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An unexpected visit

Well he'll be dammed. The kid does have a mind of his own. And a stubborn one at that. Shocking.

Collapsing to the ground, Naruto got back up again despite his shakes and continued trying to do the tasks Jiraiya made for him.

For some reason he just isn't able to deplete all his chakra. So on to idea number two. Heheheh, he can't wait to do this.

"Hey Naruto, put the mask back on and follow me!" Without waiting, Jiraiya started walking into the woods.

*****

"Lord Jiraiya, what is it that you would like me to do?"

His face turned into one of anger and impatience. "Well, since you can't seem to listen to my training, I have another method for you to use. Remeber the summoning contract you signed?"

Naruto nodded in return. "Great" poking his forehead, Naruto could both sense and feel the surge of energy that flew him back till he hit a random tree and fell into a ravine.

His second mask now shattered from the force, his first goal was to get a new one from his scroll. He needs it. He does, he does, he does.... and he is listening, he swears‐ no. He shouldn't have to listen to the words of anyone but Lord Danzo and Lord Hiruzen.

No one else should matter, right?

So why does he feel this need to listen? And to answer for himself? This isn't natural.... this can't be something he let's either of his masters find out about.

He.... he can't go back there. He'll sooner die then go back to that hell on earth.

Now isn't the time to focus on such deserving repercussions though. Now, he needs to figure out his situation.

The walls of this ravine are slick and he won't get any sort of grip even with chakra.

What to do? What to do?! Why is he panicking? This isn't anything new. So why is he so uncomfortable and confused? True, it's been at least a week  maybe more since he last had a break and longer since he last slept. But that shouldn't change anything!

He has to master this. He has to prove useful..... he just has to. Besides, the final stage of the exams are just around the corner and he has to be ready for them.

Damn it, no more excuses!

'Hey Ninetails! It's time you pay me rent for all this lounging around you do, so pay up!'

The beast chuckled, red eyes pearing open behind the cage. Patience, that's all he needs.

'Fine. Consider this as a favour. You will repay me later'

Red chakra seeped out of the bars and into Fox, who felt rejuvenate from the needed boost.

Holding his hand out, it got cut on the sharp stones that line the walls.

Using the appropriate signs, he felt what must be adrenaline burning inside him. This. This right here is what he has been needing.... freedom to feel what he does.

And yet he still can't. More like he doesn't know how.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

As chakra moved into the shape of a sphere, he came to a sudden halt atop something slimy.

"What the? Who dares summon the great gamabunta? Eh?" The toad was beyond booming and Fox already felt that he was going to be a pain to tame. "Huh?! An Anbu black op?"

Fox stayed quiet and analyzed his situation. Lord Jiraiya told him a little bit about the different toads that the summoning usually brings and Gamabunta, who is the chief of the toads, was among them.