I've Made Up My Mind to Be Friends With This Person! (Seeking follow-up reads, seeking collections!!)

"Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, please, have a seat..."

Inside the living room, Uchiha Chen greeted the two with warm hospitality. As for Uchiha Itachi, he sat quietly to the side, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

"Thank you both for your righteous assistance today. This junior is truly grateful!"

"Chen, there's no need to be so formal. We didn't really do anything. Besides, even without us, that old man Uchiha Sanhe wouldn't have been able to do anything to you."

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively.

"Hehe, Lord Jiraiya, you are too kind. If it weren't for the reputation of you and Lady Tsunade—the Sannin—how could that old man have truly agreed to that ten-billion-ryo compensation?"

"This junior was merely borrowing your prestige to intimidate him."

Uchiha Chen chuckled. Regardless of the details, Tsunade and Jiraiya had appeared at the perfect moment.

"I think you're the real tiger here, kid. To dare and open your mouth so wide when facing the Fourth Elder of your own Uchiha clan!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Uchiha Chen. The boy looked so honest on the surface; she hadn't expected him to be so bold.

"Hehe, not at all, not at all."

"By the way, Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, it has been quite a long time since we last met. What brings you to my place today?"

Uchiha Chen smiled, choosing not to dwell on the previous topic and instead shifting the conversation quite naturally.

Faced with Uchiha Chen's question, Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged an awkward glance, then jerked their heads away as if electrocuted, both feeling a bit guilty.

Ever since the incident where they tried to recruit him as a student ended in a mess, both Tsunade and Jiraiya had avoided appearing before Uchiha Chen, mostly out of embarrassment, yet they were also worried the other would get a head start in winning his favor.

After struggling with this for a long time, they had both decided to come and build some rapport, only to run into each other on the way.

That was why they had appeared at Uchiha Chen's gate together. Although the process hadn't gone as they imagined, they were satisfied with the result; after all, their goal had been achieved.

But now, they naturally didn't want to expose their true intentions to Uchiha Chen. Since he had recently expressed his unwillingness to take on a master, bringing it up now would likely cause him to feel repulsed.

That was the last thing they wanted to see.

"Ahem, just passing by, just passing by."

"I was planning to go out for research today, but when I happened to pass your house, I saw Uchiha Sanhe trying to harm you. How could I just stand by and watch?"

Jiraiya's eyes darted around rapidly, his explanation becoming smoother as he spoke, until even he started to believe it himself.

"I see."

Uchiha Chen nodded as if suddenly enlightened, then turned his gaze toward Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, could it be that you were also just passing by?"

"Mm-hmm, I was just passing by as well. What a coincidence."

Tsunade wore a smile, showing not a hint of panic.

Though she appeared calm and composed on the surface, in reality, the moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to slap herself. Unfortunately, the words were out, and there was no taking them back...

Uchiha Chen: ...

Yes, what a coincidence!

The beads of your abacus are practically bouncing off my face!

However, Uchiha Chen understood the principle of seeing through something without exposing it, so he merely offered a faint smile.

"Regardless, I must thank you both. This junior is deeply grateful."

"And, I actually agree with something Lord Jiraiya said earlier."

"Oh? Which part?"

Jiraiya's eyes lit up. If Uchiha Chen's thinking aligned with his, his chances would be much higher.

"You said you considered me a friend. Since you've already said it, how could I let you down? Especially with friends like you and Lady Tsunade, this junior couldn't ask for more. So, I've decided—you two are my friends! I wonder, are you both willing to be friends with me?"

Uchiha Chen looked at Tsunade and Jiraiya, his gaze burning with anticipation.

Jiraiya: ...

Tsunade: ...

The two looked at each other again, simultaneously stunned.

Good grief, they had lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet!

Agreeing was awkward, and refusing was impossible!

"Hahahaha, good! Uchiha Chen, you've got yourself a friend!"

After a long silence, Jiraiya, who had been looking miserable, suddenly brightened. He grabbed Uchiha Chen's hand and laughed in response.

Seeing Tsunade's puzzled expression, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a sense of smugness. The mind of Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, is not something you mere mortals can comprehend.

"Hahaha, since we're friends now, let's not be so formal. From now on, I'll call you Big Brother Jiraiya!"

Uchiha Chen climbed right up the pole.

"Hmm, that is indeed the way it should be. From now on, I shall call you Brother Chen!"

Jiraiya pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Uchiha Chen stood up abruptly, shouting with excitement.

"Brother Chen!"

Jiraiya also stood up abruptly in response.

"Big Brother Jiraiya!"

"Brother Chen!"

"Big Brother!"

"Brother Chen!"

Watching Jiraiya and Uchiha Chen embrace, Tsunade's pretty face was filled with confusion.

Could it be that Uchiha Chen was also an idiot? Otherwise, why were these two so in sync?

Similarly, Uchiha Itachi watched the scene before him, his large eyes blinking. Why does this scene feel so familiar?

Tsunade and Uchiha Itachi, one big and one small, looked at each other simultaneously and shrugged in helpless unison.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Uchiha Chen and Jiraiya finally stopped.

Having likely shouted until their throats were hoarse and unable to make another sound, they each randomly grabbed a chair and sat down. Uchiha Chen snatched up the tea on the table and gulped it down, and Jiraiya did the same.

After two cups of water, both let out a long sigh of relief, feeling much better as their voices finally returned to normal.

Uchiha Chen and Jiraiya exchanged a smile and turned their gazes toward Tsunade at the same time, making her shudder so violently she nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Hey, don't look at me like that! It was Jiraiya who talked about making friends, not me. I still insist on taking Uchiha Chen as my disciple!"

She had no intention of being as crazy as those two idiots.

"Sigh, since Tsunade is so insistent, Brother Chen, you shouldn't force it!"

"Mm, I listen to Big Brother!"

Watching Jiraiya and Uchiha Chen go back and forth, Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and remained silent.

Hmph, I, Tsunade, am not stupid. Since Jiraiya has already sworn brotherhood with Uchiha Chen, doesn't that mean no one will compete with me for a disciple?

If I can successfully take Uchiha Chen as my disciple, wouldn't that make you, Jiraiya, a generation below me?