Hiruzen Sarutobi Takes Jiraiya as His Student! Master and Disciple at Sunset

Sunlight fell like golden gauze across the old stone road in Konoha, bathing it in a warm, enchanting glow.

Jiraiya strolled along at an easy pace, enjoying his rare moment of leisure.

His gaze drifted over the shops lining the street as he savored the quiet.

But when he reached a bookstore, he stopped short.

Something in the display window caught his eye. He stared at it, wide-eyed with surprise and curiosity.

"Is that... a swimsuit book?" he murmured, unable to hide his excitement.

It was as though some mysterious force had seized him. His heart raced so hard he could almost hear it pounding.

Jiraiya glanced furtively left and right. Once he was sure no one he knew was nearby, he slipped into the adult bookstore.

Inside, his eyes locked onto the shelves of swimsuit books as if he had fallen under a spell.

Excitement and embarrassment warred on his face. His flushed cheeks and trembling hands betrayed his turmoil.

Then the shopkeeper's gentle voice sounded beside him. "Can I help you with anything?"

The sudden question hit Jiraiya like a thunderclap.

He waved his hands frantically. "No, no. Just looking."

He tried to act casual, like any other customer browsing the shelves.

But his scarlet face and the faint trickle of blood from his nose gave him away.

The shopkeeper was privately amused by his predicament, but politely said nothing.

In the end, Jiraiya could not resist the lure of the swimsuit books. He reached out, snatched one up, and quickly tucked it inside his clothes.

Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in.

One glance at Jiraiya's furtive behavior told him plenty.

Hiruzen gave him an exasperated look. "You're too young for that. Wait a few years, at least."

"What? Come on, old man! This is a training manual!"