Naruto led Jiraiya through the winding passageways, eventually bringing him to Orochimaru's hidden, sprawling base.
The base was dimly lit, its various devices and mysterious jutsu symbols woven together to create an atmosphere that was both futuristic and eerie.
Yet in this place, which should have been filled with tension and wariness, an unbelievable change had made the mood strangely delicate. Orochimaru, once a mighty figure who had struck fear into the entire Ninja World, now stood beside Naruto with Sasuke, adopting an almost humble posture, as though he had truly become Naruto's follower.
Jiraiya knew what the outcome would be, but it still felt unreal. Then, an irrepressible urge to laugh took over.
He clapped Naruto on the shoulder, his tone teasing. "Haha, looks like our little Naruto has gotten so strong he can even bring Orochimaru to heel! That's enough to make even me, your teacher, feel a little ashamed of myself!"
Jiraiya put heavy emphasis on the word "teacher," and kept glancing at Orochimaru, blinking at him pointedly.
Orochimaru's face twitched, and he suddenly kicked Jiraiya.
The two then engaged in a massive "friendly spar."
The clash between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was like a thunderclap tearing through the night sky, shaking the entire base.
The flashes of jutsu and the sounds of their collisions blended into a spectacular scene, displaying the two mighty fighters' incomparable strength.
Yet when the fierce battle finally came to an end, the air was no longer filled with tension and hostility. Instead, it held an indescribable sense of ease and relief.
Jiraiya panted heavily, a satisfied smile on his face. He looked at Orochimaru, his gaze a little less sharp and a little warmer. "Orochimaru, you're still as troublesome as ever! But it's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying fight with you."
Orochimaru looked tired as well, but a faint smile curled his lips. "Jiraiya, you haven't changed a bit."
The two exchanged smiles, as if their past grievances had all vanished in that moment.
Like old friends, they sat in a corner of the base and talked about their experiences, their understanding of the Path of the Ninja, and their hopes for the future.
Their conversation was relaxed yet profound, revealing a rare rapport and mutual understanding.
Just then, Naruto came over with Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes gleamed with a longing for the strength of the powerful, while Naruto was visibly excited, clearly looking forward to the training that was about to begin.
Jiraiya stood up and clapped Naruto on the shoulder, then glanced at Sasuke. "Naruto, it's time for us to go! Say goodbye to your friend."
Orochimaru rose as well. As his deep eyes settled on Naruto, a complex, unreadable emotion flashed through them. "Naruto, I look forward to seeing you when your training is complete."
Sasuke's voice was firm and clear, filled with the stubborn defiance typical of a boy his age. "Naruto, one day I'll surpass you!"
Hearing that, Naruto's lips curled into a radiant smile, and he nodded.
After saying goodbye to Orochimaru and Sasuke, Jiraiya set off with Naruto on their training journey, under the gaze of the setting sun.
Two and a half years passed like the murmuring stream beside the village, rushing away silently yet irresistibly, carrying off the innocence of youth and leaving behind the traces of growth.
Though Konoha remained lush and vibrant after those years, the village's stories and scenery had quietly taken on a new look.
The children of the past—Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi—were no longer the little figures who chased one another through the village, dreaming of becoming heroes.
Shoulder to shoulder, dressed in the uniforms of Genin, they stood with determination and confidence in their eyes, officially stepping into the vast world of the ninja.
Warm sunlight streamed through the windows of the Hokage's Office, falling on the two elders, Iruka and Tsunade.
Standing side by side, they watched Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi.
Iruka's eyes were full of pride. His expression seemed to travel back through the years, to a time when he had watched little Naruto—who had shared the same dreams and worked just as hard.
Back then, Naruto had also wandered the streets with Konohamaru and the others..
"Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, they've reached this point too," Iruka murmured. His voice trembled almost imperceptibly, betraying how proud he was of his students' growth.
Tsunade nodded slightly, a warm smile curling her lips. "Yes. When I look at them, I see Konoha's future."
Iruka stood by the window of the Hokage's Office, his hands clasped behind his back. He kept glancing into the distance, as if waiting for something.
"By my reckoning, they should be back soon, shouldn't they?" he said softly.
Tsunade sat beside the desk, leafing through report after report, but her eyes betrayed an unmistakable sense of anticipation.
She looked up and met Iruka's gaze, then smiled faintly as she replied, "Yes, they should be back. It'll be a problem if Konoha's two pillars don't return soon. After all, they'll be taking part in a large-scale operation next..."
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