Jiraiya (Naruto) - Plot Overview

Plot Overview

Jiraiya makes only sporadic appearances for most of the series, returning to Konoha after long absences to report on information he has learned during his travels. Initially this information concerns Orochimaru's continued efforts to destroy Konoha, though as the series progresses he also begins reporting on the criminal organization, Akatsuki. During some of his returns Jiraiya takes the time to train Naruto, teaching him his own signature abilities, and how to control Kurama. After Naruto's flawed attempt to retrieve Sasuke, Jiraiya decides to take the boy for a few years of training to make him strong enough to bring Sasuke back and to protect himself from the Akatsuki .

In Part II, after entrusting Naruto with the key to Kurama's seal, Jiraiya begins investigating the Akatsuki's leader Pain. In the course of his investigation leads him to battle Pain, recognizing him to be Nagato as he tries to kill his student to prevent the world's destruction before being overwhelmed by the Six Paths. At the battle's conclusion, thinking back throughout his life, Jiraiya realizes that Naruto was actually the boy foretold in the prophecy. Due to this, and remembering that it was his first novel that inspired Minato to name his son after the book's protagonist, Jiraiya mustered the strength to get up and write one last message. Before succumbing to his fatal wounds, Jiraiya sends the secret behind Nagato's Paths of Pain, along with a disabled Animal Path, to Naruto and the rest of Konoha to give them an edge. He then dies without regret as he sinks into the sea; knowing that he did all he could for the future hero of the world.