Salesman Jiraiya

Jiraiya, the renowned Sage of Mount Myoboku who has wandered the world for many years, recently returned quietly to Konoha. The reason for his return was to fulfill a mission entrusted to him by Sage Fukasaku, the one who had taught him: to find a summoning contractor for his so-called "junior apprentice"—a black-skinned toad named Sage Tahm. Being a direct disciple of Mount Myoboku was no small title, and Jiraiya naturally narrowed his search to Konoha; after all, his feelings for the village were not so easily settled.

It has been a long time... Konoha is still as prosperous as ever.

Jiraiya stood on high ground, overlooking the entirety of Konoha. His heart was filled with emotion, yet he was also plagued by a wave of annoyance: he had returned, but finding this contractor was proving difficult.

In truth, with the reputation of the Sannin Jiraiya and the illustrious combat record of the Mount Myoboku clan in the ninja world, anyone he approached to offer a summoning contract with Mount Myoboku would feel as if they had just walked out the door and found five million ryo on the ground.

However...

The first time Jiraiya saw the summoning scroll in his hand, he felt his white hair turn even more haggard:

Beneath the appearance of an ordinary scroll, the very first line read:

I am the direct disciple under the tutelage of Sage Fukasaku, the second-in-command of Mount Myoboku, junior apprentice to the Sannin Jiraiya, junior uncle to the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, and the Child of Prophecy personally appointed by the Great Toad Sage of the Holy Land—I am Sage Tahm!

Just reading this single sentence made Jiraiya, a man who had lived shamelessly for years by peeping in bathhouses and writing adult novels, feel a wave of shyness and embarrassment. It seemed that his past habit of striking poses on a toad's back and shouting his own name was far too restrained.

Reading further, beyond the standard terms of a summoning contract, there was a long list of additional conditions:

1. Once summoned, this Sage will absolutely not return to Mount Myoboku passively; the contractor is responsible for arranging accommodation.

2. This Sage maintains freedom of movement and shall not be subjected to forced commands.

3. This Sage must eat delicious food; if the meals are poor, this Sage will go on strike.

4. This Sage's salary shall be calculated based on the level of a Konoha chunin, paid monthly, and include full social insurance and housing benefits.

5. This Sage is entitled to reasonable leave. No work on weekends or statutory holidays, and daily working hours shall not exceed eight hours.

99. It is preferred that this Sage's contractor be female, and high attractiveness is a plus.

Thinking of these things gave Jiraiya a headache. This wasn't acting as a summoning beast; this was acting as someone's father! Only a fool would sign such a contract, right? But since Sage Fukasaku had personally entrusted it to him, he couldn't just find some random passerby to sign it, could he? After all, this was a summoning contract from one of the Three Holy Lands, Mount Myoboku.

Should he go find that kid Kakashi? He counted as his grand-disciple, after all, and might cut him some slack for the sake of their relationship. No, he already had a summoning beast. What about Asuma Sarutobi? He was his teacher's son, and their connection was deep; perhaps he could try...

If Jiraiya had ever experienced life on Earth, he would have been able to describe his situation perfectly: this was exactly like being trapped in a pyramid scheme, forced to sell a friend's product. And as if that weren't enough, the product the organization was making him sell was a disc of adult films!

Sigh... forget it for now. Since he had finally returned, he might as well go to the hot springs to gather some "material" first. The girls of his own Konoha were truly the most elegant and spirited!

And so, Comrade Jiraiya the salesman decided to put his mission aside and headed straight for the bathhouse, preparing to embark on a proper research trip.

The famous hot spring bathhouse of Konoha was as old as the village itself. It was said that the First Hokage had discovered these springs in the mountain forest and decided to build the village right here. This was likely just a marketing gimmick spread by the bathhouse, but there was no denying that it was incredibly popular. Whether they were commoners or high-ranking nobles, everyone loved to come here to enjoy a peaceful time during their leisure. Many famous figures of the ninja world had soaked in these springs, such as the various Hokage, the princess of the Senju clan, Lady Tsunade, and the wild Jiraiya, who had once nearly been beaten to death by Lady Tsunade right here in these waters.

And now, Jiraiya had returned once again. While quietly observing the hazy, misty scenery of the baths, he did not forget to reminisce about the glorious years of his youth. His mind was overflowing with literary inspiration, and he couldn't suppress the urge to write—this research trip was truly the right choice!

Just as he was in the height of his excitement, a soft, delicate voice suddenly came from behind him:

"Um... excuse me... sir?" The voice was slightly shy and childish. "Are you... peeping?"

What "sir"? Was he really that old? No... wait... he had been caught peeping...

However, the experienced veteran was not in the least bit panicked. Jiraiya spun around, preparing to unleash his standard "Sage of Mount Myoboku" routine to ease the awkwardness, but he froze instantly:

He saw a little girl wearing a plain white yukata, looking no more than five or six years old. She was still damp with steam, her neatly cut, short, straight black hair still wet. Her soft hair shimmered with a faint luster under the sunlight, accented by droplets of water. Her features were exquisite, and her skin had the tender, fair quality unique to children, yet it was different, possessing a crystalline, jade-like hue. What was most captivating were the pair of white eyes embedded in her jade-like face, revealing a pure and innocent charm. A deep blush spread across the little girl's fair face; she seemed very anxious and shy. Her small hands, hidden beneath wide sleeves, were tightly gripping her hem, her short fingers nervously twisting the fabric. As she moved, her delicate, beautiful knuckles would mischievously peek out from the long sleeves.

She is pitifully beautiful. This was Jiraiya's first thought. It wasn't the feeling of a veteran who couldn't control himself upon seeing "resources," but a purely aesthetic recognition and appreciation.

In the next instant, Jiraiya, a veteran who had "driven" all over the ninja world, felt embarrassed for the first time. He had actually been caught red-handed by a pure little girl... Seeing her sincere eyes, even Jiraiya's national-defense-grade thick skin felt like it was about to give way.

"I was just passing by, taking a rest. Hahahaha... haha..." His laughter grew increasingly weak.

"But..." the little girl gathered her courage and continued, "are you really... not peeping?"

"Well..." Jiraiya had a sudden flash of inspiration, thinking of a brilliant idea that could kill two birds with one stone. "I am actually the guardian of Konoha, the Sannin Jiraiya! My presence here today is actually for a mission of great importance concerning the fate of Konoha."

"Huh?" The little girl was stunned... She had heard of the Sannin Jiraiya, even at her young age, and was immediately intimidated.

"I see that your bone structure is extraordinary; you are exactly the person who can shoulder this destiny," Jiraiya continued to bluff. "I have a great treasure to entrust to you, and I hope you will not refuse."

Yes, with Jiraiya's eye for talent, he could tell at a glance that this beautiful little girl with the smooth forehead and pure white eyes was definitely a direct descendant of the Hyuga clan. Her status was noble, her future was limitless, and she was the perfect candidate to be a contractor. Most importantly, she was young and easy to fool!

"Ah? O... okay!" The little girl's eyes were spinning.

"No need to hesitate. Just write your name and press your handprint on this scroll," Comrade Jiraiya instantly transformed into a gold-medal insurance salesman. "Come, come, tell me your name, and I'll write it down right now."

"O... kay," the little girl said, looking a bit dazed. "My name is—Hinata Hyuga."