The Demon Fox And The Water Princess - Chapter 9.2 The Trip part 1

Naruto readjusted his katana, before complaining. “Where the hell is he?!” Mei, and her guards, laughed. Having come with him to see him off. “Well he is a Sannin,” Ao mused, “maybe he was needed elsewhere?”

Naruto scoffed. “Knowing Pervy-sensei? He’s probably at the hot springs.”

Mei’s eyes narrowed, “Remind me to never go there when I am here.” She told the impatient blonde, who laughed. “Sensei isn’t stupid,” he informed her. “He won’t peek on you…not if he wants to live.” He added with a grumble.

“Who wants to live?” Jiraiya asked, as he walked towards them, his notepad still out.

“Hopefully you,” Naruto replied grumpily, but brightened as he remembered something. “Hey sensei, what is the rank for this mission?” Jiraiya sweat dropped, ‘is he bipolar?’ “Uh, what do you think the rank is?” He asked the blonde, silently apologizing to his sensei.

Naruto grinned, “Well, since we are looking for the future Hokage, I think it is at least an A-rank!” He smiled triumphantly.

Jiraiya smirked, “A-rank it is,” ‘sorry sensei.’

“Yes! My second A-rank mission! In your face Sasuke-duck-butt-Teme!” Naruto pumped his fist into the air, while Kurama sighed. “One minute he’s serious, the next he’s excited…and if you take away his ramen, he becomes the Shinigami on crack.”

‘I heard that you overgrown plushy.’ Naruto said laughing at the growls he received. “I am not a damn plushy! Stop calling me that!”

‘What are you going to do? Give me a headache?’ Naruto taunted, only to scream. “Damn it! I’m sorry! Take a joke!” He yelled, as Kurama pounded on the gate to his cage, causing him a massive headache.

Mei merely turned to Jiraiya, “A second A-rank?” She asked confused. Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively. “Oh you know the usual,” he informed her. “Genin get fed up with chasing demon-cat, Genin demand C-rank, C-rank turns into A-rank when Zabuza Momochi turns up.”

Mei’s eyes widened, as did Chojuro’s. “Y-you mean Z-Zabuza-Senpai is d-dead?” He asked shocked. Jiraiya nodded, and Mei looked stunned. “I heard rumors,” she muttered awed. “But Zabuza? He was one of the strongest Swordsman we had! Even if he did defect.”

Naruto, who had recovered from Kurama’s attack, intervened. “Wait you mean the eyebrow-less-Teme? The guy with the really big butcher knife?”

Chojuro deadpanned, “Yes N-Naruto,” he said simply.

“Oh,” Naruto said. “Yeah he was a real douche.” All Kiri ninja just gawked.

Jiraiya fell over from laughing. Mei just shook her head, “Well I’ll see you later Naruto-kun.” She said as she embraced him. Naruto nodded, “It’s a promise.”

“Try not to screw up kid,” Ao teased, and Naruto pouted. “I’m not that bad!”

Ao just laughed, and Chojuro shook Naruto’s hand. “B-be safe N-Naruto.” He said in his quiet voice. Naruto smirked, “You know me.”

“That’s what they are afraid of Gaki.” Jiraiya laughed, as they began to walk out the gates.

“So what are you teaching me first Pervy-Sensei?” Naruto asked excitedly.

Jiraiya scowled at the nickname. “Well your fire and water jutsu arsenal is pretty good,” he mused. “I’ll teach you some wind jutsu…do you still need a clone to form a Rasengan?”

Naruto nodded, slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, I still can’t create the shell,” he admitted, referring to the harder layer of chakra that kept the Rasengan from dispersing.

Jiraiya nodded, “Okay, when we get to the first town, I’ll have you try to make one using less and less help from your clone.”

Naruto nodded, than remembered what he had just said. “Wait, you’re not going to teach me anything until we get to the hotel?!”

Jiraiya laughed and nodded, “Of course.” He explained, reveling in the indignant look on his students face. “Tsunade is a Sensor,” he explained, and when he got a blank look he sighed. “A Sensor is a person who can feel chakra, no matter how small.” He said patiently.

“So?” Naruto asked confused. “What’s that have to do with anything?”

Jiraiya bonked his godson on the head. “Idiot! The Rasengan was invented by your father! It feels completely different than any other jutsu. Now, there are only three people alive who can use it: me, you, and Kakashi. If Tsunade felt it, she’ll know that most likely I am here, and then she’ll leave.”

Naruto sighed, but accepted it. “But wait,” he pointed at the both of them. “Don’t we both have extremely high chakra levels?”

Jiraiya looked proudly at his pupil, “Yes we do actually.” He said proudly, “and because of that, once we get to the town she’s in, I’m going to put a chakra suppressing seal on the both of us. Don’t worry-“He said, as he noticed Naruto’s worried expression. “It only masks the chakra, it doesn’t drain it; if it did, it would take god knows how long with Kurama in you.”

“Told you I’m useful Kit,” Kurama said in a smug voice. ‘Yeah, and you’d be even more useful if I could deflate that ego of yours.’

Kurama growled, “My ego is not that big!” Naruto laughed. ‘And Sakura isn’t a fan girl.’

“Don’t compare me to the banshee!”

‘Why? With how much you’re yelling your full name could be Kurama Haruno.’ Naruto laughed as Kurama, the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the strongest Biju in the world, appeared to be sick.

“Don’t even joke about that.” Kurama said disgusted. “On a lighter note though, I’m happy you finally got over that crush you had on her; do you even know how many concussions and broken eardrums I have had to heal?”

Naruto laughed, causing Jiraiya to look at him funny, than shrug. ‘I am too Kurama, and yes I do.’

“I mean seriously,” Kurama grumbled. “What was Hiruzen thinking putting us on a team with the emo avenger, a Cyclops, and a fan girl?”

‘Kakashi is alright, and so is Sasuke if you can get him to say more than a grunt. Sakura, well, she has potential, and a lot of it. She just needs to stop fawning over Sasuke.’

Kurama laughed darkly. “I don’t think we have to worry about that, if your vixen has her way, I am sure she will beat the banshee out of her fan girl ways.”

‘I sure hope so…wait. Kurama she is not my vixen!’ Naruto shouted, turning red.

Unfortunately Jiraiya saw this, “What’s wrong Gaki?” He asked in a perverted voice. “Are you thinking of the Mizukage by chance?”

Kurama howled in his cage. “S-shut up both of you!” Naruto yelled embarrassed.

“We’ve only been gone what, half an hour? And you already miss her?” Jiraiya laughed, before pulling out a notebook. “Or did she promise you a congratulatory gift should you return with Tsunade?” He laughed perversely, writing notes in his book.

“Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!” Naruto growled, launching a fireball at the notebook, causing Jiraiya to look at him in horror. “You little…bastard.” He said in horror. “That had all the notes for my next book!”

Naruto smirked proudly. “So?” He asked. “Mei-Chan, Ayame-Nee-Chan, and every other girl will be thanking me on bended knee for that…crap.” He moaned, as Jiraiya pulled out another note book and began to write muttering. “Yes, a young man saves a group of woman…and they follow him on his adventures…as he saves even more woman…and they all thank him most generously. It will be my next best seller!”

“Kit, you kind of walked into this one.” Kurama noted deadpanned.

“Thank you Gaki,” Jiraiya said happily, after writing about two pages worth of notes. “Now, since we can’t work on any chakra related lessons. We are going to sharpen your mind.”

Naruto looked at him confused. “But who’s going to teach me?”

Jiraiya deadpanned, “I am Gaki, I am.”

Naruto blinked, “But I thought we were working on knowledge?”

“We are.”

Naruto sighed, “If I have to learn something, I’d rather it not be perverted.”

“I know non-perverted things as well Gaki!” Jiraiya snapped, before going through the history of the Elemental Nations.

Five hours of walking Naruto’s head was throbbing, ‘how does he expect me to remember all of this crap?’ He asked himself, as Jiraiya went through the full history of Sunagakure.

Kurama yawned widely, having decided to take a nap. “Well talking to yourself instead of listening isn’t going to help any.” He commented dryly.

‘Shut up you lazy ass fox.’

Kurama snorted, “You’re just mad because I can tune the old pervert out.”

“And so the Second Kazekage declared peace…Gaki? Gaki pay attention!” Jiraiya snapped, bonking the blonde on the head.

“What? Oh sorry Pervy-sensei, Kurama was talking to me.”

Jiraiya scowled at the nickname, “Well I guess it can’t be helped…and stop calling me that!”

“Not until you stop being a pervert!” Naruto countered.

Kurama sighed, ‘Why must these idiots always do this?’ The Biju asked, as his host and his hosts mentor began to argue.

The argument that ensued lasted for over half an hour, when they came into sight of a small village. “Face it Gaki, you will one day understand why I am a super perv-oh look the village.” Jiraiya said in bemusement.

“Thank god, I’m starving.” Naruto complained, grabbing his stomach, which growled.

“Yeah, yeah. Here’s some money, try not to get into trouble.” Jiraiya said amused, as he tossed Naruto a roll of money.

Naruto smirked, as they entered the village. “Wait, where are you going Sensei?” He asked the Toad Sage, who shrugged. “I’m going to ask around, see if anybody’s seen Tsunade.” He explained, as he walked away, before yelling over his shoulder. “We’re only passing through Gaki, don’t get too comfortable.”

Naruto grumbled a few chosen words for his sensei as he looked for a ramen shop, finding one he smiled and entered. “Welcome young traveler,” an elderly woman said kindly, before taking in his outfit. “Are you a ninja by chance?” She asked, only to receive a nod.

“Yes ma’am,” Naruto said happily.

“Really? What’s that like?” A younger woman asked, leaning forward from her stool.

Naruto shrugged, “The training is hard, but I love it.”

“You must be really strong then,” the elderly woman laughed, before asking him what he’d like.

“Three of your biggest Miso Ramen please.” The woman raised an eyebrow, but complied.

“So…” The younger woman asked. “Have you been on any difficult missions?”

Naruto laughed as he thought about Wave, “you could say that.” He shrugged.

“I’m Natta,” the woman said, extending a hand to the blonde, who shook it. “Naruto Uzumaki.”

“Nice to meet you Naruto,” Natta said happily, as she began to eat her ramen.

“Here you go,” the elderly woman said as she put the bowls of ramen on the counter.