Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters created by Kishimoto-sensei.
"So where are we going first Ero-Sennin?" asked Naruto excitedly.
"I really wish you'd stop calling me that," said Jiraiya with a cringe.
"Can't, Kaasan ordered me to," said Naruto, "So where are we going first?"
"Stone country," said Jiraiya, "There physical strength training is the toughest of all the Shinobi villages."
Naruto couldn't help swallowing nervously at the prospect of the training but that didn't deter him long from speaking again, "So how long until we get there?"
"A month and a half," said Jiraiya.
"What?" shouted Naruto, "But that's so long."
"Don't worry, I've got something for you to start working on while we travel," said Jiraiya with a devious smirk.
Naruto nodded, "What is it?"
"It is Yondaime's most powerful move," said Jiraiya confidently.
"Really?" asked Naruto excitedly.
"Really," said Jiraiya before handing him a water balloon.
"What's this for?" asked Naruto.
"Watch," said Jiraiya holding his own water balloon. Naruto watched in fascination as the balloon suddenly expanded in all direction before popping, "This is stage one. Get started."
"It's going to be a long month and a half," mumbled Naruto as he began trying to work on the water balloon.
"You have no idea," Jiraiya mumbled back with a smirk.
Naruto continued to work on the water balloon rigorously when ever he had a moment free. Jiraiya had decided to take the time during the trip to begin to prepare Naruto for the physical training he could expect once he reached Hidden Stone Village. Preparing entailed running, push-ups, pull-ups, and hand springs all while standing on top of a scalding hot pool of water while the pervert peeped on women in the baths. If he wasn't physically conditioning himself he was working on the water balloon while standing on water. Naruto had quickly come to the conclusion that Jiraiya was both a pervert and a sadist.
Finally after a month and a half Naruto and Jiraiya arrived to the Hidden Stone Village.
Naruto was amazed by the village for the simple fact that he would never have found it if he didn't already know it was there. The entire village was carved within the rock walls of an enormous cavern well below the surface of the earth.
Naturally Jiraiya knew the Tsuchikage and was escorted to meet with him immediately. Naruto was simply appalled when the first question the Tsuchikage asked was with regards to the next volume of 'Icha Icha Paradise' would be released. With that out of the way the Tsuchikage made arrangements for Naruto and Jiraiya to stay for a month and a half.
The worst part came only moments later, "So Jiraiya-sama, I will have one of our Jounin collect young Naruto in the morning. He will be temporarily joining one of our Genin teams."
"That works, but remember he'll be training with me most of the time and he is not permitted to go on missions with your shinobi," explained Jiraiya.
"Oh I know that," said the Tsuchikage, "I thought that since you brought him here to train then this would be ideal. He can get a taste of what true physical training is like."
Jiraiya grinned demonically, "Just make sure you work him harder than anyone has ever worked him before."
Naruto kept glancing between the pair in disbelief.
"Well then, I would suggest the two of you get settled in and get some sleep. Training begins in about six hours."
Naruto quickly checked his watch, "But that's like three in the morning?"
"Actually its one in the morning idiot," said Jiraiya before leaving.
Naruto followed quickly behind him, "Is he serious about this training time?"
"Yes," said Jiraiya, "If I was you, I would go get some sleep in our hotel. I have other things to do."
Naruto just grumbled a bit before finding his way to the hotel and checking in.
Naruto was awoken the next morning by his bed shaking horribly. When he woke up he thought it was honestly an earthquake. Technically it was but it was an unnatural earthquake started by a masked Shinobi with the symbol for earth on his forehead protector.
"You Naruto?" asked a female shinobi.
"Yeah, who the hell are you? Why the hell did you wake me up? And more importantly why the hell are you in my room?" demanded Naruto angrily.
"I'm Naoya Ayumi," said the woman, "I'm your trainer, let's go."
Naruto relaxed but only slightly. He quickly gathered his clothes and weapons before following the woman out.
"How can you even tell what time it is around here without any sunlight?" asked Naruto trying to make conversation with the woman.
"You get used to it," she said, "Besides, we often go outside to train and get some sun on our skin to prevent scurvy and sun deprivation. The good thing though is that by living in this dark place you learn very quickly to move in the dark and see more with less light."
"Oh, okay," said Naruto.
"You look oddly familiar," said the woman after a while.
"Really? Who do I look like?" asked Naruto excitedly.
"Just a picture I once saw in a book," said Ayumi darkly, "But don't worry, you're not him."
"Was this person bad or something?"
"I'm told he was an amazing shinobi. Twenty years ago when stone and leaf were at war there was one shinobi feared above all others. Orders were given that if we ever saw him we were to run away and not look back, he was that feared," she said, "But as I understand it, he is dead now and left behind no family so it does not matter."
"Sounds like you don't like him very much," said Naruto.
"You would not like the one responsible for the death of your mother, father, and brother either," she said coolly.
"You're right I wouldn't," said Naruto, "but it sounds to me like this was a time of war. Was your family all shinobi? Did they die on the battle field?"
"They died honorable deaths fighting in the name of the Stone Village, I cannot fault the man for doing his duty but that does not mean I have to like him," she said coolly still.
Naruto was getting the impression that this woman didn't like him very much and was simply doing her duty to her country.
"Ayumi-sensei," called a very high pitched female voice that reminded Naruto of Sakura calling after Sasuke.
"Suchi," said Ayumi with a small nod and slight smirk at the corner of her mouth.
"Why are you so late? You're never late," said Suchi with a pout. Naruto finally got a good look at the girl in question. She seemed really young compared to Naruto which explained the childish behavior. She had lime green hair, whether it was natural or fake Naruto could not tell. On her left stood another girl with black hair and yellow eyes, resting on her shoulder was a black cat with the same yellow eyes. To Suchi's right was a boy. He wasn't exactly to her right but was kind of hiding behind her like he'd seen Hinata do on occasion. He had dark brown hair and his eyes weren't really visible because he was looking at the ground.
"I had to collect our temporary guest," she said calmly motioning to Naruto, "This is Uzumaki Naruto. He will be joining us for the next month for training only. He is here to learn from you as much as all of you are here to learn from him. Naruto, this is Aka Suchi, Sugi Yayoi, and Hapun Yama." Yayoi was the other girl and Yama was the timid boy.
"Nice to meet you," said Naruto with a friendly wave and a smile.
"Ah, so cute," shouted Suchi excitedly as she studied Naruto up and down, "Do you have a girlfriend Naruto-kun?"
Naruto was a bit shocked at such a direct question, "Um, no . . ."
"Great, then I can take the job huh?"
"No," said Naruto simply, "We can be friends if you want but us being together is not going to happen."
"Oh, but I'd be so good to you," she pouted.
"And how old are you?"
"I'm ten," she said proudly.
"You're too young is what you are," said Naruto as he looked to Ayumi-sensei for some help. She responded with a look that said he's on his own.
"I am not," she shouted at the top of her lungs.
Naruto and the other two Genin both sweat dropped nervously from her actions.
"Enough of the introductions," said Ayumi losing her patience, "It's time for our morning training, I expect you to show Naruto here the ropes."
"Yes sensei," said her three students with a quick bow.
"Nira doesn't trust you," said Yayoi as she walked past Naruto.
"Who is Nira?" asked Naruto.
The cat on Yayoi's shoulder hissed at him.
"Oh, excuse me Miss Nira, I didn't realize. It's nice to meet you too," said Naruto lightly with a grin at the feline. The cat seemed mollified by the apology and courtesy but with cats that could mean anything.
"Smart move," said Yama softly from next to him, "I'm Yama, Yayoi is a bit defensive and doesn't really let people get close to her. Suchi is an open book and if she thinks you look cute at all she won't leave you alone until she's had her way with you. Both of them scare me to death."
Naruto laughed out at Yama's commentary, "You're a funny guy."
Yama looked appalled that Naruto would say such a thing.
"I think you and I will be good friends," said Naruto patting Yama on the back knocking the poor boy into the ground accidentally. Naruto quickly picked him up again, "Sorry about that."
"It's okay, I'm not very strong considering I'm from Stone Village," said the boy, "Even Suchi and Yayoi are stronger than me. I was lucky to even become a Shinobi. I was the dead last in my year."
"That doesn't mean anything," said Naruto, "I know plenty of shinobi that were first in the class to end up the weakest of them all. I know others that were dead last and became the best. It just varies with how hard you are willing to work to achieve your goals."
Yama just nodded before hurrying ahead. Naruto suddenly got the impression that Yama didn't like him very much.
"What's with him?" asked Naruto quietly to himself.
"He's afraid of hurting others and so he never shows his true potential," said Ayumi from behind him, "talking with you is the most I've seen him ever open up."
"He's seems like a good kid," said Naruto.
"He is," said Ayumi, "Now hurry and catch up to the other so we can begin."
Naruto nodded and hurried ahead to catch up to the others.
"So what are we doing today?" asked Naruto.
"Endurance training," said Ayumi to the group. She was met with two audible groans and one quiet whimper, Naruto didn't see what the problem was.
"Great," said Naruto, "What do we do first?"
"Yayoi, why don't you go first," suggest Ayumi.
Yayoi cringed and the put her back to the wall, "Just don't hit me in the face."
Naruto seemed confused and then he watched as Suchi and Yama pelted the girl with different sized rocks. Yayoi just stood there taking every hit without making a sound.
"You throw as well Naruto," said Ayumi handing him a pile of rocks, "We each throw ten rocks and then rotate. We do this ten times to toughen the skin to make the pain of being hit feel like less."
Naruto swallowed before he threw a rock hitting Yayoi in the leg.
"You've got to be kidding me," said Yayoi, "Even Yama throws harder than that."
Naruto threw it again just a bit harder hitting her other leg.
"Is that all you've got?" she asked as if he was insulting her.
Naruto was starting to get upset. He was trying to be nice and not injure the girl. He looked back to Ayumi-sensei, "Should I really throw my hardest? It could really injure her badly?"
"Don't hold back because you think you'll injure her," said Ayumi, "She is a lot tougher than she looks."
Naruto shrugged and threw again. This time he put his full strength behind it. It was very fortunate for her that he was still wearing his weights. The rock went fast and powerfully straight at her arm. He figured that if he broke her arm he could repair that rather easily and quickly with his limited knowledge of Medic-Jutsu. Naruto heard the resounding snap of the bone breaking upon the rock impacting her arm. Naruto cringed on reflex just from the sound of it.
Yayoi screamed out in pain and grasped her arm. Naruto could see that she was trying her hardest not to cry.
"Yayoi," chided Ayumi, "Why didn't you reinforce your body with chakra to protect yourself? You knew he was holding back from the start but you should have known that once I said something he would no longer hold back."
"Sorry Ayumi-sensei," said Yayoi, "I did reinforce but I didn't reinforce enough. I didn't think he had that kind of power."
"Sorry Yayoi," said Naruto with a bow, "I can fix it if you like?"
Yayoi glared at Naruto before she finally nodded after a nasty jolt went through her arm.
A few minutes later Yayoi's bone was repaired, "Now don't use that arm for at least a day or it will break again and then it will have to heal the long way over a few months."
"Shut up," said Yayoi, "You stupid Leaf Shinobi."
Naruto decided then that he didn't really like Yayoi despite the cute cat.
"You're turn Naruto, now remember to use your chakra to protect your body from harm so that you feel less pain than you should," said Ayumi.
"I thought the goal was to avoid getting hit as a shinobi," said Naruto nervously.
"Indeed it is important to be able to dodge attacks but you can't dodge them all and if you are distracted for even a moment by pain you're as good as dead," explained Ayumi.
Naruto could see the value of such training but that didn't mean that he liked it and now that it was Yayoi's turn to throw rocks at him, he liked it even less.
Suchi and Yama both held back on throwing stones at Naruto a bit but Yayoi gave it everything she had with her good arm. She wasn't exactly generous in picking her targets. After the second rock to the genitals from her he chose to block any that headed for that area, even at the cost of five more thrown rocks from Yayoi.
They group cycled through each member ten times. After three hours of being pelted by rocks Naruto felt like an over used and abused punching bag.
"Good work team, but we'll have to improve our strength to make those hits really count. So, go find the biggest rock you think you can carry," said Ayumi with a smirk.
Naruto watched the others choosing rocks before he finally selected a boulder about twice his size. Upon hearing his teammates snicker he knew that he probably chose wrong.
"Excellent Naruto, it's good to challenge yourself," said Ayumi with a devious smirk, "Now, start running. You've got four hours and no stopping to rest. You all have to stay with me so you'd better not fall behind or you can count on getting double."
Naruto swallowed again as he followed his new training sensei, or as he preferred to call her now 'psychotic training bitch'.
Hours later they all came to a stop breathing heavily.
"Well done," said Ayumi, "That's not bad. You're all dismissed except for you Naruto."
Naruto swallowed nervously for what seemed like the millionth time that day.
"You have one hour to eat and then you are to meet your sensei by the hot springs," she ordered simply.
Naruto nodded in relief before he rushed through town in search of the only food worth his time, Ramen.
An hour later Naruto met Jiraiya, "Hey, Ero-Sennin."
"Stop calling me that you idiot," ordered Jiraiya knowing it was useless.
"That lady is crazy," said Naruto.
Jiraiya just laughed, "I think she's alright then if she can keep you in line."
"We purposely let ourselves get hit with rocks," said Naruto, "What kind of sensei allows for that to happen?"
"A good one," said Jiraiya, "It's too bad you had to do that on your first day though. I would have thought that she'd work you in slowly to their way of training."
"Well, at least I can see why they are considered the most physically strong of all the Shinobi villages," said Naruto.
"Yeah, but their women are not the hottest. You're lucky if one in fifty is worth my attention and being immortalized in my books," said Jiraiya.
"You mean immoralized," said Naruto with a smirk.
"Anyway," said Jiraiya, "Now it's time for you and I to train. Now, I will work with you for four hours after your physical training after which you will have an hour to eat followed by four more hours training with that water balloon before you can eat and go to sleep. Get used to this fast because it will be your new regimen for as long as we stay here."
Naruto wanted to fall down and cry but restrained himself by simply plotting some kind of revenge on the pervert.
"So, Tsunade has told me that you are rather slow to learn Ninjutsu and Genjutsu for the simple fact that you'd rather master them than just learn a huge number of them. That's all fine and dandy but you have a huge chakra reserve and are capable of performing some of the highest level Jutsu and so long as you remain in the lower level skills you'll waste any potential you have. So, I'm going to teach you some very high level Jutsu with our time here," explained Jiraiya, "Now, as this is stone country I have a few unique Doton Jutsu for you to learn."
Naruto nodded along with him. He didn't like Jiraiya's hinting at him being stupid for taking his time with learning Jutsu but he wasn't going to comment.
"So, you have one month to learn these two Doton," said Jiraiya tossing him two thick scrolls that knocked him over. "Doton: Doryo Dango and Doton: Yomi Numa. These are Jounin level techniques, don't fail me."
Naruto nodded before opening the scroll for Yomi Numa.
To say that Naruto had a long day by the time he was finished would have been an understatement. Was it not for Kyubi replenishing his Chakra he would probably have died of Chakra exhaustion before that first day was over.
Subsequent days followed and Naruto continued his training. His mornings began with the most intense punishment imaginable, followed closely by him struggling through his two new Jutsu, and ended with him still trying to figure out that damn balloon.
Naruto had been in Stone Village for three weeks and by now he'd settled into his routine quite comfortably but he knew that soon he'd have to move on.
"Well Naruto, you've made quite an impression on the Tsuchikage," said Ayumi at the end of a training session, "He's decided that you are to participate in the Chuunin Tournament. It is a one on one fighting competition. I'm not sure how you got invited but if I had to guess I'd say it has something to do with your sensei."
"Really, that is so cool," said Naruto, "Do they get to compete?" he asked motioning to the other three Genin.
"They are not Chuunin nor have they been invited," said Ayumi.
"I'm not a Chuunin either," said Naruto.
"But you were invited by the Tsuchikage directly," explained Ayumi.
Naruto now noticed that the people he trained with didn't look very happy about it or rather Yayoi didn't look very happy about it and the other two were just afraid of getting on Yayoi's bad side.
"Will you guys help me to prepare?" Naruto asked once again trying to get into Yayoi's good graces.
"I hope they kill you in the Tournament," said Yayoi before she stalked off to do whatever it is that she does.
"What the hell did I do to piss her off?" asked Naruto.
"She is the strongest Genin in the village and you threaten her because you are so much better," explained Yama quietly.
"Oh, I don't suppose saying I'm sorry will help then?" asked Naruto to which Suchi and Yama both just shook their heads. In the few weeks since Naruto's arrival Yama had opened up a bit more and Suchi restrained herself a bit but Yayoi just wouldn't crack. It was like dealing with another Sasuke, but female and less dangerous.
"Why does she detest me so much?"
"Her family has a long standing hatred of Konoha Village. During the Great War her entire family except for her parents died fighting. Her parents only lived because they were too young to fight. Later they were killed by a missing-nin from the Leaf Village by the name of Uchiha Itachi. She has good reason to hate the Leaf," explained Ayumi.
"Did you say Uchiha Itachi?" asked Naruto with venom in his voice.
"Yes, do you know him?" asked Ayumi.
"I want to kill him," said Naruto, "He is the reason I've been forced into hiding from the Leaf. It's his damn organization that is after me. Bastard!"
"You are not strong enough to kill Itachi," said Yayoi, "Beside, you don't have the right. I am an avenger. It is my right to take his life for what he did to my family." At some point Yayoi had returned unnoticed.
"You'll have to get in line," said Naruto, "Uchiha Sasuke has earned the right to kill that bastard before any of us. Sasuke is the sole survivor of that clan. He was made to watch while Itachi killed his mother and father in front of him. You're not the only one that has been hurt by people in the past. Get over yourself already." With that Naruto turned and walked away. He really was dealing with another Sasuke, but far weaker than Sasuke is. Naruto knew that she would fight bravely and die quickly if she fought Itachi and then her clan would be extinct. But such is the life of a shinobi.
Naruto walked around for a while rather than eating and eventually rejoined the Ero-Sennin for his training.
"Eh, Jiraiya-sensei," said Naruto seriously, "Did you have anything to do with me getting into this Chuunin Tournament?"
"No, in fact I tried to convince the Tsuchikage not to enter you because it might draw the attention of the Akatsuki," explained Jiraiya, "That and some of your skills are pretty much detested in this village."
"What? I haven't seen anything yet to suggest . . ."
"Have you used the skills from Yondaime?" asked Jiraiya in a whisper that only Naruto could hear.
Naruto shook his head.
"See to it that it stays that way," ordered Jiraiya seriously. Naruto could tell that something about this whole situation was making him very nervous.
"But why?" asked Naruto in a hushed voice.
"Yondaime decimated the Stone Shinobi in the Great War. He was feared above all other shinobi for his reputation as the 'Yellow Flash'. A name he earned from the Kirameki and more so from the Shunshin," explained Jiraiya.
"Shunshin?" asked Naruto curiously.
"Kirameki is the basic form and name for the style. Shunshin is the advanced version of the technique," explained Jiraiya, "If you were to use either of those we would be forced to run from this village and never look back as the village hunter-nin and ANBU would be after your head in a moments notice."
Naruto swallowed nervously. He didn't like the idea in the slightest.
"You just happen to look a lot like yo . . . Yondaime," said Jiraiya, "Which works even more against you."
"Okay, so no Kirameki then," said Naruto firmly.
"Anyway, we're leaving in a week so don't get too comfortable," said Jiraiya, "Now, have you completed the two Doton Jutsu I gave you?"
"Yes, but I haven't mastered them yet," said Naruto.
"Show them to me," said Jiraiya.
Naruto ran through a few quick hand seals before calling out "Doton: Doryo Dango no Jutsu". He then drove his hands into the ground and pulled forth a giant boulder nearly three times his size and hurled it at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya easily moved out of the way, "Decent size, but rather slow moving when you throw it."
"It's not easy to use my chakra to hold it all together when I throw the damn thing," said Naruto unhappily.
"Still, good progress for only three weeks," said Jiraiya, choosing to ignore his outburst, "Now show me the other one."
"This one I've made the most progress," said Naruto with a large grin. Again he moved quickly through a few hands seals before hitting the ground and calling out, "Doton: Yomi Numa no Jutsu".
Jiraiya's jaw nearly hit the ground when he saw the enormous swamp that Naruto created. After regaining his composure he asked, "How deep is it?"
"I would guess about twenty," said Naruto, "But I'm not entirely certain."
"Good enough," said Jiraiya, "Go ahead and release the Jutsu."
"Kai," said Naruto causing the swamp to vanish.
"Good work Naruto," said Jiraiya, "Now, have you been able to pop the water balloon yet?"
Naruto grinned before producing a water balloon. He held the balloon in front of him in one hand and instant later it exploded spraying water everywhere. "Was that right?"
"Perfect Naruto," said Jiraiya, "The first stage is to learn to mold the chakra in several directions at once." Jiraiya then tossed him a rubber ball, "The second stage is power." Jiraiya held is own ball and it exploded in all directions.
Naruto nodded.
"Anyway, that's enough for today," said Jiraiya, "You only have two days to prepare for that stupid tournament so I suggest you get to work."
Naruto nodded before hurrying off to find a private spot to train.
Once in seclusion Naruto formed some quick seal before hitting the ground, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu."
Enma appeared, "Hey Naruto, I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know, things haven't been so good recently," said Naruto as he suddenly realized that he would have to tell Enma about Sarutobi-sensei. "Sandaime was killed."
"I know, I was there with him when his end came," said Enma, "He died honorably trying to defeat that snake Orochimaru."
"I am sorry," said Naruto lowering his head. He was slightly surprised when Enma gave him a small hug.
"Don't be sorry Naruto," said Enma, "Sarutobi knew what was coming and he willingly gave his life for the sake of the village. If you wish to truly honor him then train and defeat that snake."
Naruto nodded, "That is why I summoned you today. I've been entered into a tournament here in Stone Village in two days but I can't use anything that Yondaime was known for. So I was hoping you could teach me to use you with a medic-nin Taijutsu style."
"I would be happy to Naruto," said Enma, "We'll have to work very hard if I'm going to be at all useful in two days time."
"I know Enma-sama," said Naruto with a respectful bow.
"Well then, let's get to work," said Enma, "Oh, and before I forget, do you realize that you just summoned me without using the Kyubi's chakra?"
"I did?" asked Naruto in disbelief, "I didn't even notice. I guess my training here has really paid off."
"Indeed," said Enma, "Now, to work." Enma then popped and change into the Thunderbolt Staff.
BREAK
"Now remember Naruto," began Jiraiya, "Don't use any of those techniques and you'll be fine."
Naruto nodded. He was about to enter the tournament arena for his first match. It was just his luck that he got matched off with the number one Chuunin in the village for his first fight.
"So, this is the little Leaf Shinobi," guffawed the Chuunin, "Not much are you?"
Naruto decided instantly that he didn't like him very much, "Let's see if you're still saying that when this fight is over."
"We shall see indeed," said the Chuunin, "I'm going to kill you slowly I think."
"Not likely," said a voice from behind the Chuunin.
Naruto was shocked as he saw the Chuunin cleaved in half. "Kisame," he whispered.
"Hello Naruto-kun," said a calm voice from behind him that he knew belonged to Kisame's partner in crime, Itachi.
"Looks like we have you all to ourselves," said Kisame.
"Not quite," said Jiraiya as he appeared next to Naruto.
"Figures that he would avoid the technique," said Itachi.
"Using that Genjutsu to fool the entire stadium was smart," said Jiraiya, "but I'm much to smart to fall for something like that."
"Then I suppose we shall have to fight," said Itachi.
"Naruto, you're the only one capable of fighting against Itachi's Sharingan," said Jiraiya, "Use everything in your arsenal, I'll deal with Kisame."
Naruto nodded nervously before turning his full attention to Itachi.
"I suppose I should take you seriously," said Itachi, "That way you'll completely understand the futility of you struggling against us." Itachi then let his cloak drop to the ground behind him creating a small crater from the weight of it.
Naruto at the same time removed his own weights and let them drop creating a slightly larger crater. Inside his head he started screaming to Kyubi to start pouring on the chakra.
Tear this piece of shit apart, Kyubi screamed in return. Kyubi didn't like this guy either. Naruto guessed that Kyubi didn't like him because he some plan involving him that he didn't want to be a part of.
Naruto enjoyed the slight look of fear that passed momentarily through Itachi's eyes as Kyubi began to make his physical manifestation on Naruto.
"Kirameki," shouted Naruto causing a bright yellow flash distort Itachi's ability to see. It didn't affect his ability to feel pain though as he was rocketed backward from a heavy kick to the gut.
Lucky for Itachi the wall stopped his trip short. Itachi was slightly worried. His Sharingan could not predict Naruto's movement nor could it copy the Jutsu. Itachi smirked as he released the Genjutsu that was affecting the assembled crowd.
Naruto never noticed but kept up his assault on the Akatsuki member.
"Is this the best you can do Kazara?" asked Itachi much to Naruto's confusion. Itachi knew what he was doing though.
Naruto didn't let that bother him as he continued his assault getting steadily more vicious in his attacks.
It was then that Itachi began to counter using Jutsu after Jutsu. His attack was relentless and the hands seals came fast. Lucky for Naruto the Kirameki kept Itachi off target almost every time.
"Kage Bunshin," shouted Naruto creating six clones. Much to Naruto amusement he'd learned to activate Kirameki on each of them in the same way he could put it on a shuriken or kunai. With the all seven Naruto's attacked.
Naruto was very unhappy with his clones were all destroyed and himself had been hit very hard center mass by Itachi.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," shouted Naruto hitting the dirt and calling forth Enma.
"Uchiha Itachi," said Enma, "You should not have attacked."
"Enma," said Itachi in surprise. He couldn't believe that Naruto had advanced this much. All his spies reported that Naruto wasn't extremely skilled as a shinobi, relying mostly on medic-nin Taijutsu and the Kirameki. What he was facing today was not what his reports had told him. This Naruto had excellent control of Kyubi's chakra, he could summon, and he was fairly versatile in Jutsu of all kinds. This Naruto was more than formidable.
"Change now," order Naruto urgently to Enma.
Enma changed into the Thunderbolt staff and flew to Naruto's outstretched hand. Then Naruto attacked. His moves were fluid and extremely accurate. He had speed that was equal to Itachi and power that exceeded him. The only thing Itachi had working in his favor was experience and the Sharingan, but even that wasn't doing so well.
With Enma in hand, Itachi could no longer make direct contact with Naruto. The staff would change shape to protect Naruto as if by reflex and the damn flashes of yellow light were not helping Itachi at all.
Naruto finally saw an opening to end the fight, "Kirameki Tsuki," shouted Naruto shooting chakra through his free hand. If Itachi had not moved and raised an arm to block he would have lost his head, as it was he still lost his hand and part of his forearm.
The severed limb dropped to the ground with a sickening squish. Naruto quickly performed hand seals, "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu". He incinerated Itachi's fallen limb and nearly got Itachi if the man hadn't fled from the battle.
Naruto then turned his attention to Kisame to see that he fled as well. Jiraiya dropped to the ground breathing heavily. Naruto released the Kirameki and Enma disappeared. At the same time he could feel the changes from Kyubi disappearing quickly. Naruto walked tiredly to Jiraiya before sitting down next to the man.
"Good job Naruto," said Jiraiya, "You've just ended Itachi's life as a shinobi."
"I doubt that," said Naruto, "I might have just slowed him down for a bit."
"You do know that most of the people in the stand have just watched nearly that entire fight," said Jiraiya, "and many of them will be out for your blood now."
"I know," said Naruto, "It's not my fault that Itachi released the Genjutsu."
"He didn't want to waste the chakra and he knew that this village's hatred of Yondaime would stop them from interfering," said Jiraiya.
"Do you really think they'll kill me after that?" asked Naruto.
"No, but the Tsuchikage will probably insist that you leave the village and never return," said Jiraiya calmly. Just as he finished four ANBU appeared on the field.
"Jiraiya-sama, Tsuchikage-sama has requested the presence of you and that brat," said the ANBU leader. It was easy to see that he was holding back on what he really wanted to say about Naruto.
Jiraiya stood and nodded to the ANBU. He then lifted Naruto to his feet and together they followed the ANBU captain to the Tsuchikage's office.
When the pair entered it was easy to see that the Tsuchikage was really pissed off.
"Jiraiya," yelled the man.
Naruto and Jiraiya could both feel a long lecture coming.
"How dare you bring his spawn into this village? We tolerate you because of your books and the information that you provide us, but bring that child here is unforgivable. You know how much damage his father did to this village and how many families were destroyed in that war mostly thanks to him. What could you have possibly been thinking bring the son of Kazara Arashi into this village? Are you trying to get him killed? I should have suspected as much when I first saw the boy but all of our spies said that his wife and child died the same night he died fighting that Kyubi demon. He looks just like him but instead I trusted the information from my spies and now I find I was wrong. Just what the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea how difficult it will be to maintain peace with the Leaf now that the village knows who this boy is? Relations have been strained recently as it is because of this damn war between the Sound Village and Leaf as it is. You may have just pushed this village over the edge into siding with the Sound. The only thing that might prevent that is that this boy was able to force Uchiha Itachi into running and possibly ending his career as a shinobi. The only one hated more in this village than Kazara Arashi and his ilk is Uchiha Itachi. Still, what the hell were you thinking bringing the boy here?" the Tsuchikage ranted. Naruto never saw the man take a breath but there were several questions now forming in his head.
"Who was Kazara Arashi?" asked Naruto breaking from his confusion.
"You mean to tell me that this boy doesn't even know who his father was?" demanded the Tsuchikage of Jiraiya.
"He didn't need to have that hanging over him," said Jiraiya calmly.
"Damn it," shouted Naruto, "Who the hell was Kazara Arashi? Why is he so hated here? I thought this village hated the Yondaime Hokage? What does any of this have to do with my father?"
"Kazara Arashi was your father idiot boy," yelled the Tsuchikage, "And he was the Yondaime Hokage."
That silenced Naruto instantly. He was in shock. "Why? Why wasn't I told?" he asked in a whispered voice towards Jiraiya.
"It was for your protection," said Jiraiya honestly, "Your father made many enemies and if they knew about you then they would go after you to get revenge on him. You didn't need the fact that your father was Hokage to overshadow you either. You needed to grow and become strong on your own and be recognized as your own person and not as the son of the Yondaime. That is why he left you those scrolls. That is why you are the only one that can use them. It is your bloodlimit." Jiraiya finished at a loss for what he should do now.
"Did Tsunade know?" asked Naruto for the first time not calling her Kaasan.
"She knew, but just as I said there were reasons for not telling you. Your father left instructions that you were never to be told. You were to find out on your own if ever. None of this was planned," explained Jiraiya sadly, "Your Kaasan loves you Naruto, never forget that."
"I know she does," said Naruto solemnly, "But this is just a lot to take in all at once."
"I understand that Naruto," said Jiraiya, "It would be nice if we could just sit back and relax for a bit but now that your secret is out we will have to leave this village hastily."
"You're damn right you will," said the Tsuchikage, "I would suggest that you never return here Naruto. Jiraiya, you should not return for a few years either."
"I understand, if you would give us an escort out of town then," said Jiraiya.
"Very well," said the Tsuchikage, "Oh, but before I forget." The Tsuchikage removed a standard Chuunin flak jacket from Konoha and tossed it to Naruto. "Tsunade sent this to me and said that if I felt you were worthy then I should give it to you. Congratulations."
Naruto was in shock, "I'm a Chuunin?"
"Obviously," said Jiraiya, "So Tsunade is the reason you were entered in that Tournament."
"Precisely," said the Tsuchikage, "Now go, the ANBU outside will escort you to the border."