Chapter 18: His Decision
-Konoha central park-
It has been over a week since Naruto was offered to be trained by Jiraiya, the man who was one of the legendary Sannin. However, ever since then he has not given the Sannin an answer and has been avoiding him since.
Currently Naruto and Kurotsuchi are seen eating at a table in Konoha's central park in the early afternoon having a great time and enjoying each other's presence.
''Wow Naruto, your cooking tastes much better than it usually does!" Exclaimed Kurotsuchi as she takes another bite from Naruto's homemade smoked salmon.
''Well, Naruto Uzumaki always makes the best food for you Kurotsuchi.'' Naruto said with his trademark grin.
Kurotsuchi noticed one thing about Naruto, ever since he had that talk with Jiraiya the Iwa girl wondered why Naruto was asking to spend so much more time with her. It's not that she minded at all it's just that it was even more frequent than usual.
''Naruto, I have a question if you don't mind me asking?''
Looking up from his plate Naruto raised an eyebrow at his best friend. ''Hm? What is it Kurotsuchi?''
''Just this, I know we hang out and spend time with each other all day almost every day but since you had that talk with that Sage guy you've been asking me to spend a lot more time with you than we usually do. Why's that? Not that I'm complaining because I absolutely love being around you.'' Said the Iwa girl.
Naruto simply looked at Kurotsuchi confused. ''Really? I haven't noticed at all.''
Kurotsuchi raised her eyebrow at what he said. ''You mean you haven't noticed that I love to be around you?''
''Oh no! That's not what I meant! I meant that I never noticed that I was asking to spend a lot more time with you than normal is all.'' Naruto quickly said.
Kurotsuchi let that slide but decided to elaborate a bit more. ''Naruto, I've noticed that you don't seem as happy as you normally are and I'm very worried, please tell me what's bothering you.'' Kurotsuchi looked at Naruto in the eyes to show him that she was genuinely worried about him.
Naruto knew that when it came to anything that was bothering him he can always talk to Kurotsuchi no matter what it was. Sighing, he took a few minutes to figure out what he wanted to say to her.
''Well, you remember when Jiraiya said he wanted to take me under his wing?'' Naruto asked earning a nod from Kurotsuchi. Naruto was about to continue but decided that it would be better to tell Kurotsuchi in private away from prying eyes and ears. ''Actually Kurotsuchi, you know what? I don't want to tell you in public so can I come to your apartment tonight so we can talk about this privately?''
Kurotsuchi was about to ask what made it so important that he wanted to talk to her in private about it but decided to let it go. ''Of course Naruto, come by around eight okay? I'll be waiting.''
Naruto smiled at his best friend and Kurotsuchi returned it with a tender smile of her own. For the next hour the two of them spent the afternoon finishing up Naruto's meals before they parted ways.
-Streets of Konoha-
After parting ways with Kurotsuchi Naruto is now seen walking through Konoha's shopping area with his hands in his pocket and a sad look on his face. He was afraid of the reaction he'd get from Kurotsuchi when he tells her that Jiraiya intends on taking him away for a few years. When he turned a corner he bumped into Genma and the two teenage boys fell on their asses.
''Ow! My ass!'' Naruto exclaimed while rubbing said body part. ''Huh? Oh hey Genma.'' Naruto looked up and saw his teammate.
''Urgh, my ass! Oh hey Naruto.'' Genma said and the two boys help each other up. ''So what's going on? I haven't seen you since you had the talk with that Sannin Jiraiya.''
Naruto winced at those words, he wanted to tell Kurotsuchi first but since Genma is a fellow male he'd understand his predicament. ''Well Genma, you remember when Mako-sensei and the old man said Jiraiya wants to take me under his wing?''
Genma nodded, ''Yeah, is there a problem with that? We thought you'd be leaving team eleven but you're not so that's great.''
Naruto let out a heavy sigh, ''There's a problem, they said I'm not leaving team eleven which is true but..''
Genma took notice of the somber mood Naruto appeared to be in. He took Naruto by the arm and dragged him into a secluded alleyway to talk in private. ''Alright Naruto, what's with the somber mood? Something bothering you?''
''It's..about me being under Jiraiya's wing..'' Said Naruto.
Genma raised his eyebrow at this, the somber mood Naruto was in was now making him wonder what the heck was going on. ''Okay then, what about it?''
''Well, me leaving team eleven is partially true, but it's also false.'' Continued the blonde.
Genma narrowed his eyes at Naruto.''Go on.''
Naruto only nodded before continuing. ''He said that...he wants to take me away from the village for five years so I can focus on our one-on-one training sessions so that I can become the most powerful shinobi of our generation..''
Genma's eyes went wide at what he was just told. His friend and teammate Naruto Uzumaki would be leaving Konoha for five years?! Five freaking years?!
''So like, have you told Kurotsuchi yet?'' Genma asked,
''No, I haven't thought I plan on telling her tonight and giving her my answer.'' Naruto said.
''You know Naruto, in all honesty I think you should accept this opportunity you know?'' Genma sighed.
Naruto looked up at Genma. ''What? Why?''
''Easy, who would deny the chance to train with a Sannin? I mean, he did say that he was your parent's Jonin sensei right? So there's an opportunity to learn from him what he taught your mom and dad.'' Genma inquired.
''You really think so?''
''Definitely, Mako-sensei is the best from her generation and she's taught you a lot of things but with Jiraiya, you'll learn from an even more experienced shinobi.''
''But, what about Kurotsuchi? I'm afraid of what she'll say and I don't want to leave her.'' Naruto protested.
Genma simply shook his head. ''You know Naruto, you really should talk this over with Kurotsuchi. Sorry about your predicament brother but you should probably talk this out with her. I need to finish running errands for my mom. I'll see you later Naruto.''
Genma waved his friend good-bye leaving Naruto by himself in the alleyway.
''I wonder what Mako-sensei would say.'' Naruto thought before walking out of the alleyway and went to the Uchiha compound.
-Uchiha compound-
*Knock knock*
Naruto arrived at the Uchiha compound and despite knocking on the door for about ten minutes he still hasn't gotten an answer. Just then the door to the compound open and Naruto was greeted by someone who he instantly mistook for Mako. She appeared to be slightly older.
''Um, hello. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, one of Mako Uchiha's students.'' Naruto greeted the woman.
''Ah, Naruto. Mako talked to me about you so please come in. I'm Mikoto Uchiha her cousin and Sasuke's mother.'' The woman introduced herself.
''Oh, you're Mako-sensei's cousin and that asshole's mother?'' Naruto asked.
Mikoto giggled at Naruto's bold statement. ''That's right, come on I'll take you to Mako.'' Mikoto motioned for Naruto to follow and the two of them walk through the compound for several minutes before Sasuke appeared on his motorized wheelchair.
''Hn, what the heck are you doing here dobe?'' Asked the jacked up Uchiha.
''Not seeing you that's what. Say, aren't you and your team the only ones who didn't make Chunin?'' Naruto asked in a mocking manner.
''Hn, they only made you Chunin because they felt bad for you.'' Sasuke retorted.
''And they didn't make you Chunin because your team is trash.'' Naruto said.
Mikoto then spun Sasuke while in chair around and kicked it sending it careening down the hallway. ''Sorry about my son's rudeness Naruto. He was born like that, seriously if you saw the face he had on when he was born you'd laugh!" Mikoto said before another voice was heard.
''Oh Naruto, what are you doing here?'' The revealed Mako asked as she walks down the hallway.
''Mako-sensei! I...well I came to talk to you about something.'' Naruto said.
Mako, knowing what it was placed her hand on her student's shoulder. ''It's about Jiraiya's five-year training trip is it?''
''Yeah..I don't know what I should do...I've talked to Genma about it and he said to talk to Kurotsuchi about it but I wanted to hear what you had to say first.'' Said Naruto.
''I see, so you wanted to see me first before talking to her is that right?'' Mako asked just to make sure.
''Yeah.''
Nodding her head, Mako thanked her cousin Mikoto before she took Naruto along with her and after walking down another hallway into one of the many houses on the compound they finally arrived in Mako's room.
''Wow Mako-sensei, your room is really nice.'' Complimented the blonde as he marveled at how neat and arranged the room was.
''Is it really? I never really payed attention to it but thank you Naruto.'' Mako then took a seat on her bed and motioned for Naruto to sit in the chair next to the desk.
Walking over Naruto takes the chair and notices a team picture and saw a young Mako and two other Genin he assumed were her teammates. Behind them was a woman wearing a Jonin vest and had beautiful red hair and a big grin on her face.
''Wow sensei, your sensei is really beautiful.'' Said the blonde before turning to face Mako he takes the chair and moves it closer to the Jonin and sat on it.
''Your mother was a very beautiful woman indeed Naruto.'' Thought Mako, ''Thank you Naruto, so what is it exactly about the offer from Jiraiya you want to discuss?'' Asked Mako.
''Well, it's just the fact that I'll be leaving Konoha for five-years.'' Answered the blonde.
''You don't want to leave Kurotsuchi for so long do you?'' Mako knew why Naruto was feeling uneasy about the training trip. She knew that before they'd tell him he wouldn't accept it right off the bat.
''Yeah..I don't want to leave her.'' Naruto said with a drawn out sigh.
Mako already knew why Naruto would never want to leave Kurotsuchi for such a long time. Though she always knew she decided to ask him why he didn't want to leave her. ''Naruto, I want to ask you a question that's personal. You don't have to answer me if you wish okay?''
Naruto looked up at his teacher and nodded. ''I'll tell you sensei. Kurotsuchi and Genma don't know, especially Kurotsuchi.''
Mako smiled before motioning him to continue.
Naruto then steeled himself for the words that were about to come out of his mouth. He'd never told anyone before even Kurotsuchi but since times were dire now he had to let it out. ''Mako-sensei, the only reason I don't want to leave Kurotsuchi for five years is because..'' Naruto almost finished his sentence but he stopped the last second.
Mako moved closer to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder. ''Naruto, it's okay you can tell me.''
Sighing, Naruto looked up at his teacher. ''I don't want to leave her because..I love her..'' Declared the blonde.
Mako closed her eyes and let out a big smile. She knew, she always knew there were feelings stronger than friendship between the two. ''Naruto, think about it. If you train with Jiraiya you will come back more of a man than you already are and not to mention that Kurotsuchi would be thrilled by how strong you will become. Talk to her, tell her how you feel, take her for a walk or something.''
Naruto blushed at that, tell Kurotsuchi he loves her?! ''B-but, what if she doesn't love me? I mean, she only views me as just her best friend and nothing more! Oh god what would she say if I tell her I love her?!'' Naruto said in panic.
Mako giggled into her hand. ''Naruto don't think such negative thoughts. I'm sure Kurotsuchi would be thrilled, surprised, but thrilled if you tell her you love her. It would be better to tell her now then wait five years later you know.''
Naruto then realized that Mako was right. He wouldn't be seeing Kurotsuchi for five years so it would be better to let those feelings out now. ''I-I'll try, tonight I'm going to her apartment to talk to her about this.''
''There you go, that's the Naruto I know. Now Naruto, I have to take care of some clan things now so go ahead and talk to Kurotsuchi and let her know what your decision is because even if you leave I'm sure she'll be happy.''
Nodding, Naruto got up from the chair and left the room leaving Mako by herself.
''I sure hope Kurotsuchi will take it well.'' Mako thought before leaving her room.
-Kurotsuchi's apartment, 8 PM-
As usual we see Kurotsuchi performing her usual evening activities such as sweeping her house and washing the dishes from her dinner. Instead of her usual Iwa kunoichi outfit she was wearing her usual night clothes.
While she was wiping of the counter-tops she heard a knock on the door. ''Hang on! I'm coming.'' She called out as she tosses the paper towel away.
Walking over to the door she opens it and there Naruto was standing twiddling his fingers. ''Um, hi Kurotsuchi.'' Naruto greeted.
''Hey Naruto, come on in.'' Kurotsuchi moved out of the way so Naruto could walk into her apartment. Doing so the blonde makes his way over to her table in the kitchen and sat down.
Closing the door, Kurotsuchi then walked over to join her blonde knucklehead and sat across from him. With the both of them seated Kurotsuchi broke the silence.
''So Naruto, what is it that was so important that you wanted to talk to to me in private?'' Asked the pink-eyed girl.
Naruto let out a long, drawn out sigh. ''Well, as you know that Sannin Jiraiya wants to train me to make me even stronger than I already am. Mako-sensei and old man said that I wouldn't be leaving team eleven remember?''
"Yeah, I remember.'' Said Kurotsuchi.
''Well, that's true..but it's also a false statement. What Jiraiya intends to do is..'' Naruto stopped for a moment. He looked at Kurotsuchi in the eyes and saw that she was eyeing him with curiosity.
''Jiraiya..intends to do what Naruto?'' Kurotsuchi questioned.
Naruto sighed once more, looking up he takes Kurotsuchi's hands into his own and looked her straight in the eyes. ''Jiraiya wants to take me away from Konoha for five years on the training trip.'' Naruto said with all the confidence he could muster.
Kurotsuchi's eye's grew wide. Naruto, her first friend when she came to Konoha, her best friend, the boy she loved would be away on a five year training trip.
The air in the kitchen fell victim to silence as the two teenagers continued to stare at each other for several minutes. Naruto, feeling like he had done something wrong almost let go of Kurotsuchi before the girl pulled him back.
''Kurotsuchi?'' Naruto noticed that she was now looking at the floor. He swore he saw her frown but he couldn't tell from the angle he was looking her at.
''Naruto..'' Kurotsuchi managed to say.
Naruto knew Kurotsuchi wouldn't take it well, he knew that he would have to tell her sooner or later. He hoped however, that whatever decision he made about ths training trip with Jiraiya Kurotsuchi will accept it and cheer him on. He wanted to become stronger, he knew that being away with Jiraiya for years would be the best choice but he wanted to know what his best friend thought.
''...''
''K-Kurotsuchi?'' Naruto was about to speak until Kurotsuchi lifted her head up and saw something he didn't expect. Instead of tears Naruto saw that she had a look akin to a proud parent and determination.
''Naruto, you are one lucky son of a gun you know that!'' Kurotsuchi exclaimed.
Naruto went from worried to confused in an instant. ''Huh? What do you mean?''
''Hehe, I mean, you're so lucky you have one of the legendary Sannin requesting to take you under his wing. For five years too!" Kurotsuchi said excitedly.
''But..five years Kurotsuchi..'' Naruto was about to protest but Kurotsuchi held her hand up silencing him.
''Naruto, Naruto, Naruto. You know, I did train with you when we were kids and we've trained with Mako-sensei for the past five months. I know I helped make you better than the little helpless boy I found almost five years ago. With sensei she helped you become even better than I made you. With Jiraiya however, he will make you even better than me or Mako-sensei combined. You know that do you? So I say go train with that Sage.''
Naruto was even more confused at this, he expected Kurotsuchi to take it well but she was directly encouraging him to go and accept Jiraiya's offer. ''Are..are you sure Kurotsuchi?''
Kurotsuchi nodded. ''Mmhm. Go on, accept his offer.''
''But...I won't see you for five years.'' Naruto said.
Kurotsuchi smiled a smile that Naruto saw was fake. He knew deep down that happy demeanor that she was hurting inside. ''I know Naruto, I know. But you'll become stronger in five years training with Jiraiya then you will training with me or Mako-sensei could make you in one-hundred years. You really should accept this offer.''
Naruto let go of Kurotsuchi's hands and thought about it momentarily. He knew that Kurotsuchi was totally right. ''Kurotsuchi...are you sure..?''
Kurotsuchi nodded in response. ''Oh heck yeah, I'm sure Naruto. While you're gone me and Genma will continuously work with sensei to become even stronger ourselves. When you come back I bet the three of us will become the strongest of our generation!"
''Heh heh, you're right Kurotsuchi...'' Naruto looked down for a moment before returning his gaze back to Kurotsuchi. ''So..you're okay with me leaving with Jiraiya? Are you positive?''
''Naruto, I'm positive. It's your choice and what kind of best friend would I be if I made the decision for you and kept you here while you could be out there getting stronger with Jiraiya? I would be the most selfish person ever and a horrible best friend.'' Kurotsuchi said.
Kurotsuchi was definitely right on point there and he knew it. Smiling, he then got up and walked over to the door. ''You're so right Kurotsuchi, watch when I come back I'll be so much stronger and I'll definitely be able to finally defeat you in a spar!''
Kurotsuchi got up and walked over to Naruto and opened the door for him, a hand on her hip and her eyebrow raised. ''Oh? Is that so Naruto?''
''Oh yeah! It's a promise!'' Declared the blonde.
''Really now, if that's the case I'll hold you up to that promise when you get back.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Oh that's a promise I intend to keep Kurotsuchi.'' Naruto said before Kurotsuchi urged him out of the door.
''Pfft, whatever you say Naruto, now go home and get some rest, you'll be leaving soon right?''
''I guess I am, Kurotsuchi.''
Hearing her name, Kurotsuchi looked at Naruto with a questioning look. ''Yeah, what is it?''
''Kurotsuchi..I...there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time..'' Naruto's cheeks turned a tint of red and seeing the nervousness he was exhibiting Kurotsuchi poked him in the chest a few times getting his attention.
''Naruto, whatever it is that you want to tell me..you should wait until you come back. I can tell you're just not ready to say whatever it is that you want to say yet but you know what? I can wait.'' Kurotsuchi said giving him a tender smile.
''You sure? Waiting five years to hear some nonsense from me is an awful long time.'' Inquired Naruto.
''Don't worry about it, I'll be right here waiting for you and I can't wait to hear what you want to tell me. Okay?'' Said Kurotsuchi. ''Now go, it's getting late.''
''O-okay Kurotsuchi..goodnight.'' Naruto waved good-bye and walked down the hallway. Kurotsuchi watched him walk until he descended completely down the stairs out of sight.
Left alone in the hallway Kurotsuchi walked into her apartment and closed the door shut and leaned her back against the wall. Sobs were heard in the quiet apartment and the camera zooms in close to Kurotsuchi's face.
''F-five years...without you Naruto...'' Kurotsuchi sobbed before wiping her tears away only for more to replace the ones she had wiped. She then went into her room to sleep hoping the sadness she felt would leave in the morning.
-Hokage's office, one hour later-
''Oi, I knew being Hokage involved a lot of paper work but I didn't expect this much!" Said an agitated Tsunade as she scrambled to get through the rest of the day's paperwork. By her side was Jiraiya who appeared to be going over a list titled ''Jutsu to teach Naruto.''
''Tell me about it, now you know why I refused to become Hokage.'' Said the Toad Sage.
''Oh shut the hell up with that excuse. You denied the request over three times so you can continue your so-called research you perverted bastard.'' Tsunade snorted putting emphasis on the word research.
Jiraiya opened his mouth to protest but shrugged as he knew Tsunade was right. ''Yeah, you're right as always.''
Just then the door to the office opened and in walked Naruto Uzumaki who confidently walks his way over to the Sage.
''Oh hey Naruto what are you doing here so late?'' Asked Tsunade.
''To see Jiraiya.'' Answered the Naruto as he walks up to the Sage.
Jiraiya noticed the look in Naruto's eyes and saw fire and determination in them and knew what he had come to see him for. ''So..you've made your decision huh?''
''Oh yeah, Jiraiya of the Sannin, I, Naruto Uzumaki accept your request to be trained under you.'' Naruto declared with confidence.
Tsunade smiled at her fellow Sannin. ''Lucky you Jiraiya, looks like the Gaki decided to accept your request after all.''
Jiraiya, shocked at hearing the young Chunin accept his offer smiled with pride. ''Alright then Naruto. I will do everything in my power to make you the best shinobi you can be. Starting tomorrow our five year training trip begins!''