Chapter 143
Jiraiya: "...I told you not to call me that."
Kotetsu Hagane then activated his Chakra: "Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"
In an instant, the scenery around Naruto began to change...Naruto felt a momentary dizziness, but didn't notice any actual change.
"Huh? Where's the genjutsu?"
Kotetsu Hagane smiled: "It's already been used."
"Huh? Why don't I feel anything at all!"
Jiraiya angrily said: "If you could feel it, would it still be called a genjutsu?!"
"A genjutsu is meant to make someone unconsciously fall into an illusion or a delusion. If it can't do that, what's the point!"
Naruto was greatly surprised: "You mean, I've already fallen under the genjutsu!"
"Of course!"
Naruto quickly followed the method Jiraiya taught him, controlling the flow of Chakra with all his might, and then..."Genjutsu! Release!"
However, he still couldn't see any change.
Jiraiya sighed: "Naruto, even if you understand the principle, if you don't know what kind of genjutsu it is and what delusion it's causing, you won't be able to release it."
Naruto's heart stirred.
"I remember he just said, Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique, which means..."
"It's a genjutsu that changes geographical location?"
Naruto's current level of comprehension was the benefit of studying academic subjects.
Otherwise, the original him would never have noticed this, and even if he did, he wouldn't have understood it.
Jiraiya nodded approvingly: "Very good!"
Naruto looked around, and suddenly his heart stirred again.
"So that's it..."
"The place where the Pervy Sage brought us before was a secluded corner, not the training ground we're in now."
"Although the training ground also fits the current situation, this is your deliberate smokescreen to confuse me, isn't it?"
This time, when Naruto used Genjutsu Release again, the scenery indeed changed, returning to the quiet and secluded Village outskirts.
Kotetsu Hagane also gave a thumbs up: "I heard that you, Naruto, were the top graduate of this class, a true genius... it's really true to your reputation!"
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly: "Of course!"
Jiraiya, however, said: "Don't get too proud. This was with my hints, and Kotetsu Hagane also used the genjutsu right in front of you. Moreover, his genjutsu isn't that advanced, which is why it was so easy to release."
Naruto snorted: "I still did it! You should praise me!"
Jiraiya said: "That's true, anyway, your opponents are unlikely to be genjutsu masters."
"But even so, countering genjutsu is a necessary skill that you'll need to practice sooner or later..."
"You don't have to be proficient in genjutsu yourself, but releasing genjutsu is absolutely essential to master."
"Alright, you two continue!"
"I'm going to get some sleep..."
Naruto: "..."
Kotetsu Hagane also gave a wry smile: "Naruto, since Jiraiya-sama said so, shall we continue our training?"
Naruto snorted: "Alright!"
"When he wakes up, I'm going to have trained to the point where I can easily break any genjutsu!"
"I'll scare him to death!"
Kotetsu Hagane: "...Naruto, I don't think you'll be able to train to that level in such a short amount of time."
"Besides, Jiraiya-sama is very knowledgeable and won't be scared to death by you..."
"I don't care! Come on!"
"...Oh."
Chapter 119: Naruto's Two Paths to Becoming Stronger! Abandoning the Rasengan?!
Ninjas like Kotetsu Hagane basically represented the stance of ordinary Ninja in Konoha Village.
They had very complex emotions towards Uzumaki Naruto.
Because they didn't know the whole truth, they inevitably held prejudices against Naruto.
Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, Loser, annoying brat... these labels were inherent to Naruto's original self.
However, with Naruto's own desperate efforts and training, he gradually changed their perceptions.
"What? That Loser actually graduated as the top student?!"
"That Nine-Tailed brat actually defeated Zabuza Momochi?!"
"I heard that Uzumaki Naruto shone brightly in the Chunin Exams..."
"Really? That's hard to imagine..."
These discussions not only happened among villagers but also spread by word of mouth among ordinary Ninja.
Kotetsu Hagane looked at Naruto, who was still working tirelessly in front of him, and felt a surge of emotion.
So-called recognition, in fact, was nothing more than this.
You are strong enough, excellent enough, to leave others speechless.
What's more, Naruto was not only strong and excellent, but also so desperately hardworking... no one could ignore such an existence.
They trained until midnight.
Naruto could still keep going, but Kotetsu Haganewas already panting.
"Na, Naruto..."
"I can't do it, I really can't do it anymore..."
"Even if it's basic genjutsu, making me use it over and over again, this is the eight hundredth time..."
"I really don't have a single drop of Chakra left..."
Naruto couldn't help but sigh.
"Uncle Kotetsu, your body is a bit weak..."
"You're already out after only eight hundred times?"
Kotetsu Hagane couldn't help but retort angrily: "Do you think everyone is like you! With Chakralike a monster!"
"Do I?"
"Of course!"
Their argument woke Jiraiya. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, looked around, and saw that it was already pitch black.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Naruto was furious: "You've been asleep for a whole day! Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily: "Is that so? Is that so?"
"Indeed, guiding a disciple is still too tiring..."
Naruto said: "You didn't guide anything! Uncle Kotetsu was with me the whole time!"
Kotetsu Hagane: "...Um, actually, I'm only in my twenties, you don't have to call me 'uncle' or anything..."
Jiraiya let out a big yawn.
"So, how are the training results?"
Kotetsu Hagane said: "Jiraiya-sama, Naruto can already resist basic genjutsu, and he's very skilled at Genjutsu Release. As long as the enemy isn't a genjutsu master, Naruto should be able to handle ordinary genjutsu."
Jiraiya nodded: "Good, that doesn't let my hard work go to waste!"
Naruto: "...You make it sound like it's all your credit!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, you two certainly worked hard today, how about this..."
"I'll treat you to a meal!"
Naruto was overjoyed: "Rea-really, Pervy Sage!"
"Of course! Don't call me Pervy Sage..."
"Naruto, what do you want to eat?"
"Ichiraku's ramen, of course!"
"Ichiraku Ramen... Ah, that one, the shop Teuchiruns, right?"
"Hahaha, sure, it brings back some memories. Back then, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and I often went to his place..."
Kotetsu Hagane asked: "Can I come along too?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama!"
..."Yo, Teuchi!"
Jiraiya pushed aside the curtain and greeted Ichirakus Uncle.
Only then did Naruto realize that Ichirakus Uncle's real name was Teuchi.
"Oh? Isn't that Jiraiya-sama?!"
"What a rare guest, a rare guest indeed!"
"When did you return to the Village? Please, come in, come in!"
Jiraiya, Naruto, and Kotetsu Hagane sat down at the counter.
"This place hasn't changed much..."
"I still remember when you first opened, you were a young man back then."
Ichirakus Uncle laughed heartily: "Time spares no one!"
"That white-haired boy from back then has now become one of the Sannin, famous throughout the land..."
"What would you all like to eat?"
Naruto immediately cheered: "Tonkotsu ramen, of course!"
"Alright, Jiraiya-sama, and Kotetsu?"
"Hmm, the same as Naruto then."
"Coming right up! Ayame, prepare to serve our guests!"
"Yes, Father."
Ayame came out with a bright smile: "Jiraiya-sama, would you like some sake?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up: "Oh, Teuchi, is this your daughter?"
"She's grown into quite a beauty..."
Ayame's face flushed: "Jiraiya-sama, don't say such things..."
She hurried to prepare sake for Jiraiya and Kotetsu Hagane, and the two began to chat and drink.