A/N: To address a few worries – No, I will not be bashing Sasuke, and yes, this will be a NaruSaku work. This chapter is on the roug hside, because I really just ran through it with little fore thought. I will be going through with a rewrite eventually, but for now this'll have to suffice. The next chapter is currently ten thousand words and counting. Most future chapters will be well within that range.

If you have any advice for this and the previous chapter, as well as any future ones, leave any and all constructive criticism and ideas I'll either get back with you personally or work it in if it fits with the general plans. Know that I always enjoy hearing your ideas.

Probably best to read this chapter with something along the likes of Naruto Shippuden's "Never Give Up" or "Man of the World" (or both) repeating in the background. My lady friend just said it was a good idea -sheepishly shrugs- :(

Strength of a Sage

Chapter One – Mt. Myōboku

Naruto didn't feel the large hands fall upon his chest or the jolts of electricity delivered from those strong palms, only the thunder that roared in his ears and throttled his nerves that welcomed him back to the living. Every cell in his body burned with pins and needles, and each breath hurt, his chest feeling as if it had caved in upon his internal organs. A fish out of water, the boy convulsed in the grip of powerful restraints as an unknown, dark figure worked him over. Just as he felt like his very heart was going to burst, a clear solution was shot into his trembling veins and once more, he recoiled into blackness.

Pain and confusion greeted Naruto the first morning he awoke after standing on death's doorstep once again. An extremely heavy humidity and oddly sweet scent filled the air, one he wasn't at all familiar with. It didn't smell at all like Konoha. But if he wasn't in the Hidden Leaf, then exactly where was he?

It was bright wherever he was, and the young boy forced open his eyes. He squinted and blinked, but the room around him refused to come into focus. As he reached up to attempt to rub away the haze, he promptly thrashed wildly, panicking, when he discovered he couldn't move. Several frightening moments passed before he forced himself to calm, breathing in and out deeply. It may not be Konoha hospital, but he concluded it was some form of care facility, as he had all of the traditional tubes embedded in his veins, wrists and ankles strapped to the bedding.

Naruto's movements must have captured someone's attention, for he heard a heavy shuffling from a few feet away. The shinobi instinctively tensed, though he wasn't exactly sure what he could do to fend off an enemy if indeed he had been taken prisoner.

"Ah, so you're awake," came an upbeat greeting, not what the shinobi was expecting. "Good to see."

Naruto was able to relax—at least a bit. That wasn't the usual manner in which an enemy addressed a prisoner, though shinobi like Kabuto had remarkable talents for feigning kindness and ignorance. He couldn't let his guard down completely, but he wasn't sensing anything threatening about the individual seeing to his well-being.

"Try not to move, boy. You were in quite the state," the voice continued, unbuckling the harnesses binding the boy to the bed. It was a sign of trust, proving that he wasn't in enemy hands. Naruto tried to show gratitude, but could only manage a nod of his head. "I was honestly shocked that you were even alive. And now you awaken after only six days? They weren't kidding when—"

"Six days?" Naruto bolted up in bed, though he immediately regretted it. Pain shot through him from every direction, and spots filled his vision, even through closed lids.

"No sudden movements, boy," the voice spoke soothingly. "Your body was basically destroyed when you were brought here. Many of your muscles were torn and shredded, bones were broken, and you were half drowned. You are in no shape to even lift a finger."

Naruto's head was spinning, and it was all he could do to keep from throwing up. He plopped himself back down into his soft bedding and breathed deeply, allowing the saccharine aromas in the air to soothe him. Whoever it was watching over him continued to shuffle about the room, doing what though, Naruto couldn't discern. Suddenly, something cold and moist plopped down across his brow, and it took the shinobi a few seconds to figure out it was only a damp cloth, the chilled fabric immediately helping relax and ease his throbbing head.

"Here, drink this," the caretaker spoke, a large appendage sliding under Naruto's neck and hoisting up his head gently.

A clay bowl was placed against his chapped lips, and Naruto blindly took hold of it, tipping its nourishing contents down his parched throat. Water! He never knew just how great a flavorless fluid tasted until he was nearly dying of thirst. His body wasn't quite ready for the rush, however, and he hacked and sputtered as he tried to swallow too much.

"Take it easy," the minder admonished with a chuckle. "Don't force yourself. You already almost drowned once. Don't do yourself in again."

'Drowned?' Naruto mused, unsure of what he meant until he remembered his final attack on Sasuke and the explosion that threw him into the river. Weightless... carried along... sinking into darkness. And then there was a large hand grabbing onto him, pulling him back towards the light...

"Who rescued me?" The boy asked, shaking away the memories.

"Jiraiya-chan did, of course." Naruto's ears immediately perked up.

"Ero-sennin is here? Where—?" The young shinobi sat up again, resulting in a nauseating crack echoing from his ribs. "Ow."

"Neh, Naruto-kun" the voice sighed in disapproval. "You really don't learn do you? Jiraiya-chan is in his study. I'll let him know you're awake when I'm done with my examination."

"How... how do you know my name?" Naruto asked, finally working up the nerve to open his eyes again. The world was still blurry and full of spots, but he was getting used to the light finally. It wasn't quite as pain inducing as a few moments before.

"Other than Jiraiya telling us?" The voice laughed deeply. "We know the names of everyone who holds our contract, little shinobi."

"Contract? Wha— ?" He glanced over to see a blurry, blue amorphic blob seated next to his bed. It took him several seconds to bring the object into focus, only to distinguish the grinning face of a very ugly, very large toad in a lab coat... holding a six-inch needle.

Naruto screamed.

The Legendary Sannin Jiraiya had been napping peacefully when he heard the ear-splitting scream. He was jerked out of his slumber with a snort, the bright orange Icha-Icha novel falling from his face, and the chair he was precariously balanced in toppled over backwards, splaying him across the wooden floor.

"No… ladies… don't run," he mumbled, pawing at the air.

A second scream shook the Toad Hermit out of his daze and reality finally kicked in. "Naruto!"

Expecting the worst, he smoothly rolled to his feet and made a beeline for his student's room. But when he arrived, he could only sigh heavily in embarrassment as he watched the mummy-wrapped Naruto flail futilely in an attempt to get away from the amphibious doctor currently looming over him.

He couldn't help the cackle that escaped, and Naruto seemed to instantly cease in his struggle, recognition crossing his features. A bright smile broke across his whiskered face and he spread his arms wide and hollered, "Ero-Sennin!"

"Yo," Jiraiya greeted, making no attempt to correct the child, settling himself against the doorway and crossing his arms. "How are you feeling, gaki? You look like a mummified gingerbread man."

Naruto blinked, having regained his sanity, and finally looked down at himself, immediately gawking at his own personal state. Every inch of his body was wrapped in bandages- from his feet and hands, which resembled giant mittens, to his neck, across his nose, and around his head. Testing mobility, he stiffly waved his arms up and down, which only got another boisterous laugh from his teacher.

Jiraiya would never admit it, but he was unbelievably relieved, almost to the point of tears. After finding the boy at the bottom of the Rice-Fire border river in a horrifically mangled state, he had reverse-summoned him to Gamakase immediately. He wasn't on the level of Tsunade, but the Toad had worked tirelessly with the utmost care to aid Naruto's already expedited healing abilities, finally confirming his stability after a night's work. Then there were the past six days, in which Jiraiya had paced, fidgeted, and worried non-stop, unable to calm his nerves as his pupil laid prone in bed. Seeing the boy smiling again and hearing his usually much hated nick-name was like breathing again after suffocating for so long. A great weight had been alleviated from his chest.

The toad, seemingly forgotten, 'harumphed' and popped the syringe he had been holding into Naruto's shoulder. The blonde yelped, but it was quickly over and the toad continued in less painful analysis's.

"Meet the great Gamakase," Jiraiya introduced after a roll of his eyes. "Feel free to thank him for... well... saving your life."

Naruto's eyes widened as he realized his disrespect. But the toad waved him off with a toothless smile.

"Your little prisoner did most of the work," Dr. Gamakase explained, though an odd pink hue managed to show through on his big blue 'cheeks' at Jiraiya's praise."Next time you see the fox, evil though he may be, might be nice to give him a bow of the head or a scratch on the nose. A little bit of gratitude can go a long way."

"Ari- arigatou," Naruto whispered, and Jiraiya nodded his approval.

"Shouldn't only thank me though," Gamakase said, turning a devious eye on Jiraiya, a sly grin on his large face. "Jiraiya delivered you, tears everywhere, begging the toads to save you."

Naruto's bright blue eyes shined, his arms waving happily as he looked to his teacher, who blushed and sputtered indignantly.

"Did not," was all he could manage grumpily.

"Anyway, you're not in any danger, Naruto-kun," Gamakase said, his hands ceasing in their emerald glow. "Just don't move around too much and your muscles should heal in a few days. I'll leave you two to it then."

"For everything, Gamakase... arigatou," Jiraiya patted the toad on the shoulder as he passed. The amphibian nodded a final time and took his leave.

In the next moments, silence fell over student and teacher, Naruto's jovial nature seemingly making an exit with the doctor. He appeared to fall into thought, and Jiraiya was willing to give him all the time he needed. The Sannin walked into the room and took a seat on the end of Naruto's bed, quietly watching him. After a few brief minutes of contemplation, Naruto turned a questioning gaze on his sensei.

"Sasuke?" Was his one word question, causing Jiraiya to frown. He expected the topic to come up at some point, but not be the first thing out of the boy's mouth. It showed just how well he knew his student.

Then again, the two had just waged war, and it was the last memory Naruto held before waking up nearly a week later. Perhaps he should have expected it.

"Naruto, you…"

"What happened to Sasuke?" Naruto reaffirmed, this time more forcefully.

The elder hermit lowered his gaze to his clasped hands, unsure of the wording he should use. Blunt and direct had always worked before, but that would undoubtedly rile the boy up. In his current condition, that wouldn't be wise. But then again, there wasn't any possible way to actually make this bad news sound good.

"The Uchiha... hasn't been found. Kakashi and multiple ANBU squads have been tracking him, but he undoubtedly had aid getting into Rice country."

"Then what am I doing here, Ero-sennin?" Naruto roared, forcing himself up despite the loud and cringe-worthy protests his body made. "He could already be with Orochimaru! If we don't get to him soon, that snake bastard will... he'll..."

"Even if you're immortal, it doesn't mean that body will last forever," Kimimaro calmly explained the serpent's means. "Before that body rots, you'll make a strong new body, the "container" for your soul. Sasuke... you are that container."

Jiraiya was at least marginally impressed. "So I guess you already figured out Orochimaru's true reason for wanting Sasuke," he sighed, running a heavy hand absently through his thick silver mane.

"Sasuke could already be dead, Ero-sennin! I have to go!"

"If he is already dead, then what would be the point of going?" Jiraiya bit back, causing Naruto to recoil with a flinch. "But... If that's what you're truly worried about gaki, you needn't be. I've learned that, in his desperation, Orochimaru already switched bodies."

"What does that have to do with Sasuke? He could just..."

"The immortality jutsu that Orochimaru uses needs time. If he continually jumped from vessel to vessel, he would destroy himself," the Sannin explained, watching as realization slowly dawned on his pupil's face. "Since he already transferred himself recently, he can't perform the jutsu safely for quite some time. I expect the Uchiha will be kept alive for the next three to four years."

And Naruto, in relief, smiled, releasing a breath he hadn't known he'd been withholding. "Then we have time."

"But Naruto," Jiraiya continued firmly, leveling the boy with his most powerful gaze. "I want you to forget about the Uchiha."

To say Naruto was confused would be an understatement. "Ero-Sennin?"

"Sasuke chose to seek out Orochimaru on his own. No matter what you try, he won't change. I know... because I've seen it. Sasuke is no different from Orochimaru. Only a conceited fool would believe they can save someone like that."

"You're wrong!" Naruto roared back. "He may be nothing to you, but he's my friend!"

"Would a friend injure a comrade? Just look at the state you're in right now! Imagine the state you were in when I found you!"

Sasuke's intent to kill... A fistful of electricity driven through his chest... Naruto lowered his gaze, defeated. "This is..."

Jiraiya was livid, though he wasn't quite sure at what: his pupil's attitude or his own. He remembered a time when he had the same outlook, and he remembered well when he had thrown it away.

"Why? Why are you...?" Jiraiya trembled in pain, confusion, and sadness as Orochimaru stood over him superiorly, chuckling with a deep hiss. "We were called the Sannin, dammit! Haven't we been comrades all of these years?"

"You've always been a simple-minded child, Jiraiya," the white snake grinned venomously. "You've never been one for thinking, and that's why you never once noticed what I was doing..."

"Orochimaru... think about what you're doing. What you're saying!"

Orochimaru crouched down, ready to strike. "There really isn't a limit to your stupidity, is there?"

Jiraiya rubbed his moist eyes with a calloused hand. His stupidity was right. He learned that the hard way, and had wised up. Why couldn't his idiot of a student?

"Ero-sennin?" Naruto questioned, bringing his sensei back to the present.

"Naruto... no matter how much I wanted - or tried - to save Orochimaru, in the end, there was no way he'd come back. After all of the suffering, the only things left were my own helplessness and regret. I don't want you to walk the same path as I did. Please, give up on Sasuke. As a ninja, you must hone the ability to make the proper judgments and choices. If you're going to continue to live as a shinobi, become wiser!"

"I..." Naruto murmured, and Jiraiya turned to him hopefully, only to be shocked by his pupil's determined glare. "I refuse! If that's what it means to be wise, I'll be an idiot all my life!"

Jiraiya sighed in defeat and stood, making for the doorway. "Have it your way," were his final words before disappearing.

Naruto silently laid himself back in bed, unsure of his own confident proclamation.

The following hour, Jiraiya found himself standing in an uncomfortably thick cloud of lavender incense. And to say he was slightly nervous was an understatement, if his constant shuffling was any indication. There weren't many that Jiraiya would claim to truly respect, or see as a distant father figure, but the one-thousand year old Great Toad Sage, Honorable Ōjiji-sama, was one of them.

The titanic toad, easily as large Gamabunta, sat on a plush, cushioned throne with a serene but oddly vacant smile on its old and withered face, its eyes shut tight. Though, even in its blindness, Jiraiya still knew that it could see – or rather sense – all that was going on around it. There were many mystical powers the sage possessed, none of them the Konoha Sannin could even begin to fathom.

After his argument with Naruto and his subsequent childish storm-off, he felt the need to get some advice from someone far older and far wiser than he could ever hope to be. Normally, he would seek out Sarutobi, but this situation and his particular need was another reminder that the old man wasn't on this particular plane of existence any longer.

Jiraiya openly berated himself for his lack of understanding and actions towards his student. He simply couldn't help it. Ever since Minato died, he had ostracized himself from general society. Instead of nurturing any future Minatos and Sarutobis, he threw himself into creating his own realities for people to read around the world… the realities he wish existed. He forgot what it was like to have a student, to mentor a child.

So jaded was he, he had forgotten what it was like to be a child.

That led him to the Sage's inner chamber, desperately seeking council. For Jiraiya, the toads had always been family. It was never simply a ninja and his 'summons' or 'pets.' The toads had taken him in, taught them about their culture and even a thing or two about his own. And it had been the Honorable Ōjiji-sama himself that had declared him one of their own—a true Sage.

With a smile, he remembered claiming the toad contract, being the first in centuries to do so. He had traveled endlessly, somehow finding his way to Mt. Myōboku… and was nearly skewered upon arrival. But he had prostrated himself before the amphibians, and the trial he faced to claim his contract wasn't that different from Naruto clinging desperately to Gamabunta. He shuddered.

But they had acknowledged him, and became fathers and mothers to him, grandparents, teachers and leaders. He didn't call himself the Toad Hermit for effect.

Now all he had to do was just remember Gamabunta's teachings on navigating the ancient toad's senility.

The sage listened intently as Jiraiya related the recent happenings that had befallen his pupil. He would nod his head, chuckle in amusement, or sigh in despair depending on where Jiraiya guided him, though the Sannin had the feeling that the great Sage already knew all of this. But that didn't stop him, feeling the need to rant about every possible detail, and the honorable Ōjiji-sama listened to his son, and every once in a while take a swell his ornate pipe – emitting a thick green smoke that, if Jiraiya remembered correctly, had left him comatose and nude for three days after his first and only hit.

"This is truly a dark tale you weave, Jiraiya-boy," the Sage spoke, fingering the gigantic necklace around its neck in contemplation. "At Gama-chan's word, I have watched this little Naruto. He is a child of great spirit and determination. He reminds me much of you and that rascal Minato-chan."

Jiraiya chuckled and thumbed his nose, "He is Yondaime's legacy, after all."

"That he is," The Sage nodded. "And to be betrayed by his best friend… It's a terrible fate that has been carried down from his ancestors. And now you wish for him to cut all ties with this comrade? Tell me, have finally managed to cut that pesky bond with the snake?"

That stung. But it was blunt, what Jiraiya needed. And the answer was a shameful yet resounding, "No."

"I understand, Jiraiya-chan," the toad spoke, and much to Jiraiya's horror exhaled a plume of green smog in his direction.

The Sannin immediately closed off his lungs, but was shocked when the smoke didn't engulf him, but rather surrounded him, as if he had his own personal barrier. Was this more toad magic?

He didn't have time to contemplate the possibilities before images began dancing before his eyes. There he was, a young boy, pacing himself behind Tsunade and Orochimaru. With a face-splitting grin he threw his arms around the two of them, drawing them in close. He said something, but Jiraiya couldn't hear it…. He couldn't remember. But it caused Tsunade to blush brightly and Orochimaru to actually smile. He smiled!

"What… what did I say? Sage?" But he couldn't see the Sage any longer. He was engulfed by the smoke, images dancing all around. He saw himself asking tied to a log, Hiruzen looking him over disapprovingly. Then there his team was, taking on their first batch of foreign shinobi, though he didn't react as bravely as he had wished. And then there was… was his image of Tsunade— the beautiful blonde girl who grinned and chastised him. She hadn't yet turned into the cold, scared woman of her later years… she still had hope and love in her eyes. There he was idiotically asking for a date, subsequently and immaturely asking her to show her bits, only to be punted down a busy market street much to the onlookers' amusement. He saw Orochimaru sitting down for a bowel or ramen for the very first time, due to Jiraiya's own constant annoying begging no less, and the snake's eyes actually widened in a rather pleased surprise before he dug in.

Then there he was, standing behind Orochimaru as the albino-skinned child stared silently at his parents' grave. Jiraiya, at the time, never could tell what seed of thought took root in the serpent's mind. Rather, he merely placed a comforting hand on his teammate's shoulder and beckoned him on, telling him he'd treat him to whatever he wished.

Abruptly, the images burst, and he was back in the Great Sage's chamber, looking rather foolish as he found himself reaching out for the lost memories. He whirled around, looking for any sign of them, for any memory that he may have forgotten. But they were gone.

"What did I just see? What was that, Ōjiji-sama?" Jiraiya asked, never having experienced that trial before. The great toad, however, only chuckled at his wild confusion.

"Oh that? That was my bubble trick," he laughed, exhaling a lungful of smoke into the air. "I can do a dog too. Want to see?"

Jiraiya wasn't sure if the toad was being illusive or senile. But then again, that was part of the Sage's mysticism. Perhaps he wanted everyone to believe he was feeble, while he was really playing one helluva wild game. Or maybe he just didn't remember and didn't give a damn. With a swig of sake, Jiraiya would laugh and honestly exclaim he couldn't blame the elder toad. But the sake would have to wait… Perhaps he would eve treat Naruto to some…

"I… I think I see now," Jiraiya muttered, brushing his eyes across his gray sleeves. The Toad's forced images awakened far more than what he was shown. Past childhood dreams and aspirations buzzed through his head, long forgotten, and with them came memories both bad and good that he wasn't sure he even cared to remember. But he had to remind himself that it didn't matter if he 'cared' for it or not, that it was a must…

Never forget one's hopes…

"But… Naruto?" Jiraiya sputtered, having lost all of his strength, returning to nothing more than a scared genin in the care of an unknown and powerful Jounin trainer. He avidly shook his head, refusing to repeat his pre-teen years.

"Naruto? What's a Naruto?" The toad questioned, but Jiraiya narrowed his eyes menacingly, earning a loud, mirthful howl from the Sage.

"Jiraiya-chan… sadly, nothing will come easy for this child. Nothing ever has. All of his life, he has scrounged for every bit of happiness he could grasp." The great sage reached out, and within his palm appeared a bright, white orb… and even he became tearful as he looked through it. "But, even without guidance, even without any sight or meaning of that baffling thing we call 'hope,' he was never given up. And with his own resolution and determination, that child decided he would protect everyone. There is much pain and uncertainty within him, but I do see an indescribable light in his future…"

"Ōjiji-sama?" Jiraiya breathed, no longer the legendary Sannin, but a mere student once again.

"Jiraiya-chan… always remember your bonds. Remember that light, and for the sake of this world and this child, nurture it within both yourself and him. Remember yourself in the joy you held teaching what you knew to Minato-chan, and what you learned in return."

"I… do," Jiraiya said, finally giving in to his trembling knees, dropping and bowing deeply before the wisdom of the one true living Sage. "I do remember!" He cried. "And… and I will remember to learn!"

Jiraiya dropped his head low, knowing he had done this once before, the very first time he had ever stepped before the Sage.

"Jiraiya-chan… Do you remember now? What were the first words I spoke to you?"

"Turn your sadness into kindness… and your uniqueness into strength. It's… it's okay to get lost in the shuffle, just begin to walk!" Jiraiya raised his head, his eyes glowing with a light that he had lost long ago. To remember something from so long ago…

"I approve of your request to train him here, Jiraiya-chan."

"Arigatou, Ōjiji-sama," Jiraiya bowed.

Naruto had long since wormed his way out of most of his bandages and managed to explore the majority of Jiraiya's 'estate' with half an hour. When he finally hobbled his way to the rooftop, however, he felt a familiar presence appear behind him… the presence of his teacher. He stopped for a moment and threw a glance over his shoulder, showing there wasn't any animosity between them, though an understanding had yet to be met.

"This is where the toads come from? Where Boss and Gamakichi live?" Naruto asked after making sure Jiraiya wasn't about to burst into a lecture.

"Yeah," Jiraiya confirmed. "Didn't you ever read up on your own summons? Or did you think they just popped in and out of existence?"

Naruto shrugged. "I never really thought about it."

"Why am I not surprised?" Jiraiya murmured. "Did Gamakase give you a release?"

"He said I could explore the house as long as I used crutches."

"Then… where are your crutches?"

Naruto shrugged as he limped towards the edge of the rooftop, finally finding a comfortable resting place along the railing, taking in the sight of his new surroundings for the first time.

The "city" of Mount Myōboku around him was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Buildings, or so he presumed to call them, were covered with beautiful green and blue mosses and were spherical as opposed to the stiff angular architecture of Konoha he was used to. Leafs, flowers, and mushrooms easily three times as big as he was and were just as plentiful, stretched far and high as he could see. Dozens of rivers poured from open stones and aqueducts running from the surrounding green mountains and fed the many shining, crystalline rivers that flowed through the community. It was unlike anything the young boy had ever seen.

Jiraiya couldn't help but smile at the boy's wide-eyed wonder, remembering his own first experience in the Toads' kingdom.

"You know Naruto, I've never told anyone this," Jiraiya took his place beside the boy, looking into the distant sun. "Whenever I'm in Konoha, or even a place as beautiful as this, I still hope to here Sarutobi's, the Sandaime's voice… telling me how I should guide you."

Naruto couldn't help the wince that escaped, he himself suddenly flooded with memories of the old man. Damn Jiraiya…

"Do not underestimate the shinobi of this village!"

"The ninjas of Konoha will fight with their lives to protect those they love!"

"You will not obtain true strength in this world even if you master every single ninja technique!"

"I taught you long before, baka.. that when you protect something important to you… is the only time a shinobi's true strength manifests!"

"I will… protect everyone!"

"Where the leaves dance, fire burns… and no matter the shadow of fire flashing over the world… the leaves shall grow once again."

"I like to thing he said something like that," both Naruto and Jiraiya breathed, shooting one another a look of shock, their words mixed, and their grin as one. Neither would know the true story, but they could speculate on the brilliant man that they had once known, and they could spread tremendous legends as well.

"Why did you bring me here?" Naruto asked, breaking the Sannin from his reverie. "Why not just go back to Konoha?"

"Naruto," Jiraiya answered, rather grimly in the boy's opinion. Gone was the lopsided grin they had just shared in the sunset, and in place was a somber grimace. "Naruto… I wanted to tell you before… but I brought you here to train. From this day forward, I officially accept you as my pupil… just as I did the Yondaime Hokage."

"That's… !" The boy brightened, images of the legendary stone monument filling his vision. "Arigatou, Jiraiya-sensei!" Naruto whooped, but the Sannin disappointed him with a muted shake of his head.

"There's another reason you're here," he said, leaning against the rail and staring into the waning son. "Why else would I bring you here and not take you to the old hag? Akatsuki is on the move, Naruto."

The Jinchuuriki winced, remembering his encounter with the red-cloud clad group, particularly Itachi and the shark-faced Kisame. He had been powerless at that time, saved only by the old man standing over him.

"Since the attack by Oto and Suna, Konoha has been weakened. You know this. Akatsuki have already attempted to take advantage of that once, and certain contacts have told me me that they're preparing another infiltration soon."

"To capture me," Naruto snarled furiously, squeezing his torn and tattered jacket in a ball of fury. Jiraiya was surprised by the large amount of killing intent he felt oozing off the boy.

"They aim to capture the Kyuubi. You're just an unfortunate bystander. I brought you here to recuperate safely and then to continue your training. From this day forward, I'm getting serious with you, Naruto. I intend to teach you everything I know so that you'll be ready to face those that wish to do you, your friends, and Konoha harm."

"Ero-sennin…" Naruto murmured, at a loss of words by Jiraiya's sudden seriousness, only having seen such a disposition once before, during his bout with Orochimaru.

"Which means, gaki, if I can't goof off and peak at girls, neither can you. It's time to get serious!"

It took only a second for Jiraiya's energy and determination to take a hold of Naruto as well. The boy clenched his fist and threw it into the air with a holler and a tooth-filled smile.

"OSU!"

"Now get some rest," Jiraiya beamed. "I'll be back in a bit with some… edible food. Don't touch anything these toads give ya'. Understand?"

"Hai, ero-sennin!" Naruto saluted, his stomach grumbling at the mention of food. "Ara… when can I get in touch with Kakashi-sensei and Sakura-chan? I want to tell them that I'm okay. I need to tell Sakura-chan that…" Naruto trailed off, his eyes falling into his lap, 'that I'll keep my promise.'

"While you're here," Jiraiya answered somberly, "You can't."

"Why not?" Naruto almost jumped upon his teacher in protest. He expected an answer in the likeness of 'training' or 'no distractions,' but not the one he actually received.

"Because," Jiraiya turned to him with sympathy. "They think you're dead."

Naruto blinked.

"NANI?"

Next Chapter – Naruto's Funeral