"Itachi, you're really heartless, using Tsukuyomi on your own brother," Kisame teased as Sasuke's screams rang out.
"Let's go."
Itachi let go of Sasuke, letting him drop to the ground like a dead dog.
"You're not killing him?"
Kisame reached for Samehada out of habit, then remembered it still hadn't recovered. "Tch, that brat sliced Samehada in half. Who knows when it'll be back to normal."
When they left, Kisame had carried the other half of Samehada with him. Now the sword was healing itself by feeding on his chakra.
"He's not worth killing," Itachi said without emotion. "Besides, someone's coming."
"Oh? That Nine-Tails kid?" Kisame asked with interest.
"No. Probably Jiraiya, and maybe some other Leaf shinobi," Itachi replied.
"Want to fight?"
Even without Samehada's help for now, Kisame wasn't afraid of a few Leaf ninjas.
He was very confident in his strength compared to Uchiha Itachi!
But every time Itachi ran into these Leaf ninjas, his only reaction was the same—retreat!
"Retreat. Jiraiya is one of the Three Legendary Ninjas, he's not like ordinary ninjas, and he's hard to deal with. Besides, the Leaf's Anbu are helping him."
"I get it."
Kisame grinned. If they were retreating, fine, but Itachi still felt the need to explain, as if Kisame might object.
Just as the two of them pulled back, Jiraiya and the Leaf's Blue Beast, Might Guy, rushed over.
Seeing Sasuke lying unconscious on the ground, they both stopped chasing.
"He's still alive, but he needs treatment right away!" Jiraiya checked Sasuke's condition and said.
"Then should we keep chasing them?" Guy asked.
He hadn't been chasing Akatsuki to begin with—he was chasing Sasuke. Along the way, he ran into Jiraiya, who was after Itachi and Kisame.
Since their goals lined up, they acted together.
But now, it seemed the plan was over.
"Forget it. Those two are too fast."
Jiraiya shook his head. He didn't plan to chase anymore.
He had only followed in the first place because he thought Naruto could handle himself. But after chasing this far, he started to feel worried for Naruto's safety.
"I'll take Sasuke back first. I'll leave Naruto to you!" Guy said, carrying Sasuke and heading for the village.
Jiraiya glanced toward the direction Itachi and Kisame had gone, then turned toward the inn.
The Akatsuki's existence worried him, but with Naruto growing so fast, they shouldn't be able to harm him so easily.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Hey, Naruto! Open up!"
Click!
The door swung open on its own, but Naruto didn't appear.
Instead, Jiraiya saw a glowing hand slowly pull back from the doorknob.
Light Style: God's Hand!
"So this is another way you use that technique? Looks pretty handy." Jiraiya stepped inside and closed the door.
Naruto was leaning against the bed, not answering, staring into space like he was lost in thought.
Seeing this, Jiraiya spoke again. "Aren't you curious about who those two guys were? You look like you don't care at all about who's after you."
"Not curious." Naruto replied casually.
"You really have some nerve, huh~"
Jiraiya warned, "Don't think they ran away because they were scared of you. They only backed off because I was nearby!"
Naruto turned his head with a doubtful look, as if to say—You?
"What's with that look?!"
Jiraiya shouted, "Don't forget, I'm one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha. Of course I've got enough skill for people to be wary of me!"
"Oh."
Naruto's halfhearted answer made Jiraiya's anger deflate like a popped balloon. Still, he quickly regained his composure.
With a serious face, he said, "Naruto, I'm not joking. Those two are no joke. Even I can't be sure I could beat them."
"That just means you need to train harder. And to keep you from falling into the 'Three Ninja Taboos,' I think you should hand over your savings to me for safekeeping!" Naruto said.
The so-called Three Ninja Taboos were booze, women, and money—the three desires that could ruin a ninja. Obviously, Jiraiya had already given in to all three!
"So you know about the Three Ninja Taboos… but I'm guessing you're not trying to safeguard my savings, you just want to keep them for yourself!" Jiraiya said, exasperated.
"Huh? Was it that obvious?" Naruto said in surprise. "Guess I'm just too nice to be any good at lying."
"..."
Jiraiya was speechless. "I have no idea who you take after with this personality. Anyway, I've said what I needed to say. If you don't take it to heart, that's on you."
"Whatever you say~"
Naruto shrugged, looking unconcerned.
Jiraiya thought he knew a lot, but Naruto knew even more!
Names like Uchiha Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki… Akatsuki.
If Naruto told Jiraiya everything, it would shock him for a hundred years.
But Naruto had no intention of telling him.
Even though it sounded like paranoia, what if Naruto really learned everything Jiraiya knew, then went and took down the Akatsuki by himself?
The next day,
They left the inn and arrived at a new town.
This town was even bigger and livelier than the last one, full of food stalls and street snacks, along with all kinds of entertainment.
It seemed like another place where Tsunade might be.
"Naruto."
Jiraiya suddenly said to him, "How much money do you have left?"
Naruto turned around and gave him a look of disgust. "You still haven't paid me the ten thousand ryo from yesterday, and you're already eyeing my money?"
"Ahem!"
Jiraiya coughed twice and tried to act serious. "I'll give you that ten thousand later, but right now I need to gather some info, and I need money for it, so maybe you could..."
"Forget it!"
"Collecting info is your job, not mine. And you have more money than me, so why ask me? Also... if you don't give me that ten thousand right now, I'm heading straight back to the Leaf!"
"..."
Seeing that Naruto wasn't joking, Jiraiya's face completely fell.
Why did this feel like losing both the chicken and the rice?
"Fine, I give up."
Looking helpless, Jiraiya pulled out a ten-thousand ryo bill and handed it to Naruto. "Go have fun here, and don't wander too far. I'll be back soon!"
"You don't even have to come back."
Naruto waved him off without even turning his head, leaving Jiraiya speechless.
Who was this kid like, anyway?
Fourth Hokage, are you sure this is really your son?
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