After his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi ended, Jiraiya wasted no time and immediately left the Hokage Building.
The calculation in the Third Hokage's words, along with his fixation on "reputation," still made Jiraiya somewhat uncomfortable.
But Naruto Uzumaki... the situation of Minato and Kushina's son truly aroused his concern and curiosity.
Jiraiya decided to go directly to the person who currently knew Naruto best.
Kakashi Hatake.
Thanks to his familiarity with Konoha, Jiraiya quickly found Kakashi at Training Ground Three.
At the training ground, Kakashi was lazily leaning against a wooden post, still holding Jiraiya's proud literary masterpiece in his hands. Meanwhile, a pink-haired girl was practicing Genjutsu with full concentration in an open area nearby.
"Yo, Kakashi!"
Seeing this, Jiraiya swaggered over and greeted him.
Kakashi looked up at the sound, his eye widening slightly in surprise.
"Lord Jiraiya? When did you return to the village?"
Kakashi closed his book, pushed himself away from the post, and stood upright.
He maintained respect for one of the legendary Sannin, who was also the teacher of his own teacher, Minato Namikaze.
Sakura also noticed the commotion. Seeing Jiraiya's distinctive white hair and towering build, surprise and curiosity appeared on her face.
But she tactfully did not approach, silently continuing her Genjutsu training instead.
"Ah, I had some business to take care of." Jiraiya waved a hand, glancing at Sakura as she trained diligently before refocusing on Kakashi. "Enough small talk, Kakashi. I came back this time mainly because of one of your students—Naruto Uzumaki."
Kakashi's gaze shifted slightly. Naturally, he understood what this was about.
Naruto had caused far too great a stir during the Chunin Exams. It was only natural that it would bring this man back to the village.
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, I figured. Is this about him defeating