In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

Jashin's Hymn worked similarly to a silencing effect, nullifying the technique once.

From now on, Danzo would just be a powerless old dog, and Naruto wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.

In this way, as long as he didn't become Hokage, staying in Konoha wouldn't be so bad. Having shed the label of a Jinchuriki, he could rise to the top of the village's leadership. In the future, he would easily be in a position of authority, second only to the Hokage.

After that, he could do whatever he wanted, with no one able to control him.

The thought crossed his mind for a moment, but Naruto quickly dismissed it, 'If life were really that smooth, what would I need the system for?'

But at the moment, there is Akatsuki in front and Otsutsuki behind. Black Zetsu saving his mother is not the only thing he needed to consider.

After all, even if he can step on Obito and punch Madara in the future, what about those inexplicable Otsutsuki? How would he deal with the never-ending waves of Otsutsuki Clan's members? Fighting one after another using his own powers against them was getting tiresome.

What intrigued Naruto was the fact that Hidan's so-called Jashin had granted him power, 'Since the Jashin's props given by the system could suppress Kyubi and even erase Dojutsu, then...'

'Forget it, forget it, I should go to Mount Myoboku to have a look.'

"Yeah, I guess you won't have time." Ino said, then turned and stared at him, "Hey, you can't hide forever, you know?"

"Are you here to persuade me to leave?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Not really." Ino replied, hugging her knees and gazing at the ground, "I just happened to run into Jiraiya-sama looking for you. I figured you'd be hiding in a place like this, so I found you after a little searching."

"I wasn't exactly hiding on purpose," Naruto grumbled, "I was going to go there eventually anyway, I just wanted some time alone."

"Do you not want to go?" Ino asked.

"Not really." Naruto admitted, "Getting stronger is great and all, but that's not the only way to do it. The main reason is, I just don't like toads."

Ino shrank a little, then said in a quiet voice, "I heard from Jiraiya-sama that your training this time will probably take a long time. If that's the case, I guess we'll have to get used to not seeing each other for a while."

Hearing this, Naruto was slightly stunned, 'It seemed Jiraiya had told Ino everything, but why is the way she speaking made it sound like I was being sent off to war?'

"It shouldn't take too long." Naruto chuckled awkwardly, "I might not even learn anything and just get kicked back."

"Don't the more powerful the Ninjutsu is, the more requirements and restrictions it has? I'm not exactly a genius either. You know that. And I didn't want to be a genius, if it weren't for..."

"I know." Ino interrupted him, "I know."

She lowered her eyes and stared at the dappled light on the steps as if lost in thought. Then, she raised her head and smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she said, "Anyway, by the time you come back, I might already be a Chunin, and you'll still be a Genin."

Naruto's eyelid twitched slightly, 'What's a Chunin compared to being part of Konoha's higher-ups? As long as the time was right, I could just transition myself into a Konoha's Jonin by going through the formalities.'

"Then, let me congratulate you in advance." Naruto said with a smile.

"Huh?" Ino's eyes met his, and her face suddenly flushed for no reason. She immediately stood up and said stutteringly, "I-I just remembered I have something to do."

…

Ichiraku Ramen.

"You really are a troublesome kid." Jiraiya grumbled as he ate his ramen.

"It was you who insisted on saying those nonsenses to Ino. If you really wanted to find me, how could you not find me?" Naruto said, biting into a piece of chashu pork, the juices flooding his mouth.

The milky broth rippled, reflecting Naruto's face.

"Why do you seem to be more anxious than me?" Naruto remarked in exasperation.

"Watch your mouth. What kind of talk is that?" Jiraiya said, "I understand the feelings between young men and women better than anyone. How could I not give you a little push with such a good opportunity?"

Jiraiya chuckled mischievously, "So, how was it? Did she cling to you and feel reluctant to part?"

"No." Naruto rolled his eyes, "Everything you write is R-rated, Pervy Sage."

"What do you know?" Jiraiya curled his lips and said, "Those are my masterpieces, pure art! You're just a boring kid. You'll get it one day."

Naruto actually wanted to say that he had already read them, but he was too embarrassed to ask for an update. Then, he remembered that both Sakura and Ino had also read Icha Icha Paradise, which only made him feel more awkward.

After all, the wretched author was right next to him, which made the whole thing seem less exciting.

"Anyway, you can't rush things like that. I'm not even of age yet, so no matter how urgent it seems, it won't do me any good." Naruto said, sipping some broth, "Everyone has their own goals. It's better to take things slowly."

"What the hell." Jiraiya clicked his tongue, "You are so young, but you think too much. You don't have the youthful vigor at all."

"I'd like to have some, Pervy Sage." Naruto said, turning to look at Jiraiya, his eyes dull, "But how can I be energetic with so much crap going on? Why don't you try asking Sasuke to let go of his hatred for his clan's massacre?"

"If he could easily let go of that obsession, then sure, I can also be full of energy. But living a life hated and despised by others... every extra second feels like hell."

"Even though I'm no longer a Jinchuriki now, the higher-ups are still discussing plans to keep that from getting out. So, I still have to deal with the villagers' hatred from time to time. And on top of that, I have to protect them. How am I supposed to stay motivated?"

"If it weren't for Ino, Choji and the others, I would've left the village long ago."

The last sentence left Jiraiya momentarily speechless, and he didn't know what to say for a moment. After a brief silence, he took a deep breath and said seriously, "Once your training at Mount Myoboku is done, I'll convince the higher-ups to officially strip you of the Jinchuriki title. You're my student, not the Kyubi's Jinchūriki."

"Well, we'll talk about it when the time comes." Naruto replied.

The heavy atmosphere lightened as Jiraiya smiled, patting Naruto on the shoulder.

"The training at Mount Myoboku is extremely tough, Naruto. Senjutsu are not easy to master. Even though it's Tsunade's order, I still want to respect your opinion."

"Have you made up your mind?"

Naruto gave him a blank, dead-eyed stare, "Yes."

"You brat... You're so boring." Jiraiya curled his lips and finished the last bite of his ramen. "Well, if that's the case, then..."

He raised his chopsticks and pointed forward dramatically.

"Let's go!"

Naruto looked down at the remaining ramen in his bowl, sighed, and drank the rest of the broth.

'Mount Myoboku, huh... It's finally come to this. I no longer have the mark of the Sage of Six Paths on my body. I wonder if that old toad would bring up the Child of Prophecy bullshit again this time.'

'Whatever. I'll go and see for myself.'

…

Konoha Forest, Riverside.

It was already afternoon. The stream flowed rapidly, and Naruto and Jiraiya trudged through the soft pebbles, each step sinking into the ground. Eventually, they reached a wide, damp riverbank.

Jiraiya stopped, pulled out a scroll, and said, "Alright, time to sign the summoning contract."