The Enlightened One Ch.78

— Lei Senju —

It had been a few hours since we left the village in search of Tsunade. We barely even knew where we were going, or at least Naruko and I didn’t. 

Jiraiya had said that he didn’t have the slightest clue where Tsunade was located, but I considered that to be a lie. He has one of the greatest spy networks in the history of hidden villages and he doesn’t know where one of the most important people in the world is? Bullshit. 

However, I decided to play along with his game, if only because it was pretty funny to see how upset Naruko was when she realized she had to spend God knows how long with Jiraiya, the talkative pervy ninja in all of his glory. 

I trailed slightly behind the two knuckleheaded shinobi as they argued with one another over stupid shit. 

“There’s no way your team was cooler than ours!” Naruko shouted in stunned outrage as she glared at the Sannin. 

“But it was, haha!” Jiraiya laughed heartily and put a finger up. “The prodigy Orochimaru, the sexy Princess Tsunade, and the Gallant Jiraiya! We were unstoppable at your age!” 

“You had the snake on your team!” Naruko pointed out. “How can you be cooler?!” 

“Well, I can understand the misunderstanding…with what Orochimaru has become now.” Jiraiya paused, and his features darkened for a split second before lighting up again. “But back when we were kids, Orochimaru was cool, so cool that almost every girl wanted him! I would have made him the main character of my story if a gallant man wasn’t a more proper man.” 

“I doubt it.” Naruko scrunched her nose as a shiver ran down her spine. “Lei is cooler than he’ll ever be! Satsuki has cool eyes so she beats out Lady Tsunade, and I’m so much cooler than you!” 

“You think you’re cooler than me?! Do you know who I am, brat?!” Jiraiya asked with a tick mark on his forehead.

“Jiraiya the pervert!” Naruko crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at the man, and his entire face grew red in anger.

“I’m not a pervert, how crude! I’m a connoisseur of the female body, a master of the arts, a gallant man with honorable intentions!” Jiraiya declared with a proud smile.

“Alright, you’re just lying now.” I stepped in with a deadpan look, and Naruko nodded rapidly.

“See, even Lei thinks you’re a pervert! And he loves your shitty books!” Naruko grinned and held up two fingers in a peace sign. “That’s two to one, and I bet Lady Tsunade would agree!” 

“Tch, she would do no such thing!” Jiraiya tried to fight back, but I just shook my head. 

“Do you want to bet ryō on that?” I asked with a glint of greed in my eyes. 

Jiraiya’s eyes widened at me for a moment as he spotted the look in my eyes, and he quickly backed down.

“…I’m alright, kid. You definitely have that woman’s blood in your veins.” Jiraiya shivered slightly and grew quiet.

Naruko grinned at me and I returned it. She must be happy about her mini victory over a Sannin. Her stubbornness won her the battle of idiots, truly she deserves to be commended since beating Jiraiya of all people in anything other than perviness and determination was a feat in itself.

We continued walking with Naruko, and I passed the time by talking about random things, mostly what we’d do once we became Chunin.

“But don’t you think it would be so cool if we formed our own elite squad for only the most classified of missions?!” Naruko questioned with childlike excitement.

“Of course, that’d be pretty badass.” 

“Not as badass as me, though.” Jiraiya jumped in.

“Put it to rest, pervy old man!” Naruko quickly shut him down, and Jiraiya gave the blonde girl a pout before he returned his attention forward. 

“Anyway, we could definitely do it! Me, you, Satsuki, Hinata, and anyone else! Maybe we should add Shikamaru; he’s smart.” Naruko hummed in thought. Her body bounced slightly as she skipped forward happily.

“Shikamaru would be a good addition. He’s a smart guy, and his shadow manipulation is very useful.”

“Right?” Naruko smiled. “Plus, I’d have someone to boss around.” 

“Ah, so you just wanted him to feel better about yourself.” I nodded understandingly.

“Mmm!”

This girl…

“Anyway, I was trying to learn that jutsu, the Flying Raijin; how can you use it in quick succession?” Naruko asked me, and for the first time since we started this trip, she seemed genuinely serious.

I placed my hand on my chin in thought. 

The main problem with the Flying Raijin wasn’t the fuinjutsu part of it; it was the lack of control you had when using it, also the chakra, but Naruko definitely didn’t struggle with the latter.

Someone like Satsuki could likely use the Flying Raijin with ease if she had the chakra reserves for it, but someone like Naruko, who is incredibly knuckleheaded and clumsy, would utterly fail when it comes to using such a technique in a battle. 

Even I can only use the Flying Raijin a few times before it becomes disorienting.

Teleportation is a bitch. 

“Just gotta keep trying,” I explained in the easiest way I knew how, which earned a pout from the Uzumaki. 

“That’s it?” She asked with no small amount of disappointment.

“That’s all I can say that will help you.” I nodded. “Using that technique in rapid succession is difficult, so difficult that there are only two true masters of it in history, and both were Hokage. If you keep at it, sooner or later, your body and mind will grow familiar with the Flying Raijin, and you’ll be able to make it yours.” 

Naruko went silent as she fell into her mind. A small smile grew on my face at the thought of Naruko fully mastering a legendary technique like the Flying Raijin. 

From what I remember, not even at the end of the series did Naruto master the technique, even if he could use it at a high level, and even then, he barely used it. If Naruko made it an essential part of her fighting style, she’d surpass her canon counterpart by leaps and bounds! 

It was only a matter of time.

“The Flying Raijin, huh,” Jiraiya spoke up, and our eyes locked onto the back of his head.

“Do you know it, perv?” Naruko asked with an innocent voice. It was nothing more than a mocking jab at him, but there was clear interest in her tone.

“Stop calling me that!” He turned around with an affronted frown. “I’m Jiraiya! Ji-rai-ya! The Toad Sage of the Legendary Sannin, the Gallant Shinobi of Konoha!”

“Pervy-sage.” 

“Ah, kids nowadays, no respect.” Jiraiya shook his head. 

“You got some info on the Flying Raijin you haven’t told me about, Lord Jiraiya?” I asked with a curious brow.

“Believe me, kid, I have info on everything that I haven’t told you about.” Jiraiya wagged his brows as his smile grew. “So yes, I do.” 

“Then tell us.” Naruko blinked, and Jiraiya wagged his finger.

“Tsk tsk tsk.” The large man outstretched his arms with a wide grin. “Why would I explain anything to rude teenagers?”

“It’d make you more useful.” Naruko pointed out, and Jiraiya paused.

“I’m useful!” The white-haired man argued.

“Are you?” Naruko tilted her head. “How so?” 

“I’m a Sannin!” Jiraiya’s face grew red again. “Talk big when you have your own special title!”

“Didn’t you get that name from losing?” Naruko asked back with a sly smile.

“…”

“Yikers.” I winced at Jiraiya’s flabbergasted face. 

It was rare that Naruko delivered witty remarks, but when they happened, it left a lasting impression on all present.

Now was one of those moments.

“I’m not talking to any of you for the rest of the day.” Jiraiya turned around, and I didn’t need to see his face to know he was pouting.

“I guess we’ll have to wait to hear more about the Flying Raijin.” I shrugged. I was curious, but if I had to guess, Jiraiya was probably just gonna talk about his training with Minato or maybe some knowledge he learned from Minato’s dissecting of the technique.

Either way I doubt it was going to provide much benefit to me, though I suppose it would have motivated Naruko quite a bit.

Now that I think about it…does she even know Jiraiya was the Fourth Hokage’s sensei?

…I doubt it. If she did, she probably would have given him a bit more respect. 

— Later —

A few hours later we found ourselves in a small town within the Land of Fire where we’d likely be staying for the night. 

I didn’t actually know for sure because Jiraiya liked to be secretive about things for some reason. I knew it added a sense of cool mysterious energy to him, and that may be why he does it, but it’s kinda unnecessary.

“You two kiddos go and make yourselves comfortable, I’m gonna see if I can try my luck~!” Jiraiya waved Naruko and I off with a perverted grin.

Before either of us could say anything, he disappeared from our sight, leaving Naruko and I alone in the middle of the town.

Wasn’t his job to protect us from Danzo and potentially even Orochimaru? Is he seriously gonna get laid right now?

…I won’t disrespect his game, the guy deserves a good lay after everything that has happened, plus I’m sure he’ll keep his ears open and his eyes peeled.

“He really ditched us…” Naruko blinked at where the man once was. “I thought he couldn’t fall any lower.” 

“You’d be surprised.” I gave her a knowing smile. I wasn’t too surprised by Naruko’s clear dislike of Jiraiya, unlike in canon, she’s a girl and Jiraiya is the enemy of women. Not to mention she’s not as desperate for love from others.

Though I do still think he’ll grow on her. Pervy sage has that gift… just not with the ladies.

Naruko and I made our way over to our room where we settled down and began multitasking between conversation and productive activity. 

Naruko was working on her seals while I was trying to improve my water release to the point where I could produce water in the air with a single hand seal like Tobirama.

Needless to say my progress was minuscule at best, but it gave me something to do while also enhancing my chakra control. 

“Ya know, I’m happy I came on this mission with you.” Naruko said suddenly after a small moment of silence. I raised a brow at her and quietly asked for her to continue. “It’s rare I get to talk to you alone.”

“You can always pull me aside and talk to me.” I chuckled. “Hinata does it sometimes, I’m always open ears.”

Naruko nodded thoughtfully and smiled brightly at me. “I know…but I meant truly alone…just us.” 

I tilted my head in confusion, and then I recalled the time where Naruko and I got together, when I “learned” of the Kyuubi sealed inside of her. 

I smiled and patted her shoulder, and her body relaxed as she looked into my eyes.

“If there’s anything you want from me Naruko. I’ll do it for you, no matter the cost, you know that right.” 

A healthy pink blush dusted her cheeks as she nodded and the two of us shared a quick peck on the lips. 

“I know, Lei.” 

“Then cheer up a bit and let’s enjoy our time away from the village! Sage above knows it’s been incredibly stressful.” I sighed while trying to maintain a positive expression.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked with a look of concern but I quickly shook my head and flicked her forehead.

“Ow, what was that for?!” 

“I just told you to cheer up and you started worrying about me. The good ol flick always sets you straight.” I smirked at her and earned a slap on the back of my head and a pout from the blue-eyed blonde.

We continued talking about various topics, mostly the Chunin Exams and what we thought about the Final Exams.

Obviously in Naruko’s mind she thought she would emerge the victor, and I didn’t doubt she’d make a good run. If she got the Hiraishin even partially down by then, she was going to make everyone there her bitches.

That being said, I had no intentions of losing to Naruko. 

I tried to keep my attitude jolly and cheerful, looking at the competitive side of the exams rather than the deadly threats that swore to destroy the life I knew.

They were my problem, but for the time being, I was perfectly content with playing blind, deaf, and stupid.

Either way, I’d kill them and live out my peace as planned.

— The Next Day —

After spending a night in that town, we continued our journey in search of Tsunade. 

I was almost certain Jiraiya had gotten laid last night since he didn’t come to the room.

Either that or he got blackout drunk.

Honestly, it was for the best; Naruko definitely wouldn’t have let him in any way, even though we got a double-bedded room.

This time as we moved through the area, we needed to take our time. When we left the village, we mostly walked or, at best, jogged around, but now we were moving at Jonin speeds.

It was almost as if Jiraiya had caught wind of something in his endless web of spies.

Naruko had no idea the reason behind the sudden increase in speed, but she clearly didn’t mind it, judging by the giddy smile on her face.

I swear all my girls are easy to please. 

As we jumped through trees at Jonin speeds, suddenly Jiraiya slowed and eventually stopped. He looked around for a moment with a small smile on his face before nodding to himself.

“This will do.”

“What do you mean, Pervy-sage?” Naruko asked with a cautious frown. “Are there enemy shinobi around?”

“That nickname is gonna stick, isn’t it?” 

“Will you ever stop being a pervert?” Naruko asked with a raised brow.

“Connoisseur, and no.” Jiraiya shook his head. “As for why we stopped…” 

The large white-haired man turned around to look at a rather large rock. A playful smile danced on his face as he stepped forward and held his palm up in front of him.

As I observed the chakra build in his palm, I quickly realized what he was doing.

FWOOOSH

A lone second after my realization, a swirling blue ball of chakra began to rotate in Jiraiya’s hand; he took a decisive step forward, pushed himself toward the rock, and slammed the orb against the obstacle.

“Rasengan!”

BOOOOOM

As the rock exploded into pieces, I stared at the back of the older man in awe.

…I know calling out the name of Justus is something weak Genin do for a coolness factor, but by the Sage of Six Paths, was that fucking awesome! Naruto’s signature move, alongside the shadow clone jutsu, was WAY Cooler to witness in person than it could ever hope to be on a screen or pages of a manga!

And I CANNOT wait to learn it!

“Ooh! What was that?!” Naruko questioned the large man with stars in her eyes.

And just like that, most of Naruko’s negative feelings for the man were thrown to the wind.

Need a way to a young shinobi’s heart? Show them a badass jutsu that can destroy massive rocks and kill with ease. 

“That…” Jiraiya turned back to smirk at the destruction he caused, “was a Rasengan.” 

“A Rasengan?” Naruko whispered to herself, but it was loud enough for both of us to pick it up. 

“A technique developed by the Fourth Hokage, a powerful A Rank jutsu with incredible potential and destructive ability.” Jiraiya gloated. The man looked insanely prideful when he explained it, and a cheeky smile was glued to his face.

“Teach me it!” Naruko demanded, and Jiraiya wagged his finger.

“Now, why would I do that? You called me a pervert.” 

“Because you are,” Naruko answered after three seconds of silence.

Jiraiya nearly tripped over himself and placed his hands on his hip. “Am not.”

“Are too!” 

“Kids, I swear.” The white-haired man frowned.

“Teach me the Rasengan!” Naruko demanded again, and Jiraiya hummed in thought. He stayed in a thinking posture for several moments before he turned to her and gave the blonde the brightest smile he could.

“No~”

With that one word, he jumped back into the trees and continued his journey toward Tsunade’s location.

Naruko stood on the ground for a moment, utterly dumbfounded, before the anger within her began to leak out.

“PERVY-SAGE!” 

— Chapter End —

Author’s Note: Decided to just wrap this chapter up instead of continuing on because I wanna write other stuff.

Beta Readers: @Dragonboy1