Hi! BillyMayes here with another outstanding chapter! (Get it? Like the old commercials?) To those of you who reviewed and are enjoying the story so far, thanks! Like I said, I'll try and keep it updated quick, but no promises. I do have work and such. Anyways….

Chapter 2

Transfer of Custody

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a man of routine. Now, normally, as a Ninja, and especially as a Hokage or any other ranking person in a world full of assassins, cutthroats, and betrayals, a routine is something that you vehemently try to avoid. When most men fall into a routine, they become a prime target for assassination, as then become predictable and thus, easier to track. However, the Third Hokage was not most men. A powerful Shinobi in his own right, owner of the monikers "The God of Shinobi" and "The Professor", and two time Hokage after the fall of his successor to the hands (or should I say, paws) of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, Hiruzen Sarutobi allowed himself to fall into a steady routine.

Approaching his twilight years in life, and certainly being one of the oldest in his chosen profession, Sarutobi had fallen into such a routine that helped to ease his old and brittle bones, but that isn't to say that he became any less vigilant. All it meant was that he no longer had the energy or the care enough to constantly change his daily life to become less of a target. So, when he was sitting behind his desk, gazing out over his beloved village at precisely 930 in the morning, drinking his tea as he watched the village he so diligently protected and lead come to life, he was understandably quite surprised when his one of his wayward students hopped through the window, nearly knocking him over in the process.

Composing himself, and deftly managing to move out of the way of the large man that had just unceremoniously let himself in during what was quite possibly the only quiet moment of his day, Sarutobi turned around sighed. 'Why couldn't he ever learn how to use a door?', he idly wondered to himself as Jiraiya dusted himself off and leaned against one of the walls, crossing his arms as he did so. Hiruzen glanced up at his former student, a smile beginning to form on his face, until he made eye contact with the Sannin, when his smile faltered. He'd known Jiraiya for many years now, and could tell from the look on his face that this wasn't merely a social call. Taking a final sip of his tea and finishing it, he placed the now empty cup back onto the desk before clearing his throat and addressing his student.

"Ahh, good morning, Jiraiya. I was unaware that you were back in the village. Perhaps the ANBU are getting sloppy?", Hiruzen chuckled at himself, as Jiraiya merely closed his eyes and let a small grin form on his lips. His Sensei always did know how to ease the tension in the room.

"Please, Old Man, we both know that none of them could ever find me unless I wanted to be found. I may not have been the stealthiest of the three, but I certainly wasn't the worst one." Jiraiya joked back.

"So, such an unceremonious visit. Am I correct in assuming that you aren't here to simply update me on the progress of your spy network? If that were the case, you could have let an ANBU deliver the report as you usually do so you could stay in the field. What brings you here, not that I'm not pleased to see you, of course." At this, the only active member of the Sannin pushed himself off of the adjacent wall, and moved himself over to in front of the Hokage's desk. His expression turned from one of mild amusement to a more serious one, a rare sight for the usually jovial sage.

"Sarutobi." The tone of his voice left no room for discussion, and Hiruzen was instantly on guard. Jiraiya only ever called him by that in dire circumstances, and it had only happened a few times before, most recently, when they had discovered Orochimaru's treachery, and before that, when Jiraiya had attempted to talk Hiruzen into him raising Naruto. "I've made a decision involving Naruto, and I doubt you'll like it. I'm letting you know this out of courtesy, and because you'll no doubt have to inform the council of it, and I don't think they will approve of my decision either."

The aging Hokage's brow furrowed, and he momentarily contemplated brewing some more tea. 'Kami, not even 10 in the morning, my students never would let these old bones rest, I suppose', he thought to himself before turning back to the matter at hand. "Jiraiya, I've very well aware of your stance on the matter and where you think the child belongs, but the council convened and there's nothing I can do on the matter. Naruto has to remain in the village." Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he saw Jiraiya slightly tense his jaw, and he would continue to do so as the man began to speak, enlightening him to what happened the night prior, and how the situation had been handled. "Jiraiya, I am aware of the problems the boy faces. I have done everything in my power to keep it from happening, however, I cannot be everywhere at once, and I cannot order my Ninja to have a 24 hour guard on him when it comes with the cost of attacking civilians. Now if w-".

Jiraiya cut him off with a dismissal wave of his hand, before speaking himself, "I'm aware of it. For the past 4 years you've sat by and done next to nothing for Naruto. He's been routinely beaten, malnourished, and abused both emotionally and physically. If I hadn't been there last night who know what might have happened. I've made my decision, Sarutobi, village be damned. I refuse to allow Minato's legacy, my Godson, to be treated this way. I'm taking him with me, Old Man. I have to do this." When Jiraiya finished, his voice was soft, but no less sound. He locked eyes with the Sandaime, and neither were wavering in their contact. "You can't stop me this time, Sarutobi."

To say that Hiruzen was angry was an understatement. The man was known for his sounds mind, and sounder judgement. However, one thing that was a surefire way to irritate him to no end was to blatantly disrespect him, and then in the same sentence disregard his orders, both of which just happened, and from a man he already gave a large amount of leeway to. Now, at this point in his life, Sarutobi Hiruzen was a considerably short man, but that isn't to say that he didn't cast a particularly long shadow, so to speak. He was, after all, the Hokage for a reason. Remaining sitting, Hiruzen did not glare at his former student, but he did make the most intense eye contact he could muster with the Toad Sage, causing the man to harden his own gaze in return. "We have had this talk before, Jiraiya. I have made myself abundantly clear that Naruto will remain in the village. You will not be taking him with you, or have you forgotten your place?" The Hokage spoke with no venom in his voice, only the authority of his position.

Jiraiya at this point at least had the decency to look slightly befuddled, not at the Hokage's declaration, no, they'd had that talk before, but at the seriousness and power in his voice. It had been many years since he had seen the Sandaime talk with the authority of his position, since the man usually chose to be a soft spoken mentor in his later years. That was fine, though. The Toad Sage was a master orator himself, and even if this went sideways (which he was relatively sure it might) he had planned a contingency, anyways. "It's a good thing you're sitting down then, because you're not going to like this." Jiraiya paused, before steeling himself. These next few minutes were rather critical, and they were almost certain to be unpleasant. "Hiruzen, I've already taken him out of the village. Naruto will be living with me, now. I plan on training him in all-". Jiraiya was unable to finish as the Sandaime took that moment to stand up, locking eyes with the Toad Sage and made his presence known, speaking with a voice that made it very clear who ran the Village Hidden in the Leaves, a voice that would have cowed all but the most experienced Ninja into instant submission. He was going to remind his wayward student who was in charge. Jiraiya, to his credit, only slightly winced, there was something to be said about a angering a peaceful man, after all.

Shinji Arisako was a diligent and smart man. Through hard work and dedication he had become a Chunin, and then at a later date, had been assigned as one of the mission dispatchers. It was while he was bringing up his daily reports to the Hokage for approval that he stopped outside the oak door leading to the Hokage's office. As Shinji's hand went to knock on the door, he could clearly hear the Hokage reprimanding somebody, and that person attempting to justify their position. The sheer hostile intent radiating from the room was suffocating, and Shinji's hand slowly fell to his side. "Looking" through the reports he was supposed to bring up, he aptly decided none were actually of significant importance, and swiftly turned on his heel back to his own desk. Shinji Arisako was after all, a smart and diligent man.

Several Hours Later, North of Konoha

A small forest toad looked around its surroundings, before opening its mouth wide, as a large human arm jutted out of it. Soon followed a head, shoulders, and eventually the entire broad frame of Jiraiya, cradling in his arms a still asleep Naruto. Looking down and smiling at his Godson, Jiraiya couldn't help but he slightly troubled. Not too long ago, the Kage Bunshin he had left in Konoha to talk to the Sandaime had dispelled, giving the original Jiraiya all the memories it had obtained. To say the least, the Sandaime was less than pleased about the outcome of the situation, but had soon calmed himself once it was revealed that Jiraiya had already left the village with the young Jinchuriki.

Jiraiya, while maybe not the best with strategy, had always had natural talent for tactics. So, when he had decided to take Naruto with him on his travels, he had promptly made several Kage Bunshin, and set them all out in different directions, all with a Henged Naruto in their arms. Then, the original had summoned a small, transport toad, and climbed inside with his new charge, and made way to the North, towards the Land of Iron, which had been his next stop after Konoha, anyways. Smiling to himself, he began tree-hopping at a leisurely pace, knowing he was already far beyond Konoha's borders and far enough that any pursuit of him would be quite some time off.

As he moved along towards Iron Country, he couldn't be more pleased with himself that his escape went so well. That isn't to say that he didn't feel bad, though. Was he remorseful for what he had done? Not in the slightest. He was more than happy and twice as able to protect, raise, and train Naruto as nearly anyone in the village. Jiraiya was, however, upset that he had put his Sensei in such a tight spot, so to speak. The Sandaime was probably on his way right now to the Council Chambers to inform them of what had transpired over the past few hours. Suffice to say, the Toad Sage was upset that he had to force his teacher and friend into that situation, but there was little to be done for it. He looked down at his new charge, and smiled once again, at least he now had some company, and he was sure Naruto would be happy to be able to start finding his own place in the world, and the attention he would get from the Sannin could only be a positive thing.

Jiraiya continued his journey, already making a mental checklist of the things he would need to purchase in the next town he passed through. All rations would need to double, as would clothing, and various other items and amenities, but that shouldn't be a problem. Knowing how to make storage seals greatly assisted with traveling, and being an accomplished author had made the man quite rich, so he wasn't particularly worried.

All in all, Jiraiya was pleased with the decision, and he could honestly say he was looking forward to the next 6 years he would spend with his Godson, before he had to return him to Konoha. He slightly frowned at that, but some concessions had to be made to avoid having the whole of Konoha's hunter-nin force come searching for himself and Naruto. Once the Sandaime had calmed himself, he and Clone-Jiraiya had begun discussing what would happen, and if/when Naruto would return to the village. Sarutobi had been adamant that Naruto eventually return to be a Ninja of the village, reluctantly, Jiraiya had agreed. The boy would need to be able to bond and interact with people his own age, and especially with the citizens of the village. So, the Sandaime and the Toad Sage had eventually come to an agreement. Naruto would spend the next 6 years with Jiraiya, and upon his tenth birthday, he would return to the Village Hidden in the Leaves and enroll in the Academy, where he would learn to interact with people his own age. Jiraiya knew that the council would be less than pleased about the agreement, but, the last active member of the Sannin was quite elusive when he wanted to be, and if he decided to go dark, there was little the council could do about it.

Jiraiya looked down once again at the 4 year old in his arms as it snuggled into his broad chest, attempting to be just a little bit more comfortable as the large man jumped through the trees, and smiled. Yeah, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Author's Note:

So, there you have it. Jiraiya had enough, and finally decided to take Naruto with him, consequences be damned. How will the absence change Konoha? Will Sarutobi murder Jiraiya on his return? How will Naruto react when he returns? All this and more, next time on… Immortalized!

But for real, don't worry, Naruto won't come back at the ripe old age of 10 as some sort of S class badass. He will be stronger, but not absurdly strong. There's no point in a story if the MC never has any sort of challenge.

Until Next Time, Out.