On the way back to the Leaf, they walked along an empty path through a hillside covered in green grass and small wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sun warmed their backs.
Naruto didn't just walk—he focused on training his chakra sense, trying to feel everything around him: the pull of the wind, the rustle of grass, even the faint hum of insects nearby.
Hoping it would help him tap into some Nature Energy, he was careful not to overdo it and turn into stone.
"So Naruto, tell me. Do you plan on chasing after Sasuke like you said back then before we left?" Jiraiya asked, stepping beside him and pulling him out of his trance.
"Oh, him? I mean, I do wanna beat him up for leaving, but honestly I don't think I care anymore. I'm more interested in my goal," Naruto said, brushing a hand through his hair.
"Hmm. Becoming Hokage?" Jiraiya asked.
"That and also becoming stronger," Naruto replied, tightening his fist slightly as he spoke.
Jiraiya smiled. "Good. Keep training with my teachings, and I'm sure you'll be strong enough to face me one day."
Naruto chuckled. "I'm sure I can face you right now, old man," he said with a smirk, shifting his weight onto his toes.
Jiraiya stopped. "Oh? Is that a challenge?" he asked, smirking back.
"Take it as you may. I'm not far from being able to beat you, Pervy Sage," Naruto said as he walked past him, eyes glinting with excitement.
Jiraiya watched him carefully. "Let's test that theory of yours."
Naruto turned. "Sure."
He dropped his bag on the side of the path, the strap thudding softly against the grass. Jiraiya did the same, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders.
"You've grown cocky, student. Time for the master to put you back in your place," Jiraiya said.
"I'm not cocky, just confident. There's a difference," Naruto replied, squaring his stance.
"Aha, good one. I'll be stealing that line for my novel," Jiraiya said with a chuckle.
The two stared at each other, muscles tensed and eyes locked, ready to spar as the breeze rustled the grass around them.
And the next moment, they moved in a forward dash, their feet kicking up small tufts of grass.
Clinkk
Their kunais met with a sharp clash, sparks flying where the metal scraped. Naruto leaped back, spinning in mid-air and throwing his kunai with precise timing. Jiraiya deflected it, the weapon hitting the ground and piercing the soil with a muted thig.
Naruto landed lightly, grass crunching under his feet, and sprinted forward this time without a weapon.
He swung a punch toward Jiraiya, who sidestepped with fluid ease, twisting his body to stab at Naruto in response.
Naruto ducked low, catching Jiraiya's arm mid-swing and used it as leverage to punch toward Jiraiya's gut. But Jiraiya immediately leaped, flipping over him, spinning upside down freeing his arm. He then kicked at Naruto.
Naruto blocked the strike with his forearm, but before he could recover, Jiraiya's other leg snapped forward, striking Naruto in the face.
Bang
Naruto skidded backward across the grass, leaving a trail of disturbed blades and dirt in his wake.
"You still got it, huh, Pervy Sage?" Naruto said with a grin, wiping a bit of blood from his lip. He relished the fight, the thrill of testing his skills against his master.
"A ninja never grows old. He simply dies," Jiraiya said calmly, eyes sharp.
Naruto nodded, brushing dirt from his sleeve. "Not gonna lie… that was tough."
Then Naruto dashed forward again, his feet pounding the soft hillside, kicking up dirt and grass in his wake. Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, and he immediately formed a series of hand signs with practiced speed.
"Katon: Endan!"
A massive fireball erupted from Jiraiya's mouth, roaring down the path with intense heat, the air around it shimmering. Naruto's eyes widened at the sheer size of the attack, but he didn't slow down.
He leaped high into the air, twisting to avoid the flames as they sizzled against the grass below.
In mid-air, a kunai shot straight at him, slicing through the wind with a sharp whistle. Naruto's instincts kicked in, and he channeled his chakra into his palms.
Woosh
A gust of wind burst outward, blowing the kunai off course and scattering loose dirt around him. Jiraiya's smirk grew wider, impressed at Naruto's control.
But then Naruto did the unexpected—without using a shadow clone, he formed a massive Rasengan in the palm of his hand. It spun violently, crackling with raw energy.
"What the—!" Jiraiya started, but before he could finish, Naruto used wind release from his feet to launch himself forward like a missile.
BOOOOM
The Rasengan collided with Jiraiya with a deafening explosion. The hillside trembled under the force, sending rocks and dust flying. A shockwave rolled outward, tearing through the grass and leaving a crater smoking in its center.
Naruto hovered above, using wind release to slow his descent, watching the cloud of debris swirl violently below him.
When the dust cleared, Naruto's hair had expanded, wrapping around him completely as a protective cocoon. Tiny fragments of rock bounced off harmlessly against the dense barrier of chakra and hair.
'I Forgot he could do that' , Naruto thought, shutting off the wind release and landing lightly on the grass, brushing dirt from his jacket.
Jiraiya emerged from the smoke, releasing his Needle Jizo. He hovered above the huge crater, his coat tattered and dust streaked across his face and hair.
"Okay, no more jutsu," he said, landing lightly on the edge of the crater. His eyes gleamed with approval despite the dirt and sweat.
In a blur, Naruto lunged forward, aiming a straight punch at Jiraiya's face. Jiraiya easily deflected the strike with the back of his forearm, and Naruto stumbled forward slightly. He rolled and came back swinging, fists flying in rapid succession.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Jiraiya danced back, letting the blows glance off his arms, each one landing with a hollow thunk on the soft grass. Naruto attempted a spinning kick, sweeping low at Jiraiya's legs.
Jiraiya hopped over it with a small laugh, landing behind Naruto. Before Naruto could turn, Jiraiya's elbow tapped his shoulder. Naruto spun around, throwing an uppercut. Jiraiya ducked low, grabbing Naruto's wrist mid-swing and twisting it sharply.
Crack!
"damn!" Naruto yelped, stumbling back as Jiraiya pivoted and delivered a roundhouse kick to his side.
Thud!
Naruto barely kept his balance, wiping blood from the corner of his lip. He smirked despite himself. "Not bad, old man…"
Jiraiya smirked back. "You'll need more than smirks to beat me."
Naruto charged again, faster this time, aiming a flurry of punches, trying to overwhelm Jiraiya.
Pow! Wham! Smack!
Jiraiya blocked most of the hits, but a few grazed him, leaving faint red marks. He grabbed Naruto's arm mid-punch and spun him around, slamming him into the ground.
Naruto rolled back up, coughing, wiping dirt from his face. He wiped sweat from his brow and gritted his teeth. "I… I won't lose!"
Jiraiya's eyes glinted. "That's what makes it fun."
Naruto charged again, jumping high, aiming a flying punch at Jiraiya's chest. But Jiraiya sidestepped smoothly, landing behind him. With a swift movement, he swept Naruto's legs out.
Naruto fell hard, sliding on the grass. Before he could recover, Jiraiya grabbed his arm and spun him like a top, slamming him face-first into the ground.
Naruto groaned, sprawled out on the dirt and grass, trying to lift himself up. Jiraiya hovered over him, one hand on his knee, the other tapping Naruto lightly on the shoulder.
"Not bad, kid… but still not enough."
Naruto coughed, smiling weakly. "Heh… I'll… get you next time…"
Jiraiya chuckled, helping him up. "You're getting there. Much closer than I expected, but today, I win."
Naruto shook his head, brushing dirt off his clothes. "Next time… I'll beat you… I promise."
Jiraiya patted his head lightly, a small chuckle escaping him. "Keep dreaming, Naruto."
' If only he knew i had my weights on' Naruto thought.
TO BE CONTINUED