"How about it?"
Naruto transformed back, looking very proud.
This technique he created himself was only ever used on strong opponents, and its effect was outstanding.
"Not bad indeed."
Takumi clapped as he walked over. "You two planning to go training?"
"Oh? It's Takumi."
Jiraiya turned his gaze away, then put on a serious face, trying to look mature and steady.
If not for the nosebleed still trickling from his nostrils, he might have been more convincing.
"Jiraiya-senpai, good evening."
Takumi greeted respectfully, maintaining his humble and polite persona.
"Good evening to you too. Takumi is such a polite and good kid."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, rubbing the back of his head. "It's getting late, Takumi. Where are you headed?"
"Just out for a stroll. I didn't expect to run into Jiraiya-senpai and Naruto."
Takumi smiled.
"Takumi, you want to come train with us too?"
Naruto eagerly invited him. "Even though you're stronger than me now, after I train, I'll definitely surpass everyone!"
"I'll surpass both Sasuke and you."
"Because I'm the man who's going to be be Hokage!"
Jiraiya curled his lip. "Big talk."
But his eyes dimmed slightly.
Takumi noticed this.
Clearly, Jiraiya was thinking of his own disciple who died young, Minato.
He's also Naruto's father, whom Naruto had never met.
This dimness flickered and was gone; Jiraiya disguised his expression perfectly, after all, he was an experienced Shinobi.
When it came to emotional control, he had always been very good.
But after this thought, his intentions suddenly changed a little.
"Since you're begging so sincerely, I'll reluctantly agree."
Jiraiya said, as if very reluctantly.
"Really?!"
Naruto immediately jumped for joy. "Great!"
Then, he looked at Takumi. "You sure you don't want to come too?"
"I'll pass."
Takumi shook his head. "I just finished a big mission, I want to rest."
"You really should rest more."
Jiraiya nodded, looking at Takumi with some emotion. "I never expected that someone as young as you, Takumi, would already have strength surpassing mine."
"No, maybe you've already surpassed me."
"After all, that Moryo guy, even I had no way to deal with him, and you were able to annihilate it."
"I watched the movie, it was very exciting."
Jiraiya patted Takumi on the shoulder and offered a few words of encouragement.
"Not at all, I'm still a junior."
Takumi smiled. "I still have a long way to go to catch up to you seniors."
"Well then, Takumi, you have a good rest."
Naruto didn't mind Takumi not coming along.
In his mind, it would be best if Takumi came, but if he couldn't, it didn't matter.
Whether Takumi came or not, he was going to train hard anyway.
To achieve his goal, his dream.
"Yeah, you guys do your best."
Takumi said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll catch up to you guys soon!"
Naruto raised his right hand, his left hand on his right arm, a confident smile on his face.
Perhaps because he had experienced so many setbacks as a child,
Naruto's spirit was now very resilient.
No matter what happened, he could always move forward unwaveringly.
Although there were occasional moments of wavering.
"Well, I won't disturb you two then."
Takumi waved goodbye with a smile.
Naruto immediately dragged Jiraiya towards the village gate.
Normally, at this time of day, Naruto wouldn't be allowed to go far.
But with Jiraiya accompanying him, the two guards naturally pretended not to see.
'Leaving today, he'll probably meet Yukimaru tomorrow, right?'
Looking at Naruto's back, Takumi couldn't help but smile.
But even if he met Yukimaru, it was nothing.
Anyway, with him around, there was no need to seek backup.
Naruto should just obediently focus on his training.
"Time to go home, someone's waiting for me."
Withdrawing his gaze, Takumi leisurely strolled home.
Opening the door, he sure enough saw Yugito and Kurenai already back.
But the scene was a bit different from what he had imagined.
Perhaps because he had returned much earlier than in the simulation, it caught Kurenai and Yugito off guard.
At that moment, they were trying on aprons, and it was the version with nothing on underneath.
"What a pleasant surprise you've given me."
After the initial surprise, a big smile immediately spread across Takumi's face.
Now he didn't need to eat dinner; just the two women were enough to fill him up.
"Wait!"
Yugito's face flushed slightly. She didn't know how she had been talked into it by Kurenai. Finding Takumi not home, she had actually followed Kurenai and worn this.
Just after putting it on, she immediately wanted to take it off.
But before she could, Takumi pushed the door open and came in.
It caught her completely unawares.
The shyness in her heart made her want to struggle.
But how could Takumi let go of this good opportunity?
Amidst the two women's exclamations and Takumi's hearty laughter, boundless spring filled his bedroom.
…
The sun gradually rose.
Kabuto opened his eyes and looked at the figure still sleeping soundly beside him.
Yesterday had really exhausted Yukimaru.
He had slept until now without waking.
Fortunately, they were not far from Guren's location now.
With walking and resting, they would definitely make it.
Moreover, when meeting Guren, Yukimaru couldn't be allowed to see her yet.
Now was not the time.
Kabuto knew Yukimaru's life story, so naturally he also understood Orochimaru's thoughts in summoning Guren now.
Orochimaru was looking for Guren, not to make her his vessel, but to have her carry out a special mission, and this mission was related to Yukimaru.
As Orochimaru's trusted right-hand man, Kabuto knew many of Orochimaru's secrets.
While Yukimaru was still asleep, he went to get some food.
By the time he returned, Yukimaru happened to wake up.
"You must be hungry."
He handed the food he had bought from a nearby town to the still-sleepy Yukimaru.
"Aren't you eating?"
After eating a little and waking up a bit, Yukimaru looked at Kabuto, who wasn't eating anything, and asked curiously.
"No need, I've already eaten."
Kabuto said flatly. "Hurry up and eat. After you finish, we still have to hit the road."
"Alright."
Yukimaru's face immediately fell, but he quickly composed himself.
He wasn't the type to show too much emotion outwardly.
But yesterday's experience still felt too tiring.
Walking continuously for an entire day, he felt like his legs weren't his own anymore.
Fortunately, after sleeping for so long, his legs felt much better.
What Yukimaru didn't actually know was,
The reason he didn't feel much pain this morning was entirely because Kabuto had given him some treatment.
Otherwise, Yukimaru wouldn't have been able to walk at all today.