The midday sun beat down on the training grounds, casting long shadows that stretched across the worn earth. Naruto Uzumaki, his expression a mix of frustration and apprehension, stood before Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi, his single visible eye crinkled in a familiar, exasperated smile, sighed.
"Naruto," he began, his voice laced with a hint of apology, "I won't be able to train you for the finals. I've arranged for Ebisu to take over."
Naruto's shoulders slumped. "Ebisu-sensei?" he grumbled, his voice laced with disappointment. "But I wanted you to train me, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi patted Naruto's shoulder. "Ebisu is a capable instructor," he reassured him. "He'll help you refine your chakra control and prepare you for Gaara."
Naruto, though still disgruntled, reluctantly nodded. He trudged towards the designated training area, his mind swirling with thoughts of his upcoming match. As he rounded a bend in the path, he stumbled upon a rather peculiar scene.
Jiraiya, the legendary Toad Sage, stood amidst a group of flustered women, his hands moving in a series of… suggestive gestures. His eyes, usually sharp and focused, were glazed over with an almost comical intensity. Naruto, oblivious to Jiraiya's reputation as a pervert, watched with a mixture of confusion and morbid fascination.
"What's going on?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Suddenly, Ebisu appeared, his face turning a shade of pale that rivaled the white of his pristine robes. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly. "Jiraiya-sama!" he exclaimed, his respect bordering on fear. "What a surprise!"
Jiraiya, with a flamboyant wave of his hand, dismissed Ebisu's concerns. "Ah, Ebisu-boy," he boomed, his voice laced with a playful arrogance. "Just a little… research."
He turned his attention to Naruto, his eyes widening slightly.'Minato, no...' he thought.
"What's a kid like you doing here?"
Naruto, his curiosity piqued, explained his predicament. Jiraiya, after a moment of contemplation, offered to train Naruto himself. "I'm a far better teacher than that stick-in-the-mud," he declared, gesturing dismissively towards Ebisu.
Ebisu, without a moment of hesitation, agreed, his respect for Jiraiya outweighing his reservations. "Very well," he conceded, his voice resigned. "I'll inform the Third Hokage of your arrival, Jiraiya-sama."
Jiraiya, with a boisterous laugh, clapped Naruto on the shoulder. "Alright, kid," he announced, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Let's get started."
Their initial training session was far from what Naruto expected. Instead of flashy techniques and explosive jutsu, Jiraiya focused on the fundamentals. He began with basic chakra control exercises, emphasizing the importance of stability and precision. Naruto, though initially frustrated by the lack of excitement, begrudgingly acknowledged Jiraiya's expertise.
Next came endurance training, a grueling regimen of push-ups, sit-ups, and laps around the training grounds. Jiraiya, with a sadistic grin, pushed Naruto to his physical limits, his voice echoing with encouragement and taunts. "Come on, kid," he yelled, his voice laced with amusement. "If you want to beat Gaara, you'll have to be tougher than this!"
Later one that day, Naruto visited Hinata in the hospital. Her pale face and bandaged limbs served as a stark reminder of the brutality of the preliminary matches. "Hinata," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "How are you feeling?"
Hinata, her voice weak but determined, smiled faintly. "I'm… I'm alright," she whispered. "Thank you for coming, Naruto-kun."
Naruto, his eyes filled with determination, clenched his fist. "If I get match up against neji I will beat him up," he declared, his voice firm.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope igniting within them.
"Thank you," she whispered again, her voice filled with gratitude.
Naruto, his determination renewed, left the hospital, eager to resume his training. Jiraiya, satisfied with Naruto's progress in chakra control and endurance, decided to introduce the Summoning Jutsu. He explained the technique's complexities, emphasizing the importance of a strong mental connection with the summoned creature.
Naruto struggled initially, his attempts resulting in puffs of smoke and frustrated shouts. But his persistence paid off, and with a final, triumphant bellow, he managed to summon a small, warty toad.
Jiraiya, impressed by Naruto's tenacity, offered further guidance, hinting at the potential of the Summoning Jutsu, and how it could be used in combat. Naruto, his eyes gleaming with excitement, listened intently, eager to learn more.