The next day after learning the walking on water technique, they had returned to the same stretch of river.
Jiraiya said, "Alright, the main goal in our training is to help you consciously call on the Fox's power, rather than solely using it in life or death situations. For that we'll need to burn through your own normal chakra. For that I figure I might as well teach you a new wind style jutsu that can help you against the Byakugan".
Naruto said, "Alright! Is it some kind of wind dragon or summoning a massive typhoon"?!
Jiraiya answered, "Settle down, kid. No, even better as it will actually help you become a chunin rather than just show how much raw power you have. It's called the Wind Style: Dust Cloud".
Naruto said, "Cool! So what does it do exactly"?
Jiraiya said, "By creating a dust cloud with your chakra you can block the vision of those who use dojutsu as their ocular powers will be blocked by the mass of chakra in front of them and prevent them from seeing what is on the other side. Making it a perfect tool to cover an attack or retreat"
Naruto said, "Man, I wish I had a jutsu like that when I was a kid. I could have pulled off so many pranks".
Jiraiya said, "Focus Naruto we got less than a month to get you ready for the Chunin Exams, and most of that time will be devoted to helping you call on the Fox's power. As it stands your body will be pushed to its absolute limit and even your incredible regenerative abilities won't be able to heal you without actual medical care and best rest. So we have to take that into account too, potentially making the time you actually have to train less than three weeks, maybe even two".
Naruto smiled and said, "Don't worry Pervy Sage, I'll show how amazing the next Hokage is! I'll get this jutsu in no time flat".
Jiraiya said, "Sure you will, Naruto, but just to help speed things along, I will let you in on a little secret. Your shadow clones can help speed up your training by training themselves and then when you dispel them you get their memories as surely a future Hokage must have figured out before I even finished".
Naruto growled and said, "Of course I knew, but uh thanks".
Pervy Sage sighed and said, "Alright here are the hand signs".
Once Naruto got the hand signs down, he summoned a half dozen clones and they got to work. After a couple hours of practice,he managed to get it down perfectly creating a dust cloud. Naruto could sense how his chakra was mixed with the dust and created a hazy cloud that reminded him of the Hidden Mist jutsu that Zabuza used in the Land of Waves. He dispelled the clones and all their experience and muscle memory came flooding into him.
Jiraiya said, "Glad to see you finally got the hang of the jutsu. Now the real training can begin".
Naruto said, "Oh man! I can't wait to learn this new jutsu and amazing training"!
Jiraiya continued, "I am going to teach you a jutsu that will allow you to use a portion of the Fox's chakra. This is a stepping stone to you coming into your own as a jinchuriki and eventually mastering the power that was entrusted to you".
Naruto said, "Wow, so what jutsu is it".
Jiraiya answered, "It is the summoning jutsu, a type of teleportation jutsu that summons a creature that is directly proportional to the amount of chakra and power of chakra used in the jutsu. Which is why this is a perfect jutsu for you to begin learning how to use the Fox's chakra. As with your current level of chakra development you would hardpressed to summon a toad larger than a small dog. Thus, with the Fox's chakra you will be able to summon toads that can even face off against a Tailed Beast as the Fourth Hokage did when he fought the Nine Tails when it attacked the village".
Even if Pervy Sage hadn't meant to hurt him, the mention of the Fourth Hokage's fight against the Nine Tails made him angry at himself. His birth helped the Nine Tails escape even if there was some unknown attacker.
Pervy Sage must have seen his face, as he said, "Naruto… What happened that night is not your fault. If anything it is my fault. I should have been there to help your parents keep the seal in check and protect them. Maybe if I was there, they would still be here".
It was at that moment that Naruto saw the truth of Jiraiya. He wasn't just a perverted writer and self proclaimed Toad Sage, but someone who truly regretted his failure to be there for the people he cared about. Just like Naruto despite what everyone else said, he blamed himself for the Fox's escape and attack on the village.
Jiraiya continued, "I am truly sorry for what happened that night and for coming back to the village more often to visit you. I have been one sorry excuse for a godfather, but I promise that I will do everything in my power to make it up to you".
He didn't know what to say to that. Sure his family and Iruka sensei made it clear that they cared for him and loved him, but this was something else. He just didn't know what it was.
Jiraiya finished, "I can't make it up to you if we are wallowing in self-pity".
Pervy Sage must have decided a demonstration was necessary as he summoned a massive toad that was bigger than a horse and it rolled out a large scroll that contained what looked to be names and fingerprints written in blood.
Jiraiya explained, "In order to perform the summoning jutsu correctly you will need to make a contract with an animal in blood by signing your name and fingerprints. Then after performing the hand signs you place your palm onto the surface you want to summon the animal".
Naruto quickly signed his name and fingerprints and tried to summon a toad just like Pervy Sage but all that came out was a tadpole.
Pervy Sage said, "Just what I thought. Naruto at this point you still can't summon the Fox's power at will, so we will force it to come out by it being all you have left. You need to burn through your normal chakra so you can better access the Fox's chakra".
Naruto said, "Oh right, so how do I do that"?
Pervy Sage answered, "We already started with the shadow clones and the wind style training but that doesn't seem to be enough. So we better find something else".
Naruto said, "I know! I can make a bunch of shadow clones and then have a big ole battle royal to see who is the strongest"!
Pervy Sage said, "Not a bad idea, but it would take too long and you wouldn't get much benefit from it as you would be training against your own fighting style rather than a style that's unknown to you. I'll tell you what. I'll make a shadow clone for you and your clones to fight, while I do some research with those ladies at the waterfall".
Naruto rolled his eyes at the last part. The Pervy Sage he was used to was back, but at least he was helping him train".
Naruto answered, "Okay that sounds great! Don't think I will go easy on you just because you're my godfather"!
Pervy Sage wasn't even paying attention to him as he was already peeping at the girls. Their shadow clones appeared at the same time and then it began.
Several hours went by and Naruto was absolutely exhausted. He had used over a hundred shadow clones and dozens of Wind breathing sword techniques, plus his new wind style jutsu and yet, Pervy Sage's shadow clone was still there. It was certainly the toughest fight he had ever been in.
Pervy Sage's clone finally dissipated.
The real Pervy Sage said, " Looks like you finally tired yourself out. Now you can start on the summoning jutsu training".
Naruto wiped the sweat from his face and smirked, "Just watch, Pervy Sage. I'll summon a toad as big as a house"!
He did not. Nor where any of the toads he summoned over and over again till sunset were. Hell, they weren't even really toads, just tadpoles.
The next few days were no better even with using shadow clones to help speed up his training. Pervy Sage said that he was still underloading the chakra needed and wasn't using the Fox's chakra.
Days turned into weeks as his training continued with barely any progress. He managed to get the arms and legs of the toad but it still had that damn tail!
Pervy Sage said, "Come on, Naruto! Quit messing around"!
Naruto said, "I'm not messing around, I am really trying to get it right"!
Jiraiya sighed and said, "At this point you really should have gotten the hang of this jutsu. You gotta train like your life depended on it".
Naruto replied, "What do you think I have been doing?! I am already training like my life depends on it! There is no point in doing anything if you don't give it your all"!
Pervy Sage got a curious look on his face before giving his answer, "I see. Then follow me. There is one more thing we could do".
Naruto followed him to the bathhouse district of the village and despite his questions and objections, Pervy Sage insisted that it was necessary for mastering the jutsu.
The bath was followed by Pervy Sage taking to eat at Ichiraku Ramen and insisting that he eat like there is no tomorrow. Naruto could have swore that Pervy Sage said that it could be his last, but he denied saying that. Followed by Pervy Sage tricking him into paying the bill.
He found Jiraiya a block from Ichiraku's and after a few moments of yelling at Pervy Sage for not treating him, Pervy Sage stopped him.
Pervy Sage said, "Say Naruto, is there a girl you happen to like"?
Naruto blushed and asked, "Huh"?
Pervy Sage continued, "I asked if you have a special girl, you know, a girlfriend".
Naruto blushed again and answered, "Uh, I guess you could say that I like her".
Pervy Sage asked with his voice full of encouragement, "So, who is it"?
Naruto was shocked and asked, "No one! Just Sakura"!
Pervy Sage said, "Well, let's go see her! Because you are going to give her a big kiss"!
Naruto now stood there wide eyed and shouted, "What?! Are you serious!? Is this really a part of my training"?!
Pervy Sage answered, " Well, yes. It is close enough".
Naruto started thinking over and trying to both talk himself out of it and psych himself up for it. Well until Pervy Sage kicked him and dragged him to find Sakura.
Things seemed to be looking good from the start as Sakura agreed to talk to him in private. Then his tongue got tied.
Sakura asked, "So, what do you want, Naruto"?
Then he couldn't get the words out.
Sakura said, "If you're asking for money then you can just forget it".
Naruto said, "Uh, no. That's not it at all. It's really nothing, but um".
Sakura started to walk away as she said, "If it's nothing, then I am going home".
He quickly stretched his arm out to get her to stop, but just managed to cause them to both trip. He was falling towards her and then he realized that this was his chance to kiss her. He closed his eyes and puckered his lips ready for the kiss.
The next thing he knew was Sakura's fist smashing into his face sending him flying with a bloody nose. Followed by Sakura yelling, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING"?!
As he laid on the ground reeling from her hit he could hear her grumbling to herself about how he was a pervert. His head felt like it was constantly spinning so he decided to just lay there and wait it out, though he didn't know how long that would be given Sakura usually didn't hit him anywhere close to as hard as she hit him this time.
Pervy Sage walked over to him and said, "Who, she has quite the punch. Ah young love".
Naruto replied, "Thanks a lot, Pervy Sage".
Pervy Sage, "You honestly should be thanking me. Your parents would certainly be happy that I pushed you to try and kiss her. She honestly reminds me a lot of your mother".
Naruto said, "I don't know how to feel like that".
Pervy Sage said, "It's a good thing. While your father was pretty level headed, he still needed Kushina to keep him in line every now and then. Especially since your father had a bad habit of getting himself into sticky situations by being too nice." he paused before continuing, "I remember when your father was just a little older than you, that he got engaged by accident to two different princesses and almost started a war between their countries. Though the worst part was when your mother found out.".
Pervy Sage let out a massive laugh at that memory.
Naruto rolled over so he could get himself up and said, "If my mom is like Sakura, how did my parents end up together"?
Pervy Sage asked, "They never told you"?
Naruto said, "Maybe as a baby, but I honestly don't remember".
Pervy Sage sighed and said, "She fell in love with your father because he loved the part of her that she hated the most. I'll leave it at that and let you figure the rest out".
Naruto shot up and in a panic shouted, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME"!?
Pervy Sage asked, "What are you yelling about now"?
Naruto answered, "I TOLD SAKURA THAT I LOVED HER FOREHEAD WHICH SHE HATES, WHILE TRANSFORMED AS SASUKE"!
Pervy Sage laughed before answering, "Well looks like you have one uphill battle now. Well, at least you always have Karin right"?
Naruto yelled, "NOT HELPING"!
Pervy Sage laughed again and said, "Let's get moving, we still have to finish your training".
Pervy Sage led him back out into the forest around the village, and before he knew what was going on, Pervy Sage knocked him out. When he came to, Pervy Sage gave him some lecture before sending him flying off a cliff into a deep canyon.
As Naruto was falling down the canyon, screaming, he tried to use his chakra to get ahold of the canyon walls. But because of how slick the wall was and how fast he was falling he couldn't get a grip.
The more he fell the more he realized that if he didn't do something then he would die. Then something clicked. Breathing techniques. Maybe he could supercharge his chakra for summoning jutsu like how he had to for his wind breathing sword techniques.
He prepared his body and began the breathing technique, but it felt different. It felt red hot instead of the cold and fast wind. Instead of a raging typhoon it felt like a raging inferno.
The next thing he knew, he was in some kind of flooded basement that looked like it contained some kind of boiler. He followed the pipes until he reached their origin. He was met with a large room with a massive gate that had a sealing tag over the locking mechanism. He couldn't see what was inside of the gate. He walked towards the gate until he stood at its base. From the shadow of the gate appeared a mass of red chakra that felt hotter than anything Naruto had ever felt before and was filled with such hatred that it made it hard to breathe.
The chakra soon took a defined shape, slowing changing from a mass of chakra to a massive fox.
Naruto said, "You're the Nine Tailed Fox".
The Fox slammed against the gate with its claws and said, "Why have you come here? What do you want? Have you come to release the seal so I can devour you"?
Naruto said, "Get real! You're in my body, so you owe me rent. So as payment I'll take your chakra".
The Nine Tails laughed and replied, "Not many would show any lack of fear when coming before me for the first time. I am impressed. Very well, afterall if you die then I will die and I do not care to wait until I reincarnate back into the world".
The Fox's chakra soon flowed out from the cage and enveloped Naruto, all Naruto could was let out a confused noise before he was thrown back into the real world. Filled with the new power from the Fox, Naruto quickly performed the hand signs for the summoning jutsu.
Naruto yelled as he slammed his palm down, "SUMMONING JUTSU"!
Chakra surged out from his palm at first appearing blue before red chakra came out. Followed by a massive cloud of smoke, the rush of smoke and air slowed his fall before he hit something that was soft and wet.
When the smoke cleared, Naruto finally got a good look at what just happened. To his amazement he saw that he actually did it. He actually summoned a toad. Not just any toad, but a big one!
The Toad yelled, "WHAT IS THIS?! WHERE ARE YOU JIRAIYA"?!
In Naruto's excitement, he started jumping around which pissed off the toad as it almost threw him off. The Toad began scolding him about the whole jumping around and asking where Pervy Sage was. Naruto tried to play it cool, but eventually did give up where Pervy Sage was. Though when the Toad refused to acknowledge him as the summoner, that really ticked him off. Claiming that the great Toad Chief, Gamabunta was too good for some shrimp like. Which led them to create a deal of sorts. One where if Naruto managed to stay on Gamabunta's back all day then the Chief Toad would acknowledge him as his master.
That had been hours ago. Now the sun was setting and Naruto was exhausted, but he managed to stay on through a combination of clever tricks and sheer willpower. As the sun set, he started celebrating his victory before a shadow over took him and all he knew as the void.
Author's Note:Coming to the end of the training arc, soon things we'll really get interesting. What will it mean for our wild and resilient Uzumakis? What dangers will they face next?