After clearly seeing Natsuki’s appearance, Jiraiya was first stunned.
He remembered everything!
The very long dream he had earlier was now vividly replaying in his mind.
His old friend from the dream, Natsuki, was right before his eyes!
His joy was hard to conceal.
He sped towards Natsuki.
His thoughts, however, as the wooden clogs infused with Chakra splashed against the sea, recalled his entire life in the dream…
That year in the dream was Konoha Year 21.
Jiraiya was eight years old and had just passed the Ninja exam, becoming a Ninja.
Soon after, he, Natsuki, Tsunade, and Orochimaru became disciples of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
During their training together…
Unlike Orochimaru’s disdain for him and Tsunade’s dislike, Natsuki was especially close to him.
He remembered one hot summer day, everyone was training for the Chakra control task assigned by Hiruzen Sarutobi: tree climbing.
Not climbing with hands.
But climbing vertically using only feet.
During the process, the amount of Chakra needed to be precisely maintained and controlled only at the soles of the feet, allowing the feet to adhere to the tree trunk.
The training was for maintaining and controlling Chakra.
The process was very, very tiring.
While Jiraiya could only barely climb halfway up the tree, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Natsuki had already reached the top, finishing the task much earlier than him.
Jiraiya continued his training.
Orochimaru said to Jiraiya with some disdain, “Jiraiya, you’re delaying Teacher Hiruzen’s training progress again.”
Jiraiya was provoked by Orochimaru’s words, momentarily distracted, and fell from the middle of the tree trunk.
He got up, ignoring the dust on him, angrily wiped away the sweat obstructing his eyes, and then glared defiantly at Orochimaru: “You just have higher comprehension than me, so what?
Let’s fight!
You spineless sissy who can’t even sweat!”
“I won’t fight you.” Orochimaru lightly shook his long hair that covered one eye, and turned his head to leave.
“Scared, aren’t you!
I knew you couldn’t beat me!” Jiraiya panted.
“I’m not afraid of you, I just don’t want to waste time.
I hope you finish the teacher’s task as soon as possible, so Teacher Hiruzen can start teaching us Ninjutsu.”
Orochimaru didn’t look back: “Compared to fighting you, I’m more interested in Ninjutsu.”
Tsunade sat nearby, her gaze drifting over: “Jiraiya, it’s not a good idea if you provoke Orochimaru.”
Jiraiya, while controlling the Chakra maintained at his feet, climbed up the tree, and casually said to Tsunade: “I’ve never seen any emotion on Orochimaru’s cold face; I suspect he can’t even get angry.”
As he spoke, Jiraiya turned his head to glance at the departing Orochimaru.
The Chakra maintained at his feet slipped out of control, and with an “Ah,” he fell down again.
It hurt so much he almost cried.
Tsunade shook her head impatiently, rolling her eyes.
Jiraiya saw Tsunade’s expression, quickly stood up, hands on his hips: “Tsunade, what did that look in your eyes mean just now?
Are you displeased with This Great One!”
Tsunade’s anger flared up instantly.
She was about to scold Jiraiya.
Natsuki, who was nearby, whispered to her: “Tsunade, don’t discourage Jiraiya.
He’s training hard; please give him some time.”
“Natsuki, you are so patient with Jiraiya.”
Tsunade took a deep breath and sat down.
For Natsuki’s sake, she wouldn’t argue with Jiraiya.
But she still couldn’t help but mutter, “He can’t even learn such a simple training.
That idiot Jiraiya.”
“Tsunade, I heard you call me names!” Jiraiya shouted loudly.
“So what if you heard!”
Tsunade’s fiery temper could no longer be controlled: “Idiot, idiot, idiot!”
Jiraiya got excited: “So noisy, you flat-chested washboard Tsunade!”
Instantly.
Silence.
Natsuki, who had intended to mediate, dared not utter a sound.
He could feel Tsunade’s rage having broken through its limit, ready to erupt at any moment.
Natsuki and Orochimaru could already imagine what would happen next.
Fearing involvement, the two quietly moved further away.
Tsunade didn’t argue with Jiraiya.
Her eyes wide, she stomped heavily towards Jiraiya with shrugged shoulders.
“Hey, hey!
Tsunade, calm down a bit.” Jiraiya was so scared he fell out of the tree.
“You damn pervert, who are you calling a flat chest?”
“I, I’m a flat chest, alright?
Who told you to call me an idiot first… Ah!
Ouch, ouch, ouch!”
Jiraiya cried for mercy.
Orochimaru watched from the side, a smile appearing on his face.
When Natsuki returned, Jiraiya still hadn’t completed his training task and was huffing and puffing, training to climb the tree.
A large bump was swollen on his head; one look and it was clear it wasn’t from a fall, but from a punch.
Tsunade stood nearby, glaring angrily at Jiraiya.
Orochimaru squatted down, silently watching a small snake in the grass, deep in thought about something.
A moment later.
Jiraiya fell from the tree once again.
He was covered in sweat.
Very tired.
Very sore.
His red jacket was soaked with sweat.
Seeing Tsunade and Orochimaru resting comfortably, Jiraiya looked a bit downcast: “I don’t want to be a dead last forever.”
“Jiraiya, take a break.” Natsuki walked over.
“No breaks!”
“I bought popsicles, want one?”
“Huh?”
Jiraiya saw Natsuki take a double popsicle from the bag, break it in half: “Take a break.”
“Okay!” Jiraiya drooled with desire.
Nothing felt better than eating a popsicle when you were all sweaty from training.
Jiraiya took a bite, his eyes sparkling with joy.
A popsicle, broken in half to eat, was so delicious!
“Natsuki, do you have any extra?
I want some too.” Tsunade watched, swallowing her saliva.
“No.” Natsuki shook his head.
Orochimaru glanced over: “Do you mind letting me taste it?”
“None left.” Natsuki still shook his head.
“Hahaha.” Jiraiya leaned against the tree, sitting in its shade, laughing heartily.
Orochimaru was silent for a moment before saying, “Teacher Hiruzen said that eating while the training task is not completed is not allowed.
If Teacher Hiruzen finds out you’re doing this, both of you will be punished.”
“Teacher Hiruzen isn’t here right now, and if none of you tell, we won’t be punished.” Jiraiya was very smug.
The scorching sun was high in the sky.
A gentle breeze blew.
Orochimaru squatted in the grass, gently poking a small snake with a twig, contemplating the direction of the Ninjutsu he wanted to learn in the future.
Tsunade leaned against the tree trunk, looking down at her chest, murmuring, “…If I really end up with a flat chest in the future, it’ll be because Jiraiya cursed me.”
Natsuki and Jiraiya sat shoulder to shoulder in the shade, enjoying their popsicles, feeling very refreshed.
“Natsuki, actually, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.” Jiraiya suddenly said.
It really helps the fic grow!