It was a motley crew that approached the gates of Konohagakure. It had been a month since some had been seen, the first time for one of them and the first time in years for two others. The short, spiky-haired blonde had one hand tied behind his back while he was focusing chakra into the hand in front of him in an attempt to create a swirling mass of energy and destruction which moments later burst knocking him to the ground staring at the clouds and cursing loudly. The spiky white-haired man laughed uproariously at the misfortune of the brat. The blonde woman growled and frowned before passing a handful of bills to the rough-looking dark red-haired woman who was grinning as she added the bills to the pile she was already counting. The younger dark red-haired girl and dark short-haired woman seemed to comfortably ignore the situation as they continued chatting amicably as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
"And it was so quiet for the last month," said one of the gate guards as he watched the group approaching.
"I'll go let the tower know," said the other guard, vanishing in a quick shunshin.
The group walked through the gates, the remaining guard only received a nod from Jiraiya.
"Ah Ichiraku, how I've missed the wonder of your ramen. My gods must be praised and your ramen devoured in tribute," said Naruto exuberantly. "Who is with me?"
"Ramen!" cheered Karin and Tora happily.
"What's with that?" asked Tsunade, she looked slightly disturbed.
"It must be an Uzumaki thing," said Jiraiya. "All three of them are completely obsessed with the stuff... Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional bowl but those three... Why don't we join them and you can see for yourself."
"Ayame-neechan, I'm back!" shouted a happy Naruto in greeting as he took his seat at the ramen stand.
"Welcome home Naruto-kun," greeted Ayame. "Did you have a safe trip?"
"Mostly," said Naruto. "Meet Tora-neechan, Tsunade-baachan, and Shizune-neechan. Tora-neechan is an Uzumaki we found, she was a pirate can you believe it?" And so began Naruto's chattering endlessly with his family and friends.
Tsunade may not have liked being called 'baa-chan' much but she felt at home with the brat and his family. They reminded her of her grandmother a bit which made sense considering her grandmother was an Uzumaki.
"So what's the plan baa-chan?" asked Naruto excitedly, breaking Tsunade out of her self-reflection.
"I'll go see Sarutobi-sensei then maybe go do some gambling," said Tsunade.
"Where are you staying while you're here?"
"We'll get a hotel room," said Tsunade.
"Nonsense, you guys can take one of the apartments at the Uzumaki house. There are beds and some furniture but not much else. Just don't obliterate anything," said Naruto. Thinking of the destruction Tsunade could cause with just one finger sent shivers down his spine.
"Yeah that should work," said Tsunade. She then placed some coins on the counter. "I'll go see sensei now. Shizune will follow you and I'll find her when I'm done." She then gave a short wave and grabbed Jiraiya by the scruff of his neck and dragged him through the streets as she went to see the hokage.
"She's so violent," said Karin with a shiver.
"I like her," said Naruto. He suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh, Teuchi-jiisan, you'll never guess what we found in Uzushiogakure."
"Oh, what's that Naruto-kun?" asked Teuchi, wiping his hands on a towel he walked around his stoves to the front counter.
"We found a ramen recipe," said Naruto with a grin. "Ramen – Uzumaki style."
Teuchi turned pale. "You found... you found it... The legendary Uzumaki-style ramen recipe?"
"Yeah, is it that good?" asked Naruto, a bit of drool leaking from the corner of his mouth. The matching zombie-like looks from Karin and Tora didn't help.
"Free ramen for life," said Teuchi. "If it's the real recipe, I'll give you free ramen for life."
Naruto's first instinct was to agree but then a better idea struck him. "I have a better idea. So, the Uzumaki building has some commercial spaces. How would you like to open a full restaurant in the corner space? That way we can protect the secret of the Uzumaki-style ramen that much better and we don't have to travel so far to get ramen."
"Genius, my clan head is a genius," mumbled Tora.
"You would do that?" asked Teuchi.
"Hell yeah!" shouted Naruto.
"Okay, you have a deal," said Teuchi. "I'll go talk to the bank tomorrow."
"Why do you need to talk to the bank?" asked Naruto.
"Remodeling a commercial space for a restaurant is expensive Naruto-kun. I'll need a bank loan to make it happen," explained Teuchi.
"How much?" asked Naruto.
"More than I have saved," said Teuchi. "It will probably cost about a million ryo." (1 ryo = 10 cents)
"We can loan you that," said Naruto. "Well, the clan can loan you that."
"At what interest?" asked Teuchi.
"Interest? What's that?" asked Naruto.
"Two percent," said Tora. "I believe the current rate with banks is six percent. We'll go so low because this is something we all want."
Naruto looked back and forth between Tora and Teuchi completely lost.
"Well, then I guess I'll be by your clan house tomorrow morning to work out the finer details," said Teuchi happily.
"I'll help you with this tomorrow, Naruto-kun," said Tora, seeing Naruto was completely lost.
"Thanks Tora-neechan," said Naruto, feeling slightly embarrassed for not knowing this kind of stuff. "Do you think you could teach me this stuff? I'll have to know it if I want to lead our clan."
"Yeah, I suppose but you'd better come ready to learn," said Tora firmly.
Naruto nodded once. "Another round of celebration ramen!"
BREAK
"Ow, would you let me go, I can walk you know?"
"Shut up!"
"Stop dragging me!"
"Shut up before I just punt you all the way there," argued Tsunade as she ignored the struggling man she was dragging through the streets.
"Then let me walk," demanded Jiraiya.
Tsunade lifted the man into the air and dropped him onto his feet. "There, now walk."
"Bossy much?" asked Jiraiya, but he walked all the same as ordered.
Tsunade resisted the urge to punt the man anyway but holding back she decided to just walk along side him.
"He'll be happy to see you," said Jiraiya.
"It's been a while," said Tsunade.
The walk proceeded in mostly silence as they walked towards the tower. They knocked on the door to the room Sarutobi was using as a temporary office.
"Come in," called back Sarutobi.
The pair entered and closed the door behind them.
Sarutobi was sitting in a hospital bed reading through documents and files.
"Ah, Tsunade-chan, you look wonderful. It's been far too long," greeted Sarutobi.
"Yeah, whatever, let's take a look at you so I can get out of here," said Tsunade.
"Not even a 'hello' for me I see," grumbled Jiraiya.
"Hello Jiraiya-kun," said Sarutobi. "We'll discuss the results of your missions once we've finished talking with Tsunade-chan."
Tsunade went to work right away, scanning him carefully. After about an hour of poking and prodding and few different healing techniques Tsunade finally sat in a chair with a firm frown planted on her face.
"So what's the damage?" asked Sarutobi.
"You're old," said Tsunade, it was clear she was trying to make light of the situation but failed miserably.
"And the truth?" asked Sarutobi, it was a demand but didn't sound exactly like one.
"Your heart is badly damaged. The heart attack you suffered was minor but the damage it exposed is rather severe. In a few months you'll no longer be able to channel enough chakra to form a single bunshin. You'll be a civilian in every sense of the word. You'll start aging rapidly, your muscles will deteriorate and in a year, maybe two, you'll leave this world."
"Is there anything you can do for him?" asked Jiraiya.
"I can probably fix a good amount of the damage but it will be dangerous at his age. It would require open heart surgery which bring a whole other set of risks. If successful though, you'll retain your ability to use chakra but it will still be significantly reduced."
"But he'll live?" asked Jiraiya, the hopeful expression clearly visible on his face.
"Yes, how long though is up to him and kami," said Tsunade. It was a very clinical explanation but better that than her sugar-coating it.
"I see," said Sarutobi with a frown of his own. "Jiraiya-kun, would you give me and Tsunade a few minutes of privacy?"
"Sure sensei, I'll be right outside. Call if you need me," said Jiraiya, that said he stepped out into the hall.
"So what do you want me to do?" asked Tsunade.
"I've always been a risk taker Tsunade-chan. I'll have the surgery," said Sarutobi.
"I'll schedule it with the hospital for tomorrow morning," said Tsunade. "We'll move you over there as soon as we're done talking. So what else do you want? Any half-decent iryonin could have diagnosed you and treated you but you stubbornly waited for me, why?"
Sarutobi chuckled appreciative of Tsunade's directness. "I'm old. I'm so very old, Tsunade-chan. And so very, very, very, tired. I need you to take my place in this village."
Tsunade snarled. She knew this request would be coming, she'd had the feeling since Jiraiya and his group found her. Since that gaki Naruto won that bet that got her to come back here in the first place. "I'll think about it."
Sarutobi smiled. "I'm grateful for that. I know it is asking a lot but there is no one else I can ask. If not you then I fear Danzo may finally succeed in claiming that seat. And if that were to happen..."
"War," said Tsunade softly. "A fourth great war. This village would not survive it. We would be trampled by all the other villages because that fool would never ally himself with another nation. He'd turn Naruto into a weapon; he'd completely destroy that boy for the sake of his war."
Sarutobi nodded and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "That boy has such potential. He will be hokage one day but not if Danzo becomes hokage. I ask a lot but I'm begging you to help protect Minato and Kushina's legacy until he is ready to lead our people."
"Screw it," said Tsunade. "I'll be hokage but only until the day that gaki is ready. And you'd better stick around to help me with that damned paperwork."
Sarutobi laughed and wiped away the newer tears of joy. "I'll be there to help you and advise you where I can. And let me start with one piece of advise. You need to oust and replace the senior advisors, Homura and Koharu have become far too complacent with their position. They need to retire even more than I do."
"Can I do that?" asked Tsunade.
"They are your advisors. They are not elected by the shinobi of the village. I appointed them in my youth. Since then they have kept themselves in power by having leverage over me. Leverage they do not have over you."
"And who do I replace them with?" asked Tsunade.
"I've made many mistakes Tsunade-chan. You need to make the choice yourself and live with any mistakes you may make in choosing them. Talk it over with Jiraiya or maybe Naruto-kun, he has some unusual but valuable insight that often surprises even me."
"I guess I've got some things to decide in the next few days," said Tsunade with a sigh.
"For now, let's get Jiraiya-kun back in here so I can hear his report and then we'll go to the hospital and get things settled."
BREAK
A month passed since Sarutobi's surgery and recovery. During which time the village was mostly quiet. Jiraiya temporarily stood in as hokage while Tsunade focused on Sarutobi's recovery which went very well for the most part. It was time for him to finally return to work and announce his retirement... again.
"So, Tsunade-chan, have you figured out who you're going to appoint?"
"I think so, you were right about Naruto-kun having some startling insights," said Tsunade.
"Anyway, let's get in there before they turn into cannibals," said Sarutobi.
"I thought they already were," she joked in return.
Sarutobi laughed as he lead Tsunade to the front of the room where his normal seat waited. And with a smirk he motioned for Tsunade to take the chair causing a furious whisper to spread through the room.
"As of today, I am no longer your hokage. Senju Tsunade has proudly accepted the title and responsibility. The daimyo has fully approved. The only remaining detail is the jounin vote which will be held this afternoon. I thank each and everyone of you for your support over the years and while we did not always see eye to eye on every issue we have together kept this village mostly safe and secure for future generations. I now retake my seat as clan head of the Sarutobi clan." The old man sat down in the previously open seat that had always remained empty as it was reserved specifically for his clan alone.
"My first order of business is to thank Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu for their years of dedicated service," said Tsunade with a smirk as she watch the pair bow graciously.
"Thank you Hokage-sama," the pair chorused.
"And as a reward for your years of faithful service I am pleased to give you both a long-deserved retirement with full benefits."
The previously gracious pair now looked as if they had swallowed something rotten causing a very vindictive smile to cross Tsunade and Sarutobi's faces as well as many of the council members.
The pair realizing they had no choice bowed once again.
"We would be happy to serve until such time as you have found suitable replacements," offered Homura.
"I appreciate your generosity but I have already selected your replacements," said Tsunade. She felt no small amount of joy as she watched the pair flounder.
"ANBU, please admit the two people waiting in the hall," said Tsunade.
The doors opened.
"Please join me in welcoming Morino Ibiki and Kato Shizune to this honored council," said Tsunade as she motioned the pair inside the room with her hands pointed to the two chair currently occupied by Homura and Koharu.
"If Mitokado-san and Utatane-san would please excuse us, we have much business to address," said Tsunade. It was a not so subtle way of telling them to leave.
The pair bowed wordlessly as they left the room.
Once the doors closed behind them Tsume burst out in laughter. "That was fucking brilliant!" she shouted out between guffaws.
"Inuzuka-san, a little decorum please," said Danzo coolly.
Tsume desperately wanted to insult the man but held her tongue.
"Enough both of you," said Tsunade taking command of the room. "We do have business to discuss."
"Where do you want to start, Hokage-sama?" asked Shikaku.
"The academy is horribly outdated and in need of immediate restructuring," said Tsunade, there was no room for argument in her voice.
"We've tried to pass new measures for years now but because of the financial cost the civilian council has always vetoed it," explained Shikaku.
"So we work around them," said Tsunade. "And tell me, why would they not want our academy brought up to date and turning out better shinobi?"
Shikaku sighed heavily. "The current passing requirements allow for a more significant number of civilian graduates."
"And of those civilians, how many go on to be successful shinobi?"
"Less than five percent," answered Shikaku.
"Right, so how do we do this without creating an expense to be approved by the council?"
"I'd start by just burning the books instead of heating oil," said Tsume. "Those things are worth less than the paper they are printed on. It's all history and public relations nonsense that has nothing to do with becoming a good shinobi. Honestly, they'd all be much better off with more hands-on training and less time with their noses in a book."
"They are quite poorly written," said Hiashi, reluctantly adding his two ryo, "beyond the first year educational basics."
"Is the history accurate?"
"It is missing very large bits of history," said Sarutobi angrily. "Specifically those parts dealing with Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki clan. There is a great deal edited in regards to the founding of the village and your grandfather's relationship with the Uchiha clan."
"Okay, so new history books are needed and unfortunately that will require the civilian council's approval. How do we get them to give us the funds without them seeing the final product?"
"Trick them," said Inoichi. "We tell them we need funds to replace books lost during the invasions. Just don't tell them what books we'll be buying instead."
"That is a dangerous line, if we're caught out..." said Chouza, one hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"We're ninja, we don't get caught," said Sarutobi with a smirk.
"Okay, so we need a more condensed history book, one which will be able to be taught in one hour a day leaving five hours for physical training. Ideas for that training?" asked Tsunade writing down the information they had worked out so far.
"Right now the general physical condition of graduating children is pretty bad. The girls are constantly on some kind of starvation diet while the boys are fatty from too many sweets," said Chouza. "At least two of those hours need to be dedicate to just conditioning and possibly dietary education, at least in the first two years."
Tsunade added the notes.
"How about a little more chakra control for the children? Coming out of the academy only knowing leaf sticking seems a bit irresponsible," chimed in Shizune. "I should think that if they knew at least tree climbing they would not only be able to learn more techniques easier but also have larger and more refined chakra reserves."
Tsunade nodded her agreement.
"The last hour should be focused on shinobi arts then. Teach them formation tactics, teamwork, kunai and shuriken use, and finally jutsu. Speaking of jutsu, bunshin is almost useless, I think they should learn it but making it a graduation requirement is stupid," said Shikaku.
"I agree with Shikaku," said Sarutobi. "I would like to see to it that all the children in their final year are tested for an elemental affinity and taught one D-rank technique. That would make more sense on a final. It would also allow us to build better teams where we can align the various affinities in an effort to encourage teamwork via combination techniques."
There was widespread agreement from the people in the room.
"What about getting SIPA involved in some of their education?" asked Chouza.
"It would be costly," said Sarutobi. "However, it would be worth looking into at a later date, after the civilian council is repaid."
"We should definitely use them to test the children's chakra at the very least and the earlier that is done the better. Probably should test some aspects annually, specifically chakra control, flow, and capacity. It would give teachers insight into teaching them. As we've learned from some of this year's graduates, the teachers are often clueless in how to teach children with various chakra issues like having too much or too little and how to help them with that specific problem," said Tsunade. She'd been fully briefed on SIPA by Jiraiya and again by Sarutobi over the course of the last month.
"What about the physical and health tests that SIPA does?" asked Chouza.
"They will be getting some instruction in those areas but I don't think testing will be necessary at that point," said Shizune.
Tsunade finished writing the changes before passing it to Sarutobi to look over and rewrite a final draft to be approved while she began writing a request to replace the academy textbooks.
The room remained silent while the pair worked diligently on the documents. Inoichi who sat next to Sarutobi started pointing out different issues in the document and soon the pair were collaborating and others joined in. Meanwhile, Shikaku, Tsume, and Hiashi all took to helping Tsunade with her financial request form.
It took about an hour for the council members to have a final product ready for approval which passed with flying colors by a majority of the council.
"Okay, we'll take this to the civilians this afternoon," said Tsunade holding up the book request. "If they approve it we'll move ahead with the restructuring of the academy."
"And if it does not pass?" asked Ibiki calmly.
"Then we do it anyway and do without books for the next few months until the civilian council is paid in full which brings up my second issue for today," said Tsunade. "After today's jounin meeting where they will vote on me as hokage I intend to make a request of all the shinobi of the village. I'm going to ask every one of us to reinvest half their wages from now until the civilians are repaid into the village, at which time I will see to it that our shinobi are repaid in full over the course of the next year. It will be difficult and it is a request but I'm not interested in being tied up financially by the civilian council."
A few whispers spread through the crowd at that statement.
"Just so you all know, I'll be donating all of my wages until every one of my shinobi has been repaid in full," said Tsunade.
"The Nara clan agrees to your plan," said Shikaku. It would be tough but if he made his clan submit they would have no choice.
"The Akimichi clan agrees to your plan," said Chouza. It was clear he understood Shikaku's plan. If the clans supported the endeavor then those not in clans would also support it.
"The Yamanaka clan agrees to your plan."
"The Sarutobi clan agrees to your plan."
And it went on through the room until the only clan that didn't support it was the Hyuuga clan which was to be expected given their continued boycott of missions while they awaited the new seal from Jiraiya.
"Any other issues today Hokage-sama?" asked Shikaku formally.
"Only one other issue," said Tsunade, pulling out a document and handing it to Shikaku. "This is a formal petition from the Uzumaki clan to be recognize as a clan of Konohagakure."
"I know that a building was renovated to be a clan house but do they have the numbers? Last I checked the only Uzumaki left in Konohagakure was that boy?" asked Hiashi rudely.
"Uzumaki Naruto has since located and recognized two survivors of the Uzumaki bloodline. Word has begun to spread and we've had three more people arrive claiming to be Uzumaki remnants. We are still waiting on test results but it is promising," said Sarutobi. He was truly happy for Naruto to have found so many of his lost kin so soon.
"Our laws state that a clan cannot consist of less than ten members," said Hiashi, smirking victoriously.
"That is accepted," said Tsunade. "They are seeking pre-approval so that when they reach the required ten members proven to be of the Uzumaki bloodline there will be no obstacles preventing them from taking their rightful place as an ally and now clan of Konohagakure."
"Pre-approval? What nonsense," said Hiashi. "We have never operated that way and unless you want to change our laws, the laws set down by your grandfather, this will not be considered or accepted."
"I'm afraid Hyuuga-san is correct," said Sarutobi.
"So accepted," said Tsunade, unable to completely hide her smirk. "We'll revisit this issue once the Uzumaki clan has reached the necessary numbers."
Hiashi was about to protest but found no ground to stand on. He'd been played. Now that the issue was made known, the politicking would begin to obtain the necessary votes for approval and with his current standing in council he would have no chance to break the vote in his favor.
"If there are no other issues for today, let us adjourn," ordered Tsunade, then she stood and left before anyone could protest.
BREAK
Naruto was happy as he strutted through the hospital sporting his new chuunin vest. The dark green clashed horribly with his black and orange outfit but he didn't care much. He'd get the vest changed to match later.
"Sabaku Gaara's room please," he said to the receptionist.
"Room 367 Uzumaki-san," the woman replied. She didn't sneer or glare at him as she told him but she wasn't extremely nice either. It was as if she just treated him like a normal person.
Naruto couldn't help the smile that adorned his face. "Thank you!"
A few minutes later Naruto was knocking on the door to the requested room.
"Enter," came a voice from inside the room.
Naruto opened the door and stepped in. Gaara was leaning against his bed with his arms crossed while his brother and sister flanked him, both glaring holes in Naruto.
"You asked to see me?" asked Naruto making sure he got the right message.
"Yes," said Gaara.
"So what's up?"
"I wanted to talk to you, to someone like me," answered Gaara.
"This won't be a quick conversation will it? You okay to leave this place?" asked Naruto with a slight frown on his face.
"Yes," said Gaara, "where would you like to go?"
"We can go to Ichiraku's, that way I get to eat my ramen and we can talk."
"That is acceptable," said Gaara, walking away from the bed to follow Naruto out the door.
However, Naruto walked past him and opened the window and jumped out of it.
Gaara quirked a surprised eyebrow but turned and followed him, his brother and sister on his heals.
Not much later Naruto and Gaara sat at Ichiraku eating ramen with enthusiasm while Kankuro and Temari stood watch outside of the place.
"I thought they were going to talk?" asked Kankuro curiously as they hadn't heard a word of conversation yet.
"They are eating dumbass, when they finish I'm sure they'll start talking," said Temari, a tick mark above her eye.
"You're just as curious as I am, don't even try to hide it," said Kankuro.
"The difference is that I have patience," said Temari, restraining herself from bashing her brother over the head with her fist. They still hadn't had their weapons returned to them.
Inside the small ramen stand the pair had both placed down their tenth bowls. Naruto gave out a satisfied sigh and patted his stomach while Gaara nodded once to the chef and crossed his arms once more.
"So how does the sand hand of your work anyway? It looks just like your normal hand," said Naruto.
"Shukaku grants me an automatic control of sand by being sealed inside me. I had to focus quite a bit the first few days that the bandages came off but now it is second nature," answered Gaara.
"Are you mad about it? I would be pretty pissed if someone cut off my hand," said Naruto thoughtfully.
"I was at the time but now... not so much. It is a good reminder that I am human and not the demon inside me," said Gaara. "My village fears and hates me because of my demon. When I was younger I had no control over the sand so it would kill indiscriminately, I didn't know any better. I grew up thinking it was normal. I never had friends because they were afraid I'd kill them without knowing or caring."
"I'm sorry, my childhood wasn't so great either but the fox didn't give me any abilities like you have. I never killed anyone but people were still cold to me, they still feared and hated me. I never had friends simply because their parents told them to stay away because I was a demon. I didn't understand it for a long time, not until I became a genin and found out the fox was sealed inside of me." Naruto frowned as he reflected back on his childhood. "But things are better now, so much better. I have made friends. Learned to work with the fox to protect my home. People are starting to acknowledge me. It's been a hard, long path to get here though."
Gaara nodded. "I see, so it requires hard work to achieve what you have. I too wish to be acknowledged as you have been. I fear though that because of my childhood it may be too late for me."
"Bullshit," said Naruto. "It's only too late if you stop trying. I'm glad the ass kicking I gave you helped you realize your mistakes, now it's on you to change their minds. Start with your brother and sister, then build on it, even if you have to do it one person at a time."
"Thank you," said Gaara. "I appreciate your time to help me."
"Meh, what are friends for if not to beat some sense into each other on occasion," said Naruto with a laugh at the end.
"Friend? You would consider me a friend even after..."
"Of course, us jinchuuriki have to stick together. Especially with those douchebags in Akatsuki out their hunting us down," said Naruto.
"Akatsuki? They hunt us? Why?"
"They want the bijuu. We don't know why or for what but we do know they want to collect them all for something. And let's be honest, anyone or any group that wants to bring all the bijuu together can't be for anything good," said Naruto.
Gaara sat silent for a few thinking over the news that Naruto provided. "They would use them to hurt people, to possibly destroy my village or hurt my family. This cannot be allowed."
"Damned right it can't," said Naruto. "That's why I'm training my ass off. I've got to become the strongest shinobi the world has ever seen to make sure they don't succeed."
Gaara frowned and then smirked slightly. "I will become the strongest shinobi the world has ever seen. You can be second."
Naruto's eyes widened at the statement then narrowed at Gaara as he too smirked. "So it's a challenge. From now on we're friends and shinobi rivals. You'd better work hard or I'll kick your ass too easily."
"You as well," said Gaara. "We will be leaving tomorrow. Once we have returned I will begin training."
"I'd start by learning and using taijutsu. Standing still with your arms crossed is a good way to get dead. Also, start talking with Shikaku, you'll need him on your side. I know he's a nut job but you tell him if he doesn't behave his big brother is going to come kick his ass again."
"I shall consider it," said Gaara. "Now, I must be going. My brother and sister are becoming impatient."
"Okay, I'll drop the sound barrier," said Naruto, making a hand seal the air shimmered once.
"Kankuro, Temari," Gaara started as he walked out of the stand, "let's go."
Naruto couldn't help but smile at earning a true friend and rival to push him to become better and better.
"I'm glad that went well gaki," said a gruff voice as an arm rested on his shoulder unexpectedly.
"Me too. I think he's going to be a great friend," said Naruto.
"It's good you warned him about Akatsuki," said Jiraiya. "As the supposed weakest jinchuuriki he'll probably be targeted by them first."
"What about the other jinchuuriki? Do they know?"
"Don't know, they aren't my problem," said Jiraiya, giving Naruto a look that spoke volumes.
"You're right, they are me and Kurama's problem," said Naruto. "Hey sensei, do you think we could go see them all? Find them and warn them?"
"I suppose," said Jiraiya, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "Tell you what gaki, you'll be going back to SIPA for a full re-evaluation. When that ends I was planning to take you on a training trip for the next few years. Keep you on the move to make it more difficult for Akatsuki to find you. We can put in the effort to find them and warn them. Just be aware, they are not likely to be pleasant or easy to convince."
"This is me we're talking about. I can do it, I know I can," said Naruto confidently.
"I believe you gaki. Now let's get you to SIPA."