(Welcome to the next chapter. Even though currently Avatar Naruto is being used in my other fic, the stuff happening there isn't actually affecting him in this now. So just enjoy what I got in store now.)
One night after the whole Orochimaru invasion on the village, Hiruzen was at meeting with his former teammates and Danzo Shimura.
"I hope you have a good reason for calling such a late meeting." Hiruzen said feeling tired.
"Hiruzen, this is a serious matter." Homura began.
"Then proceed." The Hokage answered.
"First off, how long have you known Naruto was the Avatar?" Koharu inquired.
"Ever since that day he was sent out of the village on a trip. I called in Master Jinora who took him to the Air Temple where Naruto was to undergo his Avatar training."
"And why did you not tell us about this information?" Danzo inquired, with an eye squint.
Hiruzen replied, "To protect him from you."
"Us?" Homura asked feeling insulted.
"Yes. I've tried time and time again to protect Naruto without looking like I was showing favoritism, but you three have done nothing to further benefit the Fourth's legacy other than look past who he is while only seeing what he holds."
Homura and Koharu couldn't argue with his logic, as Koharu answered, "I do take blame to that, but what do we do now that just about all of the five great nations known of his existence?"
"For all we know some may be tempted to try and abduct him and use him against us." Homura feared.
"Do not worry, with the Avatar as one of our shinobi we stand a better chance against any opponent from any nation." Danzo answered smugly.
Hiruzen slammed his fists on the table, startling them, "Do you hear yourself?!" His team were shocked, while Danzo didn't flinch, "You're already starting to sound like how you assume the other Kage are thinking about Naruto being the Avatar. Naruto may be a shinobi of Konoha, but he is also the Avatar. And the Avatar's loyalty is not just towards the nation or village he was born in, but to the world itself."
"Are you suggesting we allow Naruto to help any village's problem even if they're enemies?" Danzo questioned, "Hiruzen, despite Naruto's new responsibility to the world his responsibility to our village should come first."
"Danzo," Hiruzen began firmly, "Have you forgotten the story about how the Earth King of Ba Sing Sei attempted to use Avatar Kyoshi against her will to put an end to the uprising citizens no matter what? Are you willing to try more dirty tricks to bend others to your will? I will not allow it. Besides I've already discussed with the other Kage minus the Kazekage. With the Avatar reborn and Orochimaru's assault, they too fear Orochimaru will one day be looking into trying to invade their villages for any reason."
"Well, at least Suna's realized they were fooled by him and surrendered to us willingly," Homura said, "So our alliance with them remains in tact, at least unless something else were to happen."
"Times are certainly changing once again." Koharu added.
"Indeed," Hiruzen agreed, "Which is why it's time I step down from my position as Hokage."
The other three were in shock, "Step down?" Koharu asked.
"Hiruzen, be reasonable," Homura began, "At a time like this the village needs a leader with years of experience like yours."
"Now, Homura, let's let Hiruzen speak," Danzo spoke up, "After all as we've said, times are changing. And with change there must come newer things. And I think a newer Hokage would benefit the village's growth. But I also agree that someone with years of experience would be best suited. That's why I..."
Hiruzen cut off his old rival, "I have already decided who my successor should be."
"And who is that?" Danzo asked feeling irked.
"Tsunade."
The three other old timers were taken aback by his choice, "Princess Tsunade?" Danzo inquired.
"That's quite a choice to make, Hiruzen." Koharu added.
"But you know what became of Tsunade." Homura reminded him.
"Of course I do. But I haven't given up hope on her."
"And who will you be sending to look for her?" Danzo asked, "You know with half of our top shinobi fallen in the invasion, a lot of our others are working double time in terms of missions while most of our younger shinobi are busy rebuilding the village."
"For this mission I intend on sending my second student Jiraiya to locate her. And with him Naruto shall accompany."
"Hiruzen, is it wise to send Naruto out of the village so soon now that he's already informed the ninja land who he is?" Koharu asked in concern.
"The Avatar is not meant to be contained no matter how big the risk. Besides you know nothing on earth can stop the Avatar from doing what they think is right."
The three could not disagree considering the stories and reputations of the last two Avatars. The Hokage spoke up, "If nothing else is said, this meeting is over. Goodnight." he retired and left.
The next morning, at Naruto's place, Naruto had woken up and got dressed. After feeding Soreth and grabbing a bite to eat himself, he looked out his window seeing the still demolished buildings from the wreck caused by the invading Sound shinobi.
"Lucky this was just an invasion and not one of the Great ninja wars," Naruto said in relief, "Well, might as well see if there's something I can do to help." Naruto was about to head out, but before he could open his door, he heard a knock on it from outside. Curious, he opened the door and saw Jiraiya outside, "Ero-sennin?"
"Morning, Naruto. Can I come in?" he asked.
"Uh, sure, but what're you doing here?"
"Because I have important matters to discuss with you." Jiraiya answered, while Naruto looked curious.
Soon enough both were sitting at the table, where Jiraiya told Naruto of the mission, "You want me to come with you to look for this Tsunade woman so she can become Hokage?"
"Precisely."
"Sounds like quite a mission. Though any reason why I'm included in this?"
"Well, think of it as a chance to broaden your horizons once again. See more of the ninja land," Jiraiya began, "Plus think of it as a first official Avatar mission for Konoha."
"I see." Naruto sighed as he looked away not feeling as enthusiastic as Jiraiya would hope.
"And to top it off I got a jutsu for you to learn while we look."
Naruto looked back at Jiraiya with his attention gained, "A new jutsu?"
"Oh, yes. A jutsu that will really come in handy for you."
"Well, I currently don't have too much to do. I mean Master Jinora and all the others went back, and with the way the village is I don't think my squad will be doing a team mission until repairs on the village are further resolved."
"So your final answer?" Jiraiya inquired.
"Count me in."
"Good answer. I'll go inform sensei about this, while you get packing. Meet me at the village gates in an hour."
"On it." Naruto answered, as Jiraiya left.
Naruto wasted no time in packing all the essentials he needed. He grabbed his Airbending staff before looking at Soreth, "Don't worry, Soreth, I left you plenty of food while I'm away," Soreth roared sadly, as Naruto went over to pet him, "I'd like you to come with too, boy. But I think it's best for you to sit this one out. Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it. With a new jutsu as well." Soreth roared while feeling happier.
"Well, I'm off." Naruto slipped into his boots, and stepped outside only to see Sakura, Ino, and Hinata approaching.
"Naruto." Sakura greeted.
"Morning, Naruto." Hinata greeted him.
"Oh, morning, girls." he greeted them back.
Ino noticed the bag on Naruto's back, "Are you going somewhere?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Where to?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah, our squad hasn't been given a mission." Sakura noted.
"That's because this is a special mission I've been requested to go on by Jiji."
"What kind of mission?" Ino asked.
"Well, I'll tell you. Jiji has tasked me and Ero-sennin or Jiraiya of the Sannin to look for his third student Tsunade and bring her back so she can become the new Hokage."
"Tsunade?" Hinata asked.
"Why does that name sound familiar?" Ino wondered.
Sakura gasped, "I know. Remember Konoha history? Tsunade was one who founded the medical division of the village."
"So you mean because of her we actually have medical ninja?" Ino inquired.
"That's right." Sakura confirmed.
"And you're going on a mission to bring her home to become Hokage?" Hinata asked Naruto.
"That about says it all." Naruto admitted.
"That sounds like some mission." Ino said in amaze.
"I know. Plus Ero-sennin's got a new jutsu for me to learn."
"New jutsu?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah. Now that Sasuke's got Chidori I can't just let him one up me in the field of jutsu. I mean just because I have bending and the new Avatar State, I can't just let that define me. Am I right?"
"That does make a good point." Sakura admitted.
"When do you think you'll be back?" Hinata asked.
"Hard to say. But hey, I'll let you know as soon as I come home."
"Say, Naruto," Sakura began, "If you're gone who's going to feed Soreth?"
"Soreth's your dragon, right?" Ino asked.
"Yeah. He was one of the two dragons who fought the giant snake during the invasion," Naruto explained, "I did leave him plenty of food while I would be gone."
"You know if you'd like, we could look after him for you?" Sakura offered.
"Really?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah. I mean we could take turns in feeding him after training and work." Sakura said.
"I wouldn't mind." Ino said.
"Neither would I." Hinata added.
"Well, thanks, girls. That would be thoughtful of you. And hey, you can take that as a chance to bond with Soreth even more. He loves to get to know others."
"It's true." Sakura told Hinata and Ino.
Naruto realized the timing, "Jeez, I'm gonna be late. Gotta run, girls. Be back as soon as I can." he hurried off, leaving the girls to wave him goodbye.
At the village gates, Jiraiya was waiting patiently, until Naruto arrived, "I made it."
"There you are. I was wondering when you'd show." Jiraiya said.
"Just had to take care of something. So come on let's get this show on the road!"
"All right, calm down, Naruto." Jiraiya chuckled, as the two headed off.
As they walked down the path leading out of the village, they were being watched by two figures in black cloaks with red cloud designs.
"There they go," the taller one carrying something on his back began, "Should we take them now?"
The second one answered, "No. We'll wait until Master Jiraiya isn't around. And then we'll take Naruto." he lifted his head up revealing to have Sharingan eyes.
Meanwhile in the village of Oto, inside an underground lair was Orochimaru venting his frustrations, while Kabuto watched.
"It's no use," Orochimaru started, "Without my jutsu this body is useless to me now."
"It's amazing, The Avatar State," Kabuto began, "The affects of it are astounding. He removed your jutsu just like that. No healing jutsu of any kind can reverse that effect."
Orochimaru turned to Kabuto with hatred in his eyes, "If you don't shut up, Kabuto, I will kill you."
Kabuto answered, feeling a bit uneasy, "My apologies, I didn't mean to take it that far. But you are right. You can no longer use your jutsu in that vessel of yours. You'll need to switch to another."
Orochimaru growled, "I was hoping I'd take the body of Sasuke, but thanks to Naruto's interference I can't do that now."
"There's still other chances to obtain Sasuke," Kabuto reminded him, "We just need to be patient and wait for the next best moment."
Orochimaru spoke, "It won't matter how long I was for another opportunity. As long as that brat is around he will constantly get in my way."
"So what're you suggesting?" Kabuto inquired.
"I will obtain Sasuke's body make no mistake about it, but before that I must eliminate the Avatar otherwise he will never leave me alone." Orochimaru declared.
"Eliminate the Avatar? Orochimaru, you know many have tried that for over ten thousand years, and no one has ever destroyed the Avatar." Kabuto reminded him.
"None of those fools had my intelligence or craftiness, Kabuto. And they especially did not have my knowledge of forbidden jutsu," Orochimaru smirked, "Oh, you may have taken my jutsu, Naruto. But it is not lost to me. Once I get my jutsu back I will find a way to destroy you. And once I do, I will succeed in my ambition." he snickered.
(And there's the chapter. Naruto's got a new mission of importance, and Orochimaru has a second ambition aside from obtaining Sharingan. Don't miss next time where Naruto meets two shinobi who're just as dangerous. See ya then.)