Chapter 71: Departure
It was Guy!
"Naruto, are you alright?!" Guy, having just kicked Jiraiya over, hurriedly asked Naruto. Then he looked at the figure beneath his feet. Oh no! His expression changed drastically. "Lord Jiraiya!"
"You bastard!!!" Jiraiya instantly flew into a rage. A Sannin, trampled! And by a Konoha junior, no less! How utterly embarrassing!
"Ah! Lord Jiraiya… I didn't realize it was you! Please forgive me!" Guy hastily pulled Jiraiya up, apologizing profusely with a servile expression.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, who had come with him, walked toward Naruto. Glancing at Sasuke in his arms, he asked worriedly, "Naruto, is Sasuke alright?"
Naruto looked down at her. He found her spirit had suffered a severe blow within Itachi's Tsukuyomi. She was now unconscious. He sighed softly. "She was injured by Itachi's genjutsu. It seems she'll need to rest in the hospital for a while."
"Then I'd better take her back for treatment as soon as possible," Kakashi said. He took Sasuke from Naruto's arms, carried her on his back, and pulled Guy—still begging Jiraiya for forgiveness—away from the scene.
Seeing both had left, Jiraiya approached Naruto, his expression serious. "It seems I'll have to keep you with me every step of the way. That organization those two belong to already has their eyes on you. You must be careful from now on!"
Naruto nodded, but he was still somewhat worried about Sasuke's condition. He was also deeply dissatisfied with Itachi—a guy who showed no mercy to his own sister. He secretly resolved to get payback for Sasuke next time!
Itachi, as an older brother, you've sacrificed much for Sasuke. But your method of guiding her is wrong. This time, I will never let Sasuke fall into the plot you've set again! Naruto vowed silently in his heart.
...
After the battle, the inn was no longer safe. Naruto and Jiraiya hurried on their way, staying at another inn that night. To protect Naruto, Jiraiya stayed in his room to rest.
"Pervy Sage, are you going to write?" Naruto, having just finished some chakra training, opened his eyes to see Jiraiya take out a stack of paper and begin writing something with a brush, occasionally pausing to think. Curious, he walked over.
As one of the Sannin, Jiraiya naturally stood at the pinnacle. But he also had a well-known identity: an author, and a best-selling one at that. Particularly, his recently released Make-Out Paradise was a hot item in major bookstores, selling out each time it hit shelves—evident from Kakashi's fondness for it.
As a traveler, Naruto was also curious about this and genuinely wanted to see how a powerful ninja wrote a book.
Naruto's approach made Jiraiya frown, saying disapprovingly, "Naruto, don't come over. You're interrupting my train of thought, you know!"
Naruto felt a bit depressed but still walked over, unceremoniously grabbing the stack of papers from his hand for a closer look. Immediately, he saw the contents.
"…" After reading, Naruto was speechless. After a second or two, he finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"I'm dying of laughter! Pervy Sage! You can come up with such a cliché plot?!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya's face darkened. He scolded, "What nonsense! A kid like you, what do you know?"
Naruto was depressed. Whether it was online novels from his past life, traditional TV dramas, or other media, they were all far superior to this ninja world where entertainment culture was severely underdeveloped.
So the plot Jiraiya came up with felt old-fashioned and unoriginal to Naruto at first glance. He was confident even the stories he made up on the spot were much better than Jiraiya's.
However, Jiraiya didn't believe it, and Naruto could do nothing about it. He could only smile with unfathomable contempt, then return to the bed, sit cross-legged, and resume his training.
Jiraiya, greatly displeased by Naruto's disdainful, contemptuous look, thought, My works sell worldwide. Being looked down upon by a kid like you just means you have no taste and don't know how to appreciate art!
Snorting, Jiraiya ignored him and continued his writing.
The next day, the two set off again. This time, Jiraiya told Naruto about their next destination and the mission ahead.
Naruto also asked him many questions about training.
Thus, the two traveled for several days. During this time, Naruto felt he had gained much. Jiraiya, worthy of being a Sannin who roamed the ninja world, had broad insights and rich experience. Many problems Naruto hadn't figured out were easily solved by him.
However, at the same time, Jiraiya was shocked by the questions Naruto asked. Each query touched upon things ordinary people in training couldn't perceive or issues many overlooked but required detailed study.
"The closer you get to him, the more you discover his uniqueness!" Jiraiya secretly sighed during spare moments.
On this day, the two finally arrived at Bamboo Street. Jiraiya said intel indicated Tsunade would stay here for a few days.
Of course, Naruto knew what would happen here, but this time he had a headache. Tsunade was very stubborn. After leaving Konoha, she never returned, drifting around with Shizune, indulging in gambling for amusement—essentially anesthetizing herself in a negative lifestyle.
Such a Tsunade, if not moved by genuine sincerity, would never agree. But this time, how to move her? Acting out a scene like in the original story would be absolutely impossible. With Tsunade's experience, how could she be fooled by Jiraiya's acting skills?
Sigh!
What a hassle!
Naruto secretly sighed.
Noticing this, Jiraiya wondered, "Naruto, what's wrong? Why the sigh? Aren't you happy we've finally reached such a lively town?"
"No, I'm worried. Will Tsunade really come back with us?" Naruto said with a wry smile. "After all, she hasn't returned to Konoha for so long. Suddenly asking her to come back as Hokage… isn't it too abrupt?"
Jiraiya frowned slightly, then smiled. "I'll do my best to persuade her then. Don't worry!"
Naruto secretly shook his head. If someone of your character could persuade Tsunade, you wouldn't have failed to win her over all these years.
"Alright, alright, let's set this aside for now. I haven't bathed in days. I'm going to the bathhouse to soak first! By the way… Hehe!" Jiraiya added, "How about it? Want to come soak with me?"
Hearing this, Naruto initially wanted to refuse. But considering he hadn't washed in days either, a soak would be nice. So he nodded in agreement.
...
At the bathhouse, Naruto, finished bathing and getting dressed, looked back at Jiraiya, who lay sprawled at the edge of the wooden partition. "Pervy Sage, haven't you soaked enough? I'm going ahead."
"Go on, go on. I'll find you later! Hehehe…" Jiraiya said without turning, drooling and chuckling softly.
On the other side of the partition was the women's hot spring.
Naruto shook his head. Though part of him wanted to look, he didn't want to try such an addictive and backward method of peeping.
Suddenly, just as Naruto, now dressed, was about to leave, Jiraiya let out a soft cry. "Wow! Such white calves! Naruto, come see! These are the most perfect legs I've ever seen! It's a shame I can only see the calves. I wonder what's above them…"
Seeing Jiraiya drooling, Naruto grew a bit curious too. There weren't many women Jiraiya would call beautiful!
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