Jiraiya thought he had estimated Naruto highly enough, but when Gamabunta was sent flying by Naruto Uzumaki's Spiral Punch, his jaw nearly hit the floor.
Perhaps it was partly because Gamabunta had underestimated his opponent. Still, the fact that Gamabunta—a toad who had fought alongside him in the Great Ninja War—was so easily defeated by Naruto and had to flee back to Mount Myoboku in disgrace was a bit embarrassing for Jiraiya.
"What in the world!" Jiraiya turned to the equally stunned Kakashi Hatake. "Hey, Kakashi, what's with that look on your face! I've never seen this jutsu before. Did he develop it himself?"
"How many dangerous jutsus has that kid developed? As his Jonin instructor, do you just let him research things like that?"
"..." Kakashi gave a bitter smile and tugged at his mask. "Jiraiya-senpai, Naruto had already developed the Rasenshuriken before I became his instructor. He nearly took my shoulder off with it during our survival exercise."
"How embarrassing!" Jiraiya covered his face and sighed, pondering for a moment. "It seems this test won't be easy to continue."
"I guess the good news is that Naruto has mastered a powerful ninjutsu. At least when he gets into a fight, we don't have to worry about his safety," Kakashi added with a nod of approval before shouting, "Hey, Naruto, you passed the test!"
-----
On the way back to the hot spring inn, Kakashi was full of relief, while Jiraiya was lost in melancholy thoughts.
Naruto walked next to Jiraiya, asking tirelessly, "Pervy Sage, what new Rasengan have you developed? Want to trade ideas? I've got a ton!"
"...Be quiet." Jiraiya gritted his teeth and stared at him gloomily. "Don't mention this again! A ninja's personal jutsu is top-secret information. Why would I tell a brat like you?"
"Hmm, really?"
"Of course!"
Jiraiya was, naturally, too embarrassed to admit that after all these years, he still hadn't developed a single nature or shape transformation for the Rasengan. Besides, he didn't use the jutsu very often; not every ninja has the massive chakra reserves of the Uzumaki clan.
Jiraiya glanced at the somewhat disappointed Naruto and suddenly turned his head. "Hey, brat, do you want to train with me?"
Kakashi looked up in confusion. "Huh? Does Jiraiya-senpai have time to train with Naruto?" In his experience, Jiraiya wasn't exactly the type to stick around.
"I didn't have time before..." Jiraiya said with a casual flip of his hand. "But I happen to be staying in Konoha for a while. The Village Hidden in Hot Water was the last stop on my journey anyway. The old man has been sending people to find me recently..."
"I heard it's because of the joint Chunin Exams with the Sand Village. He wants me to come back and keep an eye on things. I guess they're worried something might go wrong..."
During his travels, Jiraiya had seen much of the ninja world, but he still hadn't found any sign of the Child of Prophecy the Great Toad Sage had spoken of. Based on Naruto's performance today, however, his talent for ninjutsu was excellent, and he was the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. In some ways, he fit the description.
At the very least, Jiraiya needed to observe him for a while.
"Chunin Exams?" Naruto's interest was piqued. He looked up at Kakashi curiously. "If I pass the exam, can I become a Chunin? Kakashi-sensei, can we participate?"
"Well, you can," Kakashi replied, pondering for a moment. "But these exams won't be safe, especially since they're being co-hosted with the Sand Village this time..."
"That's right," Jiraiya grinned, patting Naruto's head. "Brat, casualties are allowed in the Chunin Exams!"
Naruto retorted unexpectedly, "Is that supposed to be more dangerous than our C-rank mission?"
"...Actually, the Chunin Exams are much more dangerous than C-rank missions," Kakashi said, looking at his student helplessly. "Our team's mission was just an accident... Anyway, let's talk about the exams after we get back to Konoha."
The Chunin Exams were indeed more dangerous. The genin participating were numerous and experienced. Some of the top genin were already on par with chunin, and there might even be "super genin" like Kosuke Maruboshi.
However, the three genin of Team 7 had already reached the standard for participation, both in terms of strength and mentality. They wouldn't be afraid when facing an enemy. If Team 7 participated, they should have a solid chance. And it wasn't just Naruto, the strongest on the team; even Sasuke's progress was obvious. That kid never showed any fear when facing an enemy. He could be a bit reckless, but his strength was growing rapidly.
Kakashi had been thinking these past few days about whether he should teach Sasuke the Lightning Release: Chidori he had developed, and its derivative, the Lightning Blade. Sasuke's natural affinities were Fire and Lightning, and with the dynamic vision of the Sharingan, he was the perfect candidate to learn Chidori.
Kakashi considered it. Between the swordsmanship passed down from his father, the Lightning Release ninjutsu he developed himself, and his years of experience with the Sharingan, he had a lot to teach Sasuke. This would also help keep Sasuke from getting too jealous of Naruto's rapidly growing strength, which could harm the team's dynamic.
The hatred Sasuke carried was so deep it was making him lose sight of his own future. Kakashi sighed faintly. "That little brat..." He was so much like his past self.
When they returned to the hot spring inn, they heard voices from inside. A still-recovering Sasuke Uchiha sounded impatient as Sakura Haruno tried to lean on him.
Sakura looked at him softly, her face flushed. "Sasuke-kun, do you want to go to the hot springs together?"
"First of all, we're still injured," Sasuke said, his voice cold. "Second, we're different genders. Only Naruto and I could go to the men's bath."
Jiraiya: "..."
Naruto: "..."
Kakashi: "..."
Their conversation reached the three people standing outside the door. The middle-aged Jiraiya looked at the young Kakashi, and the young Kakashi looked at the boy Naruto. Three people—a man, a young man, and a boy—all single.
Jiraiya glanced at Team 7's Jonin instructor and said indignantly, "Kakashi, what's wrong with your subordinate? How can he refuse a girl's invitation! Especially an invitation to bathe in the hot springs together!"
Kakashi couldn't help but roll his eyes. "..."
Jiraiya suddenly pushed the door open and looked seriously at Sasuke's face, but his peripheral vision unconsciously caught sight of Sakura. The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back. "You little brat... well done..."
She looks like a matchstick! he thought. No wonder the kid wasn't interested!
Seeing the stranger burst in, Sasuke gripped a shuriken. "Who are you?"
"Relax, Sasuke," Naruto said, leaning against the doorway. He knocked on the doorframe and explained, "He's the Pervy Sage we were looking for. Well, his strength is pretty good."