The Path of a Shinobi (Reader x various)

News on the Snakes

Weeks had gone by doing the same old routine that consisted of training and being tasked with missions.

By the time you woke up, it was almost noon. Not having the energy to cook a meal, you slipped on your ninja sandals and headed next door to Naruto's home dressed in a (f/c) shirt with black thigh length shorts.

You knocked on his door and waited for him to open it up but then a thought came to mind. 'Who am I kidding, it's me. I can come in anytime.'

You twisted the knob and once you opened the door, you were met with him in the hallway dressed in his orange pants and a dark green shirt with his cup of noodles in hand.

"Let me guess, you just woke up too?" He started to slurp on the noodles right after asking and let out a content sigh.

"You know it." You walked past him and went into his kitchen, retrieving a pot and poured water inside it to start boiling it.

There was a faint knock that was heard, but it didn't sound like it was coming from Naruto's door.

"Hey Naruto, finish preparing my ramen for me yeah? I'll be back real quick." You walked past him and made your way to the front door to look through the peep hole but didn't see anyone outside.

You opened the door and poked your head out to see Sakura tapping her foot impatiently outside your door with her arms crossed.

"Oh Sakura, what's up?"

Her head snapped at the sound of your voice and said, "(Y/n), so this is where you've been huh."

"Haha yeah, we both woke up not too long ago and we're eating now."

"Waking up at this time? At noon?"

"Hey, it's not everyday we get a day off you know." You leaned against the doorway with your arms crossed over your chest. You heard Naruto's footsteps approaching from behind and he stopped right beside you, noticing Sakura standing outside the door.

"Hey Sakura! Do you need something?"

"Well Lady Tsunade has summoned us, so both of you get ready and head on over there."

"Got it. We're just gonna grab our ramen and eat it on the way there." Grabbing Naruto's hand, you headed back into the kitchen to get your cup of ramen and headed out to the Hokage's office.

~Timeskip~

You and Naruto arrived at her office and were met with an unpleased Hokage and next to her stood our perverted master.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite students. Come here kiddos." He extended his arms wide open, inviting us in for a hug.

"Jiraiya Sensei! It's so great to see you again!" You exclaimed while engulfing him in a big with Naruto joining in right after.

"Ahem." Lady Tsunade cleared her throat and we moved away from each other muttering a quick apology to her. "I didn't call you guys in here for a little hug fest, but to discuss important matters."

"We'll catch up later or something," whispered Jiraiya Sensei to you and Naruto before we lined up to stand in front of Lady Tsunade.

"The truth is, there's some information that's been going around...Orochimaru is now dead. And it seems like Sasuke Uchiha killed him."

With our eyes slightly widening, the news had shocked all three of us, leaving us speechless for a moment until I stuttered out, "W-what?"

"I-is that really true?" Quietly asked Naruto with his eyes in disbelief.

"No doubt about it. I heard from a reliable source of mine," confirmed Jiraiya Sensei with his arms crossed.

Sakura had tears welling up in her emerald eyes at the confirmation, but she didn't let herself breakdown and cry in front of everyone.

But then Naruto's eyes were filled with hope in an instant when something clicked in his brain. "I knew he wouldn't let himself get killed by Orochimaru. So that means Sasuke is coming back to Konoha right?"

He awaited an answer but Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances and remained silent. The flickering hope that was in the boy's ocean blue eyes began to slowly fade away.

"He's not, right?" Even though you asked, you already knew the answer to that question.

You knew Sasuke wouldn't come waddling back into the village after spending three years with someone like Orochimaru. But just like Naruto, there was still a clinging hope that you held onto deep down inside. Hoping that maybe he had a change of heart and decided to return back home, but that's ridiculous.

"Right. It doesn't seem like he's planning on returning anytime soon."

"But why? Why isn't he returning now that Orochimaru is dead?" Questioned a confused Naruto.

"Sasuke has been been obsessed with revenge. In order to kill Itachi Uchiha, he has to get closer to the Akatsuki."

"Then let's look for him." Every head in the room turned towards you as you continued to speak. "If we decide to search for Itachi, then our chances of running into Sasuke will be much higher. If we leave now, then there's a chance we'll reach him before Sasuke does."

"It does make sense but then what?" Asked Jiraiya Sensei. "What would you do after?" Your brain was racking for an answer until another voice piped up.

"Well I may have an idea, but I'm going to need some time to work it all out." We snapped our heads behind us and there stood Kakashi Sensei leaned against the wall.

None of us even heard him enter the room, but we obliged and gave him the time he needed to sort out a plan for us.