Inside the Prime Minister's Residence in the Royal Capital of the Land of Fire, Ming Jing and Jiraiya sat on the floor with three small dishes and a jug of wine between them. A month had passed since the Fourth Great Ninja War. After the Five Kage reached a consensus, Ming Jing had left with the Patrol Officers, allowing Naruto and the others to properly bid farewell to the reincarnated Hokage.
Over the past month, both Ming Jing and Yuexi had been run ragged. They had not only needed to calm the people, but also restore order and production. Only in the last couple of days had things finally eased up a little. Yet after just one day of rest, Jiraiya had come knocking.
"Tsk! Fine wine!" Jiraiya exclaimed with a satisfied expression after taking a swig.
"This is part of my private collection. I normally can't bear to bring it out for just anyone," Ming Jing said with a smile. He had specially collected it when he first arrived in the Royal Capital, and eight years had passed before he knew it.
"Then I'd better have a few more cups!" Jiraiya said with a grin as he filled his own cup.
"Drink less," Ming Jing said, popping a peanut into his mouth. He looked at Jiraiya and asked, "What did you come to see me about this time?"
"We're old friends. Can't I come chat with you?" Jiraiya asked with a wounded look.
"Isn't Konoha busier than my Prime Minister's Residence right now? For Tsunade to let you out at a time like this... did you do something indecent again?" Ming Jing eyed Jiraiya suspiciously. This guy was certainly capable of plenty of that sort of thing. Given his record, it was understandable that he could not change overnight.