The next morning, sunlight slowly illuminated the village of Konoha.
The golden rays poured down from the horizon, washing over tiled rooftops and quiet streets, gently chasing away the remnants of night. The warmth climbed steadily upward, illuminating the massive stone faces carved into the Hokage Rock, each expression bathed in soft light, solemn and enduring, as though watching over the village below.
Konoha felt peaceful.
At the village gate, Jiraiya stood with his hands resting casually at his sides, gazing toward the rising sun in the distance. A small travel bag was slung across his back, light enough to allow speed, heavy enough to carry what little he needed. His posture was relaxed, but beneath that ease lay the focus of a shinobi long accustomed to dangerous journeys.
'That troublesome woman better not make this harder than it already is,' He thought dryly.
A light breeze passed through the open gate, rustling his hair and cloak.
Then, a playful voice echoed from behind.
"Yo~, Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya didn't need to turn around. His lips twitched faintly as he sighed. "Naruto, you're late."
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Naruto approaching, hands stuffed into his pockets, his blond hair catching the sunlight as if glowing faintly. The boy's expression was relaxed, almost carefree, as though he weren't about to leave the village for an uncertain journey.
"What took you so long?" Jiraiya asked, arching an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you overslept."
Naruto smiled and shook his head. "Nah. I woke up on time."
Jiraiya turned fully to face him. "Then what?"
Naruto paused briefly, eyes flickering away for just a moment. "Something happened."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Something happened that made you late?"
"It's a secret." Naruto shrugged, a faint grin tugging at his lips. He stepped past Jiraiya, stopping just beyond the gate, and gestured forward. "Anyway, let's go. If we keep standing here, we'll be even more late."
How could he tell his mother, Kushina, had kept him busy for the whole night?
"You little brat…" Jiraiya snorted, but he didn't ask further.
The two of them stepped out of the village together.
Behind them, Konoha remained peaceful and unaware, its streets slowly waking to another ordinary day. Ahead of them stretched uncertainty, danger, and a journey that would change far more than either of them openly admitted.
They entered the forest path that surrounded the village, sunlight filtering through dense leaves overhead. The shadows danced along the ground as birds flitted between branches, their calls echoing softly through the trees.
The air was cool, fresh, and familiar.
Naruto walked quietly at first.
'I'm really leaving again,' He thought. 'Just when things finally felt… stable.'
As they emerged from the forest, the land opened into wide plains. A dirt path stretched forward, winding gently toward a distant town barely visible against the horizon. The village behind them was now hidden from view.
Naruto glanced sideways at Jiraiya, and the silence felt heavier than usual.
"So," Naruto said, breaking it, "tell me more about my father."
"Huh?" Jiraiya blinked.
Naruto kept his eyes forward. "You were his teacher, right?"
Jiraiya studied him for a moment. "Kushina must've told you almost everything about your father. Why ask me now?"
"Kaa-san told me a lot." Naruto shrugged lightly, and a faint smirk appeared on his face. "But you probably know things she doesn't."
"Tch." Jiraiya scoffed.
"Come on," Naruto added teasingly. "No need to be stingy. Just tell me about your prized disciple."
Jiraiya stopped walking.
Naruto halted as well, glancing at him curiously.
Then Jiraiya puffed up his chest, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Hah! Minato was a genius."
Naruto's attention sharpened instantly.
"A talent the likes of which I've never seen before," Jiraiya continued. "He wasn't loud or flashy. But when he made a move... everyone couldn't help but notice."
Naruto listened silently, heart beating a little faster.
"He mastered techniques faster than anyone I trained," Jiraiya said. "He was calm, analytical, and terrifyingly precise."
They resumed walking on their path.
"During the war," Jiraiya went on, "enemy shinobi learned to retreat the moment they saw a yellow flash."
Naruto chuckled softly and murmured. "The Flying Thunder God!"
"That technique turned battlefields upside down." Jiraiya nodded his head and chuckled softly. "I still remember the first time he surpassed me. The kid didn't even realize it."
Naruto smiled faintly. 'That sounds like him...'
"But power wasn't what made him special," Jiraiya said, his voice quieter now. "Minato believed in people... in the village, and its future."
Naruto looked deeply for a few seconds before turning his head to the horizon.
"He believed the next generation would carry everything forward," Jiraiya finished.
"…He sounds amazing," Naruto said softly.
Jiraiya glanced at him. "You're more like him than you think."
Naruto laughed awkwardly. "I don't feel like a genius."
Jiraiya smirked. "Good... because neither did Minato."
They continued walking, the path stretching endlessly ahead.
The sun climbed higher, their shadows stretching slowly behind them on the path.
------
By the time Naruto and Jiraiya arrived at the nearby town, the sun was already leaning toward the horizon.
The sky was painted in warm shades of orange and gold, the fading daylight casting long shadows across the stone-paved streets. The lanterns had begun to light up one by one, their gentle glow reflecting off shop windows and wooden signboards.
The town was lively but not chaotic with vendors calling out their last deals of the day, travelers strolling in small groups, and the distant laughter of people enjoying the calm evening.
Naruto walked beside Jiraiya, his hands tucked into his pockets, eyes moving curiously from one sight to another.
"So this is the town we're stopping at," He muttered, taking in the unfamiliar scenery. 'Thisfeels different from Konoha…'
Jiraiya hummed noncommittally, his gaze roaming the street, though not entirely for the same reasons.
They hadn't walked far when a soft, pleasant laugh drifted past them.
Naruto noticed it first.
A woman walked by, tall and graceful, her presence drawing more than a few glances from nearby passersby. She moved with confidence, her expression calm, her beauty impossible to miss even at a glance.
"…Oi," Naruto felt the shift beside him immediately, and he said flatly.
Jiraiya had slowed to a near stop. His eyes followed the woman with a little too much interest, posture unconsciously straightening as he let out a quiet appreciative hum. For a brief moment, the legendary Sannin looked less like a seasoned shinobi and more like a man completely absorbed in his bad habits.
Naruto groaned loudly. "You've got to be kidding me."
Jiraiya snapped out of it, face flushing slightly as he realized he'd been caught red-handed. "W–What are you looking at?"
Naruto turned his head slowly, giving him a long, unimpressed stare. "You were practically drooling."
"I was not," Jiraiya shot back defensively. "I was just… observing."
"Observing what?" Naruto snorted. "The curvature of the street?"
Jiraiya coughed lightly, turning away. "Tch... Don't say things like that. You're just a kid. You don't know anything."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why do you look guilty?"
Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively, trying and failing to regain his composure. "Enough. Let's just look for a hotel to stay at."
Naruto smirked. 'So he's running away now...'
He didn't push further, though the amused glint in his eyes lingered as they resumed walking. Jiraiya quickened his pace just a little, clearly eager to put the embarrassing moment behind him.
As they moved deeper into the town, Naruto glanced around again, absorbing the atmosphere. The smell of cooked food drifted from nearby inns, mingling with the scent of dust and evening air. A few travelers carried packs similar to Jiraiya's, while others laughed loudly, already enjoying their rest for the night.
'Tomorrow, we'll be on the road again,' Naruto thought. 'And eventually… we'll find her.'
He glanced at Jiraiya's back.
Despite his antics, Naruto knew better than to underestimate him. Beneath the teasing and bad habits was a man who carried heavy responsibilities.
"Hey," Naruto called casually.
Jiraiya glanced back. "What now?"
Naruto shrugged. "Just saying… don't get distracted too much."
Jiraiya snorted. "Worry about yourself, brat."
Naruto chuckled softly. "Sure, sure."
They finally stopped in front of a modest-looking hotel, its wooden exterior warm and welcoming under the lantern light.
Jiraiya looked it over and nodded to himself. "This'll do."
Naruto followed him inside without complaint.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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