"What should I learn next?"
Who knew how much time had passed? When Liumu and Han emerged from the Time House, even the aura around them seemed to have changed completely.
But neither had slept in a long time, having been training all along. After returning to the real world, they both collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep.
The Hatake Clan's affairs remained unresolved. Jiraiya had been back for two days, watching the pair who still hadn't gotten out of bed. Had he not known they were fine, he would have thought they had slept themselves to death.
During the days Liumu slept, Jiraiya came under enormous pressure.
For some reason, Danzo, who normally had very little to do with him, suddenly began making trouble for him.
At the village council meeting, Danzo stated that Jiraiya was a ninja of Konoha, yet held no responsibilities, which was both a waste of resources and an irresponsible attitude.
He also used the Third Hokage's indulgence of Jiraiya to accuse him of neglecting his duties.
Left with no choice, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, consulted Jiraiya and planned to have him shoulder his responsibilities as an elite Jonin. Even taking a sinecure would be better than giving others grounds for criticism.
But...
Jiraiya was freewheeling by nature and detested the village's scheming, so he refused outright.
Recalling what Liumu had said earlier about wanting to travel the world, he used that as an excuse to turn the Third Hokage down.
"Damn it, if you don't wake up soon, I won't even dare leave the house."
Jiraiya cursed angrily, but there was nothing he could do.
Finally, a week later, Liumu shook his head and slowly propped himself up in bed. After a leisurely yawn, he felt a cold gaze