Jiraiya silently nodded, unable to respond. Mingye turned, put on his shoes, opened the door, and left the apartment. The moment he closed it behind him, he spotted Sarutobi Hiruzen in the hallway to one side, looking up as though earnestly admiring the moon. Both his hands were hidden behind his back. Mingye burst out laughing and pointed at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"You really are silent as a ghost!"
"I'm his instructor, aren't I? Besides, there's plenty of this stuff elsewhere anyway!"
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen flipped up onto the roof. Mingye climbed up as well and watched him quietly pour a packet of medicinal herbs into the warmed bath. Mingye spoke again.
"You really are a model teacher."
Mingye recognized at a glance that the herbs could ease physical fatigue and prevent hidden ailments from taking root in a child's body. Sarutobi Hiruzen did not bother concealing it and replied proudly.
"Hmph! I'm far better than you, you bastard. Did that Danzō come to ask you for help again? That kid from the Hatake Clan actually graduated from the Academy two years early. Come on, that boy is only five!"
"Hatake Sakumo?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's complaint made Mingye think of a name. Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and continued.
"Who else could it be? You have no idea—I only watched him from afar, but I already felt like he was an incredibly, incredibly sharp blade. He's just too..."
"Too conspicuous in his brilliance?"
Unable to think of a word to describe Hatake Sakumo, Mingye supplied it for him. Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him a thumbs-up in thanks and continued.
"Yeah! That's the word! Wu, what exactly are you trying to do? That child doesn't seem like someone who can be manipulated at will! And I think he should spend more time living alongside the