Chakra Perception

Shen Ye wore a reluctant expression, but in his heart, he was thinking that he couldn't wait to say goodbye and see what skill he'd stolen this time.

Just before they parted, Kurenai Yuhi gently kissed Shen Ye on the forehead, then turned and continued down the street.

"System, what skill did I steal from Kurenai Yuhi this time?"

"Ding! Congratulations, host. You successfully stole Kurenai Yuhi's skill: Chakra Perception! Skill cooldown: 3 hours."

Ugh! Shen Ye hadn't expected to get another support jutsu. It did nothing to improve his combat ability right now.

Still, with this jutsu, he could at least sense when that guy was nearby.

Thinking it over, Shen Ye realized this had been the most eventful day since he'd come to this world.

Compared to his first day, he'd had far fewer chances to feast his eyes, but he'd experienced this world's charms in a much more direct way.

"Anyway, I might as well practice. Support jutsu can often make all the difference."

Shen Ye went straight back to his room and began training, following the information he'd received in his mind.

Before he knew it, the sky outside had grown dark. Shen Ye didn't notice at all, completely absorbed in his training.

A creak interrupted him. Shen Ye looked toward the doorway, instantly on guard.

If Tsunade had come home, she wouldn't have made a sound like that. Whoever it was, they were clearly sneaking in.

The door slowly swung open, and a shaft of light spilled inside.

Shen Ye immediately saw that the man standing in the doorway wasn't Tsunade. He was a male ninja, and his features looked somewhat familiar.

"Jiraiya, what are you sneaking around here for?"

"Tsunade's mission outside the village isn't over yet. She was worried you'd go hungry, so she asked me to bring you out for something to eat."

"Then what are we waiting for? Ichiraku Ramen!"

He'd meant to go eat ramen with Shikaku and Minato, but that guy had gotten in the way.

Now that he had the chance, Shen Ye followed Jiraiya out of the house without a second thought. Before long, they were seated at Ichiraku's.

"Two bowls of ramen, Ichiraku Owner. The usual."

"Shen Ye, what do you think about that guy in the village?"

"He's probably about as strong as you, and he seems like an experienced old spy."

Jiraiya nodded, giving Shen Ye an approving look. To be so perceptive at such a young age—he was sure to become an excellent ninja someday.

Before long, Ichiraku brought out two steaming bowls of ramen and set them in front of them.

As the steam wafted up, Shen Ye could practically feel the aroma coursing through him. He couldn't help grabbing his chopsticks and digging in.

Jiraiya smiled and shook his head, then quickly started shoveling ramen into his mouth too.

To the people around them, the pair looked like they hadn't eaten in ages, ravenous as starving ghosts.

Ichiraku was stunned by the sight and hurried to make more ramen, setting the fresh bowls down nearby.

"There's plenty more. You two should slow down."

"D'not... w'rry, w'can do it."

Ichiraku's mouth twitched. The two of them had stuffed their mouths so full they could barely get a complete sentence out.

In just a few breaths, Shen Ye had emptied his bowl. Jiraiya soon caught up and polished off his ramen too.

The two patted their stomachs in satisfaction. Just one bowl of ramen had filled them up for the whole day.

"I'll introduce you to a new friend. I'm sure the two of you will get along."

"Oh?"

Jiraiya had piqued Shen Ye's interest. He couldn't think of anyone off the top of his head who might interest him.

Jiraiya placed a few coins on the table, then headed off in another direction.

Eager to find out who it was, Shen Ye hurried after him. But from the direction they were going, it looked like they were heading out of the village.

Shen Ye frowned. Was the person in front of him really an impostor posing as Jiraiya, planning to kill him while they were alone?

"Chakra Perception!"

Without a sound, Shen Ye heightened his senses and probed Jiraiya from head to toe without holding back.

Even if Jiraiya noticed, it didn't matter. If he really was an impostor, he'd reveal himself sooner or later.

As one of the Sannin, Jiraiya noticed something was off the instant Shen Ye made his move, but he didn't say anything.

He was simply curious about when Shen Ye had learned Kurenai Yuhi's jutsu.

After carefully testing him, Shen Ye was sure the man in front of him was the real Jiraiya. He even had the latest issue of Icha Icha Paradise tucked at his waist.

But Shen Ye had no interest in that book. With a beautiful woman at home, why fantasize over a novel?

In the dark, Shen Ye could see that they were heading straight for the gate and out of the village, yet Jiraiya still showed no sign of stopping.

"Jiraiya, where are you taking me? You're being awfully mysterious."

"That guy is guarding the gate. The only way to see him is outside the village."

Shen Ye's eyes shifted as he pieced it together. There were no weaklings guarding the gates of Konoha; they were all one stronger than the next.

The only person Jiraiya would go out of his way to see was the guy known as the Little Uchiha: Aoba Yamashiro.

He could use the Uchiha Clan's Great Fireball Technique, and he could control crows to attack as well.

"Caw, caw!"

A flock of crows suddenly appeared in the sky, circling above Shen Ye and Jiraiya.

Jiraiya stopped and looked up, folding his arms as he waited. A faint smile played on his lips.

"Is this how you welcome an old friend and a kid?"

"Showing up here this late? I'd say you're up to no good."

Aoba Yamashiro appeared among the crows, then slowly descended to the ground atop a mass of black shadow.

At first glance, it was an impressive entrance.

"Why'd you bring the kid here? The village is in turmoil behind the scenes right now, and there are plenty of rumors targeting Shen Ye."

"Targeting me?"

Shen Ye pointed at his own nose in disbelief. Were the rumors about the peeping incident still being pinned on him?

Aoba Yamashiro nodded, took a scroll from behind his back, and handed it to Shen Ye. Then he hopped over beside Jiraiya and started exchanging greetings with him.

Shen Ye opened the scroll without changing expression. It said that, for the time being, he wasn't allowed to leave the village, not even by a single step, until that guy had been caught.