In the forest.
Jiraiya leaped down from a tree and scanned the scene upon landing.
Several broken tree trunks, smoking withered branches, a scorched area on the ground, and a clear boundary at its edge.
He relaxed, his gaze falling on the two lying figures.
“Kushina Uzumaki?
What are you doing here?”
As a high-ranking member of Konoha, Jiraiya had certainly met this princess of the Uzumaki clan.
However, he had spent the past two years either at Mount Myoboku or on missions outside the village.
He didn’t have much of an impression of her.
Gekko Ryun observed Jiraiya discreetly.
Tall stature, a forehead protector with the character for “oil,” white hair, and oil paint on his face.
He wasn’t wearing a Jonin vest like Tsunade.
His attire was quite similar to that of the future Naruto era, just much younger.
“I was practicing ninjutsu, Uncle Jiraiya.”
Kushina said lazily.
She had only seen Jiraiya when she first arrived in the village.
If Tsunade hadn’t frequently complained about Jiraiya at home, Kushina might not have remembered him.
Jiraiya immediately jumped up: “Uncle?
Brat, I’m only twenty!”
“Wait.” Jiraiya realized something, “Were you the one practicing ninjutsu just now?”
“It was me, Uncle.”
Jiraiya ignored the title issue and looked again at the “devastated” scene.
Such a sight likely indicated the level of an A-rank Fire Style Ninjutsu.
Why were Ninja Academy students so monstrous these days?
Already learning A-rank ninjutsu?
Back when he was in the Ninja Academy, he only knew the Three Basic Jutsu…
Jiraiya advised: “A-rank ninjutsu is still too dangerous.
At the very least, you should have a Chunin teacher supervising, otherwise you could easily hurt yourself.”
Kushina stood up and tilted her head: “What are you talking about, Uncle?
Is the Great Fireball Technique an A-rank ninjutsu?”
“C-rank,” Gekko Ryun reminded.
“What?” Jiraiya’s pupils contracted sharply, and he took a deep breath, “The Great Fireball Technique?
Are you sure it’s the Great Fireball Technique?”
“I’m sure.”
“No, no, oh yes yes, what yes?
No!”
Jiraiya quickly figured out the reason and focused his gaze on Kushina’s red hair.
His throat felt a bit dry; he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Suddenly, he felt a pang of envy.
Even the Third Hokage had praised his chakra reserves, but they couldn’t compare to the Uzumaki clan’s monsters…
“Ryun-kun?
And…
Uzumaki-san?”
Minato, holding Jiraiya’s outer robe, hurried over.
When he saw the two people standing not far away, he was taken aback.
Why were they here?
He instinctively glanced at the ravaged forest, his throat tightening.
Had Jonin fought here?
“Hmm?
You know each other?”
Jiraiya stroked his chin, noticing that Minato had momentarily lost his composure upon seeing Kushina.
But Kushina had only glanced at him before looking away.
Then, looking at the black-haired boy standing beside Kushina…
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the junior he favored.
“Senpai, we’re classmates.
Ryun-kun taught me swordsmanship.”
Hearing this, Jiraiya sighed inwardly.
‘Kid, you don’t stand a chance.’
‘Kushina Uzumaki clearly has feelings for that boy.’
“You still owe him a favor, so you have no hope of competing.”
For some reason, he thought of Tsunade.
After a brief silence.
Gekko Ryun spoke up, “Senior, did our training disturb you?”
“My name is Jiraiya, kid.
What’s yours?”
“Gekko Ryun.”
Kushina moved closer and whispered, “This uncle is the Hokage’s disciple.”
Since they weren’t far apart, Minato heard it too, his heart surging with shock.
‘The senior is actually the Hokage’s disciple?!’
For a Ninja Academy student from a civilian background, there were only two chances to see the Hokage—during the entrance and graduation ceremonies.
But the Hokage’s disciples…
aside from Tsunade, whose reputation was widespread, he had never even heard of the others.
They were figures beyond reach.
Gekko Ryun cooperatively put on a shocked expression.
“A child of the Gekko clan?
Did you teach her the Great Fireball Technique?”
“I did, Lord Jiraiya.”
Minato quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
So it was just teaching.
For a moment, he had almost thought the ninjutsu was released by Gekko Ryun.
That terrifying power…
he even suspected Gekko Ryun had been setting things up for three years just to ambush him in their next duel.
If the ninjutsu was released by Kushina Uzumaki, then it wouldn’t be strange…
no, wait, it was still strange!
In other words, could a C-rank ninjutsu create such a terrifying scene?
He suddenly understood the weight behind Kushina saying her dream was to become the first female Hokage.
“Not bad, kid.”
Jiraiya praised sincerely.
He glanced at the sky painted with sunset hues.
“It’s getting late.
Let me treat you all to a meal.”
Minato stood silently behind Jiraiya, looking at Gekko Ryun and Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina’s small face scrunched up.
She had already prepared two bento boxes to share with Gekko Ryun after training.
Who wanted to go eat with an uncle?
Before she could refuse, Gekko Ryun readily agreed, “Then we’ll trouble you, Lord Jiraiya.”
No way was he going to miss an opportunity like this.
Based on his judgment of equipment materials, the Sannin, as important characters, must have materials that could be refined into equipment—likely more than one piece.
The only question was whether Jiraiya carried any with him.
Only by making contact could he determine that.
No matter what, this was a chance to reasonably interact with Jiraiya, absolutely not to be missed!
He had been eagerly waiting for his second piece of equipment.
Jiraiya nodded with satisfaction, waving a hand.
“Let’s go, Yakiniku Q!”
…
As Konoha’s high-end yakiniku restaurant, Yakiniku Q was expensive, making it difficult for ordinary jonin to achieve “Yakiniku Q freedom.”
But because it was exceptionally delicious, the restaurant was extremely popular.
It was considered one of Konoha’s must-try delicacies.
Jiraiya strode into Yakiniku Q with the three third-years in tow.
Minato Namikaze looked around curiously, taking in the sights of the restaurant.
Kushina wore a sullen expression, still thinking about her bento, with little interest in the yakiniku.
Gekko Ryun had never been here either—the Gekko family’s finances didn’t allow for such extravagance.
If they ate to their heart’s content, one meal could consume several mission rewards from his uncle.
It was simply unaffordable.
Noticing Kushina seemed off.
He quietly took hold of the girl’s wrist and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
Looking down at her wrist being held, then at Gekko Ryun’s concerned gaze.
Perhaps it was the warmth inside the shop, but Kushina’s cheeks felt hot.
“I…
I prepared a bento.”
He immediately understood why Kushina had been sullen the whole way.
Putting himself in her shoes, if he had prepared a bento and someone went off to eat with others instead, he would feel uncomfortable too.
“Sorry, I didn’t know…
How about this?
Give me the bento later, and I’ll have it as a midnight snack, okay?”
Seeing the apology in Ryun’s eyes, Kushina sniffled, her eyes turning slightly red.
“It’s already cold.
I’ll make you a fresh one tomorrow.”
“In this hot weather, I actually prefer something cool.”
“Pfft~” Kushina broke into a smile, her gloomy expression instantly clearing up.
Jiraiya finished greeting a few familiar ninjas in the shop.
“Huh, Kushina, why are you crying?”