Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

During these past few days of the Chunin Exams, all sorts of big and small events have come crashing down on Team 7.

Sakura wasn't sure if Naruto still remembered their previous agreement.

Naruto turned to look at Sakura. He had forgotten about it, but now he had to remember it again.

Naruto was hesitating whether to refuse, but Jiraiya had already made the choice for him.

"Little girl, you're a ninja who's made it to the Chunin Exams finals, why are you asking Naruto, who was eliminated halfway through, to help you train? One of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, is right here! I can help you train before the finals, and of course! I'll also get Naruto to come along!"

Jiraiya winked at Sakura, but the main point of his monologue was actually the last sentence that mentioned Naruto's name.

However, since Jiraiya had promised to help Sakura train for a period of time, he wouldn't just give it a perfunctory answer.

Naruto was somewhat exasperated by Jiraiya's unilateral decision, but he also understood the logic behind Jiraiya's actions.

The benefits of Naruto's disguise over the years are now becoming apparent.

In Jiraiya's view, Naruto was a ninja who was ostracized by the village and should have fallen into darkness, but in the end he suddenly realized his mistakes, embraced the light again, and understood the Will of Fire.

Since becoming a genin, he has shed his reputation as a loser under Kakashi's tutelage and has always cared for his comrades during numerous ninja missions.

Moreover, Naruto's dream is to become Hokage, making him the perfect, upright, and outstanding Konoha ninja template by all accounts.

Based on Jiraiya's analysis of Naruto's information, Naruto didn't seem to have much interest in becoming Jiraiya's disciple.

However, if Jiraiya were to help Sakura, who is also a member of Team 7 with Naruto's training for the Chunin Exams at this time, he would definitely get closer to Naruto and gain Naruto's favor.

At this moment, Jiraiya once again proposed to teach Naruto... Naruto's attitude would certainly not be as firm in his refusal as before.

"Naruto, besides Summoning Jutsu and Rasengan... I have other things I can teach you."

Jiraiya spoke in a mysterious tone.

Naruto didn't answer, and Jiraiya didn't seem to mind, continuing in a tone that assured Naruto he wouldn't refuse:

"I can also teach you sealing techniques. Besides this little girl named Sakura, your other ninja teammate is that brat from the Uchiha clan named Uchiha Sasuke, right? The Uchiha clan is very good at fire-style techniques, and I have sealing techniques that can seal fire-style techniques! I'm also very good at other sealing techniques!"

"Think about it, even though you failed in the Chunin Exams, after you stunningly defeated Sasuke with my sealing technique, Sakura must have fallen for you—what kind of look is that? Didn't you notice her excessive affection for you, beyond that of a normal comrade? —That's why I say kids like you who don't understand romantic feelings have no charm whatsoever—Let me tell you, when I was your age, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, was head over heels in love with me…no, what kind of look is that? Don't listen to the rumors, Tsunade loved me but couldn't have me, let me tell you—"

"Please don't tell me that I have absolutely no interest in your love story with Tsunade."

Naruto was too lazy to listen to Jiraiya's fabricated stories about the three legendary Sannin, but he was somewhat tempted by Jiraiya's teachings on sealing techniques.

The sealing technique Jiraiya mentioned for sealing fire-style techniques must be the Fire Sealing Seal, a technique capable of sealing even Amaterasu's black flames.

Even if he keeps refusing Jiraiya's request to become his disciple, Jiraiya will still follow him.

Moreover, Jiraiya has already solidified his title as "Master," and Naruto would feel like he'd be at a disadvantage if he didn't get some benefits from being a "disciple" from him.

It would be better to take advantage of the situation and become his disciple for a while.

Contact with Jiraiya can suppress Danzo's suspicion of Naruto, making Danzo hesitant to attack in front of Jiraiya.

This allows Naruto to calmly await the upcoming third Chunin Exam.

Naruto's defection happened at that time...

The following time was his final moment of disguise in Konoha.

……

Ultimately, with Jiraiya's final decision, Naruto and Sakura were both dragged into training.

However, unlike Jiraiya who "forced" Naruto to become his disciple, Jiraiya's instruction of Sakura was only temporary.

Learning techniques from each other is a common practice among ninjas; not everyone who has learned ninjutsu from someone else becomes a teacher.

The requirements for apprenticeship are even more stringent.

From Jiraiya's perspective, given his status and strength, he knew very well that he was not the right teacher for Sakura.

However, Jiraiya still helped Sakura grow significantly.

Under Jiraiya's tutelage, Sakura mastered the nature transformation of chakra related to "water".

In this way, all three members of Team 7 mastered the nature transformation of chakra.

Jiraiya, who possesses six chakra natures—earth, fire, wind, water, yin, and yang—while primarily using fire and earth jutsu, can also teach Sakura water jutsu.

Naruto's growth during this period was also greatly enhanced.

During his time at the Ninja Academy, Naruto had to learn on his own because the higher-ups in Konoha were wary of him.

After officially becoming a genin and forming Team 7 with Sakura and Sasuke, Naruto received instruction from Kakashi, but in order not to reveal his true strength, he only learned very basic things from Kakashi.

Kakashi's teachings were not as profound as Jiraiya's teachings at this moment.

Naruto couldn't help but realize how important it is to have a powerful teacher in the ninja world.

Jiraiya did indeed save Naruto from many detours, but the sealing techniques that Jiraiya taught Naruto were not the most important.

Rather, it's about the methods and experiences of learning ninjutsu, as well as various practical combat responses.

……

"Hmm, you two have made pretty good progress in your training over the past month. Kakashi has some enviable students."

One afternoon in late July, Jiraiya, who had been missing for a whole day, appeared in front of Naruto and Sakura with a face covered in lipstick marks and a hangover.

This guy is a womanizer by nature. He had been restraining himself because of Sakura's presence, and even stopped gathering material for a while.

Only after his training officially ended today did Jiraiya finally allow himself to indulge again.

Naruto admired Jiraiya for being able to persevere for so long.

However, upon closer reflection, Jiraiya was the kind of person who was serious and meticulous when it came to serious matters, but casual and easygoing in ordinary times.

"Thank you for your guidance, Jiraiya-sama!"

Sakura was very excited to have gained Jiraiya's approval.

"I didn't teach you much either. Our ninjutsu isn't compatible... It's a pity Tsunade isn't in the village..."

Jiraiya shook his head, refusing Sakura's thanks.

Having taught Sakura for some time, Jiraiya was well aware of Sakura's astonishing amount of knowledge.

Sakura is intelligent and knows how to persevere.

As long as Sakura has a mentor who is compatible with her, she can achieve remarkable success, even if she studies on her own and her mentor only gives her a word of advice at a crucial moment.

Are you referring to my precise control over chakra levels?

Sakura still remembers Jiraiya's evaluation of her.

"Yes, your ability to precisely control chakra is even stronger than Naruto's, and you have the talent to become a medical ninja. If you are interested in developing into a medical ninja, visit Konoha Hospital more often, and I can help you write a letter of introduction."

At the level of the Sannin, they are all very willing to take care of the juniors they value—this includes Orochimaru, but whether the juniors they value will become the targets of the Reanimation Jutsu after they grow up is another matter.

"The Chunin Exams finals are just around the corner, Sakura, you should get some rest. If you want to practice sparring, you can ask Naruto for help—you two have been working together quite well lately, and practicing sparring when your strength has increased can give you both valuable insights and help you grow together."

This is still based on Jiraiya's experience.

Sakura glanced at Naruto and nodded emphatically.

However, Naruto had no interest whatsoever in Jiraiya's talk of "mutual growth".

All he cared about was the upcoming third Chunin Exam.

On the day of the finals where all forces converge, Naruto will take advantage of the chaos to leave Konoha.

His long-planned defection is now on its final countdown!

Chapter 55 Uchiha Sasuke VS Gaara

August.

Today, Konoha was bustling with people, and the streets were crowded.

The crowd was all moving in the same direction—to Konoha's large dueling arena.

The final round of this year's Chunin Exams will be held there!

The dueling arena is an open-air circular structure. Naruto, who had already been eliminated in the preliminaries, sat on the high wall of the circular platform, looking down at the wide open space at the bottom of the dueling arena.

Standing in a neat row in the center of the open space were the eight genin candidates who had qualified for the finals.

Before the candidates stood the examiners of the final round—Genma Shiranui, a special Jonin of Konoha, wearing a black headscarf and with a senbon needle dangling from his mouth.

Naruto's gaze was fixed on Sasuke, who was standing side by side with Sakura in the arena.

Since Kakashi took Sasuke away during the preliminaries, this is the first time he has seen him again today.

During their training last month, Jiraiya mentioned to Naruto and Sakura that Sasuke was training with Kakashi, telling them not to worry too much and to focus on their training with him.

Although Jiraiya never explicitly stated what Kakashi and Sasuke were training for, Naruto could guess.

—It can only be Chidori.

Chidori and Kakashi's Lightning Blade are the same technique, but strictly speaking, Chidori is an undeveloped ninjutsu.

Just like Naruto's Rasengan and Wind Release: Rasengan.

The Rasengan is essentially just a rapidly spinning ball of chakra, and it is also an incompletely developed ninjutsu.

The successful infusion of wind-based nature transformation into Wind Release: Rasengan indicates that the Rasengan has made considerable progress in its development.

Kakashi taught Sasuke Chidori instead of Raikiri because he hoped Sasuke could perfect Chidori with his own ninjutsu characteristics and fighting style, turning Chidori into a technique unique to him.

When faced with outstanding students, excellent teachers prefer to teach them how to fish rather than simply giving them fish.

"It's been a long time, Naruto."

Naruto's attention was interrupted by a sudden sound in his ear.

Like Sasuke, Kakashi, who hadn't seen Naruto for almost a month, casually greeted him.

"Kakashi-sensei, how is Sasuke doing?"

Naruto gestured for Kakashi to sit next to him, but the villagers' prejudice meant that no one sat in either of the seats on either side of Naruto.

"Things are going well, and I've also taught him some new ninjutsu."

"A new ninjutsu?"

"You'll see during the game."