Sakura attempted to wriggle free from Naruto's grasp numerous times despite her injuries, but she remained cognizant of the principle that men and women should not be intimate without proper context.
If the person holding her were Sasuke, she knew he would not harbor such thoughts.
However, it was not Sasuke but Naruto, and he had not shown any indication of such feelings yet.
This fact irked Sakura somewhat.
After all, hadn't Naruto just recently listed three significant reasons with a solemn expression?
But now, he wasn't even glancing in her direction.
The enraged Sakura twisted her body and pushed against Naruto.
Sadly, Naruto's focus remained unwavering, which simultaneously pleased and vexed her.
Eventually, the trio ended up in a secluded forest, with two in pursuit and one trying to escape.
Once they arrived, Jiraiya, who had been the target of their chase, realized that he could no longer evade the situation without serious effort. The pursuer was merely a boy who appeared to have recently graduated from the academy. How could he possess such proficiency?
This revelation astonished him, prompting him to halt and confront his chasers.
"Oh, I'm truly not a pervert, nor am I attempting to steal a helmet. Why are you following me so closely?" Jiraiya began feigning innocence before Naruto could even stand firmly.
"Cease your quibbling! I can clearly see that you've been peeking into the women's bath!" Sakura leaped off of Naruto and began to chastise Jiraiya.
Her cheeks were flushed, not with embarrassment but with anger. Her actions from earlier, when she had been in Naruto's arms, had been mostly to distract herself.
However, she was unaware that Naruto had noticed her subtle movements and was secretly savoring them.
Jiraiya felt rather helpless. He took out a book from his arms and said, "I'm really a novelist. This is the book I wrote. I'm gathering material for the sequel."
"Ah!" Sakura exclaimed. "That's the one!"
Jiraiya felt quite proud when he saw Sakura recognize him immediately.
Making Love with Heaven was indeed his magnum opus.
"Pah, pah, pah!" Sakura hastily drew a line between them. "I have never seen such a despicable book. Only a lonely, dull man like Mr. Kakashi would read it all day long."
Mr. Kakashi?
Jiraiya thought to himself and then looked at Sakura and Naruto with newfound affection.
Kakashi was his disciple, so his students were like his own.
In his heart, Jiraiya grumbled, "Single and sultry men, you dare to evaluate your teacher like this. If he hears about it, he will be utterly devastated."
"Don't change the subject!" Sakura blushed and refused to answer.
"Sakura-chan, there's no need for such nonsense when there's solid evidence of his shameless behavior!"
Naruto ceased Sakura's tirade and stepped forward. "Just wait until I bring him down and take him to the Hokage Building for trial!"
"Yes, yes, come on, Naruto!" Sakura immediately concurred and stepped back.
The perverted man before them didn't seem simple, but Naruto was the Seventh Hokage, so she had no cause for concern.
Naruto!
Jiraiya's pupils constricted slightly before the corners of his mouth curled up in a smug smile.
It's this kid, he's really something special.
Let's test this child's abilities.
"Hey, hey, don't be hasty. I've explained it multiple times!" Jiraiya pretended to be in a hurry as he continued to justify himself.
Naruto didn't grant him the opportunity to elaborate. He lunged at Jiraiya, slapping him with his palm.
"Your agility is quite good, and your speed is adequate. However, your attack is too direct. I could easily dodge it with my eyes closed."
Jiraiya was slightly disappointed and thought to himself, "Kakashi has failed as a teacher. I must give him a good talking to later!"
As he was contemplating this, a Chakra ball appeared in Naruto's hand.
The speed at which it formed should have allowed Jiraiya to avoid it with ease.
Yet, unexpectedly, the speed of the Chakra ball increased dramatically. By the time Jiraiya's clothes were touched by it, it was already too late to dodge.
"Rasengan!" Naruto shouted, smacking the Chakra ball into Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's reaction was half a beat too slow. He had almost been hit by the Rasengan.
Thankfully, his rich combat experience kicked in. His body moved instinctively before his brain could fully process the situation.
With a quick step, Jiraiya managed to use the Body Flicker Technique to dodge the attack. He reappeared dozens of meters away, his clothes singed and a layer of skin missing from his stomach.
If this scene were to become public, his reputation as one of the Sannin would be tarnished.
The Rasengan hit the ground, creating a large crater. Of course, Naruto had not intended to harm Jiraiya; he was merely demonstrating the technique's power to intimidate him.
"Astounding!"
Sakura's eyes widened in shock from the background.
The power behind such a casual attack was tremendous.
"Good job, kid. Who taught you that trick?" Jiraiya's expression grew more serious as he touched his exposed stomach.
Naruto replied with a grin, "Would you believe me if I said it was my own creation?"
Jiraiya was surprised. Only the Fourth Hokage had known the Rasengan, and he had been dead for many years.
If that were the case, how did Naruto learn this technique?
Jiraiya had arrived in Konoha that day without any knowledge of the Seventh Hokage's identity.
Naruto continued, "Since you can dodge the small balls, what about the big balls?"
In an instant, a Chakra ball of monstrous size formed in Naruto's hand. His smug expression grew more pronounced as he rushed at Jiraiya once again.
"What the hell?!" Jiraiya's anger flared, and a hint of panic surfaced on his face.
Sakura stared, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.
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