Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

Iruka was indeed irreplaceable during Naruto's childhood. In the original story, Iruka, along with the others in Konoha, hated the "Demon Fox" because of the death of his parents, and this hatred was naturally carried over to Naruto, who was a Jinchūriki.

However, under the guidance of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Iruka became the first shackle that suppressed the evil in Naruto's heart.

In a world without Iruka, Hiruzen Sarutobi did send other characters like Iruka to contact Naruto, but these replacements ultimately failed to achieve the same complete acceptance of the "Demon Fox" as Iruka, and to treat Naruto and Kurama as two different individuals.

But the substitute that cannot replace Iruka is ultimately just a trigger, and the trigger still has room to choose the outcome.

"Because Danzo Shimura wanted me dead."

This is the real reason why Naruto defected from Konoha.

He didn't transmigrate into anyone else's body, but into Naruto Uzumaki. If he could truly live according to the original storyline, becoming the Seventh Hokage would obviously be a better choice than being a rogue ninja who's a pariah.

If he likes Hinata, of course he can express his feelings to this eldest daughter of the main family.

If he liked Sakura, he could have done nothing but agree to date her when she made a fake confession. Given Sakura's determination at the time—she was even prepared to assassinate Sasuke alone—if Naruto gave in, Sakura would naturally have truly given up on Sasuke.

Knowing what the future holds is wonderful, isn't it? Being able to freely choose the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is blissful, isn't it?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gentle tactics against Naruto failed time and time again, which made Danzo Shimura, who had been watching this, unable to suppress his ambition any longer.

Like Iruka, who perished in the Nine-Tails' attack, Shimura Danzo's hawkish mindset and contempt for the human rights of Jinchuriki led him to deviate from the original story's trajectory. He couldn't wait to harm Naruto when Naruto was still a student at the Ninja Academy.

It was only after confirming Danzo's involvement that Naruto made the decision to defect from Konoha.

"The Konoha leadership twice tried to take my life. In your eyes, the only way I can be considered to possess the 'Will of Fire' is to stick my neck out and accept my fate and wait to die, right?"

"Naruto, Danzo's actions were wrong."

“The pain inflicted on others cannot be soothed by simply saying ‘it was a mistake’.”

Jiraiya's tone became less aggressive, but admitting his mistakes was meaningless, and there was no price to pay for even repenting.

This proves that Danzo still holds a high position in Konoha.

His extreme personal decisions led to Konoha losing the Nine-Tails.

Everyone in Konoha said he was wrong, and Jiraiya and Tsunade constantly monitored and feared him, but that was all.

From Konoha's perspective, everything Danzo did was for Konoha's sake. Although his actions were "wrong," the starting point that led to these actions was "right."

Where in the world is there such a ridiculous notion of "merits and demerits canceling each other out"?

The so-called conflict between Tsunade and Danzo is nothing more than a difference in political ideology, a check and balance between radicals and moderates; they are essentially the same kind of people.

They value Konoha more than anything else, and would sacrifice everyone in Konoha if it could be protected.

However, the original purpose of Konoha was to protect its important family, friends, and loved ones. It was these important people who gave Konoha its meaning.

Konoha today has completely reversed its priorities.

Jiraiya fell silent. He already knew Naruto's thoughts. Naruto Uzumaki was undoubtedly Konoha's enemy.

"Naruto, I will kill you right here."

Ending everything through conversation is ultimately just wishful thinking.

Jiraiya chose the current Konoha, and with his hands forming hand seals, his overflowing killing intent surged toward Naruto.

"You can't do it."

The kunai slipped from Naruto's sleeve into his hand, and Naruto threw the kunai, which was engraved with the Flying Thunder God mark.

coming!

Jiraiya focused intently on dealing with Naruto's attacks.

But suddenly, the Flying Thunder God Kunai, which originally numbered only one, filled Jiraiya's field of vision in an overwhelming manner.

Flying Thunder God Kunai: Shadow Clone Technique!

These kunai filled the entire barrier, making it impossible for Jiraiya to predict Naruto's next attack direction!

But that wasn't the worst of it. The next moment, a deep darkness spread from Naruto's body—it was a genjutsu that could steal all light and plunge all beings into the abyss of darkness, the Dark Travel Technique!

"Little Jiraiya!"

Fukasaku, the toad, whispered a reminder in Jiraiya's ear.

Jiraiya, with his rich combat experience, reacted immediately to the situation of being deprived of his sight.

A transparent, circular barrier radiated outwards from Jiraiya, who was the caster of the spell.

Barrier - Heavenly Canopy Magic Array!

Once Naruto approaches Jiraiya in an attempt to attack, Jiraiya can immediately sense and detect Naruto within the barrier's range and react accordingly!

Deprived of his sight, Jiraiya awaits Naruto's initiative!

"Here it is!!!"

Jiraiya waved his right hand, which contained a compressed mass of chakra mixed with Sage Chakra, spinning at high speed.

Immortal method·Rasengan!

However, Naruto, who appeared beside Jiraiya using the Flying Thunder God Technique, was using the same ninjutsu as Jiraiya!

"He can also use Sage Mode! Could it be that he has a natural Sage Body like the First Hokage?!"

Standing on Jiraiya's left shoulder, Gamashima, with his powerful sensory abilities, was utterly shocked.

Naruto actually countered Jiraiya's Sage Art: Rasengan with the same technique!

Master and disciple.

Rasengan against Rasengan!

"hateful!"

The two Rasengans collided, and although for a moment they seemed to make no difference, Jiraiya, as one of the casters, knew very well the actual situation.

If it weren't for Fukasaku and Shima replenishing Jiraiya's Sage Chakra through Sage Art: Rebirth Technique, Jiraiya's mastery of Sage Mode would have been far inferior to Naruto's!

"Leave it to me!"

Also sensing the difference in the quality of Sage Chakra between Jiraiya and Naruto, Gamashima opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue, preparing to use its extremely long tongue to bind Naruto while Jiraiya could still use Rasengan to counter Naruto's Rasengan!

If we capture Naruto, the Dark Travel Technique can be dispelled!

Now that his vision has been taken away, Jiraiya will find it difficult to gain an advantage in the battle.

However, Jiraiya, who should have been able to hold out longer in his ninjutsu duel with Naruto, suddenly found himself at a complete disadvantage!

His Rasengan—disappeared!

It's that Sharingan!!

Jiraiya was well aware of Naruto's Sharingan's abilities, including Kamui, which could absorb even ninjutsu!

Kamui absorbed Jiraiya's Sage Art: Rasengan!

"Oops!!!"

Jiraiya subconsciously used his chakra to activate his long hair to defend his vital parts!

But his judgment was wrong!

Naruto's Rasengan wasn't aimed at Jiraiya at all, but at the Toad Sage on Jiraiya's shoulder.

"The child's mother!!!"

The toad let out a deep, sorrowful cry.

Gamashima, who initiated the attack on Naruto, became the target of Naruto's Rasengan.

The Rasengan infused with Sage Chakra is far more powerful than the regular Rasengan.

When Naruto's Sage Mode Rasengan hit Gamashima, Gamashima died instantly, and the powerful rotation of the Rasengan couldn't even leave Gamashima with a complete corpse.

Jiraiya's Sage Mode is most dangerous to Naruto than the Sage Art: Magical Toad Song by the two Toad Sages.

At least one of the two toads must be eliminated before they use their toad singing.

This is another example of the significant benefits that intelligence gaps bring in actual combat.

As for Jiraiya, Naruto has other methods of attack.

However, just as Naruto was about to continue his attack, he heard the sound of wooden clogs clattering together.

Jiraiya also used his feet to make handprints!

Naruto decisively abandoned the pursuit and immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave Jiraiya's side.

However, as long as Naruto is still inside the "Toad Prison" barrier, even the Flying Thunder God Technique will not be able to dodge Jiraiya's attack this time!

The countless needles don't need to be specifically aimed at Naruto, so it doesn't matter if his vision is taken away by the Dark Travel Technique, because as long as there are enough needles to cover the entire barrier, Naruto will definitely be hit by these needles.

This is a ninjutsu that Jiraiya used hardened hair as a senbon (thousand needles) to shoot out. After being fused with Sage Chakra, it became Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon, which is more powerful and faster in attack!

That's how it should be—but even the hardest needle is still just a hair.

The acrid smell of burning hair rushed into Jiraiya's nostrils.

Then, a wave of intense heat hits you!

Then Jiraiya saw a bright red flame!

It's Fire Release!

The enormous fireball burned away the thousands of needles and hurtled towards Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was all too familiar with this fire-style technique; it was the Great Fireball Technique created by the Uchiha clan!

Unexpectedly, Sasuke even taught Naruto this technique, and the power of Naruto's Great Fireball Technique even surpassed that of all the Uchiha that Jiraiya had ever seen!

No! Wait!

Why has my vision returned to normal?!

If the needles hadn't hit Naruto, the Dark Travel Technique should have continued to work, but now the Dark Travel Technique has completely disappeared; Naruto must have actively canceled the technique.

There was no time to guess Naruto's thoughts, because the next moment Naruto appeared in front of Jiraiya even faster than the Fireball Jutsu!

It's Flying Thunder God again!

Jiraiya was certain that Naruto hadn't branded him with the Flying Thunder God mark—it was Shima Sage's corpse!!

Jiraiya quickly came to a conclusion.