After Jiraiya left,
Tsunade once again questioned Kakashi about every detail of Naruto's departure from the village.
She learned that during the entire journey, Naruto had shown almost no signs of the Nine-Tails' rampage.
Because if the Nine-Tails had gone berserk, Yamato would have been the first to sense it!
The only unusual incident was Naruto suddenly fainting.
Thinking of this, Tsunade fell silent, lost in thought.
Outside, night had already fallen.
Under a lonely streetlamp in Konoha, Jiraiya sat on a bench.
Hurried footsteps echoed from the darkness. Jiraiya raised his head in puzzlement and asked:
"Where'd you go? You took forever just to buy something."
Naruto hurried over, plopped down beside him, tore open a wrapper, and panted:
"I had to dig through half the freezer to find this flavor. Took me a while."
From the bag, he pulled out a twin ice pops, snapped it in half, and handed one to Jiraiya.
"Here, sensei—this one's for you."
Jiraiya stared at it, dazed for a moment as old memories surfaced.
The very first time Naruto had eaten this ice pop was back when Jiraiya taught him the Rasengan. Naruto had gotten thirsty, so Jiraiya had bought one for him.
He had thought Naruto would treat him to something special, but it turned out to be this.
And—this flavor was exactly the same as that time.
Jiraiya smiled faintly and accepted the ice pop.
Naruto grinned and happily began munching away.
A chilly autumn breeze swept past. Both of them shivered slightly. Jiraiya even grumbled that Naruto was dragging an old man out to eat ice pops when autumn was practically here.
But to Naruto, even those complaints were warm and precious.
"Alright," Jiraiya finally said, "what do you want from me? Don't tell me you called me out here just for ice pops."
Naruto shook his head while chewing on the treat.
"Nope. I asked you here because I want you to give me the key."
Jiraiya froze mid-bite and looked at him in surprise.
"…What key?"
"The Nine-Tails' seal key, of course!" Naruto looked straight at him.
"Isn't it with you, sensei?"
Jiraiya sucked on the ice pop, hesitation flickering across his face.
Back before the battle with Pain, he had already arranged for the seal key to be passed on—sending the toad Fukasaku back to find Ibiki.
But after being rescued by Naruto, especially after seeing his overwhelming growth and mysterious actions, Jiraiya wasn't so sure anymore.
Yes, he trusted his disciple. He trusted the Fourth Hokage's foresight and preparation.
But still… he couldn't shake off his unease.
After all, he had seen what became of Nagato. Would Naruto also one day stray down that same path? If so… then he truly would have no disciples left.
Naruto, noticing his teacher's doubts, quickly reassured him:
"Relax, sensei. My dad already told me himself—he believes in me now. He told me to come find you and ask for the key, so I can train under your supervision to control the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise.
"The Fourth told you to do this?"
"Of course," Naruto said bluntly. "Come on, do you really think I'd come up with this idea on my own?"
Jiraiya gave a small nod. While sucking on the ice pop, he thought to himself: yes… that explanation did fit.
In any case, he had already decided to hand the key over eventually.
So, after finishing his ice pop, Jiraiya stood and said:
"Alright, get up. Lend me your hand."
Naruto tilted his head.
"…Why?"
"I'm short one hand to weave the seals, idiot," Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
Taking Naruto's hand, Jiraiya formed the summoning seals and called forth the scroll toad.
From his mouth emerged Fukasaku the toad, who croaked irritably:
"What are you summoning me out for this time?"
Then his gaze landed on Naruto, who was happily waving at him.
Fukasaku turned back to Jiraiya, frowning.
"You're really going to entrust it to him?"
Jiraiya nodded.
"I'd already decided before. Now that Naruto's asked for it himself, it's time to pass it on properly."
The toad eyed Jiraiya's missing arm.
"And in your condition, even summoning me is a struggle. If you really give the key to this brat, and the Nine-Tails goes out of control—can you stop him?"
Jiraiya frowned. The toad's concern wasn't without reason.
But Naruto just smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not the same as before. I've got my own way to handle the Nine-Tails."
Since being reborn, Naruto had tried entering the seal space—the familiar sewer-like place—but the Nine-Tails had cut off all chakra contact with him. No matter how many times he called, the fox gave no response.
That was why he was desperate for the key: he had to open the door and see for himself what was happening.
Fukasaku's brows furrowed.
"Arrogant brat… do you even realize how terrifying that beast is? Just four tails alone nearly killed Jiraiya—"
"Enough, Fukasaku," Jiraiya interrupted firmly.
"My decision is made. Transfer the seal into Naruto."
The toad sighed heavily.
"Fine."
Stretching out his body, he revealed the intricate seal design left behind by the Fourth Hokage.
"Place your handprint here. Once you do, I can move into your body."
Naruto knew the procedure well. He stepped forward and pressed his palm onto the seal.
Fukasaku retracted himself, glanced at Naruto, and muttered:
"Open your mouth wide. I'm going in."
Naruto gulped nervously.
Damn it… this feeling again. He'd never forgotten it—and now he had to experience it once more.
The toad put his hands together, aimed at Naruto's open mouth, and said:
"Yosh! Here I go."
"Ahhhhhh—!"
Naruto groaned in misery, tears almost coming to his eyes.
The toad kicked and squirmed, muttering in annoyance:
"Wider! Wider! Open that mouth more!"
Naruto mumbled incoherently, trying to say his mouth was already as wide as it could go.
Jiraiya facepalmed and sighed. He finally stepped forward and—
"Alright, enough!"
With a solid shove, he pushed the toad straight into Naruto's throat.
Gulp!
Naruto swallowed him down, then doubled over, coughing and retching in discomfort.
Jiraiya let out a breath of relief. At last, the deed was done.
"Alright," he said, looking at Naruto still gagging.
"The transfer's complete."
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