Jiraiya's Social Death

"What? You're not joking with me, are you?"

The prisoner next door was stunned when he heard that charge.

"Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, find a chance to ask a guard. I'm just that mighty."

Jiraiya was immensely pleased with himself, enjoying the feeling of being admired.

This admiration did not stem from reverence for his strength as one of the Three Legendary Sannin, but admiration for his strength in another area. It was completely different from the praise he had received in Konoha before.

"It's not that I don't believe you. Actually... sigh, anyway, you really need to be careful. Watch what you say and do."

The voice next door vanished for a while before appearing again.

It spoke with the solemn earnestness of someone offering heartfelt advice.

Jiraiya froze when he heard that. There was clearly something going on here.

"What, does this prison discriminate in that regard too? Are people not allowed to be too strong?"

Jiraiya asked.

"Of course not. Let me tell you the truth. There used to be a prisoner here who was as confident and powerful as you.

None of us remembered his name. We only remembered that his nickname was Three Legs."

"You mean the Three Legs from 'Three-legged toads are hard to find, but aren't two-legged men easy enough to find'?"

Jiraiya's expression turned grave. He had not expected tiny Hozuki Castle to have once housed such a colossal figure.

"That's the one.

Back then, the lord of Hozuki Castle was still Lord Mui.

Three Legs was a righteous man. A guard's wife took a fancy to his talents and summoned him over alone.

After a desperate, day-and-night assault that risked his life, he finally received his reward and brought back lots of delicious food.