One Year

Spring turned to autumn, and Yamanaka Tohru spent another year in Mount Myōboku.

During this year, Yamanaka Tohru focused his energy on consolidating the ninjutsu he had already learned.

The Rasengan and its derivative ninjutsu, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Water Release, Ice Release, and Sage Mode. After a year of consolidation, Yamanaka Tohru was confident he could fight Kushina in her Tailed Beast Cloak form while in Ice Release or Sage Mode.

Having been in Mount Myōboku for nearly two years, Yamanaka Tohru had reaped great rewards, solving the long-standing problem of Ice Release consuming too much Chakra. He could also briefly enter Sage Mode and had learned many of Jiraiya's Water Release ninjutsu.

"Two years have passed since I left Konoha, and it's time to go back." This day, Yamanaka Tohru said as he lay on the grass after sparring with Sage Fukasaku.

"Tohru-chan, are you leaving?"

"Yes, thank you for taking care of me, Sage Fukasaku, these past two years."

Sage Fukasaku had indeed helped Yamanaka Tohru a lot during these two years, clarifying Nature Energy, training Sage Mode, and teaching him Frog Kumite. Yamanaka Tohru was very grateful to Sage Fukasaku.

Another person Yamanaka Tohru was grateful to was Jiraiya. Not to mention anything else, the modified sealing jutsu of the Yin Seal alone had benefited Yamanaka Tohru greatly. Not to mention that he had also taught Yamanaka Tohru many Water Release ninjutsu.

Jiraiya's Sage Mode had also finally made significant progress this year.

Jiraiya had always been unable to enter Sage Mode alone. Yamanaka Tohru remembered that in the original work, Jiraiya fused with Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima when using Sage Mode.

So Yamanaka Tohru proposed to the two sages that they try to fuse directly with Jiraiya. The result was the same as in the original work; with the power of the two great sages, Jiraiya successfully entered Sage Mode.

Yamanaka Tohru was also happy to be able to help Jiraiya perfect Sage Mode. Jiraiya returned to Konoha after successfully training his Sage Mode. Looking at Jiraiya's lecherous smile, Yamanaka Tohru probably knew his purpose for returning to Konoha.

Afterward, Yamanaka Tohru bid farewell to the toads of Mount Myōboku. Then, Sage Shima, who happened to be in Konoha looking for food, used the Summoning Technique to bring Yamanaka Tohru back to Konoha from Mount Myōboku.

"Boss, one large bowl of seafood ramen with two extra slices of chashu." Yamanaka Tohru was summoned back to Konoha near Ichiraku Ramen.

"Coming right up, please wait a moment, customer." The Ichiraku boss's actions were as swift as ever. In a short while, a steaming bowl of seafood ramen was placed before Yamanaka Tohru.

"Huh? Isn't that Tohru! Long time no see, it's been almost 2 years, right?" The Ichiraku boss recognized Yamanaka Tohru and greeted him enthusiastically.

"Yeah, I went out of the village to train for these two years."

"Is that so? Then today's ramen is on the house, as a welcome back gift."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Yamanaka Tohru chatted with the Ichiraku boss about interesting stories from Mount Myōboku while eating his ramen, until an Anbu member appeared beside him.

"Yamanaka Tohru, the Hokage has a message for you."

"Uncle, it looks like I won't be able to finish my ramen. I'll be going now."

"Yes, the Hokage's matters are urgent. You can eat ramen another time."

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage smiled at Yamanaka Tohru, who was also observing him.

After two years, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face had many more wrinkles, and his hair was a bit gray. After all, he was already 50 years old, and the Third Hokage's health was not as good as before.

"Heh heh, Tohru, you little rascal, you ran off to Mount Myōboku to train without a word, abandoning your work at the Konoha Hospital."

"Lord Hokage, you never paid me any salary, how can you call it my work?"

"Ahem, what does a child need money for! So uncute. Since you're back, go to the Konoha Hospital tomorrow. This time it'll be your mission, with pay." The Third Hokage said.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. If there's nothing else, Lord Hokage, I'll be going now." Yamanaka Tohru wanted to see his mother at home and chat with Kushina later.

"Alright, remember to go to the Konoha Hospital tomorrow."

Emerging from the Hokage's office, Yamanaka Tohru immediately sprinted towards the Yamanaka Clan.

Yamanaka Seiko was resting in her inner room as usual. During the two years Yamanaka Tohru was away, she missed him constantly. After Uchiha Kagami left her, Yamanaka Tohru was her most important bond.

"Mother! Mother, are you there?" Hearing Yamanaka Tohru's voice from the inner room, Yamanaka Seiko quickly got up and opened the door. Seeing Yamanaka Tohru outside, tears streamed down Yamanaka Seiko's face.

Mother and son talked intimately until noon. Yamanaka Seiko personally cooked many of Yamanaka Tohru's favorite dishes. Although Yamanaka Tohru had already eaten Ichiraku Ramen, he ate all the food his mother made so as not to disappoint her.

In the afternoon, Yamanaka Tohru went out to find Kushina. He ran through more than half of Konoha but couldn't find her. Yamanaka Tohru had to enter Sage Mode to sense Kushina's presence.

Because of Kushina's immense Chakra, Yamanaka Tohru easily sensed her presence. There was another familiar Chakra beside Kushina.

Running towards the location he sensed, Yamanaka Tohru found Kushina in the Forest of Death, along with Jiraiya, who was being beaten up by Kushina.

"Sister Kushina, what did Uncle Jiraiya do this time?"

"Tohru! You're back! That's great! Come quickly and beat this pervert with me."

"Tohru, save me, I didn't mean to."

After listening to their accounts, Yamanaka Tohru learned what had happened. It turned out that Kushina was preparing to take a bath, and Jiraiya happened to be peeping in that bath.

Although Jiraiya was shameless, he wouldn't peep at his disciple's girlfriend. Jiraiya was about to retreat when he saw Kushina at the entrance. Unexpectedly, he made a noise by accident while leaving, which alerted Kushina.

Afterward, Kushina unleashed the One-Tail and chased Jiraiya all the way to the Forest of Death. Jiraiya knew he was in the wrong and, facing Kushina's One-Tail, he couldn't win without entering Sage Mode. So he stopped resisting.

"Sister Kushina, how about we let it go? Uncle Jiraiya didn't see anything, spare him."

"Yes, yes, Kushina, I was wrong."

"Hmph, I'll spare you for Tohru's sake." Kushina was tired from fighting for so long, and she had a lot to say to Yamanaka Tohru now that he was back.

The two went to the Third Training Ground. Yamanaka Tohru told Kushina about his progress in Mount Myōboku over the past two years.

Kushina also spoke about the changes she had undergone in the past two years. To Yamanaka Tohru's surprise, Kushina's relationship with the Nine-Tails had greatly improved.

Shortly after Yamanaka Tohru went to Mount Myōboku, Namikaze Minato also left the village on a mission.

Bored alone, Kushina often chatted with the Nine-Tails after hearing Yamanaka Tohru say that humans and Tailed Beasts could coexist peacefully. Over time, the Nine-Tails actually started talking to Kushina.

With the Nine-Tails responding, Kushina became even more enthusiastic, saying something every day. The relationship between the woman and the fox grew stronger.

"Tohru, you were right, humans and Tailed Beasts can indeed become friends. Now Little Nine is my friend."

The Nine-Tails, who was Naruto's comrade in the original work, had become so close to Kushina. Looking at it this way, perhaps even the Nine-Tails' attack on the village could be avoided.