Konoha: Naruto, Taught by Aizen

"No more fighting! I already understand your abilities," Jiraiya shouted at Naruto.

"We're not fighting anymore? I still wanted to see more of Jiraiya-sensei's ninjutsu," Naruto said, somewhat regretfully.

"Your Kekkei Genkai... is quite good. Neither your Taijutsu nor your Kido can be withstood by an ordinary Chunin. But you mustn't become arrogant because of this." Jiraiya organized his thoughts. "However, I can feel that you're too tense. When I say tense, I mean the state of your muscles."

"Training is certainly important, but the most crucial thing is to balance work and rest. No training today; I'll take you for some extremely important cultivation," Jiraiya said, beckoning Naruto with a finger, a mysterious look on his face.

Jiraiya led Naruto to a bustling street he had almost never visited before, telling Naruto about his experiences and observations from these past years as they walked.

There were peculiar Kekkei Genkai ninja, as well as some strange and wonderful anecdotes.

Of course, he concealed the mental journey of his "I'm in Naruto, Adrift and Unreachable."

After all, Naruto was only twelve years old now, still a growing boy. If he got hooked on "manual work" at this time, it could easily affect his future development.

Although "manual work" was enjoyable, it was too taxing on the body. Jiraiya understood these pros and cons, which was why he wouldn't help Naruto become an "adult."

Jiraiya wanted Naruto to personally experience Konoha's prosperity and try to forge bonds with it.

In his view, the current Naruto was too mature, too calm.

Sometimes, a person also needed a bit of childlike innocence.

Although Jiraiya knew that for Naruto, who had a dark childhood, the term "childlike innocence" was extremely ironic.

Strolling along the bustling street, feeling the jostle of the crowd, Naruto still maintained his elegant smile, but complex emotions flickered in his eyes.

People in the crowd occasionally stopped to shop, sometimes buying snacks and eating as they walked.

The villagers wore relaxed and joyful smiles, as if they had no worries.

Only then did Naruto realize.

Konoha was actually so prosperous.

It was just that this prosperity was not open to him.

"Hey, Naruto, come on, eat this!" Jiraiya's boisterous voice interrupted Naruto's thoughts. He looked up and saw Jiraiya stuffing an ice cream cone into his hand.

"You probably haven't eaten this before, right? I haven't eaten it in ten years either. Hurry up and eat," Jiraiya said cheerfully.

Naruto took the ice cream, his expression calm.

Once, he too had longed to taste such snacks, watching other children enjoy the summer's coolness with intensely desirous eyes.

Ice cream was undoubtedly an extravagant hope for him.

Naruto took a shallow bite.

Cold, sweet.

However.

Some things, once you pass a certain age, no longer have that fantasized taste.

"Why aren't you eating? Is it not good?" Jiraiya finished his cone in two bites and looked eagerly at the ice cream in Naruto's hand.

"You can have it." Naruto generously stuffed the ice cream into Jiraiya's hand.

"Er, actually, I don't like it that much either. It's just been too long since I last had it," Jiraiya explained sheepishly, though his hands moved quite nimbly.

Naruto calmly watched all of this, his heart completely unmoved, even feeling a bit sleepy.

He understood.

Jiraiya was trying to make up for his lost childhood.

But he truly felt nothing about it.

He even felt a little like laughing.

"Try this again, this one's delicious."

"This one is also very fun." Jiraiya's rather cheerful voice sounded in his ear. Watching this old-man-child, who was nearly half a century old, present various foods and toys like treasures, Naruto's thoughts drifted further and further away.

His past self had longed to be loved, had looked forward to being loved.

Faced with a reality surging with malice, he had been struck down time and time again.

If he hadn't accepted Aizen-sensei's guidance, perhaps his current self would already be moved to tears of gratitude, regarding Jiraiya as an extremely important person in his life.

It was just that the current Konoha, the current people, found it very difficult to get close to his heart now. He had already chosen a path destined for solitude.

Naruto retracted his thoughts. For some reason, there was a hint of sadness in his heart, and also a sense of relief.

He and Konoha would ultimately go their separate ways.

"Jiraiya-sensei, let's go. I don't quite like it here," he said softly.

"Eh? Oh." Jiraiya paused, then foolishly responded.

The two left the bustling street, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

After a long while, they had unknowingly arrived at Naruto's doorstep.

"Jiraiya-sensei, I'm going back to rest. I won't accompany you on your stroll," Naruto said, still wearing a gentle, warm smile.

Jiraiya could sense a trace of detachment. He could only scratch his head foolishly. "I'll teach you a few good ninjutsu tomorrow. You should rest well today."

"Okay, Jiraiya-sensei. See you tomorrow."

Watching Naruto close the door, Jiraiya felt rather bitter.

Some people, if you arrive too late, it's very difficult to forge bonds with them again.

"Sigh." He sighed. For a moment, he didn't know where to go and could only wander aimlessly.

Unconsciously, he arrived near the bathhouse.

Even when walking aimlessly, his inner DNA was still honestly guiding Jiraiya to his place of belonging.

"Hehehe, I wonder if Konoha's bathhouse is still as captivating as ever," Jiraiya suddenly revealed a perverted smile.

He used ninjutsu to sneak into the Konoha bathhouse, expertly making his way to the high-class men's bath closest to the women's bath.

It was empty inside.

"Hehehe~~" Jiraiya couldn't help but let out another lewd, excited laugh.

.... By the waterfall, Kakashi stood with his arms crossed, his expression serious.

At this moment, Sasuke was bathed in lightning, his hair standing on end, his expression somewhat pained.

His right hand emitted a sound like a thousand birds chirping piercingly.

This was Sasuke's first advanced modification of the Chidori.

By stimulating the cells throughout his body with lightning release, he could achieve a qualitative improvement in all his attributes.

However, this kind of ninjutsu was extremely dangerous; the slightest carelessness could result in hidden injuries.

And now, Sasuke was demonstrating the results of his training to Kakashi.

"Chidori!" With a roar, Sasuke plunged his right hand into a rock as tall as an adult.

"Boom, boom, boom!" Vast lightning energy from Sasuke's entire body converged into the Chidori in his right palm, shining with a terrifying, surging energy and light.

The sharp Chidori pierced the giant rock as if it were tofu. Following a crackling sound, an even more deafening explosion erupted.

For a moment, dust filled the air, electric currents danced, and the grass underfoot even emitted a scorched smell.

And the giant rock had been almost completely pulverized, reduced to dust.

Sasuke panted wildly, his forehead already covered in fine, dense beads of sweat.

"You did very well, Sasuke," Kakashi praised.

To be able to develop Chidori to a new height at this age, Sasuke was truly worthy of the Uchiha name.

But Sasuke was still not satisfied.

"This level of power isn't enough. My control over lightning-style chakra is still far from adequate. Chidori has very high potential; I can continue to develop it further."

"But I don't have Naruto's terrifying recovery and stamina. My body is already approaching its critical point."