tkworld Chapter 237 Dream
Chapter 237 Dream
"This is Konoha! Senpai! These buildings are quite artistic! Hmm!"
On a hilltop not far from Konoha Village, three figures dressed in matching black robes and wearing face-covering hats looked down at the bustling Konoha Village below.
The younger one among them, speaking with curiosity and admiration, was Deidara.
"Konoha..."
Wearing a mask, Uchiha Shisui murmured in a complex tone, his gaze piercing through the mask's holes as he stared at the homeland he had once protected, a land he could no longer call home. He never imagined he would return here in this guise.
Kakuzu's deep, slightly hoarse voice rang out, carrying a hint of warning. "Deidara, don't forget the task the leader gave us. Before the plan begins, we need to be completely infiltrated. Keep your mouth shut, and don't let your loudmouthing attract unnecessary attention."
However, Kakuzu's own gaze was also firmly drawn to the most striking Hokage Rock in Konoha. His eyes were fixed on the first statue in the row—the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
The man who had completely changed the course of his life, the one who made him realize for the first and only time how insignificant and vulnerable his own power was, was like a god... In Kakuzu's green eyes, there surged indescribable complex emotions.
This time, Menma's mission was very clear: Sunagakure and Otogakure intended to launch an attack on Konoha during the Chunin Exams and provoke a war.
Their mission was to secretly infiltrate Konoha before the Chunin Exams ended. If war did break out, their leader would personally come, and they would join forces to completely suppress the war with overwhelming power.
Kakuzu volunteered for this operation. After all, as a core combat member of the organization, spending his days holed up in the base dealing with tedious fund transfers and business negotiations was really contrary to his job duties. Moreover, thanks to the leader last time, he was able to witness the unimaginable scale of wealth in the Land of Waves... Kakuzu always remembered this favor.
"Everyone, do you still remember who we are right now?" Shisui said, regaining his composure.
The two nodded and each took out a village entry permit from their pockets. These were not forged documents, but genuine credentials obtained through legitimate chambers of commerce affiliated with the organization operated by Richa.
At this moment, Shisui, Kakuzu, and Deidara are playing the roles of representatives from a merchant guild who have come to Konoha to observe the official Chunin Exams.
After confirming the documents were correct and quickly disguising themselves, the three lowered their hats and headed down the mountain path toward the gate of Konoha Village.
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"Mr. Jiraiya... are you alright?"
Naruto watched with a hint of helplessness as Jiraiya, for the nth time, quickly darted into the roadside bushes. Just moments ago, it was clearly an ordinary Konoha ninja passing by, yet this legendary Sannin had immediately hidden himself away like a startled rabbit.
"Shh—keep your voice down, Naruto."
After confirming that it was safe, Jiraiya poked his head out of the bushes, brushed the grass clippings off his clothes, and explained with a slightly embarrassed but serious expression, "Although you may find it hard to understand, there are deep reasons why I did this."
He was actually quite troubled. Who would have thought that after returning to the village and meeting the old man, the old man would suddenly propose that he take over as the Fifth Hokage immediately after the Chunin Exams?
Although Jiraiya was happy to see the old man retire from the burden of Hokage and enjoy his later years, the prerequisite was that he was not chosen as the successor.
For Jiraiya, who loved freedom and was used to traveling around in search of "materials" and the Chosen One, being confined to the Hokage's office to deal with endless documents was practically torture.
"Could it be that because I failed to bring back concrete information about the [Jin] organization, the old man thinks I'm wasting my time wandering around without achieving anything, and that's why he's using the Hokage position to trap me?"
Jiraiya inwardly grumbled, feeling somewhat wronged. When he left Konoha last time, he had indeed promised the Third Hokage that he would do his best to investigate the mysterious and powerful [Jin] organization.
However, just as he was conducting his aimless investigation, the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku suddenly summoned him and told him a reassuring prophecy.
According to what the Great Toad Sage saw in his dream, the [Jin] organization, whose strength is unfathomable and which intimidates countries with its military might, is not as threatening as it appears on the surface. In fact, it will become an indispensable key force on the road to peace in the future.
Having received this prophecy, Jiraiya was immediately relieved and no longer focused his main efforts on investigating the [Jin] organization...
"But when the old man heard my report, he just sighed and didn't say anything more. Could that sigh have contained such deep disappointment and anger?"
At this moment, after that less-than-perfect "spying" encounter, Naruto took the initiative to say that he was still very curious about one of the legendary Sannin, and if you don't mind, let me treat you to a meal.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto before him—the only child of his deceased disciple Minato Namikaze, yet he himself, due to his inner escapism and pursuit of the so-called "Child of Destiny," had never fulfilled the slightest responsibility of teaching or protecting him over the years.
This child is so polite, humble, and understanding... He looks exactly like Minato when he was a child.
Thinking of his prized disciple, who was as warm as sunshine, Jiraiya's gaze softened unconsciously as he looked at Naruto.
Finally, the two arrived at the restaurant that Naruto had highly recommended—Ichiraku Ramen. Looking at the small shop in front of him, Jiraiya was actually prepared to think, "Seriously, I'm an adult, how can I let a kid treat me?" But he didn't expect the meal to be much simpler than he had imagined.
"We're here! It's Ichiraku Ramen! Mr. Jiraiya, don't let the small size of the shop fool you, the ramen here is the best in Konoha!"
Naruto's face beamed with pure joy as he expertly lifted the curtain and went inside. Jiraiya smiled helplessly and followed him into the shop.
The moment he stepped inside, a vague memory flooded his mind: Ichiraku... This shop... Minato used to bring Kushina here all the time, didn't he?
"Uncle Ichiraku! Two bowls of tonkotsu miso ramen, please!"
"Oh! It's Naruto! Welcome, welcome! Is this... your friend? Just a moment, the ramen will be ready soon!" Behind the counter, Uncle Ichiraku greeted Naruto warmly and began preparing the ramen with quick, efficient movements.
Watching this heartwarming interaction, and recalling the occasional, less-than-friendly glances cast by the villagers along the way, Jiraiya had a sudden thought: Could it be... that this child's fondness for ramen, besides the taste, also stems from that other reason?
The two sat down at the counter. Jiraiya habitually cleared his throat, preparing to liven up the atmosphere by using some "adapted" adventure stories from his travels, just like he usually did with children, and to enjoy the admiring gaze the other person cast his way.
However, before he could speak, Naruto spoke first. "Um... Mr. Jiraiya, may I ask... would you consider me your student?"
"What? That won't do, I'm very busy."
Jiraiya responded almost subconsciously, in his usual casual and perfunctory tone. Having traveled extensively for many years, he feared nothing more than long-term commitments and constraints.
"Is that so...that makes sense. I'm sorry for asking you such a strange question."
Naruto nodded, accepting the answer calmly, seemingly not caring much. He then turned his gaze to the pot of noodles cooking and waited quietly.
However, Jiraiya froze in his seat. "Oh no!" he thought to himself. His earlier refusal was purely instinctive; he wasn't actually opposed to teaching Naruto a few moves… it's just that he's always so carefree, his mouth always beats his brain…
Seeing Naruto's lack of disappointment or entanglement, and his calm acceptance and anticipation for ramen, Jiraiya felt a little guilty.
He coughed awkwardly, trying to ease the tension, "Ahem... But you don't have to be so absolute. However, you're quite impulsive, asking a stranger to be your apprentice on the first meeting."
Naruto scratched his cheek a little sheepishly and chuckled. "Haha, it does sound weird, doesn't it? It might be a little funny, but the reason I asked is because things have been really strange lately, so I thought... why not give it a try?"
"What happened?" Jiraiya asked curiously. He spoke as if someone had told Naruto beforehand that he should become Naruto's apprentice.
"Um... first of all, please don't take this seriously. Because... it was in a dream. A giant, incredibly old toad told me in the dream to find someone named Jiraiya, and that he was my destined teacher or something... sounds like just a weird dream, right?"
And so, Naruto, in a tone that was both joking and uncertain, said something that shocked Jiraiya so much that his jaw almost dropped to the counter.