Konoha.
Upon hearing Jiraiya's voice.
Kakashi turned around and looked at Jiraiya's reddened eyes.
Naruto tilted his head, his face full of curiosity.
Jiraiya strode forward and vigorously ruffled Naruto's golden hair.
"Who are you, old man?!"
"Don't mess up my hairstyle!"
Naruto waved his hands and loudly protested.
"Naruto."
"This is one of the legendary Sannin, Lord Jiraiya."
Kakashi smiled as he introduced him to Naruto.
"Sannin?"
"What kind of thing is that? Can you eat it?"
Inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Jiraiya wolfed down three bowls of ramen in one go.
As he wiped his mouth with a napkin, he secretly surveyed his surroundings from the corner of his eye.
Customers came and went around them.
No one cast disgusted looks at Naruto.
Nor did anyone whisper those vicious words under their breath.
Teuchi, the owner, even smiled and added two extra thick slices of chashu to Naruto's bowl.
In the past, such a thing would have been unimaginable even in his dreams.
"Konoha now... is really wonderful!"
Jiraiya tossed aside the napkin and murmured softly.
Kakashi understood what Jiraiya meant.
He rested his chin on one hand, his tone exceptionally calm.
"After the Fifth Hokage took office, he enacted extremely strict laws."
"Any discrimination or abuse directed at the orphan of a hero would be regarded as betrayal against Konoha."
"Besides..."
"The Fifth Hokage made everyone understand one thing."
"Strength should be used to protect one's companions, not to bully the weak."
Jiraiya fell silent.
He had once observed Senju Qianye from the shadows.
That young man was incomparably domineering in his actions, and his methods were swift and decisive.
Yet it was precisely that suffocating dominance that had breathed new life into decaying Konoha.
No longer would they be bound by all those rigid rules.
No longer