Iruka: Where Did This Lunatic Come From? He Actually Claimed to Be Naruto's Guardian!

At the entrance to the break room, Jiraiya, who had been smiling moments ago, was instantly plunged into awkwardness.

Because of what had happened yesterday, Izumi's impression of Jiraiya had already fallen below zero. Naturally, she had no intention of giving him a pleasant look.

She had even started calling him Lord Pervert.

My reputation as the Toad Sage is probably beyond saving.

Jiraiya looked up at the sky speechlessly.

"Did you need something?"

Yan stepped out of the break room and sized Jiraiya up. The smell of alcohol was gone, his beard had been shaved, and he had even tidied up his messy hair for once, making him look much more presentable.

What Yan couldn't understand was why, after going that far, Jiraiya still couldn't be bothered to change out of his tattered clothes.

A set of clothes didn't cost much, did it?

"Ahahaha, you were calling me 'sir' yesterday. Why the sudden change today?"

Jiraiya laughed awkwardly, doing his best not to meet Izumi's eyes.

The disgust and disdain in Izumi's gaze made him feel uncomfortable all over.

"If you'd prefer me to speak to you in that tone, I wouldn't mind accommodating you!"

Yan raised a brow and emphasized his words.

"..."

Jiraiya panicked.

"No, no, this is fine. I feel like we get along pretty well. We could probably be friends. Don't call me 'my lord,' and don't use honorifics either. It sounds really awkward to me."

As he spoke, he even winked at Yan.

"How about we find somewhere to talk?"

"Sure."

Yan led Jiraiya away from the Police Department. As for being friends, forget it.

Given the relationship between the Uchiha and the village, becoming friends with someone from the upper ranks would be a laughingstock if word got out.

The moment they left the Police Department, Jiraiya could no longer hold back.

"I came to see you because I wanted your help. I want to stay in the village for a while and make up for what I owe Naruto, but I don't know what children like. And there isn't anyone in the village I get along with, so I had no choice but to come to you."

In Jiraiya's eyes, Yan, who mocked him, spoke sarcastically, and always had barbs in his words, was far more pleasing to look at than those people who treated him with excessive respect.

That was why he had come to ask for help.

Jiraiya knew what ordinary children needed. Even if he didn't, he could just ask around and learn from someone.

Unfortunately, Naruto wasn't an ordinary child.

After thinking it over and over, Jiraiya could only call for reinforcements. Unable to find anyone suitable, he had come to the Police Department.

Unbelievable. He actually came to me over something this trivial.

Yan shot him a look full of disdain.

"The best way to get along with Naruto is to change those clothes, then go straight to his teacher.

"Talk to Naruto in front of the teacher. Tell him that you were his father's teacher, that you're a very close relative, that you were away carrying out missions before, and that you've now returned because you want to live with him."

"Then take the sobbing Naruto to buy some new clothes, treat him to something delicious, stay by his side, and tell him some stories."

"And then?"

Jiraiya scratched his head anxiously.

Yan disgustedly slapped away the hand he had reached over.

"What do you mean, 'and then'? I've explained it this clearly and you still don't get it?

"More than material things, what Naruto needs is the companionship of family.

"His heart is empty. As long as you take the place of his parents, stay with him, and give him the warmth of a home and family, he'll feel happy."

Naruto was a simple-minded child who didn't need much, but sadly, no one could give it to him.

It was a good thing that Jiraiya had returned early.

"Is it really that simple?"

"What else did you expect?"

"Figure out the rest yourself. Don't come looking for me if there's nothing important. Otherwise I'll end up being watched again. It's annoying as hell."

"..."

Half an hour later, inside a clothing store in the commercial district, Jiraiya changed into a new outfit and turned around to ask, "Yan, how do these clothes look?"

"Great. Perfect..."

His taste in clothing was so atrocious it was infuriating.

Yan nearly wanted to cover his face and run away, pretending not to know him.

Wearing that, he might as well have gone to see Naruto in his old clothes.

Unable to bear looking at it any longer, Yan could only help Jiraiya pick out an outfit. He also packed up some clothes for Naruto, then headed to a barbecue restaurant to reserve a private room before rushing straight to the Ninja Academy.

In the office, the teachers were looking over the homework their students had turned in.

Then someone forcefully shoved open the office door, startling the teachers.

"Hello, teacher. I'm Uzumaki Naruto's guardian. I want to see him. Please have him come to the office."

What the hell?

Looking at Jiraiya, who had rudely pushed open the door and made such an unreasonable demand, the teachers were completely dumbfounded.

Uzumaki Naruto's guardian?

You have got to be kidding me!

Iruka, who knew Naruto's background better than anyone, had the urge to call the Anbu and the Police Department.

Where had this lunatic come from? He actually claimed to be Naruto's guardian. Why didn't he just say he was Naruto's grandfather?

"Please leave. Don't make jokes like this at the Ninja Academy, or I'll call someone."

With a stern expression, Iruka launched into a harsh scolding.

"I..."

Jiraiya wanted to explain, but the angry Iruka gave him no chance.

"You what?!"

Iruka continued lecturing him.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Coming to the Ninja Academy to make a joke like this? Believe it or not, I'll call the Police Department to arrest you. You'd better—"

Only midway through his tirade did Iruka notice Yan leaning against the doorframe, laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

He blinked and thought back.

Wasn't this guy from the Police Department?

"I really am Uzumaki Naruto's guardian!!!"

Jiraiya was on the verge of breaking down. Do I really have such an untrustworthy face?

Why did no one believe him when he told the truth?

"Utter nonsense."

Iruka still didn't believe him.

"Hahahaha..."

Yan was practically dying of laughter. This was simply too hilarious.

What the hell are you laughing at?!

With a dark expression, Jiraiya wanted nothing more than to strangle Yan.

Taking a deep breath, he could only continue explaining.

"My name is Jiraiya. Naruto's father was my student, so I really am his family.

"If you don't believe me, ask him. He's a squad captain in the Police Department, and he can vouch for me. If you don't trust an Uchiha, you can go to the Hokage Office Building and ask."

"Lord Jiraiya...?"

Iruka was half convinced, half doubtful.

The Three Sannin had been away from the village for too long, leaving many younger ninja unfamiliar with them. Iruka was one of them.

Though he wasn't familiar with them, he had at least seen their photographs and portraits.

They were all genius students who had graduated from the Ninja Academy. Even if they had started out as underachievers, the Ninja Academy still promoted them.

Sure enough, Iruka blankly turned to look at the photograph on the office wall.

Compared to the photo, he looked older, but at least his other features matched.

Did I just chew out Lord Jiraiya?