Ever since he had demonstrated the Big Ball Rasengan beside the road.
Jiraiya had completely abandoned the idea of teaching Sen.
He never even brought it up again.
Instead, he poured all his energy into that blond brat, Naruto.
Every day before dawn, he would bellow at Naruto, drag him out of bed, and drill him half to death.
As for Sen.
He was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.
He comfortably spent an entire month lazing around.
During that month.
The watermelon patch and grape trellises in his villa's backyard.
Quietly nourished by Divine Tree Chakra, yielded an exceptionally bountiful harvest.
His only daily activity.
Was lounging in his rocking chair, eating sweet watermelon while basking in the sun.
Enjoying the fullness and comfort that Photosynthesis brought him.
In the blink of an eye.
The month was up.
The third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Finally got underway in Konoha's largest circular arena.
The weather was a little overcast that day, and a faint scent of rain lingered in the wind.
But that did nothing to dampen the Konoha villagers' almost frenzied enthusiasm.
The enormous circular stands.
Were already packed like a tin of sardines.
A dense sea of heads filled every seat.
The air in the stands was stale, with the stink of sweat, the sourness of cheap sake, and the acrid smell of burnt meat all mixed together.
It was enough to turn anyone's stomach.
"Hey! Did you hear? That genius from the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke, still hasn't shown up!"
"Don't tell me he's scared of that monster from Sunagakure and hiding at home crying?"
"Nonsense! Since when would an Uchiha back down?"
"But... Sen Senju's definitely going to compete today, right?"
"Of course! I heard that kid smashed a Sound Ninja's arms to pulp