Hokage Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu—along with other high-ranking Konoha officials—were all gathered. Standing before them was Jiraiya.
"I want to take Naruto out of the Village for a period of time," Jiraiya stated his intention directly.
Over the past few days, after learning about Naruto's situation in the Village over the years, Jiraiya felt both heartache and self-reproach.
Naruto was clearly the child of a hero, yet he couldn't even make a single friend in the Village and was ostracized everywhere. Growing up in such an environment, Jiraiya truly found it incredible that Naruto could maintain such an optimistic personality.
After understanding Naruto's situation, Jiraiya became even more determined to keep him by his side and teach him personally. If Naruto continued to stay in the Village, who knew whether he would grow up with a dark personality.
Upon hearing Jiraiya's intention, Danzo instinctively stood up to object—but suddenly thought of something and sat back down without a word.
He was already looking for an excuse to make Jiraiya leave the Village, and he hadn't expected Jiraiya to bring it up himself.
As for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki… for the sake of his own ideals, it was acceptable to let Jiraiya take him away for a while. Once he became Hokage, he could simply order Jiraiya to return the Jinchuriki in the name of the Hokage.
Thinking this, Danzo not only abandoned the idea of stopping Jiraiya, but even began considering how to facilitate the matter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi originally thought Danzo would be the first to object, but after waiting for a moment and seeing Danzo remain silent, he looked at him curiously. He then turned to Jiraiya and asked, "Jiraiya, why do you want to take Naruto out of the Village?"
Jiraiya truly wanted to say that keeping Naruto in the Village would only turn him into a tool—or even a monster—at the hands of these old men.
But he couldn't say that.
Instead, Jiraiya stated the reason he had prepared.
"Naruto is extremely talented, both in learning Ninjutsu and in using Tailed Beast Chakra. It's time to gradually teach him what Minato entrusted to me.
"However, I also have my own affairs and cannot remain in the Village at all times. If I am to teach Naruto properly, he must follow me and temporarily leave the Village."
Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't make a decision immediately and instead looked toward Danzo and the other two elders.
If it were solely up to Hiruzen, he would naturally want Jiraiya to remain in the Village to teach Naruto. The Jinchuriki was simply too important.
However, as Jiraiya's teacher, he couldn't directly make such a request and could only wait for others to speak.
To Hiruzen's surprise, Danzo—who normally would have objected immediately—remained silent, steady as an old dog.
"Cough, cough."
Homura Mitokado, seeing the awkward silence, coughed twice before speaking.
"Jiraiya, you should understand the importance of the Jinchuriki to the Village. Even if it is you, we cannot agree to letting the Jinchuriki leave the Village. How about you temporarily remain here and teach him for a period of time?"
Jiraiya didn't even bother responding to him. He merely glanced at Homura before turning his gaze directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Teacher, what is your decision?"
Hiruzen met Jiraiya's gaze and knew he could no longer delay. Before he could speak, however, Danzo suddenly opened his mouth.
"Jiraiya," Danzo said calmly, "I know the Fourth Hokage entrusted the Jinchuriki's sealing key to you, and that only you can teach him to master the Tailed Beast's power efficiently.
"I have no objection to you teaching the Jinchuriki—even taking him out of the Village is acceptable."
Danzo paused.
"But there must be a deadline. And it cannot be too long. This is my opinion."
After Danzo finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two elders stared at him in surprise. Even Jiraiya couldn't help but glance at Danzo unexpectedly.
He had originally assumed Danzo would be his greatest obstacle.
However, only Hiruzen Sarutobi could make the final decision. Jiraiya's gaze returned to him.
Since Danzo had already spoken, Hiruzen couldn't reasonably impose harsher conditions.
"Danzo's opinion is reasonable," Hiruzen said.
"Understood."
Jiraiya nodded.
"I can't be certain how long I will take Naruto away, but I can guarantee it will not exceed three years. After three years—regardless of Naruto's progress—I will send him back to the Village."
"Three years…"
Hiruzen exchanged glances with Danzo and the others, then nodded.
"When do you plan to take Naruto away?"
"Not long from now," Jiraiya replied after a brief pause. "At the latest, within a week."
"A week…"
Hiruzen nodded slightly, thinking to himself that he would need to give Naruto a few more 'Will of Fire' lessons before he left.
---
"What? Toad Boss, you're taking me out of the Village?"
Naruto was stunned at first, then immediately became excited.
"When are we leaving? Where are we going?"
"No rush. We'll leave in a week," Jiraiya said, patting Naruto's head with a grin. "As for where we're going… hehe, it'll definitely be unforgettable."
Naruto stared at Jiraiya's distinctly untrustworthy smile and suddenly felt that staying in the Village didn't sound so bad.
That thought vanished almost instantly.
After thinking for a moment, Naruto asked, "Um… since we're leaving the Village, can I graduate from the Ninja Academy early?"
Naruto had long wanted to leave the Academy, but he had never considered dropping out. Only by graduating could he become an official ninja.
Meanwhile.
The moment Jiraiya left the Hokage Office, the news that he would be taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki away from Konoha within a week reached Orochimaru.
"A week…"
Orochimaru looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his eyes flickering slightly.
"To assassinate the Hokage, simply having Jiraiya leave Konoha isn't enough. I must ensure he has no opportunity to return and interfere."
A sinister smile slowly spread across his face.
"That organization is quite interested in Tailed Beasts… Since Jiraiya is taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki out of the Village, perhaps I can have them stir up some trouble for him.
"At the same time, I can test their strength."
"Heh heh heh…"
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