Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; this chapter is going to be straight filler so don't get your hopes up for a lot of action. Now with nothing else to say let's begin.
Virtue and Venom: Chapter 31
Fire Temple (2 months after leaving Konoha): With Naruto
"*bam, bam, bam* Oh hell this hurts" Naruto said as he continued to punch a wooden training post; Naruto's fists were bloody and bruised as he continued to punch the post.
"Pain is weakness leaving the body" Chiriku said wisely "this training will help you condition your bones and your muscles; and with one more month of this training you will ready to begin the taijutsu training" he said.
Naruto growled as he punched the post again and again "Asuma sensei had to do this training all those years ago" he asked and Chiriku nodded "well if he could do it so could I" Naruto said as he continued to punch the post missing Chiriku nod in approval.
Chiriku was looking on as Jiraya walked up "how's the kid doing" he asked.
"He has a long way to go but his perseverance is driving him forward" Chiruku said and Jiraya chuckled.
'Yep, he's definitely your kid Kushina' Jiraya thought as he looked on at Naruto.
Naruto kept on punching the post ignoring the pain 'think of something else; ignore the pain' he thought; Naruto then had an idea 'Ino… I'll think of Ino; I wonder how she's doing' Naruto thought.
In Konoha: With Ino
Ino was walking home from another day at the hospital; since Naruto left Ino has been there half the time when she wasn't training with Kakashi or Anko.
'Holy crap what a day' Ino thought as she stretched; as she walked along she was she was passing the cemetery 'I guess I should stop by' Ino thought as she walked into the cemetery. Ino walked along the rows until she found the first grave she wanted to visit.
Ino was standing in front of Sakura's grave; Ino leaned down and touched the cold stone and closed her eyed. "Sakura, hey it's been a while since I stopped by" Ino said to the stone "Naruto left for training not to long ago and I started learning medical ninjutsu; I'm sure you'd be better at it than me since you are such a brainiac" Ino said with a chuckle. "I'm sorry this happened to you; it shouldn't have happened" Ino said "but don't blame Mamushi; she wasn't in control of herself" Ino said as she stood up.
"I'll see you next time" Ino said as she began to walk away; Ino stopped as she saw 3 people standing few yards away. Ino walked over and recognized who they were "oh hey; sorry to bother you all" she said.
Yoshino Nara, Chika Akimichi and Ino's mom were all standing in front of the graves of Shikamaru and Choji.
"Ino dear you are not interrupting" Chika said as she wiped some of her tears away "we are just here to see our boys" she said as she looked over to a weathered Yoshino.
"It's what Shika would've wanted" Yoshino said "buried next to Choji; so, they could be together" she said as she choked at the last part. Ino's mom wrapped her arm around her and held her. "You know Ino" Yoshino said "Shika and Choji always wondered which one of them would marry you" she said and Ino chuckled.
"Probably would've been Shika" Ino said with a sad smile "but he would probably think I was a total drag" Ino said and Yoshino chuckled. "But Naruto got to me first; and I think it's for the best" Ino said "I prefer to be the smart one in the relationship" she said and all 3 women chuckled.
"Do you wish to pray with us sweetie" Ino's mom said and Ino nodded; Ino walked up and all 4 women began to pray over the graves of Choji and Shikamaru.
With Naruto (3 months after leaving Konoha)
Naruto wearing a gi was in a ring with another fire temple monk around his age; both Naruto and the monk were circling each other in their taijutsu stances eyeing each other. Both Jiraya and Chiruku along with dozens of other monks were looking on observing the match.
Naruto rushed forward and threw a punch at the monk who blocked it with his forearm; the monk retaliated by throwing a punch back to which Naruto dodged. Naruto threw a kick and the monk blocked it and grabbed Naruto's let throwing him to the other side of the ring; Naruto rolled and got back up only to dodge a flying kick from the monk.
Naruto and the monk began to exchange both feet and fists as both tried to gain a upper hand in the fight; both Jiraya and Chiruku looked on and judged the fight.
"He has a long way to go" Jiraya said "Naruto has always been a brawler; so, learning the fire temple's Karate is going to be like teaching a miner how to be a sculptor" he said and Chiruku shook his head.
"I do not agree" Chiruku said "Naruto is an empty bowl; he never had a set fighting style and now he's going to learn one" he said.
Naruto threw another punch at the monk but the monk caught his arm and threw him over his shoulder using a judo move; the monk put Naruto into a hold and spoke "give up please; I don't wish to hurt you" he said.
"Ha I'll never- "Naruto began until the monk put more pressure "I tap, I tap" Naruto shouted tapping the mat.
"Match over; let him go" Chiruku said and the monk nodded as he let go of Naruto's arm.
"Good job Naruto" the monk said offering a hand for Naruto to get back up.
"Thanks, I appreciate it; good job" Naruto said with a smile "you're a lot friendlier than my last sparring partner" Naruto said shaking his hand. 'I wonder how the bastard is doing' Naruto thought.
With Sasuke and Kakashi
Sasuke and Kakashi were both sparring in training ground 7 as has become their routine; Sasuke threw a punch at Kakashi who dodged and launched a kick at Sasuke. Sasuke was hit in the chest and sent flying back; Sasuke however corrected himself and began going through hand signs.
'Fire Style: Fire ball jutsu' Sasuke launched a weak fire ball at Kakashi as to not accidentally kill him; Kakashi seeing this went through hand signs himself.
'Water Style: Water wall' Kakashi created a water wall with the water from the river to protect himself from the fire jutsu; Sasuke's fire ball hit the water wall and created a cloud of steam. Kakashi then heard chirping and saw Sasuke burst out of the steam with a lightly powered Chidori.
Kakashi ducked out of the way and grabbed Sasuke's arm; Kakashi pulled his arm and kneed Sasuke in the gut knocking the wind out of him. Sasuke's Chidori died and he fell to the ground holding his stomach.
"Good tactic Sasuke; using the steam to hid your next attack" Kakashi said with a eye smile "you're getting better; in a few months I might have to use my sharingan" he said and Sasuke coughed while nodding.
"I need to get better" Sasuke said as he slowly got up "those 2 on the bridge in wave, Orochimaru, Itachi, Mamushi going crazy; it opened my eyes" Sasuke said. "I have a long way to go" Sasuke said as Mamushi flashed through his mind "I don't want to lose her" he said and he heard Kakashi chuckle.
"Oh… doing all this over a girl" Kakashi teased "how noble; a year ago who would've thought the last Uchiha would do something so noble" he said and Sasuke looked away with a light blush.
"Shut up" Sasuke said trying to deny it; Kakashi then walked up and ruffled his hair.
"Well, it isn't a bad thing" Kakashi said and Sasuke 'hmphed' "now then activate your sharingan; we have to practice with it" Kakashi said as he raised his head band revealing his.
Sasuke and Kakashi both activated their Mangekyo sharingans and began the second part of their training.
With Naruto (5 months after leaving Konoha)
Naruto, Jiraya and Chiruku were all in white robes as they all sat under a freezing cold-water fall; Jiraya and Chiruku told Naruto he needed to practice his meditation and manipulate his chakra without using hand signs.
They said that if Naruto manipulated his chakra well enough he could keep himself warm despite the freezing cold water; all he had to do was concentrate.
However, all Naruto could focus on was trying not to pass out from the cold 'holy dog shit; this water is cold as hell' Naruto thought as he shivered; Naruto looked over to both of his sides and saw both Jiraya and Chiruku perfectly still as the cold water poured over them. 'How the hell are they so calm' Naruto wondered.
Faster than he could see Chiruku slapped him on the head "focus on yourself not others" he said calmly.
"Ow that- "Naruto began until Jiraya slapped him.
"Shut it" Jiraya said calmly.
"Why- "Naruto began until both men slapped him again "ok" Naruto said as he closed his eyes. 'Man, I bet Mamushi and Anko aren't going this bullshit' Naruto thought as he tried to form his chakra.
With Mamushi and Anko
Mamushi was in the middle of and arena with 5 root ninjas surrounding her; one of the root ninjas charged at her throwing a punch. Mamushi ducked out of the way and countered with an uppercut knocking him out; 2 others then charged from behind Mamushi in an attempt to attack her.
Mamushi performed a back flip and double kicked them in the back of their heads knocking them out as well; the last 2 both took out kunai and attempted to stab her. Mamushi spun around grabbing their arms making them veer off in different directions; Mamushi disarmed the first one and kneed him in the stomach making him go to a knee before using the same leg to kick the other one in the head sending him to the ground.
Mamushi grabbed the kunai and thrusted it at the kneeling root member stopping just before she pierced his neck; Mamushi smiled and spoke.
"I win again" Mamushi said as she let him go and he let out a breath of relief "hey Anko sensei, bandage guy I won" Mamushi cheered as she looked over and saw Anko and Danzo watching from the side lines.
"Good job Mamushi" Anko said with a smile and a thumbs up.
"But you still have a long way to go" Danzo said sternly "go and gear up; you have evasion training next" he said and Mamushi without skipping a beat nodded.
"Ok bandage guy" Mamushi said as she skipped away; Danzo and Anko looked as Mamushi left the area and Danzo spoke.
"Despite her… disposition… she is improving everyday" Danzo said and Anko nodded "perhaps in a few more years she could be a very useful Anbu for Konoha" he said and Anko spoke.
"I agree; she has a lot of untapped potential" Anko said "however I do not trust you at all with her; I know you and your ways" Anko said with a scowl. "We are only here for your training and advice; that's all" Anko said "I don't want you to turn her into another Itachi" she said and Danzo didn't react.
"You say that but look at the results" Danzo said as he turned around "the way I see it, she already is; only thing stopping her is her ties and emotions" he said as he walked away. "And do not get me wrong; the moment she steps out of line, I will put her down" Danzo said "I will not allow another threat to the village emerge" he said.
"I won't let that happen" Anko said dangerously.
"I hope you're right" Danzo said as he walked away.
With Naruto and Jiraya (1 year after leaving the village)
Naruto was standing at the entrance of the fire temple wearing orange robes and carrying his stuff in his back pack "thanks for everything Chiruku; I wish we could stay longer" Naruto said and Chiruku smiled.
"It was no problem, Naruto" Chiruku said with a bow "this year of training has been a learning experience for all of us; I hope your training here will help you in your future endeavors" he said and Naruto grinned rubbing the back of his head.
"Thanks for having us" Jiraya said as he turned around "let go Naruto; we have a lot more work to do" Jiraya said as he turned around and walked away with Naruto following him. After walking for a little while Jiraya spoke "well that was a good use of a year" Jiraya said and Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, it was cool; despite some parts sucking more than others" Naruto said and Jiraya chuckled "so what next pervy sage" Naruto asked and Jiraya smirked.
"Well not it's time for you to learn toad sage mode" Jiraya said and Naruto went wide eyed "I have to warn you; what we are going to do next will make the past year look like a cake walk" Jiraya said and Naruto smirked.
"Bring it on pervy sage" Naruto said "I can take on anything" Naruto said with confidence and Jiraya chuckled evilly.
"They all say that at first" Jiraya said and Naruto paled; Naruto and Jiraya continued to walk down the road as the next step of Naruto's journey was about to begin.
Ok another chapter done; I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did please like, comment and share with your friends; and until next time bye.