Hey there. Chapter Ten

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 10: God Among Shinobi

"Why was there so much chakra? Could you always connect our chakras? What was the technique called?"

"Because I'm awesome. Yes, even remotely since I gave you those earrings. And I said what it was when I did it." Naruto answered the questions while moving toward the motionless paths of Pain. Tayuya growled at the simple answers as she watched Naruto begin removing the black rods from the Paths of Pain. "Before you ask if I don't remove these rods, then when your Genjutsu ends, they'll be controllable by the original Pain. All of what we did will be for not."

"I wasn't going to ask that. I asked what the name of the chakra connecting technique was!"

"You can't use it. What does it matter?"

"Tell me or-" started Tayuya holding her flute threateningly. Naruto removed all the essential chakra receivers from a second pain before turning his head to Tayuya. Tayuya lowered her flute slowly before breathing out calmly. "Please tell me."

"Well, someone is calmer. And you've been cussing a lot less lately and being nice. Ever since last night," said Naruto watching the girl's cheeks turn rosy. Naruto smiled at her cheekily. "Don't tell me the tsundere thing is-Oi! That thing hurts if you hit me!" Tayuya had taken a swipe at Naruto for what he was about to say. She missed on purpose as a smirk formed on her face. Naruto couldn't help but smile wider and oblige her request. "Tenchi Kyomei. I can augment someone's techniques by connecting my chakra to theirs."

"Wow! So this is how your chakra feels?"

"No, that's simply all I could put through your chakra coils at one time."

"What?! You have even more?" questioned Tayuya as Naruto nodded and moved on to a third path. Tayuya was still searching for the end of the chakra flowing through her now. And he was saying he had more? "You are a God. I mean, you're human but, do you even know how glad I am to..."

The musician couldn't finish her thought. She simply held her flute in one hand before encircling her arms around Naruto's neck. He was no longer supporting her, so it was necessary to stay attached to his back. Otherwise, she'd be testing the limits of her core stamina.

Naruto said nothing about her actions. There was no need to. The Jinchuriki moved rather quickly in removing all the rods before ending his connection to Tayuya. The girl frowned immediately.

"You could have let me keep the chakra. I could probably take you out with it."

"You think you could ever take me out?"

"Yes, ask me what's under your shirt."

"Uh-uh, I, well, uhmm," stammered Naruto as Tayuya grinned. Naruto stood with the girl piggybacking him. "No time. We have a bad guy to confront."

"Aww, are you scared? You might like what you see."

"I am a growing boy. I know I'll like what I see. But we have to catch the bad guy before he leaves."

"What? Boo! I don't care about bad guys anymore. You make them boring," opposed Tayuya blowing a raspberry.

"Aw, you've known that about me from the start, yet you've stuck around with your favorite maelstrom."

"You're not my favorite anything, Fishcake. And what else was I supposed to do? You're you."

"I am me indeed." Tayuya blew continuous raspberries at his arrogance. "You know you like it."

"I don't like you."

"Yeah yeah, don't like me but wants me to see what's under my shirt." Tayuya grew a Chesire grin as Naruto shook his head. "Let's go confront a bad guy first, and maybe I might," said Naruto getting Tayuya to nod to that plan. "Alrighty, Shunkan Ido."

Naruto and Tayuya vanished from the area.

(Sunagakure)

"Ah, you're still here. Hey Fu!" shouted Jiraiya popping a squat next to a seated Fu. The girl waved in greeting with a smile before turning back forward. "Still out here sparring with Gaara?"

"Yep, he's a very good training partner. His sand is so tough to get through."

"Good, but does that mean he beat you?"

"Nope, not one. But I haven't won either. They've all been ties," said Fu enjoying her momentary break. Gaara stood off to the side, resting as well. "We spar in ten-minute sessions, then take a break before going again. The score is currently 0-0-8."

"Wow, y'all have fought that many times with no victor?" Fu nodded as Jiraiya whistled. "Man, well, having fun at least?"

"Yes, Gaara-san is a great conversationalist too." Jiraiya perked up hearing such a thing.

"Gaara says nothing, ever. At least from what Naruto said and what I've seen." thought Jiraiya looked over at the redhead. The only time Gaara spoke was primarily out of necessity or asked a question. "Oh, right, forgot Fu always asks questions. Gaara must be patient as hell to answer every one of them."

"Did you need anything, Jiraiya-sama?" questioned Fu as Jiraiya shook his head.

"No, I just wanted to check in with all of you. Let you know when we're leaving," said Jiraiya as Fu looked at him expectantly. "Oh, yeah, we leave tomorrow at dawn. We have a long journey to the land of Earth where we begin the majority of our village stops." Fu nodded her head as Jiraiya frowned. "I hate repeating myself. I was trying to find all three of you collectively but, the original Naruto and his girlfriend aren't anywhere to be seen."

"Tayuya-tan isn't Naruto-sama's girlfriend."

"Pfft, could have fooled me."

"She does seem very close to him. However, I don't think they're dating." Jiraiya shrugged. "And no worries, I can help with getting Naruto-sama's attention." A second went by before Naruto appeared in the area. Fu looked at him as he turned to her. "Hi Clone-sama, Jiraiya-sama wanted to let you and Tayuya-tan know we are leaving tomorrow at dawn."

"Cool, Tayuya-chan is with original me, and he'll relay the message. Thanks, catch you later." The clone vanished as Jiraiya looked perplexed at what had just happened.

"Okay, how did you call the gaki? That was like a split second, and then he was here."

"Bijuu telepathy."

"...what?"

"Bijuu telepathy," repeated Fu, getting Jiraiya to raise an eyebrow. Seeing his confusion, Fu explained. "Naruto-sama once showed me a plane only accessible by the Bijuu. I've wanted to go back for a while because it was peaceful. And it's easier to communicate with Naruto-sama there because I can always reach him." Fu then turned to show Jiraiya her exposed midriff. Jiraiya spotted the magatama piercing on her belly button, made of the same material as Tayuya's earrings. Unlike Tayuya's, Fu's seemed to shine a dark green when the light hit it just right. "So, Naruto-sama gave me this gift earlier today. I can access the plane with it using Naruto-sama's Gakido. I can remotely steal his chakra, not enough to use but enough to enter the Bijuu plane by myself."

"Wow, the kid made that? When?"

"The morning after he told us the origin story. You were there, still in his room when he walked out with it. How did you miss it?" questioned Fu as Jiraiya shrugged.

"Guess that dummy is pretty lifelike." thought Jiraiya before realizing something. "I don't look anything like that, do I? Does Pinky have merit with the dumbass comment, huh?"

Fu was oblivious to Jiraiya's inner monologue as she looked down at the piercing.

"I like it. I wasn't sure at first but, it's cute, right?"

"I'm not one for commenting on underage girls' appearances, but, yes, it looks cute. Nice of the kid to do that," said Jiraiya before turning to Gaara. It seemed time to spar again as Jiraiya took this as his cue to leave. "Alright, well, I'm off to do Jiraiya things again. I will be by in the morning to make sure you all are up. Be sure to get some rest."

"Gotcha, Jiraiya-sama, see you then."

"That you will, toodles." Jiraiya disappeared as Fu heard Gaara speak.

"Ready when you are, Fu-san."

"Bring it on Gaara-san!"

(Earlier - Outskirts of Sunagakure)

"That boy...defeated the Six Paths."

Silence followed the line. The emaciated Rinnegan wielder couldn't believe it was that easy for him. Sound-based Genjutsu was one of the Pains' worst and only counters. And while the man knew this, he had no clue Naruto could use one on such a scale.

"I shouldn't have sent all six at once. But my respect for the boy was too high."

"The Six Paths lost?" The man's nod got his blue-haired companion to panic. She couldn't believe it. "How...how could he...we have to leave. We have to leave right-"

"We won't make it, Konan. He knows my location already from his removal of my chakra receivers," said the original Pain waiting a few minutes. They could have run but, he knew Naruto would catch them. Naruto wouldn't have taken his time like he was if he didn't think he could. "He's here."

Naruto arrived with Tayuya in an instant. Tayuya was the first to speak.

"Ewww, is he middle-aged or overaged? His face is like forty, but his body looks one hundred and thirty-four years old. How is that possible?"

"He synched with something he shouldn't have. It drained his life energy because those eyes aren't organically his," said Naruto looking at the seventh path of Pain, the original body. "Something I'll be taking back before ending his life."

"Wait, please don't-" Naruto's stare froze the woman's speech.

"I warned him of what I'd do if he went after another Bijuu. Why shouldn't I kill him now?" The tomoe of Naruto's Rinnegan spun before Tayuya gasped.

"Hige, look out!" shouted Tayuya, watching a rod jut out from the man's machine.

"If your human path couldn't rip my soul out," said Naruto grabbing the surprise projectile before snapping it in half. Naruto turned his glare back to the original Pain before teleporting in front of him. "What makes you think the rod could do anything?"

"NO!" shouted Konan, watching Naruto place a hand to the man's chest.

Naruto pulled his hand back before his eyes went wide. Pain closed his eyes as he felt Naruto grab his soul. There was nothing he could do, so he merely accepted his fate.

"No, there's no way," said Naruto lowly, having gotten all of Nagato's memories. The man's soul was visible in Naruto's palm as he couldn't believe what he had just seen. "Uzumaki Nagato. You and Konan are disciples of Jiraiya-sensei..."

"They are what? Did you just say students of dumbass?"

"Disciples of Jiraiya-sensei but, yes. And the third student was the Deva Path, Yahiko."

"Why did you stop?" questioned Nagato opening his eyes in confusion. He ignored his soul, sitting halfway out of his body, to look at Naruto. "I thought you said I was dead if I ever tried to take another Bijuu?"

"You technically are because, well, I got your soul in my hand. But I no longer think it's necessary to kill you." Nagato and Konan perked up hearing that as Naruto smiled. "I have a better way to reach your goal of peace for the world."

"A better way?"

"Of course, I am a student of Jiraiya-sensei like you, Nagato-senpai, and Konan-senpai. All pupils of the man with the coolest dream of world peace ever," said Naruto before adding some of Hiruzen's memories to the mix. The man had read Jiraiya's first book, which had a footnote about the person Naruto was staring at. "I'm named after the main character in a book you inspired. You remember, don't you?"

Nagato's eyes widened. He did remember. The Tales of The Gutsy Ninja, a story where the main character never gave up trying to attain Jiraiya's idealistic world peace dream. Nagato looked down to see Naruto putting his soul back with his palm returning to the Akatsuki leader's chest. Nagato got a quick rush of Naruto's memories as his eyes widened.

"I will have the ability in a few years. You know I will. All I ask is you give me time. My actions will speak for themselves," said Naruto as Nagato exhaled a sharp breath. Naruto restored his body to normal as he looked healthy and fit once again. "Consider this a step in breaking the cycle. Oh, and I'm sorry but, I need this." Nagato grunted in pain as Naruto disrupted his connection with the Gedo Mazo. Naruto nodded before building his chakra and taking a step back. "Kuchiyose: Gedo Mazo."

Beside Naruto, the ground opened up to reveal a colossal head. The head was attached to a humanoid being that was massive. It came roaring out of the ground before being sucked into Naruto. An entire body flew out the opening and into the Jinchuriki, who bristled at the sealing.

Naruto's blonde hair whitened entirely for a few seconds before returning to normal. Tayuya, still piggybacking Naruto, couldn't believe what she was feeling from Naruto as her earrings glowed bright pink. They were vibrating as she gawked at Naruto's chakra skyrocketing.

He wasn't using Tenchi Kyomei to connect their chakra but, Tayuya's earrings gave her all she needed to know. And what she knew was that Naruto's chakra was many times stronger than what she felt earlier.

"Hot damn, that's a lot of energy." Naruto shook from a full-body shiver before a small smile grew on his face.

"The boy's chakra! He absorbed the Gedo Mazo." thought Nagato marveling at the energy he could feel from Naruto. "It's so massive I can almost not distinguish it from the planet."

"Hige."

"Yes, Tayuya-chan?" Naruto turned his head to see Tayuya holding his gaze.

"You're a God. No more will I deny it."

"She can feel it. Her earrings are glowing in response to the Gedo Mazo's energy." thought Naruto seeing the shimmering pink earrings within Tayuya's hair. Naruto nodded to her statement before holding a hand to his gut. "Not a god but, thanks for the compliment, I guess. Now, time to make good on my word." Naruto blinked before being dragged into his mindscape. There he saw a blonde-haired man and a red-haired woman waiting for him. "Hey, tou-chan. Hey ka-chan."

The two waved to him as Naruto smiled. Before they could speak, Naruto twisted his hand in the real world, which opened his seal. His mom and dad's eyes widened as they turned to see the bars holding the Kyubi unlock before bursting open.

"Give me a second, mom and pops, be back soon," said Naruto before his dad stopped him by speaking.

"Uhh, we don't have a lot of time."

"I know, you're just leftover chakra that'll run out and disappear forever. No worries, I can sustain you both for a little while." His dad's eyes widened hearing that. Having seen Naruto's life up to this point, especially since his Rinnegan awakening, the man had no reason not to believe him. Naruto pointed to the arriving Kurama as he smiled. "Kind of made this guy a promise. Want to do it before I get all teary-eyed talking to my parents."

Naruto returned to the real world after speaking with his parents briefly. He saw everyone looking at him, considering he'd stopped for a few seconds. Naruto nodded before his chakra amped up.

"Right then, Shunkan Ido." Naruto teleported before grinning wide. "Oh man, this feels like Hagoromo again. The only difference, I'm a shinobi."

Tayuya was attached to Naruto's back, so she warped with him. Nagato and Konan weren't touching Naruto but warped with him in his teleportation. The two Akatsuki members had never been subject to one and could see a phantasm of their travel to the middle of Suna's desert.

"What? How?" questioned Konan wondering why it felt like they slowly arrived here when they already were there. She saw a machine-free Nagato standing beside her and wondering the same. "That felt instantaneous. But I could see us traveling here."

"You were already here. Your brain processes it slower to not overload your senses," said Tayuya before perking up. She didn't realize the other two also came with Naruto. "Hige, how did you teleport them? I thought you had to touch us to do so?"

Nagato smiled, knowing the answer to Tayuya's question.

"He can expand his chakra to encompass an area. This allows him to teleport the people or things within. Impressive."

"Got it in one Nagato-senpai. The Gedo Mazo, even hollow, contains more power and life energy than any of the Bijuu. And I can use it to amp anything I do," said Naruto before slamming a palm to the ground. An orange cloak of chakra surrounded Naruto before a summoning array appeared beneath his hand. The orange chakra seeped into it before the sealing array vanished. "Promise kept Kurama. Hope you like your new home."

"Stop, you're doing things and not explaining. How powerful did you get to make my earrings lose their shit like that?" questioned Tayuya tugging Naruto's cheek. She was confused at his fast-paced actions. "Why were you glowing orange with those black marks? And what was that summoning array you threw it into?"

"Tayuya-chan, I'll explain later. Right now, I have things I must do before I forget. Just remind me, and I'll tell you whatever you want to know." Tayuya begrudgingly accepted that. When Naruto had his mind convinced, one couldn't change it no matter what. Naruto smiled, seeing her oblige him as he turned to Nagato and Konan. "How about a reunion?"

Another warp put the four of them in a new area of Suna. Nagato and Konan looked around to see the Ichibi Jinchuriki battling against the Nanabi Jinchuriki. The two sparring Jinchuriki both stopped as one of them gave a cheerful greeting.

"Hi Naruto-sama, Tayuya-tan, half-naked Rinnegan guy, and Akatsuki lady," said Fu with a smile and wave to them all. Naruto and Tayuya smiled and waved back as Fu pointed to Nagato and Konan. "Why are you with Akatsuki Naruto-sama?"

"There's no need to be afraid, Fu." Tayuya climbed off Naruto's back as Fu shook her head.

"I'm not afraid. You're here." Fu would have been scared seeing Akatsuki if she was alone like the first time she met them. She wasn't this time, and better yet, it was Naruto with whom she was with. "Hi Tayuya-tan, why are you half-naked?"

"Oh, you know. Hige summoned me while I was getting dressed."

"And you're wearing his shirt?" questioned Fu getting Tayuya to blush. Before Tayuya could answer, Fu remembered what she felt earlier during her spar. Tayuya was forgotten as she turned excitedly to Naruto. "Your chakra Naruto-sama! I felt it all just earlier. It made my magatama glow and shake uncontrollably. What happened?"

"Absorbed the husk of the ten-tails." A cute tilt of the head showed Fu's curiousness.

"Husk of the ten-tails? There's a tenth Bijuu?"

"I'll tell you later. For now, Gaara!" shouted Naruto, getting the redhead to turn to him. "I can do that thing we spoke of last night now. You cool to handle it right away?" questioned Naruto getting the boy's eyes to widen. Gaara simply nodded as Naruto smiled. "Good, me, you, and Fu are about to handle that. Alright, reunion time. Shunkan Ido."

Naruto vanished from view. A second went by before he reappeared. Only, he was accompanied by a confused Jiraiya.

"What in the...oh, gaki," said Jiraiya noticing Naruto before seeing Fu and Gaara. Naruto brought him back? "Why'd you bring me back to-is pinky wearing your shirt?" Tayuya's face went completely red as Jiraiya grinned. Before he could begin his teasing, the final two in the area got his attention. Jiraiya looked over, and his heart nearly dropped. "Nagato? Konan? It can't be..."

"Hello again, Jiraiya-sensei," said Nagato as Konan gave a small wave.

"...you're both still alive? I heard you all died," said Jiraiya forgetting everything as the two before him held precedence.

"It's a long story, but we are. Konan and I are the only ones left. Yahiko is dead." Naruto got Gaara and Fu's attention.

"We're leaving." Naruto vanished with Fu and Gaara as Jiraiya looked at his students.

"Dammit, Hige just left me." thought Tayuya angrily as she didn't want to be here for this conversation either.

"I didn't forget you, Tayuya-chan, nor did I forget about needing to check what's under my shirt," said Naruto as Tayuya needed to fight down a shiver.

Naruto also teleported her out of there, leaving Jiraiya alone with Nagato and Konan.

"Tell me that story. Be sure to include the Akatsuki part if you don't mind."

Unlike Naruto's story, Jiraiya would stay and hear this story in its entirety.

(With Naruto - Sometime Later)

"And chakra is built. Alright, you ready, Gaara?" questioned Naruto, seated in a lotus position. Gaara nodded as Naruto opened his eyes. All nine tomoe spun as Naruto nodded back. "Okay, this will hurt for a second."

Gaara blinked as Naruto stood before him with a palm to his chest. The Suna nin's face twisted into one of pure shock as it felt like Naruto tore his body in half when he removed his hand. Sadly, it was kind of the truth.

Naruto had ripped the Ichibi from Gaara's body when he pulled his hand back. Gaara's eyes closed as he fell backward and died on the spot.

Fu stood to the side, watching as Naruto immediately summoned the King of Hell. Naruto's hair whitened again, and every tomoe in his eyes vanished as the King of Hell spit a green chakra blob at Gaara's motionless body. The chakra absorbed into the redhead before the boy's eyes slowly reopened.

"Hmm, Hagoromo was right. I'd have died trying this in Konoha after the invasion," said the white-haired Naruto feeling incredibly weak. The restoration of a single life took this much from him. What would the hundred-plus in Konoha have done? "Well, how do you feel?"

"...I feel like you killed me."

"Naruto-sama did kill you," informed Fu getting Gaara's eyes to widen. "He revived you a second later but, you were dead. It happens to all Jinchuriki who lose their Bijuu."

"And then I revived you. So yeah," said Naruto getting Gaara to turn to him. Naruto grabbed a lock of his white hair and saw it very slowly fading back to its usual blonde. "Took some of my vitality but, the Gedo Mazo will restore me soon."

"Shukaku...is gone," said Gaara softly, no longer feeling the Bijuu's presence within. Typically, Gaara could hear the Bijuu talking in his mind or thrashing about against his seal. Now, there was silence. "I can't believe he's gone."

"Indeed. Shukaku-kun's within me for now," said Naruto growing interesting juinjutsu markings across his body. A summoning array appeared below his feet as he put a hand to it. "And now he's not. I hope you enjoy your new home, Shukaku-kun." Naruto lost the juinjutsu markings before smiling. He then turned to Gaara. "Remember, you're Shukaku's link. Per the agreement, he'll continue to protect Suna in exchange for his freedom. All you have to do is summon him. He'll listen to you and you alone, understood?"

Gaara nodded his head before standing back up. That would help when he told the council that he no longer housed the Ichibi. Sure, he wasn't a jinchuriki but, Shukaku could be called at a whim.

They'd be okay with the idea. A full-powered Bijuu beat an unstable jinchuriki any day. Gaara was already getting used to the notion that Shukaku wasn't with him anymore.

His entire life had been with the sand tanuki terrorizing him. With that no longer there, Gaara couldn't explain the joy he was feeling. It almost got his face to twitch into a smile.

"You okay, Gaara-san?" questioned Fu, getting Gaara to look at her.

"Yes, sorry, just hard to process when it has happened," said Gaara before he turned to Naruto. "I only learned of this yesterday and expected a much longer wait. I figured I could find a way to repay you by then. Sadly, you moved faster than I expected. Please accept my verbal gratitude for the time being."

"Not a problem. And thank you. Shukaku-kun thanks you as well," said Naruto, whose hair was nearly back to normal. "So, I'm going to hang here with Fu and do her next. You can stay if you want, hang out."

"No, thank you. As much as I enjoy Fu-san's company, I believe I will sleep." And with that, Gaara bid the two of them adieu. "I hope you both enjoy your last night in Suna and the rest of your journey goes well."

"Bye Gaara-san! Sleep well!" chirped Fu as Gaara nodded to her.

"Heh, catch you later, Gaara. Contact me if you ever need anything." Gaara nodded to Naruto before vanishing in a suna shunshin. Naruto smiled heavily before smirking. "He's probably going to sleep for a few days straight. Shukaku-kun kept him restless since they'd been together."

"I know, Shukaku-kun told me."

"Oh yeah, forgot you could talk with them too," said the whitish-blonde as he nodded. Naruto realized she'd spent a lot of time conversing with the Bijuu within the plane since getting her gift. "Alright, your turn Fu. Let me build this chakra."

"Okay, Naruto-sama," said Fu taking a seat. He'd returned to his lotus position as he went about collecting nature energy. "Can you tell me more about Hagoromo's life in the meantime?"

"Sure, what do you want to hear?"

"Hmm, about his family. Did he have any?"

"Did he? Yes, his wife was smoking hot," said Naruto with a smile remembering the woman. "He had two sons too. One was awesome. The other was too but misguided. Ashura and Indra were their names. Let me tell you the one of how Hagoromo chose his successor."

Fu grinned in excitement as Naruto relayed to her the past. It would take a few hours for him to return to full power. And he chose the perfect story to make those hours breeze by.

He'd do the same to her as he did to Gaara once he was finished.

(The Next Day - Somewhere in the Land of Wind)

"This seems like a good spot to stop for the night," said Jiraiya finding a decent area for camping out.

"Dumbass." Jiraiya frowned as Tayuya shook her head. "We're in a desert. Everything's been sand since we started. It's all technically a good spot to stop."

"Whatever pinky, you know what I meant," Tayuya growled at the nickname as Jiraiya ignored her. "Just set up your tent and go to bed."

Tayuya mumbled under her breath as she did just that. Naruto and Fu had already moved to do the same thing. Tayuya pulled her tent out only to hear Naruto speak a moment later.

"Goodnight, see you all in the morning." Everyone blinked before turning to see Naruto closing his constructed tent.

"Hmm, the kid must be tired. Let's follow suit!" shouted Jiraiya getting everybody back busy. "Got a long walk to the next village."

Eventually, tents were up as the group of four settled in for the night. Once a few hours passed, Tayuya's earrings glowed pink. A poof of smoke occurred behind the girl as she heard a sleepy voice.

"Hmm, I can see why you hate that."

"Mhmm, glad you can." Tayuya turned to Naruto, hearing him speak. His eyes were closed, not that she could see in the darkness, as he breathed in and out slowly. Tayuya was staring at where she figured his face to be as she greeted him. "Hi, Hige."

"Mmm, hi Tayuya-chan," hummed Naruto keeping his eyes closed. "What's up?"

"I can't sleep."

"So you decided to wake me up to keep you company?"

"Sort of. It's just, you're the reason I can't sleep," admitted Tayuya seeing his Rinnegan open slowly and glow in the darkness. He held her gaze perfectly as she continued. "You've been acting like a pussy since yesterday. It irks me." Naruto sucked his teeth before closing his eyes again. Tayuya smiled before inching closer to the Rinnegan user. "I figured I'd ask what's up when I got the chance. You want to talk about it?"

"If I recall, the last time I tried, you told me you didn't care. This isn't a rhetorical question, is it?"

"Well, I care this time, so no, it's not rhetorical," said Tayuya lowly, getting Naruto's eyes to open again. She marveled at his Rinnegan. "As I said, you're a buzzkill like this. So, I want to help. Tell me what's going on."

"All of this is becoming too much to handle."

"What's all of this?"

"The burden of being endowed with great power. And the responsibilities handed to me because of it. What if I fail?"

"You can't fail. You're you. You're too strong to fail."

"A lack of strength isn't why I think I'll fail. What if I fail because I have too much of it?" questioned Naruto getting a raised eyebrow from Tayuya. "Nagato had this vision. Bringing world peace by creating a superweapon with the Bijuu. He would create peace by having everyone live in fear." continued Naruto as his eyes glowed brighter in the darkness. The glow was enticing as Tayuya found she couldn't look away. "The way I'm progressing, I'll be stronger than Hagoromo even without the nine Bijuu within me. I'll be in superweapon territories, and my allegiance is to a sole village. People will fear Konoha simply because I fight for it."

"You're already in superweapon territories. I mean, people hail you as a God, remember?"

"I'm reminded almost daily."

"And don't be stupid. You're as much Konoha as Konoha is you. Even if you left, you'd still protect it the same way."

"True, I guess what I'm getting at is, what if my offering of peace and its acceptance is because I scare people into it? I'd be no better than Nagato then, even if by accident."

"Hige..."

"Then there's this journey, stressing me out by being so popular. Not three months ago, I felt worthless and invisible to my own home. And now today, I'm the most popular person on the planet," said Naruto letting out his inner turmoil. The tomoe in his eyes began to spin sporadically. Tayuya took it as a physical representation of his current mental state. "Spoke with my mom and dad for the first and last time, last night. Pops told me there's someone more dangerous than Nagato trying to dominate the world. Some guy who even scares the Fourth Hokage has got to be strong." Tayuya's eyes widened. Did Naruto just say he was the son of the Yellow Flash? "I have six more Bijuu/Jinchuriki to meet and speak with. I have to figure out how to create world peace for Nagato, who returned to Amegakure to lead his people properly. Also, there are foes stronger than Hagoromo's mom likely coming to invade our planet in the not-so-distant future."

"..." Tayuya didn't know how to respond.

"I can keep going if you want. Tell me when to stop. My brain is overloading," spoke Naruto, staring into the brown eyes of Tayuya. "I wanted to ask you what was under my shirt yesterday but, I couldn't. I have work to do, and I don't think stopping to smell the roses is something I can-"

"Stop," said Tayuya getting Naruto to quiet down. Tayuya marveled at his obedience before putting a hand to his cheek. "You sound like a pussy. You know that, don't you?"

"I feel like a pussy. I didn't ask for this."

"No, but you have it, so stop bitching. You're you, right?" questioned Tayuya getting no response from Naruto. Tayuya glared at him as Naruto gave her an eye roll. Naruto nodded his head as Tayuya smiled. "Then that's all you need to know. You know who you are, I know who you are, and so does the world. Sure, you have a lot on your plate but, I know you can handle it."

"How do you know?"

"Because you force me to believe in you. You force everyone to by just being you," said Tayuya giving Naruto a small kiss. Tayuya stayed close as she continued speaking. "You're amazing. You're frighteningly strong. And you'll solve it all. I know you will. I have faith."

"Hmm, faith. Please don't start calling me God."

"Trust me. I won't. I did it the first time as a statement," said Tayuya giving Naruto another kiss. She smiled as she continued talking. "And I did it this second time to lighten the mood. I won't do it a third time unless you get grumpy again."

"I'm not grumpy."

"You look grumpy."

"I don't look grumpy."

"Yes, you do, and I can't even see." Naruto surprised her with a peck on the lips in return.

"Thank you."

"You're not welcome so, don't mention it. I'm tired of being your therapist," said Tayuya turning over before backing into Naruto. Naruto blushed as Tayuya coddled into his body nicely. She threw one of his arms around her and held it close as she closed her eyes. "Now, air out all your feelings. Get them out now, so you can stop being a pussy before we get to the next village."

"You can't seriously want to hear all of this."

"I do. It might help me fall asleep listening to your boring ass." Naruto's lips drooped into a frown.

"I'm not boring."

"'Hagoromo split the Ten-tails into nine beasts' and blah blah blah, you're boring. Only Fu finds those interesting because she's curious about everything. But you being boring is good for me right now since I'm trying to find something to fall asleep to," said Tayuya with a smile, hearing Naruto grumble under his breath. Tayuya then felt the need to address something immediately. "You better not get any ideas, by the way."

"Any ideas?"

"None of the ideas. We're not a couple. Your lips are nice, is all," said Tayuya, closing her eyes. "And I'm not easy. I need several more months to determine if you're worthy or not. Do something perverted, and I'm throwing you out of my tent."

"Hmm, you're the one who little spooned into me. I didn't summon you to my tent in the middle of the night." Tayuya's eyes snapped open as her cheeks heated up. She didn't like where Naruto was going with this. "You know, if I were a guessing man, I'd say you're the pervert. You keep kissing me and-"

"Shut up, Hige. Just talk about your feelings." Naruto laughed lightly in the girl's ear after she cut him off.

"You want to hear my feelings?"

"Yes, it'll help me sleep. Probably help you too."

"Okay, well, I feel like I want to know what was under my shirt yesterday." Tayuya smiled.

"You have to stop listening to dumbass. That line didn't sound nearly as good as you thought it did."

"Really? I'd have thought you'd turn back over and kiss my face some more."

"Hmm, maybe if I get bored, I might." Naruto laughed before shaking his head.

"Deal. Alright, so it started-"

"Boring."

And thus, Tayuya rolled over before kissing the jinchuriki some more.

(The Next Morning)

Whistling a tune to himself, Jiraiya sat before a fire, getting breakfast ready. He was usually the first one awake and took it upon himself to feed his little group.

"Well, Naruto's technically the leader of the group. He's the only reason we're on this trip in the first place." thought Jiraiya as he made breakfast. "He took out Orochimaru, destroyed the majority of his bases, defeated the leader of Akatsuki, and separated and 'rescued' three of the Bijuu. All in less than a month. The kid is a workhorse."

And it was true. Naruto had yet to take a day for himself. Even on the trip, he was still busying himself with trying to do everything. It was okay, but Jiraiya didn't want his latest student to lose himself.

"Sometimes, you got to relax. I'll make sure he slows down during this trip. We have a lot of places to hit in the next part of the world so, it should help him." thought Jiraiya as he smiled to himself. "And I'll make sure the kid has someone to talk to about all of this. In fact, I'll go get him now."

"Good morning, Jiraiya-sensei."

"Good morning," said Jiraiya absentmindedly as he waved to Naruto. Naruto waved back as the Sannin looked at Naruto's tent. "Alright, let me go wake him up and see if he-" Jiraiya stopped himself as he turned back to see Naruto sitting on the other side of the fire. He looked relaxed as Jiraiya quirked an eyebrow. "You look a lot better. Sleep good?"

"Thank you. I feel a lot better. And sleep, no, I didn't get much of it." Jiraiya's confusion was palpable as Naruto smiled. "But, what I did get was great. You made breakfast?" Jiraiya nodded as Naruto nodded back. Naruto held the ram seal before beginning to get plates out. "Tayuya-chan and Fu should be coming out shortly. Want some help in doling out the meals?"

"Go for it." Naruto smiled again before doing just that.

"Good morning Naruto-sama!" Fu emerged from her tent first as Naruto greeted her. The chipper girl was enthusiastic as usual as she turned to Jiraiya. "Good morning Jiraiya-sama! Thank you for breakfast."

"Good morning Fu and no problem." Jiraiya watched the tanned-skin girl get her plate from Naruto before settling down to eat.

"Good morning, dumbass." Jiraiya frowned as he turned to see Tayuya emerge from her tent as well.

"Tayuya-chan," said Naruto getting her plate ready as the musician grumbled under her breath.

"...fine, good morning, Jiraiya-sama," said Tayuya putting on a smile before dropping it immediately. She then walked over to Naruto before planting a huge kiss on him, right in front of Fu and Jiraiya. Naruto's eyes were wide as Tayuya looked at Jiraiya and Fu while pointing to the blonde. "Just a boy toy. We're not dating. Got it?"

"Got it!" shouted Fu, who went back to eating her breakfast.

Jiraiya smirked before nodding his head as well. He merely pulled out his notepad before writing a few things down.

"If I end up in one of your perverted books, even as inspiration, I want 30%." Jiraiya blinked hearing what Tayuya said.

"10%."

"30%."

"15%."

"Hige, could you-"

"No, I'm still not getting between you and sensei," said Naruto handing the girl her plate as he began making his own. "What you and he discuss are what you and he discuss."

Tayuya pouted as Jiraiya grinned.

"10%"

"What the hell?! You can't go down!" shouted Tayuya, grumbling a few swears before she sat beside Naruto to eat.

"Not going to keep negotiating with him, Tayuya-chan?"

"Shut up and eat your food. I'm going to teach you how to play the shamisen first chance I get once we're out of this stupid desert."

"What else are you going to teach him?" questioned Jiraiya getting Tayuya to choke on the food in her mouth. Jiraiya grinned before throwing more fuel on the fire. "Or what did you teach him last night? You know these tents aren't nearly as private as you think."

"Fucking pervert." Tayuya's face was a deep red as she turned away from everyone to eat.

Naruto just smiled as he shook his head. The training trip was getting to be a little fun now.

"20%, and I'll tell you what she taught me, sensei." Tayuya's jaw dropped as Jiraiya grinned.

"You got a deal, kid." Tayuya just turned to Naruto with a deadpan stare.

"...I don't like you. I don't like you, Hige. I hope you know that." Naruto just laughed in response.

He was beginning to enjoy this trip.

Thanks for Reading

A/N: There will be a time skip at the start of the next chapter. Their journey takes them through many places, but the chapters will only focus on the three other main villages. I hope you all enjoy the montage of events. There should be several more chapters until the 'training trip' is complete so, there will be an omake following each one until then. Like the one below. Happy reading if you keep going. If not, I'm just glad you got here.

Omake: When the Night Crawls II

(First Lesson)

"I don't like you," said Tayuya with an irritated growl. She heard snickers from Naruto and got madder. "Seriously, I don't like you. Twelve minutes?! Why does it sound so good already?"

"You're a good teacher, Tayuya-chan."

"Shut up. I didn't ask you to talk." Naruto laughed again.

She'd finally had time to get to teaching Naruto how to play the shamisen she'd bought him, and he learned how to do soon immediately. The song he was playing was perfect. Tayuya couldn't find any fault in anything he was doing.

"It's the eyes, isn't it? You're copying what I was doing, huh?" questioned Tayuya as Naruto remained silent. He continued playing the melody she showed him as she grabbed his collar. "Answer me! Are you just copying me?"

"You asked me not to talk, right?" Tayuya blinked when she heard Naruto's voice in her head. "And no, I'm not copying what you were doing. The guitar is just easy."

"It's not a guitar!" shouted Tayuya shaking the blonde. She grumbled a few swears under her breath before releasing him. "If it's so easy, play something else."

"Okay. What do you want me to-"

"Stop talking in my head! You can talk." Naruto laughed again before getting an idea.

"Hey, do you think I can use this in a battle?"

"In battle? I mean, it's pretty sturdy but, if you break my gift over an enemy's head, I'll break my foot off in your ass."

"I didn't plan on hitting someone with it."

"Oh, then how do you..." Tayuya trailed off when she realized what Naruto meant. She laughed in his face. "Please. Playing a song is one thing. Using a Genjutsu is a whole different thing. It's complicated."

"Or, I could copy you."

Tayuya froze when Naruto played a particular chord infused with his chakra. Her mind blanked, and she could no longer feel her body. Everything that mattered to her no longer mattered anymore. Because the only thing she could think about was-

"Tayuya-chan!"

The Genjutsu expert blinked before noticing where she was. She was cradling Naruto's head to her chest as he'd been forced to stop playing. The girl was confused by her actions but never released his head.

"What just happened?"

"I used a Genjutsu. You fell into a trance," informed Naruto with a muffled voice. The girl was still hugging him to her chest. "In your trance, you walked over and tried to suffocate me. Which, if I were going to die, what a way to go."

"Hehe, I'm sorry," said Tayuya, releasing Naruto from her bosom. "Did you mean to do that?"

"I did but, I don't know why you reacted like that. Maybe I didn't copy your Genjutsu correctly. Did you see anything?"

"You don't know what I was looking at?"

"It didn't look like you were looking at anything. Your eyes glazed over for a few seconds, and then you hugged me."

"Do it again."

"You sure?"

"Please, just do it." Naruto obliged her.

Naruto played the chord again. And just like the last time, nothing mattered to Tayuya anymore. The only thing she could see was Naruto's Rinnegan and a silhouette of his figure. His powerful eyes were what got her. They were looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. There was a feeling-

"Tayuya-chan!" shouted Naruto, snapping the girl out of it for a second time. "You're doing it again."

"I saw it again." thought Tayuya, looking down at the whiskered face settled in her chest. She cradled his head before shifting it back slightly. Staring at him, Tayuya couldn't get the Genjutsu out of her head. "I was so happy. I could feel it. I think I'm in..."

Tayuya didn't finish the thought. She merely held Naruto's gaze. Naruto was growing curious.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What did you see?" questioned Naruto before Tayuya kissed him. She took her time and enjoyed the liplock. Eventually, the kiss ended, and she rested her forehead against Naruto's. "Uhmm?"

"Don't worry about it, Hige-kun. Just keep playing," said Tayuya before giving him another quick smooch. She slid to Naruto's back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't do the Genjutsu again. Just play the shamisen. I like hearing what you play."

"Yes, ma'am."

The sounds from Naruto's shamisen were the only noises heard.

(End)