Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
Izumo Kamizuki pushed open the door and entered.
He was breathing heavily, clearly having rushed here.
" Lord Third!"
" Lord Jiraiya has returned to the village!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly looked up.
" Jiraiya?"
"Yes."
Izumo Kamizuki immediately reported, " Izumo and I saw him with our own eyes at the village entrance."
"Identity confirmed."
"But after entering the village, he didn't go to the Hokage, nor did he explain his whereabouts."
"We sent someone to follow them for a while, but we lost them after they turned two streets."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.
That's definitely Jiraiya's style.
They came back but didn't report for duty.
They disappeared upon entering the village.
They've probably gone off to some shady place to gather material again.
"Send someone to search immediately."
"Check the hot spring town, public bathhouses, izakayas, and all the places he used to frequent."
Izumo Kamizuki replied, "Yes!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi added another sentence.
"Once you find him, have him come to see me immediately."
"Tell him I have something momentous to tell him, something that could shake Konoha, and even the entire Shinobi World."
Izumo Kamizuki's expression hardened.
"Clear."
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, wearing a straw hat, walked alone through the streets of Konoha.
He did not Hokage.
I didn't go to any acquaintances.
Having traveled extensively for many years, he had long been accustomed to concealing his whereabouts.
He didn't want to make too much of a fuss when he returned to the village this time.
The shops on both sides of the street are not much different from what I remember.
The dumpling vendor is still there.
The izakaya (Japanese pub) is also open.
Occasionally, ninjas on the roadside would recognize him, but they wouldn't be sure.
Jiraiya strolled around casually, his gaze sweeping across the street.
Konoha is still the same as always.
"The old man has probably already received the news."
I'll see him later.
Let's find a place to have a couple of drinks first.
He walked past an intersection and suddenly stopped.
At the end of the street, an unfamiliar sign hangs in front of the door.
The Undead Tavern.
Jiraiya stared at those four words for a few seconds.
"Undead?"
"Are all taverns these days making such outrageous names?"
The tavern looked clean from the outside, and you could hear customers talking inside.
The store's name is quite catchy.
This, on the contrary, piqued his curiosity.
"That's interesting."
"Let's go in and take a look."
Jiraiya lowered his straw hat and pushed open the tavern door.
The wind chimes at the door rang.
The next second, a clear and sweet voice rang out.
Welcome to the Undead Tavern.
Jiraiya paused in his steps.
Bai, dressed in a black uniform, stood by the door, her head slightly bowed.
His delicate features and gentle voice made Jiraiya feel completely at ease.
He looked him up and down twice, then a smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Good."
"Very good."
"This place is more interesting than I expected."
Bai politely asked, "Is the guest alone?"
"One."
Jiraiya straightened his back and strode into the front hall.
"Find me a good spot."
"Bring up your best wines as well."
Bai led him to an empty table.
Please have a seat.
What would you like to drink?
Jiraiya casually patted the wallet at his waist.
"Bring on the best wine."
"I don't need the money."
"Stronger, more fragrant, preferably something you can't find anywhere else."
Behind the bar, Zhang Yu was tidying up the liquor cabinet.
Hearing the sound, he looked up.
fluffy white hair.
Oil-colored Forehead Protector.
Two red lines on his face.
Jiraiya.
This one of the Konoha Sannin didn't go to the Hokage; instead, he went to the Undead Tavern.
Zhang Yu smiled.
"White."
Go to the cold storage and get two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).
Bai nodded immediately.
"Yes, Boss Zhang Yu."
Jiraiya became interested when he heard the words "Erguotou".
What kind of wine is this?
"Strong liquor."
Zhang Yu said, "I guarantee you won't find this anywhere else in the Shinobi World."
Jiraiya slammed his fist on the table.
"Good!"
"I want this one!"
"Take two bottles first, and we'll add more if needed."
Bai turned and went to the cold storage.
Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, surveying the interior of the tavern.
His gaze swept over Hashirama, then fell on Tobirama and Izuna.
Finally, it stopped on Madara Uchiha in the corner.
Madara was also looking at him.
Their eyes met across the front hall.
His brow furrowed slightly.
The white-haired man before them possessed a formidable aura.
The Chakra is abundant.
His physical condition also far surpasses that of ordinary ninjas.
" Kage Level."
The spot made a direct judgment.
Jiraiya felt the pressure from the other party.
The dark-haired man was just sitting there, yet he gave off an extremely strong sense of danger.
More dangerous than most of the enemies he had ever encountered.
Jiraiya didn't act immediately; he simply withdrew his hand from the table.
Ban slowly stood up.
"Boss."
Zhang Yu looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
Madara stared at Jiraiya, his tone indifferent.
There's something wrong with this person.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.
He had barely stepped inside, and before he'd even had a sip of his drink, someone was already saying there was something wrong with him.
What's wrong with me?
Ban didn't answer him at all.
He concealed his presence, observed the tavern's layout upon entering, and was still assessing everyone's strength.
"This kind of person is not an ordinary drinker."
Jiraiya's casual expression lessened somewhat.
He was in charge of intelligence work for many years and had a habit of observing his surroundings.
I didn't expect to be seen through so quickly.
Ban looked at Zhang Yu.
Their intentions are ill.
"I'll take care of him."
Jiraiya sat up straight.
Zhang Yu quickly came out from behind the bar and stood in front of Ban.
"Don't do it."
He frowned.
What's the point of keeping it?
He's a guest.
Zhang Yu said, "Coming in to drink doesn't violate any tavern rules."
Madara stared coldly at Jiraiya.
" Kage Level ninja entered the shop concealing his presence; do you think it was just for drinking?"
"At least for now."
Zhang Yu raised his hand and pressed down on Ban's shoulder.
Go back and sit down.
"No violence against guests is permitted without my permission."
Ban remained silent for a few seconds, then finally stopped.
"Trouble."
He sat back down in the corner, but his gaze never left Jiraiya.
Jiraiya watched this scene, his heart stirred with emotion.
The black-haired man was clearly incredibly strong, yet Zhang Yu managed to subdue him with a single sentence.
And there was no resistance whatsoever.
Who exactly is this tavern owner?
Zhang Yu secretly rejoiced.
Fortunately, Madara is still willing to listen to his rules.
Otherwise, given Madara's current strength, if left unchecked, he could easily overturn the entire Shinobi World.
Bai returned from the cold storage quickly.
He carried two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) in his arms and walked to Jiraiya's table.
"Guest, your wine."
Jiraiya's gaze lingered on Haku for a long time.
The black uniform fit her figure perfectly; her long hair fell to the side of her face; her eyebrows and eyes were gentle; and her voice was pleasant.
Even though Jiraiya had traveled the Shinobi World for many years and seen many beautiful women, he rarely saw this type.
Zhang Yu walked out from behind the bar and took a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).
He placed the sake in front of Jiraiya and followed the other's gaze to look at Haku.
"How about it?"
Jiraiya nodded subconsciously.
"Pretty."
"Quite beautiful."
"Even in the entire Shinobi World, it would be difficult to find many people with this kind of appearance."