(Welcome back to my fic. Here's where we get to the point where the first half of Naruto is complete and move onto the Shippuden series. Hope you enjoy this.)

Naruto was floating around in silent darkness, until Kurama and Raava appeared above him, "He wore himself out from using our combined powers." Kurama began.

"It's to be expected since this was his first time doing it." Raava noted.

"I know. If he tried it with my full power then he'd really be a mess afterward."

"Indeed. But I believe it's time he awoke."

"Right. His friends are waiting." Raava put one of her tendrils to Naruto's head and his body began to glow.

Naruto groaned, as he started opening his eyes. His vision started out blurry before it started clearing up. What he saw was his squad, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Soreth by an open window.

"There you are. We were getting worried about you." Sakura said.

Naruto groaned, as he laid in bed, "Am I in the hospital?"

"Of course. Where else would we have taken you after what you just went through?" Sasuke asked.

"Good point." Naruto sat up.

Kakashi spoke up, "Sasuke told us, you were fighting five shinobi who turned into monsters."

"Yeah. They called themselves the Sound Five. They were Orochimaru's top goons. At first me and my shadow clones had them on the ropes, but then they changed into these monster forms from these markings Orochimaru put on them."

Sakura spoke, "I suppose that's what Orochimaru planned to do to Sasuke back in the forest during the Chunin Exams."

"Seeing how they looked I definitely wouldn't want to turn into one of those." Sasuke said.

"But I combined the powers of Kurama and Raava and beat the shit out of them. I even made them fall into lava below the earth's crust."

"How did it feel combining the powers of the Avatar State and the nine tails chakra?" Jiraiya inquired.

"It felt amazing. Their powers combined made me feel even stronger and faster than I was when using just one of their powers. With it I really think I can stop Orochimaru or even the Akatsuki themselves."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Naruto," Tsunade burst his bubble, "You just used this ability. We have no idea what side affects it may have on you."

"The only side affect I'm feeling from it is exhaustion." Naruto replied.

"That's a normal symptom. For now we'd like you to remain here overnight, until we can determine if there are anymore side affects." Tsunade said.

"What?!" Naruto asked in outrage.

"That's an order, Naruto." the Hokage finished.

Naruto grumbled as he laid back down. Jiraiya spoke to him, "We'll let you get some rest." the group cleared out, as Soreth flew off.

Naruto laid in bed before resting his eyes. He opened them and was in his mind with Kurama and Raava above him.

"Hey, you two. That was some fight, wasn't it?"

"Indeed it was." Raava agreed.

"You used our combined powers well." Kurama admitted.

"It felt awesome."

"And that's not even half of what our powers combined could be capable of."

"What do you mean?" Naruto wondered.

"You've only used a portion of my chakra. A single tails worth if you will. If you were to use my full unleashed chakra then you'd truly be a powerhouse."

"Whoa. How can I use all your power?"

"That is for another time. There's still much you need to know about using the power of a tailed beast. Besides you still must find the other jinchuriki and add their powers to yourself if you intend to make the prophecy of the Sage of Six Paths come true."

"I know. But I'm not going to be the only one looking for them now."

"Correct. There is the matter of the Akatsuki organization out to locate them, including you."

"And with Orochimaru also gunning for me, I'm going to need to be stronger."

"And we'll be there to help you continue to get strong while using our powers." Kurama promised.

"Thanks, you guys." Naruto smiled.

That night Jiraiya, Tsunade, Shizune, and Hiruzen were meeting and discussing about Naruto, "Are you sure about this, Jiraiya-sama?" Shizune asked.

"I am. If he's unlocked this power now, he'll only get stronger. But he'll need more than his two tenants to guide him. He'll also need physical training from me. That's why I'm proposing I take Naruto on a three year trip to hone his skills so that when he comes back he'll be more than ready to handle the inevitable threats."

"You bring a strong point. Besides it's not like this is the first time Naruto's spent a number of years outside the village." Hiruzen noted.

"And this time he'll be with me, and he's more than capable of handling himself than he was back then." Jiraiya added.

"Will he even go for it?" Shizune asked.

"I think he will. I'm more concerned how his lady friends will take it." Jiraiya replied.

"Well, we'll let you tell Naruto, and it'll be up to him to tell his friends." Tsunade instructed. Jiraiya nodded, as the group of adults took their leave for the night.

Two days later, Naruto was with Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Ino, Mitsuki, Naomi, and Ming discussing with them what Jiraiya told him the day after he was brought to the hospital.

"A three year training trip?" Sasuke asked.

"Yeah. Shocked me when Ero-sennin told me about it." Naruto answered.

"That's quite an offer." Ino admitted.

"But three years." Ming said.

"That is a long time." Hinata added.

"Too long." Mitsuki said feeling sad.

"Easy, girls. Remember this is Naruto's choice." Sakura reminded them.

"Thank you, Sakura. And yes I have thought on it and I'm going to go with it. Even with the Avatar State, I still have a lot to learn about how to truly use it. And then there's my tailed beast chakra. With Kurama's power alone I'm plenty strong. But I can still become even stronger with it."

"Plus, we ourselves need our own individual training done," Sasuke agreed, "Kakashi-sensei's looking to teach me some more ways to use the Chidori."

"And ever since we've been learning under Tsunade-sama, Ino and I could still use more training than what we've been dealing with." Sakura put in.

Hinata and the Bending girls agreed, before the Hyuga spoke to Naruto, "Well, Naruto. If that's what you want."

"It is." he confirmed.

"Then we have no right to tell you otherwise." Naomi said.

"Thanks. Besides I won't be alone. I'll have Ero-sennin with me."

"True." Ming answered.

"So when will you be leaving?" Ino inquired.

"Two days from now. Just enough time to pack and set my affairs in order," Naruto answered, "But I will be asking a tiny request. Will you guys take turns in feeding Soreth?"

"You're not taking him with you?" Sasuke asked.

"I wish, but Ero-sennin says its best he remain here. So will you guys?"

"You know we will, Naruto." Sakura promised.

"Thanks, guys." Naruto smiled, and suddenly was embraced by the six girls.

"We're sure going to miss you, Naruto." Hinata began.

"I'll miss you girls to." Naruto smiled, before looking over at Sasuke, "You're welcome to join this circle of love."

"I'll pass." Sasuke replied.

Naruto mentally chuckled knowing his friend wanted him to enjoy the embrace of the girls without any one else coming between them.

A day had passed, and Naruto had informed the rest of his fellow shinobi friends, and even Teuchi and Ayame of Ichiraku.

Then the night before the day he would take off Naruto sat on the carpet of his living room in the dark while a meditating form.

"Avatar Korra, I need to talk to you." Naruto said to himself.

Suddenly a blue aura surrounded Naruto and appearing before him in a meditating form was Avatar Korra.

The former Avatar spirit opened her eyes and smiled, "Naruto, it's been awhile."

"Yeah. Too long." Naruto agreed.

"I have been keeping watch over you, you know that?"

"I do. Ever since the invasion it's been one mission after another." Naruto chuckled.

"Like your mission to bring back Tsunade?"

"Yeah. That."

Korra smiled, "That was a great thing you did, Naruto. Giving back her faith in others and helping her move on from the past."

"I just did what any Avatar in history would've done." he replied.

Korra nodded, before looking concerned, "I also sense you're distressed. About the training trip, no doubt?"

"I know I need to to get stronger and broaden my horizons throughout the ninja land this time. But I hope I'll learn what I need to make me strong enough to take on the Akatsuki. And Orochimaru. With his five best shinobi gone, I fear he'll be trying to find stronger shinobi than they were."

"That is mostly likely possible, but you mustn't let fear cloud your mind. I did that before when I first called out to Amon, and it left me in tears. No matter how many forces or how powerful they are that confront you, remember that you're not alone in this. You have your friends and allies, and you have me as well."

Naruto smiled, "You're right. Thanks, Korra. I needed this little pep talk."

Korra smiled back, "I'm always here if you need me, Naruto." her spirit assimilated back into Naruto. Naruto smiled as he went to bed, knowing he and Jiraiya had to get an early start.

The next morning Jiraiya and Naruto stood outside the village, with Tsunade, Shizune, Hiruzen, Squad Seven, the last team Avatar, Ino, Hinata, Ming, Mitsuki, Naomi, and Soreth seeing them off.

"Well, we better be off." Jiraiya began.

"Jiraiya, keep an eye on Naruto while you're out there," Tsunade began, before turning to Naruto, "And you keep an eye on him as well, Naruto."

Naruto smirked, while Jiraiya pouted. Naruto walked to Hiruzen, "I'll see you when I get back, Jiji. Just don't die while I'm away." he hugged the old man who chuckled at his joke.

"I'll try my best, Naruto."

Naruto went and embraced Tsunade and Shizune, "You two take care now."

"We will, Naruto." Tsunade assured.

"And you take care yourself." Shizune added.

Naruto walked to Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, Rohan, Mako, Bolin, Opal, Asami, and Kai, "I once again wanna thank all of you for making me into the Avatar I am today. Wherever I go in the ninja land I'll continue to use all you taught me to survive and get stronger."

Jinora smiled and patted his head, "We have every bit of faith in you, Naruto."

"We know you'll go farther than our expectations." Mako added.

Naruto smiled, and went to his squad, "I know Squad Seven won't be the same without me around."

"No kidding." Sasuke replied.

"But I promise you once I come back Squad Seven's going to be better than ever."

"We'll all do our part to make sure of that." Kakashi promised.

"Until then." Sasuke said, as he and Naruto fist bumped.

Naruto turned to Sakura, "Sakura, I..." Naruto was cut off as the girl put a finger to his lips.

"Please, Naruto. Let's just have this." Sakura leaned forward and planted a wet one on Naruto's lips.

The group looked surprised at this, while Jiraiya was beaming with joy for Naruto. The rest of Naruto's girl friends however were in total shock.

When Naruto and Sakura parted, the girl smiled at her teammate, until Ming called, "Hey, Sakura, that's not fair!"

Sakura turned to the jealous girls, "I made the first move. And the first strike starts the war." she smirked.

Hinata suddenly went forward and held Naruto close, "Well, I say the second strike starts the war." she pulled Naruto into a kiss as well.

The adults watched seeing this play out, as the girl broke lip contact, "I hope you'll remember that, Naruto."

Suddenly Ino went over to him with a smile on her face. She pulled him into a kiss like her fellow kunoichi. When they parted the blonde girl spoke.

"You better come back in one piece, ok?"

"Sure thing." Naruto answered in a dazed tone.

Ming approached and pulled Naruto into a kiss, leaving Asami feeling proud to watch her granddaughter take action. After the Waterbender girl parted from Naruto, Naomi went to him and gave him her own kiss.

They parted, and the Firebender girl spoke, "I'll make sure to bring Spitfire by to visit Soreth so he doesn't get super lonely."

"We both would appreciate that." Naruto replied.

"Naruto-nii!" Mitsuki ran at Naruto and jumped into his arms before kissing him like the rest of the girls.

When they parted, the youngest spoke, "We'll be waiting for you. So come back to us."

"Sure thing." Naruto smiled, as he put Mitsuki down.

Naruto saw Soreth go up to him and give him a whimper, "Don't worry, boy. I'll be back. I promise you. Until I do. You just gotta be strong like me. Can you do that?" Soreth nodded with a playful growl and began licking Naruto's face as the boy laughed.

After getting his dragon off, Naruto stood with his Airbending staff in hand, "Farewell, everyone. I'll see you all in three years. Ero-sennin. Let's go."

And with that both the Toad Sage and the Avatar Jinchuriki took off on their training trip, as their friends watch them until they were out of sight.

Meanwhile in Orochimaru's lair, the rogue shinobi was listening to Kabuto's news, "So Jiraiya and Naruto have taken off?"

"Yes. No doubt to further increase their strengths against us." Kabuto answered.

Orochimaru snickered, "This is sure to be amusing. While they're off getting stronger, I will also be putting my next plan into motion. Soon I will be full contempt with my new vessel and then we can get to work."

Elsewhere in a cave stood apparitions of the Akatsuki organization, "Zetsu, what have you to report?" Pain inquired.

"Naruto Uzumaki and Jiraiya have left Konoha and are going on a little trip." the plant shinobi answered.

"Not a vacation, obviously." Kisame replied.

"Jiraiya-sama is looking to make Naruto stronger. So that when the time comes he'll be ready to face us." Itachi theorized.

"Think this is something we should take into account, hm?" asked one of the members.

"I agree with Deidara. If he was able to strip Orochimaru of his jutsu with the Avatar state alone. Imagine what he could learn to do."

"Thanks for the support, Sasori my man."

"Shut up." he grumbled.

"Avatar or Jinchuriki. We will have the tailed beast he holds and all the others eventually. Until then, we must be ready for when the time comes." Pain answered, as their apparitions faded out.

(And there you go. Don't miss next time where Naruto comes back with some surprises for everyone. I'll see you then.)