"Really? That's great!"
Sakura was overjoyed, her smile blooming like cherry blossoms.
"Hehe, Kakashi-sensei, you really love to joke around," Naruto said with an easygoing grin as he looked at Kakashi.
"Hmph."
Sasuke didn't say anything, just let out a soft chuckle. But the joy on his face was clear for all to see.
"Naruto, this isn't a joke. Anyway, you'll understand in time," Kakashi said with a helpless look, but when he saw Naruto's completely clueless expression, he gave up on explaining.
"Alright, missions start tomorrow. You're all dismissed for now. Tomorrow, meet me on the main road in Konoha."
With that, Kakashi vanished, leaping onto a rooftop and quickly disappearing into the distance.
"Tch, shows up later than anyone, but leaves faster than everyone!"
Naruto grumbled silently.
Looking at Sakura and Sasuke, he could tell they were just as annoyed and frustrated as he was.
Yeah, they were probably thinking the same thing.
"Well, I'm off too. Sakura, how about we go spend some quality time together, just the two of us?"
Naruto gave Sakura a suggestive look.
"Stupid Naruto! Are you trying to die?"
Sakura raised a pink fist threateningly, her face fierce with irritation.
"Alright, alright, just kidding!"
Naruto waved it off and quickly made his escape. If he stuck around any longer, he'd definitely get smacked.
"That Naruto… seriously," Sakura sighed, a little helplessly.
Now it was just her and Sasuke. But surprisingly, Sakura didn't try to invite him anywhere. Instead, she simply waved and said, "Bye, Sasuke. I should head home too."
Maybe, just maybe, her heart was beginning to mature, growing slowly and quietly in this age of youthful emotions…
Now alone, Sasuke felt a bit bored. He was about to go home, but the image of Naruto's sharp, skillful movements flashed through his mind, stirring something inside him. With his Sharingan eyes glowing red, he darted off into the distance.
"Ha! Earth Style: Tearing Earth Turning Palm !"
In a deserted clearing, Naruto's voice rang out as he appeared in the center. With a shout, he slammed his palm into the ground. Instantly, cracks spiderwebbed across the earth beneath his feet.
"Hmm... this level of power still isn't enough."
Naruto frowned at the fractured ground. At the very least, it should've torn up part of the terrain…
"Long-Range Telescope Jutsu!"
Just as he was about to throw himself back into training, a low, excited voice echoed nearby.
It sounded like... an older man?
"Who else would be using jutsu out here? Maybe someone else is training?"
Curious and a little suspicious, Naruto quietly followed the sound.
He reached the edge of a waterfall and peeked down, only to be utterly shocked by what he saw. He couldn't even speak properly.
"W-What the…?!"
Despite all his usual flirtatious talk, Naruto had never actually faced this kind of real-life visual impact before. And now he couldn't handle it.
"Why are there girls bathing down there?!"
A rush of heat filled his nose, he quickly covered it with his hands.
"Wahaha… jackpot!"
A pervy voice snapped Naruto out of his daze.
He looked toward the rustling bushes, which seemed to sway without any wind. Pushing them aside, he came face to face with a long-haired old man with pure white hair and a sleazy grin plastered across his face.
"Ah, YOU!"
Naruto jumped in surprise. Wasn't this Jiraiya?!
"Damn brat!"
Startled by Naruto's shout, Jiraiya knew he was in trouble. He stuffed his telescope into his robe, grabbed Naruto, and bolted away from the scene.
"Ahhh! PERVERT!!!"
A few seconds later, shrieks of panic and chaos echoed from the stream beneath the waterfall.
"Brat! You totally ruined my research trip!" Jiraiya glared, eyes bulging with frustration.
"Hmph! Calling it 'research' you're obviously just being a perv."
Naruto gave Jiraiya a disgusted look.
"What do you know, kid?!"
Jiraiya leapt up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He pulled a book from his robe. "See this? This is art! This is my Senseipiece! One day, this book will be a national bestseller and adored by readers everywhere!"
Naruto glanced at the book and suddenly understood. So it's that semi-famous "Icha Icha Paradise (Make-Out Paradise)"… isn't that Kakashi-sensei's favorite?
"From your face, you know this book, right? Haha! I really am a genius!"
Jiraiya laughed smugly.
"Yeah, I know it. It's also the number one target of female rage everywhere," Naruto replied, nodding with an "I've got your number" expression.
"Ugh…"
Jiraiya's smug grin froze on his face like he'd just swallowed a dead bug.
"Stupid brat! This is art! Art is meant to be indulgent and exciting!"
Jiraiya threw a tantrum.
"Psh. Whatever…"
Naruto looked at him like he was hopeless.
"Listen, kid! When you know the name of this great man, me, you better support my amazing work!"
Jiraiya tapped the book's cover dramatically. "Got it?!"
"Are you asking me to help you do pyramid scheme marketing?"
Naruto spoke bluntly. Too much beating around the bush was just a hassle.
"It's not pyramid marketing, it's fan support! Support!"
Jiraiya glared. "As a fan of this handsome genius, "
"Hold up!"
Naruto cut him off, "I'm not your fan. I, "
"What?! You dare say you're not a fan of me, the dashing, charming, frog sage of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya-sama?!"
Before Naruto could finish, Jiraiya struck a dramatic pose atop a summoned toad. "How about now? Have you been stunned by my dazzling aura?"
"Sorry… still not feeling it."
Naruto looked at him like he was an idiot.
Thud!
Jiraiya collapsed off the toad, unable to handle the blow.
"…Alright kid, tell me your name."
Brushing the dust off his clothes, Jiraiya dismissed the toad and turned to Naruto.
"Oh, I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto answered cheerfully. He had nothing to hide.
"Uzumaki… Naruto…"
Jiraiya muttered, his gaze distant.
"Hey, old man?"
Naruto waved a finger in front of Jiraiya's face.
"…"
A moment passed. Then Jiraiya exploded, "Not old man! It's a handsome guy! Handsome guy!"
"…Uh huh."
Naruto looked at his red-faced outburst and was left speechless. What kind of weirdo is this?
"Hey, Ero-sennin! How about teaching me some ninjutsu?"
Walking beside Jiraiya, Naruto looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Fine, you're not calling me old man anymore… but Ero-sennin?!" Jiraiya sighed in exasperation. He'd spent the whole walk trying to get Naruto to call him "handsome" or "Toad Sage."
Finally, Naruto stopped calling him "old man," but the replacement "Pervy Sage" wasn't much better.
"Brat, why should a genius like me teach you ninjutsu?"
Jiraiya stopped walking and looked back helplessly. "And stop clinging to me like a piece of gum, will you?"
"Ashen gently placed his hands on Lan's delicate shoulders, peeling off her light silk robe, his fingers tracing every inch of her fragrant skin. Lan's eyes shimmered with longing, her breath came in soft moans, and her trembling body betrayed both shyness and anticipation…"
Left with no other choice, Naruto pulled out his ultimate weapon.
"…This scene…"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. A few seconds later,
"Magnificent! Absolute perfection! I've always been great at describing afterplay, but I've been lacking in foreplay! Kid! You have to teach me how to write like this!"
It was like he saw a treasure trove. Jiraiya's eyes sparkled with greed as he gripped Naruto's shoulders tightly.
"So, about that ninjutsu…"
Naruto subtly gestured.
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Jiraiya slapped his chest proudly.
"Phew, nailed it…"
Naruto wiped sweat from his brow, excitement gleaming in his eyes. Sage Mode, here I come…
⚔────────
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Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
Naruto: Wandering with Beauties – 38 advanced chapters!
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