Author's Notes: Okay, I'm an adult, I'll admit when I made a mistake. I completely forgot about that plot line with Sun Wukong and Hiruzen. I forgot to tie that up at the end of the last chapter. With that said I also took into account what another commenter said about my grammar. To that I say thanks, if I'm making a mistake in my grammar I appreciate it when people point that out and help me learn more about writing better. With that said, on with the reading!

CHAPTER 4: SEARCHING FOR THE THIRD SAGE

Hiruzen was pacing in his office, thinking about what happened during the invasion just a few days ago. 'I'm getting old and Naruto's not ready yet. Jiraiya won't take my position. I suppose there's only one option left.' His fight against Orochimaru had been a wake up call. He had already reached the time that he couldn't do this anymore, he needed someone younger to take on the mantle.

He waved over his assistant who quickly came over to him. "Find Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki, I need them to come to my office." As he spoke he had a turbulent tone in his voice. He wanted Tsunade to take his place very soon. He also thought it was time for Jiraiya to meet Naruto, he had avoided him for as longer than he should've. He understood that Jiraiya wasn't lazy and didn't care. He was ashamed, he felt he wasn't worthy enough to be Naruto's godfather. But he couldn't avoid him forever and he shouldn't.

The assistant bowed. "At once Hokage-sama." With urgency, he left to get several Anbu out to find the ones the Hokage asked for. As he mobilized two Anbu, he silently wondered why the Hokage would want to see a Genin. Surely he didn't mean to promote him, the Shinobi Council was still determining who should become a Chunin so far. He decided he shouldn't question his Hokage and went on with his business.

With Naruto

Naruto was going through the different kata his master taught him. Going from rapid strikes to slow but powerful movements and finally smooth and simple motions. Sun Wukong was thinking to himself while watching his student train. 'His quick understanding of the Taoist arts is downright prodigious. He's almost as naturally skilled as I am. I suppose that makes sense. I was never all that good at Ninjutsu. I hope he doesn't have to learn humility the hard way like I did.' He decided that was enough training for the day. "Naruto! That's enough for the day! Go rest."

Naruto stopped and looked at his master. He spoke with a bit of a whine in his voice. "What am I supposed to do all day!?" He still had plenty of energy and didn't feel like stopping when he was so close to learning the Lightning Element.

Wukong got a comically irritated look on his face. "I don't know, go talk to your friends! You haven't seen them in a while anyway! Eat ramen, I don't know just do something to relax!" One must find time to themselves lest they lose their motivation to grow stronger.

Naruto huffed and was about to leave when an Anbu member showed up in front of Naruto. He had a clinical tone in his voice. "Naruto Uzumaki, Lord Hokage has summoned you to his office." When he finished, he immediately disappeared.

Wukong looked back at Naruto. "See? There's somethin' to do. Now shoo, shoo!" Naruto grumbled as he walked off to the tower.

At Hokage Tower

Naruto stood next to Jiraiya and was jumping up and down. "Alright! A super important mission!" Finally! He had a real chance to prove himself. He'd be going on a mission to find the next Hokage so the old man could retire. Sure it sucked that he couldn't practice on his own, but this was probably the most important mission in the history of forever!

Jiraiya chuckled. "Calm down kid, I'm getting tired just watching you!" He had really wanted to see Naruto. He had wanted to visit him so many times but he just couldn't. He was afraid that if he did, he'd just find another way to screw up again and fail him. But that was cowardly and he knew it. He had to stop living in the past and focus on what was right in front of him before he lost his chance. "Well, we'd better get going now. Go pack Naruto I'll wait for you at the Northern Gate."

Naruto stopped bouncing and gave him the side-eye. "Hey, you're not just gonna' go somewhere and make me wait for you at the gate for two hours are you?"

He got a comically angry look on his face and told him. "Respect your elder's brat! You've got a lot to learn!"

About a half hour later they were both at the Northern Gate, carrying only a few things on them. Naruto had sent a clone to his master to tell him that he wouldn't be back for a few weeks. He said it was fine and then just went home.

A Few Days On The Road

Jiraiya had been looking for an opportunity to ask Naruto if he wanted to be his student. He thought it was the best way to make it up to him without telling him the truth. Finally, when Naruto asked him what the Rasengan was, he thought that was the best time. "That kid, is the Rasengan. It's a jutsu that was invented by the Fourth Hokage."

Naruto had a blank look and said. "Cool."

He sweat dropped. He had expected a bit more of a reaction than that. "Maybe you didn't hear me, I said it was a justu that the Fourth invented."

Naruto wasn't even looking at him now. "And I said it was cool."

Jiraiya huffed but pretended to be just as disinterested. "Well I could teach it to you if you want?"

Naruto easily responded. "Nah, I'm good."

Jiraiya was comically exasperated. "That justu is an A-Rank justu! I just offered to teach it to you, and you say no!? Are you out of your mind!"

Naruto raised his hands in defense. "Well I would say yes but the thing is I already have a master. He wouldn't like it if I trained with other mentors."

Jiraiya pretended not to act hurt, but he didn't give up either. "Perhaps you don't know who I am." They both stopped in the middle of the road as Jiraiya summoned a toad to stand on. "I AM THE GREAT TOAD SAGE, JIRAIYA THE GALLANT!"

Naruto had a bewildered look on his face. 'Are all senseis this eccentric?' "Uh...thanks? I already have a super powerful sage as a mentor though." After saying this he began to walk.

Jiraiya got out of his pose and caught up to him. "What do you mean another sage?!" As far as he knew there were only three and he was one of them. The other two wouldn't dream of teaching Naruto.

Naruto told him. "Sun Wukong's been teaching me Taoism."

Jiraiya was slack jawed and all he could think was. 'Holy Shit!'

They walked through town and for once Jiraiya wasn't slacking. They found a hotel and stayed the night while Jiraiya went to talk to his source. They had stayed a few nights in the hotel, waiting for this Tsunade to show up when Naruto heard a knock on his door. When Naruto answered the door he saw to men standing there in dark robes.

"Naruto Uzumaki, come with us." For some reason Naruto thought that was a bad idea.

Naruto immediately swung his bo staff over the one with the Sharingan, however it was blocked by the shark-like man with ribbons strapped around his sword. "Hey Itachi, do you think we should just chop his legs off so he can't run away?" It seemed his attack was ineffective.

'I can't hold back with these guys!' Naruto was about to attack when they all heard Sasuke approaching.

"ITACHI!" They all turned towards him. "This is it! Today I avenge the Uchiha clan!"

Kisame said to his partner. "Hey it's your kid brother! He looks just like you. Want me to deal with him?"

Itachi secretly tried to protect his brother. "No, you must deal with Naruto, he's why we're here." Sasuke glared harder and he summoned his Chidori and ran towards his brother while dragging his attack through the wall next to him. He was there in a flash but his attack was redirected just as fast. Itachi grabbed Sasuke by the throat and slammed him against the wall across from them.

Itachi leaned in next to Sasuke. "You can't beat me. You lack hatred." He stared into his eyes and Sasuke screamed then fell limp.

At last, Jiraiya arrived and put an end to the conflict. After Jiraiya was done sealing away the black flames he picked Sasuke up and they both headed back to Konoha to get Sasuke medical attention.

Meanwhile

A masked man in dark robes was walking towards a large, stone door inside a mountain, very far from civilization. 'The Monkey King making an appearance at the Chunin Exams has forced me to alter my plans. There are ways of dealing with him and his new student, however I must be careful.' He stood in front of the door and then walked through it.

After having literally stepped through the door, he was almost immediately attacked by a giant ox-like man. "RRAAAAGGHH!" He was attacked many times, however the bull man never once got a solid hit in. The bull stopped his assault for the moment while taking deep breathes. "What is this? An illusion?"

The masked man spoke for the first time, in a calm voice. "No, I am very real. But that's not the important question."

The bull man responded. "And that is?" The masked man asked the question for him.

"Why am I here?" after seeing he had the bull's attention, he continued. "I am here to make a deal with you, Bull Demon King. You see you have something I want, lend it to me and I will set you free."

The Bull King grumbled as he thought it over. "What is it that you wish to borrow?" The masked man responded.

"Your help. After I set you free I want you to use your army in the coming war ahead." The Bull King laughed so loudly the room shook.

"Even if you could free me, you'll never be able to unseal my entire army. Only one with the Rinnegan can free me and my army." The masked man lifted his mask and showed him that in his left eye was the Rinnegan.

"Oh, but I do have that power. If you give me your aid then I'll help you in return." The Bull King stopped laughing and instead looked shocked.

The Bull King smiled and said. "You have a deal."