The next day, at noon.
A tall figure with long white hair, wooden clogs on his feet, and a forehead protector worn crookedly across his head drifted through Konoha's izakayas and hot spring districts.
Yes.
It was the famous white-haired man of Mount Myōboku—Toad Sage, the so-called "Perverted Sage" in Naruto's mouth.
Jiraiya.
Earlier that day, he had already met with Sarutobi Hiruzen and learned of the many changes that had taken place in Konoha during his absence.
Which left him irritated.
So irritated, in fact, that he wandered the village for nearly two hours, hoping the familiar sights and beauties of Konoha would calm his mood.
Unfortunately—
It didn't work at all.
In the end, Jiraiya squatted in a corner, utterly dejected, muttering to himself.
"Old man…"
"You really dumped a huge mess on me."
"I told you long ago—don't push the Uchiha too hard."
"Sure, the Uchiha have their problems, but on the battlefield, they're the most reliable comrades there are."
"So why wouldn't you listen?"
"Now look at this…"
"And this newly risen Uchiha, Kai—he really bothers me."
"He's only twelve, yet his thinking is far too mature."
"And more importantly…"
"The Great Toad Sage prophesied a few days ago that the son of the devil has reincarnated, and the fate of the shinobi world has begun to shift."
"Could that child be him?"
Jiraiya scratched his head hard.
"Tch… forget it."
"You can't believe everything the old toad says."
"First, I should find my good apprentice and get a clear picture of the situation."
"Then I'll go see this so-called Uchiha genius."
"Killing the Third Raikage in single combat… that's no small feat."
"What a headache. Seriously."
"My head's about to explode."
"And Tsunade… something this big happens to the village, and she still refuses to come back."
"Hah… when it comes to the Senju clan, everyone has their own opinions."
"Old man… will you regret it one day?"
"It's a pity that I, the great hero Jiraiya, have to waste my prime years stuck in this meaningless whirlpool of power struggles."
"So annoying."
"Just get this over with."
"Once I meet that Uchiha genius, things might finally become clearer."
"And when Minato becomes the Fourth Hokage… maybe the village will really change."
"But…"
He let out a long breath.
"Forget it. That stuff has nothing to do with me."
"The ninja world still needs me—Jiraiya the hero."
"Son of prophecy… where are you?"
"This damned ninja world needs you to change it."
Jiraiya rubbed his temples.
Yes.
Though he appeared to be wandering the ninja world freely, his travels were little more than an excuse. In truth, he had never stopped searching for the so-called Child of Prophecy spoken of by the Great Toad Sage.
The shinobi world—built on war, lies, and deception—had long since driven him into despair.
He knew he lacked the power to change it himself.
So he pinned all his hopes on that prophecy.
Even if Konoha were besieged by all four great nations, unless the situation truly reached utter desperation, he wouldn't return.
But this time was different.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally summoned him.
Toward his mentor, Jiraiya felt conflicted.
There were many things Hiruzen did that he couldn't accept.
But no matter what—
That man was still his teacher.
And Jiraiya neither could, nor truly wanted to, oppose him.
So the only thing he could do was keep his distance—out of sight, out of mind.
Which was why, despite his reluctance, he had still returned.
After letting out another long sigh, Jiraiya straightened up, his usual liveliness returning.
Whoosh!
In a blur, he vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already outside Minato's home.
Bang!
The window shattered as he kicked it open and leapt inside.
"The great hero Jiraiya makes his dazzling entrance!"
"Little Minato! Kushina! Miss me?"
He struck a dramatic pose, thoroughly satisfied with his own entrance, the corners of his mouth lifting in pride.
But—
The room was silent.
Obito, Rin, and Kakashi stared at him with blank expressions.
Yes.
Although they were Minato's disciples, they had never met Jiraiya before.
Jiraiya had risen to fame during the Second Great Ninja War, then left the village soon after. At the time, the three of them had barely been born.
They knew, of course, that their teacher's teacher was named Jiraiya.
But knowing a name and knowing a person were two very different things.
So when faced with this eccentric man in front of them, they simply couldn't connect him with the legendary figure in their minds.
This… was their master's master?
It was painfully awkward.
Compared to the three children's confusion, Namikaze Minato could only offer a wry smile.
After a helpless sigh, he shrugged.
"Sensei… that…"
"Actually, Kushina is home today."
"You should… pray for yourself."
Jiraiya froze.
A moment later, realization struck.
His face went pale.
"Th-that is—Minato!"
"I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of!"
"I'll come back later!"
Without wasting another word, he turned to flee.
But it was already too late.
Kushina, who had been busy in the kitchen, heard the crash of breaking glass. Her anger instantly flared.
Her long red hair whipped into the air, Nine-Tails chakra faintly leaking from her body.
She moved in a flash.
Before Jiraiya could even take a step, she grabbed him by the ear.
"It hurts! It hurts!"
"Kushina, let go!"
"My ear's going to tear off!"
"I was wrong! I won't do it again!"
Jiraiya howled in agony, tears nearly streaming down his face.
Today was cursed.
He was already buried in trouble, and now he had gone and provoked Kushina of all people.
If it had been anyone else, he might have fought back.
But—
He couldn't.
First, he really was in the wrong.
Second, and more importantly—
This was his apprentice's wife.
So no matter how much it hurt, he didn't dare resist.
Seeing Jiraiya's miserable state, Kushina gradually calmed down.
She released his ear and muttered with a sigh.
"Oh… so it's Jiraiya-sensei."
"I was wondering who had the nerve to act like this."
"Figures it would be you."
"Still, Jiraiya-sensei…"
"I've told you so many times—why can't you just use the door?"
Kushina looked utterly helpless.
Yes.
She truly didn't understand.
There was a perfectly good door—so why did her husband's teacher insist on entering through the window every single time?
What kind of habit was that?
As for Jiraiya, all he could do was smile awkwardly.
"I'll be careful next time. I promise!"
"Yeah, right."
Kushina shrugged.
"You guys talk. I'll get back to cooking."
Clearly—
She had long since become immune to Jiraiya's promises.
Next time?
It would still be a broken window.
She was already used to it.
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