DISCLAIMER!: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! Thought you'd know by now...

(A/N): YAY CHAPTER 85! Time for three years of training! Oh yeah, chapter 2 of "The Caged Bird" is out as well, go check it out. It'll make me smile :)

TO THE STORY!

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Chapter 85: The Last Spar

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Naruto and Hinata's eyes widened in shock. "What!?" they yelled in unison...it seemed they were getting a little too good at that. Jiraiya just waved them down. "Now, now, don't worry. The brat will be trained in a safe location by three masters of Senjutsu. Fukasaku, Shima, and myself. Besides, if he can handle the Foxes Chakra then this'll be a walk in the park for him. I mean, it's like he learned to run and jump before he could walk. He has nothing to worry about...mostly."

. . . .

The next eleven days we spent in peaceful quiet while Naruto prepared for his journey with Jiraiya. Between practicing meditation, gathering supplies, and saying goodbye to all of his friends, it was a pretty mellow time. Albeit Hiashi never once stopped growling at him. And apparently word about Naruto and Hinata's engagement traveled fast. It only took two days for all of Konoha to be in a uproar about it. It seemed like everywhere Naruto went it was, 'congratulations Namikaze-sama' this, and 'to the Namikaze Clan!' that.

Frankly, Naruto was a little annoyed by the villagers. And not to mention thoroughly embarrassed that EVERYONE knew. Hell, when he and Hinata went to Ichiraku's for lunch Teuchi had a table with candles and rose petals set up. It wasn't all that bad though. He spent nearly everyday with Hinata, and Kurenai was kind enough to give Team 8 time off until Naruto left. He'd have to thank her for that.

The rookie nine were shocked and happy for them and all, but their attitudes were diluted while they were trying to get over Sasuke abandoning them. Everyone was a little depressed, but Sakura had it the worst. She was unresponsive and locked herself in her room for the most part. Kakashi also took it hard. He felt as though he had failed to protect his comrade yet again and developed a bit of a temper. And now that he was down to a single Genin on his team he would have to transfer her to a separate team that is missing a member and start from scratch.

Naruto was also down a bit about Sasuke leaving, but from what his father told him, it was most likely going to happen no matter what they did. And besides, he had someone who needed him to be with her and smile. And so he did, and it was the happiest smile he had worn for a long time.

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The twelfth day

Naruto opened up his eyes slowly and adjusted to the light of the room. He let out a quiet yawn as he slowly sat up. He looked to his side and smiled at the sleeping Hyuuga clinging to his arm with a happy smile. They hadn't done anything, Hiashi made sure to Naruto if she wasn't pure for their wedding that he would take pleasure in castrating the boy. And besides, they were only thirteen! But that didn't mean they couldn't enjoy each others warmth and company. His smile saddened as he thought about what he was in for today.

Leaving her.

He bent down and gently kissed her forehead. She stirred slightly and tightened her grip on him. "Go back to sleep..." she groaned in a half asleep voice. Naruto chuckled and laid back down and held her to him. She breathed in and took in his sent, she let out a content sigh and snuggled up against him. Why did life have to be so cruel some times? He sighed and tried to fall back asleep. But he was forced to open his eyes when a knock came from his door. "Naruto? Wake up son, there are some things we need to do before you leave." his father said from the other side of he door.

Hinata groaned and held him tighter, making him laugh a bit. It was funny to see his usually prim and proper girlfriend act her age. She was NOT a morning person and like to sleep in. Especially if she was with Naruto. He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Come on Hime, time to wake up." he whispered in her ear. She opened her eyes and pouted at him with a half asleep gaze. "Fine~" she said as she started to get out of the bed.

Once they were up and ready they walked out of the master bedroom and into the living room. They saw Anko and Jiraiya sitting on the couch with Naruto's bag and assortment of storage scrolls sitting on the coffee table. But Cole, he was standing straight and to attention. He wasn't wearing his casual grey kimono, but his short battle kimono and ninja pants, along with his forearm and shin guards. And to complete his look, he wore his mask and had Tekihocho slung across his back. He looked at Naruto's confused gaze and nodded to the boy. "Naruto, it's time I spar again with you. We haven't had the chance since you became a Genin, and I want to see how far you have come compared to me." he said in his 'sensei' voice. Naruto tensed as a look of excitement came to his eyes.

He hadn't fought his father since the True Genin Test. And even then he was only fighting a shadow clone. He was thrilled to see if he had what it took to finally kick his fathers ass. He smirked at him as a feral glint came to his eyes. "Anytime you're ready old man. I'd be happy to kick your ass anytime." he said as he opened and closed his fists. Hinata looked between the two of the them a little worried but stayed quiet.

Anko had a feral grin plastered on her face, excited to see the ass kicking that was going to go down. And Jiraiya, oddly, had a unreadable expression as he sat there with his arms crossed, analyzing the two of them carefully. Cole stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Meet me at Training Ground 7." he said before he popped into smoke, showing he was just a shadow clone. Naruto kept his smirk up as he drew a Hiraishin Kunai. "It's on old man." he said before he held out his hand. "All aboard who's coming aboard." he said the the three of them. Hinata placed her had on his and Anko and Jiraiya followed suit.

As soon as all three of them were making contact with him, he flashed to where he and his father would do battle.

. . . .

The field was quiet, save for the few muffled whispers of the peanut gallery. Cole sat in the middle of the field, eyes closed sitting in the lotus position. Breathing steadily, waiting for his opponent to arrive.

On the sidelines stood the Konoha 11, plus their sensei's and family. Even Sakura came out to watch the battle that was about to take place. Hiruzen and Tsunade were sitting off to the side, enjoying a drink while they waited. Some councilmen and other civilians were also there, but they stayed the furthest away.

Cole waited for Naruto for all but a moment before the blonde flashed into the clearing along with the last of the audience. Hinata and Anko walked over to the rest of the Konoha 11 while Jiraiya joined Tsunade and Hiruzen. Naruto stood across from his father, a shit eating grin plastered on his face as he prepared himself for one hell of a fight. Cole opened his eyes and slowly stood. He held out his hand and a Shakujo with a open circle on the bottom of it formed in his hand. Nine Truth Seeking Balls formed a circle behind his back and a cool and crushing aura started to leak from his form.

"Naruto..." he said to the blonde, power just pouring from him as he began to speak. Naruto's eyes grew wide as he felt the pressure on him increase. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face as he realized something. Back when he thought his father knew nothing about the word restraint, in all actuality, he was holding back so much, that if he didn't, he'd be nothing but a stain on the ground. "I fight you not as Uzumaki Seinaru," he began. "But as The Oracle of Six Paths...are you prepared?" he asked the boy.

Naruto gulped before he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The blonde calmed his nerves and closed his eyes. He placed his hand to his stomach and opened his eyes. With a quick turn of his wrist he was enveloped in a golden light that signified Kurama's chakra. Once his transformation was complete he looked to his father with confident eyes. He summoned a Hiashin Kunai and crouched into a ready stance and drew Kitsune no Kiba. After a quick nod, Cole finally smirked at him.

"Then let us begin."

He said before he disappeared from everyone's sight. Naruto was startled by the shear speed his father possessed as he kneed him straight in the jaw, sending him flying across the training field. Naruto recovered quickly however and dodged the follow up attack by throwing his Hiraishin Kunai away from him and flashing to it. Only to have to flash away from a Truth Seeking Ball that rocketed towards his location.

Naruto cursed as he was forced onto the defensive from the very beginning. To think, someone would be able to keep up with him with just speed alone. Cole backed off however and summoned two shadow clones.

"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball)"

"Fuuton: Reppusho! (Wind Release: Gale Palm)"

"Raiton: Jinrai! (Lightning Release: Thunderclap)"

The three Oracle's said together as they cast Jutsu at Naruto without even forming hand seals. Naruto's eyes hardened as he held up his kunai before him with both hands. "Hiraishin: Dorai! (Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder)" he exclaimed as a sealing matrix formed in front of him in mid air. As soon as the jutsu's hit the matrix the were absorbed into it. Once they were completely absorbed a massive explosion rocked the forest three miles from Konoha.

Cole's clones dispelled and he smirked at his son. "Alright then Naruto...lets make this a lesson. First lesson, Taijutsu!" he exclaimed as he charged his son with his shakujo. Naruto readied Kitsune no Kiba and waited for his father. And when the two met, the sound of steel clashing against steel could be heard for miles around.

. . . .

(A/N): to be continued...

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