Naruto burst out the door and ran wildly through the village like an out-of-control beast, heedless of everything else.
His tears scattered in the fierce wind, yet the pain in his heart weighed on him like a massive boulder, leaving him almost unable to breathe.
He ran to Ichiraku Ramen and stared at the utterly familiar signboard. Memories of the happy times he had shared meals here with Teacher Jiraiya flooded over him like a tide.
Those scenes filled with laughter and warmth now pierced his heart like sharp blades.
Tears blurred his vision again, beyond his control. It felt as though something had lodged in his throat, and he choked out in a murmur, "Teacher, why did it turn out like this? Why...?"
He continued onward in a daze and reached a quiet corner of the village. An ancient tree stood there, like a silent witness. Naruto leaned against it and slowly crouched down, burying his head deep between his arms as his body trembled faintly.
"Naruto, you'll never become Hokage like this." Just as Naruto sank into endless grief, a familiar voice that made his heart race spoke softly from behind him.
Hearing that familiar voice, Naruto's body jolted as if struck by lightning. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes filled with disbelief, then slowly turned around.
Jiraiya stood there quietly with a warm smile on his face. That familiar face, those kind eyes—it was as though nothing had changed.
"Teacher Jiraiya... Pervy Sage... Y-you're alive?" Naruto's voice trembled violently, and tears surged out again like a breached flood.
Jiraiya walked steadily to Naruto's side, crouched down, and gently patted his shoulder. In a gentle yet firm tone, he said, "I'm not that easy to kill, kid. This world is still waiting for me to keep exploring