"I'm back!"
At sunset, Naruto switched places with Gamachu, returning to his little home as the white smoke cleared.
"Mm-hmm, that was a pleasant training trip." Jiraiya appeared beside Naruto and nodded in satisfaction, looking around the little home at ease.
"Next, we need to go see the Old Man." Jiraiya tilted his head back, clasped his hands behind it, pushed open the door, and headed toward the Hokage Building.
"What did Grandpa Third call us back for?" Naruto asked, following curiously beside Jiraiya.
"Who knows? The Old Man always leaves something out when he talks to me, speaking in riddles." Jiraiya pursed his lips, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the shapely young women on the street.
"Oh, Naruto, you're back."
Just then, a gentle, refined voice rang out. Naruto looked toward its source and saw Hikoneko walking down the street in a kimono, accompanied by a woman about her age, presumably a close friend.
"Ah, Hikoneko! Yep, I'm back." Naruto nodded and greeted her sweetly.
"My, my, when did you become such a sweet-talker? Come visit me when you have time. I'll give you some tea, too." Hikoneko covered her mouth and laughed, tugging at the clothes of the woman beside her as she shook with laughter.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then parted.
"You must have something to do, so I won't keep you. But that white-haired man beside you seems to have some bad habits. Don't you go learning from him, Naruto, or I'll tell Hinata."
Hikoneko recognized Jiraiya beside Naruto. She did not know he was one of the Sannin, but she did know about his having been caught near the hot spring establishment, so she gave Naruto a warning.
"Mm-hmm, I know." Naruto nodded solemnly. After Jiraiya had returned, his mom had pulled Naruto