A Shattered Demon Child

Part 9

Tsunade had known Kakashi since he was young, back when the Forth Hokage was alive. Before she left, she had to help Minato with Kakashi and had to deal with other ninja in similar situations. He was one of the worst cases she'd ever seen, and thankfully, Naruto wasn't any worse than Kakashi was when he was young. Before Tsunade left, Kakashi was at a similar point like Naruto. It absolutely broke her heart to watch her surrogate brother hurting, and there was no way for her to fix this, to heal him when he had to understand that getting better was something he had to work through, something he couldn't do alone.

Looking at the now older Kakashi, Tsunade could see the pain in his eye. He really cared for Naruto, even if he played it off lightly most of the time. While their personalities were very different, Kakashi and Naruto acted similar to each other when they were caught in their destructive activities and hobbies. It was a miracle Kakashi was still sane, considering his life, but somehow, he pulled it all together and kept face. Considering they both had painful backgrounds, Kakashi was the best guardian for Naruto. He knew all the tricks and behaviors to watch out for. And then, a realization hit Tsunade.

"You told him about your past, didn't you?" Tsunade asked with her arms crossed, a soft expression on her face.

Kakashi didn't move when he spoke. "Yeah. It seemed to get through to him... Kind of."

The blond woman's face fell. "You're doing good, Kakashi. Right now, he needs someone who can understand him. Yelling at him and guilt tripping him will do nothing but cause more damage. We don't need to cause more distress, he needs understanding. If we can show him that he's not alone and that there are people who understand how he feels and why he feels this way, we can help him."

"You're right, Lady Tsunade. Minato-sensei would know better than me, but I at least know how he would deal with this situation, as he did with me. I just wonder if it's enough," the copy ninja confessed, tired physically and mentally.

Kakashi paused and asked, "Do you really think Naruto training with Jiraiya will do some good for him? What if he thinks we're just trying to get rid of him or that he's just a burden to us?"

Tsunade shrugged and said, "Yes, that is a possibility that we've already thought about. It is a major concern we have, however, that will all depend on Naruto. He and Jiraiya seem to have a bond, Jiraiya really does care for him and Naruto enjoys the training with him and the stuff they do together. Spending time with that old pervert might do him a lot of good. Most importantly, it will get him away from all of this, get him out of here to show him the outside world. Not only will he get his training he's been begging for, but out of this negative atmosphere around him."

Kakashi gave her a small nod, feeling guilty and worried for the boy as he had no idea how this would go in the slightest. While it was going to be an adjustment to say the least, he would miss the young boy while he was gone. Knowing Naruto, he could be persuaded to go with Jiraiya for training, but it would take time, Kakashi theorized. The blond would feel hurt at first, but hopefully, he'd come to his senses and take the offer, as Jiraiya did believe him to be a skilled shinobi and he could surpass Minato.

"I hope we're right and he'll take the offer. It would be great for him," Kakashi breathed, letting a sigh slip out.

Tsunade nodded and said, "I know he will. He's still Naruto, after all."

The copy ninja smiled under his mask and said, "Yes, thankfully."

After their talk, Kakashi returned home to look for Naruto, hoping he hadn't run off like Kakashi told him not to do without asking first. When he opened the door to his apartment, the main lights were on. Kakashi's eyes both narrowed as he tried to sense Naruto's chakra. He investigated Naruto's room only to find it was dark and void of Naruto. Kakashi looked around for any traces of blood, and found none to his relief. He let out a sigh of relief before he summoned Pakkun and his ninken.

"What's up, boss?" Pakkun greeted after appearing at the front of the pack of dogs.

Kakashi answered, "I need you guys to find Jiraiya and tell him Naruto's not here. Locate Naruto if you can and direct Jiraiya to him. After that, report back when Jiraiya is with Naruto and make sure Naruto is safe."

A familiar blond sat alone at the top of the Fourth Hokage's carved head, looking down at the village below. He watched with a somber expression on his face as his clouded and gloomy thoughts began to swirl in his head once again. Throughout his life, Naruto never thought he'd understand what being loved was like, to be cared for. He felt as if he might belong somewhere, even if that place wasn't perfect or everything he'd ever wanted. With Sasuke gone, he was left reminded that he failed to save the only person who truly knew his pain, knew how he struggled everyday with being alone and having no one.

His eyes saddened at the idea that he'd never be strong enough to bring his rival home to the village again. Naruto sat motionlessly as the wind began to blow from behind him. There was no quick fix, there was no easy solution to the situation. He had no time to waste sitting around doing nothing, he had to go out there and do something, train, anything to progress and have a better chance at bringing Sasuke back and beating some sense into him.

"There's my apprentice! I finally found you," Jiraiya exclaimed as he suddenly appeared in front of Naruto.

The blond blinked and looked up at the old toad sage, genuinely surprised at the sudden appearance. The sage was kneeling down in front of him, one arm resting on his knee. The dark eyed sage paused and flashed him a grin. Naruto adjusted himself and began to wonder why all of a sudden Pervy Sage was dropping in when he told Naruto he would be gone on business for the next few weeks doing research for his books, and looking into the Akatsuki while he traveled around.

"I thought you left already on a trip! What are you doing here, Pervy Sage?" Naruto asked.

Jiraiya smirked and said, "I couldn't leave without my apprentice, could I?"

"What?!"

The old sage nodded and said excitedly, "You wanna get stronger, don't you? Come with me for a while and come see the other nations. Every hero needs training, and now is the perfect time."

Naruto crossed his arms and raised an eye brow at the sage. "How do I know this isn't a trick? How do I know that the village didn't decide this was their way to get rid of me?"

Jiraiya's grin faded and he answered in a serious tone, "You said you wanted to bring Sasuke back, didn't you? If you want to surpass Sasuke and become Hokage, you need to train, and it's going to be hard, but you could always stay here if you want, but nothing will change. This village will someday look to you to protect them, and in order to do that, you need to be stronger, to train harder. If you want to be my apprentice and train, come with me. If you want to stay here and wonder what you could be learning beside me, it's your choice."

Naruto sighed and asked, "What will change if I leave? The village will still hate me, all because of the damn Nine-Tails sealed inside me!"

Jiraiya nodded and said, "That's exactly why I want you to come with me. Prove them wrong, Naruto, show them who you really are, make them believe in you like you made me believe. You have potential to surpass all the previous Hokage, and I know you can, but only if you come with me. Sitting here and feeling sorry for yourself won't make anything change, but if you get out there an try, you will be doing something to make change possible."

The blue-eyed boy nodded and said dully, "I just... I don't know if you should believe in me. What good have I done as a shinobi? What good have I done?"

The toad sage sighed. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Naruto. You put on that big smile and fake your way through it, but deep down, you don't even appreciate yourself for what you've done for others. You convinced Tsunade to return to the village and be Hokage, you inspire your friends to work harder and to do what's right, even if it means breaking the rules. You see the world as a dark, lonely place, and you still protect the world who gave you so much grief to make them see they're wrong. They are wrong, Naruto, you're an amazing kid who will do amazing things for the village, maybe even for the world some day. You've done more than your share, you've lived a hard life, and you deserve to live your dream and make it come true."

The young shinobi was quite as he felt his breathing halt. Was Jiraiya right, could he really do good for the village? Did his master really see so much potential in him, even if he was young and worthless in his current state? Naruto contemplated the idea and realized at the very least, he'd be away from the people who hated and resented him out of fear. Leaving with Jiraiya seemed more and more interesting until a question popped into his mind.

Naruto asked unknowingly, "Are you trying to get rid of me? Is the village trying to keep me away? Is that what this is?"

Jiraiya shook his head and said, "This isn't about them, this is about you, Naruto. This place is toxic and harmful to you, and I think some time away training is just what you need to become stronger. It's not forever, just for a few years while we wait for the Akatsuki to make their next move. In that time, you need to get stronger, to stop them and bring Sasuke home."

Naruto nodded and said, "I understand. Alright, Pervy Sage, I'll go with you."

Jiraiya smiled and said, "That's the spirit, kid! I'll give you a day or two to get your stuff together and say goodbye to your friends, and after that, your training will begin."

Partly, Naruto was excited that Jiraiya wanted to travel and train him, but he was also sad. He'd be leaving for a long time, and in that time, maybe things would change when he returned home once again. He figured the others wouldn't miss him as much as he'd miss seeing his friends that have learned to accept Naruto for who he was. Without Sasuke there, a shadow would remain in his place instead that upset the other rookies who graduated along side Team Seven from the academy. The uneasy feeling still loomed in the air weeks after the fight at the Valley of The End.

Naruto looked up at Jiraiya and asked, "Do Granny and Kakashi-sensei know?"

The sage nodded and said, "I talked with them about it beforehand, and before we leave, we're going to meet with them and Iruka at the Hokage's office before we go. In the meantime, stay the next few nights with Kakashi and go with him to your apartment to make sure you have everything."

"What about when I come back? Will you guys let me live in my apartment again?" Naruto asked as he crossed his arms.

His master nodded. "If things go well, then yes, I can arrange that with Tsunade. After all, you'll be more mature in a few years and almost an adult at that. This will be good for you, Naruto. I promise."

Naruto smiled weakly and replied, "Sounds like we have a deal then. It might be kinda nice to get out the village for a while, ya know?"

Jiraiya nodded and smiled warmly, "It'll be awesome, after all, you'll be with Jiraiya, the Toad Sage!"

The blond laughed softly and said, "Alright, Pervy Sage."

"Didn't we talk about this already? Stop calling me that!"

"I wouldn't call you that if you weren't a pervert, ya know! Least I don't peep on the ladies at the hot spring!"

Jiraiya crossed his arms and said firmly, "And I'm not the one who decided to sneak out without permission knowing well that you should've told Kakashi where you were going. He sent me to come find you."

Naruto felt guilty for running off. "Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you guys. I just wanted to get out and clear my head is all."

The sage nodded and said, "I figured. I do have to ask though; did you hurt yourself?"

Naruto shook his head and answered quietly, "No, I haven't. I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yep."

...Nope.

Hello again! More reviews are still coming in, and thank you for all of them, you guys are super sweet! I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story so far, and thanks for being patient with the very slow updates that happen like once a year at this point. I hope you guys are enjoying it and I hope everyone is doing well. I'm trying to work more on the stories, but adulting is exhausting, ya know? I'm hoping to start a Boruto fanfiction that is in the same series as A Shattered Demon Child and also Secrets of the Copy Ninja, because there's no Boruto angst dammit! I need content, I NEED IT! So, let me know your thoughts below on the story so far and don't forget to check out my other Naruto stories!

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