Authors Notes: Well, my muse is kind of stuck hovering over this story, so I will not fight it.

As a warning, this chapter will be focusing more on the characters and build up for future chapters. So don't expect too much action just yet.

If it wasn't obvious enough in the first chapter, I did increase Naruto's (as well as the other rookies) age up a bit, making him around sixteen years old. Anko, and the other Jonin will have their canon age. Which leads us into the potential candidates for this particular story.

Currently, only Anko and one other are the only confirmed Konoha kunoichi in the harem. Which shouldn't be surprising, this is me we are talking about here. The other Konoha girl is a surprise, though by the end of this chapter it should be obvious. Now, I am open to taking suggestions, but I will say right now that Hinata and Sakura are not in the lineup. Sorry. I am kind of leaning towards mostly Street Fighter girls, with Koyuki being the only other Naruto character in the lineup. However, this is not officially set in stone. Make a compelling enough case for your desired girl, and I will take it under consideration.

As some of you may have noticed, Naruto used a bit of Raiton chakra during his fight. This was done on purpose, he will also have a strong affinity towards water and wind, which will come into play later on. Now, I do realize that with him having water and wind, he has the potential to create ice. I will entertain the idea, but I make no promises.

Review Corner

Clan V – I wanted to set the stage before things started and what lead to the event in the training field, while at the same time portray Kakashi in a different light then I normally do, with him having his student's safety in mind, though his choice of words could use some work. Since they came off as being dismissive and insulting.

Psudocode Samurai – To be honest, I only know bits of Juri's back ground and been piecing together her characteristics from video clips. Though I did invest in a few Street Fighter games so I can get a more hands on experience with her story.

As for 'Big Red', that would be Crimson Viper, also from Street Fighter. She is a bit of a spy like character, with Maya being her alias, hence why I used it as her name. As for the Dolls, I will probably only use the primary four.

Majestic Yo-kai Fauntleroy – By the time the finals roll around, Naruto will have completely discarded his mask, which to clarify, is only his act of being an idiot and having a crush on Sakura.

As for Naruto's personal summon, I am giving him Shelob from Lord of the Rings, with her mother, Ungoliant being the primary boss summon for the Spider Clan.

Sheriff11 – Currently, there is only two people he will actually forgive in this story, and no, it's not Kakashi or Jiraiya. Kakashi has already severed their bond with his parting words and the mans extreme hands off approach to his training.

And Jiraiya, well, the old pervert is just going to dig himself a grave and jump in when they finally meet.

Dragon and Sword Master – Yeah, I decided I wanted to give fem!Kyubi a slightly different name then usual, though I still gotta settle on a look for her. Not to mention,a comfortable spot to give some background as to why she chose that name, without it feeling like it just got crammed in the chapter somewhere.

As for the Spider Contract, I am looking more towards Lord of the Rings stuff, but other spider themed characters will make appearances. As stated above, Shelob (complete with her human form) will be Naruto's personal summon.

And Jiraiya, well, suffice to say that Hiruzen will doubt any of the perverts claims, since as stated, the man has no actual documentation of being named Naruto's godfather. Only his word, where as Juri actually has a binding contract written up by Kushina.

Also, Jiraiya will be lucky to survive his encounter with Juri.

BoredKing - No, Naruto does have choice, Juri is simply staking her claim as the alpha of the women. But she will only respect the other women if they are able to stand beside Naruto and her, not behind them. So, for example, if Naruto chose to bring in Hinata; Juri would not respect her like she would Anko.

Harem

Current – Anko, Juri

Along Came a Spider

Chapter 2

The bitter antiseptic aroma with undertones of artificial fragrance contained within the soaps and cleaning solutions used by the staff assaulted the young teen's nostrils as he slowly became aware of his surroundings a dull rhythmic beating of the heart monitor droned on in the background. Due to the lack of discomfort, it was clear that he was not in Konoha's hospital. His bandages wrapped firmly around his torso, with extra gauze around the stab wounds he had received from the kunai. While the I.V. lines were properly inserted, instead of being haphazardly thrust into his arm.

While the doctors and nurses at Konoha's General Hospital didn't do anything that would hamper his over all recovery the few times he had been forced to go there, either for regular check ups or self inflicted training injuries, it was clear that their bedside manners could use some work, at least when it came to him.

Tentatively he reached up and brushed his fingers over the cloth that covered his right eye, a frown forming on his face as he recounted the events that had transpired at the training ground. He had hoped that Sif-chan's chakra would have been able to help replace the eye he had lost, but it appeared there were limitations to what injuries she could heal. As well as his own legendary Uzumaki healing factor. Still, the socket didn't feel empty. No, there was something behind the bandage.

"Ah, you're awake." An alluring voice came from the doorway, prompting the whiskered teen to take notice of the crimson haired woman that stood there.

She stood roughly the same height as himself, around five foot nine, a pair of yellow tinted sunglasses obscuring her bluish green eyes. Most notable, aside from her vibrant crimson hair that cascaded down to her knees in a tight braid, was the gray skintight catsuit with black trimmings she wore that enhanced her feminine curves, accompanied by a black choker around her neck. The zipper down far enough to give him a rather generous view of her impressive cleavage. Draped over the catsuit was a simple white lab coat.

"With the injuries you had, I had expected you to be out for the remainder of the day." The woman continued as she entered the room. "Not many can bounce back from multiple fractures, a punctured lung, and severe ocular trauma. Though, then again, not many have that legendary Uzumaki healing factor, nor are they the current Jinchuriki of the Kyubi no Kitsune."

Hearing this, Naruto visibly stiffened. Though he tried to rationalize how she would have access to such information, while not exactly a well kept secret within the village; if he was even in Konoha anymore, it was one not openly talked about. For now, he simply marked it up to her having access to his medical file.

"You may relax, Uzumaki-san." The woman stated, offering a friendly smile. "Name's Maya C. Viper, and it was my 'boss' that was the one who brought you here."

"Your boss?" Naruto inquired as he took a look around the room he was in. "And just where is here, exactly?"

"In reverse, you are in the S.I.N. Headquarters, acronym for Shinobi Intelligence Network, within Konoha." Maya explained. "As for who my boss is, you'll be unfortunate enough to meet her as soon as she returns. She left to go talk to your Hokage about something. However, I have been instructed to go over the fundamentals of the Feng Shui Engine that has replaced your right eye."

"The what?" Was Naruto's intelligence response.

"The Feng Shui Engine," The crimson haired woman repeated with a slight sigh as she hated repeating herself. Though, she would let it slide as the whiskered teen was not familiar with such technology. As such, she would no doubt have to repeat various things. "is a miniaturized version of our Tanden Engine. It's purpose is to enhance your fighting potential by emitting very powerful chakra, sometimes called ki, due to how dense and potent it is."

Naruto stared at her for a moment, as his mind tried to process what he had been told. While he didn't know exactly whatever a 'Tanden Engine' was, but it did sound like a powerful piece of technology. And now he had something similar to it implanted where his right eye once was.

"I am curious to see how yours will react in combat." Maya commented, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I have seen it in action before from Juri, and it was truly impressive. I wonder how the Kyubi's own chakra will affect it."

"Juri?"

"Juri Han, my boss and the current head of S.I.N.," Maya explained. "also known as The Widowmaker, due to her penchant for killing her enemies brutally."

"And she was the one who brought me in." Naruto stated, remembering the woman had said that her boss and brought him in, shortly after the woman had entered the room he currently resided in.

"That is correct." She nodded. "Once you are healed up enough, she will not only be training you for the Chunin Finals, but also how to properly utilize your new upgrade."

This had caught the young Uzumaki by surprise, as he had half expected to rely on himself and Sif-chan for his training for the month. Not that he didn't have options, he knew Anko would have helped him during her free time when she wasn't busy in the Torture and Interrogation building, though with knowledge of Orochimaru infiltrating the village, she would no doubt be very busy the next few weeks. If not longer.

However, that did remind him that he needed to have a serious talk with the Snake Mistress for the stunt she attempted the pull in the Forest of Death, having over heard what had happened from a loose lipped ANBU member that was in the hospital earlier.

"Anything else you can tell me about her?" Naruto asked, earning a mischievous grin from the red head.

"Only that she was close to Kushina 'The Evil' Uzumaki, your mother."

Elsewhere in the Village

An irate young woman aggressively pushed her way through the crowd of civilians that swarmed the main street that led into the village, earning herself mutterings of irritation of those she had jostled. Not that she cared, she wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone's shit right now. Shinobi or civilian. Her 'loss' in the preliminaries didn't just sting, it burned within her like a raging inferno. Not necessarily the loss in itself, a loss she could handle. After all, defeat is how one learns of their weaknesses and how to correct them and grow. Loss is natural.

No, what infuriated her was 'who' she had been forced to lose to. Sakura Haruno.

The bubble gum haired girl was a civilian, with her head filled with stories of knights in shining armor rescuing their princesses, masquerading as a kunoichi. It was an insult to true kunoichi everywhere! Now granted, she was little better, but at least she had the excuse that she was hiding behind a mask to conceal her true potential, under her parents insistence.

While she could understand where her father was coming from, not wanting his little princess to attract too much unwanted attention. Understandable, given the mans position, but Inoichi should have eased off the insistence once she became a Genin and allow her mask to slowly fall off. But no, the Yamanaka clan head had stood firm in his stance to not reveal her skills until the time was right. Though Ino was beginning to doubt her father would ever decide when it would be the right time. Instead, preferring his little princess to stay in the back where it was safe, and let her team mates and sensei put themselves at risk while she offered support.

'If daddy was so insistent on me being safe, why did he allow me to enroll in the academy in the first place, knowing full well what being a kunoichi entailed?' Ino mentally ranted. 'Pfft, clan pride and being an overly protective father, like oil and water.'

Her mother on the other hand was a completely different story. At the time when the woman had suggested she pursue the lone Uchiha survivor, Ino had thought it was the perfect addition to her mask. Blend in with the masses and not stand out, the perfect live training exercise for an aspiring kunoichi. And so, she had mixed in with the other fan girls and played her part perfectly. Perhaps too perfectly. Not only was she forced to push away the boy she actually did have a crush on in order to keep up her visage, and her one time childhood friend, Sakura, had broken off their friendship. All for the damn Uchiha.

Ino began doubting her mothers intentions when the young blonde was easing her father into the idea of her having a boyfriend by mentioning that she was interested in another boy in her class, not mentioning exactly who the boy could be only alluding that it wasn't the Uchiha. While Inoichi was relieved to learn that his daughter wasn't only focusing on just the Uchiha; her mother on the other hand was an entirely different matter. The woman had looked down right insulted that the young heiress had even dared to look at another man that wasn't the sole Uchiha and had gone into an entire rant of how she should focus only on the Uchiha and no one else.

Ino was jarred out of her thoughts when she collided with something, or rather, someone that wasn't going to move like the others she had pushed through. Almost sending the young heiress on her rear. Mutterings and whispers echoed as the crowd around them silenced, prompting the blonde mind walker to look at what had stopped her.

"Oh shit." Came a frantic whisper from somewhere within the crowd of people.

"I am not going to be the one to tell Inoichi how his little princess was murdered." Another harshly whispered.

"She's gonna die."

"My, my." Came a taunting voice from in front of her, prompting the blonde teen to look at the individual she had bumped into. "Some one should watch where they're going."

Blue met purple as their eyes connected as Ino found herself face to face then none other the Juri Han.

While never having met the woman personally, Juri's reputation was well known throughout the Elemental Nations. Most notable were her ventures into the Outerlands, uncharted lands outside the veil that surrounded the Elemental Nations, and stories of her conquests; spread by those that had either witnessed or survived their encounter with The Widowmaker.

"Juri Han." Ino acknowledged, trying not to show the fear she felt swelling up inside of her.

"It's rude, not excuse yourself after bumping into someone." Juri chastised the young blonde in a sarcastic manner. "Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?"

"The same could be said for you." Ino retorted, not breaking eye contact with the woman, earning a series of gasps from the crowd that was silently watching them. All the while, ignoring her instincts screaming at her to flee. Her pride had been battered, bruised, beaten, and left in an alleyway stripped of it's dignity. If standing her ground before, arguably, one of the most dangerous women in the known world didn't uplift her in the eyes of her peers, then nothing would.

Silence hung in the air between the two until Juri threw her head back and began cackling with glee. Causing those that had gathered around the two to scurry back, hopefully out of the line of fire. The sudden laughter prompted the young mind walker to tense her muscles, preparing to defend herself should the need arise. Though she wasn't delusional, she knew that if Juri decided to attack she would only be able to last no more then three seconds. Five seconds if the woman decided to play with her.

"Ha ha!" Juri laughed, turning her attention back to Ino, licking her lips. "I like you Princess! You actually have a set on you!"

Ino stood there, confusion written all over her face.

"Unlike all these pathetic bitches that piss themselves just at the sight of me, you actually had the tits to stand up and look me in the eye and challenge me! I love it!" The black haired woman cackled before it died down and she sauntered over to where Ino stood, draping an arm around the blondes neck, bringing her in rather close. To the point their cheeks were almost touching, making Ino feel slightly uncomfortable.

"So, are you going to give me shit about my match during the preliminaries like everyone else?" Ino groused, figuring she may as well get it over with.

"Hmm, didn't see it and don't care." Juri shrugged.

Ino didn't know if she should feel relieved by the fact that the woman didn't see her match against Sakura, or insulted by the fact that the woman so casually dismissed it.

"You see, I am looking for a woman by the name of Anko Mitarashi." The purple eyed eccentric woman explained. "Know her?"

"Yeah, she works with my father." Ino replied, a little unsure and concerned as to why this woman was looking for Anko of all people. "If she isn't interrogating someone, she is usually at the dango stand just down the road."

"Well, let's go then!" Juri exclaimed as she began to drag the poor Yamanaka heiress along side her.

"Wait!" Ino cried out. "Why am I going?"

"Well, I don't know what this Anko person looks like." Was the response. "And besides, I like your company Princess."

"My name is Ino." Ino ground out, getting annoyed at being called 'princess' by the older woman.

"Noted, Princess." Juri stated, earning another growl from the blonde as she was dragged along. "Now let's go."

S.I.N. Headquarters, Late Afternoon

Naruto laid back in his newly assigned bed, having been disconnected and released from the medical wing, trying to wrap his head around everything Maya had explained to him. First and foremost was his new eye. While the technical aspects were still lost on him, he did understand that it operated a lot like the Uchiha prick's Sharingan eye to a degree. While it couldn't copy the techniques being used, unless certain conditions where met which Maya had been tight lipped about, it could however predict attack patterns and movements. Something that would no doubt prove to be very useful in the finals.

Though he still had no idea what the red haired woman meant about the eye increasing his fighting potential. Originally, the whiskered teen thought that she was talking about it's utilities on the battlefield, but Maya had stressed that they were two completely different things, reassuring him that Juri will instruct him on how to utilize it when she returns. Of course with a reminder that there would be no training until he was full healed, which knowing him wouldn't take more then a day or two, despite the severity of some of his wounds.

Another thing that Maya had conversed with him about, regarding his newly implanted eye, was it's appearance. Due to it being an implant that was cybernetic in nature, it could have it's appearance altered to look like his normal eye color, or change it's appearance entirely. Currently, the Uzumaki was considering if he wanted it to look like his normal eye so as not to attract attention or if he should say 'fuck it', and have it take the appearance of something shocking and horrifying to intimidate those around him.

However, what occupied his mind the most was this Juri Han.

The only thing he knew about her so far was that she was the current head of the Shinobi Information Network, which was the organization that foot the bill for his surgeries and the ones that designed his new eye ball. But above all that, Maya had said that this woman personally knew his mother and was really close to her, which filled is head with so many questions.

Mainly due to the fact that he couldn't just openly ask about either of his parents in the village, due to the fact that technically, he wasn't suppose to know just yet. So he couldn't just walk up to someone that would know of his mother or father and ask them about his parents. Mainly because it would incite a panic for two reasons. First and foremost, would be the collective of idiots that would be in denial about being the son of one of their most feared kunoichi and their revered hero.

Secondly would be that of his parents enemies, both outside and inside the village. The ones from outside the village he could handle, the ones inside was a different story. He knew full well that both his father and mother had rubbed a lot of people the wrong way throughout their respective careers and rise through the ranks, some of which were now sitting on the Civilian Council. And diplomatic enemies with a pen were far more dangerous then any shinobi or kunoichi he would encounter outside the village.

Now though, he had someone he could openly ask that personally knew her, and hopefully get some answers and perhaps a few stories about his mother. He had asked Sif about her, but much to the embarrassment of the vixen, she had admitted that she had slept most of the time while being contained with the hot tempered Uzumaki woman, due to the fact that Kushina hardly ever called on her power. Instead, relying on her own, which had earned the woman a large amount of respect from the kitsune and the primary reason as to why the foxy woman had given the Uzumaki Princesses son a fair chance early on.

"All I gotta do is wait for this Juri woman to return." Naruto mumbled softly to himself as he closed his lone eye, allowing a peaceful sleep to fall over him.

Dango Stand and Bar, Same Time

Thunk

Another dango stick found itself embedded halfway into the wall across from an incensed Anko Mitarashi, completing the last touch on the Uzumaki Clan symbol she had made out of the dango sticks she had thrown. A clan that had been essential in the founding of Konohagakure, acting as a mediator between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan, only to be nearly wiped out nearly three decades ago by the combined forces of Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure. And how did those sacks of shit that sat on the Elder Council pay tribute to their fallen clan and longtime allies? By removing every mention of them from the Academy's curriculum, as well as the public library, and stealing their clan symbol. Supposedly to 'honor' their fallen comrades.

Anko had thought otherwise.

Without a doubt, the snake mistress was sure the real reason the swirl was even implemented in the leaf's symbol was due to the fact that the Uzumaki clan had more renown then Konoha did and those jealous old bastards, and bitch, that an independent clan had more recognition then an established Hidden Village.

"And now the only known surviving clan member of the Uzumaki clan has been attacked, and is now missing." Anko muttered to herself, taking another bite out of her dango before slamming her fist on the counter top, startling nearby patrons. "And damn that old man!"

"Hey, watch the counter top!" Came an annoyed voice from down the bar, earning the barkeep a scowl from the snake mistress. "Bad enough you use my wall as your own personal dart board, Kami almighty, why the hell did ANBU Neko have to leave you unattended."

"Hey, blame the old man." Anko retorted. "If it wasn't for him, I would be thoroughly enjoying my work, getting every ounce of information out of that bitch and then some."

"Look hun," The woman sighed as she moved down to talk with her regular customer and friend. "I know you're afraid…."

Anko shot the woman a dirty look.

"Oh, don't give me that look." The barkeep scoffed, not the least bit intimidated by the snake mistress. "You can still be a bad ass bitch and still be afraid for someone."

"Now, as I was saying." The woman continued. "I know you're afraid, but you have to trust in Hokage-sama's decision and trust that he did what he did to protect you, not the suspect. What would he tell your little pocket of sunshine after you got yourself locked up for going too far with the suspect?"

A frown formed on the snake mistresses face. She had been so upset due to the fact that her little 'Whiskers' was missing, and all they had found were traces of his blood at the scene, that she didn't even think nor care about the consequences of her actions, should she had been allowed to go through with them.

"Maybe." Anko sighed, relenting to the fact that the barkeep was correct. "Still would make me feel a lot better if I could hear that bitch scream though. Anyways, thanks for the pep talk Kimiko."

"Yeah yeah." The woman now identified as Kimiko responded as she set to work wiping down the counter top in front of them. "So…."

"So?" Anko repeated.

"When he turns up again," Kimiko grinned mischievously. "you finally going to make him as yours?"

A light blush dusted the snake mistresses cheeks due to being called out so bluntly by her friend.

"You know, if Nai-chan were here, she would be chastising you about encouraging me to go after a younger man." Anko commented with a sarcastic undertone.

While she knew the famed Genjutsu Mistress had good intentions, it was just beyond frustrating that the woman constantly tried to hook Anko up with men her own age range. Of course, every attempt had ended in one disastrous failure after another. Not due to any fault of her own. Each of the supposedly "good guys" Kurenai had set her up with had all been after one thing, and when they didn't get it, they would hurl insults at her.

The worst however had been none other then Iruka Umino.

The bastard had attempted to use his own connection, and supposed brother like relationship with Naruto to weasel himself in. Though the snake mistress knew, not only from the mans body language, but from Naruto himself that the whiskered teen didn't see the man as a brother in the slightest. Hell, the two of them even had suspicion's that Iruka was one of the primary culprits in attempting to sabotage the blondes studies.

"Ah yeah, the 'expert' on relationships." Kimiko scoffed. "Because her love life is sooo perfect."

Anko couldn't help but snort at this. It was a sad fact that both the snake mistress and Kimiko knew. While Asuma was a respectable shinobi, and an over all decent person; his eyes wandered. While she had no proof, Anko was fairly certain the man would spend time in brothels while out of the village. The two of them had attempted to warn the Genjutsu Mistress about her mans wandering eye, but it fell on deaf ears as she casually dismissed it of him being observant of his surroundings like a proper shinobi should.

"Well," The snake mistress sighed. "We tried to warn her."

"Just so you know," The barkeep said. "when it happens, I am going to fly a big ass banner over my bar saying 'I told you so'."

Anko couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Kimiko flying a massive banner over her bar top, while an emotionally distraught Kurenai drowned her sorrows in sake.

"Thanks Kimiko, for talking some sense into me." The snake mistress expressed her gratitude. "No telling what I would of done if I kept my original mindset for much longer."

"Well, I'll waive my usual consular's fee this time." The woman jested, before turning her attention to a group of patrons entering the establishment. "Anyways, I need to get back to work. Call me if you need anything."

Anko nodded silently, turning her attention back to her dango before she noticed the entire stand suddenly go silent, almost as if everyone had suddenly disappeared. She didn't have time to ponder as she suddenly felt the weight of someone's arm hanging casually of her shoulder. Looking to her left, brown pupil-less eyes met with purple.

The woman that was now hanging over the snake mistress was a little shorter then herself, with her black hair tied up into horns at the top of her head, her left eye seemingly glowing brighter then her right. Behind her, stood a visibly concerned Ino Yamanaka, whom had seemingly been dragged her by the strange woman.

"So, you're the infamous Anko Mitarashi, Konoha's Snake Mistress." The woman stated, licking her lips as if in anticipation. "I hear that you're really, really, close to my fiance."

"Listen lady, I don't know who the hell your fiance is, but I can promise you I am not close to him. Hell, there is only one guy I am interested in and as far as I know, he's still single." Anko retorted, offended by the fact that yet another woman thought she was seducing their man, no doubt thanks to the rumors spread about her. "Who the hell are you, anyways!?"

"Name's Juri Han." The black haired woman grinned before bringing the unfortunate Yamanaka in close with her other arm. "I trust you already know princess here?"

"Ino," The snake mistress looked at the blonde teen in concern. "You alright?"

"Not the worst thing that's happened to me today." The mind walker sighed, having since resigned herself to her fate of being a tag along to one Juri Han.

"Hey barkeep! Rounds or the three of us!" Juri called out, getting the tenders attention as she placed a rather generous sum of money on the counter top.

"This is going to be a long night." Ino sighed, as a bottle of warm sake was placed in front her. Not wanting to insult her companion whom had already paid for multiple rounds for the three of them, the young teen took the bottle and took a long drink from it. Taking note that the taste was agreeable to her, surprisingly.

"So, what's this about?" Anko inquired. "You accuse me of being close to your fiance, and then buy us a round of drinks."

Without saying a word, Juri produced a single scroll and handed it to the purple haired woman to read. Upon seeing a familiar clan symbol on the scroll, Anko's stomach plummeted. Cautiously, she unrolled the paper and read over the contents. A look of confusion marring her face.

"This is…."

"Yup." Juri cut off the snake mistress. "We have some things to talk about."

S.I.N. Headquarters, Evening

Light breathing could be heard in the darkened room as two feminine figures stumbled through the door way of the room, surprisingly not waking the lone occupant in the bed. Both women clearly intoxicated, as they tried to stifle their giggling as they approached the rather spacious bed. As quietly as they could in the drunken state, the two removed their clothing and slowly crawled under the blankets with their unsuspecting victim. The only response the whiskered teen had as two warm bodies pressed against him, was a small groan in satisfaction.

Without a doubt, the next morning was going to be interesting for on Naruto Uzumaki.

Additional Authors Notes: Alright bit of a tease there at the end.

Sorry this chapter moved at a slower pace with not as much action, but I wanted to start building up for future characters and give some exposition of things that had happened and hints of what will happen. Also if you noticed, Ino is in. I decided to have her also hide behind a mask, though this one put on her by at least one over protective father while her mother tried to manipulate her to chase after the Uchiha for his status, something that will come out in the next chapter, thanks to some 'Liquid Courage' that Ino drank.

I will give a hint about Ino, she is related to a character in a popular fighting game franchise. No, not Street Fighter.

Now, originally I was planning on doing a small fight scene in the bar/dango stand between Anko and Juri, but after making it so that the barkeep was one of Anko's few friends, I decided I wouldn't do that to the poor woman. Not to mention poor Ino being dragged into this by Juri.

Anyways, next chapter will have a short time skip in it and the arrival of Jiraiya, as well as a confrontation between Naruto and Iruka.

Tune in next time!