I do not own Naruto

My mood has been dark as of late and eveytime I write something dark or angst, you guys love it. So let's see what I do now with this yes?

Prologue

From deep and high up in the heavens, an older blonde man stood next to a death god. Watching the events going down below on the world, needing to see his son treated like the hero he is. But finding anything but...

He finds the villagers treating his Naruto with hatred and fear, to the point the poor boy knows nothing else from them.

But he is proud as his son remains strong. Loving his home and vowing to protect it. Minato Namikaze couldn't be prouder. That is until he saw what Kakashi, his once best student, was inadvertently doing to the little boy who so desperately looked up to him as a father. And it hurt him to say he was ashamed of how far Kakashi has sunken...

"Busy working with Sasuke today Naruto."

"Can't am running late maybe another time."

"On a mission Naruto, sorry I can't help you."

One after another, the excuses kept coming to Naruto. One after another, his son's fragile spirit was in danger from a shield of happiness that was beginning to crumble under all that weight of rejection from someone Naruto looked up to.

But the last straw...the last one after everything Naruto did to get there was when he all but begged his sensei to teach him. Only to get this in response...

"Sorry I can't Naruto. Have to train Sasuke...I have found a better teacher for you though..."

The crushed expression in the blue eyes of his son tore Minato apart. Looking up at the death god, the great being shook his head no as he knew what the former Hokage of Konoha so dearly wanted.

You can not go and train Naruto, young one. The death god said sadly and he understands one of his many charges feelings all to well. But do not worry there is one coming who will. He will train your son, the way he once trained you...

Confused for a moment, the god waves his hand and shows a very familiar image of a long white haired man approaching the gates of Konoha. Chuckling in amusement, Minato can't help but turn it into full blown laughter alongside the god, as Naruto whom in a need for a teacher whom he can respect. Who can acknowledge him for whom, he was and what he could do...

Well he finds a very well known and perverted ninja named Jiriaya.

"HEY PERVY SAGE! WILL YOU TRAIN ME?!"

"That's my son!" The former Hokage chortled as he fell back laughing. The wings on his backside spread out, and almost alive. They too seem to be shaking with their own laughter. Still he finds his eyes drifting to the grey haired ninja with something akin to disappointment.

"You know I never would have done that..." The blonde said quietly.

I know but do not worry. Your former student will eventually realize his mistake and it will come at a high price.

Not liking the way this is sounding Minato says nothing, but turns back to watch the events. The ones to come, will be enough to force the Yondaime to try and break the one rule he is given.

To avoid any and all contact with loved ones left behind...

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Chapter 1

A Week after the death of the Third...

Admittedly, Kakashi was stunned at the fact that according to Sasuke, Naruto was far stronger and more in control then what he had originally thought. It wasn't the Uchiha as everyone had thought who stopped Gaara of the Sand.

It was Naruto and he had done it by summoning Gamabunta, the Chief Toad. One of if not the Strongest summons out in the elemental countries.

The only way Naruto could have learned that...was from Jiriaya.

But the toad sage had not been seen in Konoha for years. He had gone chasing after Orichamaru to bring him back to Konoha. Pondering his thoughts as he looks to question the blonde, Kakashi stops as he over hears other ninjas talking rapidly in excitement. One of the voices is familiar enough that the Copycat ninja recognizes Ebisu...

"Is it true Ebisu? Did the Toad Sannin take a new student?" A ninja had asked with excitement. Just the imaginings of one of the legends coming out of retirement to take a student was enough to thrill any and all ninjas into hoping that they to could be chosen.

"Yes. He took Naruto Uzamaki as his pupil." Ebisu replied with a kind smile. "Or should I say Naruto kind of bribed him into taking him on as one."

"What he took the demon!"

About ready to protest, that the blonde youth was no demon. Kakashi is surprised as Ebisu speaks up.

"Uzamaki is not a demon." He says quietly as he speaks. Telling the others about the positive changes the blonde has made on Konahamaru and his friends, inspiring the little ones to work harder and to help to the best of their ability. The grey haired ninja begins to become even more puzzled, although proud of his student.

"You mean, the de...I mean Uzamaki kid is responsible...for the changes in mybrother?" The female voice said in surprise as she was always one to listen, Udon, the grandson's teammate was her baby brother and he had changed to a little boy who was almost ashamed of his shyness to one who was starting to speak up with ideas. "If that's true why does everyone think Sasuke and the others are responsible?"

"I think because they want him to be." Ebisu replied sadly. "The people of the village you and I both know refuse to see Naruto for the boy that he is. It took actually watching him and the way he was with the honorable grandson for me to see. Maybe they need to SEE Naruto, before they can know him."

Thoughtful, Kakashi hears them walking away but not before, the male had a thoughtful question. "Where's Naruto now?"

"Why do you ask?" Ebisu replied.

"Just curious, if what you say is true. I got some stuff I can show the kid..."

"Well the council just sent Jiriaya off to go and get Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage. And since Jiriaya is the only person who could technically find her, he said he would as long as he was able to take Naruto with him and under his teachings."

"I bet the council wasn't too pleased with that." The guy chuckled. "They probably wanted him to take the Uchiha...god bloodline or not I have never seen a more stuck up emotionless kid."

"Take pity on him, he did go through a lot you know. Although I admit that's probably true, they probably wanted Jiriaya to take him on as his student. But since Kakashi is the only one with the Sharingan, he is better off with the kid." Ebisu replied. "Also to defend the Uchiha...he isn't all that emotionless."

"What do you mean?"

"Naruto gets a rise out of him and vice versa." Ebisu chuckled. "Did you ever ask Iruka about the time that Naruto and Sasuke...?"

As Ebisu walks off, Kakashi just remains where he sits. Now he knows why he couldn't find Naruto, but he can't help but wonder. Why did Master Jiriaya take the dead last as his student?

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Elsewhere...

Jiriaya watched the blonde youth with fondness. So much like his father Minato, Naruto was eager to learn all that he could. Quizzing the Toad sage often about jutsus as they traveled, he had immediately set Naruto to learning one of his father's key techniques, the Rasengan.

The youth took to it like a fish to water. Already under his watchful eyes, Naruto is struggling to break a thick rubber ball.

Thinking back to the Yondaime, as memories hit him, Jiriaya's thoughts drift to the Copy Ninja with anger.

He would have been disappointed in you Kakashi for the way you have ignored his son...