(Chapter 19: Fatherhood and Punishment)

It was still the ongoing break until the Chunin Exams finals, yet what would normally be one filled with cheer and excitement at the tournament style finale to the Chunin Exams; was instead filled with intense dread and foreboding at one fact that loomed over them like an oncoming storm. Which were thanks to Jiraiya's actions Konoha now faced the possibility of war with Kiri and possibly Iron Country siding with them due to his actions against Naruto, which had effectively made him public enemy number 1 in the eyes of Konoha in part to the fact that war was on the possible horizon.

Nevertheless, despite how things were in Konoha they still continued to persist onwards in order to keep a semblance of normalcy going on despite the situation going on, after all with war on the possible horizon.

(May 13th 997 S.E, 2:10 Pm, Konoha)

It was a sunny afternoon as Naruto was taking this time to hang out with Yasha as he felt that he might as well get to know more about the bastard daughter of Jiraiya while time permitted.

"Still can't believe someone like you is his daughter. Seeing as how you're…..actually pleasant to be around." Naruto said still wondering how Yasha was even related to the perverted excuse for a legendary Sannin

"Well, unlike my father who I'm regrettably related to, I actually prefer to be straightforward with people. Because the way I did things back in the west was that I had an honesty is the best policy type deal. Because I've seen deception lead to too many downfalls both in here before I could get to the west, and in my time where I was building up my army as a warlord." Yasha responded in having a preference for people being upfront and honest with each other

Because if there was one way to enrage the warlord it was to lie to her since Yasha found a deep hatred for people who deceived her, which was the main reason why she had such an almost profound hate for the people here who lived their lives as deceivers and liars. Which is why she liked the west so much more, because despite the increased brutality and ultra-violence that permeated it there was almost an honor code where people who were liars, deceivers and assassins such as here were treated as deceitful vermin; while by contrast warriors and men who were on the frontlines were something to be admired and respected.

"Because if there is anything that infuriates me the most other than cowards and betrayers it is liars. With Jiraiya being all 3 of those things that make me so goddamn furious with him, that I almost hope for war just so I can have the excuse to cave his skull in with my hammer." Yasha added seeing that from her point of view he was a representation of all the worst things she hated in people that filled her with absolute rage

"Get in line since I've got a bone to pick with him too seeing as how he fucked my life up as well." Naruto said seeing as how he also had a bone to pick with the toad Sannin

"Yeah, I heard about your predicament from those nice Uchiha and that blonde lady who was a teammate to the epitome of deadbeats who is my sperm donor of a father. So my condolences to him epically messing up your family." Yasha spoke as she did honestly feel sorry for how Jiraiya so epically sundered his family to what it was now

"Thank you. Yet to this day it still escapes me how and or why they thought it'd be such a wonderful idea to involve him in family matters when all he can do is sire so many bastards that they might as well be their own clan. No offense to you or anything." Naruto replied as it still boggled him as to how they allowed him to do anything in the way of decisions pertaining towards their family when he couldn't even hold down being a family man himself

"None taken at all. Besides I've met a few of my fellow bastards in my service to Lady Mei; which has been one of the more welcome experiences in my services to her." Yasha told him in having met a myriad of her half brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews

"And how's that worked out for you?" Naruto asked curiously as to how things have gone with Yasha and her fellow bastards

"So far not to bad actually. Granted it was a bit hard to track them down considering that no one wants to be associated, and much less be related to one of the most notorious womanizers and lechers across the Elemental Nations. Yet once I did they were surprisingly nice and we started to connect one little bit at a time as a family, or rather close to one as you can get given the circumstances." Yasha answered back seeing as how once she got in contact with them they were actually nice people

Because granted it took some digging around to find them since being one of Jiraiya's bastards was something that no one would really want to boast about much less have known as any form of knowledge. Yet when she did find what was becoming the large handful of her now extended family they were very much welcoming, with them all sharing a common disgust or hatred for Jiraiya in siring them as unwanted bastards.

"Well, it's nice to see that you've found a little bit of family here. Since who knew that having a shared hatred of that white-haired bastard would bring people together." Naruto spoke happy for Yasha that she was able to find some happiness in family

"Thanks, I appreciate it. Yet that brings me to one thing that I want to talk to you about while we're on the subject of family." Yasha said looking at the Rinnegan wielder

"What about it?" Naruto questioned the warlord

"It's that since your gonna be a father soon to Lady Mei's child that I have one request from you to make. Seeing as how this is something that hits a few personal notes." Yasha told him considering this matter hit close to home for her

"Well, what's the request you've got for me?" Naruto questioned once again as to what it was

"When she has this kid of yours, and as time goes on that you do not make a bastard out of this child. Because take it from someone who has lived their whole life both growing up without a father, and being all but an undesirable bastard since the day they were born. Which is why I request of you that you spend as much possible time with your soon to be child as possible because they do not deserve to grow up without a father who gives a damn about them. Since I can see that beyond all that greed and sarcasm is a good man who would make an amazing father to their child. Which is why as one of the rare and I mean rare times I will ever ask anything of you that you do not make a bastard out of them, and do the best that you possibly can to make sure their loved and taken care of. Since this is my one lone request from you." Yasha requested from Naruto in a moment of rare prostration that the warlord rarely ever showed to anyone

Since this request was something she did unprompted from Lady Mei considering that she knew full well what it was like to grow up without a father and be unloved, which was something she didn't want the Mizukage's soon to be born child to go through. Which is why she felt it was absolutely necessary to make this request to the Rinnegan wielder so that history wouldn't repeat itself, and Naruto's child wouldn't have to go through what she went through growing up.

"You don't have to worry about a thing Yasha. Since take it from someone who faced his parent's first hand phasing him out until he was a practical afterthought in their lives. That I will never do that to my unborn son or daughter. In fact, you've nothing to worry about concerning my soon to be child." Naruto replied before continuing

"Because as long as it is within my power I will never neglect or do anything that would cause them harm since I plan on being involved in their life as much as possible. Because even with the lifestyle I lead I want to make sure that I can be as involved as possible in my soon to be born child's life." Naruto spoke as despite his greed being ever-present in his being he still had the desire to look out for people important to him in his life

"Great to know since I was worried for the future of Lady Mei's child and it becoming an unloved bastard by their father." Yasha replied in relief that Naruto would do his best to do right by his child

"You will never have to worry about that. Because I may be an absolutely greedy bastard, but I still hold the value of looking out for your loved ones, add to it that I never want to repeat what my supposed family did to me." Naruto told her considering that while his heart was filled with complete avarice that no matter what he'd always look out for his loved ones

"That's a relief, because for a moment there I was worried I was gonna have to break both your legs and drag you back to Kiri so you'll be a good dad." Yasha said semi-jokingly

"I'd welcome the challenge." Naruto spoke

"Yet because of my occupation that won't always allow me to be there for my child, I'd like you to be the kids godmom. After all, you're strong enough to safeguard them from harm. Not to mention you seem like a good person who has their head on straight." Naruto added in wanting Yasha to have the position seeing as how the warlord was the best person in his mind to watch over his soon to be child

"I would be honored to have the position of godmother to yours and Lady Mei's child. Who knows maybe when they reach of proper age I can start teaching them how to fight like how we do in the west." Yasha said in a jovial manner of being able to teach Naruto's and Lady Mei's kid how to fight in the eventual future

"I'm all for that, just good luck convincing the Mizukage to go on board with that." Naruto replied with a chuckle

"Oh, I'm sure she will be. But nevertheless thank you for spending time with me and all but I have to get back to work guarding Lady Mei." Yasha spoke rising up and straightening her armor

"Alright, I guess I'll see you later then." Naruto responded as in a show of immense strength bounded off high into the air like a bullet

"I swear she's so nice. Its a wonder as to how she's even related to the toad." Naruto thought to himself before teleporting elsewhere

(2 days later, Uchiha Compound, 3:45 pm, May 15th 997 S.E)

It was a few days later as Naruto was with Itachi at the Uchiha Compound enjoying a sunny day out with his longtime rival/friend.

"So tell me Naruto how does it feel to be a father soon? Since I never would've imagined you to be a father or rather one this soon." Itachi questioned as he continued to eat a box of pocky as he was still in a bit of surprise upon hearing the news

"Honestly it feels extremely surreal. Because I never would've thought that in all the time I've been alive that I'd be a father. Yet here I am preparing myself to become a father in the next 2 months." Naruto answered back as Mei had revealed the due date of their child to be sometime in July which made him both nervous and ecstatic to hear

"Since I'm incredibly nervous and happy to know that soon enough I'm gonna be a dad. Which is why I just feel super nervous and confused about what to do." Naruto added as instead of the extremely confident and boastful voice he always had it was one of nervousness and anxiousness

"Well if you want some advice on being a father, then I'd be more than happy to give you some." Itachi offered the Rinnegan wielder

"How would you know anything about being a father?" Naruto questioned the ANBU captain

"Well, I became one 2 months after Sasuke's mission to Wave." Itachi replied in revealing the timeframe of when he'd become a father

"Wow, I can't believe you already have a kid." Naruto spoke in surprise of the fact that Itachi was currently a father

"Yes I have a little girl named Madoka, as I would take you to see her right now but Sasuke is babysitting her after he finished up his training with Shisui." Itachi told him with a smile on his face at being a proud father to his little girl

"Who's the mother if I may be so kind as to ask?" Naruto inquired as to who was Madoka's mother

"Well, you know who Izumi is?" Itachi asked as Naruto nodded

"Of course, as she had the biggest crush on you." Naruto answered back remembering the brunette who had a massive crush on him

"Well about 3 months after you faked your death we had begun seeing each other and had subsequently begun to start dating. Then about 2 months after Madoka was born we tied the knot and got married to each other." Itachi informed him as he showed Naruto a platinum wedding ring with a nickel sized emerald in the middle

"Congratulations on getting married Itachi...looks like I owe you some wedding gifts once this is all over." Naruto responded joyously at the fact that not only that he had a little girl but also managed to get married

"Yes it's been a truly blessed set of years for me, and I honestly can't be any happier." Itachi replied with a smile cracking through his stoic face

"Mind if I see a picture of the little squirt?" Naruto questioned

"Sure as here she is, Madoka Uchiha." Itachi answered back as he began to pull out a picture from a pocket in his shirt

That in mind he took out a picture to show Itachi and Izumi together with a toddler who had Itachi's face and eyes with Izumi's nose, jawline and smile as the toddler for an Uchiha had a curtain of jet black hair and a smile that radiated nothing but joyful energy.

"She sure seems like a sweetheart." Naruto remarked at the family picture

"It's this and the thought of coming back home to Izumi and Madoka that gets me through hard days. Since its thanks to them that I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life." Itachi told him considering that it was thanks to his wife and young daughter that he was able to go through the longest or hardest days

"How you pull off being a father is beyond me." Naruto spoke as he didn't understand how Itachi was able to pull it off
"I do have some advice for you on fatherhood, seeing as how I've been managing it for nearly a year now." Itachi replied

"Please share this with me as I've got no idea on what to do." Naruto requested since he had no idea what to do on the matter

"One of the few things I can advise you to do is to be patient with them. Since they will keep you up at ungodly hours of the night and day, they'll cry and scream their heads off and often make messes of things. But when you get to see them smile or when they take their first steps then you'll know that it's all worth it to put up with." Itachi informed him of the fact that while his soon to be child would keep him up it would all be worth it when you saw them smile

"I can manage that as I don't really sleep much with everything going on so I can handle them crying at all hours. Not to mention shadow clones are great at multitasking." Naruto replied as he felt he had things manageable on that front

"Next is to keep constant attention on them because they'll require your constant and consistent attention around the clock. Not to mention the fact that you are gonna have to baby proof everything because that child is gonna want to get their hands on everything it can reach. Which is why I highly advise you to baby proof everything unless you want that child to hurt themselves quite severely." Itachi advised him considering that they had to baby proof a great deal in order to make sure that Madoka was safe

"That's something that can prove a bit...difficult what with my job description and all. But if it's for them then I can do that no problem." Naruto said in knowing that his occupation would make that part difficult but doable

"But it will give you a chance to practice with the Creation of all Things." Kurama told him in knowing that it would be the perfect excuse to use as practice for the ability

"Oh yeah, your right. Thanks for the suggestion." Naruto thanked the great kitsune

"Anything else you can give me on advice." Naruto questioned Itachi

"The last thing I would tell you is that you, always be there to show that you love them as much as possible. Because even though they may not look like it they can tell and will know if you do not love them, which is why you take every opportunity possible and show them and be there for them to let them know you love them with all that you possibly can." Itachi answered back considering that he and Izumi had to make every moment count of letting their little girl know she was loved

"Thanks for the advice Itachi I appreciate it." Naruto thanked the Uchiha who sat beside him

"No problem Naruto. Despite everything that's gone on I still like to think of us as friends, and as friends, I'm happy to help you out with whatever you need...short of causing a war that is." Itachi told him as he was happy to help out Naruto so long as it didn't crossover into the extreme

"Thank you, I appreciate it. I just have to worry about Jiraiya pulling something else stupid. Because knowing him the next stupid thing he'll try to do is try and go after my unborn kid to get back at me for ruining his precious prophecy coming true." Naruto replied knowing that Jiraiya after this whole debacle would soon start acting desperate

Because he knew that with how severe Jiraiya was gonna be punished for his stunt and the fact that with what he had planned in going after the remaining half of the 9 tails and fulfilling his deal with Hiruzen, that he would become desperate and do anything to try and rectify it and get back at Naruto for ruining it.

"Don't worry Naruto that will not. Happen, as I promise as a future leader of the Uchiha clan that Jiraiya will not do anything to harm your child." Itachi swore to him that he wouldn't let any machinations the Toad Sage had come to light

"Thank you Itachi, I appreciate it." Naruto thanked his longtime friend and rival

"It is of no concern Naruto. Now if you don't mind I need to go, since its time for me to pick up Madoka." Itachi told him as he got up from his seat beside Naruto
"Alright and see you later." Naruto replied as Itachi went off elsewhere

"Now the only thing left to do is wait and prepare for when Orochimaru tries his shenanigans." Naruto thought as he teleported elsewhere

(5 days later, Konoha, May 20th 997 S.E, 4:20 pm)

It was nearly a week later as Danzo was with a rather fuming Jiraiya who had been informed of his punishment for nearly having Konoha be involved with a war with Kiri and nearly making their peace negotiations go in flames with Iron Country.

"I will say this much Jiraiya, just when I think you can't exceed yourself in terms of sheer stupidity. You manage to surprise me, maybe your astounding amount of idiocy is your kekkei genkai. Although it seems to have skipped a generation in your daughter Yasha." Danzo remarked semi-bemused at the misfortune that's befallen the Sannin

"You think this is funny?!" Jiraiya questioned furiously as he was still raw after being told of his fate

"I don't think it's funny whatsoever. But rather amusing that our supposed spymaster let himself get so easily played like a genin fresh out of the academy. Honestly its been one of the rare moments that have made me feel any form of happiness, the only regret I have is that I didn't get it on tape so that way I could use it as an instructional of how not to get so easily manipulated." Danzo answered back as he found the whole thing rather humorous and amusing

"After all, I would be laughing at your misfortune if it weren't for the fact that you've cost us so much because you couldn't wait a mere moment more to collect the actual evidence." Danzo rebuked the Sannin for the losses Konoha suffered that thanks to Jiraiya's impotence had practically gutted them as a whole

"You don't have to remind me of how much I've gutted Konoha. The villagers do enough of that seeing as how Kushina made it fit to let it be public news on how much I've screwed up. Not to mention the earful Minato gave me after everything was said and done." Jiraiya spoke in a mix of somberness and anger at what had gone on

Because in all his years had he rarely seen Minato get as angry as he had to the point that during his tirade at Jiraiya the man popped a few blood vessels out of sheer anger at his screw up, with Jiraiya being lucky that he and been in such good standings prior. Otherwise, Minato would've seen fit to castrate him with a Rasengan out of sheer rage from how much Konoha had lost in order to pacify both Mei and Mifune, from having Konoha go to war and be in a complete shit-storm.

"With them having every right to be furious at you for your immense blunder. Because never-minding the fact that if Minato wasn't so skilled at diplomacy that we'd be at war with one of the major villages right now. But also the fact that it's going to take us 5 years to recover from at best and at worst nearly 8 years." Danzo responded considering that it would take many years to recover back to a normal standard

"With it being all because you just had to rush in blindly, and prove once again how much of a fool you are. Because if you had just waited then you would've been able to avoid all of this from happening." Danzo added seeing as how if Jiraiya were more patient then none of this would've happened

"You knew as well as I do that action had to be taken to prevent him from taking the 9 tails. Since he's plotting to steal Akame's half just like he's done with Hiruzen already." Jiraiya said with slight paranoia coloring his voice

"And like I told you before what evidence do you have to prove this? Because for all of your being spymaster you've yet to gain any concrete evidence that would prove your point that Naruto is doing any of this. Which thanks to your blunders have shot your credibility to absolute nothing." Danzo countered considering that Jiraiya had wound consistently shooting himself in the foot to where anything credible he had would be heavily scrutinized at best and at worst discounted as nonsense

"Because going off of what Naruto said there could be other variables at play. Such as what he mentioned Hiruzen having messed with the seal to where he won't allow himself to easily access its chakra. The fact that the 9 tails has decided its grown tired of a weak host and therefore has locked him out of using its chakra. Or a more insidious route is the fact that with the threat of Orochimaru in the exams is that he could've merely sealed it off, or worse yet ripped it out of him without none of being none the wiser in his quest for immortality. In short, there are so many variables and possibilities at work here as to why Hiruzen can't access its chakra anymore that it can outright exclude Naruto as a suspect." Danzo added considering that Jiraiya had forgotten to include so many other variables and possibilities at work

"So you're defending him? After everything he's pulled and done, you're defending the bastard who has put the world being able to attain peace in jeopardy?!" Jiraiya demanded as to why the warhawk was defending Naruto

"I'm not defending him whatsoever. More so that I'm stating that in your narrow-minded focus of that cock and bull prophecy that is supposed to bring about a paltry peace at best and a shallow one at worst. That you've allowed yourself to get sloppy and dull to where the village you've sworn to protect is now looking at the bottom of the barrel." Danzo answered back remaining calm under the fuming Sannin

"Everything I've done was to bring peace and prosperity to Konoha. It's Naruto who has gotten in the way of that." Jiraiya spat while Danzo merely scoffed at him

"Do not talk of Konoha's peace and prosperity when you've done nothing but bring the exact opposite of it. Yet, as a matter of fact, let's take a look at how much you've gutted Konoha now shall we." Danzo retorted as he stared down Jiraiya with his one good eye

"Thanks to you we must now give up 10% of our missions to Kiri and have 15% of the revenue earned from those missions paid out to them for the next 3 years. Give them 40% of our known jutsu and 2 of our kinjutsu, which to make matters worse Minato has to teach them the Rasengan. We have to have Yugao and Kushina as well as our Anbu and few Uzumaki we have here go to both Iron and teach them about both the Uzumaki style of sword fighting and Konoha kenjutsu of which were required to be of jonin level or above techniques. Let Iron Country have free access to our trade routes across Fire Country for the next 5 years at a 25% discount to all that they will buy from us and Fire Country as a whole. Lastly, Kushina and a number of Uzumaki are to give Kiri free lessons in Fuinjutsu for the next several years and leave enough Uzumaki there to train them as part of its own Fuinjutsu corps. I could go on but I think that I've spelled out enough of how much you've bent us over a barrel and screwed us all." Danzo listed off as to what went on in order of how much Jiraiya had uber boned Konoha

"Are you done reminding me of my failures yet?" Jiraiya asked tersely

"No, not necessarily. Because it seems as though that thick head of yours doesn't seem to fully grasp anything. Or maybe it is the fact that your punishment hasn't fully sunk in all the way." Danzo answered back as Jiraiya remembered full well of his punishment that Minato handed out to him

That being his Sanin traveling rights were revoked until further notice, his movements were to be monitored at all times by a 2 man team of ANBU, he was permanently banned from all hot springs, brothels in the village and any entry or attempt into them would be met with him being on house arrest for the next month. His status as Sannin was also revoked and was relegated to being a Chunin until further notice, and any requests to go outside of the village were to be requested by the Hokage himself, with anything that wasn't related to finding out more about the Akatsuki, his spy network, or training the twins being out of bounds.

"You don't need to remind me of it Danzo. As everything about the gallant Jiraiya has all gone and fallen to pieces." Jiraiya lamented at his current circumstances with the pervert having everything practically fallen apart

"Well, you've no one to blame but yourself. Because your lucky that I have my ROOT here instead of your usual two, otherwise this conversation wouldn't be happening." Danzo reminded him of the fact that Jiraiya had done this all to himself

"So what's the point of all this then? To further mock me and humiliate me like the rest of the village has done." Jiraiya sarcastically responded as Danzo looked at him with mere revulsion

"No. Granted it has been amusing to remind you of the fact that everything that has happened to you is because you lack patience, and focus. Because had you been truly focused on preventing Naruto from gathering both halves of the 9 tails then you would've avoided this debacle. Just as on the same token had you been patient enough then you could've gathered evidence to convict him of what you accuse him of. In short, take this time to focus on those two virtues instead of becoming a bigger fool of yourself." Danzo told him as he got up from his seat and left Jiraiya there to fume and fester

"I swear if its the last thing I'll do I'll prove that I'm right about him." Jiraiya thought seething but not before some civilians saw him and threw rotten produce at him in a fit of spite

(The next day, May 21st 997 S.E, Naruto's Mindscape, 3:45 pm)

It was the next day as Naruto was doing something of a rarity that being his meditating to be in contact once more with the 9 tails, with the great kitsune still trying to figure out its new partner who compared to its other 3 hosts was something of an oddity.

"Yet and still you remain an anomaly to me." The 9 tails spoke staring down at Naruto with curiosity

"How so?" Naruto questioned

"For one despite your immense greed, pride, and cruelty. There's also traces of love and kindness that seem contradictory to what I see you do." The 9 tails answered in finding that in the Rinnegan wielder there were all these traits that seemed at odds

"Well, it's like I told you. I don't pretend to be anything but who I really am, which is why rarely if ever do I find being at odds or second guessing myself. Because why would I pretend to be someone who parades around as a paragon of lawful goodness just so I can have the moral high ground. Since I'd rather be the most unapologetic version of myself as an unrepentant bastard, than trying to be a white knight who can save everybody." Naruto explained as never would he try to pretend to be someone he wasn't

Since that was how he's been able to do what he's done without question or hesitation from day one because the Rinnegan wielder merely refused to present himself other than what he was at heart in seeing it as a dishonor to himself to be anything than what he was in his heart of hearts.

"Once again I find myself respecting you more and more. Because it's so refreshing to see that unlike the others you stay true to who you are, and not hide behind some facade of cheap kindness and compassion. Which makes it all the better a reason in why once you rejoin me with my other half that I'll be proud to call you my new host...no as my partner." The 9 tails responded in having found its respect for Naruto grow gradually the more it remained bonded to him which was far more than what could be said for the other hosts that it had

"Glad that I can be seen as such. After all, unlike the rest of them, I see you as something incredible and majestic. Which is why I swear that I will never treat you as a mere beast of burden, but rather as an equal who I will be proud to have and fight and travel alongside." Naruto spoke as never would he dare to treat the 9 tails as a creature to be used as some overgrown battery but rather as a fellow companion to share his times and adventures with

"If only you were chosen as my new partner then maybe things would've turned out far better than what they are now." The 9 tails spoke in having seen Naruto as closest to his ideal partner

"Yes but sadly enough time travel doesn't exist, besides if events hadn't lined up the way they'd done so now then I wouldn't have all of what I've amassed or the power I use now. So the only thing I really can do is keep moving forward and never look back. After all, I've got a kid on the way so I can't really afford to move anywhere but forward." Naruto responded in knowing that the events leading up till now weren't picture perfect but without them, he wouldn't have his Rinnegan nor would he be a father in a few short months

"I may not be one who is experienced in the ways of parenting, but what I can tell is that your heart and spirit for all its imperfections and contradictions is in the right place to become a father. Because in some ways you somewhat remind me of my own." The 9 tails spoke with fondness in seeing traces of the Sage of 6 Paths within Naruto

"Really you see some of the greatest Sage whoever walked these lands in me? Wow, aren't I special." Naruto chuckled at the fact that the majestic kitsune saw some of his father in him

"You more than have his willpower and determination for sure, you also have some of his pride as well. Along with those eyes, you remind me a lot of him, as the great man he was. More than that I see a good deal of what made him a great father to us all within you." The 9 tails replied in seeing a good portion of his father within Naruto minus the immense avarice and cruelty

"Thank you for the high honor. I appreciate it." Naruto thanked the large kitsune for the compliment bestowed onto him

"It is of no concern. The only thing I ask of you is that you continue to improve and become better because now that we are in a partnership I expect for you to never settle with what you've got." The 9 tails responded in expecting Naruto to always seek improvement

"The same goes for you. Because we're in this together and as such, I wish for my partner to grow alongside me as well since we can grow as so much more together." Naruto agreed in wishing for the great kitsune before him to improve alongside him

Since Naruto was content to grow and improve all he could but also wanted for his new partner in the 9 tailed fox to grow stronger alongside him as well because he wanted to have their partnership be one where they grew together as partners.

"Once again I see this partnership between us going incredibly. Because after so long it feels almost indescribable to have someone treat me as an equal, and wish for me to grow stronger alongside them." The 9 tails spoke feeling long forgotten joy at the fact that Naruto wished to grow alongside him as an equal in their newfound partnership

"Well, of course, I wish for you to grow stronger beside me. Because I had promised that we would be partners and equals in this relationship of ours, and I intend to be a man of my word." Naruto swore to the majestic kitsune

"Because it'll be together that we become nothing short of indestructible since it'll be together that we become something that this world has rarely seen." Naruto added as he knew that together the two of them would and could become nothing short of an unstoppable force

"With a spirit and will as strong as yours, I have no doubt that you'll be a great father to your unborn child." The 9 tails told him with a bestial grin upon its face

"Thank you, as I can already tell that once I steal your remaining half from Akame that this partnership will go fantastically." Naruto replied as he held his hand up to shake hands with the massive kitsune

"Likewise Naruto." The 9 tails answered back as it reached down to shake hands with its favorite of its hosts so far

So then with Naruto starting to advance himself towards fatherhood and Jiraiya lamenting about the current state of things, it seems as though Konoha's future looks ever so dire. Find out how things will proceed for the Hidden Village in the new chapters of You'll Never Keep me Down.

And cut as I hoped you guys liked this chapter since it may not have been much but I think it did enough in terms of all the big stuff going on during the Finals break. But without further ado let's get down to it now shall we.

First up we've got the bit between Yasha and Naruto which I hoped you guys liked since it gave some character development towards Yasha and her feelings on Naruto's impending date in becoming a father.

Next up is a moment with Itachi and Naruto in which Itachi is revealed as a father and gives some advice to Naruto on being a father, which I thought would be pretty neat to do.

Following that up we basically have one of my favorite parts in Danzo roasting Jiraiya which is always hilarious to me and seeing how much Jiraiya has fucked things for Konoha, seeing as how it'll be expanded on next chapter and the fact that writing a rational Danzo is too much fun.

Lastly, we got a bit with Naruto and the 9 tails in doing some development in the relationship between them which I thought would be neat to dive a bit more into.

With that said please continue to favorite, follow, review and share this story as much as possible and thanks for the support you've shown it so far, for I really do appreciate it as you guys are a big part of what makes this possible in being the popular and great story it is now. Also please drop reviews whenever you can since they help the story and let me know what you like about it so far, furthermore flames will be ignored and criticism as long as its reasonable and well thought out is welcome.

That being said this is Nomadic Chaos using the power of said chaos to give you good content to read, with next chapter being the last bit of the break before the Finals and the actual finals itself.

Part 1 Theme Song: Exile by Soilwork

Random End Song: Witchtripper by Down