Chapter 6

AN: Another chapter in the story! I pretty much have the summons decided but I appreciate any opinions- a lot of people gave some pretty convincing pm's stating why Naruto should still summon Toads and I really started digging the ninja ostrich like from my other fic. You guys have till chapter seven, maybe eight before it's final. Just send a pm if you have a strong opinion (one person wrote a poem about the 'greatness of toads'- it was beautiful really, even if they aren't my favorite summoning clan).

Also, has anyone watched 'Naruto Teh Random flashness'? It was one of my first youtube videos that I watched in fifth grade and today I rewatched them- totally worth it. Check them out if you haven't for a laugh.)
Finally, go read 'The Orphan' by KingofSarutobi'! Saru releases new chapters consistently and it's always a joy to read. Plus, Saru consistently chats with me about everything from story advice to why Whataburger is amazing.

With Naruto and Jiraiya…

Once Naruto stepped into the training grounds of Ro Jiraiya could feel his godson's anger. Shit. Was the toad sage's thoughts before his jewels barely escaped a chukoto ramming into them. He dodged flurry after flurry of well timed jabs. At one point a kawarimi protected his head from flying as Naruto pulled off a perfect shunshin to get behind into Jiraiya's blind spot. If Naruto had just a couple more years practice at suppressing his chakra it would have worked. The worst part was that the whole time, his godson was behind his ANBU mask, meaning he couldn't tell what exactly he was feeling: as soon as the boy got into the battle his emotions became unreadable. Tenzo's trained him well. But who taught him that level of shunshin? And the kenjutsu is rough but deadly.

With the…spies(?)/ well meaning observers…

"Hah- stupid sage, that will teach him to abandon his family" Dragon said as he watched Naruto almost lop Jiraiya's head off for the third time. Sarutobi gave him an incredulous look.

"Dragon, he didn't abandon your subordinate, he had important duties and"

"Can it Hokage-sama; I've read his real file. As has Tenzo with my permission: he was stuck in the past and left Naruto to rot." Dragon was fiercely protective of all those under him; mess with one of them and you would be facing the fourth most powerful loyal leaf shinobi on active duty. When he discovered what Jiraiya saw as 'reasonable excuse' to not check up on or send money to his student's legacy he was tempted to break out of his disguise and use every ounce of his skill to murder Jiraiya; in other words, the dragon wanted to awaken.

But seeing his current youngest subordinate elegantly channel his teachings towards mission: skewer a toad was enough for the commander: for now, at least.

"I know you're both angry with Jiraiya but he's here now" Sarutobi tried but stopped as he could feel the room of glares from behind neutral masks. "Okay so he deserves this, but I just hope he survives- not fighting back while Naruto's like that is either brave or stupid."

Back with Naruto and Jiraiya…

"Naruto stop. Naruto!" Jiraiya held a fist with a chakra conductive kunai, wind blade centimeters from his jugular. After dodging without any response from the boy Jiraiya had fought back- big mistake. Naruto took that as permission to coat his sword and the kunai in wind chakra, and demonstrate his mastery of several low ranked but deadly jutsu. Though he was hardly putting an effort in Naruto's un predictableness almost cost the pervert on no less than six occasions (AN: No one's invincible and I hate it when high class opponents seem to appear so for ever- no, everybody is vulnerable to pointy objects aimed at vital spots if they're careless). "I know I screwed up by not being there but I'm here now- why are you attempting murder?" Jiraiya had not been so fearful in years as when Naruto used shunshin to appear several feet in front of him and pulled off his mask, eyes slitted red.

"You abandoned me. I want to know why. Not some bull crap like Iwa or spies or your network- I know ANBU runs over eighty percent of the village's intelligence gathering." Naruto growled through ragged breaths. He knew the real reason but wanted someone to admit it. Kurama in the seal was quite enjoying himself- his container was certainly more entertaining than he thought he would be and the older human deserved the pain.

"Sigh… you look just like him, that's why. Seeing you now is hard but I can tell you're your own person." Jiraiya got on the ground and bowed his nose to the dirt. "Please forgive me, for I have failed you." He asked. Naruto's eyes turned blue once more.

What will he do, I wonder. His emotions are fluctuating. Kurama didn't know whether to be disappointed or proud at his container's reply.

"No. I can't forgive you."

Maybe he's not the one… Kurama thought, only to widen his eyes at the answer.

"Yet. I can't forgive you yet. I could lie and tell you I don't hold a grudge but I do. But that's not to say we can't start over: you've messed up as a godfather and have to earn that right back. But… I've seen what hatred does to people. The villagers and Sasuke and they Kyubi- I don't ever want to be as empty yet filled with anger as them. So…my name is Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. I like my friends Yugao Tenzo Hikaru Angel and Kurama, seals, training, and ramen. I dislike those who can't tell a kunai from a scroll, traitors, and recently secrets. My hobbies are reading and gardening at the moment. My dream is to protect my precious people- to be strong enough for them. And get the guy back that killed my parents one day" He held out a hand to the slack jawed Toad sage. After a moment Jiraiya hesitantly offered his hand back.

"My name is Jiraiya. I like sake, researching what makes women perfect, and writing. I dislike a certain snake, traitors, and war. My hobbies are writing and research. My dream…is to end the cycle of hatred, even if it is impossible." Jiraiya kept from using his usual antics until later. Naruto plopped down in front.

"So, what now?" Jiraiya smirked at the question.

"Well your combat abilities are definitely chunin in level based on just now- ANBU influence I'm sure. But you don't have that much in your arsenal and your taijutsu could still use work. Name the ninjutsu that you can use."

"Well, I have the kawarimi, henge, and shadow clone mastered at Dragon's approval. My Great Breakthrough and Air Force palm are also 'mastered' but now I'm increasing their speed or power. My other wind attack 'Drilling Air Bullets' is acceptable as is shunshin"

"Hold on your shunshin is battle ready without seals: that's mastered in my book." Naruto shook his head.

"No Dragon says it isn't until I can create after images. Anyways, I am able to use the Headhunter but it's limited for a few feet range and the Hidden Mist is just now becoming thick enough for me to confuse enemies." Naruto was proud at the last part. After managing to get the penny to move around and float on water in a glass- the first step to water manipulation- he was able to use water jutsu, even if it took a huge chunk of chakra still. The next step was controlling the waterfall waves to push it upwards. If he had a choice Naruto would be done with water manipulation training as he just finished wind last week. However Shukaku was vulnerable to water based attacks so he had to gain the control necessary for several high powered water attacks. Jiraiya looked proud.

"Good, good. You have almost enough ninjutsu for now as Sensei and Kakashi are spending time on that- I'll begin teaching you the rasangan later today and a few supplementary jutsu as the exams get closer though. However, let's talk seals." He had a glint in his eye that made Naruto nervous, which increased when Jiraiya rubbed his hands together.

That night…

Naruto lay on his bed unable to sleep.

You called me friend. Kurama's growl echoed through Naruto's mind. The fox had stayed quiet but now wanted answers.

Yeah, so? I consider you a friend, Kurama.

Why?

Why not? We're stuck together- might as well get along. Naruto thought back bluntly. Honestly, the fox could be dense.

You aren't my friend! You don't even have my respect, brat.

Yet. I don't have your respect yet. But one day I will! And then a day will come where we're best of friends.

What makes you so sure? At the first chance I could break the seal. I am a being of pure hatred.

I'm not worried. I'll just have to help you with your anger problem before then. Kurama sputtered at that.

I don't have anger problems! I am all the world's hatred-

Blah, blah, blah. I get it. But soon you'll be the world's…something other than hatred. I promise you this, and I never go back on my word to comrades.

I'm not your comrade. Kurama insisted. He never had a human so naïve to think he'd be his friend or comrade. But, the brat did amuse him and the tiny human reminded him of the fox's father to an extent.

Just keep telling yourself that. I'll get through you one day.

Angel stretched out on his stomach, purring, breaking the conversation.

"Naruto. Why were you mad at the funny man?" Angel asked. Origionally his name had been 'toad man' but when they caught him drooling over a swimsuit magazine the puzzled cat changed it.

"He…did something bad."
"But you forgive him?

"No. Not really. But I need his assistance for my fuinjutsu." Naruto admitted which confused the cat more.

"In the cat lands, if someone made you mad, you didn't hang around them until they apologized." Angel said confused.

"Heh, well in the ninja world, the greater good and orders come before feelings. Besides, we still have to come up with a prank for him."

"I may have an idea for that" Dragon's voice spoke through the darkness. ANBU and cat bolted out of bed in a holler. The commander chuckled, appearing on the window sill. "My my, is the cat and mouse afraid of the dark?" Said cat and mouse glared. "Heh, anyway I have something in mind and if you pull it off I'll make it worth your while."

Next day, Jinchuuriki training area…

"Why are you poking me?" Naruto asked as he heaved air. They had forced Naruto to draw on a full tail's worth before he was ready- every muscle was torn or strained. Jiraiya just kept using Naruto's sheathed sword to poke him in the side.

"You sure you're alright? Tenzo had to suppress your chakra. That shouldn't happen" Naruto glared at the sanin.

"It's my second time using Kurama's chakra so give me a break."

"Kurama? As in the one you called a friend yesterday?" Jiraiya sucked in a breath when Naruto shook his head. "Kid, you can't trust it, the beast"

"Is a he, has a name, and is stuck inside me. Kurama can't get out and treating him like a demon makes him act like one. The Hachibi and his Jinchuuriki are partners, and The Ichibi and Gaara can unleash vast amounts of power- I have to talk to him to get power and I'd rather be on good terms than fight for my sanity and control when it matters."

"Fine. But I'll be keeping a close eye on your seal." He said distrusting. "But now, time to learn your father's second most famous jutsu!"

One week later…

Jiraiya woke in his hotel room refreshed. His godson was talking to him during training (even if underhanded insults hardly counted as conversation), his revised draft of his next book was ready to be shipped for publishing, and he had until the afternoon to peep-er, research before Naruto showed up for lessons. The boy had the rasangan's first step mastered with one hand and was eagerly improving on step two. Within a month Naruto would know rasangan and he was officially a beginning level three fuinjutsu user. Yes, everything was working out…until it wasn't.

"W-who STOLE MY BOOK?!" Was heard all across Konoha.

Jiraiya hyperventilated- Few had the skill to steal from him and even fewer had the guts. A note greeted him on the bottom of his sack.

Jiraiya,

We have taken your book as payment- for the next five days you are to teach at the academy the basics of small explosive notes and storage scrolls to the final years. If you refuse your book will take a fire ball and its ashes will be mailed to you…

Ps. Yes we took both copies.

Jiraiya paled, cursed, then resigned himself. Sorry Naruto but months of research must not be wasted! With grim resolve the sage walked to the academy for his punishment, wondering if it was his sensei or the chunin who pulled it off..

If only he knew it was his godson who successfully pulled it off without any assistance.

Meanwhile, Hokage's office…

Dragon and Sarutobi toasted their tea together, both reading Icha Icha volume thirteen. Naruto and Angel barely kept their faces blank at the sight of two grown men giggling over smut, as did Tenzo and Yugao.

"Oh? Here" Dragon said suddenly, slamming something in Naruto's face. Naruto cursed then saw the chunin green.

"Um… I'm in ANBU. We don't get these promotions." He pointed out blandly. Technically ANBU were above everyone but their captains, commander, and the elders/ Hokage. Even jonin would listen to an order from an ANBU member on a mission.

"Normally you would be right, Naruto" Sarutobi said between pages, "but not only will it solidify your non-ANBU identity as Konoha's Jinchuuriki when the exams roll around- basically a show of village strength since Suna's Jinchuuriki is still a genin-, but you're more than qualified: thirty two C-rank guard rotations, twenty various B-rank, and four A-rank."
"That and you're on babysitting duty while your captain and sempai here does a measly S-rank surveillance." Dragon added airily. All the ANBU look towards their commander, even the ones stationed.

"Only you would call an S-rank 'measly' commander." Naruto dead panned. "And what's this about 'babysitting'? I'm not in charge of Konohamaru again am I? I can't take being his 'boss' anymore!" Atop his head Angel agreed.

"Yeah, no baby humans!" Konohamaru and his friends took every chance they could to bug the pair for training, even going so far as attempting to follow Naruto home several times. Not even the Hyuga girl was that persistent anymore.

"Hah hah, no. You get to be team seven's squad leader for a week long C-rank delivery and pick up mission to River country border!"

"…Please no" Naruto finally managed. He could take Sasuke in small doses as long as he kept the older boy busy- heck, even the other two were manageable now that Sakura started to grow up. But a week of non stop interaction? Hell no. "Let Hikaru do it: he's their temporary sensei when Kakashi-sempai is busy!" The older ANBU secretly agreed: let the bum Hikaru use this 'vacation' to look after some brats.

"That won't be possible: Wolf will be my personal training partner this week. Unless, you wish to take his place?" Naruto shivered and grabbed the scroll in Dragon's hand.

"No need! Dragon-sama, Hokage-sama, Captain, Yugao-sempai. See you in a week!" He said in a rush before bolting towards the door.

"Wait!" Dragon threw another scroll. "Your payment for those six hundred chakra smoke tags and three hundred explosive tags- six chakra conductive kunai and three hundred senbon. Though why you need more of the kunai Mouse I will never know- you have four from that blasted poker night deal." Naruto lit up at that; on request of his commander he made the mass amounts of the explosive and chakra smoke tags over the course of a month for the ANBU forces. In payment he requested more of the special kunai as regular ones couldn't take prolonged channeling of wind chakra. Then, after seeing how deadly Sakura was lately with senbon he added the tiny weapons on.

"You can never have too many!" Naruto defended with a cheeky grin. Instead of three chukoto Naruto got two and four of the kunai from the supply store.

East gate…

"Yo!" Naruto greeted when he appeared in front of team seven half an hour later. The three genin stared at their 'replacement squad leader' with mixtures of surprise for Sakura, jealousy for Sasuke, and mild curiosity for Sai.

"Naruto? What are you doing here in a chunin vest?" Sakura finally asked after a staring contest between the four took place.

"Oh, I got a field promotion for working in the Hokage tower" He lied smoothly- field promotions for administrative positions were common. The genin bought it, though Sasuke was suspicious as always seeing as Naruto's combat abilities were astounding unlike other shinobi in his supposed area. "and since Kakashi-sempai is busy I was put as your commanding officer for the week. Our mission is to meet the village's leading supplier of rice and exchange the revised sale agreement for the next growing season. Oh, and Sakura? Catch."

"What's this…three hundred senbon?!" The girl squealed at seeing her new favorite weapon. Her teammates inch away slowly as her long hair appears to whip around her head and storm clouds blow in. "Think of all the uses! The joints I can hit!"

"Heh… I see you like them" Naruto said as he too backed away. Sakura gave him a small smile.

"Thanks Naruto. Where did you get them? Senbon are difficult to get below Jonin or ANBU."

"Can we go now?" Sasuke interrupted rudely before Naruto could explain. Rolling his eyes the ANBU agent shook his head.

"Fine. Diamond formation, Sasuke front with Sakura and Sai left and right. I'll be in the back with my shadow clones. We have three days to arrive at the border- in case of attack don't question me." Naruto ordered with a tick. Sasuke gulped; an annoyed Naruto equaled an in pain Sasuke. Even Sai was wary of that emotion.

Hours later the four were hopping through the trees with clones going on ahead, Naruto working on senbon balancing with his finger tips and Sai gazing emotionlessly. Sakura attempted to talk to her broody teammate.

"Sasuke-kun, you"

"Shut up Sakura." Sasuke snapped. "I won't go on a date with you; you're weak. I thought you got over that." In truth Sasuke wouldn't have been so rough but the combination of his rival surpassing him and the useless mission they gave him made Sasuke short tempered. Since the kidnapping attempt he had gotten more training than ever before, but the 'missions' were a joke.

"Fine. I was just going to say your pack was open Sasuke." The pinkett huffed. All three boys whipped their heads to gape at her. "What?" She asked.

"You just told off Dickless" Sai pointed out.

"You weren't asking me out"

"And you called him Sasuke without the kun."

"Hmph. Shut it guys." She said with a sweat drop. She wasn't that bad, was she? She'd have to talk to Ino about it after they returned.

With that the four continued on towards the border.

Meanwhile, Kakashi was meeting up with Yugao and Tenzo deep within Rice.

'Sempai' they both greeted in sign, dressed as missing nin from Kumo. Kakashi eye smiled in similar garb but kept the face mask.

'Good, you're here. The message Jiraiya-sama found mentioned an alliance between Oto and Suna, with a meeting scheduled between jonin representatives near here- we are to observe and find a way to confirm the leader/location of Oto.' They give affirmation and sit down in the trees to prepare. The future of the village could depend on their success.

End! So, this is setting up a bunch of intertwining so bare with me. Also, Jiraiya isn't out of the dog house yet- the Academy stint will have a scene or two as well as another idea for some retribution later- that, and another apology. How did you guys like the changing dynamics of team seven? Sasuke is still an emo prick, but he's better, and Sakura is becoming more independent. If you guys really want I can add some other flashbacks between Jiraiya and Naruto, as well as Sakura's other training. However, I figured it would be more interesting to just focus on more missions and interject the more advanced training later on. Not a lot of plot advancement right now, but that's because this week took a busy turn- next week will have a bit more. Have a great weekend everyone!