I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Naruto's Truth and Uzushio Village

In the past, whenever he returned to Konohagakure, Jiraiya would always visit the bathhouse to relax. While unwinding, he also gathered material for his Icha Icha novels—his personal reward after undertaking perilous missions.

But this time, Jiraiya was in no mood for leisure. His mind was preoccupied with finding Naruto Uzumaki's whereabouts.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's intelligence, Naruto had traveled extensively across the Land of Fire since leaving the village. With his mastery of the Transformation Jutsu and Shadow Clone Technique, tracking him down was no easy feat.

However, for Jiraiya, locating Naruto wasn't the most challenging part.

Shinobi actions always leave traces, and after decades of executing S-rank missions, he had honed his tracking skills to perfection.

What truly troubled him was how to convince Naruto to remain in Konoha willingly. Even if he brought the boy back by force, Naruto would inevitably escape again, and Jiraiya couldn't constantly monitor him.

Danzo Shimura had suggested placing a cursed seal on Naruto to restrict his movement, but Jiraiya had never even considered such a method.

Naruto was Minato Namikaze's son—his godson—and the future embodiment of the Will of Fire.

Beyond that, Jiraiya had never treated any Konoha shinobi as disposable tools. Such an approach contradicted everything he believed in.

As he perused a scroll filled with intelligence reports, his eyes landed on a familiar name: Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi, a former student of Minato and an elite jōnin, had been one of the few individuals who had consistently looked after Naruto. If anyone could provide insight into Naruto's departure, it was him.

After a short walk, Jiraiya arrived at the Hatake residence, situated near a secluded grove.

Compared to a decade ago, the mansion remained largely unchanged. The only difference was its owner—no longer Sakumo Hatake, the legendary White Fang feared even by Sunagakure, but now Kakashi, the famed Copy Ninja.

Fortunately, Kakashi hadn't been assigned a mission that day. He lay on a tatami mat, leisurely flipping through Icha Icha Paradise—a novel authored by none other than Jiraiya himself.

Hearing approaching footsteps, Kakashi instinctively tensed. A shinobi must remain vigilant at all times. Yet, the slow, deliberate pace and the familiar chakra signature put him at ease.

"Kakashi, I didn't expect you to have such refined taste," Jiraiya remarked, stepping beside him. "You appreciate literature that blends sophistication with entertainment—an insightful record of the shinobi world's culture. Icha Icha is a rare gem."

Kakashi's eye twitched. Since when did Icha Icha Paradise hold literary value? It was blatantly risqué and shamelessly indulgent. Most shinobi still read serious books—right?

Suppressing the urge to retort, Kakashi sat up and said dryly, "Master Jiraiya, I doubt you came here just to discuss your book's merits."

Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "I'm here about Naruto. The old man asked me to find him and bring him back. But before I leave, I need to understand why he left."

"Because if I retrieve him by force, he'll just escape again."

Kakashi closed his book and studied Jiraiya. "Master Jiraiya, I don't think you'll succeed. Naruto didn't leave on a whim."

Jiraiya frowned. That was exactly why he had come to Kakashi.

Without holding back, Kakashi recounted Naruto's hardships over the years. With each revelation, Jiraiya's expression darkened until he finally let out a long sigh.

As a child, Naruto had been ostracized, labeled the "Nine-Tails brat." Forced to adopt a brash demeanor just to secure basic necessities, he had grown up in a village that resented him.

Yet, despite this hostility, he had still defended Hinata Hyūga from bullies, proving that the Will of Fire burned within him.

But that fire had been smothered by relentless malice.

Even former subordinates of Minato had shunned Naruto out of resentment. The villagers' slander had poisoned his childhood.

And yet, Hiruzen had continued to withhold the truth of Naruto's parentage.

Jiraiya understood the rationale. At Naruto's young age, learning the truth might have shattered him. It was better to let him live under a controlled illusion, hoping his life would gradually improve.

Kakashi, seeing Jiraiya's pensive silence, cut straight to the point. "Master Jiraiya, before Naruto left, he told me something. He already knew—about being a Jinchūriki. About being the Fourth Hokage's son."

Jiraiya's breath caught.

"I suspect he waited for years, expecting the truth to be revealed. When that never happened, he lost patience and chose to leave."

"And the fact that he left on the anniversary of the Uchiha Massacre? That's no coincidence. He must have empathized with the Uchiha."

Jiraiya nodded gravely. The heart of this problem lay with the Third Hokage. It was Hiruzen's secrecy and negligence that had driven Naruto away.

And like a shattered mirror, the bond between Naruto and the village might never fully mend.

"That's all I know," Kakashi concluded. "If you want more, you'll have to ask Naruto's friends. They may still be academy students, but after this, they can't be treated like mere children."

"No need. This is enough," Jiraiya replied.

He had learned all he needed. It was time to prepare for his journey.

As Jiraiya left, Kakashi picked up Icha Icha Paradise, covering his face with it.

Since that day, he had lost the drive for work. He had no intention of reporting to the ANBU. Instead, he reverted to the indifference of his younger years.

Naruto's departure weighed heavily on him—but so did the Uchiha Massacre.

The village's leadership insisted Itachi Uchiha had single-handedly exterminated his clan, but Kakashi, having worked alongside Itachi, found that hard to believe. Uchiha were too powerful, and the elders couldn't have been oblivious to such a large-scale operation.

What secrets were buried in that night of bloodshed?

And more importantly—why had Naruto insisted on seeking the truth before leaving?

Kakashi thought back to his own past.

His father, Sakumo, had committed suicide after being vilified for prioritizing his comrades over a mission. For years, Kakashi believed it had been a dishonorable decision. Only later, through Obito, had he realized that both duty and comrades were invaluable.

But Naruto's mistreatment made him wonder—had the truth about his father also been manipulated?

What had the higher-ups hidden? What had truly caused Sakumo's downfall?

Kakashi tried to suppress these thoughts, but in the dead of night, they resurfaced.

Seeking the truth had become a part of him.

So, should he leave the village to search for Naruto? To uncover what had been concealed for years?

Even Kakashi didn't know the answer.

---

Jiraiya only remained in Konoha for half a day.

After consulting with Hiruzen and Kakashi, he left the village in haste.

Before departing, he handed a letter to a nearby ANBU, instructing them to deliver it to the Hokage.

Minutes later, the letter lay on Hiruzen's desk.

After reading through Jiraiya's customary pleasantries, Hiruzen reached the heart of the message:

Jiraiya believed Naruto could no longer train in Konoha.

Once found, Jiraiya would take him on a journey across the shinobi world. This would broaden Naruto's perspective and, in time, help the village forget his status as a Jinchūriki.

Perhaps, one day, they would remember him as just Naruto.

Hiruzen sighed.

Allowing the Nine-Tails' vessel to remain outside the village indefinitely…

Jiraiya had certainly given him a difficult decision. The elders and Danzo would fiercely oppose it.

But there was little choice. The rift between Naruto and the village was undeniable. If Jiraiya could rebuild that bond, perhaps it was for the best.

After brief contemplation, Hiruzen granted Jiraiya's request.

Jiraiya was no Danzo. Under his guidance, Naruto would not be twisted by darkness.

And in the meantime, the Hokage would begin searching for Konoha's next heir.

Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters