The Next Day...

The Sannin shifted into a sitting position as he continued to watch the spectacle in the clearing below him, from his treetop vantage hadn't been able to keep himself away. Just like with his previous students, the boy had captured his attention and just wouldn't let go. Being Naruto's Godfather, the Sannin was privy to information of the blondes training; as such, he knew that Sarutobi had no concrete plan for the taijutsu style Naruto was currently coming up with. He had simply instructed Yuugao equip him with the basics, and perhaps a little inspiration, and let the creative boy run with it. And even Jiraiya had to admit, the boy had utilised his inventiveness and taken to creating a brand new style like a duck to water.

He had learnt the basics, using his Kage Bunshin to a fairly advanced level, as well as the academy style. And while most people would attempt to combine these into rigid kata and combinations, the child had taken a completely different approach. Instead, he was using what he knew to create more of a 'fighting philosophy'; a manner of combat that could be moulded and adapted, one that could evolve with the shinobi learning it. This was in fact, how all of the 'true' shinobi taijutsu styles had come into being. Styles such as the 'Goken' focus on speed, and physical superiority, mastery of ones own body in order to master your opponent. Whereas his sensei's style, the 'Saru-ken' revolved around using the terrain to your advantage, in order to strike the enemy from unexpected angles or from outside their field of vision.

This is what Naruto had done instinctively. His 'fighting philosophy' appeared to revolve around keeping the enemy off balance, and never maintaining a rigid pattern of attacks; thus preventing the enemy from predicting your next move. This approach was supplemented by his obvious talent with the Kage Bunshin technique, using the Bunshin to work in tandem with himself to constantly keep the enemy fending off attacks from multiple directions, and often at the same time. This prevented them from gaining any kind of foothold in the fight. Of course, the obvious advantages is relative to the abilities of the enemy; which is where ninjutsu and other techniques and strategies came into play. This is where approaching taijutsu as a philosophy, rather than a rigid doctrine was essential for a shinobi. It allows the shinobi to seamlessly weave other techniques into their combat.

That Naruto was approaching his training from this angle was highly impressive, and spoke a lot for natural disposition towards the shinobi arts; despite the fact that he obviously lacked the natural talent of say, an Uchiha. This is where Naruto mirrored his Father. They were both as talentless as they came, but both were so driven and determined that their work-rate made up for the slow learning curve. And that was the problem. He was far too much like the Sannin's old student. Even now, he couldn't help but be reminded of watching his own student train; doggedly practicing and improving until they had achieved what they had set out to. He was here out of some kind of perverse and masochistic curiosity, he knew the grief that he would face every time he laid eyes upon his Godson.

But he kept coming back, kept checking up on the boy every time he was in the village. And over the years, the grief had morphed into something far, far more unbearable. Guilt. Unfathomable guilt. He knew damned well he could have improved the boy's life, helped him escape his loneliness. But he hadn't, out of pure selfishness and cowardice. And now, he wasn't sure if any relationship with Naruto would be salvageable. How could the boy forgive him?

He sighed as he watch the boy switch the focus of his training, and ten identical figures worked through several hand-seals; and all at once intoned the name of a fairly basic lightning technique. The results were mixed, but the boy hadn't used enough chakra; and only managed to channel the technique through his hand instead of extending it from his hand an obvious sign of his advancement in chakra control. However, Naruto hadn't thought about it like that. Frustration evident, he and his clones had repeated the technique several times; and each time increased the amount of chakra. Finally Naruto had grown impatient, and channelled far more chakra than he should have done.

'SHIT!'

The Sannin was in motion before he realised it. Naruto had totally overloaded his technique completely, resulting in a rather impressive explosion; flinging Naruto backwards, towards the forest behind the clearing he had been using for training. Fortunately, Jiraiya was deceptively fast, considering his age; and managed to catch Naruto before he struck the tree, thus preventing any serious damage.

"Damn, old man. You are fast!"

Jiraiya froze in place. The kid should have been knocked out cold for that. He hadn't intended to actually still be around when he came to. His gaze fell to the boy he was still holding in his arms, and observed the obviously impressed expression on his face. He placed the kid down so he could stand and faked a smug grin.

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"Yeah well, when you're the magnificent Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku; such acts of incredible heroism come as naturally as simply breathing!" Sure, he was laying it on thick, even for him; but it should annoy the kid so much he could leave without-

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud snort from the boy in front of him. "Whatever, you're still an old man!"

"Oh really? I bet I could teach a thing or two about that jutsu you were working on! After all, a shinobi of my obvious calibre must be well versed in ninjutsu."

He had spoken without thinking. A habit that had long since been beaten out of him by Sarutobi. He hadn't been able to help himself. Naruto had just coaxed him into it.

"Really? You could really help me out?" He exuded enthusiasm as he spoke, echoing memories of a certain other blonde jutsu enthusiast, many years before. Yet strangely he was not hit by the grief of losing his last student. He knew, should he actually decide to help the kid out; that once he found out how Jiraiya had left him during his childhood, he would not want to see him again. But Jiraiya still felt compelled to help the kid. He owed him that much for one, Jiraiya also held techniques that were his by birth right. But there was another reason, rather than add to the loss that had niggled away at him since his students passing as he had expected; just interacting with him had lessened it. Almost as if a weight was slowly being lifted off his shoulders, simply by being around the blonde in front of him. Lastly, he found that the boys enthusiasm as completely infectious.

He turned towards Naruto who was staring up at him eagerly awaiting a response. A grin spread across the Sannin's face.

"So... you wanna learn justu?"

Naruto panted as he raced through the seals for Raiton: Kaminari Muchi for what was possibly the thousandth time. He had to admit, Jiraiya knew his jutsu. The old mans demonstration of the technique had been incredible. He had flashed through the seals at almost inhuman speeds, before releasing the technique on both hands; launching two crackling whips of lightning chakra at a pair of trees, and using the technique to physically tear the tree down.

He bought his own hand to bear on another tree, sending it towards his target, and used it to strike his target; gauging out a rather large chunk of the tree.

"Pretty good. You've gained enough control of the chakra to effectively use it as a whip. The next step would be to learn to use it to wrap round a target. However that can wait for a while. I need to talk to you."

Naruto looked at the man before him, his face contorted into what was nearly a grimace. Of course, Naruto had figured out who the man was the moment he had laid eyes upon him. His studies to catch up had inadvertently covered the three Sannin, and how the Sage Jiraiya had tutored the Fourth. He had gone to ask the Old Man to ask what had happened to the man who might be able to tell him more about his Father. It was there that he had learnt that Jiraiya was his Godfather, and his reasons for not staying with in Konoha.

At first Naruto had been furious. But, as he calmed down, he found he could; at least a little, understand how Jiraiya felt. The Hokage had then gone on to explain how important the man was to the villages spy network and ability to stay ahead of any threats, and how such a job would have meant Naruto wouldn't have been much better off. And Naruto could definitely understand that. Jiraiya had to put the village first no matter what, and for that Naruto couldn't help respect him, if only a little. And it was because of this, Naruto decided that if he were ever to meet Jiraiya; he would give the man a chance to make up for lost time. And as far as Naruto could see, that was what the man was trying to do.

Jiraiya took a deep breath as he finished his speech to Naruto. He had started from the beginning, and told him absolutely everything; he was his father's sensei, his Godfather, absolutely everything. All the way through, Naruto had sat fairly calmly, not once showing any sign of the reaction that he was certain that he was going to receive. Instead Naruto just sat in front of him with a smile on his face. His confusion was turning into worry, he had no idea what this meant. He just couldn't read what the kid was thinking. That is, until Naruto spoke.

"You're here now though, right? You're trying to make up for it now, aren't you?"

The Sannin was floored, he couldn't quite formulate a reaction.

"Listen, I guess what I'm trying to say is I forgive you. Yeah I was lonely growing up, and you probably could have changed that. But I have people I consider precious now, and my life has changed because of it. I guess I could try and stay angry with you, but what would be the point? that would just mean throwing away the possibility of gaining another friend, and probably the last living link to my Father."

Naruto took a breath, before breaking out into his trademark grin.

"But that doesn't mean your not gonna have to do at least a little bit of work. I mean, I bet an awesome ninja like you would have at least a little bit to show someone like me."

That was when it clicked in the Sannins mind. 'He already knew! Sensei set me up!' He glanced over at Naruto who had gotten back up, and had resumed practicing his taijutsu with a group of shadow clones. He had been given a second chance. Jiraiya couldn't help but smile to match his Godson. 'That doesn't mean the old goat won't pay for setting me up like this.'

He couldn't help but think about the kids ambition to be Hokage. 'Jiraiya: 'The man who trained two Hokage's.' Now I bet that would impress the ladies...'