Chapter 10: Chapter 8 part 1 The Emperor, and Konoha
The Hidden Leaf: how many years has it been since he last stepped into the village? Naruto felt neither excitement nor the longing to be finally home. This village had been nothing but a curse to his very existence. There had been days he had been walking around, feeling as if he had been carrying its full weight on his shoulders. A treacherous and miserable life that he had been forced to live. But he had endured. He had accepted the hatred that these people pushed towards him. He had carried it without falling down.
The hatred
The loathing
The contempt
But Naruto had never hated himself: he loved his life. He was a miserable person who has chosen to shoulder the hatred and contempt rather than to try to live happily. That was his decision and he was content with it. Naruto was truly glad that the Sandaime told him about his mother, the Uzumaki clan. He couldn't even think of how his life would have turned out if the old man hadn't informed him of the truth when he did.
Hiruzen hadn't told him about the Kyubi, he had found out about it. He hadn't been hurt. He hadn't felt betrayed by the Sandaime Hokage. Naruto had laughed hard the day he had found it because, finally, everything had made sense. It had made sense why they hated him. But it hadn't made his life any better. He knew the Sandaime had passed a law forbidding people from mentioning the Kyubi, but it didn't change anything.
Naruto shook his head and took a deep breath – he frowned inwardly. The air around the village was still the same – contaminated.
"Naruto," Jiraiya called with patience. The blond was walking a bit slowly. "Come on, I've got things to do."
Naruto glanced over at the perverted Sannin for a moment before shaking his head. "No doubt you are thinking about going on a peeping road show…" he said calmly. "Would you like for me to accompany, you?"
Jiraiya halted and the turned to face Naruto with wide eyes – he seemed excited. "Really? You'd come with? I could do the watching while you write what I tell you to write…" he said. He could focus his attention on his eyes so that he doesn't end up missing anything.
"Of course not…" Naruto said blankly. "I'm not a perverted old geezer who likes peeping on young girls. I swear one day you are going to get your balls crushed and that foot between your pants cut off…"
Jiraiya immediately put his hands between his thighs as if to protect himself from an oncoming attacking. "Don't say things like that…" he said with a wince at the thought of being crushed.
Naruto shrugged. "I'll say whatever I want…" he then smiled. "I think it would be amusing if that happened. I think I wouldn't be against the idea of exposing you and then holding you down just so it can happen."
Jiraiya glared at Naruto; what a cold hearted student has earned for himself. He did shudder at the thought of Naruto going through that statement – it made him afraid. He could see the blond doing something like that. Of course, he didn't for a moment think of quitting. If he got caught, he would beg and make promises he couldn't keep.
"If you do that, I stop being your sensei. I'll disown you!"
"Eh…" Naruto said with indifference. "You have already served your purpose. Perhaps I should even stop calling your sensei now since you won't be training me…" Naruto looked to think about it for a moment.
"You can be so cold sometimes, Naruto…" Jiraiya said with a hurt look on his face. After a moment, he spoke again when Naruto didn't respond. "I expect you to be lively to ease hime's worries."
"Don't worry, I will put my face between her bust just to show her how much you have corrupted me." Naruto said with a smile.
Tsunade's reaction would be amusing but perhaps more so would be Jiraiya's. Naruto was certain the Toad Sage would be turning around to glare at him for doing something he couldn't get to do. No doubt he has had so many miserable days just thinking about the Godaime's large chest. Instead of turning to pummel him, she was likely to turn towards Jiraiya and hit him hard to turning him into a shameless pervert.
"On second thoughts, I'm not going to see her with you…"
Naruto just laughed seeing the fear in Jiraiya's eyes. "Oh sensei, you truly have been exposed to too much of her beatings. Worry not, if you give me your spot, I will behave."
His spot? The window? Never! "You are not sitting on my place."
"Whoever arrives first claims it…" Naruto said with wide smile. "Harem no Jutsu."
In a puff of smoke, a couple of young beautiful ladies appeared before the Sannin with innocent looks. Seeing Jiraiya turning on a perverted look at the almost naked girls, Naruto didn't even laugh – he just shook his head and then disappeared, leaving Jiraiya alone to nurse his nose bleed.
Hokage's Office
Tsunade didn't hold herself from rushing over to Naruto when he stepped into the office with a small smile on his lips. Finally, he had returned. She was happy to see him alive, so well and so happy. She was happy that he had grown and that he was back in her presence and she could see him. Three long years and she didn't see this person but now she was finally able to see him. When she was the last time her heart felt so warm at just seeing someone she loved so alive and well?
"Naruto," the Godaime Hokage whispered as she pulled the blond over to a tight hug. She smiled warmly as she embraced him, her strength gaining by the second.
And then, Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Tsunade blinked. The happiness she had been filled with disappeared in a second when she realized that she had been hugging a clone of the blonde. She was now furious. How could he do that to her? She twirled around and saw him sitting by the window, a wide smile on his lips; he was waving his right hand slowly. Out of frustration and perhaps a bit of too much happiness, Tsunade grabbed a chair and flung it towards the blond.
Naruto ducked under to avoid getting hit by the chair. He watched it pass just above him and through the window for a second before sitting up. His smile didn't leave him. "It is pleasant you are still energetic, Ba-chan. Then again, if would have been unpleasant if you lost your strength with age…"
Tsunade glared at the blond. "Do you want to send you to the hospital?!"
Naruto held up both his hands in the air and got up from the window. He walked over to the Godaime Hokage and stopped just inches away from her; a charming smile slipped through his lips. "Princess Tsunade," he said in a slow tone. "I'm truly happy to see you again. It has been quite some time, after all…" he then leaned closer. "Please let me express myself…" he kissed the Hokage on the right cheek before quickly moving away to avoid being hit.
Jiraiya whistled as he appeared in the office.
Tsunade didn't hear it; she just stared at the retreated blond with unblinking eyes. What the hell just happened? Naruto of the old wouldn't have done something like that. He had manners yes, but he didn't treat her like a woman. It was always the old hag. Tsunade shook her head and walked over to chair without saying another word.
"You came here a little quickly, sensei." Naruto said to the Toad Sage.
"I'm not as simple as you think." The Sannins said with a shake of his head.
Naruto smiled. "Oh really?"
"I don't like the way you are smiling now, Naruto…" Jiraiya said with a nervous look on his face.
"I was simply going to suggest that I perform that jutsu but this time, a bit X-rated to see if you really won't get a nose bleed." Naruto said with his smile.
There was just no way he wouldn't get a nose bleed. Naruto was playing with fire here and he wouldn't stand for it. Of course if the blond activated the jutsu he wouldn't be able to help himself but try to look. Jiraiya didn't have to respond as Tsunade finally spoke.
"What jutsu are we talking about here?" She demanded with narrowed eyes.
Naruto merely smiled. "It is a Hidden Jutsu that has worked against the most powerful shinobi, even a man who once claimed the title of god of shinobi…" the blond said proudly. "In any case, we have returned from our training trip… I mu…" Naruto turned his eyes towards the silent Shizune. He smiled towards the black haired woman. "Shizune, how rude of me… You look delightful as always…" he tilted his head to the side. "You seem to have a certain glow about you, fallen in love?"
Shizune blinked before smiling. "It is good to see you too, Naruto…" she said. "I wasn't looking," she said.
"Love doesn't find only those who are looking, dear." Naruto said with a small shake of his head. "The human heart is an unpredictable thing. You might tell yourself you are not looking for love, you won't ever love again, but one day, you meet someone and it starts racing, while whispering soothing sounds to your ears."
"Since when did you become the romance expert?" Tsunade asked with a raised eye brow.
She looked at him carefully, his air, it had truly grown and he didn't look to be taking care of it. It was as if he didn't really touch it. That aside, he had become a handsome young man. It wasn't bad at all. She could understand why Temari had seemed so keen on him. She hadn't commented on it but the Suna Kunoichi had spoken about him in glowing terms. Perhaps she liked him. Well, what was there not to like?
"You forget who his sensei was, hime…" Jiraiya intervened, with a proud smile.
Naruto snorted. "Please don't take credit for something you didn't do, Erro-sennin. The only thing you could have possibly taught me would to-" Jiraiya flashed towards Naruto and put his hands around his mouth to stop him from continuing to speak.
"Now, now. There is no need to say anything." The Sannin whispered.
Tsunade looked curious, "What were you going to say, Naruto?" she demanded while shooting daggers towards Jiraiya, who was still standing beside Naruto.
"Nothing much… it isn't like he has many stories to tell about romance anyway." Naruto said with a shrug before walking over to the window. He looked down the streets as silence fell into the office.
Tsunade studied Naruto's body language for a moment before shaking her head. He was back in the Hidden Leaf and now that he had returned, she didn't know what to do with him. Put together Team 7? Perhaps they could do that because of the kind of times they now found themselves in. there was likely to be war in the coming years, Konoha had to be ready, and everyone had to be ready. She wouldn't complain if it doesn't happen. Shinobi were trained to fight, to be strong for their village – Having a strong military presence only strengthens Konoha.
"I was worried that you might have returned damaged…" Tsunade said before casting a glare towards Jiraiya. "Who knows what this pervert might have tried to teach you."
"I am not unguarded…" Naruto said. "Besides, it was a little too late for Jiraiya to corrupt me…" he said before turning to face the Godaime Hokage. "Things seem to have changed in this village… perhaps I am reading the atmosphere wrong."
Tsunade was silent for a couple of moments before she responded. "You already know what is happening, so we have to be ready for whatever happens in the future. Now that you have returned, if will be good if you were to play an active role in the mediation between Uzushio and Konoha."
It would work well with Naruto's presence. They'd yet to say anything to her, and she was getting a bit worried. They had said they would contact Konoha but they haven't been saying anything. It wasn't like they were ignorant of what was happening in the Elemental nations or the threat that villages like Iwa posed. They knew and yet according to Kakashi, they hadn't looked a bit concerned and that worried her more than anything.
If they were not concerned, there was something that was making them confident. There had to be a reason. They had been destroyed once; they would certainly do everything in their power to defend themselves. People once thought it was impossible to invade Uzushio because of the whirlpools but it had been done once and it could be done again.
"Diplomacy isn't really my thing…" Naruto said calmly. "Besides, are you sure that you want to send me to Uzushio?"
"Are you going to give me a reason, why I shouldn't?"
Naruto stared at the woman for a moment before looking back at the window. "You're the Godaime Hokage and regardless of your feelings, your duty to your village comes first. You made an oath to protect this village with your life, and you will do so. We should not avoid being honest with each; I am considered a flight risk, yes?" he glanced over at the Godaime Hokage, waiting for her response.
"Anbu have determined that to be the case…" Tsunade said.
Naruto nodded. "Why? I am Uzumaki and Konoha hasn't done anything for me that would make me choose it over Uzushio. It is like if you are in an abusive relationship, if another lover shows up and promises to treat you tenderly, you will abandon your current lover for something that promises to be better. The situation with me is like that, and I can understand that. I also appreciate the fact that you are not casting me glares.
"Seeing more of Uzu tempts me. I saw the village, it is lovely and perhaps if I go there I might feel at home. Perhaps your reason for doing this would be to try to keep me feeling like that even though I am with Konoha, I am also playing for Uzushio. It doesn't matter regardless; the fact is that I am considered a flight risk." He paused, taking a thoughtful expression. "You'd call me a very S-rank flight risk."
"Are you rejecting the idea?"
"Of course not…" Naruto said with a shrug of his shoulders. "As long as I am a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, I am work for Konoha's interests… admittedly, this would be a bit complicated…"
"I'm surprised that you don't look offended that your own village would consider you a flight risk. Many shinobi would be pissed off if they learned that their village considered them such." Tsunade said.
"Being considered a flight risk would be an insult, but this isn't the worst thing Konoha has done, isn't it? Besides that, the risk isn't determined by what you feel but by the circumstances that surround us. I assume whoever came to the conclusion looked into my history and the present and determined that even though I haven't expressed any desire to leave, anything can still happen." Naruto explained lightly.
Tsunade smiled. "You have really grown, Naruto." She said calmly. "You're no longer just a brat that I must worry about."
"What is born must grow," Naruto said with a smile. "Since you admit that I am no longer just a brat, can I take out Shizune for dinner tonight?"
Tsunade was shocked before a moment before shaking her head. "Go play with someone your age!"
Naruto merely smiled. "The matters of the heart do not care for age or physical appearance, princess Tsunade…" the blond said calmly. "But I shall retreat… enjoy the rest of your day…" saying that, Naruto departed the office through the door.
"Then?"
"What?" Jiraiya smiled innocently. "I didn't do anything to him but don't be fooled by that. He is just fooling around…" at least Jiraiya hoped the blond was. Sometimes he couldn't tell what was really going on in Naruto's mind.
Tsunade shook her head. "Well, everything looks fine… he thinks well… but then again, he hadn't been stupid. He was just a silent child who looked miserable."
Jiraiya wanted to say it but he did not: what was inside of Naruto's heart wasn't misery. Naruto could smile and laugh, but when he was alone, he became expressionless. It was always like when he was with people, he put on a mask that people could accept and he did it perfectly. Jiraiya would not say something like that – It would only worry Tsunade. For now, they just had to be happy that the blond was here in Konoha and not in Uzu.
Jiraiya took out a small sheet of paper he had wrapped up. He handed it over to the Godaime. "This is a list of the jutsus I know about Naruto and how I have rated him about all ninja arts."
"What do you mean everything you know?"
"There are things that I don't know…" Jiraiya said with a shrug. "He didn't show me everything. He is also a master of Fuinjutsu. He's not going to show that around, but I do assume it is something that needs to be kept secret. You don't want people afraid that he might release the Kyubi since he knows Fuinjutsu."
Tsunade smiled bitterly. "He'll be releasing it now? Will they be accepting that he isn't the Kyubi but just its host?" she asked calmly. "That is a little too late, don't you think?"
Jiraiya frowned upon hearing those words. He didn't expect Tsunade to come up with something like that. He shook his head. "I didn't mean the villagers…" he said. "I but guess they too would be wary. We just have to keep it to ourselves. We believe nothing bad will happen but others might not."
With Naruto
Naruto stared at the faces of the past Kages, an interesting monument. All Kages had been powerful but Naruto couldn't decide who had been the strongest between the Shodai Hokage and the Sandaime. The Sandaime had been bestowed with the title of God of Shinobi while the First wasn't. Even if Konoha itself was weak, with the Sandaime still in his prime, no one would dare anything. It was no wonder the old man was respected. There were not much stories about Hashirama, but only that he was a beast. When it came to skills though, and just pure genius, it was perhaps safe to say Hiruzen stood out.
But of all the Kages to have ever led this village, his father, the Yondaime Hokage was celebrated as the village's greatest hero. The Kyubi would have certainly turned this village into a memory if not for the efforts of the Yondaime. No, Naruto shook his head. What of his mother who was the one who pinned down the Bijuu with her Adamantine Sealing Chakra Chains?
Konoha celebrated his father as its greatest hero and yet tormented his child as the evil that killed many of its loved ones. There had days they had seen his miserable look, the days they saw him walking down the streets, shoulders down, looking defeated, but they never saw a child who had no parents, a child who longed to be loved – they saw a nine tailed Bijuu that killed their loved ones. A child. A beast. They couldn't separate the two.
Hatred really did make people believe and do certain things that are unforgivable. Reason doesn't matter when you are clouded by hatred. Naruto didn't wish to turn his life into such a hollow existence in which he lived for nothing more than hatred, vengeance. He would never find peace if he went down that road. But if people were willing take him to that path; Naruto would indulge them with every fiber of his being.
Naruto looked away from the Hokage Monument and placed his hands inside his pockets. As he started walking away, he realized he was being watched by someone. He sighed, he just got back to this god damned village and he was already being watched. The Sandaime wouldn't have allowed for something like this to happen.
He walked towards his old stomping ground; the training ground he had shared with Team 7. He stood still in the clearing, eyes looking up into the heavens. "Please come out… while I have the patience to stand here like this all day, I have other things to do… so I can't entertain you for longer periods."
Naruto's eyes glanced towards his left side; a huge beast was rushing towards him. He sighed tiredly; he had no problems fighting someone, but he really didn't like doing boring battles against weak people. Perhaps this was because he spent much of his time fighting someone like Jiraiya. The Sannin wasn't like a Jonin – he was above that.
He held out his left hand and channeled his wind sword. When the beast jumped towards him, Naruto swung his hand in a downward slash. The beast was sliced in half, and it burst into black ink. Naruto raised an eye brow seeing this. It was something he hadn't seen before – a rare ability.
Sai flashed on Naruto's right hand, flashing a kunai towards the blond's shoulder in an upward slash. Naruto jumped back slightly to avoid the slash. He twirled around to face the pale black head teenager. The kunai was flung towards his forehead with sharp accuracy.
Naruto tilted his head to the left, and the kunai sped past his head. Sai was upon him, trying to punch him on his gut. Naruto caught the punch with his right hand. His hold was like a tight iron grip. "What do you want?"
Sai frowned, trying to break free, but Naruto didn't budge. He might not look like it but he certainly had massive physical strength. He wasn't even being taken seriously. He sighed and stopped struggling. Naruto freed him but the next second; he was standing just inches away from him, cold blue eyes staring at him. Sai tried to make the distance when he felt an immeasurable pressure suffocating him, but the blond caught him on his right shoulder.
"I don't know you, you're not even wearing a Leaf Headband, if I burst a hole through your gut, I can get away with it can't I? Especially since you just attacked me without saying anything…" When he was saying that, Naruto had a ball of flames on the palm of his right hand.
Sai's expression didn't change, but he felt afraid. He'd forgotten what fear meant but he felt it know. He was becoming familiar with it now. He couldn't even breathe because there was some force that that was making it impossible for him, no matter how hard his nose tried to suck in oxygen, he couldn't get it in. When Naruto let him go and twisted around, walking away, Sai fell on his knees.
His breathing was labored; he was finally able to breathe. It felt good to be able to breathe again.
But he had learned. Naruto was a frightening person – much more frightening than Danzo. Of course, he would never admit that to anyone.
Foundation Hideout
Jiraiya had never really given himself time to come down here, but now that he was here, he certainly didn't like it. The air was cold and it made him think of the cold and brutal training that Danzo gives his operatives. Naruto would have been a monster if Danzo had trained him – a demon perhaps. The war hawk prioritizes the Kyubi and he would have made sure the blond trained hard to control the power before he could even write or read. Worse – Naruto wouldn't have had the emotions needed for a human. He was truly glad that the Sandaime had made sure that Naruto was far away from Danzo's hands.
He didn't mind that he was surrounded by a couple of Ne agents. They didn't frighten him. Not to sound arrogant, but these shinobi in here were just too young to threaten him. Of course if they wanted a fight, Jiraiya would ensure that they received a fight. He was nevertheless not here for a fight. He was here to speak to Danzo about what he had learned in Amegakure.
Jiraiya hadn't told Tsunade about it but he was going to have a word about it with the war hawk. There was no telling what this man would do behind Tsunade's back. If he thought that she was weak and naïve, he would take measures that were likely to earn Konoha more trouble in the future. He was Danzo, he would always be fanatical about his love and what he does things for Konoha. He was always extreme.
When the cripple walked over to him, Jiraiya felt the urge to lunge towards the man and grab him by his throat before demanding answers – but he was unlikely to gain any answers. He also wanted to see what was behind those bandages, but he was unlikely to see anything until the man was dead.
"Jiraiya…" Danzo said with narrowed eyes.
He was on-guard and ready to move if there was a need. He couldn't read anything from the Sannin. Despite his naïve views and idealist beliefs, Danzo did think that the man was a loyal servant of the Hidden Leaf. He was essential to the village's power. However, if he became a problem, Danzo wouldn't have a problem making sure the man was dead. There were many tools and if Jiraiya disappeared, it would be easy to get his hands on the Kyubi.
"Danzo…" Jiraiya said in a stern tone. "What was your relationship with Hanzo of Amegakure?"
Danzo's eyes sharpened. There was something that the man knew which was why he was asking the question. He would not fall for it. "Shouldn't you be talking about Naruto and the Uzumaki? It would also make sense for you to even stay in the village to train more shinobi in preparation for war. That is something we should be talking about, Jiraiya."
"Who said there is going to be war? It is a possibility but not a sure thing…" Jiraiya said. Even if there was war, his network was fundamental. He couldn't stay in the village for far too long. He wasn't even thinking about taking any student at this time.
"Whether you might want to believe it or not, there is going to be war. Though I was surprised that Tsunade recognized it and stepped away from Hiruzen's naïve methods, there is still much that is lacking."
Perhaps that was true but Jiraiya couldn't talk with Danzo regarding the matter. The war hawk would be willing to sow the seeds himself for war to make sure it happens, thinking that they would greatly profit off it and improve Konoha's standing.
"Either way, you are not the Hokage and we will not let you do as you please, Danzo. I am here to let you know that…" Jiraiya said, leaking a bit of his killing intent. "I have never been afraid of doing what needs to be done to protect Konoha. If it means killing everyone in here and you, I will do it."
For certain, Jiraiya would do it. He might be naïve and holding the teachings of the Sandaime Hokage, but he was able to work – to do what needed to be done. "I see…" Danzo only said.
"Tell me about Ame and Hanzo."
Danzo was silent for a moment before responding. "Hanzo and I had a working relationship. I cannot divulge the details but we stopped receiving communication from him during the time there was a civil war… I assume he is dead. It has been years anyway."
When the man came to the conclusion that Hanzo was dead, he probably didn't bother trying to find for sure but just decided there was no need. The relationship had run its course. "I was told that you conspired with Hanzo to remove a certain group in Amegakure. You sent people in to handle things. But Hanzo lost and that person knows what you did. He might come after you and when he does, Konoha will not shield you. We will feed you to him.
"I didn't tell Tsunade this because she doesn't need to know. She will probably decide to cut you off if she is told. The things you did in Ame are nothing short of treasonous. However, this is a delicate time for Konoha, eliminating resources won't do us any good. Stay on course, Danzo."
Danzo stared. Now he had to deal with this and he already had the Uzumaki. Very soon, they will be making a move and it wasn't going to spell nice things for him. Danzo didn't show it nevertheless. "You were outside of Konoha and Sasuke has already left Orochimaru. It has been months now and he was suddenly disappeared."
"I'm not really concerned about the Uchiha…" Jiraiya said with a shake of his head.
"Yes, you'd be concerned about Naruto. How far is his connection with Uzushio? At this point, it would be naïve to think that he has no connections to the clan."
"That isn't your concern Danzo…" Jiraiya said turning away from the war hawk. "We will find Sasuke and at this point, I will object him being given to you. You are not behaving… but if you behave, I might change my mind…" The Toad Sage said before disappearing from the view.
Sai stepped up having just returned moments ago. He knelt before the master of the underworld before speaking. "I was able to get close to him but not able to anything. I will need to be in a team with him to be able to learn anything."
Tsunade had yet to agree on his plan to put Sai in Team 7. Danzo was a little itchy because of this but he would have to try again. He needed to stay close. He needed to keep an eye on Naruto and the only way to do so was putting Sai on the team.
"Improvements on his skill?" Last time the blond had butchered his agents but he figured they were just weak. And so, Sai had to do it and he also needed an improvement.
"He toyed with me…" Sai said in an emotionless tone. "He is way stronger than anticipated. My attacks on him seemed to be like nothing but child's play." The blond hadn't even seemed interested in anything.
Danzo wasn't disappointed nor was he pleased. Naruto could be strong – that was to be expected since he was a Jinchuriki. But he wanted to see if the blond could use the Kyubi's power. That could prove to be their trump card if war came to their door. He would need to gain control over the blond in that case and he could do it.
He had Shisui's eye. He could work on both Naruto and the Kyubi if there was a need. There was no time to train another Jinchuriki as war could break out any time. That aside, Naruto could leave any time.
This was why he really needed to keep an eye on the blond.
Later that day
This was his first time in a bar in the Hidden Leaf. He never visited the places before when he was still fooling around with Team 7. He'd never imagined that he would end up here. He didn't even think that upon his return to the Leaf, he would the desire to be upon such a crowd. He didn't want to sit with anyone or chat with anyone, he just wanted to be alone. This was a shinobi place; it would be difficult but he would hold a sign above his head that says that he didn't want to be disturbed.
Naruto ignored the looks from the shinobi around. He had seen some faces around. The shinobi population, especially the experienced ones hadn't been all high on contempt for him. When the villagers drove the wagon of pure loathing, they stepped away because they understood the situation. They had seen it before. They had heard about it.
He went to the bar and made his order before going to sit next to a lone dark table. Naruto leaned against the wall and stared at the bottles on the table for a moment. The noise around him silenced. He could only see people moving around in slow motion; It was a bit beautiful.
There was silence
Peace
But he didn't enjoy it for too long. He didn't get to drown on his misery. Someone burst his little bubble. His puddle of pathetic memories was splashed across his face when a hand wrapped around his right shoulder. He could feel a woman's breasts pressed against his back. He felt a slick cares of a tongue running through the edges of his left ear.
Naruto felt a chill run his spine.
"What is a handsome young man sitting by himself on a warm and beautiful night like this?" Anko asked, in a sly tone.
Naruto glanced over to his shoulder. He saw the face. He didn't really like it when someone came up to him like this. He hated it. Not in a bad way. Perhaps the mischievous part of him wanted to play along.
"Proctor-san…" Naruto responded with a smile on his lips. He turned around to face the woman. Her face was just inches away from his.
This was a crazy sadistic bitch he had seen in the Chunin exams, the second stage proctor. If he seemed to recall, she had issues with Orochimaru. Snakes? Oh, yes, she had been his beloved apprentice and when Orochimaru turned traitor, Konoha stared at the student. Why did she stay when she had been happily sitting on his shoulders? Humans, they always had to glare at someone for something.
"You have truly grown…" Anko said grinning. His bravery only excited her. It enticed her to move closer; to let loose a little. He was still just a brat, what could he do? With her experience, she could dominate him and make him cry like a little girl.
And she would enjoy that show with a good round of laughter.
"I see you still have the love for danger," Naruto said in a calm tone. It didn't bother him that he could feel her breath, the smell of alcohol. She had certainly been drinking before sporting him alone in his little corner. He cupped her chin and tilted his head to the side. "I hadn't noticed; you have a delightful face up close." He pulled her closer until her nose was pressed against his. "Can I caress your lips?"
Anko blinked in surprise but before she could laugh, Naruto did as he had asked without waiting for her response. It caught the Jonin off-guard but she didn't let it show as she was able to respond to the kiss before Naruto pulled away and turned around. The Jonin stared at the back for the blond for a moment, before a splitting grin spread across her lips. She walked over to the side and sat across him.
He was slightly amused. "Did I surprise you?" He asked. He seemed to know what he was talking about, if the look on his eyes was anything to go by.
Anko didn't let a frown settle on her lips. It wasn't disappointing. The surprise wasn't so bad. It was actually a good thing and she was very happy. "Maybe…" she said with a shrug.
"You're not going to deny or confirm it…" Naruto said. "Do you always like to unsettle young men who are drinking alone?"
"No… but you are not just anyone, are you?" Anko asked with a grin on her lips. "The Kyubi's Jinchuriki… and the last time we had such a famous blond shinobi in Konoha, was when she had the Yondaime Hokage…"
"Famous?" Naruto laughed. She had a funny way of putting things. "Infamous is the right way to putting things in the right perspective, don't you think?"
"It depends on your view…" Anko said carelessly. "It doesn't seem to concern you much though…" she eyed him carefully when he merely shrugged indifferently in response. "Now, why are you sitting alone? You haven't been in the village for a couple of years."
"It doesn't matter if I have been away for a day or a year…" Naruto said indifferently. "But you are also here, it means you came alone. Should I be asking you the same question?"
"I didn't come alone…" Anko said pointing at a group of shinobi. "I was with them before I saw you. You looked really comfortable. Learning new things from Jiraiya-sama?"
Naruto smiled. "I'm certain if I had learned anything from him I would be dropping under the table to check which colour you are wearing…" he said.
"Who said I am even wearing anything under my skirt?" Anko asked with a grin on her lips. "You can check for yourself if you don't believe my words."
Naruto had to pause and stare at the audacity of this woman. She would say something like that to him. She knew one would be interested in taking a peek. Jiraiya would certainly relish in sitting with a woman like this. Naruto was starting to see that she was certainly above his pay-grade. "If I go down, my hand will have to reach. Sometimes I don't believe what my eyes show me… so I confirm with a sense of touch."
Anko laughed. "Perverted brat…" she said. "Want to confirm?" she asked slyly.
Naruto thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "The night is still young for such festivities. I'm afraid if my hand goes there, I will end up taking you to my den."
"What would be the problem? We could have the whole night."
Naruto smiled. Oh, she was good at this game. Then again, she was older, and experienced: A sadist no less. "Let us enjoy the night, Anko… Besides, I don't need the whole to satisfy you."
Anko stared at him for along minute before bursting out in laughter. "Why do I get the sense that though this is a play, there is some truth in your words?"
Before Naruto could respond, he glanced over at his left, seeing a certain silver haired Jonin walking towards him along with Asuma. Ah, he was certainly not going to get his quietness. But he should have known. This was Konoha. Well, at least none of his former classmates in the academy frequented this place. They were probably at home or dinning somewhere while eating meat.
Naruto faced Anko once more, before smiling. "Because that is the truth… you want to test it?" He said in a serious tone.
"Someone seems to be having fun…" Kakashi said, pulling a chair along with Asuma. He sat down and faced Anko with an eye smile. "I see Naruto is telling you sweet things."
"Well, he knows how to behave, unlike you." Anko said with a stare. "You are stiff and no fun. The only thing that gives you a reaction is that little orange book of yours…" she said with distaste, not at the book but over the fact that the man would ignore a live woman in favour for giggling while reading his book.
"Now, now, Anko… there is no need to be hostile while we just sat down." Kakashi chided.
Naruto faced Kakashi, "I'd always assumed that you were a closet pervert, Kakashi. You probably wouldn't fall for some lewd talk because you are chained in your closet or just have excellent control of yourself…" he said.
"Closet?" Anko asked with a surprise. "He reads his book in public."
Naruto shrugged indifferently. "It's not exactly porn…" he said before turning to face the bearded Sarutobi sitting on his right. "Asuma…" he greeted with a small smile.
"Naruto…" Asuma returned the smile. "I haven't been seeing much of you over the past years… I have to say, I never imagined that you'd turn out to be this person…"
"This person?" Naruto asked. "You mean sitting here with a sadist while exchanging pleasantries. Well, not exactly pleasantries, it was a lot less like soft foreplay, don't you think?" He glanced at Anko who laughed before responding.
"Yeah…" she said. "I have to say, it does show that you learned under Jiraiya-sama…" she said.
"Well you pick up certain things when you spend time under someone," Naruto said calmly. "What are you doing here, Kakashi? You never seemed like a person who went out with other Jonins for drinks. You'd always seemed like a recluse to me."
Another miserable person; there was no doubt that Kakashi was a lonesome person who was held up by his dark past. He didn't let it show to his students, but anyone who checked, would know that the man was filled with nothing but regrets. Perhaps this was why the man even felt he needed to solely focus on Sasuke during the Chunin exams. He was surrounded by miserable people, wasn't he? Jiraiya was miserable, Tsunade was held up in her past that she couldn't love anyone now… and he had his problems.
But that was alive. His life and he accepted it as it was. Maybe it would change in the near future, maybe it would not. He was ready for anything.
Kakashi eye smiled. "That is harsh, Naruto."
"Well, he's not exactly off the mark…" Anko said, to which Asuma nodded.
The Jonin shrugged his shoulders carelessly. Naruto smiled, it was something he did in such situations. Maybe he learned it from this man, maybe it just came naturally when you didn't want to talk about things and didn't want to sound too concerned. "What are you even doing here… your friends don't visit this place."
Naruto shrugged before turning towards Anko. "What, I thought I would get lucky today…"
Anko laughed while Asuma looked surprised by that response. "Yeah, right," the snake mistress said with sarcasm. "You were sitting all alone looking miserable before I decided to rescue things before you drank yourself to sleep and wake up in dark alley somewhere without any clothes."
Naruto merely smiled. "This could be my play, Anko-chan…" he said in a slow tone. "I sit alone, drinking because some predator will come after me, thinking I am just another miserable brat they can conquer for the night… but not really knowing, they are the prey…"
"I think we shouldn't allow you to come here alone…" Anko said with a stare. "You sound dangerous…"
Naruto just laughed. "There one who is dangerous, is you, Anko…" he said.
Asuma quickly tried to steer the conversation away from the current subject. "So, Naruto; how was the training trip? Training under Jiraiya-sama, you must have learned many things."
The Following Day
Ramen: his beloved daily meal. How many times had he thought of the noodles sliding down his throat, the aroma smell filling his nostrils? The joy his tongue felt when it tasted the delicious meal. The purring sound his stomach made when the noodles settled down in its chambers. This food was his holy cup. He had missed it. Not just for how good it was, for also its sentimental value. Sitting here was more than just eating good food; it was sitting in a place that accepted him, a place that welcomed him when everyone in the village shunned him.
He had been told, even if he was broke, he could eat for free. These people would let him eat for free; he never had to eat for free because the Sandaime Hokage made sure he always had something. Many shops didn't even want the demon's money. Even some greedy bastards would wash it down the drain simply because it was his money: Rotten pieces of craps. But he had endured the emotional abuse. He did not break. He didn't let them win. They certainly did make him miserable, but at the end of the journey, he would ask:
Who is laughing now?
Ayame smiled happily when her favourite customer settled in with a happy smile on his lips. She had surely missed his face. "Naruto…" she greeted him happily. "It is so good to see you again…" she said. She wanted to rush over the counter and hug, but she held herself.
"Likewise, Ayame…" Naruto said with a smile. He closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of ramen. "God, I missed this smell. I'm going to eat until I can't take it anymore today…"
Ayame laughed. "As much as I love you eating our ramen, we can't have that. We don't want anything happening to you for overeating. You know, even if you eat too much of healthy foods, you can get sick. There must always be a balance."
"I know, but you just can't help it with Icharaku Ramen…" the blond said.
"I'll be watching you…" Ayame said. "The usual?" she asked.
Naruto nodded. "Please bring three for now; I will get three more after I'm done with the first load. I freed up my stomach yesterday." And he had been drinking. Ah, what a pain this was to his body, but for filling up on ramen, it was worth it.
"Two at a time," Ayame said before walking away from him.
Naruto just shook his head and waited for what seemed into be an eternity. He didn't even notice when someone walked into the stand a sat down just away from him. When Ayame finally brought his bowls, Naruto clapped his hands, said his thanks before inhaling the steam. He started to dig in.
Ayame watched him for a moment before speaking. "You have grown big… you've turned out to be a handsome young man…" she said with a smile. She then frowned looking at his wild long hair. "You never did cut your hair when you were younger."
Naruto shrugged. "I like it this way," he said. "Besides, I had a dream once and I was told that if I don't cut my hair, I will become the most powerful person who will rewrite the history of the elemental nations!"
"Dream my foot…" Ayame said with a snort. "Tell that to someone who believes it… but even if you did have the dream, does it mean you don't have to look after it? You're ruining your look like that."
Naruto looked up and stared for a moment. "I thought I looked better this way…" he said.
Ayame just shook her head and walked away.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone