Chapter 076 Be Wary of Jiraiya

Jiraiya stood amidst the crowd, his trademark white hair gleaming brightly under the sunlight. The people of the Land of Waves, filled with gratitude and lively discussion about Naruto, were nearly ready to hail him as their nation’s sole hope. Some were even debating whether to send a letter to the Hidden Leaf Village, requesting Naruto to remain permanently as their leader.

In just over a month, this small fishing village had undergone a dramatic transformation with Naruto’s help, even defeating Gato. If Naruto became the daimyo of the Land of Waves, in another ten years or so, the nation might truly soar. Perhaps the shinobi world could witness the rise of a sixth great nation, a sixth great ninja village, and the birth of a sixth true Kage—Wave Kage?

Listening to these conversations among ordinary people, Jiraiya would have once scoffed at their ignorance. Becoming a Kage was no easy feat. Yet now, Jiraiya found himself seriously pondering—if Naruto were to become the sixth true Kage, what steps would he need to take?

Naruto certainly had the strength, being the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, possessing his own strategic weapon. He had contributed to the ninja world; if he could transform the Land of Waves so thoroughly, he could surely do the same elsewhere. As for political wisdom, even the Third Hokage could not have accomplished more—perhaps even less. And when it came to military might, Naruto’s inventions could elevate ordinary people’s abilities far beyond those of elite ninja trained for over a decade.

Naruto truly seemed capable of becoming the sixth Kage! Or perhaps, with his deep and thoughtful nature, all he had done in the Land of Waves was precisely for this purpose?

Jiraiya’s gaze pierced through the din, past Gato’s lifeless body on the execution ground, and settled upon Naruto, who stood calmly beside the judgment platform. This child—how to describe him? Was he anything like his father?

Jiraiya recalled his bright, sun-like student, Minato Namikaze. After careful consideration, he realized Minato never possessed Naruto’s talents—not just at Naruto’s current age, but even until Minato’s death. Minato might have been a hero, able to defeat Gato and the Mist ninja and save the Land of Waves. But he could never have garnered such widespread acclaim among the people, nor rallied so many allies.

This child far surpasses his father! But Naruto, what is it that you truly seek? Jiraiya watched Naruto’s profile, quietly contemplating.

At that moment, Naruto was dividing spoils with several major shareholders. The items seized from Gato’s company were of immense value—roughly estimated, their worth exceeded the Hidden Leaf’s annual mission commission income. After reserving funds for the Land of Waves’ development and compensating Gato’s victims, each participant received a staggering sum. And that was only the cash—the other assets left by Gato had yet to be liquidated. Naruto even discovered a special fund that hadn't been transferred; Gato’s logs indicated it was intended as tribute to the Hidden Mist Village. Naturally, Naruto accepted it, depositing it straight into the Uzushio Village’s account.

The first step in developing the Land of Waves had left everyone more than satisfied, thoroughly content. Especially Hiashi Hyuga, who found Naruto increasingly pleasing to the eye. He even begrudged the fact that he had a son rather than a daughter; otherwise, the position of Naruto’s father-in-law would have been his, not his brother’s. The other two clans likewise regretted not having a suitable, eligible daughter to forge such a valuable connection through marriage.

Putting aside other concerns, everyone engaged warmly with Naruto. Kakashi, the most familiar with Naruto, shamelessly abandoned any pretense of being a Jonin or a Kage-level ninja, openly declaring his intent to cling to Naruto.

“I can live comfortably and enjoy material wealth without effort—why should I work harder?” Kakashi said with conviction, and Sasuke wholeheartedly agreed. Seeing the nearly astronomical balance in his account, Sasuke felt he could ignore the meager earnings from ninja missions, focus on acquiring assets, and finally devote himself to finding a wife and reviving the Uchiha clan.

Sensing a unique gaze upon him, Naruto’s spiritual machinery and Sage Senses swept the surrounding area. Following the direction of that gaze, Naruto turned to see a head of distinctive white hair, a forehead protector with the oil kanji, and a striking red battle coat.

That must be… Jiraiya? One of the Legendary Sannin, also a student of the Third Hokage, famously known as the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, the gallant Jiraiya who could stop children from crying at night.

Naruto pondered. He had long heard this name, familiar and etched in his heart.

Orochimaru had mentioned him many times, calling him an idiotic pervert, a troublesome fool. Orochimaru had said he planned to hold a grand, luxurious funeral for the Third Hokage, but wanted to exclude Jiraiya, out of fear. Kakashi’s favorite book, “Make-Out Paradise,” listed Jiraiya as its author. Moreover, in Naruto’s own investigations into his father, Minato Namikaze, he learned that Jiraiya had been Minato’s teacher.

In that other world, through many meditations, Naruto had unearthed his deepest memories and wounds. He recalled memories from his birth—when, as an infant, his vision and hearing were undeveloped, so everything appeared blurred and indistinct. Only after repeated introspection did Naruto finally piece together those memories: a blond man holding a red-haired woman, shielding him, both their chests and abdomens pierced by enormous claws. The red-haired woman, crying, spoke many words to Naruto—every sentence was a loving admonition.

Naruto had previously guessed that this scene was his parents’ final words before death. After returning to the Hidden Leaf and investigating his origins, he found photos of his parents, confirming that the memory was indeed their dying advice.

Whenever Naruto felt lonely, he would replay those memories in his mind. Each time he did, a bittersweet sensation would well up deep inside. One admonition stood out most vividly, surfacing as he caught sight of that white-haired face in the crowd:

“The key issue among the three taboos is women. Mommy is a woman, so she doesn’t fully understand, but remember—there are only men and women in this world.

You will be interested in women, but you must never let yourself be bewitched by strange women. Look for someone like Mommy.

Also, speaking of the three taboos, there’s one more thing.

Be extra careful around your teacher, ‘Jiraiya.’”