Naruto: Rebirth Of The Child Of Prophecy

After Jiraiya left, Tsunade turned her attention back to Kakashi, asking for a detailed account of everything that had transpired during Naruto's departure from the village. Kakashi explained that, throughout the journey, the Nine-Tails had remained unusually calm, never going berserk. He added that Yamato, who would have been the first to sense any disturbance from the Nine-Tails, had reported nothing out of the ordinary—aside from the moment when Naruto inexplicably fainted. This revelation caused Tsunade to pause in deep thought, her brow furrowed with concern.

***

Outside, under the moonlit sky, the village of Konoha rested quietly.

Beneath the warm glow of a solitary streetlamp, Jiraiya sat on a weathered bench, his silhouette blending with the shadows. The faint sound of hurried footsteps emerged from the darkness. Jiraiya tilted his head curiously, his gaze following the sound.

"Where've you been? Took you long enough just to buy something," Jiraiya said as he sat up straighter.

Naruto, panting lightly, dropped down onto the bench beside him and began tearing open a package. "I had to dig through the freezer to find this flavor! It took a while," he explained, slightly breathless.

From the packaging, Naruto produced a double-headed popsicle, broke it in half, and handed one side to Jiraiya. "Here, Master. It's for you!"

Jiraiya accepted the popsicle, momentarily stunned as memories flooded back to him. It had been years since he had seen this particular treat. The first time Naruto had one, Jiraiya had taught him the Rasengan. Back then, Naruto had excitedly bought the popsicle himself, only to offer Jiraiya half. Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Even the flavor was the same as it had been back then.

With a faint smile tugging at his lips, Jiraiya took a bite, savoring the bittersweet nostalgia. Meanwhile, Naruto grinned and happily dug into his own popsicle. A brisk autumn breeze swept past, causing them both to shiver slightly.

Jiraiya grumbled, "It's almost autumn, and you've got me out here eating popsicles like a kid."

To Naruto, however, that familiar grumble sounded comforting, like the voice of family. After a few moments of companionable silence, Jiraiya turned to him and asked, "Alright, kid. What's this really about? You didn't drag me out here just for popsicles, did you?"

Naruto, licking the melting treat, shook his head. "Nope. I came to ask you for something—something important. I need the key."

Jiraiya froze mid-bite, his expression shifting to one of cautious confusion. "What key?" he asked carefully.

Naruto leaned forward, his tone serious. "The key to the Nine-Tails' seal. You have it, don't you?"

Jiraiya lowered his popsicle, the faintest trace of hesitation crossing his face. He had indeed prepared to hand over the seal's key before his ill-fated mission to face Pain. Back then, he had entrusted the task to Gerotora, intending for the toad to pass it on to Naruto when the time was right. However, in light of Naruto's recent transformations, the boy's newfound strength, and his uncharacteristically secretive behavior, Jiraiya hesitated. The memories of Nagato's descent into darkness loomed large in his mind. What if Naruto, too, succumbed to the overwhelming power of the Nine-Tails? Could he, as his master, live with such a failure?

Sensing Jiraiya's hesitation, Naruto spoke up. "Don't worry, Master. My father entrusted this to me. He told me I'd need it, and now's the time. I want to train under your supervision to master the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Jiraiya's eyes widened slightly. "The Fourth Hokage told you this?"

Naruto nodded confidently. "Yeah. Do you think I came up with this plan on my own? No way!"

Jiraiya exhaled a long breath, his thoughts finally aligning. If the Fourth Hokage had planned for this moment, perhaps there was no reason to doubt. With a resigned nod, he tossed the popsicle stick into a nearby trash bin. "Alright, kid. Let's do this."

Jiraiya formed a hand seal, and with a puff of smoke, the scroll toad Gerotora appeared. Emerging from Jiraiya's mouth, the toad stretched and croaked in irritation. "What now? You're summoning me again, old man?"

When Gerotora spotted Naruto, the toad's sharp eyes narrowed. "Are you sure about this?" he asked Jiraiya. "Once the key is transferred, it's all on him. If the Nine-Tails goes berserk, are you confident this kid can handle it?"

Naruto stepped forward confidently, his expression firm. "I'm not the same as I used to be. I've got this."

Even so, Gerotora hesitated, glancing back at Jiraiya. "Your call," he muttered finally. "But if this blows up in your face, don't say I didn't warn you."

Jiraiya simply nodded, gesturing for Naruto to step closer. "Alright, Naruto. Place your hand on the seal."

Without hesitation, Naruto pressed his hand onto the toad's body, activating the transfer. Gerotora groaned theatrically as he stretched forward, his body disappearing into Naruto's open mouth.

"Argh—why does it always feel like swallowing a brick?" Naruto complained between gagging noises.

"Stop whining," Jiraiya retorted, smacking him on the back to help him swallow the last of Gerotora. "There—it's done."

Naruto doubled over, coughing slightly, but when he finally stood upright, a new determination burned in his eyes. "Thank you, Master," he said sincerely.

Jiraiya smiled faintly, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Don't make me regret this, kid. You're carrying a heavy legacy—but I believe in you."