"How interesting, a ninjutsu that commands the dead?"
Out of consideration for their long-standing friendship, Orochimaru listened to Jiraiya recount his experiences in Amegakure, and then became engrossed in Hanzo's story.
Having already guessed that Orochimaru would be interested in Hanzo, Jiraiya immediately took out a scroll. After the smoke cleared, all of Hanzo's ninja fragments appeared before Orochimaru's eyes.
Looking at the Demigod of the Ninja World whom they had tried their best to defeat in their early years, Orochimaru reaffirmed his belief that life was indeed fragile and that even someone as strong as Hanzo could not escape the threat of death.
"These Hanzo are yours to study, but it won't be for free. You'll have to transplant a new pair of eyes into my disciple."
Jiraiya then pushed Nagato in front of Orochimaru.
Even without his eyes, Nagato could still sense the threat posed by the person before him.
Just like the oppressive feeling the other party had given me back then.
"This child is..."
Orochimaru did not recognize Nagato.
"They are the war orphans from Amegakure back then," Jiraiya kindly explained.
Orochimaru nodded, not particularly concerned. "I see, so you survived?"
Yahiko, Konan, Nagato: You've been rather rude.
"Anyway, just a pair of ordinary eyes, right?"
Orochimaru casually examined Nagato's wounds.
"What, you can even transplant something unusual?"
Jiraiya was somewhat curious; judging from Orochimaru's words, it seemed he possessed something else.
Orochimaru glanced back at Obito not far away and gave him a meaningful smile.
Obito: For a fleeting moment, I felt a chill.
"For the sake of these things, I can grant you, my disciple, access to my latest research findings."
Orochimaru turned around and looked at the experimental cabinet behind him.
It contains countless scientific research achievements.
"Anyway, I'm leaving this child in your care. Hey, Obito, take your senior brothers and sisters to my place later. You know where the key is."
Jiraiya had somehow slipped to the doorway.
Obito immediately realized what the other person was about to do and hurriedly reached out to stop them. "Damn it, you peeping tom, what are you going to do again—"
Before Obito could finish speaking, Jiraiya had already used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the Research Bureau.
Its speed was so fast that even Orochimaru was somewhat taken aback.
Obito gripped his hair tightly, regretting that he hadn't seen through Jiraiya's scheme in time.
Yahiko and the others weren't surprised, since they were already familiar with Jiraiya's personality, and could only show a "just as I expected" smile.
"Alright, Nagato's matter is resolved, and Obito has been sent back to the village. I can finally focus on my..."
Jiraiya, having left the Research Bureau, appeared in a dimly lit alley, rubbing his hands together, his face full of eagerness.
Traveling with Obito was truly boring; the other was constantly on guard against his attempts to gather material, which completely dampened his motivation to write.
"What are you going to do, you foolish disciple?"
Hiruzen's familiar voice rang out Jiraiya behind Jiraiya, instantly freezing his expression.
"Sigh, old man, you..."
Upon hearing Hiruzen's voice, Jiraiya's face immediately fell.
Without the other person saying anything, he understood that his vacation was about to end before it even began.
Hiruzen didn't waste any words, simply turning around and gesturing for the other to follow. "Come on."
The two arrived at the Hokage Building and met Sakumo in the Hokage's private office, where he was worrying about who would take over Minato's mission.
Minato's exceptional talent prevented Sakumo from realizing in time that his personal ANBU was severely understaffed.
It wasn't until Minato went home on vacation to spend time with Kushina that Sakumo suddenly realized he might have been exploiting this outstanding young man too much.
Hiruzen also noticed this. He originally wanted to recommend his eldest son, Shinsuke Sarutobi, to the other party, but Jiraiya's sudden arrival made him discover a more suitable candidate.
Minato is your disciple, and now that no one is taking over Minato responsibilities, it's understandable that you, as his teacher, would step in, right?
"Good heavens, so the 'spying sense' Obito was talking about was you..."
Jiraiya's mutterings didn't affect Hiruzen's mood. While he could still wield the staff, he decided to discipline his unruly disciple.
If the other party doesn't agree, then this predecessor still has some knowledge of staff techniques.
"I understand. You'll work for Minato until Kushina gives birth, right?" Seeing the undisguised threat in his teacher's eyes and Sakumo's expectant look, Jiraiya sighed and reluctantly agreed.
"This is your own choice, I didn't force you, old man." Seeing that Jiraiya agreed, Hiruzen smiled and patted the other's shoulder, while abandoning his plan to summon the Enma.
Looking at Hiruzen's radiant face, as bright as a chrysanthemum, Jiraiya nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I volunteered. So, Fourth Generation, what do you need me to do now?"
Seeing how quickly Jiraiya got into work mode, Sakumo was deeply moved. He then pulled out a file that was almost half the height of Jiraiya from under the table and placed it on the table.
Jiraiya: Is it too late for me to regret this now?
Meanwhile, as the Akatsuki Organization was forced to relocate to an unknown location and go into hiding, a wave of revelry was taking place inside the casino.
The fact that Demigod of the Ninja World could easily defeat the fledgling Akatsuki Organization seems perfectly reasonable.
But Tsunade looked at the large sum of money in front of her, something felt off.
I, who always loses at gambling, actually won money. Although I placed the bet because I recognized Hanzo's skill, but...
Tsunade had a bad feeling about this, and there was no joy on her face from winning money.
"It's time to go back to the village."
After carefully packing up the banknotes in front of her, Tsunade decided to gamble one last time before heading back to the village.
Time passed day by Tenten.
Taking advantage of a rare vacation, Minato accompanied Kushina on a tour of Konoha.
In contrast, Jiraiya began a life of working tirelessly from dawn till dusk in the ANBU.
Under such high-pressure living conditions, there was no final chapter for Snow Woman; instead, there was a book filled with her insights, "The Tale of Unyielding Perseverance."
Minato was full of praise for it, and even in front of Jiraiya, he expressed his idea of naming his son after the protagonist of the story.
Jiraiya looked flattered, after all, the name Naruto was just something he casually came up with while eating ramen.
Isn't this a bit too casual? And by doing so, wouldn't I be the one naming the child...?
"Kushina agrees too, right?"
Seeing Jiraiya hesitate, Minato called Kushina. The way she smiled and nodded made Jiraiya feel somewhat guilty.
Honestly, I should have chosen a better name.
"No, I think the reason Kushina agreed was entirely because if Minato were to choose the name himself, the child's name might end up being something like 'Whirlpool Flash'..."
Kazashiro, who was lying outside protecting Kushina, listened to their conversation throughout and offered his own assessment.
After all, that's Minato, the one who named the Rasengan "Hikari-Rin Frozen Snacks, blah blah blah"!
He's the kind of guy who can unleash a full combo before he can even finish reciting the name of the first move!