The End

The battle between Naruto and Gaara ended, and at the same time, on the other side, the battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru also concluded. The Third Hokage, with his life, sealed Orochimaru's arms and the souls of the First and Second Hokages within the Reaper's stomach.

And so, the Reaper's stomach was filled with enough to play a round of mahjong. Pah.

Thus, Konoha's destruction plan ended in Orochimaru's failure. Kabuto's undercover identity was also exposed, and he chose to defect from the village.

On his deathbed, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Orochimaru:

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns.

The fire's shadow illuminates the village.

And new leaves will sprout.

Before closing his eyes, The Konoha destruction operation had ended.

You are truly foolish, Orochimaru.

It's a shame I couldn't perish with you.

My disciple...

We will meet again in another world someday."

Josuke guessed that this last sentence was the reason why Orochimaru would later obsessively study science, completely redeeming himself from being an early major villain.

"The Will of Fire" means to be resilient, never give up, and be strong, right?

— Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, deceased.

Returning to Josuke's side.

At Gaara's signal, Temari and Kankuro lowered their weapons and carried Gaara away. Before leaving, they looked meaningfully at Naruto.

Seeing this, Josuke also fainted. Although the cursed mark didn't endanger his life, the depletion of Blood Essence caused Josuke to fall into a state of exhaustion, especially after using the Multiple Shadow Clone jutsu.

Josuke fainted.

When he woke up again, two and a half days had passed. Within these seven days, the Third Hokage's funeral had been held, and the misunderstandings and conflicts with the Sand Shinobi were resolved.

(Don't worry too much about the details. The old man Third Hokage is gone. Falling fast, Ganar~~~)

Konoha also issued the highest S-rank wanted order for Orochimaru. But who would go and attack Orochimaru for no reason?

An S-rank rogue ninja, and one who hides his true strength so deeply. Who would risk their life? Anyone could be a target. But they probably gave up because they couldn't find him.

Josuke got up. He had indeed recovered. There were no major problems, he was just exhausted from overusing ninjutsu. Lying down for a few days would fix it.

Josuke discovered that during the days he was unconscious, his Chakra reserves seemed to have increased. Josuke didn't understand the reason, it was just very mysterious.

He had been lying down for two and a half days and was tired of it, so he stretched his arms and did some light exercises.

Outside the door.

A voice came.

"Josuke-kun?"

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

"Ino-chan?"

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

However, she let go almost immediately.

Her small face turned bright red. Josuke wasn't much better. He had been hugged by a girl. What should he do?

He could only awkwardly pat her head.

Outside the door, the Konoha 11 had all arrived.

Josuke was surprised.

"Why is everyone here?"

Naruto said with a grin.

"Of course, we came to see you. You were unconscious for two and a half days, and everyone was worried about you, so we all came together. Oh, and here's your reward for this mission. Take it."

"Reward?"

Josuke asked, confused.

Sakura saw this and explained.

"It's like this..."

She explained Kakashi's mission. Since Josuke wasn't there at the time, Kakashi hadn't assigned him any tasks. However, after understanding the situation later, he issued a supplementary payment to Josuke.

"And then, you know, during the time you were unconscious, someone was very worried. The day before yesterday, she couldn't sleep. When she heard everyone was coming to see you, she came too."

After speaking, Sakura even poked Ino.

Ino didn't dare to look directly at Sakura, so she turned her head and moved to the side.

Josuke chuckled and cried, now the whole village knows QAQ.

Josuke glanced around and noticed his little brother was missing, so he asked with confusion, "Where did Sasuke go?"

Hearing this, Sakura sighed.

"He went for special training with Kakashi-sensei. He said he can't lose to the dead last~"

Hearing himself being talked about, Naruto got anxious.

"I'm not the dead last..."

Josuke didn't know whether to laugh or cry, the atmosphere was surprisingly good.

And so, one day later, Josuke completed his discharge procedures. Due to the Third Hokage's death, the village was temporarily managed by those Konoha Elders, and there weren't any major issues.

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

This day, "Morning, Josuke!"

Naruto said happily.

Josuke nodded, looking at Naruto holding his heirloom frog wallet, he knew Naruto must want to show off his wallet to Jiraiya.

This frog wallet, Josuke remembered it was a gift from Hinata, right?

Josuke didn't remember, maybe, possibly.

It's no wonder, perhaps it was because of this wallet that Hinata was directly given away by Naruto.

"Morning, by the way, when is that Pervy Sage you mentioned arriving?"

Josuke asked with feigned confusion.

Naruto thought with his head.

"Probably, maybe, it seems, possibly, he's late~"

He even smiled after saying it.

Josuke:...

Alright, then he could only wait. After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Jiraiya finally arrived.

Jiraiya looked at Naruto, then at Josuke.

He's a child of the Uchiha clan, what's he doing here?

However, Jiraiya didn't think too much about it. "Hey, hey, hey, Naruto, so early?"

Naruto shot him a glare.

"Pervy Sage is always late, and he has the nerve to say that?"

Jiraiya burst into laughter. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, whoever was would be.

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

Jiraiya pretended to be confused.

Before Josuke could speak, Naruto cut in.

"Pervy Sage, I'm officially introducing you to my best friend, Uchiha Josuke-kun."

So he is an Uchiha after all.

Jiraiya nodded.

"Hello, little friend, is there anything I can help you with?"

Seeing Jiraiya speak, Josuke said, "Pervy teacher, I want to become your disciple like Naruto and learn powerful Ninjutsu."

What?

What pervy teacher? Jiraiya looked at Naruto, it must be this kid who said it.

Jiraiya shook his head.

"No, Josuke-kun, I'm teaching Naruto because I was entrusted to do so, and besides, I haven't taken on any disciples for many years."

Hearing this, Naruto became anxious and quickly said, "Pervy Sage, can't you give him a chance?"

Jiraiya shook his head, appearing very resolute.

A million 'what the f*ck' thoughts flew through Josuke's mind. What's so great about being a free S-rank ninja? Does he have the strength of my Skeleton Dog?

However, adjusting his emotions, he said in a deep voice, "Can you give me a chance? At least let you hear my story, okay?"

Josuke said, believing his story would definitely move Jiraiya. Pfft, what story, it's my own personal experience.