"Back already?"
"I came back as soon as I heard the old man's message. Is there going to be another war?"
"Sunagakure's Third Kazekage has gone missing! Sunagakure had been acting frequently some time ago, and everyone was wondering what was happening. Then it was exposed recently... War... can no longer be avoided."
"What a headache." Jiraiya saw the old man before him wearing the same helpless expression and sighed. Then he grinned playfully and asked, "By the way, where's Tsunade?"
"Worried that something unexpected might happen, I sent her to guard the battlefield first."
"Her blood phobia..."
"Don't worry." The Third Hokage removed the pipe from his mouth and looked at Jiraiya. "I arranged for her to stay in the rear. She'll be fine." Then he sighed again. "I just hope those kids grow up quickly!"
"If there's nothing else, I'll go rest first." Jiraiya clearly had no interest in listening to an old man lament. He picked at his ear and said, "Just tell me later if you need anything arranged."
After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for the Third Hokage to speak. When he reached the door, though, he suddenly stopped, as if recalling something. He pulled a sheet of paper from his clothes and tossed it over. "Oh, and this. I found something interesting outside."
His words fell.
The flimsy sheet of paper drifted onto the table and unfolded directly before the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the paper and froze. A moment later, his brows furrowed slightly. Removing the pipe from the corner of his mouth, he muttered, "Shimura Danzō?"
Why had he not received such an important bounty notice until now?
What were the intelligence agents outside doing?
Or had it been intercepted?
The Third Hokage pondered in frustration for a moment. Then he lowered his head to glance at the amount listed on it and immediately chuckled. "That's quite a lot!"
360 million taels.
Unfortunately.
As the Third Hokage of Konoha, he was not about to trade his close friend for money.
A mere 360 million taels.
To the leader of the strongest village in the ninja world, it was just pocket... change!!!
"Fuyou Milk Tea." Jiraiya looked at the milk tea shop before him and felt a wave of emotion. Shaking his head, he muttered, "Who would've thought that in just a few years, he really got it going?"
He remembered that kid back then.
Interesting, sensible, and unlike the usual Uchiha brats who wore sour faces all day. That kid had always been cheerful.
Optimistic and driven, with an unwavering Will of Fire.
His talent was pretty good too, only a few points below Lord Jiraiya's. He originally had a chance to become Lord Jiraiya's disciple, but who would've thought that on graduation day...
He had gone into business.
What a pity!
Still.
For some reason... every time Jiraiya passed this milk tea shop, he stopped and wanted to go in for a cup.
At first, he thought he might have fallen under some Genjutsu or something. But that wasn't it... he simply wanted to drink it.
With a long sigh, Jiraiya was just about to enter.
"Jiraiya-sensei."
A familiar voice came from behind him.
Jiraiya laughed twice and turned around. Seeing Minato, his eyes immediately lit up. "You're in the village, Minato!" Then he looked at the red-haired woman beside Minato. "Oh, Kushina's gotten prettier too!"
"Hmph!" Kushina snorted unhappily and raised her fist. "Pervy Sage, if you dare lead Minato astray, I'll beat you up!"
"You misunderstand me, Kushina. I'm not that kind of person!"
"Big Sister Tsunade said that she broke your... back then..."
"Kushina." Minato helplessly tugged her hand, then looked at his awkwardly smiling teacher. "Welcome back, Jiraiya-sensei. I've become a squad leader now. My subordinates accepted a mission and are carrying it out here."
"Really? You already have subordinates. Time sure flies." Jiraiya nodded emotionally, then glanced behind him. "Carrying out a mission here? Selling milk tea?"
"No! They're just running errands." Minato laughed twice. "Thanks to Fuyou, otherwise the village wouldn't have so many D-rank missions."
Freshly graduated ninja all needed to take on these tedious missions. It was not only to cultivate teamwork among new ninja, but also to teach them to treat every mission seriously, patiently, and responsibly.
During this time, Obito had gained a lot from delivering takeout. At the very least, he could now calmly run errands instead of being so reckless and impatient.
Of course, they could not keep doing this forever. In a few days, Minato planned to take on a C-rank escort mission or a bandit-clearing mission so Obito and Rin could see another side of being ninja. As for Kakashi... he had already seen it.
Minato brought Kushina and Jiraiya into the milk tea shop and ordered a QQ Milk Tea for Kushina and himself. The name was really a mouthful. He had mentioned it to Fuyou more than once and had even told Fuyou about the name he came up with himself: Wave Pill Style Bouncing Milk Tea.
What a great name!
When new versions came out, they would only need to change Style One to Style Two.
Unfortunately.
It had been rejected.
Even though it sounded great!
Of course, it was not as though he had gained nothing. The translucent Pearl Balls had given him a bit of inspiration, allowing the Ninjutsu that had been stalled for some time to make another breakthrough in research!
Why not make it into a ball like a pearl?
He would call it Pearl Ball... Forget it, that name didn't sound good!
Minato had a feeling that the Ninjutsu he had been researching for so long was close to succeeding. Perhaps now that his teacher had returned, he could help too?
After the two finished ordering, Minato patted his chest and told Jiraiya-sensei to order whatever he wanted. Today, Minato Namikaze was treating.
"Taro Ball Pudding Cheese Coconut Jelly, please." Jiraiya expertly ordered a cup as well, then found a seat nearby with Minato and Kushina.
Hearing Minato's idea, Jiraiya froze, then nodded solemnly. "It might work! Ninjutsu without hand seals... Is it finally going to succeed?" He looked at Minato excitedly. "Minato, you really are a genius!"
"No! It's all thanks to your teaching, Sensei."
"Haha, no need to say that. I can't help with this." Toad Sage Jiraiya was not about to steal his student's achievement. After thinking for a moment, he said, "In that case, it may require powerful chakra control. If possible..." He glanced toward the milk tea preparation area. "If you could see how those round pearls are made, perhaps you'd gain even more inspiration?"
"That was my thought too, but unfortunately, Fuyou hasn't returned yet." Minato sighed. "I could ask Lingyin, but I feel that something this important should be discussed with Fuyou personally."
"That makes sense." Jiraiya nodded. "Where did that Fuyou guy go?"
"Apparently, because the atmosphere in the ninja world has been getting increasingly tense, he was worried something unexpected might happen. So he went down to the branch stores to arrange some matters while he still could. But he should be back soon."
Fuyou Grill had also been completed and would probably open before long. By then, Fuyou should be back.
"What an impressive little guy. When people heard he was no longer becoming a ninja, quite a few mocked him and waited to see him fail. Who would've thought he'd really succeed?" Jiraiya picked up his finished milk tea and burst into laughter. Then he waggled his brows and lowered his voice. "Tonight..."
Before he could finish, he saw Kushina's unfriendly gaze. How could he not realize that she had caught on?
He gave an awkward smile. "Would you like to accompany your teacher to the little forest outside the village tonight and discuss new Ninjutsu?"
"No, no!" Minato chuckled and rubbed his waist. "Jiraiya-sensei just got back. He should get a good rest tonight."
As soon as he said that.
Kushina seemed to remember something. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she said with a cheerful smile, "By the way, Pervy Sage, if you're going to study Ninjutsu, don't go there. It's become a place where the young ladies of every clan dance. They wear tight-fitting clothes, and those figures... It wouldn't be good if other people saw them!"
"?!" Jiraiya's ears immediately twitched. With a righteous look on his face, he stared at Kushina. "When did that happen? How did I not know?"
After being away from Konoha for years, what had he missed?
Seeing the contempt in her eyes, he quickly said seriously, "Come on, Kushina, tell me. Where is it? I guarantee I won't go!"
"Jiraiya-sensei..."
"Minato, don't tell him! He'll definitely sneak over there!" Kushina looked at him disdainfully. "Pervy Sage!"
Yet her small hand secretly pinched Minato's waist, instantly making him shut up.
"I'm not that kind of person!" Jiraiya shook his head. "I just want to know where it is so I can avoid it and not be misunderstood! Toad Sage never lies!"
"Really?" Kushina looked at him suspiciously.
"Really!" Jiraiya nodded earnestly.
"Fine! I'll tell you, but swear you absolutely won't go!"
"This Toad Sage swears on four!"
"It's right..."
The moment Kushina mysteriously finished telling him, Jiraiya sprang to his feet, trembling all over. Holding his milk tea, he said solemnly, "I just remembered that I haven't reported back to the old man since returning. I'll be leaving for a moment."
His words fell.
With a whoosh, he vanished beneath their gazes.
"..." Minato fell silent for a moment. Then the corner of his mouth twitched as he lowered his voice. "Kushina, isn't this a little bad? Tricking Jiraiya-sensei like this..."
Before he could finish.
Kushina snickered, blinked mischievously, and whispered, "Did I trick him?"
No, she hadn't!
Everything she said was true!
Meanwhile.
Elsewhere.
Rushing to the place Kushina had mentioned with all the speed he could muster and the Body Flicker Technique, Jiraiya heard gentle singing and synchronized footsteps coming from the woods. His whole body trembled. He smoothed his hair, put on the handsome smile of one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, and slowly walked toward the singing...
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