Chapter 37

Sasuke rushed at the two men. His Chidori was blazing and his aim was true at his brother. Itachi just looked at the charging Sasuke before catching his wrist. An explosion erupted and a hole appeared from the jutsu. The two Uchiha looked at each other, Sharingan active. One looked on with hate, the other with no expression.

Naruto looked at the situation and balked. He knew that they had to get out of here. Naruto's clones attacked the two. The two men didn't even flinch and Kisame destroyed them all with a swing of his sword. The attack created a brief smokescreen. That's when Itachi felt a nerve on his hand get hit, making him release Sasuke. The smoke quickly cleared and the two were not there. Kisame let out a low whistle and actually smiled.

"So the kid used the smoke from his clones to get him and his comrade away. He's more capable than we thought." He said.

"Yes. However, he did not get far." Itachi said. He jumped out of the hole and landed on the ground. The second he landed, he deflected several shuriken from his left. He dodged a three-hit combo before lashing out with a kick. Sasuke was sent flying, spitting out some bile as he flew. Naruto appeared and caught Sasuke. That's when he felt Kisame behind him. He quickly did some seals and vanished before he could get his hand on him. The two searched the area to look for them. That's when Itachi did some hand seals.

"Doton: Kaido Shōkutsu. (Opening Earth Rising Excavation)" Suddenly, the two were forced out of the ground and they slammed into an earth pillar. They groaned but managed to get to their feet. "I am quite impressed Naruto. With Kakashi as your sensei, I figured he would have focused on my brother, unless someone else trained you. Still, you are more of a shinobi than I assumed."

"Yeah kid, you have made two moves that any good shinobi would make when they know that they are out-matched." Kisame added on to the praise.

"However, you are making an assumption that Sasuke wants to escape. You could not be more wrong." Itachi finished. Naruto looked at his teammate.

"Damn it, he's right teme! This isn't the time for your revenge! We need to get out of here!" Naruto shouted.

"Stay out of my way Naruto! You will not stop me!" Sasuke shouted. Growling, Naruto quickly decked Sasuke. Putting him in a chokehold, Naruto tossed a few smoke pellets on the ground. When it cleared, they were gone. As Naruto hid under his Kakuremino no Jutsu (Cloak of Invisibility Technique), he attempted to choke Sasuke out so that he would calm down. Sasuke struggled against the hold, trying to break free. That's when those marks started to appear on Sasuke. Naruto began to lose his grip as Sasuke was freeing himself.

Sasuke broke free and spun around, nailing Naruto with a very strong punch. Sasuke threw the cloak off him and revealed himself. Sasuke, using the power of the curse mark, turned his attention to Itachi and charged at him. The power he felt gave him some confidence in attacking Itachi. He threw a punch, which was dodged. That's when he felt incredible pain in his chest. It was from Itachi's fist. He grabbed him and threw him into the wall. Sasuke hit the wall hard and the pain increased when Itachi drove his elbow into his gut.

Naruto shook the cobwebs out and rubbed his jaw. He swore that he was going to get Sasuke back for that punch. He got to his feet and looked on to see Sasuke get the stuffing knocked out of him. He looked ready to make a move when a voice spoke out.

"Sorry kid but you're going to have to get pass me if you want to help him." Kisame said. Naruto cursed and started to channel his chakra only to feel it leave him. Naruto looked shocked until the movement of Kisame's weapon caught his attention. "Not this time kid." Naruto growled and tried to think of way out. That's when he heard Sasuke scream.

"Woah, Itachi is pretty vicious today. Well kid, it's been fun and all but I think that you're all out of moves. Got any last words for me?" he asked.

"I don't know? Don't you have to go and fuck yourself?" Naruto cursed.

"Ah, that's the spirit." Kisame said with a grin and swung his sword. That's when it was stopped by a toad wearing gauntlets. Naruto and Kisame were surprised by this until they heard a voice.

"You two have clearly underestimated me. When you are as well-known as I, the ladies…"

"Hey, enough of your bullshit Ero-Sennin! (Pervy Sage) We have a situation so get your ass in gear!" Naruto roared. Jiraiya gave him an annoyed look but he did turn his attention to the two Akatsuki members. Itachi released Sasuke who was as limp as a noodle. Turning his attention to Jiraiya, Itachi made a decision.

"Kisame, we're retreating. Even if we both engaged him, we will most likely die. We have all the time to make our move." Itachi said.

"Alright," Kisame said, not happy about the situation. He then looked directly at Naruto. "Listen kid, keep doing what you've been doing. It'll be real interesting when we meet again." With that said, the two vanished. Naruto was still on guard as he made his way to check on Sasuke. Jiraiya just sighed as he knew that this would only be troublesome.

XXX

Back in Konoha, Anko was making her way toward the academy. She held two packs on her back and had a big smile on her face. She had gotten permission to seek out the other serpent contract. She figured that she would have to beg for that permission but the idea of having the snake contract back in Konoha was just too tempting. They were willing to forget about the connection to Orochimaru if it got the village one of similar strength. Well, she didn't care. They even allowed her to pick her partner.

Anko entered the academy and made a beeline for her favorite class. She opened the door right in the middle of the class. The students looked on and recognized the Tokubetsu jonin.

"Hi kiddies!" Anko greeted.

"Hi Anko-chan!" they all greeted. They were all told by the woman to call her that. That's when Anko grabbed Iruka by the arm.

"So, I'm going to be borrowing your sensei for a mission. You won't be seeing him for a while. Don't worry, we're just going to pick something up and come right back. I'll bring your sensei back in one piece, okay?" Anko asked.

"Are you two going to be alone on this mission?" asked a student.

"Yes, yes we are." Anko said with a grin. The group 'ooh' and started to giggle at that. That's when Konohamaru stood up.

"Don't let this chance go Iruka-sensei." He said with a grin and putting up one of his thumbs.

"Use protection you two." Moegi added. Anko just smirked while Iruka just looked at the students that were corrupted by the woman. Tossing his pack, Anko dragged the unwilling chunin out of the class.

"Bye kiddes!" Anko exclaimed.

"Bye Anko-chan, Iruka-sensei, have fun!" they all said. The door was closed.

XXX

Sakura was making her way to the hospital to check on Lee. She had been doing that a lot lately and was even requested by Gai-sensei to look after him. She was more than happy to do it. It helped in her training, so it was a win-win for her. She didn't even get into the hospital when she saw the person that she was supposed to be watch. He was outside, doing one-armed push-ups. She saw the nurse trying to get him to stop. Sighing, she made her way over to the area.

"Lee, what are you doing?" Sakura asked with a tone. Lee froze in mid push-up when he heard Sakura's tone. He was quickly to his feet, crutch and all.

"S-Sakura-chan, h-how are you t-today?" Lee said nervously.

"I asked you a question. Did you forget what you promised me yesterday?" she demanded.

"I-I… I'm sorry Sakura-chan." Lee said cow towed. Sakura just sighed and gave Lee a disapproving look.

"Lee, you need to rest your body. You are seriously injured and in order for your body to recover, you need to rest." She said.

"But I cannot lose my youthful energy or I will go soft." Lee explained.

"You aren't going to go soft. I already have some exercises you can do in your room and it would not affect your recovery. I told you I would find a way and I have. Are you saying that you didn't trust me?" Sakura asked sadly and with a pout.

"No! I trust you! I trust you!" Lee said excitedly.

"Good!" Sakura said happily. "Now, let's get you back into your room and we can begin." Lee nodded and with unknown energy, got into the wheelchair that was there. Sakura just giggled at his antics before pushing him back inside the hospital. The nurse who had been trying for several minutes was stunned by what just happened. That's when she was joined by another nurse.

"I should have told you about her. She is the only one that he will listen to. He's got such a sweet crush on her. I was worried due to who his sensei is." The nurse said.

"Why aren't we paying her for that? Handling that boy is a full-time job." The first nurse said.

"His doctor teaches her medicine and physical therapy. In fact, I heard that she was researching a way to help him back up on his feet." The nurse said. They chatted all the way into the hospital.

XXX

Jiraiya and Naruto were facing each other. Neither had a happy look on their faces.

"You know Naruto; your attitude is starting to wear on my nerves and is ruining my trip. How is this any way my fault? I didn't know that Uchiha Itachi or Hoshigaki Kisame were members. I only knew about Orochimaru because I was keeping tabs on him and he left the group years ago." Jiraiya explained.

"Aren't you the village's spy master? Are you telling me that you couldn't even get one single name other than Orochimaru?" Naruto demanded.

"I'm sorry that my information does not impress you but I'm trying my best to get more information. You're just going to have to deal with it." Jiraiya countered.

"Deal with it? That's you damn answer? Why don't you do your blasted job, Ero-Sennin?!" Naruto spat.

"I will not be questioned by a genin! You know nothing of the real world! A true ninja endures every challenge that comes at him!" Jiraiya shouted.

"Don't you lecture me! What the hell do you know about what I have to endured?! Before Anko, I use to be ignored and hated! I didn't know why but I would always smile and keep going! Even after I learned why, I still get up and protect those who have ignored me! I don't know about enduring or hardships? Screw you asshole!" Naruto exclaimed and stormed off. Jiraiya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Why did things have to be so complicated?

He realized that he was out of line when he shouted at Naruto. Hearing his godson's words, made him realize just how much he failed in his duties. He knew what Naruto endured and he was not happy. He even told his past sensei about it but he turned it around on him. It only increased his guilt and highlighted his failures. After a while, he stood and went in search of the blond. He found him training. He did not stop when he entered the field. Naruto ignored him and continued to train. Jiraiya knew this but it would not stop him from speaking.

"Okay Naruto, that was a bad move on my part and I'm sorry. I don't know what you have been through and I have no right to tell you anything. Still, we have a mission that we need to complete. We need to put our differences aside and finish it. Can we agree on that?" Jiraiya asked. Naruto stopped training and turned to face him. He was still angry but he was taught to always think about the mission first. He huffed in annoyance but nodded in acceptance. Jiraiya grinned at the blond. "Good. As a sign of good faith, I'll teach you a jutsu. It's a powerful one too."

"What kind of jutsu?" Naruto asked. Jiraiya held out his palm and formed a sphere of chakra. Naruto was stunned by the jutsu. He was even more surprised that he did it without hand seals. He looked at Jiraiya who just had a triumphant smirk on his face.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Hello everyone, I have a new chapter ready for you. I'm just letting you know that this will probably be the last time that I will be doing any bashing on Jiraiya. While, they would still be at odds, they will be able to work with each other. Sorry about the length but I felt that this is where I should end it. Enjoy the new chapter.