The End

Naruto and Gaara's battle came to an end. At the same time, the battle between the Third and Orochimaru ended as well. The Third used his life to seal Orochimaru's arms, along with the souls of the First and Second Hokage, inside the Shinigami's stomach.

That made enough people in the Shinigami's stomach for a game of mahjong. Ahem.

And so, the Konoha Crush Plan ended in Orochimaru's defeat. Kabuto's identity as a spy was also exposed, and he chose to flee the village.

Before he died, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Orochimaru:

"Wherever leaves dance, flames will burn.

The Will of Fire will shine upon the village.

And then new leaves will sprout.

Before I close my eyes,

the destruction of Konoha is already over.

You really are a fool, Orochimaru.

It's a shame I couldn't take you with me.

My disciple,

one day, we'll meet again in another world."

Josuke guessed that Hiruzen's final words were the reason Orochimaru would later become so obsessed with studying science—and why the major villain from the early story would be completely redeemed.

"The Will of Fire" meant something like carrying on forever, never giving up, and staying strong.

—Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, deceased

Back to Josuke.

At Gaara's signal, Temari and Kankuro lowered their weapons and carried him away. Before leaving, Gaara gave Naruto a meaningful look.

After seeing that, Josuke passed out too. The Cursed Seal wouldn't endanger his life, but the toll on his body had left him exhausted. On top of that, he had just used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Josuke passed out.

When he woke again, two and a half days had passed. The Third's funeral had been held during those seven days, and the misunderstanding and conflict with the Sand Shinobi had been resolved.

(Don't worry about the details. Let's just say the Third is like that. Things went downhill fast. Goodbye~~~)

Konoha had also issued its highest-level, S-rank wanted notice for Orochimaru. But who would bother trying to attack him?

He was an S-rank Rogue Ninja who kept his true abilities hidden. Who would throw their life away? Even Kakuzu might have thought twice. But perhaps they gave up because they couldn't find him.

Josuke sat up. He had indeed recovered. It wasn't anything serious—he'd just overused his Ninjutsu and worn himself out. A few days of rest had been enough.

Josuke noticed that his Chakra reserves seemed to have increased during the days he'd been unconscious. He had no idea why. It was all very mysterious.

After two and a half days of lying around, he was tired of it, so he stretched his arms and did a few light exercises.

Outside the room,

a voice called out.

"Josuke-kun?"

The sweet voice was unforgettable. Josuke turned around and smiled.

"Ino-chan?"

Ino dropped the flower basket she was holding and rushed over to hug Josuke.

But she let go almost immediately.

Her little face flushed bright red. Josuke was no better off. What was he supposed to do after getting hugged by a girl?

All he could do was awkwardly scratch his head.

Outside the door, the Konoha 11 had all gathered.

Josuke was surprised.

"Why is everyone here?"

Naruto grinned.

"Of course we came to see you! You were unconscious for two and a half days, so everyone was worried about you. That's why we came together.

"Oh, and here's the payment for this mission. You should take it."

"Payment?"

Josuke asked, confused.

Seeing his expression, Sakura explained.

"It's like this..."

She roughly explained Kakashi's mission. Josuke hadn't been there at the time, so Kakashi hadn't assigned him anything. But after learning what had happened,

Kakashi had arranged a payment for him afterward.

"And, well, you know—while you were unconscious, someone was really worried about you. She couldn't sleep the night before last. When she heard we were coming to see you, she came along too."

As she spoke, Sakura nudged Ino.

Ino couldn't look Sakura in the eye, so she turned away.

Josuke could only laugh helplessly. That's it. Now the whole village knows. QAQ

Josuke looked around and noticed his little brother was missing. He asked, puzzled,

"Where did Sasuke go?"

At that, Sakura sighed.

"He went to train with Kakashi-sensei. He said something about not being able to lose to a dead-last..."

Hearing them talk about him, Naruto panicked.

"I'm not a dead-last..."

Josuke laughed helplessly. The mood was pretty nice, actually.

The next day, Josuke was discharged from the hospital. Since the Third had died, the village was temporarily being managed by the Konoha Elders. There weren't any major problems for now.

At Josuke's request, Naruto agreed to take him to meet his master—Jiraiya.

That day,

"Morning, Josuke!!"

Naruto said cheerfully.

Josuke nodded. Seeing Naruto holding his heirloom frog wallet, he knew Naruto was probably hoping to show it off to Jiraiya.

Josuke thought Hinata had given him that frog wallet, hadn't she?

He couldn't remember. Maybe she had.

No wonder. Maybe that wallet was why Hinata had given herself away to Naruto so readily.

"Morning. By the way, Naruto, when is that Pervy Sage of yours supposed to show up?"

Josuke asked, pretending to be puzzled.

Naruto thought it over.

"Probably, maybe, I guess... he's late?"

He grinned as he said it.

Josuke: ...

Well, they could only wait. After who knew how long, Jiraiya finally arrived.

Jiraiya looked at Naruto, then at Josuke.

That's a kid from the Uchiha Clan. What's he doing here?

But Jiraiya didn't think much of it. "Hey, hey, hey, Naruto! You're here early!"

Naruto shot him a look.

"You're always late, Pervy Sage. And you've got the nerve to say that?"

Jiraiya burst out laughing. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, someone else would be.

"Is this little friend of Naruto-kun's?"

Jiraiya pretended to be puzzled.

Before Josuke could say anything, Naruto spoke up first.

"Pervy Sage, let me formally introduce you to my very best friend, Uchiha Josuke-kun."

So he really was an Uchiha.

Jiraiya nodded.

"Hello, young friend. Is there something I can help you with?"

With Jiraiya's opening, Josuke said,

"Pervy-sensei, I want to become your student just like Naruto and learn powerful Ninjutsu."

What?

What was with "Pervy-sensei"? Jiraiya looked at Naruto. It had to be that kid's doing.

Jiraiya shook his head.

"I can't, Josuke-kun. I'm teaching Naruto because someone asked me to, and I haven't taken on a student in years."

Hearing that, Naruto grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Pervy Sage, can't you at least give him a chance?"

Jiraiya shook his head, making it clear he wouldn't budge.

A thousand curses raced through Josuke's mind. What was this S-rank ninja so proud of, anyway? Was he really as capable as my Skeleton Dog?

Still, he composed himself and spoke in a solemn voice.

"Could you give me a chance? At least let me tell you my story, okay?"

Josuke believed his story would definitely move Jiraiya. No—what story? It was his own life experience.