Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 18 Revelations
Kakashi arrived at the valley the boys had battled in and looked at the destruction in awe, the only areas unharmed were the giant statues of Madara Uchiha and the first Hokage.
"I can smell an awful lot of blood down there" Pakun said as they began making there decent into the valley.
Kakashi could still sense the tainted chakra's of the curse mark and and Kyuubi's yokai "can you tell what happened here" the silver haired jonnin asked his dog summons
"most of this blood is Naruto's but I can smell a third scent here one that didn't appear until around the end of the fight" Pakun said causing Kakashi's eyes to widen
"So Naruto had to fight two of them at once?" Kakashi questioned
"No from what I can smell the fight caused Naruto to use the foxes chakra and Sasuke to use more power in the curse mark but Naruto was able to defeat the Uchiha by the strength of the scent I would say Naruto was using at least two tails worth in his chakra cloak... that's when the third party arrived" said Pakun as he walked around following the scents and stopped at the crater where Sasuke was crushed.
"But I would have a hard time facing Naruto using that much of Kyuubi's chakra and you say the third party only showed up at the end" Kakashi said confused how the jinchuuriki could have been defeated with such ease
"It seems after defeating Sasuke Naruto regained control and forced the cloak to recede Naruto would have been exhausted and unable to draw on that much Yokai again so soon after using such high quantities he is still a child after all" Pakun said
"so he was defenseless" Kakashi said as they walked towards the spot of the first exchange between Naruto and Kabuto then something hit him "Pakun do you recognize the scent could it have been the Akatsuki" Kakashi urgently asked knowing that Naruto wouldn't be dead then... at least not yet.
"I can recall this scent, I am fairly confident it belongs to Kabuto Yakushi... the pair started fighting here but by the looks of it it seems more like a torture session" Pakun said as they followed a trail of blood which was getting thicker
'the way the blood pools... Kabuto let Naruto try and stand before he continued his assault, this is sickening' the copy ninja thought as they continued to follow the trail that ended at the side of the river.
"and this is where it stops looks like he was thrown into the river but it seems Sasuke woke up and left him with a parting blow" Pakun said
Kakashi at this moment noticed the chunin vest that was on the ground obstructed from vision by some rocked that had broken off of the walls of the cliff
'Sweet Kami I can recognize those holes anywhere and all that blood on the jacket these were caused by a Chidori and there are two of them not even Naruto could survive that' Kakashi thought as he leaned down and picked up the jacket, a small tear sliding down his face 'sensei I have once again failed to protect someone and this time I failed your only son I am so sorry'
"where is Naruto's body" he finally asked composing himself
"the trail stops in the river they most likely threw him in there" Pakun said sadly as it started to rain
"the rain will wash away the scent soon and Sasuke will be long gone by now come on Pakun we need to follow this river down stream and see if we cant find him" Kakashi said still clinging onto the shredded chunin vest like it was his only life line in a violent ocean.
The pair searched for hours until they knew that the current was not strong enough to carry him any further and the rain washed away any scents leaving the water so if Naruto was alive he couldn't be found.
"come on Pakun we better head back and give our report" Kakashi said downbeat he knew even though he had seen the two wholes punched through the vest, he had still hoped he would be alive and sprawled out on the riverbank somewhere downstream.
(Several Hours Later at Konoha Main gate)
the gate guards sat and watched as the members of the retrieval team returned all in a bad way only Shikamaru Kiba and Lee were able to walk but even then they looked like they were dead on there feet
Choji and Neji were being carried by two of the jonnin that left with Kakashi to check on the group.
"woah you guys look in a bad way but were is Naruto" Kotetsu asked Shikamaru as he walked past but Shikamaru didn't answer he just followed the group on there way to the hospital
"damn looks like they had it rough" Izumo said looking at the group leave
(Hospital)
Shikamaru was waiting on a bench to find out if Choji and Neji would be ok.
"you still crying over here" a voice behind him called
"Temari what are you doing here leave me alone" Shikamaru said looking downbeat
"oh I don't think so, so you screwed up and some of your team got injured that's the life of a shinobi now grow up and stop being such a lazy crybaby at least there not dead" the Suna kunoichi said
"you know you are really troublesome you know that" Shikamaru said leaning back against the wall as Tsunade walked out of the operation room.
"they are both going to be fine Choji has extreme chakra exhaustion and Neji has a deep wound on his side but they will both be fine in a couple of weeks" the hokage said walking off to her office
(Hokage tower)
Tsunade had just sat down and pulled out a bottle of saki when there was a loud knock on the door.
"come in" she ordered and the door opened to reveal a clearly downcast copy ninja
"Kakashi where is Naruto" she ordered beginning to fear the worst
all Kakashi did was take out a sealing scroll and unseal Naruto's vest before sitting on the couch a lifeless expression on his face.
"oh Kami what could have caused this it looks like it has gone right through his body what ever jutsu this was" Tsunade said tears openly falling from her face she felt like she had lost it all again was she cursed that everyone she loved died unless they were a complete pervert.
"A chidori" came Kakashi's hollow reply
It was most unfortunate that at this time Yugito had come in to check on the group that had left to return the traitorous Uchiha "Hokage-sama I was wondering if you had any news on Naruto-kun's group" she said walking in but stopped when she saw the crying Tsunade and the torn jacket.
'Naruto-kun no how can this happen why did it have to happen to him I had just told him I loved him this cant be. Sasuke Uchiha you will die by my hand I swear it' Yugito thought as silent tears had already began to fall from her slitted eyes, she swayed on the spot before turning and running as fast as she could out of the office.
Yugito ran and hid so nobody could see her cry in the middle of a training ground she collapsed unable to take it anymore she burst into uncontrollable screams of agony that she had lost the man she loved.
She did not notice a pair of yellow eyes with bar like pupils staring at her from above in the trees.
(Unknown Location)
Ten figures stood on two separate hands all wearing long black cloaks with red clouds. Suddenly a large plant like creature appeared from a nearby wall.
"Leader-sama we may have a problem" the plant spoke as it opened revealing a man with half his face black and the other white
"What is it Zetsu" said the shadow of a tall man with metallic purple eyes with four rings circling a small dotted pupil
"its the Kyuubi host" the white half said "he was just killed by Sasuke Uchiha and Kabuto Yakushi" the black half finished
This caused the majority of the group to look at there fellow Uchiha
"hey wasn't that your little brother Itachi there's no way he could beat the Kyuubi Brat that little piece of shit even managed to out smart us" Kisame said
"he left the village to join Orochimaru, but the Kyuubi brat and several other leaf ninja went after them, That curse mark of his is strong in its second stage he was able to match that damn blond hit for hit even while using a tail of his cloak, Naruto Uzumaki was strong though he was able to use two tails without loosing control, quite impressive for one so young, unfortunately when he had defeated Sasuke he let the cloak down and that was when Kabuto showed up. The little gaki was far to tired to defend himself but he wouldn't give up on his mission. Kabuto made sport of him before the Uchiha ended his life and threw him in the river" both Zetsu said
"Kabuto? wasn't that one of your spies Sasori sempai" said a man with an orange mask "guess you should have chosen someone else to a spy on Orochimaru like Tobi, Tobi is a good boy he never would have killed a jinchuuriki we were supposed to capture" he finished
"Shut up tobi I gave him orders to do anything Orochimaru ordered him to I didn't think he would be stupid enough to kill the Kyuubi vessel" Sasori said altho he was annoyed one of there targets were gone
"Are you sure he is dead have you seen the body" the leader said
"no leader-sama we haven't you told us not to attempt to capture or interact with him and to only watch, we didn't think to make sure he was dead"
"then go look for him and check out Konoha for any news if you can find him and it is safe attempt a capture but only if he is alone and unconscious" There leader said
Zetsu left with a bow and vanished back into the wall the rest of the group were being told by there leader there plans had not changed but there was one member who was not interested he was thinking he may have made a terrible mistake 'foolish little brother'
(two days later)
Tsunade was sitting in her office the scouting party had returned empty handed claiming there was no trace of Naruto so she had to call off the search.
"so hes gone huh" came a voice from the window
"Jiraiya... where were you, Naruto needed you and you what... left to write your damn perverted books and now he is dead" Tsunade spat the last words hoping to sting the perverted toad sage
Jiraiya just sat there with his eyes closed as if contemplating what to say about his fallen student "you know the thing about Naruto is... he was never very good at being normal" the old toad sage said
"what are you talking about Jiraiya, spit it out, NOW" Tsunade said her fist's began shaking in rage
"well for example his injuries deep cuts to the face and arms, busted lip, internal bleeding and finally, two chidori to his chest a normal man would have died a lot sooner" Jiraiya said with a thoughtful expression on his face
"how do you know that... and to such detail, you have the body don't you... where is it" Tsunade demanded
"oh its safe" the white haired man said
"its what give it to me we need to have a funeral for him and I need to see it for myself" Tsunade ordered
"hm no" was the sages reply
"What!" the hokage screamed ready to pummel the old super pervert.
"I said no because you see any normal man would have died much sooner in Naruto's life, but Naruto is far from a normal person isn't he" Jiraiya said sagely
"What are you talking about now" Tsunade said but then her eyes went wide in realization 'hes alive' "where is he Jiraiya he is a ninja of this village and he needs my authorization to be out of it and I want him back this village needs him" she said the first smile she had worn since she had first seen his tattered vest
"Actually I think you will find he doesn't you see there was a rule past by sensei that allowed us as the Sannin to pick and choose our apprentice and they would be granted the same freedoms that we are given" Jiraiya said
"yes I know that but what does that have to do with why you wont bring Naruto back to the village" Tsunade said still confused but smiling that her little brother in all but blood was still alive.
"I am surprised you would have forgotten considering how you did the same thing I am going to do for years" Jiraiya teased happy to see his long time crush smile again.
"Still not following you" the hokage said starting to get annoyed
"I am taking Naruto out of the village with me. The same way you did with Shizune and Orochimaru did with Anko, as the apprentice of a sannin he has open borders to come and go from Konoha as we please as long as we stay loyal you can only order us to return if you can find us and have a specific reason. Now I am going to take Naruto and when I am done with him he will be as strong as I am if not stronger you can try and find us if you want but I wouldn't recommend it after all the only way to get there is to know the way, see you in a few year's Tsunade-Hime" said Jiraiya and he puffed out of existence
"damn it a shadow clone... So you have taken him to the Toads eh... what are you planning" Tsunade said so softly only she could hear
(With Naruto)
Warm sunlight shone down on the waking Naruto the first thing he felt was a pain in his chest and a splitting head ache
"wah what the hell happened to me" Naruto slurred out as he began opening his eyes
"Elders his waking up what do we do" came a familiar voice next to his head causing Naruto to fully open his eyes and take in his surroundings
He was in what appeared to be a small wooden hut out side exotic plants the likes of which Naruto had ever seen stood tall and giant stone statues of Toads could be seen in the distance around a small waterfall of what looked like oil.
Sitting up he noticed two toads staring at him "Kichi, Tatsu... what are you doing here what is this place" the blond asked
"This is our home bro" Gamakichi said whilst Gamatatsu just looked on with a smile
"your home what do you mean" Naruto asked looking around hoping to find more answers
"He means you are in the home of the Toad's Mt Myobokuzan" said a new voice from behind him
"Fukusaku-jiji, how did I get here on top of a mountain last thing I remember I was just hit in the chest by Sasuke-teme.. and dumped in the water" Naruto asked still confused
"ah well you see Naruto-chan Jiraiya had come to see us about your training but had to stay for a few days to see the grand geezer toad. On his way out however we saw something troubling your name began to fade off the summoners stone that tells us who our current summoners were. Now the only way this is possible is if you were dieing or you committed some sort of great treachery to the Toad clan" Fukusaku said receiving a nod from Naruto in understanding
"well Jiraiya began begging us practically in tears to bring you here and help you so we set up the seal array and used a reverse summoning jutsu to bring you here and I must say you were in bad shape" Fukusaku said
"well I guess I owe you my life then" Naruto said "how can I ever repay you"
"you can repay us by getting stronger and making the toad summoners even more fearsome" came the unmistakable voice of Jiraiya from the window as he jumped into the room
"you bet erosennin I will make the toads the most revered summons ever" Naruto said determined to make them proud
"good because for the next few years we are going to do nothing but train" said Jiraiya
"you bet so when are we going to go back to Konoha so we can start" the blond asked
"were not. We are going to train right here and we will start when your all better and when I am done with you, you will be one of the strongest people alive" the toad sage said confidently
"were not going back? But why, what about Yugi-chan, Tsunade-baachan and all the others they probably don't even know if I am alive" Naruto asked in a panic thinking of what Yugito was doing right now
"I took care of Tsunade-Hime but I think you should write a letter for that little kitten of yours I don't think she would let me live if I told her I was taking you away for a few years" Jiraiya shuddered at the thought of facing an enraged kunoichi after telling her she couldn't see her new boyfriend for around three years and the thought of her being a jinchuuriki made the decision not to talk to Yugito a no brainer.
"Hm fine but why do I have to train here and not anywhere else" Naruto said genuinely confused as to why he had to leave Yugito for who knows how long
"Because this is the only place we can train you in all the arts you need first we are going to work on your sealing until you are at my level, I want you to read all of these you are ready for the Master course and these are all the books I have ever read on sealing" Jiraiya said taking out a scroll and placing it on his table
"then we are going to work on your Taijutsu and Ninjutsu you are going to acomplish something neither the Yondaime, Kakashi, and even myself ever could no matter how hard we tried, you are going to complete the rasengan" Jiraiya said proudly
"what do you mean complete the rasengan I have mastered it" the blond said
"yes but the rasengan is an incomplete jutsu the Yondaime always intended to add his element to it but could never get it to work I think you can" Jiraiya said "finally the main reason we are here is Senjutsu … we are going to make you a fully fledged toad sage"
"Guess I should get to work then. I cant physically train for a few days but I can still read these books" Naruto said opening the seal only to be covered in an avalanche of scrolls books and hand written notes it was going to be a long couple of years.
"Good now if you can complete all of your training I will tell you all about your parents" Jiraiya said waiting to gauge the blond's reaction
"What you know my parents... … why has nobody ever told me... what do you mean I have to complete the training first... there my parents I deserve to know" Naruto raged excited and a little annoyed that Jiraiya would keep it from him
"I know how you feel Naruto but I made a promise to Sarutobi sensei that I wouldn't tell you until you were ready and strong enough to defend yourself from almost all trouble it was supposed to be when you made jonnin but I am making an exception you need to finish your training on Myobokuzan and I will tell you...just think of it as an added incentive" Jiraiya said calming Naruto down.
"allright erosennin I will trust you but if you are just saying this to get me to train harder I will make you pay" and with that said Naruto returned to his book determined to learn everything as quickly as possible so he could finally know who his parents were.
'well it worked hes even more serious than before but now I feel bad he knows I know but wont tell him but I suppose at least he knows that I do plan on telling him so that cant be all bad right' the toad sage thought as he left the blond to his studies.
(With Yugito a few hours later)
The blond female had been in the training ground crying for over a day she was dirty and hungry but she didn't care the only thing that mattered to her was gone she didn't even flinch when she felt something approaching.
A small toad sat beside the crying jinchuuriki not wanting to startle her but also wanting to get noticed he wearily croaked becoming louder and louder until the girl finally turned her head to look at him.
Yugito gazed at the toad it didn't look normal then she remembered a time she had spent with Naruto on there trip back to Konoha.
(Flashback)
the group walked along talking about what jutsu they were learning or wanted to learn still in the early stages of there relationship when Naruto brought up the subject of summoning to Shizune
"hey Shizune-neechan I was wondering I saw Baa-chan summon that big massive slug I was wondering if you had signed the slug contract" the spiky haired blonde said
"No I haven't the slugs are a great asset in medical jutsu but I do not have the required chakra levels to summon Katsuyu and she is very picky about her summoners only Tsunade-sama has been able to successfully sign the Slug contract" the black haired kunoichi informed the group
"oh that's a shame what about one of the other summons like Kakashi sensei's dogs or Bushy Brow sensei's turtles they don't have the massive boss summons that the toads or slugs have but there really useful" Naruto said
"well that is true but I have never had a chance to sign a contract other than the slugs because I was always on the road" Shizune said
"what about you Yugi-chan do you have a summons?" to boy asked his fellow blond
"no Kumo does not have many summoning contracts we have the bears and a few others but I haven't seen them" Yugito admitted
"aw that's a shame summons are awesome its like you can call for a friend when ever you need one" Naruto said running through some hand signs and a small red toad with a blue shirt appeard.
"yo bro what to you need" the little red toad said
"nothing really Kichi I just wanted you to meet a new friend of mine Yugi-chan this is Gamakichi. Gamakichi this is Yugi-chan" Naruto said as the small toad stuck out a small hand to shake which Yugito accepted giggling at how stupid she must look shaking hands with a toad
"wow bro she is pretty you sure no how to pick them" Gamakichi said causing the two blonds to blush as they walked down the road.
(Flashback End)
"Gamakichi is that you?" Yugito asked still sniffling and wiping tears away from her eyes
"yo! I got a letter for you don't know what it says I am just doing my job anyway see ya" said Gamakichi as he placed the letter down and puffed away
Yugito slowly opened the letter and she burst into tears altho now they were tears of joy.
To my beautiful Yugi-chan I am so very sorry I couldn't return to you and have this conversation in person but that damn erosennin say's he wants me to stay here until I am strong enough to fight off S ranked ninja.
I guess you must be upset that I made you worry but I told you before I wont die, not until I become hokage and certainly not before I see you again.
There are so many things I want to tell you but I cant like where I am, when I am coming home. But once again I am not allowed, stupid safety precautions. I just want you to know that I am alive and I Love you with all my heart and Always will.
Yours forever Naruto.
Ps: I will send Kichi with new letters so we can keep in touch every week goodbye and be safe beautiful
Yugito read and reread the letter, tears of joy still falling from her face as she slowly stood up and made her way back to the village 'you better get real strong fast the Naruto-kun I don't want to have to wait to long to see you again'
(Unknown Location the next day)
the group of ten appeared on the fingers of the statue again and waited for Zetsu to were not waiting long as he grew out of the ground.
"Zetsu what do you have to report" the Leader ordered
"The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki is alive leader-sama, however we do not know where he is, he was taken by Jiraiya of the sannin and has not told the hokage or anyone in the village where" Zetsu said
"very well find him and watch now the rest of you get back to collecting funds we need to be ready to mobilize in just over three years" the leader said just before his image faded from existence
Chapter End
Up next Time Skip because I don't really want to give away everything he learns so I will just use flashback's as necessary