A month passed quickly.
After weeks of travel and training on the road, Naruto and Jiraiya finally approached the gates of Konoha.
Naruto had changed a lot during that time.
He was taller, his blond hair a little longer than usual, and his blue eyes looked sharper than before. Instead of his old bright orange clothes, he now wore a long black robe he had bought during their travels.
A villain should not dress like a cheerful idiot, he had thought.
Black suited his new villanious persona much better.
As they reached the gate, Jiraiya greeted the two guards.
"Kotetsu, Izumo. Long time no see."
The two chunin nodded respectfully.
Naruto simply walked past them without saying anything.
The two guards exchanged confused looks.
That kid... isn't that Naruto?" one of them whispered.
"He looks so much different. What happened during his training?"
Once inside the village, Jiraiya turned to Naruto.
"Brat... what's with you?" he asked. "This past month you didn't just change your clothes. Your personality feels different too."
"Pervy Sage, I'm not a kid anymore," Naruto replied calmly. "I need to change. I have to become a reliable ninja for the village… not an idiot."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Fine, fine. Do whatever you want. Let's go report to Tsunade."
As they walked through the streets, three small shadows suddenly lunged at Naruto from the side.
Naruto sensed them instantly. In one fluid motion, he vanished and reappeared behind the trio, delivering light but firm chops to each of their heads.
"Ow! Naruto-nii, that hurts!" Konohamaru clutched his skull, wincing.
Moegi and Udon rubbed their heads with the same helpless expression.
Naruto ruffled Konohamaru's hair. "Long time no see, you little troublemakers."
In his mind, darker thoughts stirred.
*He's the Third Hokage's grandson. We're both tied to Hokages, yet he lived a comfortable life while I suffered through hell. The entire Sarutobi clan will pay for this one day… But this kid? He's innocent. For now, I'll spare him. I will only exterminate his clan hmm i'm a good person after all .*
Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon threw their arms around him.
"Naruto-nii! We missed you so much!"
"Haha, you guys have grown, huh?"
They pulled back and stared at him in awe.
"Naruto-nii… you look so cool now!"
Naruto waved his hand. "Okay, okay. Konohamaru, have you learned any new techniques yet?"
Konohamaru grinned mischievously and formed a hand seal.
"Sexy Jutsu!"
Poof! A mature, bikini-clad version of Konohamaru appeared, striking a seductive pose. "Hey there, handsome~" She blew a kiss.
Naruto burst out laughing. "Haha, you still have a long way to go."
Jiraiya's jaw hit the floor. As Konohamaru unleashed his Sexy Jutsu, the legendary Sannin's eyes instantly morphed into throbbing crimson hearts. A violent, comedic fountain of blood erupted from his nose, propelling him backward as he cackled with perverted glee.
"Research!" he managed to choke out through the spray. "This is the pinnacle of shinobi transformation!"
The group laughed together—until Naruto heard footsteps approaching.
He turned. Sakura stood there, now noticeably more mature, her figure softer and more feminine.
Naruto's expression flickered with genuine surprise.
*So this is the pink-haired girl the original Naruto was obsessed with…*
His chest tightened unexpectedly. *Did I inherit his feelings too?*
"Naruto… long time no see. You look… really different."
Sakura's eyes traced his long hair and black robe. *He's so tall now.*A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
"Long time no see, Sakura." Naruto stepped forward, gently took her hand, and pressed a light kiss to the back of it. "You've become beautiful."
Sakura's face turned tomato-red. She yanked her hand back.
"N-Naruto, you idiot!"
She swung a punch—but Naruto vanished and reappeared beside her, lightly tripping her with his foot. As she began to fall, he caught her smoothly in his arms.
"Heh, still as wild as ever, Sakura-chan."
Hot steam practically rose from Sakura's head. "N-Naruto! Let… let me go! What are you—?!"
He leaned close, whispering into her ear. "What do you think I'm doing?"
Jiraiya watched from across the street, scribbling in a small notebook.
*When did this brat get so good at flirting? This is perfect material for the next Icha Icha Paradise volume…*
After a few more seconds, Naruto finally released her.
"Hehe, Sakura-chan, let's meet up later. I need to report to Tsunade-baa-chan first."
Sakura clenched her fist, cheeks still burning. "Just you wait—I'll get you back for this!"
As she stormed off, Naruto watched her retreating figure with a dark gleam in his eyes.
*this girl… I want to torture her. I wonder how she'd look with tears streaming down her face…*
A shiver of twisted ecstasy ran down his spine.
*I should buy a new whip.*
*Just wait, Sa-ku-ra-chan. I'll definitely make you "happy."*
He turned back to the three kids. "Okay, Konohamaru. See you later."
Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon stood frozen, jaws dropped at the scene they had just witnessed.
"Naruto-nii is so cool…" Konohamaru whispered. Suddenly he dropped to his knees. "Please take me as your apprentice!"
Udon knelt immediately after. Moegi's eyes sparkled. "Naruto-nii… if you ever want a girlfriend, I....I.."
Naruto laughed and waved them off as he turned to leave. "Later, brats."
He rejoined Jiraiya. "Okay, Pervy Sage. Let's go."
"Hmph. You scared that girl half to death. What if she ends up hating you?"
"Heh. You're just a perverted old man—you wouldn't understand a young woman's heart better than I do."
Jiraiya's face darkened. "Hey, brat! How dare you! I'm the Toad Sage, one of the Legendary Sannin, and the author of Icha Icha Paradise! I know everything about women!"
"Haha, relax. I was just joking, Pervy Sage. Let's go."
"Hmph."
When they reached the Hokage's office, they knocked.
"Come in," Tsunade's voice called.
They stepped inside and greeted her.
"Hm. Long time no see. Brat, you've really grown up."
"Yes, Tsunade-baa-chan. I've missed you." Naruto's smile was polite, but his mind was cold. *This woman will become my enemy when I destroy the village. I need to get stronger.* A faint, predatory grin tugged at his lips. *One day, I'll make her kneel as my slave. Hehe.*
Jiraiya's gaze, meanwhile, had already drifted to Tsunade's chest.
Tsunade noticed immediately. She stood, crossed the room in an instant, and drove a brutal punch into his stomach.
"You old pervert. You never change."
"Tsunade—! I didn't even do anything!" Jiraiya wheezed, clutching his gut.
"Hmph." She returned to her seat. "Okay, Naruto. You can go now. I'm sure you want to meet with your friends."
"Yes, baa-chan. See you later."
After Naruto left, Tsunade fixed Jiraiya with a dangerous smile.
"Where do you think you're going, idiot?"
"Tsunade, I need to do some… research—"
"Where? The women's bathroom again?" Her voice dropped menacingly. "Do you see how many papers are stacked on this desk?"
Jiraiya's face paled. "Haha… Tsunade, I'm actually feeling a bit sick today. My eyesight's been blurry lately—"
Tsunade cracked her knuckles.
Jiraiya sighed in defeat. "Fine… I'll help"