Konoha door.
Next to Senju Chen stood an expressionless Yamato, and an excited Anko.
"Chen, are you sure you don't need to bring more people?" Anko bit into a skewer of meatballs and asked vaguely, "I heard Land of Rain that place is in a mess."
"No need." Senju Chen smiled, "This is a diplomatic mission. Bringing too many people would seem insincere."
Yamato nodded and said seriously, "I will protect Lord Chen."
"Chen still needs your protection?" Anko rolled his eyes, "It's like a battlefield. Why don't we just go and talk about cooperation."
Senju Chen was about to speak when his peripheral vision glanced at a puff of dust rising in the direction of the village entrance.
A white-haired man carried a huge scroll on his back and walked towards the village gate in a dusty manner, with a trademark hearty smile on his face.
"Hey! Isn't this Little Chen!"
Jiraiya waved his hand from afar and landed in front of the three of them with a few jumps, "Long time no see! You've grown a lot taller!"
"Lord Jiraiya." Senju Chen nodded politely.
Jiraiya took a look at the two people behind Senju Chen, grinned and said, "Are you going out of the village to perform a mission? As expected of Hokage's younger brother, he is already on his own at a young age."
"I just went to Land of Rain to handle some diplomatic matters." Senju Chen said modestly.
"Land of Rain..." Jiraiya touched his chin thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up and he took out a book with an orange cover from his arms, "That's right! Little Chen, have you seen the latest "Icha Icha Paradise"?"
Anko turned away instantly.
Yamato has a stiff expression.
Senju Chen The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, but he quickly returned to his smile, "I heard a little bit."
"Oh, how can that work!" Jiraiya put his hand on Senju Chen's shoulder, as enthusiastic as meeting a close friend, "This is my latest sequel! The plot is full of ups and downs, and the characters are well-drawn, especially in the third chapter..."
"Lord Jiraiya." Looking at Jiraiya in front of him, Senju Chen suddenly had a flash of inspiration and interrupted him, "It's such a coincidence that you are back. I am going to Land of Rain this time. In fact, I need a senior person with weight to step in."
Jiraiya was stunned. "Huh?"
"The situation in Land of Rain is complicated. Hanzo of the Salamander has just died, and the whole Land of Rain is undercurrent." Senju Chen said in a sincere tone, "This time we Konoha will go to discuss cooperation with Land of Rain. If you, one of Sannin, can accompany us, the other party will definitely pay more attention to it."
"Well..." Jiraiya scratched his head, "I just returned to the village and I have to report the mission to your sister..."
"Moreover." Senju Chen changed the topic, his eyes were clear and innocent, "I heard that Land of Rain rains all year round, and the streets are full of homeless wet ladies. That country is prone to wars, and there are many touching stories. It may be a perfect place for you to collect information."
Jiraiya's movements froze.
The air was still for three seconds.
"Wet... wet..." Jiraiya began to mutter and repeat.
"Yes." Senju Chen continued to hit the target, "And Land of Rain is currently being rebuilt. I heard that many female ninjas from various countries have poured in, and there are all kinds of types. If you go there, you might be able to find a lot of fresh materials."
Jiraiya's breathing began to become rapid.
"Taking... fresh material... all kinds of genres..."
Anko and Yamato were stunned. Chen (Minister)... Is this fishing?
"Ahem!" Jiraiya slapped his chest suddenly and said righteously, "Little Chen You are right! Diplomacy is no small matter, Land of Rain that place really needs someone with weight to take charge!"
Senju Chen The corners of the mouth are slightly hooked, done!
"Moreover." Jiraiya's eyes wandered, "As a ninja who has been in Land of Rain, I am familiar with the situation there. Taking you there can also avoid some unnecessary trouble..."
"Then please Lord Jiraiya." Senju Chen bowed sincerely.
"Hahaha! Little things, little things!" Jiraiya laughed and waved, "You can report the mission later. Anyway, Hokage... your sister won't mind. Let's go, let's set off right now!"
After saying that, Jiraiya took the lead and turned around and walked back.
Anko came close to Senju Chen's ear and lowered his voice. "Chen, are you treating Lord Jiraiya as a tool?"
Senju Chen blinked. "Anko, what did you say? I was just telling the truth."
"Come on. Who doesn't know Lord Jiraiya... those few words of yours stepped on Lord Jiraiya's itch. What are you holding back this time?"
Senju Chen smiled but said nothing.
Yamato hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Lord Chen, if you do this... will Lord Jiraiya be angry?"
"No." Senju Chen said lightly, "Because he can indeed find what he wants at Land of Rain, and with Lord Jiraiya on duty this trip, we can also be more relaxed."
You must know that Jiraiya is the master of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Although the timeline is a little skewed now, Jiraiya's feelings for Land of Rain are real. Taking him along this time can not only improve the standards, but also hide himself. Why not?
"Hey! What are you guys dawdling about behind!" Jiraiya in the front turned around and shouted, "It will get dark if you don't move!"
"Coming!" Anko responded, pulling Senju Chen to follow quickly.
The four of them walked quickly together.
Jiraiya walked at the front and led the way, turning around from time to time to tell Senju Chen about the customs and customs of his outings. Of course, the focus was on the topic "the ladies outside are very enthusiastic".
Anko rolled his eyes when he heard this.
Yamato acted as the backdrop with an expressionless face.
Senju Chen appeared to be listening carefully, but in fact he was quickly sorting out plans in his mind.
"By the way Little Chen." Jiraiya suddenly stopped and turned around and asked, "Konoha wants you to go to Land of Rain this time. Who specifically do you want to discuss cooperation with?"
"An organization called Akatsuki." Senju Chen said truthfully, "After Hanzo of the Salamander died, they now control most of Land of Rain's areas. It is said that the leader is a very ideal young man."
Jiraiya pupils shrink.
"Xiao..." he murmured again, "Is he a red-haired boy named Yahiko?"
Senju Chen was moved in his heart, but his face remained calm. "Lord Jiraiya know him?"
"... That's right." Jiraiya was silent for a moment and said with a wry smile, "I taught a few kid Land of Rain a long time ago, and one of them was named Yahiko. I didn't expect him to have grown to this point now."
"Then this time I can go and meet them." Senju Chen said with a smile, "It should be a good thing for master and disciple to reunite."
"I hope so." Jiraiya looked into the distance with complicated eyes.
Anko was keenly aware that something was wrong in the atmosphere, and was about to say something to liven up the atmosphere, but Senju Chen spoke first:
"Lord Jiraiya, do you think one person's ideals can change a country?"
Jiraiya was stunned.
"I mean." Senju Chen continued, "If a person wants to restore stability to a war-torn country in a peaceful way, is this idea... realistic?"
Jiraiya was silent for a long time.
"I don't know." He finally shook his head, "But I hope it's realistic."
"What if there is external interference?" Senju Chen asked, "For example, other countries don't want to see Land of Rain become powerful and secretly create obstacles. In this case, can the ideal still persist?"
Jiraiya turned around suddenly and stared at Senju Chen: "What do you want to say?"
"Nothing." Senju Chen smiled harmlessly, "I'm just asking casually. After all, this is a diplomatic mission, so I have to consider all possibilities."
Jiraiya took a deep look at Senju Chen.
This kid... is not simple.
Although he is only a teenager, he speaks and acts with a sense of maturity. And those questions just now are clearly implying something.
"Little Chen." Jiraiya suddenly said seriously, "Is your visit to Land of Rain really just for diplomacy? Are there any other tasks for you in the village?"
Senju Chen blinked. "There are no other tasks, it's just diplomacy. Why do Lord Jiraiya ask that?"
"... Forget it." Jiraiya sighed.
In the evening, the four of them settled in a small town.
Jiraiya found a hotel with familiarity and booked four rooms.
"Have a good rest tonight and continue your journey tomorrow morning." Jiraiya ordered, "We will reach the Land of Rain border the day after tomorrow."
"Okay, let's have a good night's rest tonight." Senju Chen nodded.
After everyone goes to their respective rooms to rest.
Jiraiya stood in front of the window, looking in the direction of Senju Chen's room, frowning.
"This kid... what mission did he come with this time?"
He always felt that this trip to Land of Rain would not be as simple as it seemed.
It was unusual for Senju Chen to take the initiative to invite him, but from Jiraiya's point of view, Senju Chen's mission to Land of Rain was a difficult one, and Senju Chen himself was not sure about this mission to Land of Rain, so he invited himself to come with him.
Is it Land of Rain itself?
Or another ninja village?
But anyway...
Even if he is really in danger, he still wants to protect Tsunade's younger brother.