The End

Naruto and Gaara's battle ended. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage's battle with Orochimaru also came to an end. The Third sacrificed his life to seal Orochimaru's arms, along with the souls of the First and Second Hokage, inside the Reaper's stomach.

And just like that, the Reaper's stomach had enough people for a game of mahjong—pah.

Thus, the Konoha Crush Plan ended with Orochimaru's defeat. Kabuto's identity as an undercover agent was exposed as well, and he chose to defect from the village.

Before his death, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Orochimaru,

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns.

The fire's shadow illuminates the village.

Then new leaves will sprout.

Before I close my eyes,

the operation to destroy the Hidden Leaf Village has already ended.

You really are foolish, Orochimaru.

It is truly regrettable that I cannot perish together with you.

My disciple,

one day, we will meet again in another world."

Josuke guessed that this final sentence was why Uncle Snake would later go mad studying science, completely shedding his role as an early major villain.

"The Will of Fire" means endless life, never giving up, and strength, right?

—The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had died.

Back to Josuke's side.

At Gaara's signal, Temari and Kankuro put down their weapons, carried Gaara away, and gave Naruto a meaningful look before leaving.

Seeing this, Josuke passed out as well. Although the cursed seal would not endanger his life, the depletion of his blood and energy had left him exhausted, on top of having just used the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Josuke lost consciousness.

By the time he woke up again, two and a half days had passed. During those seven days, the Third Hokage's funeral had been completed, and the misunderstanding and conflict with the Sand ninja had been resolved.

(Don't mind so many details. That old man the Third was just like that, dropping fast. Gana~~~)

The Hidden Leaf Village also issued its highest-level S-rank wanted order for Orochimaru, but who would be foolish enough to attack him?

An S-rank rogue ninja who had kept his true strength hidden—who would go throw away their life? Still, they probably gave up because they could not find him.

Josuke got up. He had indeed recovered. It had not been any serious problem in the first place; he had merely been exhausted from overusing ninjutsu. A few days in bed had been enough.

Josuke discovered that during the days he had been unconscious, his chakra reserves seemed to have increased. He did not understand why, but it was all rather mystical.

After lying down for two and a half days, he was tired of being in bed, so he stretched his arms and did some light exercises.

From outside the room,

a voice called out.

"Josuke-kun?"

The voice was sweet, and Josuke could never forget it. He turned around and smiled.

"Ino-chan?"

Ino dropped the flower basket in her hands and stepped forward to hug Josuke.

But she let go almost immediately.

Her little face turned bright red in an instant. Josuke was not much better off either. A girl had hugged him—what was he supposed to do?

He could only awkwardly scratch his head.

Outside the door, all twelve of the Hidden Leaf's rookie ninja had arrived.

Josuke was surprised.

"Why is everyone here?"

Naruto said with a grin,

"Of course we came to see you. You were unconscious for two and a half days, and everyone was worried about you, so we came together.

Oh, and here's the payment for this mission. You should take it too."

"Payment?"

Josuke asked in confusion.

Seeing this, Sakura explained,

"It's like this..."

She roughly explained Kakashi's mission. Since Josuke had not been present at the time, Kakashi had not assigned it to him, but after learning what had happened afterward,

he issued Josuke a share as well.

"And then, you know, while you were unconscious, someone was really worried about you. She couldn't even sleep the night before last. When she heard everyone was coming to see you, she came too."

After saying that, Sakura poked Ino.

Ino did not dare look directly at Sakura and could only turn her head aside.

Josuke did not know whether to laugh or cry. It's over. Now the whole village knows. QAQ

Josuke looked around and found that his little brother was missing, so he asked in confusion,

"Where did Sasuke go?"

At that, Sakura sighed.

"He went off to train with Kakashi-sensei. He said something about not being able to lose to the dead last~"

Hearing himself being mentioned, Naruto grew anxious.

"I'm not the dead last..."

Josuke could not help laughing. The atmosphere was actually pretty nice.

And so, a day later, Josuke completed the procedures to leave the hospital. Because of the Third Hokage's death, the village was temporarily being managed by those Hidden Leaf advisers. There were no major problems for now.

At Josuke's request, Naruto agreed to take him to meet his teacher, Jiraiya.

That day,

"Josuke, morning!!"

Naruto said happily.

Josuke nodded. Seeing Naruto holding his inherited frog wallet, he knew Naruto definitely wanted to show it off to Jiraiya.

Josuke remembered that Hinata had given him that frog wallet, right??

Josuke could not remember. Probably, maybe.

No wonder Hinata had fallen for Naruto so easily. Maybe it was because of that wallet.

"Morning. By the way, when is that pervy sage you mentioned coming?"

Josuke asked with feigned confusion.

Naruto thought hard with his own head.

"Probably, maybe, perhaps, he's late~"

He smiled after saying that.

Josuke: ...

Well, then they could only wait. After who knew how long, Jiraiya finally arrived.

Jiraiya looked at Naruto, then at Josuke.

That was a child from the Uchiha clan. What was he doing here?

But Jiraiya did not think too much about it. "Hey, hey, hey, Naruto, you're here so early?"

Naruto rolled his eyes at him.

"Pervy Sage, you're late every day, and you still have the nerve to say that?"

Jiraiya burst into laughter. As long as he was not embarrassed, someone else would be.

"Is this little friend Naruto-kun's friend?"

Jiraiya pretended to be confused.

Before Josuke could speak, Naruto spoke first.

"Pervy Sage, let me formally introduce you to my very best friend, Uchiha Josuke."

So he really was an Uchiha.

Jiraiya nodded.

"Hello, young friend. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Once Jiraiya spoke, Josuke said,

"Pervy Teacher, I want to take you as my master like Naruto and learn powerful ninjutsu."

What?

What did he mean, Pervy Teacher? Jiraiya looked at Naruto. This guy must have taught him that.

Jiraiya shook his head.

"No, Josuke-kun. I am teaching Naruto because someone entrusted him to me, and I have not taken on disciples for many years."

Hearing that, Naruto grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Pervy Sage, can't you give him a chance?"

Jiraiya shook his head, appearing very resolute.

Ten thousand grass-mud horses ran through Josuke's heart. Where does a free S-rank ninja get off acting so high and mighty? Does your skeleton dog have my strength?

However, after steadying his emotions, he said in a deep voice,

"Can you give me a chance? At least, can you listen to my story?"

Josuke said. He believed that his story would definitely move Jiraiya—pah, what story? It was his own personal experience.