Chapter 18: Adventures of a Wandering Blonde
Two men in cloaks wandered a grey barren land with rain that seemed to never cease. Both of the men had hoods up covering their features as they walked in silence the sound of the rain pattering on the ground around them. The smaller of the two men sneezed and rubbed his nose before speaking.
"Why is it always raining? First it rained all the time in Kiri now ever since we entered Ame it hasn't stopped raining once." He grumbled out causing the larger of the two men to sigh.
"Would you stop that gaki I told you I wanted to visit something in Ame we won't be here much longer." The man said as a small shack came into view in the distance.
"Whatever Ero-sannin." He said remembering that the man with him had fought the second shinobi war in Ame. The house looked dilapidated covered in vines opening the door they walked inside to see vines growing on the inside as well. Dropping their hoods to reveal Naruto and Jiraiya.
The two had only been traveling for about two months now when Jiriya decided he wanted to go and visit Ame much to Naruto's disdain. The entire land was a never ending torrent of water from the sky which brought back memories of the war. But he had persevered through the rain after two weeks of traveling when they finally arrived it seemed.
"So… what exactly is this place?" Naruto asked as he walked around spotting three pictures that Jiriya stared at fondly.
"This was an old hideout between me and some people that were dear to my heart. Unfortunately I haven't heard much about them besides troubling news." He said with a tired sigh as he placed some cards in front of the pictures with a soft smile.
Digging around the room Jiriya exclaimed as he pulled a book out from a cabinet with a huge grin.
"There we go! Here Naruto I want you to have this!" He said handing the book to the teen who hesitantly took it.
"Is this smut as well?" He asked as Jiriya sighed and shook his head.
"No gaki it is not… thought it could have used some smut." He said with a pervert giggle thinking of research he could have done. The cover said "Tales Of A Gutsy Ninja" which made Naruto raise his eyebrow slightly. He had never seen this book before.
"It never sold well unfortunately but Minato and Kushina loved the book." Jiriya said as Naruto tucked the book into his equipment pouch.
Taking one last look at the shack Jiriya let out a small but sad smile as if reminiscing about all the memories that had happened in this place before he turned motioning for Naruto to follow him once more through the rain and out of Ame.
They kept walking for most of the day before Naruto's nose twitched, pausing as he looked at Jiraiya who had tensed slightly.
"So you noticed too huh?" He whispered to Naruto before he turned his head slightly towards a hill which only caused him to freeze in his place. Naruto looked over as well before he saw an orange haired man with purple eyes that were in a ring pattern.
"Yahiko?" Jiriya asked before the man disappeared causing the toad sage to frown before he turned back around. "It was a warning more than likely so let's keep moving we're not far." He said as they continued their journey though jiraiya kept looking over his shoulder.
"Who? Who was that man Ero-Sannin?" Naruto asked the chakra that the man possessed was suffocating even compared to what he felt in the battle against yagura.
"I'm… I'm not entirely sure if I'm being honest with you Naruto, he looked like someone I used to know but he should have been dead for years now…" He said fear creeping slightly into his voice.
"Listen, if we see him again, just run, do not do whatever you have to do to avoid fighting him… Do you understand Naruto?" Jiriya asked, looking at his student. Naruto looked at his teacher gulping as he gave a shaky nod. Jiriya rarely ever spoke with such fear in his voice and it unnerved the teen.
"Did you see the rings in his eyes Naruto?" Jiriya spoke up after a while causing Naruto to think for a moment before he nodded.
"I think I did yeah?" He said, causing the barely visible frown on jiraiya's face to turn into a grimace.
"I could be wrong but thats bad news." He said as they continued to walk the sound of the rain pattering on their hoods as they continued onwards out of ame. The trip to the border with kusa took the two men another two weeks, much to naruto's chagrin complaining about the rain the entire time.
Near the border the rain began to slow before it seemed to just entirely stop as they crossed into the border of Kusa. A lot of fighting had happened near the Kusa-ame border and the wounds in the earth were still rather fresh. It was immediately apparent to the two veterans that combat had only recently come to an end.
"So this is Kusa?" Naruto asked as Jiriya nodded while the war ended quickly here the effects could still be seen as they walked. Large craters with lots of burned land the earth looked jagged from Doton jutsus.
The road they walked on was jagged and filled with holes as it had once been filled with Kunai and shuriken or other weapons had been stabbed down or sliced. Looking up Jiriya saw the sun beginning to set.
"We'll stop here gaki." Jiriya said as He and Naruto pulled off the road into a little clearing of the tall grass. Pulling out a scroll each they unsealed a sleeping bag which were promptly placed on the ground. It was still summer and quite warm, especially in Kusa. It was a welcome change from the constant rain they had been plagued with just a few hours earlier.
"Hey… Jiraiya do you ever have nightmares?" Naruto asked as he laid looking up at the stars above the two. Jiraiya looked at the teen before letting out a long sigh as he knew exactly what the teen was talking about.
"I used to… The second and third great shinobi wars were intense and I wish I never fought them in the first place… I wish we hadn't fought four wars. I just want peace." Jiriya said, going on a small tangent. "I still have a nightmare every now and again but not as bad as I used to."
"Do you think we'll ever have peace in this world?" Naruto asked Jiraiya who looked thoughtful for a while.
"I hope so… maybe now that all the great five have fought a war together we'll become more peaceful." He said with a light smile before turning on his side.
"Good night Naruto." Was all the aged sannin said as Naruto continued to star at the stars before he fell asleep himself.
Temari
It's been almost 5 months at this point and I still think of home and well everyone. Me and Jiriya have seen a lot of the countries west of Konoha now and we haven't really been accepted anywhere. Most people see my Hiate-ate and any kindness disappears and is replaced with sadness or hatred.
The war has changed many of these lands and for that I feel bad I'm sure many of them lost family in this war. I want to end war Temari so that no one else loses a son or father or daughter in war. It makes me realize how lucky it was for all of us in Konoha 15 or well I guess 14 now survived.
Anyways, how is Yugito and Kurosutchi doing? I haven't heard much from them but I assume they're busy. Me and Jiriya have spent a lot of time training together wherever we can he's taught me quite a bit surprisingly. Speaking of which, Jiraiya is motioning that its time to get moving. I'll talk to you soon.
Love
Naruto
Naruto blew on the ink drying it as he rolled up the paper giving it to a messaging
toad who gave Naruto a salute before poofing away. Stepping up Naruto dusted himself off as he looked at the mountains around them. The duo had been traveling for a week in the direction of Iwa and had entered the country just a few days ago but the trek through the mountains had taken much longer than Jiriya had thought.
"We're not far from Iwa, we should be there by nightfall." Jiriya said with a smile
that they were here in the first place. They had been training in Tschui no Kuni for about two months now after traveling around Kusa.
"It's weird to think that we would have been killed on sight for even being in this
country not that long ago." Naruto commented as they trudged along a mountain road.
"I know what you mean… I've fought many times against Iwa shinobi. It's a welcome change to fight with them." Jiriya said with a small smile as if on cue a group of Iwa shinobi made an appearance before them.
"Jiraiya-sama… Naruto-san me and my team are to escort you the rest of the
the way to iwa." Kitsuchi, the father of Kurotsuchi, told them with a bow. Naruto looked at the man with a small gulp.
"Naruto it's good to see you again… I hope Kuro-chan is doing well." The man
said extending his hand to the teen how shook it.
"Everything I've heard from home has seemed like she's settling in well." Naruto
informed the man who nodded his head content with that answer.
"Alright let's get moving." Kitsuchi said as the group started walking along the mountain road in silence. While the war had eased tensions among the big five they weren't gone completely. Considering Naruto was the son of Minato he was surprised they weren't attacking him outright.
"How are Han and Roshi doing? I haven't heard much about them since the end of the battle of oto." Naruto asked, causing kitsuchi to look at him out of the corner of his eye.
"Well… Normally I wouldn't give out this information but Han has decided to retire from the life of a shinobi and roshi is off training." He informed the Jinchuriki.
'Fool he should know that the life of a shinobi never ends for Jinchuriki.' Kurama snorted from within the seal.
'Maybe the cycle has ended Kurama… Maybe there's hope.' Hiruzen spoke up and Naruto could almost see the grandfatherly smile.
"I'm surprised onoki let Han retire." Jiriya said to kitsuchi who shrugged.
"Everyone tires of war eventually. I guess onoki wanted to let Han have some semblance of a life… Though he can be recalled at any moment." The Iwa jounin told the man.
"Well He's not really retired, is he?" Naruto spoke up, causing Jiriya to chuckle.
"No shinobi really retires Naruto… Sure we grow old but many still are ready to be called up once more in case our villages need us." Jiriya said to the boy who frowned.
"War isn't as common as it was during the warring clans period but it's still common enough… Combat can happen at any moment." Kitsuchi added on.
"That's bullshit… I want to end the cycle of war so that peace can be brought to this world." Naruto said determination filling his voice catching the other shinobi off guard. Jiriya looked at the boy as he smiled resting a hand on his head.
"I'm sure you will one day." He said before they continued on through the mountain pass. Before long Iwa came into view as naruto looked on in awe at the size of the village.
"You know… I think outside of emissaries you two are some of the first konoha shinobi to come here." Kitsuchi spoke up.
"That's a welcomed change from what I've heard trade is starting to flow more freely than ever… Well as free as it can with all the bandits on the road." Jiriya said with a smile.
"We have received konoha traders for the first time in well… I think it's the first time." One of the other Iwa Jounin spoke up.
"I must say while I was hesitant not to take the chance to destroy konoha I'm glad
My decision has brought prosperity to Iwa and our people. It warms my heart to see people of all nations here." An old voice said from above. Everyone looked up to see onoki floating down before landing before them all.
"Onoki-sama." Kitsuchi said as everyone bowed to the aged kage.
"Jiraiya-dono, Naruto-san, I'm glad to see the two of you here." Onoki said a
a small smile coming over his face.
"Onoki-dono it's good to see you as well I heard Iwa escaped the war almost unscathed." Jiriya said, holding out his hand which Onoki shook.
"It helps that there are only so many mountain passes to Iwa." Onoki replied as
delegation continued along their way towards the Tsuchikage's tower.
"I'm curious Jiriya… How long do you and naruto plan to stay out of konoha?" Onoki said, turning his head slightly to look at the teen.
"Well we've been out of konoha for about half a year now… So we have about another 2 and a half years before we return to konoha." Jiriya informed the aged kage.
"That's a long time without a rising star among konoha's jounin ranks." Onoki said to the sannin who nodded.
"That it is but I think it'll be worth it after all three years of training with a sannin can make anyone's record look even better." Jiriya said with a smile.
"Yes I suppose so." Onoki said as the rest of the trip was made in silence till the group made it to Onokis office within the tower. The two Konoha shinobi took a seat before the aged kage who took his own seat.
"So how long do you plan on staying in Iwa?" The Kage asked, causing Jiriya to look thoughtful for a moment.
"Well probably a week or two at most we're trying to keep the akatsuki off our trail as best we can… Speaking of which, I'm surprised you let Han retire." Jiriya said a frown gracings his features for a moment. "I would have figured you'd keep a closer leash on him with the security risks."
"He deserves to at least see the world for a few years, when the akatsuki starts
to make their move in the world where we can keep him safe." Onoki said before looking at Naruto.
"I suppose in a way that's what you're also trying to do with young Naruto here…
Hope you enjoy your stay however be wary as wounds are still fresh from the Third Shinobi war and considering who's your father… However I doubt anyone would truly try anything." He finished with a soft smile almost grandfatherly which wasn't surprising considering his granddaughter was now his wife. "Bah I wouldn't worry about it too much but just come to me if you need anything… Our training grounds are also available while you stay here."
"Thank you tsuchikage-done." Naruto said as Jiriya simply waved his hand.
"Mah Mah Onoki we can handle just about anything after all Naruto is one of the heroes of the war." Jiriya said with a grin causing Naruto to blush slightly.
"I suppose that is true." Onoki said with a slight chuckle.
10 months later 1 year into the training trip
"If I put this kanji here and shift the matrix as such would… that works?" Naruto said mostly to himself while looking at a scroll which seemed to have gotten a lot of use.
"Gaki…" Came a voice in front of the growing teen.
"That works! HOLY SHIT THAT WORKS!" Naruto shouted jumping up and
running around the hotel room.
"Gaki…" The voice said again, watching naruto run around the room.
"I cracked the code! I cracked the code!"
"Naruto!" Jiriyas voice finally reached out to Naruto who stopped what he was
doing turning to his sensei. "Mind filling me in what has you so energetic… who the hell am I kidding you're always energetic…" Jiriya said as Naruto grinned sheepishly, realizing he had probably awoken the man.
"I figured out how to make Tou-san's seal my own." Naruto said simply causing the older man to ponder what he meant for a moment before his eyes widened in realization.
"You mean? You figured out-"
"I figured out my seal matrix for the Hiraishin… Now I have to move to the next step which is actually using the seal according to Tou-san he told me while it's one thing to figure out your personal seal matrix for the Hiraishin actually using it is another thing." Naruto told the sannin who nodded with a grin.
"Well I'm proud for you gaki… now can you please go to sleep? It's only 4 in the morning." Jiraiya said rather annoyedly, causing Naruto to look sheepish as he returned to his bed for the night.
1 year later 2 years into the training trip
"Yo mr 9 its good to see you fo sho, you've grown to not be a schmo no mo." Killer B rapped out much to the annoyance of everyone in the Raikage's office.
"Can you stop rapping for just a moment B!" Ay shouted as he punched B out a window and out into the city below. "I apologize for my brother." Ay Said rather annoyed at the antics of his brother.
"Not to worry… Jinchuuriki always come with something annoying about them." Jiraiya said nonchalantly, ignoring Naruto's cry of indignation.
"I suppose you're right… No you are most definitely right." Ay said as Naruto began to pout as a storm crowd forming over him muttering about shinobi not respecting him.
"So what brings you here Jiriya-san." Ay asked as B finally crawled back into the office more reserved this time.
"Well I'm mostly showing Naruto the world before the akatsuki make their move and also helping strengthen our bonds after the war… After all it's hard to forget 3 wars and almost 100 years of turmoil." Jiriya said, causing Ay to nod with a sigh.
"Well in that case stay as long as you'd like I'm sure B here can help Naruto with learning how to control his Biju." Ay told the two who nodded in understanding.
"Well of course Mr 9 can train with me any time." B rapped out causing Ay to sigh but he restrained himself feeling the rush of wind from the still open hole in his window.
"You know what… I think your rapping is awesome." Naruto said, causing Ay to look at the teen in shock as B lit up almost literally.
"Mr 9 is to kind you just a 9 for that line that was sublime!" B rapped only to be punched out another window as Naruto snickered.
"You're next boy." Ay warned glaring at the teen who paled hiding behind his sensei.
3 years after the trip began
"You know what sensei… I don't think anyone will recognize me…" came the voice of one blonde haired jounin of konoha.
"Are you serious? You were only gone for 3 years… for fucksake you're only 17 now!" Jiriya shouted, almost forgetting it was Naruto's birthday. The boy now stood much taller just a few inches shorter than his sensei with his blonde hair much more wild and longer though not as long as when he was in kiri. He wore black shinobi pants with a burnt orange stripe going down the sides. He also wore a long sleeved shinobi shirt with a burnt orange torso and black sleeves. On his arms were bandages with seals on his forearms. He also had bandages wrapped around his ankles and wore black shinobi sandals. Lastly he had a belt which held his katana and his flak jacket while his Hiate-ate was now held on by a long black cloth.
"Perhaps they'll think your sense of style has gotten worse, that might be true." Jiriya said, causing the teen to pout.
"My outfit is awesome!" He shouted as they neared the gates.
"I think the words you should have used were tacky." The sannin told the boy who's pout only grew
"Why do you mock me so much?" Naruto asked his master who simply shrugged.
"Because I've put up with your ass for the past 3 years." He told the boy simply who sighed accepting what the man said.
"Naruto and Jiraiya?" Izumo asked aloud as he and his partner kotetsu sat in their usual spots as the gate guards of konoha. However the two seemed to ignore them as they continued further into the town talking to each other.
"Dude did they just ignore us?" Kotetsu asked as they looked at each other before sighing and resting their heads dejectedly on the table.
"We would ignore us too." They said in unison.
So this chapter took far longer than I thought it would but I hit a little bit of
writer's block for a little while and I kept coming back to both my stories but I was just so busy with work and college I just didn't get far… But I'm back! I wanted to make this interlude chapter longer but I didn't feel like it would be very interesting as we go into part two… I will also be doing a rewrite or of all the older chapters to fix grammar mistakes and flesh out things as well as fix plot holes.
So yeah