Chapter 211 Perverts, Power, and Purpose

Meanwhile, Naruto had been training nonstop under the sharp eyes of both Minato and Kushina, and things had only gotten more intense after the Chūnin Exams. Kushina's training style wasn't just tough—it was downright punishing. Every muscle in Naruto's body ached, and he'd lost count of how many times he face-planted into the dirt.

But Kushina didn't let up. She couldn't afford to—not when the world out there was full of people who'd do anything to tear her son apart.

Naruto was no longer the loudmouthed kid hiding behind pranks. He was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, and dangerous eyes were watching him. Kushina, knowing exactly what it meant to carry the burden of the Kyūbi, pushed him harder than anyone. She wasn't just his mother—she was his shield, his sword, and his fiercest critic.

When Naruto found out Tatsuya was personally teaching Sasuke, something in him twisted.

"Tch. So Sasuke gets special training now, huh?" he grumbled, arms crossed and teeth clenched. "Why does he always get everything handed to him?! That's not fair!"

Kushina turned sharply, hands on her hips. "Oi, Naruto! You think whining like that's gonna get you anywhere?!" Her voice cracked like a whip, sharp as ever—but her eyes were watching him closely.

Naruto flinched. "I'm not whining, dattebayo! I just… I've been working my butt off! And now Sasuke's getting one-on-one training from Tatsuya? That guy's a legend! Why not me?"

Kushina stomped over, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him close until their foreheads nearly touched.

"Listen, brat," she growled, voice low but intense. "You don't need someone like Tatsuya to make you strong. You've got me. You've got your dad. And most importantly—you've got you. You hear me?"

Naruto blinked, startled by the fire in her words.

"Sasuke's got his battles. You've got yours," Kushina said, letting go and resting her hand on his head. "And yeah, it's not fair. Life isn't fair. But the one thing you can control? How hard you fight for your dream."

Naruto looked down for a moment, his fists tightening. Then, with a shaky breath, he grinned.

"…Yeah. You're right, Mom. I'll show them. I'll become stronger than anyone—my own way!"

Kushina's lips curved into a proud smile. "That's my boy."

But later, as Naruto sat brooding outside, Minato appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. His smile was warm, but there was an unmistakable pride in his eyes as he saw his son struggling.

"Naruto," Minato started, sitting beside him, "I know what you're feeling. But remember this—you don't have to walk the same path as Sasuke. Your journey is yours, and no one else's. Besides, I've got something that might help you."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Minato's grin grew even wider. "Jiraiya, the Legendary Sannin, is going to be your teacher."

"Jiraiya?" Naruto blinked, surprised. "Wait—Jiraiya? That guy was Granny Tsunade's teammate?!"

"That's right," Minato said, his tone filled with both pride and a little boast. "Jiraiya's the one who taught me everything I know about becoming Hokage. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. And now, you're going to train under him too."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait... you mean Jiraiya taught you how to be Hokage? The guy who taught you is gonna teach me?"

Minato chuckled, leaning back slightly. "You're damn right. If you want to be Hokage, there's no one better. He taught me everything—strategy, leadership, combat techniques, the works. If you want to be the best, there's no better teacher."

Naruto felt a spark of hope ignite in him. "So, you're saying... if I train under your sensei, I can become Hokage too?"

Minato clapped a hand on his son's back, laughing heartily. "Of course, you can! Jiraiya's not just my sensei—he's a legend in the shinobi world. He's got everything you need to make your dream come true. If you can keep up with him, you'll be one step closer to that Hokage title."

Naruto's face lit up with determination. "I won't let you down, Dad! I'm gonna train harder than ever and show everyone that I'm Hokage material!"

Just then, the familiar boisterous voice of Jiraiya rang out from behind them. "Heh, sounds like the kid's ready for the challenge. Good! I've got a lot to teach him—whether he's ready or not!"

Minato looked at his son and winked. "There's your new sensei. Don't let him get to you, okay? He's a little... eccentric, but he's a great teacher."

Naruto puffed out his chest. "I can't wait! Let's do this, Jiraiya! I'm gonna show you what I've got!"

Before Jiraiya could even open his mouth, a sharp, unmistakable voice rang out behind Naruto.

"Oi, Naruto—hold it right there!"

Kushina was storming over, red hair swaying like a warning flag, her eyes narrowed dangerously at Jiraiya. Naruto jumped, startled by the intensity in her tone.

"Huh? What's wrong, Mom?" he asked, blinking.

Kushina folded her arms and gave Jiraiya a death glare that could've turned a lesser man to stone. "Before you go getting all excited about Jiraiya teaching you," she said, voice tight and loaded, "there's something you absolutely need to know."

Naruto tilted his head. "Uh… like what?"

She leaned in, lowered her voice slightly—but kept it just loud enough for Jiraiya to hear. "He's a super pervert. I mean top-class. Like, don't even leave him alone near a hot spring level."

"Hey, hey, that's slander!" Jiraiya protested with a grin, holding up his hands innocently. "I'm a man of culture!"

Minato, standing off to the side with his arms crossed and a calm smile on his face, added quietly, "He's not wrong."

Kushina whirled toward him. "Minato!" she scolded, slapping his arm. "You're supposed to warn him, not enable him!"

Naruto scratched the back of his head, clearly confused. "Wait, what kinda stuff are we talking about here? Is it like—uh, like Kakashi's books?"

Kushina groaned and buried her face in her palm. "Even worse. At least Kakashi reads quietly. Jiraiya writes the damn things!"

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait—you're telling me he writes Make-Out Paradise?!"

"Guilty as charged!" Jiraiya declared with a wink, striking a pose. "Bestselling author of the Hidden Leaf! And research is no joke—it's sacred!"

"Ugh, gross!" Kushina snapped, grabbing Naruto by the collar and pulling him back an inch. "Just stay away from his research and you'll survive. Focus on your training, not on his… 'literary genius.' Got it?!"

"I-I got it!" Naruto yelped, flailing a little. "I swear I won't become a pervy Hokage! Believe it!"

Jiraiya chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Don't worry, Kushina. I'll make a proper ninja out of him. Kid's got guts—reminds me of someone."

"Yeah? Well, if he starts peeking into bathhouses, I will blame you."

Naruto, meanwhile, gave a toothy grin. "It's okay, Mom. I've got Dad as a role model too, y'know! I'm gonna be Hokage—and I'll do it without turning into some weirdo!"

Minato smiled gently and laid a reassuring hand on Naruto's head. "Just be yourself, Naruto. You've already come so far. Jiraiya'll guide you—but you've got to walk the path."

Jiraiya gave a thumbs-up. "I'll push him hard. This kid's gonna make waves."

Naruto pumped his fist in the air. "Alright! No more messing around! Let's start training, Ero-Sennin!"

"What did you call me, brat…" Jiraiya groaned—but he was smiling.

The rest of the Konoha twelve, now focusing on their personal growth, threw themselves into training after completing the task of collecting funds. In this world, where only those who continually evolve survive, they all understand the importance of relentless practice. In an ever-changing era, new generations of powerful ninjas would emerge, making it crucial to keep up.

For instance, figures like Konoha's White Fang and the Konoha Black Blade brothers had set a high standard, their legendary feats inspiring the next wave of ninjas to push themselves even harder.

Tatsuya's voice was calm and measured as he stood before Sasuke, observing his progress. "Summoning isn't just about power, Sasuke. It's about usefulness. With its help, you can track your enemies and have a friend who will never betray you & keep all your secrets."

Sasuke's brow furrowed, his eyes sharp as he focused on Hayate, the ninja dog he had summoned. Hayate, sitting slightly away from him, seemed to watch him intently, though the dog still had an edge to him, ready to act on impulse if Sasuke did.

Tatsuya's gaze remained steady. "Your biggest weakness, Sasuke, is that you let your emotions control you. Anger, frustration, impatience—they cloud your judgment. That's the downfall of the Uchiha clan."

Sasuke's fists clenched involuntarily at the mention of his clan, but he quickly reined them in, focusing on Tatsuya's words. It's true… he thought, his frustration often steering his decisions. His impulses had led him to rash actions in the past, and that anger still simmered within him, always threatening to take over.

Tatsuya continued, his tone unwavering. "The Sharingan, your greatest gift, is also a curse if you cannot learn to control your emotions. Without control, it becomes your downfall."

Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on his summoned dog, now more aware of how tense his body had become. He tried to relax, though it wasn't easy. "So, what should I do?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.

Tatsuya's eyes softened slightly, and he moved closer, guiding Sasuke's posture with a subtle hand on his shoulder. "Calm your mind first. Stop letting your anger dictate your actions. In this moment, Hayate is your partner, not an enemy. You need to learn to approach everything—especially battles—with a level head."

Sasuke closed his eyes, trying to center himself. Calm down... he repeated in his mind. The dog remained still, its gaze focused on him, waiting for a signal. Sasuke's hands twitched, his instinct telling him to summon more chakra, but Tatsuya's words kept him grounded.

"Good," Tatsuya said, observing his progress. "Revenge can be a powerful tool, but it's a double-edged sword. The moment you lose control, you lose the battle. You can't afford to make decisions out of impulse. Take a breath. Think before acting."

Sasuke let out a breath, slowly exhaling as he forced himself to calm down. His muscles, once tense, began to relax. He opened his eyes, meeting Tatsuya's calm gaze. "I understand... I've been letting my anger guide me too much."

"That's the first step," Tatsuya affirmed, nodding. "The Uchiha clan's power comes with a curse, Sasuke. If you want to grow stronger, you need to stop being ruled by your emotions. A true shinobi remains calm, even in the face of death and betrayal."

Sasuke gave a small nod, his expression contemplative. He wasn't used to thinking this way. For years, his anger had driven him, pushing him forward in his quest for revenge. But now, standing in front of Tatsuya, he realized that power alone wouldn't make him the strongest. Control was the key.

"You need to be like water," Tatsuya added, his voice soft but firm. "Adaptable, calm, and always moving forward. Anger is just a wave. You can't let it drown you. Calm is your greatest weapon."

Sasuke thought about Tatsuya's words. Water... calm, steady... he thought, mentally picturing a stream flowing undisturbed. Maybe this was the path he had been missing all along. His thirst for revenge had always been frantic, a storm inside him. But now, the idea of a controlled, calm power felt more right than ever.

"Okay," Sasuke said quietly, the resolve in his voice evident. "I'll learn to control it."

Tatsuya's gaze softened. "Good. Now, let's continue with your friendship, Hayate. Your bond with him will only grow if you approach it with patience. If you can remain calm, you'll be able to communicate with him better."

Sasuke glanced at Hayate, who was still sitting by his side, waiting for the next move. This time, instead of reaching for his chakra immediately, Sasuke slowly knelt down, offering a hand. He could feel Hayate's initial hesitation, but he remained calm, keeping his emotions in check.

Hayate sniffed his hand, then cautiously licked it, the bond between them growing stronger with every passing moment. Sasuke allowed himself a small smile. This is just the beginning, he thought.

Tatsuya stepped back, watching with approval. "That's it, Sasuke. You're learning. Keep this up, and you'll be able to defeat Itachi."

Sasuke stood, his eyes steady with new resolve. "I won't let anger control me anymore. I'll become stronger and more focused. And I'll surpass Itachi—without losing myself."

Tatsuya nodded, his voice quiet but filled with certainty. "That's the way. Now, let's keep going. The real work starts here."

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