"Yea, Naruto! Do a cool lava jutsu!" Kiba exclaimed. He realized his error when Sakura facepalmed, Sasuke 'tsk-ed' and Kakashi-sensei sent him the 'I'm totally going to kill you but I'm pretending to be super chill' vibe. "Uh, was that still a secret?" he asked bashfully and even Akamaru walked away from his partner.
Shikamaru grimaced. This night had been going so well. Choji and Naruto hit it off, as he suspected, and fell into an easy rapport. Team Kakshi arrived late, Kiba bringing a few kegs with him, but were genial. Even Team Gai had been pleasant, if a bit frosty, until Lee broke down and challenged Naruto to a youthful spar at a later date; which caused Gai-sensei to cry at the display. The plan was working. That was good. Better still was Temari was here and Shikamaru got to relax with her, confident no one would do anything to make a scene.
But things couldn't hold. He should have expected it. No one just becomes a Jounin as a teenager, that is a mix of ability and drive, the same mix that points to an innate sense of competitiveness. Sasuke had it, Neji had it and while well hidden Naruto had it as well. The difference between them was that Naruto was competing with the Hokage, specifically the Nidaime, Sandaime and Yondaime. It wasn't arrogance; there just hadn't been a reason for Naruto to measure himself against his generation because the gap between them and who he wanted to surpass was immense.
That's why when Sasuke showed off an impressive katon jutsu and Neji demonstrated the power of his vacuum palms, Naruto simply felt no need to follow suit. That, simply wasn't going to do. Everyone in attendance, save Shino and he, wanted to see the ninjutsu prodigy do something. Not used to this level of attention, Naruto got awkward and just agreed to get everyone to stop. The Uzumaki's mistake had been in asking what they wanted to see. Because by asking, Kiba gave him an honest answer.
Naruto's blue eyes stared intently into Kiba's own. His posture was relaxed, and Shika didn't know if that was a good or a bad sign. What calculus was being conducted in the Uzumaki's brain was unknowable. As the moment stretched on, Shikamaru found aid from an unlikely ally.
"The secret is out so just do the fucking jutsu, or don't and fuck him up but take action, Stump," Tayuya bellowed.
"Hey, now, there won't be any need for that," Jiraiya said as if he were concerned Naruto might take option A and use it toward option B. Naruto rolled his eyes. He knew he'd likely start showing off his real abilities soon, he just wanted to gauge the reaction of those in attendance.
"Relax, Godfather. No one is going to attack anyone over a slip of the tongue. We're all comrades here," Naruto said. He then turned away from his audience and walked over to the pond. Flashing through a series of hand seals, Naruto performed the internal manipulation; adding pressure and heat to a doton base. Dividing up the chakra into a semi solid orbs and then launching a series of them from his mouth. The teams watched as condensed globs of lava tore upward but that wouldn't be all. As they reached the peak of their ascent, they exploded into many smaller pieces and descended into the body of water like a storm of falling stars, causing steam to arise on contact.
"[Lava Style: Meteor Shower]" Naruto said as he walked back toward his guests.
"Show off," observed Sasuke and Naruto shrugged.
"That's how you got the lava ash? You bastard, I begged you to tell me. And Shika, you knew the entire time?" Ino griped.
"I was sworn to secrecy."
"It was your secret!" the Yamanaka exclaimed. Shikamaru laughed, his attempt to cover failing. It was too late. The troublesome blonde heard him and he'd pay for it tomorrow.
"Well, Naruto, it appears you are becoming slightly impressive," Kakashi observed.
"I'm glad you said so since you owe me a spar," Naruto replied. Kakashi took a quick look over to Jiraiya, the Sannin shaking his head no and it confirmed his suspicion. Seems little brother wanted some revenge but that was not the privilege of the younger sibling.
"Mah, mah, Naruto. I'm terribly busy, you see. Kiba needs some remedial training, I have to prepare for when I escort Hokage-sama to Suna. Missions, my reading… I lead a very full life."
"If I didn't know any better, nii-sama," Naruto's words laced with false innocence, "I'd say you were trying to avoid me. And after three years away. That simply won't suffice, 'ttebayo."
"Wait, why are you calling Kakashi-sensei your older brother?" Kiba asked. Naruto was tempted to inform the Inuzuka he'd be unlikely to answer that question to a loose lipped lightweight but withheld the information. Since talking to Shika about why he hadn't told them, Naruto started to reconsider his reasons. No, he didn't want to be under his dad's shadow but he was damn proud of the man. The Yondaime had been his second favorite Hokage and he'd wanted to surpass him along with Tobirama-sama. And the truth was, he either could do so or he couldn't. Trying to avoid the shadow didn't change that.
"Because Minato Namikaze was my father and his sensei." He saw the skeptical looks from those around him, except Temari. Naruto assumed Baki-san or Gaara told her at some point. No matter how close they got, the Uzumaki couldn't see Shikamaru sharing that information with her without talking to him first.
"It's true," Jiraiya announced, as he hoped to prevent anyone from saying something stupid.
"T-then how come no one knew?" Sakura asked in mild disbelief.
"You'd have to ask the Old Man," Naruto replied.
"The Old Man… do you mean Sandaime-sama?" Tenten questioned. Naruto nodded. "You should speak about him with more respect," the Weapons MIstress scolded. As they were behind her, she didn't see Gai, Asuma and Jiraiya tense. Naruto, however, had seen them and rolled his eyes. He wouldn't deny he could have a bit of a temper and hated the Old Man but he wasn't a maniac.
"I've always called him that, if he had a problem with it he'd say something. Still, his reasons were his own."
"It seems fate truly shined upon you, Naruto-san," Neji said with just a hint of bitterness in his tone.
"Uh, sure?" Naruto returned, having no interest in that train of thought. But Neji had other plans.
"Do you deny it? Trained by two of the Sannins, gifted like your father. Have you not be fortunate?"
"Some good some bad, not really interested in taking a tally. If you need to believe some divine force has blessed me then good on you. Not really my bag, though."
"The workings of fate are undeniable. Winners and losers chosen at birth."
"Yea, I've heard this before. You were the winner and I the loser, right? Or are you now the loser? Seems imprecise for a worldview."
"Those who deny fate are punished. Let Hinata-sama be a testament to that," Neji argued, the anger at Naruto's dismissiveness reaching a boiling point.
"Gai, you better shut that kid up before I do it for you," Asuma spoke sternly. He wouldn't have his late student insulted in front of him and Neji was old enough to be held accountable for his words.
"Maybe we should change topics, Neji. It isn't befitting to speak such ways about the fallen."
"I mean no insult, Gai-sensei. It is simply the truth. She actively rebelled against the Hyuuga traditions, against her fate and when the time came she was ill equipped. Had she trained as a true Hyuuga she may have survived and lived long enough to lead our clan."
Only Team Gai truly knew the complicated feelings Neji had about Hinata's death. In life, he hated her. She represented every source of unfairness and pain in his life. She rejected the Hyuuga traditions in ways he'd never have been allowed to. The former seal on his forehead assured compliance. The resentment never truly went away but he also never wanted her to die.
His statements were not meant as an admonishment but a warning. She tried to be something other than what she should have been and forfeited her life in exchange. It made him anxious to learn Hanabi planned to do the same, especially as he had a significantly better relationship with her.
"Your words are illogical," Shino said. "It is a tautological fairytale. To what end I will not speculate but I will say, you know nothing of Naruto if you think he was selected a winner at birth and the very idea offends me. I did not know Hinata-san well, but she died supporting her team and that deserves more than to be characterized as a failure of her abilities."
"Fuck yea, you're being an asshole," Tayuya rejoined.
"Hey, don't talk to him like that," Tenten exclaimed.
"Or what, you tree hugging bitch?"
"Or I'll-" Tenten never finished her statement as a foreboding wave washed over all. Shino and Shikamaru knew what that was. Not killing intent but akin. It made you want to sit down, shut and obey because the person who projected it meant business and would hurt you if you didn't. Beads of sweat appeared on several foreheads as a result but the arguing stopped.
"Thank you Shino. You, too, Tayuya," Naruto spoke calmly. A tone that didn't match the vibe he'd sent out. "I won't argue your beliefs, Neji. I do feel fortunate the Yondaime was my father even if he only got to be so for a few hours. If my parentage explains something to you or sets your world right, fine. Whatever gets you through the day. I appreciate you all coming. Thank you for cooking Choji, it was a meal to remember. I sincerely hope we can do this again but I think it best we call it a night, yea?"
Naruto created several clones to clean up after his gathering, one to see everyone off while he shunshin'd to the roof, he needed a little alone time. Tayuya and Shino retired to her room for the night while Shikamaru and Temari trailed behind Choji and Ino.
"It was almost a successful night, Shika," Temari offered. Shikamaru awarded her with a smile. He figured she'd understand what he was doing, she'd likely had to do things to rehabilitate Gaara's image in Suna.
"I'd call it a success. Before his training trip, Naruto would have leapt over that table and beat Neji within an inch of his life. That's assuming he hadn't done it to Kiba. I'm almost proud of him." Temari laughed and Shikamaru wished he could elicit that response on command with how light it made him feel.
"I remember the first time I witnessed Gaara settle a dispute with just his words and no threats. The pride I felt was immeasurable so I understand where you're coming from."
"Our troublesome redheads are growing up so fast."
The pair moved about the village, the starlight of the village's outskirts giving way to the street lights of its urban core. Side by side they walked, talking around an issue neither wanted to address. Temari was to leave within a couple of weeks, returning to Suna. Shikamaru wouldn't be traveling with the Hokage's envoy, Kurenai-sensei's due date was just around that time. When she left it may be quite some time before they saw each other again. And if something happened, if Konoha was pulled into a war with Kumo it could be longer still, or never again.
Shikamaru sometimes wondered if it'd been better if he'd waited. The Hidden Villages were not in a period of stability, the current tensions could not continue without a triggering event occurring. Maybe he should have held off until those events transpired, had faith they'd both live through them. Of course, there was no guarantee she'd still be available or interested if he had.
On some level, Shikamaru knew this was all pointless speculation. He wouldn't change things but he simply couldn't turn his brain off as it churned through the possibilities. He could never know if he'd done the right thing or the smart thing.
The Nara's thoughts were broken up when he felt himself being pushed. Years of honed reflexes allowed Shikamaru to right himself without any difficulty. He looked over to his companion in mock annoyance.
"You aren't going to figure out the world by the time we reach the Embassy. Stop thinking so hard."
"I certainly won't now. What a drag." Shikamaru was rewarded with another bout of Temari's laughter.
0000000000000000000
The next day found Tsunade at her private training grounds. As was her routine, Hiruzen was there as well. As the Sandaime had promised, he continued to train Tsunade even after she was named his replacement. Tsunade kept to the arrangement as she was seeing improvements in her long neglected ninjutsu, non-medical, repertoire. It also allowed her to keep tabs on her sensei. She knew he likely still had some kind of plan to trap Orochi.
Today, however, was different as the teacher and student had two visitors. Her ANBU alerted her that Jiraiya and Naruto were requesting permission to join her for the session. She granted permission and the two appeared before her in an instant. Both Hiruzen and her awaited an explanation, after an exchange of pleasantries; an exchange that was stilted and forced. It dawned on her that this may have been the first time Sensei and Naruto had seen each other since the latter's return.
"What's going on?" she asked, breaking up the bickering duo. She saw Naruto scratch the back of his head, something he did when he was feeling shy or embarrassed. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what would cause that reaction. Then she wondered if maybe it was advice he sought… maybe advice about a certain snake summoner.
"Just tell her, kid," Jiraiya said. He could never get used to when his godson got like this. Strongest shinobi of the village but gets bashful over the weirdest things.
"So, um… Kakashi let it slip he's going to be one of your guards during the Chunin Exams. Jiraiya and I figured neither of us would be your second since we hadn't been informed yet."
"Yes, that's true," Tsunade confirmed.
"Well, the Raikage is going to be there," Naruto continued. If anyone else had said that, the implication of the statement would have caused Tsunade to lose her temper and beat them senseless for it. As if she couldn't handle Ay.
"Yes, he will. What's going on Naruto?"
"Well, I know you're super strong and all but his lightning armor just presents a hard counter to your best abilities. Over my training trip I developed some workarounds to his cloak. Jiraiya knows them, too, but since we won't be there I was wondering if you'd like to learn them as well?"
Hiruzen had to fight back a pang of regret seeing the interaction between Naruto and Tsunade. He recalled the bright eyed, little boy he used to regal with stories of the Hokage. The second and the fourth were always his favorites. Naruto idolized them, most residents did but it was always different with the Uzumaki. To be able to teach a Hokage something, it would mean a great deal to him and explained his manner.
"I certainly don't mind, Naruto but how do you know your methods will work?" Tsunade posed the sensible question. Naruto took a look at Jiraiya and the Toad Sage nodded his head in support. Naruto took a deep breath before performing a sequence of hand signs. Immediately the area surrounding Naruto exploded. When the dust settled, the San and Godaime stood in shock as the Uzumaki was covered in red lightning chakra armor.
"The only way I could be, 'ttebayo."