Bonds and Bandages - A Journey Between Master and Disciple Through Dust and Dinner Plans

The mist-laden air of Mount Myoboku hummed with the gentle croaking of toads, a soothing backdrop to the scene unfolding beneath the ancient trees. Jiraiya sat propped against a moss-covered rock, his bandaged arm cradled awkwardly as Shima Sennin and Fukasaku Sennin exchanged glances. Their small, beady eyes lingered on Naruto, who stood nearby, his orange jacket a stark contrast to the earthy tones around him.

Shima tilted her head, her voice soft but curious. "So, Jiraiya-boy, you're saying this kid might be the one the Great Toad Sage spoke of? The son of prophecy?"

Fukasaku nodded vigorously, his webbed hands clasped together. "Sure looks that way! I mean, compared to that Nagato mess—sorry, Jiraiya-chan—this one's got a good head on his shoulders. Reliable, even!"

Naruto caught their stares and flashed a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. He knew all too well what the prophecy meant—had lived it, in fact—but he wasn't about to spill that just yet. Instead, his gaze drifted to Jiraiya, tracing the familiar lines of his teacher's weathered face. For a moment, it felt like the man might vanish again, like he had in another life. The thought squeezed his chest, and he blinked hard to keep the tears at bay.

Jiraiya noticed, of course. He always did. Tilting his head, he raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing despite the strain in it. "What's with that look, Naruto? My Sage Mode's long gone—don't tell me the toad marks are still stuck on my face!"

Naruto laughed, a quick, shaky sound, and swiped at his eyes. "Nah, it's nothing like that. Just… been a while since I last saw you, y'know? Missed you, is all."

The words hit Jiraiya like a warm gust of wind, softening the edges of the pain still throbbing in his arm. He'd just survived Nagato's betrayal—a wound deeper than any blade could cut—and now here was Naruto, raw and honest, tugging at his heartstrings. His vision blurred, and he tipped his head back with a dramatic chuckle to hide it. "Oh, come on, kid! What's with the mushy stuff? You're gonna make your ol' teacher blush. How about you show me some of that fancy transformation jutsu instead? I could use a spark for my next bestseller!"

Naruto's grin widened, the tension easing as he played along. "Only if you promise not to write me into one of your weird romance scenes!"

Shima, finishing the last knot on Jiraiya's bandage, clucked her tongue. "Alright, you two, enough clowning around. The arm's patched up—rest a bit, Jiraiya-boy. Dinner's ready too. Naruto, you're welcome to join us!"

Fukasaku's eyes lit up, practically bouncing on his perch. "Ooh, Ma, what's on the menu tonight? Something tasty, I hope?"

Naruto's stomach lurched at the mention of food. Memories flooded back—his training days at Mount Myoboku, when Shima's "delicacies" had been a nightmare of wriggling worms and crunchy bugs. He could still hear Fukasaku slurping earthworm noodles like they were ramen, while he'd barely choked down a bite before bolting to the nearest bush. Nostalgia was one thing, but that? No thanks.

He opened his mouth to politely decline, but Jiraiya beat him to it, pushing himself up with a groan. "Actually, brother, sister, I think we should head back to the village first. Pain's identity—Nagato—it's too big. Tsunade needs to know ASAP."

Naruto darted forward, slipping an arm under Jiraiya's good side to steady him. "Yeah, good call. Let's get moving."

Fukasaku frowned, his enthusiasm dimming. "Aw, c'mon, Jiraiya-chan! At least stay for a bite. Ma's gone all out for you two!"

Shima nodded, her tone bright. "That's right! I've got fresh earthworm noodles, piping hot!"

At the words "earthworm noodles," Jiraiya and Naruto froze, their faces mirroring the same mix of dread and forced cheer. They swallowed hard, exchanging a glance that said everything.

Shima narrowed her eyes, hands on her hips. "What's with those looks? You two acting like I'm serving poison or something?"

Jiraiya coughed into his fist, pasting on a grin. "No, no, sister, it's not that! Your cooking's legendary, honest. Just… urgent ninja business, y'know? We'll swing by another day, promise!"

Naruto nodded so fast his head might've popped off. "Yeah, totally! Next time, for sure!"

Fukasaku sighed, waving a hand. "Fine, fine, off you go then. Village first, food later."

Shima huffed, clearly disappointed. "Hmph. You boys don't know what you're missing."

Jiraiya and Naruto shared a relieved smirk, both silently vowing to bring their own snacks next visit. Jiraiya adjusted his cloak with his good arm, then glanced at Naruto. "Can you zap us straight to the village with that Flying Thunder God trick, or do I need to call in a reverse-summoning favor from Toadyin?"

Naruto tapped his chin, thinking. "Should be fine. There's a marked kunai back at Dad's old place. Haven't inherited it yet, but I know it's there from… uh, later stuff."

Jiraiya arched a brow but didn't press. "Good enough for me. Let's roll." He bowed stiffly to the Toad Sages. "Thanks for everything, you two. Couldn't have made it without you."

Naruto followed suit, dipping low. "Yeah, seriously. You're the best."

Fukasaku chuckled. "Anytime, kids. Stay safe out there."

With a grin, Naruto clapped a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder. "Here we go!" A buzz of chakra flared, and the world dissolved in a flash.

The next instant, they stumbled into a dim, dusty room, coughing as a cloud of grit billowed around them. Jiraiya waved a hand in front of his face, squinting. "Gah, Naruto! Where'd you drop us—some old attic? I can barely breathe!"

Naruto hacked, peering through the haze. "Oops—storage room, I think. Dad's house hasn't exactly had a cleaning crew in… what, fifteen years?"

Jiraiya's eyes adjusted, landing on a kunai dangling from a rope nearby, its handle etched with Minato's seal. He shuffled over to a wardrobe, yanking it open. Dust exploded outward, and he recoiled, sneezing violently. "Agh, kami help us!" Waving it off, he spotted a cloak inside—white, with "Fourth Hokage" emblazoned on the back. His breath caught. "Wait… this is Minato's place?"

Naruto nodded, his voice softening. "Yeah. My real home."

The words carried a weight Jiraiya couldn't ignore. He watched Naruto step toward the kunai, his fingers brushing it as memories flickered in his eyes. This wasn't just a house—it was a tether to a past Naruto had pieced together alone. Jiraiya closed the wardrobe gently, his tone thoughtful. "So, you know who you are, huh? Your folks?"

Naruto turned, offering a small nod. "Yeah. When the Nine Tails chakra went wild once, I nearly lost it. Dad's chakra—he left it in me—kicked in and told me everything."

Jiraiya's lips twitched upward. Of course Minato would've planned that. The man never left anything to chance. "And the Flying Thunder God? Sage Jutsu? That from him too?"

Naruto seized the opening, grateful for an easy out. "Yep! Dad passed 'em down. Pretty cool, right?"

Jiraiya's jaw dropped, then he laughed—a big, booming sound that shook the dust loose again. "Cool? Kid, that's insane! Minato, you sly fox—teaching Sage Jutsu through a chakra imprint? And here I thought I was the clever one!" He clapped Naruto's shoulder, grinning. "Tiger father, tiger son. You're a chip off the old block, mastering those tricks like a pro."

Naruto beamed, basking in the praise. Jiraiya's eyes softened, a certainty settling in his chest. Prophecy or not, this kid was special—his heart, his strength, his spirit. "Y'know," he said, voice low, "I'm starting to think the Great Toad Sage nailed it. You're the one, Naruto."

Naruto just smiled, letting the moment linger. For now, that was enough.

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