Konoha: Gu Master

"Ah, that was refreshing."

Tsunade sat up and stretched, feeling fully rejuvenated after sleeping through the morning.

"You don't need to come back this afternoon, kid," she said, glancing at Shinho Aburame, who was buried in paperwork.

At his age, training was far more important. While Tsunade intended to prepare him early for responsibility, she wasn't unreasonable—half a day of work was sufficient.

"Understood." Shinho set down his files.

Leaving the Hokage's office, he decided to head to Ichiraku Ramen for lunch after a brief moment of thought. 

Work was exhausting, and he didn't feel like cooking. Besides, the ramen at Ichiraku was delicious.

"Hm?" Shinho stopped, his gaze sharpening.

He scanned his surroundings and focused on a line of trees not far away.

There was a strange aura.

He considered his options for a moment, then walked straight over. 

This was Konoha—who would dare to make a commotion so openly? Within ten seconds, the Konoha Police Force or the Anbu would catch wind of it, unless it was someone from the Akatsuki hauling sacks of rice on their backs.

And they were only interested in Jinchūriki.

"It's you?"

Shinho raised an eyebrow at the Sound Four standing and waiting for him. Their distinctive appearance made them easily recognisable, especially Sakon and Ukon, with their two-headed form.

The Sound Four were considered elite fighters in the Sound Village, with enough strength to challenge a normal jōnin when using their cursed seals.

Shinho had a vivid memory of them from the original storyline. During the mission to retrieve Sasuke, they had memorable battles with Konoha's twelve, showcasing a variety of unique techniques.

"Shinho Aburame." Kidomaru grinned. "Lord Orochimaru invites you to join the Sound Village."

"The Sound Village doesn't compare to Konoha. And I'm the Hokage's student—I don't see a reason to accept your proposal," Shinho replied, shaking his head.

"Because of Lord Orochimaru!" Kidomaru's eyes lit with reverence. "He can make you stronger—far stronger than anything you could achieve in Konoha."

You're really that confident in him? Huh. Impressive, Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's charisma had indeed gathered a large following, people willing to do even the dirtiest of work for him, all competing to become his "vessel."

"Oh, really?"

Shinho's tone was flat. He knew Kidomaru's offer of strength referred to the cursed seal, a tool that could indeed increase power but would also mark the user with Orochimaru's imprint, transforming them into a vessel for his reincarnation.

In that sense, Orochimaru was like a shinobi-world Voldemort.

"Of course." Kidomaru scoffed at Shinho's doubt, activating the second stage of his cursed seal transformation.

His body morphed, taking on a grotesque and demonic appearance as if he'd come straight from the depths of hell.

Shinho's lip twitched.

In the original storyline, even Sasuke couldn't handle the disfiguring effects of the cursed seal. 

Sure, I'm stronger, but now I'm also uglier.

"How about it?" Kidomaru asked proudly.

"…"

After a few seconds, Shinho replied, "I'll need some time to think about it."

"Fine." Kidomaru deactivated his cursed seal, wary of the toll prolonged use would take on his body.

"One week," Kidomaru said, holding up a finger. "We'll wait for you at the Forest of Death, outside Konoha."

With that, he turned and departed with the other three, vanishing from sight.

"'We'll'?" Shinho murmured thoughtfully.

It seemed they had also approached Sasuke, just like in the original storyline.

Would he agree?

Shinho turned and headed to Ichiraku Ramen. 

As for the Sound Four, his plan remained unchanged—he'd capture them, hopefully with Kimimaro included. 

For now, he would avoid causing a scene in the village. Even if they didn't harm any villagers, the destruction of the vegetation alone would be bothersome, and he'd be the one having to deal with the paperwork afterwards.

….

At Ichiraku Ramen.

"I'm the Toad Sage, not the Pervy Sage!" Jiraiya declared self-righteously. "Stop spreading lies, or I'll sue you for slander!"

"But I saw you grinning like a creep at Ayame-neechan," Naruto replied, equally righteous. "You're totally the Pervy Sage!"

"I did no such thing!" Jiraiya protested firmly. "That was the caring smile of a mentor!"

"I don't believe you." Naruto crossed his arms.

"I'll treat you to lunch," Jiraiya offered, his eyes darting as he thought of a way to distract him. "You can eat as much as you want today."

"Really?" Naruto's expression softened. A person who would treat him to Ichiraku Ramen couldn't be all that bad.

"I, TheToad Sage, one of the Legendary Sannin, never go back on my word!" Jiraiya declared, thumping his chest with conviction.

"Hey, Teuchi-ossan!" Naruto called, jumping up. "I'll take a jumbo-sized bowl of char siu rib ramen!"

"Coming right up!" Teuchi called from the kitchen.

"You're quite the freeloader," Jiraiya chuckled. Naruto was so easy to fool.

"Naruto, you should just order char siu ribs without the ramen," Shinho said as he pushed open the door and walked in.

"Huh? Ramen without ramen? But is ramen without ramen still ramen?" Naruto puzzled over the thought for a few seconds.

"You're actually thinking about it?" 

Shinho turned to Jiraiya. "Uncle Jiraiya's treating?"

"I am." Jiraiya waved his hand, overly magnanimous. "Order whatever you like."

"Uncle Teuchi," Shinho called immediately, not holding back, "I'll have the jumbo-sized rib ramen as well."

He knew Jiraiya was well off—after all, he was a best-selling author, particularly known for the adult novel series Ichi-Ichi Paradise.

Before long, Ayame, Teuchi's daughter, brought out three bowls of ramen.

"Thank you." Shinho picked up his chopsticks and took a hearty slurp.

"Naruto," Jiraiya said, shifting the conversation to something serious, "come train with me."

"Train?" Naruto paused, then shook his head. "I already have a teacher."

"It doesn't matter if you already have a teacher," Jiraiya replied confidently. "What I'll teach you is something no one else can."

"Is it really that amazing?" Naruto looked at him doubtfully. "Better than the Eight Gates Technique?"

"Of course!" Jiraiya replied without hesitation. "I'm one of the Legendary Sannin, the Toad Sage himself, Jiraiya!"

"But Orochimaru's one of the Sannin too, and even he couldn't beat Shinho." Naruto shrugged. "Not interested."

"...?"

Jiraiya looked at Shinho, completely bewildered. 

How did Naruto even reach that conclusion?

Although he hadn't witnessed Shinho's battle with Orochimaru, he knew Orochimaru's abilities well. It didn't make sense that Shinho would have bested him.

The only explanation was that Orochimaru hadn't fought seriously.

Shinho couldn't help but laugh. Naruto was as unpredictable as ever.

"Orochimaru may have lost, but that doesn't mean I would," Jiraiya boasted. "Out of the three Sannin, I'm the strongest."

Technically speaking, there wasn't much wrong with that statement.

Once Jiraiya entered Sage Mode, his strength indeed became unmatched, though even then, he didn't truly have any way to deal with Orochimaru.

"Then why aren't you the Hokage?" Naruto asked after swallowing a mouthful of ramen.

In his view, only the strongest ninja could become Hokage. Since Tsunade held that title and Jiraiya didn't, Tsunade must be stronger.

"...?" Jiraiya was once again speechless.

He hadn't expected to get tripped up on such a strange line of reasoning.

"I chose to pass the Hokage position to Tsunade," Jiraiya said, pausing to offer a more convincing explanation. "Besides, the Fourth Hokage—your father—was my student."

"Oh, right." Naruto scratched his head, recalling that fact.

Plus, he remembered that the Rasengan Jiraiya had taught him which was pretty powerful on it's own.

"See?" Jiraiya sighed in relief. "You'll definitely become stronger if you train with me."

"Where will we be training?" Naruto hesitated for a few seconds. "I don't want to leave Konoha."

Konoha was his home, with all his friends. He didn't want to leave them behind.

"Naruto, as a ninja, you can't stay in one place forever," Jiraiya advised.

"But…" Naruto glanced instinctively at Shinho.

"When your training is complete, you'll be able to beat Shinho," Jiraiya said, quickly thinking of a way to win him over.

"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement.

"...?" Shinho's lip twitched. Don't train just to beat me!

"I'll go with you!" Naruto made up his mind.

"Excellent." Jiraiya clapped him on the shoulder, smiling in satisfaction.

"Jiraiya-san, would it be possible to gather Hinata and the others?" Shinho asked, tilting his head. "We should throw a farewell party for Naruto."

Naruto's eyes brightened at the idea, and his face filled with anticipation.

"No problem." Jiraiya smiled, seeing how much it meant to Naruto. "Naruto, invite all your friends over—don't leave anyone out."

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed happily.

Forming a series of hand seals, he quickly created a dozen shadow clones. After giving them instructions, they scattered throughout Konoha.

Konoha wasn't very large, and with the speed of ninjas, it took less than half an hour before Ichiraku Ramen was packed with people.

The entire Konoha 12 had gathered, plus Aburame Torune, Kurama Yakumo, and a few others.

"Is there some special occasion?" Shikamaru asked, glancing around.

Unlike Naruto, he wouldn't overlook the presence of one of the Legendary Sannin. If it were an ordinary gathering, such a prominent figure wouldn't attend.

"It's nothing much," Naruto said casually. "I'm just going to go on a training trip with Jiraiya-sensei."

"Congratulations." Shikamaru was momentarily stunned, then broke into a genuine smile.

The others followed suit, each offering their congratulations.

It truly was a good opportunity. Training under one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, was a privilege not many shinobi, even from powerful clans, would experience.

Of course, none of them realized Naruto would be gone for three whole years.

Meanwhile, Sasuke clenched his fist unconsciously.

He had been defeated by Naruto in the Chūnin Exams. Now, Naruto was going to train under Jiraiya. Would the gap between them only grow wider?

Should he really seek out Orochimaru?

Sasuke frowned slightly. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that Orochimaru wasn't as powerful as he'd initially thought.

Since meeting him, it seemed all Orochimaru had done was lose—whether facing Shinho or executing his so-called Konoha Crush plan, nothing had succeeded.

Would there really be a future for him under Orochimaru?

For the moment, Sasuke was left feeling uncertain.

"Today, Jiraiya-san is treating us all," Shinho announced, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Eat to your heart's content—don't hold anything back!"

Jiraiya blinked, sensing something in Shinho's tone.

But he brushed it off. 

How much could a bunch of kids eat, anyway? Besides, the only one with a big appetite was that Akimichi boy.

"Hinata," Shinho said, sitting down beside Hinata. "Eat as much as you want, for as long as you want."

"Huh?" Hinata jolted in surprise.

With Shinho sitting so close, she could feel his breath, and her face turned bright red.

"Hinata?" Shinho asked, puzzled.

"N-No, it's nothing." Hinata nodded vigorously. "I'll do my best."

Since it was a request from Shinho, even if she didn't fully understand, she'd give it her all.

"Don't overeat—just eat until you're full," Shinho reminded her.

Knowing Hinata's character, he wouldn't put it past her to eat herself sick trying to meet his request.

"Right!" Hinata became completely focused, as if she were facing a Chūnin Exam rather than a bowl of ramen.

Shinho chuckled at her earnestness.

Fifteen minutes later, only Choji Akimichi and Hinata Hyuga were still eating.

"...?" Jiraiya looked on in bewilderment.

He'd expected Choji to have a big appetite, but seeing petite Hinata keep up with him was a shock. Did she have a bottomless stomach?

As time passed, Jiraiya's confusion turned to disbelief, then resignation.

"I can't do it anymore!" Choji finally admitted, waving his hand in defeat.

"Forty bowls!" Naruto counted, exclaiming in amazement.

"But Hinata's still going," Ino added, her tone filled with envy.

Eating that much without gaining weight… That's like every woman's dream!

"Did Hiashi pick up the wrong kid at the hospital?" Jiraiya murmured to himself, wondering aloud. In his mind, Hyuga clan members were supposed to have more restrained appetites.

"Jiraiya-san, her Byakugan isn't exactly fake," Shinho said with a laugh.

Jiraiya sighed, realizing Shinho had been setting him up.

Fine, he thought. For Tsunade's sake, I'll let it slide.

"I… I'm full…" Hinata finally put down her chopsticks, blushing at all the attention.

"Fifty bowls?" Choji was struck with awe.

Having lost to Hinata in eating once before, he hadn't expected the gap to have widened even further.

"Is there some kind of secret to this?" Ino grabbed Hinata's hand, asking eagerly.

"N-No, nothing like that…" Hinata shook her head, flustered.

"Time to pay up," Jiraiya said with a pained expression, handing over ten thousand ryō.

Hinata and Choji alone had accounted for seventy or eighty percent of the bill.

With lunch over, everyone went their separate ways.

"Shinho, I need to talk to you," Sasuke said, staying behind.

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