Omelette du Fromage. Chapter Eleven

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 11: The Spiral and The Fan

"Hmm."

"Hmm indeed."

"Was my plan bad?"

"It was."

"Bad bad hime?"

"Yes Naruto-kun, bad bad."

A conversation between the lovers while they stood on a bridge. The Tenchi Bridge, in fact, considering they'd taken Sasori's last breath as truthful information. And it was proven devoid of lies. A spy in Orochimaru's organization did arrive in ten days time. And Konoha was here looking at him.

Yakushi Kabuto, the genin from the Chunin Exams who'd failed it seven times. The jerk who'd fought Naruto when they'd gone to get Tsunade. The right-hand man of Orochimaru who was very loyal to the snake sannin. So loyal that when Naruto, whose plan it was, transformed into the dead puppeteer to trick the medic, it failed miserably for two reasons.

One, Kabuto could see the transformation. Naruto's normal ones weren't as complete as his perverted ones. Jiraiya's fault he'd focused on the latter more. And two, Orochimaru knew about this meeting the whole time. He would have ruined it even if Naruto managed to trick Kabuto. Kabuto had never been Sasori's spy like the man once thought.

"Eh, Kakashi-sensei's the leader. He let it happen," said Naruto throwing the blame to the masked shinobi.

"Hmm? Did you say something Naruto?" questioned Kakashi getting Naruto to gnash his teeth at the Jonin's coolness. Kakashi then turned to their adversaries and got serious. "So the spy was Kabuto. But, Orochimaru knew the entire time anyway. And his arms, they looked healed."

"Hatake Kakashi. Haruno Sakura. Uzumaki Naruto," spoke Kabuto smirking as he named each shinobi. He paused though seeing Shizuka and not recognizing her face. "I don't know her. Who are you?"

"Kabocha-kun's," replied Shizuka pointing to Naruto.

"...Kabocha(Pumpkin)? I mean it is orange but, I don't wear orange anymore hime," said Naruto turning to Shizuka. Shizuka apologized and claimed she'd do better as Naruto shrugged. Naruto looked at Kabuto and smiled at him. "Nicknames aside, she is mine. Ain't she pretty?" questioned Naruto before cutting off any reply Kabuto could come up with. "Answer that and I'll break your glasses with my fist."

"You, break my glasses? You think you can do that Naruto-kun?"

"No, I know I can."

"How confident of you," said Kabuto while pushing up his glasses. Kabuto's hands then glowed blue with chakra. "Come and try it."

"No."

"No?"

"I'm fighting Orochimaru."

"...wait, really?" questioned Kabuto as his master grinned.

"Naruto-kun, you're fighting me?" questioned Orochimaru tickled hearing the Jinchuriki. Naruto looked at the man and saw him creepily flick his tongue out of his mouth. "Who decided that? They must not like you very much whoever they are."

"Hmm, well, I like me a lot," said Naruto letting on that it was his decision. Orochimaru and Kabuto were confused. Kakashi wasn't the leader? "I'm getting tested for my promotion to Jonin. Kakashi-sensei made me the captain of this mission so, this is the Naruto show. And the Naruto show has me taking you on Roachy."

Naruto's eyes flashed red before he crouched. Kabuto blinked feeling Naruto's chakra shift before the Jinchuriki appeared in front of him. Kabuto hadn't even felt him move. The Oto medic flinched into an attack that Naruto dodged smoothly with his Seikuken. His body flowed into a counter as he smiled.

Naruto's Seikuken was a technique. The Kyubi's chakra amped everything Naruto did. Thus allowing Naruto to shrink his air-sphere to force himself to react later. Dangerous if he were to do normally but, his above-average reflexes were twofold boosted when using his Bijuu's chakra.

That allowed Naruto to make up for the shorter reaction time and created less wasted motion because of it. He'd made his Seikuken better. Kabuto could do nothing to defend the sharp counter. This one would hurt.

"Katon: Enchu (Fire Style: Flame Elbow)" It would burn too as Naruto's elbow went ablaze connecting off Kabuto's head.

"Ryuka (Flowing Fire)," whispered Shizuka naming the difference. Fire was Naruto's second learned element. That didn't mean he'd swapped his air-sphere for a fire one. It was still the same air-sphere, only a little smaller. "Stupid name. Dummy added fire to the strikes to make it 'work'. He knows he's saying Ryuka (Fire Dragon) and not Ryuka(Flowing Fire)." thought Shizuka smiling thinking about the argument they'd had. She then grimaced remembering he added the fire for lethality too. The Kyubi's chakra gave her boyfriend a nasty bloodlust. "Naruto-kun turns into a killer like this. He's so aggressive."

Shizuka watched the Oto spy smash into the side of the bridge from the sturdy blow. Naruto finished rotating from his elbow and saw Kabuto not moving after the strike. Naruto grinned before turning to Orochimaru. Orochimaru was simply grinning back.

He always loved a Jinchuriki's fascinating powers. They were so powerful. And Naruto had the strongest one within him.

"Kukukuku Naruto-kun. You might make this fun," said Orochimaru dodging Naruto's lunge at him.

Naruto followed the retreating Sannin as they vanished in the woods. Kakashi nodded as Sakura and Shizuka followed too. Naruto might need their help if Orochimaru had reinforcements. Kakashi then turned to see Kabuto standing up after the two kunoichis jumped past him. He stood shakily while pushing up his glasses once more.

"Naruto-kun wasn't lying I see. Well, he used an elbow, not his fist. But, it still counts," said Kabuto as his glasses cracked slightly. Kabuto smirked thinking he'd repeated his past mistake. And he'd paid for it just like the last time. "Well, now that I'm through underestimating Naruto-kun for a second time, would you like to fight Kakashi-san? I could use the stimulation for my concussion's sake."

"Hmm, since you asked so nicely," said Kakashi raising his headband. Kabuto's hands glowed blue again when Kakashi gave a thumbs up. "I'll indulge you."

Kabuto smirked before rushing the Jonin.

(With Naruto and Orochimaru)

"He's an aggressive one like this." thought Orochimaru dodging the Jinchuriki. He was leading the boy to a better site for a fight. Felt necessary given his circumstances. "Sensei curses me still. I cured the physical effects but, I can't use hand seals." continued Orochimaru in his head. He cursed his handicap but, he wanted to have fun still. And battling Naruto felt like it could be just that. "This feels good enough."

Orochimaru dodged one last time into a clearing that Naruto followed him into. Naruto led with a straight that Orochimaru dodged. The Sannin snapped up a knee that Naruto countered. And countered hard.

Naruto's straight turned to a flameless elbow that knocked Orochimaru's leg back down. The Jinchuriki fell to a knee during his counter and flowed to a punch that tagged the side of Orochimaru's knee. Orochimaru bent awkwardly from the hit that allowed Naruto's Ryuka to counter that motion too. Naruto rose into a chin-rattling uppercut that blazed orange with fire.

"Katon: Shoryu (Fire Style: Rising Dragon)." Naruto gave Shizuka a compromise with the dragon thing. Naruto lifted off the ground with his punch that launched Orochimaru back. The man flew across the clearing and landed with a thud. "I don't think this would be fun if I kept using this." continued Naruto talking about his bijuu's power. He didn't need it anyway. Orochimaru was crippled and it'd be a waste. "I'm going to kick your ass without my little buddy."

"I'm not little you brat. Nor am I your buddy."

"Yeah yeah," thought back Naruto seeing Orochimaru stand up with a smoky chin. Naruto's features returned to normal turning off the fox's power. "I'm kicking your ass as Naruto. Hope you don't mind."

Orochimaru glared at Naruto. A boy such as him should not be allowed to talk down to him. Nor refuse to use his full potential against his greatness. Little brat was lucky Orochimaru couldn't use his arms. He'd teach the boy that lesson with ease if he could. He grinned realizing he'd have to do it with difficulty instead.

"Shizuka-chan, Sakura-chan. I have this covered," said Naruto keeping his eyes on Orochimaru. The two landed on either side of him as Naruto pointed to the northeast. "There's a base that direction. You both should head there and check it out. Sasuke could be there."

"Okay," said Sakura listening to her captain's order. She didn't like Naruto wanting to fight alone but, she felt he could win. Plus, he'd gotten her with the potential Sasuke sighting. "I hope you're here Sasuke-kun."

"You sure?" questioned Shizuka not leaving because she didn't agree. Shizuka got a nod from Naruto that she didn't like. Naruto's last run-in with an S-rank shinobi almost killed him. And he was wanting to deny help and risk that again? "I don't think that's a good idea Naru-"

"I'm going to win hime. Trust me," said Naruto holding the girl's gaze. She saw the boy's desire shining within the ocean that was his eyes. How could he put so much emotion in them? They were very convincing and forcing Shizuka to believe him. "I need to know I can win. So please, I got this."

"..." Shizuka didn't reply at first. She searched his face for a moment before only nodding. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him chastely before turning away. "Okay, you better win."

"I'll win."

"Win win?"

"Yes, I'll win win hime. Now get your pretty little buns moving," said Naruto smacking the girl's rear end. Shizuka jumped from the contact and got with the program. "Disputing orders from your taicho. I'll have to reprimand you later." Shizuka blushed hearing that as she followed after Sakura. Naruto turned back to Orochimaru before smiling. "Sorry about that. Where were we?"

"I believe we were about to fight Naruto-kun."

"Ah, then let us get to it."

"Yes, let's."

(With Sakura and Shizuka)

"He's going to be fine right?"

"Yes Shizuka, Naruto's got it."

"I still don't like it," said Shizuka having caught up to Sakura pretty quickly. She was faster after all. But, she felt uneasy about leaving her boyfriend alone. "Last time he almost died."

"Last time Sasori got lucky," said Sakura getting Shizuka to listen. She wasn't there to see the fight as Sakura had. "Naruto destroyed Sasori. He'd taken a few hits in return but, it was his fault because he was so aggressive from the Kyubi's chakra. Even then, those hits weren't even fazing him." continued Sakura remembering what she'd seen. Naruto was unbelievably strong. And that fight gave Naruto all of Sakura's trust in his abilities as a shinobi. "He underestimated how strong Naruto was. And Naruto made him pay for it brutally. He only got that sword in after Naruto thought he'd killed him."

"Right, because of the puppet body thing."

"Exactly, Naruto dominated the fight until that point. I'm sure Sasori could have fought better but, Naruto never allowed him to," said Sakura continuing her run. She was seeing the base Naruto was talking about and felt her nerves stand up. They were getting close to potentially seeing Sasuke. "Naruto's strong. And I think he can beat Orochimaru. Even without the Kyubi." said Sakura turning to Shizuka with a smile. Shizuka smiled back as the medic returned her gaze forward. "Orochimaru's still crippled. Without his jutsu, he's not so scary. Naruto knows that and he can handle him. It's what he and Kakashi hashed out before we started."

"Right, we'd already gone over this. Ugh, I'm such a girlfriend." thought Shizuka realizing now she'd been a worrywart. A worrywart over something they'd already gone over. She was still worrying over it now so, she decided to get Sakura to distract her. "What can you tell me about this Sasuke guy? I've only ever heard Naruto-kun talk about him. Is he really an emo teme with a punchable face?"

"What? Emo teme? Naruto said that?"

"He said a lot more. I figured he was just hating since Jiraiya-sama said he's never beat Sasuke at anything."

"Well, Naruto's...no, Naruto's not right," said Sakura almost agreeing with Naruto. Sasuke was a bastard for deserting the village. And his face would be punchable when Sakura saw him next. But, no, Sasuke was much more than that. "Sasuke-kun's a little more than that."

"We have a little time. Can you tell me some?"

"Sure."

And thus, Sakura gave her own rendition of Sasuke to Shizuka. Naruto's well-being still sat within her mind despite it though.

"You better win Naruto-kun."

(Naruto v Orochimaru)

Naruto was a flurry of strikes coming at Orochimaru. The Sannin slinked in and out of the punches and kicks without getting touched once. Orochimaru had a look of scrutiny on his face analyzing Naruto. Something was weird about the boy's Taijutsu.

"What is this? His attacking is good but, not enough to worry me. When he defends though..." thought Orochimaru throwing a speedy kick. Naruto brought both arms up to block the kick and even gripped the Sannin's leg in the process. Something Orochimaru was baffled at considering the reflexes needed to do such a thing. "His timing is perfect. How is he doing this?"

Naruto swept the Sannin's grounded leg before turning with the man. Naruto tossed the Sannin away from him before putting his hands in the ram seal. Orochimaru flipped from Naruto's toss and landed smoothly without injury. The Sannin looked up to see Naruto grabbing a fuma shuriken from a storage seal. A storage seal the boy created in midair that disappeared when Naruto opened the four-pronged weapon.

"Kukukuku, an Uzumaki through and through." thought Orochimaru of the seal creation by Naruto.

"I heard Jiji liked doing this." Naruto flung the shuriken at Orochimaru before shifting through a few hand seals. The shuriken turned to dozens that were screaming toward the grinning Sannin. "Shuriken Kage Bunshin (Shuriken Shadow Clone)"

"Oh, it's been a while since I last saw that one," said Orochimaru unhumanly dodging the shuriken. The way he maneuvered his body was impressive as he dodged each shuriken before grinning at Naruto again. "Yours isn't as good as sensei's. That was a cakewalk to dodge."

"Is that so?" questioned Naruto getting a nod. "Hmm, hope you can dodge this too then." The Naruto Orochimaru was looking at dispelled in a poof of smoke. Orochimaru's eyes widened before turning to his right. The real Naruto was there with an arm at the Sannin's waist. "Thank you hime. Futon: Reppuken (Wind Style: Gale Fist)"

Naruto's arm was a wind blade that bifurcated the Sannin. Naruto continued running past the Sannin from his charge with a grin on his face. He stopped and turned back to Orochimaru and saw the man in two equally-sized pieces. His grin fell when a dozen snakes spawned from the man's lower half that reached over to his upper half. The snakes pulled Orochimaru back together as he turned his head to Naruto with a smile.

"You didn't think it'd be that easy, did you Naruto-kun?"

"I had hoped so."

"Sorry to disappoint," said Orochimaru before he turned the rest of his body to Naruto. He laid on the floor before gagging. He then puked up was a ridiculous number of snakes. "Mandara no Jin (Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes)."

"Oh, shit!" shouted Naruto going through rapid-fire hand seals. Naruto's chest puffed up before he let loose a fireball. "Katon: Endan (Fire Style: Flame Bullet)"

Naruto cooked the snakes alive coming his way with his well-placed jutsu. He was quick to find out though that there were too many. And they burst through his fireball with swords protruding from their mouths. That was a scary sight.

"How many are there?!" thought Naruto frantically ending his fire breath while beginning to dodge.

Naruto thanked his lucky stars his Seikuken was so good. He really loved that technique. He dodged most of the snakes coming his way. The few that caught him only managed to clip his arms or take off a few strands of hair. Nothing his accelerated healing didn't fix right up.

"Heads up Naruto-kun!" Naruto's Seikuken wouldn't help him here. Orochimaru was moving too fast despite Naruto knowing he was there. Orochimaru leveled Naruto with a punch to the jaw that sent the Jinchuriki head over heels across the clearing. "Kukukuku, got to pay attention at all times Naruto-kun."

"Okay, that was pretty good. I actually felt that." thought Naruto after rolling to a stop. Naruto kipped up quickly before turning to Orochimaru. "Everybody gets one. That was yours." continued Naruto getting Orochimaru to laugh. Naruto held his favorite hand seal before getting Orochimaru's laugh to stifle immediately. "Tajuu Kage Bunshin. Let me repay those earlier snakes."

Orochimaru watched hundreds of Narutos poof into existence that were all grinning at him. He was surrounded by over a thousand easily. All Orochimaru could do was smile.

"This really is fun."

"Not for you anymore." And Orochimaru knew Naruto was right.

The thousand-plus clones all rushed Orochimaru simultaneously and overwhelmed him. Orochimaru dodged the first dozen or so but, they just kept coming. Eventually one snagged him and then they all started tagging him. Blow after blow after blow as the original Naruto stood with a smirk.

"Nisen Rendan (Two Thousand Blows Barrage)"

Orochimaru felt every one of those two thousand strikes.

(Kakashi v Kabuto - Earlier)

Kabuto was dangerous. Kakashi had known that since he'd run into him in Sasuke's hospital room. Shizune and Tsunade made sure Konoha was updated on Kabuto's true ability. He'd beaten both of the medics in Tanzaku Gai. And that wasn't the inept Genin Konoha had on file. But, Kakashi never thought the medic was this good.

"He did say he'd underestimated Naruto." thought Kakashi dodging Kabuto's offensive. His glowing hands were the problem. They could sever an artery if Kakashi allowed him to. "He's faster than I thought he'd be. Hmm, people did say he's equal to me."

"To be expected Kakashi-san," said Kabuto watching Kakashi jump back on his latest strike. The man hadn't been touched once. "Your Sharingan probably makes me look slow, doesn't it? Such an advantage."

"Mah mah, I could avoid you without it if I wanted to," said Kakashi with a shrug. "I just don't want this to take too long. While Naruto is the leader, it's still my team and I'd like to get back to them."

"Makes sense. Would want to check to see if they're fine I'll bet."

"Of course, so, sorry that I have to speed this up," said Kakashi as his hand lit up with a Rakiri.

Kakashi jumped back at Kabuto who met him head-on.

(Naruto v Orochimaru)

"Why won't you just die?!" shouted Naruto angrily seeing Orochimaru in perfect health. Not a single thing done to the Sannin who smiled at the frustrated Jinchuriki. "How many of those replacements can you do? I see why Ero-Sennin hates you."

Orochimaru took all of Naruto's hits earlier and looked near death afterward. That was until a pair of hands ripped open the man's mouth. That pair of hands was attached to another Orochimaru that stood unscathed from Naruto's attack. And Orochimaru was only smirking.

"I see you're an idiot like Jiraiya too Naruto-kun. I've already told you once, it won't be that easy."

Orochimaru was still surrounded by Naruto's clones who were raring to do the same thing again. Orochimaru wasn't having that twice. A sword extended from his mouth that stabbed through a line of Narutos. Orochimaru twisted in a sharp 360 as the blade whirled. The clones were unprepared and met their doom from the fast blade.

Some clones survived, along with the original, as two of them stood by him on a tree. The three Narutos all held a different hand seal and channeled their chakras. One clone held the horse seal. Naruto himself held the ram seal. And the second clone held the tiger seal.

"Goemon Furo (Bath of Boiling Oil)." Orochimaru watched wind, oil, and fire come from the three Narutos aimed all at him.

Orochimaru retracted his extended blade and moved to dodge the potent attack. That dodge stopped when he hit an invisible barrier that glowed gold when he touched it. Orochimaru saw some of Naruto's other surviving clones standing with their palms toward him. They'd created a chakra barrier that Orochimaru couldn't break. At least before Naruto's jutsu reached him.

The wave of boiling hot oil crashed into Orochimaru and slammed into the barrier Naruto's clones created. The barrier held for a little while but, the jutsu was too strong and eventually overran it. The oil spread out for a long way and burned everything it came into contact with. Naruto watched the oil bath cool some after a while as he launched a gust of wind to speed that up.

"You think that killed him?" questioned one of Naruto's clones looking to his fellow clone.

"No, I don't think it did," spoke the other clone looking for any sign of Orochimaru.

"I agree. But who knows, maybe it did," said Naruto hopeful as his clones looked to the oil settled in the field. Naruto had created a mini lake. That got him to smile internally but, he wouldn't smile until he confirmed his kill. "Who wants to check?" The clones looked at one another before nodding. They played a quick game of Rock-Paper-Scissors with them both throwing paper. The clones nodded again before pushing Naruto off the tree. "Oh, you guys suck so hard."

The clones dispelled after that as Naruto flipped to land atop the lake. Naruto let out a calming breath before walking across the oil. Naruto didn't have to look long. Orochimaru came right out of Naruto's oil with his sword extended from his mouth once again. And he hit the surprised Jinchuriki hard.

Orochimaru extended the blade that caught Naruto and sent him flying through the air. The blade carried Naruto out of the clearing and all the way back to the Tenchi Bridge. Orochimaru grinned as he saw Naruto slam into the bridge roughly. He grinned because he didn't actually get Naruto.

"He can make the same chakra chains as Kushina." thought Orochimaru having seen the chains. They'd spawned right out of Naruto's chest to block Orochimaru's sword. They only stopped the fatal blow and didn't save him from getting flung so far away. "That boy has grown so interestingly. You did a decent job Jiraiya." continued Orochimaru looking at Naruto shrug his sword off and stand up. Orochimaru then shuddered before retracting his blade. "Looks like the fun is over."

Orochimaru replaced himself again and laid atop Naruto's oil bath. He could feel it. The time was near.

"This body is rejecting me. I need to get Sasuke's soon."

Orochimaru would. Once he rested a bit. Naruto took a lot out of him just now.

(With Shizuka and Sakura)

"So, this is an Oto hideout?" questioned Sakura getting a nod from Shizuka. She'd seen them before to confirm Sakura's guess. Sakura looked at the rather plain base and tilted her head. "Not really what I was expecting from Orochimaru. I thought he'd be more eccentric at least."

"I did too from Jiraiya-sama's stories but, nope. This is it," said Shizuka before seeing the multitude of ways they could go. "Which pathway do you want to take? I'll take a different one."

"Uhmm, I don't know."

"Well, let's do what Naruto-kun always does." Shizuka pulled out a coin that Sakura glanced at. "There's six pathways. So, let's get to flipping. Heads or tails?"

"Heads."

"Heads it is," said Shizuka before pointing at pathway number one. Shizuka flipped the coin and caught it. "Tails never fails like Naruto-kun says. Alright, you take pathway two, four, and six. I'll take the other three and I'll make noise if I run into trouble, okay?"

Sakura nodded at that plan. Shizuka had done these with Anko before. And Anko was someone Sakura respected quite a bit. So, the two split up in search for something, anything. Sakura herself hoping it was Sasuke.

"I hope you're here." thought Sakura sprinting through the base.

(With Naruto)

"Stupid sword. I was winning that easy too," said Naruto angrily smashed into the bridge. He was unharmed thanks to his adamantine chains but, he wasn't happy. "And he's probably gone now too."

"Have fun at least?"

"Meh, it'd have been better if I'd have killed him," spoke Naruto to Kakashi who was tangling with Kabuto. Though the two stopped when Naruto crash-landed near them. Naruto frowned before shaking his head. "I better get another chance to fight him. That was not his win."

"I think it is Naruto." Naruto frowned hearing Kakashi disagree with him.

"Of course it is," said Naruto before Kabuto rushed him.

Kabuto attacked Naruto thinking he wasn't paying attention. Apparently, Kabuto didn't learn his lesson from earlier. Naruto's Seikuken was always paying attention. And unfortunately for Kabuto, Naruto's eyes flashed red the moment he entered his sphere of influence.

"I said I wasn't going to use this against Orochimaru." Kabuto tapped Naruto's chest with his hand.

"And that's his heart." thought Kabuto with a smile. That smile dropped when he noticed he'd hit an after-image. Kabuto panicked because Naruto had ducked and sat crouched before him. "Is he that much stronger? I don't get it. I can't track his movements."

"Metsu Rasengan." An unstable purple Rasengan formed in Naruto's hand. He brought that ball to Kabuto's gut and launched him away. "Jinchuriki powers for the win."

Kabuto shot back from the powerful attack. He didn't go far as he met Kakashi. And Kakashi still held his earlier Rakiri.

"I didn't need the assist but, I do appreciate it," said Kakashi with his hand shoved through Kabuto's gut. Kakashi looked at Naruto and nodded as the boy took off. He needed to get back to Orochimaru or at least check on Sakura and Shizuka. Kakashi could handle Kabuto himself at this point. "You're a medic so, I'm guessing you'll survive this. Which is good!" Kakashi chirped as Kabuto painfully sat on his arm. His front had been nearly blown open by Naruto's attack and now, Kakashi's jutsu was paralyzing him. This was not a good spot for Orochimaru's right-hand man. "Naruto's first mission is a success. We caught Orochimaru's spy."

Kabuto clenched his teeth but, there was nothing he could do. Kakashi would make sure he'd be shipped back to Konoha immediately. Then, he'd get to following after Naruto.

(Oto Hideout)

Naruto arrived fast and stood exactly where Shizuka and Sakura had been. Six pathways greeted him that he looked at. Naruto could feel Sakura down one while Shizuka had taken the other. He wasn't worried about them because he felt a different signature. One he knew well.

"You can't be serious. He's actually here," said Naruto in his head walking down a pathway. Naruto then had another thought. "Why can I feel him? I've never been a sensor."

"No need to thank me."

"Huh, oh, you did this Kurama?" questioned Naruto saying the fox's name. It'd surprised Kurama Naruto knew it since Naruto looked dead when it spoke it. Nevertheless, Naruto appeared in his mind while his body continued walking. "I don't remember you saying this when we talked."

"It slipped my mind when you remembered my name," said Kurama looking at his Jinchuriki. Naruto told him the two would hash out some kind of deal once rescuing Gaara was done. And he'd kept his promise. "With regards to your sensor status, you're one by way of me. I can sense negative emotions in people. No matter how small. Remember that old guy and kunoichi with the bandit problem?"

"Oh yeah! I repressed it because you thought they could take me out." thought Naruto to the Bijuu. He'd forgotten Kurama said he could do that. "So you're saying I can do the same now?"

"Yes, only when using my chakra like you are now. I've allowed it for the time being."

"Negative emotions huh? And if he's here, that's why I could feel this base when I told Sakura-chan and hime about it." thought Naruto remembering how he knew the base was here. He could sense hatred and killing intent. And there was no one Naruto knew with more hatred in the world than who sat behind the door he was looking at. "He's in here, isn't he?"

"Yeah, I can smell that Uchiha filth from here." Naruto smiled at his Bijuu before focusing on reality.

Naruto took a calming breath before slowly pushing open the door. The room he could see was bare and very spartan. It only had a dresser with a lit candle atop it and a bed. A bed with the silhouette of a person laying on it. Naruto could feel his hairs stand up on end as he took a step forward.

"Why are you in my room? Do you feel like dying?" questioned the figure getting Naruto to stop.

"Sup teme." The figure flinched as he recognized the voice.

"Dobe?" questioned the figure as Naruto closed his eyes.

"The one and only. Been a long time, Sasuke." Naruto could feel Sasuke smirking hearing the confirmation.

"It has been a long time, Naruto." Sasuke closed his own eyes as the hairs on his arm stood up.

Both sat in limbo for a while. Neither of them moved for about a full minute until the small candle in Sasuke's room flickered off. Naruto's doing with a quick burst of wind. He was impatient like that. Sasuke's Sharingan snapped open the same time as Naruto's Kyubi red ones. A second later, a massive explosion rocked the base.

Naruto versus Sasuke, round two. Fight.

(Elsewhere in the base)

"All these pathways, so easy to get lost in here," said Shizuka having stopped worrying about being silent when she noticed no one was here. It was like a ghost town in this hideout. "Orochimaru must have been leaving soon. There's nothing here."

Shizuka returned to the original spot she'd separated from Sakura. She had one more pathway to check just as Sakura arrived as well. Shizuka looked at the girl and saw her shake her head. So she didn't find anything either.

BOOM

Sakura and Shizuka both felt the base quake from an explosion. Their panic wasn't needed since it wasn't the base detonating. It was only a small area that was down the sixth pathway. Shizuka and Sakura both took off to check it out.

Sasuke-motivated Sakura was fast. She'd dusted Shizuka in racing to check the scene. Sakura rounded a corner and saw Naruto standing there and looking up. He looked to be in a blown-out section of the base as Sakura raced to stand by him.

"Naruto! Are you al-"

"Sakura?" Sakura froze.

"It can't be." thought Sakura disbelievingly while turning to the voice. And there she saw him, it was really him. "Sasuke-kun..."

Staring down at Sakura with his Sharingan blazing, Sasuke stood looking more mature than the last time she saw him. Wearing dark blue pants, Sasuke had a blue cloth covering him from his stomach to his knees, held up by a purple rope belt. Finishing his attire was a white, long-sleeved shirt kept open at the torso with black arm guards that covered his forearms and black shinobi sandals. He looked-

Sexy

"Sexy," repeated Sakura in her head hearing the second voice again.

"Hmm, I thought he'd be hotter." Sasuke turned his head to see Shizuka sizing him up. Shizuka walked slowly to the other side of Naruto and looked up at the Uchiha. "You were right Naruto-kun. You look much better than he does."

"Heh, thanks hime," said Naruto loosening his tense shoulders.

Shizuka took the air right out of the situation. They were still about to fight but, Naruto was over his shock at seeing his 'best friend' after so long. And Sasuke seemed the same as he asked the jinchuriki a question.

"Shall we get to it?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

Thanks for Reading. Enjoy the omake if you continue :)

Omake: Training Trip - A Documentary By Uzumaki Naruto

(8 months until return)

"What the hell do you mean you don't like them?"

"Exactly that. I don't like them."

"But the Fourth Hokage, your idol, used these? They're his signature," said Jiraiya holding a tri-pronged kunai in front of his latest and surprisingly uninterested student.

"Exactly, his signature. I want my own style as far as Konoha's concerned," said Naruto continuing to set his camera up. He was recording again for his documentary but, he couldn't find a good place to set his camera down. He needed to have good angles. "I have kunai already anyway. Now let me film my documentary. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"I..." started Jiraiya before sighing and flinging the kunai at his student. He did have somewhere to be. "I looked forever for that damn thing and you just...you're lucky I do have somewhere to be." Jiraiya headed out with a warning to his student. "And kid, we're in Iron country. Don't get sliced up."

"Yeah yeah," said Naruto checking his shot before smiling. That kunai Jiraiya threw stabbed into the tree neatly and became a seat for his camera. Naruto made sure the frame was good before jumping back to get started. "What's up world, Uzumaki Naruto, the greatest ninja ever, your favorite Jinchuriki, and every girl's wet dream. Here with another-"

A sword sliced into Naruto that caused his eyes to widen. A poof of smoke dispelled Naruto as a samurai stood confused. He was sure he cut Naruto but, the boy vanished somehow. Marveling at the boy's disappearance, the samurai didn't notice the real Naruto standing behind him.

"You have three seconds to explain why I shouldn't kill you," said Naruto threateningly before another voice sounded out.

"Uzumaki Naruto? I've heard that name. You're the Kyubi's Jinchuriki am I right?" came the voice of another man. Another samurai from the sword and stance. Only he wasn't wearing any of the armor like the first man. Just a head wrap and an exquisite mustache that Naruto was jealous of. "Apologies for the intrusion and hostile greetings from my swordsman. There was an alert to your presence here due to this being restricted territory. Very glad I came or I'm sure I'd be short a man."

"Of course I'm in restricted territory. Ero-Sennin always does this."

"Ero-Sennin?"

"Oh, Jiraiya the Toad Sage. I just call him that because he's a pervert," said Naruto watching the man's eyes widen with recognition.

"Jiraiya? Are you a student of one of the three legendary Sannin?"

"Yes, his greatest student." Naruto's humility showed itself here.

"That settles it. I must have a spar. If you do not mind?" questioned the man as the other samurai backed away from Naruto.

"Uhhh, sure," said Naruto watching the man nod in thanks. Naruto turned back to his camera with a devilish face and whispered to it. "Asswhipping 1A, take 1."

4 minutes passed before Naruto sat twitching on the ground, sliced up, and missing half his clothing. The old samurai sheathed his blade before smiling happily.

"Very joyous and delightful spar. You have skills, young man."

"...skills?!" questioned Naruto in the dirt before flipping over. Naruto jumped to his feet and pointed at the samurai. "You crushed me. I never knew Kenjutsu was so...awesome! I couldn't even make a hand sign for a jutsu. Let alone channel the chakra for a Rasengan. What just happened?"

"I never introduced myself and I apologize. I am Mifune, the head Samurai here."

"Head Samurai? Like Hokage of Iron Country?"

"In laymen's terms, yes."

"No wonder I got my ass kicked," said Naruto feeling better about his loss.

He ran up on the greatest swordsman in the world. There wasn't a way he could win. Probably even using the Kyubi. The old dude had skills. And like most times when Naruto got his ass kicked in some fashion, he figured he'd learn how not to in the future. And what better way than from the Head Samurai of Iron Country.

"Samurai-jiji, please teach me Kenjutsu."

"Teach you Kenjutsu?"

"Yes, please. I must learn it. Even if it's only a little bit."

"Even if I were to agree, my teachings aren't free young man," said Mifune seeing Naruto put out his toad wallet.

"I have about two years of mission pay here. Would that cover the lessons?" questioned Naruto getting Mifune's eyes to widen. Naruto bowed to the man and asked again. "Please, even if it's just a little bit."

"Hmm, he really is serious." thought Mifune before nodding his head and walking away. "There's an ironsmith half a kilometer from here. Get a sword before returning to this spot. I'll have a samurai waiting to bring you to me."

"YOSH! Thank you old man," said Naruto not seeing the devilish grin on Mifune's face that his camera caught.

"I am going to milk that boy's wallet. Hello Iron Country Hot Springs." thought Mifune with a small grin.

Naruto walked over to his camera and prepped to do as the man asked. He then had a thought.

"I wonder if I could use that to make a sword. I'll have to ask."

Naruto smiled before turning his camera off. He had work to do.

(End)