The Reason

After Jiraiya entered Konoha, he quickly located Naruto using his spiritual energy, then hurried over to him.

Naruto had already arrived at the entrance to the Hyuga Clan Compound. Hinata hadn't come out yet, so he waited where he was. The guards at the gate knew him well and paid him no mind. Before long, Hinata stepped through the gate in a new, ivory-colored kimono.

Seeing Naruto in a robe she'd never seen him wear before, she hurried over and said, "Naruto-kun, that robe really suits you. You look so spirited."

Naruto had grown a great deal taller over the past few months. Hinata, who had once been about his height, now only came up to his chin.

He glanced down at her and smiled. "You look lovely in a kimono too, Hinata."

Hinata was no longer embarrassed at all. Instead, she said happily, "Thank you for the compliment, Naruto-kun."

Naruto grinned, then took her hand. "Then it's the same as always: first, Ichiraku Ramen, then we'll go browse the night market."

Hinata nodded. She liked Ichiraku Ramen too.

Jiraiya had reached the area near Naruto, but he didn't reveal himself. He simply followed Naruto and Hinata from a distance.

Before long, Kakashi found Jiraiya. Although Kakashi was wearing a mask, Jiraiya recognized him at once from his shock of white hair.

"As I thought, the Third sent you," Jiraiya said, looking at Kakashi.

Kakashi replied respectfully, "It's been a long time, Lord Jiraiya. The Third asked me to give you this."

As he spoke, he handed Jiraiya the letter he'd been carrying.

After taking the letter, Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi. "After all these years, you still haven't come to terms with it?"

Kakashi's body trembled, but he quickly steadied himself. "Some things can't be forgotten just because you want to."

Jiraiya said nothing more. He opened the letter and skimmed it, then conjured a flame in his hand. The letter quickly turned to ash. Afterward, he told Kakashi to come along.

The letter had only said that they'd been master and student for many years and hadn't seen each other in a long time, and that Hiruzen wanted to have a chat with Jiraiya.

By then, Naruto and Hinata had reached Ichiraku Ramen. They lifted the noren and stepped inside.

Teuchi was kneading dough. Hearing someone come in, he looked up and paused for a moment before quickly saying with a smile, "Hey, is that Naruto? It's been a long time since you last came by!"

"I've been busy with school lately, Uncle. The usual—two bowls of your special tonkotsu ramen," Naruto replied with a smile.

The two found a seat. Soon, two large bowls of ramen piled high with toppings were placed in front of them. They said, "Thanks, Uncle. Let's eat!" and promptly lowered their heads to dig in.

After they finished, Naruto took Hinata to the night market.

Naruto turned to look at her. "Hinata, would you like to leave the village with me and train?"

"Can I?" Hinata immediately asked.

Then, as if she'd thought of something, she lowered her head and murmured, "But what about Father?"

Naruto grinned. "As long as you're willing, that's all that matters. Someone will talk to your father."

Hinata looked up and smiled. "Then there's no problem. As long as you're there, Naruto-kun, I can go anywhere."

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

Then the two of them happily began their stroll. Last time, they'd eaten so much Ichiraku Ramen before going to the night market that they hadn't been able to try many of the snacks.

This time, they'd only had one bowl of ramen each, saving room to eat more snacks at the market.

Now Naruto seemed like a real child. He pulled Hinata around to look at this and that, buying anything that caught their interest.

Jiraiya pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and walked straight in. Hiruzen had been reading a report with his head lowered. When he heard someone enter without knocking, he was about to lash out, but swallowed his words when he saw it was Jiraiya.

He was puzzled, though. Why had Jiraiya become so young? The last time they'd met, Jiraiya had clearly looked middle-aged.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Jiraiya, what happened to you?"

"I turned out like this after training in Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku," Jiraiya said calmly.

Hiruzen knew Jiraiya had been training in Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku, so he didn't think much of it.

Then he sighed. "You've changed so much. I almost didn't recognize you."

Jiraiya showed no reaction, his voice still cool. "Yes, a lot has changed. You've grown old too. I can hardly recognize you."

"Haha, it's only natural to grow old at my age," Hiruzen said with a laugh.

Then he asked Jiraiya, "Why did you come back this time? I've been sending people to look for you all these years, but there's been no sign of you."

Jiraiya's expression shifted slightly. He replied gravely, "I've been traveling around the Shinobi World all these years. As for why I've returned, it's the same as last time: I'm taking Naruto with me."

Hiruzen replied, "Jiraiya, you should know that's impossible—"

"If Konoha doesn't want to face a war, Naruto has to leave," Jiraiya interrupted before Hiruzen could finish.

Hiruzen looked stunned. "Jiraiya, what do you mean?"

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

Hiruzen nodded to show he knew. "I have. In fact, two Akatsuki shinobi attacked Konoha not long ago."

"About six years ago, Shimura Danzō joined forces with Hanzo of Amegakure and killed the disciples I'd taken in there. Did you know about that?" Jiraiya asked, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Hiruzen noticed the glint and quickly said, "That can't be. Danzō wouldn't do something like that."

Jiraiya replied with absolute seriousness, "Third, do you think I'd tell you if I hadn't investigated it thoroughly?"

Hiruzen fell silent. He knew Jiraiya well; he wouldn't say such a thing if it weren't true. Then he looked at Jiraiya and asked, "Are you planning to...?"

"Don't worry. I won't pursue it for now. I also know what kind of life Naruto has had all these years, but let's set that aside for the moment," Jiraiya said.

"When I returned to Konoha back then, I should have told you that one of the three disciples I took in had the Rinnegan. I trained him for only three years, yet he reached the level of a jonin."

"That disciple survived the operation carried out by Danzō and Hanzo. He rebuilt the Akatsuki."

At this, Hiruzen suddenly cut in. "So he wants revenge on Konoha now?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "Let me finish."

"The Akatsuki was originally founded with the hope of bringing peace to the Shinobi World. But after the death of its previous leader—another of my disciples—he changed his mind. He intends to seize the Tailed Beasts and control their power, making the world experience pain," Jiraiya continued.

After Jiraiya finished, Hiruzen took a deep breath and said, "So they came to Konoha last time to investigate the Jinchūriki?"

"Probably. I investigated the Akatsuki while traveling. This information came from that investigation," Jiraiya replied with a nod.

Hiruzen asked gravely, "Is the Akatsuki powerful?"

Jiraiya nodded seriously, then said slowly, "Very. As far as I know, the Akatsuki has recruited six S-rank missing-nin from various villages, including Orochimaru. As for their leader, my other disciple, Nagato Uzumaki, most of the missing-nin he recruited joined after he defeated them. He also killed Hanzo. I think that gives you some idea of how strong he is."

Hiruzen looked incredulous and quickly asked, "Do you know who these missing-nin are?"

"I do. Kakuzu of Takigakure—you should know of him, the man who once tried to assassinate the First. There's also Kisame Hoshigaki, from Kirigakure's special forces; Sasori, Chiyo of Sunagakure's grandson; Deidara, a disciple of Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure; Hidan, a follower of the Jashin Cult in Yugakure; and your disciple, Orochimaru. I'm sure you've seen these names on the S-rank wanted posters issued by the various villages," Jiraiya said, telling Hiruzen everything he could.

"Are you sure they'll attack Konoha?" Hiruzen asked bitterly. Every name belonged to a notorious criminal listed on a wanted poster issued by one of the villages. And if their leader could keep so many missing-nin in line, the consequences would be unimaginable if they really came to Konoha.

"The information I have is that they're preparing to target the Jinchūriki soon. I can't say when they'll come to Konoha, but if we take Naruto away and spread the word, they won't attack Konoha for the time being," Jiraiya replied.

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

Of all his disciples, Jiraiya was the one who had truly inherited the Will of Fire. He was also guileless, and Hiruzen believed he wouldn't lie about something that concerned the village's safety.

But the decision to take the Jinchūriki away from the village wasn't his alone to make.

Jiraiya waved dismissively. "Make your decision as soon as you can. If the Akatsuki attacks, I can only promise to hold off their leader."

"By the way, when I went to see Naruto just now, I noticed that the Hyuga girl with him was unusual. I'd like to take her out of the village too," Jiraiya added after a pause.

Hiruzen waved a hand. "I have no problem with that. You'll have to talk to the Hyuga Clan yourself."

"Right. Also, you can tell the three advisors I'm taking Naruto to Mount Myoboku to train and help him control the Nine-Tails' power. By the time he returns, he may have become a Perfect Jinchuriki." With that, Jiraiya turned and left.

Hiruzen immediately sent Anbu Ninja to summon the three advisors.