Hayashi looked at the Sannin member on the verge of a breakdown before him and couldn't help laughing again.
"Lord Jiraiya, don't get so worked up."
"Naruto's a good kid, you know. He's determined and has his own goals. Training him is actually pretty easy."
Jiraiya pursed his lips and folded his arms again, seemingly giving those words serious thought.
Suddenly, it clicked.
"Wait-"
"I'm supposed to train you too!"
The more Jiraiya talked, the more something seemed wrong. He counted off the issues on his fingers, one by one.
"I'll accept taking on Naruto. Maybe that was the old man's idea."
"How did I end up with you too in the blink of an eye?!"
"One needs training, and the other's injured! What am I supposed to do about my grand research plans?!"
"Hehe~"
Hayashi tilted his head, putting on an innocent look.
"Oh, come on, you little brat!!!!"
And so, after their argument atop Hokage Rock-
Hayashi walked ahead, grinning.
Jiraiya followed with his head hanging, looking utterly defeated.
He trudged along, muttering who knew what to himself.
The wind carried over a few scattered fragments.
"Icha Icha Paradise... deadline... research..."
"One brat... two brats..."
But Hayashi pretended he hadn't heard a thing.
Finally, Jiraiya's eyes lit up as though something had suddenly occurred to him.
"Right! The old man's orders! The old man!"
Jiraiya stopped abruptly and pointed at Hayashi.
"Brat! I haven't heard anything about this! How do I know you're not lying to me?!"
"This sage will be right back~"
Hayashi smiled and waved at him.
The next second, Jiraiya took off running.
Watching the white figure sprinting away ahead of him, Hayashi couldn't help sighing.
What was this guy even doing?
No wonder Snake Auntie had always thought Jiraiya was unreliable.
The unfamiliar