With the Number Five Mech moving at an unhurried pace, the day passed just like that.
That evening, Naruto and Jiraiya pitched a simple little tent and slept in their sleeping bags.
Naruto had considered going back to sleep at home, but going back alone and leaving the old guy here by himself felt a little wrong.
It would be lonely going home alone anyway. I might as well keep him company.
Besides, I have to stop him from sneaking off. Grandpa Sarutobi specifically told me to keep an eye on Uncle Jiraiya.
But...
Naruto stole a glance at Jiraiya's sleeping bag, a puzzled look in his eyes.
Why haven't I sensed that sadness from him in so long?
Inside the Sealing Space, Minato sighed. Honestly, Master Jiraiya just had to keep everything bottled up inside.
Emotions could be suppressed, too.
Worried that Naruto would concern himself too much with him, Jiraiya had hidden all his worries away.
Perhaps, after bringing Lady Tsunade back this time, Master Jiraiya would sneak away.
He would go looking for those junior fellow students Minato had never met.
Minato understood Jiraiya, and so did Sarutobi.
Sarutobi wanted Naruto to keep an eye on Jiraiya, but he also knew that Jiraiya would most likely leave.
Just as, over a decade ago, Sarutobi had wanted Jiraiya to search for Orochimaru together with Konoha, but Jiraiya had still chosen to go out alone.
He would use the Child of Prophecy as an excuse, then turn away to pursue his own bonds.
Precisely because Minato knew this, he had never told Naruto. Instead, he had secretly given Jiraiya a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
He had also left a Flying Thunder God Formula on Jiraiya's back while he was at it.
Just in case.
The next day, after a