Chapter 382 follows Jiraiya's final moments as he lies broken yet clear-eyed about Pain's identity. Unable to move, he weighs a lifetime of regrets before choosing to borrow Naruto's creed and pass on one last, vital message.
Main Characters (5)
Summary
Even after piecing together the secret of Pain's identity, Jiraiya finds himself paralyzed and voiceless, his strength ebbing away. As death draws near, he looks back over the disappointments that shaped his life: the Hokage he could not shield, the friend in Orochimaru he could not save, and the love he never won from Tsunade.
Key Events
What wounds him most is the fear of dying without honor. Then he recalls that Naruto took his name from the hero of his very first novel, a bond that quietly made him the boy's godfather.
Since Naruto's guiding principle is to never surrender, Jiraiya resolves to adopt that same creed as his master. Gathering the last of his strength, he passes a crucial message to Fukasaku.
Related Reading
See all
Naruto vs Luffy: Does the Fight Change if Luffy Tickles Hinata?
Naruto vs Luffy with the twist nobody asked for: Luffy tickled Hinata on date night, and she kind of liked it. We break down the whole fight and commit to a winner....
Who Is Naruko? What Naruto's Transformation Jutsu Does to the Whole Hidden Leaf
Naruto built the transformation jutsu himself, and the Hidden Leaf has been quietly not talking about it ever since. The story behind our 90s R&B record about the Naruko question everybody dodges....
Notes
Jiraiya dies believing without doubt that Naruto will one day save the world. The chapter appears as number 382 in volume 42, part of the Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant arc, and bears the Viz title The True Choice!!.
Frequently Asked Questions
What choice did Jiraiya make in "The Real Choice!!"?
Jiraiya chooses to adopt Naruto's own creed of never surrendering as his dying resolve. He gathers the last of his strength to pass a crucial message to Fukasaku, dying certain that Naruto will one day save the world.
What regrets does Jiraiya reflect on before he dies?
As death nears, Jiraiya looks back on the disappointments of his life, including the Third Hokage he could not shield, his friend Orochimaru he could not save, and the love of Tsunade he never won.
Why does Jiraiya consider himself Naruto's godfather?
Jiraiya recalls that Naruto took his name from the hero of Jiraiya's very first novel, a bond that quietly made Jiraiya the boy's godfather.
What is Jiraiya most afraid of as he lies dying?
In "The Real Choice!!", what wounds Jiraiya most is the fear of dying without honor, even after piecing together the secret of Pain's identity.
What arc and chapter number is The Real Choice!! from?
The Real Choice!! is chapter 382, collected in volume 42 as part of the Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant arc, and is titled The True Choice!! in the Viz release.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on The Real Choice!!? The Naruto Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.
