Jiraiya listened to the croaking of toads from the nearby lake, deep in thought: “When I was at the Ninja Academy, I was a dead last.
I barely passed the Ninja exam, and almost no one in my class wanted to be friends with me…
Why are you willing to play with me?”
“Because we’re very similar.”
“Huh?”
“Our parents both died in the war, we were both adopted by Konoha, and we both like the same type of girls.
I like big chests,” Natsuki laughed.
“Hahaha, me too!”
Jiraiya felt a slight stir in his heart and laughed heartily: “I don’t like flat chests like Tsunade’s at all.”
As he laughed, Jiraiya suddenly fell silent, lowering his head: “Natsuki, do you know, I’ve actually been very anxious.
I feel like the gap between me and you guys is getting bigger and bigger.
Can I really become an excellent Ninja in the future?”
“You definitely can!”
Natsuki heavily slung his arm over Jiraiya’s shoulder: “Even if the whole world looks down on you, I will stand by your side and curse the world with you.
Your future life will definitely be very successful.”
“Natsuki, you’ve touched me so much!”
Light ignited in Jiraiya’s eyes.
Watching Jiraiya’s renewed hope for the future, Natsuki couldn’t help but feel moved.
With just a little encouragement, Jiraiya would regain his confidence.
That’s just how Jiraiya is.
His mission in this life is to [make Jiraiya’s life without regrets].
So.
He was unstinting with his encouragement to Jiraiya: “Even if we grow up and go down different paths, I will always be a companion you can trust!”
“Companion?
Yes!
Companion!”
Jiraiya nodded heavily.
His eyes were a little moist.
Looking at the clouds in the sky, he felt a surge of emotion.
If it weren’t for Natsuki, how long would his days of being ostracized in Konoha have lasted?
That feeling must have been very lonely.
He was very lucky that Natsuki appeared in his world just as he was being tormented by loneliness.
Jiraiya didn’t have time to think much more.
With a whoosh, a figure appeared before him and Natsuki.
“Teacher…
Teacher Hiruzen!
You’re back so soon!” Jiraiya was just bringing a popsicle to his mouth when his movements stiffened.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s grim expression, Jiraiya immediately stood up straight and sheepishly took the popsicle out of his mouth: “Teacher, would you like some?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Jiraiya, then looked at Natsuki, who was also standing straight, and then back at Jiraiya: “Is your training mission complete?”
“No…”
“Not finished, and you’re not training properly, you’re secretly eating popsicles!
You really don’t take the rules I set seriously.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand and punched Jiraiya on the head.
Jiraiya let out a miserable “Ah!” and another bump swelled on his head.
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face was stern: “It’s bad enough you’re secretly eating popsicles, but you brought one for Natsuki too.
I emphasized when I left that no one was allowed to eat until today’s training mission was over.
You’re leading Natsuki astray!”
Jiraiya cried out again.
Another bump swelled on his head.
“Teacher Hiruzen’s scolding is right…” Jiraiya had a hard time explaining himself.
Tsunade was laughing so hard she was bent over.
“Natsuki, you’re also messing around with Jiraiya.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at Natsuki: “Your punishment is that you and Jiraiya will watch the three of us eat dinner tonight!”
…The sun set.
The evening glow surged across the sky.
Jiraiya and Natsuki were tied to wooden stakes, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Orochimaru happily eat their bento boxes with longing eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked: “I heard that there’s a student in Danzō’s class who is incredibly talented.
He learned today’s training mission in just ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?!”
Jiraiya exclaimed: “Who is it?
What’s his name?”
Orochimaru and Tsunade also showed surprise.
“Sakumo Hatake.”
“Oh, it’s that freak…” Jiraiya pouted.
Sakumo Hatake was already famous at the Ninja Academy, always first in grades, known as a genius Ninja.
He’s a genius, and I’m a dead last.
Sigh.
His only similarity with Sakumo Hatake was probably their hair color.
Talent is something determined at birth; jealousy is useless.
It’s okay, he’s willing to practice twice as hard!
With Natsuki by his side, even if training was exhausting, he wouldn’t feel lonely…
After dinner, Natsuki accompanied Jiraiya to the forest for reinforcement training.
At night, as the two rested, exhausted, they heard panting sounds from the forest.
Under the moonlight, a figure in a green jumpsuit, with heavy iron blocks tied to his legs, struggled to run past.
“Who is that?” Jiraiya had a familiar feeling.
“It looks like Might Dai,” Natsuki said, squinting as he lay on the side.
“It really is!”
Jiraiya was startled.
Because of his physique, Might Dai found it difficult to cultivate Chakra, making his path as a Ninja even more challenging than Jiraiya’s.
Even so, Might Dai was still diligently training.
He was truly inspiring!
Jiraiya wiped a bead of sweat and firmly said to Natsuki, who was lying nearby: “Natsuki!
Don’t lie there, you’ll fall asleep.
Please, you must get up and supervise my training!”
“Let me lie down for a bit, I’m sleepy…”
“Please, Natsuki!”
“Alright, alright…”
…Three years later.
Konoha Year 24.
This year, Jiraiya was eleven years old.
Natsuki witnessed Jiraiya, who had not yet signed a summoning contract, reverse-summoned into Mount Myōboku.
He knew that Jiraiya would learn unique Ninjutsu and Sage Mode in Mount Myōboku.
“With my companionship, Jiraiya’s childhood shouldn’t have been lonely.”
The reason he had always accompanied Jiraiya in his childhood was to make up for the regrets of Jiraiya’s early years.
Next, it was time to make up for Jiraiya’s regrets in adulthood.
Natsuki was determined to complete this life’s mission one hundred percent.
He would not let Jiraiya die a great but tragic death.
He wanted Jiraiya, in his later years, to look back on his life with eyes full of light!
Natsuki checked the mission progress.
It had already reached 10%.
This indicated that Jiraiya’s childhood regrets were gone…
Twelve years later.
Konoha Year 36.
This year, Jiraiya was twenty-three years old, and Orochimaru was twenty-three years old.
Jiraiya was traveling various countries, searching for the Child of Prophecy mentioned by the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku.
Orochimaru was leading his beloved disciple, Nawaki, Tsunade’s younger brother, on a combat mission.
Natsuki was also participating.
When the battle ended.
Natsuki appeared very tired.
Nawaki was covered in blood.
The white snake summoned by Orochimaru tightly coiled around the last enemy Jonin, and Nawaki’s body swiftly closed in, a Kunai plunging directly into the enemy Jonin’s heart.
With that, the mission was successfully completed.
“Nawaki, you are very brave.” Orochimaru looked at his beloved disciple, his eyes full of satisfaction.
“I’m a man who’s going to be Hokage!” Nawaki laughed heartily.
“These are all Jonin from Hidden Rain Village.”
Natsuki examined the enemy Jonin’s corpse and found a secret order containing intelligence on various Konoha Ninja: “There are people from Hidden Rain Village hidden in Konoha.”
Orochimaru’s gaze fell on the secret order Natsuki had found: “Can you tell who is transmitting the intelligence?”
Natsuki shook his head: “I can’t tell, I can only deduce that it’s a Konoha Ninja.”
Orochimaru formed hand seals to release the summoning, his resolute brows furrowed with anger: “As a Ninja of the Land of Fire, selling our country’s intelligence to an enemy nation is an act of treason.
Such a person does not deserve to inherit the Will of Fire!
Natsuki, Nawaki, we will return immediately to report this matter to the Third Hokage and apprehend the traitor!”
The three immediately set off on their return journey, their figures swiftly leaping through the forest.
Nawaki, full of fighting spirit, sped ahead of Natsuki and Orochimaru, happily saying: “Teacher Orochimaru, Senior Natsuki!
This is my first S-rank mission, and it was successfully completed, I’m so happy!”
Orochimaru frowned slightly and said: “Nawaki, you actually didn’t need to participate in this mission.
Natsuki and I could have completed it ourselves; it was too dangerous for you.
Tsunade was truly reckless, insisting on asking Lord Third Hokage to let you execute it with Natsuki and me.”
“Teacher Orochimaru, I begged Sister Tsunade to let you and Senior Natsuki take me along.
I can grow faster in stronger battles.”
Nawaki turned around, a hint of apology in his smile: “Teacher Orochimaru, please don’t blame my sister.”
“Alright, I can’t do anything with you.” Orochimaru smiled helplessly: “Nawaki, your growth rate far exceeds mine back then.
I look forward to seeing the day you become Hokage.”
“Hahaha, Lord Orochimaru, I will definitely let you see me in the Hokage robe!” Nawaki’s sprinting intensified, his eyes full of longing.
Orochimaru and Natsuki, behind him, watched Nawaki’s spirited demeanor, smiling with satisfaction.
“Orochimaru, have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?” Natsuki suddenly asked Orochimaru.
It really helps the fic grow!