"Jiraiya-sensei, you're finally back. How's your health?"
Namikaze Minato asked with joy when he saw Jiraiya visiting. Not many people in this village truly cared about him, and Jiraiya-sensei was one of them.
Although his death had a bit to do with Jiraiya-sensei, Namikaze Minato didn't hate him.
"Much better, Minato. This time I've turned misfortune into a blessing; I've now mastered the Perfect Sage Mode, hahaha..."
Jiraiya said happily. Whenever something good happened, he couldn't help but share it with Minato. After all, this disciple was truly outstanding, having not only created an A-Class Ninjutsu but also mastered the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Even with Sage Mode, Namikaze Minato trained better and faster than him. This used to deal quite a blow to Jiraiya, but now that he's also achieved Perfect Sage Mode, he couldn't resist sharing this good news with Minato.
"That's amazing, Jiraiya-sensei. Please come in and have a seat. I'll make some tea for you."
Namikaze Minato's surprise lasted only a second before he stepped aside to welcome Jiraiya in, then went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.
Jiraiya twitched at the corner of his mouth, but he was accustomed to his apprentice's personality. He sat at the table and asked, "Minato, where's Naruto?"
"Naruto has gone to train with the Fifth's son, and Kushina went along to watch, also to chat with Uzumaki Minami. I don't quite fit in there, so I'm staying home."
Namikaze Minato brought the tea and placed it in front of Jiraiya, then continued with a sigh, "I don't even know what tasks to do. Naruto's been preoccupied with other things, so I've been idling around..."
Jiraiya asked, "Are you planning on taking a mission? You could mention it to the village—it's a time when they're short on people...."
"No, Jiraiya-sensei, I would rather spend time with my family. But I've realized that there's a boundary between the deceased and the living. I want to return to the Pure Land."
Namikaze Minato said heavily, having thought it over for a long time. Staying in this house as a dead man, he feared that he and Kushina would be the first to be unable to endure it.
Naruto, being so young, might not feel much, but he and Kushina felt the boundary between the living and the dead most distinctly.
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya, full of doubts, quickly asked, "Mi-Minato, why the sudden thought? Everything's fine now. Why..."
"...Jiraiya-sensei, I've already made up my mind. It may feel like only a few days have passed to me, but to Kushina and you all, I've been dead for five years."
Namikaze Minato shook his head and said. Seeing that Kushina and Naruto were doing well was enough for him, and he planned to discuss this with Kushina after some time.
"But there's clearly a chance for you to be revived in this village. If you could come back to life, everything would return to normal...."
Jiraiya said reluctantly, "Nawaki, the First Generation Hokage, and the Second Generation Hokage, they've all been revived. Perhaps Orochimaru knows this Forbidden Technique too. Minato, let me ask about it for you...."
Namikaze Minato shook his head. Such a Forbidden Technique was only in the hands of the Fifth, and the cost of reviving a person might be high. Since the Fifth had no intention of doing so, it was truly impossible for him to be revived.
Currently, the village was in desperate need of manpower, but it wasn't as if it couldn't do without him.
Namikaze Minato was just a Jonin skilled in Space-Time Ninjutsu. Although he had made many contributions to the village, there were many Jonin who had done so. Each Jonin had contributed significantly to the village.
If they helped revive Namikaze Minato, what about the other Jonin?
Having understood this, Namikaze Minato told Kushina not to seek it out. But, unaware of the details, he didn't realize Kushina had already secured a chance for his revival, which they both ultimately gave up.
"Jiraiya-sensei, let's not talk about that. Naruto is about to enter the Ninja Academy. Don't you have any thoughts on starting a family?"
Namikaze Minato changed the topic with a question that immediately left Jiraiya silent and downcast.
Starting a family seemed a distant dream for Jiraiya, especially after he had seen some hope a few years ago, only to have it dashed.
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"I really don't want to meet Obito anymore. Please, tell your Security Team not to come looking for me again, or I'll have to inform Teacher Yoichi."
Jonin Nohara Rin spoke with displeasure to the two members of the Security Team when she saw them near Konoha Hospital.
They had come twice in such a short time, rotating partners. Even with her good temper, Jonin Nohara Rin grew somewhat annoyed.
"Sorry, Jonin Nohara. I just felt sorry for that guy, so I wanted to pass the message along. Since that's the case, I won't come again. Please forgive me."
Hearing Nohara Rin mention telling the Fifth Generation Hokage, the Security Team member quickly bowed and apologized in fear.
He cursed Uchiha Obito silently in his heart. Seeing that Uchiha Obito was so pitiful, he had agreed to help pass along a message during a shift change after Obito pleaded with him.
However, it turned out to be a trap, and even Jonin Nohara Rin was now displeased.
Uchiha Mitsubayashi, while apologizing, considered going back to give Obito a piece of his mind.
Seeing as Obito hailed from the Uchiha Race and was nearly sentenced to death, he had shown compassion... Uchiha Mitsubayashi didn't realize that he wasn't the first person Obito had asked; two other unsuspecting individuals had come before him at Obito's request.