Time Flows

Naruto led Jiraiya through the winding, twisting secret passage, finally arriving at Orochimaru's hidden and deep base.

Inside the base, the light was dim, with various devices and mysterious ninjutsu symbols interwoven, creating an atmosphere that was both sci-fi and enigmatic.

Yet in this place that should have been tense and guarded, an unbelievable transformation had made things remarkably delicate—Orochimaru, the once-feared powerhouse of the entire Ninja World, now stood beside Naruto with Sasuke in an almost humble posture, as if he had truly become his follower.

Jiraiya knew the outcome already, but it still felt surreal, soon replaced by an irrepressible urge to laugh.

He clapped Naruto on the shoulder, his tone tinged with teasing: "Haha, looks like our little Naruto has gotten so strong he can even tame Orochimaru! This makes me, your teacher, feel a bit inferior!"

Jiraiya emphasized the word "teacher" heavily, occasionally winking as he glanced at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's face twitched, and he suddenly kicked Jiraiya.

Then, the two engaged in a massive "friendly spar."

The clash between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was like a thunderbolt tearing through the night sky, shaking the entire base.

The brilliance of ninjutsu and the sounds of collision wove into a spectacular scene, showcasing the unparalleled strength of these two masters.

Yet when the fierce battle finally came to an end, the air was no longer thick with tension and hostility, but rather an indescribable lightness and relief.

Jiraiya panted heavily, a satisfied smile on his face as he looked at Orochimaru, his eyes losing some of their sharpness and gaining a touch of warmth: "Orochimaru, you're still as stubborn as ever! But having a good, unrestrained fight with you like this—it's been a long time."

Orochimaru, equally tired, still curled the corner of his mouth into a faint smile: "Jiraiya, you haven't changed a bit."

The two exchanged a smile, as if all their past grudges had dissipated in that moment.

Like old friends, they sat in a corner of the base, chatting about their experiences, their understanding of the Path of the Ninja, and their visions for the future.

The conversation was light yet deep, revealing a rare sense of rapport and understanding.

Just then, Naruto approached with Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes gleamed with a thirst for the power of the strong, while Naruto was brimming with excitement, clearly looking forward to the training ahead.

Jiraiya stood up, patted Naruto on the shoulder, and glanced at Sasuke: "Naruto, it's time for us to go! Say goodbye to your friend."

Orochimaru rose as well, his deep eyes flickering with an elusive complexity as he looked at Naruto: "Naruto, I look forward to seeing you after your training is complete."

Sasuke's voice beside him was firm and clear, carrying the stubbornness and refusal to lose of youth: "Naruto, one day I'll surpass you!"

Hearing this, Naruto's lips curled into a bright smile, and he nodded.

Then, bidding farewell to Orochimaru and Sasuke, under the witness of the setting sun, Jiraiya set off with Naruto on their training journey.

Two and a half years passed, like the babbling stream by the village, quietly yet unstoppably rushing onward, carrying away the greenness of the past and leaving behind the footprints of growth.

Baptized by this time, Konoha remained lush and vibrant, but the stories and scenery within the village had quietly taken on a new look.

The children of yesteryear—Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi—were no longer the little figures chasing and playing in the village, dreaming of becoming heroes.

They stood shoulder to shoulder, clad in the Genin uniforms that marked their status as ninjas, their eyes shining with determination and confidence, officially stepping into the vast world of the ninja.

In the Hokage's Office, warm sunlight streamed through the window lattice, falling upon the two elders—Iruka and Tsunade.

They stood side by side, their gazes resting on the figures of Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi.

Iruka's eyes were full of relief, a look that seemed to travel through time, returning to years ago when he saw the same dream-filled, unrelenting little Naruto.

Back then, Naruto had also led Konohamaru and the others strolling through the streets like this...

"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, they've reached this point too," Iruka murmured softly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor—pride in his students' growth.

Tsunade nodded slightly, a gentle smile curving at the corner of her mouth: "Yes, watching them is like seeing Konoha's future."

Iruka stood by the window of the Hokage's Office, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze occasionally drifting into the distance, as if expecting something.

He said softly, "Counting the time, they should be back by now, right?"

Tsunade sat at her desk, flipping through reports, but her eyes revealed an anticipation she could hardly hide.

She looked up, met Iruka's gaze, smiled, and replied, "Yes, it's time. If those two pillars of Konoha don't come back soon, we'll be in trouble—after all, we're about to take part in a large-scale operation."