The moment Jiraiya appeared, the stands erupted in cheers. In their minds, Jiraiya's prestige was not much lower than the Third Hokage's. They eagerly awaited for Jiraiya to refute everything Naruto had said, take down this monster, and show the world the power of Konoha!
"Pervy Sage!" The bewildered Naruto Uzumaki scrambled to his feet, a light of hope shining in his eyes. He had been taken in as Jiraiya's student and had traveled with him to Mount Myoboku to train. Although Jiraiya was perverted and unreliable, he had given Naruto Uzumaki the fatherly love he had never experienced. In his heart, Jiraiya was extremely important.
He couldn't believe that his other-world self would become so cruel. He couldn't believe the truths he had heard. And he certainly couldn't believe that he would one day become like that other Naruto. He didn't want to become that kind of person. Because he loved Konoha, and he loved everyone in it!
"Pervy Sage," Naruto Uzumaki murmured, lost and confused.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto Uzumaki with concern. Everything that had happened today was undoubtedly a second blow to the boy. But he believed that his student would pull through.
It was the Naruto from the other world that was the problem.
Looking at the cold, stern face of this Naruto, Jiraiya's eyes filled with a mixture of surprise, regret, sadness, and a trace of heartache. A thousand words were reduced to a single sentence: "Stop this, Naruto."
Looking at the Jiraiya who was identical to the one in his own world, Naruto offered a rare smile and asked, "Do you think things have progressed to a point where I can still stop? Jiraiya-sensei." Naruto emphasized the word 'sensei', a playful look on his face.
"Sensei? So, in that world, I also took you in as my student," Jiraiya said, a dazed look on his face, followed by a bitter tone. "Naruto, the Third Hokage's reputation is already in ruins. For my sake, please, stop this."
The villagers in the stands immediately began to curse. "Jiraiya-sama, get rid of that demon fox!"
"He's an enemy of our village!!"
"Does a single monster really think he can defy his superiors?"
Hearing these vicious words, Naruto Uzumaki's heart sank. He had always strived to gain the villagers' acknowledgment. But now, it seemed they hadn't changed at all. The cries of 'monster' and 'demon fox,' though directed at the other Naruto, were also being hurled at him. The malicious words brought back painful memories. Even with his usual carefree attitude, he couldn't remain optimistic.
Just then, Naruto Uzumaki felt two warm hands on his shoulders. He looked up blankly to see the concerned faces of Sasuke and Sakura.
"Naruto, no matter what anyone else says, you'll always be the goofy, reliable Naruto Uzumaki in my heart!" Sakura said, her heart aching for him.
"Hmph. Don't listen to those ignorant fools. You are Naruto Uzumaki. You are my… my partner, Sasuke Uchiha's." Sasuke's face turned red as he said the last word, and he quickly turned his head away with a proud huff.
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes immediately reddened.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki! I'm different from him!!" He nodded forcefully, his resolve hardening.
"Did you hear that, Jiraiya-sensei?" Hearing the curses, Naruto's expression remained unchanged. He asked softly, his pure blue eyes as calm as a placid lake.
Jiraiya suddenly found it difficult to look Naruto in the eye, and the guilt in his heart grew even stronger. He couldn't imagine what kind of malice this Naruto had endured to be able to face such vicious taunts with such calm. Konoha owed him too much. Even he himself owed him too much.
Jiraiya fell silent, the hand holding his kunai slowly lowering.
"No will to fight? Then step aside." Naruto's tone turned cold, and he took a step towards the despairing Naruto Uzumaki.
Sakura and a now-resolved Sasuke stood in front of Naruto Uzumaki, their faces tense.
"Relax. All I'm going to do is remove the power that is influencing your judgment," Naruto said, looking at Naruto Uzumaki, his tone flat. "If you want, I can also help you get rid of the Nine-Tails."
"Can you really do that?" Naruto Uzumaki was tempted. If he didn't have the Nine-Tails, he wouldn't be a monster. Maybe the villagers' opinion of him would change! He could finally be acknowledged.
"Can you really take away the Nine-Tails?" he asked again, looking up with hope.
"Of course. Your own talent is not bad. Even without the Nine-Tails, you can develop a power that is no less than its."
Naruto's words swayed Naruto Uzumaki. He took a step forward, almost blurting out his agreement.
"Don't fall for it, Naruto Uzumaki!" Jiraiya's stern voice rang out. He knew that there was no turning back for Konoha and this Naruto. Konoha could not lose the Nine-Tails. He could only choose to stand on Konoha's side.
A fight was inevitable.
He understood. He couldn't let his guilt towards his Naruto Uzumaki affect his judgment of this Naruto. Who knew how the Jiraiya and Konoha of that other world had treated him?
Besides! This Naruto was too cruel. Jiraiya refused to believe that this world's Naruto Uzumaki would ever walk the same path as his other-world counterpart!
"Look at Kakashi! Look at everyone! Do you really believe what he's saying?!"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Naruto Uzumaki's gaze fell upon the barely conscious Kakashi, and then on Asuma, clutching Kurenai's body like a withered tree. A fire of rage ignited in his eyes. He glared at the other Naruto.
"Maybe your heart is really in pain, and you're very disappointed. I'm the same as you. I've endured the same past. But I won't hate! I believe in everyone! I believe in the future!"
"My other self!! Remember this! I will absolutely never become someone like you!!"
"You hurt Kakashi-sensei! You hurt everyone! That's unforgivable! I, Naruto Uzumaki, the future Hokage, will definitely defeat you!!"
Hearing Naruto Uzumaki's impassioned words, Naruto withdrew his gaze, his blue eyes now fixed on Jiraiya, filled with killing intent.
"It seems you've made your choice."
"However, your opponent is not me."
With that, Naruto snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, Gaara, who had been watching from the sidelines, was pulled into a genjutsu. His pupils gradually became vacant, and an astonishingly violent chakra erupted from his body.
Buzz.
The surrounding sand swirled around Gaara, forming a vortex. Soon, his body began to twist and transform into Shukaku. The one-tailed beast's piercing, crazed laughter echoed through the arena:
"Hahahaha, the great me is finally out!!"
"One Shukaku is not a worthy opponent for you, so I've prepared someone you've been thinking about day and night."
"Orochimaru, there's no need to hide anymore. This is the perfect stage I've prepared for you," Naruto said, looking at the Kazekage in the stands with a smile. "In my world, we're good partners, you know."
"The Konoha Crush plan can now begin." Orochimaru knew he could no longer hide. He stood up.
A genjutsu user appeared, and feathers began to fall from the sky. The tens of thousands of spectators in the arena instantly fell into a deep sleep. At the same time, the Sand ninja all began to move.
Before Jiraiya's shocked eyes, the Kazekage tore off his disguise, revealing his true face.
It was none other than Orochimaru!!
"Jiraiya. It's been a long time," Orochimaru said, his voice raspy as he licked his lips.
"Orochimaru! What are you doing here? The Konoha Crush plan? Could it be you…" Jiraiya was horrified. From his words, he could guess Orochimaru's intentions. He wanted to destroy Konoha!! But thinking about it, did that make sense? Considering Orochimaru's personality, it actually made perfect sense.
"A battle between old partners. That's a good enough gimmick. I'm looking forward to it. But this performance doesn't need any extra actors," Naruto said with a cold smile, snapping his fingers again.
The Sand ninja, who had been mobilizing, suddenly froze in place as if someone had pressed a pause button. This display of power made both Jiraiya and Orochimaru even more wary.
"Naruto-kun, I'm very curious about you. Since we are partners in another world, could you tell your partner what it is you truly want?"
Hearing Orochimaru's question, Naruto smiled faintly. "My objective has always been only Naruto Uzumaki. But I do enjoy watching a good show."
Hearing this, Orochimaru let out a raspy laugh. "I think I understand your thoughts, Naruto-kun. But what's in it for me?"
"Research subjects, and the opportunity to study souls." Naruto took out a pink test tube from his pocket. It looked ordinary, but it immediately captured Orochimaru's attention. In his vision, a white Reiatsu swirled within the flesh and blood inside the tube. It was just like the mask that had formed on Naruto's face earlier.
"Deal," Orochimaru said, turning to face Jiraiya, a kunai in his hand.
"Come, Jiraiya. Let's see how much you've improved over the years."