Sword Shadow Chapter 23 – Adventure of a Lifetime

It had been a month since Tsunade had returned to Konoha and tomorrow was the day that she was being unveiled to the general populace of Konoha as their Godaime Hokage. Of course, everyone in the village knew she was to be their next leader. For a village run by a group of ninjas, lips were surprisingly loose on this matter.

Since his return, Naruto had spent most of his time catching up with his friends and family and resuming his training with Yugao. The kunochi was pleasantly surprised that Naruto had managed to gain control over the Rasengan technique. It was a fearsome technique created by an awe-inspiring shinobi and she was proud that her pupil had managed to replicate the technique. While she played no role in his learning of the technique, it was the rigors that she had put the blond shinobi through at the early stages of his development that allowed him to learn the technique to the degree that he did.

Naruto had worked on his sword techniques and had gotten the timing down for the Dance of Crescent Moon to an art. He was well acclimatized to the ANBU sword but still carried around Hayate's sword for his practice sessions.

Every afternoon, the blond would diligently relearn all his katas with Hayate's sword, getting a feel for its weight, its balance and the way it cut through the air. The ANBU sword was functional. Hayate's sword was a piece of deathly art.

The thin blue line that ran down the center of the sword always caught Naruto's eye. When the blue vein caught the afternoon rays, it would often spread a flash of blue around the dojo for an instant before fading away as if it never existed. The sword didn't seem to need something so ornate in its design but Naruto was always pleasantly surprised by the flash of blue.

Yugao observed the blond practice by himself post lunch. He always picked up Hayate's sword and launched himself into his katas – everyday he was getting better with his strikes more precise, his feet flowing through the moves like a well-rehearsed dance.

She would need to enhance his repertoire. As an instructor, all she could teach him were the basics and a few advanced moves like the Dance of the Crescent Move – which weren't necessarily average kenjutsu techniques. To develop as a kenjutsu user, it was necessary to adapt new techniques that suited a personalized style. There was no one size fits all and it was precisely for this reason that Hayate was so well respected. He developed techniques of his own that focused on speed, deception and power. As the blond wrapped up with the last of his katas, Yugao caught his attention.
"Fancy a spar?"

Naruto nodded enthusiastically as he picked up his ANBU sword and took a few practice swings to readjust his body to the feel of the older sword. Pleased with how quickly he managed to get used to it, Naruto took his stance as he faced his teacher. The blond placed his left leg in front of his right, both legs bent slightly at the knee, ready to launch himself into the air at a moment's notice. His left hand hung loosely in front of his body while his right clutched the sword at waist height, which was angled parallel to the wooden floor of the dojo.

Yugao smiled and took a position about 20 meters away from the blond. In a relaxed pose, she beckoned the young ninja in front of her with her left hand, flexing four fingers in a "come hither" gesture.

Predictably, Naruto charged straight at his master. As Yugao watched the distance between the two close, she saw the blond leap into the air into a corkscrew.
That's the move he used in the caves when we were in Oto!

Naruto was a dizzying spiral of orange and black, his sword pointing squarely at Yugao's chest. Quickly realizing the kind of trouble she might be in, Yugao leapt to the side in order to avoid being skewered.

Only her student would start a friendly spar with such a dangerous technique. Smirking, she realized that the Naruto that came back with Tsunade was a Naruto that was a lot more confident and determined than the one that Jiraya whisked away.

He had learnt the Rasengan and that was no doubt a confidence booster but the boy had clearly seen something that had made him more decisive. He was determine to go full throttle from the off.
And for someone with his reserves, that isn't a bad idea. He has the stamina to back it up. A battle at this speed will quickly be a battle of rapid attrition.

Taking the initiative with the counter, Yugao closed in on the blond as he recovered from his spin, controlling his positioning by sliding a good distance on the floor of the dojo. Steady himself using his free left hand, Naruto looked up to see his master charge upon him with a vindictive smile.

'Kuso. I missed' thought the blond before he quickly got up and prepared for the next attack. Truth be told he didn't think he would maim Yugao with the attack, not that he wanted to. They had started sparring with real swords after all. But he had hoped to knick the teacher or at least put her in an uncomfortable spot early on in the fight.

After seeing the fight between Orochimaru, Jiraya and Tsunade, Naruto was convinced that he had a lot to learn before he could do anything of that scale. And while the battle had ended in a stalemate, he was acutely aware that Orochimaru had maintained an advantage over two of the most powerful ninja in the world by taking the initiative with sharp and unpredictable strikes. Naruto might not have agreed with the principles of the man himself but he would be loath to deny that the man knew how to handle himself in a fight.

The blond saw the diagonally downward slash of Yugao's blade coming right at him – intent, or so it would seem, to cleave him from left shoulder to right hip. Leaping up from his crouched position on the floor, Naruto jumped up to time his clash with Yugao's strike so that he could bounce away from the encounter and create some separation.

Again, Yugao was surprised by Naruto's course of action. The strike was easily telegraphed and she expected the blond to dodge to her right as she had planned for a follow up horizontal slash. His choice to jump right into her attack, use his sword to block hers and jump off of her to create space was an interesting choice.

The next few minutes was a deadly dance of swords. Blocks and parries, dodges and kicks followed as the pair of kenjutsu users focused on nicking the other as much as they did on not being cut themselves. At one point of time, Naruto did the most unheard of thing.

While charging towards Yugao, he changed his grip on the sword and launched the blade towards the ANBU kunochi. Yugao's eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets. In all her years, no swordsman had had the tenacity to throw their primary weapon at her. It was an emboldened move but one which did not pay dividends to the blond this time. At the last moment, the purple haired ninja channeled power to her legs and leapt over the sword. Naruto continued his charge towards Yugao and slid under his master's leap as he quickly recovered his sword. The move was a stroke of inspiration from the blond. Grabbing his sword and using his momentum to spin around to face his adversary for the day, looking at his master's face, he was unsure about how wise his decision was.

'What in the world?! Did he just throw his sword?'

She had to admit it was a clever ploy and might have caught out most ninja at his level, however, the move was a massive gamble. Should the blond have tried it with a seasoned ninja who was not holding back, it would leave him completely defenseless.

Soon after, Yugao called time on their spar. Yugao found herself on the backfoot more often than she would have liked to admit but she was never truly in danger. The surprise factor that Naruto incorporated into his kenjutsu was going to one day be his biggest asset. If and when he got better with disguising his feints, he would be a force to be reckoned with.

"Well done, Naruto. You've adopted a new element to your fighting style. Suits you well! Though I would recommend you don't do your sword throw against anyone you don't want to kill" said Yugao as she watched the blond sat on the floor of the dojo, catching his breath.

Naruto beamed at the praise but had the decency to blush to the latter part of Yugao's assessment. He had spent a lot of time thinking about how to reinvigorate his fighting style and was glad that most of it came out as he envisioned. It was one thing playing the idea out in his mind and quite the other executing it with a real sword against a formidable opponent.

"That move is dangerous, Naruto. Not just for your opponent, but for your as well. It leaves you quite open to attack. We can work on how to cover that up at a later date. For now, let's call it a day. You've earned yourself a break from the rest of the day's activities."

For once, Naruto didn't claim he was not tired and raring to go again. He put everything into this spar and he was happy with the results. He might not have beaten Yugao but he was aware that she didn't best him either. Of course there was the matter that he knew she was holding back but she always did when they went at each other with real swords.

Dragging his bottom off the floor, Naruto got up, picked up his kit from the floor next to the door and turned around to send a lazy wave across to Yugao. The purple haired kunochi returned his wave with a small smile as she watched him waddle out of her dojo and head home.

Naruto managed to reach home without bumping into anyone he knew – for which he was glad because he hardly felt he had the energy to sustain a conversation. He wanted to eat and sleep. That was his agenda for the rest of the day. However, Yoshino had different plans for him.

"Get in the shower, right now!" the matriarch of the Nara household shouted as the sweat drenched Uzumaki entered her house. Grudgingly, Naruto climbed up the stairs to his room and plonked his two swords on the bed and threw his kit directly into the laundry hamper. Turning the water on, Naruto stepped into the shower and felt instantly relaxed as the cold water cascaded down his body. Standing under the water for a few more minutes, the blond felt his muscles relax and the stress from the intense spar leave his body as he exhaled loudly.

Yoshino's cooking was only second best to the food he ate at Teuchi's Ramen stand. He preferred it even to Choji's mother's cooking. It was homely, comforting and perfect considering his state of exhaustion.

"Chew your food Naruto. No one is going to steal it from you. Take your time and eat," Yoshino chided. Honestly, he was a full-fledged ninja and yet he had the table manners of a five year old.

Naruto looked up from his plate to realize that he had been wolfing down the food he was being served considering his intense hunger. Looking up sheepishly at his adopted mother, he nodded dumbly, noodles still hanging out of his mouth and swinging with his nod.

The pair continued to discuss matters that happened in the village while he was away. Needless to say, Sasuke's disappearance was the most popular conversation topic amongst the village folk. Konoha had lost its last loyal Uchiha. The ninja village had had an entire clan of very powerful doujustu users wiped out in a matter of years. Of course, the Sharingan did exist in Konoha courtesy of Obito's more than generous gift to Kakashi. However, Kakashi did not seem to be able to wield the deadly doujutsu as efficiently as the Uchihas. Kakashi, despite how much he had accomplished with the gifted eye, would never be able to replicate the success that Shisui and Itachi had with their own eyes.

Kakashi's mastery of the Sharingan was the least of her concerns at the moment. There was the matter of the invasion to consider, the actual results of the Chunin exam regardless of the interruption, the state of the academy and her plans to reinvigorate the medical ninja corps. Throw in her anointment as the Godaime Hokage and Tsunade really, really had had her plate full.

'I deserve a break.'

Tsunade had found that Shikaku had left her a welcoming gift. A bottle of sake that she had not managed to finish despite being around in the office for close to a month. Considering she was going to have company, now was as good a time as any to crack open the bottle again and indulge in a cup or two of the divine liquid.

"Would you ever once consider using the door?" she said as she lay out two saucers and filled them up with the liquid.

"You know that that's not my style, Hime" Jiraya said as he entered through the now open window and grabbing his saucer. The legendary ninja sat across from his old teammate and they shared a toast.

A cool breeze floated in through the window as the two finished their cups in one fell swoop. Jiraya fixed his to-be leader with a look to indicate he was here on business.

"I need the kid for some time"

"What for?"

Jiraya exhaled heavily. His reasoning wasn't based on fact. This was emotional for him. He wanted Naruto to succeed where the other two didn't. He needed it, if it only brought him closure.

"Tsunade, I know I've said it before. When I met Nagato all those years ago. When Minato was put on my team. But Naruto has to be the Child of Prophecy. I am running out time. I know I am not going to have another kid to train up. He is it. I need to train him up."

Tsunade listened patiently. That blasted old toad had made sure that Jiraya went into a near depression in his quest for the next Child of Prophecy. While the loss of Nagato was relatively easier to handle, Minato had been much, much closer. Tsunade would admit it. If anyone had the potential to change the world and bring peace to it – it would have been Minato Namikaze. She did not know if this was Jiraya just being hopeful about another 'project' or his way to make it up to the Yondaime. Nonetheless, she could see the hurt in his eyes. She acquiesced. She would do anything to see him happy. Truly happy. Not the drunk, gambling, womanizing happy façade that he wore all the time. She didn't care if it helped him. How long could they possibly be off?

"How long do you need him for?"

"Two and a half years," Jiraya said unflinchingly.

"What?" Tsunade yelled as she slammed her hand onto the wooden desk of her office. Now she did care. Naruto was a good shinobi and would be a great one soon. She got the periodic reports from Yugao after her arrival. She had seen the fire in his belly herself, naïve though it was when the blond thought he could best her – but a fire nonetheless.

"What could you possibly need him for that long for?" she continued. She filled her saucer again. That pervert better have a damn good reason.

"Akatsuki is making their presence felt. There have been more sightings of them in the last few months than ever before. They are getting more aggressive as well. He needs to learn to control the beast within him. At the very least, embrace Kyuubi."

"Embrace Kyuubi? Are you kidding me? That thing almost destroyed our village. Why in hell would you encourage that kid to do something so stupid?" Tsunade was getting furious now. Her partner-in-crime was going senile for sure.

"I've met some of the other jinchurikis. There is one in Kumo, you should see what he can do. Amazing. And in total sync with his tailed beast. Man and beast in total harmony. He is a bit annoying but that's besides the point."

"So?"

"So, I want to take him out of the village. If I have him training to use Kyuubi's chakra, the citizens of the village are going to lose their marbles. An iota of that malevolent chakra will have them soiling their pants again. He needs to be away. Far away."

"And what if the Kyuubi takes over? You yourself said you don't understand the whole seal Minato slapped on that boy."

"Agreed. That's just a risk I'll have to take. Besides, the one thing I do know about the seal is that it was meant to channel Kyuubi's chakra into Naruto's system. That much is clear."

"You have no idea what you are doing, do you?"

"I have about 12% of a plan."

"12%? 12%? That's not a plan. That's barely a concept!" Jiraya could have sworn that he saw smoke billow from Tsunade's ears.

"Tsunade. I need the boy. He has to grow. He has to learn. And you know better than anyone else that I am the best person to teach him what he needs."

"You have something planned. Why aren't you telling me everything?"

"I know you like a good surprise," said the white haired nin with a cheeky grin.

"I do not! And you know that!" Tsunade said as she grabbed a book from her desk and flung it at Jiraya. The Toad Sannin saw the book coming but let it hit him flush in the face. Dodging it would not help calm his buxom teammate down.

The sound of the hard bound book making solid contact with the pervert's face brought a ghost of a smile to Tsunade's face. She knew what he had done and she was glad for him. No one understood her like he did. Not even Shizune. They had a bond forged in blood, sweat and tears. The blood and sweat of their enemies. The tears of the mega-perv.

"Hime, I take it I have your approval?"

Tsunade didn't verbalize her response. She simply refilled the saucers and they made another silent toast. To the future.

The next day, Jiraya paid a visit to the Nara household. Since Tsunade and he had finished off the bottle of sake, he needed to grab some food to fend off the buzz.
'Two birds, one stone. I'll go meet the brat at his house and invite myself for breakfast.'

For a father-son combination reputed for being utterly lazy, Jiraya was pleasantly surprised to see Shikaku and Shikamaru have a go at each other on the Shogi board this early. It was barely eight in the morning and the two of the them seemed to each have lost about half their pieces. From what he had heard about the length of their matches, he surmised that they had been at it for nearly an hour.

"Jiraya-sama, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Shikaku said when he noticed the Toad Sannin walk through his front gate. The game would have to take a pause – they had a celebrity in the house after all. Shikaku was a fan of the books that the perverted ninja wrote. Only his wife knew of his passion for Jiraya's brand of literature. Then there was the fact that he was a damn fine ninja as well.

"I am here to kidnap the blond again. Is he in?"

Shikaku blinked once. And then again. Surely Jiraya was kidding. He had been whisked off to find Tsunade and had come back shortly. What was the need for another short road trip?

Jiraya had found Naruto helping Yoshino with breakfast. The blond seemed quite happy to be involved in the cooking process.
'Good for me. When he have to camp in the wilderness, at least I have a decent cook this time.'

Over a hearty breakfast, Jiraya explained his plan for Naruto. The blond was very excited to be personally coached by the man who raised the Yondaime, but when he found out that he would have to be away from more than two years, his thoughts immediately turned to his immediate adopted family.

Naturally, Shikaku and Yoshino gave their blessings. What other option did they truly have? Jiraya had confided in Shikaku about the rising threat that was Akatsuki. The Jonin Commander was well aware of the caliber of ninja that travelled the continent in search of the jinchuriki. Not knowing their plans for the containers of the tailed beasts made them all the more devious.

Shikaku knew he couldn't argue that Naruto would be safer in the village. These were men with questionable morals – who was to say that they wouldn't harm innocents to get their way?

After a long while, Jiraya took his leave. A free meal was always more tasty than one that he had to fork out for. The four members of the Nara household continued to discuss Jiraya's plan for Naruto, at least the bits that the Sannin had shared. They had assumed, rightly so, that there was a lot more that Jiraya was not letting on.

After going for Tsunade's swearing in ceremony, the four of them spent the entire day together, Naruto only excused himself close to dusk to say goodbye to Yugao and a few friends. Shikamaru tagged along though he left Naruto alone when he went to meet his master.

The next day, Jiraya was already waiting at the gates in anticipation of the journey. What he had had in mind would push Naruto mentally and physically. And then there was the one unknown facet of his trip. He had not dared do it before. But now, without Minato around and Tsunade being the Hokage, he could indulge himself. He knew that it would either be a complete waste of time or the greatest find he could have. Of course, everything he would find would go to Naruto. He had no use for all their treasures. He had everything he needed and then some.

Naruto walked towards the gate with his family in tow. He packed light considering they were going away for a prolonged period of time.

After saying his goodbyes to the few people that came to see him off, Naruto left Konoha for what he knew was going to be a long, long time. He sent a wave and a forced smile back to his family before turning around and walking in pace with the Toad Sannin.

"Don't look so down kid. You get to travel the world with me. It's going to be an adventure of a lifetime!"