Howdy y'allllllllll! Okay so I'm backkkkkkkk! Well here's the thing, I finished the last chapter. Stood up. Walked to a 7-11, grabbed two Redbull's, one for now, one for tomorrow since I have to wake up at 5 am to do a truck order….welp hopefully this chapter doesn't kill me :0! Here it goes!
The Third Hokage sighed in exhaustion as he finally rested in his chair. It had been a long six days since the incident, and he had not gotten to spend much of it like he would have liked to. As much as he would have preferred to have spent it with Naruto and Iwasaki, the Village has a great many daily needs that he could not just skip out on. Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and pulled his tobacco pipe out, casually a tiny portion of fire chakra to light the small portion he had already prepared for this moment. As he breathed in the fumes he could feel a tiny amount of stress leave his body. He was too old for this. Once more he mentally cursed Minato for leaving him with the hat once more. A soft shuffle in the corner caught the Hokage's attention, although he made no visible reaction.
Trainee then? Ahh there he is, Panda is on rotation today. Hiruzen thought with an inward smile as he observed the starting Anbu out of the corner of his eye. The other squad members were much less visible, although he could still feel their presence and discern their location. No doubt the squad leader would later reprimand the motion that had given away the trainee's location.
A seal on his desk pulsed lightly and the Hokage sighed at its action, his work was never done. He looked up at the door moments before a soft knock was heard.
"Come in." He called out at the sound.
To his relief it wasn't a council member or an irate clans member with some arbitrary complaint, but Iwasaki.
"Good evening Hokage."
Sarutobi smiled gently at his old friend, "Hello Iwasaki. How are you?"
The old doctor collapsed into the chair across from him, in a manner very much like the Hokage had done minutes before, "Tired Sarutobi. Tired."
The Hokage nodded silently at the response and opened a drawer and pulled out a small bottle with two cups. He quietly poured out two dishes of sake and handed one to the other man. After taking his glass, the two old men quietly drank the alcohol, neither making a reaction at the strong kick. Iwasaki held the dish and stared into it, as if the tiny pool of leftover alcohol held all the answers he was looking for. He huffed quietly.
"We are too old to be doing this."
The Hokage chuckled lightly at the doctor's comment, "I was just thinking that."
The two old men laughed softly with each other, and underneath a multitude of genjutsu, an Anbu rolled his eyes at the two, one being one of the most dangerous ninja alive, the other a doctor only shadowed by Tsunade Senju.
"How is he?" The soft question brought a sigh out of Iwasaki. He looked at his cup again before placing the empty dish on the table in front of him, waving his hand when the Hokage offered more.
"No, I need to be in control for the conversations to come." Iwasaki sat up a little straighter and addressed the Hokage, "He is doing...better."
At the lightening of Sarutobi's eyes, Iwasaki once more held up his hand, "He can easily do one hand now, even if it is still lacking form. We are slowly working to get him up to two hands, but it is clear the mental stimulation seems to be quite difficult."
Hiruzen frowned at that, "How so?"
Iwasaki mulled over the question and replied, "You recall how we discussed how he seems to emit chakra and take it back in?" At the Hokage's nod he continued, "Well since he is unable to see, all of that information is being transported straight into his consciousness. All of it. The sound waves, outgoing and incoming chakra, and, most importantly, the status of his own...body."
The Hokage frowned, "You lost me there."
Iwasaki rubbed his face, then looked at the other man, "So as far as we can understand, Naruto still relates certain parts of his new body to his old one, yes? Otherwise he would not be able to form a hand at all right? So that means, other threads, other spots, are different limbs and organs and body parts, do you follow me so far?"
Sarutobi nodded slowly, and the doctor resumed, "So the problem lies within the fact that few of the body parts are in the correct placement that Naruto mentally knows them to belong to. His head is still spread out, and we only know this because when he nods," at this Iwasaki made quotation marks, "other locations still move. Which causes too much mental stress on Naruto because his body is literally out of sorts. Before we get anywhere, we have to get him...untangled."
Sarutobi thought silently at the doctor's explanation, his mind running a mile a minute. The two gentlemen both were clearly thinking deeply of what was to become of Naruto. The seal on the desk lightening up once more caught the Hokage's attention, although it was hidden to Iwasaki. Hiruzen sighed as the door was once more knocked on, much harder this time.
"Come in." He called out again.
This time the person to enter was none other than his Jonin commander, Shikaku. He didn't greet the other two but walked over to the other unoccupied chair and leaned forward to grab the bottle of sake and Iwasaki's empty cup.
Rolling his eyes at his commander, Hiruzen gestured at the stolen bottle, "Please, help yourself."
A muttered troublesome was all he got in response as the man poured himself a glass and quickly downed it. And to the slight shock of the older men, poured another and downed it just as quickly.
A raised eyebrow from each of the men greeted Shikaku, and as the man poured a third glass, he explained.
"The Sannin are walking into Konoha right now."
At that comment, they made sounds of understanding and Iwasaki looked at the Hokage, "You wouldn't happen to have a third dish in that drawer would you? Cause if so I will take another glass actually."
Tsunade glared at the gate keepers as they stumbled over their greetings. She didn't look at the Village. She couldn't. So she glared at the men. And as they noticed her stare, their voices slowly died down.
A loud shout of glee pulled her attention from the imbeciles in front of her to the imbecile that was moments ago next to her. She looked over and saw him standing next to a notice board. And from his perverted giggles, it wasn't difficult to guess what on the board.
"Hehehe, they've opened a new onsen hehe, maybe we can take a few minutes to-"
A fist slamming into the board next to Jiraiya's head cut off the rest of his comment.
"We have come to the village. Moving extremely quickly, at your insistence, and the second you see a poster of a half naked girl you get distracted!" Tsunade opened her mouth to yell at the idiot but an annoying smirk in response stopped her. The two looked at each other silently and a scowl overcame Tsunade's face and she turned and stomped her way into the Village. Still smirking, Jiraiya followed. Clueless, Shizune looked back and forth at the two, wondering what just happened. Shrugging to herself she quickly took off to follow the two Sannin as they worked their way into the center of the village.
A moment later, a silent step and a masked shinobi walked into existence. They silently observed the retreating group before looking over at the notice board, and after a moment of perusing it's pamphlets, realized the distinct lack of ads for onsen's on the board. Hidden to the world, a grin formed under the mask.
Sneaky Jiraiya. Very sneaky.
Come on little Hime!
She had run after him here.
Onee-san! I'm starving! Let's get something to eat!
They ate here all the time.
What? You don't want the flowers?!
Of course she did, but she couldn't make it easy for him.
Every step she took further into this cursed village made her sick to her stomach. Memories of loved ones. Lost. Gone. The blood. So much blo-
"Tsunade!"
The shout pulled her from her thoughts, and she whipped around to glare at Jiraiya, "What?"
He simply gave her a look. She tsk under her breath and simply turned back to look forward. She stared ahead of them, the Hokage Tower standing in front of them. Deep down she wished it was darker. That the sun would beat down on it, casting an ominous shadow, as if foreshadowing her arrival. But it wasn't. It was the same warm brown brick it was when she left. The same building she would run into to see her grandfather. The same building Nawaki swore he would work in. The same building Dan vowed he would work in. The same damn tower.
Tsunade sighed harshly, "Let's get this over with. With any luck it'll be a mission and I can leave this damn village tonight."
The blonde Sannin strode purposely forward, ignoring the soft sigh that her old teammate let out in her wake. As she walked, she started to hear them. The whispers. It was one or two who noticed and recognized the two shinobi as they walked through the crowded streets. Then it was ten. Then twenty. Her name. Jiraiya's name. The Sannin. She could hear the sounds of astonishment as more and more began to recognize the two of them. Then it started.
"Tsunade!" Someone called out from the crowd. More heads turned. And suddenly it was like a waterfall. Voices that were once whispering, were now shouting.
"Princess!"
"Are you coming back to the Village?"
"Tsunade Senju has returned!"
"The Sannin have come back!"
We should have taken the roof tops.
She could hear Jiraiya laughing and waving back at everyone surrounding them, his personable attitude and easy going smile making quick friends. Her scowl, however, caused the group that was about to cut in front of them, to think twice.
"Haha! Sorry, everyone! The Hokage has called us back, so we are in a bit of a rush!" The crowd chucked at his comment, and they thankfully backed up a bit to clear up some space. The two Sannin and Shizune resumed their trek to the tower.
Then Tsunade heard a comment.
A whisper that made her freeze.
"Maybe they are here to deal with the demon?"
...what? What did he say?
Then she felt it. And just like the first time she really felt it, Jiraya's incredibly intense killing intent took her by surprise. Her head snapped around to her teammate, but he was no longer behind her.
"What did you just say?" The deadly threat made Tsunade's head snap to the left. And her eyes widened as she saw Jiraiya holding up a civilian by the throat, over two feet off the ground. The crowd surrounding the two scattered in fear. The man in Jiraiya's grip squirmed and choked out a response.
"Uck-no-nothin-" He winced as Jiraiya squeezed.
"JIRAIYA! DROP HIM!" Tsunade shouted, moving quickly to the pair. Thankfully Jiraiya dropped the man. He coughed on the ground, trying to suck in the air that was lost. Shizune moved to the man and started creating a medical jutsu to help the man. However, a hand grabbed hers, halting her movement.
She looked up, shocked to see her master glaring down at the man as well.
"Though I disagree with his methods, I am going to have to ask the same question. What did you mean by that comment?"
The civilian looked up, ready to deny anything again, when his eyes took in the sight of the two dominating figures standing above him. An eerie light seemed to flow from both of their eyes, and the man felt a fear like nothing he had ever felt before. A puddle formed underneath him, and the two figures continued to glare as the man lost control of his bladder in front of them.
"I-i-it happened the-the other night-" He gulped but the pause was too long for one of the Sannin.
"What happened?" Jiraiya demanded.
"I-I-I don't kn-know! No one does!" That caused the Sannin to pause, but the man continued, "It was l-late and everyone was s-s-sleeping! Then that-that-chakra! It was everywhere!" The murmuring in the crowd made both of the Shinobi frown.
"What chakra?" Tsunade asked, however at that question, she watched the crowd shiver, and she knew the answer before the man cowering in front of her answered.
"T-t-the demons chakra!"
The two shinobi looked at each other, knowing that this just became a whole lot more complicated. They ignored the now fearful crowd and took off towards the tower, no longer walking. The two moved through the crowds, each step causing more thoughts to fill their head. And none of them were good.
The Third Hokage knew the exact moment when the two of them stepped into the Tower. Not by seal or by the signals that the Anbu were no doubt giving him. He just knew. He could feel the energy of the building change as the two powerful shinobi climbed the steps. And to his concern, they climbed too quickly.
They know something. He sighed softly as the steps got closer.
"Neko? You may wish to move."
The two men in front of him paused at his comment, but behind them a shadow detached itself from its position from next to the door. Just in time too, as a moment later it was slammed open as a large figure walked through the doorway. Hidden safely on the other side of the room now, Neko sweatdropped as she stared at the wall that had received the door, both cracked beyond belief. The Sannin were now in the office.
"Welcome bac-"
"Cut the crap Sensei, what the hell happened to Naruto?"
"I will-"
"Neither of us are in the mood for games, Hokage!" Hiruzen frowned at that and opened his mouth to respond, however he was beaten again as Jiraiya slammed his hand on the table.
"Is it true that the Nine Tails-"
"Enough" Both of the Sannin froze. Jiraiya gulped as the hat his Sensei wore covered his eyes in a dark shadow. The grown man, experienced shinobi, and master spy backed up. This wasn't his friendly sensei. But his Hokage. Behind Jiraiya, Tsunade swallowed her words. She ignored the visions that were plaguing the back of her mind, being back in this office, and focused on the man in front of her. And shivered when he stood up and looked up at the two of them from underneath that hat.
"I brought you two home for a multitude of reasons. To act like children in this office. Was not one of them. You will conduct yourselves as the shinobi you are or I swear I will start your training over from day one. Is that understood?" The nods that responded were apparently not suitable responses, "I said, is that understood?"
"Yes Hokage-sama." The two instantly responded.
"Good." The threatening presence that had filled the office faded as if it was never there. Sarutobi ignored the gulps that came from everyone in the room, including the Anbu. He retook his seat and at a wordless gesture got the two to sit at the chairs opposite his desk. As soon as they were seated, he began.
"First. I wish to thank you for coming as quickly as you have." The two nodded in response but stayed silent.
The Hokage sighed softly, "I had wished to explain this easier, but since you seem to have already found out from the village, I will jump straight into it," At this he paused and gestured to both Iwasaki and Shikaku who sat off to the side of the office, "both of them are aware and Tsunade, Iwasaki Aki will catch you up on the medical ends. I am no doubt lacking in understanding but I am sure that you will be of help to him."
Tsunade jumped at that.
Medical? ….o-o-operating?
Unknown to her, but visible to everyone else, the blood drained from her face, and she took on a look of horror. Sarutobi frowned deeply at the response she gave.
"Tsunade!" He called out, getting her attention, "Control yourself!"
Tsunade sucked in a breath and focused on the conversation, and nodded at her Sensei when she was focused again.
"Sensei?" Jiraiya asked softly, causing Sarutobi to look over, "what happened?"
The question was not the demand that it was before, and that caused the Third to sigh deeply.
After taking a moment to compose himself, he started telling, "After failing the Genin test again, Naruto Uzumaki was approached by his sensei Chuunin Mizuki Shinichiro, who informed him of another test he could take. Steal the Scroll of Seals."
The two shinobi jumped at that, but Hiruzen continued.
"Using an impressive array of skills, Naruto broke into this office, and retrieved the scroll. And I let him get away with it." Here the two gentlemen off two the side made sounds at this but the Third lifted his hand and silenced them, "He used a simple trick, that caught me by surprise, but I still let him go."
The Sannin looked at each other and wondered what trick could catch the Professor by surprise, but Sarutobi continued before they could ask.
"We are not entirely clear on what happened for the next part, however what we do know is that Naruto opened the scroll, and looked through its contents, picked something and that action caused a some form of reaction from the Nine Tails. We are unsure why he picked to do what he did, but now we are dealing with the repercussions of that . Naruto has been confined to a hospital room and is under constant surveillance by a team of doctors and med-nin. No further chakra from the Nine tails has been observed, and at this point in time," he sighed here and looked at Iwasaki, "I am unsure if we'll see any more of it at all."
"What?" Jiraiya couldn't withhold his outburst at that, "What does that mean Sensei?"
The Third sighed again, and looked at the two, "Maybe it would be best to show you. The words...there really aren't words to describe."
Tsunade jumped at this, her face becoming paste white again, "S-sensei?"
Sarutobi raised his hand, stopping her, "Before you say anything Tsunade, everyone in this room is aware of your hemophobia." Tsunade froze at that, an ashamed expression covering her face.
But the Third Hokage's next comment pulled her from her thoughts.
"There is no blood for you to worry about," the dark expression that covered his face did not reassure the two of them, "There's no blood at all."
The group walked through a dark alley, the scurrying of rats the only sign of life outside of them. Jiraiya looked around curiously, his spy training taking everything and anything in.
"What are we doing on this side of the village? You said Naruto was in the hospital." He asked his sensei.
Shikaku answered for the Hokage in his lazy tone, "We couldn't treat him at the hospital, so we moved him to the Anbu base to give him proper treatment."
Jiraiya smirked back at the commander, "Yeah except the Anbu headquarters are underneath the East gate house."
Shikaku paused at that, then looked back at Jiraiya with an even bigger smirk, "Nah, that's just what we told your little spy Masako."
Jiraiya's smirk was wiped from his face and his astonished look grew as the gray wall in front of them slid to the side revealing a long dark tunnel.
"Damnit." Was his only response.
The walk was long and Jiraiya filled as much of it as he could with questions about everything dealing with the Anbu. The layout of the base, how they found his spy, who was involved, how they found his spy, what other entrances existed and how to access them, and most importantly, how they found his spy! Finally, Tsunade planted a foot in the loudmouth's backside and sent him flying. After that, Jiraya made the intelligent decision to be quiet. After walking in silence, Sarutobi stopped at an unmarked part of the wall. No symbols, scratches, or even chakra residue to tell is apart from the expanse of wall they passed on the way in or even further in as the tunnel continued. The Hokage quickly ran through a series of seals, and a seal lit up in front of the group. Jiraiya took a few moments but easily broke it down as an extremely strong lock, shrugging at the basicness of it, resumed looking around for some detail that tells the Anbu where to stop. Shikaku caught the man peeking, and his grin grew again.
"There isn't one."
The rest of the group turned but Jiraiya knew that it was to him, "But how? How do they know it's here!"
Shikaku grinned and shrugged, "They are trained to not have to look for it. No one who doesn't get the right training will be able to find it."
At that Sarutobi cut in, his hands still flying though the seals, "I'm not so sure about that. If I'm not mistaken, Naruto was only forty feet off, correct?"
Jiraiya looked shocked at that, "What? Naruto? How!"
Hiruzen chuckled at the responses he got, and even more when he heard Shikaku's troublesome muttered behind him. Thankfully for his fingers, he hit the last seal and released the lock. In front of them, the wall seemed to shimmer and with full confidence, the Hokage walked through. The group instantly followed behind him.
The walk to the medical center in the Anbu was silent. Not a single soul was seen, however sounds of fighting and calls of jutsu could be heard in the distance as the Anbu trained in the dark tunnels. Then the group stopped at an unmarked door in the hallway. At this point, Iwasaki turned and addressed the group.
"Naruto is unable to see, but if he is awake is his capable of hearing, so…" at this he frowned.
A dark look overtook Sarutobi's face as he looked at his two students, "You will keep your thoughts to yourself. If I hear a peep out of you that makes Naruto scared, uncomfortable, or even the slightest bit nervous, I swear to Kami that I will retrain you from the ground up."
The two shinobi looked shocked at his threat, but Sarutobi ignored the looks. He turned and gestured to Iwasaki. The doctor nodded and opened the door and walked into the room, the Third following right behind. The Sannin paused for a moment and then Tsunade's eyes widened as Shikaku leaned up against the wall, an odd guilty expression on his face.
Shikaku chuckled darkly, "I saw the pictures…I don't think I could keep my voice facing...him."
Shikaku looked away from them at his comment, but the two were too curious now. Steeling himself, Jiraiya walked into the room. He followed the voice of his sensei, he walked into an oddly shaped room. It was a wide oval room with a single black bed in the middle. Two doctors stood on each side, and Iwasaki and Sensei stood at the foot of the bed.
"-one of my students, Naruto! Jiraiya of the Sannin!"
Jiraiya opened his mouth to deliver his introduction, when the bed moved. And Jiraiya's eyes widened as he realized something.
The bed is white.
The thing on top is black.
The threads on the top are black.
The pulsing moving vaguely human looking thing on the bed is black.
This...thing is Naruto?
BOOOOOOMMMM TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY DUUUUUDDDDDEEEEEE! I BE MAD SKILLED! I mean it's barely 4000 words but yoooooo! Anyways. It is now 1 am and I have to be up in four hours. So yeah. I'm screwwwwweeeedddd! Welp! I hope y'all enjoyed this! Gnight! LOVE YOUUUUUUUU!