Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; if you are enjoying it please continue supporting my work. Now with nothing else to say let's begin.
Mist and Maelstroms: Chapter 11
With Naruto, Kisame, Itachi and Jiraya: 2 days before the finals.
"Ok Naruto keep your focus" Jiraya said as he looked on at Naruto; Naruto was currently standing in the middle of a river with a shadow clone trying to form a rasengan.
"I'm trying" Naruto growled out "it's just hard to focus on sending chakra to both my feet and my hand" he said and Jiraya chuckled.
"That's the point kid" Jiraya said "the more mastery over your chakra you have the better you will be in combat" he said.
"I'm not going to lie Jiraya" Kisame said standing next to him "this is certainly going to give him an edge; since the stadium won't have a water source, he'll need to find other ways to fight" he said and Jiraya nodded.
"Flexibility in combat is a must" Itachi said "otherwise you will become predictable and be easily taken out; look at what happened to Hidan" he said and both men nodded.
Naruto was struggling to form the chakra sphere even with the help of his clone; just then a small ball of chakra began to form into his hand "hey… hey look" Naruto shouted gaining the attentions of his sensei's. Naruto began to focus even more at trying to form the rasengan.
Just then a fully formed rasengan came to be and Naruto had the brightest smile on his face "oh hell yeah" Naruto shouted as his clone dispelled and he held the rasengan up "hey pervy sage, Itachi, Kisame look; I formed it" he said.
"Don't call me that" Jiraya shouted "now then try and hold it's form for as long as you can" he said and Naruto gave him a thumbs up. Naruto held the rasengan for a few seconds and felt fine; after 10 seconds his hand began to feel hot, 20 seconds his hand began to hurt, and then 30 seconds the sphere began to lose its shape.
"Oh hell" Naruto groaned out; he then raised his hand holding the rasengan and it dispersed "holy crap" Naruto said panting. "This is taking a lot out of me" Naruto said as he began to walk back to the shore "Sorry I couldn't hold it any longer" Naruto said flexing his hand.
"No problem kid" Jiraya said ruffling his hair "you are able to hold it for 30 seconds; really impressive stuff, especially since you learned it under a month" he said. Naruto grinned and ruffled the back of his head.
"Nah it was most due to my training with Mei" Naruto said "she helped me with my chakra control so she gets most of the credit" Naruto said.
"You don't give yourself enough credit Naruto" Itachi said making the boys eyes widen "while yes Mei did help you train; it was your effort that made it possible. You did this not Mei" he said making Naruto smile.
"Gee thanks Itachi" Naruto said "ok so what next, sword practice, jutsu, what" he asked excitedly; Jiraya grinned and took out a scroll.
"While I know you already signed a contract with the sharks I decided to get you a little something from the toads" he said making Naruto and Kisame's eyes widen. "I had the toad boss talk to the shark boss and they agreed that it'll be ok for me to teach Naruto something" Jiraya said; Naruto took the scroll and opened it up revealing a canteen.
"Another canteen, but I already have 4 on the belt Ao gave me" Naruto said confused; Jiraya then laughed heartedly.
"Silly little blonde kiddo" Jiraya said making Naruto grow a tic mark "this is not an ordinary canteen" Jiraya said taking it and opening it. "Watch this" Jiraya said going through hand signs 'Toad Style: Oil Bullet' Jiraya then shout out a glob of oil from the canteen that hit a tree and splattered all over covering it in a thick oil.
"Huh it doesn't look like it did any damage" Naruto said and Jiraya chuckled.
"It's not supposed to" Jiraya said "this is toad oil; it makes anything slippery" he said making everyone's eyes widen. "It you hit someone with it dead on he won't be able fight effectively" Jiraya said "or if you aim at the ground and someone steps on it, it could make them fall down; allowing you to attack" he said and Naruto nodded.
"Cool; you going to teach me how to use it" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Yeah, I will" Jiraya said "best part is that there is a toad oil sack at the bottom of the canteen; so you will never run out. You just have to let the canteen fill back up" Jiraya said.
"Well let's get started shall we" Naruto said eager to use the toad oil.
A few hours later
Naruto, Itachi and Kisame entered Naruto's apartment all soaking in toad oil.
"The oil is cool; but man does it stick to you" Naruto said almost slipping on his floor.
"It's quite useful I'll give you that" Itachi said ringing out his hair over the sink.
"I haven't been this oiled up since I visited that whore house in Kumo" Kisame said with a chuckle making both Itachi and Naruto sweat drop "Ok I'm going to rinse this crap off; I'll try using dish soap" he said taking the dish soap from the kitchen before walking into the shower.
"Well, I'll say this Itachi" Naruto said gaining his attention "you and Kisame have been a major help and I appreciate it" Naruto said.
"Well thank you Naruto" Itachi said "and I'd like to say I appreciate you as well; you make me feel like I have a little brother again" Itachi said.
Just then there was a knock at the door and Naruto went over to see who it was 'huh; must be Jiraya' Naruto thought as he opened the door. When he did, he saw that it was Hana Inuzuka.
"Hey Naruto I got your address from Kiba; I came to ask, have you seen my mother" Hana said to a wide-eyed Naruto "she's been leaving a lot over the past few weeks and… I… was…" Hana stopped as her eyes wandered over to a wide-eyed Itachi still standing over the sink trying to get the oil out of his hair.
Itachi was caught completely by surprise as he looked at his old class mate Hana 'oh shit' Itachi thought.
"Traitor" Hana shouted as she took out a kunai and threw it at Itachi who tried to catch it but his oiled hands prevented him from grabbing it as it fell to the ground. Hana then grabbed Naruto and pulled him behind her "Naruto stand back; this man is a criminal" she shouted; just then Naruto grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. Naruto then slammed her on the ground and got on top of her.
"Wait hold up I can explain" Naruto begged; Hana then elbowed him in the face knocking him off. Hana tried to get back up but slipped in the oil that was on the ground.
"Hana please listen" Itachi said trying to calm down the Inuzuka girl struggling to get back up.
"Shut it traitor" Hana shouted "when I get up, I'll kill- "Hana began until another voice spoke up.
"Naruto" Hiruzen said confused looking at the boy nursing a bleeding nose "Hana, Itachi… what's going on here" he asked and Hana on shakey legs trying not to fall looked at him.
"Lord Hokage; Itachi is here and I think he brainwashed Naruto" Hana said in a hurry "we must- "she began until Hiruzen stopped her.
"Hold up Hana; let me explain everything" Hiruzen said calming down the scared Inuzuka girl.
5 minutes and a brief explanation later
"So let me get this straight" Hana said "Itachi was framed, he's been training Naruto, and he's now no longer a criminal but still can't show his face" Hana said as she used a towel to wipe off the oil from her feet.
"More or less yes" Hiruzen said explaining; Hana taking in the situation let out a breath.
"Ok fine; I believe you" Hana said; she then turned to Naruto "sorry about the nose" she said with guilt.
"No problem" Naruto said stuffing tissues up his nose "sorry about slamming you down on the ground" he said. Hana nodded and then turned to Itachi.
"Sorry for trying to kill you" Hana said and Itachi smiled.
"I'm used to it" Itachi said "so will you keep this a secret" he asked and Hana nodded.
"Yes, I will" Hana said getting back up "Ok I'm leaving now; I still have to go find my mom. Where the hell could she be" Hana said and Hiruzen paled.
"I'm not sure I haven't seen her since out meeting this morning" Hiruzen said and Hana nodded.
"Ok then well I guess I better get going" Hana said walking out the door.
Hiruzen then let out a sigh of relief and looked up and saw both Naruto and Itachi looking at him in confusion to his actions.
"Yeah, it's kind of a funny story" Hiruzen said rubbing the back of his head; just then Kisame walked out of the shower wearing only a towel around his waist.
"Man, that dish soap worked pretty good" Kisame said looking around "what happened? Did I miss something" he asked.
The next day: the day before the finals
Naruto was anxiously waiting by the front gate waiting for Mei to arrive; Karin was standing with him trying to calm him down.
"Naruto chill out" Karin said "she's going to show up; so, relax" she said and Naruto took in a deep breath.
"I know I just miss her" Naruto said; just then he looked and saw a familiar shade of blue flanked by 5 other people. "There she is act cool" Naruto said to Karin who sweat dropped.
'Me act cool; you're the one acting like a hyper monkey' Karin thought; she then heard chuckling coming from the sword.
"He's still such and idiot" Kurama said to Karin "obsessing over his mate; like an animal in heat. I swear he's almost as bad as my first vessel" he said making Karin chuckle.
"I think it's sweet" Karin said "besides I guess him being an idiot is part of his charm" Karin said making Kurama laugh.
"I'm standing right here you know" Naruto said to both Karin and Kurama; who both began to whistle.
"Naruto" Mei greeted walking towards him; Naruto took off his sword and handed it to Karin who held it for him.
"Hey Mei what's up" Naruto said hugging Mei who hugged him back; Naruto then looked around and saw Ao, Chojuro and 3 women who he did not know "hey Mei who're your friends" Naruto asked and Mei let go and smiled.
"Naruto these are my guests to the chunin exams" Mei said with a smile "we really bonded one day and we've been pen pals ever since; they even convinced me to share my feelings with you" she said and Naruto nodded.
"Nice to meet you ladies; I'm Naruto Uzumaki" Naruto said with a smile and a wave.
"I'm Yugito Nii of Kumo; nice to meet you Naruto" Yugito said with a smile.
"Wow you really are cute" A green haired girl said "my name is Fu; I'm from Taki" Fu said with a cheer.
"Im Kurosuchi from Iwa; very nice to meet you Naruto" Kurosuchi said with a small bow "Mei has constantly told us about you; it's nice to see the one she talks so highly about" she said and Naruto grinned.
"Well, it's nice to meet you all too" Naruto said.
Kurama was staring wide eyed; there were now 2 other tailed beasts in front of him "Nibi, Chomei; can you hear me" he said. Both Fu and Yugito looked around at the voice and looked and saw a sword.
"Uhhh did that sword just talk" Fu said confused "swords aren't suppose to talk right" she said.
"Wait you can hear him too" Karin said pointing at the sword "I thought only me and Naruto could hear him" she said and both girls looked at her wide eyed.
"What do you mean 'him'" Yugito said and the sword chuckled.
"I am Kyuubi; I've taken possession of this sword after leaving Naruto" Kurama said making both Fu and Yugito go slack jawed "I sense you have biju inside of you; may I talk to them" Kurama asked.
"Uhh maybe we should go to the hotel first" Karin said "we are getting looks from people" she said; everyone then looked around and saw that there were a lot of people looking at them. After all it's not everyday you see people talking to a sword.
"That would probably be for the best" Mei said and Naruto nodded; picking up his sword and following the girls to the hotel.
An hour later
Naruto was walking with Mei and Kurosuchi to Ichiraku's; he left his sword with Fu and Yugito as Kurama wanted to have a conversation with his fellow biju. Karin was also there because she found the whole thing very interesting.
"Man, the fox is having a field day" Naruto said making both Mei and Kurosuchi look at him "he now has 2 more people who can hear him talk; I don't know why but he likes to talk to Karin more than he likes to talk to me" Naruto said.
Over the past 2 weeks of him being back every time he has seen Karin, Kurama has been talking to her; Naruto didn't care at first but now it seems to be getting more and more frequent.
"Well, he has only been talking to you before going into the sword right" Mei said "maybe he's just happy to have other people to talk too" she said and Naruto shrugged.
"Maybe" Naruto said "I just hope he's not scaring the girls" he said.
With Kurama, Yugito, Fu and Karin
"-So, in a sense it has been a lot better since I've been inside the sword" Kurama said and Yugito and Fu nodded.
"Well, Nibi says she's happy for you" Yugito said with a smile "and she's glad that you three are here and talking to each other again" she said.
"So can like Nibi and Chomei go into weapons too" Fu asked "because it sounds like it'll be a lot easier than putting them into a newborn" Fu said and Kurama went into deep thought.
"Maybe; the only way I was able to do it was because my vessel was half dead" Kurama said "Also the weapon I'm in isn't a normal sword; it's made of special metal which is self-regenerating. I don't think it can work on a random weapon" he said. Karin wanting to change the topic then spoke up.
"So do you have like a mother or father or something" Karin asked and Kurama chuckled.
"I'm the oldest Biju so I remember our father" Kurama said as the 3 girls leaned in closer "have you ever heard of the sage of six paths" Kurama said making the girls go wide eyed.
Back with Naruto, Mei and Kurosuchi
Naruto, Mei and Kurosuchi all walked into Ichiraku's; Teuchi smiled as he saw 2 of his favorite customers and a new customer.
"Naruto, Mei; I haven't seen you 2 in a while, welcome back. Who's your friend" Teuchi asked and Kurosuchi smiled.
"I'm Kurosuchi of Iwa; nice to meet you" Kurosuchi said and Teuchi greeted her back.
"So, sensei and student eating out how nice" Teuchi said and both Naruto and Mei smiled.
"Actually, old guy" Naruto said grabbing Mei's hand "me and Mei are kinda together now… it's… well…still pretty new" he said and Teuchi went wide eyed.
"Yes, me and Naruto are a couple" Mei said "but we are taking it slow for right now; and we are going to wait until the chunin exams to speed things up" she said giving Naruto's hand a squeeze.
Teuchi then had a flashback to when Naruto's father and mother first came here after becoming a couple 'looks like it comes full circle' he thought. "Well, Ayame is off with Chojuro so she won't be coming by; so what will you 3 be eating" Teuchi asked as Naruto, Mei and Kurosuchi all ordered their food and began to converse among each other.
Later on that night
Naruto was in Mei's hotel room both cuddling up on the bed watching a movie on the T.V.
"Tomorrow is the big day" Naruto said with a hint of excitement in his voice "tomorrow I get to show my stuff, kick Sasuke's ass and rub it all in Kakashi's stupid face" Naruto said with a smile. Mei giggled and snuggled closer into Naruto.
"You'll do great Naruto; I believe in you" Mei said "also I decided to place a bet on you and your fight with Sasuke" she said and Naruto looked at her.
"How much did you bet 5,000 Ryo, 10,000 Ryo" Naruto asked curious.
"1,500,000 Ryo" Mei said making Naruto shoot up in bed and look at her wide eyed.
"How the hell do you have that much money" Naruto asked not believing what he was hearing; Mei laughed.
"I get paid 500,000 Ryo every month" Mei said with a smile that made Naruto go slack jawed "also Itachi and Kisame gave me the bounties from those 2 who ambushed you a few weeks ago; they can't bet so they gave me the money to get for them. 500,000 Ryo from each of us" Mei said.
"Aww man now I have to win or you guys lose all your money" Naruto said scratching his head; Naruto was then grabbed by Mei. Mei then gave him a kiss on the cheek making Naruto look at her.
"You'll do fine Naruto" Mei said "we believe in you; and we are sure you are going to win" Mei said making Naruto calm down. "Now lets go to bed; you have to be there early tomorrow" Mei said and Naruto nodded.
"Ok Mei" Naruto said "umm Mei" Naruto asked nervously making Mei curious.
"What is it" Mei asked and Naruto blushed.
"Can I be the little spoon tonight" he asked shyly; Mei giggled at his antics and nodded.
"Sure" Mei said; Naruto turned around and Mei wrapped her arms around him "good night my Maelstrom" Mei said closing her eyes.
"Goodnight my Queen" Naruto said closing his eyes.
Both fell asleep and Kurama watched from the corner of the room 'hmph; humans and their love' Kurama thought as he closed his eyes and went to sleep as well.
The next day
Naruto, Mei, Jiraya, a disguised Itachi and Kisame were all standing together outside the chunin exam stadium preparing to go in.
"Good luck Naruto" Mei said giving him a kiss "I will be watching and cheering you on" Mei said and Naruto nodded.
"Thanks Mei" Naruto said; Kisame then went forward.
"You better win kid; I got a lot of money riding on you" Kisame said with a smirk.
"Ignore him Naruto" Itachi said "he really means he knows you will win, and so do I" Itachi said making Naruto smile.
"Thanks Itachi, thanks Kisame" Naruto said and both men nodded.
"Good luck kid" Jiraya piped in "make sure you use that oil; it will make for a good laugh" he said and Naruto chuckled.
"Thanks, Per- Jiraya" Naruto said making Jiraya smile "don't expect me to call you that all the time" Naruto said and Jiraya nodded.
"Ok then people" Naruto said adjusting his head band "lets kick some Uchiha ass" he said with a shark tooth smile.
Ok another chapter done; I hope you all enjoy it. If you all are wondering why I brought Yugito, Fu and Kurosuchi into the story just wait and see; ok with that out of the way please like, comment and share with your friends and until next time, bye.