The Hidden Rain Village's battlefield lay in ruins, the sea's surface still rippling from the Rasenshuriken's devastating explosion. The four remaining Pains stood on a high vantage point, their Rinnegan eyes scanning the chaos below. Hell Path Pain rose from the water, shaking his head as if clearing a fog. Tendo Pain's gaze was cold, his voice devoid of emotion. "Explosion Pain's iron core was shattered by the Rasengan and sank into the sea. He's beyond our reach—unsalvageable."
Konan materialized beside him, her paper wings folding as she landed. "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki… his power is beyond our intel," she said, her tone laced with unease. "And that instant movement technique—"
"Flying Thunder God," Tendo Pain interrupted, his eyes narrowing at the kunai embedded in the ground, its mark unmistakable. "Naruto Uzumaki has grown far beyond what we expected."
Konan glanced at him. "Should we pursue?"
Tendo Pain shook his head. "We've lost two bodies. The Six Paths are weakened, and his teleportation makes tracking difficult. We don't know if he has more allies. We'll regroup, rebuild the Pains, and hunt the Nine-Tails in Konoha."
With a final glance at the turbulent sea, Tendo Pain led the remaining Pains back to their platform, leaving the battlefield eerily silent.
At Mount Myoboku, the air was thick with the scent of moss and healing herbs. Jiraiya sat propped against a stone, his severed arm bandaged by Shima's careful hands. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he gritted his teeth against the pain, but his eyes were fixed on Naruto, who stood before him, sage-orange eyes glowing with a quiet intensity.
Shima finished wrapping the bandage, her voice sharp with worry. "Hold still, kid. You're lucky to be alive after that mess."
Fukasaku, perched on Jiraiya's other shoulder, turned to Naruto, his gaze piercing. "You, boy—who are you? That Toad Sage Technique, those orange marks… how'd you learn it?"
Naruto hesitated, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face. In this time, Fukasaku and Shima didn't know him as their student—not yet. He offered a small smile. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Jiraiya-sensei's student."
Fukasaku's eyes widened. "What?! Another disciple?" He sniffed the air, confirming the natural energy radiating from Naruto. "You're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, aren't you?"
Tendo Pain's voice echoed in Naruto's memory, identifying him instantly. The Akatsuki's knowledge of the tailed beasts was no surprise, but their recognition fueled Naruto's anger. He turned to Jiraiya, his voice thick with emotion as he saw his mentor's broken form. "Sensei, you okay?"
Jiraiya managed a weak grin, his eyes tracing the orange pigmentation around Naruto's eyes. Sage Mode, mastered better than mine. The kunai on the ground, etched with the Flying Thunder God seal, sparked a flood of questions. "Naruto," he rasped, "when did you learn your father's Flying Thunder God? And Sage Mode? Who taught you?"
Naruto's heart clenched. In his past life, as Hokage, he'd lost the Nine-Tails' instant teleportation, forcing him to master his father's jutsu to compensate. Sage Mode had come later, under Fukasaku's grueling training. But here, in this time, those events hadn't happened. He couldn't reveal the truth—not yet. "Sensei," he said softly, "I'm sorry, I can't explain now. When the time's right, I'll tell you everything. Please trust me."
Jiraiya studied him, his gaze searching. The Naruto before him was different—mature, resolute, carrying a weight that belied his sixteen years. After a long moment, Jiraiya chuckled, wincing at the pain. "Kids grow up, keep their secrets. Fine, Naruto. But stay on the right path, you hear?"
Naruto's eyes burned with determination. "I swear, Sensei, I'll protect Konoha, everyone, and the entire ninja world—even if it costs my life."
Jiraiya's breath caught, the sincerity in Naruto's voice stirring memories of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. A child who will change the world. He smiled, a mix of pride and sorrow. "You might just be the one the Great Toad Sage spoke of," he said softly. "The child of prophecy."
Shima's eyes widened, darting between Naruto and Jiraiya. "Sage Mode without toad traits? Only orange marks? This kid's better than you, Jiraiya! Who taught him?"
Jiraiya shook his head, his smile fading as he thought of Nagato. The revelation of Pain's true nature—a puppeteer controlling corpses, with Yahiko's face among them—cut deep. "Nagato," he murmured, his voice heavy with disappointment. "He tried to kill me. My own student…"
Naruto's hand tightened on Jiraiya's shoulder. "Sensei, I know about Nagato. He's lost his way, but I'll reach him. I'll show him what he's thrown away—peace, bonds, everything you taught him."
Jiraiya looked into Naruto's eyes, seeing a fire that mirrored his own hope from years past. "You knew… about the Pains being puppets?"
Naruto nodded. "Nagato's hiding, controlling them with the Rinnegan. I'll find him, Sensei. But first, you need to heal. Tsunade's the best—let's get you to her."
Fukasaku hopped forward, his voice gruff. "You saved Jiraiya's life, kid. That Rasenshuriken, Flying Thunder God, Sage Mode—you're a force to be reckoned with."
Shima nodded, her tone softer. "If you hadn't shown up, Jiraiya'd be gone. Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto's grin was fierce, but his eyes glistened. "I'd never let Sensei die. Not again." The words slipped out, heavy with the weight of a future Jiraiya couldn't know.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Get me to Konoha," he said, his voice firm despite his wounds. "We need to warn Tsunade about Pain. And Naruto… don't do anything reckless."
Naruto's laugh was bright, defiant. "Reckless? Me? Never, Sensei." But his mind was already racing. Nagato was regrouping, the Akatsuki's threat looming larger. Sasuke was still out there, teetering on the edge of darkness. And the Otsutsuki, a shadow from the future, waited on the horizon. With the crow bearing Shisui's Kotoamatsukami at his side, Naruto carried a power he hoped not to use—but would, if it meant saving the world.
As Naruto helped Jiraiya to his feet, preparing to teleport to Konoha with the Flying Thunder God, his resolve burned brighter than ever. Nagato, Sasuke, Neji, Sensei—I'll save you all. The ninja world trembled under the weight of his vow, as the child of prophecy took his first steps toward rewriting fate.