"Sir-that really brings back memories. Hahaha, but I only gave you a few pointers. That hardly makes me your teacher."
A hint of nostalgia flashed through Jiraiya's eyes, and he laughed several times before saying,
"Edo... it's called Tokyo now. I hear the young ladies in Tokyo are beautiful and sweet talkers, too. It's been a long time since I went out gathering material. Miss Kiritani, perhaps I'll need you to play host for me before long."
"Yes! Mr. Jiraiya!" Mineko Yuki nodded repeatedly.
Mineko Yuki still did not change how she addressed him. She held Jiraiya in considerable respect.
With that favorable impression coloring her view, even Jiraiya's knobby, bulbous nose no longer seemed as comical as before.
"The next time you see me, you'll be in for a real surprise! The true appearance of Jiraiya the Toad Sage is dashing indeed."
Jiraiya finished a complicated series of hand seals and spread his hands. Countless crystalline points of deep blue light floated in the air.
"Master Jiraiya, there's one more thing I'm really sorry about. My name actually isn't Kiritani Asuka. My real name is Yuki..."
Remembering something, Mineko Yuki rattled off a few words, but before she could finish, she heard a sharp shout:
"Homeward bound!"
In the toad oil pool, Mineko Yuki and the other six people drawn into the Mount Myōboku dungeon vanished.
"Thanks for all your hard work."
A black figure swooped down from the Toad Oil Waterfall and landed beside Jiraiya.
He removed his hood, revealing a handsome face covered in purple snake scales, three tomoe revolving in his scarlet eyes.
He looked uncanny and sinisterly alluring.
"Not at all. I have you, my original, to thank for clearing out the monsters along the way beforehand. Otherwise, I couldn't have brought seven burdens to