In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

"You…" Jiraiya suddenly sobered up and broke out in a cold sweat, "Is that really what you're thinking?"

"Thinking what?"

"Immortality?" Jiraiya's expression turned serious.

"Not interested." Naruto waved his hand, "I'm still young, I was just talking casually. Oh, by the way, I'm not very interested in Ninjutsu either."

Naruto really wasn't interested in immortality at all. After all, he was an outsider in this world. Death had already come and gone for him, and he had little fear of it. He'd already died once, so there wasn't much to be afraid of.

Besides, Naruto knew the origin of Ninjutsu came from the Otsutsuki Clan. So Orochimaru's pursuit of immortality was futile, unless he could possess the body of an Otsutsuki and continuously reincarnate through their Kama seals.

Sasori's puppet core and Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation technique proved that a Shinobi's consciousness could be transferred much like the Ōtsutsuki's Kama seals.

The path to immortality involved abandoning the human body and gradually evolving into an Otsutsuki. But even the Otsutsuki weren't truly immortal. And there is a higher god at the end of the Otsutsuki.

Asura and Indra were just the obedient sons of the Otsutsuki. The end of the road for their Ninjutsu is to become an alien species like the Otsutsuki and then wandered into the void of space.

Naruto had already seen the end of Ninjutsu, and with his system constantly enhancing his abilities, he had naturally transcended beyond it. Immortality? He didn't even care much about Ninjutsu anymore, let alone living forever.

As the saying goes, 'Who stands at the pinnacle of Ninjutsu? Once one sees the system, their way would become empty.'

No matter how strong they are, the system would continue to level him up until he crushed anything in his way.

Jiraiya, looking at Naruto, sighed, "Although wanted to remind you not to follow Orochimaru's path, but your outlook is... a bit too pessimistic."

"There's nothing wrong with being a bit pessimistic. Not everyone's obsessed with getting stronger. If I were more ambitious, Pervy Sage, you probably wouldn't even see me anymore."

Naruto paused deliberately and spoke in a low voice.

"Whether you're looking for the Child of Prophecy or taking on a new disciple, that's your business. Just don't drag me into it. To be honest with you, Pervy Sage, I don't really believe in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy."

"You don't believe it? Do you know how long the Great Toad Sage has lived?" Jiraiya took another sip of sake, "His prophecies have never been wrong."

"Just because someone has lived a long time, does that make him right?" Naruto showed a disdainful expression on his face. He looked around to see if there was anyone around, and lowered his voice again, "Make him live a second lifetime, then I'll believe him."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Jiraiya stretched out his hand and flicked Naruto on the forehead, "Don't look at the Great Toad Sage's appearance that his time is approaching, he might be able to outlive you."

"Tsk, what's the use of comparing a man to a toad?"

Naruto said as he stood up and looked towards the sliding door.

"Pervy Sage, who knows, maybe one day we really could live a second life. There is still a lot of time, so don't be too sure. However, some people are destined not to live to that time."

"Let's go. To the Land of Rain."

Naruto called out. But when Jiraiya remained silent behind him, Naruto turned around to see him deep in thought, caught in some internal struggle.

"What now? Changing your mind again?" Naruto said with a frown.

"No, no. Are you hungry? Should we find somewhere to grab a bite first?" Jiraiya asked.

"I not… huh?" Naruto noticed something off and rubbed his chin, "You didn't... order something weird, did you?"

"How... how could I..."

In the end, Naruto, with a cold smile, forcefully dragged Jiraiya along, 'What a joke… You want to delay for a whole day over something like that? I couldn't wait even a moment longer, and wanted to pull out Nagato's oxygen tube right away.'

So, the old and the young master and disciple hurried on their way.

Jiraiya sighed repeatedly along the journey, and Naruto's ears were callused from listening to him. He thought to himself, 'This old man is so annoying. Didn't I just interrupt his collection of materials? Was it necessary to be like this?'

"Pervy Sage, I didn't mind you collecting materials for your book, but it's too much to choose the proprietress of the brothel as your material." Naruto finally couldn't stand it anymore and said, "No matter the era, that kind of behavior is pretty outrageous."

"What do you know, you brat?" Jiraiya muttered, "Stay out of grown-up business."

"Fine, Pervy Sage. Right now, we're technically still master and disciple, but considering that my strength is now on par with yours, you should probably show me a little more respect."

Naruto sneered and said unceremoniously.

"When we reach the Land of Rain, and I end up saving you, we'll both acknowledge that I deserve the title of Naruto-sama."

"Dream on! I haven't even used one ten-thousandth of my ability as the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku. How can a mere Genin… Wait, are you a Chunin or still a Genin?"

"I'm already a Chunin."

"Oh, okay, a mere Chunin has no right to make such bold claims!"

"I've already taken down four members of the Akatsuki." Naruto shot back, "By the time you, an old man in your fifties, take action, the whole situation will be over."

"Whether the Shinobi World is in chaos or not still depends on me." Naruto declared smugly.

"Arrogant!" Jiraiya felt a chill on his face.

"Don't worry about whether I'm arrogant or not. Just don't get in my way when I go after the leader of the Akatsuki."

"Why would I get in your way? You're talking nonsense." Jiraiya said with a slight smile on his face, feeling inexplicably relaxed.

Over the past few decades, Jiraiya had mentored several disciples. There are stunning disciples like the Yondaime Hokage, and there are also tenacious disciples like Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko.

However, the it was this mischievous, cheeky disciple, Naruto, who resonated with him the most. Minato, Nagato Yahiko and Konan Konan had all been too serious.

Naruto, however, was just like him. In fact, they felt more like friends than master and student. As people grow older, it becomes harder to find someone to talk to.

It takes about two days to travel from the Land of Hot Water to the Land of Rain.

Jiraiya was not like Yamato who did things in a methodical manner. He wasn't in any hurry. Before sunset, they found a small town and settled down for the night.