Naruto had spent the last week or so to let his arm recover. Before he left for the sand village, Gaara had come to say goodbye to Naruto. He thanked him for everything and promised to come back soon.
Naruto was content. Hiruzen stepped into the room, "Naruto, I have some news for you," the boy was getting all of his stuff together. He would go home today. After that, he hadn't really planned anything out, "The elder council and I have come to a decision. You will be promoted to chūnin." This was only a formality as Naruto was already higher rank than a chūnin. Naruto wasn't jumping off the walls.
"Who else was promoted?"
"Well, we only know about the shinobi from our village. There was only one other shinobi promoted."
"Well spit it out already! Why are you making me wait so long?!"
"Shikamaru Nara was the other chūnin," Naruto looked at him and laughed. He couldn't stop laughing. He composed himself after he realized Hiruzen wasn't laughing.
"Wait so you're serious? He gave up his match-ttebayo!"
Hiruzen nodded, "But he displayed patience and good strategy, something many of the other genin did not," he was thinking specifically of Sakura. Her punch was devastating, something he even feared a little bit. She got lucky. Shikamaru won using his brain, Sakura with sheer luck and strength.
"Gramps? You okay?" Hiruzen realized he was lost in thought.
He cleared his throat, "Jiraiya wanted to see you when you're done. That's all." The boy nodded and Hiruzen took his leave. Usually Jiraiya would just come to him directly. It probably wasn't a big deal.
After he dropped everything off at his shack, he walked out to head back to the village, "Hey, you brat! I was looking for ya!" Jiraiya clapped his hand on the boys shoulder as he jumped.
"You scared me, Pervy Sage. Whaddaya need?"
"Well, our trip to find the Uzumaki sealing chains was cut short. So I thought I owed you."
"Uh, what's that supposed to mean?"
He flicked the boys forehead, "We're going to look for them, dummy," he paused, "and I might even teach you senjustsu!" Naruto looked excitedly at the man.
"Oh boy, really? How long will we be gone?"
"Just a couple years."
Naruto stopped and tilted his head, "Just a couple years? That's a long time-ttebayo. I have friends and..."
"Don't worry about Hinata. She'll be able to live without you."
"Yeah but... A couple years?"
"Just let how you miss your friends motivate you to get it done quicker."
"I don't know, Pervy Sage," he scratched his head.
"Look, Naruto," he paused and looked up, "not even I know the full extent of the Rinnegan's power. Do you want to get stronger? Do you want to become Hokage?" The boy looked down, "A wise man told me once that there were no shortcuts to being Hokage," he looked back at the boy, "Do you know who that man is, Naruto?" He got closer to the boy.
"Alright, alright, stop trying to manipulate me, it's sad-ttebayo. I'll go. But I'll need a week first. To say goodbye to everyone," Jiraiya nodded and held a fist out. They fist bumped and set back off towards the village.
"Where are we going Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked. They had been traveling for what seemed like years. She was starting to get a little impatient.
"I already told you it's a secret-ttebayo. You'll love it." It was getting dark out. She couldn't help but stare at Naruto. She leaned her head on his chest and looked up. He looked so stoic with the moonlight shining on him. He landed on the ground and placed her on her feet, "Here it is." He motioned towards a little blue pond. He then took a step towards a long log that overlooked the pond.
"It's beautiful."
"This is where I was before I first met you-ttebayo. It was the place my dad sat before he found the love of his life as well," he paused and let out a chuckle, "Our stories were almost the exact same."
"Can you tell me?"
"Well come sit down-ttebayo."
Sasuke was enjoying the moonlight, sitting in his window. Somebody knocked on the door, "I'm asleep. Go away." The door opened anyway and Tsunade walked in. They hadn't talked much, Sasuke and Tsunade, and sometimes Sasuke even forgot she was staying with them, "What do you want."
"You know, Shisui is a lot nicer than you," she pulled up a chair beside the boy, "I thought I should get to know you. I've talked to Itachi, Mikoto, and Shisui. They all seem to think very highly of you. I'm not too convinced, considering your attitude," Sasuke 'hmphed' and continued to look out the window. There was a long silence. "Well I'm not surprised," she began to get up, "You know Senju and Uchiha don't really get along."
She was halfway to the door when Sasuke spoke up, "You're a Senju?"
"That's correct."
"You can sit back down."
Tsunade obliged and the two began to talk.
"You're related to the first two hokage?"
"Flesh and blood. Instead of wood release I got lord firsts healing ability and chakra control."
"Why is it so difficult to become a medical ninja? I never understood what was different about it."
"Well, have you ever climbed a tree with your feet," the boy nodded, "Well, focusing chakra to your hands, although easier than your feet, is very difficult. You need to be incredibly knowledgeable, precise, and cool under pressure. You need to steadily focus precise amounts of chakra to your hands, all while a life hangs in the balance right in front of you. It takes incredible amounts of practice."
Sasuke thought back to the land of waves, where team 7 first worked in chakra control. He remembered how easily Sakura had been able to climb the tree. "I think Sakura Haruno would make..." he was looking for a word that showed acknowledgement, but not too much admiration, "a sufficient medical ninja." He couldn't reveal his feelings for Sakura. Not yet. He was still playing hard to get.
Hinata placed her head in Naruto's lap. He had finished the story. Hinata smiled, "Wow that was really similar. I would have liked to meet your parents. What were their names?"
"My mom was Kushina, and my dad was Minato-ttebayo."
Hinata looked at the boy, "Minato? Like... The fourth Hokage?" Naruto just continued to look at the girl. First, confusion spanned her face, second realization, "REALLY?! Your dad was lord fourth?" Naruto nodded, "Wow," she kneeled on the log and faced the boy, "You do have his hair."
"I wish I had my mom's-ttebayo." Up in the sky, Kushina was fist pumping as Minato rubbed the back of his neck, "She had this long, beautiful red hair. The signature of the Uzumaki clan."
"How do you know so much about them?"
"Uh, pictures and stuff-ttebayo."
"So if Madara was his best friend, why did he turn on him?"
Tsunade shrugged, "I couldn't tell you. You should ask him."
"Right, I'll just ask when he brings the mail," Tsunade snorted, "He's not alive still. Right?"
Tsunade exhaled, "Shisui, Naruto, and Itachi told me about how they ran into someone claiming to be Madara. They said they were pretty sure it wasn't him."
Sasuke had a couple questions. He usually wasn't the inquisitive type, but very rarely do you get to talk to someone who knew the first hokage personally, "Why would someone impersonate Madara? That just seems low."
"His name carries around a lot of fear. You could take plenty of influence with it. Those three who saw him said he was incredibly powerful."
Sasuke though about it for a moment. Those three. When could his brother, cousin, and Naruto have ran into Madara, "How did Naruto encounter him along with Shisui and Itachi?"
Uh oh. Did Tsunade accidentally expose Naruto? "What do you mean?"
"You said they all met 'Madara'. Why was Naruto with Shisui and Itachi?"
Yep. She did. Time to play dumb, "I don't really remember the details. Could have been a freak coincidence," Tsunade shrugged. Hopefully that would keep the boy from prying.
"I see."
Hinata had fallen asleep in Naruto's lap. He picked her up bridal style. He had an idea. The moon was full tonight. He leapt through the trees, landing on the very tippy top of one, "Naruto-kun, where are we?"
"Nowhere specific."
"Then what are we doing on this tree?"
"Don't you remember the story?"
"Yeah Kushina and Minato stopped on a tree. It's where she fell in love with him," Naruto winked and nudged, "Naruto I'm already in love with you."
"Oh yeah. Me too." He shrugged and leapt off the branch, "At least it probably looked cool."
"Right," Hinata gave a smile.
"Oh damn it," Naruto exclaimed.
"What is it, Naruto-kun."
"Mosquitoes. One bit me on my thumb. Why do they suck so much?"
Hinata let out a yelp before lifting up Naruto's shirt and ducking under it, "I hate mosquitoes! I need to hide under here. Because of the mosquitoes"
"Okay, kehiban," he felt a hand move across his stomach. Yeah right, the mosquitoes.
He plopped her down in her bed and walked to the door, "Are you going?"
"No just give me a second. I have to use the bathroom."
The boy did his business and came back to see Sasuke sitting in the window. Hinata and Sasuke both looked very uncomfortable, "Hey... Sasuke? Why are you here right now?"
"I had something I needed to talk to you about. It's urgent. Also I saw Hinata in her underwear on accident."
"That's why you should use the door," Sasuke nodded. He had learned his lesson.
Naruto followed Sasuke out the window, putting his hands in his pockets, "When did you meet Madara Uchiha?"
"What? Who told you about him?"
"I'm no tattletale."
"Hmph, fine. It's supposed to be an s-rank village secret. I can't tell you that without permission from lord Danzō or gramps."
"Naruto, he's one of the last remaining Uchiha. I deserve to know."
He kinda did, "Why does it matter when I met him then?"
Sasuke looked down. Well that backfired. He thought Naruto would feel bad and open up about Madara, "Nevermind. You're right, I don't need to know." He turned to leave.
"Did you apologize to Sakura yet? She might be really annoying, but she really cares about you. It would be stupid to ruin a relationship like that."
"Right. I haven't yet."
"Well you still owe me. Especially now, after seeing my girlfriend naked."
His face grew red, "She wasn't naked! It was her fault for changing!"
"Right. Changing in her own room."
Sasuke mumbled something about shutting the blinds before leaping away. He had come here to find more about Naruto. How had he seen Madara? Shisui or Itachi might know.
Naruto sat down on the bed next to Hinata, who was still not dressed, "What did Sasuke want?"
"He, uh, he was, uh," he kept looking at her, realized she was almost naked, then looked away.
She let out a giggle, "It's okay Naruto-kun. It's no different from when I look at your body. You're okay with that."
"Well it's kinda different. This is my first time seeing you... like this."
"It's a clan rule," what did that even mean? "Here, let me help you," she grabbed his arm and pulled him in top of her. Naruto had never noticed before, but Hinata had nice abs too. Her whole body was surprisingly muscular. For once, Naruto found himself tracing his finger along her muscles.
"You're very pretty."
"You too."
"Hey wait a minute! Guys aren't supposed to be pretty."
"Who said that?"
"Uh, you know, uhhh," he actually didn't know who he heard that from. I guess it's just common thought.
"You can be whatever you like."
"Can I not be pretty though? Makes me feel weird."
Hinata let out a laugh before sitting up on her knees, putting her eye level with the boy, "Sure, Naruto-kun."
They leaned in and met with a kiss.
Sasuke had returned home. He lie on his bed, looking at the ceiling. Why couldn't Shisui or Itachi tell him? Naruto was his best friend. Don't beat friends tell each other those kinds of things? He was startled when he saw a black figure standing in the corner, "Sasuke Uchiha. They have all been lying to you for so long."
"What are you talking about? How did you get in here?"
"Ah ah, one question at a time please. Naruto, your friend, is more than he lets on. He, Shisui, and Itachi are closer than you think."
"What are you doing here?" Shisui stood in the doorway, sword drawn. Itachi quickly followed behind.
"Ah. If it isn't the clan killers. Remember what I said Sasuke. Naruto isn't who he says he is. He's more of a copycat than us Sharingan users." The man disappeared in a swirl, leaving behind only feelings of uncertainty and betrayal. Sasuke turned his head to the two.
"What does he mean by that? Who is Naruto really?"
Shisui sat there for a moment before slamming his blade into its sheath, "Fuck. We have to tell you now. All of it. The whole story. Have you seen Naruto's Sharingan?"
Sasuke had been rather wide eyed towards Naruto lately. Every time he would talk to his friend, he would be acting... different, to say the least.
"Hey Naruto! Can you water this bush for me? Use a water jutsu!"
"Hey Naruto! Can you build me a picnic basket? Use wood style, come on come on."
"Hey Naruto! What am I thinking right now? Look through my memories."
He thought it was really weird all the stuff Sasuke was asking him to do. A picnic basket? So not Sasuke. And how did he know about wood release? He would have time to figure it out. A couple years actually. He was leaving on his journey with Jiraiya soon.
Hinata was upset, of course. A couple years was a long time. But she knew Naruto was feeling the same way. For him to go on such a long journey, well, whatever it was, it must have been very important. He had said it was something to do with his family lineage, but he was very vague. She would just have to get stronger, and spend this time looking for an outstanding welcome back gift.
All of his friends were there to see him off. Even Shikamaru showed up.
"Good luck Naruto, stay safe." Haku shouted. Zabuza just mumbled 'yeah' causing Haku to give him a butt smack.
"STAY SAFE WE'LL MISS YOU BUDDY," Zabuza shouted.
"There, better. You just needed a little encouragement."
He waved back at everyone, "I'll be as quick as possible. Promise."
"Wait Naruto-kun." Hinata came rushing out from the crowd. She was holding something, "I made you this," she held out a small hat with intricate snowflakes strewn about. She clasped her hands together and started to sway a little bit, "I just thought you might get cold."
"Hey where's mine?" Jiraiya asked jokingly.
"Oh right," she reached into a bag, pulling a second, bigger hat out, "Here you are Jiraiya-sensei!" He was sort of taken aback. He had never really talked to the girl, yet she hand knitted him a hat. Naruto and Hinata hugged one last time, "I'll miss you. Are you sure I can't come with?" Naruto looked at Jiraiya. The man shook his head.
"I'm sorry kehiban. I'll be back soon. I'll bring you back an outstanding gift. I promise."
"Mine will be better-ttebayo."
"Hey! No!" The two laughed.
"Hey Naruto, baka, let's go please." Jiraiya was standing behind him. His voice made Naruto jump.
"Right. Sorry."
He turned and left, before turning back around to view the village and his friends once more. He wouldn't be back for a while. He took the sights in and held his fist out.
"See you later!"
Hey all-
It's timeskip time baby. I think I might work on a bunch of one shot little filler stories. Either that or I'll just move directly into the new era. I might wait a couple days before uploading the post-timeskip chapters, to make it feel more real. Oh and also, if you haven't watched Jiraiya and Naruto's last conversation, do that. It's very emotional and makes me cry. It was in a filler episode so it would make sense if you missed it.
Anyway~
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I'm really excited to write "A Normal Shinobi Shippūden." I've git some really cool ideas for the future. I'm really looking forward to the pain fight ;)! I hope you all have a great day/night (or else!)
Peace out!
Jerry.