Everything was already in full swing.
Under Shikamaru's meticulous command, everyone began to set up the scene, while Jiraiya sat on the side, pen in hand, struggling to write down his proposal lines.
To be honest, Jiraiya was great at writing novels, especially his Icha Icha series, but when it came to writing a sincere confession? That was far more difficult than penning any risqué story.
Feeling stuck, Jiraiya waved to Naruto.
"Oi, Naruto, come here for a second."
Naruto walked over and tilted his head. "What's up, Pervy Sage?"
Jiraiya looked at him with a complicated expression and asked, "I heard that when you first came back from your… rebirth, you confessed to Hinata. Didn't you even kiss her out of nowhere? I want to ask… how exactly did you confess back then?"
Naruto smirked knowingly. He could already tell what Jiraiya was thinking. The old pervert clearly didn't know how to phrase things properly and was hoping for some inspiration from him.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Pervy Sage, why is it that whenever you can't figure something out, you always come running to me for inspiration?"
Jiraiya twitched his mouth. He knew exactly what Naruto was referring to. Back when Naruto had first begged to become his disciple, he had gone so far as to use the Sexy Jutsu and transform into a woman that looked like Jiraiya's type. That ridiculous stunt had given Jiraiya the "inspiration" he needed for Icha Icha Paradise. In the end, that was how Naruto secured his spot as his student.
And now here he was again, being asked to provide "confession material."
Still, Naruto sighed and told Jiraiya about the moment he confessed his feelings to Hinata. He explained the words, the emotions, and the boldness behind it. Jiraiya listened carefully, nodding here and there, but in the end he frowned. Something still felt missing.
Just then, Sai came over to report.
"Naruto, I've finished drawing all the birds. As soon as Orochimaru-sama finishes arranging the explosives, we can strap them on and set everything up."
Naruto grinned. "Perfect. Thanks, Sai. You're a lifesaver."
Then, he turned back to Jiraiya. "Well, Pervy Sage, do you feel inspired now?"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "Hmm… not quite. It still feels incomplete. If only I could actually see that scene unfold before me, then maybe I'd get it."
Sai blinked curiously, crouched down, and asked, "What are you two talking about?"
Naruto quickly explained what Jiraiya meant. Sai listened, then gave his usual faint smile. "That's simple. What's so difficult about this?"
He pulled out his sketchbook and began to draw. With quick, clean strokes, he drew a nine-panel sequence of Naruto and Hinata's confession—the movements, the emotions, and even Naruto's embarrassed expression at the time.
Sai was, after all, trained since childhood in sketching small figures and scenes, back when he drew pictures of himself and his late brother under Root's brutal training. Capturing the subtle emotions of a moment was second nature to him.
When Sai finished, he handed the sketchbook over. "Here, Jiraiya-sama. Take a look."
Jiraiya's eyes widened, his entire face lighting up. "Not bad! Not bad at all!"
Sai's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama, for the compliment."
Jiraiya clapped Sai's shoulder enthusiastically. "You've got talent, kid. Listen, are you interested in working with me in the future?"
Sai tilted his head. "Work with you? I don't quite understand."
Jiraiya chuckled, clicked his tongue, then pulled out a worn copy of Icha Icha Paradise. He handed it to Sai. "Read this carefully. Then try illustrating the characters and scenes based on the story. After that, bring them to me. Understand?"
Sai blinked at the book, not entirely sure what kind of collaboration this was, but since Jiraiya valued his skill, he nodded firmly. "Alright, Jiraiya-sama. Don't worry. I'll draw them. I won't let you down."
Jiraiya beamed. His mind was already racing with possibilities. Icha Icha had always sold well, but what if it had illustrations to bring it to life? The impact would skyrocket! Readers would be enthralled. The profits would explode!
With Sai's art and his writing combined, Icha Icha could become legendary beyond imagination.
And with those profits… he could travel the world freely, skip missions, gather inspiration, and continue writing without a care.
The old sage could barely contain his glee.
Naruto, watching from the side, could only sigh. He hadn't expected Pervy Sage to find a partner in Sai of all people. Still, he couldn't help but wonder how much this unexpected cooperation would change things in the future.
In Naruto's past life, Jiraiya had died fighting Pain before such an idea could ever happen. Sai had never illustrated Icha Icha.
This meant one thing: the gears of fate were already shifting.
After seeing Sai's sketch, inspiration suddenly struck Jiraiya like lightning. His eyes gleamed as he shouted, "Alright, Naruto, Sai—move along! Don't distract me now. I'm inspired!"
He bent over his paper and began furiously scribbling, his pen moving faster and faster as the lines of his confession poured out.
Naruto exhaled in relief. Finally, Pervy Sage was in the zone. With the lines handled, the rest of the plan was solid.
Around them, preparations were falling into place.
Shino had already released his kikaichū carrying fireflies, spreading them across the area.
Jugo was busy communicating with the birds, coaxing them into place.
With a splash, Suigetsu dissolved into water and rehearsed the scene of lifting Jiraiya dramatically from the river, performing for Shikamaru's approval.
Rock Lee and Kiba were working with Orochimaru to arrange the explosives for the fireworks.
Chōji had used his Expansion Jutsu to grow in size and hang large lanterns on the trees. When Tsunade arrived, the lanterns would light up one by one, creating a breathtakingly romantic scene.
"Oi, Sai! The explosives are ready, come on!" Kiba called out.
"Coming," Sai replied, then glanced back at Naruto. "You've got nothing to do here for the moment. I'll help with the setup."
Naruto nodded. "Go ahead."
Meanwhile, Ino and Tenten had already taken the formal invitation Jiraiya wrote and gone to fetch Tsunade.
Kiba instructed Akamaru to patrol the perimeter. The moment Ino and Tenten returned with Tsunade, Akamaru would pick up their scent and alert everyone to prepare.
Naruto scanned the entire setup, confirmed with Shikamaru that everything was in order, and nodded.
The timing was perfect. Even Jiraiya was finishing the last touches on his confession script.
All that was left now… was Tsunade.
After a short while, Akamaru barked sharply, then ran back toward Kiba.
Kiba smirked and signaled. "They're here! Tsunade-sama is on her way!"
Immediately, everyone hurried to their positions.
Jiraiya stood by the riverbank, his heart pounding. Suigetsu melted into liquid form, ready to raise him from the water dramatically.
The others melted into the shadows, hiding.
Moments later, Tsunade's familiar voice echoed through the clearing. "Where's Jiraiya? I don't see him anywhere."
Ino held her hand and smiled innocently. "Right ahead, Tsunade-sama. Just a little further."
Tenten added with a grin, "Yes, please keep going. You'll see soon enough."
Tsunade's sharp eyes narrowed as she noticed the carefully arranged flowers and lanterns. Her brow furrowed. "These arrangements… Jiraiya, what are you up to?"
She raised her voice and called out. "Jiraiya! Stop hiding. Come out already. What kind of nonsense is this?"
Ino and Tenten only giggled and urged her forward. "Please, Tsunade-sama, just a little further. Look ahead!"
Then, the two kunoichi ran off, leaving Tsunade standing at the center of the setup.
On the far side of the river, Jiraiya straightened his hair, took a deep breath, and lifted a glowing lantern.
One by one, the lanterns across the river flickered to life, casting a soft glow over the scene.
Tsunade frowned deeper. "What the hell are you doing, Jiraiya?"
The water rippled, then surged upward. Suigetsu rose like a liquid pillar, carrying Jiraiya upward. With a steady step, Jiraiya landed gracefully on the water's surface, lantern in hand.
"Tsunade," he called softly, his voice carrying across the clearing.
He walked forward slowly, stopping a few meters away from her. At that moment, a bird swooped down, taking the lantern from his hand and soaring upward with it—Jugo's ability making the scene look surreal.
Tsunade folded her arms, her eyes sharp. "Well? What are you trying to pull, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya only smiled warmly. "You'll see soon enough."
He snapped his fingers.
In that instant, Chōji moved, and with a low whoosh, every lantern hanging from the trees burst into brilliant light, illuminating the entire clearing in a soft, romantic glow.
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