Here we are again, back for another chapter. I'd first like to welcome each and every one of my dear readers back for this next part of my story, and welcome those of you new and that came across this fic and decided to Follow and Favorite it as well.
Now then I will make a brief request to those of you reading this before we begin Chapter 13, please give a review. I know I never ask for these nor do I care much for those that ask for them like it's a necessity that their work be reviewed and liked and so on in any social media, like YouTube (even though I know in most cases it's their job and getting subscribers helps them). But I would like to see more just so I can get more feedback and criticism from you all.
Although to those of you that review under Guests just leave a simple: 'Great job' or something similar, since as a Guest I can't defend myself if you insult me nor actually respond to you outside of trying to do so here. Which doesn't feel very fair on any level really. And I'll agree with many authors here that it mostly makes those of you that insult, flame, or troll seem more like cowards in the end.
With that being said and done let us begin!
The Bijuu Armors
Key:
"Naruto's Nindo says: I just whooped your ASS!"-Human Speech
"Oh crap"'-Human Thoughts
"Do I LOOK like a giant orange bunny to you?!"-Bijuu & Summon Speech
"What?"-Bijuu & Summon Thought
"Shut the F Up no Jutsu"-Jutsu Spoken
"Wake the Hell Up no Jutsu"-Jutsu Thought
Sword of Immortals and Armor of Kyuubi-Weapon, Unique Tool, or Nicknames
Chapter 13: Kin's Recovery/Tsunade's Bet
-Naruto and Jiraiya's Hotel Room in Tanzaku Town-
"You know it's a good thing you carry pre-prepared Sairen Fuin (silencing seals) at all times pervert, otherwise we'd be getting a ton of noise complaints by now!"
These were the shouted words of Senju Tsunade as she and her apprentice Shizune did their best to restrain and calm down a screaming Tsuchi Kin. A screaming, bleeding, and flailing in agonizing pain Tsuchi Kin.
While this was going on Haku was busying herself with a very distressed and upset Naruto, who for all his bravado and confidence felt powerless as he watched one of his newest friends suffer and having no idea what to do.
Eventually after some force-fed medical drugs and heavy application of chakra via medical jutsu, Tsunade and Shizune were able to place the bedridden kunoichi into a much calmer and restful state.
"How is she?" asked the worried blonde shinobi.
Looking up from the girl's unconscious body, she turned to discuss the others in the room as Shizune began checking for anymore areas the girl may begin or already is bleeding from. "At this time she's in a relatively stable condition. It'll take more work and time to fully heal her, not to mention find all the places in her organs that the poison has damaged."
"So why aren't you doing that now?!" shouted an annoyed Naruto.
Gritting her teeth and resisting the urge to clock the small Chuunin over the head she replied, "Because we currently don't have the necessary equipment or medicines required to do so. I maybe considered to be the most acknowledged medic in the Elemental Nations, but that doesn't mean I either carry a whole hospital around with me nor do I know how to counteract every poison and disease known to mankind at a glance."
Before he could try to argue more Naruto turned to look at Jiraiya who had lightly grabbed his shoulder, "Calm down gaki, we're fine now that Tsunade's on the case. If anyone can help Kin it's her and with Shizune's support it'll be easy. But this stuff takes time and patience, especially when it comes to dealing with anything related to Orochimaru. Here take this scroll for the last step and go work on it for the time being. I want you to keep going until you have none of the items within left, and even then you should keep trying from that point onwards with no items at all. That is especially important if you wanna master the Rasengan seeing as you have to be able to make it without any objects covering the jutsu in the end."
Slowly taking the scroll the blonde looked one more time at Kin and walked out of the room. Haku went to go follow him but was held back by Jiraiya, "Let him be for now Haku, it's a bit more important right now for you to stay here and tell Tsunade all that you now on Kin's condition. Any bit of information will help things go faster and safer for her."
Sadly nodding at the Toad Sage's words Haku began listing off the different damages and problems Kin's been suffering since her collapse back in Konoha.
-With Naruto near the edge of Tanzaku Town-
"Agh. Goddammit...what's it gonna take to get this jutsu right?"
We now find Naruto continuing his practice with the Rasengan, and by practice it look more to an unacknowledged person like he's trying to destroy the nerves and chakra points in his hand. What with how much pain and trouble the move is causing for his two hands presently.
Mind you with only just figuring out the trick to the second step concerning power one day ago, and completing it, he hadn't fully healed from the injury done to either of his hands. Injuries he wasn't helping by continually practicing with the ever-growing chakra burns on his palms. So with that in mind him having just opened the scroll and read over the last step he began, near immediately, at trying to get the last step done. Only to get more pain and not very close to getting the last step done.
As with his most recent failure he decided for a break and fell to the ground to rest his sore hands for the moment. Unfortunately with nothing to distract himself his mind wandered right back to Kin's current situation, and the worrying over her failing state of health started all over again. Thankfully he wasn't alone, as right to the boy's left was none other than his now personal summon toad partner Gamakichi.
Having been summoned by Naruto to give him some company, seeing as ever since he brought Haku to Konoha he'd become very used to having a someone always present that wasn't just Kurama to talk to.
Turning to his current companion he noticed the toad giving the expression of someone deep in thought, curious Naruto asked, "Gamakichi, is something wrong?"
Seeing his first summoner focusing on him, he replied, "Yeah actually. I'm a little curious of something aniki, you mentioned before that the Kin girl was your friend right?" Receiving a nod in return from Naruto he continued, "Well if I remember right, you mentioned you only knew her really for about two weeks, right?"
Nodding again Naruto said, "Yeah. While I technically met her for the first time when everyone was waiting for the beginning of the Chuunin Exams, I personally met her during my time working at Tenten's family shop. Why?"
Taking a moment to form his next sentence 'Kichi then asked, "Well that's the thing, ever since this mission started you've acted like how I would act if my little brother Gamatatsu was injured or in trouble. Which seems a little extreme on how you've been acting concerning someone you've only known for sucha very short time."
Staring a bit at his small friend Naruto yelled, "So your saying that since I've only known Kin for such a short time I shouldn't really worry whether she lives or dies!?"
Backing up a bit at his friend's anger he quick replied, "No! That's not really what I meant at all! What I meant was that I'm just surprised your worrying so much over someone you don't very much."
Taking a second to calm down from his outburst Naruto gave Gamakichi a small weary smile and said, "Sorry. I can understand you're a little confused. It's just that while I've only known Kin for a short time, she's still one of my only friends and by being my friend she is immediately one of my precious people, like you and all the other toads are. And it also just bothers me, nearly to no end, that there is quite literally nothing I can do to help her as she is quite possibly dying."
Hearing and seeing the anger, mixed with depression, on his face Gamakichi recalled when his dad and old man Fukasaku told him about him being chosen to be their new summoner's personal toad partner. Now understanding a little more on why they chose him to do so, he hopped over to rest on Naruto's head.
Looking up at the toad sitting on his head with a smile on his face 'Kichi said, "Well don't worry aniki. You did your part in watching over her and getting her to Tsunade, now just sit back and relax. Cause if there's one thing I sure of at this moment it's that you can trust the old lady to save your friend's life."
Smiling at little at his toad friend's words Naruto decided to try at something else to spend his time on seeing as his palms are a bit to sore and hurt to continue working on the Rasengan at this time.
Grabbing a small sealing scroll on his belt he opened it to look for his newest armor piece, the one he created during his battle with Gaara and Shukaku. Only when reaching the spot in the scroll he sealed it in he found no seal and a note right where the seal was supposed to be at.
Freaking out a bit he read over the note, only to nearly face palm at the actions of one of his growing collection of 'girlfriends', as the pervy sage put it.
Noticing the annoyance on his aniki's face, Gamakichi looked at the scroll himself to read what seemed to bother him so much...and couldn't help but snicker at what was written on his scroll.
Dear Naruto,
If your reading this note you've obviously found out that your little 'extra project' isn't with you. That would be because I personally stole it. If you're wondering why that's quite simple: I'll FINISH THAT BASTARDIZED HUNK OF METAL YOU CREATED WITHOUT MINE OR MY TOU-SAN'S HELP! Since you felt the need to go and forsake all the lessons me and him taught you, and since he is to busy counting all the money he got from betting on you in the Exams, I've decided to take matters into my own hands. But don't worry too much, since I'm so nice I'll give it back to you, after you get back home. And only after you apologise to me and tou-san.
Sincerely Yours,
Tenten
P.S. I also expect you to put in a good word for me with Tsunade-Sama before you enter Konoha.
No amount of deep breaths or number counting could calm the agitated tic pulsing on Naruto's forehead. It also didn't help abate his annoyance at hearing both Gamakichi and Kurama laughing at him for being duped by Tenten.(1)
'I can't believe Little Miss Weapons Fetish was able to not only pull one over the titled King of Pranks, but also without you ever knowing it until it's too late to do a damn thing. Even better is her being able to get into your personal storage scroll, one I know for a fact you always keep close at hand or locked up in your apartment. The fact she broke into it and removed the gauntlet without you ever noticing is just too much! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!'
Being to angry to amount a good reply all Naruto could think to say to this was an annoyed, 'Shut up!' Which predictably only had Kurama laughing harder.
Tearing up the note Naruto closed up his scroll and put it away. 'Hey if your done laughing at my expense maybe you can think of something else I can do. Cause as it stands with Tenten in possession of your left hand and my palms being to hurt to train in the Rasengan right now, I don't have anything else to work on here.'
After a few more deep chuckles were heard from within his mind, Kurama finally spoke up, 'Well even though you can't now work on the left hand you can still work on the right. After all even though it's finished in every sense of the word, you still need more training with it to keep from injuring yourself like you did after beating the Hyuuga boy.'
Mentally nodding at Kurama's suggestion Naruto goes and summons the right hand. Seeing the familiar red armor covering his right arm Naruto walks over to the boulder that he'd been trying to break with his Rasengan's earlier.
Entering a basic punching stance he begins to throw several straight jabs with his right fist at the boulder. As time goes on the blonde starts doing other bits of training while wearing the armor, stuff from push-ups to pull-ups. As this continues Gamakichi watches on from a distance. He soon hears noise from behind him and turns to see Jiraiya slowly walking in their direction.
Seeing Gamabunta's oldest nearby, he reaches down and picks up the little guy and sets him on his head, "So how's he doing?"
After giving the old pervert a small wave he looks back to see Naruto now activating and deactivating the flame abilities on his right arm. He then replies, "He's doing okay, he had to stop practicing the Rasengan a bit ago cause his palms where getting to badly chakra burned to train in it safely anymore."
Silently nodding at that, he too remembered suffered similar trouble in mastering the jutsu of his last student. Continuing on Gamakichi said, "He was apparently gonna work on the armor piece he made during his battle with that Gaara kid, only for it to have been taken by the weapon girl he's friends with. Hehehe, she left a note explaining this along with saying she's mad at him for creating the thing without her help."
Smirking at that Jiraiya looked to see Naruto now throwing flaming right hooks at the boulder that was now looking very similar to the ones he remembered Tsunade training on when she was developing her Super Strength technique...only his boulder was melting instead of just falling to pieces. As if summoned by his own thoughts he felt his former teammate walking up till she was standing beside him.
Not even looking at her, he said, "I may not be a mind reader but I'm fairly certain you just had the same thought as I did at seeing the damage the gaki's done to that boulder, right?"
Noticing her take a few steps forward, to get a better look he figured, she replied, "Yeah. Even with all the time I've had to teach her, Shizune only reached that point in her training in the technique to be able to do that after around three years. And if what you told me yesterday is correct, he's only been training with that metal glove of his for a few months."
Just nodding at her assessment the three continued to watch as Naruto performed several different punching styles with his right arm while occasionally using his left. Eventually they noticed him stop and step backwards, at thinking he was done Jiraiya went to call him only to see him enter a slightly familiar stance.
Soon recognizing the stance he quickly backed up and pulled Tsunade a bit further away from Naruto's spot. Before she could hit Jiraiya for grabbing her, he quickly raised his finger to his lips to signal her to be quiet and pointed at his apprentice.
Both looked back to noticed him start drawing his fist back as far as he possibly could. The two soon sensed the increase in his chakra output though neither felt the slowly rising temperature. Though soon enough Tsunade noticed the air get more humid and felt a significant rise in heat. Her eyes widened at seeing Naruto's right hand slowly be covered in pure fire nature chakra and giving off small trails of steam.
Soon the heat reached a point that she felt herself sweating a little bit and then with a charge she heard the blonde yell, "Nenshou no Ken!"
Upon the moment of impact with the slowly melting boulder, all that remained of it was obliterated in a small shower of pebbles, molten rock, and flying embers. As the pieces fell around him they soon noticed Naruto fall to his knee, and immediately heard him scream out in pain.
At the scream both Sannin ran towards the fallen shinobi. As they approached him Naruto quickly resealed his armor only to once again see his arm glowing a noticable red, small trails of blood leaking from spots on his arm that split open, and even thicker trails of steam coming off his arm.
When the two finally reached him Tsunade almost immediately started to shake at seeing the lines of blood leaking from the boy's arm. Seeing his former teammate slowly freeze up at the blood, Jiraiya quickly went about cleaning it all up while trying his best to ease the blonde's pain.
After a minute or so of screaming Naruto finally started to calm down and had Jiraiya rip the rest of his right sleeve off to allow his whole arm to be exposed. Seeing the blood all gone he called out, "Tsunade, he's clean now snap out of it and get over here and check his arm."
Shaking herself for a second she quickly saw that all the blood was indeed gone, so slowly she walked back over and began going over the Uzumaki's arm. Sadly it took a little bit for her to stop the shaking in her hands before she could safely and carefully exam the burned areas of his arm.
She was finally done after a minute or two and said, "His arm's main structure is unharmed in the sense he's not suffering from any broken bones or torn muscles. All it seems to be is the blood in his veins has heated up to slightly dangerous levels, although it seems to be lowering back down at a fast rate. If you have any kind of bowl or container give me one and have one of your toads or yourself fill it with some cold water."
Quickly following her orders he grabs the large scroll on his back he carries with him all the time and opens it up a bit, and after looking through it for a few second he finds what he's looking for. With a quick application of chakra out pops a medium-sized empty wooden bowl. Setting it down he turns to see Gamakichi hop over to it and begin going through handseals, deciding to help him out Jiraiya places his hands in the same hand seal and follows Kichi's lead to fill the bowl with water.
After a bit the bowl is mostly full and he stops the flow of chakra as Gamakichi stops his jutsu. Handing the bowl over to Tsunade he sees her grabbing Naruto's discarded sleeve and begins dabbing it in the water and using it to cool down the boy's still burning arm.
After a few minutes of repeatedly dapping and cooling down the heated limb, the burns started to heal and show signs of new pink skin regenerating through the flaking off burnt and dead skin. Eventually he was fine and the arm was healed enough for him to move it around, by that point Tsunade had backed up and Jiraiya had helped the blonde on his feet. After sending Gamakichi home since he used up most of his chakra, even with Jiraiya's aid, Jiraiya asked Naruto about his arm.
Giving a frustrated sign Naruto replied, "It's nothing you have to worry about too much. It's why I was training in using it. I'm trying to figure out how much it takes before the fire chakra overheat my seals. Since fire chakra usually works off combusting when reacting to the air when launched for a ranged attack, I've been left to figure out how to use it when still in physical contact with it. In this case with it covering my arm."
Giving Naruto a stern look Jiraiya shot back, "Even so I've told you to only train with that when myself or another is nearby. It was my suggestion you even develop that fighting style to begin with, I just didn't realize all the dangers until you first burnt your arm like that."
Looking at the both of them Tsunade finally spoke up, "You mean you taught him that? Are you insane Jiraiya?! He just lost around an ounce of skin and maybe a pint of blood!"
Before she could say more Jiraiya said, "Even so it's the best way to train at the moment. That armor was built to handle both his chakra, fire nature chakra, and the Kyuubi's chakra. The seals on it were meant for that, but we are still trying to figure out their limits and strength. The accident only gives us more to build on, it was you that taught me about necessity of trial and error after all."
Reminded of the lesson she willingly gave to Jiraiya back in their Genin days she sighed annoyed at his words. However before more could be said Naruto jumped in with what he considered more pressing matters, "How's Kin-chan doing. I can only hope and guess you being here means she's fine right?"
Seeing both student and teacher dismiss the early injury she replied, "For the most part she's fine. I was able to remove most of the poison I came across in her bloodstream as well as what was found in her organs and other areas of the body. However she's still far from in the clear. She'll need to be closely monitored and examined daily to clear up what may still be in her body. I'll also need to exam the poison to make a proper antidote for it to heal the damage it caused, alongside being able to counter any future uses of it."
Taking a small breather from her speech to Naruto, she was continued via Jiraiya, "Finally Kin will need time spent getting bedrest along with a blood transfusion for all the blood that was both drained from her to clear out some of the poison and what she expelled from her body forcefully from the poisons later effects."
At Jiraiya's words Naruto replied, "Then take some of mine! With the Kyuubi and my Uzumaki heritage I can recover quickly enough that you can take as much as you need."(2)
However both Sannin immediately shock their heads, "That's not an option with you Naruto. Because of Kyuubi being sealed in you, your blood along with the rest of your body is unique. So trying a blood transfusion with you is not something we should try."
Taking up after Jiraiya , Tsunade then said, "Besides we don't know if you're the right blood type either. And before you complain anymore she's fine on the matter of a blood donation already. Haku happens to have the same blood type as Kin, O, which is luckily enough what's called the universal type. As in it can be donated to anybody."(3)
Smiling a little at their good fortune out of this mess Naruto then asks, "So can I go see her now? Also why did the both of you come here anyways?"
"I'm not sure why Tsunade came here other than to tell you of how Kin's recovery has progressed, but I came to check on how you're doing with the Rasengan." stated Jiraiya.
Seeing the attention now on herself she said, "Besides telling you of Kin's condition, I also wanted to ask why you gave Shizune all that money earlier. You never really told me why you did that."
Noticing her suspicion Naruto signed and went on to tell her about his time spent with Shizune earlier that day. After he tells her the same thing he told Shizune earlier and Jiraiya reminding her of how Shizune herself said the blonde acted like a complete gentleman she relented on her skepticism on Naruto's actions. After all he'd already told her once before what his reasoning was and since his storied hadn't changed at all there's less chance he was lying.
Noticing the sun starting to set Jiraiya made one more bid to talk Tsunade into becoming the next Hokage. Once again the Slug Princess turned him down, but before she could move to end their conversation Naruto, following Kurama's suggestion, spoke up. "How about we make a bet then Tsunade?"
At the word bet the granddaughter of the first looked back at the Uzumaki, "Oh? And what bet would that be gaki?"
Eyebrow twitching at the superior tone in her voice Naruto challenged, "I bet you that in four days I can finish the Rasengan, a jutsu that took the Yondaime a year to create and Jiraiya several months to master himself." Smirking at the challenge she replied, "I see. And what exactly would the stakes be exactly?"
Gaining a confident look on his face, "If you win both the Sandaime and Jiraiya will stop asking you to be the Hokage indefinitely, also I'll give you half my personal savings." Laughing at the second part Tsunade quickly became silent at the number Jiraiya whispered in her ear. "HE SERIOUSLY HAS THAT MUCH IN HIS ACCOUNT?! HOW!?"
Instead of giving her an answer Naruto says, "However, when I win you not only have to come back and take up the mantel of Hokage, but also have to promise to take up a few friends of mine as possible prospects for training when we return to Konoha."
"As nice as it would be to have both my former teammate and sensei to stop badgering me with being Hokage, as well as getting such a large part of money from you, what makes you think I agree to such a bet after hearing how lucky you got at the casinos earlier?"
The confident look upon Naruto's face became an incredibly evil smirk, "If you don't want to that's fine. After all I don't think I'm really in a place to force you. Though it sure sounds like your acting like a real chicken isn't it? So much for all that confidence I saw not a few seconds ago."
Hearing Naruto's shot at her pride, Tsunade went from borderline arrogant to straight up annoyed in seconds. Seeing him slowly walking away, and deciding not to let him get away with the last word or that slight to her pride as a confident woman she grounded out, "Fine. You got yourself a bet brat, I'll even give you an extra three more days to try and master it! Unless you're the one that's scared."
Smirking Naruto only said, "Okay then. In seven days you'll be practicing your speech to Konoha as its newest Hokage."
Her expression soon changed again when she realized in her annoyed state that she'd just been played by a 13-year-old boy. She only had one thought go through her mind as she and Jiraiya followed after Naruto back to the inn they were all staying at, 'Dammit.'
-Konoha, Tenten's Family Shop-
We now find Konoha's resident Weapon's Mistress in the back of her family store working on an odd-looking piece of metal in the main forge. At a closer inspection at the metal hunk, for any that had been present for Naruto's battle with Sabaku no Gaara would realize the metal she's currently banging her hammer on is in fact the same gauntlet Naruto shoddily built. One that was built with the iron from Gaara's sand, the iron is the blood within the sand, and Naruto's own blood from the injuries he substandard in their battle.
But the thing that one Nii Yugito, who had just entered the store and walked to the back, saw was the barley repressed anger in the girl's face. Deciding to be silent for the moment and allow the girl to finish, having known that distracting a blacksmith mid-forging was a recipe for disaster, she silently walked over and sat down on the only chair in the room.
After a few minutes of more hammering and reheating of the metal Tenten finally placed the, now more refined, gauntlet into the large water basin to cool the metal down. Seeing the slightly younger girl start to relax and put her supplies away Yugito coughed quietly in her hand to draw her attention.
A cough that drew Tenten out of her mental checklist of factors on Naruto's recent creation...in a less than ninja-like way.
With a cry similar to what one would here from a person afraid of mice and a jump that caused the girl to run back first into her anvil Tenten turned to see a certain blonde Kumo-nin that fought Naruto in the Finals.
Not a second after recognizing the girl she immediately realizing what she just did in front of her and began to turn a shade of red comparable to the shades one would find on a ripe apple.
Before she could try to say anything to defend herself, she was met with the giggling mess that was now Kumo's 2nd Jinchuuriki. Blushing even more at her embarrassment Tenten did what most anyone would do in her situation, she yell. "What the hell are you doing in here!?"
Slowly Yugito stopped giggling at the embarrassed brunette in front of her and climbed back to her feet, having fallen off the chair at seeing the recent display. After calming down she replied, "I actually came here to see if Naruto-kun was working today. Mostly cause I haven't seen him much after the exams and later invasion ended."
Finally getting her blush to abate and hearing the other girl's words Tenten was about to reply before catching the certain suffix the blonde girl used. Almost immediately her eyes narrowed, before she could actually reply her mother walked in, having heard Tenten's shouting from the upper floor.
"Musume-chan what's with all the yelling, I thought I asked you to try to keep the volume down. Your father's still trying to nurse his headache from this morning." However as she finishes chastising her daughter she notices another person in her families forge.
Noticing the other girl in the room she remembers her to be the one Kumo kunoichi that fought Naruto in the Finals, deciding to be at least neutral on the present matter she said, "Oh, may I ask why you're currently in my family's forge Kumo-san?"
Giving a small bow to the woman in front of her Yugito replies, "My apologies I was just here under the impression that Uzumaki Naruto works here."
Granting a small smile in return for the young woman's manners Hitomi nods, "Yes you'd be correct on that, though I'm sorry to say he currently is out of the village at this moment in time."
Yugito frowns at the news, however undeterred she asks, "Do you know when he will be back? I've being meaning to ask him a few questions."
Both Arai's shake their heads at the question, "Yeah, sorry all I know is he was sent on an important mission with Jiraiya-sama. I believe he said he'd be gone for around a month."
At Tenten's words Yugito signs, but still slightly determined she looks at the armor piece Tenten had been working on, "Isn't that Naruto-kun's gauntlet he used in the exams?" Seeing her look at the piece of metal she'd been working on she goes and removes it from the water basin and sets it on a table to dry.
Showing the piece to Yugito she soon realizes that it's for the left arm, where as the one he wore in battle with the Hyuuga boy was on his right. Looking it over for any imperfections Tenten says, "Yeah it's a piece, but not one he technically forged. From what he told me he created it through uses of all the iron in the blood and sand that tried to crush him at some point when he fought that Gaara kid during the invasion."
Yugito's eyes widened at that particular piece of information. Before she could ask more Tenten continued, "However it was not nearly as good-looking as it is now. When he showed me it, it looked like the most ugly and crude chuck of metal I'd ever seen. I was gonna crew him out for it but decided to get back at him in another way."
Backing up as Tenten moved to place the gauntlet on a shelf for later she said, "The night before Naruto left on his mission I snuck into his apartment and nicked this from his personal storage scroll and replaced it with a note. Since he had the gall to make it without any care about all the time me and my tou-san spent teaching him how to forge I decided to take matters into my own hands and went about reforging the metal into a respectable tool. All it really needs now is a few fine tunings that Naruto adds with his chakra and seals."
At the end of Tenten's little story Yugito quickly realized she could do what she came for without Naruto after all. Quickly turning to the brunette Yugito asked, "Wait if that's true then maybe you can still help me even without him."
Looking at the girl curiously Tenten asked, "Help with what?" At her question Yugito just looked towards the gauntlet and smirked. Looking at her recent project she soon caught on to what the pale blonde was thinking.
After a few seconds of thought a smirk of her own appeared on the girl's face, without saying a word she raised her hand to the blonde. Noticing the gesture she reached out and shook hands with her newest friend.
Looking on Hitomi could only smile, she immediately suppressed the urge to giggle at seeing both young women start to tighten their grips respectively. And unknown to the two kunoichi they had the same thought running though their minds at that moment, 'I won't let you take my Naruto-kun.'
-Tanzaku Town, Morning of the 7th Day-
As the sun rose to signal the beginning of the next day in Tanzaku Town, one Kato Shizune had just come from her room's bathroom(4). Drying off the remaining water in her hair, from the shower she just took, she turned to see that one of her current roommates was still asleep, and comically bound up like a caterpillar in its cocoon.(5)
She held in her laughter at seeing all but the head completely covered in the blankets on their bed. "At least that explains why Haku had her own blankets when she brought you in here to share her bed last night."
"Indeed. I find it funny that for how considerate and generous he is, Naruto-kun is very selfish when it comes to blankets when he sleeps." She looked to see that Naruto's bedmate for the night Haku was already up and placing a few trays on the table. She opened them to show a decent spread of food she collected from the inn's dining room for herself and the rest in their little group.
Said blonde slowly awakened, no doubt by the smell of food that started to fill the room after Haku took off the lids covering the trays. Moving over to the table to join the surviving Yuki girl, she helped set up everything while telling Naruto to grab a quick shower before joining them.
With a sleepy nod of his head the blonde walked into the bathroom to do just that. As the sole boy in their room closed the door Shizune took one of the plates and piled on it some food and set it on the floor for Tonton, before heading next door to wake up her master and Jiraiya.
Soon enough all four members, the three ninja and one pig, where around the small table eating their breakfast. As they ate Naruto asked on Kin's recovery, having been still left in a coma like state to heal while Tsunade, Shizune, and Haku remove as much of the poison in her as possible while administering an effective enough antidote. Said antidote being made by Tsunade herself on the fourth day after getting the necessary supplies and aid from the town's hospital. Shizune, having done most of the work surgery-wise with Tsunade's Hematophobia, said that thanks to Haku having the necessary blood type and plenty of helpful information had been able to fix or clean out what was damaged by the slow acting bacteria.
As she talked more on Kin's recovery Haku checked over Naruto's arms and hands, having been treating them for all the injuries the boy had gained from his continual training in both the Rasengan and his personal taijutsu moves, especially the ones centered around his armors abilities. And seeing that they had all mostly healed up from the day before she let him return to eating uninterrupted.
Eventually the two last conscious members of their group entered the room, though Naruto smirked when both Sannin discovered that they where to slow and all the food had been eaten already. "Sorry Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama, but you should have come over after I tried to wake you both up earlier." stated Shizune, who was trying to hide her giggling.
"Don't apologise to them Shizune-nee-san, they could have easily woken up if they hadn't decided to get drunk late at night while forcing me and Haku to room with you. Something that shouldn't have been needed but since neither so-called adults gave us a room key, you didn't really have much of a choice. They should instead be the ones apologising to you for having to make room for me and Haku-chan.", said Naruto. At the boy's words Shizune could only giggle more, at hearing him use the title he decided to give her over the week, her smile only brightened.(6)
Seeing both Sannin giving the blonde hangover induced death glares Shizune quickly moved out of the room to check on Kin. Gaining a sweatdrop at the pairs continuous glaring Naruto promptly moved to show them that he was in fact hiding a pair of still covered trays.
Watching the two practically teleport to the table and beginning eating he could only sweatdrop more as they basically tore into their respective meals. 'I can only guess the two got so drunk they forgot to eat any dinner last night. And the lack of filling their stomachs with food instead of just alcohol gave them an added pain when they woke up alongside the hangover. Such a weird group of ninken these Sannin are.'
Naruto could only mentally agree with his partner as he thought, 'If I ever start drinking make sure that I never drink as much as these two. ' 'For the sake of my image with you as my container and our ongoing survival that's a request I'll agree to.' The blonde Chuunin could practically feel the sweatdrop from Kurama.
With both Sannin soon full Tsunade quickly excused herself to go check on Kin and prep her for her next healing session and dose of medication. At seeing his former teammate leave the room Jiraiya in a flash slapped, what Naruto and Haku recognized as a Silencing Seal, onto the table and called them over to him.
After the two sat down he grabbed a small photo from his pocket. Placing it on the table he spoke, "Now I know you're both wondering why I've silenced the room and locked it after both Tsunade and Shizune just left, well I'll explain after you to look at this photo here."
At the old pervert's words the two flipped over the small picture only for their eyes widen at seeing both Tsunade and Shizune across from Orochimaru and Kabuto!
"What the heck is this Ero-Sannin?! Why are Nee-san and Tsunade with Orochimaru, and for that matter Kabuto as well?!" shouted Naruto.
Raising his hand to stall anymore questioning from the two he replied, "This picture was taken a week ago by one of my tracking toads. I myself was there personally listening in on the four of them. To ease a little of your anger Naruto, Shizune had more than once tried to talk Tsunade into working together and killing the two of Nuke-nin and yes Kabuto is in fact a nuke-nin willingly working under Orochimaru."
Seeing the blonde and his friend visible relax, if only a bit, the Gama Sannin continued, "Unfortunately Orochimaru used his own knowledge of Tsunade and targeted one of her mental weaknesses: her dead brother and lover."
At hearing this the two looked slightly shocked but see the Sage start to speak again held anymore questions. "Now it's not well-known by most but during the invasion Orochimaru used a very powerful Kinjutsu to try to kill the Sandaime, one called the Edo Tensei. It's a Kinjutsu created several decades ago by Hiruzen-sensei's former teacher Tobirama or as you know him best the Nidaime."
Noticing their silent attention the Sannin took a quick gulp of water from his cup and pressed on with his discussion, "Now the technique is forbidden because of varying matters not important right at the moment, but the main one being it allows one to bring back the deceased at the cost of sacrificing another's life."
Seeing their shared disgust at such a technique he nodded and continued on, "Now Orochimaru knows this jutsu and is using it as the proverbial bait to get Tsunade to heal him from a terrible injury sensei gave him. The fact he gave her exactly a week to think on it means he has a firm belief that she will be taking him up on his offer."
At hearing the time-limit Haku said, "But wait if he gave her a week and you got this, then that means today is the day she must decide!"
"Exactly, I've kept this bit of info from both Shizune and Tsunade, since neither has come forward with this I can only assume that they don't want us involved with their meeting with Orochimaru. It's a major reason I've had you two, especially you Naruto, training and getting stronger when available this week. I want both of you to aid me in not only stopping Tsunade from making one of the worst mistakes in her life, but to also try to stop Orochimaru for good."
At his sensei's words Naruto just raised his hands and punched his fist into his other hand's open palm, giving a smile Haku had seen on Zabuza when he was particularly fight happy he said, "Well then what are we waiting for Pervy-Sage. Let's send that snake straight to hell!"
At his apprentices words Jiraiya just shook his head annoyed before smacking him on the back of the head, Gibb's style, and stated, "That's not how this works Naruto. If you want to be a part of this you have to do exactly with what I have planned, got it?"
Looking at his sensei Naruto saw a face he'd never seen on the perverted sage, it was not the goofy or perverted expression he'd come to associate with the old ninja. It was the face of a veteran shinobi that had seen people die and lead forces in a war. The man before him was not Pervy-Sage, it was the man given the title Jiraiya the Toad Sage and the man considered by many to be the strongest of all three Sannin hands down.
Putting his own serious face on Naruto said, "So what do you want the two of use to do?"
Seeing his student having got his head on straight gave a slight smirk, "Alright here's what I've planned out so far…"
-2 Hours Laters-
With the shout of "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" A giant two-headed snake appeared from within a ginormous smoke cloud. Said snake almost immediately began its master's main directive and started attacking its new prey on the ground.
As the chaos continues outside the limits of Tanzaku Town a young girl looks on at the large reptile attacking whatever was around it on the ground level nearby it. Said girl begins to run down the street heedless of the many civilians moving to keep as far from that side of the town walls, many that pass by her try to warn her against doing so only to be ignored.
Some of the town's own law enforcement made to halt her progress only to notice the headband upon her head. If any of those same people had paid even slightly more attention they'd also notice the odd toad the girl was carrying in her hands as she continued running towards the no doubt large battle happened not a few miles away.
'I'm coming Naruto-kun and Haku-chan, I won't let you do this alone. You're my precious people too, and just like you I will do my best to protect you.'
CHAPTER END
In my time spent writing this chapter I only just realized that this fic is just over one year old. I feel both proud and pathetic though, proud in that it's reached its first year and pathetic in that's it's only reached 13 chapters and outside of that I've only done one other fic that I intend to completely rewrite. Where as others like my partner Yurei King or Fairy Tail Dragon Slayer have around a dozen fics or more and update them at least once to twice a month. Man am I really lazy or just very bad at this?
Maybe a bit more encouragement from you all might help. If you feel like asking me other questions on this fic I won't mind discussing them with you on a message board, so feel free to PM me if you wanna talk on this fic. With that all being said and done have a nice day and in a variant of what most YouTuber's say, "Favorite, Follow, and Review"!
And here's your Reference Sheet!
1-Just cause I say this don't think Tenten is in. Just remember it's Jiraiya, anything about Naruto being around girls would probably trigger his perverted attitude.
2-Kurama told him of his clan's longevity and incredible recovery abilities during their training when he stated it was his clan's ability that mostly attributed to his healing with only some aid from his chakra. Which I believe is canon. If I'm wrong let me know.
3-This is a FACT, I personally looked it up and both Kin and Haku have Blood Type O in canon. Besides I also looked up Naruto's and he'd still not be able to help since he's B, and only can be given to people with B and AB type blood. I did the work for this one so no complaining or trying to discredit me here, this is 100% legit facts.
4-Since we have yet to learn, and quite possibly never will learn Shizune's surname, I just gave her uncle Dan's surname for the hell of it.
5-This does happen, I in fact sleep this way. I've actually caused my brother no end of annoyance when he are stuck sharing the same bed when we stay at motels and hotels on vacations and do this. It also basically forced my mom and girlfriend to stop bothering with tucking in the covers after I or we get up to start the day, because I'll just rip them out from under the mattress come nighttime. SO yes I just gave Naruto one of my odd traits, so what?
6-Yeah sorry for those of you thinking from the last chapter of me possibly adding Shizune to the harem. I'd prefer her being placed in the common older sister role over being a background character, especially since the harem is closed anyways.