Jiraiya, the famed Mount Myoboku sage who had spent many years traveling abroad, had recently slipped back into Konoha. He had returned to carry out a task entrusted to him by Sage Fukasaku, who had taught him: find a contractor for his so-called "junior brother," a black-skinned toad named Tahm. As a direct disciple of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya naturally set his sights on Konoha. After all, his feelings for the village were not so easily severed.
It's been a long time... Konoha is still as bustling as ever.
Standing high above the village and gazing over all of Konoha, Jiraiya was filled with emotion, but also troubled. He had returned, sure enough, but finding a contractor would not be easy.
With the reputation of one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, along with Mount Myoboku's illustrious achievements in the Shinobi World, anyone he approached about becoming Mount Myoboku's summoning contractor would feel as though they had stumbled upon five million out of nowhere.
But...
The first time Jiraiya saw the summoning scroll in his hands, he felt as though his head of white hair had turned even more weathered:
Beneath the appearance of an ordinary scroll, the very first line read:
I am Sage Tahm, direct disciple of Sage Fukasaku, second only to the Great Toad Sage on Mount Myoboku; junior brother of Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin; martial uncle of Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze; and the child of the era personally chosen by the Great Toad Sage of the sacred land!
That single sentence made even the shameless Jiraiya—who made a living peeping in bathhouses and writing dirty books—feel embarrassed. It seemed his signature pose atop a toad, shouting "Jiraiya, Sage of Mount Myoboku!" had been far too restrained.
Reading further, aside from the usual summoning contract terms, there was a huge list of additional conditions:
1. Once summoned, this Immortal shall absolutely not return passively to Mount Myoboku. The contractor shall be responsible for arranging lodging.
2. This Immortal shall retain freedom of movement and may not be forcibly ordered around.
3. This Immortal wants delicious food. Poor meals will result in a strike.
4. This Immortal's salary shall be calculated according to the pay level of a Konoha chunin and paid within the same month; full benefits and housing fund included.
5. This Immortal shall receive reasonable leave. No work on weekends or statutory holidays, and daily working hours shall not exceed eight hours.
99. This Immortal's contractor should preferably be female. The prettier, the better.
Whenever Jiraiya thought of those terms, his head hurt. This was not becoming someone's summoning beast—this was becoming their father! Only an idiot would sign a contract like this, right? But Sage Fukasaku had personally entrusted it to him, so he could not just make some random passerby sign it. This was, after all, a summoning contract from Mount Myoboku, one of the Three Sacred Lands.
Maybe I should go find Kakashi. Technically, that kid is my student's student, so he might help me out for old times' sake. No, he already has a summoning beast. Then what about Asuma Sarutobi? He's my teacher's son, so our connection isn't shallow either. Maybe he's worth a try...
If Jiraiya had experienced life on Earth, he would have been able to describe his predicament quite accurately: he had basically joined a pyramid scheme and was being forced to sell products to people he knew. That alone would have been bad enough, but the product his organization wanted him to sell was pornographic discs!
Ugh... forget it for now. It's not often that I come back. I might as well gather some material at the hot springs first. Konoha's girls are still the finest!
Thus, Comrade Jiraiya the salesman decided to put his mission aside for the moment and headed straight for the bathhouse, ready to embark on a proper research trip.
Konoha's famous hot spring bathhouse was as old as the village itself. It was said that the First Hokage had discovered the hot spring source amid the mountain forests and decided to build the village here. That was probably just a promotional gimmick spread by the bathhouse, but there was no denying its immense popularity. Whether commoners or high-born nobles, everyone liked coming here to enjoy peaceful moments in their free time. Many famous figures of the Shinobi World had soaked in these springs, including the various Hokage, Lady Tsunade of the Senju Clan, and the mad demon Jiraiya, who had nearly been beaten to death by Lady Tsunade at these very springs.
And now, Jiraiya had returned here once more. As he secretly admired the hazy, indistinct scenery within the hot spring mist, he also reminisced about the glorious days of his youth. Inspiration surged within him like a fountain, and he could barely suppress the urge to write—this research trip had truly been the right choice!
Just as he was getting excited, a soft, gentle voice suddenly came from behind him:
"Um... excuse me... sir?" The voice carried a trace of shy childishness. "Are you peeping?"
What do you mean, sir? Am I really that old? No... I got caught peeping...
But as an experienced old hand, Jiraiya did not panic in the slightest. He spun around, ready to use his standard "Sage of Mount Myoboku" routine to ease the awkwardness, only to freeze on the spot:
Before him stood a little girl in a plain white yukata, no more than five or six years old. A misty dampness still clung to her body, and her neatly cut, short black hair was wet. Her smooth hair, dotted with glistening droplets, shimmered softly beneath the sunlight. Her features were exquisite, and her skin possessed a child's characteristic fair softness, yet also carried a translucent jade-like glow. Most eye-catching of all were the pair of white eyes set in that jade-like face, radiating pure innocence. A deep blush covered her fair cheeks as she stood there, seemingly anxious and shy. Her small hands were hidden beneath her wide sleeves, tightly clutching the hem of her clothes. Her short fingers nervously rubbed at the fabric, and whenever she moved, her delicate knuckles would mischievously peek out from the long sleeves.
She inspired instant tenderness. That was Jiraiya's first thought—not because this seasoned pervert had seen some enticing material and could not control himself, but simply from an aesthetic appreciation and enjoyment.
The next instant, Jiraiya, who had driven all over the Shinobi World, felt embarrassed for the first time. He had actually been caught by such a pure little girl... Looking into her sincere eyes, even his national-defense-grade thick skin felt like it could not hold up.
"I was just passing by and taking a rest. Hahahaha... haha..." His laughter grew increasingly weak.
"But..." the little girl gathered her courage and continued, "you really... weren't peeping?"
"Um..." A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Jiraiya, and he thought of a brilliant idea that could solve two problems at once. "I am actually Jiraiya, one of Konoha's guardians, one of the Legendary Sannin! I came here today bearing a major mission concerning Konoha's fate."
"Huh?" The little girl froze... Even at her young age, she had heard of Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, and she was immediately bluffed.
"I can see that your bones are exceptional. You are precisely someone capable of shouldering destiny," Jiraiya continued to fool her. "I have a precious treasure to entrust to you. I hope you will not refuse."
Indeed, with Jiraiya's discerning eye, he could tell at a glance that this lovely little girl with a smooth forehead and pure white eyes was surely the main daughter of the Hyuga Compound. She was of noble status and had limitless prospects, making her an ideal contractor. Most importantly, she was young and easy to fool!
"Huh? O-okay!" The little girl's eyes were practically spinning.
"There's no need to hesitate. Just write your name on this scroll and press your handprint on it." In an instant, Comrade Jiraiya transformed into a top insurance salesman. "Come on, come on, tell me your name. I'll write it down right now."
"O-okay." The little girl replied somewhat blankly, "My name is—Hinata Hyuga."
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