Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
Author Notes - This is my first fanfiction that I have ever written, So I hope that I don't disappoint you readers to much. I suppose I should clear a few things up first as well. With this fiction, I will be starting it at Naruto: chapter 381 page 1 of the manga, everything up until then you can assume has happened already. (It's the point in which Jiraiya has been stabbed by that chakra weapon of Pein's. The first few chapters will also be more of a prologue to my story, as I am going to be using them to set up where I want my fic to be, so I will try to post them asap, so we can get to the real story. I also plan on this being a long fanfic. I also plan to break a few rules with some techniques I'm going to be using in the story. This stories pairing will be NaruSaku (which seems to be the most detested) and maybe 1 or 2 more. Sorry to say, my decision on NaruSaku is final, and there will be no changing my mind on it. As for Lemons, I have that on my list as a maybe. I have a certain point in my pre-plan where I could set a lemon up, but I have time to decide on whether or not I want to do that or not, but I would 1st like to increase my skills as a writer before I prioritize creating a lemon, so when the time comes, we'll see. Romance is also only a sideplot. I'm not sure how fast I'll be updating my story, I suppose it'll depend on the mood I'm in. If I'm really in a good writing mood, they'll be fast, and if not, they won't be as fast. Hence, I'd rather take a long time and give you a quality chapter instead of slapping something quick together that doesn't have much quality in it at all. As for requests in the story, I suppose I may sometimes accept minor things, but I already have a pretty general idea of where I want my story to go. But if there's something in there that annoys you to no end, I'll take a look at it and see if I am able to change it. I also not only accept constructive criticism, I ENCOURAGE it. If I get reviews simply saying "You suck, you'll never make it as a writer" (chances are when I get flamed, it won't be as tame as that), it doesn't help me become a better writer and give you a better story. Tell me why I suck so I can look at it and try to correct what I'm doing so I can give you a better piece of writing. Also the same for when you like something, tell me what you liked about it, so I can attempt to emphasize these points in my story. I think I've said everything I need to say, so without further ado, I give you the 1st chapter.
this font is for thoughts
this font is for flashbacks
this font is for jutsus and techniques.
this font is for kyuubi
Chapter 1: Flight of A Sannin
"Ghurgh"
There had been a rainstorm earlier, the weather was terrible, and it seemed like the rain would never stop. However, the rain had recently died down bringing down sunshine in the Hidden Village of Amegakure, which was situated in the Country of Rain. It wasn't too hot or too cold, but it was just the perfect temperature for one to be comfortable in. There was, however, one person currently in the village who definitely wasn't thinking of the weather, and he definitely wasn't comfortable at all, though, one wouldn't exactly be comfortable with a blade going straight through his shoulder.
This man was Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, and a man to be reckoned, as he was one of the most powerful ninja out there. He was currently involved in a climactic battle with the persons known as "Pein." Jiraiya was also in an unfamiliar position in this battle. He was losing, and he was losing badly.
Jiraiya looked down at one of the Pein from his spot he had taken refuge in, the blade seemed to dig in a little more into his shoulder."gah, haah, haah." Jiraiya was forcing himself to take deep breath's as the pain in his right shoulder blade increased. Then, Jiraiya finally spoke.
"I finally got one," he mumbled, "He charged right into my barrier"
There were also two toad sages on perched on his shoulders. They had been aiding him in this battle relentlessly, never taking focus off of the enemy, until now. The female toad sage on his left shoulder was concerned more about Jiraiya's well being than the enemy he had finally caught.
"You sure your alright kiddo?" the sage referred to as Ma questioned.
"I'll," The Sannin paused to catch his breath, "I'll manage.."
Jiraiya then began to stand up, but stopped midway. He seemed to be paralyzed from something. All of the sudden, Jiraiya began to feel all of his chakra go out of control. He tried to gain control of it, but he couldn't. Something was clearly and unusually out of place. Jiraiya then crumpled back down to the ground.
"I can't, my chakra's going crazy, I can't control it!" Jiraiya screamed, thanking the gods that he had his barrier up, otherwise the other Pein's would've killed him on the spot. "It's this thing!" he screamed again.
The Toad Sage known as Pa, immediately jumped into action. He hopped on Jiraiyas back and pulled the mysterious blade out of him.
"I guess it ain't enough to just look weird, they gotta use crazy weapons too.." Pa said.
Jiraiya was hardly paying attention to anything being said by Ma and Pa, he was more concentrated on the pain in his shoulder blade, which was over the top compared to the pain he was used to in most of his fights.
"These Boys ain't people," Ma exclaimed, "They're something else.."
Jiraiya was still hardly paying attention, though, he wasn't concentrating on the pain in his shoulder now. He was contemplating the situation at hand, and trying to put together pieces of a puzzle, trying to figure out the true identity of Pein.
Flashback
Jiraiya had just captured 2 of the lower ranked Rain Nin, he had turned 1 into a frog already, and the other, afraid of his fate was spilling his guts on what he knew.
"No one really knows what he looks like, and some people have even spread rumors that he doesn't exist." The captured Nin said.
End Flashback
As Jiraiya contemplated those words, more thoughts entered his mind.
His face, there's no doubt in mind that he's Yahiko. But somehow, he has Nagato's Rinnegan... did he steal them from him somehow? But.. even if he did, all the rest of him have it too. How could that have happened. And Plus...
Flashback
Jiraiya was currently on the steps of the dwelling he was staying at with his students Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Jiraiya was currently giving a lecture to Nagato.".. But knowing what it feels like to be hurt is exactly why we try to be kind to others. That's what makes us human" Jiraiya finished.
Nagato contemplated his words for a moment and then asked "What do I have to do to be like that?"
Jiraiya simply replied "You have to grow up."
Nagato once again questioned the Sannin. "How.. do I do that?"
It was now Jiraiya's turn to contemplate Nagato words for a moment. "How indeed?" he answered. "I think you'll need to answer that one your own."
End Flashback
Jiraiya suddenly looked up and gazed upon the cloudless sky, finally taking note that the rain had stopped and given way to a beautiful day.
I may have gotten 1, but there are still five more, and I'm not sure how long this barrier jutsu will last. If I'm going to attack again.. I don't have much time to come up with a strategy. I'd be lucky to get 1 more in my state, and that's if everything was to go my way. I hate to admit this, even to myself.. but... he's just way to powerful. The only thing I had on him was the element of surprise, with being able to have the two toad sages cast a genjutsu on him. That actually worked, to a degree.. it's too bad that there wasn't only three of them, then I wouldn't be in this much trouble. Now.. should I try to go out with a bang, or should I use the last of my strength to escape this battle and flee.
Flee.. Jiraiya didn't like the thought of that. Jiraiya had never had to flee a battle before in his life. Hell, the thought had never even entered his mind before! Now, the thought hovered ominously in his head. He knew fleeing was definitely the only way he'd get out of this alive, if he was able to flee that is. But should he run? There was a chance that he wouldn't even be able to run away successfully. Pein was that powerful!
I can't flee! The chances of anyone ever getting this close to be able to damage Pein is next to none. No, I have to stay, I have to try to do some damage, and maybe give some hope to other attempts on him.
Jiraiya finally stood up, and began to prepare to make his final move.. his curtain call.
"Hey!" Ma said, "What do you think your doing, you can't be planning to go out there again sonny."
Pa could only agree whole-heartedly. "That's definitely out of the question, you've got to get out of here, now." Pa paused. "This battle is over, and as much as I hate to admit it.. we've lost, we have to retreat to fight another day."
Jiraiya couldn't believe his ears. This couldn't be right, this must be a genjutsu! a bad one at that, but a genjutsu none the less. But how could Pein have gotten a genjutsu on Jiraiya through his barrier? That should be impossible! But it had to be one. He would never in his right mind hear the two married Toad Sages perched on his shoulders even talk about retreating, never mind actually wanting to!
"This ain't a genjutsu sonny.." Ma replied, seemingly reading his thoughts, "though the way we must sound, You'd almost think it was.
Jiraiya went from a state of disbelief to a state of anger. "How can you even be thinking of fleeing!" He yelled, "We can't flee, there's a chance no one will get this close to Pein again, we have to stay, stand firm, and make one last stand!" Jiraiya paused and lowered his tone, "..Besides, I have to find out.. I must know, who Pein is." Jiraiya then flopped back down into a sitting position, waiting for a reply.
"And you'll definitely find out if you go out there and fight again, that's for sure," Ma exclaimed.
"However, if you attempt to flee and don't make it, you'll definitely find out anyways." Pa said.
Jiraiya then smirked triumphantly inside. "And so you see why I have to go out and fight again? Because at least I have a chance to take another one down with me." Jiraiya exclaimed "But if I flee and get caught, I find out his true identity having done no damage what so ever!"
This time it was Pa's turn to give a victorious smirk, though, he made no attempt to hide it."That's true, but what happens if you are able to escape, and survive to fight another day? You can prepare others for a crack at Pein, and prepare yourself for another attempt."
"Not only that," Ma continued, "but we also have this one body." She motioned to the already dead part of Pein that had been killed by Jiraiya's barrier. "We can try to salvage it out of here, for further study."
"But!...What if!.." Jiraiya tried to come up with some excuse to have a reason to die heroically, but he couldn't come up with one. Not only that but another thought came to mind
Naruto.. He definitely isn't ready for an opponent of this magnitude, hell, I doubt anyone is capable for an opponent such as Pein. I definitely have to get back, I definitely have to get Naruto ready! If I was to die, there would be no warning of Pein, and he would most likely end up capturing Naruto.. obtain the Kyuubi.. and crush Konoha.
He bowed down in defeat. "So, suppose that I agree to running away? Do you have an escape plan?" Jiraiya paused for a moment before continuing, "Chances are, it's going to be a lot harder fleeing from here than taking down another one and dying." Jiraiya concluded his rant and awaited the Toad Sages answer.
"Yes.." said Pa.
"However.." continued Ma.
Jiraiya was beside himself. "However!... However!" He fumed, "What's the problem"
Pa looked over at his counterpart, as she gazed back at him, for what seemed like minutes, rather than the seconds it really took, before she finally gave him a nod of approval.
"The plan we have, will require a lot of quick thinking, and a lot of quick acting, you'll also have to prepare for the worst situation ahead of time, so your able to maneuver your way out of here" Pa paused and looked up towards the sky, seemingly contemplating something. He finally continued. "Also.. it's highly unlikely that Ma and myself will make it out of here."
Jiraiya looked at Ma and Pa with a profound dumb stricken look on his face, trying to sense any deception, but he couldn't find any, as he gazed into the saddened eyes of the Toad Sages. "That's out of the question. You both can't die, your highly regarded in the whole order of the Toad, you can't die here. I won't-"
"There are more important matters in the world than our survival" Pa countered, raising a webbed hand to cut off Jiraiya. "If there isn't any warning about this guy, the world would be in serious trouble." Pa continued "No, there's no question in the matter, people that oppose this guy definitely need to be warned."
Jiraiya looked sorrowfully at his toad companions. He then bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry.. that I failed you.. because of my inability to use my Hermit Mode.. you guys are about to give up your lives."
"Nonsense sonny," Ma exclaimed, "this wasn't just your failure."
"That's right kid," Pa continued, "We were all in this together, we all share this failure." Pa gave Jiraiya a re-assuring smile, as Ma also gave Jiraiya this gesture.
Jiraiya was able to force a smile to return to the toad couple. "Alright then.. let's hear this plan of yours."
In a matter of speaking, Pein was bored.
He, and his other five Peins had been searching for Jiraiya for over an hour, and had had little success. Pein had finally began to become annoyed before one of his counterparts ran into a barrier. He and his other selves rushed towards the source of the barrier, but could not see anything, they were able to see half of one of his bodies being covered ever so slightly by the shimmering water. Pein now knew he had found him, but knew there was no way through the barrier. That led him to the conclusion of waiting for Jiraiya to come out, to show himself, to be mauled by himself, the six.. no, now the five forms of Pein.. Jiraiya would have to pay dearly for that. Yes, he would make Jiraiya suffer for that insubordination. How dare he do that to a God such as himself!
It had been another hour, which to Pein, seemed to take much more time than that, and he was beginning to become impatient. He wanted to end this quickly, and get back to his tower, and contemplate his plans.. no.. Madara had ordered him to track down the Kyuubi container. He would have to do that, but in his mind, he wasn't ready. Pein wanted to prepare more to take down the one known as Uzumaki Naruto, because when he did that, he also wanted to take Konoha down at the same time, and crush all of his enemies in one swift, fluent motion.
I suppose there's the Uchiha boy.. Uchiha Sasuke. But that won't matter for long, Itachi will take care of him.. yes he's more than capable of doing that.. with that sharingan of his..
He turned his attention back on the spot where the barrier was, where Jiraiya was. He would have to come out soon, he had to! There's only so long a person in his state can hold up a barrier such as that. No, no it wouldn't be much longer now.
Finally, as if on cue, Pein saw a glimpse of the Sannin hop out towards the shoreline, through one of his other selves. He and his counterpart's immediately converged on Jiraiya's position, and attacked. They proceeded to impale him with many blades. Then, in a puff of smoke, Jiraiya disappeared only to be replaced by one of the toads that had been perched ever so loyally on Jiraiyas shoulder, it looked to be the male sage.
Then, in alarm, he noticed Jiraiya heading off in a different direction.
This has to be the real one, it looks as though this one was a diversion, to help the real Jiraiya escape. Clever.. but futile!
He and his other fellows, save one, immediately charged after this other Jiraiya, they were able to catch up to him rather quickly, and proceeded to tear him apart, make him feel pain for defying him. But once again, the form of Jiraiya disappeared in a puff of smoke, and another toad, was there, dead in it's place like the other one.
Another toad! Such impudence! This one looks to be the other toad, the female one perched on his other shoulder. Then, where the hell is he!?!?
His answer came rather quickly, as the Pein he had left behind spotted him appear out of thin air, and immediately gave chase.
A camouflage technique! I knew he had replacement techniques, but not a technique of camouflage!!
The Pein that was on Jiraiyas tale was gaining fast, and it would only be a matter of time before he caught him. He would make him pay! Then, as suddenly as those thoughts came, Jiraiya turned around and made quick hand seals.
"Gama Abura Bakufuu!!" The Sannin cried.
Oil immediately began to spew out of his mouth, covering the shoreline in the substance. Jiraiya then proceeded to take a few steps backwards from the oil.
Oil?!?! What's oil supposed to do to me, it's not like I'm going to slip to my death... wait, hand seals? He's planning another attack... that's what the oil's for! Shit...
Jiraiya was indeed making hand signs, with one hand no less. After he rather quickly did so, he inhaled. Pein knew what was coming, and there was no stopping it. He prepared for the worst. Jiraiya then gave him a smirk of triumph before crying out
"Katon: Gamayu Endan"
The oil that the Sannin had spewed out immediately erupted into flame, covering the shoreline, in which there was no way around the fire. The Pein that had given chase could only take it, as he was engulfed by the flame, and burnt beyond recognition, before the body ultimately died.
The other four Peins all watched this happen, and then turned their attention to the fleeing Sannin. Then, there was an evil glint in the eyes of the Peins, followed with a smirk.
So.. the "Gallant Jiraiya" has decided to flee the battle. It's no matter I suppose. Let him live, knowing that he ran, ran away from a fight, clinging on to what remains of his life in desperation. If he's that desperate and determined to get away, I suppose he deserves to cling for a little while longer. Then there's the fact that he killed two of my bodies. That is, I must admit, a very strong accomplishment in itself. However, losing these two bodies will most likely work to my advantage.
Pein contemplated these thoughts for a moment, and then turned back towards the city. He had to prepare, not for Madara's plans, but for his own.
Jiraiya chanced a look behind him, to see how close Pein was to him, but when he looked, the saw that Pein was no where to be seen, nor, could he sense his chakra presence near him. He stopped to rest for a moment, dropping the heavy load that was one of the Pein's bodies down to the ground. He felt a quick surge of pain through his shoulder, and he immediately clutched it on instinct. This was a bad wound, and it had also been infected as well, he had to get back to Konoha soon, before the wound sapped him of all his strength. He quickly patched up the spot where his left arm would've been. He had to stop the bleeding, or he would die from blood loss.
He then remembered the Toad Sages
Flashback
"The plan is simple," Pa said, "but effective, and has a high chance of success if we all play our parts."
"You'll have to use a transformation technique on us," Ma continued, "One of us will head towards the shore of Amegakure, The Pein's will most likely spot that person immediately, and they probably won't last long, they will all converge on the spot."
Pa took over. "Meanwhile, whoever doesn't go first will take off in a completely different direction once they converge on the first one of us, they will most likely notice this, and immediately attack and converge again."
"At the same time, you'll take off under the guise of your Toad Camouflage Technique," And head in the general direction of Konoha. You'll also have to create some sort of separation between yourself and Pein." Ma concluded.
Jiraiya soaked all of this info in, and took a moment before replying "I already have a means to separate myself from the battle." The Toad Sages gave him a smile, and Jiraiya continued. "Both of you.. thank you much for helping me out today... I won't let your deaths be in vain."
Ma laughed heartedly at this statement. "You damn well better not sonny, you hear."
Pa joined in the laughter before getting serious. "Well, we best get started.. I'll go first." Pa hopped towards the edge of the barrier before turning back. "You make sure you get out of here, alive, and warn everyone on your side, the fate of the world may depend on it."
End Flashback
Jiraiya shed a couple tears before quickly wiping them away. "Wow.. first I'm running away from a battle, and now I'm crying, what else is going to change? Am I going to all of the sudden be a man that scares off the ladies?!" Jiraiya gave that thought a chuckle before dismissing it. There would be no way chicks would stop falling head over heels for a man such as he.
The Sannin then looked down at the body. "Well, I suppose it's time I head off, I don't have much time..."
Jiraiya heaved the body over his right shoulder, and sped away into the distance.
Gama Abura Bakufuu - Toad Oil Blast
Gamayu Endan - Fire Element:Toad Oil Fire Bullet
Author Notes - Well, my 1st ever chapter in a fanfic, I hope you all enjoyed it. I have my reasons for keeping Jiraiya alive, I wouldn't keep him alive without serving some sort of purpose. I'll be getting to Naruto in due time, but once again, this is just a prologue to set everything up, and you'll definitely have enough Naruto once the fic gets rolling, if I can get it to do so. Next chapter, the focus will switch to Sasuke and Team Snake, along with Kisame and Itachi. Well, give me a couple reviews I suppose, I look forward to reading them, and until next time.