The sun had already set, and it seemed the appointed time had arrived.
Jiraiya had just finished eating with the three children and figured it was about time.
"You three, come over here. Let me show you a ninjutsu."
The three little ones cradled their round, full bellies and gathered beside Jiraiya, sitting down.
Jiraiya bit his finger and smeared the blood across his palm.
"Summoning Technique!"
A wooden door made its grand entrance. The strange sight captivated the three children, and they all began clapping.
"Lord Jiraiya, can we learn this?"
"Can we summon this wooden door too?"
Yahiko and Konan asked curiously, while Nagato had already begun clumsily imitating him off to the side.
Jiraiya knocked on the door, and it opened at once.
Xuanhui stepped through, carrying bags of all sizes.
"So Big Brother Xuanhui is Lord Jiraiya's summoning beast!"
Yahiko's remark made everyone burst out laughing.
Jiraiya explained it to them.
"The wooden door is the summoning beast. It's just a little unusual. You haven't seen the ordinary kind yet."
The three understood, and their curious gazes turned back to Xuanhui.
Xuanhui gave the bags in his hands a shake.
"You three, tell me your names, and then you can get a present from me.
There's one for each of you. Come up one at a time."
Yahiko hurriedly raised his hand and stood up first.
"Big Brother Xuanhui, my name is Yahiko!"
"I see! Let me look. This one's yours!"
"Thank you, Big Brother Xuanhui!"
"Don't open it yet. Wait until everyone has theirs."
Yahiko nodded vigorously, then turned and beckoned to Konan and Nagato.
Konan timidly stood up too. Compared to Yahiko's booming voice, hers was as delicate as willow fluff, soft and airy.
"Big Brother Xuanhui, my name is Konan."
"Konan is a