"Where?"
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll handle it myself."
"Alright. Now listen carefully. I'll teach you the hand seals and activation method of the Heavenly Shroud Formation."
Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
"Naruto, I must warn you. This ninjutsu is extremely difficult. Even a talented barrier specialist would need one or two years to fully master it."
"Even if you were a true genius," Jiraiya added bluntly, "you wouldn't be able to learn it in less than one or two months."
[Mission: Master the Heavenly Shroud Formation barrier within ten days. Failure is not an option.]
Naruto nodded firmly.
"I understand!"
"Perverted Sage," he said with absolute confidence, "give me ten days!"
"I'll master this technique in ten days!"
Jiraiya laughed, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"If you really manage that," he said leisurely, "then within those same ten days, I'll teach you the strongest sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan—Diamond Sealing Chains."
Naruto's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really? It's a deal!"
Jiraiya wasted no time. He quickly taught Naruto the hand seals for the Heavenly Shroud Formation, the method of extracting and controlling chakra, and the techniques for activating and stabilizing the barrier. After explaining everything in detail, he stepped aside and allowed Naruto to practice on his own.
"Perverted Sage," Naruto asked suspiciously, "where are you going?"
"To gather materials, of course."
"…Tch."
In reality, Jiraiya had no intention of gathering supplies.
He paused before a stone statue resembling the current Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. A nostalgic smile slowly appeared at the corner of his lips.
"It's been a long time…"
"Hiruzen-sensei."
———
Inside the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his former student, and a long-lost smile surfaced on his aged face.
"Jiraiya," he said warmly, "I heard you returned some time ago. Why are you only coming to see me now?"
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head and grinned.
"I had more important things to take care of, Hiruzen-sensei."
Hiruzen exhaled a ring of smoke from his pipe.
"The 'important thing' you're talking about… gathering materials, right?"
Jiraiya choked slightly.
"Hiruzen-sensei, it's like you were right there with me back then—"
"Cough, cough!" Hiruzen interrupted immediately. "Let's not bring up those old stories."
After a brief pause, he asked, "You're guiding Naruto's training, aren't you?"
Jiraiya didn't deny it.
Hiruzen sighed deeply.
"There truly is no one more suitable than you."
"At the time," Hiruzen continued slowly, "Minato sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox inside Naruto, believing that his teacher would guide his son step by step in learning to use that power."
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
"That's true… but even Minato couldn't account for everything."
"He never imagined that Naruto would refuse to use the Nine-Tails' power altogether."
"What?!"
Hiruzen nearly dropped his pipe.
The ANBU and attending ninja were equally stunned.
Hiruzen's voice grew heavy.
"Jiraiya, you understand the responsibility Naruto bears. It may be unfair, but Minato chose him as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."
"A Jinchūriki is destined to master that power and protect the village!"
Jiraiya replied quietly, "How could I not understand?"
"But Naruto himself doesn't want it. What do you expect me to do?"
"I can't force him. Jinchūriki already live under fear and oppression. If Naruto is pushed too far and loses control, the consequences would be irreversible."
"The previous Eight-Tails Jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud, Blue B, caused devastating destruction. That tragedy is still fresh in our memories. Do you really want history to repeat itself?"
Hiruzen fell silent.
After a long moment, he asked, "Then what do you intend to do?"
"The Nine-Tails cannot be removed," Jiraiya said calmly.
"But if Naruto chooses another path, that may not be a bad thing."
"What we need," he continued, "is not merely the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki—but power strong enough to protect the village."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
"You want him to master other forms of power?"
"But strength comparable to the Nine-Tails is exceedingly rare."
Jiraiya smiled, Naruto's determined gaze flashing through his mind.
"No matter what he used to be, Naruto has already been reborn through sheer effort and willpower."
"A man like that will never go unnoticed."
"His chakra reserves are enormous. Combined with the Uzumaki Clan's vitality and recovery, he has already mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, powerful taijutsu, Wind Release ninjutsu, and Wind Release body techniques."
"He's long surpassed his peers."
"Since he refuses to rely on the Nine-Tails," Jiraiya said slowly, "I've chosen two new paths for him."
"Summoning Techniques… and Sealing Techniques."
Hiruzen frowned.
"Summoning and sealing?"
"They do suit Naruto, but sealing techniques demand exceptional talent."
Jiraiya chuckled.
"Don't worry. Naruto's aptitude for sealing is extraordinary."
"In just a few days, he perfectly mastered the Single-Thread Light Formation and the Three Directions Seal."
Hiruzen froze.
"Only a few days?!"
"…He really is Minato and Kushina's son."
"So that's why you came to see me."
"The Uzumaki Clan's secret sealing collection."
Jiraiya bowed his head slightly.
"As expected of you, Hiruzen-sensei."
"After Uzushiogakure's destruction, the survivors scattered. Konoha took in orphans like Kushina and Uzumaki Mito."
"It wouldn't violate the rules to pass Kushina's legacy to her son, would it?"
Hiruzen was silent for a long time.
"Which sealing technique do you intend to teach him?"
"Diamond Sealing Chains."
Hiruzen's face turned pale.
"That technique?!"
"Can Naruto even handle something at that level?"
Jiraiya smiled confidently.
"If you saw his determination, you wouldn't doubt him."
After a long pause, Hiruzen nodded.
"I'll give you the scroll—but do not force his growth."
"Even limitless potential must be nurtured carefully."
Jiraiya laughed.
"So I'm still the reckless kid in your eyes?"
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"No matter how famous you become… you're still my student."
"Even Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked quietly.
Hiruzen's smile faded.
"Yes… even him."
———
The Heavenly Shroud Formation was unimaginably difficult.
Even with Naruto's talent, mastering it felt like climbing a sheer cliff.
To complete the system's ten-day requirement, Naruto suspended almost all other training.
From dawn to night, he trained without rest, forgetting hunger and sleep.
[Complete one thousand Heavenly Shroud Formation practices today.]
One thousand times.
There was nothing more to say.
Even in his dreams, the Heavenly Shroud Formation haunted him.
"Heavenly Shroud Formation!"
Naruto formed seals and released chakra.
The barrier collapsed instantly.
"Again!"
It failed.
"Again!"
Sweat soaked his clothes.
Yet Naruto clenched his teeth.
He refused to stop.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)