Chapter 50 – Jiraiya Is Gone

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Chapter 50 – Jiraiya Is Gone

Hokage Building

"Old man."

Jiraiya stepped in through the window, as casually as ever.

The Third Hokage put down the documents in his hand and looked up.

"How's Kaien?"

Jiraiya leaned against the window frame and replied,

"Even though I won, I feel like he was holding back."

Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, exhaling the smoke with a sigh.

"And you?"

"I didn't use Sage Mode," Jiraiya admitted.

The old Hokage raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Then did he use Susanoo?"

"He did," Jiraiya nodded, "but only briefly. It seems like it consumes a massive amount of chakra—it doesn't last long."

The Third paced a few steps, muttering to himself, "It can't last... it can't last…"

He paused, then gave a small nod.

"Well done, Jiraiya."

Relief flickered across the old Hokage's face.

But Jiraiya shook his head slightly.

"I fought Kaien... and I don't think he's a power-hungry maniac. Maybe he just wants to protect that small patch of land the Uchiha have left."

"Really?" Hiruzen murmured. Inwardly, he knew that if anyone else had said this, he would've dismissed it outright. But Jiraiya was different.

Jiraiya had trained in Mount Myoboku for years. With all the natural energy flowing through him, his perception of people went beyond the surface.

That made his judgment valuable—extremely valuable.

And even the Third himself wasn't fully aware of just how strong Jiraiya's Sage Mode truly was.

If Jiraiya said Kaien wasn't a threat, it meant something.

After all, Uchiha Kaien had always been an unstable factor—unpredictable, dangerous, with a mind of his own.

Jiraiya's willingness to tarnish his reputation with this match only proved his sincerity.

The Third Hokage smiled bitterly to himself. He could no longer force Jiraiya to take up the Hokage title.

What kind of Hokage hides in hot springs, peeking at women?

Just then, Jiraiya interrupted his thoughts.

"Old man, I'm heading out."

Sarutobi frowned.

"So soon?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "Nothing left for me here. Root's been disbanded, the Uchiha have handed over their powers, and I've confirmed Kaien's intentions. Why stick around?"

The old man narrowed his eyes.

"Or is it because you can't sneak into the bathhouses anymore?"

Jiraiya's face darkened.

"Never! I received a message from Orochimaru. I want to follow up."

Sarutobi's expression changed subtly.

"Is that so?"

Jiraiya nodded seriously.

"Yes. There's a trace of Orochimaru in the north, near the Land of Rice Fields."

Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, thinking in silence.

"Go, then," he said finally. "But... you don't have to bring him back."

Jiraiya blinked, surprised.

"What did you say, old man?"

Sarutobi's gaze softened slightly.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Just... pass on a message for me."

"Old man…"

Jiraiya was moved. He knew what those words meant. Despite everything, Sarutobi still saw Orochimaru as his student.

The Third waved his hand tiredly.

"Kaien brought back news—the baby kidnappings back then were orchestrated by Danzo. Orochimaru, at most, collaborated on the experiments."

"I don't know where Kaien got this intel, but he has no reason to lie."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. His heart, once heavy, now felt a little lighter.

His bond with Orochimaru ran deep. That's why he always dragged his feet when asked to pursue him, using the excuse of 'investigating' while wandering outside.

If not for the horrific child kidnappings, Jiraiya would've never accepted the task.

Now that Danzo was revealed to be the mastermind…

Jiraiya's burden eased.

He also knew the relationship between Orochimaru and the Third.

Orochimaru had been a genius since childhood, mastering ninjutsu at an alarming rate. He was the pride of his sensei.

If not for his twisted ambition, Hiruzen would've chosen him as the Fourth Hokage.

But Danzo had backed Orochimaru heavily. And Orochimaru, being who he was—brilliant, independent, and uncontrollable—was a poor fit for leadership under a council.

So, the Third had chosen Minato instead—a civilian, brilliant in his own right, but easier to manage.

No one expected Orochimaru's arrogance would lead him to the darkness.

And when he finally resurfaced with the child kidnapping scandal… he never offered any explanation.

Maybe, just maybe… Orochimaru's so-called "Konoha Crush" plan wasn't revenge.

Maybe it was just a prodigal student trying to prove something to a teacher who stopped believing in him.

Even when Orochimaru killed Hiruzen, he had cried.

Jiraiya clenched his fists and exhaled.

"I'll give him the message."

Sarutobi nodded.

"Before you leave... go see Naruto. He's at the academy."

Jiraiya smiled slightly and vanished from the window.

…

…

Konoha Ninja Academy Grounds

Jiraiya used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise himself as a regular villager to avoid attention.

By the time he arrived, the academy was still in session.

He climbed into a tree overlooking the training grounds, where Naruto and his classmates were going through drills.

On the field, Naruto—with messy blond hair and whisker-like birthmarks—was running hard, training seriously despite the heat and dirt.

The students were running an obstacle course: jumping over walls, leaping over ditches, crawling under ropes.

Leading them was Iruka-sensei.

"When you become a shinobi, you'll face all sorts of terrain in your missions. You have to learn to move through anything!" Iruka shouted while jogging alongside them.

At the front of the pack was Sasuke—focused, swift, and efficient. His movements were textbook perfect, clearly the result of strict training at home.

Other clan kids followed, while most of the civilian students struggled—some crying after falling into pits or stumbling off ropes.

Yet one civilian student stood out.

Naruto.

Despite scraping his knees, falling into pits, and being slower than others, he never gave up.

Every time he fell, he got up again, gritting his teeth and charging forward—Kaien's words echoing in his heart.

By the end of the third lap, only half the class had finished.

Naruto, pushing himself to the limit, managed to break into the front group, finishing ninth.

From atop the tree, Jiraiya let out a breath of relief.

Naruto… you're growing up just fine.

Training over, Iruka gathered the class and announced free time.

"Good job, Naruto," he said, walking over. "But next time, don't push so recklessly. Be more careful, okay?"

Naruto beamed up at him.

"I'm fine! Just some scratches! Next time, I'll be number one!"

Iruka smiled and patted him.

Then came the kids' voices from the distance.

"Naruto! Come play!"

"Coming!" Naruto shouted, running off.

Jiraiya smiled from the tree—until he heard them shout:

"Let's play 'Catch the Pervert!'"

"I'll be a guard!"

"I'll be a guard too!"

"Then I guess I'll be the pervert! Try to catch me!"

Jiraiya nearly fell out of the tree.

Faced dark, he cursed Kaien in his heart and disappeared from the academy.

This village... I can't stay here another minute.

…

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Translated By – Ancient Lores

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