25)Foxy Adventures: Ch.25

“Wait, so he's actually a Special Jounin?” Tsunade asked with a raised eyebrow as the five of us made our way back to the Leaf, Jiraiya nodding with a smirk while Karin giggled as I huffed.

“Did you think the flak jacket was just for decoration or something?”

“No, I just thought you stole that.”

“So, now she forgets that only the old man has authority over who gets the flak jackets and who doesn't. Man, I know old age takes away one's memory, but I didn't think you would be that far gone.”

“Stop calling me old. I'm only in my fifties.”

“Turn off the youth jutsu.” I spoke with a smirk which widened into a grin as she glared at me before crossing her arms under her ample chest.

“Go drown in a lake.”

“After you. Also, Pervy Sage is in his fifties and you don't see him whining about his looks.”

“What looks?” Tsunade's quick response made me snicker as Jiraiya rolled his eyes.

“Now, now, Tsuna. I seem to recall a certain someone being named the Most Attractive Bachelor of the Year in our younger days.”

“That was Orochimaru…before he went batshit insane.”

“Eh, Orochi's always been batshit insane.” Jiraiya spoke with a dismissive wave of his hand and Karin and I looked at each other as Tsunade agreed.

“So, everyone knew of Orochimaru's…tendencies?” Karin asked and both members of the Sannin frowned before Tsunade made a so-so gesture.

“Both of us along with Sensei had our slight suspicions of what he did, especially as we grew older, but we didn't wish to ask him on accounts of the love we had as teammates.”

“So, you guys knew there was something, but you didn't want to believe that it would be true, right?” I asked and nodded as Tsunade sighed while Jiraiya nodded.

“That's about the gist of it, yeah. I always wonder what could have been had we just tried to talk to him before the end of it. Maybe none of this would have happened.”

“Eh, can't be worried about the ifs, buts and maybes because then you'd be constantly stuck in the past and unable to focus on the present nor the future.”

“You're very mature for your age…despite not being as intellectually gifted.” Tsunade spoke with a smirk and I narrowed my eyes at her as Karin nodded.

“He is. A bit slow, but quite mature.”

“Oi, you're supposed to be on my side here.”

“Well, she's family too so I'm both your sides.”

“Uh-huh, and whose the guy that got you your apartment?”

“…Yeah, what do you mean he's slow?” Karin asked as she spun towards Tsunade with narrowed eyes and I grinned smugly as Tsunade frowned.

“And here I thought familial love would be stronger than this.”

“Oh, it is. I just like him more since he got me an apartment.”

“And don't you forget it.” I agreed with a nod before blinking as Jiraiya tapped on the shoulder with a sly grin.

“Don't look so smug. You still have a bet to worry about, remember?”

“…Why the hell did you remind me of that?”

“What bet is this?” Shizune asked and Tsunade looked just as interested as I sighed.

“A bet I have with my…girlfriend? At least, I think she's my girlfriend, but back to the question. She and I made a bet during the Chunin Exams and both of us became Chunin so now we have a bet with each other.”

“And I'm guessing that bet is one of you had to do one thing the other said?”

“The original bet was that one would have to do whatever the other ordered for an entire day, but that part is what we both agreed on.”

“Huh, sounds like she's a strong girl then.”

“She's the former heiress to the Hyuga Clan.” Jiraiya said and I watched as the woman raised an eyebrow and looked at me.

“You don't aim small, huh?”

“Hey, my dad married a former princess. I gotta do the same.”

“…You told him?”

“The Nine Tails did.” Jiraiya answered as Tsunade glared at him and she frowned at that before looking back at me.

“I have to ask, though. Are you and the Nine Tails like…really close?” Shizune asked and I smiled at Kurama's huff before shrugging.

“I would like to think so and he would deny it until the world comes to an end. Whenever I'm bored, I bother him. Whenever he's bored, he bothers me. However, we do know when to work together and when to let me handle it.”

“I see. That sounds far better than the relationship my grandmother had with him.”

“Bah! Don't remind me of that wretched bitch!”

“Ah, sounds like Kurama doesn't like her.” I spoke and Tsunade smirked as she nodded.

“I would think that's the case considering she never once used his chakra in the time that she had him sealed inside of her.”

“If she did, I would have burned her loved ones with my chakra to make sure she felt nothing but misery and despair for the entirety of her miserable existence.”

'…How much do you actually hate her?'

“You try having a spike through every joint, chains that connect said joint spikes to your head, another nine chains sewn through your tails pinning them to the ground and then we'll see whether you would want to work with that person or not.”

'Damn, I'm a far better jailer than I thought.' I said with a smirk and chuckled at his snort before shaking my head as Shizune looked confused to see me laughing.

“Just talking to Kurama.”

“…It doesn't weird anyone else out that the kid can talk to what is arguably the most powerful of the Tailed Beasts?” Tsunade asked before sighing as Jiraiya and Karin shrugged while I laughed.

“It's Naruto. You get used to it.”

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“Wait, she's not here to become Hokage?!” I asked with wide eyes, to which Jiraiya shrugged as Tsunade smirked and the old man shook his head.

“Not at all. 'You've been called back to become the Fifth Hokage' is a secret code the members of the Sannin and I made when they were younger to call them back. I use it whenever there is truly something that I need their help on.”

“And I'm guessing it's the same old as usual?” Tsunade asked and I blinked as the old man nodded.

“The same old person. Jiraiya, have you made the preparations?”

“Yep.”

“Well, this is way too high-level for me so…see ya.” I said as I turned and walked over to the door before blinking as the old man spoke up.

“Naruto, before you go?”

“Yeah, what's up?” I asked before catching the scroll he threw at me, raising an eyebrow which he answered with a chuckle.

“Your payment for the S-Rank mission. Karin has already received her share.”

“Oh, right. Thanks!”

“Also, there's a few more things in there for you to read and check so make sure you do.”

“Like what?” I asked before rolling my eyes as he smirked.

“I never opened it so I don't know.”

'So, it's definitely something to do with my parents, then.'

“Okay, thanks. I'll be waiting outside when you're done, granny.”

“Tsuna, no!”

“Just one punch!” Tsunade growled and I quickly closed the door before jogging away, coming to a stop at the entrance before letting out a sigh as I shook my head and walked out onto the stairs that led down to the village.

“You're barely in the village for a couple of minutes and already you're spreading havoc.” I looked up with an amused smile at the person who spoke and Shikamaru just smirked as he dropped down before sharing a fist bump.

“You criticize me, but have you done anything other than lazing away on your ass all day?”

“Nope, and I enjoy it.”

“I know people call you a lazy genius, but some day, you're just going to be lazy and not a genius.”

“Once you get to my level of intellect, everything around you just becomes boring because you can predict what everyone is going to say.”

“Really? Well, that sounds more fun than trouble to be honest.” I blinked as he said the sentence at the exact same time, volume and tempo that I did, a chuckle escaping his lips as I narrowed my eyes.

“Your next question is 'Did you hold back in the Chunin Exams?'”

“Did you hold ba-How in the hell are you doing that?” I asked with a frown and he smirked before shrugging.

“Who knows? And to answer your question, nothing in the exam interested me long enough to actually try.”

“Shika?”

“Yeah?”

“We really need to make you not be lazy.” I muttered with a sigh before shaking my head as he snorted and crossed his arms.

“Not a chance. I happen to enjoy my lazy life. I get to do as I please and I don't have to worry about living up to everyone's expectations like you, Mr. Fourth Hokage's son.”

“What the hell are you even talking about?”

“You know, I actually feel stupid for not noticing earlier. The pictures we have of him that look eerily similar to you, the fact that he 'died' fighting against the Nine Tails and not too long ago, I saw you using this weird red chakra that looked like the fur of the Nine Tails. Also, the Hokage lets you get away with practically everything you do even when you infiltrate a high-level building and let's not forget about the fact that you got trained by a member of the Sannin.”

“…When you put it like that, it's a wonder no one has found out.” I muttered and he smirked before patting me on the back.

“Don't worry. Sometimes, hiding in plain sight does appear to have some merit since people can all see the similarities but refused for them to be true.”

“That is true. One does need to look underneath the underneath in order to truly get the full picture.”

“Kakashi?” He asked and I nodded with a smirk.

“Asuma?”

“You have no idea how many times the bastard says that to us.”

“Eh, you get used to it. So, now that you know, I'm going to have to ask you to keep it quiet for a while.”

“I don't really care to be honest.”

“But if anyone asks…”

“Don't know what you're talking about.” Shikamaru spoke with a bored smile and I nodded before patting him on the shoulder and hopping onto the rooftop above us.

“Good. See ya, Shika.”

“See ya, blond idiot.”

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To our dear Naruto

If you're reading this, it means that you've been given a promotion from Genin and also…that we're dead.

Your father and I wrote this letter in the worse-case scenario that something does go wrong and I sacrifice my life to make sure the Nine Tails is gone for at least a few decades.

Although, knowing your father, he most definitely will seal it inside of you and we'll leave you to fend off the cruel world on your own.

If it did came to that, I am so truly sorry, my sweet little Fishcake.

I wish we were there besides you. To see your unkempt hair when you wake up in the morning, to hear your laughter when you're happy, to hug you in your moments of sadness. I wanted to be the mother who cheered for you or scolded you when you made trouble and made you ramen after a tiring day.

Even though we can't be at your side, know one thing: We always loved you from, from the moment we found out to the moment you came into this world. No matter what pain you go through, no matter what sorrow lies ahead of you, you will always have us there by your side.

You are our greatest treasure, our little whirlwind and my sweet Naruto.

Ya know, your father and I dream of a world where you would grow up strong and free, but now that we're gone, I can only hope that you are surrounded by people who love, support and guide you.

And if by some cruel twist of fate you ever feel lonely or lost, promise me one small thing: Just like the maelstrom does not care for the adversity blocking its path, you do not stop moving forward towards your goal.

Because you are my son and one thing about us Uzumaki…We never give up!

Since you are reading this letter, though, that means the old man listened and you are now a Chunin…or a Special Jounin or Jounin!

Yay~!! Congratulations on your achievement, sweetie, and never stop. Continue chasing your dreams and if you have any friends( Who am I kidding? You're my son! Of course you have friends), promise us that you'll protect them to your dying breath and fill their worlds with your bright, unstoppable spirit.

Also, if you ever find someone you love, hold them close. Love them with all your heart just like the way your father and I love you.

Remember, sweet Fishcake, no matter what happens or where I am, I will always ALWAYS Love you.

With all my heart,

Your cool, awesome, loving and awesome Mother, Kushina.

P.S. Eat your vegetables, don't stay up too late and if anyone treats you like you're anything less than extraordinary, beat the shit out of them because YOU are extraordinary.

P.P.S. Hey, Naruto. This is your old man here. Your mom had a lot to say and I'm not a man of many words so I just got one thing for you. The old man should have given you a scroll. In that scroll is every bit of knowledge I had on not only the Flying Thunder God seal but all the seals your mother and I studied from the books she brought with her when she left the Land of Eddies.

Keep your chin up, don't take nonsense from anyone and give Jiraiya-sensei a kick in the balls for me. That last one is just for fun. Actually, make it two, your mom wants one for her as well.

Anyway, that's about it. Love you and remember, I'll always be proud of the man you become no matter what.

From your father,

The Cool and Awesome Minato Namikaze.

“That was so sappy it made me want to throw up.” Kurama spoke from my mind, but I kept silent as I slowly looked at the letter, swallowing heavily as I pressed my forehead against the paper and smiled.

“Want a few minutes?”

“Please.” I responded and Kurama didn't answer as his presence simply faded away, leaving me alone as I leaned back into my sofa and looked up at the ceiling.

I know that their spirits are supposed to be sealed inside of me and that I would meet them whenever I got out, but…

'It just feels incredible to know they truly loved me.' I thought with a smile as I looked up, taking another deep breath before shaking my head and placing the letter down.

“Alright. Time to see what this scrolls have.” I muttered as I wiped a few tears away before picking up the first scroll that the old man had given me when I was promoted.

“Oh, that is…a lot less than I was expecting.” I muttered with a raised eyebrow as I placed down the scroll in my hands before picking up the ten scrolls that fell to the floor.

'Then again, each one could just be a storage scroll for even more scrolls.' I thought with a hum as I picked each one up, reading through their titles and humming as their titles were only one vague word.

Like what the hell is Emergency Seals even mean?

“We'll leave that for later.” I muttered as I sealed the scrolls back up before picking up the second one that I got only a few hours ago, placing a finger on the seal before sending a pulse of chakra into it.

As I pulled my finger back, my eyes widened while Kurama gave a surprised grunt as we stared at the object in front of us.

“…Holy shit.”

A/N: Cliffhanger~!! What that item is…heh, we'll have to find out next week.

Anyway, Kushina and Minato left a heart-felt letter, Naruto and Shika did some bonding and next chapter, we're finishing a bet with a princess and waking up the red-eyed duo.

Stay tuned until then.

As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!