"Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or this story idea
Chapter 18- Aftermath and a new mission
Naruto looked at himself in the mirror he was dressed in all black even his headband's cloth was changed to black. Today was a village wide day of mourning and everyone was expected to be in front of the Hokage's residence to mourn the Hokage's passing. He died in the Invasion, using a jutsu that took his life as the price. At least he did manage to bring justice to his former student. In his last act as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi managed to kill Orochimaru who's body was being disected and poured over by a full team of analysts even now a week after he was killed.
Naruto locked up his apartment, the same one the third Hokage gave him when he was a kid scrounging around in the streets after the orphanage had kicked him out. As he walked down the street that was curtained off in some parts due to the on going rebuilding efforts. He made it to the funeral procession and stood in the back. He could see all the rookies, their sensei's, the Hokage's remaining family and his two teammates turned advisors at the head of the event.
Naruto wasn't sure what he felt when thinking of the Hokage. He had been kind and generous where precious few had been. However, he didn't really know the man all that well and while he would mourn the man he would mourn for all of the lives lost in an arrogant man's play for power. When it was his turn to place a white white rose for those lost in the tragedy he did so, but without the feeling they were meant to represent. He didn't want to be cold or unfeeling towards the man's death or any of theirs, but none of the people that died held a place in his heart.
With the proceedings over Naruto met up with his team all team activities were halted for the time being meaning they were on their own. That didn't stop them for meeting up on their own and at times like this. The other rookie squads were meeting up as well. It was nice to relax a little after what happened, but Naruto was itching to get back to training. There were several things he wanted to improve upon and after Jiraiya showed him the Shadow Clone Technique he had figured out the secret, but Jiraiya hadn't wanted him to over use it then. Now he was on his own and free to experiment.
In the morning Naruto went to Training Ground Three and walked onto the water. Once in the middle of the lake he created two shadow clones and directed them to use the Tree Climbing Practice while fighting only using basic taijutsu. He created two more with one facing east and the other west and had them walk an equal distance away before sitting on the water and practicing their water manipulation technique. Naruto then created five water clones, having them pair off with the last one facing him. Naruto then created two more shadow clones and had them walk to shore and practice their wind manipulation.
With that set Naruto and the water clones raced around the lake they would then get into a fight using the wild water wave jutsu and a second jutsu the water gun. Apparently it was a jutsu taught to Jiraiya by his Toad summons and meant to be used inconjuction with one of them. However, Naruto had already signed the Cheetah contract and even if he could have more contracts Naruto didn't want the Toad contract.
Meanwhile, with the Toad user.
"The Hidden Leaf Village... has a high average score" Jiraiya remarks.
Currently the Toad Sage was crouched on a balcony peeping at women in a bath across the street. Even with all the damage to the buildings across the village most building had survived more or less entact including some of the public baths, which made them easy prey for the pervert. Which also kinda made him easy to find.
"You're still doing such a ridiculous thing?" Homura Mitokado chides the man.
"Well, yes, this is my research" Jiraiya says with no shame still peeping at the unknowing women.
"Old man Homura and Koharu sensei, huh" Jiraiya says turning to face them sense he knew they wouldn't leave him be.
"I wonder what the advisers want from me?" Jiraiya questions.
"Surely you know ... without our telling you, don't you?" Homura says.
Seeing as the mode was ruined Jiraiya stands to face the advisor council.
"Come on you two, you don't have to make such scary faces do you?" Jiraiya responds with a good guy smile.
"I heard that talks with the Sand Village were settled without problems" Jiraiya says.
"The Hidden Village in the Sand announced that basically everything was Orochimaru's fault" Homura says.
"So with the Snake dead and his body being dissected, they want to claim no culpability" Jiraiya surmises.
"In addition, at the moment, they are giving us their complete surrender there were some key sticking points. Like returning the ones that were captured including him" Homura adds.
"Yes, well he's still alive. The seperation was done without any problems. From what I've been told I doubt they actually want him back, they want it back, their weapon" Jiraiya says.
"That's not our problem, we will deal with the issue of it after this is done" Homura finishes.
"Unfortunately conditionally or not the Leaf Village has no choice, but to accept their surrender and proposition in order to restore national power" Koharu Utatane says.
"The current strength of the Leaf Village has dropped drastically. Under these conditions our top priority must be to prepare for any unpredicted crisis"Homura says.
"We don't know when any of the neighboring nations will come out in a bold move. Therefore we have decided, that until the village get's it's strength back, we should assemble the few top men from each troop, and form an emergency executive committee to handle this. But first ... we need a strong, trustworthy leader.
You can find the seeds of trouble rolling around everywhere these days. It was not just Orochimaru, his death and Sarutobi's sacrifice changed little" Koharu says.
"Geez, you didn't have to go through the trouble of informing me of that" Jiraiya responds.
He retrieves his spy glass and attempts to go back to his peeping.
"If that's all I'm going to continue gathering material" Jiraiya says.
"I'm going to tell you the basic plan. We need the 5th Hokage right away" Homura continues.
"And yesterday at an emergency meeting with fuedal lord of the Land of Fire, we decided it would be you Jiraiya" Koharu informs him.
"Well I'm sorry, but it's not in my nature" Jiraiya responds.
"It has been decided. Besides, if a shinobi like you, renowned as a Sannin, is not ... then who is?" Homura asks.
At this Jiraiya stands back up and turns to show he's serious.
"If you want a Sannin, there is one more left ... that Tsunade" Jiraiya reminds them.
Homura and Koharu look at each other and then back at Jiraiya.
"Certainly that child probably has the capability, but ..." Koharu says.
"No one currently knows where she is" Homura finishes.
"I'll find her and bring her back. If I do that ... there's no problem right?" Jiraiya inquires.
"But ..." They try to argue.
"A wise one like Tsunade is meant to be Hokage more than a man like me, who has no motivation. Now what do you want to do" Jiraiya says looking at them with steely edge.
Seeing as they couldn't force him into the position, the advisors had no choice.
"Alright, we'll give it urgent consideration. However, we will have three members from the ANBU Blacks Ops accompany you as the search unit for Tsunade" Homaru says.
'After all knowing Jiraiya, he'll use this as opportunity to run off and we won't be able to find him again' the councilors thought.
"Don't worry. I won't escape from this duty. The guards are not necessary. However, there is one guy I want to take with me on my trip. I've found an interesting egg.." Jiraiya says.
Both of the advisers could only wonder who he meant.
Meanwhile, back with Naruto. After training all morning Naruto decided to take a little break. He recently received a couple of cupons from Ichiraku Ramen. He hadn't been there in forever it seemed to him. A little treat wouldn't hurt every now and then. Naruto was glad that Ichiraku's hadn't received much damage and actually managed to open up fairly quickly after things had settled down.
"Hello Teuchi" Naruto greets the chef and owner.
"Is that ... Naruto, been awhile kiddo" Teuchi responds.
"Hey Teuchi, can I get one bowl" Naruto oders.
"One bowl?" Teuchi questions with a knowing look.
"Hehehe... to start" Naruto admits.
"First order coming up!" Teuchi responds.
"Thanks Teuchi" Naruto responds
He then pulls up a stool and waits for his order to be ready.
'I still hate the 3 minutes it takes to make a bowl of ramen' Naruto thinks as he notices.
"Teuchi, where is Ayame?" Naruto asks.
"She took the day off, but she'll be back later" Teuchi says as he continues to cook.
"Oh..."
"What were you doing today if you don't mind me asking?" Teuchi says as he plates Naruto's order.
"I've been training. You know since the Invasion, because that everything that happened it didn't feel right to do much of anything except talk to friends. I don't have many of those so it was mostly talking to my team and taking it easy for a bit. So it's the first time I really got back to training so I can get stronger" Naruto responds.
Teuchi places the plate in front of Naruto and smiles as he see's a bit of drool form at the corner of his mouth.
"I understand, Naruto. Eat well and do your best" Teuchi says.
"You got it" Naruto says with a smile.
Then he digs in like the old days going for seconds and a third bowl, before he was interrupted by a familiar person.
"Welcome!" Teuchi greets the new comer.
"Just like I heard ... I had to come and see it" Jiraiya say.
"Huh?" Naruto questions turning to look at the old man.
"It seems that you really are just eating ramen" Jiraiya comments.
Naruto finishes the last mouthful of noodles and turns to face the Sannin.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asks with a little edge to his voice.
"Calm down small fry, aren't you curious about why I'm here?" Jiraiya responds.
Naruto shrugs his shoulders.
"The ramen here is pretty good and from the little bit I know about you, you're very cheap" Naruto responds.
"Hahaha... really funny smart guy. No, I have an important mission I need to go on and I decided to bring you along with me" Jiraiya states.
Naruto pulls out the money for all three bowls forgetting about his coupons.
"Thanks Teuchi" Naruto tells the man as he gets up and leaves.
"Come again!" Teuchi shouts as another customer enters.
Jiraiya quickly follows after Naruto.
"Hey brat didn't you hear me, there's a supper important mission and I said you get to join me on it" Jiraiya reiterates.
"I heard you Jiraiya-san, but I question why you would want a genin to join you on such an important mission, if it really exists, and not a team of ANBU or jōnin?" Naruto questions.
"Because kid, the ANBU and the jōnin are streched thin taking important missions of their own and despite the importance of this mission even a genin such as yourself will be enough. And your selling yourself short kid. I helped train you for the Finals so I know your more capable than most genin" Jiraiya responds.
"Okay, but what's so important about a research mission?" Naruto asks.
"Kiddo, this isn't just any research mission. There is a woman who's data I really want to collect. So we have to look for her first" Jiraiya tells him with a supicious grin.
"Oh ... so this is for your books ... I think I'll pass. I have important things of my own to do and there are plenty of genin, better suited for a 'mission' of this nature. I would recommend Inuzuka, Kiba. With his nose and his dog's, you'd find her in no time" Naruto responds as he keeps walking.
"What better things could you possibly be doing with village on temporary locked down and most chūnin and higher ranked ninja are busy?" Jiraiya questions.
"If you must know I am training. The Invasion shows how crazy things can get if your not ready and I need to get stronger for whatever comes my way next" Naruto says.
"Training?" Jiraiya questions skeptically.
"Yeah, I was hoping to asks Hatake-san about his jutsu... the chidori I believe Sasuke called it" Naruto reveals.
"Well, I think that technique is impossible for you to learn" Jiraiya says.
"What why, it seems like it mainly requires a lot of speed and lightning chakra ... I feel like I'm begginning to build up an affinity of lightning chakra too" Naruto responds eyeing the man.
"You don't need to have a particular chakra nature to learn elemental techniques, but anyway don't forget about the really beautiful woman. You must see her to believe how gorgeous she is. You want to meet her, don't you?" Jiraiya says trying to steer the conversation back into his lane.
Not that Naruto cared.
"Not interested" Naruto replies moving away from the old pervert.
"I'm not some kid who can easily be talked into doing some sketchy mission by you... you ... perverted sage!" Naruto calls out.
Jiraiya was shocked at the nick name, but decided to ignore it for now.
'Time for a different tact' Jiraiya thinks.
He starts walking away.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped... oh well ... shame too ... I know a much more amazing jutsu than the chidori, but ... it can't be helped. Maybe someone else would like to learn it ... maybe Tomaru would like to learn it and join me on this trip" Jiraiya says as he continues to walk away.
"Wait!" Naruto calls out.
"Is this jutsu your talking about really that amazing?" Naruto questions.
"I should say so, after all it was created by the Fourth Hokage" Jiraiya boasts.
"Okay ... just let me get my things and let my team know I'm going" Naruto says as he runs off.
"Huh ... what an interesting kid" Jiraiya muses.
Meanwhile at Team 4's usual training grounds.
"Alright Tomaru it looks like it's just you and me since Fuki wanted to do some more training with the bear's again and I can't find Naruto. He's probably off training on his own as well" Hayama says.
"It's alright sensei, I'm just glad your able to help me with my training. I know everyone is busy still dealing with Invasion stuff" Tomaru responds.
"Yes, well I wanted to make sure you guys were all okay and I'm happy to help you all become stronger" Hayama says with a smile.
"Yatta! Thanks sensei!" Tomaru responds.
"Alright, thinking about your performance in the exam. I think we should take a page from what Guy and Lee did" Hayama says.
"Cool, are you going to teach me some super advanced taijutsu!" Tomaru shouts.
"Calm down Tomaru, and no, I was thinking I would give you all some weights to start wearing. Nothing like what Lee, was wearing ... well maybe eventually if you want .." Hayama explains.
Hayama was helping Tomaru equip the ankle weights when Naruto showed up.
"Hayama-sensei!" Naruto called out.
"Naruto" Hayama responds as he and Tomaru looked towards their blond comrade.
Naruto quickly reaches them despite not using his bloodline, his normal speed was still quite fast for a genin.
"What is it Naruto, why are you running?" Hayama questions.
"I just wanted to let you know that Jiraiya asked me to join him on a mission and I accepted" Naruto tells his team leader.
"What!? Why do you get to go on a mission with Jiraiya of the Sannin!" Tomaru complains.
"Now Tomaru, Lord Jiraiya trained Naruto during the Exam break, it's natural for him to still take interest in Naruto despite not being his master or anything" Hayama says trying to defuse the situation.
In truth Hayama knew that the Third Hokage wanted Jiraiya to have a hand in Naruto's life. How much or how little he wasn't clear at that time but the man was a Sannin and currently the strongest among Konoha's forces. He had heard there was talk of him becoming the Hokage, but that must have just been rumors or speculation if the man was leaving the village for a mission.
"Okay Naruto, remember to pack well but don't over do it" Hayama advises.
"Right sensei" Naruto responds.
"Oh, and take these" Hayama says handing Naruto a set of ankle weights.
"What are they?" Naruto questions.
"Remember Rock Lee, these are ankle weights like what he was wearing only for beginners" Hayama quickly explains.
"Oh, cool, thanks sensei" Naruto says.
"When you get back, I'll be wearing the same amount Lee does!" Tomaru boasts.
"Well, I'll be wearing more" Naruto boasts.
"We'll see about that" Tomaru says with grin.
The two friends shake hands agreeing silently to get stronger together and then Naruto runs off.
"Hey sensei, ankle weights are great and all but thinking about the exams and everything. I need better jutsu" Tomaru says.
"You know Tomaru, your well ahead of most genin your age" Hayama reminds him.
"I know sensei ... but I ..." Tomaru starts.
"I know... how about after we do some training we head to the library. Maybe you'll find a jutsu to learn that you can learn and I'll help you" Hayama says.
"Alright sensei!" Tomaru cheers.
In a different part of the village at this very moment Kakashi was battling a strange pair of invaders with the sensei's of teams 8 & 10.
"I'm the one who was surprised. I saw strange men in the Teahouse and wondered who they were... There they were Uchiha, Itachi and... the mystery man of the Hidden Mist Village, Hoshigaki, Kisame" Kakashi says to the two nuke nin.
"Well, well ... You even know my name. It's an honor" Kisame mocks.
"I see ... you're one of the 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist'. That huge sword is the 'Shark Skin', right?" Kakashi questions.
"Hahaha ... I heard that kid Zabuza had it out with you?" Kisame questions.
"Yeah.." Kakashi replies.
Kisame holds Samehada 'shark skin' high and then points it level with Kakashi showing both the scale of the sword and his strength.
"You're someone worth lopping off..." Kisame threatens.
"Stop it... Kisame" Itachi warns his partner.
"If you were to go at it with that man, it would not end without cost. And if you spend too much time, another shinobi would come running. However ... don't lose sight of the goal... you didn't come here to get injured!" Itachi adds.
"Let me hear that goal then" Kakashi interjects.
Kakashi then goes up in smoke showing he was a shadow clone with the real Kakashi standing beside Itachi on the canal waters surface.
"Just came to find something we've been looking for" Itachi replies nonchalantly.
"Something you were looking for ..." Kakashi questions.
"The thing you were looking for... what is it?" Kakashi comes out and asks pointing a kunai at the nuke nin.
"I'm not like Kisame, I won't take time" Itachi warns as he shows a fist full of shuriken
The battle commences while now at home Naruto was getting ready. Naruto had to thank Jiraiya for teaching him enough fūinjutsu where he didn't need to carry some giant pack since he didn't know how far or how long this trip would take him, he was pretty much packing up his whole house in neatly seperated and catagorically cataloged . Thinking of fūinjutsu Naruto realized this trip would give him a chance to learn more about the art. The whole process took several hours putting his book bag over his shoulder he looked at his now empty house and fliped off the switch.
"Kakashi, what happened?" Kurenai asked concerned.
She and Asuma were technically blind, but they both felt when Kakashi hit the surface of the water. Something had changed in the split second since Kakashi had warned them to close their eyes.
"Our you saying we should keep our eyes closed, still?" Asuma questions.
"Keep... them... closed..." Kakashi struggles to say.
"What happened?" Asuma questions.
"Just as that guy finished speaking, you suddenly fell over!" Asuma says alarmed.
"Three days in that world is but a mere moment in the actual world, huh... but why doesn't he kill me?" Kakashi questions.
Kisame suddenly shunshins to stand beside Itachi.
"Whoa... to take that jutsu without causing his spirit to collapse" Kisame remarks impressed.
"But Itachi... it's also dangerous for you to overuse those eyes" Kisame adds.
"The thing your looking for... is it Sasuke" Kakashi manages to ask fearing for his student.
"No... the Legacy of the Fourth Hokage" Itachi answers shocking everyone.
At Team 4's training ground Hayame is busy training Tomaru, but he can't help thinking about his conversation with Jiraiya he had a few days after the funeral.
"Hayama... I will keep Naruto under my care" Jiraiya says cutting through any formalities.
"What?" Hayama questions.
Yeah he was told by the Third Hokage that Jiraiya would play a part in the boys training and upbringing, but this sounded like something permanent and he wasn't so much in the picture.
"The plan always had been that I would take care of the boy at some point and take over his training like I did the Yondiame Hokage. Actually I always believed Kakashi would be Naruto's first teacher, but he somehow slipped through the cracks. I can't explain it, but it's best that I guide him now. At your current level, you wouldn't be enough to handle what's coming" Jiraiya says looking out at the village from the balcony they were standing on.
"What the hell are you talking about Jiraiya?" Hayama as he stares at the older shinobi.
"I was observing Orochimaru ever since he left the village... it was obvious that he would return to this village sooner or later. All told, at first I was concerned only about him..." Jiraiya starts.
"What does that have to do with you taking over as Naruto's sensei?" Hayama questions.
"Orochimaru joined an organization" Jiraiya says gravely.
"Organization? What kind of organization?" Hayama asks noticing the change in tone.
"I don't know much, but it's a small organization known as the Akatsuki" Jiraiya tells him.
"Akatsuki?" Hayama questions.
"The Akatsuki has 9 shinobi and until recently they weren't making any dramatic moves aside from typical cloak-and-dagger type activities. My biggest concern is the members of the organization themselves. Almost all of them are listed in the Bingo Book, as S-rank deviant criminals. Uchiha, Itachi is one of them. If the nine of them get together, their intent will not be volunteer activities. Since I've said this much, you already must know what that means" Jiraiya says.
But in truth Hayama wasn't sure what any of this had to do with Naruto or his training.
"Recently Orochimaru pulled out of the organization and at that time other members of the organization went in to action in different areas, in pairs gathering jutsu and things ..." Jiraiya says.
"And you believe one of the things this organization is after is Naruto or what resides inside of him?" Hayama concludes.
Jiraiya nods.
"It's possible, because it's one of the spirits that posses the strongest chakra... Hayama, sooner or later Naruto will have to live watching his back... that IS his destiny" Jiraiya emphasises.
Thinking on that conversation Hayama should have known Jiraiya had more immediate plans being made than he thought. He could only think one thing.
'Stay safe, Naruto'
At the front gate Naruto and Jiraiya are ready to go.
"No last minute goodbyes you need to give?" Jiraiya questions.
"Nah, outside of my team I don't have many friends" Naruto says as they walk through the gate.
"A cute kid like you, surely there's a girl that's caught your eye" Jiraiya probes.
"Nah, there was one, but it'd never work. Besides, I need to focus on getting stronger. Speaking of which what is this jutsu you promised to teach me" Naruto responds.
"What's your rush, trust me, we've got time for me to teach you the jutsu" Jiraiya says as he keeps walking.
"How long is this going to take anyway, because I need to get back and start taking missions again" Naruto responds.
"Barely out of the gate and you already want to return home, where's your adventure's spirit kid" Jiraiya says.
"Whatever" Naruto responds figuring he wasn't going to get anything out of the old man right now.
"Hey, why are you doing this anyway?" Naruto asks.
"Huh?" Jiraiya asks not understanding.
"You helped me during the break before the finals happened, but that was only because of the Third Hokage, and even then you really didn't want to help me" Naruto recalls.
"You remind me of someone" Jiraiya says aloofly.
They walked over a bridge as Naruto waited for him to continue, before he finally bit.
"Who were they?" Naruto asks.
"A long time ago the Fourth Hokage was my disciple. You resemble him so much, it's almost funny. That's the only reason" Jiraiya finally answers.
"The Fourth Hokage..." Naruto repeats.
"Hey, watch out kid" Jiraiya warns.
Just in time as Naruto avoides stepping in a big pile of animal poop. They walked a little over six miles before they reached the town of O'tafuku. Naruto looked around the town as they walked. There was some dude practically naked in some weird pose with a finger holding a flame, a guy advertisizing candy loudly in the middle of the street, a lady holding an umbrella hosting a raffle of some kind, and all kinds of weird looking people doing weird things.
"This town is pretty weird" Naruto says wanting to leave.
Jiraiya just ignores him as he finds them an Inn to stay at for the night.
"I can still walk, ya know" Naruto complains not liking the feel of the town.
"A disciple should obey his master!" Jiraiya responds.
"I just wanted to learn that jutsu you promised me and maybe get more training in fūinjutsu!" Naruto argues.
"That's what's called a disciple!" Jiraiya yells.
Any further arguments were cancelled as some what attractive young woman walks by wearing a short dress and high heels. And she seemed to be interested in one or both of them. But before Naruto could get any ideas, not that he did mind you ... she was okay...
"Naruto! Jiraiya calls.
"Yes?" Naruto asks.
Jiraiya hands him the room keys.
"Here is the room key. Go to the room ahead of me, and practice your chakra ... or something, train some and then go to sleep!" Jiraiya says excitedly.
"What were are you going!" Naruto yells.
"Don't wait up kid" Jiraiya says with a creepy smile as he goes off with that girl.
A little later on Naruto is in their room sitting on the bed his bag sitting on a chair.
'I should have known better' Naruto thinks.
'Of course any training or mission with him will end up like this' Naruto laments his decision.
'I wonder if he really has any inclination on overseeing my training' Naruto wonders awhile later.
That's when he hears a knock on the door.
"What happened? She dump you already?" Naruto mocks.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Okay, okay!" Naruto calls back.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Okay, okay. I'll open up!" Naruto yells hoping to quiet the knocking.
However, what awaits him when he unlocks the door isn't Jiraiya.
'He looks like an older Sasuke' Naruto thinks.
"Who'd believe a kid like you to have the Kyūbi in him" says a tall, blue skinned man.
"Kyūbi?" Naruto questions.
"Hahaha, you don't know!" the blue skinned man laughs.
"Know what?" Naruto asks confused.
"That's enough Kisame" The Uchiha reprimands.
'What's he talking about? What does the Nine-tails have to do with anything?" Naruto wonders.
"Naruto, you will come with us" The Uchiha says.
At that Naruto realized the situation, but both men had the door blocked ... not that mattered.
Naruto quickly forms the boar hand seal "Jinton: Mueishō - Swift Release: Shadowless flight" Naruto calls.
Before either nuke-nin could do anything Naruto had already grabbed his bag and gone out the window.
"What the fuck?" Kisame questions.
"After him" Itachi says.
The two Akatsuki members go back down the stairs and gave chase. Naruto didn't have to go far before he found Jiraiya and the woman he ran off with.
"Jiraiya!" Naruto yells as he slows down to a normal running pace.
"Naruto?" Jiraiya answers wondering why the boy was ruining his good time.
"Trouble, two men, black robes, hotel" Naruto gets out.
"Black robes?" Jiraiya questions.
"Come on Jiraiya-kun, forget about the kid" The girl says.
"Not now miss..." Naruto respons interrupting her.
"Naruto!" He hears someone call out from a different direction.
To his surprise this time it was Sasuke ...
"Kai!" Naruto calls to disrupt the possible genjutsu.
Sasuke rushed up to him.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto asks.
"Where is he?" Sasuke asks.
"Where's who?" Naruto responds.
"Whoa Itachi, who's the mini me" Kisame says.
"My younger brother" Itachi responds.
"ITACHI!" Sasuke yells enraged.
'Oh that explains it' Naruto thinks having heard a little about the Uchiha's nuke-nin older brother before.
'So that's the clan killer' Naruto muses as he eyes Itachi.
"But I heard that the entire Uchiha clan had been murdered... by you" Kisame comments
"Naruto, come with us" Itachi says as his sharingan flares ignoring Kisame and his little brother.
Jiraiya get's inbetween the two of them. Bur before anyone else can make a move Sasuke makes his.
"Uchiha, Itachi... I will kill you!" Sasuke screams.
"It's just as you said... I held a grudge against you and hated you. For the single purpose of killing you, I... have lived my life!" Sasuke continues.
Sasuke gather's chakra in his hand displaying Kakashi's famed jutsu once more.
"I will kill you!" He screams as he runs as fast as he can at his older brother.
The Chidori carves up the ground as he runs before he thrust the jutsu forward at his brother.
"DIE!" Sasuke yells.
The impact of the jutsu causes a boom sound to erupt as a crater formed in the street away from the brothers. Itachi held Sasuke by the wrist as the jutsu still flared in Sasuke's hand. Any civilians still in the street ran to get away from the scene.
'Whoa... he just stopped the chidori by just catching Sasuke by the wrist' Naruto thinks.
The jutsu fizzles out as the brother hold's Sasuke's wrist firmly encreasing the pressure to the point Naruto was should was going to break.
'I can't sit by and watch this' Naruto thinks.
Sasuke wasn't his friend and frankly he didn't much care for him, but he was a fellow Konoha-nin and despite the recklessness and stupidity of him attacking his clearly much stronger brother, Naruto wouldn't idly sit by when he can do something.
Once again gathering his chakra and holding the boar hand seal Naruto bypasses Kisame whom had actually started to move forward to intercept him and slugged Itachi before grabbing Sasuke and flashing back behind Jiraiya. Itachi barely moved from the force of the hit only stumbling back a bit as Kisame stumbled forward stopping due to his target no longer being in front of him.
"You know kid, I never get used to seeing you move like that" Jiraiya comments.
"Seriously... what the hell was that?" Kisame questions.
'They didn't tell them about this, he was just suppossed to be a weak runt they could bag easily and no one would miss him' Kisame thinks from the intel they were given.
"It's clear, Naruto-kun has a hidden bloodline. I couldn't copy or track his movements so it wasn't a shunshin" Itachi reveals.
"Kekkei genkai, huh..." Kisame mulls over.
Meanwhile, Sasuke now reoriented hits Naruto in the face.
"What the hell did you do that for teme!" Naruto yells at the ungrateful punk.
"Stay out of my way, this is between me and him" Sasuke says.
He tries to gather more chakra to create another chidori but finds he can't. This time Naruto slugs Sasuke hard enough to knock him down.
"I don't care about your bullshit, he came here to kill me so whatever problem you have you need to get over it!" Naruto yells at the avenger.
Sasuke stands up and glares at Naruto harder than he did Itachi.
"What would you know about anything! This has nothing to do with you! I have to kill him! I will kill him!" Sasuke rants.
And at that the curse mark flared threatening to spread it's influence despite Kakashi recently reinforcing the seal. See despite Orochimaru's death, the seal was still active on those who gave in and used it's power. The few like Anko who never drew upon the cursed power found the mark faded until it was nonexistent moreover they received boosts in their chakra levels making it so the former snake's apprentice and No.1 hater was considering applying to become a regular jōnin even get her own team of runts to torture... train. There was also fear among the few who were aware of the problem, that this was yet another way for the snake to cheat death somehow. After all they have yet to locate his apparent second in command Kabuto.
"And your too weak to do that right now!" Naruto yells at the Uchiha.
"And you think your better than me!" Sasuke yells back.
"Ughh... as fun as this is to watch, will the two of you SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Jiraiya yells quelling the two idiots.
"Naruto, that was a stupid and dangerous move, you won't be able to do that again I bet. These are S-rank criminals and both are out of your league. Sasuke your strong and you'll get stronger, but your worse than Naruto, even with your sharingan your no match for him. If you want to die and see his crimes go unpunished then go ahead, throw your life away. I only care about the kid here if your in a hurry to die, do it alone" Jiraiya tears into both of them.
"Now, I want you both to leave this to me after all I have to repay them for their cheap trick they attempted to pull on me. After all this man Jiraiya, doesn't fall for any woman's allurement, but rather his forte is winning women's affections!
At that everyone even the civilians hiding in buildings could only stare.
'And this is the guy that's supposed to protect me ...' Naruto thinks.
Suddenly a kunai was thrown at Kisame that missed but provided a distraction.
"Dynamic Entry!"
From behind Guy delivers a jump kick that sent Kisame flying.
"It seems I will have to retrieve you another day, Naruto" Itachi says as he dissolves into a flock of ravens and dissappears.
"He can't get away!" Sasuke yells ready to go after Itachi.
However, Guy was quick to stop him by giving a swift chop to the kneck.
"I'm glad I arrived in time, is anyone hurt?" Guy asks.
"No, we're fine ... except for the young Uchiha over there, what are the two of you doing here anyway?" Jiraiya asks.
"Oh well, there was a small attack on the village by those two and there are injuries. The medics can't help them, we need a medical specialist ..." Guy reports.
"That's why we're going to go find her now" Jiraiya says.
"What? You mean her?" Guy questions shocked.
'Huh, I thought it was to find some hot woman to feature in his stupid research' Naruto think looking at Jiraiya side eyed.
"Yup, that's right... the one who uses the slug and drives illnesss away, and who is also one of the Sannin like me... Princess Tsunade with the letter 'Gamble' on her back" Jiraiya reveals.
'Huh, so that's who we're out here chasing. Another Sannin and his teammate ... so why did he say he was looking for some hot babe?' Naruto questions for several reasons.
"Oh, please find Mistress Tsunade and bring her back to the village" Guy responds.
"You got it, I assume I can trust you with taking that one back to the village?" Jiraiya asks pointing towards the passed out Sasuke.
"Yes, Jiraiya-sama leave him with me" Guy responds.
And with that Naruto and Jiraiya were back on the road since Jiraiya figured it was better safe than sorry to not stick around invite a second attack. They were on the road headed to the next village when Naruto asks.
"So, Jiraiya..." Naruto starts.
Jiraiya looks over and down at the kid.
"The Akatsuki ... who are they? and why do they think I have the Kyūbi inside of me?" Naruto questions.
'The old man was supposed to take care of this when he graduated from the academy ...' Jiraiya thought wondering the merit of confirming what that bastard said.
For his part Naruto just waited, he hoped Jiraiya would tell him the truth but so far the guy hadn't been truthful about anything with him.
"Look Naruto ..." Jiraiya starts.
"You have 3 options tell me the truth and keep our relationship as is would be the first option, lie to me and hope I don't figure it out is option two, or just try to ignore the situation entirely. However, if you opt for the second or third options the result would be this mission being our last interaction save for war or battle" Naruto lays out for the man.
"Look Naruto ... let's just get to the next village and relax first. Afterwards, I'll show you the jutsu and answer your question" Jiraiya replies.
"Okay, but I'm holding you to that" Naruto responds.
The rest of the walk was made in silence.
Hello again, I hope everyone enjoyed the newest chapter of Speed. Next chapter will feature Naruto learning the Rasengan and finding Tsunade.
Until next time dear reader :-)