Jiraiya kept his head lowered.
His expression did not look remotely remorseful. Instead, he seemed to be pondering something important.
The atmosphere in the office grew heavier as Jiraiya's silence dragged on.
No one dared speak.
Naruto's fists clenched and relaxed in the silence, then clenched again.
Eventually, even Gekko Hayate grew impatient and could not resist drawing his blade halfway.
The blade rang out with a metallic clang, shattering the silence in the office.
The Third glanced at Gekko Hayate, then turned his gaze back.
He paid no heed to this breach of decorum and continued watching Jiraiya.
He could understand how Gekko Hayate felt right now.
Only after a long while did Jiraiya raise his head.
The first thing he saw was Gekko Hayate's half-drawn blade.
He hurriedly let out an awkward laugh.
"Hey... don't be like that..."
"This sage really meant well at first! I never considered this possibility, so please don't attack!"
"Pervy Sage! Where did Hayashi go?"
Naruto had not paid any attention to what Jiraiya was saying.
He simply kept asking about Hayashi's whereabouts, tireless in his persistence.
Seeing Naruto's anxious expression, Jiraiya could not help sighing.
Then he turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man, you remember, don't you?"
"Back when I hadn't signed a summoning contract, I used the Summoning Technique."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
He picked up the pipe resting on his desk, lit it, took a puff, and looked back at Jiraiya.
"I remember."
"Didn't you get transported to a sacred ground..."
He stopped before finishing the sentence.
As though suddenly realizing something, Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly raised his eyes.
"Jiraiya, you mean-"
"Hayashi had the same opportunity you did and was transported to a sacred ground too!"
Jiraiya nodded, then said:
"That should be the case, in theory."
"And a sage must