Chapter 077: Meeting Jiraiya

As the public trial and execution came to an end, the crowd gradually dispersed. Kado’s corpse was carried away by the people of the Land of Waves. They did not do so out of anger, but to bury his body in a place that would serve as a constant warning, reminding them never to forget the hardship they had once endured.

Sunlight poured over the cobblestone road, and once everyone had left, only Naruto remained standing there. Seeing that solitary figure on the square, so striking and alone, Naruto knew his guess had been correct: Jiraiya was here to meet him.

Jiraiya approached, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through his eyes. This young man before him inevitably reminded him of his student, Minato Namikaze—the golden flash who had burned with the same passion and dreams.

Naruto’s smile was identical to Minato’s. Yet upon closer inspection, Jiraiya could see the resilience and gentleness of Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto’s gaze.

“You’ve grown up, Naruto.”

Jiraiya’s voice was tinged with a rasp, his heart full of sentiment. “The last time I saw you, you were just a baby, only this small.” He gestured with his hands, measuring out the size.

Naruto looked at Jiraiya, warmth in his smile. “Lord Jiraiya, I know you,” Naruto said with a laugh. “My mother told me to beware of you, not to get too close.”

The words Jiraiya had prepared to say, and the little jokes he’d intended to use to hide his sorrow, were caught in his throat—he was momentarily at a loss.

“But I think that rule was broken on the very first day I was born, wasn’t it? I remember that you held me that day.”

Jiraiya let out a gentle sigh, his gaze deepening as if, through Naruto, he was seeing into years long past.

“The Third sent me to check on you, and also to have a look at the state of the Land of Waves.” He paused, then continued, “You’re very much like your father, truly. But you’ve also done things your father couldn’t, and never would have, done.”

At this, a flicker of complex emotion passed through Naruto’s eyes. He understood well the relationship between Jiraiya and his father, and he could sense the deeper meaning behind Jiraiya’s words.

“Thank you for your praise, Master Jiraiya,” Naruto replied earnestly. “I’ve always admired my father, truly. From the moment I learned about him, I’ve admired him.”

This was no lie. After learning of Minato Namikaze’s deeds, Naruto had found himself both exasperated by his father’s almost foolish sincerity and moved by his self-sacrificing spirit. He had never looked down on those willing to give of themselves for others. During his time in the other world, serving in the military, he’d encountered many who possessed that same spirit. Naruto had always believed that those with a selfless heart were people of romantic and heroic ideals.

What he despised were the false do-gooders who spent the generosity of others and did nothing but harm.

Jiraiya and Naruto left the square together, naturally heading for the nearby beach. They found a place to sit; Jiraiya took out a packet of snacks and shared them with Naruto.

With the setting sun before them, they ate while talking about their respective experiences. Naruto could tell that Jiraiya was sincere with him, telling him everything he could, holding nothing back. As for the things left unsaid, Naruto could easily guess that they were heavy and dark matters—troublesome burdens that only grew with each new confidant.

After listening to Jiraiya’s account, Naruto was filled with emotion. He couldn’t help but wonder: how could the Third have failed so terribly in his personal relationships?

The Third had taken on three students, and all three had drifted away from him. Tsunade, the medical ninja, had left the Leaf but not the Land of Fire, wandering the land and refusing to return home. The eccentric genius Orochimaru had left the Land of Fire entirely, even plotting a grand funeral for his beloved teacher. The only one who retained a basic loyalty to the Third was Jiraiya, and even he disagreed with his teacher’s choices, roaming the ninja world, gathering intelligence for the Leaf and handling all manner of troubles, yet refusing to return home to assist his teacher directly.

The Third indulged his old friends, but they showed him no gratitude; each schemed to extract whatever they could from him for their own benefit. He took for granted those who treated him well, and dismissed those he tolerated. How could he be like this, driving away everyone who cared about him?

And yet Naruto couldn’t deny that the Third’s dedication to the village was real, and that his burdens were not easily borne—no ordinary person could have done what he did. Otherwise, the Third could never have led the village of Konoha through decades of war and turmoil.

Naruto had always returned respect with greater respect. Since Jiraiya had shown total candor, Naruto reciprocated, sharing much of his own story, including his experiences in that other world.

Jiraiya now understood what the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy of the returning wanderer who would bring change truly meant—it referred to Naruto. Jiraiya knew at least two possible “children of prophecy.” He dared not say which would fulfill the prophecy, nor could he be certain of what would become of the ninja world once that prophecy was realized.

During their conversation, Naruto mentioned that he had worked together with Orochimaru. At this, Jiraiya’s brows lifted in surprise; he had not expected Naruto to have any dealings with the man once hailed as a “genius.”

“Orochimaru? His mind is exceedingly complex and deep,” Jiraiya said with a note of caution. “You cooperated with him? I thought you were wise beyond your years, and that there was nothing I needed to warn you about. But now I must: be very careful. Even I wouldn’t dare work with Orochimaru—I’d be afraid he’d betray me.”

“In truth, Lord Orochimaru is really quite simple,” Naruto replied, leaving Jiraiya momentarily speechless. “His goal is straightforward: he wants to live as long as possible. And the reason for this is that there are still so many things in this world he has yet to see, things that even a lifetime would not suffice to experience. He simply wants to live longer, to see more.”

Naruto had met many people with the mad-scientist temperament of Orochimaru. Such people tended to think in these terms. They were dangerous, and yet also safe in their own peculiar way. They seemed to lack morals or virtue because, to them, caring about what others thought was a hindrance to efficiency. If they had ample resources, they wouldn’t do the things others deemed insane. The only question was: in their eyes, how much was enough to be considered “ample”?

Jiraiya reserved judgment regarding Naruto’s views, and brought up another matter.

“Naruto, I don’t know exactly what you intend, but from everything that’s happened here in the Land of Waves, I can see some clues. What I want to know now is this: how do you view the Land of Fire, and how do you see the Leaf Village?”