Ch 58: Meeting and Spar

After Jiraiya left me at Ichiraku Ramen to summon the others, I finally had a moment to breathe. Ichiraku's was legendary, and I know so much about it from my knowledge of this world. Sitting there with a steaming bowl of ramen in front of me, I dug in, savoring the flavors. The broth was rich, the noodles perfectly cooked, and the toppings were on point. "No wonder Naruto practically lives here," I muttered to myself.

Before I could finish my bowl, an ANBU appeared, their masked face betraying no emotion. "Arthur Wayne, the Hokage has summoned you. Please come with me."

I nodded, wiping my mouth with a napkin and following the masked shinobi. The walk to the Hokage's office wasn't long, but it gave me time to prepare. The next part was critical—convincing a group of powerful and influential shinobi that I wasn't crazy or a threat.

Once inside, the ANBU bowed and disappeared, leaving me standing in the Hokage's office. The room was well-lit, with walls lined with books and scrolls. Four individuals were already there: Jiraiya, of course, leaning casually against the wall; Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, seated behind his desk with a calm yet authoritative expression; Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, standing tall with an air of quiet confidence; and Kushina Uzumaki, fiery-haired and sharp-eyed, watching me with a mix of curiosity and suspicions from her seat at a sofa while holding her pregnant belly.

Jiraiya broke the silence. "Alright, now that everyone's here, let me introduce you. This is Arthur Wayne." He gestured to me. "And kid, this is Minato Namikaze, the current Hokage; Kushina Uzumaki, his wife; and my sensei, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the previous Hokage."

I bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Minato nodded politely, while Kushina's eyes narrowed slightly. Hiruzen remained unreadable, his gaze focused intently on me.

Jiraiya gestured for me to begin. "Tell them what you told me."

I took a deep breath, letting the weight of the moment settle. "Alright. What I'm about to share is going to sound… impossible. But I assure you, it's the truth. This world's future is heading toward disaster. And with the knowledge I provide you can ensure that doesn't happen."

Minato crossed his arms, his blue eyes sharp. "Disaster? You'll need to be more specific."

I nodded. "It starts with an event that's just around the corner: the Nine-Tails attack."

Kushina's eyes widened, and Minato's expression darkened slightly. Hiruzen raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"The attack won't be random," I continued. "It will be orchestrated by someone you believe to be dead—Obito Uchiha."

Kushina's voice was incredulous. "Obito? That's not possible. He died during the Third Shinobi War. We all saw the rubble."

I met her gaze evenly. "He survived. And he's being manipulated by a man named Madara Uchiha."

Hiruzen finally spoke, his tone calm but probing. "Madara Uchiha has been dead for decades. Are you saying someone is impersonating him?"

"No," I replied. "The man using Madara's name currently is Obito who is working to gather the tailed beasts and recreate the Ten-Tails. The real Madara was alive until recently, and his plans are being used as a blueprint for something far worse."

Minato leaned forward slightly. "And what is that?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "It's a scheme orchestrated by a being called Black Zetsu, who has been manipulating events for centuries. His goal is to revive Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of chakra and the mother of the Sage of Six Paths. If she is resurrected, the world will face destruction on a scale it's never seen before."

The room was silent, the weight of my words hanging heavily.

Hiruzen broke the silence, his voice serious. "And the Child of Prophecy? Where does he fit into all this?" Looks like Jiraiya has explained some stuff to them.

I turned to Kushina and Minato. "Your son, Naruto Uzumaki, will be the reincarnation of Ashura, one of the Sage of Six Paths' sons. He's destined to be the key to saving this world—or its destruction, depending on the choices made and the guidance he receives."

Kushina's expression softened at the mention of her unborn child, but her wariness didn't fade entirely. Minato, however, seemed deep in thought.

"And the Nine-Tails attack?" Minato asked. "How does that tie into all this?"

I sighed. "On the night of Naruto's birth, Obito will use the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha. You and Kushina will sacrifice yourselves to protect the village and seal the beast into Naruto. Your deaths will set many events into motion."

Kushina clenched her fists, her fiery temper rising. "And why are you telling us this? What are we supposed to do with this information?"

"I'm here," I said firmly. "to give you a chance to prepare. Some events are inevitable, but with the right knowledge, you can minimize the damage and guide the future in the right direction."

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And what do you gain from this? Why intervene?"

I met his gaze. "Because this world deserves better. And because I can't stand by and let innocent people suffer when I have the power to help."

Minato exchanged a glance with Kushina, his expression conflicted. Finally, he spoke. "If what you're saying is true, this changes everything. But we need proof. Something concrete."

I nodded. "I'll give you what I can. But for now, trust that I'm here to help. The stakes are too high for us to waste time doubting each other."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You've certainly given us much to consider, Arthur Wayne. But until we see your actions match your words, you'll remain under observation."

"Fair enough," I replied. "Just point me to where I can help, and I'll prove myself."

Minato nodded. "For now, we'll keep this information within this room. Jiraiya Sensei, keep him close. Arthur, we'll talk again soon."

---

Minato wasted no time after our meeting. He assembled a team to investigate Obito's supposed death site, determined to verify the information I'd given him. While they were off confirming the grim truth, I myself was in Jiraiya's apartment—a simple but functional three-bedroom space that felt oddly cozy for someone with his reputation.

"To be honest, I'm surprised you even have a house, Master Jiraiya," I remarked as I sat on the couch. "I had the impression you lived in a brothel or a tavern."

Jiraiya gave me an annoyed look. "Of course, I have a house! I grew up in Konoha. What, did you think I lived on the streets or something?"

I chuckled, unable to resist teasing him. "Well, with how often you're out… 'researching,' it's not far-fetched."

He huffed, muttering something about "respect for elders," before sitting across from me at the small dining table.

Truth be told, I wasn't planning on staying in this world for as long as I had in the Harry Potter world. My goal here was clear: create the seals needed to unlock Excalibur's full potential. Once that was done, I'd hop to the next world. Spending a few months here would suffice, especially since I already had the cooperation of the village's top minds in sealing techniques.

"Alright, kid," Jiraiya said, breaking my train of thought. "What's your plan? You mentioned needing seals for your sword, but you've been a little vague about the specifics."

I nodded, summoning Excalibur out from my inventory with a flash of light. The elegant blade shimmered, its golden aura faint but regal. "This is Excalibur, a Holy sword. It's currently too powerful for me to handle. I need advanced seals to seal some of its power. If I could tie it to the world I wouldn't have needed seals but currently it has power to defeat godly beings and vaporise them. I just don't want to use it in a normal fight and vaporise everything around me."

Jiraiya leaned forward, his interest piqued. "A Holy Sword capable of killing Gods, huh? Sounds like something out of legend. What kind of seals are we talking about?"

"Complex ones," I replied. "Think of it as a combination of storage and reinforcement seals, but on a scale far beyond what's typical. I need seals that can amplify their power by using the sword's energy because the sword doesn't work on chakra."

Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's no small task. It'll take time to design something like that. You'll need input from the best seal masters in the village."

"Which is why I came here," I said. "Between you, Kushina, and Minato, I have access to some of the greatest minds in sealing techniques."

He smirked. "Flattery won't get you anywhere here, kid. But if you're serious about this, we'll need to start gathering materials and doing research. I'll loop in Kushina—she's a natural with seals—and Minato once he's free from his little mission."

I nodded, grateful for his willingness to help. "Thanks, Master Jiraiya. I'll do whatever it takes to see this through."

He waved me off. "Don't mention it. Just don't go causing trouble in the village while we're working on this."

"Trouble?" I grinned. "Me? Never."

---

Over the next few days, I settled into a routine. During the mornings, I trained to maintain my combat readiness, practicing with Caliburn and experimenting with my other abilities. In the afternoons, I worked with Jiraiya and Kushina on preliminary designs for the seals. The evenings were reserved for rest—or, in Jiraiya's case, "research," which usually involved him sneaking off to spy on women.

One evening, Kushina visited the apartment to review the seal sketches we'd worked on. She was as sharp and no-nonsense, quickly pointing out flaws and suggesting improvements.

"This seal here," she said, tapping the parchment. "You've got the amplification formula backwards. If you activate it like this, it'll destabilize the seals instead of reinforcing it."

I winced. "Good catch. That could've been disastrous."

She gave me a small smirk. "Stick with me, and you'll avoid blowing yourself up."

---

In a week, Minato's team returned with their findings. He summoned Jiraiya, Hiruzen, Kushina, and me to his office to share the report.

Minato's expression was grim as he addressed us. "Arthur's information was correct. Obito Uchiha is alive. We found no trace of any body after clearing the cave, but there were clear signs that someone had been taken out from under the rubble. And based on what we know, it's likely that this person was either Black Zetsu or Madara."

Jiraiya let out a low whistle. "Damn. Looks like we've got our work cut out for us."

Kushina clenched her fists. "If Obito is working with someone as dangerous as Madara, we need to act fast. We can't let them get away with this."

Minato nodded. "Not now. Currently, we'll keep this information within a trusted circle. We can't risk causing panic in the village."

I spoke up. "If you need any help you can ask me ill do what I can."

Minato gave me a small smile. "Thank you, Arthur. Your help means more than you know."

---

I continued refining my seals as July rolled around, but as always, the beginning of the month meant one thing: spinning the gacha. This time, my rewards were a mixed bag—a Hidden Blade from Assassin's Creed, a master assassin's robe, and a skill called [Maths].

At first glance, the assassin set was incredible. The Hidden Blade felt sleek, deadly, and practical, while the robe exuded that classic master of shadows vibe. However, what really grabbed my attention was the [Maths] skill.

At its current level, the skill allowed me to increase or decrease the length and dimensions of anything. Yes, literally anything. From weapons to objects, and potentially even concepts, I could mentally tweak their properties with terrifying precision. The description suggested that the skill could be leveled up over time, unlocking even greater potential. On the surface, it might sound basic, but anyone with half a brain could see how broken this ability truly was.

I could shorten an enemy's sword mid-swing or shrink the enemy itself. Stretch my blade to strike from unexpected ranges. Shrink objects for easy transport or expand barriers to shield entire areas. The possibilities were endless, and I could already feel myself grinning like a madman as I imagined its applications in both combat and utility.

This skill was, without question was OP as hell.

---

Feeling a need to test myself I approached Jiraiya with a proposal.

"Master Jiraiya," I said one evening as we sat on the balcony of his modest apartment, a light breeze carrying the faint smell of the surrounding forest. "Would you be willing to spar with me? No flashy powers, no weapons. Just hand-to-hand combat."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and intrigue. "You want to fight me? You do realize who you're talking to, right?"

I grinned, unshaken. "Of course. That's exactly why I want to fight you. I've not faced a lot in my travels, thats why I want to go toe-to-toe with a Sannin. I want to see how I measure up."

He chuckled, taking a sip of his sake. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Fine, kid. Tomorrow morning, training ground seven. Don't be late—and don't hold back. I sure won't."

---

The next morning, the sky was clear, the sun rising steadily over the horizon. I arrived at the training ground early, taking the time to stretch and mentally prepare. This was a chance to test myself against one of the most feared and respected shinobi in history.

Jiraiya arrived shortly after, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a serious focus that set the tone for the battle ahead.

"Alright," he said, rolling his shoulders. "Ground rules: no ninjutsu, no genjutsu, no weapons. Just pure hand-to-hand. Got it?"

"Got it," I replied, dropping into a loose fighting stance.

"Good." Jiraiya's smirk turned sharp, almost predatory. "Then let's see what you've got, kid."

---

The moment I activated the Joker Card Jiraiya charged, I realized just how outmatched I was. His sheer speed was staggering, his movements a blur as he closed the distance between us in an instant, if I were to move at such speeds I would lose balance. His first punch was a straightforward jab aimed at my ribs, and though I managed to sidestep, the force of the air displaced by his fist was enough to make me flinch.

Not wanting to stay on the defensive, I retaliated with a quick spinning kick aimed at his midsection. Jiraiya blocked it with ease, countering with a palm strike that sent me skidding backward.

"You're quick," he admitted, his tone approving. "But speed without precision is useless."

"Guess I'll have to fix that," I shot back, lunging forward with a series of rapid punches.

I drew on every martial art I'd learned across my journeys—Karate for raw power, Wing Chun for fluid combinations, and even elements of Capoeira to keep my movements unpredictable. To my credit, I landed a few glancing blows, but Jiraiya's experience shone through as he effortlessly deflected or dodged the majority of my attacks.

Without warning, Jiraiya shifted gears. He ducked under one of my punches, stepping into my guard and driving his shoulder into my chest. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and before I could recover, he grabbed my wrist and twisted, flipping me over his shoulder and slamming me into the ground.

"Too predictable," he said, releasing me and stepping back to give me space.

I groaned, pulling myself to my feet. "You don't say."

Realizing that raw strength and speed wouldn't be enough, I decided to change my approach. I focused on reading his movements, looking for patterns and openings.

Jiraiya came at me again, his fists flying in a controlled yet relentless barrage. I ducked under a right hook, countering with a quick jab to his ribs. He grunted but didn't falter, retaliating with a spinning kick that I barely managed to block.

Using his momentary overextension, I stepped inside his guard and delivered a powerful elbow strike to his sternum, followed by a knee aimed at his thigh.

"Not bad," he admitted, backing off slightly. "You're learning. But can you keep up?"

Jiraiya stepped up his game, his strikes coming faster and harder. I struggled to keep up or simply react to his assault even with my instincts, my arms and legs burning as I blocked and dodged his relentless assault.

One particularly vicious uppercut slipped through my guard, snapping my head back and leaving me dazed. Jiraiya pressed the advantage, sweeping my legs out from under me and pinning me to the ground with his knee.

"Yield?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to give in. "Not a chance."

Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I twisted my body and managed to break free from his grip. Rolling to my feet, I took a deep breath and focused.

I launched myself at Jiraiya with strikes faster and more precise than before. I aimed for weak points—his joints, his solar plexus, his balance. For a moment, it felt like I was holding my own.

But Jiraiya was a legend for a reason. He adapted to my tactics with frightening speed, his counters becoming sharper and more devastating.

The last clash was a whirlwind of fists, kicks, and raw willpower. I managed to land a solid punch to his jaw, but his retaliation—a spinning back kick—hit me square in the chest, sending me sprawling.

Before I could rise, he was on me, pinning me down once again.

"Alright, kid," he said, his tone lighter now. "I think that's enough for today."

---

I lay on the ground, chest heaving, as Jiraiya helped me to my feet. My body ached, but there was a strange sense of satisfaction coursing through me.

"You've got potential," Jiraiya said, clapping me on the back. "You've still got a lot to learn, but with time, you could be one hell of a fighter."

"Thanks," I replied, wincing as I dusted myself off. "Though I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel this for weeks."

He laughed, the sound hearty and genuine. "Consider it a lesson in humility. You can't rely on fancy powers or weapons all the time. Sometimes, it's just about grit and skill."

As we left the training ground, I couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Jiraiya. He was more than just a pervy sage or a war hero; he was a master who had honed his craft through years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice.

And though I had lost the fight, I walked away with something far more valuable: a clearer understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses—and a burning desire to improve.

---Note

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