The insistent droning buzz of the hardy mountain cicada waxed and waned in intensity.
The swirling air, carrying a kiss of morning chill, tossed the long hair of the ninjas perched on two great boulders.
A small fire burned in a ring of stones, heating a small dented kettle. The morning meal lay in the coals, wrapped in large leaves. A bucket of water, along with a wooden dipper, sat off to one side.
"We have been going since first light. It is time to relax some." Jiraiya smiled. It was good to be alive. He was fond of his young pupil.
"Great! I could use a rest!" Naruto put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.
"I meant relax physically, idiot!" The Legendary Sannin chuckled. "I need to pound some knowledge into that block of wood you call a head. More now than ever, you need to become the complete shinobi. My sources have told me that there are hints of movement on Akatsuki's part."
"I'm so happy," Naruto grumped. He sat like a colorful gargoyle, his hand resting on his chin. He just wanted a few moments to rest. But, he was forced to admit that any minute of relaxation would only leave him wanting more rest. They had worked on his genjutsu abilities again, with heavy emphasis on seeing through and defeating illusionary techniques. There had even been exercises designed to resist the mangekyou sharingan as much as possible, something that seemed hopeless at best. His sigh left small clouds of exhaled breath spiraling in the cold air. They were training near the mountain top today.
"Hey, moron..." Jiraiya's voice was concerned and caring, not insulting. "It's been a month now. I know it's hard, but you have to let go. There may still be hope some day, but now is not the time to obsess over things." Jiraiya stood, looking down at his apprentice. 'Listen to me. I've been there. More than once. There's truth in the saying 'If you care for something, let it go. If it's yours, it will return to you.' I'll add to that. If it's not yours, worrying about it will do you no good."
"My head knows that sensei. But you know me, I'm not good at quitting. My heart never wants to give up." Naruto closed his eyes. The image of Hinata's face wouldn't leave. If that image showed her smiling, it would be one thing. But, he saw a look of shock on her face, much like the one she had worn when his true nature was revealed. He told himself that she still cared, even though he hadn't had any word from her since that day.
Kiba had told him that she was still confined to her home, held back from any training or missions. It was hard for her friends to get to her. Those who managed to speak with her realized one thing above all else. She was worried about Naruto and missed him terribly.
When Jiraiya was off in town, Naruto sometimes made a clone, and then gave it the appearance of his girlfriend. He would sit next to it, talking about the training he had done and the things that he felt in his heart. Each time the clone popped out of existence, the young ninja felt as if he had been separated form Hinata all over again.
No doubt his unseen guards took note of his actions, reporting thinks to the Hokage.
She could choke on it, as far as he was concerned. No, that wasn't fair. Tsunade had tried to silence Hiashi. And her subsequent discussion with Naruto had been done as Hokage, not Tsunade. Besides, he had seen her desk. Next to the picture of her brother, and the one of her boyfriend, there was a picture of him. Uzumaki Naruto.
"I know." Jiraiya lay back on the stone, hand behind his neck. "That can be a strength, as long as you keep your priorities straight. Tsunade has worked hard to handle the issue of Kyuubi. There will still be those who hate and fear you; but, there should be plenty who understand the truth of the matter. A lot will depend on what you do in the future, right?"
"Sure. Damned if I do, damned if I don't." Naruto sounded incredibly bitter.
"I'm serious, Naruto. If you let the village down, and they will despise you. But, if you save the village, more will love you. Easy, right?." Jiraiya chuckled. He knew that it was not easy. He himself had been legendary in bad ways as well as good.
"Yeh. Easy. Sure." Naruto watched a number of squirrels chase each other about, scampering noisily up one tree and down another. They had it easy. No big need to think. No reason to train continually. There was no demon inside of them.
THEY WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER YOU
Despite his sullen state, Naruto conjured an image in his mind. It made him smile. Instead of a giant nine-tailed fox, he pictured a huge nine-tailed squirrel. Priceless. He almost smiled, sensing Kyubi's response. 'Any more snide comments, hairball? Want a really big acorn?'
Naruto looked up at the clouds, hoping that he wouldn't see another one that reminded him of Hinata somehow. His good humor left him. He felt a need to be contrary. "I doubt that people would love Itachi, if he somehow saved the Leaf. Maybe Sasuke, but not Itachi." He scowled, thinking about his old teammate. "Same goes for Orochimaru. Some things, people will never forget." He sighed. "I already saved the village once. I don't know if anyone else could have stopped Shukaku."
"That doesn't sound like the Naruto that I know," Jiraiya said. "The things that Itachi and the others did were by their own choice. By their own hands. Your birth didn't bring Nine Tails to the village. You didn't force Yondaime to sacrifice himself. Your only sin in their eyes is to be alive, because that means that the demon fox has escaped punishment. But, when people stop to think about it, they will realize that things could be much worse. More and more will come to appreciate the burden you bear."
"If you say so." Naruto had heard that all before. It didn't matter if it was true. None of that would necessarily return the things that he had lost.
"Well, now that you've had enough of a breather, perk up some. I am about to pass along the wisdom of the ages. Not everybody is so fortunate!" Jiraiya locked his fingers together, stretched, and cracked his knuckles. "The art of the ninja is of vital importance to your village. It's is a matter of life and death for everyone, not just those of us who put our lives on the line. The more contracts the shinobi bring in, the greater the prestige of the community. The greater the prestige, and the more people come looking to hire Leaf ninjas. The prosperity of everyone living in the village depends on that kind of thing."
"It always has, and it always will." This was not the first time that Naruto had heard such things.
"I know, you've heard it all before," Jiraiya said, sighing. "I heard the same thing when I was your age, part of a team with Tsunade and Orochimaru." The great ninja shook his head, wondering where the years had all gone. "But, while we were very strong even then, you are uniquely important now. You've heard that enough time to make you sick, too. Right?"
Naruto didn't bother answering.
"HEY! KID!" Jiraiya shouted. Her smiled, seeing Naruto jump. The boy was so different than the Fourth had been, even though there were things that were similar about the two. Naruto was also different than he had been, back when Sandaime tried to bang sense into his head. It was an amazing thing, the quality of shinobi the Leaf had given birth to. Sandaime had taught him. He had taught Yondaime. The Fourth had taught Kakakshi. The Copy Ninja had begun Naruto's teaching. Now, he was adding what he could. But, it wasn't easy!
"Noisy hermit!" Naruto looked particularly cross.
"Are you going to pay attention?" Jiraiya frowned.
"If you stop shouting." The boy slid down the rock and went to check on the tubers that were roasting on the fire.
"Fine. You listen, and I don't do what's necessary to keep your attention." Jiraiya juggled the hot tuner that Naruto threw up to him after removing the leaves it had been wrapped in.
Naruto nodded. Despite that, his thoughts drifted back. He thought about the day of Hinata's ceremony.
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"You are that monster!"
Those words stood out in his mind, emblazoned with red flames.
"You are Kyuubi!"
His heart sank like an anchor, but there was no sea bottom in sight.
"They never should have let you live!"
Voices from the past all seemed to call out in agreement, echoing again and again.
"NARUTO! GO! HURRY!"
He had run. Faster and faster. He had sped along so fast, that he came close to falling numerous times. Neji had not been able to keep up. Naruto had run until he reached a certain devastated area of forest, where numerous trees were broken like toothpicks and huge furrows had been dug in the fertile soil. The place he had battled Gaara. The site where he had given his all against Shukaku, saving all those ungrateful villagers. No, he hadn't fought to save them. He had battled with his last bit of strength to save Sakura and sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke. Yet another person who had turned against him.
NEED A HUG?
Kyubi's sarcastic commentary actually helped him at that time, much to the demon fox's disappointment. Naruto had cursed his weakness. His sorrow took deep root, competing for nourishment with the angry feelings that sprung up like so many weeds.
Why him? Why then? Hadn't he been through enough already? Hadn't Hinata?
Naruto had turned one undamaged tree into splinters with rasengan. He hadn't asked for much. He had been hoping for one good day. He had wanted one trouble-free afternoon for a girl who had grown to mean a great deal to him.
Who was ultimately to blame? That fox. That demon that was present like a f-cking tumor in his belly.
Naruto focused harder, listening to his teacher's words.
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Naruto dug his fingernails into his palm, trying to pay attention.
"OK. A few days ago, I mentioned five things that a ninja should take into account, whenever he was thinking about ab upcoming mission or conflict." Jiraiya jumped down from his boulder, and then went to check on the kettle. "What were they? Let me know when you remember."
Naruto bit the inside of his cheek. He really wasn't in the mood for this. But, when had he ever been in the mood for this? Looking up at the sky, he traced the path of a lone hawk.
His thoughts drifted to Hinata
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She had been so beautiful in that kimono.
Naruto had somehow felt privileged, just to be standing there at that very moment in time. There had been nowhere else he would have wanted to be, and nothing else he would have wanted to see. It didn't all make sense to him, but he knew that she had touched his heart in a way that no one else ever had
Really. Who else had ever done that?
For most of his life, he had been friendless, a sad and angry boy taken to pranks and misguided attempts at getting attention and recognition. No, to get attention, recognition, and affection. He wanted to matter to someone. He searched for a reason to be. The time came when his fortunes changed somewhat, and he found himself blessed with special friends. But, none of them had touched him the way that Hinata had.
Hinata.
He cursed himself for being so stupid and so wasteful, not that he really could have acted any differently than he did. For so many years she had watched him, and he had been oblivious. Clueless. A blind fool. For so many years, the quiet girl had wished that he would take note of her, but the opportunity passed through his fingers.
True, at his earlier age, things wouldn't have meant nearly as much.
Still...
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"Well?" Jiraiya scowled, then sadly shook his head.
"Huh?" Naruto bit his tongue, realizing what he had done. He had forgotten about the question.
IF YOUR MIND WAS A CLAW, YOU COULDN'T SLICE A FAWN'S BELLY
"Idiot!" Jiraiya picked up a coal and bounced it off of Naruto's forehead protector, causing a number of hot embers to fall in the boy's lap. "Moral Law causes the shinobi to be in complete accord with their leaders, so that they will follow commands without concern for their lives, undismayed by any danger." The perverted old hermit shook the kettle in Naruto's direction. He cursed when hot water splashed out on his leg.
"Does any of that ring a bell?"
"Yeh. I guess. Is this going to be a long lecture, Ero-sennin?" Naruto yawned.
"Baka!" This is for your benefit! Pay attention. What was the second important thing for a ninja to consider?" Jiraiya began making tea.
"Hmmm." Naruto began to think. The answer was right there, just beyond his reach, taunting him. As Shikamaru might say, that was rather bothersome.
Once again, his thoughts drifted back to the past
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He caught up with Neji again, and asked him to do a big favor.
Naruto had asked his friend to gather up their companions and meet him at the training fields. He sped about doing the same thing himself, trying to keep ahead of any angry people that might be looking for him, and wanting to be the one who broke the news to his friends.
When everyone was assembled, he tried to find the right words, wanting to tell them about Kyuubi personally. It was difficult. In some ways, it was the most difficult thing he had ever done. Uncertainty was staring him straight in the face. He had no idea how anyone would react. He had lost a lot already, but still stood to lose so much more.
"So, what's going on Naruto. Why do you want to see us?" Kiba scratched under one armpit, watching Akamaru run off to chase butterflies. "Finally reach puberty? This a celebration or something?"
"You're not planning a surprise party for Hinata, are you?" Ino looked interested. "Her birthday was last week, but none of us did anything to celebrate. We were all off on missions and things."
"O-O-O-O-O-O-H! Have you mastered some great technique, and are here to show us all. AHHHHHH! Magnificent. We are all so fortunate!" Lee had been terribly disappointed when Naruto shook his head.
"Is it something bothersome?" Shikamaru brushed some of Choji's chips off of his sleeve. He narrowed his eyes. It didn't take a genius to see that Naruto was upset.
"For you, everything is bothersome!" Sakura smiled. "Are you looking for advice about your next big date? I bet you don't want another ramen disaster, right?" She pursed her lips. "Wasn't today Hinata's coming of age ceremony? You were invited, right?"
"I hope you didn't go dressed like that!" Ten Ten looked over at Neji. She sighed. He looked so handsome in his fine robes. "Well, don't keep us in suspense. We all have things to do!" Ten Ten's statement had everybody nodding except Naruto and Neji.
Naruto decided what tack to take. He would tell things as they happened. Trembling slightly, he gave a brief recount of Hinata's ceremony, leaving out the reason for Hiashi's actions.
"That's bullshit!" Kiba looked angry. He nodded his head when Akamaru added his own comments.
"How could he do that at his daughter's ceremony?" Ino still looked shocked. She could only imagine what she would feel like if something like that happened to her.
"OW-W-W-W-W-W-W-W!" Lee's eyes looked like they were on fire. "I wish I had been there, to stand up for your honor! We, the youth of Konoha know the flame that burns inside you. It is our job to fight for justice, just as you fought for their well-being!"
The others had similar sentiments to offer. They all looked on with some trepidation when Naruto turned his back, telling them that there was more. He had not wanted them to see the tears streaming down his face. But, they couldn't help but see the wet spots appearing on the leaves at his feet.
"The Kyuubi... the demon in the stories that we all heard growing up... it was not killed by the Fourth." Naruto clenched his fists. He didn't want his friends to hate him. He knew that he should have faith in them; but, with as many things as had gone wrong for him, he couldn't help but be pessimistic.
"Huh? Then what happened to it?" Kiba looked puzzled. "Something like that probably wouldn't just run away. If it did, it would probably come back to finish the job."
"Why would our parents lie to us that way?" Sakura began to feel very uneasy. She was afraid that she knew where Naruto was heading with this. It would explain some of the things she had seen her teammate do, and it would help make sense of some things that she had overheard by accident, while training with Tsunade and Shizune.
Shikamaru stared at Naruto. He put his hands in front of him, the way that he always did when he contemplated some great plan or dilemma. He too had his suspicions.
Neji stood stiffly, hurting for his friend. Once again, he found himself feeling a great deal of respect for Naruto. Many other people might have run from their problems, had they found themselves in a similar predicament. Naruto chose to think of the people that meant so much to him. That was the kind of ninja that the village should honor, not treat as an outcast.
"Yondaime sealed Nine Tails inside a baby." Naruto turned to face his friends. The demon was contained that way, but not killed.
"Who was the baby?" Sakura walked over to Naruto's side. She reached out and squeezed his hand. That gesture meant more to him than he could say. She took out a handkerchief and dabbed at some of his tears, whispering "Big baby."
Everyone listened intently.
"I was..." Naruto bowed his head. "The Kyuubi is inside of me." He closed his eyes.
His friends all spoke up at once. Most thought he was pulling their legs. They looked over at Neji who nodded his head.
"It's true." Shino spoke up. "The bugs have known. They told me long ago."
That comment had left Naruto speechless.
Lee had looked torn. He had heard stories about the demon, and grew to hate it the same way that he hated anything that harmed his village. But, he also knew Naruto, and admired his friend more than most people his age.
"Ruff! Ruff nnn ruff ruff yip ruff ruff ruff." Akamaru walked over and sat by Naruto, his tail wagging slowly.
"Akamaru's right," Kiba said, his eyes still looking a little wild. "Naruto is not Kyuubi.
Somewhat timidly, Choji had walked over and handed Naruto the remainder of his snacks. That simple gesture had brought tears to Naruto's eyes again.
It wasn't easy for the startled group of ninjas; but, they all fought whatever negative feeling they might have had, offering their support as best they could.
To Naruto, his friends were even more precious than they had been before.
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Naruto felt a tear run down his face.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE FRIENDS. THEY ARE A GREAT FOOD SOURCE WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE RUNS OUT
Nine Tail's helpful hint brought Naruto back to the question at hand. He had been little too late, however.
"Come on!" Jiraiya sounded frustrated. "Even you are smarter than this! A ninja needs to take into account night versus day... heat versus cold... the time of day or night... and the season at hand. Things like that. Simple, right?" The Frog hermit held up a cup of tea, but Naruto shook his head. "More for me, then. I wish it were sake instead." he thought a moment, rubbing his chin. "OK. Let's show a little effort here. If you do well, I'll buy you one of those double Popsicles. I know you like those." He looked at his pupil expectantly. "So, enlighten me."
Naruto opened his mouth to answer. The old pervert probably wanted him to say something about judging the nature of distance in a mission. He had heard that lecture before, but still didn't see how it mattered to him.
Instead, he fell back into his daydreams.
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Naruto had been talking with Kurenai when the Fifth's messengers found him.
Hinata's sensei had surprised Naruto by purposefully seeking him out. She had been a guest at the Hyuuga festival, seeing and hearing everything.
The full force of Tsunade's power had silenced the crowd, allowing her to have her say. Her words had obviously been heartfelt, but with a great sense of purpose and necessity. While there was no way to tell how everyone in the crowd may have felt when she was done, one thing was certain: no one would ever forget that speech. It would be one to tell the grandchildren about.
When the Hokage took Hiashi inside for her private admonishment, Kurenai had tried to console Hinata. The poor girl had been beside herself as one might expect. She was upset about the things that had taken place, but was also upset about the things that didn't happen. Looking Naruto in the eyes, Kurenai had told him that one thing in particular was torturing the poor girl.
"There was something she called out to you," Kurenai had said. "There was something that she wanted you to know."
"What?" Naruto could imagine many things that Hinata might have said.
"It's not for me to tell you," Kureani said, wondering if she had said too much already. "Let's just say that she cares very much about you. She was shocked by the truth her father revealed; but, that hasn't changed the way she thinks about you."
"Hinata." Naruto hung his head. It was good to know that; but, would it really matter? Hyuuga Hiashi's proclamation didn't leave much to the imagination.
"I know that it must have seem that everyone overlooked you, when you were younger." Kurenai looked somewhat contrite. She had never thought much of Naruto before his was a genin. "Hinata faced something similar, once her father sent her away to train under my guidance. I couldn't get her to have any faith in herself, no matter how hard I tried." She smiled, still looking troubled. "I never guessed that you would be the one to get through to her, even if you never knew you did."
"I guess I wasn't too bright, then." Naruto sighed. "Not that I'm much smarter now…"
Kurenai tossed a kunai at Naruto's feet. She smiled, seeing his reaction. "You're bright enough, I think. And, there are more important things. You should know that the jounin all think very highly of you. I think you know the reason why." She dared Naruto to gainsay her. He didn't. "There's a tremendous strength in that girl. In some ways, she may be the strongest one of us all."
"Yes," Naruto said. He looked down at his feet. Years ago, if asked who was the biggest liability amongst the shinobi, he would have mentioned Hianta. He might have been right. But, he doubted that was true any more. She might not have risen to the heights that some ninjas reached, but she made greater strides than most would ever have to make.
"Hinata's worried that you may think she hates you, or is afraid of you." Kurenai tapped a fingernail against her cheek. "It's not the truth about Kyuubi that keeps her awake all night. Her father's decree does that."
WE SHOULD WORK ON THAT
"Can you…" Naruto swallowed hard. "Could you please tell her I don't feel any differently about her?"
"I will," Kurenai promised.
"Maybe this is all for the better," Naruto said sadly. "Hinata's someone very special, but no one had really seen that yet. When they do, she would probably be better off with someone other than me."
"You're right. You're not much smarter now." Kurenai ruffled Naruto's hair. "Luckily, Hinata is. I think that she is smart enough to make her own decisions now, and will be even sure about her heart in the future." She looked Naruto in the eyes, speaking in a firm voice. "It's not like Uzumaki Naruto… Hokage to be… to back down from anything. Is it?"
Naruto shook his head. After they spoke for a few more minutes, he began to feel a bit of his impish nature return. He asked if Kurenai had cornered Kiba for the same talk that she had given him.
"Yes." Kurenai made a sour face. "It was much tougher than the talk I had with you. I needed explosive kunai!" She sighed. "Both Kiba and Akamaru sat through that one, and the dog was the more attentive of the two. He settled in after the first kunai. Kiba finally took things seriously when I told him that I would recommend that he be fixed and Akamaru be allowed to pass his genes along. I also had to make certain he was clear on one particular point."
"What was that?" Naruto asked.
"It's natural for Akamaru to think of females at bitches. It was best if Kiba did not use the word." Kurenai frowned.
SAY 'BITCH.' IT WILL BE A COMPLIMENT, WITH ME INSIDE
Naruto ignored Kyuubi. That was clever. He thanked Kurenai for her efforts. That was polite. But, feeling even more mischievous, he sand the song he had sung before. That wasn't the wisest decision.
"You were off key," Kurenai said, as she brushed the dirt and leaves off of her vest. There was a smoking rut ringing a blackened Naruto, from where her kunai detonated. "I'll let Hinata know that you're thinking about her. Good luck. With everything..."
The more that Naruto worried about people hating him, the more that he found how much some people truly cared.
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"Alright Ero-sennin. Give me the 'distance' talk."
Naruto folded his arms over his chest, smiling. He realized that Jiraiya cared for him too. But, that didn't mean he should make things easy for him. If life had to be difficult for Uzumaki Naruto, it should be difficult for the hairy pervert that kept swiping his money!
The Legendary Sennin grunted, deciding that a reply was pointless. Naruto was in one of those moods. "Distances must be considered, both great and small. Certain things are important to keep in mind. One should assess possible dangers and the level of security. One should pay particular attention to possible cover, and to the threat posed by narrow passes and similar terrain. All decisions should take into consideration the likelihood of success, failure, life and death. If you don't feel like you want to be bothered with such obvious things, be certain that a clever enemy will. Still with me?"
"Unfortunately." Naruto went to pour himself a cup of tea.
His sensei resumed talking, but Naruto never heard the words. Staring down at the tidy little fire, he thought about Hinata again.
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Naruto had thought about leaving camp.
When he had returned to his home away from home after the tragedy in Konoha, Jiraiya's reaction to the situation almost had him looking for another master.
"I am more worried about divisions amongst the great families," the Sannin had said. "That kind of thing could tear Konoha apart. It has come close, in the past. The part with the girl is sad, of course, as she seemed a rare breed. She didn't run when she saw you coming... laugh when she heard you speak... or look nauseous when you smiled at her. Seriously though, this is probably best for her in the long run. I mentioned that to you before, if you recall."
Naruto had scorched Jiraiya somewhat good, turning his white fluffy mane into a crackling bonfire. Angry, he asked if Jiraiya had eaten all of the marshmallows.
TOASTY
After that, he had surprised his teacher by disappearing completely. He had created a realm, and sat there for a number of days, neither eating nor sleeping. In a cave he had fashioned out of nothingness, he sat thinking about a certain white-eyed girl, occasionally stopping to take a drink of water. He replayed every moment he had spent with her, the more recent ones, and anything he could remember from the past. With painstaking penmanship, he wrote a number of letters to her that he knew he was prohibited from sending
Hinata.
When Naruto had left his self-enforced seclusion, he wandered about the town, visiting each of the spots that held poignant significance. He stopped by the place where he had run into Hinata, literally. He walked through the areas that he had chased her and that rabbit. He tried to remember where he had admitted that she was cute. He made it a point to make his way to each of the sites where they had run across their friends. And so forth and so on.
Everywhere he walked, he noticed girls that reminded him of Hinata. He had never done that before. With some, it was the hair. With others, the clothing. Some laughed like Hinata did. Others moved in similar ways. A couple of times, he had turned around quickly, thinking that he had actually seen her. He hadn't.
His heart heavy and his stomach empty, Naruto had stopped by a number of food stands, buying things that Hinata had wanted to eat on their memorable first date. Chicken. Fish. Beef. Lamb. Sticky buns. Flavored ice. Fruit cups. Even tofu. He didn't eat a single noodle, but somehow felt better.
Finished, and very sleepy, he jumped up onto the top of one of the taller buildings. His sensei would never look for him there. He wanted a nap. Looking up at the sky, he finally fell asleep. Before he did, he watched the clouds move slowly past.
A number of them had looked like Hinata.
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"Why me?"
Jiraiya took off one of his sandals and bounced it off of Naruto's head.
"If I had bought you in a pet shop, I could trade you in for a hamster or a ferret and feel like I came out ahead in the deal! Stop daydreaming! We'll be out here until I think this stuff sinks in."
Naruto sat up straight. He put his hands in his lap. He kept from yawning. That was the best that he could do.
"Now. Next. One must understand the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness. Not just in oneself and one's allies, but also in one's enemies. Similarly, one must contemplate the effects that come from the lack of such characteristics. Did I mention that paying attention is listed as a virtue? Moron."
"I have often said so myself." Naruto grinned, watching his master's face go through an amazing color change.
"Shit! They don't pay me enough." Jiraiya cursed. "In fact, they don't pay me at all." The Legendary Sannin looked over at Naruto's wallet, deciding that his pupil owed him more money for his efforts.
"We all get what we deserve," Naruto said. He had heard his sensei say that often enough. As the Frog Hermit moved on to his next topic, Naruto thought about one of the older ninja's old teammates.
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Tsunade's messengers had caught up with Naruto.
The ninjas had not requested that he accompany them. They ordered him to do so. That had started things off on a wonderful foot.
The Hokage had been waiting for him in her chambers. The tricorner hat sitting next to a huge stack of reports and papers than needed to be signed. She looked drawn and exceedingly tired.
"I'm very sorry, Naruto. That never should have happened. I was too slow." Tsunade shook her head.
"You tried, Old Lady. Kurenai told me. That's what matters. Guess I'm rubbing off on you, huh? Stick with Uzumaki Naruto, and we just might make a Hokage out of you yet!" Naruto tried to smile. He couldn't.
"I'm not certain I really want that position any more." Tsunade had picked up one particular piece of paper. She dropped it, like it had scorched her fingers.
"Hey, I know it's hard. But, when the going gets tough, the tough get going! Right?" Naruto had tried hard to sound like his old self. But, his usual optimism had wilted a bit. He too felt emotionally drained.
"It's not all the paperwork that I hate most," the Fifth had said. "It's doing what's right for Konoha, no matter what the cost."
Naruto had felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He wondered if Tsunade had even more good news to pass along.
"It's so difficult," the Hokage admitted. "Sometimes I have to make great sacrifices for myself. Even worse, I sometimes have to hurt one or more people to help many others."
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Naruto jerked, startled.
It was just as well. He had almost replayed a moment that would go down as one of the worst in his life. Or, at least that's how it felt then.
His face must have given him away, as it caused Jiraiya to return from the boulder he had jumped. The older man put a hand on his shoulder and asked "You're doing it again, aren't you?" He looked very tired himself at that moment.
Naruto nodded.
Jiraiya sat down next to him, putting his hands on his knees and hanging his head. "I have been in that same situation myself, at least in a general sense. Will it help if I say the pain will go away?"
"No." Naruto closed his eyes.
"Well, it will... and it won't. But, when the person who is forced to make that kind of decision is someone who cares about you, the choice hurts him or her too. Sometimes more than it hurts you." The great Sannin reached into his pocket, removed an apple, and then began peeling it with a kunai.
"If you say so." Naruto understood the truth of the words. It simply didn't matter much to him at that moment. He looked over at his master. "You didn't put her up to it, did you?"
The old hermit sighed. "No, I didn't." He held out a handful of apple slices. Naruto took one. "But, had she asked my council, I would have suggested she do exactly what she did. I would have done that, even knowing how much it would hurt her, and how much it would hurt you."
Naruto stared at the apple piece for a moment, before biting off half of it and chewing. "Sometimes it sucks, caring about people." Naruto finished off the rest of the first slice and took another. "It means you have more things that can hurt you."
"Yes," Jiraiya said glumly. "You and I are a lot alike. Sasuke and Orochimaru. Sakura and Tsunade. Great power and great responsibility. The best of luck and the worst."
The two men sat quietly for a while.
"Remember when you were tied to that post by your sensei?" The old pervert spoke first. "You told me how it felt when your teammates stood up for you, giving you some food." Jiraiya placed the remaining apple in Naruto's's hand. "It's good to have friends; but, those friends won't always do what you want. As long as they do what they think is right, I hope you can forgive them." He went on to tell Naruto about his own first day with Sandaime as his jounin, and how he had been the one who was tied to the post.
Naruto took a moment to look at Jiraiya in a different light. He wasn't just a remarkably powerful ninja, or a perverted old hermit. He was someone who had been through his own set of trials, as a genin, and later on.
"Alright. Touchy feely time is over. Let's get back to business." Jiraiya scratched his head and continued. "For any important mission, leaders of sufficient rank and experience are required, wherever possible. Those shinobi that are sent on solo missions must be up to the task, capable of meeting the assigned objective. Failure can have devastating effects. Not just for a captured or killed ninja, but for his entire clan or community. For some people, that might mean giving up the possibility of independent action, if the secrets they contain are too valuable risk. I am certain you see my point there."
"Yeh." Naruto clenched his fists. The meaning was obvious. Rather than comment about the unfairness of his situation, he lapsed back into his thoughts about Tsunade.
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Tsunade handed Naruto the piece of paper.
"Here. Read that. It pertains to you."
Naruto had started reading, wondering why it was necessary. His attitude bordered on flippant. But, by the time he had finished with the final word, he was numb.
"Y-You're not going to..."
Tsunade stared at him for a moment before nodding her head. Her face was sad, but her eyes were impossibly intense.
NOW SAY 'BITCH'
"But why? This isn't fair. You were there. None of that was my fault. It wasn't Hinata's fault either!" Naruto stood up, causing his chair to tip over behind him. "I thought you were my friend!"
"None of it has to do with your actions. If I were to act on my personal feelings, I would tear up that paper and shove it down Hiashi's throat, one piece at a time. When he shat it out, I would do it again!" Tsunade looked angry, the fingers on her hand blanching as she squeezed the edge of her huge desk. Slowly and deliberately, she put on the hat of her office.
Naruto didn't miss the significance of her action. He simply didn't give a damn. That stupid paper! It was formal request, written in hurried penmanship and delivered by the fastest runner in the Hyuuga household. It was the request for a restraining order. It was a formal request for an official and legally binding restraining order. It was a request for an order that, if broken, could lead to one's expulsion from the ranks of Konoha's citizens. Forever.
The gist was plain enough. Hiashi was asking Tsunade to make his decision a matter of law. He did not want Naruto to see his daughter again… ever… under any circumstances.
It also spelled out things quite precisely. There could be no written messages between the two. There would be no words passed through mutual acquaintances. Nothing.
"You're just worried about yourself!" Naruto had shouted, loud enough to cause Shizune to run into the room. Tsunade waved her away.
"Really? How?" Tsunade had looked like she was ready to chew nails and spit tacks. "Let's hear some of that legendary Uzumaki wisdom..."
"The old people in the Hyuuga clan always talk about how their group is one of the strongest and most important in Konoha. Who knows what they might do if you didn't sign the damn thing? Maybe they would force you out of office!"
"Right. As if they could. If they did, they would be doing me a favor. But I can't go back to being a wandering gambler. Too many people are depending on me." Tsunade spoke in a huff, wondering how that one boy could always get so far under her skin.
"Then why? If you don't have to do it, why will you?" Naruto had knocked aside the stack of papers, standing on the Hokage's desk, glaring down at her. "You owe me an answer!"
"No, I do not!" She held out one cocked finger, and then relaxed it. "I do my duty as I see fit. Like I told you, it's not easy being Hokage. You had better be careful what you wish for!"
"Why?" Naruto collapsed, sitting on the desk.
Tsunade sighed. She reached out and squeezed Naruto's hand.
"For Hinata."
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Once again, Naruto tried to concentrate on what his instructor was saying.
"All warfare is based on deception. For a ninja, that is especially true. I can't understand how any shinobi could develop a habit of attacking everything head on, after making some kind of boast or unrealistic claim. Sound like anyone you know?" Jiraiya looked up at the sky.
Naruto just sat and scowled.
"Just keep this in mind. Misdirection is a weapon in itself. When you are able to attack, it may help to seem unable. When you are active and on the move, it may be useful to seem inactive. When you are near your foe, you must make the enemy believe you are far away. When far away, you must make him believe you are near. I would think that concepts like these would be a tasty meal to a prankster who has outgrown his baby teeth." Jiraiya smiled when he saw Naruto's eyes light up for a moment. He frowned when he saw his student shrug.
"OK. Got it." Naruto knew he should be more attentive. It was too hard, caught up in his reminiscing.
"Wonderful. Glad to see you're so anxious to learn. Well, what else might be effective?" Jiraiya didn't wait for an answer. He knew that there wouldn't be one. "How about holding out baits to entice the enemy? It may serve a ninja well to feign disorder, and then crush an overconfident or incautious enemy. I hope you realize that you should be looking at all this from both sides of the fence. What you can do to others, they may try to do to you." Jiraiya scowled. Performing a jutsu, he created a small swamp directly underneath Naruto. When he saw the disgruntled boy sink up to his neck, he decide to take another tack. It probably wouldn't work; but, it would make him feel a little better.
"NARUTO! I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME ALL OF YOUR POSSIBLE ATTENTION!"
The shout echoed far and wide. Birds took to the wing. Deer ran out of cover, and then fled.
"Right, boss!" Naruto smiled. Pulling his muck covered arms out of the murky water, he worked his own jutsu. Dozens of Narutos popped into view. Dropping down from trees and sliding off of boulders, they came to sit around Jiraiya. Each put its head on its fist, then stared up at the hermit smiling.
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but just shook his head. Smiling, he started anew. "There are other things to consider. What is the nature of the enemy? If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior in overall strength, evade him. If your opponent is easily angered, seek to irritate him. If you pretend to be weak, there are those that may grow arrogant. Speaking of arrogant, you haven't by chance attempted to sneak a look at the Scroll of the Forbidden Seals, have you? I made that mistake once, and do not suggest that anyone reach for too much too soon."
Naruto came close to choking. That idiot hermit hit the mark without knowing it. Or, did he somehow get wind of his prior actions? When he didn't answer, Jiraiya raised one eyebrow. He thought about grilling his apprentice, but figured it wouldn't do any good to chastise him, given his current state of mind. There would be time for that later.
"Hmmmm. I gotta take a leak. That ought to give you a moment to rest your ears. Don't go anywhere." Jiraiya walked from view. He shouted back to the multitude of Naruto clones. "Nobody peak!"
Naruto chuckled. Jiraiya certainly had a sense of humor. He would give his teacher that!
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO
'Shut up!'
Eventually, the clones popped out of existence. Alone, Naruto thought about Hinata again. He wondered what she was doing at that moment. Was she locked in her room? Could she at least wander outside in that courtyard? He swallowed hard, hoping that her father wasn't being cruel to her. Hyuuga Hiashi. How he hated that man at the moment. He wished that he could have filled that courtyard with hundreds of clones, watching as they beat the living shit out of him.
He could understand how Hinata's father could hate Kyuubi after losing his sister and parents. But, why did he hate the boy who was cursed to carry that beast? Would there ever be any way to change the opinion of a man like that? Should he hold on to any hope at all, or was he just fooling himself? He wanted to see the good in Hyuuga Hiashi, and not just because he was his girlfriend's father. An old proverb came to mind.
'Forgiving the unrepentant is like drawing pictures on water'.
Rubbing his eyes, Naruto wondered if he should stop being so kind-hearted. But, it was his perseverance in the face of adversity that seemed to win him his friends. He didn't want something like this to change him.
'My son is my son till he gets him a wife, but my daughter's my daughter all the days of her life'.
That proverb sounded reasonable at first. He would like to think that Hinata's father was acting to protect his daughter. But, he probably wasn't acting on Hinata's behalf. It was possible that he loved her dearly, and that his feelings for her would help him see what Hinata saw. Somehow, he didn't see any reason to hold out much hope for that.
'Toudai Moto Kurashi.'
Now, why did he think of that proverb? Better yet, why was he suddenly fixated on the damn things? At least it gave him something to think about. Some might read that as 'Darkness reigns at the foot of the lighthouse'.
Naruto thought of a large lighthouse he had once seen standing on the top of a cape. The light was bright far at sea, but had been more shadowy and darker the closer one got to the tower itself. In that form, the proverb meant that familiar things go unnoticed whereas unfamiliar circumstances are easily perceived, or that people tend to lose sight of their surroundings when they are looking forward.
Would people always lose sight of Uzumaki Naruto, because they are too busy thinking about Kyuubi the Nine Tailed fox demon? Would they always remember the death and destruction caused by that horrible monster, only to overlook the good things that one young man strove to accomplish?
Naruto remembered something else. The origin of the proverb is not today, the lighthouse which stands on the cape. In ancient times, villagers used candles as lighting equipment. The candle that stands with a long stem was called toumeitou, or in short, toudai. The candles were obviously not as bright as the light bulbs in current use. Therefore, underneath the toumeitou was very dark, and people often knocked down the toumeitou because they could not see its stem very well. It was not uncommon to have a fire start at such occasion. Hence, beneath the toumeitou there was unnoticeable danger.
Naruto could relate to that. He remembered running home one starry night after a late training session. He tried to watch the stars as he ran, but smacked hard into a light pole.
He wondered if that was how Hiashi saw him. Maybe he was worried about the dark things that might be hiding under the obvious. It was hard to blame the man for feeling that way. What if he himself was a father? How would he feel in a similar situation? No, not just a father, but also a clan chief. What if he had to worry about the lives of many people?
He chewed on the inside of his lip for a few moments. He could think of another practical example of that proverb. He often misplaced things in his room, back when he lived in the dormitory. Typically, it would be something that he was just using a minute or so before. He would look all over for it, only to find it right under his nose! There is nothing wrong about staring into a distance, but he should remember to look nearby first. Why couldn't people see who he was, instead of worrying what he might turn out to be?
The proverb also seems to warn that people tend to overlook important things that exist not only outside of them, but also inside of them and others. Iruka had managed to look inside of Naruto. So had his other friends. Were they destined to be the exception, or could they someday be the rule?
"Crap. If I have to remember proverbs, why can't I remember any positive ones?" Naruto kicked at a stone on the ground. He cursed loudly. It had only looked like a stone on the ground. Actually, it was a large rock buried deep in the ground. Was that another example of the f-cking light house proverb?
'Fall seven times, stand up eight.'
Hey. That's more like it. That sounds like the perfect saying for Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage. He would need to be able to stand no matter what blows he took, if he wanted to protect an entire village.
'The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.'
Hmmm. That made sense in a way. He could get through this. Who knows what might happen if he was patient. There was no way to run in, fight Hyuuga Hiashi, and then steal Hinata away like the maiden in some ancient tales. But, if he bided his time, who knows what might happen?
'Unless you enter the tiger's den you cannot take the cubs.'
Wait a minute. Wasn't that one at odds with the last proverb. It meant that one cannot get what he wants unless he is willing to take the necessary risks. Well, which one made more sense? Should he use every trick in the book, trying to see Hinata secretly? This proverb sounded a lot more bold, while the other one sounded kind of cowardly. But, he remembered what Jiraiya had said. 'I can't understand how any shinobi could develop a habit of attacking everything head on, after making some kind of boast or unrealistic claim. Sound like anyone you know?' Damn. It served him right, searching for easy answers in any kind of saying.
"That's enough of that for one day. I'm too tired to make sense of things. No more proverbs!"
WHEN THE TIME COMES, EVEN THE RAT BECOMES A TIGER
Naruto hung his head. Him and his big mouth. He had that one coming.
The bushes rustled. With one smooth action, Naruto filled two hands with shuriken. He relaxed. It was just Jiraiya.
"Hey, Naruto. Want to hear a proverb I just made up? 'The longer the lizard, the greater the man!' Hah. Know what I mean?" Jiraiya smirked.
Kyuubi chuckled. Naruto's eyes narrowed and he mouthed the word 'proverb' like it was a curse. He threw all of the shuriken, neatly outlining his master's shape on the tree behind him.
"No Popsicle for you, brat!" Jiraiya measured just how close he had come to being soprano. His eyes widened. "I'm pissed out. You're pissed off. It looks like a good time to get back to learning."
Naruto sighed. This just wasn't his day. If it wasn't proverbs, it was a long-winded discourse on strategy and tactics. He knew that he should be eager. He realized how important the topics were. He even felt gratitude for his sensei's intentions. With the way he felt inside, he didn't know if he could pay attention.
"Perhaps the highest forms of strategy is to balk the enemy's plans. The next best thing is to prevent the effective coordination and joining of the enemy's forces. After that, the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field. The worst policy of all is to besiege a well-defended foe. For you, avoiding capture by Akatsuki is job number one. Keep in mind, they only want you alive. They probably have no requirement that you be intact, capable of thought, or in a happy frame of mind! Stay away from ramen bowls in the forest!" Jiraiya frowned when Naruto remained silent. "I want you to listen to me, Naruto. You are still prone to rash thinking. And, you have so much love for those you care about, you may end up vulnerable because of it. Think about that, with this point in mind: supreme excellence involves breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. You can't let your heart and spirit be too easy a target."
Naruto sighed again. He couldn't win. If he pretended to be learning something, Jiraiya would view it as a golden opportunity and speak until he was hoarse. If, on the other hand, he kept acting sullen and uninterested, his master would try even harder to get through to him. No doubt he would try either threats or bribery next.
"Let's play a game, Naruto. A right answer wins a bowl of noodles. Now, does my best and only student remember what teacher said were the five essentials for victory?" Jiraiya smirked. If Naruto won, he would get noodles alright. Jiraiya had snuck more money out of the boy's savings. Tuition was more expensive these days. "Number one..." Jiraiya held up one finger.
"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight." Naruto repeated something he had heard ad nauseum.
"Good. Very good. That's one bowl of noodles for Jiraiya's bright boy. Alright, number two..." He held up another finger.
"He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces." Naruto did feel slight touch of eagerness. He was hungry. That damn tuber certainly hadn't filled him up.
"Not bad. Not bad at all. Two bowls of noodles. Next..." There were three fingers up.
"He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks."
"Keep that up and I will take you to do more 'research' with me. That might get your mind off of that girl for a while. Three bowls of noodles. Number four... "A fourth finger unfolded.
"He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. Jerk!" The mention of 'that girl' did not sit well with Naruto.
"Good. You might be fit to polish the Fourth's boots after all. Two bowls of noodles!" The older ninja didn't care much for that 'jerk' comment. "And the final essential is…"
Naruto sat quietly. Very slowly, he gave his teacher the finger.
"Alright, crabby. This is for five bowls of noodles." Jiraiya offered.
"He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by his superiors." Naruto folded his arms across his chest and stared at Jiraiya.
"I'm not certain why you're giving me that look. But, you did very well. Let's do a little fill in the blank. This saying is pertinent: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear..."
"The result of a hundred battles." Naruto nodded. These were easy enough.
"Right. Six bowls. I never realized I was such a good teacher. Here's another: If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained..."
YOU WILL HAVE WON ONE MORE
Naruto ignored the wise-ass demon. "You will also suffer a defeat."
"That's correct." Jiraiya wiggled seven fingers. "Here's the last one: If you know neither the enemy nor yourself..."
"You will succumb in every battle." Naruto hoped that would be the end of things until after lunch. The thought of noodles had gotten his belly to start rumbling.
"Excellent. Let's move on while you're actually being attentive." Jiraiya frowned when Naruto smacked himself on the forehead protector. "If what I hear is true, you always wanted to be the best, even when you were the last in class, Right? Well, here's a learning point for you: the best shinobi have always put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."
WE'RE BOTH HUNGRY. LET ME OUT, AND I WILL EAT HIM
"Tempting," Naruto mumbled.
"What was that?" The Frog Hermit put his hands on his hips. "Did you say something?" When Naruto shook his head, he continued. "As I said, the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. Here's the punch line: the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory."
As his sensei's voice droned on, Naruto thought back to his time in the Hokage's office.
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"For Hinata," Tsunade had said.
"How is breaking Hinata's heart going to help her? Huh? Why not just give her a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it?" Naruto had been livid. He didn't like being talked to like he was a simpleton.
"Do you want to talk, or rave like a hot-headed little twerp?" The Hokage raised one eyebrow. When Naruto remained silent, she continued. "I am limiting the length of the restraining order. It will be in effect only as long as Akatsuki exists, or has any interest in Kyuubi. Destroy them, and you solve your problem. Find a way to make Kyuubi useless to them, and you have done the same."
"What? Wonderful! That makes me feel so much better. How long might that be?" Naruto grabbed one of the remaining pieces of paper on the desk and began making a paper bird. He had great difficulty, given how hard his hands were shaking.
"So you can keep your temper down just a bit. I'm impressed. You might just end up being worthy of a Hyuuga girl after all. I suppose that by the time you finally mature, Hanabi will be looking for a boyfriend." Tsunade laughed at the expression on Naruto's face, but soon serious again. "It may seem like forever, Naruto. In the worst case scenario, it might be. But I'm certain that Jiraiya must have warned you about the danger your existence poses to those you get particularly close to."
"Yes." Naruto tossed the bird and watched it fly.
"That's why this will be in Hinata's best interest." The Hokage watched Naruto's face, not the object he had thrown.
"I guess so," Naruto said sadly. By some bad stroke of luck, the bird landed on the Forbidden Scroll. Involuntarily, he jerked and swallowed hard.
Tsunade followed his gaze and then frowned. Her eyes opened wider for an instant, and then narrowed. "In any case… like it or not… I will sign the paper after I add my own proviso." She tapped her long fingernails against her desk top. "Now, let's change the subject. Is there something you would like to tell me? Maybe about the day we had our last chat?"
Naruto hung his head. Knowing that he was well caught, he told the Hokage everything.
Tsunade expressed her disappointment, but said that she would withhold punishment, pending reconsideration, since Naruto had already been through quite a lot. "You are like a great explosive seal, waiting for someone to step on, do you know that?" Tsunade rubbed her temples.
Naruto nodded.
"We are all doing our best to train you, and to protect you. But, there is no way to guarantee success." Tsunade paused a moment, as if considering the wisdom of her decision. "It might be best to teach you another forbidden technique, if you are willing to risk a learning-jutsu with me at your side." The look in Tsunade's eyes clearly said that she did not really want to follow through with things, but still thought it the best course of action.
"OK," Naruto said. "It's another one of those 'It's tough to be the Hokage' decisions, right?"
"Yes." Tsunade nodded.
Naruto sat with the Hokage, ready to learn the jutsu, Great null-seal combo. It was a theoretical jutsu, in that it had never been used. If the Hokage's suspicion was correct, the jutsu would seal Kyuubi temporarily, after someone else managed to release the Great Seal. It would also end Naruto's life, preventing any further attempt at the demon.
SHE IS TRYING TO TRICK YOU, IDIOT. IT'S MERELY A WAY TO GET YOU TO KILL YOURSELF
'Afraid it might work, chatterbox?'
Kyuubi had withheld his protection from the effects of the learning jutsu, either out of fear or spite. When Naruto was able to walk, Tsunade led him to the healing center. He would need an I.V. and a few hours of observation. By that time, the vomiting, dizziness, and chills should be gone.
Naruto's stamina came to his aid again. He was feeling better sooner than anyone expected. Just the same, he lay in the hospital bed for a while, staring out of the window.
He would have given anything, if a certain girl could have stopped by and brought him flowers.
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"Ouch. Shit!"
Naruto bit his tongue hard, after Jiraiya smacked him hard over the head with a stick, multiple times in quick succession.
"Why the Hell did you do that!"
"Phrenology. I'm going to read your future." The older ninja ran his fingers over the bumps on his student's head. "I'm almost finished with the day's lecture. If you don't listen, I will go back to Konoha and take that girl drinking with me!" His chuckle had Naruto scowling.
Naruto nodded. The sooner things were done, the better. He would just grin and bear it.
"You have always been a good trickster. You have gotten yourself into bad situations, but always seemed to be lucky enough to find a way out. That may not work against a group as formidable as Akatsuki. Not only will you need to be calmer and more controlled, you will need think ahead. Also, now that know a large number of jutsus, it is important that you stop relying so much on Kage Bunshin, Henge, and Rasengan, even though you've managed to improve each of those remarkably. Don't simply repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory. Be certain that The Nine have studied your habits, knowing them just as well as I do. If you stick to the same old stuff, they will be ready for you. Never doubt that!"
"I understand. That makes a lot of sense." Naruto smiled. It did make a lot pf sense, especially since he had a number of talents that his master knew nothing about. For a moment, he felt guilty, wanting to tell Jiraiya about his Kyuubi powers. He decided not to. What good would it do?
"The lunch hour approaches. That would be a good time for a break, I think. I will leave you to train more, while I go into town to work on reclaiming our popularity. I know just where to start. In a few hours time, seek me out, and I will buy you those noodles." Jiraiya smiled. It had been a few days since he had visited the ladies. It wasn't fair to deprive them of his presence. "We'll go over one more thing first. There are five dangerous faults which may affect your decision making in battle." The Frog Hermit put one finger up. "First, recklessness. Sooner or later, that will lead to destruction." A second finger was held up. "Second, cowardice. That can lead to capture." A third finger joined the other two. "Hasty temper. It is dangerous to be provoked by insults." There were now four fingers showing. "Being too delicate in one's honor. That will make one sensitive to shame." The older ninja formed a closed fist and shook it at Naruto. "Over-solicitude for the men in one's charge. That exposes a leader to worry and trouble, and may hamper his ability to plan effectively." Jiraiya spoke very sternly. "I know how much you value your friends, Naruto. I was the same way, when I was younger. I made certain that I never let a comrade die if I could help it. But, when the stakes get very high, that kind of feeling may not be to your credit. It's one thing to fall yourself. It's an entirely different thing when your village fall with you."
Naruto nodded. That made sense to his head. Would his heart every buy into it?
"Well, that's it." Hearing no response, Jiraiya sarcastically said "You're welcome!"
When Jiraiya had run off down the mountain, Naruto went for a walk through the forest, hoping to clear his mind. A loud whistling noise seemed to come out of nowhere. He did a quick tuck and roll, and tried to pinpoint any possible source of danger. An arrow inbedded itself in a nearby tree.
Somebody was trying to kill him!
No, if they had wanted that, they would have maintained stealth. That kind of arrow was often used by property owners to chase stray dogs or other animals off of their land. In this case, it was probably meant to get his attention.
He pulled out the arrow. A rolled up note was attached. He read it. Both the note and the arrow dropped to the ground. The author was unnamed. But Naruto had a good idea from whence the arrow came: Akatsuki.
They had Hinata.