"Welcome~"
"Huh?! Naruto?!"
Acorus was stunned for a moment before trotting out, stretching his hand and gesturing between Naruto's head and his own.
"Have you grown this tall already?"
Yes, at this moment, Naruto stood in front of Ichiraku Otsutsuki's ramen shop.
Unlike in the past, he rarely came here anymore, but he maintained a good relationship with Uncle Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame. Sometimes, he would bring Hinata along for special training sessions. However, in crowded places, Hinata would get shy and eat less, only to end up hungry later…
Ever since becoming a ninja, his visits had become less frequent. He used to come more often as a child.
"Rib ramen, right?" Ayame asked with a chuckle.
The little kid from back then was now taller than her.
"Twenty bowls to start?"
As she spoke, Ayame glanced behind Naruto and asked curiously, "Where's your little girlfriend?"
"She's busy today, so she won't be coming."
"Then I'll start with one bowl. If it's not enough, just say so~"
"Dad, one rib ramen!"
"Got it!"
Naruto sat down. Familiar shop, familiar seat.
There was a reason he had been kicked out today.
Yes, kicked out.
The girls had been thrilled to meet their idol, Tsunade. Especially when they saw her mastery of the Yin Seal, which preserved her youth and granted her unparalleled medical ninjutsu. (With the Yin Seal combined with medical techniques, her "assets" were beyond imagination.)
Everything was great… until Tsunade took one glance at the living room.
Anko, Shizune, and Yugao—all had dark circles under their eyes. Except for Kurenai, none of them had slept well.
So, Naruto got kicked out.
Before leaving, he had to prepare lunch.
"Who's the head of the household?"
"Then I am home!"
Naruto had planned to visit the safe house where Mikoto and Izumi lived. After confirming their stance, he no longer restricted their movements. However, when they went out, they used advanced transformation techniques derived from disguise jutsu. Even if Naruto hadn't insisted, they would have done so themselves. They had no desire to reveal their past selves to the world.
As for why he came to Ichiraku Ramen?
It was because a certain perverted, white-haired old man had returned empty-handed, leaving Naruto's cheap dad as the inevitable punching bag.
Yes, Tsunade had returned. Orochimaru had appeared.
But Jiraiya was missing, which had ignited Kushina's fury. With no other outlet, she took it out on Minato.
Besides, Naruto needed to gauge Jiraiya's stance.
If he still blindly followed the Great Toad Sage's prophecy nonsense, then he could go find his so-called "Child of Prophecy" elsewhere. If he dared to set foot in Konoha again, Naruto would make sure he experienced what it felt like to be a human punching bag.
Hokage and Nabekage would surely appreciate having someone else to share the heat.
Naruto had no particular fondness for Jiraiya—mostly just disdain.
Research materials?
Fine, get them from someone willing.
Naturally?
That still requires consent.
Peeping on respectable women, then writing about it in Icha Icha Paradise—what was that supposed to mean?
If Jiraiya were just an ordinary civilian and not one of the legendary Sannin, those women he spied on would have crowdfunded a bounty on his head long ago.
Reliable?
Well… not entirely irredeemable.
"Here you go, Naruto! Your rib ramen!"
Ayame placed a steaming bowl of ramen before him.
Teuchi, having finished his work, stepped out as well.
"It's been a while since you last visited. No Hinata today?"
"I'm a ninja now, and the Chunin Exams are coming up, so I don't have much free time."
Naruto responded casually with a smile.
"Hahaha, in the blink of an eye, little Naruto is already taking the Chunin Exams. Good luck!" Acorus cheered, raising a small fist.
Teuchi nodded. "Next month, huh? Uncle and I will come to cheer you on."
"If you pass, I'll treat you to a week of ramen!"
Pfft~
Ayame laughed. "Dad, would you be this generous if Hinata were here?"
Teuchi was speechless.
"Thanks, Uncle Teuchi, and Ayame. After the exams, I'm planning a party, and you're both invited."
Hearing this, Teuchi took a small step back.
Was he going to become a ramen-making machine again?
Hinata alone had taken him and Ayame half a day to handle.
Growing kids...
"Alright, I guess I can't escape," Teuchi said, his face slightly red.
"Thanks in advance, Uncle!"
At that moment, a figure walked into the shop.
It was Sasuke.
"Sasuke?" Naruto raised a brow. "Aren't you supposed to be training with the others?"
Sasuke smirked. "I don't know where Kakashi ran off to with Might Guy."
"I'm looking for him. My new jutsu isn't complete yet."
After ordering some ramen to go, Sasuke casually chatted with Naruto about his jutsu.
"Tch… it really is you. Using Fire Style to generate storm clouds, then guiding natural lightning with Chidori… That actually works?"
"Much better than Kakashi's Chidori trying to summon lightning."
With his order in hand, Sasuke bid farewell to Naruto.
He still had to help Shikamaru get some meat.
Thanks to Naruto's influence, Sasuke wasn't as paranoid as in the original timeline. His relationships with the Konoha 11 were also much stronger, though his personality remained sharp. The only difference was that he now occasionally made awkward jokes.
It was only after Sasuke left that Naruto realized something.
That bastard didn't pay!
Well, his frog wallet, already thin, had now been completely emptied.
Stepping out of Ichiraku Ramen, he ran into Temari, who was leading Gaara on a stroll.
Six eyes met…
Elsewhere…
"Kakashi! This is mine! Mine!"
"I bought it from Sasuke!"
"If you want one, go buy it from Sasuke yourself!"
"Even if you're my eternal rival, I won't yield in the face of youthful passion!"
Kakashi's eye twitched.
Sasuke?
"Now, now, relax. Listen to me first—"
"I refuse!"
Might Guy had initially planned to share, but when Kakashi suddenly claimed a portion of the collection was his, things escalated.
Who would have thought that the moment he revealed his treasure, Kakashi would try to stake a claim?
Outrageous!
"Yo, long time no see, Kakashi, Guy. What's going on?"
A white-haired figure approached.
The two turned, their guilt fading into relief.
Jiraiya stepped forward, grinning.
While Kakashi was distracted, Might Guy quickly secured his stash and vanished in a blur of green.
Kakashi sighed.
Sasuke… So it was you!
"What happened?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
Kakashi waved a hand, then spoke in a serious tone.
"Long time no see, Jiraiya-sama. You're back because of Orochimaru, right? And also… because of Naruto?"
Jiraiya's pupils contracted slightly. He hadn't expected Kakashi to see through him so quickly.
His playful smile disappeared.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go elsewhere."
Hearing this, Kakashi gave a slight nod before vanishing alongside Jiraiya.
Even without Naruto explicitly saying it, Kakashi had already been informed of Jiraiya's return by the Yondaime.
For the first time, Kakashi noticed that the resurrected Yondaime seemed different. When he mentioned Jiraiya, there was less reverence and more casual indifference.
"Kakashi, if he knows about the plan and tries to dissuade you, or if he asks to meet me, that's fine."
"But he didn't ask for me. Instead, he went to see the old man first."
"Stop him for now. Activate the Flying Thunder God Technique when needed. Kushina and I will be there as soon as possible."
Soon, Kakashi and Jiraiya arrived at a secluded residential area. They sat down on a rooftop.
"Master Jiraiya, it's been years since you last came back to the village, hasn't it?"
If this were a different time, Kakashi might have been happy about Jiraiya's return.
But now... under the influence of the Yondaime, he had come to see things more clearly. There was no joy, and his words lacked the respect they once held.
"Yeah... all these years, yet Konoha hasn't changed. Still so peaceful and calm," Jiraiya murmured, looking at the Hokage Rock with nostalgia.
Shaking his head, he changed the subject. "The Hokage entrusted you with Naruto. That was a wise decision."
"But... I came back because the situation has changed."
Kakashi noticed Jiraiya's expression had grown unusually serious. "What happened?"
He already knew but asked anyway.
"After Orochimaru defected, I kept an eye on him, monitoring his movements."
"Then I discovered something troubling—Orochimaru joined an organization."
"What organization?"
"Akatsuki."
A moment of silence followed.
Jiraiya's expression darkened further. "They're all S-rank missing-nin. Even Uchiha Itachi is among them."
Kakashi frowned at the revelation.
"So, on the surface, they're rogue shinobi for hire, but in secret, they're after the Tailed Beasts?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "We can't confirm that yet."
"That's why I returned. If what I suspect is true, Konoha will face an unimaginable disaster."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice calm yet firm. "So you came back for Naruto?"
"To be precise, for the Nine-Tails."
Jiraiya hesitated before admitting, "Yes. I can't say for certain, but if their target is a Jinchūriki, then Naruto—or rather, the Nine-Tails—is at risk."
Kakashi remained silent, waiting for what Jiraiya would say next.
Jiraiya took a deep breath. "Kakashi, you understand how serious this is. Hand Naruto over to me."
"That child... one day, he'll have to fight for his life. It's inevitable."
Kakashi didn't hesitate. "No."
Jiraiya was momentarily stunned before frowning. "Kakashi, are you doubting me?"
"No, I don't doubt the information. But I won't hand Naruto over to you."
"Besides, it's not my decision to make without his say."
Jiraiya's expression darkened. "This situation is beyond what you can imagine. If we don't act now, the consequences will be catastrophic!"
Kakashi suddenly chuckled, standing up to gaze at the Hokage Rock. "Jiraiya, do you believe Naruto's greatest threat comes from outside the village? Or from within?"
Jiraiya didn't immediately grasp the shift in tone. "What do you mean?"
Kakashi kept his gaze steady. "Running away doesn't mean you don't understand."
"How many years has it been? It didn't take you long to realize something was off the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, did it?"
"If I recall correctly, Minato-sensei named Naruto after a ramen character in your novel. That shows how much he respected you."
"So, tell me... do you know what kind of life Naruto has been living all these years?"
Kakashi's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Honestly, I don't have much right to judge you."
"But there are things you need to know."
And so, Kakashi told Jiraiya everything—Naruto's childhood, his suffering, the scorn and isolation he endured from the village he was meant to protect.
Jiraiya fell silent.
He opened his mouth but found no words. His eyes drifted toward the Sandaime's stone visage on the Hokage Rock.
After a long pause, he closed his eyes and whispered in a trembling voice, "I... I was away... I'm sorry..."
Kakashi scoffed. "That's all?"
Jiraiya shook his head, his voice laced with regret. "It's my fault. I failed Minato. I failed Kushina."
"If I had returned earlier and insisted, I could have taken Naruto with me."
Kakashi's expression remained unreadable. "Then you already understand the kind of life Naruto has endured here."
Jiraiya had no response.
At last, he could only let out a weary sigh. "Even so... Naruto still has to face his fate. That's something neither you nor I can change."
Kakashi shook his head and let out a dry chuckle.
"Honestly, even if Naruto knew all of this, he wouldn't blame you or me."
He paused, his gaze distant.
"That kid... he's really something else."
Jiraiya remained silent, listening.
"He doesn't blame us because, to him, we don't even matter. He's already beyond us." Kakashi's voice was steady but cold. "So tell me, Jiraiya—do you really think Naruto would willingly go with you?"
Jiraiya exhaled heavily. "Even so, I have to teach him how to control the Nine-Tails' power."
Kakashi's expression darkened. "And what if Naruto decides to use that power to destroy Konoha?"
A heavy silence fell between them.
Jiraiya's pupils contracted sharply. For a moment, he seemed unable to find his words.
"I'll talk to them. I'll convince them."
Kakashi scoffed. "Are you deceiving yourself?"
Jiraiya lowered his head slightly, a troubled look crossing his face. That was when he finally noticed something different about Kakashi—something unsettling.
"Kakashi… what exactly are you planning?"
Kakashi's gaze remained fixed ahead. "Konoha... I don't want another war here."
"Then what about the Uchiha clan?" Kakashi asked, his tone sharp.
Jiraiya hesitated. He opened his mouth but found himself unable to respond.
"Kakashi, don't be reckless. Force won't solve anything."
Kakashi's expression didn't change. "Without power, words hold no weight, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya clenched his fists. "Kakashi, trust me. I'll make them listen. Hand Naruto over to me, and I'll find a better Hokage!"
A quiet chuckle escaped Kakashi's lips. He tilted his head back, staring at the sky at a 45-degree angle.
"Maybe it's because of Minato-sensei's influence… But I really didn't expect someone I respected for so long to be this naive."
His gaze returned to Jiraiya. "Are you thinking of bringing back Lady Tsunade?"
Jiraiya flinched.
"Let's say she agrees. Then what? You think she'll be a Hokage with real power? Or will she just be another figurehead while the real control stays in the hands of those lurking in the shadows?"
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but Kakashi didn't give him a chance to speak.
"Let's talk about her lineage then. How many people in Konoha still speak of the Senju?"
Silence.
"Those who justified the Uchiha Massacre are still here. Those who opposed it? Gone."
Kakashi's voice turned icy. "And don't even think about taking Naruto away."
Jiraiya's body tensed. "Kakashi, what are you saying?"
"If you try to force the issue, you'll be joining those so-called 'heroes' in the Pure Land soon enough."
Jiraiya shot to his feet. "I would never—"
"Wouldn't you?" Kakashi's tone was unreadable. "Everything that happened to Naruto was orchestrated. The old man wanted to be the only light in Naruto's heart so he could mold him into the perfect tool of the Will of Fire. Do you really think a few words can change that?"
Jiraiya's face darkened. He let out a slow breath and murmured, "I'll talk to Naruto myself. I owe him that much."
He turned to leave—but Kakashi's voice stopped him.
"And what if you fail?" Kakashi asked.
Jiraiya's steps faltered.
"You'll just walk away again? Go searching for the so-called 'Child of Prophecy' the old toad spoke of?"
Jiraiya clenched his jaw.
"And what about Naruto?" Kakashi pressed. "You can't take him with you, can you? Even if you could, what then? You think you can erase the hatred in his heart?"
Jiraiya had no answer.
"If you strip him of his power and leave him here, those old men will make him their pawn. If he has no strength, do you really think they'll trust him? Or will they make sure he's never a threat to them again?"
Kakashi's voice grew colder. "Are you going to tell me you'll make them promise to leave Naruto alone? That they'll agree to some meaningless deal?"
Jiraiya's hands tightened into fists.
"Are you planning to stay in Konoha this time?" Kakashi's tone was mocking. "Or will you run off at the first mention of the 'Child of Prophecy'?"
Jiraiya remained silent.
Kakashi chuckled darkly. "Yeah… after all, Konoha still has bathhouses for you to peep in."
Jiraiya flinched but didn't respond.
Kakashi turned away. "No, once word reaches you about the so-called 'savior,' you'll be gone. You'll place all your hopes on some prophecy, leaving Naruto to fend for himself."
His gaze bore into Jiraiya.
"And then what? Take Naruto with you? Are you confident you can change his heart?"
A final, scathing remark left Kakashi's lips:
"Don't preach about righteousness when you've never suffered like he has."