The moment the white-haired man stepped into Ichiraku Ramen, a young white-haired man who had been eating heartily lifted his head.
His gaze turned slightly grave when he saw the one-armed man who had entered.
The blond boy with him noticed his expression and couldn't help but pause. Following his gaze, he was surprised.
"Teacher Jiraiya, isn't that Senior White Fang?"
At the boy's words, Jiraiya lowered his eyes slightly and nodded, speaking softly.
"Yes... Minato..."
They stopped eating and silently watched Sakumo. They watched him finish seven bowls of ramen, then leave with a sorrowful expression.
For a long time, neither of them spoke.
After a while, Minato finally lifted his head and looked at Jiraiya with a sad expression. In a child's voice, he asked, "Teacher... why did Senior White Fang choose to give up being a ninja...?"
He hesitated, then continued.
"Is it... really like the rumors say, and has it got something to do with Senior Sosuke...?"
Minato was clearly troubled by the question. Was the senior he admired really as awful as the rumors claimed...? He wanted to know the truth.
At Minato's youthful question, Jiraiya gave a faint, bitter smile.
He hesitated, his gaze growing somber, then answered, "That's a difficult question for me to answer, Minato."
"Because Sosuke is my comrade... Even if everyone thinks he was wrong, I still believe in him..."
Jiraiya's expression turned complicated. He spoke softly.
"Maybe he has his own reasons. But as his comrade, I've failed him miserably. All this time, I never realized what he truly wanted."
"Still..."
Jiraiya's gaze darkened. His voice was firm.
"I'll bring him back, no matter what it costs—even if I have to give my life. I'll bring him back. That's the bond between us, and what it truly means to