Naruto: Menma Exiting Infinite Tsukuyomi

Chapter 154: Is Naruto the Child of Prophecy?

Inside Konoha Hospital.

"You want me to clean up your mess?"

Looking at the kindly smiling old man on the hospital bed, Jiraiya replied coldly: "I've already said, I won't stay in Konoha for too long. Once the situation in the ninja world stabilizes, I will leave."

"So, if you want me to take Naruto as my disciple, you must let him leave Konoha with me."

During this time in Konoha, Jiraiya hadn't rushed to find Naruto, but had been secretly searching for potential candidates for the Child of Prophecy.

The Child of Prophecy was always his top priority; other things like personal feelings had to take a backseat.

However, the old man announcing Naruto's parentage and clearing up the "demon fox incarnation" rumors did lessen his resentment towards the old man.

Naruto's childhood was filled with darkness and malice. He couldn't imagine how a child could have endured it.

What was even more rare was that after encountering all this malice, Naruto could still be as gentle and refined as Minato, becoming a "little sun" in most people's eyes.

But Jiraiya knew very well that this wasn't the reality.

He had seen Naruto at night, hiding under his quilt, crying silently. He had also seen Naruto use shadow clones and the transformation jutsu to create images of his parents to say good morning and good night to...

Clearly, Naruto was not without negative emotions like sorrow and pain.

He just kept the negative and pessimistic side to himself, leaving the positive and optimistic side for everyone else.

Precisely because of this, Naruto's sensible appearance after learning the truth made Jiraiya's heart ache even more.

"Jiraiya, don't be so quick to refuse. I know very well you are looking for the Child of Prophecy."

Facing Jiraiya's cold words and tone, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled bitterly: "Although I don't believe in the so-called Child of Prophecy, have you ever thought that Naruto might very well be the person you're looking for?"

Naruto... is the Child of Prophecy?

"Impossible."

Jiraiya frowned, subconsciously retorting: "Since the Child of Prophecy can change the ninja world, he must possess power and wisdom beyond ordinary people, very likely someone like the First Hokage."

"Although Naruto's power and wisdom far exceed his peers, compared to Kakashi and Minato when they were children, he's still a bit lacking. How could he possibly bring reform and peace to the ninja world?"

What's more, the Great Toad Sage had said very clearly that the Child of Prophecy should be facing a difficult choice.

And according to Jiraiya's observation, Naruto showed no tendency whatsoever to destroy the ninja world, so naturally, he didn't need any guidance from him.

In that case, Naruto didn't fit the prophecy of the Child of Prophecy.

"With the current situation in the ninja world, you should be staying in the village for a while. Why not observe Naruto while you teach him?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, his eyes flashing: "...Just consider it as you, his teacher, making compensation for Minato's child."

As soon as these words were spoken,

The refusal already on the tip of Jiraiya's tongue was instantly swallowed back, and a faint look of guilt appeared on his face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew this disciple of his all too well.

Beneath Jiraiya's lecherous and boorish exterior lay a kind and soft heart.

This was both his strength and his weakness.

His heart was surely filled with guilt towards Minato and Naruto.

"...You win, old man."

Jiraiya's spirit slumped, and he sighed deeply: "I will take Naruto as my disciple and teach him everything I know, but I will absolutely not become Hokage. Don't even think about that matter."

"Also, you've been sitting there for too long. It's about time you moved."

There were some things he really didn't want to say so harshly and directly.

But he also didn't want the old man to play the same old trick, letting Naruto repeat Minato's disastrous path.

So these words... he had to say them.

"I understand."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with relief: "This old man... is also really tired."

This sentence was indeed from the bottom of his heart.

Whenever he met with little Naruto and felt little Naruto's respect for him, a thick sense of guilt would continuously torment him.

This feeling had already surpassed his attachment to the Hokage position.

Sarutobi Hiruzen now only wanted to quickly cultivate Naruto, and then let him sit securely in the Hokage's seat.

"I hope so."

Jiraiya gave him a deep, noncommittal look, then turned and walked out of the hospital room.

Since he had agreed to teach Naruto, he now had to think about how to build a good relationship with him.

"With Naruto's current delicate and intelligent nature, it's probably best to just directly state my identity and then apologize to him."

Jiraiya, thinking this, walked to the corner of the corridor.

But just then,

Jiraiya, lost in thought, was careless for a moment and bumped into someone at the corner.

BOOM!!

With his nearly two-meter-tall frame, the other person was knocked to the ground with no resistance.

"Hiss! You..."

"Ah, my deepest apologies!"

Before the other person could say anything, Jiraiya subconsciously bowed and apologized.

Seeing the other party apologize, Sasuke was momentarily at a loss for words, but didn't want to make things difficult for him.

It's just that the other person's height... made him feel a bit offended.

"...Honestly! Watch where you're going!"

He stood up, rubbing his rear, and complained to Naruto beside him: "Why didn't you warn me?"

Naruto glanced at Jiraiya, his smile unchanging as he retorted: "Who told you to walk and talk without looking where you're going?"

"Damn it! You're the one who suddenly started talking to me!"

While the two were bickering, Jiraiya also straightened up.

But upon seeing the two before him, he suddenly froze on the spot.

The boy he had bumped into wore a high-collared blue short-sleeved shirt, white arm warmers, and shorts. The Uchiha clan emblem on his clothes proved his identity.

-- The last remaining Uchiha clansman today, Uchiha Sasuke.

But the boy beside Sasuke was the real reason Jiraiya was stunned.

The boy wore white casual clothes, a head of long golden hair falling to his eye-level, a pair of clear and pure turquoise eyes, and the smile on his face added a touch of gentleness and friendliness to him.

"Minato... No, Naruto?"

Jiraiya's mouth moved slightly, speaking to himself soundlessly.

To suddenly run into Naruto here... he was completely unprepared.

Would it be too abrupt to reveal himself to him now?

Should he first observe in secret for a moment, then find a better opportunity for a "chance encounter"?

Thinking this, Jiraiya subconsciously wanted to run away.

But Naruto didn't intend to give him this chance.

Or rather, this scene right now was what he wanted.

"Excuse me, do you know me?"

Naruto and Jiraiya met eyes, a smile on his face as he asked, already knowing the answer.

Jiraiya's departing steps froze, the expression on his face couldn't help but stiffen.

Seeing the familiar smile on Naruto's face, Sasuke also turned to look at Jiraiya.

His gaze gradually became one of sympathy and pity.

Based on Sasuke's understanding of Naruto,

As long as he showed this smile, he was definitely up to no good.

"Could it be... this white-haired guy provoked Naruto?"

(End of Chapter)

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