Uzumaki Naruto's bold words left Jiraiya momentarily speechless. He couldn't just go back on his promise to a teenager. If word got out, it would ruin the reputation of the legendary Toad Sage!
But after weighing the pros and cons, Jiraiya ultimately decided to delay. He had returned to the village because of the Third Hokage's summons, and he wasn't here just to mentor Naruto on a whim.
He could still recall how displeased Hiruzen seemed when discussing Naruto. It was obvious the old man hadn't succeeded in truly winning over the boy.
> What I need to do now… is to reignite the Will of Fire in Naruto's heart—the same will that protects Konoha.
Jiraiya knew very well that once Minato's Eight Sign Seal was fully unlocked, Naruto wouldn't just access a portion of the Nine Tails' power. He'd gain control over the entire chakra pool of Kurama.
> If that happens... even I might not be able to stop him…
---
Naruto suddenly broke the silence, "Pervy Sage, so it was Grandpa Third who asked you to be my teacher, huh? And you were so reluctant!"
Jiraiya scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "Well… well…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly stepped in to explain, "Naruto, don't believe what that Jiraiya from the other world said. It's true that I asked him to come back, but that was only because the Chūnin Exams were approaching. Your chakra nature doesn't align with Kakashi's, so I had him continue training Sasuke while we searched for someone more suitable to teach you."
The old Hokage continued, "Think about it. Under Jiraiya's guidance, hasn't your strength grown tremendously? Even the Hyuga clan's prodigy couldn't keep up with you."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Now that you mention it… yeah, I guess you're right! Even though this pervy old man makes me perform the Seduction Jutsu before he teaches me anything, I've definitely gotten way stronger!"
Uzumaki Kushina's voice exploded in fury. "Jiraiya, you b*****d! What kind of training did you put my son through?!"
Even Minato couldn't defend his mentor this time. "Teacher Jiraiya… that sort of thing… Naruto really shouldn't be learning it."
He was completely dumbfounded. Back in the day, when he trained with Jiraiya, there was never such a ridiculous request! Who could've imagined his teacher would make his teenage son perform seductive ninjutsu just to get a lesson?
> This is absurd!
---
Eventually, Jiraiya sighed and said, "Sorry, Naruto… I've decided to wait until after the Chūnin Exams to give you the key to the seal."
Naruto simply shrugged and replied, "Alright then… after the Chūnin Exams it is!"
He retracted his hand and casually placed both arms behind his head with a carefree grin.
> If not for Jiraiya's strength, Naruto might've snatched the key already.
Though he had just forced Orochimaru to retreat, Naruto didn't let it inflate his ego. He understood that Orochimaru hadn't been at full power due to his deteriorating body and, more importantly, Naruto had intentionally held back to avoid alerting the enemy or making too much noise.
> I must remain cautious…
---
As Naruto turned to leave, Jiraiya hesitantly called out, "Naruto… about that seductive ninjutsu…"
Naruto flashed a mischievous grin, his white teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Let's talk about it after the Chūnin Exams! See ya!"
Before Jiraiya could protest, Naruto disappeared into the night, leaving the legendary Sannin standing there with a face full of regret and… doubt.
> Was I overthinking things? But that technique… it really is interesting…
---
Later That Night — Over Konoha
In the quiet darkness, under the pale moonlight, a black-clad figure with a fox mask darted effortlessly across the rooftops of Konoha.
It was Uzumaki Naruto.
For over ten days, he had carefully observed the village's patrol patterns. He now had a perfect understanding of the routes taken by the Anbu. Confident in his stealth, Naruto advanced quickly and decisively.
His destination was clear—a relatively lavish residence, the temporary lodging of the Sand siblings.
Through the window, Naruto spotted Gaara inside, sitting motionless and deep in thought.
Naruto whispered to himself, "This guy doesn't sleep at all, huh? No wonder his dark circles are so bad!"
Indeed, Gaara wasn't resting. Instead, he was silently refining chakra. Naruto couldn't help but admire his diligence.
But suddenly—
"Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?"
A voice cut through the night. It was Baki—Gaara's Jonin commander and escort. He had been tasked with keeping an eye on the trio during their stay in Konoha.
Naruto, of course, wasn't surprised. He'd accounted for this.
Without a word, he raised his hand and hurled a kunai.
"Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Shuriken!"
"Hmm?"
Baki immediately recognized the danger and countered with incredible speed.
"Wind Style: Cyclone Scythe!"
Chakra surged around Baki, forming razor-sharp wind blades that deflected the shuriken and lashed toward Naruto's mask.
Naruto leaped high into the air and dashed off without hesitation.
"You think you can get away?!"
Baki hadn't planned on giving chase initially, but the moment he recognized the Shadow Clone Shuriken—a signature technique of the Third Hokage—he grew suspicious.
> Could the Hokage have sent this operative? Was he here to investigate the tailed beast?
Even if it seemed unlikely, the suspicion gnawed at him. And with the covert nature of their mission, any risk of exposure had to be dealt with immediately.
> No… I can't let him escape!
Activating chakra under his feet, Baki launched into pursuit.
Naruto smirked under his mask.
> Hooked just as expected!
This was all part of the plan.
He carefully measured the distance between them, always keeping Baki close enough to stay interested, yet just far enough to avoid being caught. That kept the chase going.
> Tonight... Baki dies.
---
The chase stretched on. Rooftop after rooftop blurred by as Baki chased the fox-masked intruder with growing irritation.
"Damn you! I swear I'll kill you when I catch you!"
Naruto, however, maintained the perfect pace. Each time Baki closed the gap enough to attack, Naruto would suddenly accelerate, widening the distance once more.
Baki was no fool. Soon, he began to suspect.
> Wait a minute… is he doing this on purpose?
By the time realization dawned, they had already reached the perimeter of the Hokage Building.
A soft bang echoed through the night as Naruto's figure vanished before Baki's eyes.
"Damn… it was a Shadow Clone?!"
He scanned the area in frustration.
Just then, two figures emerged from the shadows. Both wore Anbu uniforms. One of them had long, flowing purple hair—clearly recognizable as Kurenai's old teammate, Yugao Uzuki.
---
And just like that, the trap was sprung.
Naruto's careful planning, from studying the patrols to baiting Baki, had worked flawlessly.
The Anbu were in position.
Baki, now deep within enemy territory, stood isolated.
And tonight—Konoha's quiet night—was about to erupt into chaos.
---
To be continued…