Sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out. I always wanted to get to this point in the story but when I finally did, I got stuck over what I wanted to see happen. Go figure, right? Luckily, once I started pushing myself to think, the ideas began to flow and I finally got the chapter done. I hope you like it.
On another note, I've posted up a new story, Scattered Hearts, the Kingdom Hearts story I had mentioned last chapter. If any of you are interested in it and happen to read it, please let me know what you think.
MadaMag: I had a field day when I learned Kyuubi's real name. Kind of expected it when it was mentioned that all the Bijuu have names of their own.
Colz: No, Iruka and Kakashi aren't fighting. Since Kakashi is away training Sasuke, I've had it that the two of them haven't had much interaction, giving Jin ample working space.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Thirty-Three: Too Many Encounters
Minato paced in frustration around the hospital room. This situation was the last thing he had expected to happen when he and Naruto had attempted full synchronization. He was not meant to completely take over his son's body.
In truth, he hated taking over Naruto's consciousness. He felt as if he was cheating the younger blonde out of the life that was rightfully his. Minato's time had come and gone, no matter how short it had been.
It had always been a consolation to him that he could give the body right back to Naruto when he wished to. This time, however, he couldn't.
He had tried everything he could think of to relinquish control back to his son but he was quick to realize he was only succeeding in knocking himself abruptly. All he was able to discover from his attempts was that Naruto's consciousness was too out of reach. His body had compensated by forcing Minato into the driver's seat.
Testing out his chakra, he found it in complete turmoil, which helped explain why Naruto's body hadn't transformed into his own while he was in control. The transformation required chakra, which Naruto's body wasn't willing to use at the moment.
"What a mess..." he groaned aloud, pinching his nose tiredly. Naruto needed to wake up soon... there were only two days left until the Chuunin Exam Finals and the Yondaime had no intention of stealing his son's glory from him.
Naruto had been looking forward to the chance to prove himself to everyone so that he could finally be seen as more than just the idiot Jinchuuriki of Konoha.
He was even more determined to teach Neji a lesson.
It would be a grave injustice if Minato ended up having to do that in Naruto's place. He would never forgive himself.
"Please, wake up," Minato whispered aloud pleadingly.
"Naruto?" a concerned voice rang out and Minato looked up to see Shikamaru standing in the doorway.
'Crap, I don't need to deal with visitors right now,' Minato thought. He was still trying to figure things out.
"Are you okay? Should you really be out of bed yet? Ino said you were suffering from chakra exhaustion," the Nara remarked, approaching Naruto slowly. He felt a small sting of hurt when Naruto backed away from him.
"I'm fine. I recover quickly," Minato responded, not meeting the Nara's eyes. He was afraid if he did, the Nara would be able to tell that he wasn't Naruto.
Shikamaru frowned as he observed the blonde. There was something vaguely off about him. The way he spoke was odd and even his body language seemed different.
Naruto was holding himself in the same way a seasoned warrior would, one who had been through far more battles than the Jinchuuriki had been through. Although, it was quite apparent that Naruto was trying to mask it.
"Look at me," Shikamaru ordered firmly.
"Why should I?" Minato couldn't help the petulance in his tone. Why should he, the Yondaime Hokage, obey the orders of a simple Genin?
"Please, Naruto," Shikamaru softened the request.
Oh, that's right... because at the moment, he wasn't the Yondaime. He was stuck pretending to be his son.
He met Shikamaru's eyes reluctantly and that was more than enough for the genius shinobi to confirm his suspicions.
"You're not Naruto," the ponytail-wearing Genin declared.
Minato sighed, dejected. "You're as annoyingly smart as your father," he stated, giving up all attempts to act like Naruto.
"You're that angel, aren't you?" Shikamaru realized.
Minato nodded. Shikamaru found that the stoic look didn't fit right with Naruto's face. He felt the entire situation was surreal. While he had known Naruto had a guardian, he had never imagined that he would get to meet him face to face, even if it was through Naruto.
"Who are you?" Shikamaru inquired curiously.
"I can't tell you," Minato answered, crossing his arms.
"You told Ino," Shikamaru countered.
"I did not," the angel said calmly. "She encountered me by accident when she entered my son's mind. Telling her the truth was the best option. It is not my place to discuss this with you. It's Naruto's."
"Why don't you ask him?" Shikamaru pressed.
"I can't," Minato replied, eyes darkening. "Do you think I would be here, in control of my son's body, if Naruto was conscious and aware of what is going on?"
Shikamaru's eyes widened with worry. "What happened?" he wondered.
"That's what I've been trying to find out," the Yondaime answered.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Shikamaru offered.
"I'm afraid not," Minato replied. He started heading for the window.
"Where are you going?" Shikamaru queried.
"I've got some business to take care of," Minato said vaguely. In truth, he was going to see Jiraiya. He thought his sensei should be told what happened. Maybe they could brainstorm a solution to the problem if they combined their thought processes.
'Something tells me this angel doesn't like me very much,' the Nara thought. 'I'll just have to prove myself to him too.'
Jiraiya barely restrained a perverted giggle as he peeped on the women in the baths.
"I should have known you'd be here, Sensei," a familiar voice rang out. Jiraiya whirled around to see Naruto just as the females in the bath realized someone was peeping.
"Shit," Jiraiya swore as he heard the females rush to confront him. Rushing over, he tucked Naruto under his arm and ran away as fast as he could.
Jiraiya glared at Naruto once they were safe. "You need to stop exposing me, gaki," he scowled.
"Your research isn't the most important thing at the moment, Sensei," 'Naruto' stated firmly.
"What's with the sudden respect? You've been calling me Ero-Sennin," Jiraiya frowned in confusion.
"That's Naruto's nickname for you," the blonde stated matter-of-factly.
"... Minato? What are you doing in Naruto's body?" Jiraiya queried quietly.
"That's the thing, I don't know. This is the last side effect I would have ever expected to happen from out experiments with synchronization," Minato said. "Neither Naruto nor Kyuubi are responding to my calls. I can't even withdraw into my mind properly."
"That's troubling..." Jiraiya frowned. "Ino attempted to enter Naruto's mind a few times earlier. She said she was repelled each and every time. She thinks there is something up with your chakra. I'd say we need a Hyuuga's help but you haven't brought in any into the fold, right?"
"No, we haven't," Minato admitted.
"Is there any one you wouldn't mind bringing in?" Jiraiya wondered.
"... Hyuuga Hinata. Naruto has been thinking of telling her soon. She's trustworthy," Minato spoke after thinking for a few minutes.
"I'll take your word for it," Jiraiya answered. "She may be able to see what is really going on with your chakra and do something about it."
"It's definitely worth a try," Minato agreed. "We'll most likely find her in the Hyuuga District right now."
"Then let's head on over," the white-haired Sannin stated.
It was too much to hope for a peaceful trip to the district, however, as Jiraiya and Minato encountered the person they had no intention of meeting...
"Good afternoon, I trust that you two are well," Jin feigned cordiality as he walked over.
"As much as we could be now that you're here," Jiraiya scowled, holding no patience for the bastard at the moment. His slimy nature really rubbed him the wrong way...
"So cold, Jiraiya-sama. I thought we were trying to forge better relationships between our villages. Must you be so hostile?" Jin frowned, mocking them by looking wounded.
"That's rich coming from you," Jiraiya snorted. "You're the one who is least likely to try forging good relations with Konoha. You're too busy being stuck in the past."
"Like I'm the only one?" Jin retorted. "You haven't let go of your former student. Why else would you take his legacy on as a student when everyone knows you swore never to take on another student again?" He shot 'Naruto' a hateful look, only to have it returned tenfold.
"I didn't select Naruto because of his lineage," Jiraiya said firmly. "I chose him and two others based off of their merit. My past had nothing to do with my decision. I saw potential in them so I took them under my wing. That is all."
"How noble," Jin said dryly. "To counter your own beliefs about me, I have been trying to let go of the past and forge relationships with Konoha. I've spent most of this month getting to know one of Konoha's beloved Chuunin. If I recall, Jiraiya-sama, you once witnessed one of my attempts a few weeks back when I was enjoying one Umino Iruka's company."
The level of Killing Intent that poured off Minato nearly paralyzed both Jiraiya and Jin.
Minato didn't know where the intense feelings of rage had come from. The moment Jin had confessed the emotions had completely overwhelmed him. The only rationalization he could make was that these feelings weren't his own... They were Naruto's.
Nevertheless, the realization wasn't enough to prevent Minato from being consumed by said emotions and he found himself lunging at the Iwa nin.
"Stay away from Iruka-sensei!" he found himself yelling, right before Jiraiya grabbed hold of him, keeping him from actually succeeding in his attack.
Jiraiya was more than a little surprised at the change in events. He never thought he would see Minato lose his cool like this... He shuddered at the memory of the Killing Intent. Sannin or not, his student's Killing Intent was something he didn't wish to experience again. He could even put Orochimaru's to shame in that aspect.
Seeing that it wouldn't be wise to keep Jin and Minato in the same vicinity of one another, Jiraiya quickly retreated, leaving Jin alone.
Jin remained paralyzed where he stood, trying to process what had just happened. For a moment, he had felt as if it wasn't Naruto he had been facing, but rather, a certain Yondaime Hokage...
'It must have been my imagination...' he decided dismissively. There was no way that bastard was still alive...
"What was that all about?" Jiraiya asked Minato once he set him down a good distance away.
"I don't know," Minato admitted. "I just got so angry, so fast. It took me by surprise. Those were Naruto's feelings, I'm sure of it. He feels things so intensely. I had always known that, but to experience that myself... it gives an entirely different outlook."
"Naruto may not be so out of reach as we originally thought," Jiraiya mused. "If you're starting to feel his emotions, it may not be long before he wakes up."
"I hope so," Minato said.
"We should hurry over to Naruto's Hyuuga friend. She might be able to give us a better idea of what's going on in that body of yours," the Sannin decided and they continued on their way.
That is, until they encountered somebody else... the Sandaime Hokage.
"It's been a while since I've seen you outside of your office, Sensei," Jiraiya remarked, looking surprised.
"Well I have been quite busy. There is much to prepare for," the aged Hokage admitted, referencing both the Finals and the invasion.
"Indeed there is," Jiraiya agreed.
"So what are the two of you up to? I heard you were hospitalized for chakra exhaustion," Sarutobi addressed the young blonde.
"I recovered quickly," Minato said smoothly, mimicking the cocky smirk Naruto placed on his face when he wanted to look unaffected by whatever would drag other people down.
"I should have expected that from you," the Hokage chuckled. "Still, I'm surprised they discharged you so quickly."
"They didn't," Minato admitted cheekily. "I discharged myself."
Sarutobi blinked in surprise before chuckling. Naruto truly was a character. "Just take care of yourself, okay? I wouldn't want anything to happen to you before you get the chance to show everybody what you're capable of at the Finals."
"You won't have to worry about that. I'll take everyone by storm," Minato promised.
"I'll hold you to that, Naruto. I'm sure you'll amaze us all," the Hokage said supportively. "I must go now, there is still much work it be done. Take care."
"Bye," Jiraiya and Minato said simultaneously before they headed on their own way as well.
"We just keep bumping into everybody," Jiraiya shook his head. "At this rate, it will take forever to find your friend."
"So it would seem," Minato agreed as he saw they were being approached once again, this time by Kiba and Sakuya.
"We finally found you," Kiba said, panting. "Your scent threw us off. There's something a little different about it..."
Jiraiya and Minato glanced at each other. It seemed that Minato's current possession of Naruto's body didn't just affect his chakra and outward appearance alone.
Sakuya rushed over, recognizing Minato's scent. She was disappointed that it wasn't her mama, but she liked Minato just as much.
"She missed you," Kiba smiled, giving Sakuya a fond look.
"I missed her too," Minato admitted, getting more used to playing his role. "Thank you for taking care of her."
"It's no problem. It's the least that I can do... given everything I said and did during the Preliminaries. I'm really sorry about that. I've treated you horribly and you didn't deserve any of that. I was being stupid. I hope you can forgive me," Kiba apologized.
Minato blinked in surprise. He hadn't really expected the stubborn dog nin to actually apologize for what had occurred weeks back. The apology may have been more effective if it had really been Naruto he had said sorry to, but given that it wasn't exactly his fault for the bad timing, Minato couldn't fault him.
As it was, the emotions Naruto would have felt upon such an uncharacteristic, yet sincere, request for forgiveness, poured out quickly.
"As long as you're really sorry, I guess it's okay. Just try not be such a douche from now on," Minato spoke for Naruto. Jiraiya had to stifle a laugh. Hearing Minato speak like that was amusing...
Kiba just smirked. "I can do that… if you try not to be such an idiot from now on," he countered in a good-natured manner.
Minato smiled. He had a feeling that the rivalry between Naruto and Kiba would be a lot less malicious now. They could actually have a chance at becoming friends again.
"While this is touching and all, we still have some work to do and it would be good if we could get it done before it gets dark," Jiraiya broke through the conversation.
"We still need to find Hinata," Minato remembered, causing Kiba to look surprised.
"If you're looking for Hinata, you're going in the wrong direction. She's at Training Ground Eight, helping Shino train," Kiba remarked.
"You mean to say we could have avoided all of the encounters we've had so far and just got to business if we had just gone to look for here there?" Jiraiya frowned in displeasure. So much for still having some time to do his research once he and Minato solved the mystery of why he had Naruto's body. Minato could only look sheepish.
"What do you want with Hinata?" Kiba wondered.
"I need her help with something," Minato admitted.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Kiba inquired.
"Unfortunately no, but you've helped us enough by telling us where to go. Thanks, Kiba," Minato bid the other boy farewell before he and Jiraiya walked away, with Sakuya following after them happily.
Kiba stared after them, a confused look on his face. Was it just him or did Naruto seem a little more polite than normal?
"We finally found her," Jiraiya sighed as they found Hinata fighting against Shino.
"This time without interruptions," Minato remarked, quirking his lips upward.
As they approached, they were noticed by both Genin.
"Naruto, Jiraiya-sama," Shino greeted them, his Kikai bugs buzzing restlessly around him.
"How are you doing, Shino? You look like you're getting into good shape," Minato complimented.
"I'm fine, you look well," Shino answered, mildly puzzled by Naruto's politeness. The blonde usually didn't pay too much attention to him. Although, it wasn't exactly his fault. Shino was just too quiet.
"I've been good," Minato agreed. "I was wondering if we could borrow Hinata for a while. That is, if both of you don't mind."
"I see no problem," Shino remarked before glancing at Hinata. "Hinata?"
"I don't mind going with you, Naruto-kun," Hinata agreed before walking over to Minato and Jiraiya as they walked away.
"So where to?" Jiraiya queried, wondering where they would hold their conversation.
"Home," Minato decided. It was the most private place for the time being, especially now that Minato had added onto the seals protecting it, ever since Daichi had succeeded in breaking in.
When they arrived, they found both Gaara and Ino waiting for them at the door.
Once the trio got into the sight of Jiraiya's two other students, Ino immediately tackled Minato.
"Damn it, Naruto. You scared the shit out of his. You shouldn't have left the hospital like that. When Shikamaru told me you had just walked out like that, I got really worried, you know?" Ino ranted, fussing over him.
"I'm fine, Ino-chan," Minato responded before turning serious. "But unfortunately, I'm not Naruto."
Hinata glanced at him, startled. That wasn't something she had expected to hear. "If you're not Naruto, who are you?" she asked quietly.
"Come inside and I'll explain everything," Minato beckoned all of them inside.
Twenty minutes later, Hinata had been fully clued in and, for the most part, she was taking it well but none of them were surprised about that. If there was anybody who could accept the unique truths about Naruto easily, it was Hinata.
"It all makes sense now," she mused. "I'm glad you finally told me, Yondaime-sama."
"Call me Minato," the blonde insisted. He had finally got Ino to relax on referring to him via his title, he didn't want to have to do the very same thing with Hinata.
"If that's what you want, Minato-san," Hinata conceded. "So you want me to use my Byakugan to see if I can figure out what's going on with your body?"
"Yes," Minato agreed. "This has never happened like this before and I want to understand it so that I can make sure it doesn't happen again."
"I'll do my best," Hinata stated before she activated her Kekkei Genkai. She glanced at Minato and was nearly blinded by the brilliant gold chakra she saw coursing through him.
Blinking a few times, she slowly adjusted and was able to assess the state of his chakra more closely.
From what she could see, Minato's chakra was almost completely dominating the chakra coils but she noticed a faint outline of blue chakra beginning to seep out of the chakra core in progressively larger spurts.
"You said you were attempting synchronization when this happened, right?" Hinata asked for clarification.
"That is right," Minato confirmed.
"Well, from what it looks like, when you synchronized, your chakra overwhelmed Naruto's, which initially knocked you out. When you came back to your senses, your chakra still had complete control, suppressing Naruto's. As he hasn't yet awakened, his own chakra hasn't started flowing out as much. It seems that it will be a gradual process but I have a strong belief that he will be back soon. His chakra is beginning to peek through your own."
"How long do you think it will be before his chakra returns to normal levels and awaken him?" Gaara wondered.
"I can't be too sure but I would say maybe a day or two," Hinata admitted.
"But the Chuunin Exams are in two days," Ino exclaimed.
"If Naruto doesn't wake up by then, Minato will have to take the exam," Jiraiya stated.
Minato looked frustrated. He didn't want to take away Naruto's chance to prove himself but he knew he couldn't back down either. He wouldn't let people see Naruto as a coward.
"Is there anything that we can do to speed up the process?" Gaara asked.
"I wouldn't advise it," Hinata said. "Chakra systems can be rather temperamental. If we mess with theirs anymore, we could just make things worse."
"We'll just have to wait things out then and hope for the best," Jiraiya realized. It looked everything would depend on time.