Jiraiya's Coming Lesson

Another day of training came to an end.

Chishima Chiba and Tsunade saw Hatake Sakumo off at the crossroads, agreeing to train together again tomorrow.

As they walked, Chishima Chiba naturally took Tsunade's soft hand in his, swinging it back and forth at ease.

Tsunade had long grown used to it. Her face no longer turned red, and her breathing remained steady. Sometimes, if Chishima Chiba did not hold her hand, she would always feel as though something was missing.

While they walked hand in hand, Chishima Chiba handed Tsunade a piece of candy with half its wrapper peeled away. She naturally opened her mouth and bit down on it. Chishima Chiba only needed to remove the last bit of wrapper, and Tsunade could curl her tongue around the whole candy and swallow it into her mouth.

The tacit understanding between the two made Jiraiya, who was secretly watching from the shadows, grit his teeth as his body trembled slightly.

"Jiraiya, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Jiraiya took several deep breaths and turned to instruct Orochimaru. "Did you remember what I taught you earlier?"

"I remembered it, but are you sure you can do this?" Orochimaru could not help swallowing. "Chishima Chiba is the number one at the Ninja Academy now. I'm worried..."

"What are you worried about?" Jiraiya did not care at all. "As long as we act quickly and finish our plan before Chishima Chiba makes a move, everything will be fine."

"But I'm worried that if..."

"There is no if. Trust me." Jiraiya pushed Orochimaru. "Go on, don't miss the chance!"

Orochimaru let out a heavy sigh inwardly, nodded helplessly, and formed Hand Seals with both hands as he used the Transformation Jutsu.

Poof.

With a soft sound, Orochimaru transformed from a handsome little boy into a scruffy, bearded brute. Just one glance at him was enough to make people fearful.

At the same time, Jiraiya handed Orochimaru a black face covering. "Just in case, cover your face."

Orochimaru nodded, took it, and quickly put it on, covering half his face.

The sound of Chishima Chiba and Tsunade chatting and laughing drew closer. Orochimaru began silently counting in his heart.

One, two, three, now!

Orochimaru leaped out from the corner of an alley and abruptly blocked Chishima Chiba and Tsunade's path.

Chishima Chiba and Tsunade froze for a moment, then moved in perfect sync to one side of the road, leaving a path open.

At the same time, they continued the conversation that had been interrupted for only a moment, completely ignoring Orochimaru.

Watching the two walk past him, Orochimaru forced himself to speak. "Hey, you two..."

"Is something wrong?" Chishima Chiba turned his head and asked.

"...Nothing." Orochimaru took a step back, shook his head, and answered meekly.

"That idiot Orochimaru!" Jiraiya, hiding nearby, grew anxious. Unable to hold back any longer, he finally jumped out from the side.

"Hey, how dare you, out on the street..."

Bang!

Just as Jiraiya rushed toward Orochimaru, who was disguised with the Transformation Jutsu, Tsunade suddenly launched a flying kick before he could finish speaking, sending him flying backward.

"They were just walking normally. Did they provoke you?" Tsunade glared furiously and scolded, "Back at the Ninja Academy the day before yesterday, I already knew you were no good. Today... hmph, just as I thought!"

Chishima Chiba held back a laugh. He had long seen through Jiraiya and Orochimaru's little scheme. But wasn't such a clichéd hero-saves-the-beauty act a little too childish?

Still, seeing Jiraiya's dumbfounded expression, Chishima Chiba understood. With Jiraiya's current temperament, he really was capable of doing something so ridiculous without thinking.

"Tsunade, maybe Jiraiya meant well?" Chishima Chiba added fuel to the fire.

"Meant well?" Tsunade sneered disdainfully. "He whistles at people and has no manners when greeting them. How could he possibly mean well?"

"That's true." Chishima Chiba looked at Orochimaru, who stood there blankly. "You weren't frightened, were you?"

"A little... um... just a little."

Under Chishima Chiba's pressure-filled gaze, Orochimaru could only say that, while silently apologizing to Jiraiya.

It was not that he lacked resolve—it was just that the opponent Jiraiya had chosen was far too strong!

As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, Tsunade exploded again and rushed over to punch and kick Jiraiya.

"That's for frightening passersby!"

"No, I didn't!"

"That's for arguing!"

"Tsunade, listen to me! It wasn't like that!"

"Still arguing!"

"No! That guy wanted to hurt you, I was only..."

"Even if he wanted to hurt me, I don't need you to interfere! Chiba alone is enough!"

After giving Jiraiya a beating, Tsunade clapped her hands and stopped. "Remember this from now on: don't think becoming a ninja means you can do whatever you want. Have you forgotten the rule that ninjas cannot harm civilians of their own country?"

"Besides, you're still a student, not a ninja. Stop learning bad habits!"

After leaving him with those words, Tsunade walked up to Orochimaru. "I already taught that guy a lesson for you. If he dares retaliate against you later, come find me at the Senju Compound."

"O-okay." Orochimaru nodded woodenly, then quickly left.

He walked faster and faster, disappearing around the street corner in no time. He was moving faster than if he had been running.

"Tsunade, you truly are a hero who vanquishes evil and upholds justice!"

Chishima Chiba smiled and offered lavish praise, making Tsunade laugh brightly.

"Oh, right, Tsunade. I heard there's a newly opened bathhouse in the village. Want to try it after dinner?" Chishima Chiba came up with a bad idea and deliberately spoke a little loudly.

"A mixed bath?" Tsunade's smile faded as her Little Face reddened slightly. She asked quietly.

"What are you thinking?" Chishima Chiba raised a hand and flicked Tsunade on the forehead. "Are you going or not?"

"Of course I'm going!" Tsunade readily agreed, taking Chishima Chiba's hand and pulling him into a run. "Then let's hurry home for dinner, or there won't be enough time."

Watching the two run away hand in hand, Jiraiya climbed to his feet with a defeated expression and could not help touching the bruise on his cheek.

"Hiss..."

With a pained cry, Jiraiya turned around with a limp. "Orochimaru, you useless teammate!" he muttered quietly, his face twisting as he chased after Orochimaru.

In the corner of an alley, Jiraiya grabbed Orochimaru by the collar. "How could you run away in the middle of it? I really misjudged you!"

"Your plan was the problem. It had nothing to do with me."

"Tch...!"

Jiraiya had nothing to say in rebuttal. His plan really had been far too childish, and looking back on it now, even he felt embarrassed.

But Jiraiya soon perked up again. "Orochimaru, a new bathhouse opened in the village. Want to go together tonight?"

"No. I wasted too much time with you, so I need to go back and make up for it with extra training. If this keeps up, the gap between me and Chishima Chiba's group of three will only grow wider, and I'll never have a chance to catch up."

At the same time, Orochimaru solemnly advised Jiraiya, "You need to work hard too. You already started later than the rest of us. If you still don't work hard, then you can only..."

"I know, I know." Jiraiya sounded impatient. "I'm just going to the bathhouse. I'll definitely make up for any missed training twice over!"

Orochimaru said nothing more. He nodded and turned to leave, leaving Jiraiya staring blankly at his retreating figure.

After watching Orochimaru leave, Jiraiya regained his spirits. He bent over and rubbed his hands together, chuckling lecherously as his face gradually flushed red.

An hour later, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade left home. Jiraiya had timed it perfectly and was already lying in wait near Konoha's newly opened bathhouse.

"Tsunade, make a Shadow Clone and have her take a look around inside, then dispel her." As they neared the bathhouse, Chishima Chiba suddenly spoke.

"Why?" Tsunade looked confused. "We're just taking a bath. Why make a Shadow Clone?"

"To catch a thief." Chishima Chiba leaned close to Tsunade's ear and spoke mysteriously.

"Catch a thief?!"

"Shh!" Chishima Chiba pulled Tsunade onto the roof. "I heard there's been a peeping Tom in the village lately. He specifically spies on girls' bodies from outside bathhouses."

"He's that brazen?"

"Isn't he? He's far too brazen!" Chishima Chiba said indignantly. "Second Grandfather is fighting on the front lines. As the younger generation, all we can do is contribute from the rear."

"Right, we have to catch that peeping Tom tonight!"

Poof.

As soon as Tsunade finished speaking, she raised a hand and created a Shadow Clone, which swaggered into the bathhouse.

At the same time, Jiraiya, who had hidden himself, perked up. "Chishima Chiba didn't follow her? Hehe, what a chance... I'll only take one look, just one look..."

Jiraiya wiped the tip of his nose, raised his head, took a deep breath, and quietly snuck over on tiptoe.

"It's him?"

Before long, surprise flashed through Tsunade's eyes from her hiding place on the rooftop, followed by uncontrollable fury blazing in them.

"Heh." Chishima Chiba sneered inwardly. Jiraiya, this is your own fault. Don't blame me for being too ruthless later!

Crack!

Tsunade smashed the roof tiles with one punch. She could not hold back any longer. "Chiba, come catch the thief with me!"

"At your command, Princess Tsunade!"

As soon as he spoke, the two braced themselves against the roof with one hand and leaped down in perfect sync like agile little leopards.