The morning mist shrouded the Konoha Gate, and the rising sun bathed the stone statues in front of the gates in gold.
Jiraiya, carrying a huge scroll, leaned against a doorpost and yawned, while Naruto and Karin stood beside him, their backs bulging with packs.
"Ugh, those kids are such a hassle, always having to put on this farewell ceremony." Jiraiya scratched his messy white hair, but a smile played on his lips.
"Pervy Sage! This is an important training journey!" Naruto stood with his hands on his hips, his golden hair shining brightly in the morning light. "Of course, I need to say goodbye properly!"
Karin pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting the sunlight. "Exactly, do you think everyone is as friendless as you?"
"Hey! Little girl! Who are you saying doesn't have friends?!"
Jiraiya's protest was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Kakashi arrived one after another with Sakura from Team 10, Team 8, and the Medical Team, and even the two elders who rarely showed up were standing not far away.
"Oh, everyone's here." Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Danzo, that old bastard, isn't here? What a shame, I wanted to annoy him again."
Utatane Koharu coughed lightly. "Danzo has important business to attend to. Jiraiya, please be careful on your trip; things are not peaceful in any of the villages right now."
Mitokado Homura nodded and added, "Especially regarding Orochimaru and the Akatsuki's movements, any information must be immediately relayed back to the village."
"Okay, okay~" Jiraiya waved lazily, but his eyes became serious. "Until Tsunade returns, I'm entrusting the village to you."
Kakashi hand in his pocket, his eyes crinkling into crescents, said, "Don't worry, I'll leave Naruto and Karin to Lord Jiraiya."
Naruto rushed towards his friends, shouting, "Everyone! When I come back, I'll be as strong as Heavenly Screen!"
Sakura stepped forward, her emerald eyes filled with determination. "You must come back safely... and, bring Sasuke too..."
"Of course!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up, his smile as bright as a little sun. "I'm going to be Hokage! I mean what I say!"
Hinata stood at the edge of the crowd, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. "Naruto... Naruto-kun... please be careful on the road..."
"Huh? Oh!" Naruto turned to look at her, patting his chest casually. "Don't worry, Hinata! With the Pervy Sage here, there won't be any problems!"
Karin rolled her eyes. "Idiot, what they're worried about is you messing around..."
Kiba, squeezing in with Akamaru by his arm, said, "Hey Naruto, don't slack off while you're out! If you come back stronger, I'll take your Hokage position!"
"Huh?! You think you can beat me?" Naruto immediately bristled, "The Hokage Position is mine! You can't even beat Choji!"
"Hey! What's this to me?!" Choji chewed on potato chips with a wronged expression, then pulled out a huge snack bag from behind his back. "Here, eat this on the way... This is my treasured limited edition barbecue flavor..."
Shikamaru, hands behind his head, looked troubled. "Be more careful when you're out and about. Don't always rush headlong into things. If you encounter danger, remember to run; coming back alive is more important than anything else."
Ino shoved him away. "Stop talking such discouraging things!" She turned to Naruto, unusually refraining from bickering, "Remember to bring Sasuke back for Sakura... He's annoying, but he's still our comrade."
Shino stood silently at the back, merely nodding, but a Kikaichū flew from his sleeve and landed on Naruto's shoulder. "A tracking type; it glows when it encounters danger."
Naruto's eyes welled up with tears, and he rubbed his nose vigorously. "Everyone... don't worry! I, Naruto Uzumaki, keep my word!"
Jiraiya glanced at the sky. "It's about time, we should set off."
Naruto took a deep breath, glanced one last time at the gates of Konoha and his comrades, then turned and followed Jiraiya. Karin adjusted her glasses and waved goodbye to everyone.
Wait a minute!
Sakura suddenly rushed forward and shoved a medical kit into Karin: "There's some effective hemostatic medicine and antidote inside... and..." she whispered, "If you find Sasuke, tell him... we're all waiting for him to come back."
Karin paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Yes."
Hinata mustered her courage and handed Naruto a charm embroidered with the Hyuga Clan crest. "This... this is for protection..."
Naruto grinned. "Thanks, Hinata! I'll take good care of it!"
Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Sakura unconsciously clenched her fists. In the Heavenly Screen, she could stand alone, teaming up with Chiyo to defeat Sasori, but now she was far from that level...
"Kakashi-sensei." She suddenly turned around, "I want to apply to join the Anbu's medical training program."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That's incredibly rigorous training."
"I know." Sakura's eyes were incredibly firm. "I don't want to... I can only stand there and wait."
In the distance, Naruto glanced back at Konoha one last time, the sunlight casting a long shadow of him. He took a deep breath, turned, and strode after Jiraiya and Karin.
"Pervy Sage! Where's your first stop?"
Jiraiya smiled mysteriously, "Let's go to the Land of Hot Water first to gather information—cough cough, I mean, collect intelligence!"
"Hey! You definitely said 'source' just now, right?"
The laughter of the three gradually faded into the morning breeze, while the gates of Konoha still stood silently, witnessing the departure of yet another future hero.
The dim candlelight flickered in the secret room, Danzo an unpredictable shadow on Danzo's wrinkled face.
He stared intently at the black-clad ninja kneeling before him, his fingertips rhythmically tapping the armrest of his chair.
"Jiraiya left the village with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed together. "And he took that brat from the Uzumaki Clan with him?"
"Yes, Danzo." The black-clad ninja pressed his forehead to the ground. "I left through the main gate this morning, seen off by the two elders, Kakashi, and their fellow Genin."
Danzo snorted coldly.
"Give the order," he suddenly spoke, "Send out the 'Owl' squad to secretly follow along the route."
The black-clad ninja looked up in surprise. "Danzo is going to... protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Hmph, the Nine-Tails is the village's most important weapon." A sinister glint flashed in Danzo eye. "Jiraiya may be a playboy, but his strength shouldn't be underestimated. With him here, the Jinchūriki is safe for now."
He stood up, slamming his cane heavily on the ground. "But if I encounter Sasuke Uchiha... I'll kill him on the spot."
The last sentence was like ice, causing the temperature in the sealed room to plummet.
"Understood, sir." The black-clad ninja bowed deeply. "Should we inform the two elders?"
Danzo's lips curled into a cold smile, "No need. After Hiruzen's death, those cowards will only get in the way."
After his men withdrew, Danzo slowly walked towards the depths of the secret chamber.
Portraits of the Hokage from previous Fourth was deliberately covered with a black cloth. He stood in front of the portrait of the Third, his single eye swirling with emotion.
"Sarutobi, can you see this?" he whispered to the portrait. "The heir you chose is a foolish woman addicted to gambling, a good-for-nothing playboy, and those naive brats..."
His fingers traced the Kunai at his waist, the blade reflecting a ferocious face:
"Only I... can truly make Konoha strong."
In a forest dozens of miles away from Konoha, three figures darted swiftly through the treetops.
"Pervy Sage! Where are we going?" Naruto flipped onto a thick tree branch, his golden hair glistening with morning dew. "We've been running around all morning!"
Jiraiya turn his head. "The first lesson in training—patience."
Karin adjusted her glasses, activating her full sensory abilities. "There are three Chakra reactions seven kilometers behind us; they've been following us since we left the village."
"What?!" Naruto immediately assumed battle stance. "Is it an enemy?"
Jiraiya gave a meaningful smile, "Don't be nervous, it's Danzo.' We'll find a chance to shake them off."