Minato finished speaking with a warm smile, then turned toward Jiraiya before shifting his gaze to Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama," he said gently, "I want to tell you something from the perspective of a disciple. Jiraiya-sama may have many shortcomings—just as Orochimaru-sama pointed out"—he paused, smiling at the audience—"but as his student, I can say with certainty that he truly loves you. You don't have to worry at all. Jiraiya-sama will treat you with all the kindness and devotion he has."
"Finally," Minato added, bowing respectfully, "I sincerely wish you both lifelong happiness."
The crowd immediately erupted into applause, filling the grand wedding hall with warmth and admiration.
Kakashi stepped forward, taking the microphone with a relaxed smile. "Thank you, Fourth Hokage-sama, for your heartfelt words." He chuckled. "And yes… Fourth Hokage-sama was also my teacher. Honestly, when Minato-sensei was speaking just now about Jiraiya-sama, I was thinking the exact same thing about Minato-sensei."
The audience laughed as Kakashi continued, "When I was young, I thought Minato-sensei was invincible—like a shining god of the battlefield. The more Ninjutsu I learned, the more I admired him. But today isn't about Minato-sensei, it's about Jiraiya-sama."
"Now," Kakashi said, turning serious again, "I'd like to invite several special people on stage to share their thoughts about Jiraiya-sensei."
He raised his hand dramatically.
"Please welcome… Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko."
A hush spread across the venue, followed by excited murmurs. The three former students—once known throughout the world for their influence over Amegakure and later Akatsuki—walked onto the stage one by one. Their presence alone carried the weight of countless memories and tragedies shaped by Jiraiya's teachings.
Kakashi handed the microphone to Yahiko first.
Yahiko looked down at the children of Amegakure seated among the guests, then smiled gently. "We were war orphans," he began. "The first time we met Jiraiya-sensei was during the Second Shinobi War. At that time, Jiraiya-sensei, Tsunade-sama, and Orochimaru-sama were on a mission in Amegakure."
He took a breath, recalling the scene vividly. "We were starving. So I walked up to them and asked for food. Jiraiya-sama gave it to us without hesitation."
The audience listened quietly.
"After that, we followed them," Yahiko continued. "Lady Tsunade told us to leave after giving us food, but… I stepped forward and tried to bow my head to them. I wanted to become their disciple. In that world—where war stole everything from us—I believed that becoming their student might be the only way we could survive."
He wiped the corner of his eye. "In the end, just as we prayed, Jiraiya-sensei stayed. He taught us Ninjutsu… and hope."
His voice broke. "To be honest, if Jiraiya-sensei hadn't stayed behind… Konan, Nagato, and I wouldn't have survived. I truly believe we would have died long ago."
Yahiko bowed deeply. "For that, I thank you, Jiraiya-sensei—for giving us life, and giving Amegakure a future."
He passed the microphone to Konan. She held it gently, her expression soft.
"Jiraiya-sama taught me origami Ninjutsu," she said warmly. "Because I once told him I wanted to fold a beautiful future… a future where the rain would stop falling over our village."
Konan faced the crowd. "As Yahiko said, without Jiraiya-sensei, the three of us would not be standing here today. His teachings opened our eyes to the truth—that a war-torn world needed someone to help heal it, just as Jiraiya-sensei stayed behind to help us."
She inhaled deeply. "That's why Yahiko formed Akatsuki. Not as a criminal organization, but as a symbol of a bright future for Amegakure."
There was silence as Konan lowered her eyes.
"As for Akatsuki becoming an evil force later… that was never our intention." She bowed to the representatives of every village present. "For that, I would like to sincerely apologize."
In a corner, Obito scratched the back of his head, visibly awkward. After all, much of what Akatsuki became was because of him.
Konan concluded, "Today, I am truly happy to attend Jiraiya-sama's wedding. A man as gentle and loving as him will definitely make Tsunade-sama happy."
She winked playfully at Jiraiya before passing the microphone to Nagato.
Nagato took it silently. His expression was calm but heavy with memories.
"My wish in the beginning," he said softly, "was very small. I simply wanted to learn enough from Jiraiya-sensei to protect Yahiko and Konan. They were everything to me."
He touched his chest. "But then… Jiraiya-sensei told me I was the Child of Prophecy. That with my Rinnegan, I would one day change the fate of the ninja world. From that moment on… the burden on my shoulders felt impossible to carry."
"But Yahiko helped me bear that weight." Nagato's voice trembled. "When he died… I lost every last bit of gentleness I had."
A deep silence fell over the crowd.
"I became consumed by the desire to make the world feel pain—so they could finally understand mine. With the help of the masked man… Obito… who called himself Uchiha Madara at the time, I created the Six Paths of Pain. I hunted the Tailed Beasts. I prepared for war."
He looked up—at Naruto.
His eyes softened.
"Until I met Naruto… He was the one who changed me."
Nagato smiled faintly. "People think Kotoamatsukami changed me, but the truth is… that Genjutsu only affected the old version of me. After Naruto transplanted my Rinnegan, all of that disappeared."
"He reminded me of Jiraiya-sensei. In fact… Naruto is the true Child of Prophecy that Jiraiya-sensei believed in. He is the final chapter of the ninja world's long story of hatred."
Nagato bowed his head. "Teacher… if it weren't for you, I would never have believed in Naruto. You changed me. You changed Naruto. And together… you changed the world."
He looked at Tsunade and Jiraiya with a warm, peaceful smile.
"Today, I am honored to witness your wedding. I wish you and Tsunade-sama an eternity of happiness."
Nagato bowed deeply. Konan and Yahiko followed.
Kakashi walked over, took the microphone from Nagato, and laughed softly. "Thank you. Truly. All three of you spoke from the heart. It's clear just how much Jiraiya-sama has influenced countless lives."
He gestured for them to step down.
Then Kakashi turned to the audience. "Have you all noticed something? Whether it was the First Hokage, Orochimaru, Nagato, or others—whenever they talked about Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama… one name kept appearing." He paused dramatically.
"And that name is… Naruto!"
Thunderous applause filled the room.
"So," Kakashi said, pointing to the side of the stage, "please welcome… Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto walked up proudly, grinning big, taking the microphone from Kakashi.
"Hello everyone! I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"
Gaara immediately clapped loudly. "Naruto!!!"
Hinata blinked in surprise at Gaara's enthusiasm.
Sasuke snorted softly, clearly irritated by Naruto's growing popularity.
Naruto stood before the crowd, his expression shifting as he remembered his mentor. He took a deep breath.
"Today… I want to share my story of Jiraiya-sensei," he said. "He wasn't just my teacher. He was my friend. My family. Someone who changed my whole life."
Naruto smiled sadly. "He taught me Ninjutsu, yeah… but more than that, he taught me how to live. He always told me to believe in myself. To keep moving forward."
He laughed lightly. "My training started when he took me to this place—full of waterfalls and forests. He said I needed to learn Chakra control. That I needed to reach deeper inside myself."
"And then he taught me the Rasengan." Naruto pumped his fist excitedly. "A super awesome technique that smashes everything! I must've failed hundreds of times… but Jiraiya-sensei never gave up on me."
"Then there was the Toad Summoning Training…" Naruto grinned wickedly. "He basically threw me off a cliff to force me to summon Gamabunta. Typical Jiraiya-sensei!"
The audience laughed.
Naruto added loudly, "But of course—as Orochimaru said earlier—Jiraiya-sensei is great at everything except one thing…"
The audience leaned forward.
Naruto smirked. "…He loves peeping at women in hot springs. And he loves my Sexy Jutsu way too much!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Jiraiya's face darkened instantly.
Seriously?!
You still haven't forgotten the peeping thing?!
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon