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 Four – The Challenge

Yamato was nervous. No, scratch that. He was absolutely horrified. Today was the day he officially took custody of Naruto as his guardian. Add that to the current whirlwind that was Konohamaru, he could only imagine what kind of havoc the two would wreak on his house. Boisterous wasn't enough to describe the two. Both were like teenager-sized rasengans with feet!

In a small garden sat Yamato. Relishing the peace and quiet he was sure would disappear the moment Naruto settled down. With Konohamaru returning today from a mission, this was probably the only time he'd be able to sit silently and listen to the wind blowing through the trees in his backyard.

*sighs* "I really can't imagine what sin I did that would warrant a punishment like this..."

"What punishment Yamato?" said Naruto, poofing in from a nearby tree

"Eh? Naruto? You're here early aren't you?"

"Not really, you were sitting here all spaced out. It's already an hour past the set time so I was looking for you. So, what punishment are you talking about?"

"Ah, nothing. Sorry about spacing out like that. It's nothing. Really."

"Somehow, I don't believe you. It's about me staying with you isn't it."

"Whaaat? No it isn't!"

"It is. I know you too well to know when you're lying you know. You really hate the thought of me living here? I can just leave you know."

"It isn't that."

"Then what?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'm not used to living with so many people."

"So you don't hate me?"

"Why would I? I don't have and never had a reason to hate you you know. Look. Stay here with us. We both know Konohamaru would like nothing more than to have his idol around. We can talk about my worries some other time."

"I'd rather talk about your worries before I get settled down. Wait a minute. Did you say worries?"

"Sorry, slip of the tongue..."

"What the heck are you worried about?"

"Nothing..."

Naruto being himself, wouldn't take no for an answer. And proceeded to tackle Yamato in an attempt to force the answers out of him. It took quite some time (Yamato is a jounin after all) but eventually he gave in. Exhausted and in pain from all the clones wrestling him to the ground, Yamato told Naruto of his apprehensions. Losing the peace and quiet he was used to, the fear of eating ramen everyday, getting hit by an ero-ninjutsu on more than a few occassions and the like. While Yamato was about done with his list of worries, Naruto was on the ground laughing his lungs out.

"Hey! I'm opening up here!"

"HAHAHAHAHA! Sorry, sorry... haha... I can't help it. Your worries are so hilarious and STUPID!"

"Damn you Naruto... Wait... huh?"

"I'm not a kid anymore Yamato."

"I can see that but still, everyone knows you two are the only people who know AND use ero-ninjutsu openly on a regular basis."

"And that is bad how?"

"You know most people can't resist staring and eventually fainting from nosebleeds because of that!"

"As I can see, it's their fault for being perverts!"

"And you aren't?"

"Are you, Yamato?"

"Of course not! I've never been victim to any of your ridiculous ninjutsu."

"Really? Is that a challenge then?"

"What?"

"A bet. I bet I can make you faint from a nosebleed before Konohamaru comes home."

"Uhm... I guess, what do I get when I win?"

"A month without any ero-ninjutsu from me or Konohamaru. I'll convince him myself. And it's IF you win Yamato."

"Fine, fine. If I win then. And if for some ridiculous reason that I lose?"

"One month of ramen. I don't care if it's Ichiraku's or if you're gonna cook as long as it's ramen. Ok?"

"I guess. Only on the condition that you don't drive me broke if I lose."

"Deal."

Naruto began hitting Yamato with everything he had. Sexy, long haired, busty women popped in and out in clouds reminiscent of a henge. But regardless, Yamato was unfazed. Disappointed that he couldn't elicit even the slightest reaction, Naruto decided to raise the level with women in skimpy garments. Lingerie, two-piece swimsuits, underwear, and yet, not even a blush from the wood-user. Finally, Naruto was getting a bit annoyed.

"Jeez Yamato, not even a blush? An ogle? Nothing?"
"When you get to be a bit older, you'll get to have more self control. Especially when you remember that it's all basically a henge."

"Tell that to Kakashi-sensei."

"I'm sure there are a lot of exceptions to the self control part."

"Do I have to go naked for you to have a reaction?"

"I doubt that'd have an effect."

"What are you, gay?"

"Even if you tried naked men, you'd get no reactions from me. Better think of how you're gonna convince Konohamaru to not use any ero-ninjutsu for a month."

"Oh yeah? Well, I bet you ARE gay! How about this? *poof*"

Naruto tried a different tactic, this time, using near-naked versions of what he heard were the best looking men in Konoha. But this time, Yamato's reactions only got worse. Instead of an indifferent look, he started to look bored.

"Naruto, is this really all you can do? I already told you. I'm not gay. Besides I've been with all those guys on missions so you can't show me anything I haven't seen before. And I can control myself pretty well around women ESPECIALLY when I know it's you in disguise."

"So there really isn't anything that interests you?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that."

"Then what interests you?"

"As if I'd tell you. Besides you can't really use that to make me get a nosebleed."

"Hmmph I'll find out what you're interested in and use that to make you faint.*poof*"

"You're welcome to try but you won't get anywhere!"

Naruto spent most of the day questioning people around Konoha. Mostly jounin, chuunin and the occasional ANBU in an attempt to find out who, or what Yamato was attracted to but came up with nothing. Finally, in desperation, he went to the Hokage to ask but even Tsunade came up with nothing.

"Sorry Naruto, the only female I know who goes out with him sometimes is Shizune."

"But… but I've tried her! Nothing! Not even the faintest blush!"

"I think I can answer that, sure we go out but those aren't dates."

"Then what would you call them then?"

"Treatment sessions."

"What?"

"You really didn't think that keeping the Kyuubi's chakra at bay was simple for him did you?"

"I… I don't understand. Shizune nee-chan, what do you mean by treatment?"

Shizune proceeded to explain what kind of treatment Yamato would need from her. Being Tsunade's assistant for years meant that she had some impressive healing skills of her own. As it turns out, Yamato has been asking Shizune for private accupunture sessions to deal with the tolls of dealing with the Kyuubi's chakra.

"I guess that'd be reasonable. The Kyuubi is definitely no pushover. But why in private? He could have just gone to the hospital."

"Naruto I think you'd be far from the last to know this. Medic-nin who trained directly under me have been able to learn skills far above what the normal doctors know. Sakura HAS after all, been able to inherit my skills which require precise chakra control. Shizune has as well. But her preferred method is through senbon."

"So, nothing between you two? Really?"

"No, Naruto, sorry to disappoint you. But I think romance is too far from his mind right now."

With that, Naruto started back to the house. He didn't show it but what Tsunade and Shizune said did leave its mark. He knew that Yamato got really tired during their training but how far did the man really push himself? He really felt guilty for that somehow. Well, he thought, he could always give him some extra peace and quiet.

Author's notes:

Thanks for the reviews and the favorites, it's been so long since I last updated but hopefully, I'll be able to write a bit more.