The instant Nagato fixed his gaze on him, Naruto felt goosebumps rise all over his body and his hair stand on end. Flattered and alarmed, he took two steps back.
"Ha, haha... Brother Nagato, why are you so excited?"
Seeing Naruto retreat, how could Nagato let this precious treasure before him get away? He stepped forward, draping one hand over Naruto's shoulder while gripping his other arm with the other. In a grave, meaningful tone, he said:
"Naruto~ Tell me, how has Master Jiraiya been lately?"
"As his senior disciple, I haven't seen the old man in many years."
Hearing Nagato ask about Jiraiya, Naruto did not think much of it.
After all, Nagato and Jiraiya were both busy in the Land of Rain and Nadeshiko Village respectively, making it hard for them to meet. Now that he had finally run into Naruto, it was only natural for him to ask after his teacher.
"Pervy Sage is still in Nadeshiko Village. He's getting along pretty well with the village chief now. Last year, the two of them even came to Kumogakure to visit me while I was training."
"They should be, you know, this now."
As he spoke, Naruto raised his pinky and wiggled it twice, indicating that they were dating.
A delighted look appeared on Nagato's face. Fragments of the past flashed through his eyes, and he nodded.
"That's good. It seems Master Jiraiya has found the one he loves too."
"A wandering dragon returns from the sea; the twin dragons come home together. That's a good thing as well~"
"Oh, right. Since you're here, where are the others? Why didn't they come with you?"
As he spoke, Nagato shifted the subject to the other Jinchuriki. Two sharp glints flashed in his eyes, as though he were calculating something.