It was almost ten o'clock the next morning when Jiraiya groggily sat up from the floor, rubbed his eyes, and glanced at Naruto—still fast asleep on the bed, a snot bubble inflating and deflating with every breath.
With a wicked grin, Jiraiya reached out and popped the snot bubble with a crisp pop! Then, in his usual dramatic fashion, he unleashed an alarm guaranteed to get the boy moving.
"ICHIRAKU RAMEN SHUT DOWN! AYAME RAN AWAY WITH HER HANDS TIED!"
"WHAT!!!?"
Naruto jolted upright with a burst of chakra, sending the light blue summer bedsheets flying. He leapt to his feet atop the mattress, eyes wide with panic.
"What happened to Ichiraku Ramen?! What happened to Teuchi-san?!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, arms crossed.
"Haha! Relax. Ichiraku's fine. Teuchi's still there, and Ayame hasn't gone anywhere. I just needed to test if you'd wake up quickly."
Naruto glared at him, rolling his eyes.
That's it… Next time I get up first, I'm showing him the Reverse Harem Jutsu—featuring the ugliest women I can imagine!
"Alright, alright, don't pout," Jiraiya said with a smirk. "Get dressed and pack your things. We're heading out today with the delegation from Kumogakure."
"You're going to train with your big bro Killer Bee. He'll teach you what it means to be a perfect Jinchūriki."
"Don't you want to become real friends with the Nine-Tails? To master its power?"
"And hey, once you come back, you might even be able to stomp Sasuke into the dirt."
Jiraiya leaned closer, teasingly wiggling his eyebrows.
"Think about it… Sakura looking at you with brand new eyes~"
It was a simple and childish dream, but to Naruto, those were two of his greatest motivations.
He leapt off the bed and threw on his bright orange tracksuit. With a grin, he tied his forehead protector around his head.
"Then what are we waiting for!? I can't wait to knock Sasuke flat!"
He began shoving supplies into his travel pouch with speed and excitement.
An hour later, Jiraiya and Naruto had finished prepping. They sealed their gear into multiple space scrolls and cleaned out the entire cabin, leaving it spotless.
Before stepping out, Naruto paused by his nightstand.
There sat a framed photo of Team 7, and beside it, a picture of Minato and Kushina.
"Dad… Mom… I'm heading out."
They made their way to the newly constructed East Gate of Konoha, where they spotted Omoi, Samui, and Karui waiting casually by the gate.
"Sorry, sorry, we're late!" Jiraiya called out.
Omoi glanced at the time on the guard booth's wall and crunched his lollipop with a loud crack.
"No worries. You two are honored guests of Kumogakure. We just got here early—it's not even noon yet."
"But since you're ready, Lord Jiraiya, Naruto—let's move out."
Naruto gave a firm nod, practically vibrating with anticipation.
"No problem, Brother Omoi! Let's go right now!"
Omoi blinked, caught off guard by the boy's excitement. Naruto's bright gaze made something warm bloom in his chest.
Usually in Kumogakure, Samui called him a coward and Karui always complained he was annoying. No one had ever looked at him like that before.
This feeling was… kind of amazing.
"Brother Omoi?" Naruto tilted his head curiously, confused by the pause.
Omoi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, smiling softly.
"It's nothing. When we get to the village, just let me know if you need anything."
Naruto didn't really get what was going on, but he could sense Omoi's sincerity. He nodded with a big smile.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya handed a scroll to the East Gate guard, Izumo.
He examined the documents carefully before nodding.
"All set. Apologies, Lord Jiraiya, but it's standard procedure. Ever since the Ninja Association was established, there's been a huge increase in shinobi coming and going. Lady Shizune ordered us to double-check everyone passing through."
Jiraiya chuckled.
"No trouble at all. I know you're just doing your job."
"We appreciate your understanding. Oh—and one more thing. About a week after you arrive in Kumogakure, a Konoha diplomatic team will be coming to establish an embassy there. Please assist them when the time comes."
"Asuma will be leading the team."
Jiraiya sighed.
If it weren't for Naruto's training and the mystery of the lightning chakra in Kumogakure, he never would've agreed to this.
Uchiha Hikaru really played me on this one…
The group stepped out through the gate—but after only a few meters, Naruto stopped in his tracks.
"Sasuke! Sakura! Kakashi-sensei!?"
He spun around and dashed back to the gate, where his three teammates were standing.
Jiraiya raised a hand, signaling Omoi's team to wait.
Omoi had no objections. Watching Naruto run back to his friends, he actually smiled a little.
He could wait a bit longer if it meant this little brother got to say goodbye properly.
Sakura handed Naruto a neatly wrapped brown package.
"These are chakra pills I made with Lady Mito's recipe. Take them with you for training."
Kakashi stepped forward, holding a three-pronged kunai.
"This was a gift from your father when I became a Jonin. I wasn't sure what to give you… so I thought it was time you had this."
"I hope one day, you become a shinobi just as great as he was."
Naruto took the Flying Thunder God kunai with both hands, eyes misty with emotion.
"Sasuke, you're up," Kakashi prompted.
Sasuke stepped forward awkwardly. From behind his back, he pulled out a finely crafted silver kunai.
"I won this during the Junior Ninjutsu Tournament," he mumbled. "I'm giving it to you… as a keepsake."
Naruto accepted it carefully and then bumped fists with Sasuke, the two locking eyes with mutual understanding.
"Don't worry, guys."
"I'll train harder than ever. I'll become strong. Powerful."
He turned to Sasuke.
"And you—don't go losing to me too easily, alright?"
Their gazes burned with unspoken rivalry.
"Hmph. Next time, I'll crush you. So stop slacking."
With a dramatic turn, Sasuke walked away.
Naruto gave a final wave and rejoined Jiraiya and Omoi's group.
Together, they set off for Kumogakure.
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