38: Chapter 38 Searching for Tsunade, Jiraiya's Dilemma(Dear readers, I apologize.I felt that there wasn't enough interaction between Jiraiya and Naruto, so I've revised it starting from this chapter.I'm truly sorry!)
The funeral of the Third Hokage ended, but the cold rain could not wash away the sorrow that filled the air above Konoha.
The village began its arduous reconstruction amidst the ruins, with every villager's face bearing the weariness of surviving a catastrophe and a sense of uncertainty about the future.
The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was heavy.
The two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, are having a conversation with Jiraiya that will determine the future of the village.
"The position of Hokage cannot remain vacant for even a day." Koharu Utatane's voice was hoarse."Jiraiya, you are the most suitable candidate."
"Stop joking." Jiraiya leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his usually nonchalant face now heavy with worry."I'm not cut out to be Hokage.I'll only lead the village to a worse state."
"Then what do you suggest we do!" Mitokado Homura slammed his fist on the table."Orochimaru has severely damaged the village, Sasuke has defected, and now the village is leaderless.Are we just going to watch Konoha decline like this?"
Jiraiya remained silent for a moment, then another name came to mind.
A woman who also inherited the bloodline of the First Hokage and possesses unparalleled medical ninjutsu.
"Tsunade," he uttered the name, "Go find her and bring her back.She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin, and only she can turn the tide."
The proposal received the hard-won approval of the two advisors.
Finding the legendary "big fat sheep" has become Konoha's most urgent task.
As Jiraiya walked out of the Hokage Building, preparing to embark on his journey, an orange figure blocked his way.
It's Naruto Uzumaki.
"Perverted Sage." Naruto looked up at the man who was much taller than him.His azure eyes were exceptionally clear in the gloomy sky."I want to go too."
Jiraiya paused for a moment.He looked at the boy in front of him.
These days, he has heard too many rumors about this boy.
He defeated the Hinata genius in an incredible way in the finals, and his heartfelt grief after the Third Hokage's death was truly revealed.
He seems to have the shadow of Minato, that unwavering tenacity.
But for some reason, when he looked directly into those eyes, he felt something completely different from Minato's.
Beneath that calm lay a bottomless danger that even made this seasoned ninja, a veteran of many battles, feel uneasy.
[Ding!You have received 3200 [Confusion] items from Jiraiya!]
[Ding!You have received 2800 [Judgment] from Jiraiya!]
"Kid, this isn't a picnic." Jiraiya's tone unconsciously became serious."The road to find Tsunade is dangerous, and you have more important things to do in the village."
"I have avenged the Third Hokage." Naruto interrupted him, referring to how he used the illusion of the Nine-Tails' chakra on the battlefield, in conjunction with the out-of-control Gaara, indirectly caused the deaths of many Sound and Sand ninja."But that's not enough.I need to become stronger, strong enough to protect this village, strong enough… to ensure that no one else will be sacrificed."
His words were resounding, and his awareness left Jiraiya momentarily dazed.
Is this really the same guy he'd heard about, the one who only knew how to play pranks and was considered a loser?
"Becoming stronger isn't just about talking." Jiraiya shook his head, preparing to walk around him.
Just then, Naruto extended his right hand.
Buzz.
A surge of chakra spun rapidly in his palm, emitting a piercing buzz.The air was stirred up, forming a visible, unstable yet undeniably real blue chakra sphere.
"This is." Jiraiya's steps suddenly stopped, his usually nonchalant expression completely froze, and an extreme shock appeared on his face.
Rasengan!
Although its form is crude and its energy control is extremely unstable, and it may collapse at any time, it is undoubtedly the pinnacle of hand seal ninjutsu, which his teacher, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, spent three years developing.
"How could you."
"I saw Grandpa Hokage use a similar technique before, so I tried to imitate it myself." Naruto dispersed the chakra in his hand and explained in a matter-of-fact tone, "But it's difficult.The form change and nature change of chakra can never be perfectly combined."
He deliberately presented a flawed, yet highly deceptive, theory.
A perfect lie.
He disguised his extraordinary talent as inspiration "stolen" from the Third Hokage and the result of his subsequent "efforts".
[Ding!You have received 9500 of Jiraiya's ultimate [Shocking] items!]
A tremendous wave of emotion surged within Jiraiya's heart.
imitate?
Are you kidding me!
The Rasengan is an A-rank ninjutsu.Its groundbreaking concept is so advanced that even if you were given the complete training method, it would be impossible to master without top-notch talent and perseverance, let alone imitate it.
And this kid, after just one "glance," has figured it out on his own?
What terrifying talent!
He suddenly remembered the prophecy of the Great Toad Immortal.
"Among my disciples, there will emerge a 'prophetic child' who will bring about tremendous changes to the ninja world."
He initially thought that person was Nagato, but later he thought it was Minato.
But they all failed.
Now, looking at the blond, blue-eyed boy in front of him, and at the imperfect Rasengan in his hand, a brand new idea began to grow wildly in Jiraiya's mind.
Perhaps, he is the real one.
"Alright." Jiraiya took a deep breath and made a decision."Since you're so eager to become stronger, I'll personally teach you.But it's settled then, you have to do as I say on everything along the way."
"Furthermore, I have one more request: if Naruto can learn the complete Rasengan within a week, then I will."I acknowledge that you have sufficient talent.
"Becoming my disciple is not easy; only by mastering the Rasengan can you truly walk alongside me."
He wanted to see for himself whether this child was Konoha's hope or another uncontrollable monster.
"Of course." Naruto nodded, a perfectly timed look of anticipation for the future appearing on his youthful face.
Deep inside, the numbers on the system panel were quietly changing.
[Ding!You have received 4500 "Appreciation" from Jiraiya!]
[Ding!You have received 3000 Pride from Jiraiya!]
very good.
The actor is already immersed in the role.
The two of them set off one after the other on the road to leave the village.
The journey was tedious, but for Naruto, it was another silent analysis.
He was constantly aware of the powerful man beside him.
He sensed beneath Jiraiya's bold and unrestrained exterior a deep longing for his fallen comrades, an aversion to war, and a profound, visceral loneliness.
He uses his relentless travel and research to escape certain aspects of his past that he cannot face.
This is also his weakness.
An emotional vulnerability that can be exploited.
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