Naruto Uzumaki had a number of mentors who helped him on his way to becoming the Hokage of Konoha, but Jiraiya was perhaps the most influential because he was both a teacher and a father figure to young Naruto. Jiraiya was also a mentor to Naruto’s father, Minato. What probably hurts the most about Jiraiya’s death is that he’s the only character who is not resurrected in the series. Jiraiya has played a big role in the growth and character development of Naruto since the first season. So, when and how does Naruto find out about Jiraiya’s Death?
Being known as Toad Sage, Jiraiya taught Naruto how to summon Toads from Mount Myoboku and was the first mentor to try and help young Naruto control his Nine-Tails power. Jiraiya was known to be a peeping tom and a loner. But he was also one of the greatest ninjas, who toured the world in search of answers to the questions that would help him write the many books he wrote. The knowledge he acquired not only helped his friends but, after his death, the entire world. The knowledge that would be passed down to his single strongest successor, Naruto Uzumaki.
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Who was Jiraiya?
Jiraiya was one of Konohagakure’s Sannin. After graduating from Konoha’s Ninja Academy, Jiraiya was teamed with two other members, and they were led by Hiruzen Sarutobi. During his training under Hiruzen, Jiraiya came across Mount Myboku, which was known as the Home of the Toads. It was here that he learned how to summon toads without making a contract with them first, and thus why he came to be known as Toad Sage later on in his life. A prediction made by his teacher changed Jiraiya’s life. Hiruzen said that Jiraiya would eventually travel the world and come across the Child of the Prophecy, who would be his greatest disciple. Further, the fate of the world was placed in Jiraiya’s hands when he was told that his student would grow up to either save the world or completely destroy it based on how Jiraiya teaches them.
Why was Jiraiya known as the greatest ninja of his generation?
Jiraiya was an exceptionally powerful shinobi. He was crowned Sanin after he proved capable of battling Hanz and his enormous salamander, Ibuse. The Uchiha Clan and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, for example, faded away in comparison. Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha agreed that the best they would be able to attain would be a stalemate against Jiraiya, that too only if they worked together.
Jiraiya and Naruto: Like Father and Son
Jiraiya’s relationship with Naruto starts off as that of a Godfather and his Godson. But as he realizes that Naruto could be the Child of the Prophecy, Jiraiya becomes Naruto’s teacher and starts training him to guide him properly. Jiraiya was the one to give Naruto his name, based on the protagonist of his own novel “The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi”. Unfortunately, Jiraiya was forced to leave the village after learning of the existence of the Orochimaru Clan and was thus unable to be in Naruto’s life for the first 12 years. Jiraiya would meet Naruto during the boy’s first Chunin Exam, where they would bond over their many similarities – from wanting to bring peace to the world to their unrequited love for their female teammates.
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Jiraiya’s Fatal Assasination
Jiraiya’s death in the sixth season of Naruto Shippuden was one of the show’s most heartbreaking events. Not only because he was not resurrected, but also because he was killed by his ex-student, Nagato. Nagato, who hides his identity as Pain, was the leader of the Akatsuki clan. During the battle, Nagato releases his Six Paths of Pain which was too much for Jiraiya to handle, which eventually led to his death. During his last moments, Jiraiya left behind a coded message of clues for Naruto that would eventually help him figure out the true identity of Pain.
When Does Naruto Find Out About Jiraiya’s Death?
Fukasaku is the one who breaks the news of Jiraiya’s death to Naruto. In chapter 90 of the manga, Fukasaku reports at Tsunade’s office and informs her of Jiraiya’s death. The news is then broken to Naruto’s friends and teachers, and eventually to Naruto as well. He didn’t take the news well. Jiraiya was one of the few people who was kind to Naruto from the beginning. He protected, loved, and trained Naruto like his own kid. Jiraiya was the greatest sensei Naruto had, and after his demise, Naruto was left heartbroken. He slipped into a depressive episode and would cry for hours on end. It took Iruka, Naruto’s instructor at the academy, a lot of himself to pull Naruto out of his episode and give him a purpose to continue his training.
Naruto dedicated himself and his life to protect what his teacher wanted to safeguard, as a thank you for everything Jiraiya had done for him. He would train for days at a stretch on Mount Myoboku to perfect his Sage mode. It was a difficult time for Naruto, but Jiraiya’s unwavering devotion for him transformed him into the victorious Naruto we know today.
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