Chapter 66 – The Determination to Become Stronger 变强的决心

After the mission ended, Matsuri was successfully rescued. Although she was still in a state of shock, she gradually calmed down under the comfort of Gaara, Naruto and the others. When Jiraiya and Kakashi arrived, they found that the battle was already over, and they couldn't help but marvel at the rapid growth of the young ninjas.

"You guys are great. You solved such a tough problem," Jiraiya stood on the tree trunk, sounding a bit proud. He glanced at Naruto and Lin Yuan. "But don't slack off. The real way to be a strong ninja is just starting."

Kakashi also nodded. "Everyone has worked hard, especially Gaara. I heard that your performance this time was astonishing."

Naruto scratched his head with a proud look on his face. "Haha, I've always known that Gaara is really amazing!"

After a short rest, everyone started their journey back. Although this battle tired them out, everyone was satisfied because they'd finished the mission. This was especially true for the "Gratitude Squad".

After returning to Konoha Village, Ino was filled with mixed emotions. In the battle with the Peacock, she deeply felt her own weakness, and at the same time, she was envious of Sakura's medical abilities. One day, she specifically went to find Sakura, and the two had a chat in the training ground. "Sakura, I have something I want to tell you," Ino lowered her head, her tone a bit hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Sakura turned to look at her and blinked.

Ino took a deep breath and looked up, her eyes full of determination. "I know I'm not strong enough now. This mission showed me that I can't help if I stay like this... I want to be a medical ninja. Sakura, I envy you. I want to protect everyone like you do."

Sakura was taken aback for a moment, and then she smiled. "Oh? Ino-pig actually envies me? Is the sun rising in the west?"

"Can you be serious! I really want to learn medical ninjutsu!" Ino was a bit annoyed, but more serious. "Sakura, I'm begging you. Can you please plead with Lady Tsunade for me and let me learn medical ninjutsu? And if possible, become her disciple?"

Sakura thought for a bit and nodded. "Okay, but if you're serious about learning, you must be ready to suffer. Lady Tsunade's training is extremely tough."

"I'll try my best!" Ino said firmly.

"Then you'll be my junior disciple!" Sakura suddenly laughed. "Come on, call me'senior' and let me hear it."

Ino immediately became angry. "Don't push your luck! Forehead girl!"

"Ino-pig!"

The two began bickering, and their laughter rang out in the training ground.

...

On the other side, Tenten and Rock Lee were having a match in the training ground. The weapons in her hands were swung like shooting stars, and the speed was so fast that it was dazzling.

"Why didn't you guys call me for the mission?" Tenten complained while increasing her offensive. "Rock Lee, take this!"

Rock Lee dodged nimbly and said, "Tenten, it's not our fault! The mission assignment was Shikamaru's decision!"

"Hmph, don't blame others! Even if it was Shikamaru, I'll give him a piece of my mind!" Tenten gritted her teeth and attacked even more fiercely.

Kiba, Lin Yuan, Choji, and Shino, who were watching from the side, were really enjoying the show.

"Tenten is really amazing," Kiba said.

Lin Yuan shrugged. "Her weapon technique is really unbeatable, but I don't think Rock Lee will lose either."

"I hope they don't go too far," Choji said, biting into a bag of potato chips and looking a bit worried.

Shino pushed up his sunglasses and said quietly, "This is how they do it. No need to step in."

In the end, Tenten's offensive gradually slowed down. She let out a long sigh. "Forget it, I don't want to argue with you anymore, Rock Lee."

Rock Lee said seriously, "Tenten, your strength shouldn't be underestimated. You'll definitely have a part in the next mission!"

"You'd better keep your word!" Tenten glared at him and then turned away.

At the same time, Jiraiya told Tsunade he wanted to take Naruto on a training trip to get ready for future trouble. Tsunade didn't want to at first, but she knew Naruto needed to get stronger, so she finally agreed.

When Naruto heard the news, he was overjoyed and immediately started packing his bags. He slung the backpack over his shoulders and said to Jiraiya, "Toad Sage, I will definitely train hard this time and become stronger!"

Jiraiya smiled and ruffled Naruto's hair. "Cut the crap. The journey won't be as easy as you think. Don't fall behind!"

Naruto turned and waved to Sakura, Ino and the rest. "Guys, I'm off! I'll be much stronger when I'm back!"

"Don't forget to write letters!" Sakura said with a smile. "Remember not to be lazy!"

Naruto patted his chest and promised, "Of course!"

Jiraiya took Naruto and left Konoha. A training journey full of unknowns and challenges started.

=====================

任务结束后,小祭顺利被营救出来,虽然惊魂未定,但在我爱罗,鸣人等人的安慰下逐渐平静了下来.自来也和卡卡西赶到时,发现战斗已经结束,他们不禁感叹年轻忍者的成长速度.

"你们可真行啊,竟然解决了这么麻烦的事情." 自来也站在树干上,语气里带着一丝骄傲.他看着鸣人和林远,"不过别以为这样就可以松懈,真正的强者之路才刚刚开始."

卡卡西也点了点头:"大家都辛苦了,尤其是我爱罗,听说你这次的表现让人惊讶."

鸣人一脸得意地挠挠头:"哈哈,我可是早就知道我爱罗超厉害的!"

众人稍作休整后,便开始返程.虽然这一战消耗了不少体力,但每个人脸上都带着完成任务的满足感.尤其是 "报恩小队".

回到木叶忍者村后,井野心中满是复杂的情绪.在与孔雀的战斗中,她深深感受到自己的弱小,同时也对小樱的医疗能力心生羡慕.某天,她特意找到小樱,两人在训练场的聊天."小樱,我有话想跟你说." 井野低下头,语气中带着一丝犹豫.

"怎么了?" 小樱转头看着她,眨了眨眼睛.

井野深吸一口气,抬起头,目光中透着决心:"我知道自己现在的能力远远不够,这次任务让我明白,如果再这样下去,我根本帮不上任何忙...我想成为医疗忍者,小樱,我羡慕你,也想像你一样能保护大家."

小樱愣了一下,随即露出了笑容:"哦?井野猪居然会羡慕我?太阳打西边出来了吧?"

"你能不能认真点!我是真的很想学医疗忍术!" 井野有些恼怒,但更多的是认真,"小樱,我拜托你了,能不能帮我向纲手大人求情,让我学医疗忍术,如果可以也成为她的弟子?"

小樱思索片刻,点点头:"好啊,不过你要是真的想学,就得做好吃苦的准备,纲手大人的训练可是地狱级别的哦."

"我会好好努力的!" 井野坚定地说道.

"那你可就是我的师妹了!" 小樱忽然笑了,"来,叫声 '前辈' 听听."

井野顿时炸毛:"别得寸进尺啊!宽额头!"

"井野猪!"

两人你一句我一句地斗嘴起来,笑声回荡在训练场上.

...

另一边,天天正和小李在训练场上比试.她手中的武器如流星般挥舞,速度快得让人眼花缭乱.

"为什么你们出任务都不叫上我?" 天天一边抱怨,一边加快了攻势.

"小李,接招!"

小李灵活地闪避,一边说道:"天天,这可不是我们的错!任务分配是鹿丸的决定!"

"哼,别把责任推到别人身上!就算是鹿丸,我也要好好问问他!" 天天咬牙切齿地说道,攻势越发凌厉.

一旁围观的牙,林远,丁次,志乃则是看得津津有味.

"天天果然很厉害啊." 牙说道.

林远耸耸肩:"这家伙的武器术真是无敌,不过我觉得小李也不会输."

"希望他们别打得太过火了." 丁次咬着一包薯片,有些担心地说道.

志乃则推了推墨镜,低声说道:"这是他们的方式,不用干预."

最终,天天的攻势逐渐放缓,她长舒一口气:"算了,懒得跟你计较了,小李."

小李一脸认真地说道:"天天,你的实力不容小觑,下次任务一定有你的份!"

"你说的哦!" 天天瞪了他一眼,然后转身离开.

与此同时,自来也正式向纲手提出,要带鸣人踏上修行之旅,为日后可能到来的危机做准备.纲手虽然心中不舍,但也明白鸣人必须变强,最终点头答应了.

鸣人听到这个消息后兴奋不已,立即开始收拾行囊.他将背包背在肩上,对自来也说道:"蛤蟆仙人,这次我一定会好好修炼,变得更强!"

自来也笑着揉了揉鸣人的头:"少废话,路上可没你想的那么轻松,别给我掉队!"

鸣人转身向小樱和井野等人挥了挥手:"大家,我走了!等我回来的时候,我一定会更厉害!"

"别忘了写信回来啊!" 小樱笑着说道,"记得不要偷懒!"

鸣人拍着胸口保证:"当然!"

自来也带着鸣人离开了木叶,一场充满未知与挑战的修行之旅正式开始.