The Visit to the Land of Fire Concluded
"Pa, isn't there something strange about the energy inside this boy?"
Sage Shima murmured from Jiraiya's shoulder, her purple skin gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
"Yes, I noticed!"
Sage Fukasaku nodded slowly, his aged eyes narrowing. "The energy system in this child's body is completely separate from today's ninjutsu system. This is the first time I've seen a cursed technique like this."
Jiraiya did not respond to their whispered discussion. After briefly thanking them, he dismissed their summoning.
Then Jiraiya walked forward with short steps and extended his right hand toward the approaching Sōji, his fingers spread in an open, forthright gesture. "You're strong! You won this time."
The hem of Sōji's Divine Robe swayed lightly as he reached out with his right hand and shook Jiraiya's. "Thank you for the match, Jiraiya!"
The alliance between the two great ninja villages, still brewing but not yet fully established, also came together at that moment with the clasp of their hands.
"I'm counting on you to preserve the peace between Konoha and the Hidden Mist!"
Jiraiya lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear. His half-joking tone from before the match was gone, replaced by solemn sincerity.
"Yes, I will!"
Sōji nodded, his voice as calm as ever.
At that, Jiraiya smiled and released his hand, turning toward Konoha's spectator stands. After a few steps, he glanced back and scratched his tousled white hair.
"Give Tsunade my regards. And next time we spar, don't go so hard on me!"
Good-natured laughter erupted from the stands.
In the main stands, the Third Hokage slowly settled back into his seat, his expression as placid as a still well. Yet beneath the shadow of his hat, the hand resting on his knee