Can't Help Myself 2.0

.15

A few days passes and Naruto's departure had finally arrived, much to his close one's dismay. He was currently preparing himself to leave, hands gripping the strap of his backpack.

Tsunade is with him right now, wanting to watch him leave.

"Heheh! Bye Tsunade Baa-chan, don't miss me too much!" Naruto chuckled out playfully as he hugged her tightly. Tsunade rolled her eyes fondly, staring down at the boy she grew fond of. She felt sad that Naruto is leaving, not being able to feel his positive energy made her feel empty.

She grabbed onto Naruto's arm and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Don'y cause too much trouble while you're away, alright? Everyone is waiting for you so if you need us, we're here Brat."

Nauru giggled, returning the hug as he held onto her. "I won't cause problems, Pervy Sage though..."

Tsunade and Naruto chuckled some more at that, knowing how Jiraiya acts whenever he's out. Naruto was the first to pull away, patting both sides of her shoulder as he delayed a bit of his time before ultimately pulling away. He started to walk away from her, waving high in the air as he made his way to the front.

He walked and walked until he spotted Jiraiya leaning against the wall, waiting for his arrival. Upon seeing him, he took in deep breathes, preparing himself to leave his home.

Today marks his final day here in Konoha until years later. He's spoken to his other friends already after telling Shikamaru, so he wasn't too concern about them screaming at him for leaving without saying goodbye.

Jiraiya quirked up when he looked over to the side, pushing himself off the wall and cupped around his mouth. "Naruto! Prepare now? You ready to go?"

Naruto grinned widely, running up to him and started jumping in excitement.

"I'm ready, I'm ready!"

Jiraiya wrapped his arm around Naruto's shoulder and started swaying side to side. "We'll be able to finish up mu research! Now that is something to be excited for!"

"Pervy Sage..." Naruto wearily called out, the corner of his lips twitching. Unbelievable, this Sanin was such a character that Nauru himself worries over. "You better help me get stronger! That's the only reason why I'm tagging along."

"Yes, yes, don't worry about all that. You think too lowly of me sometimes. Come on now, let us venture off now!"

Jiraiya began dragging Naruto as his arm was still wrapped around him, pulling him along as he walked out of the village's gate.

"Naruto!"

"You're gonna leave without saying goodbye? That's pretty low of you."

Hearing someone call his name, Naruto ducked down to get out of the Sanin's hold and turned around. Standing there was his friends, all greeting him with smiles.

"You guys!" He shouted out happily, steps jumpy as he stopped in front go them. "I did say goodbye already!"

"No, that was two days ago so it doesn't count. Unfortunately that means you're gonna have to be facing the consequences... attack!"

Before he could react, Kiba immediately jumped on Naruto with Akamaru soon joining in. Their rustling caused the two to fall onto the ground, laughing out loudly as their limbs were tangled with each other. Everyone else simply watched in amusement, Neji being the one to step up.

"Alright, that's enough of that. We can't let Jiraiya-sama wait for too long." Neji said, grabbing onto Kiba's jacket and picking him up like a puppy. Kiba let out a noise as Neji let go of him, making his butt land onto the hard ground.

Neji then held out his hand to help Naruto up.

"Let's practice together once you're confident in your growth. I can't wait to see how much you've gain." Naruto nodded his head, grabbing onto his extended hand and stood back up.

Next person to step up was Sakura.

She walked up to him and hugged him tightly, burying her head into the short boy's shoulder. "I'll miss you lots.."

"Awe Sakura, I'll be back in a blink of an eye! I'll miss you too." Naruto hugged her back, patting her back to comfort her.

Everyone else bid their goodbyes, some giving Naruto food for his travels and others entertainments so he wouldn't get bored.

As they spoke, Naruto felt another familiar presence coming to them and turned to the right. Right away, he spotted the person he was hoping to see and glowed. Shikamaru waved, a small smile already set as he watches them say their goodbyes.

It was now his turn.

Their friends understood this and quickly scooted back, allowing the two best friends to talk one last time. The two stared at each other, both feeling a little shy at the presence of the other.

Shikamaru was the first to break the silence, "When you come back, make sure to find me so that we can get back to our daily hangouts."

"Heh, of course! It's going to feel so weird not being with you, 'ttebayo. Your lazy energy rubbed off on me ya know."

"Well someone needed to help calm you down, you're basically the definition of energy."

"If you don't hurry up, I'll leave you behind right now!!" Jiraiya's shout made the two flinch, glancing at each other before snickering.

Naruto rolled his eyes playfully before extending his hand out to him. His fingers closed, now formed into a fist.

"I guess this is goodbye now Shika."

Shikamaru shook his head, raising his own fist and bumped it on Naruto's. "Why goodbye? We'll be seeing each other later."

"Oh! You're right actually."

"When have I've been wrong?"

Naruto gasped out lightly, pushing Shikamaru's fist before placing his own in his hip.

He proceeded to use his other hand to pull down his left under eye, sticking his tongue out. "I'll see ya later then Smartass! Don't laze around too much!"

They smiled, hearts pounding in content knowing they'll be meeting again regardless of how many years will pass. Finally, Naruto walked back to where Jiraiya was waiting, glancing behind one last more as his cheeks tinted at Shikamaru.

The rest of Konoha 11 waved at him, shouting out more good lucks. Shikamaru draw back his fist, staring at it for a bit before hitting his chest lightly on where his heart sat.

"I will wait for you, no matter how long it'll be... Naru."

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