Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

Fukasaku and Shima, perched on Jiraiya's left and right shoulders, immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath and explained:

"This guy isn't Yahiko at all—he's from the Fuma Clan! I ran into him once before, and the mark on his forehead is from a scratch I gave him during our fight. He's definitely not Nagato!"

A bold guess formed in Jiraiya's heart. He needed to confirm it.

"The people outside…"

Jiraiya clenched his fists. He had to take another look.

"Ma, Pa, I need to go back out there."

Shima gasped in shock. "What?! No!"

Fukasaku shook his head firmly. "Jiraiya-chan, if you go back out now, you'll likely be killed!"

"Run while you still can, before the enemy notices this place!"

Jiraiya looked down at the long-haired man's corpse in front of him. He had a gut feeling that this was the difficult choice the Great Toad Sage had warned him about.

"If I don't go now, we might never have another chance to get this close to discovering Pain's true identity."

He turned to them. "Ma, Pa, please take this body and the intel we've gathered back to Konoha. Let Tsunade know everything."

Fukasaku glanced at Jiraiya before breaking into a small smile. "That's something Ma can do on her own."

Jiraiya was caught off guard. "But—"

Shima turned to Fukasaku. "Be back before dinner."

Fukasaku nodded at her. "After this is over, we'll eat together with Jiraiya-chan."

Shima smiled, nodding in approval.

Jiraiya felt a lump in his throat. Even at this life-or-death moment, Fukasaku was willing to stay by his side.

"Thank you… I can't say it enough…"

---

On the Sea

The five Paths of Pain were still searching for any trace of Jiraiya.

Among them, Asura Path carefully scanned the surroundings.

Beneath the water, a small frog surfaced. As it neared the surface, it opened its mouth, and Jiraiya and Fukasaku emerged, quickly hiding behind a stone structure.

Fukasaku immediately summoned a shuriken and hurled it.

Asura Path, seeing it through the shared vision of the Rinnegan, dodged with ease.

At the same time, the other four Paths of Pain arrived, surrounding Jiraiya completely.

Jiraiya's eyes widened as he took in their faces.

So it's true…

He recognized every single one of them.

He had finally uncovered Pain's true identity.

Just as he was about to speak to Fukasaku, four of the Paths suddenly leaped into the air.

At the same moment, a hand shot up from beneath the water like a ghost, lightning-fast, reaching for Jiraiya's throat.

Their goal was clear—crush Jiraiya's throat before he could reveal the truth.

The airborne Paths each wielded black rods, ready to finish him off.

Right as Asura Path's hand was about to clamp around Jiraiya's throat, a kunai appeared beside him in a flash.

Buzz!

A figure materialized out of thin air, gripping the kunai.

"Rasengan!"

With a roar, the Rasengan slammed into Asura Path, sending it spiraling into the sea.

Deva Path's expression darkened. When did reinforcements arrive?!

The four Paths in the air prepared to strike, but before they could move, a loud buzzing filled the air.

"Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"

A massive, swirling Wind Release technique detonated just above Jiraiya's head.

Deva Path did not let Preta Path absorb it. Instead, he immediately activated Shinra Tensei, repelling the attack straight downward—toward Jiraiya.

The sheer force of the Wind Release created a raging vortex on the sea surface, slicing through the air.

The four airborne Paths were blocked by the aftermath, unable to deliver the final blow to Jiraiya.

It takes time to absorb Ninjutsu. Jiraiya could escape in that time.

So instead of absorbing it, Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to redirect it toward Jiraiya, ensuring his death.

But what Deva Path did not expect—

As the Rasenshuriken exploded, another figure appeared behind Jiraiya.

Grabbing him in one swift motion, the figure disappeared with a buzz before the attack could land.

Boom!

The Wind Release explosion raged across the sea, tearing through the water like a tornado, its sheer force leaving deep scars across the surface.

The four Paths leaped higher into the air, surveying the area.

Deva Path narrowed his eyes. What a powerful Wind Release… Who did this?!

Not far away, Jiraiya, now cradled in a firm grip, looked up in shock.

"Naruto?!!"

Naruto's tears wouldn't stop flowing.

He just kept staring at Jiraiya, unable to speak.

When Jiraiya finally called his name, Naruto snapped back to reality.

His voice trembled as he whispered through his tears—

"From now on… when I buy popsicles… there'll always be someone to share them with."

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