The Shinobi World's Strongest Ninjutsu-The Reporting to Parents Technique

"Shudan, did you get something wrong?"

Nawaki turned to look at the empty doorway.

"There's no one here now, is there?"

"Tsk!"

Faced with Nawaki's question, Shudan said nothing. He simply pulled out a kunai and hurled it at the doorway. But when the speeding kunai reached the spot where there had been no one, it suddenly stopped in midair!

"Shudan, this is our own camp, at least. Don't do something so dangerous without thinking!"

Jiraiya caught the kunai aimed at his crotch, revealing himself as he did. Sweat covered his forehead, and he looked somewhat embarrassed as he glanced at the people in the room. After a pause, he forced himself to put on an air of authority.

"Shudan, you not only resisted temptation but openly reported it. That's very commendable behavior. Minato, Hyakusho, Nawaki, the three of you should learn from your squad leader. Resisting temptation is an essential quality of an upright ninja. Sugimura Yamato..."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed sharply.

"I've taken note of your behavior. Go to the disciplinary squad and accept your punishment!"

"Yes, sir!"

Faced with Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, Sugimura Yamato didn't dare say another word. He slunk off toward the disciplinary squad.

"Namikaze Minato, Hyuga Hyakusho, Senju Nawaki..."

Jiraiya spoke in an even tone.

"I have something to discuss with Shudan. You three, step outside for a moment!"

"Yes, sir!"

Minato, Hyakusho, and Nawaki exchanged glances, then left the room.

"Shudan..."

Once everyone had left, Jiraiya held out his hand.

"Since you reported Sugimura Yamato, hand over the loot he gave you!"

"Tsk!"

Shudan gave Jiraiya a disdainful look.

"Before I hand over these things, can I ask why the disciplinary squad didn't come here to investigate me? Why was it one of the famous Sannin, Jiraiya, waiting for me outside the supply exchange?"

"Ahem..."

Jiraiya put on an air of righteous indignation.

"Shudan, don't question my character. I was afraid that if Yamato's actions came to light, he might panic and do something to you, so I hid nearby and set up a soundproof sealing barrier at the entrance. I was only trying to protect you from Sugimura Yamato and his accomplices outside!"

"Are you an idiot?"

Shudan looked at Jiraiya with scorn.

"No one would believe that even if you told it to a one-year-old! Don't think I don't know what you're after, Jiraiya. You're just trying to get something on me, aren't you? That's a dirty trick!"

"Ahem!"

Jiraiya choked again, but still stubbornly held his ground.

"Stop changing the subject. I don't care what I did. Hand over the loot first!"

"Keep dreaming. I don't have it!"

Shudan looked at Jiraiya coldly.

"Why should I hand over supplies I obtained through my own efforts? I reported him for taking bribes, but the things I got in return are mine. If you want me to hand them over, bring me an equal amount of supplies to trade!"

"Gah!"

Jiraiya had known Shudan was shameless, but he hadn't expected the kid to be this shameless!

Jiraiya had considered handling the matter by the book, but as thick-skinned as he was, he really couldn't bring himself to do it. Shudan was only eight years old, after all. If Jiraiya made a big deal out of this just because the kid had played a prank on him, what would that say about him?

Still, he couldn't let the matter slide. Shudan had profited from this, and that was a fact. Besides, Jiraiya had been wanting to get back at the kid who'd put him through so much trouble. Tsunade's attack had left his chest aching even now. No matter what, he couldn't let Shudan get off scot-free. With that thought, Jiraiya gave Shudan a sinister smile.

"Shudan, don't think that means there's nothing I can do to you. If you don't hand over the loot today, I'll tell your adoptive father, Lord Hatake Sakumo, the whole story!"

"Gah!"

This time, it was finally Shudan's turn to draw a sharp breath. Jiraiya really was Jiraiya. The most terrifying ninjutsu in the Shinobi World—the Reporting to Parents Technique—was a despicable, underhanded trick that he'd mastered to perfection.

"Jiraiya, don't think you can scare me. I, Shudan, don't scare easily!"

Shudan's eyes blazed with fury. He might have let it go if it had been anyone else, but he was absolutely certain that Jiraiya was the kind of man who would follow through!

Shudan swept all the kunai and Explosive Tags off the table and onto the ground at Jiraiya's feet.

"Don't think I'm afraid of you. I just don't want to spoil Uncle Shumo's mood while we're fighting the Sand Shinobi!"

"Of course, of course!"

Jiraiya put on an expression that couldn't have looked more fake. Unbothered, he gathered up all the ninja tools from the floor, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Our Konoha genius Medical Ninja, Hatake Shudan, has grown up. He's become a ninja who can stand on his own, and he's not afraid of the Reporting to Parents Technique at all!"

"Damn it!"

Shudan watched Jiraiya walk toward the doorway with a livid expression, but he had no way to stop him. There was nothing he could do; he really was in the wrong this time. He could only watch Jiraiya swagger away. Fortunately, Shudan wasn't short on supplies. He was just upset about the principle of it!

"Oh, right!"

Jiraiya had already reached the doorway when he suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Shudan, I thought I'd hidden myself pretty well. How did you spot me just now?"

"It's simple!"

Shudan kept a blank expression, gritted his teeth, and spat out the words coldly.

"Isn't it perfectly normal for a doctor to poison his patients during treatment, just to have a way to keep them in check?

Don't worry. The stuff I gave you only lets me sense your approximate location and gives you a little impotence. It won't put your life in danger!"

"Holy crap!"

Jiraiya was stunned on the spot.

"What doctor calls poisoning a patient normal? And you say 'only'? A drug that lets you track someone is already going too far, and what's this drug for your 'little buddy'? No wonder I've been feeling off lately! Shudan, I've never wronged you, have I? What did I ever do to you?"

"You're sure you've never wronged me?"

Shudan shot Jiraiya a cold glance, his voice icy.

"Who was that shameless bastard who just threatened to tell on me?"

"That shameless bastard was me. Please, you have to forgive me!"

Jiraiya bowed down to Shudan, prostrating himself with his whole body.

"Please, for old times' sake, spare my life. This is a token of my sincerity!"

Jiraiya brought out all the supplies he had just put away.

"I'll handle this whole sordid profiteering affair perfectly. It's just a small gift, nothing much. Lord Shudan, please, you have to forgive me!"