GAIN and LOSS

After a while Gara and Naruto stayed next to eachother in a peaceful quiet, Two figures appeared from the shadows it was temari and kankuro. 'what, didn't I hand her over to those three, did that kankuro kid mange to free her and escape...' hiding in the area somewhere Asuma watched wondering if he should step in.

" Get away from Gara". Opening her giant fan Temari readied herself for battle with the Yellow haired monster grabbing her brother's head. Kankuro's did the same controlling his puppet in a menacing manner. "STOP.... It's fine" Gara yelled out stopping his siblings from attacking. " Hahaha, I guess you're not alone afterall Gara, the way she looked at me I thought I was gonna die" Naruto laughed as he tapped on Gara's shoulders. Asuma felt no need to stick around any longer, he left in a flash leaving no trace behind.

" What do you...mean" unsure of what he heard Gara asked him to explain " All those sleepless nights really did you no good, I'm talking about those two they look like they'll rip me apart if I hurt you" Gara turned his head to his siblings and looked at their expressions, he could see the intensity of their emotions plain as day on their faces, their weapons ready to strike Naruto down at anytime. The realisation hit him, he was pushing away the people around him, his obsession with killing drove away the people that wanted to be close to him. He doesn't need to be alone ...

" All right I can't do anything to stop you so, I'll see ya later lil bro" Naruto got up alarming the alrert sand siblings " and where do you think you're goi-" Gara interrupted kankuro " Let him go, he not an enemy" Temari pleaded with him " but.... Gara he" she was also interrupted by Gara " I said he's not an enemy let's leave this place" Naruto jumped onto a tree and left the forest heading back to the chunin exam arena.

Arriving at the village, Naruto walked into a war zone. The leaf fiercely fought the sound and sand Ninja's to protect the village. ' I gotta hide I'm almost out of Chakra, if the enemy finds me it's all over!' Naruto sneaked past the enemy with ease, he knew all the hiding spots in the village like the back of his hand. Because of all the pranks he pulled on the villagers he unintentionally learned how to stealthily navigate the village . all those that could sense or track him already had their hands full dealing with the enemies infront of them. To them Naruto was of no consequence.

In a stelthy manner Naruto arrived back to the place it all began. The chunin exams arena. Looking around Naruto found that all the ninja were gathered on the Hokage platform's roof and so he went to see what was going on.

" Hey pervy sage what is everyone doing up here" jiraiya turned to face Naruto with a disturbed expression " what's wrong..." Walking forward Naruto was stopped by jiraiya " You should leave Naruto, this isn't something you're ready to see" Naruto stopped and looked at jiraiya with suspicion.

" What are you hiding..." Naruto anxiously stepped forward, the ninja in the surrounding area grew anxious ' I can't let Naruto experience something that would cause him distress, if he realises the Hokage is dead he might lose control and go on a rampage' jiraiya walked towards Naruto and chopped the back of his neck knocking him out. " I'll leave things here to you" in a flash jiraiya vanished from the place carying Naruto over his shoulder. ' I'll have to break it to him gently' jiriah ran across the roofs of konoha slaying every enemy unlucky enough to be in his path.

Entering the konoha hospital jiriah was allowed inside by the guards after they verified his identity. Jiraiya entered one of the hospital rooms and placed him in one of the empty beds " rest up you'll need it". ' is that Naruto... Does that mean he beat Gara' Sasuke lying on the bed next to Naruto looked at him with envy ' How did he obtain so much power in such a short amount of time.... I would do anything for such power, but even then it wouldn't be enough.... To kill Itachi...'.

Jiraiya glanced at Sasuke and dicided to leave ' gotta go before this kid asks me to train him'. In a flash jiraiya left the room. The village was still at war and he was still needed.The war ended with the remaining sand and sound ninja retreating out of konoha. Even with the war won the casualties sustained were far more than the leaf could bear the death of many ninja and civilians as well as the death of their hokage. Throughout the battle the leaf gained nothing other than bits and pieces of information while also weakening the enemy's forces in the process.

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Two days later

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On-top of the Hokage tower a small group wearing black stood infront of the Hokage's casket. Rain gently fell to the ground As if konoha itself was shedding tears of loss.The air hung heavy with grief as people gather together, some solemn while others faces were etched with sorrow and their eyes filled with tears. Soft sobs and hushed whispers fill the somber atmosphere as they mourn the passing of their hokage. The room is filled with a palpable sense of loss, as memories of the departed one floods the minds of those left behind. Each person grapples with their own unique blend of emotions – sadness, disbelief, and a profound sense of emptiness. The weight of their collective sorrow is almost tangible, drawing them closer in their shared grief. Amidst the quiet mourning, the world seems to slow down, as if paying respect to the one who has departed. It is a moment of intense sadness and reflection, a time to honor and remember the life of someone who held great significance in their hearts.

As Naruto tried to grasp this bitter reality he heard the pain in konohamaru's cries. 'This can't happen again, just you wait I'll become even stronger that's my promise to you JIJI'. Ash standing next to Naruto grabbed his shoulder reassuring him. "frogadier..." Naruto turned to Ash " thank you.... We need to get stronger me and you" Ash nodded solemnly as they turned back to the front to pay their deepest of respects to the one most respected in their hearts.