AI Model: gemini-2.5-flashChapter 175
"Naruto really reminds me of those two people..."
"Those two people being...?"
Jiraiya sighed, "The two people most important to Tsunade."
Kakashi's heart stirred; he had heard rumors.
Those would be the senior, Kato Dan, and Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki.
Both died on the battlefields of the Ninja World.
Jiraiya smiled, "Of course, it's not just for that reason. I can also continue to teach Naruto during our journey, which kills two birds with one stone."
"Besides that, there's one more crucial reason..."
"What is it?"
Jiraiya's expression became solemn and serious like never before.
He said in a deep voice, "Kakashi, have you heard of..."
"The Akatsuki Organization?"
"The Akatsuki Organization?!"
Kakashi frowned.
Jiraiya said gravely, "That's right. This is a mysterious and terrifying organization I stumbled upon while tracking Orochimaru's whereabouts..."
"Orochimaru, after defecting from Konoha, also joined this organization, though he has since left."
"According to the intelligence I've gathered so far..."
"All members of the Akatsuki Organization are S-rank rogue Ninja who have defected from various Ninja Villages!"
"The number of members is likely around ten, operating in two-person squads."
"Each of these individuals is extremely dangerous and possesses strange and powerful abilities!"
"For example, Uchiha Itachi, who annihilated the Uchiha Clan!"
Kakashi's heart jolted.
"Orochimaru, Uchiha Itachi..."
"Each one is a most dangerous criminal. That organization actually has ten such individuals?!"
Jiraiya nodded, "That's why the danger level of this organization cannot be overemphasized or over-warned against!"
"If they cannot be controlled, they might threaten the entire Ninja World in the future!"
Kakashi asked, "Then, what is the Akatsuki Organization's objective?"
"It's not entirely clear, but I have a theory..."
"It's very likely related to the Tailed Beasts!"
Kakashi immediately understood.
"Naruto is also their target?"
"So that's why Jiraiya-sama...?"
"Yes, keeping him by my side is both to protect him and to help him grow quickly, to gain the ability to protect himself and even retaliate."
"Although Naruto is exceptionally gifted and his current strength is not to be underestimated, he is still far too weak compared to those monsters in the Akatsuki Organization..."
Kakashi said, "Jiraiya-sama, besides protecting Naruto, is there another meaning behind you telling me all this?"
Jiraiya smiled, "You're well aware of the current situation in the Village. Although Sarutobi-sensei is still here, Danzo Shimura is being aggressive, and before everything stabilizes, there will inevitably be unrest..."
"Members of the Akatsuki Organization might take advantage of the chaos."
"At such a time, your strength, Kakashi, will be needed..."
Kakashi sighed, "Although I will do my best, if I encounter a monster of Orochimaru's caliber, I'm afraid I'll be powerless..."
Jiraiya said, "If you can't do it alone, find more people to help."
"In any case, I'm entrusting this matter to you."
Kakashi nodded, "Okay, I understand."
Jiraiya patted his shoulder.
"Pay more attention to Sasuke."
"Besides Itachi Uchiha of the Akatsuki Organization, Orochimaru also has his eyes on him and might make a comeback..."
"Moreover, that child's own thoughts might become extreme, and all of this requires a lot of guidance from you, his sensei..."
"Understood."
"Good, then I'll leave it to you. I'll take Naruto on the road tomorrow."
Jiraiya waved his hand and left.
Kakashi's heart grew heavier.
"Naruto, Sasuke..."
"It seems the once warm daily life might gradually be coming to an end..."
...The next day, Naruto was contemplating starting his training for a new Ninjutsu.
That is, the Wind Release: Vacuum Blade rewarded by the system.
However, he didn't have a handy sword at home. While he was hesitating, he suddenly heard a shout from downstairs.
"Naruto."
Naruto's heart stirred; that voice was... He quickly pushed open the window and looked out, seeing the familiar figure, arms crossed, leaning against a large tree, waiting for him.
"Pervy Sage!"
Naruto was overjoyed and immediately leaped out of the window!
Bang—
His figure landed heavily, and he rushed over to Jiraiya.
"Pervy Sage! Why are you here?!"
Since the day he found Jiraiya to rescue Hokage-sama and repel Orochimaru, Naruto hadn't seen him in a long time.
"Are you here to congratulate me on my promotion to Chunin?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, "Sort of, but there's a more important mission I need to complete with you."
"What mission?"
"I need to take you to find someone."
"Who?"
"One of the Legendary Sannin, on par with me and Orochimaru..."
"Tsunade."
Naruto's heart stirred, "Tsunade? What kind of person is she?"
Jiraiya smiled, lost in thought.
"Tsunade, you ask?"
"She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the most beautiful woman in the Ninja World, and the one who established the rules for Medical Ninja, known as the Medical Saint of the Ninja World..."
"Besides that, she's also a woman with a huge gambling addiction but incredibly bad luck, earning her the nickname..."
"The Legendary Sucker!"
Upon hearing the first part, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of longing... The granddaughter of the First Hokage, the most beautiful woman in the Ninja World, hailed as a medical genius!
However, after hearing the latter part, he couldn't help but curl his lip.
"What the heck, isn't she just a gambling addict?"
"Indeed, the Legendary Sannin are all unusual..."
"Orochimaru is a monster, Pervy Sage, you're a pervert, and that Tsunade is a gambling addict!"
Jiraiya was furious, "You brat, don't look down on the Sannin!"
Naruto's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Pervy Sage, how could I look down on the Sannin? I will do my best to find Lady Tsunade this time!"
"But... on the way, can you continue to guide me in my training?"
Jiraiya already understood his thoughts.
"Hmph, it depends on your performance, Naruto."
"If you perform well, I will not only guide you in your training but also teach you new and powerful Ninjutsu!"
Naruto's eyes instantly lit up, "Really?!"
"I will definitely do my best!"
Jiraiya smiled, "Good, then get ready to depart!"
"N-now?"
"Of course!"
"Okay!"
Naruto quickly went upstairs to pack his luggage, though there wasn't much to pack.
Besides necessities, he also brought a lot of extra weights.
Jiraiya understood in his heart that he was trying to train himself rigorously like Rock Lee... "This guy, he really never slacks off for a moment..."
"What a terrifying kid..."
Naruto chuckled, explaining, "I went to the hospital to see Lee. He used the Eight Gates Formation, so he needs to rest for a while."
"He told me he doesn't regret it because he achieved his wish, defeated Neji, gained everyone's recognition, and even got promoted to Chunin, which made him very happy."
"He also told me that his previous special training was like living hell..."
"But it's precisely because of that that he had a chance to defeat Neji."
"After hearing that, I realized I've been too lax lately, so I want to learn from him too!"
"The weights on his two legs combined must be a thousand catties!"
"I didn't intend to start with that much. The weights I'm carrying now only add up to about four or five hundred catties."
Jiraiya couldn't help but rub his forehead.
"Naruto, where have you been lax?!"
"Just during that month of the Chunin Exams, you not only trained against Genjutsu and pressure points but also learned such difficult and obscure Sealing Technique from me!"
"Not to mention the One Thread Light Formation, the Sanpō Fūin was already hard enough, and you even learned my Heavenly Cover Formation!"
"Even the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains, although not mastered, you managed to unleash its power in critical moments!"
"I don't know how hard that Rock Lee trains, but he couldn't possibly surpass you!"
"It's just that Taijutsu training looks more difficult and more passionate!"
Naruto scratched his head, "Pervy Sage, are you praising me?"
"Of course, you idiot!"
"You're already such a genius, yet you work so hard, making everyone else look so lazy!"
Naruto chuckled, "Well, I can't help it. After all, my dream is to become Hokage!"