Neji's POV (Hyuga District - Hidden Leaf Village)
Neji and Hinata marched through the halls of the Hyuga's to Hanabi's area. Hinata and Hanabi, as potential heiresses of the Hyuga, had their section of the Hyuga compound, which had personal baths, kitchens, and courtyards for them, with the Hyuga being the most prominent clan after the disgraceful fall of the Uchiha clan. They had become immensely wealthy. They were the ones who valued social hierarchy, and it was welcomed and displayed often. As such, they had to sign in to the area. (A protocol was put in place after the failed kidnapping of Hinata. Which led to the death of his father. Being sent off to the Cloud to face execution.) Being let in by some of the strongest the Hyuga had to offer. As they did so, they entered Hanabi's kitchen and were told where she was residing.
Walking in, they witnessed a stressed-looking branch member carefully cooking a meal for Hanabi. The woman in question was sipping on a cup of tea, daintily reading poetry. Such endeavors were encouraged for the young woman. Being determined to have traits that a worthy clan head would hold. As such, both often engaged in the activity despite not liking it.
"Ah, Neji and my dearest sister. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Hanabi said, smiling at them as if they were dear old friends. "Please have a seat. Hamumu, you may leave. It seems I have a business to attend to. Return around dinner time and be prepared to make me a feast." The older man immediately left the room with a polite affirmation of Hanabi's order.
The older Hyuga knew what game she was playing, but she needed her cooperation, so both played along, sitting silently as Hanabi sipped at her tea slowly. She seemed to enjoy the tension, or more likely, she was intelligent enough to know this situation was one in which she held some level of power.
"While it's lovely to meet with my beloved family, I must once again ask why?" Hanabi said sweetly.
"We wish to discuss a deal with you, sister." Hinata started. "We'd like your support with a request from Hiashi."
"It must be quite the task if you need my help. Even more, if you intend to pressure Father into it by having both candidates for the clan's future support it. What cause would I be supporting if I were to say yes?" Hanabi asked with a slight smirk. Pleased they needed something from her. She is likely already forming ideas on how to spin this in a way that would benefit her.
"Allow me, Hinata." Neji interrupted, already recognizing that a more confident approach would be necessary. Besides, Hinata mostly did this for him. It only seemed fair he should pitch it. "I'm sure you've heard the recent reveal?"
"That the Nine Tails survived the attack all those years ago? Of course, it's the talk of the village. But why would such interest you…" Hanabi paused as her smile became downright menacing. "Your degenerate teammate, Naruto Uzumaki, is the vessel for the beast!"
"Surely you don't share the views of some?" Neji asked plainly.
"Of course, no Hyuga is expected to know better than the riff-raff of normal people," Hanabi said snidely. "That being said, do you realize what you intend to ask?"
"H-hai. Neji-onisan and I recognize it's unlikely, but it likely wouldn't be worth the trouble. But we're hoping that, with both of us standing against it, Hiashi will pursue it merely due to our sway." Hinata explained.
Hanabi laughed at this, not the practiced laugh she and Hinata had been taught but an honest laugh. "Quite the commitment you're asking of me," Hanabi said. "Why should I play into it?"
"Hinata has recently eclipsed you, no?" Neji asked bluntly.
"What of it?" Hanabi said suddenly, serious and angry.
"If you wish to close that gap, I will personally take over your training as I did with Hinata," Neji explained calmly. "This should allow you to catch up and have a higher likelihood of being chosen as the heiress once the time comes."
Hanabi seemed to consider this offer. She tapped upon the table and was silent for several tense minutes. "The offer is appealing, but I must refuse it now."
"How may we remedy this, sister?" Hinata patiently asked. Neji nodded to show he was willing to hear her out as well.
"I will aid you in this, but only if Hinata surrenders her heiress status once our goals are met," Hanabi said, her smug smile returning.
"I-" Hinata was stopped by Neji's hand, having appeared in front of her face.
"We refuse without a doubt," Neji said simply, his eyes downcasted. While he did have Naruto as his closest friend, it seemed this endeavor was doomed to fail. He could not allow Hinata to lose her status as heiress. Without her, the side branch may never be free. Even if Naruto did one day become Hokage, he would struggle to enforce anything without someone on the inside. Could he risk his dream for this? Could he risk Hinata's? He led Hinata out of the room angrily. Both ignored the call from Hanabi, telling them the deal would be open if they needed it.
As Hinata apologized to Neji and denied them with practiced ease, only one thing was going through his mind.
'I'm sorry, Naruto.'
Naruto's POV (Leaf Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Outskirts)
Naruto felt tired and conflicted as he traversed the village using the rooftops to avoid unsavory situations. He felt shattered but counted on his love of training to give him a much-needed kick. Kakashi had left each of them with a location to meet him to set up their month. He was concerned with how to train the three of them evenly without giving them trouble with knowing each other's kit. Naruto figured he would just leave them with clones, but it was hard to predict their eccentric sensei.
Though even for Kakashi, having him meet near the natural hot springs was an odd choice… if his pervert of a sensei was peeking instead of training him, he'd kill him.
He dashed past the springs carefully, avoiding gazing at the springs as he flew by. He leaped into the tree nearby. Skillfully, he flew through the forest, arriving at a lesser-known spring close to the others but more challenging. As he landed, he came to see Kakashi and the older man who helped him in the forest, luxuriating in a small crater filled with water that bubbled with heat. Kakashi still wore his mask, and the older man seemed pouting.
"Kakashi-sensei? Old Man?" Naruto asked, confused. "Why are we training at a hot spring? What's with the Old Man being here?"
"OLD MAN? HA! Kid, you have no idea who you're talking to! No old man could be as beloved by the ladies as I!" Jiraiya roared indignantly.
"No woman wants a giant old man like you." Naruto countered with a scowl. Not indeed in the mood to deal with the man.
"Little do you know, Brat, little do you know." Jiraiya mumbled as he rose from the springs. Naruto mocked and screamed in disgust at Jiraiya's exposed form. The older man merely raised a finger in response before making a hand sign and becoming clothed.
"Now boys get along." Kakashi chided while wagging his finger, somehow also clothing absurdly quickly.
"How the hell are you two doing that?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Ninja stuff."
"Ninja stuff."
Both men rang out at the same time, causing Naruto to sigh.
"As to answer your other question. Jiraiya here is set to be my replacement for the month." Kakashi explained casually. "I'm here to set you guys up. Gotta be on my way after for Ino and Neji."
"This old dude is gonna teach me? Sure, he seems to know a thing or two, but I gotta become stronger quickly." Naruto asked doubtfully.
"Go ahead and do the thing, Master Jiraiya. If you don't get it out of your system, you'll do it later." Kakashi said morosely as Jiraiya broke out into a toothy grin.
"To answer your question, Brat!" Jiraiya called out with glee while suddenly being covered in smoke. "You ask who I am? Why am I worthy? How did I get so handsome?!"
"No one asked you, that old bastard!"
"I am a wise and experienced man, beloved by the ladies, feared by men, and sought after by those who seek enlightenment. I am a humble hermit traveling the land seeking knowledge! One of the famous three! The Toad Sage himself! A proud member of the Sannin and decorated super pervert!" Suddenly, the smoke was dispersed, revealing Jiraiya standing on top of a toad who danced with two fans marked with "Sannin". "Jiraiya!" As he said this, he suddenly posed grandly, music seemingly playing from nowhere.
"What the f-" Naruto started.
"Anyway, as he said, he's one of the great Sannins; I'm sure you've heard of them," Kakashi explained, ignoring the still-posing Sannin. "Despite his… unique personality… he is arguably just as or even stronger than Lord Third." He described walking up and tapping Naruto's shoulder. "I have handpicked each of you as a teacher for this month. Jiraiya is yours; if I were you, I'd use this opportunity well." Kakashi then leaned over to Naruto's ear. "Let me know if you need help with the villagers or anything at all." He whispered before offering his trademark two-finger salute to the two before poofing away.
"So that's why you helped me?" Naruto asked the man after a momentary pause.
"Of sorts earnestly; I could just relate to your feeling of being alone and overburdened, I suppose," Jiraiya answered flippantly. "We'll have plenty of time to chit-chat later. I've heard of your wager with your mother. It seems you need to try to win this thing… unlikely… but your trying is rather gutsy… I like it!" He exclaimed. "So what are you up against?"
Naruto considered the man in front of him warily. He was an oddball, but he had helped him the day before. Besides, Kakashi had left the man in charge of his growth for now. He supposed it only made sense for him to give it a try. "Well, my first opponent is a weapon expert. But there's this guy… who is gunning for me. He's similar to me…"
"A jinchuriki." Jiraiya finished with a hum. "Certainly quite the task. I don't quite see it, kid. Regardless of which one it is, they are all powerhouses. Unlike yourself, many of them are trained to use their tenants to a much higher and stricter degree. It's said their power can rival a Kage. I can't quite see you beating them, not within a month, certainly."
"I've had enough of people looking down on me as of late," Naruto growled as he marched forward. "Besides, that's why I'm perfecting this new jutsu. Something that can even put him down."
"Hmph, never say die, eh? Not only will I turn you into a powerful shinobi worthy of my time, but I'll also help you perfect your jutsu so you can win this thing." Jiraiya announced with a guttural laugh. "In exchange, I get to name your little move once it's ready."
Having had several good ideas in his head, Naruto pondered this, but he supposed he could use the help. "Deal, oh, and why did we meet here?"
"So your sensei and I could engage in research," Jiraiya replied with a smile as he reversed and summoned the toad away.
"What kinda research could a Sage do at a hot spring…" Naruto suddenly frowned and glared at the man as recognition passed through his eyes. "Pervy Sage!"
"You better not start calling me that Brat! Besides, you'll learn my greatness in time! But for now, I have to check something. I need to know your level, so… Let's spar!" Jiraiya cackled before suddenly socking Naruto in the face. The blonde flew away before he managed to land on his feet. His eyes narrowed as he prepared.
He needed to work out some stress anyway.