Hey, it's been a super long time since I've worked on this fanfic. Mostly due to working on other projects, finishing school, shocked by the Naruto series ending, and so forth. But anyway, I plan to finish the Search for Tsunade arc and follow up with the Sasuke Rescue Mission after that. I know some of you have been confused by the name and terminology changes, but I'm not going to have reminders in every single chapter as it interrupts the narrative flow of the story. So to avoid confusion, please refer to the previous chapters instead. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this!

Characters (in order of appearance and/or mentioning)

Naruto / Gelato

Jiraiya / Hercules

Might Guy / Scar Face

Sasuke / Tony

Tsunade / Megara

Iruka / Delfino

Chapter 46: Balloons and Babes

"Okay, Gelato," Hercules said to him as they left the hotel after Scar Face took the unconscious Tony away. "The attack (technique) that I'm going to teach you is known as the Spiralis (Rasengan), and it's very difficult to master."

In response, Gelato scuffed. "Big deal! I summoned Aquila-Jovis (Gamabunta), didn't I?"

"Yeah, but this is different," Hercules insisted. "You have to concentrate a lot of nature energy (chakra) into a controlled state and release it on a desired trajectory."

"Like the Mille Aquile (Chidori)?"

"Sort of. While the Mille Aquile quickly loses nature energy if it's not used immediately, the Spiralis doesn't. However, it requires complete control of one's nature energy which you are lacking in."

"Don't give me that crap, Pimp! I'll prove you wrong!"

"All right, then." From his coat-pocket, Hercules produced a water balloon. "Try to rotate your nature energy inside this to the point of bursting open."

"Where'd you get that?" Gelato asked as he took the balloon from Hercules' hands.

"From the nearby Fair," replied Hercules.

At a small park that was across from the plaza where the hotel was located at, there were several carnival games and venues selling food and other goods. It was also there that Hercules spotted a woman who was advertising a magic show and decided to go flirt with her. While this was going on, Gelato concentrated on the water balloon in order to channel his nature energy into it. But no matter how hard he tried, the water remained still.

"Try combining what you've learned during your wall-climbing and water-walking exercises," Hercules suggested once he came back with a bruised cheek. "They both operate on the same principal as this step."

"Step?" Gelato raised an eyebrow.

"There are three steps to mastering the Spiralis, and you're only covering the first one for now."

Groaning, Gelato focused on the water balloon once more but nothing happened.

###

For the next three days, Gelato tried to make the balloon burst while Hercules flirted with women and gathered intel on Megara's whereabouts.

"She's a notoriously bad gambler, so all we have to do is follow the trail of debts she owes," Hercules stated and looked at Gelato who's brow was furrowed in deep concentration. "Are you even listening?"

"I think I've got it," Gelato proclaimed.

While Hercules watched, Gelato held the balloon in one hand and waved his other along the balloon's surface. The water rippled inside as a blue aura surged forth until the whole thing bursted open spraying water and pieces of plastic everywhere.

"Not bad," Hercules commented. "Though it's a bit unorthodox since you're supposed to use two hands to do it."

Frowning, Gelato said, "How was I supposed to know that?"

"I thought you would figure it out on your own, but I'll count this as a pass," Hercules shrugged and took out a regular balloon which he got from a seller nearby. "Now that you've mastered rotating your nature energy, let's see how much power you've got."

"By popping that?" Gelato grinned. "No problem!"

Taking the regular balloon away from Hercules, Gelato tried to do the same thing as before but it didn't pop.

"It's not as easy as it looks, since you've got nothing physical to transfer the nature energy to inside the balloon except air," Hercules explained as the two entered a hotel.

Inside, there was a lounge and a bar. Several young women passed by, leading Hercules to chase them. Frustrated, Gelato focused on the balloon. As he transferred more nature energy into it, the more his hands hurt. Gelato ignored the pain by closing his eyes, which was then followed by a loud pop. A few people jumped in surprise, and glared at Gelato who looked down at the deflating balloon which now had a small hole in it.

"Looks like you got somewhere," Hercules observed as he gave Gelato a peppermint candy. "But maybe something to concentrate on would help."

###

The next day, Hercules drew a spiral on Gelato's hand using a fountain pen. He told him to focus on that in order to pop a second balloon which Hercules got from the same seller. Yet despite this, Gelato still struggled. On their way out of the hotel, they passed by a tree that had bright orange leaves falling from it. This reminded Gelato of an exercise Delfino taught him which involved staring at a leaf in order to improve his concentration. So Gelato asked for Hercules' pen, who gave it to him with a confused stare.

"What're you doing?" Hercules asked as he looked over Gelato's shoulder.

At the spiral's center, Gelato had drawn a leaf-shaped pattern.

"Finding the center of the spiral," Gelato replied, and placed the balloon on the scribbled hand.

Putting his other hand on top, Gelato concentrated really hard. In a matter of seconds, not only did the balloon burst but also Gelato was thrown back by the amount of nature energy that was produced. Hercules was surprised by this, and helped Gelato up.

"Incredible," Hercules remarked, looking at Gelato's hands which were slightly burnt. "I've never seen that much nature energy produced from a single point before, not even from the Fourth Godfather (Fourth Hokage) himself."

"Wasn't he the one who defeated the Nine-Headed Hydra (Nine-Tailed Fox)?" Gelato said with a slightly bewildered look.

Hercules nodded. "He's also the one who developed the Spiralis attack, though it took him three years to accomplish."

"Three years?!" Gelato looked down and clenched his fists.

"Don't worry, Gelato, you're already two parts of the way through," Hercules said encouragingly. "Though the third step is admittedly the hardest part to accomplish."

Out of curiosity, Gelato looked up at Hercules. "What does that involve?"

"I'll tell you later," Hercules answered, putting a hand on Gelato's shoulder. "But for now we need to get moving as I've finally tracked down Megara."

Gelato's eyes widened. "You have? Where is she?!"

End of Chapter 46