Naruto's Truth and Uzumaki Village
In the past, whenever he returned to the village, Jiraiya would always visit the bathhouse to relax. While unwinding, he also gathered material for his novels—an activity he considered his well-earned reward after completing dangerous missions.
But this time, Jiraiya had no intention of relaxing. His mind was consumed with one thought: finding Naruto.
According to the intelligence provided by the Third Hokage, Naruto's movements after leaving the village covered an extensive area—almost half of the Land of Fire. With his mastery of the Transformation Jutsu and Shadow Clone Technique, he had successfully evaded even the elite ANBU tracking him. Finding him would not be easy.
Yet, for Jiraiya, locating Naruto was not the most difficult challenge.
A ninja's actions always leave traces, and after completing countless S-rank missions over the years, Jiraiya had enough experience to track him down.
What truly troubled him was how to convince Naruto to stay in the village and continue his studies at the Ninja Academy. If Naruto was brought back against his will, he would inevitably attempt to escape again—and Jiraiya couldn't always keep an eye on him.
Danzo had suggested placing a Curse Seal on Naruto to restrict his movements, but Jiraiya dismissed the idea immediately.
Naruto was Minato's son, Jiraiya's disciple, and a bearer of the Will of Fire.
Even beyond that, Konoha shinobi were not mere tools to be discarded when convenient. The very idea contradicted everything Jiraiya stood for.
Flipping through an intelligence report, Jiraiya's eyes landed on a familiar name—Hatake Kakashi.
As Minato's former student and Naruto's jonin mentor, Kakashi had protected the boy for years. He was one of the few people close to Naruto. If anyone understood the reason behind his departure, it would be him.
The Hatake Residence
After a short walk, Jiraiya arrived at the Hatake clan estate, situated near a secluded grove.
Compared to its appearance more than a decade ago, little had changed. The only significant difference was its master—once home to the legendary White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, it now belonged to Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja.
Luckily, Kakashi wasn't away on a mission that day. Instead, he was lying on a tatami mat, leisurely reading Icha Icha Paradise. The book's author, of course, was none other than the visitor standing before him—Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Hearing approaching footsteps, Kakashi tensed slightly.
A shinobi should always remain alert—an enemy could strike in any form. Yet, the intruder's pace was slow and familiar.
"Kakashi, I must say, you have good taste," Jiraiya remarked with a smirk. "To appreciate a novel like this—one that captures the essence of both sophistication and entertainment—well, that takes real intelligence."
Kakashi's expression stiffened. Icha Icha Paradise wasn't exactly known for its literary merit—it was, at best, an indulgence for bored adult shinobi. How many of them even read serious books anymore?
Still, recognizing Jiraiya as his guest, Kakashi refrained from making a snarky remark. Instead, he put the book down and said dryly,
"Jiraiya-sama, I assume you're not here to host a fan meeting."
Jiraiya chuckled, but his amusement quickly faded as he got to the point.
"I'm here about Naruto. The old man asked me to find him and bring him back. But before I do that, I need to understand why he left."
Kakashi studied Jiraiya for a long moment before speaking.
"Jiraiya-sama," he said at last, "I don't think you'll be able to bring Naruto back. His decision to leave wasn't made on a whim."
Jiraiya frowned. That was precisely why he had sought out Kakashi.
Without hesitation, Kakashi recounted everything Naruto had endured over the years. With every word, Jiraiya's expression darkened. By the time Kakashi finished, Jiraiya let out a heavy sigh.
Naruto had been ostracized since childhood—viewed as the demon fox rather than a child. Even as he struggled to survive, he still found it in himself to protect Hinata Hyuga from bullies, a sign that the Will of Fire burned within him.
But before that fire could fully ignite, it was smothered by the hatred surrounding him.
Even Minato's former subordinates—loyal shinobi who had once revered the Fourth Hokage—had turned their resentment onto his son. And as for the villagers, their malice toward Naruto had never truly faded.
Yet, despite all of this, the Third Hokage had refused to reveal Naruto's true parentage.
Jiraiya had always believed the Hokage's decision wasn't entirely wrong. At Naruto's young age, learning the full truth could have devastated him. Perhaps it was better for him to live in ignorance, to have a childhood that, over time, might have improved.
But Kakashi shattered that illusion with his next words.
"Jiraiya-sama," he said, his voice calm but firm, "before leaving, Naruto told me that he already knew the truth. He knows he is a Jinchūriki. He knows he is the Fourth Hokage's son."
Jiraiya's breath hitched.
"I believe he waited years for someone to tell him. But when the truth never came, he lost patience and chose to leave. To find his own answers."
Pausing, Kakashi added, "And I suspect the reason he left on the night of the Uchiha Massacre wasn't a coincidence. He must have sympathized with the Uchiha."
Jiraiya's expression turned solemn.
At the heart of Naruto's departure was the Third Hokage's secrecy and inaction. The deception, the cold indifference—it had pushed Naruto away.
And just like a shattered mirror, some bonds could never be fully restored.
---
The Hokage's Dilemma
Jiraiya spent only half a day in Konoha.
After gathering intel from Kakashi, he met briefly with Hiruzen Sarutobi before setting off.
Before leaving, he handed a letter to a nearby ANBU operative. Minutes later, the letter was on the Third Hokage's desk.
As Hiruzen read, his expression darkened.
Jiraiya had written that Naruto was not suited to remain in Konoha for training. Instead, he would take the boy under his wing, guiding him through different lands, broadening his horizons, and allowing time to erase the village's perception of him as the Nine-Tails' vessel.
Perhaps, with time, Naruto would come to accept the village—and embrace the Will of Fire.
Hiruzen sighed, setting the letter down.
Letting the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki roam freely outside the village would undoubtedly provoke an uproar from Danzo and the advisors. But could he face Naruto himself, after all that had happened?
No.
Maybe this was for the best.
With Jiraiya guiding him, at least Naruto would not be led astray.
And in the meantime, Konoha needed to prepare for a new successor.
---
The Rebirth of Uzushiogakure
Far away, in the ruins of Uzushio Village, Naruto—now going by the alias Menma—watched as life slowly returned to the once-forgotten land.
The remaining Uchiha refugees were adjusting to their new home.
Though they had lost the wealth and authority of their former police force, they had finally gained the one thing they never had in Konoha: freedom.
Naruto gazed at the distant docks under construction. A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Maybe I don't hate destruction. Maybe I just prefer building something new.
Even Kurama seemed at peace here, resting deep within his subconscious.
As he walked toward the newly established Uzu Village headquarters, he overheard a heated debate between Fūma Kagura and Shisui Uchiha—each arguing about the village's future.
Naruto simply smiled.
A new village, a new path, a new truth.
And this time, he would be the one to shape it.
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