OmniHein: Sure, you can. Please give proper credits though. Thanks for the review!
deadgamer470: That could be the reason for the lack of reviews. But, after a point, it seems like you are narrating your story to a rock and don't feel like writing anymore. Thanks for the review!
Guest who asked "Where is Hidan?" : He died during team 10's first mission. That was chapter 6 if I am not wrong.
777torn777: He is past his aim of being a S-rank, as stated by his victory against Sasori. Anything beyond this will likely ruin the story for you as I am still introducing different skills he has acquired during the time skip.
X-X
"So, what was all that about?" Naruto questioned.
"Did you notice those purple eyes of his?" Kurama questioned.
"The one who stared at me?" Naruto asked.
"Yes. His eyes are very special." Kurama said.
"Special how?" Naruto questioned, once again.
"Those eyes, if in possession of the right man, are the pinnacle of power. They were first wielded by the sage of six paths, who used them to defeat the ten tails." Kurama explained.
"The Sage of six paths? The ten tails? I thought they were just a myth." Naruto said, flabbergasted.
"He is, or was, very real. Well, that is not the point. If you noticed, the Akatsuki was not sealing Shukaku away. They were sealing his chakra in a bigger husk. The gedo mazo or, when completed with chakra of all the nine tailed beasts, the Ten Tails. The husk of the gedo mazo can only be summoned by one who wields the rinnegan. I don't know about the others, but I do not wish to be contained inside of it." Kurama said.
"That is a ambitious dream you have. If those eyes are as strong as you say they are, how do you expect me to defeat him?" Naruto questioned.
"Rinnegan is only a half of the sage's power. The other half of his immense powers existed due to his mastery of the sage mode." Kurama said.
"The Sage mode? Like mine?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, you are the perfect rival for a bearer of the rinnegan. The ying and the yang, if you want to imagine it. But, your sage mode is not like the Sage's was. His sage mode had unrivaled strength. But, I do not know the origin of those powers. The only possible way I can think of, is his being the jinchuriki of all the bijuu. Hence, I want you to collect a sliver of chakra from all the other beasts. If what I think is true, your body will be able to regenerate and balance that chakra to give you an enhanced sage mode." The orange fox explained.
"And, you think the other's will cooperate?" Naruto questioned. He was questioning a lot today, he ideally noticed.
"They certainly will not. Some of them may still believe in the idol man that sage had imagined to save them all. Shukaku only gave it to you because he is afraid of me, and honestly, dumb. But, you will have to take it with force if necessary, not only for my survival, but for yours too." Kurama said.
"I do not feel any different after absorbing Shukaku's chakra, though." Naruto said.
"I am not here to give away powers. I am the mediator between his powers and your chakra system. You will still have to prove your powers to me. Prove your worthiness. I will only release it in your chakra system when I deem you to be strong enough without it." Kurama said.
A sigh left Naruto's lips. "Yes, all this did sound a bit too sweet to be free."
X-X
"It is quite rare to see you around now a days." Tsunade said.
"Ah, you just need to think of me and, I will be here in a blink." Jiraiya replied.
"Shut it, you pervert. Why are you here anyways?" Tsunade asked.
"I have news about Orochimaru's where abouts." Jiraiya said, serious all of a sudden.
"And?" Tsunade questioned.
"I am planning to deal with him once and for all. But, it is very likely that he would not be alone there. It is possible that he has already replaced his right hand man, and, it is possible that even the Uchiha is with him. I don't know how strong the pair of them have gotten in these three years. So, I need a solid team for this mission." Jiraiya said.
"The Uchiha?" Tsunade questioned, recalling the boy. "His teammate, Sakura if I am not wrong, has been appealing to release a search squad for him. Maybe she will be good help for the mission? Her, and the rest of team 7 maybe good help. Kakashi has certainly grown strong, at least." Tsunade said.
"I am not taking genin or chunin on this. This will at least be a S-rank. I was thinking more along the lines of Naruto." Jiraiya said.
"Naruto has recently asked to be sent on a diplomatic mission to Kumo for convincing them to form an alliance against the Akatsuki. So, I am afraid that he will not be available." Tsunade said.
"That is certainly disappointing. Regardless, I want to see how much stronger he has gotten. Can I meet him after our discussion is over?" Jiraiya asked.
"Sure, he has moved in real close to my place. More often than not, he is at my place." Tsunade said.
"Hmm, why is that? Why has he moved in so close, I mean." Jiraiya asked.
"Well, his reason for moving was convenient training. But, it has become real handy place for him and Shizune to meet since they are dating." Tsunade explained.
"He is dating Shizune? Isn't she like ten or so years older than him?" Jiraiya questioned.
"Tsunade rose a delicate eyebrow. "You leer at girls who can be considered your grand daughters." She said, her voice deadpan.
"Well, I suppose I have no room to speak. Regardless, let us get back to the topic. I will need a team, no doubt." Jiraiya said, drifting back to the topic.
"Hmm, how about Kakashi and Yamato?" Tsunade questioned.
"Yamato?" Jiraiya asked.
"The one with the wood release." Tsunade replied.
"Was he not called Tenzo before?" Jiraiya questioned.
"He has been given several names. The current one is Yamato." Tsunade replied.
"I suppose that would be a solid team." Jiraiya said.
X-X
KNOCK*
Jiraiya was currently in front of Naruto's apartment, knocking for the fifth time. But, to his dismay, no one would open the door. Before he could tap on the door once more, a voice came from inside.
"Yes. Yes. I am coming. Stop knocking!"
"What do you want?" Naruto said while opening the door, looking irritated.
Looking at the one standing in front of him, his mood did not turn any brighter. Naruto was looking disheveled. His red hair, messy. His t-shirt, missing. And his mood, sour.
"Ouu, did I interrupt something?" Jiraiya questioned, a grin splitting his face.
"Yes. You did. What do you want?" Naruto questioned, getting angry now.
"Well, I wanted to fight y-." The door was shut in his face before he could complete the sentence.
"Young impatient brats not respecting their elders." Jiraiya grumbled, walking away from the apartment. He had to peep, ehm research, now anyways.
X-X
"Are you sure that you don't need anyone else?" Tsunade questioned.
"Yes, we are not expecting any danger to begin with. And if push came to shove, I am sure that I can at least escape with Shizune." Naruto said.
"OINK."
"And Tonton, of course." Naruto said, a sweat drop appearing on his face.
"Well, if you say so. Be careful." Tsunade said.
"Of course. Oink." Naruto, Shizune and Tonton chorused.
X-X
Walking towards the Iron Country, Naruto felt like he was on a vacation rather than a mission. There was a very lenient time limit for the mission. So, Naruto and Shizune were just walking in silence, holding hands and enjoying their time in general. It was a perfect scenario and everything would've continued to be perfect if it wasn't for...
"OINK."
"Hungry?" Shizune asked, caressing the pigs head in Naruto's arms.
"Oink." It said, opening it's mouth wide.
"Shall we set the camp then?" Shizune asked, looking around for a nice place to stay.
"I suppose." Naruto said. Well, it was almost night anyways, so they might as well take some rest.
Naruto created four shadow clones to set up the camp and look over Tonton and Shizune while he himself went to search for food. Ideally, he would not leave himself, but there was something he wanted to check for himself.
X-X
"Come out now, will you?" Naruto said, seemingly to nobody.
"So, you can sense me?" A deep voice said, from right behind Naruto. On instincts, four chains shot out from his back, right into the man's stomach. But, to his astonishment, no blood rushed out. Looking behind him, the chain had gone through the man's stomach, but it was looking like it had phased through it.
Looking upwards, the man was dressed in the Akatsuki cloak and had an orange mask covering his face. Seeing the Akatsuki cloak, Naruto flipped backwards, creating some distance.
"Don't worry. I am not here to catch you... yet." The man said.
"So, why are you here then?" Naruto questioned, still cautious.
"I just wanted to see how well you have grown. And, from the looks of it, you have grown pretty well." The man said.
"Why thank you. Killing the likes of you has been my only motivation through and through." Naruto said.
"Do not misunderstand. You are hardly a match for me as things are. I am here to warn you, I know what you are trying to do. Stay away from our goal, and you will be the last one to die. Get in our way, and I will finish you." The masked man said.
"Pretty big words you have there. Care to back it up?" Naruto said.
"Not yet, no. As things are, you are necessary alive. But, remember, if you get in our way, I will show no mercy." With that said, the masked man disappeared in a swirl emerging from his sole eye.
X-X
AN: Thoughts?