He had short, spiky white hair and two red markings at the corners of his eyes.
Although he had used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as an adult, traces of Jiraiya were still obvious.
But wasn't little Jiraiya supposed to be attending the Ninja Academy right now?
Had he skipped class?
Watanabe Ichiro winked at him and subtly moved his hand, making a tactical hand signal taught in the first year at the Konoha Ninja Academy: hold position.
Little Jiraiya was startled when the person he was carrying suddenly opened his eyes. His grip loosened, nearly sending Watanabe Ichiro's head crashing into the ground again.
Under Watanabe Ichiro's resentful stare, he steadied himself and continued carrying him as if nothing had happened.
Watanabe Ichiro and the villagers were locked in a cage that reeked of blood.
Beneath Watanabe Ichiro, who was pretending to be unconscious, the ground was covered in dried blood, sticky and foul-smelling. Any accidental contact with it left a red-black stain.
Agonized cries rang endlessly in his ears.
What exactly were these people doing?
Puzzled, Watanabe Ichiro waited patiently inside the cage.
Before long, Jiraiya came over disguised as a guard to take over the shift, complaining miserably to the two burly guards.
"Sir, I accidentally upset the higher-ups again. They're going to dock my entire pay this month."
"You're always so clumsy. Of course they'd punish you. Be more careful next time!"
"Ah, I'm a bachelor, so I don't mind, but Miss Axiang from Wind Willow Alley won't stand for it. If I'm even one copper short, she won't let me touch her little hand... Sir, buddy, Dad! Spare me a little?"
"Get lost! Since when did I have a son like you?"
"Come on, sir~ Ah! How'd he wake up? Did those guys skimp