RiaN Chapter 29 (Patreon)

I looked around Mount Myoboku as I reverse-summoned myself to one of my ancestral homelands. The process of the Uzumaki rebuilding the Whirlpool village was ongoing, but it would never be the same since its original destruction. It was much, much smaller because most Uzumaki split themselves between the five major villages, while others moved to remote areas to live out their lives.

Several other family members were also here, still undergoing training; it wasn’t just frogs and me here. While Jiraiya had mostly stopped having children with my grandmother, the children he did have were old enough to carry on the Myoboku name without his help; the only reason he was still considered part of the family was because he would die if my grandmother divorced him.

I had practiced frog summoning before, but unless it was an actual emergency, we were only allowed to use the seal once when we formed the contract. Gamabunta was the chief head frog, so after speaking with him, I was sent to begin practicing the frog techniques. 

A frog taijutsu style, the frog kata served as the base for learning Sage Mode and sage techniques. Learning a specialized kenjutsu style, the unique ninjutsu the frogs knew, then finally, hopefully, learning how to enter Sage mode. I was hoping my wood affinity would help with the process; it made sense in my head, and if someone as energetic as Naruto could learn it, I shouldn’t really have a problem either…

I was going to practice my wood style and come up with as many ninjutsu as I could before I went back, as well as expand my proficiency with my kekkei mora. Everything I learned right now wouldn’t be shown to anyone unless I completely trusted them or planned to kill them and needed to go all out. It was time to buckle down, learn as much as I could, and just focus on getting stronger.

…

Naruto’s Point of View

“Hey, I’m here to visit Tama.” “Oh, Tama went to train under his frog ancestors at Mount Myoboku; he’ll be gone for an entire year.” “Alright then… I’ll go see what Shikkamaru and Choji are up to then, nice seeing you again, bye!” I left after talking with Tama’s mother. I couldn’t help but notice how much she had changed since we were kids.

I would always remember her as the strong, skinny konoichi she was when I was little, but the thick, motherly body she has now was also nice, and Tama is sleeping with my own mother… If only she weren’t married. Well, anyway, I might as well go get some ramen first. I sighed as I walked before hearing creepy laughter coming from above the hot springs.

Looking up, I see an old man with white hair staring down into the bathhouse. “Hey, old man! Stop spying on the women’s bathhouse!” My shouting made him panic, and he lost his balance… Falling directly into the hot spring. I heard screaming and shouting as several konoichi launched ninjutsu at him. He came vaulting over the wall, covered in kunai and scorch marks as he looked around before spotting me.

I was tall, but it wasn’t until he got closer did I noticed how big this guy was, almost a mountain in terms of height. And he looked mad as he started shouting in front of me. “What’s the big idea giving me away like that!? Don’t you know to honor the pervert's code and not rat out another man while he’s spying!?” My hand almost moved to slap him on instinct, my brain heard all the words he spoke, but they couldn’t put them together in a way that made sense.

I spoke without thinking. “Huh? What are you talking about, you perverted old man?” As I answered, the bathhouse door slammed open and women wearing towels began to pour out. Before I knew what happened, the man grabbed me and ran away. He caught his breath on a rooftop a few houses over, as I still didn’t understand what was happening.

“Do… Does the younger generation not recognize me?” I looked at him again and had no idea, shaking my head, he smirked like he was letting me in on a big secret as he began to pose. “Don’t you know. I’m the great toad sage Jiraiya! My name is known throughout the land; you may also know me as the great pervert sage or sage of the pleasure path.”

My fist came down on my other hand as I recognized him. “You’re the third member of Orochimaru’s squad. You should really lead with that.” He fell over like I struck him when I spoke. “Yeah, yeah. All I’m known for nowadays is that I knew Orochi. We fought the three-tailed jinchuriki outside this village, and all I’m known for is my close relation with Orochi.”

“Yeah, well… Orochi has accomplished so much, and you… Haven’t. You’re more of a lesson in what not to do as a shinobi.” Once again, he acted like I slapped him in the face. “Oof, I get that kid, but he’s dead while I’m alive. And now I have a lead on who the child of prophecy might be.” I was curious, so I asked. “Oh, and who might that be?”

He posed again with his chin up as he bragged. “You might not know him. His name is Tama Uzumaki, and he’s to gain his own clan once he graduates. I just arrived here and I’m going to train hi-.” I cut him off. “Yeah, me and Tama are friends. Too bad, old man, he just left for Mount Myoboku to train his family techniques.”

Once again, the man fell over after I told him. “What am I going to do now!? Those frogs hate me for stepping out on their daughter. Crap, I knew I shouldn’t have tried to get more materials for my book instead of just coming here straight away.” He looked defeated, his hands hung in front of him as he spoke more with his body than his mouth. It was hard not to laugh, though. 

“Well, I've got to go see what my other friends are up to, pervy sage. I’ll see you when I see you.” “Wait… Who are you exactly? Since I’m here, maybe fate put you in my path.” “I’m nobody, old man, I definitely don’t want to learn your pervy ninjutsu.” “Boy…” I felt it, a sharp push of power came from the man as he let me see a portion of his power, it was overwhelming.

“I’m one of the strongest people in this village. If I let them know I’m back and looking for a student, I’d have thousands of men willing to give me their life savings and women offering themselves to me just for the chance I take their child as my student. You should be honored I even offered, this is your last chance before I leave.” 

I gulp, feeling pulled to him. I didn’t want to be him; I wanted to be better, but learning from him might be better than sticking out these last two years of school before I graduate. “I’m Naruto Namikazi, the vessel of the nine tails jinchuriki and the son of the seventh Hokage, Minato Namikazi. If you think I’d be a good disciple, I’ll take your word for it. Teach me what you can, and I promise to learn whatever you can, believe it!”