Naruto Columns
11/11/2023
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Jiraiya's Birthday on 11/11! Looking Back on the Gallant Toad Sage Who Guides the Next Generation!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Toad Sage who taught both Naruto and Minato, and was revered as a member of the "Legendary Three" alongside Orochimaru and Tsunade: Jiraiya!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Toad Sage who taught both Naruto and Minato, and was revered as a member of the "Legendary Three" alongside Orochimaru and Tsunade: Jiraiya!
■Jiraiya
・Birthday: November 11th (Scorpio)
・Favorite Food: Perilla and garlic, fried chicken
Fighting Shoulder-to-Shoulder and Becoming Legends
During his Genin years, he develops his ninja skills under the tutelage of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, alongside Orochimaru and Tsunade.
The three of them go on to win many victories in the ongoing war, and are dubbed "The Three Great Shinobi of Konoha" by the leader of the Hidden Rain, Hanzo of the Giant Salamander, out of respect for their abilities.
Jiraiya's unbreakable spirit and skill with fire and earth style, Orochimaru's ingenuity and wide repetoire of jutsu, and Tsunade's mastery of medical ninjutsu... These skills win them wide acclaim, and the trio soon becomes known far and wide as the "Legendary Three".
The three of them go on to win many victories in the ongoing war, and are dubbed "The Three Great Shinobi of Konoha" by the leader of the Hidden Rain, Hanzo of the Giant Salamander, out of respect for their abilities.
Jiraiya's unbreakable spirit and skill with fire and earth style, Orochimaru's ingenuity and wide repetoire of jutsu, and Tsunade's mastery of medical ninjutsu... These skills win them wide acclaim, and the trio soon becomes known far and wide as the "Legendary Three".
Meeting Naruto
While out gathering intelligence, Jiraiya goes to the hot spring district to peek do research for his novel.
There, he runs into Naruto, who is visiting the area with Ebisu for training purposes.
There, he runs into Naruto, who is visiting the area with Ebisu for training purposes.
"WAIT JUST A MINUTE THERE!!
GOOD QUESTION!
I AM THE MOST HOLY HERMIT SAGE OF THE MOUNT MYOBOKU TOADS,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TOAD SAGE.
PLEASED TO MEET YA!!"
Jiraiya takes over supervising Naruto's walking-on-water drill in Ebisu's place, and instantly notices the interference between the Nine Tails' chakra and Naruto's, quickly correcting the issue by removing the destabilizing Five-Pronged Seal.
Through subsequent training, he is able to help Naruto use more of the Nine Tails' chakra in order to perform the Summoning Jutsu.
Through subsequent training, he is able to help Naruto use more of the Nine Tails' chakra in order to perform the Summoning Jutsu.
After his training, Naruto participates in the main rounds of the third Chunin Exam, which are interrupted by Orochimaru's attempt to destroy the Leaf Village.
The ninja of Konoha fight back with all their might and are able to foil Orochimaru's plan, but their victory comes at the cost of the Third Hokage's life.
Jiraiya then leaves the village in search of Tsunade—a candidate for Fifth Hokage —and brings Naruto along, promising to teach him a certain jutsu...
The ninja of Konoha fight back with all their might and are able to foil Orochimaru's plan, but their victory comes at the cost of the Third Hokage's life.
Jiraiya then leaves the village in search of Tsunade—a candidate for Fifth Hokage —and brings Naruto along, promising to teach him a certain jutsu...
The name of that jutsu is Rasengan.
A legacy of the Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya's former disciple Minato—Naruto's father.
Naruto overcomes the three stages of training one after another, and finally pulls off the technique in the midst of a battle with Orochimaru and Kabuto. Jiraiya greatly contributes to Naruto's growth by teaching him high-level jutsu in a short period of time.
A legacy of the Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya's former disciple Minato—Naruto's father.
Naruto overcomes the three stages of training one after another, and finally pulls off the technique in the midst of a battle with Orochimaru and Kabuto. Jiraiya greatly contributes to Naruto's growth by teaching him high-level jutsu in a short period of time.
One Who Endures
In the town of Tanzaku, Orochimaru seeks out Tsunade in order to break the seal on his arms.
Jiraiya arrives one step behind him for his own long-awaited reunion with her.
Jiraiya arrives one step behind him for his own long-awaited reunion with her.
Jiraiya has provided guidance for many ninja of Konoha, and Tsunade—who had been feeling uncertain in the wake of her meeting with Orochimaru—is moved by his words as well.
As a result, she breaks off negotiations with Orochimaru.
Konoha's "Legendary Three" reunite—deadlocked in a free-for-all battle!
In an effort to halt Orochimaru's plans, Jiraiya engages his former friend in single combat.
As a result, she breaks off negotiations with Orochimaru.
Konoha's "Legendary Three" reunite—deadlocked in a free-for-all battle!
In an effort to halt Orochimaru's plans, Jiraiya engages his former friend in single combat.
"A NINJA IS...
...ONE WHO ENDURES."
"ONE THING I'M GONNA TEACH YOU...
THE MOST IMPORTANT TALENT FOR A SHINOBI...
...IS NOT THE NUMBER OF JUTSU...
THE IMPORTANT THING IS..."
"...HAVING THE GUTS TO NEVER GIVE UP."
Jiraiya has always lived his life in accordance with those words, a courageous protector who never hesitates to press forward.
As a result, his shinobi way embodies heroism in a fashion that bears striking similarities to Naruto's own creed.
Some time after, Naruto officially becomes Jiraiya's student, and the two of them embark on a training journey for roughly three years.
Upon their return to Konoha, traces of Jiraiya's influence can be seen in Naruto, and the depth of their bond is unmistakeable.
Jiraiya then entrusts Naruto to Kakashi, and resumes his reconnaissance work, hunting for information about Sasuke, Orochimaru, and the mysterious Akatsuki.
As a result, his shinobi way embodies heroism in a fashion that bears striking similarities to Naruto's own creed.
Some time after, Naruto officially becomes Jiraiya's student, and the two of them embark on a training journey for roughly three years.
Upon their return to Konoha, traces of Jiraiya's influence can be seen in Naruto, and the depth of their bond is unmistakeable.
Jiraiya then entrusts Naruto to Kakashi, and resumes his reconnaissance work, hunting for information about Sasuke, Orochimaru, and the mysterious Akatsuki.
Encountering His Pupil
During his search, Jiraiya finally obtains a clue about the leader of the Akatsuki, Pain.
He infiltrates the Hidden Rain, and is confronted by the "Messenger Angel" Konan.
Then, upon seeing the ripple patterns in Pain's eyes, he becomes certain that the man in front of him is indeed his former student, Nagato.
He infiltrates the Hidden Rain, and is confronted by the "Messenger Angel" Konan.
Then, upon seeing the ripple patterns in Pain's eyes, he becomes certain that the man in front of him is indeed his former student, Nagato.
The children he saved, guided, and taught ninjutsu to are nothing like they once were.
In order to protect the Leaf Village from the Akatsuki, Jiraiya activates Sage Mode.
In order to protect the Leaf Village from the Akatsuki, Jiraiya activates Sage Mode.
Jiraiya's Choice
Jiraiya once recieved a prophecy from the Great Lord Elder of the toads that one of his disciples would bring great change to the shinobi world.
"One of the Legendary Three"... "Master of the Fourth Hokage"... Jiraiya, who bears the weight of many titles, must now make a critical decision.
To protect the shinobi world and its future...
Jiraiya chooses to face his former student—whom he raised and taught believing him to be the "child of prophecy"—and put an end to the threat he presents himself.
"One of the Legendary Three"... "Master of the Fourth Hokage"... Jiraiya, who bears the weight of many titles, must now make a critical decision.
To protect the shinobi world and its future...
Jiraiya chooses to face his former student—whom he raised and taught believing him to be the "child of prophecy"—and put an end to the threat he presents himself.
Thus, his battle to the death against Pain begins.
Jiraiya's years of combat experience allow him to hold up against everything Pain throws at him and begin to unravel the mystery of the Rinnegan!
Jiraiya's years of combat experience allow him to hold up against everything Pain throws at him and begin to unravel the mystery of the Rinnegan!
"The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant" Makes Way for Its Sequel
Even after losing his left arm, Jiraiya does not give up the fight.
However, Pain's barrage of powerful attacks eventually pierces Jiraiya's heart.
As his consciousness dims, he reflects on his own story.
Unable to stop his friend, Orochimaru, and having failed to protect both the Hokage who taught him and the Hokage he taught...
Thinking that nothing he has done measures up to the great deeds of the Hokage, he is overcome with regret.
However, Pain's barrage of powerful attacks eventually pierces Jiraiya's heart.
As his consciousness dims, he reflects on his own story.
Unable to stop his friend, Orochimaru, and having failed to protect both the Hokage who taught him and the Hokage he taught...
Thinking that nothing he has done measures up to the great deeds of the Hokage, he is overcome with regret.
But then, he sees his beloved disciple Minato in his mind's eye.
And not only him...
And not only him...
"I NEVER GO BACK ON MY WORD...
...THAT'S MY SHINOBI WAY!"
He also sees another treasured student, one who keeps on going and never gives up—Naruto.
Remembering these two gives "Jiraiya the Gallant" the strength to stand up one last time.
Remembering these two gives "Jiraiya the Gallant" the strength to stand up one last time.
"I'M NOT GONNA GIVE UP...
THAT WAS THE TRUE CHOICE I WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE!
NARUTO, YOU ARE THE CHILD OF PROPHECY, I'M SURE OF IT NOW!
...AND THE REST, I LEAVE IN YOUR HANDS!!"
Passing the torch to Naruto in his final act, the curtain falls on "The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant".
Yet "The Tale of Naruto Uzumaki" continues!
Yet "The Tale of Naruto Uzumaki" continues!
Article and Composition: Ayano Kobayashi (Caramel mama)
That's all for Jiraiya's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on his heroics and escapades!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on his heroics and escapades!
