Chapter 17

Look what back again!

Warning: Cursing, OOC, mention of blood, close to death.

Kurama speaking/thoughts

Shukaku speaking/thoughts

Thoughts

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"What?" Sasuke looks at Kakashi in surprise.

The Uchiha heir only went with Naruto and Sakura to the hospital. To check on Hinata. But he was keeping a close eye on Naruto. Well, at the moment not right now as he waiting outside the hospital room. Give him time to think again.

Something really was off about Naruto. The attitude switch, along with the appearance change, that day in class should been a heads up. Yet, Sasuke just didn't care. Thinking it was another trick or prank.  Till, they were all paired together in a team. He still finds it ridiculous. Him. Paired up with the number one annoying fangirl and the dead last who will smack you if you touch his scarf.  Who doesn't mind either talking back to him or just ignore like he had other things to thing about?

It irritates him a lot. Then try to walk away from it. Not worth it. The Dobe doesn't matter. Just a loser.  Even, if he did get the bells first and understand the test.

It didn't matter because at the end they passed.

Then the past two months, and current time, some things defiantly change. It confused and anger Sasuke. Didn't like how his mind wasting time on all this. At least the two weren't as annoying. Even if he won't say it as there still lots of moments. Plus, probably jinx it. It didn't matter at the end! His goal is to train get stronger and to get his revenge.

Which he is now rethinking about a lot lately. Which lead to memories he still trying to comprehend after he woke up from that fight, from the weird grass snake nin. What was real? What was fake?

Itachi what the heck happen that night?

Then their sensei appeared to have a chat with him.

"We're going to be training soon. Got to get you ready against Gaara of the sand."

"Alright." Sasuke a bit pleased. Finally, some extra training. To broaden his skills and get stronger. Just him. Wait.  "What about Naruto."

Kakashi was silent for a bit. "I will be having someone else train Naruto."

"What?" Sasuke blinked. He wasn't sure how he actually felt about that.

"The training I'm going to be doing for you. It's going to be focus on you a lot along with how to handle your sharingan. I made sure Naruto gets a good teacher."

Sasuke stared at Kakashi. Sure, he and the Dobe not the closes but this seems a bit unfair. Neji Hyuuga from what he heard, and saw, was pretty strong. Could actually be trouble for Naruto. Not that he cares. This is the exams after all. He needs to win to show he the strongest. To kill Itachi! Or at least hunt him down to demand answers before he kills him.

"Sasuke?"

"You're telling the dobe."

"I will." Hopefully, he won't be upset.

Five minutes later.

"Whatever."

Never mind he wish for some kind of reaction. Kakashi just stared at his student. Like he wasn't so surprised at all. Maybe some slight annoyance but didn't care.

"Is that its Cyclopes."

"He is actually on his way. He will be overseeing your training for the final rounds." Kakashi sighs as his one eye look at Naruto. The scarf covering the mouth and parts of the cheeks. Yet, the eyes just stared at him boredom. Very differently a few hours ago when they showed that anger to strike Neji.

"Aka don't have to deal with me while you train Sasuke."

"Hey now don't be like that."

"Just stating an obvious fact." Naruto shrugged. Just like before.

"Now-Look he here."

"It is I."

Naruto turn his head to see it was Ebisu. Oh, right him. Then find that Toad guy.

'I seriously beginning to think you forget their names on purpose.'

"Well, they are all technically strangers to me. Speaking of strangers, we got some stuff to talk about.'

'I have a small idea what.'

"Are you even listening to me!"

"No. By the way that Jutsu updated."

Ebisu freeze remembers.

Big smiles and sickening mock innocent laughter.

'What Jutsu?" Kakashi tilt his head in confusion.

"It's nothing! Just a little something between us!" Ebisu pat Naruto shoulder. Who just took a step back away from him.

"Oh? I didn't know you two were acquainted."

"Does it matter."

Kakashi head down and shake his head. Look back at Ebisu. "Thank you again. Naruto it won't be so bad. He a special Jonin. He trains the elite. He can help you since out the three of you. Your basic skills need to be improved."

"So, he better teacher than you with longer monologues and actually will pay attention."

Kakashi in the corner with a dark cloud over his head. He wasn't being too harsh. Right? Naruto has surprised him a lot. But still needs some training. Even if he has grown in different ways. But that. "I'm not that bad."

Ebisu, Naruto and anyone else nearby just staring.

"Come along Naruto you blunt mouth did enough damage today."

"See yeah Cyclopes." Follows Ebisu out. From, what he recalled he did try to help. But Toad Man did help and fix that sealing. Now how to convince him to help this time. Along with the summon contract.

Make sure he won't die this time.

Naruto shake his head.

"I do have to thank you."

"About being careful around anyone who smiles?"

"Not that." But now extra alert. Along with terrified how he notices how certain smiles can change everything. "I meant Konohamuru."

"So, the Imp talk to you."

"Yes? Along with the training scrolls you gave him. Where you find those?"

"I wrote them." Sees him look surprised. "I've always been hands on learning. Books are fine but can only do so much and help certain ones."

"Yes, we talked about that too." He sighs. Still, remember that talk. How there shouldn't be shortcuts as well. It strikes his pride a bit. But also, did feel proud that the third grandson is learning. "Why you call him Imp?"

"I call a lot of brats Imps."

"You're a brat."

"I'm a pre-teen brat Bandana man."

"Bandana man! Its Ebisu Sensei!"

"True. Bandana man doesn't fit the bill, Marble eyes."

"I'm going to break you."

"Oh? It there a new bone inside me that hasn't broke yet?" Watch how he actually was silent at that. But a small twitch on his lip. Yeah, now h remembers took him awhile to realize he wasn't a Kurama. Along with actually became a decent sensei for the Imps.

"Let's get some food first and talk. Then will start training tomorrow. You can tell me what you know and how the exam was."

Now the pair at Ichiraku Ramen and eating. Naruto half paying attention to Ebisu teaching about Chakra basic control. Stuff, they know but hey play along. Then Naruto just told him what he needs to know. But not everything like taking the seal off from Sasuke and helping Gaara out.

"You almost did what!" Ebisu stared at Naruto after he finished explaining the match with Neji. Since he thought he was going against him. Best tell him how that match went.

"He needs a punch here and there to show he not all great. Deal with that attitude enough from Chicken Ass." Took a bite out of his food.

"That was fooli- "

"He was going to kill her for stating a fact and I wasn't going to let that happen."

Ebisu stared at Naruto. "The Hyuga clan is difficult along with the branches."

"It stupid if you asked me. Some clan."

"They are important."

"Anyone or anything can be important."

"Hmm." Ebisu watch them while eating. "Well, your full of surprises. So, that will help you beat the Hyuga."

"Rapunzel won't see it coming."

"Where are you getting these nicknames."

"My head."

After that they both left. Well, had to wait as Ebisu almost had a heart attack of the amount of bowls of ramen Naruto ate. Naruto was surprised himself but decided to be 'nice' to pay his share. Then talk about to meet the next day at the springs to train.

'You good pile of bones?'

"I guess." Error watering Lilith and Fredrick. Then the small vegetable garden that grown a bit. Maybe should get them another potted plant friend soon.

'You guess?'

"Just figuring out how to convince the Toad Guy to train me."

'Figures.'

"Did he know."

'What?'

"Did he know before meeting Naruto at the springs that was his godson."

'I can't say for sure. Naruto found out later. It could be possible that the Third gave him updates about you.'

Error was silent at that and kept gardening. Till they stop. "I don't know how to feel."

'Oh?'

"He Naruto family. He not my family. I don't like the idea to pretend but he done a lot for Naruto."

'Error, you don't have to pretend to like him later. Maybe it'll come around differently. Or maybe not. I can't say for sure with your predicament. All we can do is see what will happen next.' Kurama voice less gruff. Let his chakra wrap around Error and touch his shoulder. 'You not alone with this. I'm with you.'

"With me or the kid."

'Gone or not I'm with you...Lets meditate. Will talk about what happen at the war later.'

Error nods and put everything away. Get in meditation pose.

'Also. Marble eyes? Really!'

"Better than whatever you would have thought of."

'Pile of bones.'

"Furball."

Next, morning the pair at the Hot Spring town next over.

"So, why exactly a hot spring- "

"Naruto!"

"What?"

"That's the woman side of the spring you're going! I will not allow indecent behavior young man!" Ebisu shouting at him when he walked that way. Just gave a long look.

"I'm they."

"What?"

"I go by they. I don't care if someone says he or she too me either. But isn't young man pushing it?"

"I um huh?"

"Plus, why the heck would I look at the woman side? It's their side after all with walls up. Plus, we pass the boy side too. I thought we are here to train. Not whatever in that mind of yours."

Ebisu gapped at the confused and oblivious expression on his face. No, lie and deceitfulness at all.

While Kurama laughing the nine tails ass off at how naïve and oblivious Error was.

"I um don't fully follow on these pronouns. But I will apologies for speaking that way." Felt, ridiculous now. Along, with should have told them the directions they are going." Come let's begin. There a section for us away from the bath to train."

"Are we doing some kind of water or steam jutsu?"

"Not quite. Im going to teach you how to walk on water."

"Are we going to walk on lava next?"

"What? No!"

"Why not?"

"There no lava around!"

"Could probably make some or go to a volcano."

"No, we are walking on water." Note to self-see if there actually is walking on lava jutsu. "From what Kakashi told me. You already accomplished tree climbing. Correct?"

"Yep."

"Now in tree climbing, all you do is accumulate. Now the- "

Naruto 'listening' to Ebisu explain about tree climbing. Then about the concept of the water technique. While they focus on where Toad Man was at. Yep, still at the same spot.

"-Now with walking on water. To do this, the user has to be emitting a constant stream of chakra from the bottom of their feet and using the repellent force to walk across the water surface. Now this technique is difficult to master than tree climbing. Care to give it a go."

"You first Marble eyes."

Ebisu rolled his eyes and shows him as he walks on water. "See now that's how it done. Now your tur-Naruto what are you looking at?!"

Naruto only just pointed at the direction he was staring at. 

Ebisu turn to see some man with long spiky white that in a ponytail. Green kimono and pants. Red haori. A scroll can be seen on his back.

'Pervert Toad in sighting.'

'I thought you were sticking to Toad Man?'

'That too.' Naruto glance at Ebisu. "Isn't that the woman changeroom behind that wall?"

Ebisu twitch at the direction he was seeing. "Are you peeking in the woman room old man?"

No, response just the man letting out a giggle.

Naruto then watches Ebisu rush towards him.

"I will not allow that behavior!"

"Hmm?" The man turns to see red lines under his eyes that goes at the way down to his face. Black eyes. Shoulder length bands. A horned forehead protector with the kanji for 'oil'. Didn't seem phased and did a hand sign. "Oh please."

Poof.

The old man sitting on a toad with orange skin and blue markings. Is wearing a necklace with seven large beads that had the kanji for "loyalty".

"Wha- "

The toad open it mouth and long tongue burst out fast. Grab Ebisu and slam him to the ground.

Ouch.

"What wrong with you? You got to keep it down. Do you want us to get busted you idiot?" The old man smirk as he chuckles at the flatten leaf jonin.

Poke.

Turn to look down to see some kid poke him. Look so bored and not phased at all. Wait? How an they stand wearing that outfit and scarf in the springs.

"You knock out my sub teacher. You're the double sub for him Toad Pervert."

"Huh?! Do you know who I am kid?!"

"I didn't ask but you're going to say it anyway."

"Well, I'm glad you now asked! I'm the hermit of Mount Mayuvoku. The wise and immortal spirit. That's right! It is I the Toad Mountain Sage!"

"Okay. What your name and theirs too?" Motion the toad.

They look quite surprise along with their companion. Usually not many asked for the summoning name.  Unless they say it first.

"Gama." The toad answered first.

"Game is he a Toad Pervert."

Let out croak that almost sounded yes.

"Hey! I'm not just any pervert! I'm the biggest pervert you will every meet! I'm Jiraiya!"

"Well Toad Pervert you going to train or what since you knock Marble eyes out." Point at Ebisu twitching form.

"Well, he shouldn't have interfered with my research."

"Research?"

"You see I'm a writer. I'm a writer of great books. Like this!" Pulls out a familiar orange book out of his kimono shirt. Make-Out Paradise.

"Oh no. You're the one who wrote that."

"Yes! You know this? Have you read it? Thought I put an age limit on this-

"No, I haven't and will not read it. Is that why you're looking at the girl's bathroom? For, research notes."

Can hear woman screaming on the other side of the wall.

"NOOOOOOO!" The man fell on the knees.

Naruto and Gama just standing back watching.

"Look what you have done! My pee-My research has been found out!"

"Cry me a river Toad Pervert." Naruto watch the taller man standing in front of them.

"You fool I'm not a pervert! I'm very serious about my work! It is art! I get inspired by my research and can write better pieces!"

"You just admit it awhile. So, you going to help or not till he wakes up."

"Huh? Wait? You mean the walking-on-water technique?"

"No." Arms crossed. "Marble Eyes going to do that with me. You are going to teach me something else."

"Hmph. Sorry kid I'm actually busy. Plus, I'm not going to train someone who doesn't appreciate true work! Plus, I don't like kids." Walk pass by him and then yelled when his ponytail grabbed tugged. "H-hey! Its rude to pull someone hair!"

"It's rude to peek unless you asked someone permission."

"Let go you leech!"

"Your one to talk Toad Pervert."

"Gama get him off me!"

Naruto blinked when a tongue grabbed him. Then suddenly they freeze.

"Ha! Gama make sure they don't follow!" Laugh and then turn around. Then stopped.

The kid shaking and trembling as they are tied up by the tongue. Suddenly fell on their knees and began to shake crazily. Sound like they were breathing way to fast. Eye widen in panic and fear. Didn't realize the tongue was no longer holding them.

Snap out of it. Snap out it dammit. It's not like those stupid chains or Nightmare tentacles. Snap out of it!

'Pile of bones breathe!'

"Hey Kid take a deep breathe."

I don't need to breathe! But they did at the end. Slowly lift his head up to see the Toad Pervert kneeling down by their side. Along with Gama right by their side. Barely see the hint of concern in their eyes. Slowly began to lift themselves up.

"Hey, hey take it slow- "

"Had worse." Naruto muttered and glance at the old man. "Shouldn't you be off doing your research."

"Are you serious? I may not like kids but not going to leave them off. You were a panic attack for twenty minutes!" Watch and eyes widen to see familiar whiskey marks, along with blue tear marks. Till they brought their scarf back up around their mouth.

"Twenty minutes? Huh usually longer." Naruto mumbled to themselves. Their Phobia hasn't been acting up too much lately. Then again almost everything here is fighting and staying on alert. This just caught him guard for the situation. Why is he looking at him like that? "What?"

"Longer? Jeez kid and your folks let you be a genie."

"Don't have any."

Small silence.

"You going to train me or what."

"Are you for real!"

Few minutes later in the forest with Ebisu dragged along.

"Okay kid what jutsu you want to learn?" Can't believe he actually doing this. But the kid wouldn't let go about it. Even after that panic attack was determined to go back to that route. Ignoring their own health which is red flags. Will, tell his sub when they wake up. Along with need to get some clarification about something too.

"Gama."

"What?"

"You summon him. Which means you have a summoning contract? Right."

Jiraiya stared and laughed. "Hahaha! Seriously?"

"Yes." Eyes back to that dead expression look.

"Look I'll let you sign the contract." Eyes then turn serious. "But I can't decide if it'll be permeant or not."

"Oh?"

"It'll be the big toad boss himself who will decide. But first, we can see how well your chakra is to summon one of the toads." Bit his thumb to draw blood and hand signs. "SUMMONING JUTSU!"

"Why do you all have the yell."

Slam the hand down and seals appeared. Cloud puff and Gama back with a scroll in their mouth.

"Hey Gama." Naruto nods at the toad.

Game nods back and look them over. Then back up at Jiraiya.

"Their fine now." Pat his head.

Gama croak and lowered the scroll down to Naruto.

"Go ahead open the scroll. You'll be signing your name in blood. Then stamp the fingerprints of one hand in blood under that."

Naruto listen when they open up the scroll. Glance at the names and stop at Minako for a few seconds. That was the last one to sign. Look at the open slot and bit his thumb.

"Then when your done. Build up the Chakra in the place you want to summon. The hand symbol signs are right there too."

'You going to call out that old Toad first."

'Your older than them Furball and not the first try.' Began to make the hand signs and slam his hand down.

Huh the kid didn't say it out loud.

POOF.

"Yo- Who the heck are you?" A small young orange toad with purple markings. Wore a blue jacket.

"Naruto."

"Huh not bad kid. Hey Gamakichi you're not a little tadpole anymore." Jiraiya watching. Quite impressed since he remembers his time when he would try to summon the first few times.

"An you're still an old man with extra wrinkles!"

"Got you there Toad Pervert."

"Damn punks." Jiraiya twitch at the pair.

"Gamakichi meet Naruto Uzamaki."

"So, I'm the first one you just summon?"

"Yep."

"Not bad." He grinned. "Let's hope it's enough to impress my old man."

"Noted. Do you want to stay or go back?"

"I can go back whenever but I definitely want to see this." Hopes away and sitting on Ebisu head. Look up at Jiraiya. "I thought you weren't taking in another student?"

"I'm not."

"Sure, you're not." Watch him study Naruto seriously. "Toad Pervert?"

"Not you too!"

POOF

"Where in the world am I?!" A large appeared who size could rival a tailed beast. A a dull, rusty red, but around his eyes and on his lips and chest are brighter red markings. Over his left eye was a scar. His tongue has a series of stud-like piercings on both the upper and lower side. Is wearing a blue  that has the kanji word for ebi on the back. A dosu blade on his hip. A large  they were smoking right now.

Jiraiya and Gama gap.

"Hey Pops!" Gamakichi waved at him.

"Gamakichi there you are. Jiraiya. Gama. Why have I been summoned?"

"That wasn't me this time!" Jiraiya still stunned but now grinning.

"Then who!"

"Naruto did!" Gamakichi answered,

"Who?"

"Me,"

Gamabunta eyes look up to see a kid on top of him. "You?

"Yep."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Little Orange Pop?"

"Hey! I'm bigger than my siblings!"

"I'm Gamabunta, the Chief Toad Head!"

"Hiya."

Eye narrowed at the kid and look down at Jiraiya. "What is the meaning of this Jiraiya!"

"He um well you see." Jiraiya laughs awkwardly as the huge toad glared down at him.

"I asked to sign the contract since he knocks Marble eyes out when he was doing research." Naruto replied.

"What?" Look at the little kid and laugh. "For real? There no way a little squirt like you could summon like me."

"Come on Pops they not to bad! Summon me on their first try! We even all saw it too!"

Gamabunta stop as heard his kid. He hums and glance up at the kid. Not to please Jiraiya didn't asked for his opinion. Or at least how the situation came to him. Blast that sanin and his research. But was impressed they were able to summon him. Yet, it wasn't enough. "I'll make a deal with you. A way for me to accept you as my master."

"You're not going to call me that."

"What?"

"I don't want to be called Master. Just Naruto."

Small silence at first.

"Will just have to see first. You need to stay on my back for entire day. I won't go easy on you."

"You better not you Old To-HEY!" Holds on tight as Gamabunta already jumping.

"They seem fun." Gamakichi watches and cheering them on.

"Yeah. Nice." Jiraiya looks back at the contract.

Uzumaki.

Could it really be their kid?

"Hey Pervert Toad, my seat waking up."

Jiraiya, twitch, looks down to see they are indeed waking up. Well, a good time to have a chit chat.

Should have brought some food and sake for this talk.

Few hours later in the night elsewhere.

"Oops." Gaara stared at the sound nin, that mummy guy, he killed. Not fully phased what he did. Plus, did admit were going to kill him. What was it called again? Self-Defense. Yes, that what it called.

'You got issues.'

"Half of it your fault dear 'mother.'."

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Done!

Yes, look who all here again! Going to be so much fun and craziness.

What you all think so far?

Any questions?

Until next time.

Bye, bye!