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The next morning, Minato, Kushina, and Naruto stood at the village gates to see Jiraiya off.
In truth, Jiraiya had planned to slip away quietly, but in the end, he couldn't refuse their heartfelt farewell.
"Are you really leaving, Jiraiya-sensei?"
"Haha, honestly, I should've left a long time ago. Minato, you're my proudest student. To see you come this far it makes me incredibly happy. The Great Toad Sage said you'd become an unprecedented Hokage, and he wasn't wrong. No one could've done it better."
"My dream was always to travel across the ninja world. It's finally time to embark on a journey for myself not to chase some prophecy or destiny, but just for me."
"Thank you for everything you've taught me," Minato said, no longer trying to dissuade him. After all, with how things were now, Jiraiya could just buy a teleportation pass and come back anytime he wanted.
Kushina asked, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Tsunade?"
Jiraiya paused, then smiled. "She's probably still sound asleep. I said my goodbyes yesterday—we drank quite a bit. This way's fine. It's better this way."
Naruto thought for a moment and said, "Pervy Sage, if you get a chance, visit Nagato and Konan. They're doing pretty well, living in your little frog hut."
"Alright."
Jiraiya looked deeply in the direction of the village before slinging his pack over his shoulder and striding off.
"Farewell."
"Man... staying in one place too long really does make it hard to leave again," he murmured once out of sight.
He slapped his cheeks, struck what he thought was a heroic pose—one hand on his hip, the other pointing to the sky—and declared, "Alright! The gallant Jiraiya's new journey begins now!"
"Tch. Still a fool after all these years," came Orochimaru's voice from nearby.
"Huh?" Jiraiya blinked, caught off guard.
Then Tsunade's voice followed. "Before you set off, how about a drink with some old friends?"
Jiraiya looked at the two of them and broke into a grin. "Sounds great."
The three sat right there on the roadside. Tsunade pulled out a sake flask and three cups from who-knows-where and poured them each a drink.
They clinked their cups and downed the sake in one gulp.
Along with the alcohol, years of grudges and pain faded away—leaving only the warmth of friendship behind.
Jiraiya refilled their cups and asked, "So, what are your plans from here?"
"I'll stay in the village—consider it atonement. And honestly, I've found some things that interest me," Orochimaru said, a glimmer in his eyes. "Science is fascinating—it feels limitless. There's so much I want to explore."
Jiraiya chuckled. "If Sarutobi-sensei could hear you now, he'd probably be proud."
Tsunade added, "Speaking of which, that orphan boy, Kabuto, keeps hanging around your lab, doesn't he?"
"He's quite talented," Orochimaru replied. "He's my assistant now. I intend to pass on everything I've learned—my jutsu, my research."
Tsunade smirked. "Anko's going to cry."
"She's not suited to follow in my footsteps," Orochimaru said simply, raising his cup and draining it.
Jiraiya turned to Tsunade. "What about you?"
Tsunade glanced at him. "Making money. Paying off debts."
Even Orochimaru was surprised. "Didn't you already pay them off?"
"I did," she said nonchalantly. "But now that travel's easier, it's also easier to sneak off to the casinos."
"..." Jiraiya and Orochimaru clinked cups. "Figures."
"Haha!"
When the sake was gone, the three stood. Jiraiya slung his pack back on. "Guess this is where we part. Oh, by the way, Orochimaru—Tsunade and I built a grave for you in the woods nearby after you 'died.' Someone must've flattened it, but I was gonna take you to see it. Such a waste, haha!"
"Is that so?" Orochimaru smirked. A small snake slithered from the ground and bit Jiraiya's calf before returning to Orochimaru.
"Hey, what was that for!?" Jiraiya cried.
Orochimaru turned and waved. "That snake is venomous. You'll be dead in ten minutes. Might as well use that grave."
"Don't walk away, you bastard! Give me the antidote!" Jiraiya dropped to the ground, leg numb.
"Heh." Tsunade laughed. These two never changed.
Jiraiya, perhaps playing it up, grabbed Tsunade's leg, eyes brimming. "Save me, Tsunade!"
"Let go!" She struggled to shake him off. "One million ryo."
"Why not just rob me!?"
"I am robbing you."
Jiraiya groaned. "Fine!"
Five minutes later, Jiraiya was back on his feet. "Alright, I'm going now."
"Mm-hmm."
"I really am leaving."
"Go ahead."
"Why are you following me?"
"I have a creditor in that direction. Just travelling with you for a bit."
"Uh... okay."
"You're paying for the food and lodging."
"Sure."
"And my gambling money."
"Got it."
"Let me punch you once."
"Wha—why?"
"My hands are itchy."
…
"Tsunade-sama really left, huh," Shizune sighed after finishing her work, petting Tonton.
"Oink~" Tonton snuggled into her arms. Truth be told, the pig wasn't feeling safe lately—Naruto once said it hadn't grown in three years and maybe it was time to roast it…
"Yeah, said she was off to repay debts," Sakura added, stretching. With Tsunade gone, the medical corps was fully in their hands now, and there were plenty of patients coming from other villages. Konoha's hospital was even planning to open branches abroad.
Shizune grumbled, "Funny how she's suddenly so eager to repay debts. Jiraiya-sama leaves, and she bolts too—leaving all the work to us, as usual."
"Haha..." Sakura chuckled awkwardly.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Shizune stopped complaining and tidied her desk. "That's it for today. Time to clock out."
"Yup." Sakura grabbed a small basket and followed her out.
At the hospital entrance, a silver-haired man leaned coolly against the wall, raising a hand in greeting. "Yo."
"Kakashi?"
"Kakashi-sensei?"
Sakura looked between them and teased, "Wow, Shizune-senpai, someone's here just to pick you up~"
Shizune gently swatted her. "Oh, hush. Aren't you off to see your Sasuke?"
"W-What do you mean 'my Sasuke'? Don't say weird things!"
Shizune pointed at the basket in Sakura's hands. "Really? Then what's that you secretly made during work hours? Careful, I might dock your pay."
"You're just trying to get rid of me!" Sakura bolted, laughing. "I'll leave you two alone!"
Kakashi naturally walked alongside Shizune. "What was in the basket?"
"Specially made soldier pills. Sakura worked hard to perfect the formula—zero side effects."
"Why now? There aren't many combat missions lately."
Shizune smiled. "Sasuke's working at the energy company. I heard he's trying to outperform the Hidden Cloud, saying, 'There's no way Lightning Release belongs only to the Land of Lightning!' He's pushing himself too hard, and Sakura's worried."
The Uchiha clan—be it with Fire Release or Lightning Release—always powers up for love.
Kakashi imagined it and sighed. "That does sound like him."
"How about you? Didn't Guy challenge you to a match again today?" Shizune asked, a little exasperated.
Guy was a good person—but absolutely terrible at reading the room. Sometimes when she and Kakashi were on a quiet walk, Guy would suddenly leap in with a flying kick, yelling something about 'the fires of youth.'
Kakashi chuckled. "Well, thanks to Kimimaro, we might be free from that going forward."
"Kimimaro? What did he do?"
"Oh, he lured Guy, Lee, and those three other hotheads—Gen, Daiki, and Jiro—away. Said he'd found some strong opponents and wanted to spar."
Shizune suddenly remembered a certain place's tradition. "Wait... don't tell me... it's Nadeshiko Village?"
"Haha~" Kakashi grinned mischievously. Then he pulled out two tickets. "Killer Bee's concert. Want to check it out?"
"Sure!"
The two stepped onto a Flying Thunder God transport seal and arrived in the Land of Demons.
As they made their way to the venue, they saw the massive crowd, shoulder to shoulder.
"So many people," Shizune marvelled. "No wonder he's a world-famous rapper."
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, never thought that guy had it in him. I heard his hits 'Little Bowl Ramen' and 'Duck, You Ugly' were inspired by Naruto."
"Wait, Naruto has musical talent too?" Shizune glanced into the crowd—and did a double take. "Naruto? No... that's Lord Fourth!"
Kakashi followed her gaze and waved. "Minato-sensei?"
"Hm? Kakashi, Shizune," Minato greeted them, a bottle of soy sauce in hand.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What're you doing?"
Minato smiled. "Just picking up some soy sauce. Also handled that whole 'Moryo' thing while I was at it."
"M-Moryo…" Shizune felt the word didn't match the casual tone. That was the monster that required generations of shrine maidens to seal. Yet, for Minato, it seemed easier than grocery shopping.
"You two enjoy the concert. I'll be heading home—Kushina's waiting to start cooking."
Shizune was still processing as Kakashi nodded and guided her toward the venue.
Meanwhile, Minato returned home. "I'm back!"
"What took you so long?" Kushina asked, still holding a ladle.
"Ran into a little trouble," he said, stepping into the kitchen. "Where's Naruto?"
"He just left—said he predicted a meteor shower tonight and asked Hinata to watch with him."
"A meteor shower? You can predict those?"
"Who knows. Maybe Orochimaru invented something again."
…
Hinata wore a crimson cheongsam and waited quietly beneath the swing at the Academy gate.
"I ended up coming too early… but watching a meteor shower together... it's so romantic..."
Buzz
A white-haired, white-robed figure appeared, floating in midair. "Hinata."
"Who are you?" Hinata took a defensive stance, eyes sharp.
"My name is Toneri. I've come for you, Princess of the Byakugan."
"I don't know you."
"No matter. You are the most suitable candidate to be my wife. Soon the moon will fall, and Earth will be destroyed. But together, we can rebuild and create the perfect world."
Hinata's gaze turned icy. "No. This world is already my perfect world. And I will become Naruto-kun's wife. Don't speak such nonsense."
"You simply lack perspective. That Naruto… he's an insect before me. I could crush him effortlessly. Come with me—it's the best future for you."
"So… you want to kill Naruto-kun?" Hinata's aura shifted. Her eyes gleamed with pure blue light. White chakra robes and ribbons flowed around her.
"This power...!" Toneri faltered. This wasn't part of the script!
"Anyone who wants to hurt Naruto-kun… is unforgivable!" Golden light exploded from her palm.
"Truth-Seeking Palm: Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
Boom! Golden chakra surged like a pillar piercing the heavens, slamming into Toneri. He vanished without a trace—unable to even scream.
Sensing the disruption, Naruto arrived instantly. "Hinata? What happened?"
Hinata returned to normal. "Just dealt with a nuisance."
They strolled off together, chatting about what just happened.
"Ohhh… that was Toneri?" Naruto finally realized. "Well done, Hinata! With him gone, we don't need to worry about the moon crashing down. Guess it's time to revisit the moon landing plan…"
But that could wait. Naruto brought Hinata to the Valley of the End. Why there?
Everyone knew—the Valley of the End was the unofficial marriage registry for Leaf shinobi. Hashirama and Madara were the first to mark their vows there, complete with statues.
Okay, maybe that part was a joke. But the view was perfect, and no one would interrupt them.
Atop Hashirama's statue, Hinata nestled into Naruto's arms.
"Naruto-kun, how did you know there'd be a meteor shower tonight?"
Naruto smiled mysteriously. "You'll see. Should be starting… now."
"Mm."
…
Far away, outside the range of Hinata's Byakugan and Tenseigan—
Matatabi, Son Gokū, Kokuō, and Gyūki sat around, sulking as they gathered giant boulders.
A small white fox floated above them, barking orders like a foreman. "Time's up! Are you guys ready or not?"
Gyūki grumbled, "Why are we even doing this?"
The fox smirked. "Because you lost the bet. Sore losers don't get to complain!"
"Let's just finish up and go home," Matatabi muttered.
"Here we go!" Kokuō rolled a massive stone and headbutted it skyward.
The fox waved its black staff, coating the rock in Storm Release and making it glow. Then, just to be sure, it added repulsion force to keep it flying.
One by one, the tailed beasts joined in—creating a brilliant meteor shower over the Valley of the End.
"So beautiful…" Hinata whispered, eyes full of wonder. She quickly closed them and made a wish.
After a moment, she opened her eyes and nudged Naruto. "You haven't made your wish yet!"
Naruto already knew what was going on… but unable to resist her urging, he closed his eyes and made a random wish:
"I wish… my best bro could experience what it's like to travel through worlds too..."
The moment the words left his lips, Naruto froze.
Wait a second…
Years ago, the Great Toad Sage had made two prophecies.
The first: Minato will become an unprecedented Hokage.
That had already come true.
The second: Naruto will one day make a ridiculous wish… and it will come true.
Naruto looked up at the sky, a cold sweat running down his back.
"…No way. Right?"
(The End)
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