The Tale of the Cursed Namikaze

by Datura7

Jinchuuriki, scapegoats of the village and society. And the jinchuriki of Konoha, a dumb blonde with an optimistic view on life. But what if, that boy was not dumb? What if he was our normal average intellect guy, with some curses or rather gifts? What if his parents were alive? What if he was still alone? How would he proceed? PS: The story will be a bit slower than average.

14. Chapter 14 - The Super Pervert

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other characters, Masashi Kishimoto and studio pierrot does.

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Chapter 14:The Super Pervert

Konoha was covered in an orange blanket as the sun was bidding its goodbye for the day. And there stood one man in front of the Hokage. Hiruzen sitting behind the desk said, "Genma Hayate, are you clear with your mission?"

Hayate stood in attention and said, "Yes sir."

Hiruzen nodded and said, "You can start your mission. Now go." Hayate bowed and went out of the office for his mission.

Hiruzen prepared his pipe and lit it. He then signalled his Anbu to leave. He puffed in smoke for a while and then said, "I know you are there. You don't need to play hide and seek."

From the windows now came a man and stood in front of the Hokage. The man in a cheerful tone said, "Hello sensei! How was my latest book? I hope you got many nose bleeds." Jiraiya proceeded to giggle.

Hiruzen sighed but with some hesitation said, "It was a great book, in that aspect."

Jiraiya chuckled and with a puffed chest said, "Yosh! That is the magic of the Toad sage. One hit after another. I am on fire!"

Hiruzen with some irritation said, "Jiraiya I need to talk about the letter you sent to me with that book, via your toad summon."

Jiraiya in an excited tone said, "Yeah thanks for allowing me to train Naruto! You have my word I will train and nurture him to the best ability…Wait, you didn't change your mind, did you?!"

"No Jiraiya I haven't. I just wanted to tell you some things before you start." Said Hiruzen.

Jiraiya nodded. Hiruzen then said, "Okay as I decided that it would unnecessarily inflate Naruto's confidence that a sanin requested to train him. Kakashi will inform him that I assigned it due to the imminent danger. Which you will inform him of. And don't make him more perverted than he is!"

"Hey, you are saying as if I am the cause of his closet pervert nature!"

"The reason he is a closet pervert is because he somehow found your books and those magazines. And made that troublesome jutsu. He thinks I don't know about his secret stock but I know. He thinks he has only been caught by Kakashi. So, in short, it is your fault!"

"Hey come on! You can't just blam…"

Hiruzen interrupting his student said, "Let's stop this stupid bickering. There is another important thing I want to say."

"Hymn, what is it sensei?"

"Naruto has both the yin and yang chakra of Kyuubi." Stated Hiruzen.

Jiraiya just looked at his sensei with a wide mouth and saucer big shocked eyes. Shaking his head to regain composure. He just asked, "For real?"

Hiruzen just nodded. Jiraiya just facepalmed and said, "We couldn't have been any more wrong that day."

Hiruzen just commented, "What's done, is done. It can't be changed now."

Jiraiya then asked, "Does Naruto want to learn how to use it?"

"He doesn't want to."

Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head, sighed, and then said, "Fair enough. It is his choice. If he doesn't want to then trying to utilize that chakra only means harm."

Hiruzen nodded and asked, "So those two, Menma and Mito are apt with the Kyuubi's chakra?"

Jiraiya scratched his chin and said, "I personally haven't seen it. Minato sometimes mentions it in his letters to me. I haven't seen them for around three years you know. I don't recall how far they have gone in that matter, but yes, they are being trained to use it. So how did you get to know Naruto has got chakra within him?"

Hiruzen then talked about the fight against Haku to Jiraiya. After listening Jiraiya said, "Well okay so maybe anger and despair are the keys to the Kyuubi trying to take over."

Hiruzen then said, "Yes that is true. And there are things that trigger Naruto's anger. And you too saw it today morning, didn't you? I want you to tone down Naruto's drastic behavior when he is angry."

Jiraiya too had seen the preliminaries from morning. Being the spymaster, he was present but nobody noticed him. Jiraiya sighed and said, "To be honest sensei. I will not say what Naruto did was completely wrong. Some things trigger you, it can't be helped much. But I accept the degree of damage he did on the Inuzuka was a bit too much. I will just try but can't give my word on this."

Hiruzen hummed and said, "Fair enough. So, another thing I wanted to ask. How sure you are that the Akatsuki will start its movements? You should be quite sure, as Itachi is our insider there."

Jiraiya sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and said, "I guess fifty-fifty. And about Itachi…I am not sure how much I can trust Itachi."

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and said, "And why is that?"

"You see his answers were always very vague. At the start, he did tell me about very few things. Then for the past two years, I have not been able to locate him and at our last conversation, it seemed he was quite sided with the Akatsuki."

Hiruzen slammed his desk and stood up. He yelled, "You are telling me this now!"

Jiraiya took a step back and fearfully said, "Sen-sensei, I didn't want you to stress on more matters. That is the reason I haven't met or stayed in one place for the past two years. I was in a constant hunt for information."

Hiruzen controlled himself and fell back on his chair. He just thought, 'What is Itachi doing? Could the trauma of what he did, hit him days after the massacre? Why did he keep his distance from Jiraiya? If he was on our side and didn't want to inform Jiraiya, then why the heck didn't report to me? I very well know if he wanted to, he could have met me. Did Itachi really side with the Akatsuki?'

Hiruzen asked, "Jiraiya what was the last conversation you had with him?"

Jiraiya said, "He just came to meet me. Before I could ask anything, he said that he believed that there were things that needed to be done and only the Akatsuki could accomplish them. After that, I realized it was just a clone as he disappeared in front of my sight. Since then, Akatsuki and Itachi have been one of my main concerns. I am not removing the possibility he is doing this to protect us from someone within the Akatsuki. But there are many questions that are unanswered."

Hiruzen just held his head and said, "This is bad or good we have no idea…I could really have some sake now."

Jiraiya also agreed, "This is problematic. We have no idea what the organization's aim is, other than gathering the bijuus."

Hiruzen said, "We will have more discussions on this. But now I need some silence to think. You are free to do what you want. And yes, start Naruto's training tomorrow itself. Bye."

Jiraiya also said bye and went out through the window. Hiruzen just sighed, refilled his pipe with stronger tobacco, and puffed it. He just thought, 'This is bad. Everything is spiralling out of hands.'

---

At the same time, our blonde hero was being dragged along the street. Naruto had irritation written all over his face. He just wanted to keep sleeping on his soft and comfy bed. That was all he needed after five days of the forest and preliminaries. But no, he had to be interrupted in that peaceful state. He glared at the person dragging him. But alas he could do nothing, as the person dragging him while holding the back of his shirt collar was Mikoto.

Mikoto sensing the glare, turned her head to glare back at the blonde. Naruto immediately stopped glaring and with a lot of irritation and anger asked, "What the heck is your problem? I was sleeping peacefully. Why did you have to wake me and now literally dragging me to your house? I want to go to my bed, now!"

"Stop it you brat! You are sleeping from the time you reached your apartment. You haven't eaten anything. You have spent more than five days without proper food. You need food more than sleep!"

"I need sleep I am telling you. And who told you I didn't have lunch? I did."

"A soldier pill doesn't count." Replied Mikoto.

"What, that is wrong. Who told you such nonsense? Or you made it up while looking at your reflection, you hag!" said the irritated blonde. His irritation had subconsciously made him brave enough to make him say hag to Mikoto, which in any right state he wouldn't have.

Mikoto bonked his head at the 'hag' comment and said, "Quite a sharp tongue you are having there, young man. Stop lying…When I asked you, while you were half asleep if you had anything healthy or wanted something. You said it yourself. And that was the truth I know. Now shut it." Mikoto now was starting to lose her patience a bit.

Naruto just groaned as he held his head due to slight pain and thought, 'Fuck my life. I can't even sleep when I want to.'

Mikoto kept dragging the blonde along the streets irrespective of how many whines and tantrums Naruto gave out. As she walked, now she saw Kakashi too walking while reading the infamous Icha-Icha book. Mikoto's patience was running at an all-time low now. Kakashi seeing the Uchiha said, "Hello, how are you doing, Mikoto?"

Mikoto didn't feel like sugar-coating and said, "I must thank you for applying the seal of Sasuke and keeping him safe. But to be honest Kakashi, my hands are quite itching now. Care to tell me why do you keep reading this book openly everywhere?"

But before Kakashi could reply Naruto said, "Kakashi sensei, save me from her!"

Naruto received yet another fist to his head. Kakashi while having a sweat drop due to the display said, "Ahhh…because I like it and there is nothing forbidding me to do so. And Mikoto why are you dragging our beloved blonde here?"

"Kakashiii! I swear there is no way of fixing you. Stop reading that kind of shit. And for this blonde, he is not eating and just sleeping. He is being too stubborn. He needs proper food now."

"But I want to sleep!" Said Naruto.

Before Mikoto could reply to Naruto, Kakashi said, "Mikoto, could you please let Naruto go? I want to say something to him."

"No, he will run away!"

Kakashi said, "He won't, I promise."

Mikoto sighed and let Naruto go. Naruto got up and dusted his pants. He took two side steps away from Mikoto while glaring at her. Naruto then said, "Well sensei what do you have to say…", he took a deep breath and quickly said, "…can wait for a while. Now I need to run away from this woman."

Naruto attempted to run away from Mikoto but Kakashi caught him by the back of his shirt. Naruto still struggled and tried to run away, but Kakashi now lifted him off the ground to his height.

Naruto now yelled, "What the hell sensei! I thought you were on my side!"

Mikoto from behind said, "I told you Kakashi. He did try to run."

Kakashi in a calm voice said, "Hymn Naruto you are becoming quite mischievous, aren't you?"

Naruto just grumbled and said, "You wanted to say something? And drop me down I won't run. You have my word."

Kakashi dropped Naruto to the ground. Naruto showed an irritated face but didn't run. He just asked, "Yes sensei, what was it?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and said, "Well, Naruto I can't train you for the month."

Naruto yelled, "What?! Why?"

Kakashi gesturing Naruto to calm down, then said, "Firstly, because Sasuke needs more attention this month. And secondly, because the Hokage has already decided a need for another teacher for you, for some reason. At least for this month."

Naruto sighed and said, "Which happened first? Your first explanation or second?"

Kakashi truthfully said, "The second one."

Naruto just hummed and asked, "What are the reasons for it, do you know it? And who is my temporary sensei?"

Kakashi said, "I do know the reason. But your new sensei will tell it to you. And you can find who he is tomorrow morning, near the hot springs."

"Huh, hot springs. Hey come sensei give me a hint about the man." Said Naruto.

Kakashi just brought his beloved book out and said, "This book is the hint."

Naruto took a thinking posture and said his thoughts aloud, "Huh, the latest Icha-Icha novel. It was a fabulous read. Do I need to read it again to know about the hint? I just completed it before I went to sleep before I was woken up by this ha-haag…"

Both Naruto and Kakashi had forgotten Mikoto was behind them, until now. They now sensed quite a lot and frightening killing intent. Naruto turned his head back to see Mikoto glaring at him with her mature sharingan active and a deadly aura being emitted. While stuttering Naruto said, "Ma-my cute and beautiful O-oba-chan…", after gulping he continued, "…Is there something wrong?"

Kakashi quickly said, "Goodbye Naruto. I suggest you run if you want to live. All the best!" With that Kakashi shunshined away, lest he too endures the Uchiha's wrath.

Naruto looked at the after-smoke of the shunshin and mentally said, 'Oi sensei! You put me in this shit and run away. Fuck you!' Naruto now started to slowly step back as Mikoto took steps towards him. Mikoto in a dangerous voice asked, "Naruto since when have you started reading books like that?"

"I-me-no I-I never have. What are those books about?" Said Naruto.

Mikoto was now bending down to look at the Uzumaki directly. She didn't answer his questions. Naruto knowing that his oba-chan wouldn't listen to him looked to the side and said, "Oh hey Jiji how are you doing?"

Mikoto suddenly reassured down and turned to look at the Hokage for a moment. And that was her mistake. Naruto dashed away. Mikoto realized that she got played, her anger returned to full force and she angrily whispered, "Till how long will you run my dear Naruto? I will catch you. Today I am not gonna spare you." With that, she went out to find the blonde.

---

"Ou-o…First to hit me and now patching up. What kind of sense is that?" asked Naruto as he sat on a chair while being bruised in many places. Mikoto with the help of Kiyomi, was patching up Naruto. While Sasuke watched it while eating popcorn. The irritated blonde was like a blockbuster show to him. Neither of the other two young Uchiha knew why this had happened to Naruto. Kiyomi was concerned for the blonde and on the other hand, her brother was enjoying it.

The blonde had hidden on a tree and started to sleep on that branch. The blonde had underestimated his oba-chan's ability to find him. After about ten minutes Mikoto had found the sleeping blonde. Mikoto also thought of a little trick. Mikoto placed a genjutsu on Naruto, which would make him see the night sky. Mikoto then threw a small stone to wake the boy up. Naruto woke up with a bit foul mood, due to the object that hit him. He then saw the dark sky. He was quite doubtful if he slept for hours. Nevertheless, he got off the tree to head home. And as soon as he did, the color of the sky returned back to orange. Naruto's eyes widened as he realized what had transpired. What followed was a few punches and a big lecture from Mikoto.

Mikoto resisted the urge to give the blonde another lecture and said, "Naruto, you deserved that pounding. And shut up you are already delaying dinner for quite a long time now. I don't know when I will finish prep for it now."

"Well, Ichiraku ramen is always an option." Said Naruto hopefully.

Mikoto sighed and said, "Well I guess we are having ramen today for dinner."

Naruto raised his hand in victory and said, "Yeah!" But then he brought it down with a groan as the bruise pained a bit. He then said, "You really did a number on me, oba-chan. I can barely lift my arm."

Kiyomi patched up one wound and then asked, "Kaa-chan, why did you punish Naruto so much? He couldn't have done something to enrage you this much. Is your time of the month?"

Naruto looked at Mikoto pleadingly not to say it. Mikoto mentally only sighed. She didn't want this to ling+er long so she said, "He called me hag twice and had already irritated me a lot."

Kiyomi then looked at Naruto and said, "Naruto that was quite rude of you. Remember whiskers, never comment on a woman's age."

"Yeah, yeah." Said Naruto.

Sasuke from his seat while having popcorn said his thoughts aloud, "Is that it? That is kind of mild to be honest you are getting o…" Sasuke then looked at his mother glaring at him. Mikoto dangerously just said, "I dare you complete that sentence." Sasuke gulped and continued eating his popcorn. Then a thought erupted in his mind as to why this might have happened.

Naruto saw Sasuke's eye getting an evil glint. He knew what the Uchiha was thinking. Naruto then mimed his words, "Don't you fucking dare mention it." Sasuke's eyes glinted even more now.

Sasuke then said, "Kaa-san is it about Naruto's that jutsu?"

Mikoto with genuine curiosity asked, "What jutsu?"

"The one where he turns himself into a nude girl."

Naruto immediately shouted, "Yeah the one which you keep asking me to perform so you can see a nude girl."

Sasuke's eyes widened and shouted back, "Accusations. False accusations! I will kill you, dobe!"

Mikoto then yet again losing her patience and anger, raised her voice and said, "Naruto you are getting too out of hand!" She then did a karate chop on his hands. Naruto gave out a yelp. She then said, "You will remember the pain before making hand-seals of that jutsu! Now Sasuke, what punishment will you have?"

Sasuke dropped his popcorn, got off his seat, and whimpered back. He said, "He…he is a liar. I never asked him to do that. I am not like that." Mikoto didn't listen. Her belief was broken by one already, so she didn't believe Sasuke. Mikoto then went on to torture Sasuke by applying pressure on his head and trying to make him admit his sins. Alongside she also started giving him a lecture on respecting women.

Naruto chuckled at the display. His laugh was ended when he noticed the angry girl next to him. He looked at Kiyomi's angry face and just nervously smiled. Kiyomi took out an ointment and while applying on his arms she asked, "Is this all what you two said true?"

Naruto sighed and said, "Yes. What he said is true I use that jutsu to get an upper hand by distracting others sometimes. Though what I said about him was false. Tell the truth to Oba-chan afterward. Not now please."

Kiyomi sighed and nodded. She took out a crepe bandage and started tying it. She then asked, "So what was the real reason that Kaa-chan was angry?"

Naruto gulped but said the truth, "Well it was because I called her a hag and she found out that I have read a few…erotica novels."

Kiyomi's hands stopped treating Naruto for a moment but then she continued. Naruto asked, "You aren't angry?"

Kiyomi calmly replied, "I am, but you are already pretty hurt. So, I have decided to postpone your punishment." She ended the patching up and then flicked her finger at Naruto's forehead. He grumbled at this.

Kiyomi then said, "Kaa-chan leave Sasuke already. He didn't say anything like that."

Mikoto then stopped troubling Sasuke and then looked at Naruto, who was smiling a bit nervously. Kiyomi said, "Naruto tell it yourself."

Naruto sighed and said, "Oba-chan, well Sasuke is gay. He didn't react like a normal man would to that beauty in front of him."

Sasuke yelled, "I am not gay. How many times do I have to repeat that I am not a pervert like you!" Sasuke wanted to give some punches himself but he stayed in his place in fear he would be the one to get a punch from his mother.

Naruto would have retaliated but then he heard the voice of Mikoto. "Naruto what should I do of you?" Mikoto went near Naruto most probably to give another punch. Kiyomi stood in front of Naruto and said, "Kaa-chan he has got enough punishment. Let it go for today. We are being late for dinner remember."

Mikoto just sighed and said, "You are right." She then looked at Naruto behind Kiyomi and said, "Naruto you better not do such things again." Naruto nodded but kept his fingers crossed behind his back. With that, the four went to Ichiraku Ramen, and Naruto was more than delighted to have his favorite food. However, Sasuke wasn't so happy due to the unreasonable punishment he had and Naruto didn't even get a proper scolding.

After bidding bye to the Uchiha family, Naruto was now in his apartment. He laid on his bed, turned off his lights, and before dozing off he said, "Quite an eventful day this was. Let's see what is in store for tomorrow."

---

Naruto walked his way to the hot springs. He reached his destination and waited in front of the hot springs for a while. He then decided to search around the springs area. He reached near the source of the springs. He then heard some giggling. Naruto then saw a tall and well-built man, with long white spiky hair. The man was sitting on the wall of the hot spring area for women.

It was pretty evident what the man was doing, Naruto giving out his two cents said, "Oi, old man, if you giggle that hard someone from inside will notice you."

Jiraiya just signalled shoo to whoever was behind without seeing, though he recognized the voice. He knew just the right thing to say to irritate Naruto, "By the way whoever you are, did you happen to see a weird blonde kid with whisker marks on his cheeks anywhere around? He was supposed to meet me but he seems to be late."

Naruto's eyes twitched in annoyance. He in an irritated voice said, "Oi geezer turn behind."

Jiraiya too getting a bit irritated at being called geezer turned and jumped in front of Naruto and said, "Gaki, you are supposed to respect your elders!"

"You are a geezer, so there was nothing disrespectful that I said." Said Naruto in an uninterested manner. He then took a look at the geezer in front of him. He first saw the green attire and a red haroi. He then had a look at his face, and then the unique Hitai-ate with the kanji for oil on it and a big scroll tied to his back. Naruto pointed and said, "You are Jiraiya, one of the Legendary sanin!"

Jiraiya smirked and went back a few steps and with all his galore and his craze, he did his introductory dance or whatever it was. Jiraiya said, "That's right. Allow me to uncover my true identity. From the north to the south. From the east to the west. Not even the spirits can defeat this sanin. The white-maned toad, charmer. The red-hot ninja. The one who strikes fear in every man. Master Jiraiya! The Toad sage! Yes, I am speaking of none other than myself." He ended with a victorious laugh.

Naruto just looked at the man in a deadpan manner. He just thought, 'Are all the sanin weird? Well two out of three, yes. And I have a hunch the third one is not going to be any less.'

Jiraiya stood normally now and he in an annoyed voice said, "You could have applauded at least! It is not every day a sanin decides to introduce himself in such a splendid way."

Naruto got a tick mark on his forehead and said, "Splendid?! Are you nuts!"

Jiraiya getting his own tick mark said, "You are Naruto, right?"

Naruto said, "Yes."

Jiraiya turned away from him like a three-year-old and said, "Sensei asked me to train you, and I was supposed to train you. But I don't want to train you now."

Naruto looked agape at the man and said, "What's with the sudden attitude?"

"Just like that."

Naruto grumbled at it. He thought, 'One side I have the opportunity to be trained by a sanin. But the con is that this sanin is, how to put it, no there are no words describing him. A new word needs to be invented to describe him…Nevertheless, if I want I will withdraw afterwards…Let's see if I have something to persuade him…', gaining a sly grin he thought, '…Oh, I definitely do!...If you were here you could realize the benefit of this jutsu, oba-chan…', he shacked his head a with bit of horror as thought what would really happen, '…No, she would have hit me…well anyways Oiroke no Jutsu!'

Jiraiya heard a puff and turned his head. Jiraiya's eyes widened as he saw a nude female, with the most intimate parts covered by mist. Naruto in his female form leaned sensually and kept one of his fingers on the lower lip, and said, "Master Jiraiya, please train me!"

Naruto expected Jiraiya to faint like his Jiji. But the toad sage's eyes widened with just one nostril bleeding and a big lecherous smile on his face. The sage said, "Superb!...Okay kid, I will train you!"

The female version of Naruto did a little victory jump and said, "Yes!" The jump did result in a rather good movement of the assets. Jiraiya perversely giggled and said, "Though I have one condition."

"What?"

"You have to keep that henge while I train you."

Naruto was stunned, released his jutsu, and looked at Jiraiya with comically shocked eyes. The only thing he was able to say was, "Wow! You really are a pervert."

Jiraiya shaking his head initially said, "I am not a pervert!...", puffing his chest he now loudly said, "I am a SUPER PERVERT!"

Naruto found his eye twitching again but he sighed and said nothing. He then noted one thing and asked, "Hey ero-senin, why is the sound of flowing water suddenly louder?"

Jiraiya first yelled, "Don't call me that!" Then he too focused on the surroundings and realized, "Oh shit I spoke a bit too loudly. The ladies in there found us. Naruto, run behind me if you don't want to be found."

Jiraiya dashed out the next moment. It took a while for Naruto to process. But it was a bit too late when he realized as now, he saw many angry women come out of the hot springs' door. They all had something in their hand to throw. Naruto too made for a dash behind Jiraiya, while also dodging many objects.

---

Jiraiya and Naruto now reached the outskirts of the village. They were near a waterfall, that continued as a river. With the river bank covered with grey stones of various sizes. The place was filled with bushes and had trees after that. And at the moment Naruto was standing while taking support of a tree, and panting a bit. Jiraiya on the other hand had his eyes again fixated on three ladies who were playing along the river banks.

Naruto between his breaths said, "Oi, oi, oi, stop looking at women now already. And why the hell were you running that fast? No one would have been able to catch you even if you used one-tenth of that speed. It was even hard for me without my resistance seals to catch up!"

Jiraiya surprisingly turned to Naruto and then said, "Well I wanted to see your speed and stamina. I will say it is okay for your age, but you need to make them better."

Naruto didn't say anything just slightly glared at the sanin. Jiraiya then seriously said, "I am here for a few reasons, and training you is one. Did Kakashi or sensei tell you about, why the need for a change in sensei was there for you?"

Naruto shook his head. Jiraiya in the same stern tone said, "As you may know I am a spymaster. I have got news of a group called Akatsuki. A terrorist group consisting of S-class rogue shinobi. The top level of the S class is not borderline A class. And they are after all the nine bijuu. Therefore by extension, the jinchuurikis."

Naruto now stood now seriously soaking in the information he got. Jiraiya then asked, "Do you want to know the name of one member, so you can get an incentive?"

Naruto nodded and Jiraiya said, "Uchiha Itachi."

Naruto's eyes widened with shock. In his mind took time to process as if not wanting to believe Itachi was a part of a terrorist organization. Jiraiya knowing what the boy must be thinking, then said, "I too know the truth about the Uchiha massacre. And I thought at first Itachi could work as a spy within my organization for me. But in one meeting he made it clear to me. What the Akatsuki were doing resonated with him. I know what you think of him, sensei has told me that and also about your first trainer. I will not expect you to believe me immediately, but I will state that what I am saying is the truth."

Naruto wasn't very happy to hear all this, but he didn't pry more on it. He could somehow see what the sanin said was true. He just asked, "I don't believe it totally. But I won't even brush it away and sit ideal if Jiji has accepted it. So, this is the reason for you to train me, then do it."

Jiraiya chuckled at the two-way answer and then said, "Well that's not the sole reason, but one of the main ones. From now you are my responsibility. So are you ready cause I can't guarantee much change immediately as I won't be training as others do. I am not going to train you either like Shisui or Kakashi. They focused on your skills. While I will mainly focus on your endurance and strength for now."

Naruto with confidence said, "Then what are we waiting for, let's sta…"

He was cut short to defend a kick coming from the sanin to his head. He was barely able to block and save his head, but the momentum behind the kick was a lot. It sent him flying to the river. Naruto was able to change his posture and land gracefully on the surface of the water body.

Seeing the sanin leisurely walk out of the bushes, Naruto yelled, "Hey what was that for?"

Jiraiya taking off the scroll on his back, he then said, "Didn't you say to start? A shinobi must always be ready. And I also need to test your skills. So go all out."

Before Naruto could say anything. His eyes widened as he saw Jiraiya right in front of him. And in slow motion, he saw the punch coming, as his sharingan got activated under the genjutsu. But he was unable to block the punch. At first, he thought the sanin had shunshined, but he noticed the ripples on the water's surface and realized it was pure speed.

After flying back a few feet and landing again. He wiped off some spit that had been discharged due to the punch. He smiled and laughingly said, "Well, I guess I shouldn't consider you as any normal old man."

Jiraiya too laughed, and said, "No, I am certainly not normal in any aspect."

Naruto while smiling unsheathed his katana. Naruto now ran towards Jiraiya, who had taken out a kunai. Naruto went for a horizontal slash. Jiraiya paired the katana out of its trajectory with his kunai, and with his other hand, he went for a straightforward jab. Naruto dodged it, crouched down, and did a sweep kick. Jiraiya jumped to evade and spun to gain momentum for a heel kick, to the head.

Naruto leaned back to escape the kick by a very small gap. Naruto still leaning backward with the original momentum, swung his katana at the sanin. Jiraiya blocked it using his kunai. Naruto jumped back instead of jamming his katana with the kunai. But Jiraiya immediately closed the distance and went for a downward slash, while holding his kunai in reverse grip.

Naruto matched the kunai with his katana. Jiraiya let Naruto's strike change his momentum and used it to swing his other hand, which too now held a kunai. Naruto's eyes widened at this because he wasn't able to instantaneously stop his movement, leaving his entire body unguarded. Again, leaning back to escape from a very minute gap, Naruto jumped back. He then said, "You are purposely keeping your kunai away."

Jiraiya just smiled and said, "Well of course. I don't want to cut you. I need to hold back. Though I won't be this forgiving with my punches and kicks." He mentally added, 'But hey you are quite good in kenjutsu. Though refinement is needed and more battle experience too.'

Naruto had taken his kenjutsu stance now. Jiraiya just spined the kunai on his fingers, and showed off. Both raced towards the other now, and the area was filled it sounds of metal clashing. After some time, Naruto swung his katana in a horizontal arc. Jiraiya executed a front flip over Naruto's head. While being exactly over Naruto's head, Jiraiya grabbed the boy by his shirt and used his momentum to throw him away.

Naruto could only look stupefied, at the sanin's move and was now flying backwards. But instead of focusing on his landing, he kept his katana between his teeth now and started spamming hand seals. He mentally yelled, 'Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu (Water Style: Water Dragon Projectile Technique)' The next moment a water column rose from the river and formed a dragon with yellow gleaming eyes. And that water dragon raced towards Jiraiya. Jiraiya after landing, looked up to find the water dragon advancing towards him.

Jiraiya just smiled and yelled out, "So we are moving to ninjutsu now!" Jiraiya threw away the kunais and then went through a series of hand-seals and mentally said, 'Katon: Endan (Fire Style: Fireball)'

The fireball and the water dragon collided and nullified each other. Now the area was filled with steam everywhere. Jiraiya kept his guard up while smiling and thinking, 'So Naruto are you gonna use this layer of steam or blow it away?'

Jiraiya got his answer as four Naruto came running towards him with katana ready to strike. Jiraiya smiled at the thought, 'Good, you are not afraid of close combat, you will need this as the Hyuga will be looking for close combat. And your spying skills too are good, you were able to suppress any kind of sound in your running. Well, I guess with a year or two's training, I will be having my successor for Konoha's spymaster.'

Jiraiya proceeded to swiftly dodge or stop each strike of the Naruto and the clones. Jiraiya was easily able to hold up with the four at their maximum striking and reaction speed. The steam in the air started thinning. Jiraiya after a while being satisfied with the coordination of the clones hummed and one by one struck them out of existence. And now lastly, he kicked the real Naruto, who skidded behind a bit. Naruto jumped away to dodge a barrage of shuriken thrown at him. Naruto again keeping the katana between his teeth, dodged and started making hand seals. Naruto then mentally said, 'Fuuton: Furyuuchou Ken (Wind Style: Flowing Wind Fist)'

Naruto gathered Chakra in his hand and then imitated a punch. A strong torrent of wind started to flow out of the punch and went towards Jiraiya. Jiraiya just stood and took the jutsu head-on. After the jutsu impacted and passed, Jiraiya said, "You need to pull out stronger jutsus than that. These won't affect me."

Naruto, sheathing back his katana and catching his breath, after a while said, "Well then how about a seal? And be honored you will be the first one to see it."

Naruto took out a piece of paper with a seal written on it, tied it to a kunai, ignited it, and threw it toward the sanin. Jiraiya looked at the seal, almost laughingly he thought, 'A single explosion tag. That not gonna do anything.' He then looked at the fluttering paper and his eyes widened as he recognized the stokes of on the seal, which was definitely not of a normal explosive tag. Jiraiya went through hand seals while thinking, 'Shit! Shit, using such a jutsu here? And it will also trap him. Damn the guts of this blonde. Suiton: Suijinheki (Water style: Water Encampment Wall)'

The water rose all around Jiraiya, shielding him. Naruto too went through a set of hand seals before the seal blew off and mentally said, 'Suiton: Suirou no Jutsu (Water style Water Prison Technique)' He had used the water prison on himself and was now in a sphere of water and holding his breath. Naruto mentally counted down, '…3...2…1… Gojō Kibaku Fuda: Bajon Ni (Tandem Paper Bombs: Version Two)' The tags multiplied in number and soon the whole area was filled with a chain of explosions, both loud and powerful.

As the explosions stopped Jiraiya dropped his water defence and looked around. The smoke was significant, but rapidly thinning, and was almost negligible now. He just thought, 'I thought this whole area was supposed to turn into ashes. Hymn how did he decrease the intensity of that kin-fuinjutsu?'

He was not given more time to think as he saw three Naruto racing towards him. The two clones engaged with Jiraiya, while the real one made some hand seals. After completion, a distinctive electric sound was released and Naruto then let the clones disperse and puff in smoke, obstructing Jiraiya's vision. Jiraiya was a bit stunned to find both his opponents puffed into smoke. He was halfway of a punch when he saw the real Naruto coming downwards from a jump, having his katana in one hand, and ready to swing it.

Naruto swung his katana downwards and let the motion spin his whole body. Jiraiya dodged the katana and saw the blonde who was in a spin, he thought, 'Shouldn't have put too much force, Naruto. Losing balance is not good…' He then saw why Naruto let himself spin, he could only say, 'Shit!'

Naruto had completed his rotation and brought his other hand, covered in electricity. It was the Chidori. Naruto swung his hand covered in electricity. Jiraiya leaned back and was just able to evade the attack. Jiraiya jumped back and Naruto landed. Jiraiya chuckled and said, "I like the way you fight."

"Well thanks, ero-senin!"

Jiraiya yelled, "Don't call me that, brat! And I see Kakashi thought you his jutsu."

Naruto then again went to attack the sanin with the Chidori still not dispelled, and acting as his second-bladed weapon. Jiraiya kept dodging and seeing how the blond handled a two-blade fighting style. After a while, Jiraiya felt he had observed enough, and in the next opportunity he had, he took held both of Naruto's hands by his wrist.

Jiraiya applied a lot of pressure on his hand with Chidori, forcing Naruto to disrupt the chakra flow to the jutsu and stop it. Jiraiya wanted to say something but before he could, a good amount of lighting chakra was injected into him.

Naruto seeing, that he couldn't get free of the hold by sheer strength, sought the next option he had. Shock the person holding you. Naruto sends a good amount of lighting chakra into the sanin. He expected Jiraiya to loosen his grip and grunt in shock. His eyes widened as he was not prepared to see the sanin smile while the man's body practically started to sparkle with electricity.

Naruto while being stunned could only ask, "How aren't you stunned and still standing, much less smiling?"

Jiraiya chuckled and only said, "Endurance! Let's check yours." With that, Jiraiya headbutted Naruto in the forehead. Even with his Hitai-ate the force was too much as Naruto stammered back and lost both balance and consciousness.

---

Naruto slowly started to open his eyes. He held his forehead which hurt a bit. But instead of a Hitai-ate, he felt bandages around his head. He then heard, "So at last you woke up."

Naruto got up groaned and said, "Oh hey ero-senin."

Jiraiya walked near the boy and sat next to him, as he said, "You really stuck to that name." Though Jiraiya was irked by the disrespect, he also liked the informal nature Naruto was able to talk with him. He was kind of stressed that Naruto would be too formal and distant. But somehow within seconds they clicked and didn't feel like strangers at all. And Jiraiya was thankful for that.

Naruto just said, "Well it fits you, so yeah don't expect me to drop it. And how long was I out cold?"

Jiraiya just sighed and then said, "A bit over four hours. Pardon me for kind of using a bit too much strength in the headbutt."

"There is no need for apologies. So, what all will be training on?"

Jiraiya just said, "Halt your horses. Have some food first…Here." Jiraiya took out two bento boxes and gave one to Naruto. Naruto accepted the food and both began to eat. As they ate Jiraiya asked, "Hey Naruto how did you decrease the intensity of Gojō Kibaku Fuda (Tadem Paper bombs)?"

Naruto replied, "I have been working on it for months. I added an additional chakra factor to the seal. The amount of chakra I give will determine the fraction of the original intensity. The one we experienced now was somewhat about 5%."

Jiraiya hummed and said, "Hymn great, that's a good way to use it."

Naruto then asked, "Oi ero-senin, I have a seal in my mind, would like you to help me. As I am unable to find a way around it."

Jiraiya asked, "What's the idea?"

Naruto said, "Well I was hoping to make a seal so that whatever it is written on, will be connected without any physical binding. And the message written on one will be shown to another one. So, it becomes like a fast communication system."

Jiraiya's eyes widened in glee as he said, "That would be very helpful. And mainly in my spy organization. We can have kage bunshins do that and also practice a spy technique I developed. While we do the physical training."

Naruto nodded and asked, "What is that technique?"

Jiraiya said, "I call it Tōton Jutsu (Transparency Jutsu). The user used chakra to reflect light off him as per the what behind and around you, so you camouflage perfectly."

Naruto hummed and continued eating. After eating both made a kage bunshin and went to complete the seal and that jutsu. Naruto then asked, "So what will we be doing?"

Jiraiya signalled Naruto to get up. Both of them walked to the waterfall. Jiraiya then said, "Go up this waterfall cliff."

Naruto said, "Isn't that too eas…"

"Without chakra and by one hand only. The other will be behind your back." Said Jiraiya interrupting Naruto.

Naruto took a look at the almost vertical rocky waterfall cliff. It had very small edges to hold on to. The waterfall cliff was at least twenty meters high. Naruto just asked, "You are kidding right?"

Jiraiya just said, "No I am not. I want to work on your strength, stamina, endurance, and speed."

Naruto pointed at the rocky cliff and said, "And how does this help? I am sure to only go a few meters and fall to fail."

Jiraiya said, "You sure will. Fail and raise up. That is how you become the best version of yourself. A man is not great for not failing. He is great if he does not give up after failing multiple times."

Naruto just said, "Yeah, yeah, nice pep talk. Fine, so how does this one help and what other things we will be doing?"

Jiraiya said, "Well this one will increase your arm's muscle strength. I will also increase the weight on you with time. We will work on every strand of muscle in you. As for stamina, I will be a slave driver so it will indirectly be increased. Your speed is good enough, we will look at it afterward. And as for endurance…You will metaphorically become a punching bag by quietly withstanding strikes."

"What?! Are you crazy? Wait no, you don't need to answer. I know you are crazy! What kind of way is that to increase endurance?"

Jiraiya gestured to Naruto to calm down and said, "It is a personally tested method. Believe me brat, the one who hits me uses way more power."

Naruto yelled, "You must have been punched for your stupidity!"

Jiraiya yelled back, "Hey don't talk to me like that. And get to work" But he mentally added, 'Though he is absolutely right.'

Naruto grumbled and said, "That is still crazy. I don't think it is necessary for the finals."

Jiraiya then seriously said, "I am not training you for the finals. My aim is to prepare you so you at least don't get knocked out by those S-class shinobi in one punch and be able to run away to safety and escape. Now go start climbing."

Naruto grumbled and started his training under the toad sage, Jiraiya.

---

Night had fallen and Naruto now relaxed himself as he soaked up the warm water of the hot spring. He sighed recalling his day. First the spar with the sanin. Their clones hadn't made much progress on the major problems of the seal, while the transparency jutsu was almost done. The problems with the seal they faced were, how to interconnect them, the range of it, when it is connected, and if multiple seals are connected then how to ensure only the desired person receives the message.

Naruto then groaned remembering the rigorous body training of the sanin. He was only able to climb up to half the height, even after many attempts. Naruto mentally cursed, 'That is why I don't like flat things. Can't hold onto anything good enough…Huh, the double meaning of this is also applicable to me.' Naruto then recalled his leg exercise, which was normal, and then the sanin started with his endurance training. Naruto had found pain coursing all over his body after the training was over, he was barely able to stand and was trying to catch his breath.

But that was also interrupted as Jiraiya unceremoniously dipped him in a barrel full of ice water. Naruto tried to get out but, Jiraiya forcefully kept him in. After that Jiraiya had taken a shivering Naruto to the onsen where they were now.

Naruto grumbled seeing his trainer clad in a towel and trying to peek at the women's side of the hot springs. Naruto just asked, "Ero-senin, take a break from peeking, will you?"

"It is research Naruto research for my new book. I need material."

"So, you peek for it?"

"Call it research!"

Naruto sighed and shook his head. Jiraiya seeing this kind of reaction said, "Don't act like that. You yourself like those books and this is the source and ignition of it. You can't refuse you don't like my books, can you? Kakashi and sensei have told me." He ended in a teasing tone.

Naruto's face was a bit red now. He feebly just said, "Shut up, damn you ero-senin!"

Jiraiya chuckled and then also joined Naruto in the hot spring. Jiraiya said with satisfaction as the spring water did its magic, "Relaxing, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is, especially after you are forced to stay in a barrel of ice!" Said Naruto in a bit irate manner.

"Hey, that ice bath helps muscle recovery and other stuff. You were not ready to listen to a thing. That is why I had to force you to stay in it. And you will be having that almost every day till I say otherwise."

"What?!"

"You heard me loud and clear. Relax and rest while you can." Said Jiraiya slumping deeper into the springs.

Naruto was half determined to drown the sanin, but followed the lead and relaxed himself in the springs. Naruto hummed and Jiraiya said, "Don't get too relaxed that you forget you have to train tomorrow also."

Naruto just smiled and said, "No I won't. But I hope you do forget, I will at least be safe from that ice." Both of them just laughed after that.

---

It had been a week since Naruto was training under Jiraiya. They had made that river and waterfall area their training spot. At the moment Naruto was practicing his taijutsu, with Jiraiya giving out points and more possible moves from his taijutsu.

Both of them then noticed rattling sounds coming from the bush. Both stopped and looked in that direction with curiosity. It was most probably a wild rabbit, but the sound was a bit louder than usual, that's why they paid attention.

Running out of the bushes came Konohamaru. And right behind him were Iruka and Ebisu. Iruka yelled at the boy, "Konohamaru stop. Take your punishment like a man!"

Konohamaru said, "What person in with right mind will stop after that!"

Ebisu then said, "We won't do anything. I swear."

It was seriously looking like a cat-mouse chase now. Naruto and Jiraiya looked at it in confusion. Konohamaru ran in circles away from them, "Hey I am not that dumb you know!" Konohamaru then noticed his big brother in that area ran towards him and hid behind Naruto's leg.

Naruto only said, "Oi quit hiding behind me! Don't drag me in this." Naruto took a step to the side, but so did Konohamaru, staying behind him.

Iruka and Ebisu also stopped and Iruka yelled, "Konohamaru stop using Naruto as a shield and come with us now!"

Ebisu then said, "Yes, Konohamaru don't act cowardly like this."

Konohamaru, behind Naruto's leg, just showed his tongue to the two, railing up the men even more. Jiraiya got in between the two factions and said, "Hey come on you two, calm down. He's just a kid."

Iruka in a bit irate manner just said, "As soon as Naruto leaves the academy. This other little fiend took it upon himself to fill in the shoes this blonde left."

Naruto's interest perked up and turning to Konohamaru he asked, "Hey Kono what did you do? I wanna know."

Konohamaru laughed a bit and said, "I did your favorite prank."

Naruto smiled widely and said, "Oi ero-senin give me your scope!"

Jiraiya yelled at Naruto, "Oi gaki don't call me that in front of others!" Nevertheless, he gave Naruto his scope.

While Naruto was adjusting the scope Iruka lectured, "Naruto show Master Jiraiya some respect. He is one of the legenda…"

Naruto broke into a fit of laughter at what he saw in the scope. Iruka grumbled and got a tick mark on his head due to disrespect by the blonde. Jiraiya took the scope from Naruto and mumbled, "What's making you laugh this much?" Jiraiya then also looked in the direction Naruto was. Jiraiya too started laughing at the freshly painted Hokage monument.

The boy had used white paint to, and let it flow from the nostrils to imitate snot. He had also used black paint to give weird mustaches to them. Konohamaru had also drawn circles around his sensei's eyes and written besides, 'You need glasses, old gramps!'

Ebisu just sighed and said, "Come on, Master Jiraiya and Naruto, don't encourage him."

Iruka then interjected, "Naruto stop laughing. And tell him to stop. He only listens to you it seems."

Naruto forcefully stopping his laugh said, "Yeah, yeah, wait." Naruto then turned to Konohamaru and then said, "Kono…I am proud of you for pulling this off!"

Iruka yelled, "That wasn't what you were supposed to say! You blonde brat!" Naruto and Konohamaru started laughing again. After a while, Ebisu then said, "Come on Konohamaru, Let's go. Don't disturb Naruto's training."

Konohamaru just asked, "Huh, training? Nii-chan, you were training with this old man?"

Iruka then said, "Oi Konohamaru, that's Master Jiraiya. He is one of the legendary sanin, a student of your grandfather."

Konohamaru's interest was raised and he asked, "You were trained by Jiji and now you are taking nii-chan under your wing?"

Jiraiya smiled and said, "Yeah you have got both right."

Konohamaru then said, "You can't! I don't accept you."

Iruka and Ebisu just gawked at the words of the boy. Jiraiya with a single raised eyebrow just asked, "Huh, why?"

Konohamaru said, "You have to answer this correctly then only I can accept you are right for nii-chan…What are your views on shortcuts?"

Jiraiya hummed and then with a smile he said, "See kid, you don't look for shortcuts, because you can't produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant!"

Iruka and Ebisu just stared in shock at such a reply. Naruto with a sweat drop sheepishly said, "He is out of the line, but right!"

While Konohamaru gave a thump and said, "Correct as nii-chan says, never to look for shortcuts. Fine you can train nii-chan…", Konohamaru took a thinking pose and said, "…But I didn't understand the second part. How do you get nine women pregnant or any women as a matter of fact?"

Except for Jiraiya, all were stammered by such a question. The question wasn't the problem. How to answer and divert the kid from revealing the answer was the problem. Jiraiya then laughingly and shamelessly said, "Well you see kid, when an adult male and an adult female love each other very much then…"

Before Jiraiya could complete Naruto threw Konohamaru towards Iruka and said, "Iruka sensei take him from here. This being will explain everything?" Iruka caught the kid and took Konohamaru away while the boy wailed and yelled, "Oi I was talking with that man!" Ebisu followed by saying things to divert Konohamaru's mind.

Now only Jiraiya and Naruto were at the place. Naruto yelled at his trainer, "Were you really gonna say it."

Jiraiya retaliated, "Of course not! I was gonna say, things happen and you will understand when the time comes. But you have no trust in me!"

Naruto said back, "How the hell am I gonna trust a super pervert on such a subject?"

Jiraiya just said, "Fine, fine. It is lunchtime. After lunch, we won't go through our regular endurance training. I want to show you a jutsu."

After lunch, Naruto stood in front of Jiraiya and asked, "So what is it?"

Jiraiya with a smile said, "As that kid said, I am taking you under my wing, so would you like to be my apprentice? After your body training, I can teach you much more."

Naruto with a smile immediately said, "Yeah why not!" It was a no-brainer Naruto thought. This was the man who created the fourth Hokage from scratch. His training was different but it was working, Naruto could agree on that. His endurance did increase and his muscles were also starting to develop a bit.

Jiraiya smirked and started with some hand seals. Naruto being wary of the man may start another spar, took his taijutsu pose. Jiraiya after completing slammed his hand to the ground and said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)"

Writings made of ink spread on the ground around Jiraiya's palm. And the next moment after a mass of smoke puffed, now Jiraiya sat on a toad, height equivalent to a normal man. The toad was orange in color and had some green markings. It also carried a scroll around its tongue.

The toad then kept the scroll in front of him. Jiraiya while grinning said, "Open it and sign with your blood it."

Naruto kneeled and opened the scroll and saw four names on it. The first two were too smothered to read. The third one was of Jiraiya. The fourth name was Namikaze Minato. Naruto before signing thought, 'Seems this man and I are having a lot of similar coincident. We look a lot similar…Could he be my father?...Nah what kind of man would seal the kyuubi in his own son? How many times do I have to go through this same thought…This is just some twisted play of the gods…Well, let's sign it now.' Naruto slit his thump open a bit and wrote his name on the next slot and gave his fingerprints in blood.

The scroll and the big toad puff out of existence and Jiraiya lands in front. Jiraiya said, "For this jutsu you need to say the name out aloud and also use a bit of blood when you do it. So, follow these hand seals and slam your hand to the ground."

Naruto did as instructed and after following the hand seals he slammed his palm to the ground and said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)"

There was a small puff and Naruto lifted his hands. As the smoke thinned out, now at the summoned place was a normal-sized orange toad with purple markings around his eyes, mouth, and underbelly. The toad said, "Yo!"

Naruto looked blandly at the toad. He was quite disappointed with the size of his summon. Jiraiya on the other hand patted Naruto, "Good kid. I was expecting you to summon a tadpole or something. But you were able to summon a toad, Gamakichi nonetheless. You did well."

Naruto just disappointingly said, "I thought I put in a good amount of chakra in the jutsu, but this small summon came."

Gamakichi then yelled, "Oi I am here and can hear you! That's no way to call your personal summon…Oh yeah, you need to pass the test first."

Naruto just asked, "Test?"

While Jiraiya had classic anime 'Oh remember now' eyes. He thought, 'I had completely forgotten about this! But well, I don't know what is the test so I can't do anything.'

Gamakichi explained, "Well I don't know why but before I was sent here, I was told to convey that you need to summon one of the more important toads. So, they could conduct a test to verify and allow you to be our summoner. So yeah, my time to go. But I didn't catch your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Gamakichi raised one of his forelimbs and waved bye while saying, "Bye Naruto. I hope you do well." With that Gamakichi went back to the toad realm, Mt Myoboku.

Naruto then turned to Jiraiya and asked, "Oi ero-senin, how do you summon a bigger toad?"

Jiraiya simply said, "Just added more chakra."

Naruto went again through the procedure. But again, after the smoke was lifted, there was Gamakichi. Gamakichi said, "Well I appreciate that you keep summoning me, but you need to summon another toad now. And yeah, you have a time limit of 2 hours."

With that quick talk, Gamakichi disappeared. Naruto just said, "And he is telling me that now!"

Jiraiya just encouragingly said, "Well the third is a charm. Come on you will get it."

Naruto did the jutsu again. The smoke was larger this time. Naruto was expecting someone of his height. But as the smoke cleared there was no one. Jiraiya and Naruto both were perplexed by the absence of any toad.

It was then they heard, "Look down here!"

Naruto just gawked and in an irritated manner said, "How the hell do I always keep summoning you, Gamakichi?"

Gamakichi too was irritated and in an irate voice said, "Beats me! Now next time put even more chakra!"

Before Gamackichi could disappear, Jiraiya said, "Gamakichi why don't you wait here, so you won't be summoned again and again."

Gamakihi grumbled a bit due to his irritation. He knew what was going on behind the two human's backs. But it was not necessary for him to be dragged into the show, but here he was. The small toad just said, "Apparently, I will be breaking some rules if I stay here. So, bye, and use more chakra!" Gamakichi puffed out of existence.

Naruto kept up using the summoning jutsu. And Gamakichi kept appearing. Both Naruto and Gamakichi got more and more irritated with each try. There were only a few minutes left of the two-hour period. After another attempt and Gamakichi going back, Jiraiya said, "Naruto, stop. I think desperate times need desperate measures. Use a bit of that chakra."

Naruto turned to the sanin while panting a bit and said, "Absolutely not!"

Jiraiya grumbled and thought, 'I did say failing is ok but I can't take chances now. I need him to summon a larger toad. And what the hell is going on? And it can't be possible for Gamakichi to be summoned every single time!'

Jiraiya sighed and said, "Okay come with me for a moment!"

"No, I can't. I have to do this summoning!"

Jiraiya pressed in an assertive tone, "Naruto, I said come with me."

Naruto grumbled and went along with Jiraiya. Both of them were now in front of a big slit in the earth, the bottom depth unknown as it was completely out of sight and light. Naruto while looking down at the slit, just asked, "Ugh, ero-senin why are we here?"

He just heard, "Luck kisses the brave!" With that, he felt a kick to the butt and was pushed past the edge of the opening to the bottomless pit.

The change was so sudden to Naruto that he didn't even shout much, he could only widen his eyes. With that, he started to fall down the pit. Naruto tried to get hold of a rock but they were too smooth and covered with moss. Even with chakra, he couldn't get a proper grip on it. The only thought Naruto could think was, 'I hope the largest toad is large enough! Otherwise, these are my last words…Fuck you ero-senin!'

Naruto started to gather every last bit of chakra he had. Then he felt something strange. He heard a single heartbeat. And now he wasn't falling at all. He looked around. He found himself in some tunnel-like passage, with ankle-deep water. Naruto started walking towards one end. He didn't know the place, but it seemed his body acted on its own now.

Soon he reached an area with infinite height and width. But there was an equally big metal bar gate in front. The gaps were very wide. On the middle bar, Naruto saw a paper with a seal written on it. He now knew where he was and who was behind the cage.

As on cue first large red slitted eyes opened. Then a large mouth with giant canines and very pointy teeth gave a malicious smile. Then deep red chakra started to gather around, and in a few moments with that same smile and eyes now behind the cage was a gigantic fox, with reddish-orange fur and black fur around its eyes that stretched up his long ears. The most striking feature of it was the swaying nine-tails it had.

The Kyuubi then in his ancient and raspy voice said, "Well looks like my vessel finally comes to pay me a visit."

Naruto just replied, "Well I must be running out of any luck that I had to come here. And I am not your vessel, you are my prisoner."

Kyuubi growled and replied, "You have the guts to reply, nonetheless even taunt. Well, I must say you are different from the other two. So, what brings you here?"

Naruto firmly said, "I don't want to be here. But I think you already know my situation. So, act as you are supposed to, fox."

Kyuubi growled, and then in an irate tone said, "You don't run around giving me orders, boy. I am the Kyuubi no Kitsune. You are just…"

Naruto interrupted and said, "So you want to die with me? I know all about you. If I die you too die, and there is a very bleak chance that you will revive early. It will take you at least a decade or maybe more. And you will be nowhere near your maximum power. You will be a helpless prey."

Kyuubi let out an evil chuckle and then loudly said, "Know about me! You make me laugh. You brat, you know nothing. It is me who knows all about you. I know about your sharingan. A second tier sharingan. It doesn't fear me, you can never use it on me. I know your dark side boy. I know your darkest dreams, thoughts, desires, everything! I know about the three faces you adore. The first is for strangers and mere acquaintances. The second is for your close ones like Kakashi, The Third Hokage and his grandson, those three Uchiha, that Nara, Iruka, and this Jiraiya. And also, that dead Shisui."

Naruto was losing his cool now. He didn't like the way and what the Kyuubi was talking about. He glared angrily at the bijuu. Kyuubi just chuckled more and said, "I must say it was rather quick that you clicked with him. Considering the things, he has and is doing. And as I was saying, the third face, which is the true reflection of you. Only you and I know about it. Pretend whatever you want to be. Student. Grandson. Son. Brother. Friend. Lover. But there is one thing that you can never change, deep inside you will always be a monster!"

Naruto yelled, "SHUT UP! I am not a monster, it is you." His anger had activated his sharingan. But since he was in his mindscape the genjutsu was not in effect.

Kyuubi looked at the second tier, single tome sharingan of his furious vessel. He grinned even more wildly now. Kyuubi then said, "We both are. I am you and you are me. We both are filled with hate. You just don't show it, and throw it away. You store it in a container in you, hate never truly leaves. Just one push. Mark my words. You will soon become the monster you were meant to be. The relationships you make to bind yourself. All will break. And yet again mark my words, that news will come which will push you. It is only a matter of time. You will become the monster you are!"

Naruto was visibly shaking in anger now. It was the most murderous look he had ever given to anyone. Kyuubi looked straight into the boy's red eyes and said, "Bury yourself in lies as much as you want. But when the truth comes out, that much or more earth will be overturned…Now take a small amount of my chakra and live."

With that red chakra flowed out of the cage and engulfed Naruto before he could say anything. Naruto opened his eyes to find himself falling. But that apparently wasn't his worst concern. Naruto was still angry. He clutched his head, while with anxious, worried, and troubled eyes and expression he thought, 'Am I still stuck in that phase? I had turned back with other's help. First when I was five, and then when I was ten. Will I slowly be going back to the dark place I fought so hard to get out of?'

After calming himself down for the next few seconds he then paid attention to his falling problem. He bit his thump to get some blood out and performed the hand-seals. And with all the chakra he had, he extended his hand out and said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)"

At first blue chakra came out of his hand which turned red. Owning to the large amount of chakra a big clump of smoke appeared. Naruto knew this time for sure that he was successful, but he had no expression on his face. It was due to his mind still entangled with his chat with the bijuu. Naruto entered the smoke and landed on something. Confirming that he indeed was successful.

As the smoke cleared out, we could see a huge toad. Its size is comparable to that of a bijuu. The skin was dusty red in colour and it had deep red markings around his eyes and other part of his body. It had a scar over his left eye. He wore a large blue haroi, with the kanji of ebi. Under his haroi he carried a tanto comparable to his size. And lastly, he had a large smoking pipe in his mouth. This was the chief toad, Gamabunta.

The toad in a deep and hoarse voice said, "Where the hell have, I been summoned?"

Naruto nonchalantly said, "In a bottomless pit."

"Who the hell are you!"

Naruto in the same nonchalant demeanour said, "Uzumaki Naruto. I summoned you here."

"You?! You are just a little brat. You can't summon me."

Naruto just said, "Believe whatever you want. I was told to summon a higher-ranking toad to conduct my test. If you are unwilling then, go. Just jump out of this pit so I can also get out of here. And also send someone to conduct that test of yours."

"You insolent brat! That is no way to talk to the chief toad."

Naruto felt his eyes twitching. He was not in a good mood. He wanted to say, 'I don't care whatever you are.' But to keep him on the good side he said, "Pardon me. I was not in my right mind. But could you please help me out of here?"

Gamabunta said, "Fine I will do that. But since you also claim to summon me I will take your test."

Naruto sitting on the huge toad said, "Well thank you. And what is the test?"

Gamabunta smirked and said, "Stay on my back till sundown."

Before Naruto could say anything, he was forced to lay back on the toad's skin as he jumped forcefully out of the pit. The acceleration was immense. Naruto just thought, 'I am fucked up! This guy wants to play rodeo as a test. I don't even have chakra to stick myself to him. Summoning that little twat a thousand times and then this bastard drained it all.'

And with that, Naruto tried to cling to the jumping, swirling toad, in the air and sometimes in water. His head continuously impacting due to the sharp jerks. And he had to do this till sundown which was a few hours from now.

---

The sun was setting there were only a few moments left. Naruto was clinging to the cloth of the chief toad. He was barely conscious and the cloth near his head was soaked with his blood. He had banged his head quite a few amounts of time. Naruto was panting a lot. He had used whatever chakra too when he was able to. He for the first time was experiencing chakra exhaustion. Naruto just thought, 'It won't be long before I lose consciousness. Just a bit more…' But his eyes were already closing.

The sun had set and darkness had rolled up. Gamabunta stopped, and as luck would have it, the place where he stopped was the waterfall training area of the blonde and Jiraiya. Jiraiya now emerged in front of Gamabunta.

The toad with some happiness said, "Naruto, I accept you as a toad summoner."

But they didn't hear any kind of excited or happy response. It was very odd. Jiraiya jumped on Gamabunta and saw Naruto unconscious with a head injury and his hand still grabbing the cloth forcefully. Jiraiya just smiled and removed Naruto's Hitai-ate and gave it the necessary first aid. Jiraiya while doing so asked, "Hey Gamabunta you were quite rough it seems. He is unconscious, I will convey the message when he wakes up."

Jiraiya carried the boy in his arms now and jumped off the toad. Gamabunta got the first good look of the boy. His eyes widened a bit. Gamabunta asked, "Jiraiya is this…"

Jiraiya interrupted, he knew what the chief toad was thinking. In a sombre tone, he said, "Yes he is."

Gamabunta hummed and said, "Aren't you doing the opposite of what decision you took those years back."

Jiraiya just said, "I am. And I accept that I couldn't have been more wrong that night. There are things I can't repay, but I at least want to ensure that I do my best to amend now as much as I can. By training him and making him capable of standing alone." Internally adding, 'Even against me, if things roll out in such a way. I want him to be able to overcome anything.'

Gamabunta nodded and said, "Very well. I hope you don't deviate now. I will inform the other toads of him being our third summoner."

Jiraiya nodded and asked, "And what was with your son always appearing before?"

Gamabunta chuckled and said, "Well it was the one thing you all didn't show the day Naruto was born. Think a bit."

Jiraiya thought for a moment. He in his mind relived those moments, and then replied, "I get it. It was patience."

Gamabunta nodded and said, "That day you all lacked the patience needed. It is a virtue which seems simple but is very hard. I get that the circumstances didn't allow much peace of mind. But patience was needed to regain the peace of the mind…Whatever amount of chakra was used, we sent Gamakichi to check Naruto's patience. Well, it also checked my son's patience. He was quite irritated, to be honest. But yeah, in the last summon the pull was too big. So, I had to come. And now with me kind of running on a rampage was to see how much determination he has. And let me tell you of the maximum three summoners because there are three toads including me that can handle high-level threats."

Jiraiya nodded and said, "Well I guess bye Gamabunta. I gotta take him to the hospital. He must be experiencing his first chakra exhaustion. We will meet again."

Gamabunta nodded and said his bye and with that, he went back to Mt Myoboku. And Jiraiya headed towards the hospital.

---

The sky was grey with a few occasional eruptions of fire to the sky in the background. From up one could see the ground was completely ruined, red splatters everywhere. Man-made structures broken, it was a perfect example of what we call ruins.

But the most striking thing was the mountain in that place. The sole mountain there. Made of corpses, it didn't matter if they were intact in one piece or not. Red rivers of blood flowed out from the fresh ones. And on top of this mountain stood one lone man wearing a cloth mask that covered his lower face and a conical kasa hat covering the upper half. His clothes were soaked in blood. His katana in his left hand dripped with blood.

With his right hand, he first took out his mask covering his lower face. Whoever was alive could now see the smile that this man adored. The smile alone told he was the orchestrator of this malicious act and he loved it. The man now took off his kasa hat and showed his full face, with red eyes having a strange design. Those eyes turned to a normal mature sharingan and then to deep cerulean-coloured eyes. The man had blonde spiky hair and three whisker marks on each cheek. This was Naruto!

It seemed as if he was in his late teenage years. Naruto felt something grab his right wrist. He saw someone barely alive, missing its lower body, half face burnt, grab his right wrist. He simply cut off its hand and sliced its head of in two. Some blood sprayed on his face. But he didn't mind. His grin never left his face. He now looked around at the panorama of the destruction of earth and life. He then simply proceeded to laugh. At first a slow deep chuckle which then turned into a full maniac laugh. It was the evilest laugh anyone in elemental nations could hear, provided if they were alive.

Naruto abruptly woke up and sat up. He was taking quick and erratic breaths. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead. His mind was not focused at all. His senses too weren't coordinating properly, as he just heard some incoherent sounds and all was blurred in front of him. His left hand subconsciously clutched his forehead. After a few seconds, his body and mind started to calm down.

He just thought, 'It-it was just a dream.' He calmed his breath and now looked around. He first noticed Shikamaru on his left and then he then noticed Kiyomi on his right. He heard Shikamaru say, "Naruto calm down." While Kiyomi said, "Naruto everything is fine."

He felt some pressure on his right hand and then he saw Kiyomi holding his right hand. At first, it calmed him down. But then he recalled his dream. The way he had savagely killed the already molested body, who had taken hold of his right hand. His breath and heartbeat started to pick up with the lines that Kyuubi said reverberating in his head. 'I know your dark side…You will become the monster you are…Just one push...Mark my words.' He felt as if the Kyuubi inside him was laughing his heart out. Naruto withdrew his hand from Kiyomi and clutched his head with both hands. He thought, 'Kyuubi at that time talked with so much surety. Are these just dreams or foresights?... There was a time when I thought that was what I was meant to do. But I-I don't wanna become like that. These all relations I have been able to make, will all of them just fade away?'

His train of thought was broken when he heard Kiyomi say, "Here have some water."

Naruto took a few deep breaths. And took hold of the glass from Kiyomi's hand. But instead of drinking he poured it on his head. Naruto sighed and thought, 'External stimuli sometimes work the best to calm you down.'

He then felt a towel put on him and heard a nag from the kunoichi, "Don't drench yourself. I gave you water for drinking." With that Kiyomi started to dry Naruto's hair. While Kiyomi was wiping off the water, Naruto in a sombre tone said, "Sorry for worrying both of you. I guess I was having a bad dream."

Shikamaru sitting back in his seat asked, "What were you even dreaming? She and I were playing shogi and you suddenly started weird movements. And you have been in an unconscious state for two days. These were your first movements. And they were drastic. What exactly is happening to you?"

Kiyomi now left the towel and was refilling the glass. She asked, "Is there something that is troubling you? We can help you know. And don't drench yourself again, here drink some water."

Naruto accepted the glass and looked at the calm water in front of him. He just said, "I don't know. I don't recall anything." With that lie and drank his water.

Shikamaru just raised his eyebrow. While Kiyomi asked, "Really? It seemed to affect you a lot."

Naruto just said, "It might have been that I must have acted strange. But all was somehow involuntary. But I really don't recall anything." He then noticed he was in the hospital gown. He then asked, "Where is my gear and clothes."

Kiyomi was the one who answered, "I took them home for laundry. They are clean in my home now."

Naruto nodded and asked, "So how badly are you losing in shogi?"

Kiyomi gave out a small 'eep' and said, "No, I am winning! How low do you think of me?"

Naruto and Shikamaru just looked at her in a deadpan expression. After a moment of awkward silence. Kiyomi sighed and said, "It is not that bad!"

Naruto just looked at the board for a moment and said, "Your top three pieces are in danger."

Kiyomi retaliated, "No! Only the top two."

Naruto said, "Look properly my kitty cat!"

Kiyomi blushed a bit and then looked at the board. Shikamaru raised his eyebrow and thought, 'Am I the third wheel now? Troublesome.' He then looked back at Kiyomi who had a face of realization. Naruto too noticed this and gave a teasing grin and said, "Well what do you see, my kitty cat."

Shikamaru thought he too should also have some fun, and said, "Actually the top five pieces are in danger. And it is a loss after any next five moves."

Both of the other occupants with total concentration looked at the board. The Nara then started explaining all the possible outcomes. And indeed, the game was a hundred per cent loss for Kiyomi. Both just looked a bit dumbfounded at the superiority of Shikamaru's position. It wasn't the first game between the Nara and Uchiha. And yeah, she lost all of them, but it was the first time Shikamaru was explaining the position.

Naruto then said, "Well it is kind of expected from you, but still impressive."

Kiyomi could only nod in agreement. Naruto then asked, "Kiyomi could you get me my clothes and gear? I want to leave."

"No, I am not bringing it. You had severe chakra exhaustion and need rest. What were you even doing that you had to exhaust your chakra."

Naruto just sighed, "I was training that's all I am going to say. And Kiyomi would you rather bring me my clothes or have me enter your room and find them? I know it must be in your room, as Oba-chan is on a short mission so you wouldn't keep it in her room. And Sasuke wouldn't allow you to keep my clothes with him and you won't just keep it anywhere. So yeah, what will it be?"

Kiyomi grumbled at this. She definitely didn't want Naruto entering her room. She said, "Fine I am going to bring it." With that, Kiyomi left with another grumble and a nag about his recklessness.

Naruto after the girl left asked, "Care for a match?"

Shikamaru smirked and started arranging the pieces while in a mocking tone, he said, "Waiting for the girl to leave before asking for a humiliation. I get it, you don't want to degrade your impression. This was one of the rare times she left your side you know. I overheard it from the hospital staff. So, what is it, already playing the love game?"

Naruto had a tint of pink on his cheeks and just said, "It is nothing like that. She is just close to me."

Shikamaru was now done setting the board and brought out two sandglasses and said, "Yeah whatever you say. About the game, how about we add some time limit, 30 seconds maximum for each move? To add some more difficulty."

Naruto just nodded and both started to play the strategy game. They were now in their midgame and Naruto had just moved forward his knight. He nonchalantly looked at Shikamaru turning his sandglass to start his time. But Naruto noticed that the sand didn't pour down.

It was unlikely that suddenly a large grain appeared. He took his sandglass and started turning it from time to time. But the sand didn't move. He then said, "Shikamaru, look."

Shikamaru looked at what Naruto was showing. He too found this very strange. He took his sandglass and did the same. While doing so he muttered, "It is as if someone is controlling sand…"

Both of the genin realized and dashed out of the room.

---

'Kill…kill…I must kill.' With those thoughts, Gaara started to pour out sand from his gourd. The sand then crept onto Lee, who was still in his early state of recovery and was sleeping.

Gaara wanted to kill the boy slowly. For that, he wanted to close his fists but he couldn't move them. He in the corner of his eye saw his shadow unusually elongated. He had seen this technique and now knew who was in his company. Shikamaru made Gaara turn. Gaara turned and looked at the Nara and Uzumaki. Gaara just showed an uninterested face to them. Naruto was the one to ask, "What are you doing?"

Gaara replied, "Isn't it obvious? I am here to kill him."

Shikamaru said, "Your match is over. Why are you fixated on killing him? Do you love death more than your family and yourself? His death will bring a lot of problems for you and your siblings."

Gaara nonchalantly said, "Love and family are nothing but false words. I have no relation except hate towards my family. My mother died at my birth and that day I was also branded to seal a sand spirit called Shukaku in me. I was raised as a weapon to use that spirit's power. But they were unsuccessful and I was labelled as a failed endeavour."

Gaara with hate visible in his voice said, "My father for more than six years now has tried to kill me. Every single day. Everyone in the sand village fears and stays away from me. I was left alone. I needed something, to tie me to existence. And his killing. It is the proof of my existence. All who I fight must die. This is my purpose, without a purpose a person as good as a dead body."

Naruto looked at Gaara with his eyes widened. He looked at the kanji on Gaara's forehead. His thoughts were, 'He is the Ichibi's jinchuuriki. He is kind of like me. If I don't resist myself, I will become just what he is, a person who kills for fun. Maybe a worse one!'

Shikamaru too was stunned to hear all this. He saw Naruto's stunned state which was worse than his. Shikamaru thought, 'We can't take him on like this. I will have to engage this maniac in words, till someone comes. But for that, someone needs to sense this chakra. I need to anger him so someone can sense this and arrive here.'

Shikamaru said, "Well what wonderful bonding you father and son have! Do you and your father know anything about humanity?"

Gaara just snorted and said, "There is no humanity in this world. Hearts turned to stones and people are just frames of bones. Now get lost, I have a thing to do."

Shikamaru put more chakra to stop Gaara from moving. But Gaara was starting to break free. And sand started rising. Shikamaru looked at Naruto, and he was surprised at what he had seen. The boy looked pale. Shikamaru had never seen Naruto so pale and in fear. It was the first time he saw Naruto completely lost.

Naruto just stood frozen. This is because the scene in front of him kept flickering. Instead of a clean hospital room, he saw a room with run-down walls and a roof broken giving a glimpse of a dark red sky and darker surroundings. Instead of Gaara and his sand, it was his older self with a blue metal katana ready to strike down at the already dismembered but living body on the bed, instead of Lee. His older self directly looked at him with a crooked smile. It dreaded him. This image kept flickering in front of Naruto. Driving him away from reality.

He was brought back to reality as he heard a yell from Shikamaru, "Oi Naruto, Wake UP!"

Naruto looked back into reality where Gaara continued to move more sand despite his restrains from Shikamaru. Naruto just weakly nodded and moved a step forward to hit the sand jinchuuriki.

He stopped as immediately as the door slammed open and entered Might Gai. Gai in an authoritative voice said, "What's happening here?"

Naruto and Shikamaru breathed in relief due to his entrance. While Gaara with some irritation thought, 'If he is anything like his student then I am no good in front of him. I can't kill him now.'

Gai saw what was in front of him and said to Gaara, "You will have to control your spirits till the finals. Or else it won't be good."

Gaara stopped and retracted this sand back. Shikamaru too released his jutsu. Gaara silently walked out of the room. Naruto and Shikamaru too were walking out when Gai said, "It was nice of you two to stand up there."

Shikamaru just nodded. But Naruto just kept walking in the corridor with his hands clenching to his head. The other two leaf shinobi looked at him walk away. Gai just asked, "Shikamaru, is Naruto alright? He looks rather pale and is a bit out of shape."

Shikamaru just said, "Honestly I don't know what is going on in his head."

---

Naruto had found his clothes and gear on his hospital bed. He mentally noted to thank Kiyomi the next time they met. He quickly changed, jumped out of the hospital and headed straight to Ichiraku for some stress eating.

Naruto then while eating, thought about what else could help deviate his mind, 'Training will certainly help cool my mind. But I need to find ero-senin. I do have a pretty good idea where he will be.'

Going for his fourth bowl of ramen he then saw the man he was going to search come and sit next to him. Between his bites, he said, "You saved me some time. I was gonna look for you."

Jiraiya said, "Yeah, I figured that much. I just came from doing the paperwork for your release from the hospital. Teuchi one tonkotsu ramen please. And yeah, you have passed that test so eat your hearts out the treat I on me."

Teuchi gave a thumbs up and started preparing ramen for the sanin. Naruto finishing his bowl said, "Well that's kind of you." And he picked his fifth bowl.

After they ate, both went to their training spot and started some light training. As the sun started crossing the horizon Jiraiya said, "Naruto, stop that's it for today. You should probably rest and we can go back to our regular regimen tomorrow."

Naruto stopped but said, "I can train now. I don't want to stop now."

Jiraiya just asked, "What is bothering you Naruto?"

Naruto just gave out a questioning look. While internally he thought, 'Is it really that visible?' Jiraiya said, "I may be an idiot but I am an intelligent idiot."

Naruto in a deadpan manner said, "You are right, an idiot could only come up with such a stupid sentence and also say it."

Jiraiya yelled a bit, "That is not what I meant!" He then calmly said, "I mean that I can see that you are using training as a diversion. That may drive you. But I don't advise training in such a manner. So, is there something troubling you? Is it something related to the Gaara?"

Naruto admitted, "Kind of? But how did you know?"

Jiraiya advised Naruto to sit down which he too did. He then said, "Well I bumped into Gai while I was in the hospital. He told me about Gaara's little attempt. And you were spacing out. So, is this because of the difference in you two that shocked you or what? Does Gaara fright you?"

Naruto first internally said, 'I am not scared of Gaara. I am scared of myself. But I have no will to speak those thoughts out.' He just asked another valid point which intrigued him, "Not much. But one thing that Gaara told me has got me thinking. He said all people need a purpose to exist, which I find true. But then there is a rift in that belief. You see his belief is to kill to prove existence. And that has no end to it. While if I think that way then my goals which are to be Hokage and another to stop unnecessary fighting, they thrive my existence. But once I reach them. Then what?"

Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head and said, "Well Naruto I may not be able to answer properly as I myself have not reached my goal. But I guess the ones who achieve their goal move on to a bigger one. I am a failure you see."

Naruto looked at the sanin and asked, "Ahh what is your goal?"

Jiraiya then calmly said, "I have been looking for peace."

"Isn't it the same as unnecessary fighting?"

"Maybe yes, it is. But peace is just more than just stopping fights. While fighting can be stopped by force. Peace is about understanding one another. I have been chasing for an answer long enough now. In the pursuit I have made many errors, hopefully some success, but I am unaware of any if I have. Regardless, even if it seems far-fetched I truly believe there will be a time when everyone can understand one another. All can live in harmony. I hope that everyone should feel the privilege of being alive, to enjoy, to love, to think."

Naruto hummed and said, "So basically you are saying that unnecessary fighting is physical while peace is more of a spiritual task. But making everyone understand the other's spirituality, isn't that a bit too tough than just restraining others?"

"Well yes, fear is way easier to spread than love and compassion. But in the end, I believe such a society would fail to think rationally and end up in a downward spiral. A mutiny is destined to be born in a society which obeys only by the stick of fear. Every once in a while a crazy and brave person is sent to this world. While understanding one another would do wonders. Divine virtues are hard to find in people, but they exist. I am yet to find a way or beacon to amplify those things and time is catching up to me. Say Naruto, if I fail to find the solution can I entrust you to finding peace?"

Naruto first lightly chuckled a bit, not in a mocking tone. He then said, "Ero-senin, you were right you are an intelligent idiot. You now talk like a sage should. It sounds tougher than my previous goal but it is the better way of accomplishing Shisui-nii's will and yours too." With a genuine smile Naruto now said, "And I can't turn down a request from my master, can I ero-senin?"

Jiraiya too chuckled a bit and said, "Your smile is my salvation. And there is no hurry to complete those things. Enjoy every moment you get. Listen to your heart more often and let your heart run wild." Both of them just took in the essence of the moment and nature around them.

---

Naruto now sat on the edge of the cliff of training ground 31. He looked at the moon that shone above the waterfall. Naruto just lightly chuckled, "I don't know why I come here than rather visit your grave…I guess this place is where I was nurtured by you and Itachi-nii. I don't know what is going on with Itachi-nii but I guess I stand in his way now. The reason I come here is maybe, I think I am closer to your body in the grave. But here I am closer to your soul."

Taking a deep breath, he then said, "A lot has been happening. I was careless and didn't come to meet you more often. I hope you aren't mad at me."

"Well, today was maybe the day I truly understood what you meant. I at first took your words too literally and missed the actual vision of it. I beg pardon for not understanding properly…Hey are you seeing me from up above like you had said, aren't you?...Never mind I was being selfish. I hope you are happy and in peace in heaven."

Naruto smiled melancholy as he ran through the memories, he had of Shisui. On the first day, he met Shisui. Unknowingly saving him from himself. At the age of five, he didn't have much reason behind his thoughts. He knew that his thoughts were not rational at all but they served as an equalizer for how he felt for others.

Shisui had been a torch not only to him but to others also as he allowed people to see him as something other than just a demonic entity. Naruto's memories continued to the times his brother trained him, and laid his foundation. Gradually Naruto came to an end. The day before the massacre when Shisui was killed.

He was again thrown back to the thoughts where he deemed the world didn't deserve to thrive. He battled in his mind on what was right. But he had the pillars of Mikoto, and Hiruzen and mostly the thought, that Shisui wouldn't want him to down that way, kept him from walking down that lane. With that, he considered relations to be his binds to contain the bad in him and help the good to grow.

Naruto sighed and asked, "I would have been a worthless being without your help." With that, Naruto lay down on the grass and aimlessly looked up at the night sky. He had failed to notice a crow with a single red eye, sitting amongst the trees and was looking at him. Another normal crow came and sat next to him. They as quietly as they could, communicated. The normal crow started to fly back to their summoner and also signalled to the third crow who was looking at Sasuke to leave before they overshot their time and get caught.

Naruto was still looking at the beauty of the visible cosmos. But his view was obstructed, though he wouldn't say the beauty was degraded. Kiyomi had popped her head in the blonde's view, while fixing one of her bangs behind her ear she said, "Why are you sleeping here?"

Naruto didn't know why but when she fixed her hair it heated his cheeks a bit. He just calmly asked, "I could also ask why are you here?"

"I came here looking for you. You have just recovered from an unconscious state. I want to ensure you don't over-exert yourself and end up back in the hospital."

Naruto nonchalantly said, "Huh, you can count on me that I can do that."

Kiyomi in a ridiculed manner said, "Baka! Here I am concerned about you and you are saying the exact thing I don't want." She now sat next to the blonde, who still laying on the ground.

Naruto just chuckled a bit and then asked, "How is Sasuke's training going and anything strange from the mark?"

Kiyomi shook her head, "I and Kaa-chan were concerned the mark would have an effect on him. But he is as normal as ever. Kaa-chan left for the mission when she felt that it was all right. The seal that your sensei has applied is effective it seems. And he has been training till his last strand of energy every day. He barely has the energy to eat at the end of the day."

Naruto rubbed his head and, in a bit annoyed voice said, "Well I guess it is only me that is slacking around."

Kiyomi shot back by saying, "You should be resting in a bed and take necessary rest. This is not called slacking off."

"Chill Kiyomi, you are being like a mom! Maybe I should call you kaa-san. You are older also, by two years but you are older."

Kiyomi's face was a bit red due to the dig. She raised her clenched fist and in an irate voice asked, "Naruto do you want a punch from me? My tab of beatings for your perverted endeavours is also left."

Naruto looked at the girl and in a mocking tone he said, "As if you can catch me." With that, the blonde showed his tongue to the Uchiha.

Naruto immediately rolled to escape a punch. He jumped back and dodged while he laughed as a mildly enraged Kiyomi kept trying to land a punch on Naruto. Naruto after a while now stood against a tree. He was tempted to see if Kiyomi would try to punch him. He was right as Kiyomi just pulled back her arm to punch but didn't send the punch. He decided to save her some pride and laughingly said, "Stop you aren't even trying. I know that you can go much faster."

Kiyomi stopped and said, "Obviously I don't want to hurt you."

Naruto then said, "Why does my kitty cat care so much about me that she can't hit me!"

Kiyomi grew a healthy blush on her cheeks. She stuttered, "It-it is nothing like that. I would turn you into pulp if it was not for you just coming out of recovery."

Naruto only paid half attention to her words. He looked a bit mesmerized at the blushing girl in front of her. He for some reason was looking at her a bit differently than usual. His eyes wandered on her. His perverted side too had no problems with what he saw. Not too much, nor too less. She was perfect he thought. He was a bit surprised that she wore his bracelet even now.

Her porcelain-skinned face shining in the moonlight with those tints of red made him think, 'She is beautiful…And going back to my words, why does she care so much about me? She indeed turned my mind to a pulp as I can't think of anything much. I can only form straight-forward sentences now.'

Naruto asked, "Kiyomi, why do you care about me? I would like the truth and no beating around the bushes."

Kiyomi was again a bit startled by the question. But she honestly said, "Because you are close and dear to me." Her blush growing even more now.

Naruto too had a blush now. He gulped a bit, taking a glance at the moon and then asked, "Kiyomi, what did you really mean when you had asked, 'Isn't the moon lovely?', those days back?"

Kiyomi's now had an atomic blush and her heartbeat was too loud for her now. She thought, 'Wh-what do I say now?! I-I am not prepared for this. I had just come to check on him. Why did things have to turn out this way?...But if I don't say now I never can…'

Kiyomi lowered her head a bit and said, "Well I luyu." She spoke too fast to understand anything.

Our confused blonde could only say, "Sorry but you spoke too fast and too softly."

Kiyomi clenched her fist as she thought, 'Saying like that took all the guts out of me…But so be it I will end this once and for all.' Kiyomi then in a clear and loud voice said, "I said that I Love You!"

Both Naruto and Kiyomi now stood in utter silence. Kiyomi waited for the response with her head down. She didn't lift her head for, one because of her heavy blush and two, her tears were accumulating a bit. She was waiting for her answer but as the seconds passed. The silence was conveying that she should have just kept her mouth shut.

Naruto on the other hand had his mind electrocuted, 'She- she loves me!...But do I love her? Do I even know what love is? Damn, what did I put myself into? Will this kind of relationship help me bind myself from becoming that? Or will it ruin things between the two of us?...Think Naruto think.' But then his memories replayed a few words Jiraiya said a few hours before, 'Listen to your heart more often and let your heart run wild.'

Naruto one of the rare times shut his brain off and let his heart take control. Naruto took a few steps and closed the distance between them. Naruto placed one of his hands on Kiyomi's chin and lifted her head up. They at the moment were of the same height. Naruto didn't paid attention to anything less and captured Kiyomi's lips with his.

Kiyomi's eyes widened at the contact. But those eyes soon closed so she could only feel the bliss of the moment. The tears that had been accumulated due to angst now flowed due to happiness. It was just a simple contact of lips but the emotional value which it carried was something complex and special.

Naruto stepped back with a heavy blush on his face. Kiyomi wiped the few tears that came out. She then in a happy voice asked, "Baka! What took you so long?"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and said, "Don't know…But why are you crying?"

Kiyomi truthfully said, "At first I thought you were turning me down, so tears started to accumulate but then it turned into tears of happiness due to our first kiss."

Naruto chuckled a bit as he wiped off the tear marks on her cheek and said, "Technically it was our second."

Kiyomi too left a small chuckle and then said, "Yeah, I guess…Now I can say this with no hesitation. I love you, Whiskers." And with that, she closed the distance between their lips again. And the two stood, lip connected with the moon shining brightly in the background.

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AN: Thanks for reading and criticism is welcomed.