"So, you excited to be back?" Jiraiya asked as he and his travel companion walked at a sedate pace. He received no verbal answer, just a raised eyebrow. "You still mad I borrowed-"
"Pilfered, absconded with or burgled,"
"Borrowed some money? C'mon, kid, it was our last gasps of freedom before we returned and I needed to get my head right. Besides, you can't deny we've had a lot of fun these past three years."
And Naruto wouldn't deny it. There were rough patches, one in particular neither would ever forget, but Jiraiya had shown Naruto much of the continent and been a really good sensei to boot. In truth, Naruto wasn't mad but whereas Jiraiya had his fun last night, Naruto wanted one last prank before he returned.
"Hmm, you're right on both accounts. So, thirty percent."
"Excuse me?" Jiraiya asked in disbelief.
"That's the interest on your loan, thirty percent and interest compounds daily, Godfather."
"You're a shark, you know that! Ungrateful brat!" Jiraiya shouted and pointed in mock outrage. Naruto merely waved him off.
"Fine, I guess we can consider it a gift. I mean, I stole that money from you anyway so… that shakes out."
The toad sage had a look of disbelief cross his face, he was the one that stole money not the other way around. He could only laugh. "I wish we had another year of this, kid."
Naruto smiled, "Yea, it was nice being free but I have missed home."
Jiraiya smiled at that, which didn't go unnoticed by Naruto. "Oi, what are you smiling about you old pervert?"
"Way to ruin the mood, you inconsiderate brat. Also, don't call me an old pervert," Jiraiya said, putting Naruto in a headlock, "who took you on countless adventures? Helped you develop from an elf into a respectable sized young man? Who got you laid twice? Me, the envy of men and desire of women; Jiraiya the toa-" Jiraiya's monologue was cut short as Naruto effortless lifted him off his feet. "What are you doing, brat? Put me down!"
"Wait for it, Perv."
"Wait for what?" Jiraiya asked and was answered with a large ball of water falling on his head, being dropped after it hit. As Jiraiya sputtered Naruto laughed uproariously at the sight of the legendary Sannin.
"I-hahahaha- thought-hahaha- toads were amphibious. You look like a drowned rat-hahahaha- 'ttebayo!"
"Straight to hell with you, brat."
"Same to you. Stop always bragging about stuff or I'm going to tell Tsunade-obachan you have inappropriate dreams about her."
"Like I'd be embarrassed over a sex dream. You suck at blackmail."
"Oh, if only they were sex dreams. No, I had to hear your weirdo poetry. Oh, Tsunade, as the toad mistakes the well for the ocean-" Naruto had to stop and dodge Jiraiya striking at him.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Thirty-five percent."
"You're a crook."
"That's fine, I'll be a crook… who gets thirty-five percent."
"What happened to it being a gift? And it's money you stole from me!"
"You didn't know that when you took it and why should you get to embezzle what I so artfully stole? Thirty-five percent seems fair."
"We're family, that's got to count for something you heartless fiend."
"Fine, forty percent."
"WHAT!" Naruto had kept a neutral face but broke again at Jiraiya's reaction. Jiraiya sulked as the duo reached the main entrance. Izumo and Kotetsu processed them and welcomed the duo back warmly. "Alright, kid, I know you've got a lot of things you want to do so let's debrief with Tsunade."
"Ok, I'll get us there fast," Naruto said, reaching for Jiraiya. The Toad Sage slapped his godson's hand away.
"No."
"No?" Naruto asked, slightly amused.
"Hell no. Never again, for any reason," Jiraiya proclaimed, face stern and unyielding.
"It's not that bad, you're overreacting."
"I don't care," was Jiraiya's response before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. Naruto rolled his eyes and followed Jiraiya's lead, disappearing in a blur instead.
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Three of Konoha's most important women sat in an office. While official duties were briefly spoken about, this was more a meeting to manage Orochimaru. Koharu and Tsunade both knew the Snake Sannin got into the most trouble, outside of the fallout with Hiruzen, when she was bored. She'd been showing signs of it for several weeks but neither Tsunade nor Koharu knew what spurred the sudden onset. The first sign, she became more interested in experimenting on prisoners just to see what would happen and not sound scientific testing. Secondly, her training had gotten more destructive. And finally,
"I'm so bored. Surely, there is a country in need of overthrowing? I'll go kill the Raikage right now."
"Orochi, you can't kill the Raikage. We're trying to avoid war, not guarantee it," Koharu responded as if talking to a child that wanted dessert first.
"Why not take a mission?" Tsunade questioned.
"They're all too easy."
"Surely there are some prisoners to torture. Ibiki always complains about a backlog," Koharu offered.
"As soon as I show up they give me their entire life story. One gave himself a heart attack. Not a lot of fun if they don't even try to hold out."
"Spend time with Manda?" Tsunade pressed.
"He's… being a pain right now."
"Oh?" the Godaime said. Very few people knew of the real dynamic between Manda and Orochi but he doted on his summoner. It took Katsuyu hours to talk the giant snake down from attempting to murder Hiruzen. Seeing Orochi wasn't going to divulge more she dropped the matter. As Tsunade tries to come up with another example her concentration was broken by three things: first, hearing Shizune squeal from outside her office; secondly, a sudden wind passing through the office: and third, a deep, masculine voice.
"Seems the kid beat me here."
Each of the women looked at the final Sannin as he sat inside the window. Koharu and Tsunade both greeted Jiraiya, Orochimaru simply stared at the door.
"What, Orochi-chan, no acknowledgment of my return?"
"You still look like a fool. There, you have been acknowledged."
"So mean. At least you're happy to have me back, right Hime?"
Tsunade simply gave him the so-so gesture, making the Toad Sage deflate comically. Jiraiya didn't get a chance to go into his full routine as Naruto walked in. Tsunade looked over her surrogate nephew in surprise. She expected him to change seeing it was an altogether different matter. He'd lost the baby fat from his cheeks but kept his otherwise soft features. His hair had gotten significantly longer, looking more a spiky crimson lion's mane that reached his shoulders. Most significantly was his height as he was clearly taller than everyone in the office save Jiraiya.
Greeting everyone with a smile, Naruto gives Tsunade a mocking bow, "Uzumaki Naruto, requesting a return to active service, Hokage-sama."
"Welcome back, Naruto-kun. How was your training trip?"
"Fruitful, for the most part. Jiraiya knows a little something about training a ninja," Jiraiya puffed his chest out, "for a seedy ass pervert."
"You're an ass," Jiraiya retorted after deflating due to his godson's words.
"Ok, that's enough you two," Tsunade interjected but there was no real heat behind her words. "While I am glad to have you back, we need to schedule an assessment for your skill level so I know you haven't wasted three years on a walkabout."
"Oh, that's already taken care of. Unless she's changed her mind, 'ttebayo." Naruto said, smiling the entire time.
"Kukuku, I wouldn't dream of it, Naruto-kun. We just need to select a time and a place." Orochimaru said while in movement, ending right in front of Naruto, staring intently into the Uzumaki's eyes.
"Full moon tonight, seems as fitting a setting as any."
"Oh, a late-night rendezvous on your first day back, how bold," Orochimaru purred and was surprised when Naruto didn't break eye contact or blush. However, she never got to hear his retort as a cough interrupted them.
"Sorry, are we bothering you two?" Tsunade asked, looking incredibly smug.
"Yes," Orochimaru said with zero shame.
"Too damn, bad. Get out of here brat, the grown-ups have to talk."
"Fine, fine," he responded to Tsunade before looking back to Orochimaru, "Training ground 43, midnight?" She nodded and he exited the office.
"You don't seem so bored now," Koharu observed after Naruto left, she now looking quite smug herself.
"I thought we had matters to discuss," Orochimaru replied, not bothering to address Koharu's observation. The informal vibe was now broken and Jiraiya entered the office fully as they were to dive into series matters.
"So, how are things?" Jiraiya asked.
"Tense. There have been some skirmishes between Kumo's and our ANBU but nothing that has bled over into our standard forces. Onoki is still waiting and seeing," Tsunade was explaining before being cut off.
"Expect to hear something from him soon," Jiraiya said. "Naruto and I met both Han and Roshi on our travels and I don't think it was an accident. I'd say, Onoki wanted a quick threat assessment."
"And? I'm assuming you didn't fight either of them so what?"
"Nothing really to report. Kid got along with both of them well enough, more Roshi than Han but there were no hostilities. Some shared stories over being a container but that was all I observed."
"Ok, not a lot to go on but it'll have to do. Kiri is keeping to their Isolationism for now but that could change with the upcoming Chunin exams," the Godaime said.
"I have kept my Oto nins on high alert. It's possible Ay may attempt a proxy war first, in hopes of pulling Konoha in," stated Orochimaru
"Good. There isn't a lot more for us to do but stay sharp and not be baited into any stupid mistakes."
"Easier said than done, Hime."
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"He's gotten more troublesome, what a drag," Shikamaru bemoaned to his companion, eliciting a snicker. The two ninja walking casually down the village streets.
"How could you possibly know that you haven't even seen him yet," Temari inquired.
"I just know, I always just know," the Nara grumbled. Yes, he was happy his friend was back and even eager to catch up but Shikamaru was as practical as he was brilliant. Naruto + 3 years of dedicated training * puberty = troublesome². There was simply no way around it.
"Hm, I suppose. It'll probably be good, you've been getting a little lazy lately," Temari said with a smirk.
"Helping with the Chunin Exams is incredibly boring, I am not meant to be an administrator."
"Then why do it?"
Shikamaru shot Temari a look, not enjoying her knowing smile. She just couldn't leave the unsaid unsaid, could she? Troublesome woman. "Best way to spend time with you, which you know," Shikamaru forced out, his body slumping as he did.
"Aww, Shika is so cute when he admits he likes Temari-chan!"
"Kami, kill me now," he grumbled, causing Temari to laugh. The sound was so melodious that Shikamaru couldn't fight off the smile forming on his lips.
"So, what's the plan now that he's back?"
"I doubt I'll be moved from Ino and Choji just yet." It was not ideal, the circumstances that led to the formation of the next InoShikaCho but it was necessary. Choji and Ino were floundering, Shikamaru couldn't leave them like that. Every clan heir was going to need to be at their best if war broke out. Without the ability to rely on Kurenai-sensei's deviousness, Shino's ruthless efficiency or Naruto's power, Shikamaru grew. His planning became faster, more involved and paradoxically more flexible. He no longer warmed up in combat, always ready to unleash himself. He just wished-
"Hey, no sulking," Temari said, interrupting his thoughts.
"Sorry, sorry. Anyway, I don't know what Shino will do. I guess it'll all be sorted when we meet at Kurenai-sensei's house."
"When do you need to arrive?" Temari questioned.
"In a bit but I've still got a little time,"
"Good, because you're treating me to lunch, Shadow Boy," Temari exclaimed while grabbing Shikamaru by the wrist and dragging him along.
"Trou-"
"Finish that and no special Temari time for a month," Temari threatened. Shikamaru, wisely, shut up. Because he was both practical and brilliant.