Naruto: Saving the Universe by Stealing Attributes

After hearing what Jiraiya said, Tsunade couldn't help but ask,

"Jiraiya, what do you mean by that?"

Jiraiya smiled. "I've made up my mind. I'm going to extract the power sealed within my body."

"I'm not like Orochimaru. Eternal life doesn't mean anything to me."

Orochimaru let out a cold snort and immediately said,

"I suggest you calm down. Don't make such a stupid decision in the heat of the moment."

Jiraiya wasn't offended by Orochimaru's sarcasm. He simply said seriously,

"I've been thinking about this for a long time. This is my final decision."

At those words, even Orochimaru fell silent.

Knowing Jiraiya as well as he did, he understood that once Jiraiya made up his mind, there was no turning back.

For the first time, Orochimaru's tone softened.

"Are you really not going to reconsider? If you're tired of being a man, I can always turn you into a woman."

"Screw you!" Jiraiya laughed, cursing as he snorted. "Orochimaru, with your personality, I doubt you'd cry and beg me to stay, would you?"

Orochimaru opened his mouth, then gave up and took a sip of his drink.

"That's more like it."

Jiraiya quickly refilled Orochimaru's cup, urging him to drink more.

Tsunade stood up, trying to contain her anger.

"Jiraiya, why would you make a decision like this? Can't you just live your life in peace?"

Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh. "Tsunade, watching you and that kid Mirai flirt all day—aren't you just torturing me?"

"Jiraiya, with your status, there are more beautiful women in the ninja world than you could count. Why are you still stuck on the past?"

"Hahaha... I'm messing with you."

He downed his drink in one big gulp, looking carefree. "I've chased you for years, but I'm not some stubborn fool."

"I've seen enough beauties in my life. I'm used to it."

"Besides, if I fell for every pretty face I saw, what kind of hero would that make me?"

Hearing that, Tsunade wanted nothing more than to punch this shameless guy into the next village. But remembering what Jiraiya had just said, she managed to hold herself back.

She sat down again, drained her cup, and murmured, "You've already achieved everything you ever wanted…"

Sensing the shift in Tsunade and Orochimaru's mood, Jiraiya wiped the smile from his face. His tone turned more serious than ever.

"I'm not doing this for show. It's not for pity or attention. It's just that I have nothing left to hold me here."

"You both know what I've always wanted most—"

"To be a hero, someone the world respects."

"Just like you, Orochimaru, who desperately pursues immortality, I've been chasing a complete life. A story with a proper ending."

"Every chapter has to end eventually. And so does the story of the Hero, Jiraiya."

"That's what I'll call it—The Hero, Jiraiya."

"I'll publish it right before I die. You two better buy a copy and keep it."

"If my story can move just a few people… that would make me truly happy."

...

From that point on, it was mostly Jiraiya talking while Tsunade and Orochimaru sat silently, listening.

No one knew how much time had passed. The sky had completely darkened.

The sake and bento were long gone, and Jiraiya's mouth had grown dry from talking.

He staggered to his feet and, with a carefree air, walked out of the training grounds.

"Goodbye…"

...

Late at night.

Tsunade returned to her room and found Uchiha Mirai sitting in a chair, waiting for her.

She forced a smile and asked, "Mirai, why are you still up?"

Mirai pulled her into his arms and whispered, "I've been waiting for you."

Hearing his gentle voice, Tsunade felt her nose sting.

"Mirai… Jiraiya, he…"

Even though she had never harbored romantic feelings for Jiraiya, they'd known each other since their days at the Academy. They had been through countless life-and-death situations together.

Now that Jiraiya was about to walk toward his death, of course her heart felt heavy.

Mirai gently stroked her twin ponytails and said quietly, "I already know about Jiraiya."

"In fact, he came to see me several days ago."

Tsunade was briefly stunned, then nodded in realization.

That made sense.

Jiraiya's power came from Yachihoko that sealed vast amounts of chakra within him—a force similar in nature to a Tailed Beast.

Extracting that chakra would be just like removing a Tailed Beast from a jinchūriki.

And aside from Mirai, no one else could ensure Jiraiya's survival during that process.

"Mirai, I just don't understand… He achieved everything he ever dreamed of. Why choose to end it all now?"

Mirai said calmly, "Everyone makes their own choices. For Jiraiya, a perfect ending matters more than an endless life."

"It's like how a novelist strives to give their work the perfect conclusion. Now that all of Jiraiya's dreams have come true, the only thing left is to close the book properly."

Whether before or after his transmigration, Uchiha Mirai had always held a good impression of Jiraiya.

To be honest, when Jiraiya first came to him and revealed his intent, it had felt… inevitable.

Because if he chose to keep living, then he wouldn't be Jiraiya anymore.

"Mirai…"

He held Tsunade close and whispered in her ear, "Let him go."

...

Beneath the night sky.

Jiraiya looked much older now. Staring out at Konoha, the village where he had grown up, his eyes softened with affection.

"Damn… I thought I was ready. But now that it's time, I can't help feeling a little reluctant."

He muttered to himself, then turned resolutely toward the village gates.

"Jiraiya-sensei!"

A gentle voice called out from behind him.

Jiraiya turned around and saw Uchiha Mirai, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and the others—smiling at him.

"No need to see me off. A real hero doesn't like getting all sentimental."

"You're just making things harder for me…"

He muttered, feeling the world blur before his eyes.

Afraid that he might change his mind, Jiraiya turned back around and disappeared into the night without looking back.

Uchiha Mirai stared at Jiraiya's departing figure and quietly withdrew his gaze.

In the original timeline, Jiraiya had been killed by his own student. He died without ever seeing his dream fulfilled.

That had always been one of Uchiha Mirai's deepest regrets.

But now, because of his influence, Jiraiya's life had finally found its closure.

And that was enough.

Mirai waved to the others.

"Let's go home. Jiraiya's story ends here—no more, no less. Just right."

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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