Author's Note: Ok, so yeah I basically hate job searching! It is a huge pain in the ass and takes up way to much time. Anyways, Chapter nine is now online. =) . I hope that you enjoy it and I look forward to reading your reviews. Now on with the story!

"Yo" – talking

'Yo' – thinking

"Yo" – Miya talking through mental link or Summon Boss

'Yo' – summon boss thinking

(note: When Naruto is within his mindscape Miya speaks normally!)

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Last Chapter: Naruto's fight with the Kumo delegation had several far reaching consequences including the death of Hyuuga Hizashi, Hyuuga Neji's hatred towards Naruto, and renewed assignation attempts. Also, Naruto moves into a new apartment.

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(Konoha Forest)

Concealed within the dense foliage of the forest a young boy cautiously searched his surroundings for any signs of movement. Seeing none he spared a moment to relax and allow his heart rate and breathing to return to normal. He had been in this situation for hours, hiding, running, evading his relentless predator. Even with three years of survival and stealth training he was no match for his opponent. The young blonde extended his awareness again and was unsurprised to feel the all too familiar chakra signature coming ever closer. 'Crap! Where do I go now?' he thought looking for any possible escape routes. 'I guess this is the end.' And with that Naruto dodged to the side as something collided with the tree trunk he was just resting against.

"Good job kid, but you're still having trouble probing your surroundings with chakra without giving away your position." Naruto smiled at his white-haired sensei before adopting a loose taijutsu stance.

"Today's the day sensei! I'm gonna kick your butt-- Believe it!"

Jiraiya chuckled as he brought up his left arm to lazily block a kick to the face. He quickly countered by grabbing Naruto around the ankle and tossing him towards a tree trunk.

After three years of taijutsu training with the Hokage, Naruto's skills had become quite impressive, even surpassing most new genin. The young boy shifted his weight so that his feet would connect with the tree first. As he regained his footing Naruto rushed his sensei.

The two exchanged blows for several hours before finally giving up for the day.

"Naruto, you get better every time we spar… good job gaki!"

Even after three years the blonde still blushed each time he received praise or affection. "Thanks sensei." Naruto responded with a smile.

"Time to visit the tower, Sensei has something he needs to tell you," said Jiraiya as he began to walk towards the village.

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(Hokage Tower)

As they approached the tower, Jiraiya grabbed Naruto's shoulder as he jumped up to his favorite window sill. "Hey Jiji-san" said Naruto as he hugged his grandfather figure.

"How was training today Naruto-kun?"

"It was good."

After listening to Naruto describe his day Sarutobi dropped his smile as he became serious. "Naruto, I need to talk to you about your future."

"What about old man? I'm gonna go to the academy starting in January, become a ninja, and eventually I will be the strongest Hokage ever so that everyone will have to acknowledge me!"

"I'm sorry Naruto but I have some bad news and I am not exactly sure how to explain this to you. I know that I said you could attend the academy once you turned six, but you won't be able to join this year." Sarutobi knew that Naruto would not take the news well, but what he saw nearly broke him. The young boy that had grown so close to is heart was completely devastated. As the seconds passed it became harder and harder for Naruto to suppress the tears that threatened to escape.

"W-w-why? Jiji you p-ro-o-mised me." Naruto pleaded.

"I am trying everything that I can Naruto-kun but I am afraid that it may not be enough. The Council has become quite insistent."

Jiraiya was just as shocked by the news as Naruto considering that he had been training the child to enter the Shinobi academy for several years now. "Sensei, what's going on? There hasn't ever been a hint that the Council would block his entry before."

The aging Hokage removed his hat with a defeated sigh as he slouched into his chair. "A rather sizable contingent within the Council has recently become quite vocal about refusing to allow Naruto to learn alongside other children at the academy. Unfortunately I know that this has happened because I once again forbade Danzo from attempting to indoctrinate Naruto as some sort of ultra-loyal secret weapon, but that man simply holds too much power within the Council to outright over-rule on many things. I am too DAMN old for this!"

Jiraiya considered the explanation for a moment before turning to Naruto. He thought it weird that throughout the dialogue the child had not made a sound even to acknowledge he was once again at the mercy of the village Council. Naruto's eyes appeared to have glazed over as though his thoughts were of things happening hundreds of kilometers away.

"It looks as though he is discussing something with Miya-san. He shouldn't be too much longer," Sarutobi acknowledged.

"Yeah, I know, but even after these past three years it's still weird seeing him like this." Jiraiya stated.

Several minutes later, Naruto shook his head as he left his mindscape. Wiping his eyes on a sleeve he fixed his cerulean blue eyes on the Hokage. "Nee-chan wanted to talk to me really quick!" he stated with a sheepish grin as he scratched the back of his head.

"Oh, and what did Miya-san have to say, Naruto-kun?"

"Jiji she wants me to leave the village for a few years and find some man that trained her a long time ago." Seeing the surprised looks on both of the older men's faces Naruto quickly continued. "It won't be forever, she says that by leaving the village I could continue my training, but at the same time you could be working to get all of those meanies on the council to let me be a student at the academy when I come back."

"Hmmmm." mused Sarutobi as he lit his favorite pipe. "How long does Miya think you should be gone and where exactly is she planning to take you?" he finally asked.

"Weeell…She said that it would probably take me four whole years to finish the training she has in mind if you include the travel time. Miya-neechan says that this man she wants me to find lives in a small town near a place called Tokyo, somewhere beyond the borders of the Elemental continent. Have you ever heard of it?"

"Tokyo, ha, I haven't been there in over thirty years" said Jiraiya, "That's quite a ways away. I doubt you could make the trip alone at your age gaki."

"Very true Jiraiya, which is why I would like you to travel with him until he reaches Tokyo. From there I believe Miya will have little trouble locating her former sensei," Sarutobi announced.

After pondering the Hokage's request/order for a moment Jiraiya merely shrugged. "Doesn't really matter to me. The gaki is fun enough to be around and Tokyo is a pretty nice place to visit; great sake if I remember correctly. Anyways, where there's a city, there are hot-springs, and where there are hot-springs, there's research material" stated the pervert with a lecherous grin and giggle. "So when do we leave?"

Naruto didn't understand why his sensei was so excited about hot-springs or research but he was happy that he would have some company during his trip. "Nee-chan wants us to leave as soon as we can get packed so that I can start my new training as soon as possible. I'll go get my stuff!" As Naruto opened the door he looked back. "Make sure that when I get back I can go to the academy or I'm gonna kick the council's butt Jiji."

Sarutobi smiled, "Of course Naruto-kun, a desk will be waiting for you when you return."

With the meeting over Jiraiya headed for the window. "On my way back I will need to make contact with some members of my spy ring. I recently lost contact with two agents in Ta no Kuni (Rice Field Country). So something could be up. I'll see you in a few months sensei."

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A few short hours later Naruto and Jiraiya stood at the main gate leading into Konoha. The young blonde was somewhat overwhelmed upon seeing so many smiling faces waiting to see him off. He happily exchanged farewells with all his supporters until he approached his very best friend. It was not hard to see the tears hiding just beneath the surface of the young Hyuuga's eyes. "Do you have to go, Naruto-kun?"

"Hai Hinata-chan, if I ever wanna be the best, then I have to go train. Don't worry though because I'll be back in no time stronger than ever."

The lavender eyed princess quickly hugged Naruto while softly whispering into his ear, "I w-will miss y-you very much Naruto-kun. P-please be c-careful. Returning the hug the blonde reassured his friend that he would miss her as well before he stepped over to Jiraiya.

Naruto was hesitant to leave everything that he had ever known but he eventually took the first step out of the village and they were off. The Gama-sennin had originally planned to travel the entire way to Tokyo on a toad's back; however, since he wouldn't see the blonde for another four years, he decided to walk to the border of Hi no Kuni (Fire Country) before hitching a ride on a giant amphibian.

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(Tokyo, Japan)

It had been quite a trip. The first week the duo traveled west on foot to the border of Kawa no Kuni (River Country). From there Jiraiya summoned a particularly fast moving toad as transportation for the remainder of the trip. Even with the fast hopping toad, the trip had taken just under three weeks to complete.

"Well there it is gaki… Tokyo. Before I go make sure that Miya-san knows where to go from here."

"Hai sensei" Naruto responsed before his eyes became unfocused.

Once Naruto had confirmed that he knew where to go, the two began a quick goodbye. After hugging the blonde Jiraiya looked into the child's eyes. "I will return in four years, look for me upon the full moon." And with that, sensei and student went their separate ways.

"Ok Naruto, I can sense my Sensei. He is just outside town a mile or two. We should get going."

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(Outside Tokyo's Wall)

After searching for just over twenty minutes Naruto stopped in front of what appeared to be a humble kenjutsu school which had seen much better days. "Hmmm, the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū it must be good if Nee-chan brought me all the way out here." Thought Naruto as he made his presence known at the front gate.

"Naruto, you are not here to learn the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu. You will be learning the personal style which only my sensei can teach you."

Naruto nodded, 'sweet!' He was broken out of his internal conversation as the gate opened. Standing in the door was a young woman with dark blue hair. Although she appeared to be roughly twenty-five years old, the woman strikingly reminded him of Hinata.

"Why hello cutie, can I help you with something?"

"Umm… Miss I am looking for a great warrior, a swordsman that lives around here. Do you know where I can find him?" Naruto asked nervously.

From behind him, Naruto heard a second voice reply, "What is your reason for calling this swordsman 'great'?"

Naruto turned to face the man behind him before responding. "From what I have heard this swordsman has never lost a battle and even received the title "Hitokiri Battōsai" (Manslayer if you're wondering). I have sought out this man so that he might teach me the ways of Kenjutsu!" exclaimed the blonde.

The man pondered Naruto's words briefly. "War and Strength of Arms does not determine a man's greatness—that it does not! A man is only truly great if he gives his all in every pursuit of life."

Naruto stared at the red haired man holding a bag of groceries with clear confusion. The man, probably in his early thirties, was rather petite and effeminate which helped him appeared harmless, but Naruto felt a strange vibe emanating from him that warned Naruto to stay alert. The "X" shaped scar seemed to confirm Naruto's suspicions. "I guess you must be Kenshin Himura. It is truly an honor to meet you," said Naruto as he bowed in submission.

Kenshin nodded. "I am sorry child, but I am no longer the master of kenjutsu that you seek. I gave up that life at the end of the Bakumatsu War. Now I help my wife teach a style dedicated to the protection of life. You are welcome to stay and learn Kamiya Kasshin-ryū but I once swore to myself that the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū would die with me."

Hearing the reply Naruto stood in the street shocked that after such a long trip he would be denied training. 'Nee-chan what do I do now?'

"Repeat what I say exactly."

"Himura-san, you once broke that promise to train a young girl named Miya. She has promised to train me if you refuse, but believed that the hardships you have faced would help me to learn the lesson that your sensei failed to teach you before the onset of the Bakumatsu War." Naruto knew that he would soon begin his training upon seeing Kenshin's eyes widen.

"How do you know Miya-chan?"

"She has been with me since the day I was born, and will stay with me until the moment I die." Since Kenshin wore a confused look Naruto continued, "For some reason she was sealed inside of me by a ninja the day I was born, but I didn't even now about Miya-neechan until I was three years old.

Naruto's words surprised Kenshin for several reasons. First, if a ninja sealed Miya within the boy that meant that the blonde before him was from the Elemental Continent. Also, since he did not know the reason behind her being sealed, it was safe to assume that Miya had not yet told the boy about her true form. 'That either means that she doesn't trust the child or that she believes he is too young to handle the truth. However, given his affectionate attitude towards her, and the fact that she trusts him with our kenjutsu style I would guess the latter explanation.' "What's your name kid?"

"Uzumaki Naruto… believe it!"

"Well Naruto, any friend of Miya's is a friend of ours. Please come inside and rest from your journey. We will begin your training tomorrow—that we will."

As the door closed behind them, the air shimmered in a nearby tree as an invisibility jutsu was disengaged. As he turned to begin his journey home Jiraiya could not help but smile in relief knowing that Naruto was in good hands.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Author's Note: OK, so this was a little shorter than my normal chapter's but I figured that it was a good place to take a break. I hope you enjoyed it so please R&R! The Next Chapter will begin with a time skip so we won't actually cover all of Naruto's time with Kenshin because I don't want to give away all of his secrets. However, I will do flashbacks and other forms of explanation so that everyone will have at least some understanding of his training. I hope you return to read Chapter Ten: Home Sweet Home!)