Orochimaru at all, it's still S rank because we could have?" questioned Shizuka as Anko just nodded her head. "I guess that makes sense. In Nadeshiko, ours was similar except all ninjas received a paycheck from salary, not off missions completed. The better the ninja, the better the paycheck."
"And hime was the bestest!" exclaimed Naruto picking Shizuka up and twirling her around.
Naruto gave the girl a searing kiss that she couldn't help but return. The kiss lasted a while. A very long while as Naruto wanted to make up for lost time. He could have been doing this a whole year ago?! Man, he shouldn't have waited so long.
"Oi! Get a move on kid or I'm taking your pay and making it rain."
"You know he didn't hear you, right?"
"Yeah, little brat knows I'm serious about keeping his pay though," said Jiraiya turning his head back to see Naruto and Shizuka still kissing. Jiraiya just shrugged and continued along. "I've done it before. And it looks like I'm doing it again. Don't worry, I'll give you half."
Anko just grinned as she and the Sannin made their way to the Hokage's Tower. It didn't take the two of them long to get there as Jiraiya jumped up to the open window.
"Hime! I've returned," said Jiraiya gleefully. He didn't hear a response and opened his eyes to see no Tsunade. That was weird because he knows he felt someone was in here. And he was right except, it was two someones. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Naruto and Shizuka stood in the Kage's office still making out. Jiraiya shook his head seeing that and couldn't even get mad. That was just too good.
"You're not stealing my pay again Ero-Sennin," said Naruto finally done kissing Shizuka as he looked at his sensei.
"Jiraiya stole your pay before gaki?" questioned Tsunade stepping in her office at that moment with Anko. Naruto turned to the woman and nodded his head as Tsunade shook her head. "Well, then you can earn double for your participation in this mission. All of you can." continued Tsunade getting Anko and Shizuka to cheer along with Naruto. That was great! "And since Jiraiya sanctioned this mission, you collect your money from him."
Jiraiya just groaned at that before pulling out a checkbook. This didn't go as he planned. While Naruto was waiting for Jiraiya to hand him his pay, he felt Tsunade tug his shirt.
"Going to need your services soon. Be sure you're ready." Naruto just rose an eyebrow at that before grinning.
"I'm always ready baa-chan. You know that."
And know that she did. She couldn't help but grin knowing he wouldn't let her down.
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