Naruto stared at Jiraiya, remaining unimpressed as the man stared into the women's baths. Well, enough of this. "Universal Pull," Naruto called, yanking Jiraiya towards him. Jiraiya crashed into the water before rebounding and glaring at Naruto. Oddly enough, recognition lit up in his eyes. And not the kind from just looking at his file, either. It was more like… Has he seen me before now without me realizing it?

Naruto pondered words that Kurama had tossed around in his rants.

Your father said something like that once before, and look where that got him.

If you ask me, you'll be no better than that hypocritical father of yours— the one who holds my ire the most.

...For killing your parents?

...Your father's use of Sage Mode…

What doesn't make sense here? Naruto mentally screamed. Kurama remained silent. "Jiraiya, right? I'm Uzumaki Naruto. You wanted to train me?"

Jiraiya's wits came back, and he stood to his full, imposing height. "That's correct, brat. I want to take you on as my apprentice. You know, my last apprentice was actually the Yondaime Hokage?" Naruto bowed appreciatively.

"I'd be honored, then, Jiraiya-sensei."

"Let's start small," Jiraiya suggested. "Can you water walk?"

Naruto nodded. "I can also kunai balance and split, burn, drench, and crumble leaves. Nothing past that, though."

Jiraiya hummed, clearly impressed. "I didn't think Kakashi would be able to teach so well. Well, there's no way you have a Summoning Contract, do you?"

Naruto shook his head. "Kaka-sensei said I could join his custom contract, but I pondered it first because they can't maintain themselves. Are you saying I can sign the Toad Contract?"

Jiraiya nodded. "I'd prefer to handle the rest of this, er, not in a public hot spring, possibly."

"There's always Training Ground #8. It's nearby and open to the public, if not a little worn down," Naruto suggested.

"I'll meet you there," Jiraiya confirmed. Naruto beamed and ran off. "...Five more minutes won't hurt," Jiraiya muttered, turning back to his peephole.


Naruto arrived at the training ground and noted that it was empty. He made twenty clones and set them to working on his Deva Path. Would be nice to have another Path, but I Really want to fly.

Jiraiya chose that moment to show up. "Alright, gaki. I see you've got some clones training with your eyes already. Right now, you should know that I've only ever seen the gravitational effects up close, but I have tips for unlocking others. That's going to wait. For a while. For now, sign the Toad Contract. You need to use your blood."

Jiraiya unfurled the large scroll. Naruto bit his thumb and used the leakage as ink. "Yatta! Now the bastard's a step behind me!"

"Right, then. Since I want you prepared for any variables in the finals, I'm starting your Rasengan training immediately. Once we get half way through the month you can work out an agreement with the toads. For now, take this." Jiraiya tossed Naruto a water balloon. "Pop it with your chakra. And only your chakra. If you need help—" Jiraiya cut himself off, as the balloon popped.

The Toad Sage blinked. "What the…? How did you do that?"

"Well, it was actually pretty easy," Naruto explained. "It's called 'Rasengan', or 'Spiraling Sphere'. Ergo, I assumed I'd need to spiral my chakra. I can see chakra flow with my Rinnegan, and lately I've kinda been able to see a tiny amount of tenketsu. Maybe it's evolving. Either way, I noticed that sending the chakra only one way wouldn't make it pop. It only made it get close to popping. I work on chakra control every day, even on missions and off days, so… It wasn't hard to manipulate it."

Jiraiya's eye twitched. I don't recall Nagato having quite this amount of talent. That's scary. "Try to form a Rasengan, using that same method, without the balloon."

Naruto did as he was told, and a blue ball of chakra appeared in his palm. "How has no one attempted this before? It's so easy!" he said, slamming the jutsu into a nearby tree and leaving that part hollow. "Ooh, I wonder if I can add my Fuuton chakra to it?!"

"Not yet," Jiraiya ordered. "I've taken note of another jinchurikki within the exams. Sabaku no Gaara. I want you able to counter him with your own bijuu. How well can you handle it?"

"Naruto, I implore you to keep our communications a secret. They do not believe me to be as capable of thought as you have seen."

Naruto gave a low nod. "Jiraiya-sensei, I can call on tiny amounts of the beast's chakra, with or without his consent." Naruto had both lied and referred to Kurama as less than sentient— for that he'd have to make it up to him. "I think my Rinnegan may be more useful against him, though. I should be able to disable him before he can even transform, but… I need you to teach me some fuuinjutsu."

Jiraiya cocked an eyebrow. "How much do you know about it?" he asked, interested. "Because I can teach you eventually if you have no clue what you're doing, but if you have any kind of experience I can teach you something in time for the exams."

"Er, I only know theory, but I know what kind I'd need. Mainly offensive, since most of my Rinnegan abilities are defensive. And beyond that a tiny amount of supplementaries. I don't want to expand too much, but even with my eyes I'm decidedly lacking."

Jiraiya grinned lightly. "Huh. You're a golden egg, aren't you? Either way, you should know something." His face became grim. "There's a group of S-Ranked Missing Ninja roaming the nations. They're called Akatsuki, and their goal is to capture the tailed beasts regardless of if they're sealed or not. I'm sure you can guess what happens when a bijuu is taken out of a jinchurikki."

Naruto's face mirrored Jiraiya's. "I'd die, wouldn't I?"

"Yeah." Jiraiya looked up into the sky. "You'd die. And I don't know what the Hell they'd want with all the beasts, but we likely wouldn't survive the aftermath, either. Do you have any goals, Naruto?"

"I want to become Hokage one day," Naruto stated lowly, a bit dismayed not only for himself, but for Kurama as well. These guys… they just think they can do what they want. They think that Kurama is some kind of commodity. That isn't the case, and I think I should show them the truth.

"Then you know that your bijuu will come in handy, don't you? Well, go ahead and dispel your clones and see what they've learned." Naruto did as he was commanded, gripped his head lightly, then grinned. He floated slightly into the air, while Jiraiya looked at him with a new eye. "Not many ninja can fly. In fact, I only think that I know of two others. How in control are you?"

Naruto moved around. "It's far more chakra taxing than just using Almighty Push or Universal Pull. It's like using both on myself at the same time. Still, it doesn't take all of my chakra. I just doubt I could maintain it for very long, especially while using other jutsu. And I don't think I can use My Deva Path at all while doing this."

Naruto dropped to the ground, and Jiraiya took a few notes. "Man, I didn't think you'd make this kind of progress in one day. Or, rather, you've made the progress previously. Anyway, we can get something to eat, I guess, but what kind of monster would you be in the future?"

Naruto grinned, his cerulean eyes glinting. "The good kind, I hope."


Sasuke gripped his new chokuto he'd ordered before the exams began. He was getting taller, and would probably need new clothes soon. He watched Sakura and Kakashi engage in a spar. She's getting pretty good. Beyond her intelligence she has a drive. Combined, those two things would turn anyone into a good ninja, regardless of special bloodline. I can't wait to see her go against that Samui girl.

Sasuke had just signed the Hawk contract. He'd known Itachi to utilize the Crows, so he wanted something that could counter it. He'd certainly have to train to make effective use of them, though. A strictly combat suited summon was unnecessary for someone with his offensive potential. Besides having a great way to be transported, the Hawks could scout and pick off weakened or unaware opponents. They were perfect for him.

Sasuke had also become interested in manipulating Raiton chakra even further. He'd noticed the way the Kumo team had been able to use their own affinities, and that was an interesting and powerful technique. It would greatly increase ihs own offensive potential as well as give him versatility. He couldn't help but smirk at this thought; the one advantage that the Kumo nin had, and he'd taken it away. He wondered how Naruto was faring. Kakashi had stated that Naruto's training would be given by a Sannin, and while he was far from jealous, Sasuke was curious about what that entailed exactly. Alas, he had no idea where Naruto was; indeed, Jiraiya could have very well taken Naruto out of the village until the finals.

Sasuke knew that his team was the strongest of the Rookies, and maybe even the strongest of all of Konoha's Genin. But he had to be stronger than that to beat Itachi. After all, Naruto not only had the Rinnegan; he also had that vile chakra. Sasuke could see it with his Sharingan— a separate chakra source welling deep within Naruto's core. He could tell that Naruto was far ahead of him, and that wasn't to be tolerated.

If Sasuke couldn't beat Naruto, then there wasn't any way to defeat Itachi.

"I'm joining in! Chidori!" Sasuke shouted, rushing forwards to meet Kakashi. Yeah, he couldn't let Naruto leave him in the dust. Naruto had big dreams, too, and he knew that Naruto wouldn't let them go so easily.


"Mui-chan!" Naruto called as he jogged up to Omoi, Karui, and Samui. They all turned to see the grinning, whiskered blonde.

"Oh, Ruto-kun. Why are you so happy?" Samui questioned, slightly amused. I don't know why, but that smiling face always gets me.

"There's no way I'm losing to you guys in the finals. You know that, right? I'm gonna be champion. Although, I'm sure you'll be a close second, Mui-chan," Naruto said.

"Oi! What about us, Fishcake!" Karui shouted with a scowl. Naruto scowled right back.

"What about you, Tomato Head?!" They bumped heads together, growling and throwing insults.

"Enough, you two. So uncool," Samui ordered.

"You can't fight here! It might spark a war between villages!" Omoi also interrupted.

Jiraiya caught up. "Naruto." There was a serious edge in his voice. Naruto and Karui stopped their bickering. "A pair of them is here." He had just explained to Naruto that Akatsuki travelled exclusively in pairs, so Naruto knew what he meant.

"Are we going to engage?" Naruto asked, activating his Rinnegan in apprehension. Jiraiya gave a low nod.

"I may actually need you. Not even a Sharingan can counter the effects of another Sharingan."

"Sasuke's brother, then…" Naruto mused. "Who's his partner?"

"Hoshigaki Kisame," Jiraiya answered gravely. "The Tailed Beast without a Tail. I can take on Kisame with a bit of effort, but Itachi will need to be kept off of me."

Team Samui was shocked. "Jiraiya-sama, we can help if you need it," Samui informed.

Jiraiya shook his head. "All I need you to do is keep civilians back. This is going to get messy, but also needs to be done quietly. Besides that, Naruto and I can handle this ourselves. C'mon, Naruto." Jiraiya faded using his Hiding Like a Mole Technique.

Naruto turned to Samui. "Don't worry, Mui-chan. I'll be fine. I'm going to be Hokage one day, you know?"

Samui cocked an eyebrow. "Who said I was worried? I've seen first hand exactly what you can do. You'll be a great Hokage."

Naruto took a step forward, hesitated, then nodded at her, his eyes determined. He rushed off after his sensei.

Samui smiled. So you aren't ready yet, huh? Be safe, Ruto-kun.


Jiraiya appeared directly in front of Kisame and Itachi. "Uchiha Itachi. Hoshigaki Kisame. I doubt you'll listen, but I'm going to have to ask that you stand down and not resist arrest. Otherwise…" Jiraiya slipped into his Frog Kata (sans Senjutsu). "I'll end you myself."

Naruto appeared a second later. So, that's Itachi's brother, huh? I can see where the cloth was cut… He looked at Kisame. And this must be the so-called Tailless Tailed Beast, then. His reserves are outclassing mine by quite a lot, and that's saying something.

"I see you've made our jobs easier, Jiraiya-sama," Itachi said coolly. "I was under the impression that this would be a slightly more difficult task. Kisame, go."

"With pleasure, Itachi-sama," Kisame said with a grin, rushing at Naruto. Naruto nodded at Jiraiya, creating a Rasengan in one hand and rushing at Kisame.

Kisame brought up the sword strapped to his back, completely blocking the Rasengan and launching Naruto backwards. Kisame rushed at him again, intending to bring the giant, scaled blade down onto Naruto's arm. Naruto kicked away with a hiss and floated above Kisame for a second, rushing at Itachi.

"Amaterasu."

Naruto's eyes widened when he noticed that Itachi's right eye began bleeding. An instant later, his jacket caught fire. Shit! Naruto used his own eye to extinguish the Amaterasu flames, turning to glare at Itachi. "So, we can counter each other with that technique. Interesting." While Naruto could manipulate the black flames with his left eye, it seemed that Itachi was only capable of it with his right.

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Your eyes. The Rinnegan. That could be an issue." Itachi drew a kunai and charged forward once more. Naruto growled and drew his own.


With Jiraiya and Kisame, the two began tossing heavy but practiced blows at high speeds. It's a good thing I sent Naruto after Itachi, Jiraiya thought with macabre mirth. Kisame is everything that Naruto is, but better. High strength, speed, durability, stamina, and chakra levels.

Kisame was striking furiously with his sword, but Jiraiya dodged every blow and reacted with a punch or kick. Good. They aren't escalating the fight. We can contain them. Though I'm certain that they just want any chance that they can take to escape.

Kisame slipped through Jiraiya's guard, slamming the tip of Samehada into Jiraiya's stomach and flipping him onto his back. Kisame then kicked Jiraiya across the stone. Just as he'd decided to come down on Jiraiya and end it, Jiraiya's eyes gained a light amount of orange pigmentation, and he launched a fist. Without it even hitting Kisame, the green-skinned man was tossed backwards. Jiraiya's Sage Mode dissipated, and he rushed at Kisame once more. "Rasengan!" he shouted, launching the technique into Kisame's stomach.


Naruto's kunai clashed against Itachi's, and their battle began. Naruto quickly was forced to tank three punches from Itachi, faster than he could blink. He backed away, which proved to be a mistake as Itachi continued to press.

"Almighty Push!" Naruto called out, launching Itachi backwards. Naruto followed, holding out a cupped palm. "Rasengan!" Just as the technique connected, Itachi dissipated into a murder of crows. What?

"Naruto, he can still affect you with Genjutsu. It's a bit convoluted, but there are some genjutsu that change the state of a person's body and turns it into reality. These are called Yin techniques, and they can fool the Rinnegan as well."

Thanks for the heads up this late, Kurama… Naruto groused as he frantically looked around for Itachi. Naruto's eyes widened as a red, titanic arm crashed into the space where he stood. A powerful burst of repulsive energy repelled the technique away from him. Standing adjacent from him was Itachi, covered in a red, gigantic, ethereal armor. "What… the… Hell…?"

"This is my Suasnoo, Naruto-kun," Itachi explained. "And you will not survive it."

Naruto unsheathed his Executioner's Blade and held it up in his right hand. "That remains to be seen, Itachi." Naruto rushed forward at his opponent, channeling Wind Release chakra into his sword and clashing it against Itachi's chakra based extension. His eyes widened when he noticed his chakra being sucked inside of the Susanoo. He backed away slightly, having to dodge once more as Itachi's red blade slammed into the Earth around him. Before he could completely recover, Itachi smacked him with the flat of the blade, sending him skidding along the ground.

"Naruto, you won't win at this rate. Jiraiya underestimated him." Kurama sighed. "Here. My chakra should be sufficient enough for you to take him on. I can only give you so much for now, of course."

That's just enough, Kurama. Thank you. Naruto's Rinnegan darkened from blue to purple. His whisker marks darkened slightly, and his canines and nails lengthened. He slung his sword up and pointed it at Itachi. "You think absorbing chakra will help you? — What about when there's so much chakra that it just doesn't matter to me when you take it?" Naruto rushed at Itachi with his speed greatly augmented, slamming his sword into the breast of the Susanoo. Itachi was forced to stagger lightly, but quickly recovered and tried to swing at Naruto again.

Naruto flipped onto the outstretched limb and severed the sword arm with his own sword. Itachi collapsed his Susanoo wordlessly. Then he rushed forward and began to engage Naruto with a single kunai, matching him blow for blow despite the power of a bijuu behind him. Itachi sent every one of Naruto's swipes off course, getting in tiny hits here and there. A backhand, a punch, a kick. Itachi then proved that his eyes didn't make him so fearsome. It was his skill. He dropped his kunai, gripped Naruto's swinging arm, and disarmed him, kicking him into the dirt.

"Almighty Push!" Naruto roared, sending Itachi off of him. "Amaterasu!" Itachi's cloak caught fire, forcing him to remove it. He landed from his toss in a crouch, brandishing a handful of shuriken and tossing them forwards. Naruto blocked them, smirking lightly. Itachi realized why when he was being cut through by a Shadow Clone. He dissipated into a murder of Crows. The clone was then skewed by a partial manifestation of Susanoo. Naruto rushed at the rogue Uchiha, noting that his eyes seemed to be bleeding. Wonder what that's about. Itachi blocked the Executioner's Blade once more with a kunai. Naruto channeled his Wind Chakra into the blade, instantly sawing through the knife before rushing into Naruto's safe zone and jamming an elbow into his chest. Naruto actually was forced back a few yards, giving Itachi room to flip through hand signs.

"Fire Release: Grand Fireball Jutsu."

Naruto put up his sword to block, not wanting to waste anymore chakra with his Rinnegan since it seemed that this would drag out. What the Hell is going on? Why haven't we gotten any backup?

"Naruto, I'd end this quickly if I were you. You're starting to take damage from my chakra," Kurama warned. Naruto sucked his teeth as Itachi began to effectively beat him like an academy student.

Well how do I make your chakra not hurt me?! Naruto screamed in his head, barely launching off an Almighty Push to get some breathing room. Kurama grunted.

"It certainly won't happen in this fight, so stop worrying about it."


After being hit by Jiraiya's Rasengan, Kisame evaporated. Water Clone, Jiraiya mentally spat, dodging out of the way of an extended Samehada. The sentient blade began to chase Jiraiya, who had enough of it after ten seconds. "Needle Jizo!" Jiraiya called out after flashing through a few hand signs.

Samehada crashed into his elongated hair before pulling back. Like I thought. I can confuse the sword, since it's pretty stupid. Jiraiya flashed through signs again, this time aiming at a stunned Kisame. "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!" Kisame had no way to dodge the intensely heated dragon, which crashed into his chest and separated him from Samehada. I still need to stop the sword itself…


Kurama's chakra dissipated from Naruto's form, and he breathed heavily. Itachi turned to look across the field, before narrowing his eyes. "Today our match ends in a stalemate, Naruto-kun. We can certainly pick up at a later date." He turned, once more, into a murder of crows, as did Kisame and Samehada farther away. Naruto resealed his Executioner's Blade as Jiraiya walked up to him.

"You did great today, Gaki. I'm going to make you do better, but today you did better than I could have hoped. We're going to get some food in you and get you home, alright?"

Naruto nodded, staring at the destruction and aftermath. "He was even tougher than Orochimaru, Sensei."

Jiraiya smirked. "And you still held your own. You've got time to get better. And I'll get you to that point."


Itachi looked up at the two halves of Zetsu. "What do you have to say, Itachi?" the black half asked.

"The Kyuubi Jinchurikki possesses the Rinnegan," Itachi answered as he treated Kisame's burns. "He is at least competent with it and can call upon his bijuu's chakra at will."

"Hmm… that's an interesting turn of events!" the white Zetsu squealed.

The black Zetsu snorted. "It is more than that. It's a conundrum. Keep observing and report any changes. Our plans will have to be modified once again."

Itachi mentally cocked an eyebrow at the growl hidden in Black Zetsu's tone. It seemed there was something to Naruto even beyond having those peculiar eyes. "Even so, we have a way to counter this. It wasn't completely unexpected, after all, that the Uzumaki brat would pull something like this out of his sleeves. Since it ended up this way, though…" Black Zetsu continued, his other half picking up halfway through.

"... You should also keep an eye on your brother. We'll need to draw more of your blood as well, so we can proceed. Remember your part well, Itachi!"

Itachi gave a low nod, his eyes changing shape into his Mangekyou. "Of course I know. Isn't that what we've discussed?" Out of his arm came a sharp bone. "I am just as unique as he is, after all."