Tenseigan Awakens, Meeting Jiraiya

However, those things did not come to pass; aside from Danzo, the others were quite well-behaved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held high expectations for him, and the other two had no reason to stir up trouble. After all, seeing him stand on Hiruzen Sarutobi's side left them with no justification for conflict. They wanted Konoha to thrive, but by projecting their greatest malice onto their opponents and treating them as enemies, they made a complete mess of things.

Thus, the "Will of Fire" became distorted under the inaction of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the self-destructive schemes of Danzo Shimura, and the malicious speculation of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.

The "Will of Fire" that Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke of at the very end of his life—that was the true Will of Fire.

Well, well, I've digressed.

"You brat, be careful. If you keep this up, you'll be sold by others and end up counting the money for them."

"That won't happen, Senior."

"Heh, heh. What if the one deceiving you is someone born and raised in Konoha? Can you say for certain you wouldn't believe them? You're going to suffer a great loss this way. In short, be more vigilant."

"Mm, I will."

"Fine then, take Sasuke and get lost."

"Don't you dare call my brother that! And I'm not Sasuke!"

Sasuke Uchiha was quite adorable at this age; his cheeks were so pinchable that one couldn't help but reach out every time, making him very endearing. He was nothing like the arrogant, punchable brat he would grow up to be.

As for Naruto, let's not even get started—he was mischievous to the point of death, giving him a headache every single day.

"Hahahaha! Sasuke! Hahahaha!"

Seeing Naruto mocking him, Sasuke's little face twisted in rage.

"What are you barking about, you yellow-haired mutt!"

Fei Shi: "..."

Itachi: "..."

Fei Shi's mouth twitched violently as he glanced at Itachi. Itachi, who had been holding back laughter, instantly turned solemn. Just kidding! He couldn't beat this guy, and mocking his younger brother? That was just asking for a beating. Even though he was only eight, this senior of his had never held back during training; every time he went home, his mother would be heartbroken at the sight of him.

Fei Shi: Did you teach him that?

Itachi: No.

Fei Shi: Then how did he come up with something like that?

Itachi rolled his eyes. It was clearly something he'd heard Fei Shi say on the street when he was mocking others in front of the children.

Fei Shi saw Itachi's expression and realized the same thing, scratching his head in embarrassment before he could say anything else. Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over his eyes.

"Itachi, you should head out too. I suddenly have something to attend to. Oh, and by the way, please drop Naruto off at Senior Biwako's place."

Itachi didn't suspect anything, nodding before taking the two little ones by the hand and leaving.

Fei Shi quickly ran into the house, locked the doors and windows, and sat down to circulate his chakra.

Veins bulged at his temples. Byakugan, activate!

At this moment, his Byakugan was undergoing a metamorphosis, evolving from a Byakugan into a Tenseigan.

Time slowly drifted by. The next day, Fei Shi opened his eyes, a pair of glowing blue pupils appearing within his sockets. The Tenseigan, activated!

"Hahahahaha, not bad, not bad. Oh my, the Tenseigan is activated, now only the Rinnegan remains. Hehehe, I should be able to awaken it around the time I reach adulthood. By then, I will be invincible! Ahahahahaha!"

Hehehe, I can activate the Complete Body Susanoo now. The information on the Wood Release that Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him had been incredibly beneficial; he could now use the Wood Human Technique. If he went on to learn some Sage Arts and combined them to master the Wood Release Sage Art, he would be able to unleash the True Several Thousand Hands.

In a few years, once he awakened the Rinnegan, he would be a top-tier powerhouse among the Six Paths level. And if he managed to buy a Chakra Fruit to eat... hehehehe. Who in this world could stop me then? Who!

"Uh, I don't think I came at a good time, did I?"

A startled voice rang out from behind him. Fei Shi turned his head to see a man with long, disheveled white hair, a vertical scar running from the corner of his eye down his face, and a forehead protector inscribed with the character for "Oil." It was none other than one of the Three Legendary Sannin, the Toad Sage, Jiraiya.

Fei Shi's body stiffened instantly. He hadn't expected anyone to visit him at a time like this—how embarrassing.

"Ah, ah hahaha, haha, haha, no, no. I just finished my cultivation, and I was so pleased with the results that I couldn't help but laugh."

Jiraiya laughed heartily as well.

"Hahahaha, it's fine, it's fine. It's only natural to be happy when you've made progress. But come to think of it, this is our first formal meeting, even though we've corresponded by letter before."

Fei Shi nodded.

"That's true. How about it? The books I sent you are selling well, right?"

"Hahahaha, they are indeed. I've never seen such excellent works. That piece of yours, Battle Through the Heavens, is truly remarkable. The world within it is so vast; it really makes one want to go and see it for themselves."

I can't help it, I have a cheat. Publishing works from my past life is easy as pie.

But he said aloud:

"Not at all, I'm still no match for you, Senior Jiraiya."

Technically, they were of the same generation, but whether in his past life or the present, Jiraiya was a man he deeply respected. Calling him "Senior" was a sincere gesture, and his contributions were even greater than those of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Even though everything hadn't happened yet, Jiraiya was worthy of the title.

"Hahahaha, we're of the same generation, there's no need for that. Besides, I should be the one thanking you. I went to see Tsunade, and her mental state has improved quite a bit."

"Hey, she's my sister, of course I had to do it. It's only my duty."

"Alright then. I heard you had something important to discuss with me—what is it? Sigh, if only Tsunade cared about me as much as she cares about you."

Jiraiya, who had been serious just a moment ago, suddenly reverted to his usual unserious self.

Fei Shi rolled his eyes. "If your skin were any thicker and you rubbed up against Tsunade any harder, you two would have been together ages ago."

"Ahem, I want to learn senjutsu and Sage Mode, so I was hoping you could introduce me."

"That... that's a bit difficult. You have to get the Great Toad Sage's approval."

"I'll help you win over Sister Tsunade."

"Leave it to me!"

Jiraiya agreed heroically.

Fei Shi: ಠ_ಠ

At least put up a fight. Agreeing so readily just leaves me at a loss.

"Anything else?"

Jiraiya asked.

"Nothing."

"Hehehe, I heard from Tsunade that you have some fine wine here... hehehe, how about we have a few cups?"

"..."

"Fine, let's go. I'll let you taste what real wine is. After you drink it, you'll feel like everything you've had before was donkey piss."

"Is it really that good? I've traveled the Ninja World for many years and haven't tasted a wine I haven't tried. Don't let my expectations go to waste!"

"Hahahaha, rest assured! I won't let you down!"