At the izakaya, Jiraiya ordered two flasks of sake and some small dishes.
[Remember this site's domain; reading Taiwan novels here is incredibly smooth.]
"It's been a long time since I returned to Konoha. Many things haven't changed, but—there are quite a few more interesting little gadgets."
"Are you referring to the street stalls?"
Masahiko looked into the distance.
Jiraiya nodded and said, "Yeah, there are more stalls near the theater entrance. The atmosphere looks much better than before."
"I suggested it."
Masahiko replied.
He looked outside. "For the past two years, Konoha and Kyoto haven't been on good terms, and funding has decreased significantly. We needed to increase revenue-generating opportunities."
Jiraiya nodded understandingly, a hint of praise in his eyes.
"You're very capable!"
"You overpraise me, Senior. I'm just doing what little I can."
Masahiko shook his head.
Jiraiya said, "Doing what you can—that in itself is not easy."
He took a sip of sake and said, "Like me, the Old Man wanted me to stay, but my personality really isn't suited for this kind of work."
"You also have things you need to do, don't you?"
Masahiko followed the lead.
Jiraiya was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Yeah—drink up, eat something first. We have time, let's chat slowly."
They chatted as they ate.
Finally, having had his fill of food and wine, Jiraiya put down his chopsticks and said, "Actually, my condition is very simple. I just want you to look after Naruto in your class a bit more."
"Naruto?"
Masahiko was slightly stunned, then asked, "You have a connection with him?"
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "He was the child of a subordinate of mine who sacrificed himself to protect the team, so—I'm counting on you!"
He said as he rose and bowed slightly.
In the next second, a surge of Chakra supported Jiraiya.
Masahiko's face was solemn. "Naruto is my student, so I have an obligation to teach him well. There's no need for a special request from you."
He said, asking Jiraiya to sit down.
The two sat back down. Masahiko paused for a moment and said, "From the first moment I saw Naruto, I felt the child was very pitiful."
"Pitiful?"
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately.
Masahiko said, "Others have parents to teach them, to help them understand good and evil and distinguish right from wrong. Naruto had no one to teach him, so he didn't know right from wrong at all—"
His mind raced as he slowly spoke his "thoughts."
Jiraiya started with a smile, but later he silently picked up his sake cup to mask his emotions by drinking.
Masahiko slowly recounted some situations after he met Naruto.
Jiraiya lowered his head and listened very seriously. After Masahiko finished, it took him a while to compose his emotions.
Afterward, he said with emotion, "It's Naruto's good fortune to have met you. Anyway—I'm counting on you!"
"I will."
Masahiko nodded solemnly.
He turned his head and was suddenly startled—
Outside the window, a group of people were looking this way, and many of them were familiar faces.
For instance—
Akimichi Choza.
He couldn't help but say, "Senior, I'm afraid you don't have much time left."
"Hmm?"
Jiraiya turned his head to look out, then waved at them with a smile.
"They're all old friends; it's just a matter of saying hello."
He paused for a moment and suddenly said, "Why don't we let them join us? We can sit down and chat later."
"I'll follow your lead."
Masahiko replied respectfully.
Jiraiya stood up and laughed. "Then let's go. I'll let you youngsters see what the Sannin are truly like!"
On the street outside.
"Lord Jiraiya, I didn't expect to run into you here!"
Choza bowed respectfully, then said urgently, "Why didn't you go to my place to eat? My shop just got some good meat in, and I'm looking for people to eat with!"
"I just didn't want to trouble you all, so I secretly came to the street to eat."
Jiraiya said with a smile.
Afterward, he looked at the others and said, "You all came together?"
"Lord Jiraiya."
The others were Shikaku, Shibi Aburame, and other clan heads, all of whom were influential Jonin with great reputations in the village.
After Masahiko arrived, the others also nodded in greeting.
Jiraiya was slightly stunned, realizing he had overthought things.
With Masahiko's reputation and strength, he didn't need help with introductions at all!
"Lord Jiraiya, what are you two up to?"
"We ran into each other, and I wanted to ask Lord Jiraiya for guidance, so I treated him to a meal on the street."
Masahiko replied.
Hearing this, Jiraiya smiled and said, "Yes, we were just about to find a place."
"Go to the Fighting Arena!"
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"Forget it, forget it. An open Training Ground will do."
Jiraiya waved his hands repeatedly.
Going to the Fighting Arena for such a small matter would be too high-profile.
A moment later, at Training Ground 3.
By the lake, Jiraiya and Masahiko stood opposite each other. Near the woods in the distance, a group of people watched from afar.
"Choza, thanks to you spotting them at the barbecue shop!"
"Hahaha, you bet!"
Choza laughed heartily.
How long had it been since Jiraiya last fought?
No one wanted to miss such an opportunity; everyone wanted to join in the fun.
By the lake, a gentle breeze brushed against their faces.
Jiraiya closed his eyes slightly, feeling the fresh air, and smiled. "Come, let me see what methods you have."
"Yes!"
Masahiko bowed slightly and then formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Jiraiya returned the gesture.
The instant the seals were finished—whoosh!
Masahiko disappeared from where he stood.
"Quite fast!"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and immediately used Body Flicker to move away, intending to observe Masahiko's fighting style first.
Unexpectedly—
Boom!
The moment he got close, a majestic torrent of water erupted from Masahiko.
Jiraiya crossed his arms, condensing Chakra in his forearms to forcibly block the strike, but he couldn't stop himself from being pushed back onto the water.
In the next second, several "Masahikos" appeared on the surface of the water.
Jiraiya observed the water's surface.
They were all solid.
Water Clones?
Shadow Clones?
His expression was serious, but he felt an indescribable excitement.
His body was also anticipating the battle!
"Your strength is good, so—I won't hold back anymore!"
The next moment—
Whoosh!
The wind howled.
A Water Clone was immediately kicked and popped, turning into a spray of water.
So fast!
As expected of one of the Sannin!
Masahiko, hidden among the Water Clones, was quite surprised.
Such speed—
Unless he used Shikotsumyaku or Lightning Release Chakra to surpass his current limits, he was no match for Jiraiya in terms of speed.
But this was also a challenge!
Masahiko was eager to try as the Water Clones were being popped one by one by Jiraiya.
Suddenly—
One "Masahiko" attacked at that instant, immediately vanishing into the thick mist.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, and then—
He retreated immediately!
His hair grew rapidly, instantly enveloping his entire body.
Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!
The "Masahiko" delivered a swift kick, but his foot was pierced by the sharp hair, and he then turned into a burst of flames.
It was the Clone Great Explosion!
On the shore, Choza couldn't help but say, "Using this level of Ninjutsu—isn't that too reckless?"
The high-splashing waves, the spreading fire, and the thick mist shrouded everything—
For a moment, they couldn't see the situation inside.
"Don't worry, he is Lord Jiraiya."
Shikaku smiled. "However, if Lord Jiraiya isn't careful, he might suffer a setback."
Masahiko might not be as strong as Jiraiya, but with an endless stream of methods, he wasn't that easy to deal with!