Naruto Shippuden – Life After Jiraiya
Summary: Konoha loses a great man leaving emotional burdens especially on his apprentice. Chaos replaces grief as the man's will is revealed.
Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto Shippuden
Life After Jiraiya
Chapter Three – Jiraiya's Will
After his talk with Konohamaru, Naruto was calm enough to sleep. The next day, Naruto woke up early. A few minutes after that, he heard a knock on his door.
"Who's there?" Naruto was still sleepy but opened the door to see an ANBU operative outside his door.
"What do you want?"
"Naruto-kun, Hokage-sama requests you meet her in her office later this morning."
"Did she say what it is about?"
"No, unfortunately. But Hokage-sama is not in a bad mood this morning so you need not worry."
"Alright. I'll be there later." And with that, the ANBU vanished.
Naruto was a bit late in getting to the Hokage's office because he was thinking of anything he might have done wrong. Team Kakashi/Yamato was given a few weeks off duty to recover from Jiraiya's loss so it wouldn't have been for a mission assignment. As he opened the door...
"YOU'RE LATE!" yelled an annoyed Tsunade. Although Naruto did notice that she was a bit calmer than usual so he simply nodded and stood beside Sakura. Surprisingly, Kakashi was there and earlier than him. Yamato was also there. Of all the members of Team Kakashi/Yamato, only Sai was not present.
"Now that you're all here, sit down. This might take a while." As they sat, Shizune handed the Hokage a summoning scroll. The scroll summoned Fukasaku who came in a slightly more formal robe.
"I am here now to inform you of Jiraiya-chan's will." Fukasaku saw no change in their expression and decided to continue.
"As you may have guessed, Jiraiya-chan has a few items that need to be passed on."
The toad continued to speak and as he did so, those present were wondering what the toad sage left them. Some of them, Yamato and Sakura in particular were wondering why they were there. They hadn't exactly been close with the sage.
"To Tsunade, this letter is for you." Upon receipt of the letter, Tsunade saw something that shocked her. Inside was a receipt indicating payment for several of her largest debts from gambling.
"He was paying them in secret, so that the debtors wouldn't bother you after becoming Hokage. As I believe, he paid some 50 million ryou for that." Upon mention of the amount, several jaws fell on the floor.
"I knew he had royalties from the books but he was THAT RICH?" Kakashi was wide-eyed seriously considering becoming an author.
"Why did he need to borrow money from me then?" Mixed feelings were erupting from Naruto because of this knowledge but settled down after realizing that he'd been paying off Tsunade's debts since before he and Naruto met.
"Now that that's settled, I think we can move on." Fukasaku was anxious to move on as there was quite a number of people listed in the will. After giving Kakashi all of his unfinished works in the Icha-Icha series, Sakura a collection of herbs used by Tsunade to train in medical ninjutsu, and Shizune a scroll containing the secrets to hair manipulation techniques, all that remained were Naruto, Iruka and Yamato.
"To Iruka" Fukasaku started, "we might not have known each other well. But I leave to you the scroll with instructions on how to strengthen the Yondaime's seal." This was the second time that a lot of jaws fell on the floor. Most especially Iruka's.
"Fukasaku-sama, are you sure he wants to entrust that to me? I mean, there are a lot more people adept at using sealing techniques than I am."
"Iruka, there's only one reason why you're the most suited to inherit this technique." Eyes went from Iruka to the Godaime as she spoke. "True, Kakashi is more adept at using sealing techniques than you are, both Yamato and I have more chakra than you. But being an academy teacher, you'll almost always be here whenever Naruto may need you. You'll receive assistance in learning the techniques Iruka. And besides. He's made ridiculous decisions before like teaching a little brat the Yondaime's rasengan but things still turned out fine. Trust him." With that, Iruka takes the scroll from Fukasaku.
"Next is Naruto." There was a slight atmosphere of shock since everyone expected Naruto to be the last one mentioned. Nonetheless, Fukasaku continued. "I leave you three things. One is the key to the Yondaime's seal. With this in your hands, Iruka can always strengthen the seal as needed. With time, you should also be able to gain better control of the Kyuubi's powers with it. Second, I never forgot my debt to you. But since I used my savings to pay for Tsunade's debt, I'll repay you with my journals. Unlike the Icha-Icha books, you might find these more interesting. My journals contain all the techniques I've learned and invented over the years including your father's impressive collection of time-space ninjutsu. The third and the last is my will of fire. Just as your father Minato wanted you to be a great ninja, I've witnessed you become one. Become a greater shinobi than we could ever be."
"Last but not the least is Yamato." Everyone looked at Yamato. What would he be given that is so noteworthy that he'd be last? Everyone including Yamato was anxious especially his senpai. Not being able to contain his curiosity, he leans over and asks.
"Kohai, what do you think you're being entrusted with? It's a pretty big honor being the last one mentioned isn't it?"
"Uh, senpai, I really have no idea. But if its anything like last time..." but Yamato didn't get to finish his sentence as Fukasaku began speaking again.
"Yamato, you've been one of the most trusted ANBU from the third to the fifth Hokage. I know that a lot of your colleagues must have been saddened when you asked Tsunade permission to leave ANBU and to be a permanent co-captain to Kakashi's team. Although it isn't hard to see why. Unfortunately, I must pass unto you a burden as the Sarutobi family did. As the Sandaime and Asuma entrusted Konohamaru to you, I entrust to you my apprentice Naruto. Kakashi and I both agree that you'll be able to watch over him well." This bit of news shocked everyone particularly Yamato and Iruka. That is, until Fukasaku delivered the last part of the will.
"While it is true that Naruto has been with Iruka much much longer, I see him more of a big brother than a father to my apprentice. No offense but Iruka is a bit too lenient and I think Naruto would like to spend more time with his apprentice. Yamato, treat Naruto as you always have." Everyone was surprised at Jiraiya's reasons and they had to admit it was a pretty good one... until. "In addition, Yamato is the only one whom I haven't seen fall victim to Naruto's ero-ninjutsu. Although I expect that wouldn't be the case for long."
"That's everything in the will. Are there any questions before I leave?"
"I have just one."
"Yes, Sakura?"
"Yamato has really never fallen victim to Naruto's ero-ninjutsu?"
"Sakura, I think it would have been better if you had asked that in private?" Yamato was starting to get annoyed. It wasn't because Naruto's ero-ninjutsu didn't have an effect on him. It's just that he was just better at keeping his composure whenever he does it.
"Well, I think everyone is curious about it! Every other man in the village has fallen victim to it, either from the master himself or his apprentice."
"I just like to think I have better self-control."
"Well, I wish you have a lot more self-control than you look like you have Yamato." Tsunade says as she gets ready to dismiss everyone present. "With custody of both Naruto and Konohamaru, you'll have your arms full with ero-nins."
Realizing this and with a mental image of Naruto and Konohamaru practicing powered-up versions of the original oiroke no jutsu, several reactions could be seen from the crowd.
"Thank goodness they wouldn't be living with me" mumbled Iruka.
"I wouldn't mind seeing that" thought Kakashi
Sakura wasn't thinking much. She was fuming at the idea of the two perverted ninjas doing technique after technique. Most unique of all reactions was that of Yamato himself realizing what kind of life he would be leading after this.
"Jiraiya-sama how could you do this to me?"
Author's notes: I'm really not sure about this one. I'm still not too good at writing emotions. I made Yamato Konohamaru's guardian with the assumption that he doesn't have any family left after Asuma died. And I happened to like the extra scene in the anime with Yamato whining to Asuma so I decided to bring him in for some torture. (who better to torture him than the two ero-nins?)
By the way, I'm thinking of renaming this fic since it's moved on from simply being a "getting over character death" fic to life after "character death". I'll probably change it within the next few chapters.
And thanks to all those who read this fic!