Naruto and his team were not the first to reach the tower.
The Sand Ninja Gaara's team arrived earlier.
Even with several unexpected events along the way.
Konoha didn't cancel the exam or send anyone to question Naruto. Only Kakashi subtly hinted a few things.
As for Karin's presence, Konoha didn't inquire much either.
Five days passed quickly.
The number of people who passed the exam seemed to exceed Konoha's expectations.
At the tower, an individual preliminary match was held.
This time, the preliminaries were unrelated to the "teams," allowing genin to forfeit without affecting their teammates' progression.
Kabuto forfeited at this stage.
Naruto wasn't surprised; it aligned with what he had predicted.
Sakura didn't pass the preliminaries — her match ended in a mutual knockout with her opponent.
Sasuke and Naruto won easily.
Hinata faced off against Neji, which brought the Hyuga Clan's internal conflict to the surface.
Gaara was incredibly powerful. Even though Rock Lee shone brilliantly, displaying his passionate and fierce spirit, he still couldn't deal any fatal damage to Gaara.
Sasuke gripped the railing, staring at the unconscious bowl-cut boy, lost in thought.
After all the matches, they proceeded with the final tournament match-up draw.
Naruto looked at the rigged drawing box, then glanced up at the smiling Sarutobi Hiruzen watching from above. As he casually reached in, he wasn't surprised when he drew Gaara from the Sand Village as his opponent.
Aside from himself, there really wasn't anyone else in Konoha who could deal with Gaara.
The preliminaries ended.
They were given a one-month break.
Of course, this month wasn't just for rest.
Naruto turned toward Kakashi.
"Sorry, Naruto," Kakashi spoke before Naruto could say anything. Although everything had already been arranged, when it came time to say it—looking into Naruto's blue eyes and seeing that golden hair—he realized just how difficult it was to voice.
"I won't be able to train you this month."
"And honestly, I probably don't have anything left to teach you."
"But don't worry. The village has arranged someone more suitable."
Naruto nodded calmly. "I understand."
He didn't say much more.
He had long realized that things like "love" couldn't be begged for. Those who want to give it will offer it unconditionally, while those who don't won't give it no matter how loudly you scream.
"He'll come see you in a few days," Kakashi continued softly. His gaze drifted to the red-haired girl behind Naruto. "As for this Uzumaki Karin, the village has already settled her status."
"You can let her stay without worry."
"Grass Village won't say a word."
Having said that, Kakashi left with Sasuke, almost like fleeing.
Naruto watched their disappearing figures.
As for how he'd spend the month, he already had a plan. Karin knew many Uzumaki clan techniques, mostly related to sealing—exactly the knowledge he needed.
His expectations were not high.
He only wanted Kakashi to set aside a little time each day, even while teaching Sasuke, to give him some lessons on sealing.
But the village had other plans?
Who could it be?
Unless the Third Hokage himself planned to teach him, no one seemed more suitable than Kakashi.
He mulled this over while leaving with Karin.
That night—
On a rooftop near Naruto's residence,
Two figures appeared.
One was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The other had a full head of white hair and wore a forehead protector with the kanji for "oil." He was the man who had just been summoned back to the village: Jiraiya.
"The Nine-Tails' seal has been loosened?" His tone was serious.
Sarutobi nodded. "Before we realized it, he had already reached Four-Tails mode. Danzo and Koharu are giving me a major headache over this."
"You haven't returned to the village in years, so you may not fully understand."
"Naruto… he's always been a good kid. Although he's changed quite a bit recently, I'm certain his core hasn't changed."
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "After all, he's the child of Minato and Kushina."
"What's his personality like?"
Sarutobi thought for a moment. "He used to resemble Kushina more, but now… he's more like Minato. Kakashi says he's a mature and dependable ninja."
"The reason we called you back is to ask you to train Naruto during this month."
"And also…"
He paused and sighed. "There are too many secrets surrounding Naruto recently."
"He has two strange swords, and we've been unable to determine where he got them."
"There's no known record of similar weapons."
"He also uses many odd jutsu that have never been documented."
"These aren't techniques the Nine-Tails could've given him."
"Yet we haven't seen any evidence of him contacting people from other villages."
Jiraiya stared at Naruto's still-lit window. "Secrets, huh…"
"If we could find out where he got those blades, and where he learned those techniques," Sarutobi said softly, "then Koharu and Homura wouldn't be reacting so strongly."
"And Naruto could continue living in the village peacefully."
Just as he was about to continue…
That window suddenly opened, revealing Naruto's blond head. His golden hair stood out even in the dim light. A red-haired girl could be seen cleaning up inside.
Jiraiya froze.
Time seemed to warp—like a kunai from the past had pierced his heart.
"That red hair?" he asked.
"She's an Uzumaki girl Naruto found during the Chunin Exams," Sarutobi explained.
Jiraiya nodded absentmindedly. He watched Naruto say something to the red-haired girl before leaping out the window. The action struck Jiraiya with a sudden realization. "He noticed us?"
Sarutobi puffed on his pipe. "Though he inherited Minato's blond hair, he perfectly inherited the Uzumaki Clan's talent."
"His sensory abilities are strong."
"According to the Anbu's intel, his detection range spans at least five kilometers."
"If you get too close, even the best concealment jutsu can fail."
Sarutobi stopped abruptly.
Naruto flash-stepped to their location. "Grandpa Third, what brings you here so late? And this is…?"
His eyes fell on the white-haired man.
Chakra—immense.
And something else—something fundamentally different from others.
He gave off the same level of presence as Orochimaru from the Forest of Death.
Sarutobi replied, "Kakashi should have mentioned that the village found someone else to train you this month."
"This is the person."
"His background is…"
Before he could finish—
Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh, formed a hand sign, and performed a summoning.
A puff of white smoke.
A massive red toad with black markings appeared, a necklace bearing the kanji for "loyalty" around its neck.
The white-haired man stood proudly atop the toad, arms outstretched.
The toad mirrored his pose, even matching his expression.
"I am the Toad Hermit Sage of Mount Myoboku, the one they call Jiraiya the Toad Sage!"
Naruto squinted at him, silently observing.
"Sage"…?
That was a title he'd never heard before.
Still—
Should he accept this person staying by his side?
"He has quite the background," Sarutobi said with a smile, finally finishing what he was going to say earlier. "One of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, on par with the rogue ninja Orochimaru. He was also the teacher of the Fourth Hokage."
"If you don't like him, I can find someone else."
"Even let Kakashi take you along."
Naruto's eyes shifted slightly.
The Fourth Hokage's teacher?
He shook his head. "I'll go with the Toad Sage."
"Please guide me for the coming month."
But inside, both Sarutobi and Jiraiya felt a strange, sinking unease.
(End of Chapter)