Chapter 103: An Ancient Saying From My Homeland...

After leaving behind a healing potion, Naruto opened a portal and hurriedly departed.

However, just a few minutes later, the portal reappeared in Sasuke's house. This time, the visitor wasn't Naruto—it was Brother Sakura...

"Brother Sakura, this is as much as I can do for you.

"If you don't step up your game, I swear, my future daughter-in-law is as good as gone."

---

The next morning.

Naruto was still in the sweet embrace of his dreams when a certain white-haired pervert yanked him out from under the covers.

"Ero-sennin!!"

"What the heck are you doing?! It's not even six yet!"

Furious, Naruto grabbed a door plank, ready to demonstrate the fine art of Door Jutsu. Unfortunately, Jiraiya dodged nimbly.

"Wake up! The village wants us to find Tsunade and bring her back to become the Fifth Hokage."

"Huh?"

"Huh, what? Quit dawdling. Move it!"

Jiraiya gave Naruto a shove, pushing him out the door.

By the time Naruto regained his senses, he realized that the white-haired pervert had already dragged him all the way to the village gates.

To be fair, it wasn't entirely surprising that the mission to find Tsunade had fallen to him and Jiraiya.

However, Naruto couldn't shake the suspicion that this was a ploy by the village elders to send him away.

Jiraiya, on the other hand, had his own motives. The previous night, he overheard a certain Kotaro mentioning a high roller in the Land of Hot Water. Word was spreading among the casino owners, each vying to lure this "golden goose" to their establishments.

Time was of the essence, and Jiraiya wasn't about to let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

---

When they arrived in the Land of Hot Water, Naruto found himself standing alone outside a pleasure house while Jiraiya indulged inside.

The pervert had some nerve. He'd said that places like this were prime locations for gathering intel that couldn't be obtained elsewhere. He even claimed it was all in the name of finding Tsunade.

Naruto, however, wasn't buying it.

"Ero-sennin!!"

"How long are you going to take?!"

"If you don't come out soon, I'm leaving without you!"

After waiting another ten minutes, Naruto had enough. Frustrated, he turned and stomped toward a nearby casino.

But the moment he stepped through the door, he collided with two figures rushing out.

"Out of the way, brat!"

"Move it!"

"Get them! Don't let them escape!"

"Trying to run off after owing 90 million ryo?! Grab that blonde brat too!"

The two fleeing figures darted through the crowd with astonishing speed, leaving Naruto only a glimpse of golden ponytails and a distinctive gambling robe fluttering in the wind.

Turning back, Naruto saw a group of armed thugs in hot pursuit.

It didn't take much thought to connect the dots. Those two runners were none other than Tsunade and Shizune.

Naruto stood frozen for a moment, replaying the thugs' shouts in his mind.

Wait...

What did they just call me?!

Blondie?!

Damn it!!

Me?! Uzumaki Naruto, framed as a scapegoat?!

The thugs, fierce and armed with clubs, looked like they could scare even the toughest kids into tears.

Naruto gritted his teeth, tempted to summon his trusty Big Iron Door to teach them a lesson. But the audacity of being framed by Tsunade had him seething.

In the end, he decided to let it go—for now. Memorizing the casino's name, he resolved to exact his revenge after dealing with Tsunade.

With that, Naruto whipped out his Flying Door Technique and soared into the sky.

The sight left the thugs dumbfounded, their weapons lowering in stunned silence.

"No way... A flying ninja?!"

"Man, good thing we didn't tick him off..."

---

From the air, Naruto had an unobstructed view of the Land of Hot Water. It didn't take him long to spot Tsunade and...

"Ero-sennin?!"

What the hell?!

How did that pervert manage to get there before me?!

Hovering above, Naruto watched the two chatting animatedly below. A wave of irritation surged through him.

Damn it!

That old pervert hasn't even noticed his disciple is missing?!

Fuming, Naruto dismissed his flying door and plummeted toward the pair like a meteor.

"Tsunade, let me tell you..."

"I've taken on a delightful disciple. You won't believe this, but..."

"Let me guess," Tsunade interrupted dryly. "He's another idiot aiming to become Hokage?"

"Exactly!"

Tsunade scoffed, though a flicker of sadness passed through her eyes.

BANG!

Before their conversation could continue, a loud crash announced Naruto's dramatic landing. The sheer impact of his fall was enough to make anyone wince.

Naruto, gritting his teeth, dusted himself off and stood up as if nothing had happened.

Damn it!

Missed the target!

Jiraiya cursed internally. Just as he was about to hit the key point in his pitch, this brat had to ruin it with his flashy entrance.

Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune stared at Naruto, their expressions a mix of shock and recognition.

Was this kid... the one who just fell from the sky?!

Any normal person would've been crippled—or worse.

But this blond brat stood there unharmed, looking annoyed instead of injured.

Jiraiya forced a grin and clapped Naruto on the shoulder.

"Ah, my dear disciple, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"

His tone dripped with insincerity, but Naruto wasn't having any of it.

"Save it, Ero-sennin!" Naruto snapped, whipping out his door plank and pointing it directly at Tsunade.

"Tsunade! By order of the village, my master and I are here to bring you back as the Fifth Hokage!"

"You'd better not refuse. There's a saying where I'm from—those who adapt to the times..."

"Shut up, you brat!!" Jiraiya roared, landing a punch that Naruto effortlessly blocked with his door plank.

"You're breaking!"

"You're breaking!"

The mocking sound reverberated, making Jiraiya's eye twitch. He was tempted to use a jutsu to discipline the cheeky brat.

Tsunade's face darkened.

Was this Jiraiya's so-called obedient disciple?

The nerve! Challenging her right off the bat?!

Without a word, Tsunade stepped forward and flicked Naruto's forehead with a fraction of her monstrous strength.

"Listen, brat. Learn some respect when speaking to your elders."

CRACK!

"Ow!!!"

Naruto winced, clutching his head.

"What the hell, you old hag?!"

At that, Jiraiya and Shizune's jaws nearly hit the ground.

How was Naruto still standing after taking one of Tsunade's flicks head-on?!

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her irritation mounting.

This brat dared call her an old hag?

Without hesitation, she raised her leg and aimed a devastating kick at Naruto.

BOOM!

Naruto crossed his arms, blocking the blow. Though unscathed, the ground beneath him shattered from the force.

Tsunade's eyes widened.

This blond brat...

Just what was he made of?!