Well, now is time for the Chapter to wrap up the whole failed retrieval mission and all. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 52: What now? The Decisions every Ninja must make.
"So how is everyone?" Naruto asked Kurenai, who came to see him in the hospital the day afer the mission.
"They are all safe," smiled Kurenai, "You did well Naruto."
"But I couldn't bring them back," Sighed Naruto, "I was the last hope to convince Sasuke to stay, but I couldn't even do that."
"Don't beat yourself up Naruto," replied Kurenai, "It's not always possible to help everyone. But I don't want you to give up on your dreams because of this failure."
"Give up?" said Naruto Almost offended, "I'll prove to Sasuke that here, with the people I care about I can achieve my dreams."
Kurenai smiled a little, though the smile quickly faded, "Naruto, you know Sasuke would have killed you if Gaara had not shown up. Tell me, if you can't change his mind, and you are the one to confront him again, can you bring yourself to kill your former comrade?"
"Yes," said Naruto sadly, "If he won't change his mind and return to us, he is no longer a comrade, though so long as there is a hope of bringing him back, I'll take that chance."
"Lets get the subject to something a little brighter," said Kurenai, not wanting to delve more into this, even though she was proud to hear her students reply, "the doctor says tomorrow you can start training, and Hinata and Lee both have other plans, so whenever I'm free I can train you one on one."
"Thanks, but I have another plan Kurenai sensei," smiled Naruto, "I just have the find that Ero-Sennin first."
"Your planning to train with Jiraiya?" laughed Kurenai, "I don't even think he's still here. He's been to busy investigating things for the Hokage."
"Like what?" asked NAruto.
"Sorry Naruto, I can't really tell you. Feel free to look for him, but I don't think You'll find him here. Come find me if you change you mind though," Kurenai smiled as she left.
"See ya later Kurenai-sensei," said Naruto.
"They're going to make a move on Naruto soon," Jiraiya said, sitting in the Homages's office.
"I know, that's why I'd like him to go with you Jiraiya," Hayate said, "We must keep him away from Akatsuki."
"I don't know much about them except for that Itachi recently joined the ranks, and shortly after Orichimaru had left," replied Jiraiya, "do you really think Naruto would be safe with me? Not even I could defeat Itachi if he went all-out."
"You're the only person we can trust to keep the Demon out of their hands, please watch him for me Jiraiya," said Hayate.
"As you wish," replied Jiraiya, "This is going to be Yondaime all over again," as Jiraiya walked out of the room he saw three Genin walk in. He recognized Lee for beating Neji in the final exam, though he didn't recognize the one with black sunglasses and a white trench coat or the strange fat guy with the chips.
"Yes, come in," Said Hayate, inviting in the three Genin that requested to see him earlier. They said it was important, so he decided to listen.
"Hokage, we have a request!" Said Lee with high enthusiasm. Shino gave him a look that said shut up, but given that he had sunglasses and a collar covering his mouth the message failed miserably.
"I know, may I ask what it is then?" Hayate chuckled.
"We feel we need strength!" said Lee enthusiastically. Seeing the look on the Homages's face Shino decided he should take over for Lee.
"What he is saying is we would like to leave the village to train on our own out side," said Shino, "We knew one person couldn't go alone, but if we leave as a team we were hoping that it would be acceptable."
"It is against the rules to allow Genin to go train without a master," Hayate said thinking, "But right now all trainers and such are gone on missions. I'm afraid I under the current circumstances I can't allow you to leave the village for training."
"But honorable Hokage!" said Lee with his Youth Showing, "We have never asked you anything before!"
"I've only been Hokage a short time, to be honest you're the first people to come to me with a request, and it would look bad if I turned down someone the first chance I got, and while I can't send you out for training, I can send you on a mission," smiled Hayate, "Jiraiya won't be back for a while, so if I mess with his report a little bit, it can change from Missing Nin successfully assassinated along with all his minions, to Missing Nin successfully assassinated but his subordinates escaped. Given he has more important matters to attend to, a new squad should be assigned to hunting down the remainder of them."
"Thank you Hokage!" Said Lee bowing, "We are forever grateful for this opportunity."
"So are we," came a voice from behind the door. Kiba walked in smiling, "We are all here for the same reasons, however now that we heard your plan we'll make a little deal."
"Blackmail eh?" laughed Hayate, "To think mere Genin would get successfully spy against the Hokage. Very well, everyone in the office."
After everyone walked in and gave Hayate their names, the Hokage proceeded to split them into teams. First he listed all the Genin here: Aburame Shino, Akimichi Choiji, Rock Lee, Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuki Kiba, Nara Shikamaru, Yamanako Ino, Tsuchi Kin, Abumi Zaku, Kinuta Dosu, TenTen, and Osaka.
"Alright, I'll split you all into Teams of three. To keep track of you easier, you will address all reports to me weakly for the next 2 years under team names. Here's a Sheet showing all of your teams and team names. Be sure to return on time, and please don't disappoint me for doing this for you guys. Dismissed," Hayate said. Everyone Nodded and left the office. They gathered outside to view the teams. However what they saw was a note and a sheet with blank Columns. The Note listed four people to be team leaders, and told them to pick their own teams. However it also instructed various other things, such as Shikamaru could not be pair with Choiji or Ino, and other such things. The ones listed as leaders were Nara Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, Kinuta Dosu, and Inuzuki Kiba. Those four got together and began filling out the paper until they were satisfied. When they finished they Showed the Paper to everyone else.
Team LeadersTeam NameMembers
Nara ShikamaruBumsHyuuga Hinata, Abumi Zaku
Aburame ShinoDemoTsuchi Kin, Yamanako Ino
Kinuta DosuSonicRock Lee, Osaka
Inuzuki KibaBeastsAkimichi Choiji, TenTen
Everyone agreed, with the exception of being called Team Bums, on the paper and departed the village the next day.
"Yo! Ero-Sennin!" Called Naruto, Seeing Jiraiya walking down the road.
"Hey kid, you up for some training?" He asked Smiling.
"That's why I was looking for you," Naruto said.
"Good, we leave in the morning. We'll be back in two months," Laughed Jiraiya.
"Then when I come back, I'll find Sasuke and Drag him back to this village," Said Naruto, pumping his fist into the air.
"Naruto, please don't pursue Sasuke to far, you may end up in a position that jeopardizes you and everyone you care about. Sasuke is much like Orichimaru when he was young," said Jiraiya sadly.
"You were team mates back then, right?" said Naruto, "Then you know how I feel. True, unlike you we were not in the same squad, but Sasuke is different from Orichimaru. He wouldn't come after us. No amount of power will change his mind."
"Let us pray your right kid," said Jiraiya smiling a little, "just pack your things and meat me outside the village tomorrow," Naruto Nodded as he ran off to pack his things.
Next you will get longer chapters. I'll have a chapter for the Four Teams, Naruto, and the Sand Nin during the two year period. There may be multiple Chapters for each, but I've yet to decide. Anyway, enjoy and R&R.