The smell of the Ichiraku Ramen shop was always a sense of calm that hit Naruto like a wave every time walked through the flaps, it was one of the few places in the village he felt safe from all the glares. Teuchi never once turned him away or yelled at him for causing his customers to leave the instant he sat down, it really was just a safe place for Naruto. The fact ramen was his favorite thing to eat was just an added bonus.

Naruto sat down at the counter of the small ramen shop. Teuchi didn't have to ask what the blonde wanted to eat, he ordered the same miso pork ramen with an extra side of shinachiku every time.

"It's good to see you, Naruto. We haven't seen you around much lately." The other cook said. It was teenage girl with brown hair. Ayame is Teuchi's daughter and she helped her father run the ramen stand.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry about that, Ayame. I've been busy with the Chunin Exams, so I haven't had much time to spare to come here."

"Oh, that's right! The Chunin Exams are going on. I've seen the flyers for the third stage around the village. How did you and your team do?"

Naruto beamed with a smile. "We did awesome! All three of us made it to the finals!"

"Well, that's a cause for celebration!" Teuchi said as he put the finishing touches on his customer's ramen. He placed the steaming bowl of broth and noodles in front of the young blonde. "First bowl is on the house."

"Really?! No fooling?!"

Teuchi chuckled at the boy's energy. He might have a troubled past and act more like an adult than most adults sometimes but he was still a kid, the only kid Teuchi knew who could get this excited about free ramen. "Dig in, kid."

"Thanks Teuchi!" Naruto said as he broke the chopsticks apart and began to funnel the noodles down his throat. The blonde boy had half his ramen gone in record time, even by his standards, when someone walked under the entrance flaps.

"There you are, Naruto. I've been looking for you."

Naruto finished the ramen he had in his mouth before turning his head over his shoulder to see Sakura walking into the ramen shop and sit down next to him. "Oh hey, Sakura. What do you need?"

"Kakashi sensei wants a team meeting today. I think he wants to discuss our training for the third stage."

"He gave us the day off though."

"Hey, I'm just following orders. Sensei came to me and said I needed to come find you so that we can have a team meeting at our usual meeting area."

Naruto let out a sigh, he was actually going to take the day off from training and rest up. Oh well, orders are orders. "Alright. Just let me finish my ramen and we'll head over there."

Sakura nodded in understanding and waited for her blonde teammate to finish his meal. Naruto brought the bowl to his mouth and drank the broth, Sakura could've sworn she saw him lick the bowl too.

"Thanks again for the free ramen, old man."

"Naruto! That's no way to speak to your elders!" Sakura scolded.

Teuchi let out a hardy laugh. "It's quite alright. Naruto, here, is my most regular customer. He gives me enough business to keep the shop open by himself. I know he means nothing by it."

Sakura sighed. "If you say so. C'mon Naruto, Kakashi sensei and Sasuke are probably waiting on us."

"Doubtful." Naruto and Sakura stood from their stools and left the ramen bar. "Bye guys, I'll be sure to stop by again soon!" He waved as he disappeared under the white flaps.

The pair of Team Seven genin walked the village streets, guiding themselves through the crowds of people, as they made their way to the bridge the team used to meet. Naruto kept his head down and avoided looking anywhere but forward, he ignored the hateful glares of the villagers but he could feel them looking at him.

Sakura noticed most of the villagers were watching her and Naruto pass by them, she wondered why they were looking at them. It took the pinkette a moment to realize it wasn't her the villagers were glaring at, it was Naruto. She looked at the villagers glaring at her teammate and saw the fury behind their eyes. Naruto was doing nothing wrong but the villagers were glaring at him as if he just committed a horrible crime.

Sakura moved to walk closer to Naruto so she wouldn't have to talk so loud. "Hey, why are they staring at you like that?"

Naruto's demeanor did not change. "…Remember what I said about me being the outcast? Well, you're seeing it firsthand."

Sakura instantly recalled their short conversation and nodded. "But why do they treat you like this? What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"N-Nothing?"

Naruto didn't respond for several moments as they turned down the road that led to the small red bridge. "Look, we'll talk about this after the meeting, okay? This is something both you and Sasuke need to hear."

This intrigued Sakura greatly, it had to be something big if Naruto had kept a secret from them for this long. Plus, this would be the perfect chance to talk to him about what that green toad said about one of the Sannin being this 'caretaker', as Naruto called him. The pink-haired nodded and saw Sasuke standing on the bridge, of course their sensei was nowhere to be seen.

Little did Team Seven know, their sensei had a very good reason to be late this time.

-With Kakashi-

The silver-haired jōnin was casually making his way towards his team's usual meet up spot. He had just told Sasuke to head that way. Kakashi was just about to begin his trek there, himself, but he was just too interested in his beloved book and he just reached one of his most favorite parts. Just as he was about to go off somewhere and read it thoroughly, something caught his lone visible eye.

Perched on a rooftop that overlooked the main road of Konoha stood a lone man with long, spikey white hair and a large scroll strapped to his lower back. Kakashi blinked a few times, and even did a double take, to make sure his vision was not playing a trick on him. He followed the man's line of sight and saw what the man was watching. Coming out of the popular Ichiraku Ramen shop was Naruto, followed by Sakura.

Kakashi instantly closed his book and placed it in his back pouch. 'This is about to get very interesting.'

Kakashi jumped up to the rooftops and crept his way towards the man. He kept his movements slow and quiet, but he knew sneaking up on this man was something only a select few could do. Regardless, Kakashi did this so the man's presence wouldn't be made known to Naruto. For now.

Kakashi was about ten feet from the man before the man turned to face him.

The man smiled. "Not many can sneak up on me like that. You've gotten better, Kakashi."

"Lord Jiraiya…it's been a long time."

The legendary Toad Sannin crossed his arms. "Yeah, I know…it has."

Kakashi kept his distance between him and the Sannin. "Where have you been? Why are you here? Why now?"

Jiraiya expected this type of reaction from his godson's sensei. He deserved very bit of it. "Let me explain Kakashi. A lot has happened and I need you to understand that."

"Give me a reason why I should. I'm sorry Lord Jiraiya but I'm being this cautious for Naruto. He's been doing amazing as of late. He has a lot on his plate with the final stage of the Chunin Exams coming up and I don't want his mind getting turned inside out right now, he doesn't need it."

"I understand, Kakashi. I don't blame you. But this isn't about Naruto, not entirely. Not everything is as it seems."

"What do you mean?"

"We are on the brink of war and the old man has been lying about it."

Out of all the things Jiraiya could've said, that was not something Kakashi was necessarily expecting to hear. "I'm listening."

-With Team Seven-

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had been waiting on the bridge for over an hour now, the team had become used to their teacher's tardiness but that didn't mean they approved of it.

"What do you think his excuse will be this time?"

Sasuke shook his head at Naruto's rhetorical question. "Whatever it is, it's stupid and just a cover for him to read that book of his."

Sakura nodded in agreement. "He likes that book way too much, it's disgusting that he reads that flith in public."

Naruto went to say something but decided to keep his mouth shut. As much as he agreed with Sakura he couldn't refute the fact everyone had perverted side to them, big or small. Whether they were comfortable enough with themselves to show it or even accept it was entirely up to them. Honestly, who was he to judge?

It was about that time when the man in question appeared in a swirl of leaves near the front of the bridge. "Yo."

Sakura immediately pointed at her teacher accusingly as he moved towards them. "You're late, Kakashi sensei!"

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life."

All three of the genin rolled their eyes in unison and groaned in annoyance. "We've heard that one before." Naruto commented.

"Oh, you have? Well, then maybe I was helping an elderly woman with her bags…I don't remember. But enough of that. The reason I called you three here is because we need to discuss your training for the final stage of the Chunin Exam. Since the three of you made it to the finals, I can't train all three of you together. Not only would that not be fair to the other participants, I also feel like I can't train the three of you well enough to succeed when there's a large possibly you might face each other. I'm not abandoning you three, I've gone ahead and set up teachers to train you for the month."

The three genin nodded in understanding and refrained from asking any questions so Kakashi could continue to talk.

"Sakura, Kurenai Yūhi expressed interest in your abilities when she saw your fight against Ino. None of Team Eight made it to the finals so she's open to help with your training. Also, she'll give you some insight on how to handle the Byakugan in a fight. Meet her at the training grounds tomorrow morning."

The pinkette nodded and was delighted to hear another team's sensei was willing to train her.

"Sasuke, I decided it was be best if I trained you. Your Sharingan is improving but it still needs more development. However, that is not the only thing we will be working on. I've got some ideas on how to deal with that sand defense."

Sasuke didn't let his excitement show but Kakashi could tell he was happy to hear he'd be getting one-on-one training from him.

"And Naruto, I was going to let you go on by yourself because I know who much you prefer training that way. But…something came up and I felt like it would be better if you were trained under someone's supervision."

Naruto wasn't against having someone train him, it actually sounded like a nice change of pace. He just usually trained by himself because it was easier by reading a scroll the Sandaime gave him and teaching himself. He simply took out the middle man. Not to mention no one would ever give him the light of day.

"Who'd you have in mind, sensei?"

Kakashi hesitated for a moment. "Well…"

"Me."

While the other two genin turned to the sound of the voice, Naruto froze up completely. The blood drained from his face and he began to shake with anger. That voice was all too familiar. He slowly turned around to see the very man he hadn't seen in six long years. He hadn't changed. He still wore that same green short shirt kimono and matching pants, with the mesh armor underneath that was seen at his ankles, wrists, and chest. That red haori with the yellow spheres wasn't as vibrant as Naruto remembered, and the forehead protector with the kanji for oil looked well-worn. A dead giveaway to his affiliations to the toads on Mount Myōboku.

"Ero-Sennin…"

A part of Jiraiya never thought he'd hear that name again. He always loved it, even though he repeatedly told Naruto not to call him that. Jiraiya was cautious with his movements. "Naruto…please let me- "

The Sannin never got to finish his sentence, Naruto didn't let him. The blonde appeared in front of his godfather and delivered a punch with as much strength he could muster up, but Jiraiya caught the fist and small shockwave echoed from the collision.

Naruto looked up with anger and shock filling his features.

"I deserve every bit of anger you want to throw at me but we don't have time for it right now. We need to talk- "

"Time? You wanna talk about TIME?! WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS?! YOU LEFT ME HERE LIKE I WAS NOTHING!"

"Naruto please, just let me explain."

"Why should I?! You dropped me here like I was nothing more than passing fancy!" Naruto back away from his godfather and turned to leave. "Fuck this. I'm outta here."

Naruto was almost off the bridge before Kakashi appeared and put his hand on his chest, stopping him from leaving. He glared at the man with pupils of the beast within him.

"You need to hear him out, Naruto. Trust me."

"Oh yeah? And why should I? Give me one good reason why I should listen to this- "

"Your name."

Jiraiya knew that would do the trick, he didn't want to use his name as a ploy to talk to him but he didn't have much of a choice at this point. "I'll tell you everything. I don't give a damn about the rules anymore. It's time you knew."

He was still unbelievably angry, Naruto couldn't bring himself to unclench his fists he was so mad, but Naruto turned to look over his shoulder at the Sannin. "…Fine. Follow me and we'll talk." The blonde jumped into the air and the Sannin followed.

Sasuke was completely dumbfounded, he would have never guessed that a freaking Sannin was the one that took care of him before he came to the village. But it made total sense. It explained why he was so strong, it wasn't only because the Third Hokage 'trained' him but because one of the three legendary Sannin trained him from birth.

Sakura was already aware that Naruto lived with Jiraiya but her prior knowledge of this did not ease the shock factor of what she had just witnessed. She knew Naruto would have some pent up aggression towards the Sannin, his mini freak out during their mission in the Land of Waves being the prime example, but she didn't expect it to be this bad.

"That was…something." Sasuke commented.

"It certainly was."

Sakura looked at her sensei in confusion. "Kakashi sensei, Lord Jiraiya said he didn't care about the rules anymore and it's time he knew everything. What did he mean by that? And why would his name be used as something to get Naruto to talk to him?"

Kakashi no longer saw the point in keeping his student's secrets any longer, well certain ones at least. "There are a lot of things Naruto doesn't even know about himself. But why Lord Jiraiya said that about Naruto's name is new to me."

"He doesn't believe that Naruto is his real name."

Both Sakura and Kakashi both looked at Sasuke perplexed.

"The night we stopped in the cave during the second stage, I went to Naruto to talk to him about what happened between me and him that day. He doesn't know if that's his real name because he found the name 'Naruto' in a book he wasn't supposed to read."

Well that just didn't seem right to Kakashi. Of course, that was his real name. He remembered his father bragging about his son to him a few days before the boy was born, his name had been chosen long before he was born. "What book?"

"Tales of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi."

It finally clicked in Kakashi's head. It made sense now. "Hm. I see. Well, I'm sure Lord Jiraiya will set everything straight. Let's go Sasuke, we need to talk about your training. Sakura don't forget to meet Kurenai at the training fields tomorrow." Kakashi turned and motioned for Sasuke to follow him.

The Uchiha looked at his pink-haired teammate before following their sensei. Sakura was left alone on the bridge, more confused than she had ever been in her life.

-With Naruto and Jiraiya-

Naruto led his godfather to his rundown apartment in the back corner of the village. It wasn't rundown when he first got the apartment, years of torment and half-done repairs made it that way. It was at the point where Naruto had to practically kick the door open because the frame had been messed up and nobody was willing to fix it.

Once Naruto was able to open the door, he was treated to the sight of shattered glass and brick laying on the floor. Not the first time he came home to this sight, and probably not the last.

"Nice…place."

Naruto scoffed and sat down at his small table. "Ojiisan gave it to me the day you left. He covered the expenses until I graduated from the Ninja Academy."

"He gave you this shitty apartment?"

Naruto didn't even bother refuting that comment, it was shitty. "No. It was a decent place before the villagers figured out where I lived. It's an odd day when I come home and don't find something broken."

Jiraiya sat down across from his godson. "Their treatment of you hasn't change, has it?"

Naruto scoffed. "What do you think?"

It was a rhetorical question so Jiraiya didn't answer. Several moments of silence passed between the two.

"Well, are we gonna talk or just sit in fucking silence?"

Jiraiya sighed. "For the record, I never wanted to leave you. I stayed at the hospital all night with you, praying you'd wake up so I could take you out of there."

"But you weren't there when I did wake up, when it actually mattered."

"You're right…I wasn't. And I will never forgive myself for that. It was wrong, cowardly, and down right selfish of me to leave here alone without so much as a goodbye. I am sorry, Naruto."

Those words, Naruto could hear the sorrow and regret in his godfather's voice. Jiraiya truly wanted forgiveness for what he had done and it would haunt him for the rest of his days if he did not get it. But Naruto wasn't ready to give Jiraiya his forgiveness. Not yet. A lot had to be done before that.

"Give me the reason."

"Huh?"

"Tell me the reason why you left out saying goodbye. Tell me why you couldn't wait for me to wake up."

Jiraiya did not respond for quite some time. The silence that set in was tense for Naruto. Finally, after all this time, he would know why he was left alone. For so long, he waited for this question to be answered and now he would know.

"I didn't have a reason. I was a coward. I wasn't sure how to face you after what happened. I failed to do the very thing Sarutobi sensei asked me to do when he asked me to take you out of the village. I failed to protect you. It's my fault you endured these six years of hate and torment."

Naruto let that enter his brain and it sat with him for some time.

"…Ojiisan said he gave you a mission and you couldn't waste any time waiting for me to wake up. Did that play any part in you leaving when you did?"

"The mission…was a lie."

Naruto looked at Jiraiya in shock. "W-What?"

"Sarutobi sensei came to me while I waited by your side to wake up. He never asked if you were okay, or even why the villagers attacked you. He just walked in and said there was a mission for me. Apparently, a team of ANBU had gone missing and their last report stated that they spotted a masked man. Sensei believed they were dead and wanted me to investigate and track down this masked man."

"And that was a lie?"

Jiraiya nodded. "There was no missing ANBU team, no masked man. It was all a lie to get me out of the village and you here permanently."

"If it was all a lie then why didn't you come back sooner? Why stay away?"

"Because I found something else. Something more concerning than one dead ANBU team. One of my sources sent me a message about other villages increasing their training methods and doubling their budget for military spending. That means they are preparing themselves for war. I needed to double check to make sure these reports were accurate because I thought it might be the Third feeding me another lie. But it was true. Iwagakure and Kumogakure are gearing up for war, Naruto. And I'm certain their target is Konoha."

"I spent the last six years doing everything I can to gather up as much information as possible so that we can have any possible advantage against them. We've faced them before in war and won, but it won't be the same this time around."

"What's different this time?"

"Back then, it was everyone fighting everyone. A free-for-all. This will be the first time two villages will fight together as one."

Shock filled Naruto's features. "An alliance?"

Jiraiya nodded. "I mean, you can look at it as a good thing that two villages worked out their differences for a common goal. That common goal is Konoha being destroyed, but hey greater picture right?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Shut up pervy sage."

Jiraiya chuckled. "There's that smartass side. I'm glad to see you haven't changed completely while I've been away."

"Yeah, well…I guess spying on our enemies and learning we are going to war is a pretty decent excuse." Naruto mumbled begrudgingly.

Jiraiya chuckled sheepishly. It wasn't a straight line of forgiveness but it was something, and that's all he was hoping for. A chance. "That's not everything, though."

"Oh great, is the world ending too?"

"No no, that would be too easy. Kakashi told me about your dream, the goal you shared when your team first came together. I want to make up for lost time and make that dream a reality."

"What do you mean?"

"You've got the final stage of the Chunin Exam coming up. Your first opponent is that Rock Lee kid, right? Then it's a fifty-fifty shot between your female teammate and the Hyuuga prodigy, Neji. Right now, you could possibly beat them both in one-on-one matches. I'd say it's a toss up as you currently stand with that mark on your neck limiting you."

Naruto instinctively rubbed his hand over the seal on his neck. "You know about that?"

"Kakashi told me. He told me everything. I want to make up for all the agony I've caused you. I know life hasn't been easy and I'm not going to sugarcoat that. I want to train you to be the strongest."

Naruto was silent, taking in the words of his godfather and letting in sink into his brain.

"Before I agree to anything, I want you to answer a question for me."

"Of course. Anything."

The blonde reached into his inside jacket pocket and threw a slid the book across the table. "Is Naruto my real name?"

Jiraiya picked up the book and held in his hand. He softly smiled as he recalled the memories the book brought to him. Especially the day Minato and Kushina told him their intentions on naming their unborn child the main character. That same day they asked him to be Naruto's godfather. "Your parent's fell in love with the name after they read this book. They wanted to name you after the character, so you would never give up like him."

"…My parents?"

"They loved you so much, Naruto. I've never seen happiness like what I saw in your mother and father when they found out about you. You were all they talked about."

Tears couldn't stop flowing down Naruto's cheeks. He couldn't recall a time he was so happy in his life. He wiped his tears away on his sleeve. "Who were they?"

As much as Jiraiya wanted to tell him the truth, he couldn't confidently do it inside the village walls. "I can't tell you that yet."

"What? Why not?!"

"It's not safe to discuss your heritage inside the village walls. I'm positive someone is listening in on our conversation right now."

Naruto immediately scanned the room of his apartment and found nothing out of place. He looked back at his godfather. "Where can we go then?"

"I'll be taking you outside the village to train until the third stage begins. That way we are left alone and can talk about anything we need to."

"What about my team? I can't just leave them."

"I've already cleared it with Kakashi. He's willing to let you leave under my supervision as long as you get back in time for your match."

"What about Ojiisan? What does he say?"

"I don't care what the old man has to say. You're my godson, not his."

Naruto was surprised to hear Jiraiya talk like that towards his teacher. "That's a bit harsh, pervy sage. I think he deserves to know."

"You can tell him if you want, but he'll probably try and convince you not to come with me."

"Why? Aren't you his student?"

"I was. But remember Naruto, Sarutobi sensei gave me that fake mission to get me out of here. He doesn't want me around you anymore. I think he wanted to train you himself but couldn't find the time as Hokage."

Naruto let out a sigh and nodded in understanding. "Okay. I won't tell him. When do we leave?"

"In the morning. I figured you'd want to enjoy the rest of your day, maybe go see that female teammate of yours." Jiraiya said suggestively with a certain arch in his eyebrow.

"Sakura? Why would I go see her?"

"I saw you two leaving that ramen bar together. I know a date when I see one."

Naruto's cheeks flushed from embarrassment. "That wasn't a date, you pervert. Sakura was looking for me so we could go meet Kakashi sensei."

"Whatever you say, my boy, whatever you say."

Jiraiya suddenly stood from his seat at the table and began walking towards the door. Naruto was confused by this.

"Hey where are you going?"

"I promised an old friend I'd help with something and I'm already late. I'll stop by later and we'll go get something to eat."

-With Kakashi and Sasuke-

The room was dark, the only light came from the few candles that gave Kakashi enough sight to see what he was doing. He had just finished drawing the necessary markings and seals on Sasuke's shirtless upper body and was finally ready to begin.

Sasuke steeled himself for what was about to happen. He took in a deep breath and let it out, kneeling down on the ground as he did so. He recalled Kakashi's words to him as he felt his sensei's hand cover the curse mark.

"That mark on your neck, it's affecting more than just your strength. Your hostility towards others has skyrocketed, especially towards your teammates. Don't let that hunger for power destroy everything you've done and built with your comrades. Revenge only feeds the need for more revenge."

Kakashi focused his chakra into the seal and Sasuke let out a painfilled scream, the markings on his body funneled into the cursed seal. The tomoe burned red from the markings and then faded away. Sasuke was too overwhelmed with the pain and passed out.

"My, how've you grown Kakashi. To think you'd be able to handle one of my seals."

Kakashi gasped and turned to face the voice. There was only person who that kind of voice. Stepping out from behind one of the pillars was Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru…"

"Sorry, but my business is not with you Kakashi."

"Why are you after Sasuke?!"

Orochimaru's smile became even more wicked when he turned his golden snake eyes to Kakashi's covered left eye. "You didn't have it before, did you? That Sharingan in your left eye!"

Kakashi's entire body tensed, he could feel the Sannin's glare on his Sharingan.

"I want it, too…the power of the Uchiha!"

"What's your game?"

Orochimaru chuckled sinisterly. "You already understand, don't you?"

"Sounds like ridiculous ambition from what I've pieced together."

"But, what I need are various pieces who will obey my every command."

"So, Sasuke is one of those pieces? A pawn for your own personal gain?"

"No. Sasuke is an exceptional piece. Even the Nine-Tails brat would make for an exceptional piece. But those who are in the exams now…are mere throw away pawns in my plan!"

Orochimaru took a step closer. Kakashi wasn't willing to play this game, he wouldn't win. He extended his right arm towards the ground and gripped his bicep with his left hand. Lightning arched from his open right palm.

"Not one step closer! Take another step towards Sasuke and one of us will die here!"

Orochimaru began to laugh hysterically, maniacally even. "Do you really think that seal of yours will hold? Do you believe you can keep him? That boy is an avenger. No matter what obstacles you put in front of him, he will come to me."

Orochimaru turned to leave, letting Kakashi stew in his own fear. The Snake Sannin stopped when he finally realized who had been watching them the whole time. The one man who could sneak up on him. Standing at the far end of the room was Jiraiya.

"You are a damn fool Orochimaru."

"I'm the fool, Jiraiya? That's clever, it really is."

"Do you honestly think you can just walk in and take anything you want? Your plan to get the Sharingan has already failed once, what makes you think it will work this time?"

Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "I'm taking a much more subtle approach. The Sharingan will come to me. It was only a matter of time before Sasuke realized what he needed to kill Itachi could not be achieved in this forsaken village."

"Your plan is to just let him come to you? But yet you expose yourself like this? You really must be desperate."

"Oh Jiraiya, there is a plan for everything. Don't you worry, if I ever become desperate then you, our pitiful excuse of a teammate, and even Sarutobi sensei will know it." Orochimaru's body disintegrated into a pile of snakes and slithered away.

Jiraiya didn't even bother going after Orochimaru, the time for their battle would come soon enough. The Toad Sannin made his way towards Kakashi.

"You good?"

The jōnin nodded. "Yeah. I'm not really sure what I was thinking though, threatening Orochimaru like that."

"Ah, don't dwell on that. He wasn't going to do anything. Orochimaru is just rattling the cage, he's too smart to do anything right now. My guess he'll stay in the shadows for now until he wants to make his move for real."

"What could that be though? He said his plan is to let Sasuke come to him. Why continuously show himself?"

"That is the burning question, isn't it?" Jiraiya looked over the fully developed curse mark on the unconscious Uchiha boy's neck. "I figured as much. This mark has three levels, each with a different jutsu formula that releases the affects on his body."

"So, each one of those tomoe has a different affect on Sasuke?"

Jiraiya nodded. "I'm assuming so. It would make sense because Naruto's mark only causes him pain, he doesn't get any sort of power or changes to his behavior. Maybe that's the first tomoe's purpose, giving the pain. The second and third must give Sasuke the power boost and affects to his personality."

"Do you think the seal worked?"

Jiraiya looked around the room and saw how Kakashi had everything set up. "Honestly, the Evil Sealing Method was probably the best choice but using it on this mark leaves it entirely up to Sasuke. The jutsu will keep it suppressed but if Sasuke wants to tap into the curse seal's power, your jutsu won't stop him. At most, cause him more pain."

"Is there anything you could do? You are much better at fuinjutsu then I am."

Jiraiya shook his head. "Not right now, no. I would need a lot of time to figure out the formulas Orochimaru used to create each tomoe, even more time to counter them with the right techniques. I was going to figure out Naruto's mark while I trained him then do what I could for Sasuke when we returned."

"You'll be gone for the next month. Do you think you'll have by it figured out by the start of the third stage?"

Jiraiya laughed. "Between my knowledge of fuinjutsu and Naruto's ability to understand it, I think we will have it figured it by then. Just keep a close eye on Sasuke, my guess the mark is tied to his anger and frustration."

Kakashi nodded. "He'll be training with me, so that won't be a problem."

Jiraiya nodded in understanding. He was no longer needed here so he figured it was time to go. The Sannin walked towards the exit while Kakashi picked up Sasuke and placed him on his back.

"Lord Jiraiya…"

Jiraiya stopped and turned to face Kakashi. "Yes?"

"Take care of him, he's still a kid."

Jiraiya smirked, but it was not a happy one. "Naruto has more responsibility on his shoulders than most people know how to handle. The world is counting on him, it just doesn't know it yet."

Jiraiya turned to leave. "Don't worry Kakashi, you've done an amazing job with Naruto. Minato would be proud."