Chapter Twenty-Two: Jiraiya, Stricken and Withdrawn!

"Uh... let's put it aside for now. I'll have Thunderbreaker help you later." Hao Yun rubbed his nose, decisively selling out his own auxiliary AI. If he wanted to take on a disciple and have it easy, but didn't offer any benefits to his direct disciple, it would really be unjustifiable.

He patted his chest, and nanobots surged forth, forming a robot standing on the ground, projecting a screen for Naruto to operate.

Naruto sat on the ground, overjoyed, reporting values and having Thunderbreaker assist with calculations.

Standing beside Hao Yun, Jiraiya was utterly dumbfounded. When had he ever witnessed such a science fiction scene? The world of Hokage wasn't lacking in technology—without a foundation in basic science, they already had things like televisions, a clear case of technology developing sideways. But computers, projections, and calculations in the trillions per second—these were beyond the comprehension of a native like him.

Especially considering that he had been one of the worst students at the ninja academy. Seeing the countless numbers flying across the 3D projection screen made Jiraiya shudder.

"Um... Master..." In his shock, Jiraiya even slipped up and called Hao Yun 'Master' just like Naruto. "Do you really need so much knowledge to learn ninjutsu? Isn't it enough to master hand seals and chakra flow?"

Hao Yun rolled his eyes at him in annoyance—only someone as clueless as him would believe the body could make up for a deficient mind.

"Do you know how long it took Naruto to learn the Rasengan?"

"One month?" Jiraiya recalled his own time learning the Rasengan. One month was already taking Naruto's lineage and extraordinary talent into account!

"No, Naruto spent a month studying basic subjects—math, physics modeling—and then only took one hour to master the Rasengan!"

Hao Yun mercilessly shattered Jiraiya's illusions. "What's more, within a day of mastering it, he developed a whole skill tree—Rasenshuriken, Giant Rasengan, Taiji Rasengan, Flame Rasengan, and more!"

Watching Jiraiya's speechless, wide-eyed reaction, Hao Yun patted his shoulder and sighed, "Knowledge is power. Pervy Sage, you're just too weak!"

Jiraiya felt like crying. So this was the real reason Orochimaru always managed to suppress him? No matter how much chakra or how many top-tier jutsu he mastered—even Sage Mode—Orochimaru could escape unscathed because he was simply more knowledgeable?

Thinking back to Tobirama Senju... knowledge... could he really go back to school?

That day, after Jiraiya managed to muster his courage and ran to Naruto to offer guidance as his grandmaster, he was hit yet again by the academic juggernaut.

Naruto, using Thunderbreaker, analyzed the effects of various ninja arts, mastering everything Jiraiya could teach—except for summoning and its derivatives—in just one afternoon. While his execution wasn't perfect yet, the power was no less than Jiraiya's own!

This outcome completely stunned Jiraiya. Meanwhile, Naruto's study group began attracting other bright minds like Shikamaru and Shino.

From then on, Hao Yun's disciples split into two factions: the bold and reckless, led by Sasuke with Rock Lee and Choji as support; and the intellectual, headed by Naruto with Sakura and Shikamaru assisting.

One group experimented; the other became the subjects—ninjutsu and technology soared to new heights! But that's a story for another time.

...

That night, Jiraiya, beaten down and withdrawn, sought out Hao Yun, who was gazing at the moon from the rooftop.

"Naruto's master..."

"I'm Hao Yun. Just call me by my name." Hao Yun volunteered his name. "Pervy Sage, what brings you here?"

"Uh..." Jiraiya hesitated, unsure if he should speak.

Hao Yun glanced at him curiously. That awkward look... was he feeling guilty, not knowing how to teach Naruto?

"Are you looking for advice on how to make it up to Naruto?"

Hao Yun asked directly, and Jiraiya’s cheeks flushed as he gave up all pretense. "Yes! You've taught Naruto everything—he's even inventing new jutsu now. I honestly have no clue how to guide him!"

He couldn't exactly teach Naruto how to peep or write erotic novels, could he? If he did, and ended up in the afterlife, Kushina would tear him apart! Minato wouldn't just stand by; he'd probably hand her the knife!

All because of Hao Yun! From everyone training with Naruto that day, Jiraiya had learned Hao Yun was from another world... his origins were like Kaguya—just from a different universe.

Hao Yun had never hidden his background from anyone. He often explained his purpose—he was a traveler, wandering worlds to amend regrets and, incidentally, save them.

Meeting Hao Yun, no matter how many jutsu he mastered, Jiraiya knew he couldn't compare to someone with the knowledge and artifacts of an entire world!

"What should I teach him..." Hao Yun stroked his chin. "Summoning? Too ugly—he'd be better off with a Pokémon egg."

He dismissed summoning outright and began tallying Jiraiya's assets on his fingers.

"Ninjutsu... With Thunderbreaker's help, Naruto has learned all your jutsu. Sage Mode? I've heard Naruto's been researching natural energy these past few days; it won't be long before he develops a full Sage Mode... How about, Pervy Sage, you give Naruto all the money you've earned over the years?"

"What? What about me? I haven't even gotten married yet..."

Jiraiya reflexively protested. He’d worked so hard writing novels for royalties, and now Hao Yun expected him to hand it all over in one sentence?

"Married? You must have misunderstood Tsunade!"

Hao Yun gave him a look of disdain, criticizing him from head to toe. "Look at you—your hair's a mess, makes you look old, that's a point off; your clothes are filthy, greasy everywhere, another point off; no stable job, just writing erotic novels—how shameful, more points off; always sneaking off to spy on bathhouses for inspiration, drinking with women—points all gone!"

"With your lack of charm, filth, depravity, and lechery, you expect to marry the youthful, long-legged, slim-waisted Tsunade? Lord Jiraiya, are you out of your mind?"

Not to mention, Tsunade is a medical ninjutsu expert, a scientific genius like no other!

Hao Yun’s barrage left Jiraiya unable to lift his head. Was he really that terrible?

No wonder, back when he and Dan pursued Tsunade, it was Dan who won her heart...

Wiping away his tears fiercely, Jiraiya made a decision! He would find Tsunade and win her back!

Only by staying close could he compensate for his huge disadvantage in status! He was determined to marry Tsunade—he would stake the name of the Toad Sage on it!