Nothing Special

Chapter 38

After packing up, they stood out on the outside of the town. Gai had Sasuke on his back.

" Alright, Dad," Aceso began. " We'll leave Sasuke in your hands. He nodded.

" Master Jiraiya?" Gai requested. " Find the Lady Tsunade, Bring her back to us."

" Don't worry, you can count on us," Naruto assured. " We'll have her back in the village in no time!" Gai looked at Naruto as Jiraiya laughed putting a hand on Naruto's head.

" Naruto, nothing impresses me more than guts, kid," Gai said. " Come here, let me give you this." He reached into his jacket. " Lee got stronger with this."

" Really, what, what is it?" Naruto asked in excitement. Gai gave a smile and thumbs up before ripping out a green jumpsuit.

" Check it out!" Gai urged. Jiraiya was dissatisfied, Acseo was questioning it and Naruto was all for it. " It's breathable, retains moisture, and offers complete freedom of movement, all in one sweet package. If you wear it while you train, you'll notice a difference immediately. They really grow on you. Pretty soon, you'll be wearing them all the time, just like Lee. I've got a bit of a thing for them myself."

" Oh, man!" Naruto cheered. They laughed while smiling, Gai's teeth shined as he gave a thumbs up.

" Oh I got something for you too, Aceso," Gai laughed.

" Not another one," Jiraiya grumbled.

" Huh?" Aceso asked.

" Lee made a special request as he saw me leaving," Gai said as he pulled out a flower and held it in front of her.

" Oh, thank you," Aceso smiled as he handed it to her. " It's really pretty, tell Lee I said thank you." He then waved at everyone and made his way back to the village.

" Pretty cool, huh?" Naruto asked as he held up the green jumpsuit.

" Don't even think about it," Jiryaia denied as they watched Gai walk away. " I mean, look at that guy."

" Huh?" Aceso asked they looked at him.

" Man, now that is goofy," Jiraiya said as Gai turned to look back at them, gave them a thumbs up and his teeth sparkled.

" He's my dad, I wouldn't want it any other way," Aceso said as she looked at her flower. The three then continued on their journey, it got a bit misty, but nothing too bad. They walked in silence, all thinking about what Itachi said, then Naruto stopped.

" Everything alright?" Aceso asked as they stopped and looked at him.

" So, Pervy Sage, what exactly do those guys want with me, anyway?" Naruto asked. " Come out with it Pervy Sage. You know, don't you?"

" Don't get the wrong idea," Jiraiya advised as the breeze danced past them. " It's not you, they want. It's what's inside of you."

" What the hell is this thing, anyway?" Naruto asked as he grabbed the center of his body. " Some horrible demon that terrorized the Leaf Village. That's why everyone is so afraid of it, right? So why do these guys want it so bad?"

" The Nine-tailed Fox has appeared in times of consequence, all through the ages," Jiraiya explained. " A ghastly spirit destroying all that lays in its path. As powerful as any act of nature, men trembled before it. As for what they would want with that malicious monstrosity, that's a hard question to answer, Naruto. I honestly can't say. I suppose with the Nine-Tails sealed up inside you, they might be thinking of somehow seizing control of that power, bending it to their will. It's a bitter pill to swallow knowing that those two will be after you now. But that is your fate. Not worry, now. After all, you will have me around."