Uchiha Makoto froze for a moment, staring at Kakashi's back.
This guy... actually volunteered to take the blame?
Jiraiya's gaze moved between Kakashi and Uchiha Makoto.
He knew Kakashi-Hatake Sakumo's son, a famous prodigy in Konoha.
And to Jiraiya, Uchiha Makoto's attempt to "protect his teammate" just now really didn't fit his stereotypical image of Orochimaru's students.
Weren't the people that bastard Orochimaru trained supposed to be selfish and willing to do anything to achieve their goals?
"Oh? It's you, Kakashi."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. His tone softened a little, but the scrutiny in his eyes deepened.
He looked at Uchiha Makoto, whose innocent expression said, I only wandered in by accident, then at Kakashi, whose face was impassive but whose eyes were resolute. Suddenly, he laughed and clapped Kakashi on the shoulder.
"All right, all right. You're young. A little curiosity is perfectly normal."
Jiraiya waved a hand, turning back into that boisterous older man.
"But books like these will have to wait until you're grown up!"
Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Makoto again, a little more interest in his eyes.
"You're an interesting little brat from the Uchiha Clan. Looks like Orochimaru found himself a gem of a student."
Without waiting for Uchiha Makoto to answer, Jiraiya turned and sauntered out of the bookstore, laughing heartily. His signature long white hair flashed past the doorway and vanished.
Quiet returned to the bookstore.
The little old shopkeeper adjusted his reading glasses and went back to dozing as though nothing had happened.
Uchiha Makoto and Kakashi exchanged a glance.
"Let's go."
Kakashi tucked Icha Icha Paradise inside his clothes. His tone remained flat, but there was a noticeably lighter spring in his step.
Uchiha Makoto shrugged, paid, and picked up his "premium books," wrapping them in brown paper as well.
The