Chapter 238: Classic Technique
That's right—this was the method Naruto had devised to get Jiraiya to take him as a disciple. Its core logic was somewhat similar to when he'd first established contact with Kurama—using an "information gap" to create a destined coincidence.
Though, well... this "dream" itself was fabricated... but not entirely false. From a certain perspective, he had indeed suddenly awakened memories from another world that felt like personal experiences, and the core of those memories was precisely an anime work called "Naruto."
However, although the "dreaming" process was made up, the ultimate result it pointed to was real. He was the one connecting people's hearts that the Sage of Six Paths spoke of, and he was also the Child of Prophecy that the Great Toad Sage predicted would bring change to the ninja world.
Though the process of learning about this "destiny" had been slightly "processed" by him, the final conclusion wasn't wrong, right?
Naruto tried to use this reasoning to ease the guilt from lying.
At this moment, the expression on Jiraiya's face was truly spectacular—first suddenly rising wariness, then transforming into incredulous shock, and beneath that shock, an almost uncontrollable trace of joy he barely dared confirm.
When hearing Naruto describe that so-called "dream," Jiraiya's first reaction was extreme vigilance: 'Has the Naruto before me been controlled by some enemy skilled in genjutsu or mental manipulation?'
But this thought was immediately rejected by himself. 'But... who would the enemy be? Spies from other villages? Orochimaru? No... they couldn't possibly know about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy—that's Mount Myoboku's highest secret!'
So, personally go to Mount Myoboku to verify with the Great Toad Sage? This idea also immediately seemed impractical. Never mind that every time the Great Toad Sage summoned him, he acted senile and couldn't remember who Jiraiya was, requiring Fukasaku and Shima to repeatedly remind him. Just the method of "appearing in dreams to warn"—the Great Toad Sage's most famous prophecies were precisely glimpsing fragments of the future in dreams! Could it be... this time the Great Toad Sage directly conveyed enlightenment to Naruto?
Of course, before completely believing, Jiraiya needed to confirm one thing: whether the child before him truly possessed the ninja talent and potential to become the "Child of Prophecy."
Once he thought through the key points, the complex, conflicted expression on Jiraiya's face quickly faded. His gaze toward Naruto had transformed into one mixing indescribable joy with intense exploratory desire.
If Minato's child was truly that person from the prophecy, then couldn't he, Jiraiya, properly compensate this grandstudent he'd failed to responsibly care for over the years?
Watching Jiraiya's expression, Naruto knew he'd "taken the bait." But being stared at so intensely by Jiraiya with that gaze full of deep guilt and expectation made even Naruto feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"...Honored guest, judging by your attire, you must be a ninja who travels the world."
Just as Jiraiya was immersed in his thoughts, Teuchi's voice interrupted his overly focused stare.
He steadily placed a steaming bowl of pork miso ramen before Jiraiya. Though his words were polite on the surface, his tone carried a barely perceptible scrutiny and faint warning.
"Naruto is a rather simple-minded child without any malice. If he just said something strange or was offensive in any way, please don't hold it too much against him. I ask for your understanding."
Jiraiya couldn't help but freeze, looking up somewhat bewildered at this kindly-faced ramen shop owner. This kind of statement... wasn't something an ordinary shopkeeper should say to a strange customer, right? This scene somehow felt déjà vu, giving off an indescribable strangeness.
"Naruto, your ramen is ready too! Eat it while it's hot! Today I specially saved you two of the thickest, most flavorful char siu slices! Ramen loses its taste when it gets cold."
Next, Teuchi turned to serve Naruto his equally generous portion of ramen, his tone instantly becoming warm and enthusiastic. But the moment he handed over the bowl, he extremely quickly leaned down slightly, inquiring in a low voice:
"Naruto... the guest you brought, there's really no problem? The way he was looking at you just now... was a bit strange."
"...?" Naruto didn't immediately catch on.
However, for a ninja of Jiraiya's level, no matter how quietly spoken, at such close distance it was more than enough for him to hear clearly.
He immediately understood the situation—he'd been so shocked and overwhelmed with thoughts just now that his expression management had completely failed, and this ramen shop owner had actually taken him for a suspicious person with improper designs on children?!
Jiraiya's old face instantly became somewhat unbearable, his heart speechless with frustration. He didn't like men at all! Much less when the other party was a child... What kind of disgraceful expression had he shown to invite such a massive misunderstanding?!
...Eventually, though he felt somewhat puzzled about why this ramen shop owner cared so much about and protected Naruto, fortunately after Naruto's hasty explanations and clarifications, this embarrassing misunderstanding was finally resolved. When Teuchi learned that this white-haired ninja before him was actually one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, his attitude immediately transformed into complete respect and apology.
"I sincerely apologize, Jiraiya-sama! My eyes were dim—I misunderstood you!" Teuchi apologized earnestly, then generously declared, "To express my apology, please allow me to treat today's ramen! Please enjoy yourselves!"
---
Though both initial encounters carried some awkwardness, after enjoying the ramen, the atmosphere had eased considerably. Leaving the noodle shop, Jiraiya spoke to Naruto in a tone of "kid, you lucked out today."
"Well... since our meeting can be considered fate, though formally taking a disciple still requires consideration, for the sake of you treating me to noodles, I'll teach you a move or two first! Let you witness the prowess of one of the legendary Sannin!"
Naruto immediately very cooperatively showed just the right amount of shining eyes mixing anticipation and admiration. Jiraiya was quite pleased by this, cheerfully leading Naruto to a secluded forest within Konoha Village. Beside it a clear stream babbled—the environment was very suitable for training.
Naruto was also somewhat curious and expectant: 'What will Jiraiya teach me first? The Mount Myoboku summoning contract? Or... that highly representative jutsu developed by his father?'
"Watch carefully, Naruto! This is the first jutsu I'll teach you today!" Jiraiya announced with full momentum, then raised his right hand, palm facing up.
With exquisite chakra control, a visible blue chakra rapidly gathered in his palm. Almost in the blink of an eye, a brilliant chakra-blue sphere had already formed!
Rasengan?!
Seeing this classic jutsu so familiar from his "memories," Naruto was indeed somewhat surprised. 'He's teaching me this A-rank seal-less jutsu this quickly?'
There was no helping it—because Naruto's previous behavior, whether personality or appearance, reminded Jiraiya of Namikaze Minato, so he chose to use this technique developed by Minato as his first teaching gift.
"Ha!" Jiraiya called out, pressing the Rasengan in his palm fiercely toward the trunk of a nearby tree requiring two people to encircle!
Boom—!
Accompanied by a dull roar and wood chips flying everywhere, the trunk was instantly gouged with a massive hole! The tree, losing support, groaned under the strain, slowly tilting before finally crashing down with a thunderous collapse, raising a cloud of dust.
After the demonstration, Jiraiya casually tossed Naruto a water balloon he'd bought along the way. After Naruto caught it, he began explaining in detail the Rasengan's training principles and chakra control points.
Simply put, the core of this technique was making chakra rotate violently at a fixed point in the palm's center. This water balloon was the first step of training...
Explanation complete, Jiraiya looked with satisfaction at Naruto, who seemed lost in thought. He stretched with a big yawn, casually turning around with his back to Naruto, waving his hand.
"Alright, that's it for theory. The rest requires lots of practice to understand. Try slowly for now, and I'll rest for a—"
Pop!
Before his words finished, a crisp sound of a water balloon bursting clearly came from behind him, accompanied by water splashing everywhere.
Jiraiya's languid movement instantly froze. His entire body slowly turned around like a rusty machine.
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