The Prodigy Namikaze by SoulReaperCrewe

Chapter 31: The Last Chapter

Naruto had a spring in his step as he entered his apartment, a smile gracing his face as he returned having finally spent some time with Kurotsuchi in his own village. Granted it was all still in complete secrecy but it was still a good step forward. They got to enjoy a good soak in the bath, a bit or personal time and a short meal after Kurotsuchi ordered room service.

He checked it wasn't poisoned just to be on the safe side.

He stayed for nearly 2 hours before he called it a night. He didn't want to push his luck and stay the night despite how enticing it was. Kurotsuchi didn't make it easy either having slipped into the bed patting the spot next to her. As tempted as he was he knew it was better for him to go home. They had already pushed their luck enough for one night.

"Good Evening Naruto." Naruto almost jumped out of his skin as he whirled around and saw Hiruzen sitting down in the armchair Itachi would regularly use when he was with them. The Sandaime was in his usual daily wear with his arms crossed against his chest with his head down and eyes closed. If Naruto hadn't known any better he would have said he had fallen asleep in the chair, but he did no better when it came to his grandfather figure. He was also surprised that he couldn't sense him yet he knew if there was anyone that could mask their chakra signature and hide it from him then it was going to be Hiruzen. He was known as the Professor for a reason.

"Hey Jiji, you scared me there. What are you doing sitting here in the dark?" Naruto asked as he took his jacket off and hung it on one of the hooks beside the door. "We didn't make plans did we? If we did I'm really sorry that I forgot."

Hiruzen shook his head. "No Naruto we did not have plans. I simply decided to stop by. I have something I would like to talk you about."

Intrigued Naruto walked over and sat on the side of the sofa closest to Hiruzen. He was curious what he wanted to talk about so late at night. "You sure you should be up Jiji? Normally you're in bed by nine. You sure that's good for your old bones?"

"You'll find Naruto these old bones still have some kick in them yet if you'd like to get another demonstration?" Hiruzen asked, but Naruto shook his head. He wasn't looking for a rematch of their battle in the Chunin Stadium anytime soon. "No, I was wondering where you have been tonight."

Hiruzen watched him like a hawk, but Naruto didn't let anything slip. "I was with Anko over at the Forest of Death. I wanted to ask her how the twins were doing when she saw them. I left a little while ago when Itachi came to ask the same for Sasuke."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, that's right." Naruto clarified yet Hiruzen didn't look very convinced. He just continued to look at Naruto with stern eyes bring his hands up and placing them together underneath his chin. Naruto leaned back in the chair not thinking anything was wrong yet Hiruzen began to lean towards him. He motioned for Naruto to lean closer prompting the blonde to return forward.

"Tell me Naruto why are you lying to me?" Naruto's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he tried to defend himself. A frown appeared on his face and began scratching the back of his head.

"Jiji I'm not lying. Why would you think I'm lying?" Hiruzen felt like smirking yet instead kept a cool facade on his face, something that always worried Naruto whenever he got into trouble. His grandfather figure had ways of finding out is someone was lying which was something Naruto thought he was good at. Or at least, he had been relatively good at up to this point.

"Because Naruto...I visited Anko shortly after the genin went into the Forest of Death for their second exam and was told she sent Itachi inside the forest to keep an eye on some unsavory character that didn't sit well with her." Panic quickly build up in Naruto's chest and felt a lump forming in his throat. "That and I saw Hana heading over towards her location an hour ago. I doubt you spoke to her while they were likely having one of there more...intimate moments."