Here's the new chapter. Time for the Kiri arc. Unfortunately I'm not using FFN to post this story from now on. There are issues with it, with it failing to update my story while writing, forcing me to rewrite or ignore the update entirely. Certain stuff like Italics and underline don't work. It's just irritating overall, and so I'll be posting entirely on AO3 from now on. The rest of this chapter is there, so just treat this as the preview and go on and read this there.
He spent most of the journey to Kirigakure brooding over Yagura. Would they reach him in time ? While not exactly friends, Yagura was someone who respected. There was a difference in values. As he was thinking about this and the various ways he would beat up the Akatsuki members, Ino's voice cut through his thoughts. "Oi, Naruto. What are you doing?"
He turned back as he realized that he'd been ignoring his team while he was lost in his thoughts. "Sorry," he said, as he explained. "I was just thinking."
"Well that's new", Ino said with a laugh. Then, in a softer voice, she said "Come to think of it, you never told us the details of how you met Yagura, Naruto."
It took him a moment to realize she was asking for the details. He thought about it, and began to explain. "Well, you guys know about our ... unique statuses don't you?"
They nodded. Well, it made sense Ino and Shikamaru would know about it by now. Shikamaru was one of the main strategists Konoha had, and Ino was the Yamanaka heir and a tokubetsu Jonin.
He continued his explanation "So yeah, that's the main reason we got close. There was a mutual understanding there. As for how we met in the first place..."
Now that he thought about it, it really was an insane stroke of luck that they met in the first place. It didn't make much sense, considering the probability and shit.
How did he get here ? This was supposed to be the relaxing part of their journey. The Land of Hot Water was peaceful, filled with beautiful women, and most importantly, at least from his master's perspective.
