Chapter Twenty-Four: A New Sunrise.

"Peace Comes From Within. Do Not Seek Without."
-Buddha.

{Kuo Kuana Hospital: Rooftop.}
[Two Weeks After The HFIL Incursion, 2:20pm.]

Naruto's bandaged body was slow to start as he threw some straight jabs. He had just snuck out of his hospital bed for the one of the many times since waking up. No doubt Dr. Vista would be searching for him, but with the peace of the cool summer air washing over his face. Naruto didn't exactly care. He was groaning whilst throwing several punches.

The battle with Seven, Sanguine, had brought him closer to the edge than he had ever been. He realized that upon waking up, after his coma induced recover, he was currently somehow a little weaker than usual. It probably came from not being high strung anymore, or the fact that his body was literally morphed and changed about without his own volition.

Still, pretending to fight someone else in front of him only made the pain dull. For some reason, he knew, The Nine Tails wasn't contributing nothing more than the bare minimum of healing. It was probably furious, well to hell with it then, because it nearly killed all of his loved ones.

To say that they weren't on speaking terms was an incredibly short-sighted understatement. There was almost a cold war between the two. With Naruto not engaging once so ever, and The Nine Tails letting him feel the pain of a longer recovery time. Almost a punishment for rejecting it's offer, the offer of blissful ignorance, and Naruto hated it for ever trying to do so.

July saw the sun overshadowed by clouds, and with the shade, Naruto made sure to enjoy the fresh air outside. Jiraiya, knowing him, was probably flirting with one of the myriad of nurses. Be it a nurse with mostly human features, or even one with tigerlike noses.

He didn't discriminate!

Naruto groaned when he slightly stumbled, sighing. "Still kind of weak, damn, that's fine. Better than I was yesterday, all that counts for. Man…I'm sure hungry. Sucks I had to be carried the one time I was allowed out." The blonde got himself close to the edge of the hospital's rooftop, and looked over Kuo Kuana city.

His apartment had been blown up. Still, most of his stuff survived, even his team photograph which he now kept close to his heart. Wind swept past him, and he felt a presence behind him. He turned around, seeing Jiraiya standing there. His right arm in a sling, and loose gown on him. He too had to be carried somewhat to the ramen shop to celebrate.

"You know that doctor is going to yell at us. Shizune is still here as well, so she's probably already thinking you snuck out for ramen." He stated whilst walking over next to Naruto, leaning against the railing on the rooftop. "This place has a beauty to it, and I'm not talking about it's uniquely sexy ladies either."

"Yeah, I've been here long enough to know that." Naruto replied with a small smile whilst groaning when he leaned down on the railing. "So, what did I miss during my week blackout?"

"An open declaration of war was declared from Menagerie onto HFIL. Like it matters, but it means that everywhere there's White Fang, it's open season on HFIL supporter." Jiraiya told him before sighing, looking out over the rooftops. "There was over two hundred killed during the raid, mostly armed guards, but there were civilian casualties."

"Damn it…" The younger shinobi growled slightly under his breath. "I should've done more."

"What more could've you possibly done?" His sensei inquired from him. "You were fighting tooth and nail protecting the leader of this place. The new High Chieftain, the first. You helped found a new nation, and from what I hear these places called Vacuo, and Vale, have officially recognized it."

"That leaves Mistral, and Atlas." Naruto continued for Jiraiya whilst leaning back up, stretching a little. "Say, Pervy Sage, did you do something to my seal?"

Jiraiya took a moment to answer, and sighed. "Yes, I tightened it back up." He stated whilst looking at Naruto. "it's not because I don't trust you, I know you'd fight tooth and nail for these people, but you're aware of what happened two weeks ago…and what almost happened."

"Yeah…and I'm not mad that you did. Ever since coming here I've been more in tune with my emotions to some degrees. I really spoiled myself, ya know. It's different here, kind of. Yeah, sure, they still have younger kids like me joining up to fight monsters, but they usually get a lot more education…and time to be kids." The young teenager stated before looking up at the sky. "Could things have been different, back home, if I didn't come here?"

"Such things are for only Gods to know, and last I checked we're mortal." Jiraiya pointed out before he himself leaned back to stretch. "So, you do realize with the seal tightened you're going to have some remedial training to get your chakra control back to where it was."

"Meh, what's more hard work. After all, Kosuke did say I was the son of a woman who always fiery…I'm gonna miss him." Naruto lamented before sighing, looking over at the older shinobi. "I wonder how they got to him? He was back home."

"I wonder that too…" Jiraiya darkly pondered before taking a deep breath. "Don't focus on what has happened, because you need to focus on the future."

"We both need to focus on the future."

"Both of us, wait, what do you mean by that Pervy Sage?" Naruto asked.

"I'm not going back to Konoha, not until either you are fully trained by me, or until you can come home as well." He replied to Naruto quickly, and smiled brightly whilst giving him a big thumb's up with his left hand. "Which means I'm here with you, and it's time that I took your training seriously."

"Seriously, what do you mean seriously?!" Naruto yelled with a smile. "You mean I'm gonna learn how to do other stuff, like elemental jutsu and stuff?!"

"Yep, every single thing I know, you'll know in due time." Jiraiya told him before taking a deep breath. He looked at that boy for a moment, noting how similarly he looked to Minato minus the face and smile. That all belonged to Kushina. "Naruto, I want to tell you something…but I honestly think you're going to pissed about it."

"Ah c'mon, Pervy Sage, why would I be mad about something? Unless…something happened to the babies! Did something happen to the babies?!" The young boy started to freak out, only for him to get a slight knock across the head. "Ow, that stings a little, jerk."

"Well, let me spit out what I got to tell you, brat." Jiraiya said with a nervous laugh before taking a deep breath. "No, Naruto, they're fine. Funny story, I got told by Shizune they were originally slated to be both girls…I guess one of them successfully hid the frank and beans."

"Heh, frank and beans…"

"Okay, act serious with me. Because Kosuke was trying to let you in on something before his death. It was something more closely guarded than even The First Hokage's scroll that you stole." Jiraiya turned serious before looking right into Naruto's eyes. "Kosuke told you a semi-truth about your mother, she was a kunoichi…for a time."

"For a time?" Naruto probed.

"When your mother fourteen years old, the wife of The First Hokage, Mito Uzumaki was dying. She was the previous holder…of The Nine Tailed Fox." Jiraiya saw Naruto's eyes widen tremendously as the boy's mouth hung open. "You see, Naruto, your mother came from a powerful clan of sealers called The Uzumaki Clan."

"They were wiped off the map by the time your mother was a young girl. War, The Second Great Shinobi World War." He continued before taking a moment to breathe and gauge Naruto's reaction. "Kushina Uzumaki technically was Mito's great grandniece such relations though…didn't really matter."

"The only thing that mattered what the type of chakra they shared, the very same type of chakra that flows in you."

"Wait a minute, stop, hold on." Naruto stopped him from continuing. "What are you talking about Pervy Sage, this is crazy, are saying that furball was inside of my mom as well?!"

"…Yes…" Jiraiya hesitantly confirmed, only to see Naruto's shocked reaction. "She was the former Jinchuuriki of The Nine Tailed Fox as well…right before you."

"What the hell do you mean right before me?!" Naruto almost yelled, no, almost screamed at him. "What the hell happened to her?!"

"She…didn't survive giving birth…" Jiraiya bit back something in his throat, was that a cry almost? He felt something run down his face. "A female Jinchuuriki has an intense risk when it comes to pregnancy, and usually many of them lead a celibate life because of such risks. Their seals weaken because all of the chakra go toward the child, and the child takes ten months to come into the world because of the strain."

"Your mother knew every bit of this…and she still kept you because she truly loved you. She loved you before you ever took your first breath into this world, when you first kicked inside of her, and most definitely when you came screaming into the world." He reached over as he spoke, ruffling Naruto's hair, noting the tears freely falling from Naruto's face. "You were and always have been loved, Naruto."

"From day one, up to now, always truly loved."

Naruto suddenly backed off, pointing at Jiraiya accusingly whilst brushing his hand off. "You miserable asshole, you're my father aren't you?! Oh Gods, this is the talk isn't it! You're gonna give me the entire line of speech that she was a student of yours, wait…that was in a book of yours, why would you right about that?!" The blonde freaked out whilst noting Jiraiya's shocked expression. "Well, is it true?!"

Jiraiya stopped for a moment, and then laughed, no he hysterically roared. He held his face, and looked over at the city. "Kid, you're something special. You could come up with a heck of an ambush for that cyborg guy, but you think some old man like me is your daddy. Heh, well, to be fair your mother grew into a very beautiful woman." The toad sage turned back to Naruto. "Man, she was beautiful, hair like the morning sun, your father was a lucky man."

"Truly, without doubt, blessed."

"Oh…um…" Naruto nervously shrunk back a little as he was standing there with a blush across his face. "So, you aren't my dad…?"

"NO!" Jiraiya yelled whilst looking at his student disbelievingly. "Gods, you brat, you're still hung on that thought. Okay, look, I'm not your father. I knew your father, hell, I trained your father!"

"Wait…" Naruto stopped himself from leaping at that point, taking a moment to think. "Okay, so you knew my mother, and trained my dad. Is there a chance you're my grandfather?"

"I mean, technically, not too far off the mark. I might as well be, hell your father was an orphan just like you…hell your mother was too." Jiraiya laughed lightly before noting the sigh of relief coming from Naruto. "Hey, I'll have you know, that I would make one hell of a grandpa!"

"Heh, well, I'd just been worried about all the possibly aunts, uncles, and such." Naruto cheekily commented on his master's habit, making the man snort lightly. "So, you don't deny that part?!"

"Oh, please, I live and die by the phrase 'don't be silly wrap your willy.'" Jiraiya chortled before taking a deep breath, getting back to being serious. "So, you're obviously taking the fact your mother was the former Jinchuuriki of old beasty really well…better than I'd hope honestly."

"What did you expect? I mean, I kind of had the feeling that Kosuke was holding something back when talking about my mom. So…I might've came up with reasons why. Still, wow, so mom had to deal with this asshole too." Naruto patted his stomach, only to hear an indignant growl in his head. "Hey, he just growled, 'bout as good as I'm gonna get for a minute I think."

"He's not exactly so happy about the tightened seal I think."

"Well, he can deal with it, sheesh." Jiraiya laughed before slowly getting back to being serious. "So, you don't remember anything from the time you were taken over, do you?"

"Minus small details, not really. Lee told me that I took a Morning Peacock, whatever that is. Then there's the fact that you were pretty much beating the hell out of me. That's about all I remember, honestly." Naruto admitted before taking a deep breath, prepping himself. "I'm sorry about…your arm, Pervy Sage."

"I'm really sorry…"

"Meh, it's just an arm." Jiraiya lightly accepted Naruto's apology with a hand wave of his free hand. "It'll heal in due time. Just like all wounds do, I'll have one hell of a scar though…do you know any women that like scars?"

"And there it is…" The blonde droned a little bit. "Well, I think Akahana might."

"Okay, I'm in business!" Jiraiya celebrated before fist pumping with a bright smile. "I'll be sure to pay her a visit after I get out of here."

"Okay, sensei, stop stalling." Naruto suddenly interrupted Jiraiya's jovial joking. "You're not wanting to spit something out, so please, just do so. I'm not a kid, not anymore, I can take it."

"You just called me…sensei, no Pervy Sage?" He asked.

"This is serious, so, I'll be serious about it. Should I sit down, or do you need to put some distance in between us?" Naruto asked.

"Let's sit down, alright." Jiraiya patted the ground as he knelt down before crossing his legs as he sat down. "Trust me, it's better this way."

Naruto sat down, almost flopping down, crossing his own legs. There was gust of wind between the two as leaves blew between them. The duo sat there in silence, with Jiraiya searching for the words, knowing that whilst he took his mother's identity in stride, the truth would probably break whatever walls he's built in this short moment of truth.

He finally asked what a question was never.

"Do you want the full story, or just the short version?" He asked Naruto, who leaned forward. "I'm asking because it's going to be a hard story to tell for me, because you'll hate me after it."

Naruto simply said one phrase that sets in motion an unstoppable chain.

"Tell me everything, nothing held back, and let me decide after that." Naruto encouraged him whilst looking serious. "I have to know everything you know."

"Okay, let's start with where I first met your dad…"

{Across The Endless Sea: Konoha.}
[Nearly Twenty-Eight Years Ago.]

"Even from the first moment I met him. Your father was idealistic, some would say borderline dreamer. Still, his entire dream was noble, and the reason he would come to work so hard towards it, your mother. I knew everything back then, who she was, what she was…and I knew it was almost a cursed existence. Always locked away, guarded, a princess in a high tower…"

"…And team Seven's final member, Minato Namikaze."

Minato looked at the older shinobi in front of him, already leaning his hand into an open palm. This man, Jiraiya, was already a renowned shinobi. The old man was currently going over the roster, and he was busy getting ready with the standard questions. Minato, however, was more irked at the feeling of disappointment he felt in his heart.

Slowly, Jiraiya, younger and healthier looking looked over at that blonde-haired boy. "I called your name, son, what is your dream?" He inquired.

"My dream is to become Hokage, sir. Not just for myself, but for my friend who can't." Minato stated whilst sitting upright, and staring straight ahead. "Sorry, I was just think about her."

"Ooh, Minato's thinking about Kushi again~" A black-haired girl teased whilst making kissy faces. "He's always going on about her, sensei."

"Kushi, heh, that's a funny name. So, this friend, she wanted to become Hokage as well?" Jiraiya asked.

"Yeah, but something happened, so…she can't now." Minato took a deep breath, and stood up. "My name is Minato Namikaze. I'm ten years old, and I love my village, it's people. My goal is to become the next Hokage after Lord Hiruzen. Because I want to create a village that has all of its members on its heart. I want to create a world of peace."

"Not just some from particular clans."

"Heh, lofty goals there, Minato. How will you achieve such a thing?" Jiraiya asked whilst slightly intrigued by the forwardness of the boy. "Becoming Hokage is everyone's dream, what if you're passed over?"

"Then I'll find a way to create the world of peace." Minato stated proudly as he placed a hand over his heart. "Not just for my sake, but for the sake of my friend."

"Must be some friend, she get hurt, or something?" Jiraiya inquired, already knowing the truth, but wanting to hear it from the boy himself to see if he knew. "People get hurt in this line of work, kid, even die as young as you."

"No, she's not hurt…she…it's complicated." The blonde-haired Genin tried to come up with an answer. "It's something I'm not supposed to talk about, so I won't, because I promised."

"Always keep your promises, it'll get you far." Jiraiya stated whilst looking at the others. "Alright, c'mon, let me see what you runts are capable of."

{Konoha Border Near Kumo.}
[Nearly Twenty-Four Years Ago.]

"Your father was an extremely hard worker. This kid was putting me to shame, his motivation driving him forward constantly. He made Chunin one year after becoming Genin, but that's also when Kumo attacked, and tried to take your mother. You see, Kumo knew who she was…what she was, and they wanted to make sure they had a weapon to use against Konoha. He didn't hold back, not once, and I arrived to see his work…"

"Minato!"

Jiraiya screamed whilst breaking through the trees. He stopped short when he saw the scene in front of him, three elite Jonin of Kumo were on the ground. Beaten, bloody, but still barely alive. Minato was covered only in the dirt and sweat it took him to get there. Carrying in his arms was a beautiful redheaded girl with violet eyes, clutched closely against.

That's when Jiraiya saw it, the eyes of a hero. His gaze full of warmth, but focused forward. He saw the kunai around the area, knowing that Minato had used a jutsu he had saw him training with. Something The Second Hokage was only to use after years of training, and here Minato stood, having used after only mere months.

"Sensei, all enemy combatants eliminated from the area. She's secured, no tampering with the seal, she has a few cuts and bruises." Minato stated as he walked over toward him, carrying Kushina close to him. "You okay, Kushina?"

"I'm fine, Minato…" She seemingly snuggled against a him a little bit, making Jiraiya smile slightly. "I didn't think you'd find me."

"How could I not? I'd recognized those strands of hair from anywhere. Something like that is too beautiful to blend in with the world around it. I'm just glad I got here on time." Minato blushed whilst he was saying this, stumbling over his words just a slight bit. "Anyway, we should go, I don't if they came alone or not."

"Knowing Kumo, they're sure to know that something has gone amiss."

"Heh, you're right. C'mon, are you good carrying her the entire way, looks like they broke her ankle." Jiraiya asked him.

"I'd never complain about that, sensei."

{Konoha.}
[Fifteen Years Ago.]

"All of these things, and all of those things to come. He never once gave into anything other than hard work. Can you imagine that one day, his dreams would come true? I didn't remember the little idealistic runt that was fresh, and fell victim to my Thousand Years of Death Joke. No…I saw him, the man who would make his dreams reality…"

Minato was slowly walking forward, escorted by Jiraiya. He looked up, seeing Kushina dressed in a red kimono that matched her hair. The young couple had picked this spot, it was hidden, not too far from the village. The very same spot where they came to realize their love for each other.

The young couple came face to face. The Third Hokage, well the former Hokage, stood in witness as they read their vows to each other. A hidden wedding, it was everything they wanted. Very few friends attending, very few people around, the very same people that stuck by them through thick and thin. Not the fleeting followers and fair-weather friends.

Jiraiya looks behind him, seeing Mikoto Uchiha, and Fukgaku. Whilst Mikoto was ugly crying, with a much younger Itachi questioning what was going on. The man, who was her husband, Fugaku Uchiha sat stoic. There was also Tsume Inuzuka, and Shikaku Nara, two of Minato's best friends growing up.

"Forever, even if all the leaves in the forest burn, I will hold you. To be with you, no matter what, until my last breath is taken by another or death itself." Minato started his vows whilst looking right in Kushina violet eyes. "I will hold you, cherish you, forever loyally. I may be Hokage, but you are forever my greatest gift, and cherish every moment with you."

"To be with you, Kushina, is to make a life of accomplishment complete…nothing else to me matters more, than here and now."

"Minato…I swear to hold you, until the waves wash away the shores of Uzugakure. My people may be scattered, but like leaves, we all go to the winds. If I should flow with the wind, I can only hope it is with you. Forever, and ever, I hope that if we land in the eddies that we should land in the s-same one t-together." She started to cry as she looked at him, and held him closer. "Because a world without you has no meaning to me, no light left to me. I recognize you, as my one and only flame."

"The source of my will of fire."

Even if Jiraiya wanted to, he couldn't help but turn away. He swore he'd never let Minato see him cry, but the man was bawling almost. He didn't get the see kiss, but it didn't matter to him, he knew that his friend…adoptive son…was happy.

That's all that mattered to him. He just regretted the fact that Kushina was going to drink everyone under the table. Judging by Fugaku's look, he knew damn well that the man's wife was going to get in on that action as well.

Can't be helped, he supposed.

{Konoha.}
[Nearly Fourteen Years Ago.]

"Your father and mother, man, they were quick to get busy. Don't give me that look, you know damn well what I mean. Yeah, they have always been together since then. Man, it was hard getting a meeting with your dad. Your father would just been a bit late, or not show up for hours. I actually got jealous, but man, if it didn't mean that what came next wasn't obvious…and yes, this is where you come in…"

Jiraiya was walking with Minato, and Kushina. The woman was now sporting a large belly. She looked at her husband, who was just over the moon. It was August, and their child would be coming in less than two months. Jiraiya himself was happy, his life seemingly complete, everything was moving forward like it was supposed to.

"So, sensei, I was going over baby names with Kushi. Since he's a boy, we're thinking of something with a strong meaning to it." Minato stated whilst they continued walking toward Ichiraku Ramen. "I was thinking Haruki, Arashi, or Isamu."

"I say we give him a gentle name because he could end up being softspoken as you were when we were kids. I told him that if our boy comes out with red hair, I want his name to be Haru, Hiko, or Hiroshi." Kushina stated whilst holding three fingers up on her free hand, smiling when Minato rolled his eyes. "C'mon, Minato, ya know."

Both of them sat at the ramen bar first, whilst Jiraiya took a distant seat just in case. He was already watching Teuchi at work creating their meals. Creatures of habits, the lot of them. Every Saturday was ramen day, and Kushina looked like she was getting ready to add ramen to the village's official food budget.

"You know, sensei, you've been silent about it." Minato noticed whilst Jiraiya was looking at one of his books. "Are you working on a newer work, or something?"

"Nah, this is an older book. I'm just trying to read and see where it went wrong. I actually got the name of the character from here." The Toad Sage admitted whilst flipping a page. "In the book his full name is Narutomaki Okami."

"Hero of Konoha."

"Hero of Konoha, eh? Was that before, or after you met me?" The Fourth Hokage inquired.

"Oh, you'd be surprised. I wrote this right about the time I started Sage Training. Sheesh, that was like…eh…five years before I met you. You were still a little urchin at that point, you know, before you broke into the academy." Jiraiya pointed out with a smirk.

Minato gained a flat expression across his face. "Well, jeez, I thought that was long forgotten about."

"Who can forget about a civilian breaking into a shinobi academy? Not just breaking in, but successfully blending in for about three months. Only getting caught because someone finally did their due diligence. By then, well, you were already kind of a good student." Jiraiya waved off the rest of the history and smiled. "All is history after that, but still, you were already a great shinobi even before getting your feet in the water."

"Heh, well, thanks sensei." Minato then sighed and looked at Kushina's belly. "You know, dear, Narutomaki isn't too bad. Besides, there was a great eddy in Uzugakure called Naruto, right?"

"Narutomaki Namikaze, that's a bit of a mouthful." Kushina replied before looking at her bowl of ramen, and noting the narutomaki in it. She looked at it for a few more seconds, and then smiled warmly. "We can just call him Naruto, for short."

"Naruto Namikaze, that's actually not a bad name when you say it out loud."

"Naruto Uzumaki doesn't sound bad either. Just saying, Kushina, because of my reputation our son would be targeted." Minato sighed before noting her fierce gaze at him. "Hmm?"

"Then it's your job as the father to train him, and make him stronger than you!" She stated with gusto whilst pumping her arm, only to stop when she felt a kick. "See, he's already learning how to kick good, wonder if he'll have your punches."

"You kids having kids, sheesh." Jiraiya tilted back some sake in a saucer, drinking from it slowly he finished with an exhale of joy. "I have to say, this is going to be an interesting year…too bad I'll be on a mission when the baby is born."

"Oh…yeah…" Minato rubbed the back of his head. "You were saying something about some organization called Akatsuki forming out in Ame."

"It was already there, but something changed. Luckily, I have contacts near there. I plan on meeting them in October. All of them, so we can come up with a plan in case they turn their attention to other means…of peace." Jiraiya scowled at that last part, already hearing nasty rumors of The Akatsuki joining in with Kumo, Iwa, and even Suna. "Still, as always, I'll be back in time to see you guys as one big happy family."

"Right, sensei!"

{Konoha.}
[Three days after The Nine Tail's Rampage.]

The worst day of my life. It wasn't when you were born, no, it was when I had to leave you. I couldn't look at you without seeing them, couldn't possibly raise you right. I was never cut out for being a father myself, so how could I raise his son? Now that I'm older, wiser, and more humbled over the years to some degree…I realize that was probably the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. You could've had a much better foundation, been cared for better, and probably better off then you are now. All because I was selfish…and broke my vow of being your godfather."

Jiraiya had rushed from Ame, to Konoha, in less than twenty-four hours after receiving news. One of his toads had told him, and even though he couldn't believe it, here was reality in his face. Konoha was devastated, almost beyond repair. Thousands dead, civilian and shinobi. Above all, however, there was rumors that The Uchiha Clan refused to help.

Which is something Jiraiya found extremely doubtful. Though prideful, and a bit standoffish, Fugaku never would've betrayed Minato due to Mikoto and Kushina's friendship. It was better to have them closer, their children closer, because then The Uchiha would've had a "in" into government at worse…and if their luck would find them having another child that happened to have been a girl, a potential alliance at best.

All the cards on the table, and would've been like if Fugaku having a royal flush folded. There was just no way…

Jiraiya, among these rumors and ruins, found the harder truth. Minato Namikaze was dead, along with him, Kushina was as well. No one survived the birth location, not even The Third's wife who was acting as the midwife. The sage just took a deep breath, steeling himself as he walked forward. Slowly, but surely moving throughout the village.

It hadn't taken long for Hiruzen to find him. Both of them were quickly moving towards the hospital. Everything was almost like a blur. Jiraiya's mind blanked out probably after the seventieth dead body he saw getting pulled from the rubble.

He knew Minato, this hadn't been him failing, someone somewhere betrayed them. Someone in this very village had killed Minato, his wife, and Jiraiya assumed his child at this point. The entire life of one of the greatest heroes in Konoha's history, snuffed out by a traitor.

"Let me be the first to tell you, Minato's child lives."

That mere sentence made Jiraiya's heart swell. He and Hiruzen had entered the hospital, going into the more private wing. There, in a lone room, checked on by a nurse was a baby. Small, barely large than a forearm. He was crying, and then the seal mastered saw it with a horrified feeling in his chest.

The burning seal mark of The Reaper Death Seal emblazoned on the boy's abdomen. Coupled by a four-trigram seal, the very same seal that held The Nine Tails in Kushina. These two seals together meant only one thing, and one thing only. That The Nine Tailed Fox was very much alive, sealed even, right into the son of Minato.

Knowing the complexity of both seals…Minato himself had done the deed. In the end, that man saved the village, but doomed his son to a life of scorn…unless Jiraiya…

No…

The man backed away when the baby briefly opened his eyes, revealing azure sapphires. That child looked too much like Minato, save the round pudgy face, and whisker marks from exposure to the beast's chakra in the womb. Jiraiya had lost every single student he's ever had.

Nagato…
Konan…
Yahiko…

Now, Minato joined their ranks of the dead, damned by association of cursed fate and prophecy. Jiraiya stood there, cold and numb! he saw the child crying out for the nurse. That very same nurse was already hesitant…and was that a glare coming from her? Why, was she glaring at the child, didn't she know?

No, of course she didn't, because if she did then at some point his identity would fully leak out. Then he'd be more of a target by Kumo than he already would be due to his status as a Jinchuuriki!

"Sensei, how did this all happen?" He asked Hiruzen, who was standing next to him. "Who did this?"

"We don't know, Jiraiya, we do know that they had temporary control over The Nine Tails. Whoever done it pulled a feat that only previously Madara Uchiha had obtained. Kushina Uzumaki had planned to take The Nine Tails with her, but Minato stopped her, and thusly this is what happened." Hiruzen stated whilst waving his hand over to Naruto, who was squalling. "That boy looks like the two mushed together, doesn't he not?"

"He very much does, sensei…I…" Jiraiya took a step towards the glass panel, seeing the poor boy getting his diaper changed. "I think I have to go, because I cannot stay here."

"Go, what about Minato's boy, Jiraiya?" Hiruzen inquired whilst looking at his student with a saddened look. "I know it would involve you staying in the village, which you've never really liked, but I find hardly believable that you'd just abandon your godson."

"No, I'm protecting him by staying away…because everything I've ever done only results in the loss of someone close." Jiraiya took a deep breath before stepping back away from the glass panel. "The greatest duty I can make myself do for Minato's child is simple…"

"I will not let his corpse be piled on top of the others I've made…"

"Thusly, everything else…is history as they say."

{Across The Endless Sea: Kuo Kuana.}
[Present Day, three hours later, 5:35pm]

Naruto sat there, numb almost, looking at Jiraiya. The man was struggling himself to hold back his own emotions. Naruto's emotions were in freefall, and if it hadn't been for the tightened seal, surely his eyes would've lit red. The young Jinchuuriki took a very deep, long, breath before sighing out slowly.

"You never said my father's name…sensei."

That statement hung over Jiraiya as if a mighty storm was going to soon fall. Unleashing hell over him, Naruto's voice was cold, not usually filled with the warmth with that it would carry. He seemed to almost spit out the phrase "sensei" which made Jiraiya shiver since he never had the displeasure of seeing a Naruto who was like this.

The Naruto that could've been had he not known friendship.

Taking a deep breath himself, and preparing himself. Jiraiya finally spoke. "Your father was The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze." He saw Naruto slowly get up after he said that, turning to face away from him. "Naruto, are you okay?"

"Just…shut up…" He heard the boy murmur. "Please…stop talking…"

"Naruto, listen to me." Jiraiya got up, trying to calm him down. "I know this is hard, but-!"

"Let me think!" Naruto suddenly screamed whilst rounding on Jiraiya. 'Let me think, please for the love everything, let me process what you just said!"

Hot tears spilled down Naruto's face as he glared right at Jiraiya. Pain was etched across his face, but somewhere in those eyes was relief if not absolution. Naruto took a moment to take a look at Jiraiya, who himself was holding back emotions. It took about two minutes, but Naruto shook his head and turned back around.

The young shinobi had memories of all the times he was alone flash through his head. All of the times he could've had somewhere there. Where if Jiraiya hadn't broke his promises, and stayed, a Naruto who would've had someone since the start.

Where it wouldn't have been friends initially born out of pity.

Where it wouldn't be a Hokage who just pitied him, and sat with him to eat poorly made mushroom stew.

Someone to teach him basic life skills, managing money, something, anything!

He remembered all of the times he sat alone in the apartment. Trying to figure out numbers between printed money notes and change. Sitting in the house on birthdays, where bakers he would buy from would overcharge him and give him a cake with barely anything on it.

Even one where it had read "die bastard" and various other curses.

All of it, every single bit of it, could've been avoided.

"There's something I have to ask you…did you choose me because you felt guilty, or because you thought I had potential to be Hokage?" Naruto asked him point blank, little to no emotion in his face as he faced Jiraiya fully. "Is it nepotism, do you feel like you owe me because I'm the son of The Fourth Hokage?"

"Well, which is it, Pervy S-Sage?"

"I…" Jiraiya looked at him, and took a deep breath. "I don't know myself, because in the end I even betrayed my own promises. I can assure you though, that yes, you have potential to be Hokage. That's not why I chose you…but the answer is truly a mess."

Naruto nodded his head, biting his lip. He looked at his hands, taking a deep breath. All of the training, all of the attempts. Everything that he had been through with the man in front of him. Slowly, he took to balling his fists up whilst focusing. Flowing his chakra throughout his body, Naruto turned around.

"I need to get away from you, because I don't know whether to hug you, or hate you."

The young shinobi just leapt!

Although Jiraiya tried to follow, his injured state was preventing him from doing so. He just sighed, seeing the orange dot in the distance hastily getting away from the hospital as fast as possible. Did he just run away from him? Was Naruto so angry at him that he didn't want to be near him?

"I'm so sorry, Minato…Kushina, I might've done more harm than good again." Jiraiya quickly moved to the access door on the roof. Quickly running to it, knowing very well that his chakra system was still messed up from the battle with Nine Tails. "Damn that beast's toxic chakra."

Jiraiya was quickly going down the stairs, onto the floor he would've been with Naruto in their rooms. There in the room, there was Kali and Blake, confusion on their face.

"Hey, Jiraiya, where is Naruto? We brought you both some homecooked food." Kali greeted him, but noted the look on his face. "Something happened, did we miss something?"

"Naruto's not here at the hospital, he took off heading west." The Toad Sage told her before groaning from his pain medication wearing off slightly. "I told him something that, in hindsight, I probably laid on a little too thick."

"Is it that he's not able to go home?" She asked him.

"No, he's fully well came to accept that. The truth is that despite his high praises of me before, Kali, whatever he told you about me is a lie. I'm not a good person, I'm a horrible human being." Jiraiya took a deep breath as he sat on the bed, holding his hurt arm. "I told him a truth that he was only getting pieces of, and now I think he hates me for it."

"Well for the love of the brother gods man, spit it out." Kali implored him whilst sitting the food down, crossing her arms. "This is Naruto we're talking about, that boy wouldn't hate you if he could try."

"Not even if I knew who he truly was, his parents were, and I chose to abandon him out of my own selfish emotions? I could've justified more, but in the end, it's excuses. I could've ran an entire spy network out of the village with little effort, and more resources." Jiraiya shook his own at head his words. "I'm still trying to justify it, but I'll come out and say it."

"Naruto's father was the very same man he looked up too, The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

They both heard a noise, finding the drink tray laying on Naruto's bed, and Blake missing. Kali turned slowly back towards Jiraiya. Glaring at him with ice cold amber eyes. She crossed her arms, and took a very long deep breath.

"You probably broke his heart, and yes, you should feel guilty for it. Still, as someone who loves him like you profess too, you should do one thing." Kali walked over towards the door, and opened it up. "You need to give him space, let him process it, because if you try to push he'll just put a wall up."

"Trust me, I'm dealing with it sort of with Blake…" Kali stated whilst standing at the doorway, taking a moment to turn back to him. "Still, if I can't imagine abandoning my daughter under any circumstances."

"Even if to supposedly protect her."

{Kuo Kuana Forest: Near Crater Lake.}
[Three Hours Later, 8:45pm.]

Naruto Uzumaki…Namikaze? Who knew at this point sat a small campfire he made for himself. He sat right in the moment of his finest hour, and greatest shortcoming. Still, the energy in the healing forest radiated with the rage of The Nine Tails. Taking a deep breath, roasting a rabbit over the fire, he had found some wild mushrooms whilst grabbing a discarded cooking pot from rubble on his way out here.

He had sat here for hours, letting food cook, whilst looking into the fire. The cool summer air going through his hair. Each breath he breathed let him slowly take emotions from him. Had he reacted the right way, he didn't think so.

Still, he didn't know how to react. Imagine someone you looked up to ended up being your father, but his best friend who was supposed to be there for hid all of this. All of it, until he deemed necessary, and on top of that he was supposed to have been there.

He felt like a fraud in a way. Was it because he worked hard, or was it because he was born exceptional. Did every single word he ever said to anyone about hard work even matter? It probably didn't, it probably did, because now it was stock in a box of doubt.

If his father was The Hokage, and his mother a part of a legendary clan, then that make him someone like Neji, Sasuke, and others born into the elites? If so, why was he kicked to the wayside if everyone loved his father so…and these were people who were in the know.

The only one who had an excuse was Sasuke.

Maybe Sasuke had a point to be made about nepotism. He hated learning that word, but man if it didn't fit the situation. Naruto was so busy in his thought he didn't hear the branch crunch behind him. It was Blake, who was watching from the darkness. Unsure how to approach, or if she let someone know he was here.

"I've never really seen him like this, just wanting to be alone." She thought to herself whilst taking another peak at him. "He hasn't even noticed that I'm here, he's got so much on his mind."

Naruto took a deep breath, and then spoke only.

"I'm the son of a hero, and what might as well be a princess. So, what am I? I grew up broke, poor, and without any true friends until I was a much older kid. Yet, the one person I considered a father figure just told me that he should've been there from the start, but willingly chose to stay away. On top of it all, if it had been different…if any of had been different, I might not even be here." Naruto summarized his emotions openly whilst Blake slightly recoiled about the line of thought. "I would've never fell into the rift; I would've never lost it all…but…"

"I would've never found somewhere that accepted me…for just being me."

Blake's eyes widened at that before she turned to see leaning over to grab the ladle in the pot, pouring himself some stew. The young teen blow gasps of it the bowl to cool the surface down. He took a wooden spoonful, and leaned his back to swallow.

She nodded her head, planning to pretend she didn't hear anything. Gathering herself up, she moved some distance from the camp. So, walking forward, she began to cup her hands over her mouth. Calling out his name.

Naruto, who was sitting in silence, only to perk up at his name being called merely called back to her. "Yo, over here, Blake!" He called out to her, and then got a second messed up bowl out. "You hungry!"

Her stomach sort of growled when he said that. Though to be fair she was coming at a little too direct, hopefully he didn't notice that. She watched him fill up a bowl for her, and then sit off the side on another log that wasn't there previously.

"When did you- "

"I caught you breaking that branch earlier. I just pretended not to hear you." He admitted before slowly sipping the last remnants of the first portion he made for himself. "It's got an earthy taste to it, but you've never really liked rabbit…sorry I didn't go fishing."

He was sorry that he didn't go fishing?!

"Naruto, this is fine, but are you okay?" She asked him, and before he answered she held a finger up. "The truth, I'm invoking the truth this time around."

"Nope, not even a little bit, but what can I be?" He casually told her with a shrug before looking up at the stars. "I could've been someone else totally different than I am now, it just sucks knowing that your entire life is based on people breaking promises left and right, and someone in your own village at some point stabbing your mother and father in the back."

"Oh, and the person who was supposed to be there for you dipping out because of feelings. You know, not like my own were going to just be all messed up." Naruto rambled on, slightly fidgeting whilst taking a deep breath. "All of it doesn't matter anymore, because I can't leave this world, and in the end my father and mother's sacrifice meant nothing."

"Because I'm stuck here, I don't get to carry their dreams forward."

"So, let's pile that up on the guilt. On the guilt of me disrespecting my father so many times as a stupid kid. Constantly tagging obscenities on his face of the monument. Oh, and by the way, I had once convinced myself my mother was just random woman who didn't want. Then I get hit with full reality that nope, one was essentially the greatest shinobi from Konoha in all of it's history…and my poor mother was chosen to suffer this fucking fate!" He screamed at end with hot tears spilling over his face before spiking the bowl on the ground as hard as he could, and getting up. "I get you the whole discrimination of faunuskind because I was treated the very same way back home, I couldn't even walk into markets to get essentials."

"I grew up eating on this, because I only knew that fire made meat good to eat. That it didn't give me stomach pains, and worms!" He continued whilst walking around, letting his emotions all out whilst starting to sob. "Then I learned why, why I was treated this way. That I was chosen as a vessel for this monster inside of me! This very same monster who nearly killed people I loved!"

"I nearly killed you all, because being this thing called a Jinchuuriki."

"You're not a thing!" Blake yelled at him. She sat her food down. "You're my best friend."

"Not a thing?! Not a thing, yet here I am, a glorified human container. On top of that I still haven't processed what it all means fully, I don't think I can ever process it fully!" Naruto screamed whilst looking at her, but despite his actions, he was just deeply hurt. "Do you wanna know something, I was just so nearly close to becoming like Gaara."

"If Iruka sensei hadn't changed his mind about me…if my first true interaction had been with that bastard Mizuki, then I wouldn't be here right now! I would've been locked up, killed, or a traitor. Because goddamn it I am so full of anger, I don't know even what to do with!" He continued pouring out his emotions, and then gripped his head. "Gah, why does life have to be some frigging complicated all of the time!"

"Why can't I just be somewhat norm-al?"

He stuttered on the last word as he a strong hug grip him. Stopping, and breathing, he felt the warmth of Blake around as she held him tightly. "You're not a thing…" She said whilst looking at him, holding him close. "You're Naruto Uzumaki, you're someone whose a hero to my people."

"Our people."

"So, screw what anyone else thinks of you!" She stated whilst breaking the hug, seeing standing there whilst she herself let tears spill out. "It hurts me when I see you do this to yourself because you're better than that. You are much better than that. So, no, you're not a thing…so please look at it from a different angle."

"A…different angle?" Naruto questioned her before thinking about what she meant. He sat down on the log, watching her still standing there. "A different angle would be me…just taking it all in stride, because you say I'm better than that."

"That I should just let this go…and move forward."

"It's not exactly what I'm telling you. You can still feel over this, but you can also be happy knowing where you come from now. So, when you get to meet people who hated you, you can tell them the truth of who you are. If they don't like that, then you tell them to kick rocks." She sat down on her log, and saw him smile slightly. Smiling herself whilst looking at him noting the struggle in his eyes. "As for what happened with that monster in you, that's not you, and I would never see that any different."

"I don't care what anyone else says."

"I could've killed you…" Naruto murmured out whilst looking at his hands. "I could've killed everyone if Pervy Sage hadn't been there…he saved you, not me."

"No, you saved yourself…maybe with a little help from us too." She tried to cheer him up with that, but noted the guilt on his face. "You thought we were gone, all of us, that's not your fault. So, Naruto, please, just take a deep breath…and let it go."

"Let it all go, and tell me everything about you feel." She beckoned him whilst slowly reaching over, and squeezing his hand. "Because you're not alone, nor do you need to be alone right now."

"You need a friend."

"Won't Adam wonder where you're at?" He asked her, the question cutting her slightly. "Because, you two are still together, right?"

"…No…" She answered whilst looking off to the side. "We…called it off a week ago. He, um, he was…I…"

"So, what happened, did it have anything to do with his scars?" Naruto asked.

"That's not a fair question, but no, it didn't. I don't care about that…it's what he was doing prior to it, but I never really called him out on it." Blake admitted whilst slowly rubbing her arm, and then slowly taking a deep breath. "Adam never liked you, in fact, he kind of acted like one of those villagers you talked about."

"In fact, I'd go as far as to say he loathed you."

"Heh, well, big shocker there. I really picked up on that constantly. I noted the looks. I was just hoping he'd get over it. You didn't break up with him because of me did you?" He asked her right out, pulling his hand away from hers and crossing his arms. "I mean, he is someone who cared for you."

"He…never cared for me, Naruto. I thought he did, I wanted to believe that he did. However, right after I had gotten stabbed on the airship he got jealous because of a move I pulled…from watching you." She told him before looking away, taking a deep shuddering breath. "It was that little kunai string trick, but modified it with a paper bomb and fire dust."

"So, he kind of…got…angry."

"Did he yell at you, or something?" He asked her. "Cause that'd be just wrong, I'd been more concerned over the fact my girlfriend just got stabbed, and she just woke up."

"He…did a little more than yell at me, he's been doing a little more than yelling at me." She struggled to say it fully, and then took a moment to gauge him. "You need to promise, because I know you never break your promises."

"Blake I-!"

"Promise me, because it's something that even dad and mom don't know!" She pleaded with him, and took a deep breath whilst recovering herself. "I need you to promise me that you will not go after him, and hurt him."

"Hurt him why would…I…" Naruto began to connect the dots, and noted the small hint of fear in her eyes. He stood there, and then a coldness that was freshly warmed returned to him. "Oh, I promise not to go after him..."

"And hurt him."

"Fine, I promise not to hurt the horned bastard or go after him. You need to tell me now, what did he do?" He almost demanded from her, staring right into her yellow eyes. "Don't lie to me, because then I don't have to honor my promises."

"He smacked me, and it wasn't the first time." She admitted before watching Naruto suddenly stand up, gripping his head. "Naruto, don't!"

"Oh, I should've never promised you…because that bastard is dead if he ever comes near me!" Naruto screamed whilst walking around the camp. He turned to her, and looked her dead in the eye. "Why would you ever let him do that?! You're better than that, Blake! You know it's wrong, why would you stay?!"

"Don't blame me, okay, I just was…I was stupid…" She tried to reason with herself, but then took a moment. "I had crush on him since we were little kids, and I was trying to justify it by thinking I was a bad girlfriend."

"Bad girlfriend?! Are you crazy, you cooked for him when he asked. Hell, you trained with him. Joined The White Fang for him, where in that are you the bad one in this!" He sat back down before putting his arms on his knees, and growling a little bit. "At least you're still not on his squad, right?"

"…"

"Oh c'mon, what the actual hell!" Naruto yelled while trying to control his emotions, his eyes flash red when he turned back to her. Making her slightly go rigid upon seeing them. "Sorry, I'm just upset that you let yourself go through that…someone who has people who love her so much, you don't deserve that once so ever."

"You might even still go through it because I doubt he'll just let this go."

"You're right, I do think about that. I just got to keep my head down, and do what I need to do get out in the two years." She told him, and took a moment to note his eyes still full of rage. "After those two years…I can go with you."

"To the nations, to become a huntress."

"Why would you want to do that?" He asked her.

"Because I don't want to be some protected princess here. I'm not going to let anyone choose what I should be. So, please, can I go with you?" She questioned him, noting the small frown on his face. "You can't extend the same offer to me, can you?"

"No, I can't, not because I don't want to. It's not my place, that's Ozpin's, but I can do one thing for you." He stated before getting up, and smiling whilst holding his fist out. "I can get you ready, because White Fang training doesn't hold a candle to shinobi training, and let me tell you…you'll be the greatest huntress to ever be!"

"I don't want to be the greatest, I just want to prove that I can." She stated before reaching, and fist bumping him. She smiled a little after feeling a familiar warm feeling, and noting his smile. "So, you're not going after Adam after we leave here, right?"

"As much as I want to, and trust me, he's counting his lucky stars right now that I'm not someone who breaks their vows. So, no, I'm not going after him…for now. If he hurts you, or tries to after this, then he's fair game." Naruto stated whilst pulling his fist away, and crossing his arms with a smirk. "You, on the other hand, start your training with me tomorrow."

"Come here, this very spot, and I'll see what you're capable of."

"Right, I'll be here, that's a promise." She stated whilst getting up, and then both of them heard noise. "Someone is here with us."

"You know…" Jiraiya walked out from behind a tree. "I should've known she'd find you before I did. So, did I just hear that correctly, that you're going to be training her?"

"Yeah, what about it?" The younger shinobi replied, crossing his arms whilst looking at Jiraiya with some indignation. "Is that going to be an issue, Pervy Sage?"

"No, not at all, but once those two years come. I'm going with you to learn more about this world as well. Plus, I owe you for the time that should've been." Jiraiya stated whilst standing upright, and watching Naruto walk over to him. "So, what happens now?"

"Now…I get one shot in, for all the crap I got left to…" Naruto hurriedly said before suddenly gut punching Jiraiya just below the navel, and then suddenly hugging him tightly. "…And telling you thank you for coming back…and that I'm sorry…"

"I let it get to me, too much, that wasn't right I needed to see it from a different angle…your angle."

Jiraiya was struggling as he felt the pain subside from the punch. He looked at Blake, and smiled whilst mouthing "thank you" to her before returning Naruto's hug. He smiled whilst holding him tightly, and bit his lip before feeling emotions come over him.

"So, who are you, who do you want to be…what does Naruto want?" He asked his student, and godson. The duo broke the hug, and the blonde smiled at him. "It's your truth, but it isn't your destiny, you can make this life anything you want. Who do you want to be?"

"I want to just be Naruto, Naruto…Uzumaki…Namikaze, that doesn't matter to me. What matters to me right now, most of all, is rebuilding our bond from the ground up…Pervy Sage." Naruto held his fist out to Jiraiya. "Master and student, grandfather and grandson."

"You'd call me that, despite everything?" He asked Naruto.

"Dad would've called you dad at his wedding, right? So, why not, because godfather is just a little weird to say." Naruto laughed nervously, and then fidgeted a little bit. "Its if you want that, ya know."

"Of course, I would, Naruto. C'mon, now, let's get on back to the hospital. Dr. Vista is probably freaking out by now." Jiraiya smiled brightly before teasing Naruto slightly. "Your girlfriend over there, and her mother, brought us food that's colder than Kakashi's love life by now."

"And that's being generous."

"She's/he's not my girlfriend/boyfriend!" Both yelled in unison.

Though Blake sported a bright red blush, Naruto's was more of a rose tarnished cheeks. He laughed at the expense of Kakashi though, and smiled a little bit. "That was cold to do that to Kakashi sensei though." He pointed out.

"Meh, he'll get over it." Jiraiya shrugged.

"Just like I got over your crappy books…Ninjas of Love is a lot better than your porn with plot." Naruto shot back at Jiraiya for Kakashi's sake. Making the white-haired man stumble in his step, and then turn whilst glaring at his student passing him by. "That's for Kakashi sensei, Pervy Sage."

"Oh, look here you little dimwit, I have you know that I'm an excellent writer!" Jiraiya declared before getting passionate with glorious tears coming from his eyes. "My stories are loved by all leaders, of all nations, in fact I dare say that they're the cure to world issues back home."

"Uh…huh…" Naruto drawled before looking behind him. "Selling yourself as some sort of prophet, aren't ya?"

"The prophet of love!" Jiraiya corrected him, which made Blake slightly giggle. "See, she thinks it's funny."

"That's no fair, I'm only laughing because you're acting like a child." She pointed out through giggles.

"A win is a win!" Jiraiya screamed out whilst throwing his free hand into the air. "By the way, did you know that your mother wanted to name you Hiko."

"Personally, I would've went with Narutomaki fully."

"Eh, I would've named after a fishcake?!" Naruto screamed whilst slightly recoiling. "Ah c'mon, really?!"

"Yep, but your mother shortened, just like she did your height!" Jiraiya took off running after that, leaving Naruto to blubber in response before he got a tick mark over his head, and held a fist up. "You'll never catch me, brat!"

"Get back here, you old pervert!" Naruto screamed with fire in his eyes as he began to give chase, leaving Blake all alone there.

She smiled though, and watched as Naruto neared Jiraiya who yelped in the distance. For some reason, her heart had skipped a beat when thinking of calling Hiko just as a joke.

Still…tomorrow would bring about the newer challenges, and new horizons.

Only time would tell what tomorrow brings.

{Kuo Kuana Forest.}
[Nearly Two Years Later.]

Naruto Uzumaki hadn't changed much over the last two years. Save, now freshly on the cusp turning fifteen in a week. The teenager stood up on a newly grown tree. He still had his longer hair, but his features had changed somewhat.

He was much taller now, standing nearly five feet and six inches tall. His longer hair flowed just down past his neck, still spiky as ever. His two front bangs past his ears were tied in red wrap. Much like the man he had dreams of every so often, Ashura. The fifteen-year-old knew his time was coming to an end in Kuo Kuana, and with it. Atlas would be his first destination, where he'd spend six months learning about Atlassian politics, and history.

His upper clothing consisted of a red jumpsuit top with yellow cuffs. It had the Uzumaki crest on the front, just over his heart in black stitching. He wore combat sandals that were colored black, but the biggest change was the pants he wore. Still wearing trousers, his color of choice had become dark blue. It was a contrast to his tops. The top of the jumpsuit was open, revealing his necklace with a black cord wrapped in it to secure it to his neck.

Standing on this new tree, overlooking Lake Uzumaki. He smiled as trees stood where the saplings were. Small trees, sure, but trees growing into once been barren sand. His hands suddenly whipped downward, grabbing his sword from his sword and blocking Gambol from Blake.

He smiled when she furrowed her brow.

"Hey, Blake, want to spar once more before I have to go?" He asked her with a small smile across his face. He already had his feet leaving the tree truck when she followed him with another slash, and a smile creeping across her face. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Do I even need to say it?" She asked calmly before suddenly whipping a kunai out near him. He caught it midair before noting the wire. "Got'cha."

She pulled the wire, and the fire dust and paper bomb activated. Slightly panicking when Naruto didn't even move. Instead, he had just stood there, letting it happen. She nearly leapt out of her skin when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hey, so, that was an awesome trick." He told her before leaning on her shoulder a little bit. "Still, game ov-whoa?!"

She suddenly disappeared before he fell onto the ground. He rubbed his head, only for her full weight to com crashing down on his stomach, knocking the air out of him. Her blade just over his neck. He looked up at her, and then smiled.

Blake wouldn't like the way she was this close to him. It slightly made her heart race, if anyone but Jiraiya saw this, everyone would've had the wrong idea. Both of them stayed like that for a moment. She got off him, and offered her hand out.

"Dang it, got me with that trick again!" He declared before she got him up with a small pull from her arm. "Well, that was a short-lived spar."

"You weren't even trying, Naruto." She slightly complained. "You promised me one good spar before you left. It's going to be at least a year before we ever get to see you again, and this is one of the very few times I get to be selfish about it."

"Yeah, especially since Ghira is kind of…being overprotective." The teenage shinobi admitted before smiling at her softly. "I still promised that I'd train you so you could become a huntress. So, yeah, don't sweat what he said too much."

"I try not to, but it's hard when I think about it. Leaving Sable and Noir." She admitted before rubbing her arm nervously, and sighing. "I'm being selfish."

"Not when you're pursing what you want to be. That's always up to you, because after this all set and done, Sable and Noir will have an awesome big sis to look up to!" Naruto declared before giving her a thumbs up, smiling brightly. "Although, I'm really gonna miss them too, ya know."

"Besides, have you thought an academy?"

"I'm going to try Beacon." Blake told him, and then rubbed the back of her head a little bit. "I know it's supposed to be your next stop after your year stay in Mistral."

"So, we'll have one more good time to see each other, huh?" Naruto faintly felt sadness enter him after realizing that, he then sighed. "Now that it's here, right in front of us…well…kind of sucks to be honest."

"Cause I don't really want to leave you alone to deal with asshole."

"Adam can try all he wants, but unless its HFIL related, I'm not joining him on anything anymore. I got freed a few months ago, I'm not going back." She proudly stated before crossing her arms, and then watching him smile. "So, do I get a redo on that spar, or…?"

Naruto walked past her, to a kunai that had been laying behind her. A three-pronged blade made in the image of his father's, and put back in his satchel along his beltline. He turned to her, smiling, not even letting her know what happened when that kunai exploded.

"Fine…c'mon, but this time I want to see if you've been practicing fighting on water."

Next Chapter Begins Arc 3.

Trivia.

Daylight fits the theme of this chapter since Jiraiya has felt guilt, and finally lets it go. Likewise, so does Naruto for the way he reacted.

Ninja Cat is gonna Ninja Cat…to an extent.

This entire chapter was an emotional roller coaster.

Yes, Naruto taught Blake how to water walk. Maybe some other things.

Naruto's appearance is meant to relate more closer to Ashura as he gets a little older. Don't worry, Sasuke's going through the same thing as well.

Mikoto could've single-handedly along with Kushina kept Konoha at max strength for years to come. By Obito killing Minato he ended up setting Konoha back DECADES.

Not many people know that The Third Hokage's wife was Kushina's midwife.

With that being said, Atlas means that we might get to see Ilia Amitola for the first time.

Minato & Kushina were 24 when they died.

The chance of another Prime Grimm encounter…is high…