AN: Sorry for the long wait on this one.. some muse and most importantly TIME has come back to me. So... here ya go hope you like and let me know what you think..

Landing on a branch just outside of the property line the Sannin looked over the low fence and neatly trimmed grass. The majority of the property was bare of any place for cover nor did it have any trees save for a sparse handful of sakura trees that buffeted against the sides of the warehouse turned into a small estate home.

A small group of foxes skittered and played along the grass coming and going from a rather large mound that was surrounded by bushes with a willow tree cresting the mound, a koi pond butting against the back of the mound.

Jaraiya let out a faint and low whistle, 'Gaki's doing well for himself.' With a final look around he jumped from the tree to the yard, planning on making his way to the roof to take up a good spot behind the tower sticking up from the lower floor. The five steps he took were his last before he passed out, not seeing the clones appear around him and dragging him inside the house locking him inside the 'guest' wing before dispelling.

-Two Days Later-

Naruto had just left his team mates, all of them having passed the individual portion of the second exam. The fact he had to forgo any form of chakra related skills for the fight had put him at a slight disadvantage he knew this month would be used on re working all of his chakra control, along with finding a way around the key to his seal. Something like this couldn't happen again.

Placing his hand on the Spiral seal on his gate he absorbed the clone memory, "I have a guest... and if the bingo book was right then it's Jaraiya." It was widely known the man was a sealing master, so there was really only one or two reasons he would be here. The first was more than likely Jiji having the man look at the changes done to the seal, the other would be to probably question him about his puppet seals which weren't up for discussion.

Shaking his head as he walked up the path he created twenty clones that all took off to different spots to begin working on his control exercises. He had slipped form his perfect level down to low chunin and it wasn't acceptable to him, as it would allow him to barely control two puppets. Walking through the doors he slipped off his shoes and made enough food for two people before he opened the locks to let the man free.

Pushing the door open Naruto was instantly accosted by the sight of nothing save a note.

You will have to do better than that Naruto Uzumaki, you forgot to block summoning from being used inside. Come find me where the sweetest fruits dance among the warm waters.

Jaraiya-Greatest of the Sannin-Toad Sage-Lady Killer

"Well it's not like.." He shook his head and frowned. How was he supposed to stop a group of S-ranked missing ninja if he couldn't contain just one? "Sensei was right...the next step has to be done." Spinning he left the room and made his way to the 'Work Shop'.

-Several Hours Later-

Blond hair was tied back and hidden beneath a bandana, his clothes covered by a slick black trench coat that glistened with a coating of fresh blood. The surgical table held the splayed body of Haku, as seals were being etched into the bones, certain organs as well were now covered in the black markings of seals, preserving them. The large scroll containing the seals and designs for Legion hung on a rack on the wall. Slowly he, and the few clones that had been working, began to heal the cuts leaving nothing behind but unmarred pale flesh.

"So you decided." Kabuto's soft voice called from the doorway.

Blue eyes stared into steely gray. "Yes..." reching behind him he undid the straps on the coat and took it off, tossing it into a vat of water. "and I used my designs not Sasori-sama's."

Pushing off the door ram he walked over to the table looking over the body, "May I?"

Waving a hand, "go ahead, I need to wash off." Taking his own leave he stepped into the back room the sound of a shower soon filled the air.

The acknowledgment wasn't even heard, as the elder boys hands were already glowing with chakra. The initial shock of what Kabuto found had indeed caused a raised brow, and several muttering of ingenious.

"There wasn't much else I could do..." Naruto said as he walked back in toweling off his hair, "I just couldn't kill him.."

"It's the medic in you." Kabuto nodded, though he himself didn't have such qualms much like his companion Anko. "What about the risk of him recovering?"

Tossing the towel into the vat along with his dirty clothes, "Between the Information Recovery Jutsu, and the seals used in the Human Puppet technique...there's only a two percent chance." He shrugged, "Add in that I used the Shadow Control Technique Seal...even if Haku regains function he would have all my memories compacted over his own."

Nodding along as this was all things he knew after being a part of Naruto's life and training for the last six years. "Have you thought about..." He pushed his glasses up, "Using the Cursed seal?"

A slight shake of his head and frown, "I won't even consider it until the whole of the fuzzy ass is processed."

"A very wise consideration." He clapped and rubbed his hands together, "So as your Aniki do I get the first demonstration?" a faint grin stretched over his features.

Smirking he let the charka form and fly from his finger connecting to Haku, "Of course."

"Of Course" The puppet spoke as it shakily stood up and walked over to another table that held all of the effects that had been originally on the body, minus the destroyed clothes. The limbs twitched as they had remained stiff and near death for to long as it dressed in the clothing that Naruto had laid out for it.

"Muscular atrophy..." Kabuto noticed as he stroked his chin, "Motor control is lacking as well... I would assume that is the caused by the difference in the Human Puppet technique and the Shadow Puppet technique?"

Haku, now dressed in loose black pants a dark blue sleeveless turtleneck along with the weapons he had worn previously, moved to stand next to Naruto. The blond spoke, "Actually no it's more I'm not used to controlling him as of yet. Though using the Shadow technique will keep him fed and the body trained to build up it's skills." He placed a hand on the puppet, " It's where Sasori-sama failed when he changed himself, his body died. Though I am pretty sure his future puppets will be more like mine as often as he kept studying my design."

Nodding along to the explanation, " That is a logical conclusion," Checking his watch, "I have to go and meet Anko, just let us know if you need any help during your month off before the next test." He smiled, "She did mention trying to see if you could sign the Snake contract."

"Yatta." pumping his fist in the air, "Well I have to go find Jaraiya."

"Try the hot springs." He waved over his shoulder, "Ja ne." Heading up the stairs.

Shaking his head, "Great... the Sannin actually is a pervert." Looking at the puppet he formed the seals for his jutsu ending in the Cross Seal for the Shadow Clone. "Shadow Puppet Control Jutsu." Smoke plumed around Haku, before revealing the Puppet to be smirking with Cerulean blue eyes instead of the deep brown they had been before.

"Puppet jutsu Success." Haku spoke.

"Good put him through our training, just remember.."

"TO eat and heal the body after I know." Shaking it's head of dark hair. "I'm your clone baka, now go find that old pervert."

Laughing, "Just sooo creepy." He grinned, "Take the Ryo and get the Facial Tattoo we told Jiji about."

-Hot Spring Number Six-

Stalking through the streets of Konoha was a very irritated Naruto. Having visited five other hot springs looking for the old man. The downside being this had been the most out on his own in the Hidden village in six years. Some how he had almost forgotten the looks, the hatred and the abuse he suffered at their hands. The faint giggle of a man caught his ear, his eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on an older man with long spiky white hair and dressed in a deep crimson outfit with forest green accents.

Both Hands formed a half ram seal as he punched forward, "Shadow Snake Bind." The copper and silver colored snakes launched from his bands. His hands already sending out chakra strings to take control of his puppets.

The sannin spun catching the snakes, The name of the jutsu had caused him to worry as only two people should be dealing with snakes and the boys voice wasn't one of them. "Where did you learn that.." HE spoke as he took in the boys features.

"None of your business," He smirked as the snakes coiled and locked around his arms, "Capture Success." His hands coming together to form the snake seal, activating the gravity seals on the puppets.

Jaraiya frowned before he felt the weight on his arms bringing him to the ground for fear of having them ripped off in his surprise. "What jutsu was that?" He asked trying to move his arms.

"If you read the file Jiji said he was going to give you you should know how a gravity seal works." He smirked, "Or you really aren't Jaraiya of the Sannin but just and Old Pervert."

"No respect Gaki.." He flexed, "Now let me up so we can go over what Sensei asked me to I have more than enough things to do that looking at the doodles of some wet behind the ears Gennin."

Frowning, 'I really don't like this guy... he's just to forward.' His thoughts caused him to flash back to the horrid orange and blue jump suit he used to wear, 'Kami damn it I almost ended up like him.' Shaking the thoughts from his head, "Fine..." Deactivating the seals and maneuvering Maru and Taru back to his own arms and resealing them in their bands. "

'Kids not summoning them, and they weren't alive.' He thought as he stood up, "Alright brat, Now how about we go somewhere and have a look at your situation first."

-That Night-

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jaraiya sat in the kage's office smoking a and sharing a few cups of sake discussing one of several topics they had in common and that would be one Naruto Uzumaki.

"So what did you think of him?" Taking a long pull from his pipe, his aged brown eyes looking over his long time student and most loyal to the village.

Taking a swig that would make his teammate proud he sat the bottle down, "If it wasn't for the hair and eyes I would never know he was Minato's kid." He shook his head, "Until he starts talking. Kids so much like his mother in looks and a split in personality between them... What the hell happened?"

"Well," The aged Sarutobi spoke as he leaned forward, "Since you chose to maintain your spy net rather than take care of your own godson, he was left to the tender cares of the village for six years before taken on as the Apprentice of Akasuna no Sasori until this year." He glared, "He was also taught by an aspiring young medic who will one day rival Tsunade if not surpass her with his skills, and the abandoned apprentice of your former Team mate."

" I was supposed to teach him fuinjutsu..." He started to blather before he stopped, "You let a Missing Nin live in this village and teach.."

Hirzuen shook his head, "I didn't let.. I arranged it for information on Orochimaru and an organization known as Akatsuki." He folded his fingers, "Both of which you barely had any information on last we spoke. IN return I gave him leeway with what he taught Naruto since he wasn't under my command nor any part of this village the council couldn't intervene."

The sannin flinched, the words digging into him in more than one direction. "I had more responsibility and I couldn't take him with me, not that they would have let me after you went and told everyone he was a Jinchuriki." He took another long swig from the bottle, " I offered to train him for the one month period...but I don't think my style fits him."

"Be sure that you do.." Hiruzen looked out the window, "We both know what one of my wayward students is going to be doing soon." Looking back, "He's a good kid and talented like both his parents Jaraiya-kun.. he's also more cynical than either of them." Letting out a sigh, "I gave Asuma the scrolls, I've also already decided he will be promoted and put the paper work through. With his skills as a medic and his mastery of puppets he's easily ready." Letting out a wistful sigh, "He's truly a mix between them but strongly his own at the same time." Shaking his head, "Now what about the seal?"

"That he is.." Sighing as well as the visions of past mistakes haunted him, "Stronger than it ever was. I opened it hoping it would give me a way to get closer to him by teaching him to draw on it's chakra.. but." Running his hands over his face.

"But what?"

"The alterations, they do more than Naruto knows. He's no sealing master but he got enough talent and genius like his father." A wistful smile crossed his features for a moment, "But outside of what he told us, which is true, about the conversion Sasori went further, the seal is forcefully converting the Foxes chakra before it even leaves the seal and gets reconverted again and then shunted to him..." He shook his head, "there are a few other things but nothing harmful, I'm more concerned about those snakes of his.."

"Weren't you listening.. They are his puppets." He barked exasperatedly. "That was why I let him learn. Outside of the fact it gave him acceptance and skills it bought him immunity since he's the only one with the skill he can pick or choose to pass it on."

"Those were puppets?" He frowned, "They felt real.. except they weren't alive..."

"Yes he knows those techniques, he also has a rather convincing Fox names Katsu that I had the pleasure of meeting." Stroking his beard, "and a Falcon as well... and if everything pans out I wouldn't be surprised to see another soon." He frowned slightly, "I don't like the methods but he has made me promises on what can be made and who can't be." Setting his pipe down, "Work on what you think is best but just remember he's mature enough to handle a lot but let him make his own choices."