Naruto: The new beginning

If you enjoy the chapter, don't forget to drop some Power Stones! Your support keeps me inspired to create and share more. Thank you!💎💎💎

---

Once someone finds motivation, their efficiency improves significantly. Take Jiraiya, for example.

Motivated by the promise of something enticing, he quickly perfected the enhancement of his ninjutsu.

After all, altering appearances without affecting the essence or power of a technique isn't too challenging for someone with Jiraiya's wealth of knowledge.

His earlier claims about delays were merely an excuse to haggle over terms.

Naturally, this kind of "transaction" couldn't take place in the Hokage's office. So, the seasoned sage and the young shinobi found a secluded spot, away from prying eyes.

Naruto unrolled the scroll Jiraiya had modified and asked, "Shadow Clone plus Transformation, right? So, what's the catch?"

Jiraiya stroked his chin, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Hehe, for starters, it's summer, so go with something cooler something unforgettable. And I'll need a hundred clones."

Naruto sighed but nodded. "Got it."

He created a hundred clones, surrounding Jiraiya while hiding his true body at a safe distance. "Ready?" he called out.

Jiraiya, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, smirked confidently. "Bring it on! Show me what you've got, future Hokage!"

"Transform!" × 100.

With a flurry of white smoke, the clones unveiled their perfected Harem Technique: Swimsuit Edition.

Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock. His heart skipped a beat, and his jaw dropped as he processed the surreal sight before him. The clones pranced around, giggling and calling out in unison, "Jiraiya-sensei~!"

"Enough! Enough!" Jiraiya collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed. "I-I can't take it anymore!" If he'd had even a hint of Uchiha blood, his Sharingan would have awakened on the spot.

His eyes unfocused, Jiraiya muttered weakly, "This... this must be hell…"

Concerned, Naruto dispelled the clones and rushed to his side. "Ero-sennin, are you okay? Don't overdo it—I don't need you rewriting the world because of Chiyo!"

Jiraiya pushed Naruto away with trembling hands, his voice shaky. "Y-you… what did you do?"

"Exactly what you asked for," Naruto said matter-of-factly. "Let's review:

1. A hundred clones – check.

2. Cooler outfits – check.

3. Unforgettable impact – check."

"This is unforgettable?" Jiraiya clutched his chest dramatically. Despite being a legendary shinobi, he felt utterly defeated by Naruto's antics.

Naruto, worried for his sensei's health, whisked him straight to Tsunade's office using the Flying Thunder God. With Jiraiya still dazed, Naruto explained everything.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow but smiled knowingly. "Really? Leave him to me."

Relieved, Naruto returned to Mount Myoboku to focus on his sage training.

---

At Mount Myoboku, the atmosphere was unusually lively. Naruto sat meditating atop a stone pillar while his clones practised the Peacock Technique below, trying (and often failing) to launch themselves skyward.

Every time a clone dispelled itself with a misstep, its memories distracted Naruto from his training, lowering his efficiency. Yet, he let them continue, reasoning it was better to adapt now than be thrown off in battle.

Watching this chaos, Fukasaku sighed. "This boy... can he really master Sage Mode? Back in the day, Jiraiya took years to perfect a half-finished version, and he was more focused. Naruto, on the other hand, is juggling missions and multiple techniques."

By nightfall, Naruto dismissed his clones using a Water Release technique he'd recently mastered. Exhausted, he returned to the village and quietly slipped into his house.

---

Kushina noticed him peeking inside and waved. "Come in, Naruto. Kimimaro isn't here."

"Oh," Naruto said, entering. "Where is he?"

"He left on a mission this afternoon," Kushina replied, smiling.

"Mission? Isn't he supposed to be helping Shizuka?"

Kushina winked. "That is the mission—escorting her back to Nadeshiko Village."

Naruto groaned internally. "Dad's abusing his Hokage privileges again…I knew it"

---

The next few days passed peacefully. Naruto balanced sage training, Peacock Technique practice, and hospital visits to check on Jiraiya.

Rumours circulated about Jiraiya being injured by a beast while on a field investigation.

However, Naruto suspected it had more to do with Tsunade's "treatment" after their last encounter. Regardless, ordinary villagers admired Jiraiya's "dedication," while those who knew him wished they could throw him in the disciplinary barracks.

One day, after dropping off a fruit basket for Jiraiya, Naruto ran into Kakashi.

"Naruto, good timing. I've got a mission for you," Kakashi said without looking up from his book.

"C-rank?"

"C-rank."

Naruto sighed. "Alright… Which tailed beast are we fighting this time, or what legendary weapon are we retrieving?"

Kakashi paused, his eye crinkling in amusement. "Nothing so extreme. It's a bit dangerous, but not that dangerous. I'll explain at the training ground."

---

At the training ground, Kakashi briefed Team 7. "As you know, the Chunin Exams are in a little over a month. This year, the exams are split between Konoha and Sunagakure. Konoha is responsible for delivering the official invitation letters."

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. "So, where are we delivering ours?"

"The Land of Rain."

Naruto groaned. "Of course."

---

For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:

P@treon/iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!