The forest was enveloped in a dense, thick mist, imbued with the fragrance of fresh and tangy leaf litter. It was a cold night, but the person sitting by the campfire seemed impervious to the cold, with their arms crossed over their chest and their gaze lost in the dance of the flames.
The campfire burned with fervor, its comforting heat and golden light illuminating the person's face. The flickering, vibrant flame cast whimsical shadows around them, weaving them through the darkness of the night. The person watched the fire's constant movement, absorbed in fascination and captivated by its ethereal beauty.
The melancholy of the night had fallen upon them like a heavy cloak, and the campfire was their only company. Those flames were their loyal friend, their confidant, their support. They were the only witness to their thoughts and longings, and to the uncertainty that besieged them.
Dry twigs and dead leaves crackled beneath their body, while the wind blew through the treetops, producing a sound of dull moaning. The outside world was so vast, so uncertain, and the future seemed so distant and dangerous. And yet, there they were, sitting by the campfire, feeling its warmth in their hands and legs, and experiencing a strange sense of security.
They wondered if they would ever have the chance to leave behind this world of hardships and fears, and if they would ever achieve the happiness they longed for. What would happiness really mean? Would it be something tangible, something they could possess or buy, or simply a fleeting illusion that would flee before their eyes when they tried to capture it? Or would it be something deeper and more lasting, something that arose from within oneself and did not depend on anything or anyone but oneself?
Perhaps they would never know, but for now, the campfire was their refuge, their resting place, and a stopover awaiting tomorrow's arrival. Maybe it was cruel and unrealistic to seek destiny too eagerly; maybe it was worth more to focus on the present and enjoy it.
The one gazing into the fire was a man of generally attractive and striking appearance, with physical features that defied any easy classification. He had a prominent, square jaw that conveyed strength and determination, although it was also harmonized with a narrow, high nose that gave a refined and sensitive touch to his physiognomy.
His eyes were one of the most remarkable features of his face. They were dark green, deep, and melancholic, with double eyelids and fine wrinkles near the base of each one, which contributed to giving them a mysterious and enigmatic air.
The man's mouth was well-drawn and full of feeling, with thick, fleshy lips that had a very special allure. It was a sensual mouth, capable of conveying a whole range of emotions, from sarcastic humor to sexual passion.
Additionally, his neck was long and muscular, with a silver chain that shone on his smooth and taut skin. This combination of strength and fragility was captivating and provocative.
He also had a broad, elevated forehead, marked by an almost nonexistent eyebrow and a raised nasal bridge, which gave an intellectual and cultured note to his appearance. Although this contrasted with the gentle curve of his cheeks, which were full and colored with a vivid and transparent pink blouse.
Finally, his ears were round and separated, located slightly forward on his head and covered with long, silky hairs that swayed when he spoke. Together, these features formed a complex and balanced face, where power and passion coexisted in harmonious harmony.
This man seemed to have a personality as fearless as his blond hair, with a combination of traits that made him unique and memorable. His beauty not only lay in his physical appearance but also in his presence and energy, which made him irresistibly attractive.
However, all of that was irrelevant at the moment because before the young man, an older man in his fifties was looking at him with a smile, wearing a light and breathable cotton clothing, making it ideal for Konoha's warm climate. The kimono has a high collar and long sleeves. The obi is bright red and has a flower pattern. The obi is tied around the waist of the kimono with a simple knot.
That man was known as Jiraiya, the Sage of Mount Myoboku, one of the three legendary Sannin survivors of the Third Shinobi World War and students of the former Third Hokage. This man was looking at him with a smile as if seeing an old friend after a long time, although for him, it was not that important, the reunion with the man with whom he had a past, one that he didn't like to remember, was bound to him anyway.
Jiraiya: You know, kid, you're really hard to find when you set your mind to it. Tell me, have you found a good woman yet?
Naruto: Cut the unnecessary questions, Jiraiya. If you're here right now, it's because I allowed you to find me after so long, so tell me, what were you looking for?
Jiraiya: Wow, straight to the point, huh? As always, you go straight to the important stuff. But, well, the reason I was looking for you was for you to return to Konoha.
Naruto: Really? You were looking for me for that?
Jiraiya: Yes, I was. So tell me, are you going to go back?
Naruto: Although I would like to return, you know perfectly well that my presence in that place is not welcome because of past events.
Jiraiya: Yes, yes, you don't have to remind me what you did. Although it wasn't the best way to do it, it was necessary to cut off the rotten branches.
Naruto: Yes, and at a high cost, which could have been avoided if Minato had listened to me.
Jiraiya: I know he made a big mistake for which he is still paying until now.
Naruto: That was his problem, not mine, since he put a bounty on my head.
Jiraiya: So, really, after four years, you still can't forgive him, huh...
Naruto: I told him at that time, and I'll tell you again, Jiraiya, "I do not forget and I do not forgive."
Without saying any more words, he got up from where he was sitting to turn around, not without first taking the few belongings he had and starting to take the first steps to disappear into the darkness of the night. But not before stopping to say a few last words that would mark the beginning of something great in the future, for which the elemental nations were still prepared.
Naruto: Jiraiya, you'd better stay alert at all times, even around your closest allies, because very soon this fragile and illusory peace they find themselves in will end...
Finishing his last warning to the only person he still had some kind of attachment to from his past, he continued on his way, disappearing into the darkness of the night under Jiraiya's melancholic gaze, who watched as the boy he once thought would be the chosen one left without looking back, for who knows when they would meet again as enemies or allies, where he had to take a side where whichever he chose would end up losing another cherished person to him.
And end of the chapter