"Thank you, Lord Jiraiya, and all three of you."
Koji Matsuyama remained as respectful as ever.
Then,
he couldn't help complaining, and started telling them about Hirakawa Ken's history.
That guy was a seasoned gambling addict.
However,
the Hirakawa Clan wielded considerable influence in the Land of Rivers and had no shortage of wealth. But because of Hirakawa Ken's incompetence and gambling addiction, Hirakawa Hiroshi was thinking of grooming another successor.
So,
in recent years, Hirakawa Ken had been given less and less money to squander, and he had run up a huge debt.
He had even stolen the money from their previous trade with the Hirakawa Clan.
In short, there was no shortage of bad blood between them.
As Koji Matsuyama spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up. "By the way, Lord Jiraiya, you're currently leading a team and teaching Genin. Does that mean you'll still have time to take on missions?"
"In theory, yes."
Jiraiya had a vague idea of what the other man wanted—
a specific assignment.
Koji Matsuyama hurried closer.
"It's like this. Our clan is heading to the Land of Waves soon to do business with a man named Gato. But that fellow seems to have gathered a large number of Samurai in the Land of Waves, and we're worried he might try something underhanded."
"I'll take the job, but you'll need to go to Konoha and request the mission first."
Jiraiya made his decision on the spot—
the Land of Waves.
There might be more than just Samurai there. Some ninja could be lurking around, too.
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Jiraiya."
Koji Matsuyama's eyes lit up.
Jiraiya smiled. "By the way, Mr. Matsuyama, there's something I'd like to ask. Have you ever seen a young woman wearing clothes with the word 'Gamble' on them at your gambling den—or at your friend's, for that matter?"
"Gamble?"
Koji Matsuyama frowned.
He thought for a moment, then his expression turned serious. "Yes! Someone like that was there just yesterday."
"I see. Thank you."
The corners of Jiraiya's mouth lifted.
Just as he'd expected.
How could she not come to Tanzaku Town after leaving Konoha?!
He chuckled silently.
"Thank you, Mr. Matsuyama. I believe my assignment here is complete, right?"
"Yes. Thank you for your help."
Koji Matsuyama bowed.
Then he paused and said, "However, if you're planning to look for that woman with 'Gamble' on her clothes, could you do me a small favor?"
"What is it?"
Jiraiya had a vague idea of what was coming...
and dreaded hearing it.
"She lost a lot of money at our gambling den. Uh, if you run into her, could you help us collect the debt? At the very least, please get her to sign an IOU..."
Koji Matsuyama asked cautiously.
He had a fair idea of who she was.
The Big Fat Sheep of the gambling world.
But she was also synonymous with trouble.
"Well, hahaha, I'll certainly do my best. I'll get you that IOU for sure. How much does she owe?"
Jiraiya gave a light cough.
Who knew how much that woman Tsunade had lost?
Getting the money back anytime soon was unlikely.
He felt a little awkward.
Koji Matsuyama breathed a sigh of relief. "No problem. With an IOU, I can answer to the clan."
"You know, a business like this isn't owned by me alone."
He quickly added.
Jiraiya nodded repeatedly to show he understood.
Walking behind them, Kurenai Yuhi looked at Kyohiko and Kakashi in confusion, hoping they could explain.
But
the two of them shook their heads as well.
Of course,
Kyohiko understood perfectly well that Jiraiya's target might be Tsunade, who had already left Konoha.
As one of the Sannin, Tsunade had developed Hemophobia. It was indeed difficult for her to continue working as a regular ninja. Combined with the psychological factors, leaving the village was a natural choice.
He didn't expect to bring Tsunade back. Instead, he was wondering whether he could get some benefits out of her.
She was Tsunade, after all!
Even a little something from her would be a huge reward for him right now.
Kyohiko's gaze flickered as he began to think seriously.
Medical Ninjutsu...
Konoha had already established a highly developed system of Medical Ninjas. There was no need for him to put in his two cents.
As for other knowledge and techniques, Tsunade might find it difficult to teach him those, too.
As for Creation Rebirth,
Tsunade might not have developed it yet, right?
Kyohiko pondered.
After thinking it over, he could only wait and see how things unfolded, taking it one step at a time.
On a street in Tanzaku Town near the old castle, Jiraiya looked around and sensed his surroundings, his expression grave.
"Teacher, who was that person you asked Mr. Matsuyama about?"
Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help asking.
Jiraiya glanced at them, then smiled. "Why don't you guess?"
Kakashi thought it over, then shook his head. "No idea."
"Is it one of the Sannin? I've only heard that she's connected to gambling."
Kyohiko spoke quietly.
Jiraiya looked at him, then smiled. "You little brat!"
Then he nodded.
"I told you earlier that besides the mission, I had one other reason for coming. I wanted to take the opportunity to ask around about Tsunade."
Then, as Jiraiya walked along, he asked, "Kyohiko, have you started studying the other nature transformations of Water Style?"
"I've only tried compressing water. I'm not sure if that's what you mean by nature transformation."
Kyohiko replied.
Jiraiya nodded. "That's it."
He couldn't help but sigh.
"Sometimes, I wonder if the Second Hokage was like you when he was young... He tried compressing Water Wave and eventually refined it into Water Severing Wave."
As he spoke, Jiraiya described the terrifying nature of that technique.
Nothing could withstand it!
A devastating Water Style Ninjutsu.
And
he went on to talk about the Second Hokage's accomplishments back in the day.
Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi listened, engrossed.
Kyohiko did, too.
But he was more interested in the techniques.
"So my approach is right?"
"Compression and condensation are techniques often used in high-level jutsu. They're not limited to Water Style; Fire Style and Lightning Style have similar techniques. Take the Third Raikage's signature Hell Stab, for example..."
Jiraiya continued explaining as they walked.
Kakashi's face suddenly went blank, as though he'd gotten an idea.
Just then, Jiraiya abruptly stopped and looked toward a spot by the street.
It was a tavern.
A girl's voice came from upstairs.
"We're almost out of money!"
"Oh, come on..."
It was Shizune's voice.
Kyohiko remembered where he'd heard it before.
He and Shizune had briefly been classmates in their previous lives. Later, Shizune had left with Tsunade, and he'd never seen her again. But the girl's voice didn't seem to have changed much.
"Found them!"
Jiraiya chuckled, looking around—
"Teacher, I think we'd better go in through the front door. I heard that woman once nearly sent you to the hospital with a beating."
Kyohiko reminded him quietly.
Hm?
There was a juicy secret like that?
Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi immediately pricked up their ears. Even their masks couldn't hide the children's curiosity.
Jiraiya was annoyed.
"You little brat, where did you hear that gossip?"
"My grandmother told me before."
"Damn it!"
Jiraiya flew into an embarrassed rage and punched him on the head. "You think you know everything!"
Still, he followed Kyohiko's suggestion and went in through the front door. Then he found the room where Tsunade was staying, avoiding the risk of barging in and getting punched to death.
Tsunade wasn't surprised to see Jiraiya—
the two of them knew each other well, and the commotion just now had been enough for her to recognize him.
"Well, well, Jiraiya."
Tsunade held a bottle of sake and leaned against the wall, looking languid.
But her figure was undeniably impressive, and that pose made it all the more striking.
Even Kurenai Yuhi, despite being a girl—
stared with wide eyes, glancing down now and then...
Her face was full of shock.
Before you continue