The Dinner Gathering and the Plan to Go to the New World

A week later, in the forest behind the Ninja Academy.

"Ahh~ That feels so good~"

"Hiss, this tingling sensation is too intense. I can't take it anymore, I'm going to get weird..."

Might Guy convulsed all over, making sounds that made people blush.

Beside him, Shizune watched with wide eyes and asked curiously, "Does it really feel that good?"

Before her, an ancient-looking longsword was embedded in the clearing, releasing electric currents into the surroundings.

Might Guy danced wildly from the shocks, while Setsuna slowly practiced his punches under the stimulation of the electricity.

"It did feel pretty good, but the cell activation was a little excessive." Setsuna smiled. "Still, you'd better not try it. Your body can't handle this kind of training yet."

Shizune nodded helplessly. She felt that there were probably only a few shinobi in the entire ninja world who could endure this training. Even Teacher Hizashi did not dare remain in the electric field for too long.

"If we can develop resistance to electricity, we'll gain an advantage when fighting Hidden Cloud Village shinobi." After resting for a while, Hizashi was eager to try again. Most of Hidden Cloud Village's Nintaijutsu came with paralysis effects, which were quite a restraint against close-combat shinobi like them.

He had heard that Setsuna had almost completely ignored the lightning paralysis when fighting the Raikage's son. Naturally, he wanted that resistance too.

They continued training until evening was near. Setsuna put away the Thunder God Sword. "It's about time. Let's go to the gathering."

Minato Namikaze had invited their team to his home specifically to express his gratitude.

"A feast, a feast!" Might Guy cheered. He had always loved lively occasions.

Minato Namikaze's home was not too far from the Ninja Academy. If the roads around the Hokage Building and Ninja Academy were considered the "first ring," then Minato Namikaze's detached apartment was in the "second ring."

When the four of them arrived, they could see Obito Uchiha and the other two going in and out, carrying all sorts of tableware into the small courtyard.

"We'll help too."

Just as Setsuna and the others were about to lend a hand, Minato Namikaze stopped them. There was still soot on the tip of his nose, but his smile remained bright. "You're guests today. How could I let guests do the work?"

At that moment, a figure spun through the air from afar. "Hahaha, I, the Toad Sage, Ji—wait..."

Jiraiya had been preparing for a flashy entrance when he suddenly noticed Setsuna in the courtyard below. His chakra instantly went out of control. Unable to find footing in midair, he flailed about in a panic before finally plunging headfirst into the ground.

The ground shook. Everyone in the courtyard stared blankly. Who was this? What a unique way to make an entrance.

Jiraiya pulled himself out and looked at Minato Namikaze with considerable resentment.

He had only returned to the village yesterday and run into Minato Namikaze, who had invited him to a gathering at his home and said he wanted him to meet the students he had brought back.

He had planned to show off the elegance of a "sage" before his grandstudents. If he had known that violent brat would be here, he would not have come.

"You're that peeping pervert!" Obito Uchiha cried out, then quickly corrected himself. "No, you're Lord Jiraiya, who disguised himself as a peeping pervert."

"Huh? You know Jiraiya-sensei?" Minato Namikaze was somewhat surprised. Jiraiya-sensei had not returned to the village in years.

"Of course we do. A year ago, Lord Jiraiya was outside the women's bathhouse monitoring spies. We thought he was peeping, so Big Brother Setsuna gave Lord Jiraiya a beating."

Obito Uchiha vividly recounted the story, then suddenly froze. Pointing at the bruise around Jiraiya's eye, he asked in shock, "Did Big Brother Setsuna hit you that hard back then? Lord Jiraiya, the injury on your face is still there!"

Oh no, my makeup came off. Jiraiya inwardly cursed. After meeting Minato Namikaze last night, he had run into Tsunade before he could catch up with her and had immediately been beaten senseless.

He had been utterly confused at the time, wondering whether Tsunade could read minds. How else had she known he was planning to peek at her bathing?

Only after getting beaten did he learn that his slander about Tsunade had been exposed.

"Orochimaru really has no sense of decency. He's already an adult, yet he still runs off to tattle." After sulking for a while, Jiraiya remembered the gathering. He had just accepted Minato Namikaze's invitation, so he could not exactly stand him up right away.

Fortunately, he usually liked wearing eye makeup. This time, he would just put on heavier makeup.

Yet today, the moment he made his entrance, Setsuna had scared him into crashing into the ground and rubbing off part of his makeup.

Seeing everyone's confused expressions, Jiraiya forcibly salvaged his dignity and said calmly, "That's right. I lost to him, so I deliberately kept this scar to remind myself never to underestimate any enemy."

"I understand. Scars are a man's medals, proof of youth. I can feel your passion, Lord Jiraiya." Might Guy's eyes shone, and his burning gaze made even Jiraiya feel a little frightened.

Is this kid mentally sound? Jiraiya grumbled inwardly, then chuckled awkwardly and changed the subject. "Haha, anyway, how's the feast coming along? Do you need any help?"

Hearing the commotion outside, a woman with fiery, chili-pepper-red hair came out. It was Kushina. "Jiraiya-sensei..."

Although she could not leave Konoha, she was relatively free to move around within the village, provided she ignored the ANBU shinobi secretly watching her.

"Hi, Kushina, you..." Jiraiya greeted her, then his expression suddenly changed. Kushina had opened her arms and was running toward him.

"Wait..." Jiraiya hurriedly raised both hands. He might be lecherous, but there was no way he could make a move on Minato Namikaze's girlfriend.

Then he watched Kushina run right past him and throw her arms around Setsuna. "Little Brother Setsuna, thank you so much for this."

Watching Jiraiya hold both hands high in the air, Might Guy asked in confusion, "Lord Jiraiya, are you practicing a new hand-sign pose?"

"Haha, that's right. You saw through it." Jiraiya's mouth twitched slightly as he awkwardly asked, "Why is Kushina so enthusiastic?"

Hearing Jiraiya's question, Kushina released Setsuna, then ran over and hugged Minato Namikaze again, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "Those Hidden Cloud Village bastards... I nearly lost Minato."

"Hidden Cloud Village? What exactly happened?" Jiraiya frowned. He had just returned from the Land of Rain and did not yet know what had happened.

"Those Hidden Cloud Village bastards set this up..." As Kushina spoke, she clung tightly to Minato Namikaze's chest, as though she feared that loosening her grip would make her lose him. She completely failed to notice Minato Namikaze's face steadily turning blue.

Remembering what Lady Mito had told her back then, then recalling how she had nearly lost Minato Namikaze this time, Kushina vaguely felt the urge to snap.

"Those bastards all deserve to die..." Kushina ground her teeth, then suddenly noticed Jiraiya making frightened gestures and muttering something.

Kushina listened carefully. Jiraiya seemed to be saying, "Minato looks like he's about to die."

Kushina looked up after hearing that and finally noticed that Minato Namikaze was nearly foaming at the mouth. Terrified, she quickly let go and hurriedly patted his back.

"Minato, are you okay?"

"Cough, cough... Don't worry, I'm fine."

Jiraiya sighed and shook his head. Looking at Minato Namikaze, he saw his own reflection. The girls they pursued all had violent tendencies.

Kushina complained, "Why didn't you say anything? I almost hurt you."

Minato Namikaze smiled gently. "I was the one who made you worry. Besides, I enjoyed your hug too."

"You idiot." Kushina shyly pounded Minato Namikaze's chest with her little fist.

Smelling the sickening sweetness of romance, Jiraiya felt terrible all over.

This was not right, was it?

They were both getting abused. Why was he simply getting beaten by Tsunade, while Minato Namikaze received loving embraces?

Could it be because of looks? That makes no sense. I'm only slightly less handsome than Minato. Jiraiya could not figure it out. In the end, he could only conclude that his methods of expressing affection were too wild. Even a woman like Tsunade might not be able to accept such a "cutting-edge" confession as peeping.

"Ooh~" Obito Uchiha was just about to tease them when Kushina "shyly" stomped the ground, making the entire house tremble. Obito Uchiha was so frightened that he did not dare say another word.

Kushina straightened herself up, stood on tiptoe, and patted Setsuna's shoulder. With the air of a big sister, she grandly waved her hand. "Little Brother Setsuna, from now on, your business is my business. Whoever bullies you, I'll beat them up."

"Who would dare bully him? It's already lucky if he doesn't bully others." Jiraiya rolled his eyes and rubbed the spot where Setsuna had hit him. It still ached faintly.

Kushina also noticed the flaw in her words. According to Minato Namikaze, Setsuna was much stronger than she was. After thinking for a moment, she said earnestly, "Little Brother Setsuna, you may be strong, but you're too innocent at heart. Some disgusting old fogies might use rules to pressure you. If that ever happens, just tell your big sister. I'll go crazy on them directly. Those old fogies are most afraid when I go crazy."

After saying that, she shouted loudly toward the surrounding corners as if issuing a warning, "You all heard that, right? Don't leave that out when you report back."

Hizashi secretly clicked his tongue. Lord Hokage and the others are probably more afraid of Setsuna going crazy.

Seeing Kushina's smug expression, Setsuna smiled. "Then I'll trouble you, Senior Kushina."

Kushina was very dissatisfied by that and corrected him, "Calling me senior is too distant. You should call me Sister Kushina."

Setsuna did not know whether to laugh or cry. He really was not used to addressing people that way, but he did not reject Kushina's kindness. "Yes, Sister Kushina."

"Mhm~ That's more like it." Kushina raised her clenched right fist. "Then let's begin the feast."

"A feast, a feast!" Everyone cheered as they brought out the last of the ingredients, then gathered around the grill.

The fire burned fiercely, and the charcoal crackled. The moment thick slices of pork belly were placed on the grill, they released an enticing sizzle. Beads of oil slowly rolled along the meat's grain and dripped onto the charcoal, sending up wisps of smoke fragrant with roasted meat.

Setsuna picked up a piece of grilled meat, dipped it in Kushina's special sauce, wrapped it in a fresh lettuce leaf, and bit down. Scalding meat juices burst over his tongue, while the layers of fat and lean meat mixed with the savory sauce. Even Setsuna, who had tasted countless delicacies in his previous life, was somewhat surprised by the flavor.

The seasonings could not compare to those from his previous life, but the quality of the ingredients surpassed Earth's by far.

"Haha, this is great." Jiraiya drank while slapping the grass beside him, then casually asked, "By the way, Minato, how did you escape in the end?"

Minato Namikaze patiently explained it again. Almost everyone who learned about the incident asked the same question.

Jiraiya listened until cold sweat trickled down his back. His instigation of Orochimaru to challenge Setsuna had not been exposed, had it?

The last time he had been beaten, he had thought he was merely careless. If he had entered Sage Mode beforehand, the balance of victory would definitely have tipped in his favor.

But now it seemed that even if he entered Sage Mode, the outcome would likely not change.

Jiraiya happened to meet Setsuna's gaze and guiltily turned his head away, loudly changing the subject. "I just returned from the Land of Rain and heard that Hidden Sand Village is holding the Joint Chunin Exams. Are you planning to participate?"

"Hidden Sand Village is holding the Joint Chunin Exams?" Setsuna was somewhat surprised. Although all five great nations had the right to hold the Joint Chunin Exams, they were usually hosted by the three "top shinobi villages": Konoha, Hidden Stone Village, and Hidden Cloud Village.

After all, holding the Joint Chunin Exams required a considerable amount of funding. Hidden Sand Village was so poor that even the Kazekage had to work as a "gold miner," yet they could still afford to host the Joint Chunin Exams.

Jiraiya tempted him, "If war breaks out, Genin can only follow orders. But if you're a Chunin, you can apply to take missions and have a certain degree of autonomy."

Setsuna rubbed his chin and pondered inwardly. This really is a good opportunity. Besides, if someone performs exceptionally in the Joint Chunin Exams, they can theoretically skip Chunin and be promoted directly to Jonin, just as Neji was directly promoted to Jonin in the future timeline.

Under normal circumstances, the standard Chunin Ninja Exams could be held twice a year. But because of the arms race, Konoha had not held them at all this year, leaving Setsuna a Genin even now.

Setsuna continued thinking. If I can become a Jonin before the Third Shinobi World War, I can plan for more achievements during the war as a Jonin. Only then can I seek the position of Hokage after the war ends.

He did not have any particular obsession with becoming Hokage, but his parents in this life had earnestly hoped that he would become Hokage while they were alive.

Even if it was difficult for him to feel much genuine affection for his parents in this life, he still had to repay the debt of raising him. Besides, becoming Hokage was merely something to do along the path toward becoming the strongest.

Seeing Setsuna fall silent, Jiraiya said in surprise, "Don't tell me you're worried?"

Setsuna nodded slightly. "I do have some concerns."

Even if the venue had been changed to Hidden Cloud Village, he would not have worried too much. But Hidden Sand Village was the shinobi village most skilled with poison among the five great villages.

Even if he remained vigilant, there might still be a one-in-a-thousand, or even one-in-ten-thousand, chance of being poisoned.

Jiraiya was speechless. "With your strength, you could probably compete to become Kazekage. The ones who should worry are everyone else. How much psychological trauma would it cause them to encounter a monster like you in the same exam?"

Obito Uchiha and the others nodded deeply in agreement. It was too unfair. Their upperclassman should have been promoted directly.

Setsuna smiled faintly and did not explain. He merely thought to himself, The one-year cooldown is about to end. I wonder whether the New World will have a way to help me resist genjutsu or increase my poison resistance?