Jiraiya and Minato soon arrived at a nearby commercial street.
Seeing how much busier it was than before, Minato Namikaze couldn't help commenting,
"Sensei, have you noticed? Konoha seems even more prosperous than it used to be..."
"Huh... You're right. It's definitely livelier..."
"The old man's still as impressive as ever at running the village..."
Jiraiya said with a proud expression.
And who was this "old man" Jiraiya was talking about?
There was no doubt: he meant his master, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In Jiraiya's eyes, Konoha's newfound prosperity was entirely thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi's wise leadership as Hokage.
"Lord Third really is amazing..."
Minato's face also took on an admiring expression.
"I wonder how Kushina's doing now..."
"Minato, don't worry! The old man will take good care of Kushina..."
"Come on! Let's go see the old man at the Hokage Building first..."
Jiraiya and Minato soon reached the Hokage Building and met Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Jiraiya, Minato, you're both back..."
Seeing his student Jiraiya and his grandstudent Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help smiling.
These were difficult times, and Jiraiya and Minato's return would be just the boost he needed.
"Huh... Old man, what happened to your face...?"
Just then, Jiraiya noticed that something was wrong with Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. There seemed to be a shoe print on it, as if someone had kicked him hard.
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached up to touch his face.
What had happened to Hiruzen Sarutobi's face? Of course, Byakuya had kicked him.
Naturally, he wasn't going to admit to something so humiliating.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly changed the subject.
"Jiraiya, Minato, you've come back at just the right time..."
"Konoha's situation is extremely serious right now. The village needs you both..."
Hearing this, Jiraiya didn't think much of it and thumped his