Chapter 183: Projection Magic
"Tsunade, are you missing me?"
Jiraiya rushed back immediately after receiving Shizune's notification.
His steps were light, and his face was full of smiles.
He was originally in the Anbu, preparing to go to Hidden Sand Village in the afternoon to be their supervisor.
He had already finished explaining things earlier, so calling him now surely meant she missed him, right?
Tsunade was already used to his nonsense and didn't pay it any mind.
She looked Jiraiya up and down and said, "You've taught a good disciple."
"Are you talking about Naruto?"
Jiraiya thought for a moment. Although he had many disciples, the one Tsunade was familiar with and who was currently in Konoha was only Naruto.
What has that guy done now?
It must be something good.
Otherwise, Tsunade wouldn't be so calm; she would have punched him by now.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya raised his chin, showing a triumphant smile, and said, "After all, he has a good teacher."
"That's true."
Tsunade uncharacteristically didn't refute him and added, "You've also been doing well in the Anburecently."
Not just well, but far exceeding her expectations.
It was as if the entire Anbu had changed, and even the Konoha Military Police Force had a new look.
In the past month, Konoha has been peaceful every day, with almost no major conflicts or accidents.
It saved her a lot of worry.
She had originally thought that before the Chunin Exams, Ninjas from various villages would be mixed and constantly clashing.
"Hahaha, it's nothing, nothing."
Jiraiya scratched his head and laughed loudly.
He was secretly delighted.
Since he met Tsunade, she had hardly ever praised him; it was always just punches.
"Naruto also praised you to me earlier."
Tsunade smiled slightly, feeling relieved for both of them, "He said you delve into various places in Konoha every day for on-site inspections, truly dedicating yourself completely."
Jiraiya thought Naruto was referring to him leading the Konoha Military Police Force to maintain order everywhere.
He waved his hand and modestly said, "It's only right, it's only right, everything is for Konoha. If you feel bad, how about giving me some kind of reward?"
By the end, his true nature was revealed, and a lewd smile appeared on his face.
"We'll talk about the reward later. Finish this task well, and I'll give it to you all at once."
Tsunade secretly shook her head. This guy's good image only lasted for a minute. Indeed, a leopard cannot change its spots.
"What is it?"
Jiraiya was in high spirits and quickly patted his chest, confidently saying, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
"Alright."
Tsunade picked up Naruto's suggestion letter and handed it to him.
Jiraiya was stunned.
The title didn't seem right.
His smile faltered a bit.
With an ominous premonition, he opened the suggestion letter.
In the scorching heat, Jiraiya shivered, his hands and feet turning cold as he read.
Which little brat is so vicious? Do they want to put me to death?
Making me do such immoral things, how am I supposed to continue in the research world?!
And after being publicized in the newspaper, my good name, Jiraiya, would be ruined.
"Who wrote this?"
Jiraiya's voice squeezed out from between his teeth.
"You don't know?"
Tsunade was a little surprised, "It was written by your disciple, Uzumaki Naruto."
Jiraiya's eyes immediately went black, and his head buzzed.
To describe it with an emoji:
Fainted from anger by his dog disciple (Wu Jing version).jpg.
This scoundrel!
At this moment, Jiraiya was filled with murderous intent.
Tsunade scanned his expression and probably guessed something. She said with a smile, "Narutosaid he was inspired by you to write this suggestion letter."
I didn't, I don't, don't talk nonsense!
Jiraiya wanted to cry but had no tears.
If only I had known, I wouldn't have taken you as a disciple.
He was perfectly normal before, what happened now?
Could it be because of the White Lotus Sect's doctrine?
He could see the shadow of the doctrine in many parts of the suggestion letter.
Am I suffering the consequences of my own actions?
Feeling sad, want to cry.jpg.
"After my careful consideration, and combining Naruto's suggestions, you are the best candidate to do this."
Tsunade crossed her arms, looking like she had high hopes for him.
Jiraiya immediately became withdrawn, but he still had to try to salvage the situation.
If he really did it, he probably wouldn't be able to see beautiful young ladies ever again.
"Find someone else, I think Kakashi would be good."
He actually wanted to say, 'Be a human, please.' ♦♦ ♦♦
"He's busy."
Tsunade shook her head and said, "And you're more suitable."
"I'm going to Hidden Sand Village, I'm busy too."
Jiraiya was still trying to save himself.
"It's fine, you can do it when you get back."
"..."
Jiraiya realized that Naruto and Tsunade were conspiring to take his old life.
"Just tell me, are you going to do it or not?"
Tsunade took out the robe of the fire god, reminding him that she was the Hokage.
Jiraiya smiled; he understood a principle: live with a smile.
Since he couldn't change it, he might as well be happy about it.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving the 'Deep Deep bond between teacher and student' achievement, gaining three attribute points.]
Naruto, running in the desert, was startled when he heard the system's notification.
This should be the achievement triggered by his suggestion letter.
He had helped Jiraiya establish a good image in front of Tsunade.
If he worked a little harder, he might even win her over and become the Hokage's man.
Although 'Deep Deep bond between teacher and student' felt a bit strange, there didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
Naruto added the attribute points to his defense bonus, reaching 35%.
He, Choji, and Ino were currently rushing to their destination.
Considering it was during the Chunin Exams, Naruto didn't cheat by using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
After all, for his two teammates, long-distance running was both an exam and training.
Doing everything in one go wouldn't be good; they wouldn't be able to handle it.
Their team's speed wasn't fast, belonging to the middle tier.
Mainly because of Choji.
Although he was a flexible Fat, he took time to eat.
The fastest team was Fu from Takigakure.
She was a Jinchuriki, and her two teammates were Jonin in disguise.
In a sense, they were the strongest.
There were no conflicts along the way.
Everyone was busy running; fighting was unnecessary.
Half an hour later, Naruto saw a city in the desert.
Strictly speaking, it should be a place similar to an outpost.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Desert of Illusions."
Kankuro stood at the entrance, glanced at Naruto, and said calmly, "You are not among the last five teams, so you've passed this stage. Please follow the Sand Ninja to your rooms to rest. We will gather tomorrow at 8 AM to begin the official second exam."
"Finally, we can rest!"
Choji said, panting.
For him, the desert, high temperatures, hunger, and thirst were hell.
"Let's go quickly."
Ino urged.
This terrible weather was also a nightmare for girls.
She felt her face was getting tanned.
Hidden Sand Village arranged two rooms for their team.
Ino had a single room, and Naruto and Choji shared one.
After opening the door, Choji immediately lay down on the bed.
Naruto scanned the room; it was very simple.
The walls were made of sand, and besides two beds and a table, there was nothing else.
After all, this wasn't Konoha.
Moreover, the Desert of Illusions was an extremely harsh place belonging to Hidden Sand Village.
Not only were there sandstorms, but also various dangerous Ninja beasts.
A bit boring.
Naruto listened to Choji's snoring and couldn't help but shake his head.
He closed his eyes.
Kagura Minds Eye activated.
Gaara and Fu's Chakra were as enormous and dazzling as the sun.
Other Ninjas were just tiny stars.
Kurama in the Sealing Space noticed his actions and excitedly said, "We're in the desert now, right? How about we go play with Shukaku?"
It had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
Just thinking about beating up Shukaku made the cola in its mouth taste less good.
"No need to rush."
Naruto opened his eyes and said, "This is just the beginning. The match hasn't even started yet. If you beat the supervisor half to death, it will cause trouble."
According to Kurama's plan, Gaara would definitely need to fully transform into his Tailed Beast form, and affecting the Jinchuriki would be unavoidable.
"What are you afraid of?"
Kurama declared loudly, "With our combined strength, what trouble should we fear? The entire Hidden Sand Village isn't enough to fight! This old man can beat ten Shukaku!"
"..."
Naruto felt a bit of a headache.
If only he had known, he shouldn't have given this guy those bizarre movie genjutsu.
"This isn't about being afraid."
"Hmph, you humans are always so hesitant, it's boring. In this world, there's nothing that can't be solved with one punch; if there is, then two punches.]|I{•---» «---•}I|["
"Your body hasn't swelled, but your ego has. Have you forgotten the fear of being dominated by the Sharingan?"
Naruto couldn't help but retort.
"Don't talk nonsense, this old man was just careless!"
Kurama snorted angrily and cut off its connection with Naruto.
In the past, it would have started cursing, but now it felt the need to be reasonable.
Hmm, as the strongest Tailed Beast, getting angry with an ant-like human is unnecessary.
"..."
Uzumaki Clan Sealing Jutsu plus Uchiha Mangekyo Sharingan.
What a fight!
Kurama suddenly realized a problem: the NinjutsuNaruto learned seemed specifically designed to target it.
No, it must be a coincidence!
He's not that kind of person!
Naruto smiled.
Even if the Sharingan was carelessness, you still couldn't escape Wood Release and Adamantine Sealing Chains.
He left the room and knocked on the door of the adjacent room not far away.
"Naruto-kun?"
Hinata's face showed surprise, and she asked, "How did you know I was here?"
Their team arrived earlier, so they hadn't met Team Ten.
"I probably sniffed you out."
Naruto leaned closer to her and smiled, "Hmm, the scent of malt."
"Ah, Naruto-kun, don't joke around."
Hinata's face flushed slightly as she pulled him into the room.
It wouldn't be good if outsiders saw them.
"Let's go out for a walk."
Naruto suggested.
"Okay."
Hinata agreed without hesitation.
Although she had just promised Kurenai Yuhi not to go out casually because the Desert of Illusionswas very dangerous.
Naruto held her hand as they walked in the desert at sunset.
In this scene, he really wanted to recite a poem.
A lone smoke in the vast desert rises straight, the long river's setting sun is round.
A poem he particularly liked in his previous life.
But Hinata wouldn't understand it.
Because translated into Japanese, it would lose its original flavor.
Naruto thought for a moment and said, "Hinata, I'll sing you a song."
Hinata's eyes lit up, and she looked at him expectantly.
She had never heard Naruto sing before.
"...I want to say that you're actually very good, but you don't know it. You're truly good to me, asking for nothing in return. Loving someone, hoping they live better, a warmth from the bottom of my heart, you are more important than myself..."
Hinata tilted her head.
She didn't understand.
Because it was a Chinese song.
But the melody sounded very warm and sweet.
And it was sung beautifully.
"What do the lyrics mean?"
After he finished singing, Hinata asked.
"I'll teach you. It's like learning a foreign language."
Naruto thought of a meme from his previous life.
For Hinata, wasn't it exactly a foreign language?
And there would definitely be a chance to learn it in bed later.
But for now, they had to study in the desert.
By dusk, Hinata had already learned the song "Nuan Nuan."
Just like the song title, her heart felt warm because of the lyrics.
So Naruto-kun knew all along.
She watched the setting sun disappear in the distance, leaned on his shoulder, and softly hummed the tune.
Time became exceptionally beautiful.
However, a few minutes later, a loud noise came from behind them.
Hinata pouted unhappily.
"It seems like Ino and the others."
Naruto's perception was stronger than hers.
He stood up, and sand was truly swirling wildly in the distance.
Hearing Ino's name, Hinata quickly turned her head and activated her Byakugan.
"Ino, Choji, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji-nii are fighting a giant poisonous scorpion."
"Let's go take a look."
Naruto originally wanted to intervene, but since Neji was there, it shouldn't be necessary.
As they approached, the situation of the battle became gradually clearer.
Neji held a katana, moving back and forth across the scorpion's body at extreme speed, searching for a weakness.
Naruto was stunned.
Wasn't that his Enma?
He looked at the Enma in Neji's hand and couldn't help but twitch his lips.
This guy had already mastered Projection Magic to perfection.
It was just that Enma didn't have any special abilities.
He should find time to let Neji meet Uchiha Itachiand copy his sword of totsuka or something similar.
Even if it wasn't exactly the same, achieving seventy or eighty percent of its power would still be extremely formidable.
While Naruto was contemplating, Neji had already found the poisonous scorpion's fatal spot, and Enma pierced straight through its crown.
The poisonous scorpion thrashed around in agony, stirring up another bout of sandstorm.
Just then, Tenten opened a scroll and summoned a giant iron net, covering the poisonous scorpion.
Neji retreated several steps, creating distance.
The poisonous scorpion's convulsions gradually stopped, and it lost its life.
"Why did you guys run out here?"
Naruto walked closer and asked.
"We were hungry."
Ino pressed her stomach and complained, "It's all that greasy fat guy from Grass Hidden Village's fault, he ruined our dinner."
Meanwhile, Choji and Rock Lee next to her were already starving thin.
"Isn't there food right here?"
Naruto pointed at the giant poisonous scorpion on the ground and said.
"Ah, can we eat this thing?"
Ino took a look, showing disgust. It was simply too ugly.
"Of course! Crunchy and delicious, tastes like chicken."
Naruto pulled out Enma and said, "Neji, let's cut it into pieces."
Neji nodded.
For him, eating anything was no big deal.
"Chicken!"
When Choji heard the word "chicken," he immediately came alive. "I want to eat chicken!"
"Ino, check if it's poisonous."
Naruto cut off a piece of meat nearly as tall as himself and said.
"Leave it to me."
Although Ino was a bit disgusted, she was a Ninjaafter all.
"Tenten, summon some cooking utensils."
Naruto added.
"Why are you treating me like a tool too?"
Tenten grumbled while summoning the cooking utensils.
She had excellent talent in Summoning Jutsu and kept a large reserve of miscellaneous items.
With everyone working together, the desert scorpion meat barbecue officially began.
The group chatted and ate.
They completely forgot they had an exam tomorrow.
Naruto recalled that it was similar during his college entrance exams in his previous life, gathering with friends.
"Hinata, see you tomorrow."
After eating, upon returning to the room, Narutowaved at Hinata.
He turned around, closed the door, and appeared directly in front of Sasuke.
A howling wind sounded in his ears.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, stepped back, opened his right hand, and grabbed the incoming fist.
A powerful force suddenly erupted.
The air trembled, and visible shockwaves spread outwards.
But Naruto remained completely still.
He looked at the nearly two-meter-tall young man in front of him and asked, "Are you Jugo?"
Orange hair, orange pupils, plus this height—it was easy to guess his identity.
"Who are you?"
Jugo tried to pull his fist out, but found it impossible.
This indicated that the boy in front of him was far stronger than he was.
"Jugo, he is not an enemy."
Sasuke opened his eyes. The blue snake on his neck vanished. He had just been practicing Sage Mode.
"He is Uzumaki Naruto, my teammate."
"Nice to meet you."
Naruto smiled and released his fist.
Jugo backed away slightly, merely nodding without much reaction.
He only acknowledged Kimimaro and Sasuke.
"I'll leave first."
Jugo glanced at Naruto and said.
"Looks like your subordinate plan is going well."
Naruto withdrew his gaze, walked up to him, and performed a Chakra exchange.
"So-so."
Sasuke replied indifferently.
"How is Orochimaru?"
Naruto was already used to his attitude and asked again, "When is his due date?"
"Yakushi Kabuto said next Monday."
"Oh."
Naruto rubbed his chin. Should he notify Uchiha Itachi?
Never mind, that guy probably wouldn't understand the need to kill.
"Congratulations on becoming an uncle. What are your thoughts?"
"No thoughts."
A black line appeared on Sasuke's forehead.
He didn't think this was worth congratulating at all.
"Cheer up."
Naruto held back his laugh, patted his shoulder, and said, "At least you don't have to worry about the continuation of the Uchiha."
"I never worried."
Sasuke flatly denied it.
Naruto shrugged, said nothing more, and returned to the Hidden Sand Village.
Eight o'clock the next day.
The candidates gathered in the square.
Temari stood on the high platform, explaining the rules for the second stage of the exam.
"...Each team will randomly receive one scroll, divided into Heaven and Earth types. Only by collecting both types of scrolls and reaching the central tower in the Desert of Illusions within the specified time will you pass the second stage of the exam... Next, please welcome the Kazekage for his address."
Gaara appeared.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
Naruto clapped along with the others.
He hoped this guy wouldn't emulate Hiruzen Sarutobi's lengthy speeches and would finish quickly.
It just felt strange without his dark circles.
He was very unaccustomed to it.
Kurama inside him, however, became excited.
It was already anticipating what pose to put Shukaku in for a good round of torment.
"This is the best of times, it is the worst of times... I hope everyone adheres to the Ninja code and avoids unnecessary conflict..."
Gaara spoke about mutual understanding in a cold, clear tone.
Naruto smiled.
After the last Fist of Love, Gaara had been reborn and no longer sought to kill and fight.
Well, the wish was good, but the methods were lacking.
A few minutes later, Gaara paused and said, "The exam officially begins. Please send one person from each team to collect a scroll and sign the contract."
"I'll go!"
Ino ran out.
Choji completely lacked her energy. He glanced at the scorching weather and lamented the suffering.
"It's the Heaven Scroll."
Ino handed the scroll to Naruto.
It was safest for him to keep it.
"Let's go."
Naruto put away the scroll and entered the designated area under the guidance of the Sand Ninja.
A gigantic enclosed desert.
According to the previous agreement with Shikamaru, Naruto would only intervene if Ino and Choji encountered life-threatening danger.
Allowing the two of them to get sufficient training... On the east bank of the Xinming River, there was a riverside town.
It was backed by mountains and bordered by water, making it very prosperous.
And last month, the Langya Pavilion was established here.
The organization, which was originally unknown, had become universally known after being advertised in the ninja world daily.
Especially the Pavilion Master Wuming.
He was even known as the Omniscient Scholar.
On a magnificent pavilion.
Wuming was playing chess with a young man.
"First Prince, your mind is troubled."
"Sir, you are perceptive."
The young man placed a white chess piece, shook his head, and said, "I just find yesterday's events regrettable, failing to bring down the Fujiwara Clan. Otherwise, the Second Brother would surely be weeping bitterly."
"It is normal that you failed to bring them down," Wuming said with a calm expression.
The young man frowned almost imperceptibly, sighed, and said, "Sir, you are right, but I feel that such an opportunity will be hard to find again, as there won't be a second bastard like Oda Nobuaki."
"Then let's change the bargaining chip."
Wuming smiled slightly, placed a black piece, and said, "First Prince, you have lost."
"Hahaha, a good loss!"
The young man paused, then laughed loudly and said, "Please instruct me, Sir!"
"The Hidden Sand Village next door is currently holding the Joint Chunin Exams," Wuming said.
"This has nothing to do with the Fujiwara Clan, right?" the young man asked, confused.
"It doesn't have much connection," Wuming said, looking at him, "but you can make them connected."
"How do you mean?"
"Gaara is thirteen this year, and many people secretly oppose him becoming the Kazekage. If the Fujiwara Clan gets involved with these people, wouldn't that count as colluding with the enemy?"
"It certainly counts, but wouldn't the justification be weak?"
"Don't worry, the justification has already been prepared."
Wuming beckoned, and someone immediately presented a map.
He pointed to the Desert of Illusions and said, "There is a thousand-year-old temple here, rumored to be the temple of Ashura, son of the Six Paths Sage. It is now abandoned and buried underground. But what if the Fujiwara Clanlearned that beneath it lies a treasure that could rival a nation's wealth and change the Land of Fire?"
"He will certainly be tempted."
The young man excitedly pumped his fist. "No one would refuse such power."
"Indeed."
Wuming took out a roll of worn parchment. "I trouble the First Prince to take this treasure map first; the rest can be handled by the Langya Pavilion."
"Thank you, Sir!"
The young man said with emotion, "Sir is immensely talented. If I have you, I can gain the world."
Thanks to Big Shot 'Name Is All Taken' for the reward. P.S.: Last month, I updated 194,000 characters in 30 days, averaging 6,000 characters a day. I hope to achieve the same this month.