Naruto had finally found the perfect spot for his afternoon nap. He was sprawled out on the floor of his apartment like a lazy housecat, one arm draped over his face to block out the light, when a knock came at the window. Not the door. The window.
He cracked one eye open. A masked ANBU was kneeling on the sill, his face hidden behind a porcelain mask.
"The Hokage wants to see you and the girl."
Naruto let out a long sigh through his nose.
He turned his head slightly, glancing toward the corner where Karin was busy unrolling a futon. For the last twenty minutes, she had been muttering to herself, complaining about how messy his place was, how it was ridiculous he only had one spare blanket, and how she absolutely refused to sleep on the floor without at least three pillows.
"Hey," Naruto called out. "The old man wants to see us."
Karin flinched and spun around, pushing her glasses up her nose. "What? Now?"
"Now."
She grumbled something under her breath, but abandoned her nest-building and followed him out the window.
They leaped across the rooftops in silence, the wind whipping through their hair. Naruto could feel Karin watching him from the corner of her eye. She was probably still trying to process that she wasn't alone anymore, that she had family.
He didn't blame her. He hadn't expected to find another Uzumaki either.
They landed outside the Hokage's office, and Naruto pushed the door open without knocking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, pipe in hand. He looked more amused than annoyed by Naruto's lack of formality.
"Naruto, Karin. Come in."
Naruto stepped inside, hands in his hoodie pockets, his eyes half-lidded. Karin hesitated before following, standing slightly behind him as if she wasn't sure where she fit in this room.
"I see you're settling in well," Hiruzen said, his gaze shifting to Karin. "And I hear you've decided to stay with Naruto."
Karin lifted her chin. "Of course! He's family!"
Naruto yawned. "I told her she can't eat my ramen, though."
Hiruzen chuckled. "Of course." His expression grew more serious. "Now, about your status, Karin."
She stiffened.
"You were previously a shinobi of Kusagakure," Hiruzen continued, watching her closely. "They will undoubtedly be looking for you. Officially, you are still a part of their forces."
Karin scowled. "I hate Kusa."
The Hokage nodded. "I understand. But abandoning a village is not a simple matter. They may demand your return."
"They killed my mom." Karin's voice wavered slightly. "They treated me like a tool. I don't want to go back. I won't go back."
Naruto blinked slowly. "So they were harvesting you like livestock?" he asked, his voice flat. "Like they did to your mom? Once you served your purpose and left an offspring, they'd butcher you too?"
Silence filled the room.
Karin's breath hitched.
Hiruzen exhaled through his nose, his fingers tightening around his pipe. "That's quite an analogy, Naruto."
"It's accurate," Naruto said simply. "Humans do that all the time. Even to their own."
More silence. Karin stared at the floor, her hands clenched into fists.
Then, she straightened up. "I'm not going anywhere," she declared. "In fact," she jabbed a finger at the Hokage, "I quit being a shinobi!"
Hiruzen sighed. "It's not that simple, child."
"Why not?" Naruto tilted his head. "Just tell them she was eaten by a python and digested instantly."
Karin made a strangled sound. "What the hell, Naruto?!"
Hiruzen blinked. "That's..." He hesitated, rubbing his chin. "That's actually doable."
Karin gaped. "Are you seriously considering this?!"
Naruto shrugged. "Humans lie all the time anyway."
The Hokage let out a long, slow exhale, then finally nodded. "I will see what I can do."
Naruto took that as their cue to leave. "Alright. Bye."
He turned and walked out, Karin scrambling after him.
"That's it?!" she hissed once they were outside. "We're just leaving like that?"
"What else do you want?" Naruto asked, blinking at her.
"I don't know!" She threw her hands up. "A proper resolution?!"
"We got one," he said simply. "You're dead now. Congrats."
Karin groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "I can't believe this is my life now."
Naruto stifled a yawn and kept walking. "Better than being livestock, right?"
Karin made another strangled sound but followed him anyway.
---
Naruto didn't get why Karin was so dramatic about the whole thing. She wasn't going back to Kusa. She wasn't getting harvested. She wasn't being used. What else was there to worry about?
But since she looked like she was still processing, he figured she could use a distraction. And what better distraction than food?
Especially when Ichiraku's was having a special offer.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He changed directions without explanation, and Karin, still grumbling under her breath, followed.
The ramen stand was warm and familiar, the scent of broth and noodles thick in the air. Ayame looked up from behind the counter and beamed. "Naruto! Welcome back!"
"Hey," Naruto greeted, already making his way to his usual seat.
Then Ayame's eyes flickered to Karin. "Oh? And who's this beautiful young lady?"
Karin blinked. "Huh?"
Naruto didn't hesitate. "Karin Uzumaki."
Ayame gasped. "Uzumaki?! Another one?"
"Yep," Naruto said, already reaching for the menu even though he didn't need it. "We're cousins."
Ayame clasped her hands together, her eyes practically sparkling. "That's wonderful!"
Karin adjusted her glasses, still looking a little overwhelmed. "Uh, yeah, I guess."
Then, Ayame's smile turned sly. "So, Naruto, is she..."
"She is not my girlfriend," Naruto said immediately. "We are not dating."
Karin made a noise that could only be described as a squeak.
Ayame blinked. "I wasn't asking that, but now I have to ask."
"I just answered," Naruto said, deadpan.
Karin turned red. "Why would you even say that?!"
Naruto tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Because humans assume that all the time. And you were turning red, so I figured you were panicking."
Karin's face only turned redder. "I was not, I mean, why are you like this?!"
"Like what?"
Karin let out a strangled groan, dropping her head onto the counter.
Ayame giggled behind her hand. "You two are adorable."
"We are not," Karin grumbled into the wood.
"She is my cousin," Naruto repeated, nodding toward the menu. "Now, I want the special, and she'll have..."
"I can order for myself, thank you!" Karin snapped, snapping back up and fixing her hair like she hadn't just been seconds away from combusting. "I'll have whatever he's having."
Ayame smiled knowingly and turned to start preparing their food.
Naruto leaned back, stretching slightly. "See? Now you have food. No more overthinking."
Karin shot him a look. "I am not overthinking."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm..."
"Your heart is still beating fast," Naruto pointed out. "Don't worry. I am not dating you."
Karin nearly fell off the stool.
---
Gaara sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers tapping against the surface of his gourd. His sand shifted restlessly, slithering and curling around his feet like a living thing, mirroring the agitation clawing at his insides.
He wanted to kill something.
No. He needed to kill something.
But not just anyone.
Naruto Uzumaki.
That name burned in his mind like a brand. The boy with glowing sapphire eyes and that unnatural, beast-like stillness. The way he had stood there, completely unaffected by Gaara's bloodlust, like a predator staring back at another predator. It was wrong.
No one was supposed to look at him like that. Not without fear. Not without understanding that they were prey.
"Gaara." Temari's voice was careful, hesitant. She was standing near the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes flicking between him and the shifting sand. "You should rest. The final stage of the exams is coming up. You need to be focused."
Gaara didn't respond. His fingers tightened against his gourd. His sand vibrated.
Temari sighed. "I know that look. You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
Kankurō, who had been lounging on the other bed, groaned. "Oh, for heaven's sake. Is this about Uzumaki again?"
Gaara finally looked up. His pupils were narrow, his expression blank, but his voice came out sharper than a blade. "He did not fear me."
Kankurō made a face. "Yeah, we noticed."
"He should have feared me," Gaara said, his voice eerily calm. "But he didn't. He didn't even react."
Temari shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe he just doesn't feel fear like normal people."
"Then he is not normal," Gaara murmured, tilting his head slightly. "He is something else."
Kankurō threw up his hands. "Who cares?! He's just some weirdo with a bridge named after him. If he's not scared of you, fine, whatever! That just means he's too dumb to realize he should be!"
Gaara's sand coiled. Kankurō shut up immediately.
"He is strong," Gaara said, his voice soft but heavy with something dangerous. "His instincts are sharp. His body moves like an animal. He kills without hesitation."
Temari frowned. "Then why didn't he kill you?"
Gaara's fingers twitched against his gourd. "I do not know."
That was what made his blood itch the most.
Naruto Uzumaki could have tried to kill him. But he didn't.
He should have fought like a human. But he didn't.
He moved with the instinct and unpredictability of a beast, but his strikes were controlled. He fought like someone who knew the world was full of monsters, but had decided he wouldn't be one.
It was insulting.
"Gaara," Temari said carefully, "you're doing it again."
He blinked. His sand had started creeping toward Kankurō's leg.
He exhaled slowly, withdrawing it.
Temari exchanged a look with Kankurō before sighing. "Look. We all know you want to fight him, but now's not the time. We have a mission."
Gaara's eyes flickered toward her. "Yes," he murmured. "The mission."
The invasion. The destruction. The blood.
But all he could think about was Naruto Uzumaki standing there with those too-bright eyes, utterly unshaken by him.
He wanted to carve that stillness out of him.
He wanted to break it.
Temari sighed again but didn't push further. Kankurō muttered something under his breath and flopped back onto the bed.
Gaara sat in silence.
His sand continued to shift.
---
The dango shop was noisy, filled with the low hum of conversation, the occasional clatter of plates, and the warm scent of sweet dumplings and tea. The jonin had gathered, as they always did during the Chunin Exams, to exchange thoughts, make bets, and engage in the kind of casual camaraderie only seasoned shinobi could afford.
Asuma took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin wisp of smoke before speaking. "So," he said, glancing around the table, "who do we think is making it to the finals?"
Kurenai sipped her tea thoughtfully. "The usual standouts are there. Sasuke Uchiha, obviously."
"Obviously," Kakashi echoed, his eye crinkling in amusement.
"That Gaara kid from Suna is terrifying," Anko muttered, stabbing her dango with unnecessary force. "I watched him in the Forest of Death. He didn't even move when his team was attacked. His sand did all the work for him. He didn't even blink."
Gai folded his arms. "I am confident in my student's abilities as well. Lee has trained endlessly for this moment! His flames of youth will burn brightly!"
"You're assuming he doesn't get crushed in the first round," Anko said dryly.
"My student will not lose so easily!"
"Didn't he challenge an Uchiha and get wrecked?"
"That was but a stepping stone on his journey to greatness!"
Asuma rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. We all know who's strong, but let's talk bets. I'll put 500 ryo on Shikamaru getting through the first round by some ridiculous trickery."
"That lazy brat?" Anko snorted. "Fine. 500 says he forfeits just because he doesn't feel like fighting."
"I'll take that bet," Kurenai said with a small smirk. "I think he's going to surprise you."
"Surprise us by quitting faster than expected?"
"No, by actually trying."
The table chuckled.
"Alright, Kakashi," Asuma said, tilting his head. "What about your team? You've got two strong contenders. Uchiha and Uzumaki."
The air shifted slightly.
"That's true," Kurenai mused. "Sasuke is a given. But Naruto..."
Anko clicked her tongue. "That kid is something else."
"Oh?" Kakashi's voice was light, but his eye sharpened.
"Don't play dumb," Anko said. "You saw what he did in the Forest of Death. That's not normal."
"Nothing about Naruto is normal," Kakashi admitted. "But that doesn't mean he'll win."
Asuma tapped his cigarette against the ashtray. "I heard about what he did at the bridge."
The table went quiet.
"We all did," Kurenai said.
"A single genin taking down an entire crime syndicate?" Anko leaned forward, her grin sharp. "You're telling me that's normal?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately.
"He's unpredictable," he finally said. "That alone makes him dangerous."
"So, do you think he'll win?" Gai asked.
Kakashi considered it. "I think he doesn't care about winning."
The table exchanged glances.
"What do you mean?" Kurenai asked.
"Naruto doesn't fight for status," Kakashi said simply. "He fights like it's survival. Like it's instinct. Like an animal."
Asuma frowned. "That's an unsettling way to put it."
"It's accurate," Anko muttered. "I saw it too. That kid doesn't move like a shinobi. He moves like something wild that just happens to be wearing a headband."
The table was silent for a moment.
Then, Asuma exhaled. "Alright. Fine. Let's bet. 1000 ryo says he makes it to the finals."
"I'll raise that to 1500," Anko said. "He's going to break someone before this is over."
"5000 says he doesn't even get hurt," Gai said suddenly.
Everyone looked at him.
"What?" Anko scoffed. "No way."
"Have you seen the way he moves?" Gai's expression was serious. "I don't think anyone will be able to touch him."
"I'll take that bet," Asuma said, smirking. "No way a kid gets through the exams without a scratch."
"And you, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked. "Are you betting on your own student?"
Kakashi tilted his head, thinking.
"I think I'll just watch," he said finally. "Naruto's full of surprises."
The table groaned.
"Come on, you coward," Anko said. "Put some money down."
"Fine, fine," Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "1000 ryo says he does something that makes everyone rethink how these exams work."
"That's a vague bet," Kurenai pointed out.
"Have you met Naruto?"
Fair point.
As the bets were finalized and the drinks continued to flow, the jonin couldn't help but feel that, no matter what, these exams were going to be interesting.
---
The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over Konoha, stretching shadows long across the village streets as Naruto made his way toward the hot springs.
Kakashi had been unusually vague when he mentioned that Naruto was getting a new master for the finals. He just said it was someone powerful, a legend. That sounded promising, but Naruto had learned to take Kakashi's words with a grain of salt. After all, Kakashi had also described the Chunin Exams as "just another step in the journey," and Naruto had almost been eaten by a giant snake. Twice.
Still, if this so-called master was strong, he wouldn't complain.
The scent of steam and minerals thickened in the air as he neared the hot springs. According to Kakashi, the man would be easy to find.
Naruto paused.
There, by the bathhouse wall, stood an old man with long white hair, clad in a red haori and wooden sandals. He was hunched over, his hands gripping the top of the wooden fence as he peered through a tiny hole in the wall.
Naruto blinked.
Was he spying?
The old man didn't even acknowledge his presence.
Naruto tilted his head, watching. The man was staring so intently at whatever was beyond the wall that he didn't even twitch when Naruto stepped closer.
"What are you looking at?"
Silence.
Naruto frowned. Maybe he was deaf?
"Hey. You. Old man. What's so interesting?"
Nothing. The guy didn't even blink.
Now Naruto was intrigued.
What could possibly be so fascinating that it made an old shinobi lose all awareness of his surroundings?
There was only one way to find out.
Shrugging, Naruto turned, grabbed the wooden door leading into the women's side of the bathhouse, and slid it open.
Steam billowed out, thick and warm. Inside, several women lounged in the natural hot spring, chatting and relaxing. Their conversation died instantly as all heads turned toward the intruder.
Naruto casually stepped inside, letting the door swing shut behind him.
"Oh. Karin. You're here."
There was a brief moment of absolute silence.
Then:
"AHHHHHH!"
The air exploded.
Water splashed, towels flew, and in the chaos, Naruto barely managed to register Karin's face, redder than her hair, before she launched a bar of soap at his head.
A barrage of objects followed. Wooden buckets, sandals, even a shampoo bottle.
Naruto dodged effortlessly, weaving around the projectiles with the fluid ease of someone who had spent his entire life avoiding things being thrown at him.
"Are you all trying to kill me?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
"OF COURSE WE'RE TRYING TO KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE PERVERT!" a woman shrieked, still hurling whatever she could get her hands on.
Oh.
That made sense.
"Ah," Naruto said, bowing deeply. "My apologies."
Then, without another word, he turned and stepped back outside.
The old man was still standing there.
Now, though, he was staring at Naruto with an expression of absolute shock.
Naruto frowned. "Why do you look so surprised?"
The old man opened his mouth, closed it, then rubbed his chin. "Kid," he said slowly, "did you just walk into the women's bath?"
"Yes."
"Casually?"
"Yes."
"And you lived?"
Naruto blinked. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
The old man exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You've got some nerve, kid."
Naruto tilted his head. "Why were you looking at them so much?"
The old man scoffed, grinning. "For research, of course!"
Naruto stared. "What are you researching?"
"Women!"
Naruto thought about that. "You could just go inside and ask them things."
The old man choked. "That's not how research works!"
"Why not?"
"Because!"
Naruto considered this, then shrugged. "Humans have weird rules."
The old man looked at him for a long moment. Then, suddenly, he grinned. "I like you, kid. What's your name?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
The old man blinked. "Uzumaki?"
"Yes."
The grin widened. "Well, well, well. This just got a lot more interesting."
Naruto blinked. "Why?"
The man straightened up, crossing his arms. "Because, brat, I'm Jiraiya. The Toad Sage. One of the Legendary Sannin. And starting today," he jabbed a thumb at his own chest, "I'm your new master."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "You?"
"Yes. Me."
"You're a pervert."
"I'm a super pervert!" Jiraiya declared proudly.
Naruto stared at him blankly.
Jiraiya cleared his throat. "But also a great shinobi. The best you'll ever meet."
Naruto was unconvinced. "You spied on women instead of training."
"It's called multitasking!"
"That's not how multitasking works."
"You sound like Tsunade."
Naruto didn't know who that was, but she sounded reasonable.
Jiraiya sighed, stretching. "Alright, listen, kid. I get it. You're skeptical. But trust me, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be stronger than you ever imagined."
Naruto considered him for a moment. Then:
"Prove it."
Jiraiya's grin returned. "Oh?"
"If you're strong, prove it."
Jiraiya laughed. "I like you, brat. Alright. I'll prove it."
And just like that, Naruto's real training for the finals began.
---
Jiraiya cracked his knuckles as he stood by the riverbank, watching Naruto balance effortlessly on the water's surface. The kid's stance was casual, his hands stuffed in his pockets, as if gravity didn't even exist beneath his feet. Not a single ripple formed around him.
The Toad Sage squinted. "Huh. Most people struggle with this for days. When did you learn to walk on water?"
Naruto glanced at him, his blue eyes impassive. "When I was a mantis."
Jiraiya blinked. "What?"
"Nothing." Naruto shrugged, as if he hadn't just said something completely insane.
Jiraiya stared at him for a long second before deciding that he didn't have the energy to unpack whatever that meant. Instead, he pulled out a long, weathered scroll and unrolled it with a dramatic flick of his wrist. "Alright, kid. We're moving on. You're going to learn the Summoning Jutsu."
Naruto peered at the scroll. "What do I do?"
"First, sign your name in blood, then press your fingerprints below it. After that, I'll teach you the hand seals. It's simple, really."
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "Why in blood?"
"Because it's a contract. Blood makes it official."
"Oh. Like a pack bond."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, then closed it. "Uh, sure."
Naruto didn't question it further. He bit his thumb without hesitation, letting the blood pool before pressing it onto the scroll. His name appeared in sharp, red strokes, standing proudly among the names of shinobi before him. He followed with his fingerprints, then stepped back. "Done."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Most people hesitate at least a little before signing in blood."
"Humans are weird."
Jiraiya was starting to think Naruto wasn't entirely human himself. But again, not enough energy to unpack that right now. Instead, he nodded toward the kid. "Alright. Hand seals: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram. Try it out."
Naruto's hands moved through the sequence effortlessly, each seal forming in rapid succession. His movements were sharp, precise.
"Good. Now," Jiraiya gestured to the open field, "pour your chakra into it and mean it. Visualize what you want. Then slam your hand down and shout 'Summoning Jutsu.'"
Naruto took a step forward. His blue eyes narrowed slightly.
Hand seals.
A slow inhale.
Then:
"Summoning Jutsu."
The world exploded.
Smoke erupted in a massive cloud, surging outward with a force strong enough to rattle the trees. Jiraiya took an instinctive step back, shielding his face from the wind that followed. The river trembled. The birds scattered.
And when the smoke cleared:
A gigantic toad sat in the middle of the field.
Orange skin, a deep blue vest, a massive pipe clamped between its wide lips. It towered over everything, casting a huge shadow across the land.
Jiraiya grinned. "Well, well. You went straight to the boss."
Naruto stood on the massive toad's head, blinking down at the world beneath him.
The toad blinked back.
Then it scowled. "Hey. Who the hell summoned me?"
"Me," Naruto said simply.
The toad's large golden eyes snapped toward Jiraiya. "You put this brat up to it?"
"Nope." Jiraiya smirked. "All him."
"Tch." The toad turned back to Naruto, narrowing his eyes. "You. What's your name, brat?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
The toad went very still.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then:
"Uzumaki?"
"Yes."
The toad stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, its frown deepened. "Well, well. This just got interesting."
Jiraiya huffed out a laugh. "Told you."
"Shut up, Jiraiya." The toad turned back to Naruto, scrutinizing him. "You've got guts, brat. But do you have what it takes?"
"To what?"
"To earn my respect."
Naruto thought about that for a moment. Then:
"Do I need your respect?"
Jiraiya wheezed.
The toad stared at Naruto, stunned. Then, after a long pause:
"Hah!" A deep chuckle rumbled from its massive chest. "You've got some nerve, kid. I like it."
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "So does that mean we're in a pack now?"
The toad squinted. "A what?"
"A pack. A bond."
The toad hummed. "I haven't heard it put like that before, but yeah, kid. You summon me, I'll be there. Just don't waste my time."
"Alright."
"Good."
Then, poof.
The giant toad disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto hopped down from the air and landed lightly on his feet. He turned to Jiraiya. "What's next?"
Jiraiya just stared at him.
Naruto blinked. "What?"
Jiraiya sighed, rubbing his temples. "You are so not normal."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Okay."
Jiraiya exhaled sharply. "Training's going to be interesting with you, huh?"
"Yes."
Jiraiya groaned. "Come on, brat. We've got work to do."
And just like that, Naruto's real training began.
---
Jiraiya had seen many things in his long, eventful life. He had fought wars, battled S-rank criminals, and witnessed the rise and fall of great shinobi. But this was something else entirely.
He had just finished explaining the Rasengan, demonstrating the spiraling sphere in his palm, and boasting about how it took him a full three years to develop it. He expected Naruto to struggle, to at least ask a few questions before even attempting the first step.
Instead, the moment he dispersed his own Rasengan:
A second one appeared.
But it wasn't his.
Naruto's glowing sapphire eyes locked onto the technique with an eerie kind of clarity, like a predator analyzing its prey. He hadn't even nodded in acknowledgment. He had simply lifted his hand and conjured a perfect, glowing blue Rasengan.
"Like this?"
Jiraiya's brain short-circuited.
He didn't breathe. Didn't blink. Didn't move. His entire body locked up as his mind desperately tried to process what he was seeing.
That wasn't possible.
That wasn't possible.
"What?" he choked out.
Naruto frowned slightly. "You look surprised."
Surprised? Surprised?
Jiraiya felt like he had just witnessed someone casually bend the laws of nature like it was no big deal. Like he had just watched a toddler solve a complex equation in two seconds. Like someone had rewritten reality right in front of his eyes and expected him to just accept it.
His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "Heck."
Naruto blinked. "Language."
"You," Jiraiya stepped forward, pointing aggressively at the still perfectly formed blue Rasengan in Naruto's palm, "how the hell did you do that?!"
"Do what?"
"THAT! THE RASENGAN! YOU JUST, I, WHAT?!"
Naruto tilted his head slightly, looking down at the spiraling sphere as if only now realizing it was still there. "Oh. I just copied what you did."
"You just copied what I did? NO. NO NO NO. It does not work like that, brat!" Jiraiya grabbed his own hair, pacing in frantic circles. "You don't just LOOK at the Rasengan and then, BAM, make one on your first try!"
"Why not?"
"BECAUSE IT TOOK ME THREE YEARS!"
Naruto stared at him for a long moment. Then:
"Huh."
"'HUH'?! THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?"
"Yes."
Jiraiya groaned loudly, dragging his hands down his face. "I need sake. I need a lot of sake."
Naruto hummed, lifting the Rasengan closer to his face, watching the spiraling energy swirl. "It's pretty."
"Pretty?!"
"Yeah. Like a small storm in my hand."
Jiraiya opened his mouth to argue. Then stopped. Then just sighed in defeat. "You know what? Fine. Whatever. I don't even care anymore." He gestured vaguely at Naruto. "Congratulations, kid. You just broke my entire understanding of skill progression. Hope you're happy."
"I am."
Jiraiya groaned. "For heaven's sake."