Chapter 103

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Title: Tales of The Gutsy Ninja

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Mount Myoboku

Atop a rather peculiar pointed hill, a young man could be seen sitted, cross legged on a wooden board, deep in meditation.

This young man was Jiraiya who had been permanently ousted from Avalon and was now completing his training in the Toad's Sage Land.

It had been a month since then and he had also met up with his teammates as well as Sensei, and one thing had been bugging him.

Despite the fact that he felt stronger... No, he knew he was Stronger than before, but he couldn't still hold his own against one of Tsunade's punch.

Anyone who looked at him currently would be under the impression that this young man was deep in the spirit, however...

"I've definitely gotten stronger since training between Avalon and here...but," he thought as the image of an enraged Tsunade came to mind. "Tsunade is still as cold as ever." He thought to himself.

"Not just that..." He shook his head. "If I was destined to be the chosen one, should my purpose be to Impress a girl? Is that the only reason why I'm trying to become Strong?" He asked himself.

"Jiraiya! Jiraiya!" A loud voice broke him out of his meditation, or rather, gave him a reason to stop meditating and jumped down.

"Yeah, Bunta?" He answered the owner of the voice, Bunta, or rather Gamabunta.

"Jiraiya, the Great Lord Elder has summoned you." Bunta said.

"The Great Lord Elder..? Again?" Jiraiya asked with a weird look, the memory of their past meeting wasn't exactly pleasant...

"Hurry up. He wants to tell you your complete prophecy!" Bunta shouted.

"For real? Bunta." Jiraiya asked excitedly. Who wouldn't want to know his destiny?

...

"Eetoo... You are...?" Gamamaru asked looking at Jiraiya kneeling Infront of him.

"Great Elder, he is Jiraiya who you met three years ago. You said you would tell him all he needs to know." Fukasaku said solemnly. The guy never for once felt frustrated with Gamamaru's behaviour.

'Perhaps it had something to do with age?' Jiraiya thought while looking at the Little Toad with pity.

"Ah! That one, I see... I see." Gamamaru nodded and opened his eyes slightly and gazed at Jiraiya. "You'll be a guide... A guide to the revolutionary... A day will come when you'll be forced to make a critical selection."

"Selection?" Jiraiya asked seriously.

"Your choice will decide which way the change will go." Gamamaru nodded.

Feeling the weight of the Old Sage's words, Jiraiya asked. "What must I do to make the correct choices?"

"In my dreams, you travelled the world writing books."

"Books? Whatever for?" Asked the puzzled Jiraiya.

"I do not know either. Perhaps it would a journey around the world to see all things in nature. You've read up on that extensively haven't you?"

"Great Lord Elder, have your prophecies ever not come to pass?" Jiraiya asked to which Gamamaru kept silent. The atmosphere became tensed for a few seconds before.

"No. Never." The Toad replied while closing his eyes. "But know one thing, traveling the world is a to see what the person that wrote that book saw. The author also once travelled the world in his youth and then wrote of his findings... This journey of yours will be illuminating."

....

Sitting on a large stump of tree in the Sage Land, Bunta looked at the packed up Jiraiya and asked. "Are you really leaving, Jiraiya?"

"Yup." He answered. "At this point in my life, there's no way I can guide the one who will bring about a revolution. Let alone make the right choice."

"Hmm..." Came Bunta's reply.

"I guess I need more time to learn more things and meet different people." Jiraiya said. "You heard what the Great Elder said, I do need this. Perhaps I'll go see the clan that person from centuries ago birthed... I hear they're rather peaceful."

"I see." Came Bunta's reply once more.

"I shall journey the World and perhaps write a book. It seems that is my destiny." Jiraiya said as he looked into the beautiful skies of the dimension he was in.

.

.

.

And so, while Jiraiya Journeyed and searched for the meaning behind the Great Elder's dream, the state of the world grew steadily more chaotic.

Effects of the First Shinobi war began showing as both small and large scale battles took place on a daily basis.

The peace that had prevailed among the Five Great Nations became fragile. Aggression between lands increased as did internal strife, and the people began to suffer.

...

In a dilapidated building at the outskirts, the figures of two men could be seen, one sitting, the other standing. They seemed to be hiding from the rain that came unannounced.

Looking up to the sky while tapping his clothes, the standing figure Sighed.

"Young man... Why are you traveling?" The other man sitting asked. His voice sounding old.

"I'm searching for my destiny." The young man in question answered.

"Oh..?"

"Um... Someone saw me in a dream. And in that dream, I journey from land to land." The young man said.

Uwaa. Uwaa...

The sound of a bay crying could be heard from the man's location making the young man to turn in shock.

"Oh my, what's the matter..?" The old man rocked the baby and asked dotingly.

The young man smiled at that and put his hand into his Kimono and brought out something as he walked towards them. "Here, have one. It's milk candy." He offered. However, faster than his eyes could follow, the figure wrapped in a cloth, twisted it head and bit at the candy before jumping away and landed behind the young man.

Looking at what he initially thought was a baby, he saw a six armed humanoid object clanking it's jaw together at him.

"A puppet?" Jiraiya asked.

"Hmm... This child tell me... Destiny is not something you search for! Destiny is something you latch onto as soon as it presents itself." The old man said as he stood up. "The age of war is coming. Mechanical skills are useless in times of Peace, but a feudal lord may pay a high price for my services."

'So he's a Shinobi too.' Jiraiya thought. 'He's chosen to ride the waves to the age of destruction. But that will only....'

Jiraiya couldn't help but lament. He had read a lot on the nature of humans and knew that words weren't enough to change someone. He also knew what war entails. According to the book he had read, war was both good and bad, however he begged to differ.

All he had seen was pointless murders and destruction, there was nothing good that could come out of it... Or was there...?

....

Days passed and turned to weeks and weeks to months and today, Jiraiya found himself in a brothel in the company of one of the consorts.

He looked deep in thought as a brush was rested his mouth with his hands folded.

"Let's have more fun." She said as she rested on his body with a bottle of sake in her hand. "Come on."

"Hmm." Jiraiya mumbled.

Peeking to see what he was doing, she asked. "What are you writing?"

"Just scribbling...that riding the waves of the times would not result in the revolutionary change needed for peace. Jiraiya answered.

The lady didn't seem to understand what he was talking about and directly threw what he just said out of her mind and said. "Say. Say. If you're going to change something, change me." And pushed herself more into his arms.

Looking at her with his side eye he said. "I suppose you're right. That sounds more fun."

"This is fraud!" A scream came from the room outside, followed by a clank, signaling something being destroyed. "As if I'll pay for something like this."

"Hmm?" Jiraiya felt curious but knowing this would probably result in a fight, he dashed out of the room. "Hold it right there!" He shouted as he directly jumped to the middle of the men arguing. "This fight... I'll be taking it over." He declared.

"Huh?" Was the collective and simultaneous reply from everyone.

...

In a bar in the same town Jiraiya was residing, our MC was sitted lazily with his old appearance together with Kageno who was also as old if not more older looking than him.

"So what are we doing here?" Kageno asked while sipping the sake Infront of him. He wasn't particularly enjoying it but it was common courtesy to order something when in a place like this.

The sake in both Rōran and Hanagakure was much more tasty than this, but alas, this brother-in-law of his didn't or wouldn't allow him to enjoy what little enjoyments he should in his old age.

"Someone interesting would be coming here soon, just wait and see. You may even take a liking to him." Shun said as he also casually sipped the sake he was offered.

And at that instant two men walked into the bar together. One looking particularly pissed off, the other looking intrigued by the story the man was telling.

Shun's eyes momentarily brightened as they walked in before reverting to its normal expression, but Kageno noticed this and looked at the young man before his eyes widened...

"Aniki...don't...tell me..." He stuttered as he pointed at the man and then at Shun.

"What?" Shun asked confused.

"What do you mean by what? Is this the reason why you decided to come here?" Kageno asked while silently shouting. "So you really did have a son outside the clan. Is that why you readily allowed both Mikoto and I to get married? Did she know about this?"

Kageno barraged him with questions and Shun finally understood why Kageno was giving him that look.

Facepalming, Shun looked at Kageno and shook his head, to which Kageno misinterpreted as acknowledgment.

"So that's why you said I'd like him? Of course I'll like my nephew. What are we still doing here, let's go introduce ourselves." Kageno said and attempted tk stand only to find himself unable to.

"First off. No, he's not my son. Second, we're not gonna be doing any introduction of any sort. Thirdly, calm yourself. You'll understand why I said you'll like him." Shun said in a tone that refused defiance.

Raising his hand in surrender, Kageno picked up his sake and took a sip. "You's the boss. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me." He said assuredly to which Shun decided to ignore.

Bang.

The sound of cup hitting the table was heard attracting Shun's and Kageno's attention to the duo.

"Damn it. How can fate be so cruel?! I worked hard on cultivating the land with what little knowledge I had. All for the sake of my clan, and yet..." The man complained bitterly.

'So this fellow is dissatisfied with the way the world is going.' Jiraiya thought as he raised the bottle of sake. "Have a drink my friend." He offered. "I've been searching for my destiny too, but it's a little elusive."

"Humph... It's a waste to search for something like that. My people have no chance against the Shinobi villages of the Great Nations." The man complained causing Jiraiya to look at him weirdly. 'This guy... Is that all be can do?... Complain?'

"You're wrong." Another voice chipped in.

"Huh?" Jiraiya looked behind the man complaining and saw a man with rather peculiar hair... Blue. "I teach children in my village.. about how to fight back when faced with a harsh fate."

Taking a deep breath, the man complaining earlier asked. "So education can end wars? Don't joke with me!" He shouted and went to attack the man only for the man to flash and appeared on a chair beside them, with his eyes closed, unfazed by the attack.

'So this guy is a Shinobi, huh?' Jiraiya thought.

"No. That, it can not." He answered. "However, perhaps I can teach them skills that would enable them to make batter choices." He finished and sipped his skae quite elegantly.

Jiraiya was intrigued by this answer and asked. "Let me ask you... What are those choices?"

"Life or death... Those are the choicess." He answered. "The only thing I can teach them is how to survive."

"Hmm." Jiraiya said and looked into this cup to see his reflection. 'That is not good enough... I must choose the revolutionary who will bring peace to the world.'

"Hehehe." Shun laughed seeing Jiraiya looking despondent.

"Is something wrong Ji-chan." Jiraiya asked.

"No. No. But I must commend this man..." Shun said looking at the blue haired man. Then turning to Jiraiya he said. "Survival is winning kid... Everything else is bullshit... Fairy tales spun by people afraid to look life in the eye... Whatever it takes kid, survive."

"Even at the expense of others lives?" Jiraiya frowned and asked.

"Hmm? Why would you be put in a situation where you'll have to survive at the expense of others life?" Shun asked back and then looked at the man who was complaining tirelessly. "Do you think life's unfair?"

"Of course old man. What? You want to say otherwise?" He asked threateningly only for Shun to laugh. "Life is indeed unfair. No two humans are born equal. My son once asked why some Shinobi will train diligently for years, and yet still be inferior to those Great Village Shinobi."

"Do you know what I told him?" I asked the attentive crowd. "I told him that you can either resign yourself to fate, or fight against the World. It is hard to become a strong Shinobi without the resources provided by major villages, but...if you do reach that level of strength, because they were tempered by the road of hardships and suffering, the path they go down might be farther than that of those Great Villages."

Shun noticed a certain light flashing in Jiraiya's eyes after which Jiraiya asked. "How is that possible? How do you fight against your fate? Wahtsythe difference between them?"

"Quite the curious one aren't you?" Shun joked and sipped on his sake. "When the world pushes you down, do you stay down or do you stand up? Whichever one you decide is your fate. Fate is the culmination of our life's choice. Destiny is something elusive. You can't possibly be sure of your destiny."

The three men absorbed what Shun said but Shun wasn't finished. "Life is a journey. If you believe in destiny, you live in the future. I won't advise anyone to live like that. Never forget that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today.... Today, is a gift, that's why it's called the present."

"Live in the present and enjoy every minute of it. The mystery that is tomorrow will slowly unravel itself with time." Shun said and stood up to leave.

Kageno who had been silent all these while looked at the three men and then especially at Jiraiya. "No one escapes pain, fear, and suffering. Yet from pain can come wisdom, from fear can come courage, from suffering can come strength if we have the virtue of resilience."

Giving him one last smile, he followed behind Shun and left the Bar.

...

"I see why you said I might like him." Kageno said to Shun as they flash stepped towards the land of Wind.

"Oh? Why is that?" Shun asked with a smile.

"He doesn't seem to like violence yet he has this raging beast in him that threatens to burn all those who harms those he hold dear." Kageno said.

"Hmm... Just like you all those years ago." Shun smiled at him, his eyes holding complex emotions.

"No. No. I was...a pacifist. I didn't actively seek a solution to peace. I was content with the little peace on the island back then. I think he's far better than me in that regard." Kageno said sadly.

"Don't sell yourself short my friend. If there was a heaven in this world, if you aren't there then I don't think anyone would." Shun laughed causing Kageno to laugh too as they continued their journey.

If anyone saw them, they'd be flabbergasted as to how two old men were able to move at such speeds.

...

Jiraiya took in everything he had experienced on his journey. However, the words the two old men left him were the most impactful. For some reason, he felt that their words contained everything he needed to know.

Their words compelled him to give it a rest, yet egging him on on his journey.

With no heads or tails to what to do, he continued.

Today, he came upon a settlement that was impoverished. Far ahead he could see a gathering of the townsfolk as one man was addressing them.

"To bring destruction upon this World. Or to bring about peace, the likes we have never seen before... That depends on the commitment of each and every person!" The spokesman spoke with vigour.

'Hmm..? Could this man be...?' Jiraiya thought and asked. "Say, you! You just might be the person I'm looking for!"

"Oh..?" The man smiled and asked.

"What would you do in order to bring peace to this world?"

"The world is already heading towards an age of war and strife. There's no stopping it " the man said causing Jiraiya to frown.

"You just said it depends on each person's commitment, didn't you?" Jiraiya asked. "How do we change these people's destinies then?"

The man shook his head. "Just pray hard. That is all man can do." He said and clasped his hands, the entire gathering followed suit and clasped their hand in prayer.

'This man is not the one... either.' Jiraiya thought.

...

Swish. Swish. Swish.

Sounds of ninjas moving at high speeds on tree tops could be heard and one man, to avoid any situation of conflict, was hiding underground.

As soon as they passed, he came out and looked around. "What was that?" His connection to nature, albeit little, made him feel like something wasn't right.

Looking in the direction the ninjas went, he followed suite on leg only to come upon a burning village.

"This is just an ordinary village. Why would ninjas...!?" He asked in both shock and anger as he could hear the wails of help, pains, and agony coming from the Village, but at that moment, he was interrupted by the sound of something splitting the air towards his direction.

Looking sideways, he noticed what was a giant shruiken heading towards him, only to duck amd roll to avoid it and other kunai that targeted where he ducked to only for an exploding tag, connected to a Kunai to land on where he came to rest.

BOOM!

The tag expoded and at the same time, another giant shruiken flew towards his location.

When the smoke cleared, only a log of wood with a shruiken embedded in it was visible.

"This Shruiken Technique... You're from the Fuma clan, right? Why attack normal people who are living in peace?" Jiraiya asked in anger.

He was currently gasping for breath having escaped a near death experience and all. He was currently hiding atop a tree branch as he projected his voice so as not to allow the enemy pinpoint his location.

"You're also a Ninja aren't you?" The attacker asked back, he was also projecting his voice so Jiraiya found it hard to pinpoint him too.

"I'm journeying in search of the one who will be my disciple." Jiraiya replied.

"Humph. Why waste time on such tedious things!? The balance of power between The Lands has become shaky and we're on the verge of a great war... This village was destroyed due to a tip that a Ninja had infiltrated it." The man answered.

This made Jiraiya's anger to rise up a notch. "Just because of a tip!?" Meanwhile, he didn't forget to put into action, what he had learnt in his time Training.

"It's destroy, or be destroyed. We live in a world where you'll die if you hesitate." The man answered.

Looking at the two round balls in his hands, Jiraiya sighed and three it in a direction the man standing. The man in question was surprised but was too late as the balls reached him and exploded.

Fortunately, it was a smoke bomb. 'A smoke bomb?' he thought but widened his eyes as he felt a Kunai coming for his throat.

Bringing out his Kunai, he engaged Jiraiya in combat, and as soon as the smoke cleared, Jiraiya was on his knees breathing heavily.

"You're quite good." Jiraiya praised.

"If you're a ninja too, I cannot let you live." The man said. "Better give up... this is our fate as Shinobi."

"Can I say something?" Jiraiya asked as the man was approaching to deal the finishing blow.

"I don't feel like listening." He said and went for the kill "Just...die!!" And plunged the Kunai into Jiraiya with his back to the tree.

"Give up.." Jiraiya said startling the Fuma clan man before bursting in a puff of smoke only for his voice to come from behind. "On making me give up."

***

A/N: Look, don't judge me here, aiit? Also, I'm sorry for not posting for sometime, some minor inconveniences came so....