The Reason

After entering Konoha, Jiraiya quickly pinpointed Naruto Uzumaki's location through his spiritual energy and headed toward him.

Naruto had already arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound. Seeing that Hinata had not yet emerged, he stood waiting in place. The guards at the gate were already very familiar with him, so they paid him no mind. Before long, Hinata, dressed in a cream-colored kimono, pushed open the gate and walked out.

Seeing that Naruto had changed into a robe she had never seen before, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Naruto Uzumaki, that robe suits you very well; you look very spirited."

Because Naruto had grown significantly taller over the past few months, Hinata, who used to be about the same height as him, now only reached his chin.

Lowering his head slightly to look at her, Naruto smiled and said, "Hinata, you look very beautiful in a kimono, too."

As for Hinata, she was no longer shy at all, instead saying happily, "Thank you for the compliment, Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto chuckled at this, then took Hinata's hand. "Same as usual, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen first, then hit the night market."

Hinata nodded; she quite enjoyed eating at Ichiraku Ramen as well.

By this time, Jiraiya had already reached the vicinity of Naruto Uzumaki, but he did not reveal himself, choosing instead to follow behind Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata.

Soon, a Kakashi found Jiraiya. Although he was wearing a mask, Jiraiya knew it was him the moment he saw that white hair.

"As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent you," Jiraiya said, looking at the Kakashi before him.

Kakashi replied respectfully, "It has been a long time, Lord Jiraiya. This is what Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi asked me to give to you."

With that, he handed over the letter he had been keeping inside his vest.

After taking the letter, Jiraiya looked at it for a moment before saying to Kakashi, "So many years have passed; have you still not let go?"

Kakashi's body trembled slightly at these words before he returned to normal. "Some things cannot be forgotten just because one wishes to."

Jiraiya said nothing more. He opened the letter, scanned it briefly, and then condensed flames in his hand, quickly reducing the paper to ash. He then told Kakashi to be on his way.

As for what was written in the letter, it was nothing more than a teacher and student not having seen each other for many years, wanting to chat, and the like.

By now, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata had arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen shop and lifted the curtain to step inside.

Old Man Ichiraku was kneading dough at the time. Hearing someone enter, he looked up, paused for a moment, and then smiled. "Oh, is that Naruto Uzumaki? It's been a long time since you've been here."

"I've been busy with school lately, Old Man. The usual, two bowls of special Tonkotsu Ramen," Naruto Uzumaki said with a smile.

The two found a seat, and soon two large bowls piled high with toppings were placed before them. After saying, "Thank you, Old Man, I'm digging in," they both lowered their heads and began to eat.

After finishing, Naruto Uzumaki took Hinata to the night market.

Naruto Uzumaki turned his head to look at Hinata and asked, "Hinata, would you like to leave the village with me to train?"

Hinata replied immediately, "Is that allowed?"

Then, as if remembering something, she lowered her head and muttered softly, "But what about Father?"

Naruto Uzumaki chuckled and said, "As long as you are willing, that is all that matters. Someone will go talk to your father about it."

Hinata looked up and smiled. "Then there is no problem. As long as I am with Naruto Uzumaki, I can go anywhere."

"Hehe, don't worry. Even though we are leaving the village, we can come back whenever we want," Naruto Uzumaki added.

The two then began their pleasant stroll. Last time, they had eaten too much Ichiraku Ramen before hitting the night market, and there were many snacks they hadn't had the chance to try.

This time, they only had one bowl of ramen each, both wanting to save room to sample more snacks at the market.

Only now did Naruto Uzumaki act like a true child, pulling Hinata here and there, buying anything that caught his eye.

At the Konoha office, Jiraiya pushed the door open and walked in. Hiruzen Sarutobi had been looking down at a report, and upon hearing someone enter without knocking, he was about to lose his temper, but seeing it was Jiraiya, he swallowed his words.

However, he felt a sense of confusion. Why had Jiraiya become so young? The last time he saw him, he was clearly already middle-aged.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Jiraiya, what is the meaning of this?"

"I was training at Mount Myoboku. After mastering Sage Mode, I ended up like this," Jiraiya said indifferently.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he had been training in Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku, so hearing this, he didn't give it much more thought.

He sighed, "So much has changed; I almost didn't recognize you."

Jiraiya showed no expression, saying coldly, "Indeed, things have changed. You have also grown old—so much so that I barely recognize you."

"Haha, at my age, aging is a perfectly normal thing," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

He then asked Jiraiya, "What brings you back this time? I have sent people to look for you for many years, but there has been no news."

Jiraiya's expression shifted slightly, and he said sternly, "I have been traveling throughout the ninja world all these years. As for the purpose of my return, it is the same as last time: I am taking Naruto Uzumaki with me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, "Jiraiya, you should know that is impossible..."

"If Konoha does not wish to experience war, then Naruto Uzumaki must leave," Jiraiya interrupted before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish.

A look of astonishment appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. "Jiraiya, what do you mean by that?"

"Have you heard of the Akatsuki?" Jiraiya asked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "I have. In fact, two Akatsuki ninjas attacked Konoha not long ago."

"About six years ago, Shimura Danzō colluded with Hanzo of Amegakure to kill the disciples I had taken in in Amegakure. Do you know about this?" Jiraiya said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi caught that glint and quickly said, "Impossible. Shimura Danzō would not do such a thing."

Jiraiya said with absolute seriousness, "Hiruzen Sarutobi, do you think I would tell you this if I hadn't investigated it thoroughly?"

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. He knew Jiraiya's character; he wouldn't speak of such things unless they were true. He looked at Jiraiya and asked, "What are you planning?"

Jiraiya heard him say this and replied, "Rest assured, I won't hold you accountable for now. I am already aware of the kind of life Naruto Uzumaki has led all these years, but let's set that aside for the moment."

"When I returned to Konoha, I believe I told you that among the three students I took in, one possessed the Rinnegan. I only taught him for three years, yet his strength reached the level of a jonin."

"During that operation involving Shimura Danzō and Hanzo, that student survived, and he went on to rebuild the Akatsuki."

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly interjected, "Are you saying he intends to take revenge on Konoha now?"

Jiraiya shook his head and said, "Let me finish."

"The original intention behind the establishment of the Akatsuki was to achieve peace in the ninja world. However, after the previous leader—my other student—died, his ideology changed. He intends to seize the Tailed Beasts and control their power, using it to make the world feel pain," Jiraiya continued.

After Jiraiya finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his pipe and said, "So, their visit to Konoha last time was to scout for information on the jinchuriki?"

"Likely. I investigated the Akatsuki while traveling abroad, and I know this information was obtained through those investigations," Jiraiya nodded and replied.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with extreme gravity, "Is the Akatsuki strong?"

Jiraiya nodded seriously and said slowly, "Very strong. As far as I know, the Akatsuki has already recruited six S-rank missing-nin from various villages, including Orochimaru. As for their leader, my other student Nagato Uzumaki, most of the missing-nin he recruited joined only after being defeated by him. Furthermore, Hanzo has already died at his hands. Surely you understand the extent of his power now?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed an expression of disbelief, and he quickly asked, "Do you know the identities of these missing-nin?"

"I do. Kakuzu from Takigakure—you should know him, he is the one who once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage. There is also Kisame Hoshigaki from the special forces of Kirigakure, Sasori, the grandson of Chiyo from Sunagakure, Deidara, a student of the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki from Iwagakure, Hidan, a follower of the Jashin Cult from Yugakure, and your student, Orochimaru. I believe you have seen these names on the S-rank wanted posters issued by various villages," Jiraiya told him everything he could.

"Are you certain they will attack Konoha?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked bitterly. These names were all notorious criminals on the wanted lists of every village. Coupled with a leader capable of suppressing so many missing-nin, if they truly came to Konoha, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"The current intelligence suggests they are preparing to start targeting the jinchuriki soon. As for when they will come to Konoha, I cannot say for sure, but if we take Naruto Uzumaki away from Konoha and leak the news, they will not attack the village for the time being," Jiraiya replied.

"Give me one day. I need to discuss this matter with the three advisors," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Jiraiya was the one among his students who truly inherited the Will of Fire, and he was naive by nature. In matters concerning the safety of the village, he believed Jiraiya would not lie.

However, taking the jinchuriki away from the village was not a decision he could make alone.

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively and said, "Decide as quickly as you can. If the Akatsuki attacks, I can only guarantee that I will hold off their leader."

"By the way, when I went to see Naruto Uzumaki just now, I noticed that the little girl from the Hyuga Clan Compound beside him is somewhat special. I hope to take her away from the village as well." After a pause, Jiraiya continued.

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said, "I have no problem with that, but you will have to speak to the Hyuga Clan Compound yourself."

"Understood. Also, you can tell the three advisors that I am taking Naruto Uzumaki to Mount Myoboku for training to help him master the power of the Nine-Tails. By the time he returns, he might just be a perfect jinchuriki," Jiraiya said, then turned and left.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he immediately ordered the Anbu to summon the three advisors.

Ti Ta provided this story, Naruto: Starting with Asura Chakra.