The Leaf was quiet since they encountered those Anbu. Sara couldn't help but worry about her son. Luckily her and Yui were able to easily take care of the enemy ninja. She just hoped they got to Naruto in time to warn him. Or that the pervert was close by to protect him.
Walking through the village and helping with patrols Sara had gotten accustomed to the konouchi life again. She had spent so much time in the village now. Hopefully Kenshi will return with answers.
Heading to Naruto's spot on the top of the Hokage monument she saw Shikamaru sulking to himself, "What troubles you little Nara?"
Jumping slightly he looked up into her eyes. For a boy who played himself like he was cool and relaxed. Sara could see the worry behind his soft eyes.
"Nothing. It be troublesome to talk about anyway." He said as he pulled his knees to his chest.
"Worried about Naruto I take it?" Letting out a sigh she sat down next to him, "Yeah me to."
Looking back at the village she could almost feel his sigh, "Are people always after him. Why can't they just leave him alone?"
"He was given a burden. A powerful burden at that. Only a select few in the world can understand him." Shikamaru nodded, "I just wish I could be there with him. Help him fight. My justu is effective with his shooting."
Sara smiled to herself. The Nara had a lot to prove to her that he was worth her son's heart. He was on his way there though. "Don't worry to much. You will see him again soon."
After staying with Shikamaru for a little bit Sara decided to head home. She knew that Kenshi Yui should be home already and she just needed to see one of her children and know they were safe.
Naruto
After the fight with Danzo and his men Jiriaya had Naruto continuing his training. He was already on the final part of his rasengan training. The boy had raw talent and a work ethic above his years making this relatively simple.
Unfortunately for the boy, he couldn't seem to actually form a rasengan. He was close though. "Hey Pervy Sage! How come you never came and found me?"
The old man let out a sigh, "I kept tabs on you while you were with the Oda family. Honestly, I think it was because of how much I miss your father."
Naruto looked at his teacher and saw sadness in his old eyes, "You look almost identical. Especially with that haircut." He chuckled, "Minus the whisker marks anyway."
Giving him a blinding smile, "Well I guess that's a good enough reason." The old shinobi chuckled before looking off into his own thoughts, "Besides, Kenshi and Sara raised you better than I could have. Your strong and kind. A rare combination, especially for one so young."
Blushing Naruto smiled to himself, "Well I better get back to practicing! I don't have my yumi so I'll need another weapon in my arsenal!"
They didn't talk much after that. Jiriaya watched as he practiced his rasengan. When they were taking breaks he watched him draw up several different seals.
Jiriaya took a closer look and saw he was using the storage seal as a base while experimenting with summoning and time space seals into the design. "You are trying to make a seal to store your arrows." He stated with a grin on his face.
"Yeah. I can get the storage part but I need to the able to speed up the transition between arrows." He showed Jiriaya that the current seal still to a few to many seconds for any sort of combat speed.
"Try to combine all three." Jiriaya took the seals. Swirling them together to create something knew. Placing his hand on the seal he summoned two arrows right in a row. Naruto's eyes lit up, "You did it! Thank you!" Naruto pulled out a small chakra paper. Drawing the seal on it he placed it on his wrist. With a hand sign it lit up and burned temporarily on his skin.
"Now I add my chakra!" An arrow appeared with ease. Then the next one and the one after that, "YES! I wish I had my Yumi though!"
"Come on we are almost there." Naruto smiled as he looked down at his wrist where the temporary seal was. He was getting stronger everyday. His gravity seals have been doubled. His archery is on another level. His wind release has gotten easier and he can summon battle Toads.
After another hour of walking they arrived at the supposed village that Tsunade was hiding in. Looking around the town was bustling with people. Smells from different food carts hit Naruto's nose causing his stomach to grumble.
Putting his hand on his stomach he looked up at his sensei slightly embarrassed. Jiriaya laughed, "Go grab something but make sure it's easy to eat on the go."
Giving them a heavy grin, Naruto ran to look at the stands till he settled on one that sold barbeque pork on a stick. Buying seven of them he ran back to the Sannin with a grin on his face.
"So," He spoke with a mouth full of food. "Where we gunna find her anyways?"
The older ninja thought, "Well first place to check is a casino or a bar but she could be-" he stopped as a man was punch throw a wall of a building they had been walking by.
"Tsunade! Long time hasn't it!" Jiriaya interjected before she could destroy more this astablisment.
The blond looked up at Jiriaya and than at the blond who casually took a bite of one of his two remaining snacks. "JIRIAYA!" Storming up to them, "What do you want."
"Is there a place we can go talk and catch up." She was about to say no until she got a closer look at the boy in front of her. From his hair color to his blue eyes. Even his clothes were all so similar to Minato.
"Y-yeah!" She tried to push confidense out as she began moving. Both teacher and student followed suit. Another women walked out after then holding a small pig. Looking at the big Naruto thought the pug was adorable.
Sitting in a small bar Naruto watched as all three adults ordered sake. Naruto himself ordered tea and patiently waited.
After a long silence Jiriaya spoke, "Tsunade this is Naruto Uzumaki-Oda. Naruto this is the Legendary Sannin Tsunade Senju, my old teammate."
Smiling Naruto bowed his head a bit. The older women had an odd emotion on her face as she looked at him, "Why are you here? I haven't been summoned by Hiruzen."
Noticing both boys shift uncomfortably, "What?" The toad Sannin sighed, "Konoha was attacked. It was a joint operation between the Sand and newly minted Sound villages. Orochimaru led the attack and killed sensei. We are here because you have been picked as.the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade his her shock behind a confident facade, "Well every Hokage dies. Maybe he shouldn't have been a fool and just retired." Naruto felt his fist clench.
"As for the offer. No I will not be Hokage. I'll never return to that forsaken village that took everything from me. The old man was a fool."
Slamming his fist down Naruto shot up, "SHUT UP YOU OLD HAG!" Tsunade went to rebuttle but Naruto cut her off, "The old man sacrificed himself to protect the village he loves! The poeple he loved! You desecrate what he stood for! Maybe you shouldn't be Hokage! You're obviously not worthy!"
Grabbing Naruto by his shirt Tsunade tossed him through the wall of the bar. Jiriaya and shizune both trying to stop her, "You stupid little punk what do you know!"
Smoke cleared revealing the blond Jinchuriki standing up face enraged, "I know that if anyone should hate the village, it's me! My birth father and mother sacrificed themselves and me so that way it be safe only to be attacked and abandoned by it!"
Stepping closer he got into her range, "My new family brought me back and I made friends. I got a boyfriend. My sister started thriving as a medic Nin. We came all this way for a selfish excuse of a ninja."
Tsunade was angry but she like this kids spunk, "Fine how about this. You land a hit on my and I'll come back. However if I defeat you with just this finger than you leave and abandon being a ninja."
"Fine." Naruto got into a fighting stance. The Sannin let chakra engulf her finger with a grin. Summoning three clones Naruto moved.
"Release." He said, releasing his gravity seals on his body. Naruto knew he'd never win a fight against her but she was underestimating him.
Jiriaya held a grin as he watched Naruto. The boy was an archer for a reason. As Tsunade used her finger to hit the ground Naruto moved. His speed so fast that he was barely visible. To the old sage it was like watching his pupil again.
All the clones burst like Naruto had planned. The smoke acting as a screen for his attack. Tsunade grinned only for a moment. Seeing the last clone holding on. The cold of steel against her neck.
Naruto released the last clone. He wazikashi was in his hand against Tsunade's neck, "Match set."
Suddenly everything played out in her head. From Naruto disappearing from view. He had used his clones as bait and moved so fast she couldn't see him. For an instant she thought she was looking at Lord Fourth.
Smiling Tsunade stood up, "Well I guess I lost. I will come back with you than." Her expression soured though as she tried to look anywhere but the boy or his sensei. "We need to talk privately."
Making their way back to the hotel Tsunade told them everything. The deal that Orochimaru proposed and that she had contemplated talking him up on the offer. "Sensei. What do we do?"
"Hmm." Rubbing his chin the old Sannin contemplated. "With his arms damaged I could beat him without my sage mode. What ever minions he may have might be a problem though."
"Which is why I'm coming to." Tsunade spoke with her arms crossed. Jiriaya shook his head, "Are you sure that is wise. You have been out of the game a long time Tsunade."
The women looked over at Naruto before looking into his eyes, "I have things I need to move past. He is one of them."
Naruto and Shizune sat waiting not to far from where Tsunade was 'meeting' with Orochimaru. Watching they saw the Snake Sannin approach with Kabuto. This fight had become a bit more interesting.
"What afraid I'd kill you Orochimaru." Smiling he looked into his teammate's eyes, "Can't say I'd trust you fully. So our deal?"
"I accept. Hold out your arms and I will begin." Watching, Kabuto noticed something off. Using his own chakra he attempted to kill Tsunade who dodged effortlessly. Knowing full well what a chakra scalpel can do.
"My Lord she was trying to cut off chakra supply completely!" Orochimaru smiled at his old teammate, "You should have taken my offer."
"What kind of Hokage would I be if I did that." Punching Orochimaru sending him crashing into the ground. As he stood up he saw Jiriaya and Naruto standing next to her ready for battle.
Kabuto tried to go on the offense. He needed to separate the Sannin so Orochimaru only had to fight one. Only as he tried to run he was stopped. The blond puke from the Chunin exams kicked him in the chest sending him into the opposite direction.
"You are a fool if you think you can defeat me." Naruto smirked, "Release." Confused Kabuto eyed the boy until he disappeared. Jumping back he felt a cut appear in his chest.
"Wind Release: Wind Bullet!" Naruto fired three bullets. The first two missed but the second hit it's target. His shoulder burst out in blood. Landing he smiled as he quickly healed himself, "You don't have my skill but your speed dwarfs mine I'll admit."
The quickened between the two. Naruto was having a hard time hitting the man. He fought similar to Kakashi. Using substitutions and diversions to escape deadly attacks. If Naruto didn't have so much raw power he'd have lost already.
'Brat. The chakra on his hands are extremely dangerous! Medical ninja use them in surgery but they are extremely lethal.' Shocked at hearing Kurama. Naruto just nodded. He wasn't getting anywhere in this fight. Jumping back he created a few dozen clones and had them engage.
Looking back at the fight between the Sannin he saw the giant summons engaging in combat. Jiriaya was using massive fire techniques. One he had been trying to teach Naruto. He needed to get rid of this guy so he could help his sensei.
Looking back at his clones he saw they were getting pushed back relatively quick. Naruto charged taking Kabuto head on. The man smiled seeing the blond attacking for real this time.
Day prior
For the third time that day his rasengan dispersed. In frustration Naruto punch the tree he was standing next to before sliding to the ground. 'I'm so close.'
Summoning an arrow he fiddled it for awhile. Wishing he had he yumi right then. Shooting always calmed him down. Holding the bottom of the arrow he let his chakra flow through the arrow. Making the blue energy away back and forth.
Thinking back to the rasengan, he subconsciously swirled the charka around. Looking back at the arrow again it clicked. He needed to focus the energy from different angles. Using his arrow to help him control his chakra to swirl in multiple directions.
After an hour of getting the feel for it he tried again. Putting the arrow away he letting the energy swirl in his hand. Finally he had the ball of chakra. Smashing into the tree with satisfying power.
Present
With the wazikashi in one hand he held his right hand back. The rasengan forming as he was about to reach Kabuto. The man smiled as he was a hair faster this time.
I'm a split second though Naruto switched with a clone. Kabuto's hand went through the clone instead. "RASENGAN!" Naruto yelled as he smashed the man's back. Flying face first into a stone.
"Now I'll go help kill your boss." Naruto ran to the battle. Debating on summoning a battle toad at first he decided against it. He still had the element of surprise. Moving bear the battle he watched as Jiriaya summoned a massive mud pit to sink the giant snake.
Closing his eyes he sensed the evil chakra of the traitor. Focusing he made his move. Golden chains hurled from Naruto. Several wrapping around the snake pulling it into the ground.
In shock Orochimaru looked for the source. Jiriaya and Tsunade took the opportunity. Hitting him with a rasengan to his chest and powerful punch to the back.
Jumping back both Sanin looked as Orochimaru hit the ground. His chest was caved in. The little bit of life was slowly leaving his eyes, "I guess I am joining sensei. Ku.ku.k"
Before the could mourn or celebrate the fall of their partner an arrow whizzed by Jiriya's head. The beautiful chains disappearing as they watched Naruto fall to the ground.
Rushing over Tsunade froze seeing the blood pouring out of the wound. Kawaki and Dan appearing in her mind as she tried to move. Everything was red around her, "Nononononono."
Falling to her knees over Naruto as his breathing began to get shallow. 'No he is the reason I'm going back. Naruto has to survive.'
Jiriaya watched the assallaint grab the Kabuto traitor and leave. He would have engaged but he couldn't leave Naruto's side. Looking at his teammate as she broke passed her phobia, "Come on Naruto come on. Not again." She said as she tried to bring him back.
Standing in his mindscape he looked at Kurama. The fox chuckled, "You got over confident." Naruto couldn't respond it's like his mind was fuzzy. "I'm starting to like you so I guess I'll let you live for now idiot."
Orange chakra wrapped around Tsunades hand as she used her medical Ninjutsu. Enhancing her healing jutsu healing Naruto completely.
The world came back into view. Looking up he saw Jiriaya and Tsunade staring down at him. Both had tears in their eyes but Naruto just smiled, "Don't mind me just taking a little nap."
"Damn it you shit head." Tsunade stammered out.
Jiriaya helped him sit up, "Really? Trained by the greatest archer and you get taken out by a damned arrow."
Laughing Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah sorry." Before he could react Tsunade dropped her necklace around his neck. Looking at it and at her in shock Naruto tilted his head curiously, "It belonged to my grandfather the first Hokage. I don't know your goals Naruto. But if you ever want to become Hokage I'd support you."
Blushing Naruto couldn't help but couldn't help but blush. Jiriaya laughed before going and sealing Orochimaru's body away.
Naruto couldn't help much. Seeing the Sannin sadly deal with their ex-teammate was painful. He couldn't imagine the pain they were in.
"Alright let's get Shizune and head back to the leaf." Jiriaya spoke but his voice was oddly numb. Watching the sadness deepen in both the older Shinobi made Naruto excited to wrap his arms around Shika and be with his family again.