Multiversal Wanderer: Starting in Naruto

"Brother Shisui, have you fought against all the Kage before?" Naruto asked with sparkling eyes. Sasuke and Karin leaned in too, visibly curious.

Shisui chuckled. "Not quite. I've only crossed paths with the Raikage and the Kazekage in combat. The Tsuchikage and the Mizukage—I've never fought them directly. The Mizukage has always remained secluded, and Ōnoki... well, he's more of a stubborn old rock that doesn't move unless necessary."

"Then how do you know how strong they are?" Naruto tilted his head, his curiosity not fading.

Shisui smiled faintly. "The Uchiha clan archives hold a lot of information. Ōnoki, for instance, is well-known for mastering one of the most dangerous techniques in the world: Dust Release. He's considered the most talented among a rather unimpressive batch of Tsuchikage bodyguards."

"Dust Release?" Karin asked, puzzled. "What exactly does that mean?"

Shisui plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and balanced it in his palm. "Let me explain. Chakra comes in different natures—wind, fire, earth, water, and lightning. Mastering the nature of a chakra element is one of the steps to becoming a capable jonin. For example, wind chakra has cutting properties."

He focused his chakra, and the leaf sliced cleanly in half. "Fire chakra, on the other hand, has high heat and burning properties. When you combine two chakra natures, it creates a Kekkei Genkai—a bloodline limit. Ice Release, for example, comes from combining wind and water. Lava Release comes from earth and fire."

"But what about Dust Release?" Sasuke asked.

"That's when three chakra natures are fused. Dust Release is a combination of wind, earth, and fire. It's devastating. It doesn't just destroy—it disintegrates. Anything caught in its blast is reduced to atoms. No pain. Just... gone."

Naruto blinked. "So who's stronger—you or the Tsuchikage?"

Shisui laughed. "If I could land a sneak attack, maybe I'd have a chance. But in a head-on battle? Ōnoki's Dust Release is too dangerous. I'm fast, though—faster than him. He can fly, but he can't catch me. Still, I wouldn't want to face him directly."

He then clapped his hands together. "Anyway, now that Naruto's awake, we're heading back to the village. Tazuna's situation is resolved, and you three need to train harder. You're still way too green."

"Also," Shisui looked at Naruto, "I've arranged a teacher for you. He should be arriving in the village soon."

---

Back in Konoha Village…

Near the women's bathhouse, a certain white-haired man crouched behind a wall, peering through a small crack in the wood.

"Still as majestic as ever," Jiraiya muttered, eyes gleaming. "Konoha's bathhouses never disappoint."

Just as he prepared to scribble notes into his little book, a shriek rang out, followed by a flying washbasin slamming into his head. He scrambled away.

"Still got it…" he mumbled as he rubbed the rising bump on his head. "Those old ladies are faster than I remember."

Jiraiya hadn't returned to Konoha in years. During the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he was off traveling the world, searching for the Child of Prophecy foretold by the Great Toad Sage. Because of that, he hadn't been there for Minato... or Kushina.

Now, years later, he was back—invited by Fugaku, the new Hokage and leader of the Uchiha clan. Apparently, Minato's son had grown up and was ready to begin serious training.

He sighed. "Minato... I failed you as a teacher."

As he wandered through the village, reminiscing, a masked man in an Anbu uniform appeared in a flicker.

"You are Jiraiya-sama, correct?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"The Hokage is expecting you."

"Lead the way."

---

In the Hokage's office, Nara Shikaku sat at the desk, buried in paperwork. Uchiha Fugaku, in stark contrast, sipped tea calmly from a nearby chair.

"Long time no see, Jiraiya," Fugaku said with a nod.

Jiraiya grinned. "Yeah, been a while. Last time we met, I think the Third was still dealing with all the council squabbles."

He glanced at Shikaku, eyebrows raised. "Isn't it bad practice for the Hokage to dump all the paperwork on his advisor?"

Fugaku sipped again. "Let professionals do professional work. It's something our ancestors wrote. I simply follow the wisdom."

"You Uchihas sure have gotten cocky."

Fugaku smirked. "You know how it is. Producing two ninja gods tends to inflate expectations."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Speaking of which—Naruto. I got your letter. So he's ready?"

Fugaku nodded. "He's at the age where he needs proper guidance. You're Minato's teacher. I can't think of anyone better."

A long silence stretched between them.

"…I still feel guilty," Jiraiya admitted. "I wasn't there for him when it mattered."

"It wasn't your fault," Fugaku said gently. "No one expected what happened. Don't carry it alone."

"Oh, by the way," Shikaku interjected with a smirk, "about your little bathhouse stunt—you've been fined ten million ryo."

"WHAT!?" Jiraiya exploded. "I was doing research! Literary research! For my novel!"

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "The bathhouse's barrier maintenance isn't cheap. Someone's gotta pay for it."

Grumbling, Jiraiya reached into his wallet. "Tch… stingy Uchiha…"

---

The Next Day…

Naruto met his supposed new teacher—and the sparks flew immediately.

"You've gotta be kidding me! He's my new sensei? He's a perverted geezer!" Naruto shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Jiraiya.

"You brat! I didn't ask to teach a loud-mouthed punk like you either!" Jiraiya shot back, puffing out his chest.

Fugaku facepalmed. "Enough, both of you."

He looked at Naruto seriously. "Jiraiya was your father's master. He may act like a fool, but he's strong—stronger than most."

Naruto's expression fell. "Then why wasn't he there to save my dad? Why didn't he protect him?"

Silence followed.

"I wasn't in the village at the time," Jiraiya said quietly, his voice heavy with regret. "I was off chasing prophecies and destiny... I didn't even know Kushina's seal was weakening. That's my failure. As a master. As a friend."

Naruto's fists clenched, tears gathering in his eyes. "So… it's true. You really weren't there…"

"I'm sorry," Jiraiya said, bowing his head deeply. "I'll carry that guilt for the rest of my life."

Fugaku stepped forward, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"You can't blame Jiraiya alone. I was there... and I still couldn't suppress the Nine-Tails fast enough. That failure is mine too."

Something in Naruto broke, and he started crying—hard. Not out of hatred. Not even anger.

Just grief.

And Jiraiya, seeing the tears, could only grit his teeth and vow silently:

This time, I won't fail again.

-----------

"Lord Kazekage, this is a joint Chunin Exam notice from Konoha," Maki said as she handed over the letter. "They've requested we participate alongside them in this year's exams."

In truth, this notice was mostly a formality. It was Maki's suggestion to send it out of courtesy; Konoha didn't particularly care if Sunagakure joined or not. But since they were nominal allies, it was polite to inform them.

Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, slowly opened his tired eyes and glanced at the letter. Frustration lingered in his expression. Lately, he was under immense pressure. Gaara, freshly sealed with the One-Tail, was growing increasingly unstable and prone to violent outbursts. Keeping him in check had drained Rasa physically and mentally.

To make matters worse, Sunagakure was on the verge of collapse. The Daimyō had drastically cut their funding, and the village, surrounded by barren desert, had nothing of value to trade. If not for Rasa's Magnetic Release technique, which allowed him to extract gold dust from the sand, the village would've gone bankrupt long ago.

How humiliating—Kage by title, gold miner by trade.

Of course, Rasa didn't know that the Mizukage's situation was even worse. But that's a tale for another time.

"Maki," Rasa sighed, "summon Chiyo, Ebizo, and the council. We need to discuss this."

---

Not long after, the elders arrived.

"You called us, Kazekage?" Chiyo asked as she stepped into the room with her brother Ebizo.

Rasa handed her the letter. "Konoha has invited us to participate in the Chunin Exams. Should we attend?"

Chiyo snorted. "Of course, we should. We're allies, aren't we? But let's not forget—Konoha is flourishing while we're struggling. Remember when Sound Village approached us about striking Konoha for profit? I refused then. But now? This is the perfect opportunity."

Chiyo's deep resentment toward Konoha was no secret. Whether for personal loss or battlefield scars, her hatred ran deep. Her son and daughter-in-law had both died at the hands of Konoha's White Fang. Though he had also perished, it didn't ease her bitterness. And with her grandson missing, she harbored no goodwill toward the Leaf.

Rasa frowned. "You think we should align with the Sound Ninja? Can we trust them?"

Chiyo shrugged. "Trust has nothing to do with it. They're just tools. Small villages exist to be used. If they can help us inflict damage on Konoha, then it's worth the risk. Besides, if we hit hard enough, Kumogakure and Iwagakure won't stand idly by. Interests—not alliances—rule the shinobi world."

Ebizo raised a hand, his tone cautious. "Chiyo, don't forget—Konoha is no longer the same. The Uchiha clan leads now. After their battles with the Raikage and two Jinchūriki, it's clear they're a force to be reckoned with. Rasa may have a bloodline limit, but let's be honest—he's not that impressive."

In truth, Ebizo was right. Rasa's strength was closer to Fugaku's son, Itachi, than to any true monster. His Magnet Release sounded dangerous, but when push came to shove, he was easily among the weakest of the Five Kage.

But Chiyo was too far gone.

Rasa, tired and desperate for a win, nodded. "If others are throwing themselves at Konoha, we might as well take a chunk too. Prepare Gaara. We'll need the One-Tail's power when the time comes."

---

In the shadowy depths of the Hidden Sound Village...

"Is it settled?" Orochimaru asked, his voice slithery as ever.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said with a smirk. "Sunagakure agreed to accompany us to Konoha for the exams."

Orochimaru grinned wickedly. "Excellent. Konoha... it's been far too long. Where are we meeting Rasa?"

"Near the Dragon Vein, in the Land of Wind."

"Perfect. Gather the children. We're going to make history."

---

Three days later, near the Dragon Vein.

Rasa stood alone, growing more agitated by the second. He had sent Maki and the others ahead, but he was now impatient.

"A minor village making me wait like this? Unbelievable!"

A voice slithered out from the shadows. "Seems Kazekage-dono is growing restless."

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Rasa barked.

Orochimaru stepped into the open, followed by Kabuto and a pale youth—Kimimaro.

"You bastard... Orochimaru."

Rasa's focus instantly locked onto the Sannin, ignoring the other two entirely. The legend of Orochimaru's cruelty and strength preceded him.

"So it was you pretending to be Sound Ninja?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Pretending? No, I created the Sound Village. It's mine."

Rasa's eyes narrowed. "What are you after? Planning to infiltrate Konoha?"

"Oh no... nothing so grand," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. "I just came for your head."

"You?!"

---

Half a day later, the Fourth Kazekage was dead.

It wasn't a matter of brute strength—Rasa was strong. But Orochimaru had done his homework. With precise intel on Rasa's jutsu and the help of poison and Kimimaro, the battle was over before Rasa realized he was outmatched.

As Orochimaru looked down at the body, he whispered mockingly, "Don't blame me. You wouldn't have survived Konoha anyway. I'm just giving you a quicker death."

To Orochimaru, killing the Kazekage was a convenient side quest. He hadn't planned it but couldn't resist the opportunity.

---

Meanwhile, Jonin Maki, oblivious to her leader's fate, continued guiding the team toward Konoha.

In the Dragon Vein's shadows, Orochimaru's plan was already unfolding.

"Perfect," he said, admiring his new disguise. With the advanced face-erasing technique he'd developed, he had perfectly assumed Rasa's identity.

"Not even the Sandaime would see through this," he murmured smugly.

Back in Konoha, the village buzzed with excitement. The upcoming Chunin Exams were stirring life into every street.

Shisui gathered Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin.

"You're all signed up for the Chunin Exams," he said. "This is your chance to shine. For the next few weeks, it's all training. And Naruto, Jiraiya will be your instructor."

"Even that pervy sage gets to train me?!" Naruto groaned.

Shisui sighed. Naruto's nickname for Jiraiya—"pervy sage"—wasn't exactly wrong, but still…

As someone who followed rules and order, Shisui admired Jiraiya's strength but was constantly mortified by his peeping habits. Were he anyone else, Shisui would've thrown him in jail.

But let's face it—even if he could catch Jiraiya, would anyone actually convict him?

Nope. All it would do is embarrass Jiraiya, the Sannin, the Third Hokage, and the whole damn village.

Shisui never understood it. Why would someone so powerful choose to peep in bathhouses like a perverted teenager?

Fugaku once joked that it was a generational curse—Sarutobi Hiruzen had the same bad habits.

A crooked beam at the top always led to a crooked frame at the bottom.