Seeing this iconic scene from his memories manifest in reality, Ren Uchiha's eyes flickered with a touch of nostalgia and profound emotion.
In his previous life, his favorite character from Naruto had been this unrestrained hero standing before him. Seeing the man in the flesh gave him the startled, pleasant shock of suddenly coming face-to-face with an idol.
Just as he was about to respond, a stout ninja running at full tilt approached from behind Jiraiya, panting heavily.
"Lord Jiraiya, intelligence from Root has arrived!"
"Regarding tomorrow's operation, we need your immediate confirmation!"
Ren looked up. The young man had long red hair, a physique as sturdy as a wild boar, and wore a flak jacket emblazoned with the character for "Eat" (食). Ren recognized him instantly as the 'Butterfly' of the current generation of 'Ino-Shika-Cho': Choza Akimichi.
Ren's brow twitched as he processed the words. Intelligence from Root? Tomorrow's operation? This reminded him of the mission Ryoma Aburame had briefed him on yesterday—the infiltration into the Sand's rear. Had there been another change in plans?
"Ah, is that so?" Jiraiya's brow furrowed at the news. He quickly exchanged a few low-voiced sentences with Choza.
Choza's expression darkened. He nodded grimly, turned, and sprinted back toward the main command tent. Jiraiya then turned back to Ren with an apologetic smile.
"I had hoped to spend the entire day teaching you this technique, but it seems time has run out."
Jiraiya let out a helpless chuckle, then briskly pulled a red-covered scroll from his haori and pressed it against Ren's forehead.
"This set of arts is called—Secret Art: Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu!"
"Kid, don't let its reputation go to waste."
Ren froze, taking the scroll from his forehead. He felt the small, giddy thrill of an idol suddenly handing him five million dollars. He snapped back to reality and looked at Jiraiya with surprise.
"Lord Jiraiya... why would you give me such a precious Ninjutsu?"
In the shinobi world, "Secret Arts" (Hiden) were usually guarded by specific clans. They were incredibly valuable! Furthermore, Jiraiya hadn't just given him one technique—he had given him a "set."
This scroll likely contained the three hair-based arts Jiraiya had pioneered:
Needle Jizo (Defensive)
Needle Hell (Offensive)
Wild Lion's Mane (Binding/Control)
By manipulating chakra to harden and lengthen hair, one could create a forest of needles for close, mid, and long-range combat. It was one of the most mechanically perfect defensive systems in existence. While other ninjas used hair—like Fuguki Suikazan of the Mist or the sound-users of the Sand—none were as comprehensive as Jiraiya's. In the current era, perhaps only Kushina's red-hair sealing arts could definitively suppress this technique.
Most importantly, it had a low barrier to entry; it didn't require elemental transformations, only long hair. This set alone could turn a ninja into a Special Jonin.
Ren looked at the scroll, his expression conflicted. He knew Jiraiya, but he was certain Jiraiya didn't know him before today. For the highest-ranking officer on the border to suddenly gift him such a thing felt... abnormal.
"This is too precious. I can't accept it," Ren said, shaking his head and pushing the scroll back. "Besides, I don't lack techniques."
Jiraiya leaned down, placing a hand on Ren's head. He locked eyes with the boy, his dark pupils deep and serious.
"Ren Uchiha," Jiraiya spoke heavily. "Consider this a personal request from me."
"I can see that Orochimaru values you immensely. On the night we reunited and shared drinks, the excitement and passion in his eyes when he mentioned you... I haven't seen that in many years."
He paused, his gaze saddening. "War took Orochimaru's parents long ago. Soon after, his student Nawaki, his dear friend Dan, and Sakumo Hatake—who was both a mentor and a friend—all died in succession..."
"I can feel it. Orochimaru is like a kite with a severed string; I don't know when he will finally drift away from Konoha forever. I can no longer see the light that used to be in his eyes."
"But—" Jiraiya took a deep breath, ruffling Ren's messy hair. "Your appearance has brought that light back!"
"I know you are an Uchiha, a possessor of the Sharingan and a vast library of Ninjutsu. You don't 'need' this tool. But this is the most valuable thing I can offer."
Jiraiya sighed and pushed the scroll back against Ren's chest, his eyes burning with sincerity. "I'm begging you! Your master, Orochimaru, is someone very important to me!"
"Treat this as an S-rank mission. I am paying the reward in advance. Please... act as the string that keeps that kite connected. Don't let him wander down the wrong path."
"So—Ren Uchiha, please... live well!"
Ren looked up, stunned. The confirmation from Jiraiya's perspective made his heart sink. He had never truly considered that Orochimaru might value him this much. Nor had he ever expected to become a link in the famous "bonds" of the Naruto world.
When Orochimaru said he wanted Ren to be his "son," Ren thought it was a joke or that he was just a "simulator" for Orochimaru to find his own answers. But now...
Jiraiya slapped Ren's shoulder, instantly brightening his demeanor. He laughed loudly.
"Well, don't put too much pressure on yourself, kid! As a senior, protecting the juniors is only natural. I'll keep an eye on you!"
With a breezy smile, Jiraiya brushed past Ren, waving a hand over his shoulder as he walked away. The clack-clack-clack of his wooden sandals faded into the wind.
Ren stood alone in the center of the street, clutching the scroll. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he suddenly realized that the difficulty of "cashing out his insurance" had just jumped up several levels.
Sigh...
He tucked the scroll into his robe. If he was going to do this, he had to give it his all. Fight with everything he had!
For Ren—someone whose physical talent was mediocre at best—the only way to maximize the effects of his Heartsteel was to fight on the razor's edge of death.
To "go home," he had to fight to the death. To save the world and rewrite tragedies, he also had to fight to the death. There was no room for holding back or intentional suicide. Without fighting, he was a total waste. Without fighting, he was as good as dead anyway.
So, no matter the reason, there was only one path left.
The battle tomorrow. The assassination of Rasa. The charge into the Iwagakure lines. Facing the Tailed Beasts.
From Konoha to the Land of Hot Springs, from the Land of Hot Springs to the Land of Rain, and from the Land of Rain to the Land of Earth...
He would either die on the road of endless combat, or he would cut his way through the entirety of the Third Shinobi World War!