Naruto / Tsunade's POV (Traveling - Fire Country)

  Naruto groaned tiredly as he woke up, confused as to when he had fallen asleep. His eyes were facing the sky, and his entire body ached deeply, more so than he was used to. He could earnestly say he had never been as tired as now. But he was glad to see he was alive. His mind seemed to finally catch up, the tired fog cleared in an instant. The thoughts of the battle previously held snapped into his mind. He attempted to race up to his feet but realized he couldn't move! His mind raced as he figured he was somehow restrained. His attack had failed, and the man must've taken him! He once again attempted to move, but his body was numb. Drugged, the captors had drugged him then! He wasn't in a building based on the moving outside sky. It was moving; he must be in the process of being carried away!

  "Ino! Neji! Kakashi! Where are you? Are you okay? Some creep is carrying me off!" Naruto roared as he desperately attempted to move any part of his body.

  "Hey bastard, don't make any assumptions. Especially when youse is talking about the Boss. At least if ya know what's good for ya." A gravelly voice responded.

  Naruto's eyes widened considerably as he realized he wasn't alone. Yet the voice didn't sound like the giant sword guy. His willpower allowed him to move his head to the side to stare at the man. He had short, red, buzzed hair. His eyes were green and heavy, underlined by bags. His features were sharp, sticking out amidst a flurry of freckles. A lit cigarette rested in his mouth, the man puffing repeatedly with no hands. He wore a kimono left undone tied at his waist, and his upper body was covered in bandages. On his wrist was a scroll wrapped around it so the blank side was exposed. Showing a small seal in the center.

  "Bastard, don't ya know it's rude to not answer?" He started angrily, drawing a dagger from the kimono as he approached the blonde. Naruto was helpless as the man lowered the point to his throat.

  "Screw you, bastard! Where are you taking me!" Naruto demanded defiantly.

  The man chuckled at Naruto's counter with his own tick. "I like your spunk, ya bastard." He countered happily. "Ya can relax though; Boss saved the lot of youse. Personally, I don't care much about shinobi, buncha entitled hypocrites in my opinion. Would've probably let the bunch of youse die. But the Boss says we gotta help out the Leaf. So here we are." He flicked the tiny bit of cigarette off the white surface they stood on. He draws another from the scroll on his wrist and lights it with his finger. "The Boss told me to come grab her and youse. So I brought the manager to get youse home safe and sound."

  "Manager? Boss?" Naruto asked, confused by the strange smoking man. The hell was he talking about, why was he talking this way? Where the hell was the others.

  "She did mention you were unconscious. Shame you missed what was sure to be an epic ass-kicking. Well, at least youse had the honor of being saved by The Big Boss Tsunade. I'm the number two man of said greatness, Dez the Smoker. Your everyday thug." He said with a smirk.

  Naruto's eyes widened when he heard the name of their savior. He may have never been a book nerd, but there weren't many female shinobi as renowned as Slug Sannin Tsunade. "Wait, so who's the Manager?"

  "That would be me, young sir." A female voice quietly interjected. Naruto and Dez both turned to see a basketball-sized slug on the ground facing them.

  "Mam!" Dez dropped so quickly to the ground that his cigarette went out.

  Naruto merely raised an eyebrow at this, shocked at the man's reaction.

  "Your manager is a tiny slug?" He asked, confused. "Is it like a all knowing sensei or something?"

  "I am indeed a slug, though I doubt many would call me tiny. I am named Katsuyu. This is merely a small portion of myself, used for current communication with you. The rest of me is currently carrying you and your friends. You're actually riding another section of myself." Katsuyu explained.

  "What do you mean?" Naruto asked.

  "If you'd like, Dez, show him. It will be a bit simpler than explaining." Katsuyu asked, the slugs' tone somehow polite and demanding.

  "Right away, Mam!" Dez hollered, jumping up, picking up Naruto with both arms and holding him over his head.

  "Put me down you…" Naruto was stunned into silence as he saw where he was. The team was riding on a glamorous white slug with three blue stripes on its back. It was quickly the size of a large mountain sliding through the forest they had traveled through to arrive at the mission. The slug looked fairly innocuous except for its ability to crush trees beneath it with no complaint. He had heard about summoning creatures. Even the tale of Katsuyu, the acidic slug known to be in the service of Tsunade. But the stories and reports did not do it justice. Something like this could destroy villages! His eyes strained as he looked for his friends. Further up the slug, Ino and Neji were resting, both sitting up and awake. Kakashi was there too but, unlike the others, was unconscious.

  "Thank God. I was worried about them. Are they hurt?" Naruto asked as he finally relaxed a bit.

  "Well, youse all had been thoroughly beat down by the time Boss ran off the bastards," Dez added as he held the blonde. "Time to put you down."

  "Hold on, at least bring me to my friends!" Naruto hollered as it looked like Dez prepared to slam him.

  "No way in hell, ya dirty shinobi bastard!"

  "Dez, please help the boy." Katsuyu interferes softly.

  "Damnit, yes, mam." He said grumpily as he continued carrying the immobile blonde. Now, walking him over to them as the miniature Katsuyu faded into the original. "Ya lucky the Manager is so kind."

  "Whatever, bastard," Naruto replied with a smug grin. He expected a poor reaction from the temperamental man, but he merely dryly chuckled instead.

  "Not bad, brat. But that's my word! Ya, absolute bastard!" Dez replied as he threw the blonde savagely into the resting Ino and Neji. The three turn to a ball of limbs as their instincts fail them in their exhausted bodies. They manage to untangle in a few minutes, all three glaring at Dez. The man merely smiled as he walked towards the back of the slug. Joining Tsunade, standing on the back, seemingly prepared for some unseen ambush.

  "Naruto! You're okay! I'm so glad, I didn't think we'd make it." Ino called as she hugged the prone blonde. Holding him close, she whispered, "We must discuss what you did. But I'm going to let it go for now. I'm simply too happy we're all okay." She almost cried before letting go of the blonde and sitting back, seemingly allowing Neji some chance.

  "Naruto… I'm sorry." He said, simply looking down, ashamed. "Before, I had failed you both as comrades simply due to my arrogance. Now, I fail due to incompetence. I left Ino to battle a Jounin on her own. Arrive after you have been beaten down. I just want to be shut down as if I'm nothing. I'm supposed to be some genius, yet I'm nothing more than an arrogant failure."

  "Neji… I'm sorry, too, Naruto. If it wasn't for you getting back up, we would've all died," Ino said dejectedly.

  Naruto felt lost for a moment before he smiled slightly. "I guess we're all failures then, huh?" Neji and Ino both stared back, stunned before Ino smiled back.

  "We'll have to work harder to make sure next time that bastard comes, we can kick his ass!" Ino is now fired up. She didn't truly feel better but recognized that Naruto was attempting to uplift them. Neji looked confused by the two before he gave an exhausted smile.

  "I suppose that is logical… if not a bit simple," Neji added. The three then grew silent. It wasn't necessarily awkward; there was more tension in the air. All three young adults seemed to be inside their minds.

  "I… I don't know how to go about this sensitively. But I can't stop thinking about it." Naruto broke the silence.

  "What do you mean, blondie?" Ino asked.

  "I-I was outnumbered, and I kept giving them outs. I tried to let them go… But they wouldn't back down. So I killed one of them. Some woman, she couldn't stop me, and I… I killed her… just because it was easier. I could've tried to restrain them. But I was too worried about you guys, so I cut her down like some kind of sick fuck!" Naruto yelled, his voice breaking throughout the shout.

  "I… I did too…" Ino mumbled simply. "I was so terrified I did what it took to get out. I didn't even realize I intended to kill until I did. But we did what we had to do, Naruto." She finished softly.

  "She's correct. It seems we all did such today. We were prepared for this day, though." Neji added. "I agree it was excruciating. I never expected it to be so surreal myself. But we must steel our hearts as shinobi. We will be expected to kill when told. This will not be the last time."

  Ino nodded quietly at this. But Naruto sighed dejectedly, was that truly the answer?

  "Sure, if you have no other choice but… just because they're from somewhere else, we should kill them?" Naruto dejectedly asked, some level of disgust in his voice. "I get we have to defend ourselves and homes… but this doesn't feel right."

  "It's the job, Naruto. I agree it's not ideal, but… Well, they were going to kill us." Ino countered. "Maybe worse…"

  "We must do what the village asks us to do." Neji finished simply. "Even if it wasn't the case it was justified. I doubt this will escape any of our minds soon, but I will find solace in the knowledge we did not seek to kill, merely were forced into it…"

  Naruto stares up into the sky at that statement. "Well, when I become Hokage, I'll make things better, " he says simply.

  "What are you gonna achieve world peace?" Ino asks with a smile. Neji is staring a bit intently at Naruto when he starts.

  "If that's what it takes, believe it," Naruto stated confidently. "I just can't accept this is what being a shinobi is, maybe I'm naive. But the idea that this bloodshed is normal? It makes me sick…"

  "Hmph, and here I thought your task of changing my clan would be hard. Now, you intend to end all wars?" Neji inquired.

  "I don't just intend to become a Hokage or be famous. I intend to become the best Hokage. Make the place I love the best it can be. Earn people's admiration and trust. Whatever it takes. So, if I gotta end war or change the traditions of some old-fashioned clan, I will. I refuse to give up or back down regarding my dream. Never giving up is my nindo, ya know?" The two teammates smile at this, and the three settle into a comfortable silence.

  "Maybe that's why we do what we do." Ino interjected breaking the silence for a moment. "Because we feel the need to protect what we have, allow it to grow. Our enemies… it's never crossed my mind but their motivation is the same. Maybe just doing our best to minimize it all is enough?"

  Neji nor Naruto had a good reply to that.

  X-X

  Tsunade's POV

  Tsunade and Dez stood ready at the back of Katsuyu. Both were tense, as if they were waiting for an inevitable fight. Though Tsunade mostly was doing it for show. The two criminals had clearly thought this an easy mission. Seeing a famed fellow S-Rank shinobi had proven quite the wrench. Tsunade doubted they'd take the risk of facing her again. As the two silently waited a small form of Katsuyu emerged from the hide of itself behind the two. It spoke silently."They still appear to be tracking us, Tsunade-sama. Their chakra is potent and foul, and as such, it is easy enough to detect. Should they choose to attack us, things will become difficult." The slug reported. "They likely even alone would prove a considerable threat, together they may well prove to be enough."

  "Ain't that the truth? You are the strongest Big Boss, but those two are truly dangerous. Not to mention that even if Katsuyu and I worked together, either of those bastards would likely make short work of us. It'd be two-on-one. After only a short while, in others words a losing battle." Dez informed, taking a significant drag as he and Katsuyu waited for Tsunade's opinion. "Makes me wonder why they ain't taking their chance…"

  "First off, stop calling me boss, you damn chimney," Tsunade said with a glare at her number two. "Secondly, we should be fine; they likely are just observing to see if they should take a second shot. Once we get close enough to the village, they will fall back. Just keep up the confident guard a little longer…" As if the words were prophecy, all three relaxed as they felt the two robust signatures falling back. Apparently not willing to risk the trouble.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "I know those Leaf dudes are supposed to be some big shots. But what kinda kid is worth the trouble of tangling with Big Boss?" Dez pondered.

  "It is rather strange, Tsunade-sama. If they wanted to kill them, it seems odd that they would manage to last until we arrived." Katsuyu agreed.

  "The blonde is a jinchuriki. I believe the son of Kushina Uzumaki." Tsunade replied with a slight frown. "I always hated sticking those destructive beasts into kids."

  "Hmm, I've heard of them; they are quite powerful. But the two of them were infamous S-rank shinobi. It seems odd that they would want him when they are already on top of the world. Not to mention those cloaks. Weren't we looking into a group with black cloaks with red clouds? Bastards are supposed to be real tough guys." Dez continued.

  "Akatsuki is their name. We're looking into them because the criminal world has info that all of their members are S-rank missing ninjas. Shinobi would be a red flag to all the villages and our business in their caliber gathering. However, considering how hard it is to get substantial info on them, the fact they want at least the Nine-Tails, and the power they already yield, It's doubtless they are something we should look out for. We'll have to report this to sensei." Tsunade concluded.

  "Ah, the old bastard himself, wonder how good his tobacco is. The rich guys always have the nicest smokes." Dez said with a crooked smile.

  "You're lucky I don't break your spine for smoking those around me. You realize how incredibly toxic they are to your health, right?"

  "Smoke if you got 'em. What's my old man always told me anyway." Dez said as he removed his spent cigarette and replaced it.

  "Well, then you got guard duty. Katsuyu, you are not keeping him company. Let him enjoy his smokes in peace!" Tsunade ordered, annoyed.

  "Oh, come on, Big Boss! Don't be such a cruel dame!" Dez called out pitifully.

  "For that last comment, you are banned from smoking for the rest of the day!" Tsunade hollered as she stomped to the front of Katsuyu.

  Dez whined as he sat and held up a hand sign, sadly throwing the lit cigarette he had. "Smoke Style: Drifting Smokey Gaze!" As he said this, he exhaled his last drag. It came in clumps that resembled eyes. He was annoyed with the punishment, but Big Boss ran a tight ship. He should've known to keep his head down. The nail that sticks up gets hammered, after all.

  "There! Now, no bastards will sneak up on us! Big Boss is gonna be proud of me!"

  "I'm sure Big Boss will…" Katsuyu said politely as her more diminutive form merged into the larger one. Politely leaving the man to his solitude at the back of the slug.

  Juzo's POV (Nearby Naruto's Group)

  Juzo growled as he and Kisame sat back as their targets retreated into the distance. Juzo wanted to scream in rage, he was not a man used to retreating. In the Mist such foolishness was not accepted. He was usually more careful, but he had gotten arrogant against the Genin. The target had been the only one of them to even touch him. Yet he had landed quite the blow. Oh Juzo was about to pay him back for it ten-fold. Then that damn bimbo had gotten involved!

  "Hahaha, not a bad fight at all. Well, for me anyway, it looked like you not only got your ass kicked by a woman, but the kid seems to have teed off on you as well. Bad day, I assume? HAHA!" Kisame gut laughed as he pointed at Juzo. Juzo growled as he looked down at his chest. Leader-san gave them substantial power-ups once they joined the team. Most of them were incredibly hard to kill now. Yet alone injure significantly. Even the legendary busty Sannin's powerful hit had healed quickly. Yet a dark red scar had settled on his chest where the kid's attack had landed did not. Somehow even with his healing working overtime, it wouldn't fully recover. As a shinobi, he was no stranger to scars. The fact that it was given by a Genin however was shameful.

  "Stop badgering me, Kisame-san. I think that damn kid will be in trouble in a couple of years. I think we risk it against the Sannin. Better than letting him get stronger." Juzo growled as he gripped Kubikiribocho hatefully.

  "You're just mad a woman beat you around. I'm jealous; a woman who's that powerful is a rarity. To trash you, she must've been a tougher nut than Kakashi. Hell, she puts most men to shame. Samehada was begging for a taste." Kisame replied. "But she is powerful and worse yet difficult to put down. I've heard her healing techniques are the only thing that surpasses her physical strength. Besides, I know you sense she has brought another Jounin with her. Just not worth the risk. Leader-sama ordered us to withdraw if we met substantial resistance."

  "Damn whore landing a cheap shot on me… fine. She's dead next time, though." Juzo replied. He then eyed the former swordsman of the mist. Deciding to be blunt, he started. "I remember when we were first partnered, and I feared for my life. Few shinobi in the world can stand up to the Tailless Beast. Yet you respect our Leader to the highest degree. I've followed him since he's made us rich and safe. Life as a missing ninja isn't glamorous. But what on earth makes you follow? A wild beast who betrayed his own master. Being a loyal shinobi for another doesn't make sense to me."

  "That's right, you haven't met him in person yet. Before him, I thought I was the strongest shinobi in this world... Even as I met the rest of you. All of you were more than a fight. Yet I was confident if it came down to it. I could and would kill any of you." Kisame said casually. Juzo flinched at the reminder his partner could likely kill him without much of a struggle. "But then I met him… I had demanded a meeting with him. Pushed the issue when he tried to dismiss it. A challenge of leadership, if he had allowed me to get away with it, worst yet back then the smaller group back then would've likely fallen apart. He had no choice…

  We finally met face to face; his chakra alone was imposing. Samehada wanted no part of tasty chakra for the only time in my life. But I've never been a coward, nor do I fear death. I charged him, unleashing my full power. Every trick Samehada and I had was used. Even a few new ones, once I realized there was no chance at victory. But he crushed me thoroughly. Had me at his mercy, I never felt so ashamed! But then he asked me one question, my dear Juzo. He asked me: Will you serve as God intended for you? Such a pompous statement, and yet I believed him in that moment. I serve because I know as long as someone like him is leading this thing. That no goal will be too high, no law can hold us, and more than anything else…" Kisame said with a maniac smile as he faced his ally. "He'll just let me do what I love to do. Kill powerful opponents and allow Samehada to feast on their substantial chakra!"

  "What about the Sound shinobi being confirmed under the Snake," Juzo asked.

  "Truly? How did you find out? They're just some pipsqueak village, after all." Kisame questioned.

  " When I began my ambush on the Nine Tails, they were locked in battle with him. It seemed the jinchuriki had won by the time I arrived. Saw they were marked with scales. A subtle design, but the Snake can't help but mark his property somehow. Could be a lead to the Snake."

  "Interesting, so one of our two traitors formed their village. Leader-sama will love to hear this." Kisame said with excitement.

  Juzo was silent as he pondered both situations. Kisame was no normal shinobi; he may very well be the most powerful shinobi to come from the Mist today. He was known across the world for his powerful mastery of water ninjutsu, unique and powerful blade, and endless chakra. Juzo was truly dumbfounded that the Leader had defeated him with ease. At the very least, he was sure he had made the right choice when he had joined.

  Kisame and he settled into a meditative pose. Discussing their failure among their peers would not be fun, but it was merely a minor setback. At least now, he could push for a more substantial attempt next time.

  Orochimaru's men being there had certainly been a surprise but he had managed to kill at least one of them. Doubtful, it would hamper the man much. But the Leader had insisted if they ran into Orochimaru or someone related, they would kill them with no exception. He had no gripe with Orochimaru personally, as a cautious man he understood attempting to escape. But knew the value of dealing with threats, and knew better now than to betray their leader. Though he'd ensure get his revenge against the Brat Blonde and the Busty Blonde. Kubikiribocho would taste both of their blood.

  Various POV'S (Traversing - Land of Fire)

  Tsunade's POV

  Tsunade sighed as she watched over the three Genin, who seemed quiet. It was to be expected her team had reacted similarly after one of their missions had gone wrong; what Jiraiya would have excitedly said went "tits up." Indeed, she shouldn't be concerned. But she had a soft spot for kids. Especially after Niwaki had passed. She would have to keep a lot of them out of the dumps. She wouldn't be sure how she would handle it if they got all sappy. "So let me ask you all something." She started. "Why the hell were you all fighting instead of trying to escape? I could feel each of you engage him when it should have been obvious none of you stood a chance in hell."

  "I didn't even think I was just trying to protect Naruto," Ino answered quietly.

  "I, too. I know we were likely to perish in the process, but shinobi must fight to their last breath. And I will not leave behind comrades." Neji responded simply. Tsunade watches the last one as he seems to think.

  "I…" Naruto started. "At first, I had no choice. But when Ino and Neji arrived, they tried to save me. I could tell they were trying to buy me time to escape, but I would never leave them like that." Naruto stated confidently.

  "If I hadn't arrived, the only thing that would've done is ensure all of your deaths. A shinobi knows when to retreat. Your heart said you couldn't retreat and leave your comrades, but you must be realistic." Tsunade countered. "If not for me, they would've died shortly after you, all for nothing…"

  "Realistic?!" Naruto roared angrily.

  "Yes, realistic. We are shinobi. We risk our lives and take others' lives as tools for our villages. All you can do is do your best to survive. Do you truly want to die?" She asked with a frown.

  "So that's realistic, huh…we're all tools?" Naruto started darkly. "No. I won't see it that way. Everyone is someone important. Perhaps I will be killed one day. But I won't live my life fearing my death!"

  "Then you'll die!" Tsunade countered hotly.

  "If I die from pursuing my dreams and beliefs, then so be it!" Naruto countered as he stood, even in his exhaustive state.

  "Why die for mere ideals?!"

  "Because I will become Hokage! I'll protect the people I care about and will never kill unless I have no choice. I refuse to be some kinda tool!"

  "THAT IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD!" Tsunade screamed as she lifted the blonde by the collar. Ino called out worriedly. Neji attempted to stand but was merely too tired to rise.

  "Then I'll change the world, " Naruto said defiantly, shoveling his face toward the older woman. There was a tense standoff as the two glared into each other's eyes, neither seeming keen on backing down.

  X-X

  Naruto's POV

  "Now, please don't hurt my cute Genin. I've grown quite attached." A calm voice interrupted the tense scene. Kakashi walked up to the two and gently removed them from one another. Naruto fell to the ground, seemingly too excited to see his sensei to be angry now. Meanwhile, Tsunade seemed to be a bit stunned, barely reacting to Kakashi's interruption. Before she stomped off toward the head of Katsuyu.

  "I see my troublemaker is still making enemies… terrifying enemies," Kakashi said affectionately, rubbing the young man's angry head. Flawlessly dodging Naruto's attempts to bite him for it. "A few things, Team Seven." Kakashi started, and immediately, the group of young adults went silent. Naruto growled but settled down. "So let's discuss the mission a little bit. We're not too far off from home anyway. I'll handle the report; do not worry about failing the mission. There wasn't much we-"

  "Actually, if you are referring to the bandit camp you all were fighting at, then you should know I went to clear them out myself after I had arrived, but the runt's clones had already captured and restrained the bandits! Big Boss had already sent for a pick-up for them, so no worries," Dez called from his position about twenty feet away at the back of the snail.

  "Hmm, well then, my statement shall be even easier then…" Kakashi said as his voice took a grave turn. "Ino and Neji, you fought and nearly died trying to protect Naruto from a threat you could not stop. Naruto, you could have escaped while your allies bought you time. You also decided on your lonesome to challenge opponents and even launched an assault on the camp during our ambush. I must say my cute Genin… you've all made me incredibly proud." Kakashi finished. "I'm sorry you all had to suffer due to my inability to assist you." The three, expecting a telling-off, were shocked.

  "But Kakashi, we risked ourselves. I thought you would be upset." Ino asked as the other two still seemed shocked.

  "Perhaps, ne? But if we were ambushed, there was no way things would go easily. And yes, by shinobi protocol, you all should have acted less compassionately. But I believe my students should walk their own path. See, shinobi who risk the mission are scum. However the true scum is those who would abandon their comrades. This is something that many shinobi, including myself, learn. Often in the worst way possible. So, if you only learn one thing from today, let it be that. Comrades are your greatest treasure and number one concern out in the field. Never let the mission compromise what you believe in. Such is my nindo." Kakashi explained as they approached the village. "Now head on straight home. Tsunade and I will report to the Hokage. Once we do and your pay is decided. I will bring it to you and let you know when our next meeting is." Kakashi commanded as the slug dispelled as they climbed off. Tsunade, Kakashi, and Dez all poofed as their bodies flickered away. The three stood momentarily, conflicted on what to do. Neji started walking first.

  "Farewell for now, friends. I will be expected to report now that I am home." Neji stated as he walked. Before he stopped for a second. "I'm sorry once again, Naruto. Next time, you will not stand alone."

  X-X

  Ino's POV

  The two blondes watched as he walked away. The blonde didn't feel good seeing Neji like this. But I knew from personal experience that the Hyuga was tough. He would be alright. Excited to tell his mother about the mission, Naruto was about to say farewell. But upon matching eyes with Ino, he was surprised to see quite the serious look on her face.

  "Naruto, can we have that talk?" Ino asked seriously. Naruto, having a feeling of what exactly she wanted to discuss, nervously nodded as he followed her up on the roofs of the Leaf village. The two landed on a decent-sized one that towered over the academy. They stared down at it while it seemed they both gathered their minds.

  "There are two things I wanted to discuss. Firstly, I'm sorry we couldn't help you. I tried my hardest, but he was too damn strong. No… we were too weak…" Ino explained sadly. She felt so ashamed to have been that weak. She would convince her father to give her some extra training. Neji was right again. Ino went to say as such but stopped as she met Naruto's blue eyes. She had always been confident, but she could barely look the fellow blonde in his eyes in moments like this. They were too honest; she could see too much.

  "There's no need to feel bad. He was something else. Besides, I would rather it be me than either of you." He said simply. Seemingly missing Ino tensed up beside him. She felt a flare of anger but pulled it back. Was this related to the pain Neji had mentioned before? How was Naruto so calmly suggesting his own death was preferably to theirs?

  "Don't you know how scary it was to be helpless when he hurt you, Naruto?" Ino asked. "One of my friends was about to be mutilated, and all I could do was scream for you to stand. I cried pitifully when I thought he was gonna hurt you. I never knew I could feel so useless. So I-" Ino was interrupted when Naruto suddenly hugged her. He had wrapped her up tightly. His grip was innocent; it didn't linger or roam as other men had attempted. Somehow, that made her blush.

  "As I said, it wasn't your fault. And I think I get what you mean. I'm sorry, but I can't back down when people I care about are hurt." Naruto countered gently.

  "It hurts just as much to watch you get hurt!" Ino said, now fed up with his Blaise attitude towards his life. Pulling away from the blonde with an unnoticed anger.

  "True, but if I didn't live that way, I wouldn't wanna live," Naruto stated. This drove Ino into silence. She still felt strongly against it but wasn't sure how to counter his point. Naruto glanced over and saw the conflict on her face. "Look, how about this? I promise I'll get strong enough that something like that will never happen again!" Naruto said happily.

  This confounded Ino even further but did knock her out of her silence. "How can you promise that? That guy was probably at least as strong as Kakashi. Possibly even stronger. How will you get that strong? How can anyone?"

  "The answer is simple but not easy, ya know?" Naruto asked with a smile. "Mom tells me you simply never give up. Besides, you and Neji are super talented! We'll probably kick their asses next time!"

  "You're such a momma's boy, blondie," Ino said with a smile as she relaxed slightly. His answers were simple and seemingly arrogant, yet unlike many she had known, they were fully honest. She flinched as she remembered what she must ask him. She frowned as she went for it. "Naruto, " She asked as she turned and faced him. You're a jinchuriki, aren't you?"

  AN

  Remastered: Pleasantly surprised that this chapter didn't require much work as the previous ones. Can tell I was improving at least a little bit by now. Hope you enjoyed, feel free to leave feedback, Peace~!