Chapter 35: Hagoromo Gengetsu and Naruto's First Meeting

Chapter 35: Hagoromo Gengetsu and Naruto's First Meeting

"You're here," Hagoromo Gengetsu greeted the approaching group with his cracked face.

With a swift motion, Jiraiya came to a stop, followed closely by a startled Shizune. Naruto, a bit slower to react, continued running forward. If Jiraiya hadn't grabbed him by the collar just in time, he would have charged straight at Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Not understanding the situation, Naruto flailed his arms and protested, "Hey, Pervy Sage, what are you doing?"

Jiraiya scowled as he set Naruto down, "This isn't the time for you to defame the great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku."

He glanced at Hagoromo Gengetsu and thought to himself, "Especially not in front of such a legendary figure."

"But you are a pervy sage," Naruto insisted, not understanding the gravity of the situation.

Jiraiya ignored him and addressed Hagoromo Gengetsu seriously, "May I ask what brings you here, Hagoromo-sensei?"

Time was of the essence, and Jiraiya didn't want to waste words. Hagoromo Gengetsu, shifting his gaze from the boisterous Naruto to Jiraiya and Shizune, replied, "It's simple. Hand over the Spirit Transformation Technique. My terms haven't changed. Otherwise, I'll take it myself, and things won't be as pleasant then."

Hearing this, Jiraiya and Shizune's expressions darkened. Naruto, although unsure of the specifics, sensed the hostility and prepared himself, thinking, "Another bad guy like Orochimaru? Whatever you're planning, I'll stop you."

Jiraiya restrained Naruto once more and, after exchanging a glance with Shizune, responded to Hagoromo Gengetsu, "The Spirit Transformation Technique is a classified S-rank secret of the Leaf. It requires the Hokage's approval to be shared. Hagoromo-sensei, if it's really necessary, perhaps we can arrange something after some time."

Like Tsunade earlier, Jiraiya believed that someone of Hagoromo Gengetsu's stature wouldn't pursue a technique without good reason. While he couldn't fathom the specifics of Hagoromo Gengetsu's plans, he remained cautious.

"It seems we can't reach an agreement," Hagoromo Gengetsu sighed. "Tsunade is currently meeting with Orochimaru. If they fight, how long do you think Tsunade can hold out, considering her hemophobia?"

As if on cue, a loud explosion echoed from a distance, accompanied by a rising cloud of dust.

"Why would it come to this? Tsunade, you tried to kill me!" Orochimaru shouted, retreating quickly after dodging a kunai thrown by Kabuto. He looked at Tsunade in disbelief, unable to comprehend her decision to betray him.

With teary eyes, Tsunade clenched her fists, torn between her desire to see her brother and lover again and her understanding of their dreams and ideals. She resolved, "Physical forms may perish, but the dream of becoming Hokage will never die!" Her voice was steely as she glared at Orochimaru, "Come, Orochimaru! I'll end you here!"

A loud explosion ensued as Orochimaru, realizing negotiations had failed, prepared to fight, "It seems we'll have to settle this with force."

"Is the fight starting?" Jiraiya turned his attention back to Hagoromo Gengetsu, understanding the urgency. "We need to resolve this quickly to ensure Tsunade's safety."

"Shizune!"

"Yes!"

Jiraiya clapped his hands, readying himself alongside Shizune to take on Hagoromo Gengetsu. However, Naruto, in his usual unpredictable fashion, interrupted excitedly, "Haha! Watch this!"

He performed the hand signs and shouted, "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In an instant, hundreds of Naruto clones appeared, charging towards Hagoromo Gengetsu with enthusiasm. "Charge!" the real Naruto commanded, and his clone army rushed forward.

"Naruto, stop! This opponent is different from any you've faced before!" Jiraiya called out, but it was too late. The clones surged ahead.

For a moment, Hagoromo Gengetsu looked disappointed. "What a waste of chakra," he muttered. As the clones closed in, he stomped the ground, cracking it, and launched himself at them with incredible speed.

In the midst of the smoke and confusion, Hagoromo Gengetsu moved like a well-oiled machine, dispatching clones with precision. He eliminated them with hand strikes and kicks, each motion smooth and efficient. The clones, no matter how quickly they came, were vanishing just as fast.

Hidden among the clones, Naruto watched in shock. "He's so fast!" Before he could react, Hagoromo Gengetsu found him, landing a solid kick that sent him flying.

With a series of explosions, the remaining clones vanished, leaving Naruto lying on the ground, the battle over almost as soon as it had begun.