"Let's wait and see. Once Kirigakure makes a move, even if we don't warn them, the other villages will figure it out.
No one's stupid. If we can see what's coming, so can they."
Right now, the only thing Konoha could do was maintain the current situation.
"You're right. We'll just hold our position for now."
When it comes to matters between two villages, words alone can't solve anything. If they could, wars wouldn't happen in the first place.
"Alright, stop looking so gloomy. Go check on Naruto. That kid is getting more and more out of control."
Having said everything that needed to be said, Tsunade started ushering Jiraiya out and gave him a warning.
"I told you to look after Naruto and guide him, not to go messing around.
If I hear from the Anbu that you've been sneaking off to certain places… you're dead."
"Damn!"
Anbu members sure love to talk. They tell you everything.
Muttering to himself, Jiraiya left the Hokage's office building, feeling speechless.
As he walked away, he glared several times at the Anbu ninja on duty.
The ninja looked completely confused.
Did I offend Jiraiya-sama?
No way, I haven't even seen him in a long time. Then… why is he glaring at me?
And his eyes were full of anger and frustration.
With school about to end soon, Jiraiya decided to head to the Ninja Academy and observe from the shadows.
Normally, he would see Naruto sleeping on his desk, daydreaming, or sneaking glances at that pink-haired, wide-foreheaded girl.
But Jiraiya saw none of that today.
Instead, he saw Naruto studying seriously, putting real effort into learning.
"Did this brat change his ways?"
Jiraiya rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he might be seeing things.
"Stop rubbing, or you'll end up like an Uchiha."
Yan stepped out from the trees.
"I knew it was you."
Standing beside Jiraiya, Yan looked at Naruto and explained,
"After I mocked him, his pride kicked in, and he started working hard.
By the way, how were you teaching this kid before?"
"He wasn't just bad at learning—his attitude toward studying was completely off."
"He opens a book and doesn't even recognize half the words."
"Alright, alright, stop."
Jiraiya clutched his chest, feeling a deep pain.
This brat refused to study, and now Jiraiya was taking the blame for it.
"Here, take a look at this. This is what he's been up to since you left."
Yan handed Jiraiya a scroll.
Jiraiya unrolled it, took one look, and immediately covered his face with his hand.
Too embarrassing. He couldn't bear to keep reading.
At least he knew it was embarrassing.
Yan patted Jiraiya on the shoulder.
"I don't have any major complaints about the kid. Actually, I think he's pretty talented—not any worse than Sasuke, at least.
But his attitude toward learning is a bit off, and his way of thinking is kind of weird. He spends all day obsessing over that girl, Sakura.
"It was whatever before, but he's not a little kid anymore.
At his age, most kids are already out on missions, fighting enemies—not sitting in a classroom wasting time like some idiot.
And honestly, if he weren't in a special position, with the trouble he's caused, his legs would've been broken multiple times by now."
"I'll work on correcting him and teaching him properly."
Jiraiya understood the importance of Naruto's education. The kid wasn't that young anymore, and to put it bluntly, he'd messed around enough.
Whether it was Yan, Tsunade, the village's ninja, or even the villagers, everyone'patience had limits.
If Naruto kept causing trouble, no one would be able to put up with him forever.
"Alright."
Yan nodded, trusting Jiraiya's promise.
"Oh, and lately, this kid has been training in Taijutsu with Kakashi. He's making good progress, and his attitude has improved a lot."
Even though he's still terrible at Ninjutsu, at least his attitude has improved, and he's learned a lot more characters.
"..."
Jiraiya was speechless.
He had been a mess as a kid too, but at least he wasn't as bad as Naruto.
If the technique wasn't too hard, he could learn it. If there was something he needed to know, he could pick it up.
Otherwise, there was no way he could keep up with Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"I originally wanted Kakashi to teach him Minato's technique."
Yan made a hand gesture for the Rasengan and then spread his hands helplessly.
"Unfortunately, Kakashi only knows how to use it as a flashy move. He really can't teach it to Naruto, so all he could do was guide him in Taijutsu training."
"Ahahaha…"
Jiraiya laughed and said, "This kid takes after me..."
"His father's name is Namikaze Minato, not Jiraiya."
Yan coughed and reminded him.
A little self-praise is fine, but don't go overboard. Otherwise, even you won't be able to explain yourself.
"..."
You always know how to hit where it hurts!
Of course, his dad is Namikaze Minato, not Jiraiya.
Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare claim that!
"I have to go now. I've got a lot to do. I still need to check on Sasuke's progress at Orochimaru's lab. He better not fall too far behind, or Orochimaru will mock you."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru never got along.
Now it's perfect—Naruto and Sasuke, who don't get along either, are each being trained by one of them.
Given how well Jiraiya knows Orochimaru and Sasuke's talent...
"Jeez..."
Jiraiya took a deep breath as if he had just contributed to global warming.
If Naruto doesn't step up and learn something serious, he's going to fall far behind.
And if Naruto makes a fool of himself, Jiraiya will look bad too.
Sasuke might not outright mock Naruto, but just one look—the kind that says, "Are you an idiot?"—would be enough to drive Naruto crazy.
And the worst part? If Orochimaru gave him that same look, Jiraiya would lose it too.
No more wasting time.
They had to get to work.
At that moment, all thoughts of taking it easy or guiding Naruto gently were thrown out of Jiraiya's mind.
Right now, he had only one goal—drag Naruto out and train him hard to get stronger.
"Jiraiya-sama!!"
The students were in the middle of class when they suddenly noticed someone at the door.
Their teacher, who had been giving a lecture, immediately abandoned the lesson and hurried forward to greet him with respect.
"Ahaha, sorry for interrupting! I'd like to take Naruto for some special training. I hope that won't interfere with your class?"
"Not at all, not at all! Jiraiya-sama, please feel free to take Naruto with you!"
---------------------------------------
You can read 10 chapters ahead on patre on
patr eon.com/JYouyi