Namikaze Minato was in a very good mood.
His teacher's willingness to trust him was the greatest support he could ask for.
But when it came to Kai…
The moment Jiraiya mentioned him, Minato immediately thought of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
Alright.
Even without hearing it firsthand, Minato could already imagine that the Hokage wouldn't have a single good word to say about Kai.
Of course, that was only natural.
After all, in a sense, everyone involved had already become enemies.
Thinking this through, Minato couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly.
"Sensei, don't listen to Naruto's nonsense," Minato said seriously. "Kai is actually a very good person."
"At least from my point of view, he's a reliable companion on the battlefield, and he's never caused trouble in daily life."
"Even now, with all this noise, he's essentially just protecting himself."
"I don't believe you don't know how the Hokage has been targeting the Uchiha. Don't they even have the right to resist?"
"Kai is actually very lazy."
"If nothing unusual happens, he won't even leave his house."
"His favorite thing is lying in his courtyard, basking in the sun, drinking tea, and fooling around."
"Everyone says he doesn't feel like an Uchiha at all—more like a Nara."
"All in all, I have a very good impression of him."
"He's a great friend. It's just that because of Naruto, I don't have much direct contact with him."
Minato didn't give Sarutobi Hiruzen the slightest face. He spoke frankly, openly praising Kai without reservation.
Because that was exactly how he felt.
Jiraiya fell silent.
His face was filled with astonishment.
He truly hadn't expected to hear such an evaluation from his own disciple.
Yes.
He had never fully trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen—only maintained the most basic respect for him.
And that respect was mostly for Konoha's sake.
But the problem was…
Minato's assessment of Kai was completely opposite to Hiruzen's.
The gap between the two was enormous.
For a moment, Jiraiya was genuinely confused.
Who was he supposed to believe?
After a long silence, Jiraiya finally spoke seriously.
"The difference between what you're saying and what the old man told me is far too big."
"No… I'll have to see for myself."
"If things really are as you say, then fine."
"But if not, I'll have to find a way to stop him."
Minato nodded.
He didn't try to stop Jiraiya, because he understood his teacher's personality very well.
Some things simply had to be seen with one's own eyes.
And more importantly, he had confidence in Kai.
He wasn't worried that the two of them would end up fighting.
After all, in many respects, his teacher was actually quite reasonable.
Of course—there was one absolute taboo.
Never speak ill of Mount Myōboku.
Otherwise, Jiraiya would immediately lose his composure.
Minato had learned that lesson long ago.
Just look at the forehead protector with the word "oil" engraved on it.
Thinking of this, Minato couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, then."
"Seeing is believing. I trust Kai."
"But let's eat first before you go."
"Kai is idle every day anyway. He's extremely lazy—very Nara-like."
"You can find him at home anytime."
Jiraiya nodded.
He didn't refuse. After all, he hadn't eaten yet.
After the meal, Jiraiya exchanged a few words with Minato and then headed straight for the Uchiha compound.
He was the impatient type—once he decided on something, he acted immediately.
…
Twenty minutes later.
Under the guidance of an Uchiha patrol member, Jiraiya arrived directly at Kai's residence.
The journey was smooth.
That was only natural.
Jiraiya's reputation in Konoha was simply too great.
One of the Legendary Sannin—who wouldn't recognize him?
Even the Uchiha wouldn't show unnecessary hostility toward someone like that.
At the entrance to Kai's courtyard, Jiraiya paused.
Looking at the modest, old-fashioned courtyard, he was genuinely surprised.
Yes.
In his mind, Kai was a figure of considerable standing—someone who could even contend with his troublesome teacher.
Under those circumstances, living lavishly would have been completely normal.
Yet instead…
This place was nothing more than an ordinary two-story house, in some ways even inferior to Minato's home as a civilian-born shinobi.
Interesting.
Jiraiya pondered quietly but said nothing.
Led inside, he soon saw Kai lying leisurely on a deck chair, basking in the sunlight, tea cup in hand.
To be honest—
Jiraiya felt a twinge of envy at the sight.
This kid was living more freely than even he did.
Truly enviable.
While he was thinking, the Uchiha patrol briefly introduced him.
After hearing this, Kai immediately stood up, waved the patrol members away, and walked over himself.
"Hero Jiraiya."
"I'm sorry I didn't come out to greet you earlier."
"Please, sit and have some tea."
Kai spoke with a smile.
As he talked, he personally poured tea and invited Jiraiya to sit.
Yes.
He respected Jiraiya.
Having lived through the story once, Kai knew very well what kind of person Jiraiya was.
Despite his many flaws—especially his blind loyalty to Mount Myōboku—he was, at his core, a genuinely good man.
Aside from that one obsession, there was little to fault him for.
Of course.
This respect did not mean submission.
Given Kai's current position, even if Minato himself were standing here, Kai would treat him as an equal.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, was slightly stunned.
Before coming to the Uchiha compound, he had imagined many possibilities.
But it was hard to reconcile the childlike youth before him—clear eyes, youthful face—with the dangerous schemer Hiruzen described, or the reliable comrade Minato spoke of.
Still, what surprised him even more was Kai's attitude.
Jiraiya was openly aligned with the Hokage faction—an enemy of the Uchiha.
Yet Kai showed him nothing but respect.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Jiraiya asked directly.
"Kai."
"I am Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, and by definition, an enemy of the Uchiha."
"Why do you treat me with such respect?"
That was Jiraiya's nature.
If he didn't understand something, he asked outright.
And he had the qualifications to do so.
"Why?" Kai smiled. "Very simple—because I understand you."
"Yes, you heard that right."
"Although we've never met before, my mind works just as well as a Nara's."
"Whether someone is human or ghost, I can tell clearly."
"I know you can't stand up for the Uchiha."
"But I also know you won't stand on Sarutobi Hiruzen's side either."
"All you can do is remain neutral."
"Your feelings toward Konoha are special. You don't belong to any faction."
"To put it bluntly—"
"You know Hiruzen's methods are wrong, but because he's your teacher, you can't bring yourself to oppose him."
"Otherwise, why would you leave Konoha in the first place?"
"Traveling the ninja world? Looking for writing inspiration? Chasing the Child of Prophecy?"
"In my view, that's all nonsense."
"You're just running away."
Kai's tone was calm, unhurried.
"So now that I know you won't become my enemy—and I happen to like your personality and temperament—"
"Just like with Minato, that's enough for a personal relationship."
"As a person, you have to distinguish between public matters and private ones."
"So even if you never help the Uchiha, that doesn't bother me."
"Having me alone…"
"…is already enough."
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