Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 349

His question left Naruto speechless for a moment.

He knew Sasuke's logic was simple—those who harm their comrades will pay the price.

This idea itself is not wrong.

"...I believe the lecherous immortal wouldn't want us to solve problems with hatred either."

Naruto finally spoke in a low voice, but his tone was unusually firm: "Besides, I've already settled things with him in my own way. Now, the most important thing is that the Pervert Sage survives!"

Sasuke stared at Naruto for a long time, then finally snorted coldly, withdrew his gaze, and sheathed the Kusanagi sword.

But he didn't leave; instead, he chose to wait there with us.

However, his tense profile showed that his anger had not completely subsided.

Time passes by minute by minute, and every second seems particularly long.

The red light on the operating room door remained on, like a cold eye watching the anxious people waiting outside.

I don't know how much time passed; maybe an hour, maybe centuries.

A soft click.

The red light on the operating room door went out.

Everyone's heart leaped into their throats, and their eyes all focused on the slowly opening door.

Sakura was the first to emerge, her face showing obvious fatigue and beads of sweat still clinging to her forehead.

She took off her mask and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Sakura! Is that perverted sage... is he alright?!"

Naruto rushed forward, his voice trembling with tension.

Although Sasuke didn't move, his gaze was fixed on Sakura.

Kakashi also came over.

Sakura looked at her anxious friends, especially Naruto, whose expression was almost tearful.

He forced a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, Naruto. The surgery was a success."

These words were like heavenly music, instantly dispelling all the gloom in Naruto's heart, almost causing him to collapse to the ground.

Sakura continued to explain, "Thanks to you for using the Nine-Tails' chakra to suppress and stabilize Jiraiya's injuries in advance, preventing the situation from deteriorating further and buying the most crucial time for the surgery."

"Lady Tsunade personally performed the surgery, treating all the internal bleeding and organ damage, and the wound on the severed arm was also perfectly cleaned and sealed."

"His vital signs have completely stabilized, but the excessive blood loss and chakra depletion are too severe, requiring a long period of rest and recovery."

She paused, then added, "Lady Tsunade is still inside doing the final touches and nurturing her chakra; she'll be out soon."

"That's great...that's great..."

Naruto murmured this sentence over and over again, and his tense nerves finally relaxed.

His eyes welled up with tears, and a relieved smile spread across his face.

Although Sasuke next to him still had no expression, the cold, oppressive aura around him had clearly dissipated.

He tilted his head slightly: "...Next time there's trouble like this, remember to use Flying Thunder God to teleport me over immediately. Don't always try to be a hero by yourself."

Naruto paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yes! I understand, Sasuke!"

Weeks later, in a VIP ward at Konoha Hospital.

Warm sunlight streamed into the ward through the window, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers and medicine.

Jiraiya slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually returning from the long darkness and chaos.

My body felt completely hollowed out, weak and powerless, especially with waves of phantom pain and a distinct emptiness in my left shoulder.

It took him a few seconds to adjust to the light and recognize that he was in a ward at Konoha Hospital.

Memories flood back like a tide—

The infiltration of Amegakure, the terror of Pain's Six Paths, the fierce battle, the final despair...

And... that golden figure descending like sunlight...

"Naruto..." he said hoarsely, his voice extremely dry.

"you're awake?"

A female voice, filled with surprise and relief, rang out from the side.

Jiraiya turned his head with difficulty and saw Tsunade sitting on a chair by the bed, holding a document in her hand.

It's clear that she was handling official business while keeping an eye on him.

Her eyes were slightly red, but she had a genuine smile on her face.

"Tsunade...I..." Jiraiya struggled to sit up, but Tsunade immediately pressed him down.

"Don't move! Your injury hasn't fully healed yet!"

Tsunade's tone was stern, but her movements were unusually gentle: "How are you feeling?"

"He... won't die."

Jiraiya managed a weak smile, then his expression turned serious, and he said urgently, "Tsunade, I must report to you immediately! The leader of Amegakure is... the leader of Akatsuki is..."

“It’s Nagato, right?” Tsunade interrupted him, speaking calmly.

Jiraiya was stunned, his pupils contracting: "You... how did you know?!"

"Naruto told me."

Tsunade looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "He told me more than just that."

"He also told me that he not only saved you from the brink of death, but also fought a big battle with that Nagato, and in the end... he defeated him."

"what?!"

Jiraiya was so shocked he almost jumped out of bed, which aggravated his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain: "Naruto... defeated Nagato who has the Rinnegan?! How is this possible?!"

That terrifying enemy whom he risked his life and used every means to barely kill two Pains before suffering a crushing defeat was actually defeated by Naruto?

Tsunade nodded, her tone tinged with disbelief and pride: "It may sound unbelievable, but it's true."

"That kid is now... beyond imagination. Moreover, he even persuaded Nagato."

She brought back information about Naruto, including the past of Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, as well as the Akatsuki's original ideals.

Jiraiya was told in detail about Nagato's realization and decision at the last moment.

Jiraiya listened blankly, his expression shifting from shock to realization, to grief, and finally to deep emotion and a sense of relief.

So that's how it all happened.

Yahiko died... which led Nagato and Konan to extremes... and in the end, it was Naruto who untied this knot.

"Not only that,"

Tsunade continued, "Nagato has officially announced his departure from the current Akatsuki organization and expelled all core members."

"He and that girl named Konan decided to rekindle the original aspirations that Yahiko had when he founded 'Akatsuki'."

"The way we strive for that ideal of 'bringing peace to the world' will be completely different from before."

Jiraiya remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a slow, deep sigh. He leaned against the pillow, gazing at the bright sunlight outside the window, his eyes somewhat dazed.

"I see... So that's how it is..."

He murmured softly, a complex yet gratified smile slowly curving his lips: "Truly... the younger generation is formidable..."

He always knew that Naruto had the potential to change the world and was the child of prophecy.

But he never imagined that this day would come so quickly and so suddenly.

This veteran was still risking his life to gather intelligence, almost losing it in the process.

Naruto, this rising star, not only saved his life but also directly solved the root of the problem.

It even...changed the nature and development direction of the entire Akatsuki organization.

Unbeknownst to him, the little brat who needed his protection and followed him around clamoring to learn ninjutsu had grown to such an astonishing level.

He has even surpassed his teacher.

A sense of "getting old" and a great sense of pride in "his apprentice has made something of himself" intertwined and filled his heart.

"It seems... the ending of my book, 'The Story of Strong Willpower and Perseverance,' is much brighter than I imagined."

Jiraiya smiled and shook his head, his tone filled with emotion and anticipation.

Chapter 369 Another Day of Routine

In the wards of Konoha Hospital, the sunlight grew warmer day by day.

Jiraiya's complexion improved at a visible speed.

Although his lost left arm could not regenerate, the boldness and unruliness that belonged to the "Three Ninjas" seemed to gradually return to his face.

On this day, Naruto came to visit as usual, peeling an apple that looked a little crooked.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.

“The lecherous sage… Nagato… asked me to convey his… remorse and apology to you.”

Naruto spoke with some difficulty, carefully observing Jiraiya's expression: "He said... he regrets hitting you so hard..."

To Naruto's surprise, Jiraiya only paused slightly upon hearing this, then smiled nonchalantly.

He took the poorly peeled apple with his only remaining right arm and took a big bite without a care.

"Hmm...it tastes pretty good."

He chewed on an apple, his tone relaxed: "Apologizing or anything like that is really unnecessary."

"Back then, I was a spy for Konoha. I infiltrated their village without permission and got caught red-handed."

"It's only natural that a fight broke out. If you're outmatched and get injured, you can't blame anyone else. On the battlefield, everyone fights for their own side, there's nothing more to say."

His magnanimity relieved Naruto, but then Jiraiya's eyes dimmed slightly, and his voice lowered a few decibels: