Chapter Eight: The Akatsuki and a Bet

Naruto groaned and took a step back. 'Out of all the people, it had to be him.' He cursed.

"You sure he isn't going to run?" A blue-skinned man with gills asked. "Because I could easily chop a leg or two off…just in case."

Itachi sighed, "No Kisame, I do not believe that will be necessary."

'Any advice?' Naruto asked Kurama, while he glanced around, hoping for a way out. "Yeah, run."

"Naruto-kun, I know what you are about to try, we only want to talk." Itachi said, while Kisame snorted. "And why should I trust you Weasel?" Naruto snarled.

Kisame looked at them curiously, "Weasel?" He asked. Itachi nodded, "I was one of the ANBU that guarded him before I defected."

Kisame began to laugh, "That's rich! How does it feel Nine Tails? The person who used to protect you, is here to harm you!" He roared, clutching his stomach while laughing.

Naruto smirked, "Hey, at least my skin isn't blue." He laughed, before dispelling into a cloud of smoke, leaving two confused criminals. "What the hell?!" Kisame yelled.

"Shadow Clones, very clever Naruto-kun." Itachi murmured, "Come on Kisame."

'This is bad, this is really bad!' Naruto yelled in his mind, as he ran from roof to roof. 'Where the hell is the damn pervert?!' He searched frantically for Jiraiya's chakra signature, then cursed. 'The chakra suppressers! How the hell am I going to find him now?!'

"Are you an idiot?" Kurama asked annoyed. "Rip yours off! The old pervert would know something bad is up if he can suddenly sense your chakra!"

Naruto nodded, and reached for his left shoulder and ripped off a piece of paper.

"I must say," the calm voice of Itachi said from behind him. "You are getting better, in fact, that seal you just removed allowed us to find you."

Any more bright ideas?' Naruto yelled angrily at his Biju, who shrugged. "Hold them off until the pervert arrives."

'How do you expect me to do that?'

"Keep them talking, it shouldn't take the old pervert long," Kurama said calmly, while he was actually unsure if his host could do it.

Naruto turned around and groaned, "What the hell do you want with me?!" He asked angrily.

"I told you, we just want to talk."

Naruto snorted, "Yeah right. Because two S-Class Missing Ninja, are going to risk getting into a fight with Jiraiya of the Sannin, just to talk."

"Cheeky little brat," Kisame growled, as he hefted a massive sword, which was covered in bandages. 'Of course he's a Swordsman of the Mist.' Naruto sighed, as he tried to remember all the living members that Chojuro told him about. "Y-you're Kisame Hoshigaki, The Monster of the Bloody Mist!" He exclaimed, pointing at Kisame, who looked amused.

"Yes, yes I am," he boasted.

"You're also one of the Seven Deadly Swordsman who defected." Naruto pointed out.

"You are very well informed," Itachi noted.

"Yeah, how do you know all this? You don't strike me as the book reading type." Kisame laughed. Naruto shrugged, "I've met a couple of you," he admitted. "Zabuza Momochi, and Chojuro. Although Chojuro wasn't an enemy."

Kisame laughed, "Chojuro? I have heard about that weakling, too loyal to that bitch of a Mizukage."

Naruto saw red, "…What?" He growled.

Kisame looked at him and smirked. "I take it you've met the whore?" He laughed, Itachi sighed. "Kisame that is enough."

"You…bastard!" Naruto roared, as he channeled enough of Kurama's chakra to form his initial Jinchuriki Stage. Kisame stopped laughing as he dodged a punch. "What's wrong with the brat?" He asked Itachi, who sighed. "Were you paying any attention to the debriefing?"

Kisame chuckled and dodged a kick, before sending Naruto flying onto another roof. "Not really, why?"

"Because, if you had paid attention, you would know that the Fifth Mizukage has spent a large amount of time with him during the Chuunin Exams. There are even rumors that they are engaged to be married."

Kisame blinked before laughing. "Damn brat!" He laughed at the still prone figure. "I almost feel bad for taking him now…almost." He grinned as he jumped towards Naruto, who looked him in the eyes. "Any last words brat?"

"Go to hell," Naruto spat, before he exploded, ripping the roof apart.

"Very impressive Kit, now run!" Kurama yelled, as Naruto hopped from roof to roof, only to be hit by a Water Bullet. "Damn it! Where the hell is that pervert?!" Naruto groaned, as he crashed into the roof.

"I was simply going to knock you unconscious," Kisame informed him, standing on another roof. "But it appears you have made me mad. Water Release: Water Bullet!" Naruto rolled out of the way, but the shockwave from the impact still sent him spiraling away. Naruto groaned, 'it feels like Gaara all over again.'

"Only this guy is twice as strong." Kurama commented.

"If it's a fight you want," Naruto groaned, "it's a fight you are going to get. Wind Release: One Thousand Blades!" Unsheathing his katana, Naruto made several slashes in the air, which shredded everything in its path. Naruto cursed as Kisame dissolved into water, and Itachi puffed into smoke. 'Water Clones, and Shadow Clones? Where the hell is Jiraiya?!'

Naruto grunted as Kisame kicked his back, nearly breaking his ribs. "You are really annoying me brat," Kisame growled, before hitting Naruto with a Water Bullet. Naruto grunted, as he rolled over, only to find Kisame had vanished.

"You've got style brat," Kisame's voice said from behind him. Naruto whipped around and tried to behead him, only for his sword to be blocked. "You like Samehada?" Kisame laughed, as his bandaged sword whipped around and striked Naruto's side, causing him to grunt, both in pain and surprise. "Why do I-"

"Feel weaker?" Kisame finished for him, flashing his sharpened teeth. "It's Samehada's ability: It can absorb chakra. And before you think about running to little old Nine Tails, Samehada can absorb his as well."

"Of course it can!" Naruto yelled desperately, and dropped to his knees, as more and more of his chakra were sucked away. "Soon Nine Tails," Kisame laughed, while Itachi simply watched, an unreadable expression on his face.

"How does it feel?" Kisame gloated, while Naruto glared at him. "How does it feel that-what the hell?" Kisame asked, as a slimy tongue wrapped around his midsection, before launching him away from Naruto, who sighed in relief.

"I leave you alone for half an hour Gaki! And the damn Akatsuki finds you?!" Jiraiya yelled angrily, as he jumped next to his downed student.

"Pervy-Sensei am I glad to see you," Naruto grinned, as Kurama refilled his chakra.

"Jiraiya the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, one of the Legendary Sannin," Itachi noted calmly. "Kisame we're leaving."

"What?!" Kisame asked angrily, as he disentangled himself from the toads tongue.

"We cannot fight the Sannin, it will only result in the deaths of us both." Itachi said, before turning towards Naruto. "We will be back for you," he promised, as he and Kisame began to flee.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jiraiya asked, as he appeared in front of them, charging a Rasengan in his hand. "Kisame move!" Itachi yelled, jumping out of the way.

Kisame was not so lucky, having been caught mid-jump, and he was hit in the mid-section, and sent flying into another roof.

"Amaterasu!" Itachi yelled, as his Sharingan eyes morphed into a shuriken like appearance. Jiraiya dodged the black flames before sending a Fire Ball towards Itachi, who dodged.

"Kisame now!" Itachi yelled, as he Substituted, himself with a log.

"Sad that I can't finish this fight, seemed like it would be fun." Kisame grinned, as he ran towards where Itachi was waiting.

"Are we just going to let them go?!" Naruto asked Jiraiya angrily, when he made no move to stop them. "Yes," Jiraiya said reluctantly, "because while scouting for Tsunade, I spotted Kabuto."

Naruto looked at him blankly, "You mean that idiot from the Exams?"

Jiraiya nodded, "That 'idiot' is actually an S-Rank ninja who works for Orochimaru, and he's actually Orochimaru's right-hand man."

"So if he's here…" Naruto muttered, a feeling of dread coming to him.

Jiraiya nodded grimly, "Orochimaru won't be far behind."

"What are they doing here?" Naruto wondered. Jiraiya shrugged, "Could be a lot of things." He admitted. "But seeing as how the Mizukage destroyed Orochimaru's arms, I am sure they are here for Tsunade to fix them."

Naruto looked confused, "can't he just do that skin-shedding jutsu of his?" He asked.

Jiraiya shook his head, "To much damage," he informed his student. "Mei-Sama melted everything from the elbow to the hand, that 'skin-shedding jutsu' wouldn't work on such damage." Naruto nodded, "What now?"

Jiraiya grinned, "I can say for certain that she is here, it's only a matter of finding her."

"Do we split up?" Naruto asked excitedly.

Jiraiya frowned, "It would be the fastest way," he theorized. "However with Orochimaru and Kabuto nearby I don't think it's such a good idea."

Naruto frowned, "but won't he recognize you too?"

Jiraiya laughed, "Kid I'm a master of espionage, the snake won't even know I'm here."

"But what about me?"

"Here," he said, handing him another chakra suppressing seal. "Use this and henge into somebody else, and nobody from Konoha."

"What would this do?" Naruto asked, as he slapped the seal on his shoulder.

"It'll hide your chakra, and help mask the fact that you are in a henge, however, I wouldn't recommend walking to close to them; if you see them run."

Naruto nodded, and Henged before jumping off the roof, "Guess I just ask around." He muttered.

Half an hour later Naruto was annoyed, his description of Tsunade fit way to many people, but none of them were seen with a pet pig and another woman.

"Damn it! How hard is it to find her?" Naruto roared, shocking several civilians. "Think Kit, think. We are looking for her,as such, our chakra is hidden, and hers will not be." Kurama said impatiently. Naruto's eyes widened. 'You're right!' He said happily. Kurama snorted, "of course I am."

Naruto closed his eyes and began searching, several chakra signatures appeared, but none of them stood out. 'Guess I'll have to widen my search a little,' Naruto muttered, expanding his search, when he cried out in victory. "Yes! I found the old bat!" He yelled joyously, running towards the chakra signature, only to deadpan. "It's not even ten in the morning," Naruto muttered annoyed, "what the hell is she doing at a bar?!"

Grumbling, Naruto opened the door, and walked into the bar, dropping his henge on the way. 'There she is…Pervy-Sensei you bastard!' Naruto yelled in his mind indignant, as he saw his Sensei drinking with a buxom blonde, while her dark haired companion just watched.

"Hey Gaki!" Jiraiya beckoned Naruto over, who scowled. "What the hell Pervy-Sensei?" Naruto growled. "I've been looking for the old bat for half an hour, and you already knew where she would be?!"

Tsunade growled, "Watch who you are calling old, brat." Naruto ignored her and looked at Jiraiya, who smirked. "Of course," he said. "I wanted you to sharpen your tracking skills."

"What about Orochimaru? Or Itachi and the shark guy?!" Naruto snapped, not noticing that Tsunade choked on her sake when she heard 'Orochimaru.'

Jiraiya waved it off, "First off, Orochimaru doesn't want you, he wants Tsunade." He pointed towards said Sannin, who scowled. "Second, Itachi and 'the shark guy' are not going to bother you now that they know that I am here."

Naruto just scowled and crossed his arms, before remembering something. "So what are we going to do about the snake pedophile?" Jiraiya laughed at the nickname, before turning to Tsunade. "Well?" He prompted her, only for her to scowl.

"Why should I help you? And who the hell is this?" Tsunade pointed at Naruto who growled, Jiraiya answered. "First off, Orochimaru would kill you after you heal him. Second, this is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, and he's my apprentice." Naruto almost laughed as Tsunade and the dark haired girl's eyes pooped. "W-wait," the girl said, pointing at Naruto. "He's the son of the Yellow Flash?!" Jiraiya nodded, "That is correct Shizune."

"Wait," Tsunade said, "how does he even know? I thought Sensei was going to tell him when he turned sixteen?"

Jiraiya laughed, and looked at Naruto, "you want to explain this one?" Naruto glared at him, still angry that he left him looking for somebody he had already found. "Fair enough," Jiraiya smiled, "his fiancé told him." He informed the two, only for Tsunade to again choke on sake. "W-what the hell?!" She exclaimed.

Jiraiya nodded sagely, "I know, she's a looker too, I've never been more proud of the Gaki."

"Who is she?!" Tsunade asked, her hostile personality doing a complete 180, in the presence of gossip. Jiraiya smirked, he was enjoying this, "nobody special really," he said shrugging. "Only the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi."

Shizune gaped, and Tsunade looked at Naruto, who was still glaring at Jiraiya. "How the hell does he get engaged to the Mizukage?" She asked incredulous, only for Naruto to growl. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Tsunade smirked, "It means that a Gaki like you, could not possibly get a Kage."

"At least I'm not an old drunk!" Naruto snapped, only for Shizune to groan. "Stop calling me old you little brat!" Tsunade growled, her eye twitching.

"What are you going to do about it?" Naruto taunted.

"Outside. Now." Tsunade growled, finishing the sake in one gulp, before grabbing Naruto and shoving him outside.

Naruto smirked as he picked himself up, "Pervy-Sensei, are you sure she can become Kage? Aren't you afraid of her dropping dead from old age?"

Tsunade growled, "I will never become Hokage."

Naruto looked at her and cocked his head, "why not?"

"Because the job is nothing but a curse." Tsunade growled. "The job is for sentimental old fools who are willing to die for no reason."

Jiraiya groaned, "She just had to say that?" He asked himself.

"That job, is an honor to have!" Naruto yelled, "Those who are willing to lay down their lives for their village are beyond heroes!"

Tsunade scoffed, "are you going to fight me, or yell?" She taunted.

"Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Naruto yelled, sending a fireball towards the Slug Sannin, who lazily dodged. "That all you got?" Tsunade taunted.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto roared, and roughly thirty clones appeared. Five of which rushed her, but were easily dispelled. "Water Release: Gunshot!" Five of the clones yelled, as they launched several projectiles at Tsunade, who simply flicked them away.

"Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Five yelled, which had the same results.

Ten clones charged her, but she took them out by punching the ground, resulting in each clone exploding. "Clever Gaki," Tsunade complimented. "But if that is all, I would like to continue with my drink."

Naruto growled, and had the last ten of his clones create Rasengan's.

Naruto, along with five of his clones charged the shocked Tsunade, who barely dodged them. "What the hell Jiraiya?!" She asked angrily, as she finished dispelling the clones, resulting in Naruto being sent flying into the side of a building. "You taught him the Rasengan?"

Jiraiya smiled proudly, "it's his birthright, now…will you come with us?" He asked seriously.

"Tsunade-Sama, please." Shizune pleaded. Tsunade sighed, and walked towards Naruto, who was dusting himself off. "Gaki, can you make a Rasengan without a clone?" She asked.

Naruto shook his head, "no, I need a clone." He muttered slightly shamed.

Tsunade smirked, "okay, I'll make you a deal: You have one week to make a Rasengan without a clone, if you do; I'll come and be the Hokage. I'll even throw in my grandfather's necklace."

Naruto smiled happily, "You got it Baa-Chan! In one week I'll have the Rasengan mastered!"

Tsunade bonked Naruto on the head, "Don't call me that."

Naruto smirked, "Not a chance." He declared, before turning to Jiraiya. "Pervy-Sensei, I'm going to go train." Jiraiya nodded, and he dashed off.

"What was that about?" Jiraiya inquired, only for Tsunade to shrug. "The brat is like his father in the aspect that he can learn anything quickly. But he's also like his mother, he needs a challenge to do his best."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, "So you were planning on becoming Hokage the whole time?"

Tsunade nodded, "I owe Minato and Kushina-Chan a debt," She admitted, "I wasn't there for my godson as he was growing up, I sure as hell am not going to miss anymore of the brat's life." She declared, causing Jiraiya to laugh. "I know how you feel," he said seriously. "But what about Dan, and your little brother?" Tsunade flinched.

"They would want me to do this," she said with certainty. "Besides, the brat helped a lot."

Jiraiya laughed, "He tends to do that." He said, before turning serious. "So what do you plan to do about Orochimaru?"

Tsunade smirked.

-Authors Note-

I'm going to skip straight to the battle, because writing Naruto training for a whole chapter is just a waste. Also to those wondering, yes Naruto knows about the Akatsuki, but he doesn't know what they want, he only knows that they are after Jinchuriki because that's all Jiraiya knows at the moment. And yes, he is smarter because I hated how stupid Kishimoto made him.

I promise from now on the chapters will be at least four thousand words.