The midday sunlight shone on the road in front of the Hokage Building, stretching the two men's shadows long.
"Ninjutsu? What kind of powerful Ninjutsu?"
Naruto looked at Jiraiya as he approached, unable to keep the suspicion off his face.
"What powerful Ninjutsu could you teach me, Pervy Sage? I think I'll just stick to practicing my Shadow Clone Technique."
With that, Naruto laced his hands behind his head and strolled away.
"I'm talking about a really powerful Ninjutsu, you know."
Refusing to give up, Jiraiya followed close behind Naruto and continued in a low voice.
They walked one behind the other, three to five steps apart.
"Really powerful?"
Seemingly tempted, Naruto glanced back at Jiraiya trailing behind him and asked earnestly:
"Could it help me catch up to Hayashi?"
Catch up to Hayashi...?
This little brat sure dreams big.
Jiraiya couldn't help recalling the red-haired figure standing on a branch in the Forest of Death, controlling his creations of ice and snow.
That One-Horned White Whale, and those impossibly cold eyes.
A trace of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"Oh, get out of here, brat. You're dreaming."
Jiraiya was rather speechless.
Seriously? I was just about to teach this kid the Rasengan.
But judging by his attitude, am I supposed to beg him to learn this Ninjutsu?
"You're still a long, long, long, loooong way from catching up to him."
Jiraiya deliberately drew out the last "long."
After saying that, he was about to stride ahead when he noticed Naruto's blue eyes watching him quietly.
None of their usual restless energy remained. Their stillness was almost unnatural.
"Of course I know I'm still a long way behind Hayashi."
"But what I'm asking is..."
"Pervy Sage, can you help me catch up to him?"
Looking into Naruto's eyes,