The response came too quickly, too decisively.
Upon hearing the term 'Fourth Hokage,' the answer was given immediately.
This implies
he most likely already knows that his father is the Fourth Hokage.
Did the Nine-Tails tell him?
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep draw from his pipe, recalling the Mizuki incident.
Along with the conversation that followed that incident.
Back then, he thought Naruto was completely loyal to the village.
But now it seems
did he know the truth even before that incident?
A pang of regret struck his heart.
Perhaps it would have been better to reveal the truth back then, rather than allowing this uneasy tension now.
Letting Naruto discover the truth on his own and the village revealing it to him
are not the same thing.
The way things have developed into this situation is really unfortunate.
But fortunately, despite all the unexpected events, Naruto is still standing here.
Rather than becoming an uncontrollable, berserk Nine-Tails.
He turned, casting an encouraging glance at Jiraiya.
The white-haired man felt a shiver down his spine, scratching his head as he sat on top of the toad, 'Naruto, Sarutobi-sensei gave me a general idea about your abilities.'
'Your sword skills aren't bad, and you know quite a few jutsu.'
'Is there anything specific you want to learn next?'
"How about we spar tomorrow? I can give you some pointers."
Naruto nodded, "Karin and I have agreed to study the secret sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan."
"Sealing techniques?" Jiraiya mused, his gaze drifting to Naruto's stomach.
Such a choice was hardly surprising.
Since he could already transform into the Nine-Tails, he must have felt the strain of controlling it.
Resolving this problem is essential.
"Then sealing techniques it is." He quickly agreed. "I've had plenty of interactions with the Uzumaki clan before and have learned many of your clan's sealing techniques."
"I will teach you well."
"As for tonight."
"You've just finished the second exam, so rest well."
"I urged Sarutobi-sensei to come. I initially just wanted to take a look from afar but ended up disturbing your rest."
Jiraiya leaped down from the toad, vigorously ruffling Naruto's hair. "You did really well, Naruto."
"We'll meet again tomorrow."
He waved, leaving together with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Naruto watched their departing figures.
Praise...
In Konoha, one of the few praises he received.
And it was sincere.
It wasn't to placate him or to brush over that sensitive topic. He truly meant it when he said, "You did well," from the bottom of his heart.
Naruto grinned and headed home.
Karin had already laid out the futon; she tilted her head as she looked at the bright smile on Naruto's face, "Why do you look so happy coming back? Did you see someone?"
After mastering this jutsu, the second sealing technique Naruto studied was the "Adamantine Sealing Chains" taught by Karin.
The Nine-Tails seemed to have a strong reaction to this technique, becoming quite agitated as he saw Naruto begin training.
It grumbled incessantly about how "you Uzumakis are all like this," mentioning Mito and Kushina before finally turning to Naruto.
Naruto took this as a sign he was on the right track.
During this time, Naruto also visited Rock Lee in the hospital.
The bushy-browed boy had sustained severe injuries, his arms and legs brutally shattered, with bone fragments lodged deep into his central nervous system.
Even with the current abilities of Konoha's medical ninjas, his condition seemed untreatable.
Naruto's medical skills were equally at a loss, despite his studies under Captain Unohana in the art of healing.
Healing was not Naruto's primary focus.
However, Lee remained optimistic, showing no regret even when informed by the doctors that he would be bedridden for at least three months.
Naruto silently resolved to spend more time in the Soul Society to further study the art of healing.
As the month drew to a close, Naruto successfully mastered both sealing techniques.
Sitting on a branch, he gazed into the distance alongside two companions.
"Teacher Jiraiya, I realized I've never seen you around Konoha before."
Naruto's eyes lingered on the headband marked with the symbol for "oil," noting it wasn't the usual Leaf insignia.
Jiraiya absentmindedly touched his forehead, "Ah, you're curious about this?"
After a moment's pause, he spoke slowly, "I once had a great friend who did some unfortunate things and defected from the Leaf."
"Is it Orochimaru?" Naruto interjected, naming the person on his mind.
Jiraiya nodded: "It is him."
"I've always wanted to bring him back to the village, but unfortunately, I've never succeeded."
"Another one of our friends left Konoha long ago and hasn't returned either."
"Back then, I had already become a well-known novelist, so I dedicated myself to my career, traveling the world for inspiration and gathering material."
"Of course, I also collected some intelligence for the village."
"It's perfectly normal that you've never seen me in the village."
"As for this headband, don't you think it suits me well?"
Karin nodded in agreement, her tone tinged with a bit of disdain: "It does suit you well, you perverted old man."
The term 'oil' not only means 'grease,' but can also refer to 'laziness' or imply 'bathhouse.'
Naruto and Karin had long figured it out.
Sometimes, Jiraiya would claim to go out for inspiration, appearing all serious about his intentions.
In reality, he was either peeping in women's bathhouses or off enjoying a drink.
Initially, Jiraiya knew to be discreet, but now, having been caught numerous times, he behaves shamelessly, with bold brazenness.
Karin's remark made Jiraiya scratch his head and laugh heartily.
Naruto stared into the distance, deep in thought.
From the sound of it, according to Jiraiya, Konoha shinobi are able to leave the village?
And he wasn't the only one to do so.