Kusari no Naruto

Twenty Sixth Link

"Do you have to be so dour kid?" Jiraiya complained as the two made their way along the wide, well-paved road that marked Fire country's main highway. "If I wanted pensive and introspective from my companions, I would have brought along Sarutobi-sensei's killjoy son."

Naruto shot him an irritated glance before looking ahead again. "Because I have so much to be happy about, right?"

Jiraiya prodded him in the chest. "And what, exactly, do you have to be un-happy about? Your training's going well. You have unparalleled control of your Bijuu for your age. You're nearly tall enough that I'll have to stop calling you shrimp. And I've heard things are starting to heat up between you and your little sub friend." That earned him a scathing look or irritation. "Best of all, you get to be out here with me on this glorious day!"

He gestured in his usual flamboyant way and Naruto felt the annoyance drain out of him. Kami, he was actually getting used to the buffoon.

"Yes, out here on a mission with you. The track record for those seems to leave me either; bored, wanting to kill somebody, actually killing somebody, getting attacked by the Akatsuki, or some combination of the above. Which will it be today I wonder?"

"Well that's a pessimistic way of looking at it," Jiraiya mused, his face hardly reflecting the sentiment as he grinned unashamedly. "But if you're that concerned about getting attacked…"

"Not what I said," Naruto clarified quickly, although Jiraiya ignored him and soldiered on.

"…then you'll be happy to know this will be as boring as they come. Just some border dispute way up in the north. Normally something I wouldn't even trouble myself over, but it pays to be especially cautious when it comes to Rice Country. Ol' Snake-face can be a tricky player, and even the slightest things can indicate what he's up to."

"Like what?" Naruto wouldn't admit it to the man, but he did actually find components of his spy-network somewhat interesting.

"Funny thing actually, the way I originally discovered which country Orochimaru had set up shop in was from disparities in grain exports of all things. Sometimes kid, it's the minor details."

The blond smirked. "Little things, like the fact that the Hokage's been hounding you over his succession?" Jiraiya glanced down at him and his smirk widened. "I've noticed you've picked up the rate you've been taking me out on missions. Wouldn't be avoiding your sensei, would you?"

"You can't prove squat."

"Still haven't been able to convince Lady Tsunade to consider it?" He stressed the title sarcastically. The woman had been anything but a lady since returning. She was still traipsing around in her pre-pubescent body, getting a kick out of ordering around people who looked to be twice her age, despite being twice their age herself.

"I'm still working on that."

Naruto waved his hand noncommittedly, not buying it for a second.

"Why the sudden interest? You finally seen the light and realised how much of a kick-ass Hokage I'd be?"

Despite himself, Naruto snorted. "Have you?" He gestured around them. The very fact Jiraiya was essentially goofing off with him on these pointless little excursions was a point against him.

"You wound me kid. Who else would make a better leader?"

Naruto knew the man was only joking. For being so outwardly confident, he could be rather self-deprecating at times. Still, he knew when he was being baited and decided to play along, feigning exasperation.

"What about the ANBU commander?" He had only met Ookami a few times in his official capacity, but the man was supposed to be the very best of what ANBU represented. Strong, discreet, organised, loyal. Every ANBU was supposed to aspire to that mask.