Start Chapter 12
Well luckily Naruto's little outburst didn't destroy Tanzaku Town. Hell, it got us a new Hokage and changed her somehow in the process. Even though he's grown up a lot there are a few things that strike right in his heartstrings. That's good because he'll need that passion and drive if ever plans on becoming the Hokage
At the Hokage's Inauguration
Tsunade takes off her hat to the village's people after her swearing in and the sun shines brightly on the village, "It's good to be back." Smiling she waves to the crowd as she re-enters the Hokage's building. Going into her office she sees the pile of paperwork awaiting her and cringes, "I didn't sign up for this." The new Hokage cries inwardly and gets to work.
Meanwhile Outside in the Crowd
Naruto stands by Iruka in the crowd as the new Hokage goes inside and smiles at the odd feeling, "I think the Leaf Village has a bright future ahead of it." The blonde says to the brown-haired Jounin and the man nods, "Come on, let's go train." Turning around Naruto sees a face he hasn't missed, "Sasuke, it's good to see you're doing well." The Uchiha is joined by Kakashi Hatake, Sakura, and a kid Naruto recognizes from his class but can't remember his name, "How's everything been for you?"
The Uchiha grunts and Kakashi smiles, "We've been doing fine Naruto, I see you got a few new ranks since I last saw you."
Smiling nervously the blonde says, "Yeah, I made it to Chuunin after the exams for doing some things."
Sasuke speaks up, "Oh what did you do that made you so special?" His tone is hostile and Kakashi takes note of this bracing himself.
Naruto tries to put it humbly by saying, "I stopped Gaara of the Sand from doing more damage to the village than was already done."
Kakashi nods in amazement before saying, "Well it's been nice talking to you Naruto, Iruka. We need to do some training."
The group parts ways and once they're out of earshot Naruto says, "Well that was awkward." Iruka nods and the two continue the journey to their secret training spot.
At the Training Spot Later that Day
Naruto makes the hand seals for the Water Style: Ripping Tide Jutsu and draws upon the water underneath him. The liquid turns into high-pressure blades that lash out in front of him slicing into a nearby log turning it into bits. Smiling at his success the blonde Chuunin looks to his teacher who nods in approval, "Good job Naruto, that's all for today." Iruka leaves in a puff of smoke, but Naruto stays behind to work on some chakra control. Walking on the water to the waterfall Naruto stands under the frigid rapids feeling it crash down on him. He raises his hands up and channels wind chakra through it.
The crashing falls quickly split into two separate sections and Naruto feels like he's pretty much mastered it, "Well I don't know any more exercises… I guess I'll just work on some accuracy." Moving over to the target range, the blonde pulls out some projectiles and starts firing away. Sighing in frustration as he notices they all hit the bull's eye the Chuunin collects his weapons, "Is there anything I haven't gotten down pat as far as basics go? Well taijutsu speed can always be made better I guess." Heading to the taijutsu log Naruto begins beating on the wooden post until he loses sense of time. It takes several hours for him to tire and then he finally drops in exhaustion, "Well I guess that's enough for today." The blonde picks himself up slowly before struggling to make it home.
The Next Day Training
Naruto beats Iruka for the sixth time in a row in Shougi and gets up before yelling obscenities, "What's wrong Naruto? You're never this frustrated."
The blonde collects himself before sighing and saying, "I don't know I just feel like I've gotten all the basics down and there's nothing left for me to really work on. I mean I can maintain what I have, but improving myself is just getting aggravating."
Iruka pats the Chuunin on the shoulder comfortingly, "Naruto every ninja hits a plateau point. It's about finding different ways to make your training harder. You've been doing the same thing for a while right?" Naruto nods, "Well maybe instead of beating on a log you could create Shadow Clones to fight, or use clones to be moving targets, and there are many other possibilities. You just need to think a little further into it." Patting Naruto's shoulder again Iruka lets the blonde cool off for a bit before getting back to a game of Shougi.
That Night
Forming a cross handed seal Naruto creates several shadow clones and begins to practice his taijutsu against them. As they slowly disappear he creates more to take the vanished one's place. Soon through this process he feels the wear on his body and eventually has to dismiss his Shadow Clones. On his hands and knees panting with sweat pouring off his head Naruto feels accomplished. Slowly getting up he staggers home in pain from the first truly intense training session in a while.
In the Mission Hall Two Days Later
Naruto looks over the mission scroll handed to him by Tsunade and nods, "Now since we need this person alive for interrogation it will be considered a failure if you kill him understand?" Bowing before the Hokage, Naruto and Iruka head out to prepare at their apartments for one of their most difficult missions yet.
Several Nights Later in Water Country
Naruto and Iruka stare at their target sitting alone by a campfire. Something is off though and they both release the illusion that's been put on them. Turning around they meet the sword of the ninja with their kunai and manage to out muscle him. He flies backwards and the sword does as well. By some stroke of luck it pierces him in the shoulder against a tree. Shaking their heads they release the second illusion placed on them and Naruto meets the ninja's blade with his wind chakra-charged knuckle-busters and they slice through it. Clicking his teeth the ninja quickly makes hand seals before yelling, "Fire-Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" A blazing inferno engulfs Naruto and Iruka and the ninja stands there smugly until he feels his world go black.
"Cocky motherfucker." Naruto says before ensnaring the ninja with ninja wire and a seal to keep him asleep and another to keep his chakra system suppressed, "I was getting real tired of his illusions." Hoisting him over his shoulder Naruto takes the first turn carrying him back.
Iruka smiles oddly, "Well it said he was known for using illusions, so I guess that should have told you something."
Naruto sees something is off and re-draws his knuckle-buster before releasing the illusion put on him, "Okay where are you really?" Scanning the area with his chakra senses he finds two chakra sources moving and heads towards them. As Naruto approaches the location of the signals he slows down to observe what's going on. The blonde Chuunin looks through the brush to see Iruka on his knee tired out from fighting off the other ninja. Without hesitation Naruto draws his knuckle busters and intercepts what would have been a killing blow to his teacher. Hitting a mean uppercut to the rouge ninja the Chuunin knocks him out, "Now let's bag him." Turning around to face his mentor Naruto extends a hand, which the Jounin takes and they tie up the ninja before sealing his strength away this time for good.
In the Hokage's Office after Dropping off the Target into Custody
Tsunade smiles at the two clearly beat up and tired from their mission, "Great work you two and you brought him back in one piece." The duo nods sleepily as she hands them their reward, "Go take the next few days off you've earned it." Iruka and Naruto bow in respect before leaving the office.
Iruka rubs his tired eyes, "Take the next day off and get some rest. You're going to thank me later." Naruto nods and the two go home.
At Naruto's Apartment
The blonde Chuunin lets the hot water run down his neck as he just stands there aching after that long mission. Tension slowly works its way out of his muscles and he sighs before shutting off the water. He dries off and steps out before looking at himself in the mirror leaning on the sink, "You're going to make it through Naruto, just keep pushing and one day your face will be on that mountain." Shaking out the thoughts Naruto heads into his room and prepares for bed. Climbing under his sheets he can't wait for a day off tomorrow, "Maybe I'll buy some new supplies…" Slowly the blonde drifts off to sleep.
At the Supply Shop the Next Day
Naruto is checking out from the shop after a successful hunt for weapons, clothes, and sealing materials. He hands the cashier the money and exits the place, but not before sealing away the goods into a scroll, "Well I guess some Ichiraku for lunch wouldn't hurt?" Heading towards the eatery Naruto enters through the flaps and says, "Hey Old Man, I need a couple bowls of Miso Soup!" He takes a seat and the old man turns around.
The middle-aged shop owner smiles at one of his favorite customers, "Naruto, I'll have that right up for you!" Going into the kitchen he leaves Naruto on his own for a bit before he comes out with two bowls of hot miso ramen, "Here you go bud!" Breaking his chopsticks Naruto digs into something he hasn't had in a long time, "You haven't been here in a while Naruto, I miss you being around all the time."
Pausing to swallow the blonde Chuunin says, "Well I've been real busy between training and missions, I barely have any days off where I can come enjoy my favorite kind of ramen."
Old Man Ichiraku waves it off, "Bah, that's fine we've all got to make a living somehow. I just do it selling ramen." Smiling softly the man says, "It looks like you've grown a little."
Naruto smiles, "Yeah I'm turning fourteen so I guess it's about time." They share a laugh and the blonde goes back to eating. Once he's finished he pays his tab and says to the old man, "I'll make sure to stop by more often." The middle-aged man smiles and nods as the blonde leaves the ramen stand. In the streets Naruto doesn't know what to do with himself, "Well I don't have any books to read, maybe I should head to the book store?"
Inside the Bookstore
The Chuunin looks over some titles in the bookstore and sees that he has most of them. Thumbing through a little further he sees one he doesn't recognize, "Huh, this looks interesting." Pulling out a book titled Team Seven: The Tale of a Hokage and his Three Sannin by: Jiraiya of the Sannin he looks it over before decided to purchase it.
Later that Day in the Park
Naruto is sitting reading the newly purchased book of his leaned against a large tree in its shade. A large spiky-haired shadow comes from behind and he sighs, "I like your book about your team. It's a nice change from the usual porn with a plot I see your name on."
Jiraiya laughs and sighs, "Well I felt like someone would enjoy it out there." He looks at the blonde and is painfully reminded of his former student, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
The Chuunin says, "Go ahead, I'm not stopping you." The Toad Sage leans up against the trunk before lighting a pipe, "I'm guessing you want to talk to me about training me again?"
The Sannin shakes his head before taking a puff of his tobacco; "No I wanted to ask you about your life actually. I want to know what you've been doing all the time I failed to be there for you."
Naruto marks his spot and puts his book away, "Well I guess I'll start with the beginning…" The blonde goes on for a while explaining his life story and Jiraiya listens intently. Hours pass by and they don't even notice, but eventually Naruto says, "And now I'm here telling my life story to a Sannin."
They share a laugh at that thought, "Well it's getting late, and I've got to get going. If you ever need anything just let me know." Handing the blonde a scroll the Sannin says, "If you want to communicate with me write a message on there and channel a little chakra into it. I'll write back to you as soon as I can." Getting up slowly Jiraiya sighs, "And if you ever need me to help you with your training just let me know. I won't hesitate to come help if I can." Naruto nods and the Sannin leaves in a puff of smoke.
Looking up to the night sky Naruto sighs, "Maybe I shouldn't burn this bridge; I think he's trying to help." Shaking his head the teen leaves the area in a swirl of leaves.
At the Training Ground the Next Day
Naruto holds off a heavy assault from Iruka very well and eventually the Jounin begins to show signs of fatigue. Capitalizing on this the blonde Chuunin begins picking up the pace little by little. Iruka feels this and tries to back away, but finds he can't get an opening to create a replacement. Naruto lands a mean spinning kick to Iruka's face, which effectively knocks him out. Seeing his unconscious mentor Naruto cautiously approaches to find Iruka is actually knocked out. The Chuunin brings his teacher over to a tree and props him up there until the Jounin awakens, "What happened?"
The blonde laughs, "I landed a mean spinning kick and you got knocked out. It looks like you might need to step up your training a bit."
The Jounin scowls, but laughs it off realizing this day has been coming for a while, "Naruto I think it's time for you to move on to a new teacher."
Tilting his head in confusion the teen says, "What do you mean?"
Iruka gets up slowly and Naruto helps him, "I'm going to be honest, I've taught you everything I can. At this point you've surpassed me, and I think it's time for you to get someone who can keep developing you as a ninja." Seeing the disappointment in Naruto's azure eyes he pats his student on the shoulder, "Don't worry we'll still be a team, but I'll be less of a teacher and more of a peer." A warm breeze blows, "I think maybe you should get in contact with Jiraiya. He's going to be able to show you a lot more than I ever could."
Naruto nods, "Alright I will, but I don't expect you to stop training either! Just cause I'm going up doesn't mean you can slack."
The brown-haired Jounin chuckles, "Don't worry that never even crossed my mind Naruto." The two shake hands not as student and teacher, but as ninja to ninja…
End Chapter 12