Sorry this took so long I had to deal with the death of my grandmother among other things but hey the story continues
Tonlor: Oh you know idea with the amount of fluff I have planned will be enough to make a fluffy pillow to sleep on lol
YamiChaos27: Yea the elders are dicks and I have plans to 'enlighten' them in future chapters
Rose Tiger: You know they wont so Naruto is gonna have to do something about it lol
Snaketh: Thank you very much welcome to the crazy train...there are no stops
I.C. 2014: Thanks very much
Alright lets get on to it enjoy guys
Ch. 28 Race to Save a Friend, a New Resolve
"How close are we to Shukuba Town Ero-sennin?"
Jiraiya sighed "It's just over this ridge Naruto yeesh why can't you be more like Hinata and simply enjoy the road"
Hinata simply looked at the two as they bickered and she giggled. It had been like this since they left and she simply went along with it she was just happy to be with Naruto and hoped she could get more training in to become stronger. They continued on to their first destination Shukuba Town which is an outpost town close to Konoha, as they got closer Naruto asked another question.
"Hey sensei something's been bugging me...why did you choose me to tag along on this mission, let along choose to train me during the month before the Chunin Exam?"
Jiraiya was slightly taken aback by this question; he couldn't outright tell him he wanted to spend time with his own godson...well not yet anyway. "Well the truth is kid a long time ago the Yodaime Hokage was a student of mine and well you kinda remind me of him sorry kid I pretty much chose you out of nostalgia but hey the jutsu you are about to learn is another one of the 4th's jutsus so it's not that bad right gaki"
Naruto really didn't hear much after being told he's like his hero the Yodaime, he felt so giddy that he basically rushed past his sensei and girlfriend dashing into the small town. Jiraiya sighed but then smiled "How do you put up with him Hinata-san?" he asked rhetorically as the two remaining shinobi headed into the town with Hinata just smiling at her boyfriend's antics.
Elsewhere
"I'm pretty certain you could go toe to toe with him though I'm not sure I could...he's on a whole 'nother level" Kisame's deep voice spoke out to his comrade
"Yeah...If we faced each other both of us would be killed a rather unappealing outcome..." Itachi replied speaking in a more controlled tone "...even if there were more of us the result would remain the same"
Kisame smiled "Never thought I'd face off against one of the Legendary Sannin if we fight him then both the Uchiha-clan and 7 Swordsmen of the Mist will have their name dragged through the mud"
"True but even the strongest of opponents always has a weakness" Itachi said standing up as they watched Jiraiya, Naruto and a girl he believed to be Hyuga Hinata travel the road into a town.
Konoha
Anko was walking the street eating her favorite snack when she spotted Sasuke walking in the direction of Kakashi's place.
"Oi gaki what's up" she asked catching up to him at first he didn't answer as he was deep in thought "Oiii earth to Emo!"
Suddenly brought out of his thoughts he looks up at Anko "Oh Anko-sensei what do you want?" he asked
"I saw you headed to Kakashi's place so I figured I'd tag along to see what he's up to" Anko responded
Sasuke sighed and nodded "Fine whatever" he didn't mind the company. The two traveled a bit more until reaching Kakashi's.
Kakashi's Apartment
Maito Gai, Asuma and Kurenai all sat in their friends' room still trying to figure out why he hasn't woken up yet. Still thinking about the day's events they failed to register the footsteps coming their way. Sasuke and Anko headed up the stairs until they reached their mutual comrades door. Sasuke being in the lead reached the door first and as both of them entered the apartment there was silence from both parties until Anko spoke up.
'Kashi-kun' she thought "Wha...what happened to him" she asked hoarsely suddenly losing her voice
'Kakashi' Sasuke thought
The shinobi in the room struggled to come up with an answer as Anko drew closer to the bed looking at Kakashi when someone burst into the room. "Hey guys is it true that Itachi has returned and that he's after Naruto" a random shinobi yelled out
The room went silent, all except for Kurenai who sighed "Idiot!"
Sasuke's eyes widen slowly a million thoughts running through his mind. 'Itachi...why is he here? Why is after Naruto...can I actually kill him with my current power...we'll just have to find out!'
Before anybody could talk to him or detain him Sasuke dashed out the door in the blink of an eye, all his speed training with Kakashi showing its effectiveness.
"Awww why does this always happen" Gai bellowed out at the annoying situation
With Sasuke
Sasuke runs through the broken village searching for Naruto quickly landing at the Yoto residence only to find Takeru in the back yard in his battle gear training.
Takeru noticed Sasuke as he entered the yard he stopped his kata and turned to his comrade "Good morning..."
"No time where's Naruto?" Sasuke asked slightly out of breath
"He left on a mission with Hinata and Jiraiya-sama why what's wrong?" Takeru asked really not liking where this was going
"All you need to know it that Naruto is in danger and we need to find him fast" Sasuke replied
Takeru clinched his fist "Damn it why is my little brother always in the middle of trouble"
"Do you know where they went first?" Sasuke asked
Takeru shook his head "No I don't but I think I know who can help us..." turning back to the house "...oh Iroya here girl"
Sasuke watched as a tiny ball of fur dashed out of the house and into Takeru's arm abruptly knocking him on his butt licking his face.
"How will Naruto's summoning help us" Sasuke asked rather rudely
"Ok ok Iroya that's enough for now we need your help can you understand me?" Takeru asked as the little fox hopped off of him and sat on her haunches nodding awaiting orders. "Naruto-kun is in danger can you track his scent
The small kitsune yipped and began sniffing the air around them until she faced the direction of her master's scent. She yipped to the two shinobi that she had the scent and began to race off the find Naruto, wasting no time the two rushed off with Iroya following its master's scent.
Meanwhile
Jiraiya, Naruto and Hinata had arrived at a nearby town's hotel where they'll rest for the night. Jiraiya, being a pervert through and through, notices an attractive woman that's showing interest in him. So that he can get acquainted with the woman, Jiraiya hands Naruto the room keys, a scroll and a stack of chakra paper telling him to help Hinata find out what he nature is he then sends the kids up to their rooms. This annoys Naruto but he and Hinata head up to the room, the heiress stopping by Naruto's room to learn her chakra nature.
"Um Naruto-kun how does this work" she asked as they sat their stuff down
Naruto smiled "It really easy oji-san taught me about this, it's chakra paper and it will tell us what affinity you have..." Naruto explained as he sat on the bed leaning on the bedpost and Hinata snuggled up beside him as he explained
Naruto held up a sheet of paper in front of him "...see when the paper is exposed to even the slightest hint of chakra, it will react according to the chakra's latent nature like this.
Naruto pumped a very small amount of chakra into the paper and it split in two. Hinata was amazed while Naruto smiled at her awe "The paper split in two because my chakra nature is Futon, here let's see what yours is Hina-hime if its Katon the paper will ignite and turn to ash, if its Raiton the paper will wrinkle, if its Doton the paper will turn to dirt and crumble away and if its Suiton the paper will become damp."
Hinata nodded and took the slip of paper Naruto handed to her and focused her chakra into the paper and watched as it became damp.
"My nature is Suiton" Hinata said placing the wet paper on the night stand by her boyfriend's bed
Naruto smiled and wrapped his armsaround his girlfriend "That's awesome Suiton is a good fit for you water is always flowing kinda like how your movement flow when you practice your Juken style it really cool"
Hinata felt the heat rise in her cheeks and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek "Thank you Naruto-kun"
He smiled a wide foxy grin as he blushed "Ah shucks don't mention it"
Elsewhere
In the town Jiraiya and the lady that caught his attention were going through out the small town having a good time, drinking playing games and so on and so forth. Meanwhile Takeru and Sasuke going at top speed had just made it into the city following Iroya.
"So Sasuke what are we up against here?" Takeru asked
Sasuke seethed as he Sharingan activated "The man who murdered my entire clan" he said in a deadly tone his anger rising as they got closer
'Naruto be careful' Takeru thought to himself as he rushed into the city
Back at the Hotel
Naruto was sitting on his bed reading about the new jutsu he was going to learn. He found out that it was a fuinjutsu he was learning and was kinda ticked about it until he remembered it was another jutsu of the 4th. After reading what exactly the sealing jutsu could do he found himself getting more interested but he was also cursing Jiraiya much to Hinata's amusement, until someone knocks on the door. Thinking that it's an already rejected Jiraiya, Naruto gets up and reaches for the door opening the door, finding instead the imposing figure of a man with a Sharingan.
'Sharingan...Sasuke no he's older than Sasuke...could it be...him?' Naruto thought looking at the man's eyes
'Naruto don't look directly into his eye he's got that blasted Sharingan, if you continue to look into them it will spell the end for you and me as well as your mate'
"Hard to believe that the Kyubi lives in such a little runt" Naruto heard another voice appear from behind the man with the Sharingan this one had blue fish like skin with sharp teeth his knowledge of the fox shocking him.
"Naruto-kun what's wrong who's at the door..." Hinata asked as she walked towards him only to stop upon seeing the two men towering over her boyfriend
"Naruto...you're coming with us" the man with the Sharingan spoke calmly as both genin's eyes widened
In the blink of Kisame's eye Hinata had her bow drawn with an arrow already nocked "I'm sorry this cannot be permitted you will not be taking Naruto anywhere" she spoke in a serious tone someone was trying to take her Naruto away something she swore she's never let happen
Beneath the tall collar of his cloak that hid his face the man with the Sharingan actually smiled unknown to the other three around him "Hyuga-sama I do not wish to harm you please lower your weapon and I promise no harm will come to Naruto you have my word"
"I don't even know who you are and..." Hinata said getting angry until Naruto interrupted
"Hina-hime it's alright I'll go with them if it means you don't get hurt I will go" Naruto said in an eerily calm voice
Tears began to flow from Hinata's face "Naruto-kun you can't..."
Naruto turned his head slightly to her showing her is soft beautiful blue eyes "Hime it'll be ok...I promise..." he said with a smile and a smile before turning back to the obviously powerful shinobi in front of him "...you swear no harm will come to her"
"I gave my word" the man replied
Still perplexed by the man's Sharingan and the two's knowledge of the demon fox within him, Naruto leaves the safety of the room to find out what's going on and protect his mate as Kurama would put it. As Kisame readies his sword to cut off Naruto's leg saying it'd be annoying for him to trying to run away, he swings and Naruto pops, then looking to Hinata who suddenly pop into puff of smoke as well.
"FUTON: SENPUKEN"
The two large men are blown back slightly by a powerful Futon Jutsu. Naruto and Hinata appear from the hallway window their weapons drawn and prepared for battle.
"I don't know who the hell you guys are but as long as there is breath in my body you'll never take me away" Naruto growled his dojutsu gleaming he features looking feral
He and Hinata stood ready she with 3 arrows trained on the man with the Sharingan, both had received the memories from their clones.
"I must say Naruto-kun I'm impressed you were able to switch with a clone in such a short amount of time" the man with the Sharingan said
The blue skinned man gave a toothy grin "Agreed this little stunt of yours is getting me excited I'd like to see just what you're made of kid"
Suddenly all four went silent after they heard yipping and heavy footsteps "It's been a long time...Sasuke" the man with the Sharingan spoke having sensed who had arrived
"Uchiha...Itachi" Sasuke growled out panting
'I knew it...it's him its Sasuke older brother' Naruto thought to himself tighten the grip on his sword
"Hey now Itachi he looks an awful lot like you even has the same Sharingan as you...who is this kid" Kisame wondered
Itachi never taking his eyes of Naruto "He's my younger brother"
"That's funny considering I heard the entire Uchiha clan was wiped out...by you" Kisame grinned
Hinata gasped at that revelation meanwhile Naruto and Takeru tried to remain calm even though they both knew this was serious...Sasuke on the other hand.
"Uchiha Itachi I hope you're ready to die...it's just as you said nii-san I fostered my hatred for you all this time, I've lived my life for this one single purpose..." Sasuke said a Chidori forming in his left hand without high seals "...to see you die...FINALLY IT'S HERE YOU'RE DEAD!" he roared and then lunges at Itachi Chidori blazing in his hand tearing skin from it.
Naruto, Hinata and Takeru prepare for battle, but before Sasuke can land a blow Itachi turns grabs and breaks his arm, sending the attack into a nearby wall. To help Sasuke, Naruto growls loudly and gets ready to attack. Kisame sees this and uses his sword about to absorb Naruto's chakra, but Takeru comes out of nowhere and cross blocks with his swords. The Takeru by where Sasuke used to be popped confirming it was a clone.
"So you snuck in through the window like the Kyubi kid what are you guys brothers or something" Kisame pressing down on Takeru's block
The genin grunted as he strained to hold up the large wrapped sword, he smirked "You could say that Naruto GO!"
Naruto using his increased speed dashed past Takeru and ran up the side of the wall past Kisame. The shark man followed his movements ready to strike him, his speed was impressive but he had a long way to go, he was about to for a grab when he felt something coming his way.
He quickly saw the arrow coming for him "Really little girl you think you can stop me which a piece of wood"
As she watched him catch the arrow with no effort Hinata smirked "It was not meant to stop you"
"What?" Kisame asked a little too late as he failed to stop two things from happening, a second arrow flew past him and so did Naruto.
Itachi felt the arrow coming and kicks Sasuke away into a wall knocking the air out of him and catches the arrow only to face Naruto who was attacking him. Naruto swung his leg to kick the Uchiha but was blocked then brought his sword around to slice the man's head clean off but was met with a resounding clang as Itachi blocked with a kunai, flipping over him Naruto landed in between Sasuke and his brother.
Itachi smiled under his cloak "Impressive Naruto"
"Shut up you murderer" Naruto growled his eyes glowing crimson red
This interested Itachi he could feel the demonic aura flowing from him; it felt like the night he was born all over again. He wanted to see where the boy abilities are he produces a tanto. "Come Naruto let me test your ability"
Naruto would never admit it but he was nervous the aura of power and confidance flowing off of Itachi was frightening; he knew he had to protect his friends but could he actually survive against the man who killed his entire clan. 'Well what the hell I like a challenge' he thought
Kurama growled 'WELL BE THAT AS IT MAY DON'T GET US KILLED KIT, THIS ONE IS DEADLY HIS SHARINGAN WILL MAKE THIS DIFFICULT JUST MAKE SURE NOT TO LOOK HIM IN THE EYES OR ELSE WE'RE DEAD'
Naruto gulped but put on his brave face and figure out to look at the man's feet to stay alive "Fine you want to see my ability, I'll show you" he said his voice deepening a bit as he dashed toward him.
While they clashed, Kisame deals with Takeru with Hinata playing point as his back up. Eventually Kisame gains the upper hand and prepares to kill the two when suddenly a toad appears to block the attack. The arrival of the toad brings Naruto and Itachi out of their kenjutsu battle, Naruto looking a little worse for ware with small cuts all over his body as if Itachi was just toying with him. Jiraiya appeared in between the pair carrying a woman over her shoulders
Jiraiya sighed "You two do know me at all do ya, should have done your research. Jiraiya the Toad Sage falls victim to no woman's charm rare beauties drop for raindrops in a storm, it isn't in my nature to fall for the wiles of women..." he paused to smirk "...when you reach the stature I have...THE LADIES KNEEL AND WORSHIP AT YOUR AWESOMENESS" he said as he whipped his hair around and placing his left hand in front of him with a smug smile on his face.
Everyone paused at the outburst, Naruto and Takeru had deadpanned looks on their faces while Hinata had a small blush on her face but she was still in battle mode.
"Oh don't give me that one wink from a pretty girl and you turned into a mountain of mush, you fell for it like a ton of bricks Ero-sennin" Naruto yelled out
"I really wished you'd stop calling me that in front of other people"
As the two bickered Kisame and Itachi looked on the latter sporting a small smile under his cloak 'Jiraiya-sama still hasn't changed'
Kisame chuckled "Whatever name you go by Jiraiya-sama I must say you're something of a disappointment"
Realising that Itachi put the girl under a genjutsu to draw him away, Jiraiya learns for certain that the two really are after Naruto. This confirmed to Itachi that it was the sage that told Kakashi about the organization his was working with.
"It's true Naruto is the prize the Akatsuki are after...and we will have him" Itachi spoke in his monotone voice
This revelation shocks all the genin in the area, Hinata and Takeru both worried for Naruto. Sasuke heard this and was not going to let it happen, wanting to protect his friends and kill his brother struggles to get up and rushes past Naruto attacking Itachi only to be attacked with a one handed combo ending with a devastating gut punch dropping the younger Uchiha to the floor.
'All these years and nothing has changed, how can it be...what have I been doing all these years? Was...was it all for this?' Sasuke thought as he lay on the ground beaten and bruised
Itachi picked him up by his collar and slammed him into a wall. "You're still too weak...you don't have enough hate, and you know something...you never will!"
Itachi then cruelly placed the boy in the Tsukuyomi making him relive the day his parents and clan died over and over. Sasuke's screams of agony filled the hall as Jiraiya proclaims that he will kill the two. Naruto having had enough charges at Itachi until the entire hallway began to shift into a slimy surface.
"Kuchiyose: Gamaguchi Shibari" Jiraiya called out "You've just been swallowed by the mountain toad welcome my friends to the belly of the beast...kids don't move I'll handle this"
Knowing that they cannot win, Itachi and Kisame flee. Jiraiya sent a wall of flesh after them but then as they turned the corner they heard the old sage heard a loud booming noise. He quickly ran to investigate the others following right behind him, what they saw was mindboggling as black flame cover the gaping hole where they escaped.
Jiraiya investigates the black fire by sealing it and with Itachi and Kisame gone, Naruto and the others check on Sasuke, whose mind has been broken by his own brother. At that moment, Guy arrives and kicks Jiraiya in the face, having mistaken him for an enemy. The genin looked at their elders wondering how they got to where they are while being so...weird.
"I guess I was a little over enthusiastic...see I was trying to catch up and surprise the enemy but I couldn't see very clearly" Gai said rubbing the back of his head
Jiraiya growled "You know if this is your way of saying sorry it stinks baka"
Gai bowed "I'm sorry really it was just a simple misunderstanding"
"Simple minded is more like it but never mind that you need to get Sasuke back to the village ASAP"
After Guy apologizes again, he informs Jiraiya that Kakashi is in the same state as Sasuke and that nothing they've tried can be done to help him recover. As Guy takes Sasuke back to Konoha to rest, Jiraiya realizes that only Tsunade can help Kakashi and Sasuke, strengthening his resolve to find her. Takeru decides to remain with his brother and tags along much to Jiraiya's annoyance but allows it. Because he confirmed Akatsuki's interest in Naruto or more so the Kyubi, Jiraiya decides to start teaching Naruto the steps to his next jutsu. With it he just might be able to overcome the obstacles that are sure to come his way in the coming years, he'd make sure his godson was ready.
And there is chapter 28 drop some reviews and be honest is it feeling a bit rushed to you guys please let me know cause I kinda feel that maybe it is cause I kinda skip battles but just discribing it instead of writing them out