Jiraiya nearly choked on his own saliva when he heard Karin's words, and the pose he had just struck instantly fell apart.
He retorted in embarrassment and irritation, "What do you mean, old man?!"
"Listen up, little girl... I am Jiraiya, the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, who has traveled far and wide!"
"Toad Sage?" Karin looked even more confused. Tilting her head, she carefully studied Jiraiya as if trying hard to recall whether she had heard that title before. In the end, she shook her head. "Never heard of him..."
Jiraiya felt utterly powerless. His renowned name had actually hit a wall with some little girl.
Unwilling to give up, he puffed out his chest and added, "Surely you know the title of the 'Legendary Sannin,' right? I'm one of them!"
Karin still blinked blankly. "The Sannin? Um... I don't really remember."
In a place like Kusagakure, she had constantly worried about her survival. She truly knew very little about the Shinobi World's top experts.
Jiraiya's momentum was completely crushed, and he could only helplessly turn his gaze toward Naruto, who had remained silent beside him.
Seeing Jiraiya's somewhat awkward expression, Naruto smiled faintly and said to Karin, "Don't underestimate him."
"He really is a famous figure in the Shinobi World..."
Hearing Naruto say that, Jiraiya's previously gloomy mood immediately brightened, and he proudly raised his head.
However, Naruto's tone abruptly changed. "But he's also the author of certain bestselling dirty novels. My Jonin Instructor, Teacher Kakashi, is one of his devoted readers. He holds those books every day until he becomes completely listless."
"So I think Toad Sage isn't quite accurate. Pervy Sage might suit him better."
"Huh? Dirty novels?"
An undisguised look of disgust immediately appeared on Karin's face, and her gaze toward Jiraiya was filled with